Dublin singer Imelda May has spoken out about Ireland’s housing crisis, ahead of Sunday’s charity concert, Rock Against Homelessness.
The Mayhem singer will be taking part in the concert, along with Dermot Kennedy, Wyvern Lingo, Jack O’Rourke, Loah, Paula Meehan and Tara Flynn, and has had her say on the issue affecting over 9000 people in Ireland today.
“The fact that anyone lives – if you can describe it as that – and sleeps on the streets in this day and age is a travesty,” Imelda told Independent.ie
“It’s a sign that something major in our society isn’t working. It can happen to any one of us, and a homeless man or woman is one of us.
“I, for one, am passionate about this issue and I am honoured to play at Rock Against Homelessness to help in any way I can.”
The concert, which is in aid of Focus Ireland will take place this Sunday, with tickets still available here.
“Sadly, the homelessness crisis continues to deepen,” Focus Ireland advocacy manager Roughan MacNamara said.
“A record 9,000 people are now homeless in this country and more than 3,000 of these are children.
“It is truly shocking that one child became homeless every 3.5 hours in January this year.
“The situation would be much worse without the work done by Focus Ireland.
“We helped more than 700 families escape homelessness last year.
“We need so much support to carry out our work helping more than 14,000 people a year who are homeless or at risk.”
