Podcasts

The Disney Store wants to put a gate outside the shop to stop homeless sleepers

Planning permission has been applied for by The Disney Store on Grafton Street for a security gate to stop homeless sleepers in its doorway.  The shop has asked Dublin City Council if they can put up steel shutters to close off access to its front door overnight. They said that homeless people had been sheltering in the shop's doorway overnight and that it was being used improperly. So should shops be entitled to keep homeless people from sleeping outside their premises in order to protect their staff and maintain a safe and sanitary premise or is it cruel and inhumane to force vulnerable people to seek shelter away from main thoroughfares? Are The Disney Store right and should other businesses follow their lead or should we have sympathy for homeless people who have no other options?  Listeners gave Ciara their take on the issue. see more