Mags GarganPoliticians are more concerned with Garth Brooks than destitute
A religious brother who feeds homeless people has said politicians seem more concerned about cancelled Garth Brooks’ concerts than homeless people lying in flooded streets in Dublin.
Brother Kevin Crowley told The Irish Catholic that about 40 people came to the Capuchin Day Centre on Saturday morning soaking wet after failing to secure accommodation the night before, which saw flooding on streets throughout Dublin.
“They came in dripping from the rain and we had to get people into showers. They were wet, cold and miserable,” he said.
Accommodation
“I tried ringing the Freephone number to secure them accommodation for Saturday night but there was no response. I then tried Dublin City Council and no one was available.”
The Director of the Capuchin Day Centre is calling on the Government and Dublin City Council to prioritise the “appalling” level of homelessness in the capital.
Speaking from the Capuchin Day Centre on Bow Street, which feeds about 800 people between breakfast and lunch, Br Kevin said the proper services are not being provided to homeless people and “it is appalling in this day and age that we have so many people lying on the streets and we haven’t got sufficient accommodation for them.
“Politicians were screaming about the Garth Brooks concerts being cancelled but nobody is screaming about the unfortunate people lying on the streets. This is a serious issue but it just doesn’t seem to be a priority,” he said.
Rent increase
Meanwhile, Focus Ireland has revealed that one family a day was made homeless in Dublin last month due to a soaring increase in rents. According to the charity, 39 families lost their homes in the capital last month, with many trapped in emergency accommodation for months, as the system comes under further strain. They have appealed to the Government to raise the rent supplement to match the market rents in order to give people realistic access to accommodation.