Slovakian man discovered dead after sleeping rough

ON THE day the Government announced new taxation measures aimed at cutting the budget deficit by €1 billion, gardaí are investigating how a Slovakian man, who had been sleeping rough, died on a street in Dublin city centre.

It is understood the man, who was in his 40s and whose family is currently living elsewhere in Ireland, had been one of a number of people who had been sleeping under cardboard boxes on Dominick St Lower, north of O’Connell St, in recent weeks. However, it is understood the man had an address in Dublin City Centre until recently but lately had been sleeping rough and drinking heavily.

A postmortem will be conducted on the man’s body today, although it is understood that gardaí are not attributing his death directly to the weather conditions, although it was initially suspected that he may have had hypothermia. Temperatures have fallen in recent days after an exceptionally mild November.

It is understood the man may have been one of a party of three who had been sleeping in the area in recent days and that he was found on a patch of grass, whereas the other men had been sleeping on concrete.

A spokesman for the Slovakian Embassy said the man’s family did not want his personal details to be made public.

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) said it was very sad to hear about the death of the man and extended its condolences to his family and friends.

However, a spokesperson stressed that it is not confirmed as to whether the cold weather played a role in the man’s death.

A spokesperson for Focus Ireland said: “Our deepest sympathy goes to this man’s family and friends at this very sad time and our thoughts are with them all.”

* The DRHE said anyone in need of emergency accommodation to contact Dublin City Council Central Placement Service and 24-hour homeless helpline on 1800 707707 or the Regional Contact and Outreach Team on 01 8720185.