Martin Leahy on his 100th housing crisis protest: "I have no faith in those currently in power"

As homelessness figures hit a record high, Cork musician Martin Leahy is taking a unique stand against government inaction.

Every two weeks, the folkster rocks up to the pointed iron gates of Leinster House with his guitar. Starting at 1pm, he channels the spirit of protest music greats like Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and friend Christy Moore, to perform his tune ‘Everyone Should have a Home’, on loop, for an hour straight.

“I wrote the song because of my own personal situation,” Leahy reveals. “I rent and there's an eviction looming. The landlord is selling the property which is a very common tale these days. It’s always been part of life when you’re renting but the difference is now there’s nowhere to go.

“I wanted those Government to hear my song, so I went up to the Dáil and played it. The whole thing felt very worthwhile and I’ve continued to do it ever since.”

Martin Leahy with Frank O'Connor and Margaret O'Regan by Frank O'Connor.

The biweekly spectacle has been going strong since 2022, with 18 April, 2024, marking Leahy’s 100^th consecutive outing. Not one to consider throwing in the towel, he nonetheless admits that there have been some low points.

“I don’t mind being on my own, but I've gotten disheartened a few times. I remember heading up on the bus the week after the eviction ban was lifted and feeling very low. It was hard to believe Government could be so cruel.”

While the century of demonstrations acts as an impressive testament to Leahy’s commitment, it's also a stark reminder of the nation's dire housing situation, with most recent figures showing almost 14,000 people in emergency accommodation – over 4,000 of which are children.

Leahy asserts that “everyone having a home” is what it will take for his protest to end. Looking at the statistics above, he doesn’t see this happening any time soon.

“It sounds ambitious, and that’s part of the issue: we all see such a basic human right as pie-in-the-sky dream,” he says. “It’s been moving in the opposite direction for so long. I have no faith in those currently in power, they have overseen and exacerbated this housing crisis and brought it to shameful and disgraceful point."

The milestone has also created the opportunity for Leahy to mark the occasion with some special guest speakers.

“I know that Rory Hearne and Eoin O’Brion will speak, as well as Sophia and Bernard Mulvany from Access For All Ireland,” he reveals. "Jimi Cullen will sing his great song ‘Homes For All’ and activists Frank O’Connor and Jude Sherry from Derelict Ireland will also speak. There will be more but I haven’t got it firmed up yet.“

Often discussed in tandem with the housing crisis is immigration, with statements like ‘Ireland is Full’ commonly ricocheting across the echo chambers of social media. Despite the rising tide of cyber-nationalists insisting they have their country’s best interests at heart, Leahy believes those shifting the blame on immigrants are little more than counterproductive hatemongers.

“‘Ireland is full’ is a lie,” he affirms, backing up his assertion with reports from #DerelictIreland, which cite 166,000 vacant properties reported in the last census that could be brought into use.

“There’s a few people at the top whipping up fear by saying ‘Ireland is Full’, and they have no interest in campaigning for change. You never see them at any housing protests, or any of the cost of living protests.

“Ireland does have a housing crisis, a healthcare crisis and a cost of living crisis, none of which were caused by immigrants. Punching down on immigrants and spreading lies takes the focus off Government and their failings. It also creates a climate of danger and fear for people of different nationalities going about their daily lives, and that’s absolutely shameful.”

Amidst the seemingly unending bleakness surrounding the housing crisis, Leahy remains steadfast and determined to keep using his music as a means to instigate positive change.

“As long as it feels worthwhile I’ll keep doing it," he concludes. "Many of the freedoms we enjoy today are because of groups or individuals protesting that eventually led to change. It’s part of my life now, and it’s been a very heartening and inspiring journey.”