A homeless man is in a serious condition in a Dublin hospital after he was injured in an attempt to remove the tent he was sleeping in.
It happened yesterday afternoon along the Grand Canal at Wilton Terrace near Leeson Street.
Gardaí say the man was sleeping in his tent during an attempt to tidy the canal walkway, and that he received injuries during the incident.
In a statement, Dublin City Council said it happened while Waterways Ireland was removing tents that were "placed in a precarious and dangerous location."
The council said the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) has been liaising with the man for some time and insisted that "accommodation remains available to him."
"Every action that is taken by state services is taken in the interest of health and safety of those individuals experiencing homelessness," reads the statement.
The council said Gardaí are now investigating the matter and said its "thoughts are with the man at this time."
This local resident said it is particularly upsetting because he knows the man personally.
"What happened this guy is pretty sad because I live across the road and I would give him food and talk to him from time to time," he said.
"When something like this happens it is really sad. He is a nice guy, you wouldn't wish that on anybody. It is just very sad."
The scene at Wilton Terrace after a homeless man was seriously injured yesterday. Image: Josh Crosbie/NewstalkHousing Minister Eoghan Murphy said he has "demanded a full report into the incident".
I was saddened to hear of the incident by the canal yesterday. My thoughts are with this poor man as he recovers in hospital. I’ve demanded a full report in to the incident which is under Garda investigation. My campaign poster which was located at the scene has been removed.
— Eoghan Murphy TD (@MurphyEoghan) January 15, 2020
In a statement, Waterways Ireland said it works with the council to remove tents along the canal, “where they have become a public safety hazard.”
It said the thoughts of its staff are “very much with the individual who was injured.”
The body said it is co-operating fully with the Garda investigation.
The man - whose age is not known - was taken to St Vincent's Hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
Gardaí from Pearse Street are investigating the incident.
Dublin's Lord Mayor Paul McAuliffe called described the incident as "disturbing".
He says he has asked for a full report into the incident.
Disturbing reports coming to me regarding an incident involving the DRHE and @waterwaysirelan removing tents from the grand canal. I have asked for a full report.
— Paul McAuliffe (@PaulMcauliffe) January 15, 2020
