Rough sleeper found dead in Dublin 'made an impact on everyone she met'
Mourners and family members outside St Abban’s Church, Doonane. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie
The sister of a homeless woman who was found dead on a street in Dublin said her family “will never understand” how her life ended up the way it did.
Ann Delaney, 47, was found by a Tesco Express worker on Aungier Street on Sunday morning who then raised the alarm after he became concerned about her.
The former nurse from Dromagh, Crettyard, Co Laois, had been living rough in South Dublin for around five years and suffered from addiction issues.
She was popular in the area and on Monday, after news broke of her sudden death, around 700 people turned out for a candlelit vigil. Many also paid tribute to her on social media.
On Thursday, hundreds packed into the tiny St Abban’s Church in Doonane for her funeral.
Holding back tears at the end of the poignant service, Ann’s sister Roisin told the congregation that she hoped her sister was now at peace.
“As a family, we never understood why Ann chose to live the life she did,” she said. “Over the last number of years, it’s been incredibly frustrating and painful that Ann would not accept the help that so many people offered to her.
“Family, friends, and professionals offered her as much assistance and support as they could. However, sadly it was to no avail.
“The outpouring of grief for Ann shows how loving she was and how she brought positivity to other people’s lives even though she was struggling herself."
Speaking directly to her mother, Mary, she said: “Mammy, you never gave up hope Ann always knew she had a home in Dromagh and a family who loved her very much.
“Ann, we hope that you are finally at peace — we love you so much and we will always.”
Roisin also thanked the community and wider public who had offered their condolences.
Ann’s remains were carried by family and friends in a wicker coffin into the church where it was placed at the altar. A large photo of her, as well as a colourful bouquet of flowers, was sitting on top of the coffin.
Her devastated family, including her daughter Saoirse, her mother Mary, brothers Thomas, John, Ciaran and Paul, as well as her sisters Siobhán, Tricia, Roisin, and Emer, comforted each other during the hour-long service.
Roisin described Ann as “a mother, daughter, sister, aunty, and friend, she was a well-respected nurse, and the job suited her kind and caring nature”.
Ann was “always such fun, and the life and soul of the party, she was a huge music lover and always up for a sing-song".
“She loved to travel and visit as many countries all over the world. Everywhere she went she made friends.
“She made an impact on everyone she met. It’s been so lovely to reminisce with her friends, especially Noreen and Sinead over the last few days and we heard some great stories of her antics over the years.
“We are incredibly proud of Saoirse and the kind articulate caring young woman she has become.
“She brings such joy to our family, and we see Ann’s kind nature in her every day.”
Roisin received applause from the congregation for her eulogy while family members shook hands with mourners around them.
Parish priest Fr Jimmy O’Reilly said Ann had grown up in Dromagh where she attended school and did her Leaving Cert before studying to be a nurse.
He said around the age of 25, she had fallen on hard times and that her family were always there for her.
He also described how he had offered her a lift one night and she thanked him by giving him a handwritten poem on a piece of paper.
Ann’s favourite music was also played throughout the service by singer Eugene Kavanagh who performed a version of Dougie MacLean’s 'Caledonia'. Tracy Chapman’s 'The Promise' was also played during the mass.
Her death comes as the latest homeless figures in Ireland show the number of people accessing State-funded emergency accommodation as of January 2024 is 13,531.
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