The rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the protesters who came from as far as Wexford, Cork and Galway. There were other groups in attendance such as the Travellers rights groups, migrant rights groups, trade union representatives, activists from grass roots organisations and volunteers who worked with the homeless.

In Dame St Tina Mc Veigh , co-chair of the National Housing and Homeless Coalition addressed the demonstrators and reminded them that it was the fourth anniversary of the death of homeless man Jonathon Corrie who had died in the doorway of a house a short distance from Leinster House. She said, “The government had promised an end to homelessness but the problem remained and numbers had worsened.”

“They were able to bail out the banks in a day, it took six hours to nationalise Anglo Irish Bank, the only people who should be sleeping in Garda stations” should be “the TDs in Leinster House.” She then called for a minute’s silence to remember Mr Corrie.

There are an estimated 10,000 people homeless and MSOE volunteers have noticed the increase in the number of people using our service. John Bisset of Housing Action Now said that 70,000 units were needed over the next five to ten years. The coalition called for the declaration of a constitutional right to housing and a recognition of a housing emergency.

After the demonstration MSOE member asked the staff of UMI restaurant if they would be able to use a space for prayer which they obliged. Later the ladies enjoyed a delicious dinner at Passion 4 Food in Clanbrassil street.