A mother, whose 11-year old son died in violent circumstances after they had just emerged from a period of homelessness, has dedicated herself to helping others who are struggling with the loss of a child or living without a home of their own.

TDs battling it out on the floor of the Dáil last night were a damn sight more comfortable than the 4,000 children who will be homeless and stuck in emergency accommodation this Christmas.

Although it deserves to be treated as a serious issue, the recent voting saga in the Dáil is distracting from more important issues, writes Political Correspondent Elaine Loughlin.

Homeless children are presenting at emergency accommodation hubs with underdeveloped swallow reflex and problems chewing solid food, believed to be associated with a prolonged diet of non-perishable puréed food.

Homeless services group Novas is to report a “40% increase” in children seeking its help last year.

A charity is poised to distribute Christmas food hampers to some 2,500 needy families across Cork city and county this festive season.

The Limerick homeless charity Novas has helped 557 children last year, a record high.

A development company set up by Limerick City and County Council to accelerate €500m of inward investment assets has hit back at claims it is “failing” to provide any housing units.

An organisation for the homeless has experienced a 130% jump over the last five years in the number of people accessing its services.

A survey of major charities dealing with homelessness has found that rough sleeping has increased significantly across the country, with a 500% rise in Cork alone. 

A homeless support service in Limerick city is experiencing drug overdose levels far higher than recorded elsewhere, research shows.

In response to Patrick L O’Brien’s letter (’Charity begins at home’, May 26)) it is a travesty that homelessness in Ireland has risen in recent months. However, there exist a great number of charities working to better the situations of those experiencing homelessness (Focus Ireland, the Simon Community, COPE, Welcome Home, Novas and Depaul Ireland).

Gardaí closed off a street in Limerick after reports that a man had barricaded himself into a building with a child hostage.

WITH more people sleeping rough in Limerick, a voluntary group wants to extend its soup runs from two to four night a week.

ON June 18 you ran a story about a new homeless service for Mitchel Street, Thurles, being provided by Novas Initiatives. Unfortunately, it contained many inaccuracies on key aspects of the development.

LIMERICK City Council moved yesterday to reassure residents about the conversion of a city centre asylum centre into a night shelter for the homeless.

ANGRY residents are preparing protest action following claims that a sheltered housing facility, that could be used for people such as ex-prisoners, was being developed in Thurles.