Via Les Evictions?

I really found it interesting the lack of compassion in the comments online surrounding the eviction yesterday of a 63 year old woman and a 71 year old man from their house in Killiney.

I don’t know the exact details of the case but personally I think it’s wrong to evict pensioners. Is that ageist? Foolish idealism? Or just respect for my elders?

My thinking is whatever the bank or the couple say regarding the others’ terrible attempts to solve the situation their both probably a little bit right. Do I suspect the bank would aggressively chase the owners  of a valuable property rather than one with none? Maybe not them give as much room to manoeuvre? Yes I do. Do I think this couple made bad investments (probably on Anglo’s advice) and mismanaged their finances? Clearly in hindsight yes they did. They aren’t the only ones.

Does it matter they happen to be seemingly well off? Everyone else seems to think so. Yes they have other houses worth XYZ however, they aren’t worth XYZ if no one is buying. While you have someone renting them at least you can put that money towards their individual mortgages. That doesn’t give you a place to live or money to pay your own mortgage. Lawfully they could evict their tenants for a place to live but let’s be honest that’s not good practice. You know you can live in a big fancy house and still not afford a to heat it or put food in the fridge.

People have argued they broke the law so it’s fair they were evicted. Well when you stick to the absolute letter of the law feel free to throw the first stone. However, if you’ve ever jumped on the luas for just one stop without paying please go hand yourself in at the nearest Garda Station. Actually I’m wrong because that’s a criminal act. This particular case wouldn’t of been seen at the criminal courts because it’s not. It would have been through the commercial courts hence why Garda was there but didn’t act when the gentleman in question was manhandled. Myself I’d prefer if Garda’s time was better used then supervising bailiffs.

At the end of the day these two people worked hard all their lives and now they are living on the street outside their home. They no doubt over the years they gave back to their local community, charity and most importantly to the Irish exchequer. If you’re in 60’s or 70’s this isn’t your first recession. It’s the hard work of the generations that came before us (I’m 27) that meant I could get a good education, enjoy a better standard of living and avail of better opportunities. This generation are still contributing today. I don’t ever want to take that for granted.

We won’t get out of this recession without common sense and compassion.