Homelessness crisis now hits hard in rural areas as numbers jump by 30pc

(stock photo of a homeless person)

Paul Melia

More than 1,200 people are now homeless across rural Ireland - a 30pc increase since the beginning of the year, a homeless charity has claimed.

The Peter McVerry Trust said it will be providing housing or homeless services in 13 counties by the end of the year, as the numbers in need of support grows.