THE FUNERAL OF Ann Delaney, a homeless woman who died in Dublin’s city centre, took place in Co Laois today.

The 47-year-old is orginally from Laois but is said to have been sleeping rough in Dublin for the last several years. Most recently, she had been sleeping rough on Aungier Street.

She was well-known to locals in the area, and a vigil was held on Monday for her, where dozens of people left flowers and lit candles.

Mourners and family members outside St. Abban’s Church, Doonane RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

At the funeral today in St Abban’s Curch, Doonane, family and friends mourned a “kind soul”.

Speaking at her funeral, her sister Róisin said that Ann had been offered support by friends and family over the past number of years. 

“As a family we never understood why Ann chose to live like she did. Over the last number of years it has been incredibly frustrating and painful that Ann would not accept the help that so many people had offered her,” she said, reports the Irish Times.  

Family, friends and professionals offered her as much support as they could, but sadly it was to no avail.

“The outpouring of grief for Ann showed how loved she was and how she brought positivity into people’s lives, though she was struggling herself. Ann always knew she had a home in Dromone and a family that loved her very much.”

Ann's reed coffin being carried into St. Abban’s Church this morning, as members of the local community and sports clubs formed a guard of honour Eamonn Farrell Eamonn Farrell

The Dublin Simon Community earlier this week addressed the tragedy of the circumstances surrounding Ann’s death.

Dublin Simon Community added: “It is a tragedy when anyone dies on the street, and it underlines the vulnerability of people who find themselves without a roof over their head at this time of the year.

“This event highlights the urgency of needing better options to reduce homelessness and take pressure out of the system.”

Jenny Byrne and Tony Jones of Everyone Matters Homeless Outreach with flowers outside the church Eamonn Farrell Eamonn Farrell