Tullamore family left homeless following fire

A Tullamore family who have been living in a B&B since their local authority house was destroyed by fire three weeks ago have pleaded with Offaly County Council to find them a new home.

Peter Daly's family home in Chancery Close was extensively damaged when clothes that were drying on a rack above their range in the kitchen caught fire.

Since then, Peter, his partner Roisin, and two daughters Ellie (12) and Casey (9) have been staying in a B&B in the town.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent, Peter claimed that his family have been offered the vacant house next door to theirs by the council, but they declined it as it was in a bad state of repair. Mr Daly says he has been to view the house and it is not suitable in its current condition.

“I know for a fact that it has been vacant for a year and a half and that it has never been touched or cleaned. It is dire, I couldn't believe they were offering it to us.”

“I took pictures inside the house. It's unacceptable. The floor boards are all cracked up. In this day and age, it's not good.”

Mr Daly says that his family have been good tenants during their nine-year stay in their home in Chancery Close, and are currently overpaid on their rent.

Entering their fourth week living in emergency accommodation, Mr Daly says their current living situation is beginning to take its toll.

“We have one bedroom for the four of us. It starts to get agitating. It is very frustrating. It is very hard. Stressful is not the word,” he said.

The Offaly Independent attempted to contact Offaly County Council for a comment.