Pandemic ‘a factor’ in homeless death surge

A DOZEN people accessing homeless services have died in Dublin and Cork over the past fortnight, the Irish Daily Mail can reveal.

A shocking seven people have lost their lives in the capital over the past week, while another five people have died within the past two weeks in Cork.

Homeless services and security sources spoken to by the Mail say that ‘Covid-19 related issues’ have been a major factor in the sudden spike in deaths.

In north Dublin, three female residents at a homeless centre lost their lives within the past week, including a 34-year-old woman, with addiction issues. Days later, a woman in her early 20s overdosed at the same facility. Days before that, a long-term 58-year-old resident at the same homeless centre died from cancer after being transferred to a hospice.

Also in north Dublin this week, a middle-aged man, who was beginning to engage with homeless services, died in a family member’s home.

A 19-year-old woman also died at a city centre hostel from a suspected accidental overdose.

On Thursday morning, a man was found dead in Drury Street car park. The Dundalk man had been released temporarily from prison the day before and he also died from a suspected overdose, sources say.

And yesterday morning, a 47year-old man died from a suspected accidental overdose at a north inner city homeless hostel.

The situation is equally grim in the country’s second-biggest city, Cork, where two men, from Afghanistan and Lithuania, and a local woman were all discovered dead over three days, two weeks ago. This was followed by the death of another homeless woman this week in Cork city and then on Thursday, a homeless man lost his life there.

The five people who died were aged between their 20s and 50s.

One of the homeless deaths in Cork was natural causes, while the others were connected to medical issues as well as addiction problems, it is understood.

Caitriona Twomey, a volunteer with Cork Penny Dinners, said: ‘I do think Covid was a factor. It has been a stressful time for everyone. But for people sleeping rough, it has been even more difficult. Where were they to wash their hands? How were they to access hand sanitisers and face masks?

‘The streets were empty and homeless people felt alone and isolated. That affects people’s mental and physical wellbeing.’