There will be further deaths of homeless people on the streets unless the system to offer them emergency beds is urgently changed, it was warned yesterday.
An estimated 85 rough sleepers in Dublin had to contend with freezing temperatures and 100kmh winds last night – with snow in some parts of the country.
Anthony Walsh, chief executive and founder of the Feed Our Homeless charity, said: “I’m calling on the relevant authorities to ensure those who are sleeping rough out on our streets this winter and also those who are most in need of emergency beds get those beds over the free phone system to help prevent any more deaths.
“Deaths out on our streets can be prevented if the appropriate emergency accommodation is made available to those who are most in need this winter.”
The Dublin Region Homeless Executive said it “would like to offer its sympathies to the families, friends and support workers of the people who have passed away while in homeless services”.
It added: “Many of the individuals who passed away this year, or in previous years, were receiving support from a variety of DRHE/HSE funded services, but, unfortunately, homelessness is often complicated by medical and/or social factors.”
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