Tent and a sleeping bag given to one of those with nowhere to go
A District Court has expressed concern about access to emergency accommodation for those in need during the current Covid-19 restrictions.
Judge Kevin Kilrane made the remarks at last Thursday’s sitting of Sligo District Court.
The court heard that a man who was in desperate need of a place to stay but couldn’t find anywhere and was given a tent and a sleeping bag by the founder of a charity who stepped in to help, Aubrey Melville of Social Groundforce.
Mr Melville told the Judge they could do more if they had financial support.
Judge Kilrane said it was extremely difficult at present for people without a place to call home as all of the usual places they could go to were closed at the moment.
“No one wants them,” he stated, adding that a hostel situation for example with people living untested for the coronavirus wasn’t feasible.
Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor, told the judge that Mr Melville was working tirelessly at coming up with some sort of a solution to help people in desperate need.
A number of cases last Thursday involved a number of men who didn’t have a permanent address.
Mr McGovern indicated that Mr Melville was in touch with Sligo County Council with a view to looking at getting a building.
The judge said that in the present environment it was like ‘moving Parliament to get progress’, adding that there was a need for immediate, on the ground help, like that which Mr Melville provides.
Judge Kilrane said there were a number of men not safe on the streets as all of the hostels are closed down now and there was ‘a great cry for help’.
“We have a number of defendants before the court with a combination of mental health, drug and alcohol problems and homelessness.
“One of them is bad enough but together all four of them, the only one that is missing is hopelessness after that, where is the hope in that?” he asked.