'Mum will get back into her home' - repairs to begin months after car crashes into house

An 80-year-old woman, who has been waiting five months to move back into her home after a car crashed into it, has been told work to repair the damage will start on Monday.

Margaret Kyle's house was deemed unsafe to live in after the incident shortly before Christmas.

Her son Thomas Kyle said he had continually asked the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) for updates but was told repairs could not start until a gas box was removed.

In a statement, issued after Thomas spoke to a BBC radio show highlighting the issue, the NIHE said they regretted the delay and work would get under way at the property.

Thomas first spoke to The Nolan Show on Thursday detailing how the issue had been going on for months and how he was continually told by the NIHE that it was "out of their hands".

He said despite his mother suffering a stroke a couple of years ago she was still an independent woman, but that he could see her health declining the longer she spent out of her home in Cullybackey in County Antrim.

"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 on the radio.

The NIHE had said work could not begin until a gas box, which was the responsibility of Firmus Energy, was removed.

However, on Friday, Firmus said the NIHE had "now responded approving our previous request to authorise the necessary works".

"Following this authorisation, we have immediately contacted the network operator to request that works are carried out as a matter of urgency," Firmus said in a statement.

In an updated statement on Friday, a NIHE spokesperson said: "All necessary permissions are now in place between our contractor and the utility supplier to begin work at this property.

"A senior member of our staff has spoken to the family of our tenant to make them aware and we will keep in contact with them on progress on completing the work.

"We regret the delay in this case."

They added that no rent will be owed for the time Margaret has been absent from the property.

Thomas said on Friday that work is now under way to remove the gas box and he understands work to repair the house will begin on Monday.

"I never thought this day would happen, I thought mum would never get back into her own house again," he said.

"You've only got one mother in this life and my mother would do anything for me. I just have to do my bit for her."