A total of 222 deaths of homeless people were recorded last year, according to new figures from the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive.
This stark statistic comes as a homeless African man continued to receive hospital treatment for life-changing injuries yesterday. It is believed he is now paralysed.
The man, in his 30s, from Eritrea, was seriously hurt after his tent was removed by heavy machinery from the banks of Dublin’s Grand Canal on Tuesday.
He was sleeping in his tent while it was being removed as part of a clean-up of the area by Dublin City Council and Waterways Ireland.
The following day a homeless woman in her late 20s died suddenly in emergency accomodation. It is understood her body was found at the Phoenix Lodge hostel on Parkgate Street in the capital.
Anthony Flynn, CEO of Inner City Helping Homeless and Dublin City Councillor, said the situation is “worse” than he has seen.
He added: “The system is in turmoil and those who operate it are in denial.”
The 222 deaths include the homeless who were sleeping rough or staying in emergency accomodation, though the deaths may have occurred in hospital or elsewhere.
The mortality rate for homeless people is three to 10 times higher than that of the general population, with an average age of death of 42 years for men and 37 for women.
Across the country, the latest figures show that 10,448 people, including nearly 4,000 children, are homeless.
