Council home repossessed 48 hours after tragic death
By Maurice Garvey
THE council home of a tenant was repossessed, in what was described as an “horrendous operation”, just over 48 hours after he died in a tragic incident.
Dan O’Reilly (57) was killed after being hit by a white van outside a house in Tymon Road North, Tallaght, in the early hours of August 10.
The house boarded up in Daltree with a photo of Dan O’Reilly on the gate
A son-in-law of Mr Reilly, was questioned by gardai over the fatal hit and run, but released without charge.
Mr O’Reilly was not known to gardai for involvement in crime.
On Wednesday, August 12, officials from South Dublin County Council and gardai, attended the scene of Mr O’Reilly’s council home on Daletree Court in Ballycullen, smashing through the front door and boarding up the windows.
“The way they did it was horrendous, a big operation from 3pm to 5pm, absolutely disgraceful scenes,” said Anne Murphy, next door neighbour of Mr O’Reilly for 14 years.
“The family were not informed and were trying to gain entry to the home. They were given all of two minutes to go in. I brought plastic chairs for family to sit outside.
People outside the house at the funeral
They couldn’t grieve, couldn’t lay out the body in the home, there was no dignity.
“The council took advantage of a high profile incident. The dog warden took away his dog Hunter. It shook everyone on the road to the core.
A petition was started and we are looking for advice on how this was allowed to happen.”
Flowers and a photo of Dan on the gate at the house
The Echo understands Mr O’Reilly was the sole name on the tenancy. Separated from his wife, he has seven kids, five daughters and two sons, who would visit on a regular basis.
At least one son is believed to have lived with Mr O’Reilly in Ballycullen.
A funeral hearse carrying Mr O’Reilly’s body was outside the home on Friday, August 14, for a service. Mourners listened to a number of songs by Elvis Presley, a favourite of Mr O’Reilly’s.
Neighbours who spoke to The Echo on the road on Monday evening recalled Mr O’Reilly as a “very nice man.”
“Residents are extremely saddened with the loss,” said a Daletree Court woman.
Cllr Deridre O’Donovan (FF) said: “I was surprised to see the house boarded up so quickly. I know we had local residents onto the council, very concerned over the way it was handled. I have put a members representation into the council.”
Neighbour Ms Murphy said: “He never had anyone knock on his door. I don’t know what he did that night, but he paid for it with his life.
“This is a small road. He wasn’t known as Traveller Dan to us, he was just Dan the man.”
A spokesperson for South Dublin County Council wished to “confirm that no repossession was carried out by the local authority out in the area.”
“It would not be appropriate for the council to provide any further comment on this individual case.”
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