An ex-soldier sleeping rough in Leeds city centre, spoke of how he's still affected by "stress and anxiety" caused by his years of service and claims he has no support to turn to.
Danny Hanrahan, 51, father-of-four has been sleeping rough for weeks. He claims he left home due to arguments with his family. Danny was a private in the infantry, he served in the 80s, stationed in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Turkey and Pakistan during his illustrious career of service.
The veteran 'struggles' with alcohol, drinking on average about seven or eight cans of beer a day. Danny says “emotional problems” caused by life in the army continue to affect him to this very day.
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He was living in Beeston Royds before he took to the city centre streets. Danny said: “It’s been a very rough time for me, it’s taken a toll. Things like this have been getting to me. Being in the army caused me a lot of problems, stress and anxiety – emotional problems. I think back to the time when I was out there, it comes back up [in my memory].”
Danny’s four children are 6, 17, 23 and 25. Danny is originally from Manchester and moved to Ireland when he was six, which accounts for his gentle Irish accent. He described himself as a traveller, a “gypsy”. Serving with the British forces caused some controversy with his friends in Ireland.
But he has a staunch admiration for the monarchy and was proud to serve Britain. But he says the survival skills he picked up in the army haven’t served as any help for life on the streets as a rough sleeper.
Danny: “No, once you’re out of the army, you’re out of the army. I’ve been sleeping rough around the city centre, near the [Kirkgate] market, just outside. I’ve never done it before in my life.
“It’s rough, I have no support or money. Once you leave the army, that’s it.”
Speaking about his struggle with drink, he blames it on “anxiety”. But he is determined to knock the seven or eight can a day habit and better himself.
Danny has said the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the 70th anniversary of her reign, has inspired him to take up manual work. “I’m going to try and look for work, like maintenance work or gardening work, ground works, anything like that,” he said.
He went on to say: “I’m a gypsy and a traveller. God bless the Queen. I hope things can be better for the army, things can be controllable for the army, and better for the environment in our country.
“Such as why are things going up, like prices, the gas bills, electricity, and you know, food wise, garages, fuel. Everything has gone up in the crisis.”
If have concerns for someone sleeping rough, you can report it here. Leeds homeless charities which can be contacted include St. George's Crypt, St. Anne's Resource Centre, York Street Health Practice and Forward Leeds.
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