A special report broadcast on Virgin Media News on Tuesday night about an elderly man recovering from cancer and living in a tent has shed light on the plight facing many people in homelessness in Ireland..
Danny Sirrells, a former butcher, told Virgin Media reporter Paul Byrne that he had worked in Ireland for nearly 40 years, however, 12 months ago he “fell on hard times” and is now living in a tent in Cork.
The 69-year-old, who is recovering from cancer, told Byrne that his wish is to get “back onto the system” but he added his biggest fear is dying alone in his tent and no one knowing.
READ MORE: Dramatic surge in number of Irish families resorting to 'couch surfing' as homeless crisis deepens
Danny told Virgin Media: “I’ve been attacked a couple of times, I’ve had my property stolen from outside St Francis Church behind the courthouse.
“I was sleeping there, they allowed me to sleep as long as I was up from half past six in the morning.”
He continued: “I just wish that I could get back onto the system and everything and try to have a normal life. But the way I have (sic) at the minute, I don’t have a normal life.
“I get upset, I get uptight and I am very anxious and depressed because of the medication and everything that I should be on. I am supposed to be on medication that I take a tablet every day for the rest of my life but I haven’t got it and I am not registered with a doctor.”
The situation in Ireland is stark. The most recent monthly homelessness report by the Department of Housing, for the month of April, showed how for the first time, the number of people in emergency accommodation has surpassed 12,000.
According to the latest figures, a total of 12,259 people were recorded in emergency accommodation in April 2023. This includes 8,665 adults and 3,594 children and is an increase of 271 people from the March figures.
Hazel Dennehy from homeless charity Street Angels also spoke to Virgin Media's Paul Byrne and was reduced to tears when discussing his case.
"A man of his age should have dignity and there should be places for these people because they're humans," she said.
"They shouldn't be treated like this and having to live in a bush, in a tent, words are just beyond me at this stage," she added as she broke down in tears.
Watch the full Virgin Media report here. You can also donate to Street Angels here, a charity that have been working with people experiencing homelessness for almost 15 years.
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