Last month, in Dublin City, Ann Delaney, a former nurse, died in circumstances of homelessness. Her family has taken to task internet activists for manipulating her passing for their political agenda. Her sibling, in a statement on RTÉ’s Liveline on Tuesday, emphasized that Ann was “a daughter, a sister and a mother”.
The sibling stressed, despite stinging and ill-informed online remarks, that their family had always kept the door open for her and had done their best to aid her. The death of Ms Delaney has been appropriated by anti-immigration campaigners to allege on social media that homeless Irish citizens are being left unsupported on the streets, while others have used the tragedy to condemn the government’s housing policies.
The family has condemned the hurtful and abhorrent comments from those hiding behind anonymity on the internet, without specifying details about the remarks. The statement commended the flood of mourning at Dublin city’s vigil and the immense communal reinforcement they have received. The grieving family member added, “We didn’t abandon our sister. I appeal to others not to manipulate Ann’s narrative for their self-interests. As I mentioned, she was a daughter, sister, and mother, and shouldn’t be turned into a rallying cry.”
Ms Delaney, a native of Doonane, Co Laois, was found lifeless near a Tesco on Aungier Street, Dublin, where she had been taking shelter recently. She subsequently passed away in St James’ Hospital.
At Ann’s funeral, her sister Róisín confessed their inability to comprehend why Ann chose such a way of life. Despite numerous frustrating and agonising years of Ann declining assistance offered by family, friends and professionals, the mourning family emphasised how dearly loved Ann was. The heartache expressed for Ann demonstrated how much positivity she infused into peoples’ lives, despite her own tribulations. Regardless of her circumstances, Ann had unrelenting love from her family and always had a home in Dromone.
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