Locals left heartbroken as 'lovely' nurse and mother is found dead outside Tesco

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Ann, originally from Carlow, was found unresponsive in Dublin city centre (Image: Supplied)
Ann, originally from Carlow, was found unresponsive in Dublin city centre (Image: Supplied)

The body of a "lovely" woman who was sleeping rough in Dublin was found outside Tesco on Sunday morning.

The woman, aged in her early 50s, was discovered yesterday and her death is believed to be the second known death of a rough sleeper in the country. Ann Delaney, originally from Carlow, was a nurse and mother and was found in a sleeping bag near the supermarket on Aungier Street in Dublin.

She is understood to have been living rough for at least seven years, firstly on Thomas Street and then she moved to Aungier Street. Numerous flowers and candles have been left at the spot where she slept and her body was discovered. Chris O’Reilly, who has run the Liberty Soup Run for the last five years, said Ann was a “lovely lady, a real character” and a lot of people would have known her.

He continued: “She passed away sadly on [Sunday] morning. She was alive early on Sunday but then she suddenly became unresponsive. We don’t know her cause of death, whether the dropping temperatures might have been a factor or not. Paramedics were called but unfortunately, Ann passed away. We are heartbroken and lost for words.

"Another homeless person died on our streets and it’s just so wrong. Ann was a lovely lady and was well liked. She was just going through a hard time. She had a family and a life and she just fell on hard times. We want to send our love to all of her family. She will be missed but she is at peace now. We still can't believe that this lady has passed away.”

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At 8pm on Monday, people gathered near the place where she was found to sing and release balloons. In a statement, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said: “Having been notified by staff at St. James Hospital, as per protocol, An Garda Síochána is conducting enquiries into a sudden death of a female which occurred on Sunday, 25th February, for the purpose of preparing a file for the Coroner. An Garda Síochána has no further comment at this time.”

Ann’s remains are understood to have been taken to the City Morgue and her funeral arrangements are yet to be announced. Last month, the body of Stephen Clarke, from Dundrum, Dublin, who was in his 40s, was found on St Andrew’s Street in the early hours of January 9. The death of the father is understood to be the first official record of a rough sleeper on the nation’s streets.

Sarah Slater

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