Dublin Canal Water Levels Raised To “Flush Out” Homeless

In a move that has been branded "inhumane", it has been confirmed that canal levels at Drumcondra have been raised in order to "flush out" the homeless people who sleep rough on its banks. 

Speaking to 98fm, Waterways Ireland defended the action, insisting it's to "keep the public safe".

They said that "the main issues were drug-taking and littering with needles and other residue as well as public defecation."

Regarding public safety, the group told 98fm News: "All the alternative solutions we have tried to maintain public safety in the area, including fencing it off, have failed."

An email from Waterways Ireland, sent to Gardaí earlier this year and released under the Freedom of Information act, reads: 

“We hope to try another solution to prevent this continuing by raising the water level under the bridge to try to discourage them from using this area." 

Meanwhile, homeless volunteer Padhraic Drommond has condemned the move. 

"There'll be no walkway under the bridge and no shelter. They came down here two months ago and put eviction notices on the tents. Absolutely crazy carry on in this day and age. People need help. They need to be rehoused, not pushed into another area. That's all (this is) going to do."

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