IN CO LIMERICK, there were 18 students sharing a rental house after being misled by the landlord, who left the students under the impression that the house would be shared between four to six people. 

Alternative accommodation was found for affected TUS students from last night.

Live95 reported that the students are all paying €500 per month and have paid an additional €500 each in deposits – with the landlord taking in €9,000 in rent for the house each month.

A reporter from Live95 visited the house yesterday, which had six people living on the ground floor, six on the first floor, and six in the attic space. There is one kitchen, which resulted in a number of the occupants taking to preparing their food within their shared rooms. 

The residents have come from overseas, mainly India, to study at a postgraduate level.

Labour’s housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan, who also visited the house, has called for urgent Government action.

The Limerick TD said it was “a massive health and safety risk” and a stark symptom of the worsening accommodation crisis.

He urged Government to commit to a serious programme of regulation and investment in safe, affordable housing.

“This is a symptom of a much bigger problem. Unfortunately, for far too many people, there simply isn’t decent and affordable housing available,” Sheehan said.

TUS Students’ Union said it was “appalled” at the case of the students sharing the house, which had two bedrooms and the living areas in use as sleeping areas to accommodate the 18 people. 

TUS Global secured alternative accommodation for the affected TUS students as of last night, the union said. It added that the union will continue to assist students also targeted, and has advised the students involved to report the matter to gardaí. 

The union’s deputy president Gearóid Folan visited the students in the house, saying he was “shocked and horrified” by what he had seen. 

“This is the single worst case of student accommodation I have ever encountered. These students travelled from overseas to seek an education here in Ireland and have been completely taken advantage of,” he said.

“They are each paying €500 a month to live with 18 people in a house with only two bedrooms. This is absolutely unacceptable. No landlord should be allowed to exploit students in this way, and we must see change.”

Social Democrats’ TD Jen Cummins also slammed the reports of the students being crammed into the space.

“This is more than just a housing issue – it is an educational one. How can we expect students to succeed in their studies when they are worried about where they will sleep, how they will cook, or whether their belongings are safe? It is impossible to learn under these conditions.”

She said the situation highlights the need for urgent intervention address the student accommodation crisis in Limerick and across Ireland.

As of this afternoon, the property was still being advertised for rent online.