Social housing residents of a northside area made internationally famous as a backdrop for say they feel like they are “the forgotten people, abandoned on the top of a mountain”.
A number of residents in Roche’s Buildings and Sutton’s Buildings, who spoke to , said that they felt ignored by City Hall and ill-served by an unreliable bus service.
Paul O’Leary, 61, has lived in Roche’s Buildings for six years and also works in the resource centre.
“We’re like the forgotten people up here, abandoned on the top of a mountain,” he said.
Kevin O’Leary, 64, has lived here for 13 years and he says he has spent “years” asking for a new front door.
“In the winter… it’s like having air conditioning,” he said.
All of the residents who spoke with say they find it difficult to get a response from the city council on the issues they have raised.
“Trying to get in touch with the council is impossible,” claimed 62-year-old Maggie Blyth.
Sinn Féin Cork City North East candidate Christa Daley, who has met with the residents, said that numerous homes have problems with roofs, gutters, and doors.
“There seems to be a complete lack of engagement by the city council on these issues,” she said.
Paul O’Leary says the lack of a dependable bus service with a quick and simple route into town adds to the isolation felt by residents.
He adds that the thrice-daily 209 bus route brings passengers out to Silverheights before eventually returning into town.
“We have a lot of pensioners here who need to get to Blackpool for their post office,” he said.
With an ageing population prone to illness and infirmity, walking into town is not an option for many, and residents claim that the hillside surfaces are often left covered with leaves and moss, making them dangerous and slippery.
Cork Penny Dinners calls to several residents every day, and Paul O’Leary says: “The knock at the door for the dinner will be the only contact some of those people have all day.”
Christa Daley says many Roche’s Buildings and Sutton’s Buildings residents are despairing and feel they really have been forgotten.
Asked for a comment, a spokesperson for Bus Éireann said bus routes and schedules are determined by the National Transport Authority.
They said their Cork services are subject to “external challenges”, including traffic congestion and driver recruitment.
A spokesperson for Cork City Council said: “The Cork City Council customer service request centre is available to all tenants to report repair requests.
“These are then addressed by the relevant housing operations staff.”