A homeless charity has said that rough sleepers in Dublin city centre fear being attacked over the St Patrick's Festival.
According to Dublin Simon some rough sleepers have had their tents set on fire in the past.
Others have been injured by festival goers stumbling over them.
Outreach manager Ciarán King said this year could be the "toughest yet" as festivities return to the streets for the first time since 2019.
He said many people who are homeless move out of the city during this time, which disrupts the charity's outreach work.
There is spare capacity in the hostels at the moment and part of their work is persuading people to take up these beds.
Mr King says there are many different reasons why homeless people do not want particular accommodation.
"Someone in active addiction might need a low-threshold service where they can drink for example, whereas someone in recovery or who is working might need a higher threshold service where drinking is not permitted.
"There may also be couples who understandably want to be placed in the same room, or couples who have been placed in the same room who have since broken up".
He said there are also those with complex mental needs who are entrenched in rough sleeping.
Dublin Simon is asking people to be mindful of the situation and anyone who sees a person sleeping rought can contact the charity at 01 872 0185 or use the Rough Sleeper alert app.
