LIMERICK father Richard O’Brien’s cold body was found on cardboard in a sleeping bag in the doorway of a fast food outlet in Cardiff on November 27.
Only days before his death, the 56-year-old Limerick man told a Daily Mirror reporter that he was dismayed at former Tory Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s controversial comments that homelessness was a “lifestyle choice” for some.
“I’ll tell her come out here and try it herself and see if she can handle it … One night, I guarantee, she wouldn’t even last,” Mr O’Brien said.
Former Labour Party strategist Alastair Campbell took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticise Ms Braverman who was fired after saying that homelessness was a lifestyle choice for “many”.
In his post, Mr Campbell posted a picture of Mr O’Brien and wrote: “I am sure you will want to tweet that your ‘thoughts and prayers’ are with the family and friends of Richard O’Brien.”
On social media platforms, many shared memories of the father-of-four who British police said died after an ambulance was called to Queen Street in Cardiff city centre during the early hours of November 27.
Police said that there were “no suspicious circumstances” surrounding the Limerick man’s death and inquiries were being made to trace next of kin.
Mr O’Brien’s death sparked calls for new regulations and better funding to tackle homelessness in the UK. The Limerick father was the third rough sleeper to die in the Welsh capital this year.
Katie Dalton of Cymorth Cymru – a representative body for providers of homelessness, housing and support services in Wales – posted a heartfelt message on X, saying: “I’m gutted to hear that Richard has died. He seemed like a really lovely man. I recently took him to hospital after seeing him struggling to walk in Sophia Gardens.”
“He told me (with a wry smile) he had fallen the night before while dancing in the rain. We got talking about where he was from and his eyes lit up when he discovered I have loads of family there.”
“I told him I was flying over in a few days for my grandma’s 93rd birthday and he asked me to pass on his regards to her. I did and she was delighted.”
Ms Dalton added: “I only spent a couple of hours with Richard, but it was a pleasure to hang out with him.”
“He thanked me for my kindness, but it was me who felt grateful – for a lovely chat with a lovely man. He made me laugh and he gave a great hug.”
Ms Dalton said anyone sleeping on the streets was “first and foremost a human being” who deserved kindness and compassion.
She added: “Many people have experienced trauma in childhood and throughout adulthood. You never know the challenges people have overcome to simply survive.”
“There are many reasons – often complex – why someone becomes homeless. This includes experience of trauma and adverse childhood experiences. But the underlying structural causes are poverty, insufficient social housing and support, and an inadequate welfare system.
“Politicians need to take a long, hard look at their priorities and language. Sleeping on the streets is not a lifestyle choice.
“But investing (or not) in social housing and support services is a political choice. As is penalising people within an already inadequate welfare system.”
Ms Dalton said Mr O’Brien’s death was a stark reminder that “despite living in one of the wealthiest parts of the world, people are still dying on our streets”.
“I’m incredibly sad about Richard. And I’m angry as hell.”
