Christmas brings brief respite for the homeless

Christmas will bring a small but temporary respite in the rising trend of homelessness, according to those working with homeless people in Dublin.

"At this time of year, some of our people go to stay with their family or with relatives," Ms Alice Leahy, director of Trust, said. "Families feel they should take people in at Christmas, and it's amazing how people have little plans of their own at this time. Some even save enough money for a little treat, such as a guest-house down the country."

However, the seasonal glow of hospitality quickly wears off, according to Father Peter McVerry, who runs a hostel for homeless youths in Ballymun.

"It's not uncommon for lads to arrive back on Christmas Day. With all the drink, the problems blow up again and people leave home once more."

Father McVerry is expecting about 12 homeless teenagers for Christmas dinner on Thursday, compared to his normal complement of 20. "But it's not the same as being at home. It's a sad time knowing you have nowhere to go to or that you're not wanted.

"No matter how good the hostel is, you can't take away the internal pain that is felt at this time of the year. I'm always glad when the day is over," he says.

For many homeless people, the highlight this year as ever is the annual Christmas Day dinner hosted by the Knights of Columbanus in the RDS (the traditional venue, the Mansion House, is being renovated).

Up to 600 men and woman are expected this year, roughly the same as last year, according to a spokesman. When the tradition started in the 1920s, attendances of more than 1,000 men were common. Women were first allowed to attend in 1974.

The Army is providing buses to take people from the Mansion House to the RDS, and Paddy Cole and other performers are providing the after-dinner entertainment.

Freephone numbers operated by the Eastern Health Board are in operation throughout the holiday period. Food centres for the homeless operated by Crosscare are closed on Christmas Day only.