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TEN PEOPLE EXPERIENCING homelessness died per month in 2020, new data shows.
The Health Research Board (HRB) has published a report, based on national data from closed coronial files, which shows that 121 people who were experiencing homelessness died in 2020.
This is the equivalent of 10 deaths per month, and an increase on the previous year’s figure of 92.
“Behind each of these numbers is a life lost. The findings of this report highlight the very difficult situation faced by some of the most vulnerable people in our community,” HRB chief executive Dr Mairead O’Driscoll said.
The data shows that three in four of those who died in 2020 were male.
Half of the males who died were aged 42 or younger, while half of the women were aged 36.5 or younger. This is considerably younger than comparable figures for deaths in the population as a whole, where the majority of deaths are in the 65+ age group.
Over half of the deaths occurred in Dublin.
Over two in three of the deaths were among people who were experiencing homelessness and in temporary or crisis accommodation, while a total of 23 people who died were known to have been sleeping rough.
Almost half of deaths in 2020 occurred in specific accommodation for those who were experiencing homelessness, with a further one in three occurring in a public place.
Of those who died, one in five females and once in 10 males were known to have spent time in prison.
Almost all (91%) who died had a history of substance use, with high levels of multiple drug use.
Heroin (61%) was the most common drug used by those with a history of drug use, followed by cocaine (56%), and benzodiazepines (36%). Of those that had used substances, over four in 10 were alcohol dependent.
There was a high proportion of people who injected drugs, especially among men, and a high prevalence of hepatitis C (over one in 10 men, and almost two in 10 women).
Almost half of those who died had ever accessed substance use treatment.
One in five were receiving treatment for problem opioid use, mainly methadone treatment, at the time of death (35% of females and 17% of males).
Poisoning was the cause of nearly six in 10 deaths. The most common drugs implicated in poisoning deaths were opioids (mainly heroin and methadone), followed by benzodiazepines and cocaine.
Just over half of those whose death involved opioids had previously received substance use treatment.
More than two in three deaths involving opioids occurred in accommodation for persons who are homeless, while one in three of the deceased were with other people at the time of their death.
There were 52 non-poisoning deaths recorded among people who were homeless, with the majority (85%) among males.
Deaths due to cardiovascular conditions accounted for one in four non-poisoning deaths, with the majority occurring among males.
There were 11 (9%) deaths among people who were experiencing homelessness and who had no recorded history of drug or alcohol use.
Over half of the deceased had a known history of mental health issues.
“The Health Research Board’s aim in capturing and analysing data on the nature and circumstances of these deaths is to provide evidence that can inform harm reduction strategies and future policies to support those experiencing homelessness,” Dr O’Driscoll said.
The HRB said this study builds on a pilot requested by the Department of Health which looked at 2019 deaths in order to present a more complete national picture of premature mortality among people who are experiencing homelessness.
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Journal, would love some more coverage of the TTIP. I feel if people truly understood the extent of it and the parties in favor we just MIGHT have a different Dail next time around.
Frack off.
hi Robert, hows thing in fg ?
I’m right of centre, there’s no party for me in Ireland mate.
lobsided is that what you mean? your a die hard fg’er
don’t bother with the denials
Or NAMA. No commenting allowed on that article funnily enough.
There are so many horrific articles in TTIP that there’d be a disconnect with the majority of citizens. I almost feel it myself.
Mainly because it beggars belief that there are groups of international highly organised elites who believe that their demands are justified and somehow not entirely insane.
A die hard? OK then……I was a PD supporter before they disappeared. FF and FG are not right of centre parties. They’re budget deficit, high tax and spend parties.
What about Renua Rob?
Not into the Church myself and am pro choice.
yea right, set up a committee
Agreed Iurach. Censorship on the important stuff like NAMA. Crazy stuff and nobody really questions why the documentary was aired AFTER the election and tgr Slab trial was the very DAY of the election. It’s really time for people to wake up out of their collective coma
@Mr Magoo, the BBC kept it a secret, they only announced the show was to air hours before hand, i assume this was to prevent legal interference with the show that would mean it couldnt be shown.
Go away
Not you – Cousins
How about NO, Rashers? How very left wing of you, wishing to close discussions with anyone who doesn’t share your woolly views.
Rashers isn’t left wing Robert, how very dare you!!
I distinctly recall you posting a LOT in the last year about how you would be voting FF Robert and how others should too..
FF?! I said I’d be voting FG Brendan. But I’ve no party loyalty, I voted FF/PD in previous elections for instance. Who’s best for the economy, that’s who I go for. But we actually have very poor choices here as we have no right of centre parties. We just variants around the same centre left theme of budget deficit spending, borrowing billions to maintain high spending and no reforms of the PS or the welfare system.
Honestly I could have sworn that was you, but it may have been someone else, if I’m wrong I apologise.
You only had to ask! :-D
Mr Magoo, come one now. The Slab Murphy trial date is not some grand conspiracy. The only thing sinister about it were his SF bodyguards ‘just following orders’ by photographing journalists and their cars as well as trying to keep them trapped in the car.
And I severely doubt the BBC wait till after the election to air that documentary. Ever think they don’t really give a f*ck about the Irish General election?
No worries, I’m sure we all look the same to you!
Is that what happened Peter? They were photographing journalists and trying to intimidate them?
Magoo it’s time to get over the victim complex. Slab Murphy is exactly where he belongs and hopefully Lowry will follow him soon. It would have been far more beneficial to the government if he had been sentenced a few days before or even a week before the election, the column inches it would have generated would have been far more damaging to SF than having him sentenced on the day of voting.
Did you ever once stop and think that maybe SF should shoulder some of the responsibility for the bad press they get?
Sorry I’m late. here you go. http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2015/march/tradoc_153263.pdf
Is it true that you can get 10 onion rings in Burger King for Two Euro?
luke I gave you a green thumb regardless of the onion rings in bk
Or you could just buy a jar of Krisp’n'dry for €1 and drink a quarter of it from the neck.
The last count puts Willie two votes ahead of his nearest rival, and in place for a seat. Why do you say he is the next to be eliminated? I know there is a recount this morning, but you are jumping the gun a bit!
Yep, shoddy analysis from Sinead. If Bannon gets eliminated, you’d imagine his 7000 transfers are more likely to elect Penrose than the Shinner.
Yes, Willie went from 19 behind to 2 ahead through the distribution of 71 surplus from Boxer. Willie might have more chance than Aodhan of getting in.
Peter, Penrose is in last place currently. Unfortunately his transfers will elect the 2 fg guys…even bannon despite him cheating and stealing leaflets.
Nope, Bannon is by 2 votes, that’s why he was the one granted the recount
??????
Willie Penrose is 2 ahead with a recount going ahead.
I think it’s funny seeing Alan Kelly arriving to support O’Riordain …when Alan Kelly was one of the ringleaders who caused Labour to become so transfer toxic in the first place.
For the health of the nation, let us hope that O’Riordain is consigned to the political abyss. The only problem is that he’ll go back to polluting young people’s minds in his role as a school principle.
Willie has all-but conceded himself, so it’s an interesting one. Not ruling him out totally yet.
“The Shinner”, you sound like a black and tan in 1920.
Ellis hard as it is to believe he was actually a good head teacher. It’s a pity he didn’t stick to it.
TTIP is not allowed to be mentioned here or anywhere else in the inm class
It’s been mentioned plenty of times on the Journal you clown.
how do fg meps want to vote on TTIP? Robert.
or is that confidential
I don’t know about the mep’s but Edna has said he is for it. All FG in Dublin bay north are for it. SD in Dublin bay north is against. No one else bothered their hole calling.
Anyone know where all the government trolls are gone ? did their paId employment end ?
I have been waiting for powerabbey to pop up to ?
Powerabbey
Jan 28th 2016, 1:44 PM # 92 4
Matt – you can be assured that Paudie Coffey will be returned to government.
Can i just say to powerabbey , the people of Waterford gave this scroat his marching orders along with Conway , Unfortunately a lot of those same people then gave their votes to FF , But one SF and one IA member were elected as well . and in addition can i just add HA HA HA
Matt did you just say “CAN I JUST SAAAAY!”
Jesus wept i bloody did didn’t i , That shrew has me brainwashed lol
@Matt Black,
No sign of Diarmuid either.
so what your saying is neither ff or fg can form a gov without each other?
another ge please
Still going?
If only we had, I don’t know, some electronic voting machines or something…?
You’re famous Bogger!!! They just quoted you in the article. Quick everyone say something witty!!
dick!
Whatever you’re into Ciaran, you’re free now to follow your passions.
ff looking good for you now?
Let’s just say I’m interested to see where all this leads…..
Alan Kelly there to support Aoghan O’Riordain? He wasn’t very supportive of his colleagues when he was celebrating like an arsehole despite being director of elections of Labour’s worst ever election.
Some Director of Elections, did more than anyone to turn voters against his party. His gung ho arrogant attitude turned people off and was a major contributor to citizens having a big dislike for the Govt, even Enda Kenny would be justified in blaming him for the collapse of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail should try to keep him at the forefront of the Labour party, he’s good for everyone except his own Party.
I’m glad O’Riordain is gone, he’d have turned Ireland into a giant Calais jungle.
Anyone who considers themselves left wing or progressive and then celebrates Aodhán Ó Ríordáin losing his seat to Seán Haughey needs to have a long hard look at themselves.
@Ignoreland,
O’Riordain was just a phony.
It feels wonderful to use the word “was” with this fellow.
Does anyone know what the rules around recount are? Can people just keep requesting and requesting recounts? At what point do they say enough is enough?
Hi Beano,
They can request rechecks and it’s up the discretion of the returning officer. They can turn down requests for full recounts.
Sinead
tell that to avreil power wife of fionann sheeeeeehan good friend of hughs
oh so their not good friends? just have a common goal in fg in common or do they aspire to the same job
@Ciaran scary isn’t it there really is no free press, what they don’t directly own ouright they infiltrate with their type. Hugh has been very obviius in his sympathied all along. We need some budding entrepeneur to set up a really fair unbiased paper but I supposr thats very difficult when you don’t play ball with the golden circle.
“really fair unbiased paper”
As opposed to fg’s Indo,a biased rag about to be shut down.
either my computer says no, or there is something very fishy about this article.
contributors 0, journal 1
There also seems to be a gagging order on the NAMA revelations, barley covered in irish media, comments disabled.
funny the thumbs just keep disappearing
Congratulations to Brid Smith on success after a pretty gruelling process. Confusion to FF!
“Dail reform” is the newest act of Fianna Fail political grooming, equivalent to slipping of a box of chocolates to an obese person that had been trying to be good. The idea is the same as eating sweets: it looks good, it tastes good, but you have that nagging feeling at the back of your mind that you starting to self-hate again, and, tragically, rip the colourful box that the nice Mr Martin has waved under your face.
The settled truth of the matter is that the key assumptions underpinning the nature of Irish social policy will remain untouched by any of the reforms proposed by Michael Martin.
Assumption 1. Health inequality in profound and fully rooted into Irish society. The two tier nature of Irish health demands that, (a) people who pay a private insurance premium will continue to have an advantage conferred upon them, over the low classes, who don’t “pay” extra. (b) The Irish medical profession has grown fat on the two tier system. They have the power (freely given by successive governments) to run down the public system, exploit its funding for training, emergency services, cancer treatment, etc, but, then, get to drive down the road in their Merc or BMW to perform elective procedures at increasingly prolific “private” facilities we all know so well, from all those radio and TV adverts.
Assumption 2. Only those with no capacity to dodge tax can be fully taxed. Ordinary, sitting duck citizens pay between forty and fifty percent of their income in taxes to pay for an ever evolving and expanding public service. Access to decent education, transport, and health are vital elements of any competitive, modern society and economy. However, the assumption is that business and especially US multi nationals cannot and will not pay a fair contribution to such services, services that those businesses and corporations depend upon. The deference we adopt to the idea that the already low tax rate of business cannot even be fully applied, is akin to national prostitution.
Assumption 3. The Irish media will continue to act slavishly on behalf of the proponents and beneficiaries of the first two assumptions. The degree to which the media here attack and undermine anyone that questions the status quo is deeply disturbing. The role Denis O’Brien enjoys, controlling and directing the disgraceful INM group, acts as a cancer, corroding the fabric of Irish public discourse. RTE, too, has been reduced to a body that will willingly pounce like an attack dog on anyone that challenging assumption 1 or 2.
No amount of grooming of the opposition in Dail Eirean will change any of this. It will, however advance the charge of Michael Martin, who’s only ambition is to get back to the glory days of overarching control of Irish society on behalf of the architects and beneficiaries of this failed republic.
I’m not a tree hugger but to see the amount of cable ties left behind from campaign posters pretty much sums up the view our political parties have of society when it’s not lining their pockets… is it any wonder the electorate f*ckin despise them?
The amount if litter left behind is disgusting alright.
YAY!!! It looks like Liebour have now lost their speaking rights in the Dáil. No more listening to cannot understand normal things iMoan
Penrose is sticking in there like a limpit on a rock. Feel for the counters
So now basically all the people who I didn’t give any preferences to in Dublin bay north are the ones who got elected….. Marvellous!!
Live Blog? Dublin bay has finished over 30mins ago!!!
You poor guys seem to be either VERY sleep deprived or you are slowly losing your minds.
What’s the latest about penrose?
Squeaky bum time I’m Labour HQ. They need at least one of these seats to get those speaking rights.
I’m only following this for the Gifs.
More Britney?
Over the past few day’s, Ive read a reassuring comment” thats democracy ” this is used by those who advocate the status quo, “culture of lies”. I think Donald Trump may have stumbled onto a really good idea, let’s punish corruption in politics. Let’s have a democracy of accountability and let’s loose the one that gives rewards for corruption….
Sinead, you talk about “last two seats” in Dublin Bay North, it’s a 5 seater, three left, no?
Argh, long 72 hours! Thanks Geoff, changed now.
no more small 3 seaters please. Longford constituency??? We have enough of parish pump politics thank you very much. I think the pr-stv system is an issue due to its geographic nature. While previously I have been against a list system, I think 50% list and 50% constituency is a good way to go. That way you can vote for your local TD, but also vote on policy, so if for example you are a Social Democrat, but there is no Social Democrat near you, you can still elect one via a list.
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