Tenant who 'couldn't turn on a computer' claims he was sent guide to city council’s online letting system

A 60-year-old man, who has a serious heart condition and is one of the last tenants in council flats due for demolition, has claimed that when he told Cork City Council he is not computer literate, he was given a users’ guide to the council’s online letting system.

Dan Galvin has lived in a one-bedroom social housing flat on Noonan’s Rd for over eight years. 

The Togher native suffers from a serious heart condition, and is living with limited mobility caused by arthritis. 

He says his lungs are badly affected by the mould and damp in his flat.

He said he was told more than a year ago by the council that he would be transferred to a new home, but would need to use the council’s online choice-based letting (CBL) system.

When he replied that he was not computer literate, Mr Galvin claimed he received in the post a users’ guide to the choice-based letting (CBL) system.

“I asked them below in City Hall for help with the system, and I got in the letterbox a booklet showing me how to use the system.

“They might as well send it in Chinese, because I have no idea what it’s saying. I told them I don’t know how to go on a computer. I wouldn’t know how to turn on a computer,” he said.

“I’m a carpenter by trade. When I was able to, I could build you a house, but I couldn’t turn on a computer for you.”

Mr Galvin said he had received no contact from the council in over a year, beyond the delivery of the CBL how-to guide. 

Earlier this month, local housing activist William O’Brien sent an email to Cork City Council on Mr Galvin’s behalf — but received no response. 

Mr O’Brien said Mr Galvin needs a tenant support liaison officer to help him to look at properties.

“A tenant support officer should be meeting Dan regularly with a phone or a tablet, and be showing Dan properties and saying, ‘Dan, you can bid on these ones’, but it’s absolutely terrible that Dan has been forgotten about," he said. 

The council flats on Noonan’s Rd, St Finbarr’s Rd, Fort St, and Dean St were built in the 60s by what was then Cork Corporation under the supervision of then city architect, Eamon O’Byrne. 

Originally planned to have a 50-year lifespan, the flats — according to tenants — have long-since become prone to cold, damp, black mould, and rodent infestation.

In September 2023, following a campaign by residents, Cork City Council told tenants that it favours the rehousing of tenants and the demolition of the flats. 

Now there are approximately 30 tenants left in the 90-odd Noonan’s Rd and St Finbarr’s Rd flats, but the 38 flats on Fort St and Dean St remain mostly occupied.

Cork City Council was asked for a comment.