This is what a night in Ireland’s only homeless cafe is like

The country’s only homeless cafe, operated by Merchant’s Quay Ireland, has become a vital service for hundreds of clients after just three months in operation, with up to 50 people a night sleeping there. Noel Baker spent a night on its floors

Some of the stars are out tonight. One middle-aged Irishman is, a little blearily, telling project worker Richard Williams that his name is Diego. Or more specifically, Diego Maradona. Diego may have had a few.

“Well, God bless you, buddy,” Richard responds as the man’s real identity is logged on to the computer at the Merchant’s Quay Ireland night cafe in Dublin city centre. The staff tend to know the clients; if they don’t, they set about getting to know them.