Council refuses new flat for toddler who had kidney removed
Monday August 11 2008
A YOUNG mother has spoken of her fear for the health of her toddler who is recovering from an operation to remove a kidney while living in appallingly damp conditions.
Georgina Ahearne is desperately worried about her son Cian (2) who was born with three kidneys and underwent surgery less than a year ago to remove one of them.
She is pleading with Dublin City Council to rehouse her and her son. Cian is on constant medication, has to attend hospital regularly and both remaining kidneys are seriously weakened.
Georgina says the damp at their cramped one-bed flat has already seen Cian hospitalised with chest complaints, and she is now afraid it will begin to affect his chances of a full recovery from his kidney disorder.
Despite Cian's condition, Dublin City Council has refused to re-house them, insisting Cian is "not a medical priority".
Georgina (31) has been living in the tiny flat in Dolphin's Barn for nine years.
Cian was born with "duplex" kidneys on his left-hand side. One had to be removed because his third, right-hand kidney was functioning incorrectly. Neither of his remaining kidneys has fully recovered and he needs regular scans at hospital.
Apart from his kidney problems, young Cian spent two months in hospital shortly after he was born, being treated for encephalitis. He also suffers from repeated chest infections.
"If he's not a medical priority, who is?" asked Georgina. "He's been in and out of hospital with his chest, and I know it's from the damp in the flat. The place is a dump.
"Since he got the kidney out, he has to see the consultant every three months. He has to get physiotherapy to walk as well because of the encephalitis. The doctors in the hospital saved his life, but he's on medication to prevent infection and I'm worried about him now. I can't do anything with the flat myself".
Response
Georgina has sent medical certificates to the city council twice but got the same response.
A spokeswoman for Dublin City Council explained that medical priority is decided by an independent medical referee working on contract on behalf of the local authority.
Georgina did not otherwise have enough "points" to merit a housing transfer.
Georgina does not have room in the flat for her second son, 10-year-old Dean, who lives with a relative in Meath.
- Andrew Phelan
