Tributes have been paid to a woman in her 40s who had been sleeping rough in Dublin city centre and who died on Friday.
She has been locally identified as Natasha Smith, reports RTE.
It is understood that Ms Smith had been living in a tent in a laneway near Trinity College Dublin.
Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of a medical incident on Pearse Street at approximately 12.30pm on Friday afternoon, reports RTE.
Ms Smith was brought to St James’s Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
She was known to a number of organisations working with homeless people in Dublin city over recent years, reports RTE.
In a post shared on social media, the group A Lending Hand said it knew her well and were very fond of her.
The group said it was devastated to learn of her death, adding “her pals on the streets are devastated”, reports RTE.
In a statement, the charity Tiglin at the Lighthouse, which operates a nearby homeless café close to where Ms Smith slept in a tent, said it was “deeply saddened by the passing” and said her death was “a loss that has touched many across the city”.
Founder of Tiglin and Independent Senator Aubrey McCarthy said: “She was known to a number of services supporting people who are homeless, including our own team at the Lighthouse Café on Pearse Street, and others who work daily to offer care, connection, and practical support, reports RTE.
“She was a beautiful lady and whose death is a stark and heartbreaking reminder of the vulnerability faced by those living in homelessness, particularly those who endure isolation, trauma, and hardship on a daily basis, often unseen and unheard by the wider community,” reports RTE.
Tiglin said the incident highlights the crucial need for “compassionate, consistent services that meet people where they are, offering dignity, safety, and hope in the midst of struggle”, reports RTE.
It said: “Every life lost is one too many, and each loss calls us to renew our commitment to supporting those most at risk, reports RTE.
“We extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew, loved, and supported her, reports RTE.
“May her passing strengthen our collective resolve to care for those who continue to face homelessness and isolation,” reports RTE.
The Dublin Region Homeless Executive said it had been “made aware of the death of a woman who was sleeping rough in the city”, reports RTE.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to her partner, her family and her friends, reports RTE.
“We would also like to acknowledge Dublin Simon’s Outreach team, who worked closely with the deceased over an extended time,” reports RTE.
A fundraiser has been established to support Ms Smith’s family.
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