Cork's homeless numbers up 'more than 500%'
The Cork Simon Community says the number of people sleeping rough on city streets has jumped by more than 500% in three years.
Thirty-eight people were recorded in 2011, but so far the organisation has met 230 people sleeping on the street in 2014.
It comes as politicians, clergy and charities prepare for two meetings aimed at discussing the homelessness crisis in Dublin.
The Government is hosting one meeting tomorrow, while the city's Lord Mayor is calling on the Taoiseach to attend his event on Friday.
The problems facing the homeless community are back under the spotlight following the death of Jonathan Corrie in a doorway opposite the Dáil
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Lord Mayor Christy Burke said action had to be taken to prevent more tragedies.
"I don't need any more statistics, or anyone to tell me what should be done over the next three years," he said.
"If we don't address this misery now, you and I will be speaking of further deaths in the days and months ahead. I'm now out five nights a week in our city helping the homeless. It's a scandal."
