A homeless man aged in his 30s was refused a bed a leading Dublin homeless shelter after he was unable to prove his identity it has been revealed.
The shocking revelation which was revealed by homeless campaigner Fr Peter McVerry, who said he was contacted by the man on Wednesday night.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Today with Sean O’Rourke programme, McVerry told the programme that the man had contacted him personally as he was unable to get a bed at the shelter.
Mr McVerry who said he was deeply upset and angered by the incident also told the programme that the man now faces an anxious wait over the next few days given the cold weather conditions gripping the country.
The homeless campaigner told the programme that he immediately contacted the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive to see why the man was refused a bed and he was informed that the man couldn’t verify his identity and they didn’t know him.
Mr McVerry said that he and the man were told that he would have to go to a Garda Station and verify his identity.
Although Mr McVerry told them that the man had no ID, they informed him that the man would be only able to get a sleeping bag.
Mr McVerry also told the programme that he is unable to make contact with the man since, despite wanting to offer him accommodation himself.
He added I’ve tried contacting him by phone via a number he gave me, but unfortunately I haven’t been able to reach him.