The lifeless body of Stephen ‘Clarkey’ Clarke, a middle-aged father, was discovered at the foot of a former church on St Andrew’s Street, in the heart of Dublin city. The discovery, made on the morning of January 9th, marked a chilling beginning to the year. Clarke, a rough sleeper, had succumbed to the biting cold, making his the first reported death of a homeless individual in the city in 2024.
Struggling to Identify a Lost Soul
Clarke was found without any form of identification. It took the authorities a painstaking three days to establish his identity. As the Garda (Irish police) delved into the investigation, a post-mortem examination was conducted, with the findings set to form a part of the coroner’s file.
A Gentle Soul Remembered
Those who had interacted with Clarke in the homeless services painted a picture of a decent, gentle, and quiet man. His death has stirred emotions within the community, bringing the harsh realities of homelessness into sharper focus.
A City Mourns
In a poignant display of solidarity and mourning, a makeshift street shrine has sprung up at the site of Clarke’s death. Floral bouquets, a photo collage, and candles now adorn the steps of the former church, serving as a silent testament to a life lost far too soon.
Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
canisgallicus 