Gardaí investigating after tents used by rough sleepers set on fire

The incident comes as the latest figures show more than 14,000 people are using emergency accommodation in Ireland

A rough sleeper's tent on Dublin's City Quay in July. The homelessness charity Tiglin has called for more security and protection for those sleeping on the streets. File photo: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

Gardaí are investigating after tents used by rough sleepers were set on fire at the Grand Canal. The incident occurred in Dublin on Monday afternoon and no injuries were reported.

Aubrey McCarthy, who runs homelessness charity Tiglin, said the incident has left several people “in shock” and has led to calls for more security and protection for those sleeping on the streets. Mr McCarthy said a Tiglin outreach team were called to the scene on Monday afternoon.