A FIFTY nine-year-old Limerick man who is recovering after a heart attack says he is frightened to go out in his back garden because it is overrun with rats.
Patrick McNamara from St Ita’s Street in St Mary’s Park also describes his house as the “only dump on the street”.
Patrick, who suffers with epilepsy and has limited movement following an accident, says Limerick City and County Council have been busy putting up railings, gates and sheds for all his neighbours, but feels he is being constantly overlooked.
“The Council were here about six weeks ago to clear up the dirt in my back and promised they’d be back to put up railings and a front gate. It’s the last I heard from them,” he said.
A Council tenant for over 20 years, Mr McNamara told the Limerick Post he was promised an extension to his two-bedroom home a number of years ago but it still hasn’t materialised. He said he has never caused any problems and cannot understand why his requests are ignored.
“Everyone else is getting everything, but I’m getting nothing. My place is a dump and needs a lot of work. When I call they just tell me, they’ll send someone out to look after it, but no one ever comes,” Patrick claimed.
“I just won’t go out in the back I am so afraid. You can hear the rats fighting out there. The place is alive with them. It’s unnatural. All I want is some help from the Council and not to be ignored. There’s rats everywhere and I’m terrified they will get into my house next,” he added.
A spokesman for the local authority commented, “Limerick City and County Council does not comment publicly on any individual housing case, but any social housing tenant with specific needs or issues relating to their accommodation are invited to present themselves in person to the Home and Social Development Department of the Council or contact the Department by phone (061-496 000) / email (customerservices@limerick.ie).”
