Woman is fourth to die on street this year

THE death of Marie Hanlon yesterday brings to four the number of people who have died on Cork’s streets since last July.

Cork Simon estimate that the average life expectancy of people drinking and/or sleeping rough in the city is just 42 - nearly half that of the settled community.

Cork’s Lord Mayor, Deirdre Clune, said Ms Hanlon’ s death again highlighted the need for a wet shelter in the city.

She was echoing comments made earlier by senior gardaí concerned about the number of street drinkers who can’t be accommodated in Simon’s existing emergency shelter where drinking is not allowed.

“It’s always tragic when you hear about the death of a young person and our condolences go to her family,” Ms Clune said.

She said that between 11 and 15 people are drinking on the city streets at any one time.

“We recognise that certain people won’t engage with hostels that don’t allow drinking,” she said.

“These people need somewhere where they can drink and hopefully control it.”