No more deaths on our streets - sleep out outside the Dáil

by Mark Grehan Thu Sep 22, 2005 21:09

A meeting is to take place on Friday 23rd September for members of the homeless community. For further details please call me on 087 7974622

by Jon Glackin - Street Seen Fri Sep 23, 2005 17:05

There are posters/flyers now available if people want to contact us.

by Mark Grehan - Street Seen Mon Sep 26, 2005 15:23 streetseen04 at hotmail dot com 12a Brunswick place, Dublin 2 087 7974622 or 087 0541947

Street Seen Press release
26th September

Homeless sleep out outside the Dáil.

Tuesday 27th September from 6pm until Wednesday morning

As the government returns to work after it’s over paid and over extended holiday’s members of the homeless community will be sleeping outside the Dáil to continue their campaign of “No more deaths on our streets”. Organised by the Irish Anti Poverty newspaper Street Seen the sleep out is a signal to the government that campaigners intend to make homelessness a major issue for the next Dáil session.

A spokesperson Mark Grehan said

“While the government were away on their holidays the homeless community continued to suffer from the inaction of our so called political leaders. There have been several deaths amongst the homeless community ultimately resulting in the launch of this campaign. The homeless community has met nothing more than indifference from the government. After years of economic prosperity it is a disturbing direction that this government is taking us. The tax breaks granted to the equestrian community show us that horses are better treated than members of the homeless community”

Mark Grehan continued by saying

“This action is being taken to send a clear signal to the government that we intend to make this issue a major issue for the next Dáil session. For too long this government has ignored this issue. For too long have they left it up to charities to take action where they have failed to deliver. This government can no longer ignore this issue as we will bring it their doorsteps. Failure to act will result in more deaths on our streets, deaths caused by the indifference of our government”

For further info please contact:

Mark Grehan 087 7974622
Jon Glackin 0870541947

by Jon Glackin - Street Seen Mon Sep 26, 2005 18:17

There will be some cover provided tommorow night and a mini-bus near to hand so we can defeat the current inclement weather conditions..
Some Musicians will be dropping down for a 'seisun' around 10ish.
The Food Not Bombs crew will be supplying some refreshments and a bit of a bite during the night
We will have 237 placards, representing those people who 'officially' sleep out every night in Dublin
We intend to screen some homeless documentaries, such as Berrred, that looks at the barring issue in the hostel systems here.
Any ideas or suggestions for other activities, gratefully recieved..
So hopefully we will see ya all there and show those TDs we mean business!!!

by Revolter Tue Sep 27, 2005 14:38

Sorry cant make tonight stuck in Cork though best wishes for your campaign.
Come on lets support our homeless community!

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=157194430&p=y57y95y36

Homeless plan Dáil sleep-out to highlight plight


Members of the homeless community have vowed to sleep outside the Dáil tonight to ensure the Government confronts the problem inside the political chambers.

As ministers return to work in the Oireachtas tomorrow morning after the summer recess, they will be faced with several people sleeping outside the gates of Leinster House in Dublin city centre.

Street Seen, which organised the ‘No more deaths on our streets’ campaign, said the sleep-out was a signal to the Government that campaigners intend to make homelessness a major issue for the next Dáil session.

“While the Government were away on their holidays the homeless community continued to suffer from the inaction of our so-called political leaders.

"There have been several deaths amongst the homeless community ultimately resulting in the launch of this campaign,” Mark Grehan of Street Seen said.

He said the homeless community had met nothing more than indifference from the Government.

Mr Grehan said: “This action is being taken to send a clear signal to the Government that we intend to make this issue a major issue for the next Dáil session.

“For too long this Government has ignored this issue. For too long have they left it up to charities to take action where they have failed to deliver.

"This Government can no longer ignore this issue as we will bring it their doorsteps. Failure to act will result in more deaths on our streets, deaths caused by the indifference of our Government.”

Members of the homeless community, and their supporters, will gather outside the Dáil from 6pm tonight until tomorrow morning.

Over a week ago around 200 people protested in Dublin city centre following the death of three people sleeping rough within the space of a fortnight in the capital

by Jon Glackin - Street Seen Tue Sep 27, 2005 23:17

Good lively crowd of 40 homeless people so far settling in for the night outside the dail with about 15 supporters.
It is a well cold night so any spare blankets or sleeping bags would be appreciated.
Only 'politicals' who have arrived showing solidarity so far have been Martin Ferris, Sean Crowe (Sinn Fein) and Eamon Gilmore (Labour) the absence of political solidarity from other politicians and political groups has been commented on by the homeless men and woman at the Dail..
A Film show is just about to begin showing local homeless films supplied by Brendan Dowling.
Find of the night was some rolls of discarded carpet that has helped people keep warm!!
Thanks also to the Simon volunteer outreach team who arrived with Sandwiches and soup..and Damian Moran who came with food from Aungier Street Hostel...
Hope to see more down here as the night progresses. It is vital that we show the arriving TDs in the morning that enough is enough...
The Homeless are Revolting...Come Join them..