'My mum's house was hit by a car before Christmas – it's still not fixed'

A man is pleading for help for his 80-year-old mother who has been unable to return to her home for months after a car crashed into it shortly before Christmas.

Thomas Kyle said his mother Margaret has had to stay with a friend while repairs are carried out to the property, after it was deemed unsafe to live in.

He added that her health has been declining and he has received tearful phone calls from her, begging him to get her back to her County Antrim home.

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (HE) said repairs cannot be done until another service provider removes a gas box from the front of the house. However, Firmus Energy said they are waiting for the HE to authorise it.

Speaking to the Stephen Nolan Show on Thursday, Thomas said he has asked the HE on a weekly basis for updates since the crash at the Cullybackey house on 19 December, but has been continually told that it is "out of their hands".

"This has been going on far too long now. I'm worried my mum is never going to get home," he said.

"It's very upsetting for me to have my 80-year-old mother ringing me crying and begging for help to get into her own home.

"And I've tried everything but I'm banging my head against a brick wall I don't know what to do."

Thomas said his mother had a stroke more than 30 years ago and had to relearn how to read and walk.

About two years ago she suffered another one which has left her with mobility issues.

"But she got on and she's still very independent. She has to go to the doctor two-three times a week," he said.

"The doctor is just down the road from where she lives and she's stubborn. Even though she has bad mobility she still manages to walk to the doctors on her own.

"But since this has happened I can see a big decline in my mother."

The HE, which owns the property, said it had offered temporary accommodation to his mother, but Thomas said it was unsuitable.

A HE spokesperson said they have a contractor in place to make the repairs to the house which they estimate will only take about two weeks.

But they added that they cannot do it until the gas box is removed which, they said, is the responsibility of Firmus Energy.

"We await confirmation on when this work will be undertaken and completed," the HE statement said.

"We fully understand their frustration that they cannot yet move back into their home."

A spokesperson for Firmus Energy said they are awaiting authorisation from the HE to commence that work.

"At which point we will instruct the network operator to carry out the work as a matter of urgency," they said.

Thomas urged them both to sort out the issue.

"If you had an 80-year-old mother you'd be doing everything in your power to get her back into her own home," he said.

"Please sort my mother's house out."