Single mother facing homelessness stages vigil at Ballyfermot centre

By Maurice Garvey

A MOTHER facing the dreaded prospect of becoming homeless on April 17, has started a weekly vigil outside Ballyfermot Civic Centre in the hope of drumming up support across Dublin to address the housing crisis.

Selina Hogan (30), who is on the housing list for the last four years, has lived on Ballyfermot Road for the last three-and-a-half years.

She received notice to vacate the premises from her landlord, who is selling the property, but efforts to find alternative accommodation have proved impossible, with Selina “bounced around” sections of Dublin City Council.

Originally from Dolphin’s Barn, Selina was an only child, and after her mother died 11 years ago, she effectively raised her two kids Lauren (14) and Scott (8) on her own.

Scott is diagnosed with ADHD and Aspergers, and Selina fears he won’t be able to cope staying in emergency accommodation.

She said: “My worst fear is taking Scott out of his school Mary Queen of Angels – where he has to be taken out of class twice a day because he can’t handle sitting in a room all day – and putting him in a single room in emergency accommodation.”

“It took seven years to get him diagnosed. The support in his school and in Cherry Orchard Hospital is vital, but this could deteriorate if he is moved – putting back all the progress he has made over the last 12 months.”

Selina’s relationship broke down with her former partner five years ago, and agreed a “crossover” situation with DCC and South Dublin County Council.

“DCC acknowledged this crossover, but now when I seek help with homelessness, they say it is not their problem. I was told to come back to them a week before I am due to be evicted.”

“By contrast, SDCC have been absolutely fantastic. They did more for me in an hour than DCC did in months – helping me with applications and putting me in touch with Focus Ireland.”

People Before Profit activist Sean Carroll, who is assisting Selina with her vigil, believes it has the potential to generate a similar effect as the Right 2 Water campaign.

Sean said: “Selina drops her kids to school and spends half her day in the civic offices trying to sort out accommodation. She is in a right battle at the moment. DCC say she will have to self-accommodate for Easter Monday. How is she to find accommodation that weekend.

“I’m not doing this for sympathy, I’m doing this as a human principle,” said Selina.

“I want to raise awareness of this crisis in the EU, and I have contacted documentary makers in Germany to reveal the truth behind what our government actually says. If I can fight this state of emergency as a single mother with no family to support me, then anyone can.”