Courtney McGrailStaff Reporter
The occupation of an empty Dublin office block in order to provide emergency housing for the city’s homeless could send a dangerous message that any kind of accommodation will do for homeless people, Fr Peter McVerry SJ has said.
The campaigner’s comments came following the occupation of the 10-storey Apollo House on Tara Street by a group called Home Sweet Home. The group, which claims the block is owned by the State and could be legitimately used to house homeless people, is supported by such celebrities as director Jim Sheridan and singers Glen Hansard and Liam O Maonlaí.
While praising the intentions of the group and saying their actions would help keep the city’s homeless crisis in the public eye, Fr McVerry said the occupation was “not the solution to the homeless crisis”, and would have little real impact as it would create “one big dormitory”, with many of those who sleep rough doing so because they will not sleep in dormitory accommodation.
The November rough sleeper count revealed that there were 142 people sleeping rough in Dublin, with a further 77 on mats in the Merchants Quay night café.
NAMA, the national asset management agency, has said that it does not own the building, to which Mazars has been appointed receivers. Mazars has said the occupiers are trespassing.