LIRC component error

I am getting the below error message when trying to add LIRC

16-06-23 11:55:38 homeassistant.bootstrap: Error during setup of component lirc
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.4/dist-packages/homeassistant/bootstrap.py", line 157, in _setup_component
    if not component.setup(hass, config):
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.4/dist-packages/homeassistant/components/lirc.py", line 34, in setup
    lirc.init('home-assistant', blocking=False)
  File "lirc.pyx", line 122, in lirc.init (lirc/lirc.c:1755)
lirc.InitError: Unable to initialise lirc (socket was -1 from C library).

Has anybody come across this error message before? I found the file lrc.py and where it shows blocking=false but based on the notes in the .py file this is needed. I’m not sure what else to look for.

are you tried receive lirc commands with the ‘irw’ test tool and using the same user that HA uses?

I think this error prevents the component from loading. I don’t think I’m able to test until the component loads.

I think you should verify that LIRC is working outside of home-assistant. Just shut down home-assistant and run some commands that come with the actual linux LIRC library, like:

pi@tau:~ $ ircat home-assistant
KEY_5
KEY_5
KEY_5
KEY_6
KEY_6

If that doesn’t work, then adjust your basic LIRC installation/configuration and then try firing the lirc component in home-assistant back up again.