Council to take back house from tenant

Galway County Council has secured an order to take back possession of a local authority house from a tenant who was not entitled to live in it.

Ballinasloe District Court heard that the niece and carer of a woman who had been renting the Council house in East Galway was not entitled to remain in the home.

Solicitor Dermot Caslin, on behalf of the Council, said the woman was given a refusal letter in June 2024, explaining she was not entitled to succession tenancy.

He said succession in the tenancy was refused because she “did not meet the criteria of succession”.

The Council sent letters to the woman in November 2025 and March 2026 explaining that she did not qualify for succession. The woman and her husband were told they had to vacate the property on multiple occasions, the court heard.

The woman explained to Judge James Faughnan that she was given a letter by the County Council confirming she could remain in the property.

This letter was not produced in court, however, and the County Council denied it existed.

Judge Faughnan granted the possession order, which means the woman must vacate the property.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.