Homeless shelter to allow residents drink alcohol

A HOMELESS shelter that allows residents to freely drink on the premises has opened in Dublin, the first in Ireland.

The shelter, run by a sister organisation of the St Vincent De Paul Society, opened before Christmas and is home to 10 of the city's alcoholic rough sleepers.

Management of the De Paul Trust are planning to expand the service until all 22 beds in the Aungier Street shelter are filled.