Published Articles

Senior ministers agreed last week at Cabinet to extend the Rent-a-Room scheme to all housing types, including local authority Council

Reflecting back on 2022, Mercy Law Resource Centre launched its first ever Final Hour Campaign on 23 November. The campaign

As we come to the end of the year, our solicitor Paul Dornan reflects back on our legal clinics in

There have been recent changes to a council’s discretionary power surrounding the available rates of Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). This

It is with deep regret that Mercy Law Resource Centre mourns the passing of Sister Catriona O'Hara.  Sr Catriona was

Mercy Law Resource Centre welcomes many of the initiatives in the government’s Housing for All strategy.  In particular, it welcomes

We are pleased to announce two additions to our team, Heber Rowan (Fundraising & Communications Officer) and Katherine Finn (Locum

Mercy Law is delighted to announce that it has signed up to the Law Society’s Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Mercy Law welcomes the recent decision of the Legal Aid Board to discount state housing support payments, including HAP, when assessing financial eligibility

Mercy Law Resource Centre is delighted to welcome our new Managing Solicitor Aoife Kelly - Desmond. Aoife will join Solicitor

Mercy Law Resource Centre (MLRC) is an independent law centre and charity which provides free legal advice and representation to

RSM Ireland are delighted to recruit a Managing Solicitor on behalf of their client, Mercy Law Resource Centre. Mercy Law Resource

My name is Gemma Harrington and I recently finished my MA in Laws from University College Dublin. I held the

Earlier this year, MLRC successfully assisted a family in securing suitable emergency accommodation after they spent almost a year in

We were delighted to see our pro bono partners A&L Goodbody win an award last week for Excellence in Community

MLRC recently assisted a client in successfully accessing social housing support and consequentially the Housing Assistance Payment, after her request

On 14 June 2020, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection announced measures to make Rent Supplement more readily

Having battled with the council for many years to access the housing list, one of our clients last week was

In the last few days, MLRC has supported two vulnerable families to move from overcrowded and highly unsuitable B&B accommodation,

Since the onset of Covid-19 in Ireland, MLRC has intensified its provision of essential services including our legal advice outreach

MLRC welcomes emergency draft legislation published early today, which imposes restrictions on evictions of tenants in private rented accommodation and

The Irish Courts handed down two helpful and interesting decisions late last year. In the first case the Supreme Court

In February, for the first time in the history of the United Nations, at the 58th Commission for Social Development,

I am currently undertaking a Legal Secretary Course in Rathmines College Of Further Education. My course requires me to have

As a part of Transition Year, I did work experience with MLRC. I was in MLRC from the 3rd to

A recent decision of the UK Court of Appeal examines the right to a nomadic lifestyle of the Gypsy and

MLRC successfully represented a client in RTB Tribunal proceedings in having the notice of termination of her tenancy determined as

In 2019, Ireland saw yet another increase in individuals and families facing the crisis of homelessness. The housing crisis has

Mercy Law Resource Centre (MLRC) presented to members of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on Wednesday 11 December

MLRC recently secured a successful outcome for a client whose offer of accommodation was under threat. Our client was the

On Monday 16th of September at our 2018 Annual Report Launch, MLRC will mark ten years in operation. There is

On the 6th August 2019 the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) delivered its decision following a complaint brought against Daft Media

Mercy Law Resource Centre is delighted to welcome solicitor Sinead McGarrigle to our team. Sinead will join Managing Solicitor Rebecca

We recently acted for a client who was a long way down the road to recovery from addiction but was

Mercy Law Resource Centre is delighted to welcome Aoife to our team of solicitors. Aoife will be working with Mercy

On Wednesday 12th June Mercy Law Resource Centre presented to members of the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and

Mercy Law Resource Centre is delighted to welcome Paul to our team of solicitors this week. Paul is a solicitor

Professor Gerry Whyte, Associate Professor, School of Law, Trinity College Dublin, and Director on the MLRC Board of Directors, will deliver

Mercy Law Resource Centre is currently remodelling our volunteer befriender programme and are now looking to recruit a Volunteer Befriender

Mercy Law Resource Centre (MLRC) is an independent law centre and charity which provides free legal advice and representation to

We are most concerned to see vulnerable families still being placed on night to night provision of homeless accommodation. We

We have met several new clients at our legal advice clinics in recent months who report a concern that their

Recent figures released by the Central Statistics Office and Focus Ireland give rise to serious concern over the scale of

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all of our interns for their real and practical contribution

MLRC is delighted to welcome David Joyce as our new solicitor and colleague. David has been working with MLRC since

Mercy Law Resource Centre is delighted to welcome Conor Casey, Yale Bernstein Fellow, to Mercy Law Resource Centre. Conor previously

In July, MLRC held five open training sessions covering social welfare law issues, attended by individuals, barristers, solicitors, and staff

As part of MLRC’s work, we provide training in housing law to organisations and individuals working in the field of

As part of MLRC’s work, we provide training in housing law to organisations and individuals working in the field of

On July 31st, solicitors from the Mercy Law Resource Centre attended the launch of FLAC’s Annual Report 2016. Introduced by Minister

We recently assisted our client, who is a separated father with overnight access to his four children, in securing a

“The right to housing in our constitution would be a positive, strong step for the future to create fundamental protection

On Friday June 30th Mercy Law were delighted to attend the Equality and Rights Alliance’s (ERA) seminar ‘A New Roadmap

In July, Professor Gerry Whyte, Associate Professor, School of Law, Trinity College Dublin, and Director on the MLRC Board of

As part of MLRC’s work, we provide training in housing law to organisations and individuals working in the field of

In May, Mercy Law Resource Centre was delighted to attend the launch of the Ombudsman for Children’s 2016 Annual Report.

MLRC is now recruiting a Locum Solicitor. This is a unique opportunity to practice in public interest and human rights

We have recently been working on several cases where families have been recognised as homeless by the housing authority and

Securing suitable emergency accommodation for pregnant mother and her family MLRC recently worked with a family who had been placed

As part of MLRC’s work, we provide training in housing law to organisations and individuals working in the field of

Mercy Law Resource Centre is a member of the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Initiative (ESCRI). ESCRI is a coalition

On 7 April 2016, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), often known as voluntary housing associations, were brought under the remit of

We had an exceptionally busy year in 2016 and during the year saw a very big increase in the number

We recently acted for a family who were refused emergency accommodation by a Council on the basis, the Council said,

We recently assisted a client to access the housing list after 18 months of being homeless. Our client had been

This is a unique opportunity to be part of the team working in public interest and human rights law to

We have been dealing with several cases recently where clients have been refused access to the housing list on the

In September, MLRC was delighted to welcome Sarah Burns, who worked with us as part of her Clinical Legal Education

In July, MLRC held a two day training session in Social Welfare Law for staff of Focus Ireland, which was

As part of MLRC’s work, we provide training in housing law to organisations and individuals working in the field of

MLRC is delighted to welcome Kate Heffernan as intern in July/August 2016. Kate is going into her final year of

As part of MLRC’s work, we provide training in housing law and related social welfare law to those working in

We welcome the publication by Mr Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, of “Rebuilding Ireland

Following the launch of the MLRC report on the Right to Housing on 4th May 2016, MLRC was invited to

Paul Sweeney, Helena O'Donoghue, Judge Catherine McGuinness, Maeve Regan On 4 May, MLRC launched its Report on the

In May and June, Professor Gerry Whyte, Associate Professor, School of Law, Trinity College Dublin, and Director on the MLRC

Our client, we shall call him, Joe, came to Mercy Law Resource Centre as he was destitute and literally sitting

Chair of the Board of Directors Sr Helena O'Donoghue, John Curran TD, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Housing

In our news blog of 26 April, we noted that we have had a worrying increase over these summer months

On 7 April 2016, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), often known as voluntary housing associations, were brought under the remit of

Mary Hastings MLRC was delighted to welcome Mary Hastings as intern in May 2016.  Mary is a Law

As part of MLRC’s work, we provide training in housing law to organisations and individuals working in the field of

Mercy Law Resource Centre cordially invites you to the Launch of the Mercy Law Resource Centre 2015 Annual Report The

MLRC is holding a course in social welfare law, which will be delivered by Professor Gerry Whyte, Associate Professor School

MLRC’s written submissions for the UPR As noted in a previous blog post before Christmas, the UN Universal Periodic Review

On Wednesday, 4 May at 11.30am, in Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street, MLRC will be launching its Report on the Right

We have had a worrying increase in recent weeks of very urgent queries into our office from homeless families, often

MLRC is delighted to welcome Sinead Kerin as our new solicitor and colleague! Sinead who has been working with MLRC

Thank you to everyone who came to the third annual April Fools Comedy Gala on 13 April in the Sugar

We are pleased to report a recent success on a social welfare matter, where we compelled an expedited decision from

Mercy Law Resource Centre is proud to present the third annual April Fools Comedy Gala on Wednesday 13 April 2016

As part of MLRC’s work, we provide training in housing law to organisations and individuals working in the field of

As part of MLRC’s work, we provide training in housing law to organisations and individuals working in the field of

As part of MLRC’s work, we provide training in housing law to organisations and individuals working in the field of

The new procedure for eviction from housing authority accommodation was brought into effect on 13 April 2015.  This procedure is

Read the latest news from MLRC, including successful outcomes for clients, Frequently Asked Questions on social housing and related social

Our client was married and lives with her children in a council house. The marriage irrevocably broke down as her

Case study 1 Our client was evicted from his property after three years of privately renting there. He was evicted

1.     I cannot afford to buy my own home – what are my options? Local authorities provide social housing support

MLRC is delighted to welcome Aisling Murray, who will be working with us this September as part of the TCD

MLRC is delighted to welcome Fergal McConnon to the MLRC team. Fergal is a final year law student at Trinity

There is no right to housing in Irish law. The crisis in homelessness has shown up the glaring lack of

MLRC is delighted to welcome Clara Dorman, as intern with MLRC for the month of August 2015. Clara is going

Read the latest news from MLRC, including successful outcomes for clients, updates on our policy work, details on our training

MLRC is delighted to welcome Dáire McCormack George, as intern with MLRC from mid-July to mid-August. Dáire is a Scholar

On 7 May 2015, MLRC welcomed Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, to launch MLRC’s 2014 Annual Report. Also speaking

Our client presented to us as she was in emergency accommodation with her children having been evicted in March 2014

Our client presented to us as she was suspended from social housing support as she was evicted from her Council

MLRC has been acting for a family in a case involving disturbing anti-social behaviour and persistent racist abuse. It was

MLRC has held a a series of six comprehensive training workshops in Social Welfare Law, delivered by Professor Gerry Whyte,

Our client presented with a challenging situation where he was a former Council tenant with his estranged wife who continues

MLRC is delighted to welcome Conor Casey, who will be working with us until July. Conor is a recent graduate

MLRC is delighted to welcome Sinead Kerin as our locum solicitor and colleague. Sinead is a Solicitor with extensive experience

Mercy Law Resource Centre would like to thank the TCD Law Society for choosing MLRC as their 2015 Charity for

MLRC is now recruiting a Locum Solicitor. This is a unique opportunity to practice in public interest and human rights

Thank you to everyone who came to the second annual April Fools Comedy Gala on 1 April in the Sugar

As part of MLRC’s work, we provide training in housing law to organisations working in the field of homelessness. On

MLRC is delighted to welcome Rebecca Keatinge as our new solicitor and colleague. Rebecca is a solicitor with extensive experience

MLRC’s Befriending service is a unique service that is central to our work in helping those who are homeless or

MLRC were delighted to host another Christmas event, which gave us an opportunity in an informal way to thank friends,

25 years ago Ireland ratified the International Covenant of Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). On Sunday 7 December, MLRC,

This is a unique opportunity to practice in public interest and human rights law to help those at the margins

Our clients and their key-worker presented at our office having had difficulties with the local authority in not allocating them

As part of MLRC’s work, we provide training in housing law to organisations working in the field of homelessness. On

As part of our organisational training, on 14th October 2014, MLRC held a training session in housing law and related

“52 weeks rule” frequently incorrectly applied by local authorities This decision is important as MLRC is aware, through clients and

As part of MLRC’s work, we provide training in housing law to organisations whose clients are homeless or at risk

Repairs carried out after long delays after MLRC submissions and intervention; local authority repairs other local authority residents’ properties in

MLRC recently assisted a family with their application for medical priority with their local authority. Our client’s daughter has severe

A separated husband with an interest in the family home, Council issues housing needs assessment letter enabling him access to

As part of MLRC’s work, we provide training in housing law to organisations working in the field of homelessness. On

On 31 March the Constitutional Convention recommended to the Government, by an overwhelming majority of 85%, that ESC rights be

This new scheme is a very significant change to the system of social housing support – recipients of HAP are

On Wednesday 11 June 2014, MLRC welcomed Minister Jan O’Sullivan, Minister of State, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government,

On Wednesday 11 June 2014, MLRC will be welcoming Minister Jan O’Sullivan, Minister of State, Department of Environment, Community and

As part of MLRC’s work, we provide training in housing law to organisations working in the field of homelessness. On

Thank you to everyone who came to the April Fools Comedy Gala on 1 April in the Sugar Club! You

Thank you to those who have kindly bought tickets to the Gala. Your support is greatly appreciated. Your support helps

Mercy Law Resource Centre is proud to present The April Fools’ Day Comedy Gala on Tuesday 1 April 2014 in

MLRC is delighted to welcome Mary Ann Sullivan, who will be working with us until April on a placement with

Mercy Law Resource Centre will be holding a Comedy Gala on Tuesday 1 April 2014 in the Sugar Club, Leeson

On Sunday, 23 February the Constitutional Convention voted overwhelmingly in favour of amending the Constitution to strengthen the protection of

This weekend, 22 and 23 February, the Constitutional Convention is meeting to consider whether to recommend to the Government that

MLRC has recently assisted a client obtain a housing need for assistance letter from a local authority.  This letter enabled

MLRC thanks our Befrienders and Maeve Hurley and Evanna Lyons of “Ag Eisteacht” for supporting our Befriending Service at an

MLRC is delighted to welcome Bláithín Ní Chróinín, trainee solicitor, to our offices here at 25 Cork Street. Bláithín is

Mercy Law Resource Centre successfully resolved a case with a local authority on behalf of a client who found herself

MLRC welcomes the recent decision of the Equality Tribunal, that rent supplement policy must not discriminate against unmarried or separated

High Court quashes local authority decision not to transfer MLRC’s client to other local authority accommodation based on “exceptional social

MLRC is delighted to welcome Sarah Jenkinson, trainee solicitor, to our offices here at 25 Cork Street. Sarah is a

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) is encouraging members of the public to contact them if they are concerned about

Mercy Law Resource Centre is an Independent Law Centre which provides a quality and holistic service to people who are

Mercy Law Resource Centre recently helped a client to be placed on a local authority housing list and obtain a

Maeve Regan MLRC is delighted to welcome Maeve Regan as the new Solicitor-in-Charge, taking over from Rose Wall.

Child benefit is a payment made to the parents of children under 16 or children under 18 if they are

On Monday 22 July, the national housing charity, Threshold, released details of a report into the occurrence of illegal deposit

Local authorities look set to assume further responsibility in the realm of housing support if Government plans for reform of

Mercy Law Resource Centre successfully settled a case with a local authority on behalf of a client with three children

MLRC wishes to acknowledge and thank Mason Hayes & Curran for their kind donation of €25,000.  MHC has helped fund

Mercy Law Resource Centre has already signed up to the One Percent Difference Campaign, joining some 530 other charities! The

MLRC welcomes the increase in the new limit of Rent Supplement set by the Department of Social Protection.  This increase

MLRC is delighted to accept and acknowledges the kind donation of €12,000 from St. Stephen’s Green Trust. This is the

Mercy Law Resource Centre is concerned with new figures from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive showing a deepening problem of

Our client is the father of a three-year old girl and two boys aged six and eight. He is living

Mercy Law Resource Centre wishes Rose Wall, who was our Solicitor in Charge, all the very best as she starts

Mercy Law Resource Centre supports Threshold’s call for a statutory code of conduct regarding the treatment of tenants in buy-to-let

Mercy Law Resource Centre supports the Irish Immigration Support Centre’s call for: 1)      The training of frontline social welfare staff

Homelessness due to relationship breakdown or domestic violence Many of MLRC’s clients are homeless as a result of having to

MLRC calls on Government to ring fence funding for homeless services The Dublin Homeless Network, which represents 23 charities, has

Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012 – An Update Mercy Law Resource Centre (MLRC) submitted its views on the Criminal

MLRC is delighted to welcome two new personnel on board: Shauna Curran as a new part-time administrator taking the place

Read another example of the successful work carried out by the Mercy Law Resource Centre. Case study One of our

Since MLRC’s inception in 2009, we have provided advice and representation to 1,573 clients.  In 2010, 2011 & 2012, MLRC

Mercy Law Resource Centre (MLRC) welcomes the Homelessness Policy Statement launched on the 21st of February 2013 by Housing Minister,

Mercy Law Resource Centre recently acted for a mother of two young children who had been requested by the Local

Blog, 17 January 2013 MLRC Submission on Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012   Mercy Law Resource Centre (MLRC) has

Christmas Gathering at Mercy Law Resource Centre on Friday, 14th December 2012 MLRC were delighted to invite friends, volunteers, funders, organisations

EMPLOYMENT APPEALS TRIBUNAL                                                                                 CASE NO. UD 1165/2011 CATHERINE MANGAN (CLAIMANT) V CLONTARF CRECHE LIMITED (RESPONDENTS)                                                 Unfair Dismissals Acts,

Brian Barry, PhD Candidate, Trinity College Dublin and Trainee Solicitor with Mason Hayes & Curran worked with MLRC as an intern

Mercy Law Resource Centre held its Annual General Meeting on 22nd November 2012.  The Board adopted the Financial Accounts for the

During the course of our work, offering legal advice to individuals who have found themselves in difficulties, we are seeing

MLRC is delighted to welcome a number of new staff and volunteers to our team. Sabrina Comerford solicitor has recently

Here are details of some of our current cases. Many of us have traditionally been of the view that homelessness

High Court Judicial Review Kinsella – v – Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council Neutral Citation: 2012 IEHC 344 HIGH COURT JUDICIAL

MLRC has New Offices MLRC has been resident in the Sophia Housing complex on Cork Street since our inception in

Measuring the extent of homelessness is difficult by its very nature because people who are homeless move frequently.  As of

New Mediation Bill to Expand the Use of Mediation in Civil Disputes The Minister for Justice and Equality recently published

Bjedov v Croatia ­– is the European Court of Human Rights moving towards providing a substantive right to a home?

Children's Law Centre to Open in Ireland MLRC welcomes the establishment of an independent Law Centre for Children and young

MLRC Befriending Programme The Befriending programme is an invaluable asset to MLRC as we recognise that the legal system can be

MLRC has surpassed the 1,000 mark of advice & representation to clients This week sees the number of clients that

Housing Booklet receives positive response MLRC and the informal housing Group have received many positive comments in relation to the

Work permit success for Romanian and Bulgarian nationals Romanian and Bulgarian parents of Irish citizen children have been granted access

Housing Group launched Booklet on 18th April 2012 MLRC has, together with other members of a Housing Policy Group, prepared

Welcome to our first MLRC Blog, we will endeavour over the weeks ahead to keep you informed of all that