A LETTER writer to The Irish Timeswho said his children were going hungry because of the burden of paying his mortgage has expressed his gratitude to members of the public for their offers of support.
MP MacDomhnaill, of Tralee, Co Kerry, whose letter – published last month – drew widespread media attention, told this newspaper he and his family are now receiving support from family, friends and the Society of St Vincent de Paul.
He has also linked in with services such as the Money Advice and Budgeting Service about issues relating to the repayment of his mortgage and other entitlements he may be eligible for.
“I want to say that I am heartened by the goodwill shown by people in response to the letter. We are in very good hands for now with support of family, friends and the St Vincent de Paul,” Mr MacDomhnaill said.
“The purpose of the letter was to highlight the plight of ordinary families all over Ireland and to shift the economic debate from banks to people.
“If people want to make donations, please consider local charitable organisations.”
He said he did not wish to put his full address into the public domain in order to protect his family’s privacy.
Arrangements have been made in recent days to deliver post to him that has accumulated at Tralee Post Office.
In his letter and subsequent interviews with The Irish Times, Mr MacDomhnaill said his family was living on bread and breakfast cereal and had just €35 a week to spend on groceries because the vast majority of the household income was going to service a mortgage of €80,000.
After losing his job earlier this year, he told the newspaper he was getting €188 a week from social welfare as well as a monthly children’s allowance of €280.
All told his monthly household income was €1,032, and monthly mortgage repayments were €780.
Welfare experts say he may also be entitled to other forms of income support such as the mortgage interest supplement, which pays the interest portion of a homeowner’s mortgage repayments.
