Homeless children: Brendan, 8 – ‘I was depressed, because most of the time I was late for school’

“The B&B was bad. It was only a room with a bed and a wardrobe, and a bathroom, and that’s all. I’d rather live on the Liffey than live there.

“There were other kids, but they were barely out. We had to stay in the rooms. You just watched TV.

“I was depressed, because most of the time I was late for school. It was annoying getting up at six o’clock in the morning. I had to get two buses and then just walk.

“I had all my friends down in my nanny’s. My best friend is called Brian. Well, he was, he still is, I just don’t see him so much. I used to play with him every day.

“When I was playing with my friends [at my grandparents’ house], and had to go back [to the B&B], I felt all sad. I didn’t want to leave.

“The worst thing was being bored, and the rules. ‘Don’t jump up and down on the stairs.’ I never want to go back there.

“At the weekends my granda used to come and collect me in his car for football. And on Sunday he’d come and collect us because he was making a fry for us. I looked forward to that, because I’d be getting to play with my friends and all.

“Now that I’m out of the B&B I can play with my friends and play my PlayStation. (It was in my nanny’s house.) I’m getting my bedroom done with all the walls for Liverpool.”