An elderly woman eats a meal from a plastic bowl, provided by the Homeless Street Cafél in Dublin City Centre on Tuesday

The ‘Homeless Street Café’ writes:

Tuesday night was essentially a “successful” night for us. We had food for everyone, lots of clothes and toiletries and even treats for most people. Our volunteers looked after our service users and our cooks and bakers outdid themselves.

But even on your best night it’s nothing but a plaster or a Band-Aid on what is just a horrific wound.

This issue is beyond crisis.

People always want to talk to us about the children we meet and how sad that is. If I’m honest I find the older generation that use our service even more heartbreaking.

It seems there is no time left for change for them, a dearth of hope really.

To be living in food or heat poverty at their age, relying on a soup kitchen for necessities is horrifying to witness.

I watch this woman eat her meal from a plastic bowl on a window sill every week and I despair that this is her ‘golden years’.

…Please vote with these people in mind on the 8th, the current government has failed miserably while claiming to be successful, time for radical change!

The Homeless Street Café (Facebook)

This morning.

Spotted on Church Street in Smithfield, Dublin 7.

Nella-di-dah tweetz:

Gotta love Fine Gael covering half of Éilis Ryan’s name (1 of 3 occurrences on the same crossroad).

Anyone?



From top: At Leeson Street Bridge, along the Grand Canal, this morning where a man was seriously injured after his tent was removed by ‘heavy machinery’ on Tuesday afternoon; Taoiseach Leo Varadkar canvassing in Cavan yesterday

This morning.

The man who was seriously injured when the tent he was sleeping in was removed from the Leeson Street Bridge area along the Grand Canal on Tuesday afternoon remains in a serious condition.

Meanwhile, last night.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was at a joint press conference with the new EU Commissioner president Ursula von der Leyen when he said he never tried to make the incident involving the man a party political matter.

Daniel McConnell, in The Irish Examiner, quotes Mr Varadkar saying:

“In terms of what the lord mayor has to say, I have never sought to make homelessness a party political issue.”

“…No, I didn’t mention blame at all. I think it is reasonable that the lord mayor of Dublin, who is politically accountable for Dublin City Council, should also make a statement. I am sure he would be willing to do that.”

Earlier, yesterday evening.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin and Fianna Fáil general election candidate, Paul McAuliffe did release a statement about the matter.

It followed the Taoiseach’s call for him to do so as, the Fine Gael leader claimed, Mr McAuliffe is “politically responsible for the council”.

Mr McAuliffe said:

“I was disappointed that the Taoiseach went down this road today.

“A man was seriously injured and yet An Taoiseach appeared to be more interested in apportioning blame to someone else.

“Waterways Ireland carried out the works this morning. Officials from the Dublin Regional Housing Executive (DRHE) were on the scene to support any homeless people with accessing accommodation.

“I understand due to the precarious location of the tent, Waterways Ireland decided to make use of a mechanical vehicle. All of these details will now be the subject of a Garda investigation.

“There may be an election ongoing at the present but a human being has been seriously injured this morning.

“That was my first concern when I heard about it, and I wanted to find out the details and so I have asked for a full report.

“It seems that the Taoiseach’s first thought was to play a political game.”

Varadkar: ‘I didn’t politicise homeless man’s injuries’ (Daniel McConnell, The Irish Examiner)

Previously: “The Lord Mayor Should Make A Statement”

At Leeson Street Bridge [Updated]

Top pic: Liveline

Rollingnews

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hands out ceremonial pens to Democrat colleagues following the signing of Articles of Impeachment against President Donald Trump yesterday

So many Republican men
Got up on their high horses when
They found out that Nancy
Was fond of a fancy
Ceremonial custom-made pen

John Moynes

Getty

Look, no strings.

This evening.

Government Buildings, Dublin 2.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar ahead of a meeting to discuss Brexit, climate issues and negotiations on the EU’s budget for 2021-2027.

EU chief vows ‘day and night’ talks on post-Brexit trade deal (RTÉ)

Leah Farrell/RollingNews

Meanwhile….

As you were.

Today.

Former Minister for Justice Alan Shatter, based in Naples, Florida, spoke to Going Underground on Russia Today about his book Frenzy and Betrayal: The Anatomy of a Political Assassination.

During the 15-minute interview, Mr Shatter also talked about Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, journalists, anonymous sources and the end of his political career.

The use of Shannon Airport by the US military was also discussed, in light of events in Iraq and Iran.

Yikesi.

Previously: Frenzy In High Places

Broadsheet.ie