Latest news with #DublinSimonCommunity
RTÉ News
20-05-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
History of substance abuse in almost 9 in 10 deaths of homeless people
The CEO of the Dublin Simon Community has said society is failing vulnerable homeless people and a cross departmental government strategy must be developed to tackle homelessness. Catherine Kenny said the issue is currently siloed across various departments without joined up thinking. Figures from the Health Research Body have revealed that almost nine in ten people who died while homeless had a history of substance abuse (the data examined the deaths of 128 people in 2021). Ms Kenny said it is easy to depersonalise issues through figures but these were people at their "most vulnerable, experiencing trauma" whose final days were marked by pain, isolations and systems that failed to catch them. Homelessness is complex, she explained, and dividing the issue across different department makes it seem like it can be resolved through a housing or health response. "They're lonely, they're frightened, they're traumatised. We need the housing. We need the social security. We need the health - both physical and mental health services - working collaboratively and across the board to address the issue. "However if you have someone only focusing on housing it gets lost in the crisis that we're in in terms of homelessness," said Ms Kenny on RTÉ's Morning Ireland. Substance abuse prevalent within 2021 death rates The research carried out by the Health Research Body shows that most of the deceased (85.9%) had a history of substance use. Of those with a history of substance use, 53.6% were known to have alcohol dependence. Heroin, cocaine and benzodiazepines were the most common drugs used, with heroin accounting for 62.8%, followed by cocaine at 55.1% and benzodiazepines at 29.5%. Some 82.4% of the 51 people who used drugs only, not including alcohol, had a history of taking various types of drugs. One in five (21.1%) of the deceased had ever injected drugs, with 37% of these injecting at the time of death. Dublin was the county that saw the most deaths, with 58.6% of deaths recorded there. Poisoning and non-poisoning related deaths Opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol and cocaine were the four main drug groups relating to poisoning deaths in 2021. Opioids were linked to the highest number of deaths at 82%, followed by benzodiazepines at 68.9%. Alcohol and cocaine contributed to similar numbers of deaths, at 37.7% and 36.1% respectively. Methadone was involved in regarding the deaths of 84.6% of women, which was significantly higher than 43.8% of men. Those figures combined accounted for 52.5% of deaths, making methadone the most common drug implicated in poisoning deaths. There were 67 non-poisoning deaths with 55 (82.1%) among males and 12 (17.9%) were among females. Medical causes of death, mainly cardiovascular, were recorded for 70.1% of non-poisoning deaths.
Irish Independent
14-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
More than 120 people sleeping rough on Dublin's streets
The count confirmed that 121 individuals were rough sleeping across the four Dublin local authorities during this period. This marks a 5pc decrease from the Spring 2024 count, when 128 individuals were found rough sleeping. While the slight decrease is encouraging, Dublin Simon Community cautions that it does not reflect a true reduction in homelessness. 'While we welcome the 5pc decrease in the number of individuals recorded sleeping rough, we must recognise that this does not reflect a reduction in homelessness overall,' Emma McMillen, Director of Homeless & Community Services at Dublin Simon Community, said. 'These figures certainly reflect the relentless efforts of outreach teams and the scaling up of emergency beds in recent years. 'But these are short-term measures. Without access to secure, affordable housing and effective health and therapeutic support, people remain trapped in a cycle of homelessness. 'The reality is that emergency accommodation is operating at capacity, and more people are becoming stuck in the system with no exit route due to the housing crisis. 'The Dublin Simon Outreach team will continue to work tirelessly to engage with individuals by identifying their specific needs, referring them to wraparound services, and advocating on their behalf with partners across the sector. 'Sleeping out on the street comes with serious health and safety risks, and every person doing so represents an urgent humanitarian concern. No one should be left without shelter in a crisis like this,' she added. Dublin Simon Community worked with staff from the DRHE and Dublin City Council (DCC) to ensure that experienced staff were available to carry out the official count in an effective, sensitive, and professional manner. The report highlights that rough sleeping continues to be a serious issue, with each person sleeping on the streets facing significant health and safety risks. The count was carried out from March 31 to April 6, 2025, and of the 121 people found rough sleeping, 82pc had previously been assessed or were assessed during the count week by the Local Authority. Some 94pc were linked with one of the four Dublin local authorities, 55pc were using tents, and 45pc were not. Fourteen unique couples, comprising 28 individuals (of which 23 individuals had Pathway Accommodation and Support System (PASS) identification), were found rough sleeping in the Spring 2025 count. Dublin Simon Community says this highlights the need for an "increased number of couples' beds". The PASS is an online shared system utilised by every homeless service provider and all local authorities in Ireland. The system provides 'real-time' information on homeless presentations and bed occupancy across the Dublin region. In the Spring 2025 count, 26 individuals accessed Emergency Accommodation at some stage during the count week. A further 22 individuals had an Emergency Accommodation booking during the count week, which they did not access. 65 individuals had a booking for Emergency Accommodation at some stage in the three months prior to the count, of which 19 individuals did not present. The rough sleeper count, while an important exercise in understanding the scope of homelessness on the streets of Dublin, 'does not encompass the entirety of the issue,' according to Dublin Simon Community. The Dublin Simon Outreach team engages with people who are sleeping rough 365 days a year. The team works around the clock to support those sleeping on the streets. Over the past four years, Dublin Simon Community has expanded its emergency accommodation capacity by 35pc in response to the growing demand and ongoing shortage of affordable housing. They say that while the growth has been 'necessary to meet the immediate need,' it is not a 'sustainable solution'. 'Long-term reliance on emergency accommodation highlights the urgent need for a coordinated governmental response, investment in preventative measures, fast-tracked building of social and affordable housing, and recognising the need for tailored health supports that directly meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness,' they said. Dublin Simon Community appealed to the public that if they see someone bedded down who may need support, their Outreach team is out on the streets of Dublin city and county 365 days of the year from 7 am – 1 am Monday – Friday and 9 am – 1 am Saturday – Sunday, and can be contacted via the Dublin Rough Sleeper app. These numbers do not include International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) clients since these individuals are under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth.
Irish Examiner
10-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Desire Lines: Trendy jewellery in Cork, a stylish rooftop bar, and our drink of the summer
The jewellery Lynott jewellery's best-selling pieces — including engraving, fingerprint and handwriting designs — have launched in Brown Thomas Cork. The trend-focused brand, founded by 28-year-old Lauren McDonald, prides itself on being affordable, with prices starting at just €15, and is frequently sported by some of the country's top influencers, including Charleen Murphy and Ashley Keogh. The Cork location will offer the same-day service available in its four other locations across Brown Thomas and Arnotts. A personalised shopping experience and a one-of-a-kind gift. What's not to love? The rooftop bar The new rooftop bar at Anantara The Marker With the sunshine back in the sky, it's the perfect time to check out Dublin's latest rooftop offering. Anantara The Marker has just opened its stylish new space with a seasonal new food and drinks menu curated by head chef Gareth Mullins. Whether you're looking for a glass of champagne and oysters, or a mojito and a spice bag, the delightful food and drinks menu caters for all parties. You'll struggle to get as dynamic a venue of Dublin city anywhere else. The drink We've found the spirit we'll be sipping this summer and it's handcrafted in Cork. Handcrafted in small batches, Rebel City Distillery's new Maharani Pomelo Vodka, €32, is distilled by master distiller Robert Barrett using sun-dried pomelo peels from the Western Ghats in India — which is where co-founder Bhagya Barrett was raised. We tried ours with grapefruit soda, and it tasted just like summer. They also announced a new spirit school at the distillery starting next month, where visitors can make their own gin inside the former Ford factory building on the Marina. The white tee Every wardrobe needs a staple white T-shirt, and we are always on the hunt for our perfect match. We may have found it in Dunnes Stores' Ultimate T-Shirt. Crafted from a heavyweight interlock cotton, it's straight fit with a crew neck and short sleeves is perfect for everyday wear. The best part? It's just €8. The festival hike As official charity partner of Beyond the Pale, Dublin Simon Community is inviting music lovers and outdoor enthusiasts to sign-up for a scenic 18km hike through the Wicklow Way on June 13. The exclusive hike, Beyond the Trail, starts at Marlay Park in Dublin and will lead participants directly to the celebrated boutique festival in Glendalough while supporting the work of Dublin Simon Community and those experiencing homelessness. Participants are asked to raise a minimum of €350 by May 31 to secure their place. In exchange, you'll receive a weekend camping ticket to Beyond the Pale, fast-track entrance to the festival site, refuelling stations along the route, and bag transport to the festival. Sign up at The make-up remover Nivea's serum-infused micellar water is our go-to for quick and effective make-up removal. With no rubbing, and therefore no damage to the skin, the Skin Glow Serum Infused variety is a welcome enhancement for summer. RRP €10, but you'll frequently find it half-price in your local supermarket. The book A woman goes to register the birth name of her son. There are three names she can choose from. Whichever name is chosen will change the lives of the family forever. Three names, three lives. Florence Knapp's The Names, published by Phoenix, should be your summer read. €17.99. Compiled by Vickie Maye, Nicole Glennon and Jillian Bolger, weekend@
Extra.ie
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Two decades of Taste celebrated with a cookbook that makes a difference
Taste of Dublin is celebrating two decades of food, flavour and festivity with the release of a limited-edition cookbook. Taste of Dublin: The Recipes showcases signature dishes from some of Ireland's most celebrated chefs and offers a delicious trip down memory lane. The exclusive cookbook brings together 20 standout recipes from past festival demonstrations. Neven Maguire at the Taste of Dublin. It has been carefully curated to highlight the fusion of Irish and international cuisines. Recipes from Rachel Allen, Neven Maguire, Donal Skehan and Catherine Fulvio along with many others feature in Taste of Dublin: The Recipes. Beyond celebrating culinary innovation, the cookbook also aims to give back. Donal Skehan at the Taste of Dublin. A portion of proceeds from every copy sold will be donated to the Dublin Simon Community. It will support their work in tackling homelessness across the capital. Speaking about the cookbook, Emma Kilkenny, director of fundraising and communications at Dublin Simon Community, said: 'We're honoured and grateful to the Taste of Dublin team for choosing us as their charity partner for this special cookbook.' Rachel Allen at the Taste of Dublin in 2014. 'It is such an achievement to have garnered a fantastic legacy of 20 years of inspiring food lovers all over Ireland and showcasing the best of our culinary talent.' 'The funds raised from the book will help us provide vital housing and healthcare services for people experiencing homelessness.'
Irish Independent
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Taste of Dublin celebrates 20 years with limited edition cookbook for homeless charity
Taste of Dublin: The Recipes, will have a mix of exclusive recipes from some of Ireland's favourite chefs, including Neven Maguire, Rachel Allen, Donal Skehan, and Trisha Lewis. A percentage of the proceeds from each sale will go directly to the Dublin Simon Community. 'We're honoured and grateful to the Taste of Dublin team for choosing us as their charity partner for this special cookbook,' Emma Kilkenny, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Dublin Simon Community, said. 'It is such an achievement to have garnered a fantastic legacy of 20 years of inspiring food lovers all over Ireland and showcasing the best of our culinary talent. 'The funds raised from the book will help us provide vital housing and healthcare services for people experiencing homelessness. 'Every year, we offer over 300,000 meals to people living in our services, providing nourishment and a sense of community. 'We encourage everyone to buy Taste of Dublin: The Recipes, and get inspired,' she added. The book will include 20 former festival demo dishes that reflect the contemporary Irish food scene and its evolution over the past two decades. It contains the fusion of international and Irish culinary traditions from Dublin Bay Prawns to the coast of West Africa, renowned for its traditional Jollof rice, before a quick hop stateside to enjoy fish tacos, California style. 'We are delighted to be launching our 20th anniversary programme of celebrations with this unique cookbook,' Taste of Dublin, CEO, Equinox Events, Jo Mathews, said. 'It has been a thoroughly enjoyable labour of love to produce, and I want to sincerely thank all those who kindly contributed their time and immense talent to create this exceptional collection of recipes. 'The cookbook is complemented by mouth-watering photography as well as insightful anecdotes from our stellar line-up of chefs, some of whom have been with us at the festival from year one. 'We are proud to be partnering with Dublin Simon Community with a portion of each book sale going towards their vital work. 'We look forward to the festival in June and celebrating this milestone occasion with all involved.'
