Young family of seven made homeless had to 'sleep on chairs' at a Dublin Garda Station last night

A young family from Tallaght in Dubin were forced to sleep in a garda station last night after they could not find emergency accommodation.

The six children, aged from one to 11, and their mother had to sleep overnight at Tallaght Garda Station and gardai have said that the family presented themselves at the station as they had nowhere else to go.

Gardaí contacted the various emergency shelter phone lines, as well as a number of local hotels, but no accommodation could be found for the family. It is understood that the family was cared for at the station before leaving this morning where it is believed that they are going to the Housing Department of South Dublin County Council.

The woman posted several images of her children sleeping on chairs at the garda station on social media last night, while the baby slept in a buggy.

Referring to the difficulties for homeless families to find emergency accommodation, Anthony Flynn of Inner City Helping Homeless said a number of families were referred to garda stations last night as other suitable accommodation could not be sourced. Taking to social media, Mr Flynn said: "I’ve never seen the likes of this, someone must be held accountable. Millions of Euros pumped into NGO’s and Hotels and this is what’s in offer. I’m shocked."

Meanwhile, campaigners have raised concerns that the strain on emergency accommodation could be worsened in Dublin ahead of Pope Francis' visit to the Phoenix Park on August 25 and 26.

Contact details for Emergency Accommodation:

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DHRE) helpline: 1800 707 707

Kildare Freephone: 1800 804 307

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