Michael Clifford: To die on the streets is an unthinkable way for a life to end

A new report from the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive says a total of 79 people categorised as homeless died in 2020 in the capital

Undoubtedly, the general health and welfare of the average rough sleeper would render him or her more likely to suffer a premature death. Picture: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

Particular poignancy attaches to the death of a person who is without a home. There is habitually an assumption, often correct, that the person’s demise is directly related to their circumstances. 

During a time of a housing and homeless crisis, any such deaths take on an elevated significance. There is often an assumption, sometimes politically driven, that people are dying because of the pursuit of particular housing and homeless policies.