Carol McCullagh, her husband, Mohammed Syllah, and their three children share one bedroom.
Shane (7) sleeps in the top bunk, while Layla (4) and Deen (3), share the bottom bunk, at the foot of the couple’s bed. They all share one wardrobe and one small chest of drawers. Clothes are hanging from the curtain rail, while four black bags of their possessions are piled in an alcove. More possessions are under both beds, while nine black bags are under the stairs.
“Their toys and other things are all in the shed,” says Ms McCullagh.
The small bedroom used to be occupied by her mother, Pauline (63), but she has moved into the single room next door since the young family lost their rented house in nearby Crumlin earlier this month. Ms McCullagh’s brother Stephen, who owns the two-bedroom house and used to occupy the single room, now sleeps on the couch downstairs.
“We got notice from the landlord in the middle of August that he wanted the house back. He was selling it,” says Ms McCullagh.
The monthly rent for the three-bedroom house was €1,000, and they had rent allowance of €770 a month. Bridging the gap had been a struggle, out of their social welfare entitlement of €420 a week. Given that rents were about €1,200 in the area, and no landlord would accept rent allowance, she says they had no option but to move into her mother’s house.
They no longer get rent allowance.
Mr Syllah has returned to college. Ms McCullagh, who currently is not working, has been on Dublin City Council's housing list for 10 years and was recently advised she would not be given a date for housing. She is anxious to stay in the area near her mother, who is ill. The children have settled well into nearby Scoil Treasa Naofa.
“It’s hard on the kids because they’ve always had their own rooms,” says Carol. “It’s even harder on my mother and that is worrying me.”
Ms McCullagh’s mother had a mastectomy recently and is due to go back to hospital to be assessed for chemotherapy.
“I love my grandchildren,” she says. “They are great kids, but I can’t cope with them being here all the time. I can’t get any rest, can’t get sleep. But I can’t see them on the street. I don’t know why this is happening to Carol. She’s never done any harm to anyone.”
Dublin city councillor Críona Ní Dhálaigh, who has been advocating for the family, said the case was “definitely not unique”.
