On Thursday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Kit Smalley. Kit, who is a 71 year-old pensioner, has been a resident in Doonbeg village for the past 10 years and had worked as a chef at a local bar & restaurant, until his retirement.
Last May, urgent remediation works being carried out at his rented accommodation had led to Kit being left with little option but to live in a small room under the bridge in Doonbeg village, with only his faithful dog, Yeoh for company.
Kit’s circumstances living in his temporary dwelling, known locally as ‘Mary Belfast’s House’, means he has no proper lighting, cooking facilities or sanitation, with friends helping him out, where possible.
Kit was also unable to return to his current dwelling recently, due to a full moon and the river running very high downstream.
The 71 year-old had to wait out in the open until the river subsided. This is clearly no situation for anybody to have to live in, much less an elderly man.
Fortunately, a Morning Focus listener came to Kit’s aid and called us live on air to let us know that he could provide Kit with a room for the harsh upcoming Winter period.
You can listen to the full interview below.
