A landlord in Ireland has been ordered to pay €13,000 to a pregnant mother he had attempted to evict. This legal victory brings hope to renters who face similar situations where landlords attempt to illegally evict tenants. The case highlights the importance of tenant rights and the need for stricter enforcement of housing laws to protect vulnerable renters.
John Corley, a landlord, has been ordered by a State watchdog to pay €13,000 in compensation to a pregnant mother, Laura Keane, whom he tried to evict only 13 days after she applied for Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). At the Workplace Relations Committee (WRC), adjudicator Bríd Deering stated that the compensation reflected the seriousness of the discrimination and the impact it had on Keane. Keane, who was represented by Threshold in the WRC case, also claimed that Corley refused to sign Section B of the HAP application form, which caused financial and emotional distress. As part of the order, Deering directed Corley to accept HAP payment from the relevant Local Authority and complete the relevant sections of the HAP Application Form.
In conclusion, justice has prevailed for the pregnant mother who faced the distressing situation of being evicted by her landlord. The court’s decision to order the landlord to pay €13,000 in compensation sends a strong message that pregnant women have legal protections that must be respected. It is a reminder to all landlords that they cannot act outside the law and must treat all tenants, especially those who are pregnant, fairly and with respect. Hopefully, this ruling will act as a deterrent to any other landlords considering similar actions in the future, and pregnant women can feel assured that they have the protection of the legal system if they are treated unfairly.
