Galway residents are ‘desperate’ as eviction threat looms in Ballybane

DOZENS of residents facing eviction from the Cuirt Eigis apartment complex in Ballybane are ‘getting desperate’ after housing agency Threshold confirmed that the Notices to Quit issued to them are valid.

Published 17th Apr 2026, 06:00 BST Updated 17th Apr 2026, 06:00 BST Cúirt Éigis apartments on Ballybane Road. Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy. DOZENS of residents facing eviction from the Cuirt Eigis apartment complex in Ballybane are ‘getting desperate’ after housing agency Threshold confirmed that the Notices to Quit issued to them are valid. Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.

Multiple households, including families with children, have been told to vacate the complex by September, with many long-term tenants unable to secure alternative accommodation .

Following confirmation from Threshold that the evictions are in order due to planned refurbishment works, Deputy Mayor of Galway City, Cllr Alan Cheevers (FF), met with concerned residents this week.

“They are getting desperate,” he told the Galway City Tribune . “They are concerned about where they go from here.

“A letter has been issued from Threshold to say that the eviction is above board and now they are trying to buy time.”

Tenants have been informed that extensive works are planned at the complex, including roof reconstruction, full rewiring, heating upgrades, and the replacement of windows, doors and internal fittings.

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Residents say many of them are now priced out of the rental market, with HAP limits falling far below current rents.

Some have lived in the complex for up to 19 years and have established strong roots in the community.

A letter has been issued from Threshold to say that the eviction is above board and now they are trying to buy time

At the meeting, Cllr Cheevers said they may have no option but to remain in place beyond the notice period while seeking alternative accommodation.

“I explained that I do think they will have to overhold the properties if they have nowhere to go,” he said.

“They need to stay where they are until they find alternative accommodation.”

Overholding refers to tenants remaining in a property after a notice period expires while they try to secure somewhere else to live.

According to Cllr Cheevers, three of the 16 residents in receipt of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) are on the Galway City housing list.

The people on the housing list must engage straight away with the social worker in the City Council housing department and make sure they present their Notice to Quit,

“The people on the housing list must engage straight away with the social worker in the City Council housing department and make sure they present their Notice to Quit,” he said.

He also said residents should put pressure on Deputy Mairead Farrell (SF) to contact her party colleague, Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh in Mayo, noting that the owners of Cuirt Eigis are based in Belmullet.

“I have reiterated that they should contact Deputy Farrell in relation to asking Deputy Conway-Walsh if she will intervene and mediate between the tenants and the owners of the properties because they are based in Belmullet and she is the local TD,” he said.

“It is a good idea for them to try to see if there is any engagement. They have asked the question before. I have asked them to formally ask again, and they said that they would.

“If one of my party colleagues lived in Belmullet that is what I would be doing. Deputy Farrell needs to open a dialogue with Deputy Conway Walsh to see if she can mediate or intervene to give the residents a bit longer until they can find proper accommodation.”

In response, Deputy Mairead Farrell said it is a matter for Government to address.

“The reality here is that the Government need to intervene on larger scale evictions,” she said.

Related topics: Residents Properties Government Galway City Tribune Housing Property Accommodation People City Council Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.