Fermanagh GAA hurlers and ladies footballers were among the Ulster GAA sports players who slept rough in Belfast on Saturday night to highlight Ireland’s homeless crisis.
The solidarity sleep-out was an initiative organised in 12 towns and cities across the island of Ireland by ‘Gaelic Voices for Change’. The sleep-out has raised over €200,000 which will be distributed to homeless charities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
“Our aim is to show solidarity, generate funds, raise awareness and encourage action against homelessness,” said a spokesman from Gaelic Voices for Change.
Martia McDonald, from Teemore, was among the Fermanagh contingent.
She explained that the group spent the early part of the evening handing out tea, coffee and hot meals in Belfast’s Cornmarket. They held bucket collections across the city and gave thermal packs and sleeping bags to homeless people.
They listened to speakers from Gaelic Voices for Change and the Simon Community before settling down at 11pm among the city’s rough sleepers near Bedford House.
“There was one guy in particular, Michael, he was such a lovely, genuine person,” said Marita. 
“Circumstances went against him and he is now on the streets. He was excited about starting a new job in McDonalds and was hoping that this would result in him being able to get some money together and get off the streets. He made a lasting impression on anyone he came in contact with and I really hope that Michael, and all those other homeless people get the support and accommodation they so greatly crave and the life that everyone has the right to,” she said.
During the night, the group was moved by the generosity of passers-by, including a businessman who placed £500 in their collection bucket and two taxi men who stopped and donated their Saturday night takings.
The group left their sleep-out on Sunday morning feeling “sombre.” Martia explained: “We realised that we are lucky to have such fortunate lives, and despite the difficulties that each family goes through at certain times we all have a roof over our head, a warm bed, a cosy living room and a family who love us all very much.
“In general, the homeless people we met on Saturday night had a series of unfortunate events which led them to the place they are now in, and into a spiral of homelessness, lack of temporary accommodation, addictions, etc.”
Marita reflected: “As GAA players, we are fortunate enough to have a presence in the media, and we are now using this presence to shine a light on areas that are either close to our own hearts, or a benefit to society.
“We are under no illusions with regards the size of the problem overall, nor do we think the sleep-out on the 16th will result in a seismic shift in the level of homelessness, but what we hope it will do is make people more aware of the issue that is out there. 
“There are some startling statistics out there, for example, from Jan-March 2017 there were 1,500 more cases of homelessness reported in N.I. compared to same period in previous years and N.I have higher rate of homelessness than England, Scotland or Wales.   
“If we, as a group, can get people thinking about the issue, about why it is happening and wondering what they can do to help, then we have succeeded.  This is only the start of things for Gaelic Voices for Change and overall it is a great initiative.”