Speaking at a party function in Armagh on Friday evening, Sinn Fein Leader Gerry Adams TD said that tackling homelessness remains a key challenge for Irish society.

His remarks follow the death of a man in the early hours of the morning in an area of the Phoenix Park frequented by homeless people. The man was in a sleeping bag, which had caught fire in a wooded area near the Wellington Monument.

Gerry Adams said:

“Any decent society, above all one which purports to be a republic, should be judged by the manner in which it treats its most vulnerable citizens. Homelessness is a major challenge for society on this island, North and South.

“Those agencies working at the coalface of this issue have reported huge increases in recent times in the level homelessness, particularly in our capital city.

“The Fine Gael/Labour coalition is responsible for the present homeless crisis in Dublin. Their austerity policies are literally forcing families out of their homes and onto the streets.

“Unfortunately, when challenged this week in the Dail by Mary Lou McDonald, the Taoiseach refused to offer any comfort to the increasing number of citizens facing into a Christmas on the streets.

“The government has cut €233 million from the social housing budget since taking office. Councils do not have the houses to prevent people sleeping rough.

“Fine Gael and Labour need to wake up to this crisis and take urgent action. Adequate funds must be released immediately to ensure that nobody is forced to sleep rough."