A PENSIONER who tragically lost her son and husband is locked in a legal battle with her housing provider over a flat which she claims has been deemed not fit to live in.
Mary McNeill, who has stayed at Rowan Court for six years, says she has been advised by a top professor that her River Clyde Homes tenancy is 'not fit for inhabitation' and she wants a move or proper repairs.
The 72-year-old faced tragedy in 2014 when her son 29-year-old son Ryan was stabbed to death in Glasgow by a thug.
She later lost her husband Allan, who had suffered heart and lung problems and was fighting cancer.
Mary says her already fragile mental health is now deteriorating due to her poor housing conditions.
She has called in a lawyer about a whole host of problems at the flat, including windows that let in water and draughts due to broken seals which are beyond repair.
The 72-year-old also says her living room heating unit is emitting black smoke.
She has complained about the presence of asbestos in the bathroom ceiling and says it has left her 'worried sick'.
But Mrs McNeill, who also suffers from a number of physical health conditions, says her case is at a standstill as RCH 'won't budge'.
The Portonian told the Tele: "I cannot understand how they can leave me like this and then say there is nothing wrong with the house.
"I have had multiple professionals into the property who have told me the windows are beyond repair and that I should not be living here.
"I suffer from poor mental health and I also have no thyroid.
"Having no heater and having draughts come in through the windows leaves me freezing and miserable.
"I could run away from it all."
Mrs McNeill says she has reported defects 'multiple times' to no avail.
She said: "I had someone come out and reseal the windows and within 24 hours, it had all fallen off again.
"Someone else has also been to the flat and taken a sample from the bathroom roof and said they could tell it had asbestos before they even touched it.
"I have had a professor, Tim Sharpe, out to have a look around who has advised my lawyer there are serious issues with this property.
"But River Clyde Homes say there is nothing wrong.
"I don't know how they can say that to me.
"I can't take much more of it."
When the Telegraph contacted River Clyde Homes they they could not discuss the case as they were in talks with Mrs McNeil's lawyers.
A spokesperson said: "River Clyde Homes is unable to comment on these issues at the moment as we are in direct communication with Ms McNeill’s solicitors about the matter."
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