Family that rejected six housing offers fails in High Court bid for emergency accommodation in Clare
Martina Sherlock Mongans and her seven children, members of the Travelling community, were deemed homeless after being evicted from a rented council house in Lahinch, Co Clare, in July 2024. The family turned down six own-door accommodation offers from Clare County Council and sought emergency accommodation in a three-bedroom unit from the council's social housing stock. In July 2025, the High Court dismissed their proceedings against the council, the Minister for Housing, the Attorney General and Ireland. Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger ruled the council had lawfully discharged its statutory duties and that the family was not entitled to require emergency accommodation from housing stock earmarked for social housing.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court28 Jul
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Martina Sherlock Mongans and her seven children, members of the Travelling community, were deemed homeless by Clare County Council.
- The family turned down six own-door accommodation offers from Clare County Council made since August 2024.
- The family sought emergency accommodation in a three-bedroom unit from the council's social housing stock.
- When
- The family was evicted from a rented council house in Lahinch, Co Clare, in July 2024.
- Hotel accommodation was arranged for several weeks from July 31, 2024.
- Where
- The rented council house was in Lahinch, Co Clare.
- In court
- The family brought proceedings against Clare County Council, the Minister for Housing, the Attorney General and Ireland.
- In July 2025, Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger ruled the council had lawfully discharged its statutory duties regarding emergency accommodation.
- The judge ruled the family was not entitled to require the council to offer emergency accommodation from housing stock earmarked for social housing.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe family turned down six offers of houses by Clare County Council. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe family includes seven children. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMartina Sherlock Mongans and her seven children are members of the Travelling community. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe family was deemed homeless by the local authority. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe family was evicted from a rented council house in Lahinch, Co Clare, in July 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- whenHotel accommodation was arranged for several weeks from July 31st, 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- whenSince August 2024, six different own-door accommodation options have been offered as emergency accommodation. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe family failed in their High Court bid to force the council to provide emergency accommodation. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Marguerite Bolger ruled the council had lawfully discharged its statutory duties regarding emergency accommodation. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe family is not entitled to require the council to offer emergency accommodation from housing stock earmarked for social housing. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe family sought proceedings against Clare County Council, the Minister for Housing, the Attorney General and Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 28 Jul2025Family that rejected six housing offers fails in court bid for emergency accommodation
Reports the High Court ruling dismissing the family's proceedings against Clare County Council and the State parties over emergency accommodation.
victim, Martina Sherlock Mongans, female, irish (judged from name)Martina Sherlock Mongans