Sir, – As I was leaving the city centre in the evening a few weeks ago, I met John Corrie, the homeless man who died on the streets this week. He was with another man who was homeless and who was trying to convince John to come with him to a hostel. But neither he nor I could talk him into it. I ended up talking to them both for a while, and convincing them to at least let me get them something to eat.
John said he would stay where he was, and we could bring him something back if we wanted.
The other man went with me to get the food, talked to me for a while, told me about how long he had been out, and about some of the challenges he was facing.
In the end he thanked me and said he was going to find a hostel. But he warned me John wouldn’t. When I offered to give John money for a hostel, he flatly refused and told me I shouldn’t trust him with it – that it would only go towards him helping himself get through another day, and nothing more.
We all shook hands and two of us went in different directions. John stayed behind.
When I heard the news, I was worried that it might be John. I’m glad now that I asked for his name, and gave him mine. He seemed suspicious of my question at first, and would only ask why I wanted to know. When I told him that everyone has a name, and names should be remembered and spoken, he shook my hand and told me that he was John Corrie, 43 years-old. I will always be thankful he trusted me with that.
I know John was a troubled and complicated man. Even our brief conversation told me that, and John himself admitted it. But he was a person, and he needs to be remembered.
Even when we feel we can’t do much to help, we can remember, and we should take it as our duty to do so. – Yours, etc, KYLE HUGHES Bray. Co Wicklow. Sir, – The tragic death of a homeless person in Dublin must result in real and effective action to address the fact that our homeless hostels are usually full, and vulnerable individuals are left to fend for themselves on our streets.
Clearly more social housing units and hostels are required but what is seldom discussed is the need for a minority of homeless people – those who lack capacity because of the effects of mental illness or addiction – to have their finances managed and so ensuring that limited funds are available to pay for their basic needs.
Many agencies run shy of taking on the responsibility of acting as social welfare agents regarding this cohort, and the fact that the Capacity Bill 2013 is yet to be enacted is an additional obstacle to those who lack the capacity to access the care and support that could transform their lives in terms of both physical and mental health. – Yours, etc, FRANK BROWNE Templeogue, Dublin 16. Sir, – The horrific death of a young homeless man so close to Dáil Éireann should be a stark reminder that very little has happened since the death of Peggy and Danny, who died on the streets back in 1992 on a cold snowy December day.
It is high time that politicians set aside a full day to debate this problem. It should never happen again.We cannot be proud of our city if individuals are dying on our pavements.
Homeless people may have other social or medical problems, which for some is the reason they are not coping, and we as a Christian country have to assist them.
These individuals have been let down and while we can boast about research and quote statistics we are not giving human beings a place to sleep, keep warm and clean, eat and stay safe. We should bow our heads in shame.
There are simply no excuses.– Yours, etc, ANN MARIE McMAHON Sandymount, Dublin 4.
Sir, – It is bordering on immoral that we let homeless people die in the street while planning to spend up to €30 million on the 100th anniversary of 1916.
Why not spend four or five million on the anniversary, and use the rest to partially solve the homeless problem? – Yours etc, JOHN O’BRIEN, Churchtown, Dublin 14. Sir, – Resulting from the death of a homeless man in Dublin over the weekend there is a clamour from politicians and organisations from all sides to do something about housing such people.
The suggestion is that more housing is needed, but this surely is a long-term solution and action is needed now.
It’s time to think outside the box. Let the Government, or whichever local authority is responsible, either buy or hire a cruise liner. This would give instant accommodation with all the facilities of a hostel. Fund it properly and let one of the existing caring organisations run it.
This would give time to seriously look at the problem and consider how to house the homeless in a proper manner. – Yours, etc, GERRY BROUDER Blackrock, Co Dublin.