A blind homeless woman who lives in a tent said she fears she will die on the streets this winter.
Rosemary Fearsaor-Hughes, who is disabled and has fibromyalgia, has been without permanent shelter for a decade.
The 37-year-old has 10% vision and relies on her guide dog Quilla to help her navigate the streets of Dublin.
She said she has been unable to get emergency accommodation because of accessibility issues.
Rosemary told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “I’m not looking forward to the cold snap that I know is coming.
“I could be found dead, no problem, especially if we get a sharp one as I suspect we’re going to.”
Rosemary said she was “exhausted” struggling with the most basic of human needs.
She said: “Toilets are a nightmare, showers are a nightmare, just accessing basic hygiene is a nightmare.
“Accessible accommodation for someone with a disability is something they do not have. It’s just another layer of complication.”
Rosemary said the accommodation where she was previously staying was “not fit for purpose” particularly in the pandemic.
She revealed: “Toilets were always broken, showers were broken. There was four people per room. There’s no privacy or dignity.
“Your basic human rights are gone right out the window. Covid was a nightmare in there.
“I try to get through things day to day. It’s literally just dealing with problems as they come up... where the next meal is coming from.”
Rosemary, who has no addiction issues, was previously in a semi-accessible homeless facility in a shared room with two other women. She said she was threatened, could hear constant noise, had trouble sleeping and drug dealing and use was rampant.
She added: “I felt I was at higher risk [there] than I was in [previous accommodation]. I would become room bound essentially due to the accessibility issues.
“Even on the street, I would have more privacy, dignity, and independence.”
A spokeswoman for Dublin Regional Homeless Executive said they were “acutely aware” of Rosemary’s accommodation needs.
She added: “Rosemary (and her assistance dog Quilla) use emergency accommodation intermittently and then she chooses to leave her accommodation...
“We have no knowledge as to where Ms Fearsaor Hughes is currently residing.
“She calls our Central Placement Service occasionally and is always treated professionally and with kindness and staff [who know her] endeavour to assist her.”
