Official homeless figures in West Cork are believed to be the tip of the iceberg, as a young man shares how sleeping rough “broke” him.

BY ELIZABETH LYNOTT

While recent Cork County Council statistics stated only eight people are in emergency accommodation, councillors and charity workers believe many who are sleeping rough, living in cars and sleeping on friends’ sofas, are not being counted.

And the demographic of homeless people is diverse, it has been revealed - with young single people, families and older people, all impacted.

A former businessman, in his 30s, from Clonakilty told the Southern Star about his recent journey to living on the streets, shielded only by a tent, after a relationship breakdown and violence in the family home.

Named ‘Ciaran’ to protect his identity, the young man said:  “I was married, I had an adventurous life, I had my own business and ate out at restaurants regularly.

“I had a good life, I was a success.  But then my marriage broke down.  I tried to return home to my family but there were addiction problems and I was assaulted by a family member.  I ended up in hospital.

“I found myself homeless and honestly, the only people who were really understanding of me were the gardai.”

‘Ciaran’ explained he has autism.  He claimed he felt “stigmatised” by some staff at Cork County Council when trying to seek help to find a home.

He felt staff needed to be trained to know how to deal compassionately with those who are neurodivergent.

The Masters graduate also explained that navigating the system as someone who’s neurodivergent was “incredibly difficult,” and he felt there was nothing in place to help him.

However, he added:  “The gardai were amazing.  They knew just how to deal with someone with autism.  I think council staff need to be trained in the same way.”

Earlier this year, the inevitable happened after ‘Ciaran,’ left hospital.  He wound up on the streets, grasping occasional nights in friends’ homes and at hotels.

“I was in Clonakilty, staying in a sleeping bag in a park,” ‘Ciaran’ said.  “It was incredibly difficult. “Small businesses I visited during the day had no idea how to deal with me when I was visibly under stress.  I was crying and I was even asked to leave a café.  Not once did anyone ask how I was, what was wrong, what had happened to me. If they had, it would’ve  helped me so much.  “Clonakilty claims to be Ireland’s first autism friendly town.  From my experience, it’s just a slogan and there’s no meaning behind it.  I felt so alone.

“There was a complete lack of understanding in a town with a huge autism friendly banner.  I witnessed aggression for being autistic.

“I was threatened by kids walking around my tent -  they were whispering threats at me.  One kid said they’re going to burn my stuff down.  One day I came back and my tent was wrecked and everything I owned was thrown into a stream.  I was broken.  The gardai came to talk to me and they were honestly the most humane people I dealt with during this time.”

‘Ciaran’ spent the next four or five nights in a sheltered space near a school.  “That was so difficult for me because I had previously taught children,” he said.  “I felt so low.  I think people saw me at one point but thankfully they didn’t report me for staying there.”

‘Ciaran’ said he “hid” himself from the rain and slept in a blow up mattress, waking daily at 6am to pack up before anyone found him.

“One cold night, I reached out to my friend. I told him I was worried I was going to die on the streets.  He helped me get a night in a hotel.  He then gave me keys to his house and I crashed on his couch for a week.  My friend saved me but I worry for people who don’t have

anyone to help them.”

‘Ciaran’ thanked his friend and Social Democrats Councillor Isobelle Towes, for helping him.  He’s just moved into a shared house and has secured Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to help with the rent.  His life has completely turned around.

“I’m so happy I found this place, I’ve fallen in love with where I live now,” he said.  “I want to go to study in Cork, I want to get a new job.

“It’s so important to have a place to call home, where you’re secure. I feel positive now and that I can rebuild and have a happy future.  I want to be part of the community and work for the betterment of people around me.

“I’m already in touch with a therapy group and a work coach to guide me.  I always had dreams and aspirations and now I feel I can make them come true.  But I worry for other people going through what I went through, especially people who are neurodivergent…

“I can be a success story but I fear what would’ve happened to me if it hadn’t been for that good friend who helped me find my way back.”

Isobel Towse, Social Democrats councillor for Skibbereen West Cork, believes the homeless figures are much bigger.

Cllr Towse said those experiencing homelessness include victims of domestic violence.  She also felt there was a need for the Housing Directorate at Cork County Council to receive trauma training to deal with those experiencing homelessness, including those with autism and mental health issues, who “find it extremely difficult to navigate the system.” 

Cllr Towse stated some are sleeping in cars to avoid nights on the street.  While others are on the brink of homelessness and reaching out for help.

“I’ve been talking to a fair few people who are vulnerable or close to homelessness,” Cllr Towse said.  Among those affected are single parents and older people.

“Middle aged people are calling me,” she said.  “I had an older woman call - That’s heart-breaking, as she’s vulnerable in another sense. 

“Hidden homelessness is prevalent.  A lot of people are sleeping at a friend’s house in their sitting room.  Communities are doing all they can but they’re buckling under this pressure.  “There’s an emotional strain to watching a friend in homelessness.  And people are coming to me fleeing abuse.”

There is, she added, a “limited capacity” to support these people.  “And the Council doesn’t deem people homeless when they should,” she said.  “So, the current figure is eight people are homeless in West Cork.  That’s not a representative example.”

“A woman can’t move back into a house if she’s experiencing domestic violence,” Cllr Towse said.  “But some advice being provided would seem to suggest this is possible.”

Extensive measures are now necessary to help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, the councillor stated.

“Currently the accommodation includes B&Bs and guest houses,” she added.  “But we need accommodation for people with mental health issues.  We need more than one homeless hub because families are going to have to travel distances with children in school to stay there.”

The Edel House Family Hub is in Fernbrook, Clonakilty.  The centre recently made a public appeal for TVs, a book shelf, armchairs, or a small sofa.

“There are way more than eight people who are homeless in West Cork,” she said.  “I only represent Clonakilty to Cape Clear and up to Dunmanaway and there’s hidden homelessness and visible homelessness.

“Two people were made homeless in the last few weeks.  There’s a lack of housing supply in West Cork and it’s affecting every section of society.  There isn’t enough accommodation.  Of the houses for sale - the prices are too high.  And rent is very expensive.  

“We need to be more flexible and to let people build on their land for their grown children.”

Cllr Towse said vacant homes present a problem across the region.   “Last year, I saw up to a third of homes in some villages were vacant,” she explained.

“As a party, we’re in favour of short term lets being more regulated to ensure housing for local communities and a balance between short term lets and long term rental supply.”
There’s some concern that a number of holiday homes are unoccupied throughout most of the year, also.   

“We can’t take holiday homes off people, but we need to address the level of holiday homes,” Cllr Towse said.  “Perhaps with a vacant home tax,” she added.

Independent councillor for Bantry Finbarr Harrington, said plans just announced by the Government to allow private developers to install wastewater systems could help provide a solution to the housing crisis locally.  Cllr Harrington said this issue had been “preventing building” in West Cork.

“The reality was Irish Water (Uisce Éireann) wasn’t going to do treatment plants in the smaller developments until the bigger ones were completed, so this is good news for West Cork,” he added.

“I’m delighted with this announcement, as I had a motion in the Council earlier this year about exploring this option, so it’s a big win.  

“The housing crisis is affecting everyone from single parents to single people and older people in rented accommodation where the owner is selling the house.  We have a rural planning problem too.

“Young people on their own family’s land find it difficult to get planning for their own house.  We need to look at that.  If you have a farm, or you’re a farming couple and want to give a site to your adult kids, this should be made very accessible, not difficult and expensive, as it currently is.  We need more homes for families and for everyone and every home built means one less family who are homeless.”

However, the councillor didn’t agree with any tax on holiday homes, stating they are “a vital part of our tourism economy.”

A spokesperson for Cork County Council said:  “As of 1st November 2025, the number of people recorded as homeless in West Cork, is eight…

“Any person or family who believes they’re experiencing homelessness, or are at risk of homelessness, is advised to contact Cork County Council, specifically the Clonakilty Office for the West Cork area, where an appointment will be arranged for an assessment to be completed.

“Cork County Council has one family hub at present, that has recently opened….

“Over time, Cork County Council may have more family hubs.  However, it’s not envisaged they will be located in most county towns in Cork county.”

Regarding the issue on training to deal with neurodivergent people, the spokesperson said:  “Training has been provided to Cork County Council staff, particularly those working on the frontline. This training covered the most common neurotypes, how each typically affects individuals, the language of neurodiversity, why neurodiversity matters, and how to communicate effectively with all people. In all walks of life, some people are naturally more empathetic than others.

“It is also worth noting that in 2019, Clonakilty became Ireland’s first Autism Friendly Town.”

Regarding the new Government private sector role in developing wastewater systems, the spokesperson said:   “It’s not the role of Cork County Council to comment on decisions or policy matters determined by the Minister or the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.”

And regarding the potential taxation of holiday homes, the spokesperson added:  “This matter falls under the remit of central government.  The Local Property Tax (LPT) applies to all residential properties, including second homes, holiday homes, and rental properties, unless the owner qualifies for an exemption.”