AN amputee who suffered a series of brain haemorrhages has been taken off a medical housing transfer list after rejecting the first and only alternative given to her by the local authority.

Bernadette Burke (53), who lives in the notorious dilapidated Rosemount Court complex in Dundrum, Dublin, was permanently removed from the queue because she couldn't accept a home with a tiny kitchen, unsuitable for someone with one arm.

Together with partner Laurence O'Byrne (53), the couple say they were not even allowed to look at the accommodation before they made a decision and had to ask a neighbour if they could inspect their layout.

Now, unwilling to accept the house for safety reasons, they are left with no choice but to remain at Rosemount Court which faces being demolished.

"The place that they want me to move to is worse; there is nowhere to put appliances. I need a dryer because it's difficult for me to hang out clothes," said Burke.

"I only have one hand; if I use a mitten on the stump of my arm it can be okay, but I need to be at the right angle to the oven. It's just a nightmare."

Her irate partner O'Byrne criticised the council for paying no attention to Burke's physical disability.

"If they offer you a dog box you are supposed to take it," he said.

"It's disgraceful; we are the forgotten people. I was in the one next door and [the neighbour] opened the fridge and the cooker and you can't open the doors [at the same time]."

The Rosemount Court flats complex now faces possible demolition but tenants of the extremely dilapidated building are anxious to move out.

"It says if we refuse an offer we are taken off the medical transfer list permanently," explained O'Byrne. "We are on the medical transfer list to get out of here because it's totally unhealthy."

Burke has been instructed to avoid stress as much as possible due to her health.

"You are only given one offer on the list so they wouldn't let you look at it. You are being coerced into taking it even if it doesn't suit your needs. Bernie only has one arm and she needs room in the kitchen," said O'Byrne. "She is in chronic pain all the time and she is on a lot of medication.

"She is not supposed to have any stress because of the condition with her head. But to the council you are just a number, not a person."

In a statement, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said it would not comment on personal details of transfer requests but that applicants' medical needs are taken into account when selecting alternative accommodation.

"Where an applicant refuses an offer of accommodation the applicant will have their application closed," it said.