Cork Simon: A bed available for anyone who needs one

Cork Simon has provided extra emergency beds, has lifted all shelter exclusions, and will open its day centre 24 hours a day from today to ensure nobody has to sleep rough as temperatures plummet over the coming days.

And Cork Penny Dinners also announced plans to keep its soup kitchen open during the afternoons to ensure vulnerable people have somewhere warm to stay. The move is permanent, spokesperson Catriona Twomey confirmed.

With unofficial figures suggesting that up to 15 people slept rough in the city over the weekend, Cork Simon spokesman Paul Sheehan said the charity has a bed available for anyone who wants one.