"James", (56), has chronic schizophrenia. He has been homeless for three years. Originally from England where he worked as a mechanic, he came to Ireland four years ago to be near his friend, Ms Diana Connolly
She has been trying to help him since. Though he stayed with her a while, he "smashed up the place" on two occasions and she had to ask him to leave. She has four children.
The health board would not provide accommodation and she helped him find private accommodation, which he also had to leave after a short time.
He has been hospitalised and imprisoned because of his occasional violence, each time released without a place to go to. He needs sheltered accommodation, says Ms Connolly, and has been on a waiting list for two years, with no prospect of a place for at least a year.
"I have been hassling TDs, hospitals, doctors, councillors, trying to find somewhere for him. So, he has been on the road, sleeping rough and in hostels.
"When he's well he's a very gentle, kind, quiet person. But how can he be expected to get well when he doesn't know where he's going to spend the night? Being mentally ill is bad enough. Add homelessness to that and it's a life sentence."