A protest organised by the National Homeless and Housing Coalition will take place this evening (Tuesday 1st December) to mark the one year anniversary of Jonathan Corrie’s death.
Corrie tragically passed away in the doorway of a building on Molesworth street, just metres from Leinster House on Monday 1st December 2014, after living rough on the streets of Dublin for years.
His death sparked national outrage, with people calling on the government to address issues of homelessness, and emergency measures were introduced.
However, twelve months on, campaigners maintain that the situation has worsened, despite emergency beds being opened.
Campaigner Father Peter McVerry said that the crisis is “much, much worse” since this time last year and that the focus should be on long-term social housing.
Speaking to RTE’s Morning Ireland, he said:
“The empty local authority buildings that exist, and there’s a huge number of them around the country, ought to be brought back into operation as rapidly as possible.
“And I can’t understand why they are not being renovated and used again as quickly as possible.”
This evening’s protest starts at the GPO at 5pm, and protesters will march to Leinster House for a rally.
The fact the homeless crisis is even worse 1yr after Jonathan Corrie's death is testament this government has failed utterly in its duty
— Mathieu Norry (@MathieuOnRadio) December 1, 2015
1yr after death of Jonathan Corrie. Remember all those who suffer from homelesness 5pm GPO today. March to Dáil for vigil. @DublinSinnFein
— Cllr. Daithí Doolan (@DaithiDoolan) December 1, 2015
Jonathan Corrie died on Molesworth Street almost a year ago, what has changed? #newstalk #patkenny #homelessness #fglab too little too late
— Phyllis Murphy (@phylmurphy) November 23, 2015
