Homeless Co Kildare father renews appeals for hostel in freezing wet weather

A homeless father who is sleeping in a box on a Newbridge street  is pleading for a Co Kildare hostel to provide him with a roof over his head.

John Cronin, not his real name, is originally from Limerick. He separated from his partner recently, they have one child together.

He said: "Life was good, I was a DJ, the landlord was not the best. I stayed there as long as I could, but my partner and I split up."

The 33-year-old  created the box himself. It is made from plywood and has  wheels from a mountain bike.

John said: "It was freezing over the weekend, I asked Penneys for a quilt and a pillow, they told me to ring the Dublin office. My ex-partner gave me hot water bottles, she is living with her father now.  I am hoping to get into a hostel. Dealz and Pound City helped me out, over the weekend. I got a car battery from one of the stores, it acts as a heater."

Meanwhile, a staff member, at Garry Michael House, Newbridge, confirmed that there is currently no space available, with 'all beds allocated.'