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Reality check

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

I went into Galway city today and was shocked and saddened by the number of homeless people i passed sleeping in doorways. It was freezing last night.

While we are are here luckily looking forward to socials and time spent in comfort with friends and family it was a stark reminder how so many others are not so fortunate.

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By *upoftea2Man over a year ago

Dublin

You're right, being grateful for all that we are fortunate to have (experienced) and helping others (some, less fortunate than ourselves) are important things to do in this life.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

And totally neglected by government

Problem could be solved in the morning with a little motivation

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

To busy trying to buy/build houses for people living in hotels while others freeze on the streets

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"And totally neglected by government

Problem could be solved in the morning with a little motivation "

It actually couldn't.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"And totally neglected by government

Problem could be solved in the morning with a little motivation "

But it won't be - and that is the saddest part

I cannot get it out of my head tonight

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"And totally neglected by government

Problem could be solved in the morning with a little motivation

It actually couldn't. "

Why not? What are the numbers?

About 200 in Dublin?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"And totally neglected by government

Problem could be solved in the morning with a little motivation

But it won't be - and that is the saddest part

I cannot get it out of my head tonight "

I know Geordie, it saddens me too and I see them everyday

I give some change but it's a drop on the ocean

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

It's a horrible reality.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I went into Galway city today and was shocked and saddened by the number of homeless people i passed sleeping in doorways. It was freezing last night.

While we are are here luckily looking forward to socials and time spent in comfort with friends and family it was a stark reminder how so many others are not so fortunate.

Every town has them unfortunately but there are a lot of groups doing great work, there is a woman in Sligo who collects donations and they give them out, planning to purchase gloves, hats, toiletries etc and donate.

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By *igglesAndGeekCouple over a year ago

Galway

The number on the streets in Galway has exploded recently. Its a sad state of affairs that so many end up homeless. And what you see on the street are only some as many would find stairwells or squat to find some shelter.

There has not been social housing built in Galway in years, and said years would have been the cheapest years to build them. As a result so many are now suffering.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

That's sad and shocking

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"And totally neglected by government

Problem could be solved in the morning with a little motivation

But it won't be - and that is the saddest part

I cannot get it out of my head tonight

I know Geordie, it saddens me too and I see them everyday

I give some change but it's a drop on the ocean "
and the worst part of it was the first couple i saw were sleeping in the doorway of a hotel which closed a couple of years ago

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By *igglesAndGeekCouple over a year ago

Galway

"And totally neglected by government

Problem could be solved in the morning with a little motivation

But it won't be - and that is the saddest part

I cannot get it out of my head tonight

I know Geordie, it saddens me too and I see them everyday

I give some change but it's a drop on the ocean and the worst part of it was the first couple i saw were sleeping in the doorway of a hotel which closed a couple of years ago "

And god forbid they do something with the Corrib Great Southern which would house how many?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

A little creativity and it could be easily fixed but they do nothing

Basic humanity should be the first priority of any government

No homeless in Cuba btw

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Thats very true!!!

But... those who you saw in city centre is recently there and if give attention they not local.. Sure homeless can become anyone unfortunately,no matter race or nationality

But Im very negative to believe to foreign homeless people.. It is proved that lots of them who begging on streets for money and really looks homeless but then they just walk and get into coolest car of the year... Some while ago I saw on Tv very good documentary movie where with hiden camera was filmed all..

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

It's in every town and its a real shame, heartbreaking to see in what's seemingly a well off country

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"And totally neglected by government

Problem could be solved in the morning with a little motivation

It actually couldn't.

Why not? What are the numbers?

About 200 in Dublin? "

A huge portion of homeless people just couldn't cope living in a house. So many of them have drug, drink and mental health issues. Simply putting them into a house isn't practical. Stuff like cooking for themselves, doing their laundry, paying bills, changing a lightbulb etc would be very difficult tasks. Long term funding and solutions are needed, but the general public and Government don't really give much of a shit about that.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Yes hells belle

And in principle that is what people gaming the social welfare system are also doing

Taking resources from those who need them most

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"And totally neglected by government

Problem could be solved in the morning with a little motivation

But it won't be - and that is the saddest part

I cannot get it out of my head tonight

I know Geordie, it saddens me too and I see them everyday

I give some change but it's a drop on the ocean and the worst part of it was the first couple i saw were sleeping in the doorway of a hotel which closed a couple of years ago

And god forbid they do something with the Corrib Great Southern which would house how many?"

Exactly - it was Forster Court I passed - another huge empty building

I know it's an ongoing problem but the time of year and the bitterly cold weather today made me even more upset & disgusted that this is happening in our day and age

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"Thats very true!!!

But... those who you saw in city centre is recently there and if give attention they not local.. Sure homeless can become anyone unfortunately,no matter race or nationality

The ones i saw today were still wrapped in duvets Maza

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"And totally neglected by government

Problem could be solved in the morning with a little motivation

It actually couldn't.

Why not? What are the numbers?

About 200 in Dublin?

OK so you start with the sane but down on their luck people... They just need a kick start of shelter, work etc.

The rest you give addiction and psychiatric treatment first

The remainder are unfortunately lost causes but give them access to shelter food and sanitation regardless

In the scheme of things it's not expensive

How much does the government actually spend in any capacity on these things?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I endorse this... i was also in galway city today and i was shocked

This country needs a revolution

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"And totally neglected by government

Problem could be solved in the morning with a little motivation

It actually couldn't.

Why not? What are the numbers?

About 200 in Dublin?

OK so you start with the sane but down on their luck people... They just need a kick start of shelter, work etc.

The rest you give addiction and psychiatric treatment first

The remainder are unfortunately lost causes but give them access to shelter food and sanitation regardless

In the scheme of things it's not expensive

How much does the government actually spend in any capacity on these things?

We've been throwing money at it for a long time.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/government-spends-32k-a-year-for-every-homeless-person-31472649.html

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Lenses... Do you want to spend money to fix it or are throwing it away?

Those figures are bullshit....

It includes people living off the state popping out babies and fudging job interviews arranged for them to keep a free lifestyle going and at worst be 'homeless' in a hotel

Where are the government sponsored vans full of care teams actively going to help people sleeping on the streets who have nothing? Nowhere... It's all charity

I want to make the first group get off their hole so we have more resources for the second group

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By *oxysCouple over a year ago

"And totally neglected by government

Problem could be solved in the morning with a little motivation

But it won't be - and that is the saddest part

I cannot get it out of my head tonight

I know Geordie, it saddens me too and I see them everyday

I give some change but it's a drop on the ocean and the worst part of it was the first couple i saw were sleeping in the doorway of a hotel which closed a couple of years ago

And god forbid they do something with the Corrib Great Southern which would house how many?

Exactly - it was Forster Court I passed - another huge empty building

I know it's an ongoing problem but the time of year and the bitterly cold weather today made me even more upset & disgusted that this is happening in our day and age"
I seen them last week, it's so sad, they were just cuddled up to keep warm

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

I didn't post to start a political debate

I just hoped it might make people spare a thought and make a kind gesture to those we pass who are not so fortunate

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

But Geordie a gesture and a sad thought aren't worth anything

We have enough 'awareness', we need people to be angry about it and to not accept it as the norm or think that it's a problem that can't be fixed or at least improved... That creates momentum and change

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Lenses... Do you want to spend money to fix it or are throwing it away?

Where are the government sponsored vans full of care teams actively going to help people sleeping on the streets who have nothing? Nowhere... It's all charity "

Spend money to fix it, but in the right way.

I thought the point was to get these people houses? A van full of care teams doesn't provide these people houses. Again that's simply pissing money down the drain if the long term goal is to help these people get off the street.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

There will always be a small number of homeless (incompatible with society for a variety of reasons) but we are all aware of an acute increase recently directly linked to rising Rents... That element is very fixable

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"But Geordie a gesture and a sad thought aren't worth anything

I agree with you on your first point

But is there enough awareness? Shocked the hell out of me today

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Lenses... Do you want to spend money to fix it or are throwing it away?

Where are the government sponsored vans full of care teams actively going to help people sleeping on the streets who have nothing? Nowhere... It's all charity

Spend money to fix it, but in the right way.

Step one is to provide them with more than a piss soaked duvet and a wet freezing alley

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"A little creativity and it could be easily fixed but they do nothing

Basic humanity should be the first priority of any government

No homeless in Cuba btw

No dissenters alive either!

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By *aid backMan over a year ago

by a lake with my rod out

some of the blame has to go to the people themselves I know a few people who are homeless and also junkies/alcoholics and they had decent jobs houses etc even after they lost their homes their families tried to help them on the condition they stayed sober/clean and they would rather be on the streets than not on drugs. I know not every person that's homeless is on drugs etc but a high percentage are

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"some of the blame has to go to the people themselves I know a few people who are homeless and also junkies/alcoholics and they had decent jobs houses etc even after they lost their homes their families tried to help them on the condition they stayed sober/clean and they would rather be on the streets than not on drugs. I know not every person that's homeless is on drugs etc but a high percentage are "

Does their personal circumstances take away a basic human right ?? were all a paycheck away from situations these people are in and could also end up addicts...No one in Ireland should be sleeping rough end of

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

True laid

But a little empathy too... Why did they get addicted? Often soothing the pain of something else

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By *al2001Man over a year ago

kildare

I don't think even addicts like to live on the streets laid.

Addicts are victims themselves and should be helped as much as anyone

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By *aid backMan over a year ago

by a lake with my rod out

I don't think even addicts like to live on the streets laid.

Addicts are victims themselves and should be helped as much as anyone"

maybe but given the option of staying clean or living in the streets most choose the streets. a few of my mates growing up that way. I they had more chances from detox centers and psychological help etc again I'm not saying every homeless person is there by choice but there are those that choose drugs over a place to stay

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I don't think even addicts like to live on the streets laid.

Addicts are victims themselves and should be helped as much as anyone

I don't think it's a case that they chose drugs, often they just can't win the battle to stay off them.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Exactly jilly - most of us are one month's pay away from the street

I suppose that's why it hit me so hard today seeing it

Through no fault of my own I've been made redundant several times in recent years and although I managed to get employment again I took a drastic pay cut which meant I feared I may not be able to pay the rent & it could easily have been myself I passed today

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I went into Galway city today and was shocked and saddened by the number of homeless people i passed sleeping in doorways. It was freezing last night.

While we are are here luckily looking forward to socials and time spent in comfort with friends and family it was a stark reminder how so many others are not so fortunate.

"
i was in belfast last night and again this evening .. and it makes me cross the num of romainians out pretentending to be homeless .. there has been incidents of them mugging genuine homeless ppl for whatever few pounds they have .. so im giving a donation to the homeless shelter instead this year

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"I went into Galway city today and was shocked and saddened by the number of homeless people i passed sleeping in doorways. It was freezing last night.

While we are are here luckily looking forward to socials and time spent in comfort with friends and family it was a stark reminder how so many others are not so fortunate.

i was in belfast last night and again this evening .. and it makes me cross the num of romainians out pretentending to be homeless .. there has been incidents of them mugging genuine homeless ppl for whatever few pounds they have .. so im giving a donation to the homeless shelter instead this year "

I get what you're saying but i saw genuine sleeping rough - still under duvets covered in frost in Galway this morning

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I don't think even addicts like to live on the streets laid.

Addicts are victims themselves and should be helped as much as anyone

Laid no harm to you but dont talk shite ...No one chooses a life of addiction over a home what planet do u live on ffs ....Ive seen additions and believe me addicts want nothing more than to be clean and live a normal life ...Educate yourself on it

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

These were not drug addicts, nor were they immigrants

Not that it should matter

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Can feel a "I'm not a racist, but..." line coming soon.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"These were not drug addicts, nor were they immigrants

Not that it should matter

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I went into Galway city today and was shocked and saddened by the number of homeless people i passed sleeping in doorways. It was freezing last night.

While we are are here luckily looking forward to socials and time spent in comfort with friends and family it was a stark reminder how so many others are not so fortunate.

Yeah geordie alot near foster court I would say st pats near the train station is under pressure, it's a small place but there are very little facilities in Galway I have noticed it myself and it's more visible than another time that I can remember

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By *onathan kMan over a year ago

sligo ballymote

my friend last year ast me would I get some stuff for the homeless in Sligo ast my mother sister and one of my friends last year I have gotten bigger this year I have asked auntie's and cousins and really good friends to give me stuff for the homeless in Sligo it is so easy if you put your mind to it to halp them

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

The government here is a joke i don't have a million in the bank but the other night outside connelly train station there was a young homeless man and i thought omg it is freezin out the least i could do was buy him a cup of tea and a sandwhich , he was ever si grateful it is so sad these days

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By *ean0001Man over a year ago

Dublin West

Its a huge issue and if people would stop the odd time and just ask them if they are ok its a big help.

Most of them feel invisible. Lots of them are fighting addiction issues. There are hostel beds available but many cant face the option of staying in a hostel and feel safer on the streets.

I have spent my last two christmas days feeding the homeless as i didnt want to be alone and wanted to use my situation to try and help others. Its something i feel strongly about and i quietly raise a few bob in the background when i can for the charities that help.

They are always looking for volunteers and you can help. You can really help if you can spare a few hours one or a couple of nights a week. There are soup runs in most major towns. I can only urge you to try and help if you can.

Its tough on the emotions but sometimes its just showing people that you give a shite about them that helps get them through their situation.

We will never solve the problem for everyone but we can make it easier for people with a little effort.

As i have said in a number of posts in the last few days i struggle with the whole christmas thing due to my personal circumstances but there are so many more way worse off than me and i would ask you to spare a little thought for them if you can. A coffee and a sandwich can be a life saver and doesnt cost the earth.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I went into Galway city today and was shocked and saddened by the number of homeless people i passed sleeping in doorways. It was freezing last night.

While we are are here luckily looking forward to socials and time spent in comfort with friends and family it was a stark reminder how so many others are not so fortunate.

Geordie I am so with you on this and helping homeless individuals is an issue I feel very passionately about.

For sure, reasons for people finding themselves homeless are numerous and complex, ranging from financial difficulty, drug addiction, relationship breakdown, mental health problems... whatever the case may be... at the end of the day people are sleeping on the streets, often alone and forgotten about in what is supposed to be a civilised country.

Fixing the homeless crisis seems a political headache, but sometimes what makes a small bit of difference to these men and women is a little bit of humanity on an individual level - I often talk to homeless people and ask them if they are ok, do they need anything and maybe give them a few Euro if they need food or money for a hostel. Even to just look these people in the face or say hello to them instead of pretending not to see them like so many do is something small everyone can do if you are that way inclined.

I've found volunteering with various homeless charities in many different capacities over the years helped me feel less like a bystander.

Small gestures can go a long way - FACT

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By *onedbodMan over a year ago

co Galway

Yes Geordie x couldn't believe the amount of homeless people in around Galway city! All over the place ie down shop st, at the multi storey car park across from new bus station, entrance to the Raddison hotel! And the amount of kids that are begging that really hit home bigtime! It's so sad

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By *eanontiWoman over a year ago

Limerick

This is going back a few years. Was out for a School Christmas night a big group of us. Booked ages in advance, paying in weekly so we could afford it etc. Fec I'll name the restaurant the Jasmine Palace in Limerick.

Mary Harney and guests arrived unexpected so our large table wasn't available.

We were a long time waiting so up and down for cigarettes. We started chatting to a homeless guy who asked for a fag. Was he high no, was he d*unk, no. But, he couldn't afford the pittance for the hostel.

He walked up the stairs and he didn't even make it to the door of the restaurant. And he was carried down the stairs.

He was then paid to disappear from outside the building as she was on her way out.

The ahem shits at my table applauded her as she left. I sat in my seat with my back to her. She asked me why I didn't and ignored everyone else at the table.

That homeless man got 100 euro that night to clear out.

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