Irish Soldier Gives Up Home To Help Family In Need

February 27, 2019

A former soldier in Ireland has given his three-bedroom home to a young family who were on the waiting list for a new home for seven years.

Paddy Phelan / Credit: Michael Donnelly

Paddy Phelan gave up his social housing home to Kieran Ritchie and fiancee Lauren, and their two children who were living in a much smaller home.

Phelan, who lives in Abbeyleix, Co Laois, decided to leave the three-bedroom house he called home for 12 years and downsize to a one bedroom residence as he was "sick of seeing the amount of houses lying idle and families struggling."

Phelan told The Independent: "I was hearing through the media about families crying out for houses and I was thinking to myself well here I am. I'm in a three-bedroom house and I think the right thing to do would be to downsize to a smaller house.

I'll never forget the look on all their faces and to see how happy the children were. I'm happy for them and I can only wish them well. Please god it would send out a message to other people to consider."

Phelan is encouraging others who are living in houses with unused bedrooms to consider downsizing, too.

"It's a crying shame that these houses are lying basically idle," he said. "People should seriously consider their position and accommodate a family if they can."