Sarah Keogh and her family spent the weekend in the camper van in Ferrybank. Pic: Jim Campbell

A HOMELESS mother-of-four has appealed for help to find a house for her and her family after attempts to secure accommodation failed.

Sarah Keogh, who moved to Wexford last year, had been living in private rented accommodation in Curracloe, where her two older kids go to school, but knew that she would have to vacate the property she was in for the summer months as they were holiday homes which had already been booked.

However, when Sarah attempted to find a new home she said she was met with refusals from some quarters and a completely empty market in others.

She was yesterday (Monday) preparing to vacate a camper van which had been loaned to her by a friend after she spent Bank Holiday Monday sleeping in her car at Ballinesker Beach with her four kids (aged between two and nine) and just a duvet.

Sarah said: “My landlord gave me extra time in the house to try and find a place but there’s nothing there. I’ve been onto the council for emergency housing but they haven’t come back to me. The Women’s Refuge is full.

“I’ve looked on everything. I’ve left letters with letting agents and talked to people. But there were some who seemed put off by the fact that I’ve four kids. I have rent allowance and enough for a deposit. I’m not looking for anything for free; I just need a roof over my children’s heads.”

Sarah said she was very grateful for the loan of the camper van but said it was going back to its owner and she did not know what the family would do now.

She said: “You read about these things happening but never believe it could happen to you. I have money, references, everything, but I just can’t find a place to live. I’m willing to take anything.”

Sarah’s story was highlighted by local council member Deirdre Wadding who got in contact with the 30-year-old mother after she was alerted to her story by a friend.

Cllr. Wadding said that she understood where Sarah was coming from as 12 years ago she had had the same issue and the housing situation wasn’t as bad then as it is now: “Sarah is just an ordinary person who was paying rent and now suddenly she is stranded because there is no housing. I think this just highlights that this could happen to anyone.”

She added that the council had been contacted but thus far had not been able to help.

“For me this is just a sample of what’s going on across the country. The problem of homelessness is building and will continue to do so unless something is done about rent allowance and control. We have to start building social housing – we’ve built practically none for the last 30 years.”