A number of 'homeless shelter pods' appeared around Dublin city centre in the early hours of Monday morning.

A group called #gimmeshelterIreland are responsible for the construction of the temporary shelters that were placed at significant city centre sites.

The group, who describe themselves as normal citizens ‘concerned by the inadequacy of the state’s response to the homeless crisis’, placed the pods outside the Central Bank on Dame Street, in front of Bus Áras, on O’Connell Street and one on Molesworth Street, near the doorway where Jonathan Corrie died.

The group have stressed that their action is one born of' frustration' and does not represent an adequate solution for the current crisis.

“Sleeping in a cold plywood box is only marginally better than sleeping on the street. The desire to provide some semblance of shelter is born out of frustration and shame at the State's efforts, or lack thereof, to robustly address the current housing emergency.”

Speaking to Independent.ie, one of the members of #gimmeshelterireland said that he was ‘saddened and ashamed’ to live in a country that ignores the the needs of its most vulnerable citizens

Expand Close A man stops to look at the shelter box on O'Connell St / Facebook

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Whatsapp A man stops to look at the shelter box on O'Connell St

“The action can be seen as an act of charity, but more importantly it is an attempt to provoke conversation about a huge problem in our society”, he said.

“Those of us behind #gimmeshelterIreland believe that each person sleeping rough on the streets of Ireland represents a failure of the state to protect people living in vulnerable situations.”

The #gimmeshelterIreland movement has no affiliation to any political party or candidate and was started by a group of friends who want the movement to remain ‘ownerless’, as the group believe that their message is more important than the people behind it.

The movement has been welcomed by members of the homeless community, many of whom feel ignored by the current government.

Expand Close Geraldine (28) and her partner Patrick (28) have been homeless for ten years / Facebook

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Whatsapp Geraldine (28) and her partner Patrick (28) have been homeless for ten years

Independent.ie spoke to Geraldine (28) who was sleeping rough with her partner Patrick (28) and their two dogs on O’Connell St last night.

“I hope they (The Government) will listen to the people, they have ignored us up until now” she said.

“I think it’s a good way to raise awareness and maybe someone will take heed, we’ve been sleeping rough for ten years now and there has been very little done to help us”.

The campaign has been launched to coincide with the build up to the upcoming General Election in an effort to push the homeless crisis to the forefront of people’s minds

Expand Close A shelter box was placed outside Busaras in the early hours of Monday morning / Facebook

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Whatsapp A shelter box was placed outside Busaras in the early hours of Monday morning

“Our hope is that other people sharing our frustration will press all candidates in the upcoming General Election to commit to robust and sustainable action to end homelessness and, in doing so, advance the rights and dignity of all people in Ireland,” the group said.

The group is calling on people to sign its petition calling for the right to adequate housing to be enshrined in the Constitution, for them to question local election candidates on the issue of homelessness and to organise fundraisers to support local services.

Online Editors