Papal visit pressure shows scandal of families in hotels – Archbishop

Speculation that homeless families would be moved out of temporary accommodation in Dublin hotels around the time of the papal visit highlights the scandal of families having to live in such condition, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has said.

“Archbishop Martin says that the fact that large numbers of people have to be accommodated in hotels in the first instance is a scandalous situation and hotels are totally unsuitable for families,” a spokesperson for Dr Martin told The Irish Catholic, responding to claims that an influx of tourists would see demand for hotel rooms spiking and hotels seeking to profit from the situation.

“The problem has existed for many years and does not arise just from the forthcoming visit of Pope Francis,” the spokesperson continued, saying that the diocesan homeless charity Crosscare has been working closely with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) on how to address similar spikes in demand, such as around concerts, for some time.

“While of course it is far from ideal, in their experience, the DRHE have been really good at taking the lead, monitoring the demand for emergency accommodation and putting plans in place to provide additional beds when required,” the spokesperson added.

Bro. Kevin Crowley, whose Capuchin Day Centre will be visited by Pope Francis this August, told this newspaper he would be “absolutely and utterly disgusted to think the hotels are putting the homeless people out”.

Any such profiteering, he stressed, should not be blamed on Pope Francis, who is adamant that everybody be treated with dignity and respect.