A leading social justice activist has said he will not be lending his
support to the occupation of a Dublin office block for homeless
accommodation.
Father Peter McVerry said he applauds the
campaigners who have taken over Apollo House on Tara Street, but that he
will not be joining them.
Representatives from the Irish
Housing Network and trade unions say they plan to house 30 homeless
people at the NAMA-owned site.
Fr
McVerry said while he wishes them well, the only long-term solution to
homelessness is for the Government to provide social housing.
He
said: "What they're doing is raising awareness that we have empty
buildings all over the place, some of them owned by the State, while
there are people sleeping on the streets.
"Though
I think they are highlighting the absurdity of the situation, however
it is not the solution to homelessness, they are not going to be allowed
to stay there for very long.
"So I am very happy to
applaud them and I am very happy to say that they are doing a service to
homeless people and I wish them well."