Elderly Kilcoole Couple Face Homelessness Threat

Mai and Michael Kelly

atest press release from Jennifer Whitmore TD, issued on Friday, June 26th 2026…

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has called out the unfair rules and inhumane Government housing policy that will see elderly Wicklow couple homeless by the end of the year.

“Mai and Michael Kelly of Kilcoole are being evicted by the end of this year because their landlord is selling up after their 20 years of residence in the home. Michael, who is a double amputee, has been in St Vincent’s Hospital since December. They have been trying to get council housing, but because this is based on their earnings from the previous year, they cannot,” Deputy Whitmore explained.

“This is an unfairness that is embedded into the system. Wicklow County Council can’t offer this couple a home because the man was working last year and therefore does not meet the threshold for social housing. He has, since April 2026, retired. It makes absolutely no sense to base this sort of thing on calendar years. The council should be able to act with discretion in cases like this – Government policy needs to change here.”

“Unfortunately, this is not a unique situation, and these cases prop up all the time. You often see couples that have been renting their entire lives who then retire and seek to get social housing, and they have to wait 12 months until they can go on the list. It makes absolutely no sense.”

“I am particularly worried about this couple because Michael has a physical disability, as a double amputee, and is particularly vulnerable. It is imperative that this policy is reviewed and indeed changed. Bureaucratic red tape should not mean that a couple might become homeless by the end of the year, it just is not acceptable.”

“I am in touch with the couple and with the Council and doing what I can to assist them to find a solution here,” concluded Whitmore.

“It really shouldn’t be this complicated to stop Mai and Michael from becoming homeless…”