Funding appeal launched for homeless Defence Forces veterans

More specialised housing centres are required to help Defence Forces veterans stave off the threat of homelessness, a support organisation has claimed.

Launching its annual Fuchsia fundraising appeal on Tuesday, ONE (Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women) chief executive Ollie O’Connor said the 44 accommodation units and drop-in spaces offered by the group are often oversubscribed during the winter months, leaving certain individuals at a loss for affordable and reliable housing.

"The Fuchsia appeal is vital for the organisation. It enables us to help former colleagues who are having a difficult time and without a home," said Mr O'Connor, who was joined at this morning's event by Minister for Defence Simon Coveney.

“The people we have here are people who can’t afford to live anywhere else... we don’t have the capacity, and we haven’t the funds to open up any more homes at the moment. In the future we hope to open more drop-in centres,” he added.

Since its foundation in 1994, ONE has provided a place to say for over 620 ex-servicemen, but the organisation needs € 600,000 each year in order to maintain its residences in Dublin, Letterkenny, Athlone, Dundalk and Limerick.

According to Mr O’Connor, the impact of the recent recession coupled with more stringent fitness requirements within the Defence Forces has meant the centres have had to cope with a surge in demand from many younger ex-servicemen who find themselves at a loose end.

Following a 17-year career across various military departments, former Air Corps member and current service user Alan Byrne started to experience personal problems upon leaving the Defence Forces in 1995.

"I moved abroad to work for the European Commission, I didn't assimilate into Brussels lifestyle. My father was terminally ill, my brother was terminally ill and my mother developed Alzheimer's so I came home. I needed sustainable accommodation and, thankfully, [ONE residence ]Brú na bhFiann was available," he said.

“I left my house with my wife in it, and a lot of guys find themselves in those circumstances. They have the support mechanisms here, they have the contacts with the relevant housing officers in the council.

He continued: “We have our own self-contained units which includes a bedroom, an ensuite bathroom, satellite TV and we’re provided with three meals a day. Everything is provided within the weekly rental charge which is more than affordable.”