Family of tragic Council tenant determined to clear her name
Galway City Council has declined to comment publicly on calls from the family of the late Bríd Cummins for an apology for the manner in which her case was handled by the local authority.
Paddy Cummins, a brother of Ms Cummins who took her own life in 2004, last week said he was determined to clear her name.
He said last December on the 10th anniversary of her death that the family believes her death “could have been avoided” if her case had been handled differently.
Last month, Ms Cummins’ family renewed their appeal for an apology, but the Council, in a statement this week, said it would not be commenting.
“The late Ms Bríd Cummins, RIP and her tenancy with Galway City Council have been the subject of a number of reports issued to elected members of Galway City Council following Ms Cummins’ sad and untimely death in December 2004. Galway City Council has no further comment to make to the media in response to queries in this matter.”
Ms Cummins, a former journalist who had mental health issues, fought eviction by Galway City Council from the Council house she was living in.
The Council had secured an eviction order against her in November 2004.
She appealed the decision but was willing to leave voluntarily if she could stay for Christmas. The Council refused and according to the court order she was to vacate the property on December 6, 2004.
Housing agency COPE said it was instructed by the Council not to provide crisis accommodation for the 48-years-old.
On that date she was found dead in her flat when officials turned up to get back the house keys from her.
The tragedy prompted the President, then Galway West TD, Michael D Higgins to call for a public inquiry.
Sinn Féin senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh again renewed his call for a fully independent review into the case. He said he was “disappointed” the family has yet to be contacted by management at Galway City Council.
“They should apologise for the manner in which this case was handled. If Galway City Council is hoping that this will just go away, well that is not going to happen and the family are not going to allow that to happen.
“If there is nothing to hide then there should be no problem will holding an independent review in this tragedy. It is the least that the family deserves,” he said.