Seriously, is this a joke? Is this what passes as journalism here.

Those beggars (who aren’t Irish) are and have been there for as long as I can remember. They probably got more during the good times but they are definitely not a new addition to Dublin streets.

In fairness there are beggers on the streets of every city regardless of economic situation. Paris used to load theirs into vans and drive them into the countryside. By the time they made their way back, it’d be time to collect them for the next day.

The problem in Ireland is that the true financial horror isn’t visible yet. People are clinging to homes by their fingernails. Just because they’re not on the streets yet doesn’t mean things aren’t on the cusp of being extremely grim.

And whilst we’re glad now to see IMF here after denial from the government, we shouldn’t be deluded into thinking this isn’t a very grave financial state of affairs. The IMF will probably have no choice but to push some people over the threshold into poverty.

@Gavin

An illustration of what though? Why is it news? He passes some homeless people? Why don’t we print pictures every time someone walks past a homeless person without giving anything to them.

To be honest I understand what you are attempting to point out. But unfortunately this is not the way to do it.

Whats that got to do with the price of spuds? You could just as well highlighted how thrifty the IMF are as he walked from his hotel to the central bank instead of using a big black merc like our lot!

Give a man a fish, feed him for a day.
Give him a net, feed him for a life time.
Figure out a way to give an entire continent nets, and feed them all for a lifetime.

But screw that, stop rushing to the IMF meeting on foot (to save money AND emissions) and instead give money to someone who may or may not use it for beneficial purposes. That would definitely fix the entire world.

PS I know that thejournal.ie isn’t actually claiming that giving these beggars money would do anything to fix the world, and is instead simply publishing photos that highlight IR’s economic plight. But still.

I used to get the same DART home in the evenings as the guy in the third photo. They’re beggars but not necessarily homeless.

Well I live in France, beautiful sunny south of France!!! There are so many homeless-and I should be homeless myself but am very lucky to have my X husband putting me up for now….But for how long??? Have 2 kids, gone from ‘decent’ well paid job to ironing and cleaning!!!!! I always gave and shall continue to give money to the homeless when I can, and when I cant i take 2 mins to explain to them that at the minute i cant afford anything, and they appreciate just the time i take to tell them….I’ve noticed the only people that do give them time or money are not the one’s with Herme’s handbags etc etc etc…its a shame