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A total of 222 homeless deaths were recorded over last four years, new figures have revealed.

The statistics released by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive come as an African man receives hospital treatment for life-changing injuries he sustained in an incident last week.

The man in his 30s, from Eritrea, is understood to have been left paralysed after his tent was removed by heavy machinery from the banks of Dublin’s Grand Canal on Tuesday.

He was sleeping inside while it was being removed as part of a clean-up of the area by Dublin City Council and Waterways Ireland.

The following day a homeless woman in her late 20s died suddenly in emergency accommodation.

It is understood her body was found at the Phoenix Lodge hostel on Parkgate Street in the capital.

Inner City Helping Homeless chief and Dublin City Councillor Anthony Flynn said the situation is “worse” than he has ever seen.

He added: “The system is in turmoil and those who operate it are in denial.”

The 222 deaths include the homeless who were sleeping rough or staying in emergency accommodation, although the deaths may have occurred in hospital or elsewhere.

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The mortality rate for homeless people is significantly higher than that of the general population, with an average age of death of 42 for men and 37 for women.

Across the country, the latest figures show 10,448 people, including nearly 4,000 children, are homeless.