Hurricane Ophelia: 200 extra beds set up for rough sleepers

An additional 200 beds are to be made available for rough sleepers in Dublin on Monday evening,

The temporary accommodation spaces have been sourced for rough sleepers for Monday evening, according to Dublin City Council’s Crisis Management Team.

All Dublin City Council offices other than the homeless service at Parkgate Hall will be closed to the public from 11am on Monday

Homeless charity the Peter McVerry Trust is also opening extra communal spaces and extending hours of operating as part of their emergency response to Hurricane Ophelia.

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The organisation initiated its emergency response protocols in the wake of the severe weather warnings issued by Met Éireann.

Anyone who encounters rough sleepers are being encouraged to advise them to access emergency shelter.

The street outreach team with The Peter McVerry Trust have encouraged all rough sleepers to access their services in the coming 24 hours.

Transport will be provided to ensure members of the homeless community can avail of these options.

The homeless charity is opening the communal spaces at Richmond Street and Aungier Street on Monday to provide additional emergency shelter to people sleeping rough.

Extended hours will be in operation at the Peter McVerry homeless youth café on Berkeley Street.

“Peter McVerry Trust is constant contact with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive and will take any additional measures we can to ensure the safety of people in homelessness during Storm Ophelia,” said the charity.

24-hour service

The homeless charity is extending its “one night only” services to a 24-hour service until further notice, which means residents will be allowed remain indoors.

Homelessness charity Depaul will also be keeping its four emergency hostels open 24 hours for the duration of the storm.

Little Britain Street, Brú Aimsir, Mount Brown and Blessington Street hostels will remain open with a total of 210 beds in what are usually night time only accommodation services.

Depaul chief executive Kerry Anthony said it is of "vital importance" that people do not forget to provide for the most vulnerable people in society during this storm.

“So many people have nowhere to go during the day and sleep rough at night; it is imperative that they have somewhere safe and indoors to go for the entirety of the storm. We have been working with Dublin City Council and with their support our emergency services will remain open to homeless people throughout the day. I don’t want any homeless person having their lives put at risk by sleeping rough tonight,” he said.

Peter McVerry Trust chief executive Pat Doyle told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that all 520 beds in Dublin City will remain open throughout the day.

“Homeless people are being advised to stay in today and not to attend appointments. In relation to our one night only beds, which would be beds that normally close at 10am in the morning; they are remaining open for 24 hours on Monday and Tuesday,” Mr Doyle said.

"In relation to those who are on the streets, we have opened up our facility in Richmond and Angier Street. We share a contract with Focus Ireland so we have shuttle buses available to take people to these locations."Members of the public are urged to contact The Peter McVerry Trust on (01) 8230776 if they have any concerns about a member of the homeless community.