One of the biggest social problems in Ireland today is homelessness.
The attitudes many Irish people have towards homeless people is a disgrace.
Only last week, there were reports of someone urinating on a homeless man in Dublin, and day by day, the homelessness crisis only seems to grow bigger and bigger.
Spotted on JOE.ie, one Irish man has shared his story on Facebook about meeting a homeless man in Tallaght Shopping Centre. Liamie Marum explained how he met Nathan, a man asking for change for food.
Liamie admitted to refusing the man change but changed his mind and after sitting and chatting with him in McDonald’s, Liamie realised the horrors this man had suffered of recent times.
The post in full reads:
“This evening after work, I was approached by this guy in Tallaght Shopping Centre Car Park. As I sat in my car, he tapped on the window and said, ‘Excuse me sir, but can you spare some change for a burger, I’m homeless!’ My first reaction was, ‘No mate, I’m sorry I’ve no change’.
“His reply, ‘No problem sir and thanks very much, I apologise for asking you, have a great day’, and he walked off across the car park. I paused for a minute, then looked to see where he was walking to. He actually walked towards McDonald’s in Tallaght Square. To me this guy was genuine and hungry. My first thought, ‘he’s maybe a junkie looking to score his next fix’.
“I drove out of the Shopping Centre and across to McDonald’s after him, to witness him looking on the ground for any coins. I pulled up beside him and said, ‘Sorry mate, but sometimes I’m sceptical of giving money to people who seem to be homeless and ask for spare change. My reason is I think people just use the money for their next fix or alcohol’. I apologised and I asked him if it’s OK, can I buy you that burger in McDonald’s. His reply, ‘Thank you so much’.
“I parked up my car and walked into McDonald’s in Tallaght with this guy, who I now know as Nathan. I asked him his name and said order what you want off the menu. He ordered a Big Mac Meal, the customer assistant asked, ‘Would you like to go large?’ Nathan looked at me and I smiled, I said, ‘Go ahead mate, no problem’. He even had the manners to ask.
“Nathan couldn’t stop saying thanks and when receiving his €6.99 meal. He was so polite in asking the customer assistant for salt and ketchup. I asked Nathan was it ok if I joined him, we sat down and chatted for a few minutes.
“Nathan told me he lost his brother two years ago and his sister took her own life over a month ago. He is now sleeping rough at the back of a school or college in a sleeping bag! My heart went out to this guy. I asked Nathan if it was ok to take his picture and post it up here to bring to the attention of the public that not all homeless people are junkies, or thieves or beggars…there is some who are genuinely suffering and need support.
“Where he’s going to get his next meal from and what challenges does he continue to face daily? It only took 20 minutes of my time and a few euro to HELP this lad and actually sit and speak with him for a bit. When I got up to leave he said, ‘Thanks so much Liam and God bless you’. Those few words meant a lot to me.
“Now I know there will be a few trolls who will think, ‘This guy is trying to be a hero’. Well, for anyone who really knows me, knows I’m not. I’m just trying to give one of our own Irish citizens a dig out. Who knows when your luck could change? Never judge a book by its cover!
“Maybe my encounter today will give people a different view on life.”
Maybe if more people had the same attitude as Liamie, the world would be a better place.
