THE HUMAN rights of families still living in almost fully detenanted blocks of flats in Ballymun were being violated and these people must be rehoused as soon as possible, Dublin City Council was told yesterday.
About 20 people, members of the Justice for Rachel Peavoy campaign, protested outside the civic offices in Ballymun yesterday, saying the circumstances in which Ms Peavoy died last year must not be allowed to continue for other families.
Rachel Peavoy (30), Shangan Road, Ballymun, Dublin, a mother of two boys, was found dead in her flat on January 11th, 2010. Her sons were staying with family elsewhere at the time.
At the inquest into her death in April the cause of death was found to have been hypothermia.
The inquest heard claims that Dublin City Council had switched off the heating in the block of flats where she lived as the rest of the block was empty.
A controversial verdict of death by misadventure was returned by coroner Dr Brian Farrell, who accepted Ms Peavoy died of hypothermia but said evidence had been heard that the flat was not “freezing” at the time.
Family and friends insisted the heating had been turned off and said she had asked on numerous occasions to be rehoused by the council, to no avail.
Dr Farrell said as the verdict was returned that emptying flats of their tenants presented particular challenges both to the authorities and also to the tenants remaining in the blocks, especially if they were vulnerable.
A friend of Ms Peavoy, Catherine Greene, said yesterday her friend’s human rights had been violated by the council.
“We need justice for Rachel and all other vulnerable people who are living in unfit accommodation at present. Rachel’s family and friends demand that this never happens again.”
A council spokeswoman said Dr Farrell had written to the council regarding its detenanting policy.
“This is being given due consideration,” she added.
