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Child Item

55 homeless die last year on the streets

patrickc

http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/1211/homeless.html

Figures out today from the Simon Community show that 55 homeless people died last year.

According to the charity the average age of those who died was 42 years.

These figures relate only to homeless individuals who had used the services of the Simon Community, so the actual number of homeless people who died in 2006 could be higher.
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According to the charity's annual review 25 of those who died were based in Cork, 18 were from Dublin.

12 were based in Dundalk and Galway.

It is calling for comprehensive healthcare services for homeless people in order to meet the target of ending homelessness by 2010.

just awful this, in 2007 that this still continues

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armour87

Actual figure must be much higher. considering foreigners 2

cance

with all the money in the country at present you would think they could be put up somewhere.

LadyJ

It just crazy. Something needs to be done. I can't stand seeing people on the streets especially in this weather. It's so sad. This is why I'm getting into social work. Just can't stand by and watch any longer.

patrickc

I work in the homeless area,lack of resources are a big hinderence. 104 people sleeping rough on the streets of dublin last month in a count that took place. (not including people in squats only those physcially sleeping on the streets)

dodgyme

again these people are the really F7cked in society.
It really annpoys me when I see the money wasted on welfare fraud and asylum scammers and hear a story like this.

Sajan

Dodgyme.. No offense to your point about the welfare fraud and asylum scanners but I think there is a lot more money wasted in other areas in this country than those two areas.

gurramok

They should start 'no speak da lingo' and claim asylum, it'll help alot

pclancy

Our great government doesnt care about these people. They've made that pretty clear. There should be nobody sleeping rough in this day and age. Resources such as the simon community should get loads of government funding to help these people.

KTRIC

I blame the government for this, its their fault people are dieing on the streets. Instead of spending millions on stupid Spires they could have built another shelter and maybe started a program to get some of these people back on the straight and narrow.

I'm living in Munich and I think I've only seen about 2 or 3 homeless in the past few months. They usually have somewhere to go in the evenings like a hostel or something. They government here make it their business to help these people have a proper life.

Mossy Monk

Welcome to Ireland where these people would only get any coverage if they were beautiful. Sickening really

thecleverone

Instead of spending millions on stupid Spires they could have built another shelter and maybe started a program to get some of these people back on the straight and narrow.

I completely agree. If only our resources were prioritised. Homeless people don't seem to be on a priority list which i think is scandalous.

Mr. Incognito

It's not just homeless peole. Juvineline reform schools, treatment centres, womens aid, anything that smacks of social resposnsibility is out on the back burner- and why? becaue it's the celtic tiger, me me me generation. And what do we do? Vote Fianna Failed back in again.

panda100

Sajan wrote: »

Dodgyme.. No offense to your point about the welfare fraud and asylum scanners but I think there is a lot more money wasted in other areas in this country than those two areas.

Wholehearteldy agree. Money is competly wasted by the goverment on completly superfical agendas. Bertie alone has spent €167,000 on makeup in the last few years!When will Irish people wake up and see we have a bunch of crooks running the country who care for nothing but their own bank balances and their own fat cat friends bank balances.

Ive really noticed a huge increase in the amount of homeless on the streets from when I first arrived in Dublin 6 years ago.Ive often wanted to stop and talk,or buy a homeless person a cup of tea or something rather than just shuffling past. Whats the best way to approach this,I dont want to appear condescending?

Mossy Monk wrote: »

Welcome to Ireland where these people would only get any coverage if they were beautiful. Sickening really

Its not just Ireland.Its the whole capitalist western world that makes us value superfical beauty over all else.

Pighead

Theres a bloke in Dundalk who sits on a bench beside the Harp Brewery periodically and who apparently refuses to accept the Simon's offer of a bed for the night.

You'd see him arrive at about 7 or 8ish in the evening and then just sit and stare blankly into space for the night. These lads must be tougher than the toughest old pair of leather boots. Pighead would make the worst tramp in the world. The cold scares me.:(

dodgyme

Sajan wrote: »

Dodgyme.. No offense to your point about the welfare fraud and asylum scanners but I think there is a lot more money wasted in other areas in this country than those two areas.

ah no!

11 sept Irish times
"A major cross-Border investigation between Irish and British authorities has uncovered widespread social welfare fraud by asylum seekers and other foreign nationals may have cost the State tens of millions of euro, The Irish Times has learned. Conor Lally reports"

ergonomics

I live in Glasgow and yesterday I saw a homeless guy sitting on the street and two paramedics were approaching him. As I got closer I realised that there was blood pouring out of his mouth. The paramedics checked his pulse and shook their heads. It was the saddest thing I'd ever seen as he was only about my age (20). To just die while sitting on the busiest street in Glasgow with thousands of people around, and right before Christmas. It's so sad.

I'm moving back to Ireland soon and have a load of clothes and stuff I don't want to bring with me so after yesterday I decided to donate them to a homeless shelter, as well as my duvet and that. I looked them up on the internet and couldn't find any and any of the charities helping the homeless only accept money donations. Without being crude, beggars can't be choosers now can they?

Latchy

Even beggers have some pride and dignity .

I was looking at the Focus ireland site early on and it was good to see how some people got looked after with housing .Anybody could find themselfs homeless ,and thousends in the uk do but lots wont have the resources of friends or family to support them .I would like to think that if i ever found myself in that situation i could look to them for support .

eamoss

Pighead wrote: »

Theres a bloke in Dundalk who sits on a bench beside the Harp Brewery periodically and who apparently refuses to accept the Simon's offer of a bed for the night.

You'd see him arrive at about 7 or 8ish in the evening and then just sit and stare blankly into space for the night. These lads must be tougher than the toughest old pair of leather boots. Pighead would make the worst tramp in the world. The cold scares me.:(

Yeah know the guy you are on about!

Always see him when im getting the Matthews bus down to Dublin.

Seen him once or twice after a night out walking home.

I heard a story that he does have a house but ever since his wife died he doesnt go back there.

Also remember the guy who was always outside Jocks, What happened to him? Though in saying that I dont go into (Dundalk) town that much anymore.

the_syco

panda100 wrote: »

Ive often wanted to stop and talk,or buy a homeless person a cup of tea or something rather than just shuffling past. Whats the best way to approach this,I dont want to appear condescending?

Buy a cup of tea, and some milk. If they look at you blankly, and ask for money, they want it for drugs or booze. Never give them money. If they have no money, they'll turn for help and assistance from those that try to help them.

=-=

The County Councils, not the government, usually set up the money for the homeless. DCC, for example, has a number of places that people stay in. The Simon community also has their own places. I think there's 3 or 4 different organizations that help house the homeless.

During the winter, it's "easy" to get people in, but unfortunately, there isn't always space. During the summer (esp during the "warmer" months), a lot of the homeless prefer to stay outside.

The biggest killer, is the public giving them money. A very large percentage will spend their money on booze, some on drugs, some both.

Mostly, to gain access to the places for the DCC, they must stop taking drugs, and are not allowed to drink in most places (think there are 2 "wet" places in Dublin). For some people, this is not an option, and if they keep getting money, they'll stay on the outside.

faceman

Pighead wrote: »

Theres a bloke in Dundalk who sits on a bench beside the Harp Brewery periodically and who apparently refuses to accept the Simon's offer of a bed for the night.

You'd see him arrive at about 7 or 8ish in the evening and then just sit and stare blankly into space for the night. These lads must be tougher than the toughest old pair of leather boots. Pighead would make the worst tramp in the world. The cold scares me.:(

Its a very good point and Im sure patrickc can maybe talk about it in more detail. I remember once bring an o'brien's sandwich and tea to 2 regular homeless guys who used to hang out near where i worked. They werent over pleased to get it and when i was passing by after work, i saw the sandwich, still in the wrapper was just fecked out on the ground. Although there was no sign of the tea.

There seems to a great sense of pride that some of the more old school/hardened homeless people develop, where they avoid dig outs as if to retain some level of dignity. It must be an awful stage to be at in life when you get to the stage where you refuse help. I often wonder what we can do, as in joe public, to help. Its a helpless feeling walking by thinking that all you can do is to just give your money to a homeless related charity directly.

moco

Is there anything people can do to help apart from giving money to the charities (cos I don't have much). Do the charities take on volunteers or anything?

MikeHoncho

If anyone thinks we have a homeless problem they should visit Vancouver. About half Dublins population and 10 times as many homeless people. Its a disgrace. I agree that something more could be done but remember some people choose this life for themselves. 104 people sleeping rough out of a population of 1.1. million is not that bad a figure compared to other cities

Waits for bashing from the PC brigade.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Mossy Monk wrote: »

Welcome to Ireland where these people would only get any coverage if they were beautiful. Sickening really

And being a beautiful junkie would help too. Might even get Berties ADC attending your funeral.

A guy I served in Lebanon with developed a drink problem after returning, his marriage failed and he left the army. He froze to death on Dublin's streets.

Joe McGann (Finglas) R.I.P.

arybvtcw0eolkf

MikeHoncho wrote: »

If anyone thinks we have a homeless problem they should visit Vancouver. About half Dublins population and 10 times as many homeless people. Its a disgrace. I agree that something more could be done but remember some people choose this life for themselves. 104 people sleeping rough out of a population of 1.1. million is not that bad a figure compared to other cities

Waits for bashing from the PC brigade.

I couldn't really give a rats ass about another city tbh with you.

Yes, I feel for their homeless. But in a country boasting wealt like our's, who's leader can gladly accept a €38k per annum pay rise
we shouldn't have homeless people.

And yes, some do end up homeless through they're own choice, but many more don't.

DonJose

Mairt wrote: »

And being a beautiful junkie would help too. Might even get Berties ADC attending your funeral.

I too was sickened to see that Bertie sent his aide to a celebrity junkies funeral yet we have people freezing on the streets of Ireland. Just shows where those corrupt cnuts priorities lie.

dodgyme

moco wrote: »

Is there anything people can do to help apart from giving money to the charities (cos I don't have much). Do the charities take on volunteers or anything?

Tried to volunteer last year for xmas day. My missus was behind this as I wouldnt be known for my caring ethos.
Anyhow you can volunteer but not for trophy days like xmas day. Basically they want to integrate volunteers gradually thru the year and this make it easier etc on days like xmas day etc. So you need to be available for a longer period, which is understandable really.

moco

dodgyme wrote: »

Tried to volunteer last year for xmas day. My missus was behind this as I wouldnt be known for my caring ethos.
Anyhow you can volunteer but not for trophy days like xmas day. Basically they want to integrate volunteers gradually thru the year and this make it easier etc on days like xmas day etc. So you need to be available for a longer period, which is understandable really.

Yea, I'd be interested in doing it regularly, how do you go about volunteering for that?

patrickc

faceman wrote: »

Its a very good point and Im sure patrickc can maybe talk about it in more detail. I remember once bring an o'brien's sandwich and tea to 2 regular homeless guys who used to hang out near where i worked. They werent over pleased to get it and when i was passing by after work, i saw the sandwich, still in the wrapper was just fecked out on the ground. Although there was no sign of the tea.

There seems to a great sense of pride that some of the more old school/hardened homeless people develop, where they avoid dig outs as if to retain some level of dignity. It must be an awful stage to be at in life when you get to the stage where you refuse help. I often wonder what we can do, as in joe public, to help. Its a helpless feeling walking by thinking that all you can do is to just give your money to a homeless related charity directly.

yes there are are a large number of particularly the older hardened guys that prefer to rough it out and don't want charity as they call it, the thing with these guys is to be persistant and build a rapport, it usually helps. walk along the boardwalk in dublin any day and see the numerous elderly lads out drinking.

Faceman is right much better giving to the charity directly. check out dubsimon.ie/focusireland.ie/respond.ie/svp.ie/salvation army/MQI.ie all who work with the homeless in Dublin

moco wrote: »

Is there anything people can do to help apart from giving money to the charities (cos I don't have much). Do the charities take on volunteers or anything?

they do take on volunteers, most are required to give a minium commitment though generally one night a week for example over a year.

(pm me anyone whos genuinely interested in voulnteering and I can pass on contact details)

Guy:Incognito

Mairt wrote: »

I couldn't really give a rats ass about another city tbh with you.

Yes, I feel for their homeless. But in a country boasting wealt like our's, who's leader can gladly accept a €38k per annum pay rise
we shouldn't have homeless people..

Thats a ridiculous comment tbh. Going by that logic, countries with money should have no problems. Things dont work that way.

DonJose wrote: »

I too was sickened to see that Bertie sent his aide to a celebrity junkies funeral yet we have people freezing on the streets of Ireland. Just shows where those corrupt cnuts priorities lie.

Jesus people are really being tools here lately. For a start, is every recreational drug user a junkie? tbh it'd probably cover half the posters in this thread. The aide was sent because it was someone famous, it's fairly standard, and again people celebrate the lives of celebrities they like, such as musicians, who we most likely taking far more drugs than Katie French could ever have done had she lived another 100 years (the stones anyone? Jim Morrison? pretty much every musician in th elast 50 years) but becaus eit's cool to hate her the government are a disgrace to send someone?

Is it stupid that a government representative could have been curing the homeless problem instead of showing up at the funerals of the firemen from bray a couple of months back?

The government are expected to turn up at these things and if they dont they'd be called heartless. Regardless of who was ruling the country there would have been someone sent. I suppose the chance to get a "twofor" and give out about two things its currently cool to hate was too good a shot to pass up.

ejmaztec

The government cured the problem in Tralee a few years ago, albeit it on a temporary basis, when Ireland had the EU presidency. They rounded them all up and took them to Castleisland, then returning them to Tralee when the visiting high-powered EU diplomats had finished their business.