Patrick prepared for legal action in eviction dispute

Patrick Collopy at his home with a photograph of himself and his late mother Rita
Patrick Collopy at his home with a photograph of himself and his late mother Rita

A YOUNG Limerick man has been told by City Council that he must leave the home he shared with his mother until her death last April.

Patrick Collopy (26), was ordered to be out of his home at 5 Bishop Street by March 12 last on the basis of a two-year tenancy rule. Patrick, who works at Dunnes Stores in Henry Street, was threatened with legal action if he doesn’t vacate the house but has vowed to go “all the way” to the courts if necessary.

Mr Collopy moved home to take care of his mother Rita who was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2012. The council was aware of the arrangement as he immediately applied to go on to the rent book and the rent was subsequently increased.

Patrick remained in the house after his mother’s death in April 2013. He has been up to date with his rent and never been in trouble with the law. He told the Limerick Post this week that all he wants from the City Council is some “cooperation”.

“I’ve been told that I can’t stay in my home because the council says it is too big for one person as it has two bedrooms. You should see the size of the place, it’s tiny. My last memories of my mother are here and no one is taking them from me. It’s my family home as far as I’m concerned.

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“If I was unemployed and had a child, I’d be left alone but because I’m working I’m supposed to leave my home. This is a heartless way to treat anyone. The Council treat people like scum and they treat scum like Gods. I don’t know why they have to set a precedent at my expense. Being honest goes against me.

“I have been going through hell with this battle let alone trying to cope with the loss of my mother. This is a horrible thing the Council are trying to do to me,” he said.

An online petition to keep Patrick in his family home has to date attracted over 2,500 signatures. City councillor Maurice Quinlivan has asked the council to show Mr Collopy some compassion and stop trying to evict him .

“Patrick is a very decent young man who has suffered the trauma of losing his mother. His family is rooted in the King’s Island community and many people in the local area and across the city are outraged that the council would try and evict him,” said Cllr Quinlivan.

“Patrick is a very private person and the last thing he wanted was to make this public but the failure thus far to stop the eviction proceedings against him left him feeling he had no option but to publicise his plight,” he said.

City Council refused to comment on the case.

 

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