10,000 FIGHT FOR ‘ACTION’
Calls to address homeless issue as numbers rise
THOUSANDS took to the streets of Dublin yesterday to highlight Ireland’s housing and homeless crisis.
The protest was organised by the National Homeless and Housing Coalition who are calling for better housing conditions.
A crowd of more than 10,000 gathered at the Garden of Remembrance before walking through the city.
The latest demonstration comes as official figures from the Housing Department put the number of homeless in October at 9,724 – up just 26 from the previous month. But organisers claim this number, which includes 3,725 children, is just the tip of the iceberg and the true number could be as high as 13,000.
Tina Mcveigh, People Before Profit co-chairperson, said the homeless figures released earlier this week are “only the sharp edge of the wedge”.
She added: “Behind those figures are tens of thousands of people that are affected by this crisis.
“The policies of this Government only help the vulture funds, landlords and developers. We are demanding radical action and we are back out on the streets to remind them that we are still here. We are not going away.
“[Housing Minister] Eoghan Murphy and Fine Gael tried to tell us that everything was OK. We are saying it’s not OK.”
Brian Mcloughlin, Inner City Helping Homeless spokesperson, believes “we have 10,000 officially homeless but the reality is the figure is probably double that”.
NEWLYWEDS Rachel and David Smith are urging others to follow their lead after they donated to a homeless charity in lieu of wedding favours.
The Dublin couple decided to break with tradition and forego buying trinkets for their 210 guests so they could give the cash to Inner City Helping Homeless instead.
Rachel, 31, told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “We said, ‘What’s the point of giving people keyrings or other keepsakes when most of them just end up in the bin anyway?’.
“We decided to give to a worthy cause and when we saw the volunteers out helping the homeless in the snow in March it was a no brainer for us.
“It wasn’t huge money but we wanted to make the gesture. We made little cards and put them on the tables at the wedding so others might do the same.
“The weather is so harsh at this time of year so anything that can help rough sleepers has to be a good thing.”
Housing department statistics confirmed 5,999 adults and 3,725 children as homeless last month, but ICHH reckons the true figure is closer to 13,000.
Its co-founder Anthony Flynn predicted a spike in the crisis over Christmas as hotels close for the festive season and housing authorities shut up shop. Brian Mcloughlin, spokesperson for ICHH, said the charity was “blown away” by the generosity shown by David and Rachel who thought of them on their big day.
He added: “This was the first time in five years of operation that someone has approached us wanting to donate as part of their special day.
“The fact that they were thinking of our work in preparing for their wedding day really warmed our hearts.
“We are experiencing the worst housing and homelessness crisis in the history of the State and as a result the demands on us have increased.”
As a registered charity with 220 volunteers and one paid staff, ICHH relies on public support and corporate charity partnerships to provide a service 16 hours a day, seven days a week.
Brian said: “Donations like Rachel and David’s are a lifeline to us, particularly during the winter months.
“Our outreach teams are assisting 150 people every night on the streets of the capital so the demand for our front-line service has never been greater. “We are also inundated with families in need of our support as they try to navigate their way through homelessness.”
The number of homeless children has increased by 463% in the past four years. ■ To support ICHH contact fundraising@ichh.ie. new@irishmirror.ie
NEWLYWEDS Rachel and David Smith have made the inspiring move to help the homeless as part of their wedding celebrations.
The selfless couple also asked their 210 wedding guests to make a charitable donation to Inner City Helping Homeless instead of receiving favours.
The couple said their decision to make a donation and ask guests to also donate to the charity in lieu of the unnecessary trinkets was a “no-brainer”.
Perhaps all of us should take inspiration from the Smiths and think about the plight of those less fortunate than us – particularly those who are facing another Christmas without a permanent home.
Officially, 10,000 people are currently homeless in Ireland. Heartbreakingly, this figure includes 4,000 children who are facing Christmas in emergency accommodation.
For a number of these children, this will be the second Christmas without a permanent roof over their heads.
Yesterday, the National Homeless and Housing Coalition held a demonstration in Dublin to express solidarity with the victims of the current homeless crisis.
Speaking before the protest, Anthony Flynn, Inner City Helping Homeless CEO, said the real figure for the number of homeless people stands at 13,000.