Homeless Mother in Cork Reveals Struggles Raising Seven Children

A homeless mother from Cork has opened up about the dire conditions she faces while raising her seven children in a single room. Aisling, originally from Kerry, has been living in emergency accommodation for the past 17 months. She shared her story during an interview with Cork’s 96FM Opinion Line, highlighting the severe impact this situation has had on her family’s physical and mental health.

Living in a damp room with children aged between three and 17, Aisling described the challenges of providing adequate nutrition for her family. Relying solely on an air fryer, the only meals she can afford consist mainly of pizza and chips. “We’re not allowed to cook. There’s no cooker – it’s just chips and pizza my children are living off,” she explained. The lack of proper nutrition has taken a toll on her health, with Aisling noting, “I was 13 stone when I went into the hostel – I’m nine stone now.”

The emotional strain of their living conditions has been particularly difficult for Aisling’s 15-year-old daughter, who has expressed feelings of despair. “She’s going through depression because she’s in with all the boys and she has no privacy,” Aisling said. The teenager has even contemplated suicide, telling her mother, “Mum, I’m thinking of suicide.”

Aisling’s situation has drawn attention from local advocates, including Paul Sheehan of Cork Simon Community, who described her circumstances as “shameful.” He emphasized that it is unacceptable for a mother of seven to be confined to a single room in a wealthy country like Ireland. “Last year, we had a really effective housing commission report. We pretty much thought that every recommendation in there was top class and it was just ignored,” he remarked, criticizing the government’s inaction on the homelessness crisis.

In response to concerns about the growing number of homeless families, the Irish Independent contacted the Department of Housing. A spokesperson defended the government’s efforts, stating that tackling homelessness remains a “priority.” The department noted that €303 million has been allocated for the delivery of homeless services in 2025, along with a capital budget of €6.8 billion.

Furthermore, they reported that 32,787 social homes were constructed between 2022 and 2024, which has helped to increase the availability of housing for those living in emergency accommodation. An additional €50 million has been secured to further expand the housing programme as part of the National Development Plan discussions.

Despite these assurances, Aisling remains frustrated with her prolonged stay in emergency accommodation. “I thought I’d be only there a couple of months or something. But I’m still where I am,” she lamented, calling for immediate assistance for herself and her children to secure a proper home.