Homeless people in Ireland will be at huge risk during the coming heatwave, Fr Peter McVerry has warned. 

Met Éireann has forecast that temperatures could hit 30° Celsius by Monday and Fr McVerry is concerned that few homeless people are even be aware that a dangerous heatwave is on the way: 

“They don’t listen to the news, they don’t go onto mainstream media, so they may not even be aware of the dangers that the next few days will hold,” he explained to Newstalk. 

“Even if they do, they’re not used to sunscreens, they won’t be even thinking of sunscreens and even if they were they wouldn’t have the money for them.” 

Tents of homeless people in Dublin.

He is particularly concerned about what could happen to them today: 

“All the drop in centres are closed [on Sundays],” he continued. 

“The places they could go to get out of the sun, have a couple of tea, have some refreshments, they’re all closed. 

“So I think Sunday could be a particularly difficult day for many homeless people.” 

Dublin City Council has put in place contingency plans to help rough sleepers cope with the extreme weather; temporary accommodation has been found and teams will be dispatched around the city to offer them sunblock and water.

"In response to the hot weather warning expected over the coming days, arrangements are in place with service providers to ensure that temporary shelter will continue to be available to all who wish to access it," a spokesperson said. 

"The Dublin Street Outreach Service and Housing First Intake Team will be engaging with those at risk of rough sleeping in order to provide shelter for anyone who needs it."

A community appeal

Members of the public are also being asked to keep an eye out for any homeless people looking unwell - something North Inner City Councillor Nial Ring says is very important: 

“It’s good to see that the City Council have taken the responsibility on to make sure that any rough sleepers are looked after during this heatwave,” he said. 

“And I’m particularly delighted to see that they are looking at asking members of the public also to keep an eye out because rough sleepers, by their very nature, are in places where they might not be seen just in the general movement around the city.” 

In spring, Dublin City Council estimated there were 91 people sleeping rough in Dublin.

Main image: A rough sleeper in Dublin. Photo: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie