Belgian man in Kerry denied social welfare 'will continue hunger strike'
A Belgian man living in Kerry has vowed to continue his hunger and thirst strike until he gets a response from the Government to his claim for social welfare.
Jan De Neuborg, who has lived in Ireland for 14 years, said that he applied four months ago to the Department of Social Protection for welfare payments.
However the 56-year-old, who suffers from severe depression and high blood pressure, has never received a response, despite repeated written requests.
He said that he is in serious financial difficulties since his pension from the Belgian authorities was cut off last May.
It is more than 36 hours now since Mr de Neuborg began his hunger and thirst strike and he said that he will continue his protest until he gets a response.
"The last letter I got from Minister Burton was that she can't comment on individual cases," he told Radio Kerry.
"Well she forgets that she was voted into power by individual cases, she forgets that it's individual cases that gave money for her election campaign.
"It's strange that politicians forget individual cases once [they are] not to their benefit."
