JOHN BYRNE HAS been homeless and living in Dublin for the past 25 years.
He came to national attention in 2011 after he was filmed rescuing his pet rabbit Bernie from the River Liffey after someone had thrown it in.
The story of the rescue spread to national and international media, and John was honoured with a compassionate citizen award by animal charity Aran.
Back in 2011, John was photographed by RollingNews as he received the award.
This week – nearly seven years later – RollingNews photographer Sam Boal came across John living in a tent on the Royal Canal in Dublin.
John has just been donated a new tent and provisions by members of the Polish community, and is living on the canal with his friend Darl and four dogs.
Sam took a series of photographs of the two men and their pets. John told Sam that the pair had to contend with giant river rats where they were staying, but that they were grateful for the new tent.
Sam said that he was surprised to find John still homeless after all the political and media attention he had received in 2011.
“It was strange seeing him there. I was a bit shocked that he was still homeless. That time with the rabbit was seven years ago,” said Sam.
“He was there with his friend Daryl and I think they had four dogs.
“25 years is a long time to be homeless. And [John] said that except for Daryl all his mates have passed away.”
John said that Bernie the rabbit had to be put down. But he still lives with his dogs.
Sam said that as he took shots, John’s dog jumped into his arms, and that all the photographs he took of this were the most natural ones of the shoot.
“You could tell that when the dog came over to him and just jumped up into his arms. It was just so natural and I started shooting,” said Sam.
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