The ghost houses of Ireland: Foreclosure and eviction [View all]

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[font size="1"]Ireland's blossoming economy sparked a housing boom, but more homes were being built than could be occupied.
Cathal McNaughton/Reuters[/font]


from the Toronto Star:


DUBLIN—In Mairead Harold’s Irish childhood, there were no rugged mountains, stone-built cottages or seaside cliffs.

Harold grew up poor in Dublin’s derelict Finglas neighbourhood, where rows of gritty semi-detached houses and parks have long been regarded as a haven for drug dealers and their clients.

A 1987 marriage to Stan Harold hardly improved her fortunes. Within weeks of their wedding, he was laid off and she had to use a modest family inheritance to pay down most of the $24,000 mortgage on their new three-bedroom home.

It wasn’t long before Stan left. ...................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1172481--the-ghost-houses-of-ireland-foreclosure-and-eviction?bn=1