Business leaders slept rough in Cork and Dublin

In a show of solidarity with those who have experienced homelessness more than 125 business leaders slept rough in Cork and Dublin over the weekend.

The Shine a Light event, hosted by Focus Ireland, was held in Cork City Gaol and Christchurch Cathedral on Friday night and Saturday morning.

“This is the fourth year we’ve been running Shine a Light, and the third year it’s been in Cork. About 90 people took part up in Dublin and around 35 to 40 here in Cork,” said Focus Ireland finance director Pat Dennigan.

“This is our biggest single event fundraiser of the year which is why it’s so important to us. It’s great to have such huge support and we’re delighted with the response we’ve gotten from the public this year.”

Money raised from the sleep out will go towards funding services for homeless people and families – there are more people homeless in Ireland right now than there ever has been before.

“One of our key areas at the moment is the area of families. Family homelessness is something we’ve never experienced before in Ireland but in the last three or four years it’s really become a huge issue,” he said.

“In August we had 88 families coming into our homeless services and looking for help. Two years ago there were eight. So you can see the scale of the problem has increased.”

Focus Ireland Cork manager Ger Spillane said this year the Shine a Light event was bigger than ever.

“It’s really after taking off, we’re delighted. Everybody here is showing solidarity with those who are experiencing homelessness. It’s a tremendous statement that people at the height of the business community in Cork and in Munster would take time out of their busy schedules to show solidarity with the homeless,” he said.

“People have to sleep out in the elements and there’s no shelter. I think people gain a huge understanding of what it’s like not to have a home and what it’s like to have to sleep out at night.”

Taking part in the event, Irish Examiner business reporter Peter O’Dwyer agreed – it’s not just about raising money, it’s also about raising awareness.

“Homelessness is something we think about it when there’s a big news story about it but at the end of the day it’s not a constant on everybody’s minds. And all the time we’re not thinking about it, people who are homeless are living the same life as they always have, it hasn’t improved for them,” he said.

“So anything that can keep the issue of homelessness in the public consciousness and at the forefront of people’s minds is worth doing.”

Meanwhile, UFC star Conor McGregor has pledged €50,000 to help tackle homelessness nationwide. The fighter said he will donate €25,000 to Focus Ireland and another €25,000 to the Simon Community.

“I think it’s absolutely fantastic that someone of Conor’s stature would consider giving that amount of money. It’s going to do a huge amount.”