‘It's torture’

The homeless community are afraid for their wellbeing as they face an ever increasing struggle on the streets. That was the sentiment of homeless man Seamus who spoke to the Cork Independent following the murder of Timothy Hourihane this week.

Seamus, one of the inhabitants of the Cork tented village where the attack on Mr Hourihane took place, spoke about the challenges facing Cork’s homeless people and how he passes his time.

“It’s torture. I stand on street corners, in closed off streets, anywhere where there is shelter, just to pass the time. And then I try and make it to a safe place. It’s not safe on the streets at the moment. They’re robbing from the homeless. There's random attacks on homeless people by members of the public.

“There’s a lot of drink and drugs on the streets, as well. I’ve had a drink problem. I’ve always had one. But it’s increased since I’ve been on the streets because it passes the time, it really does,” he said.

Catriona Twomey of Cork Penny Dinners is familiar with the homeless community and the challenges they face. Speaking about Seamus, Catriona said: “He’ll walk the streets to keep warm. Seamus is a great guy. He just can’t find a place to live. Sometimes it hurts, when we see someone like Seamus just wandering the streets, they’re so tired that they’ll eventually sleep for one or two hours in the cold. The walking is out of desperation. There’s no place to really shelter from it.”

The homeless crisis in Cork has gathered increased attention since the death of Mr Hourihan on Sunday morning. Fear of assault is just one of the challenges faced by the homes community. The tented village at the Mardyke walk is situated next to the crime scene where Timothy was found on Sunday morning. Access to the village was restricted while police processed the crime scene, leaving the inhabitants exposed to the elements.

At a Cork City Council meeting this week, Fine Gael Cllr Des Cahill questioned if offering tents to the homeless was adding to the crisis rather than helping.

During the meeting, Cllr Cahill said that he didn't think homeless services handing out tents was a good idea, adding that he would prefer to see engagement between the homeless and council services.

Cork Simon told the Cork Independent that it doesn't give out tents as the charity would also prefer for rough sleepers to come into its shelter and make use of the services it provides.

Ms Twomey believes giving tents can make a difference, and that they also offer hope.

“They have no place to go, no place to have a shower, no place to go to the toilet even. They have to walk around and look for a toilet. All your basic human rights are stripped from you.

“Can you imagine walking up to that every day and knowing you’ve no place to sleep? I know Cllr Cahill made a comment about the tents. “We’re the ones who see them at night, when they’re out in the freezing cold, the lashing rain, and in the dark. Giving them a tent might be the one that keeps a person alive for the following day. It is right and proper to give somebody shelter. You’re giving them shelter from the storm, not just the elements, but the storm that they’re going through as well,” she said.