Opposition To Homeless Shelter 1986

Society

A centre for homeless men in Drogheda faces local opposition with concerns about an increase in crime and antisocial behaviour.

North Strand which runs through the Drogheda docks has only a scattering of houses, but one of them is at the centre of a local dispute over housing for the homeless.

A house recently purchased there by Homeless Aid a local voluntary group to be converted into a centre for homeless men in the area has met opposition from residents in North Strand and the adjoining Cord Road. The residents say it will attract violent men to the area.

Sister Carmel Raftery one of the volunteers running the centre says she understands the residents' fears, but if they get to know the men, things will change,

Until people begin to talk with them...and begin to see them as individuals, they will be afraid of them.

Prior to this ten homeless men had been living in a house in Newtown, about a mile and a half outside the town which has no indoor toilet and is in very poor condition.

Discussions which had been taking place between North Strand and Cord Road action group and Homeless Aid broke down in March. Homeless Aid made the decision to move into the house, where six men are now living.

Residents do not have any reason to be concerned about their personal safety says Sister Carmel Raftery. All of the men currently living in the house are, with one exception, from the town and nearby areas. No one has anything to fear from the approach that Homeless Aid is taking.

We're just a group of local people who set up in order to help a local need.

One formerly homeless man who spoke to RTÉ News is grateful to live here.

I feel that you've got a hope here, rather than in a hostel...

Legal action is the next step being considered by the North Strand and Cord Road residents, who say that Homeless Aid never sought planning permission for a change of use for the house.

Homeless Aid say they will never have more than twelve men in the house, and hope that opposition in the local community will disappear in time when both sides get to know each other. Don Gardiner of the charity believes ,