The Merrion Shelter, now in it’s twenty seventh year, is a very successful and unique operation.

This former disused railway station, discovered by Martin Mc Hale, had been used as a squat by alcoholics. Martin decided it could be transformed into a useful project to help those people who sought shelter. From here, he set up a charitable trust known as ‘Shelter Referral’.

Martin is still working in an administrative capacity, but the day-to-day running of the shelter is conducted by Jim O’Riordan, an extraordinary individual who has devoted his time and energy over the past ten years towards helping the disadvantaged in our society.

Jim studied psychology for a while and had been a voluntary worker at the shelter before he took on the project full-time. He takes a great interest in the people who use the shelter and has a deep insight and understanding of their social and personal difficulties.

His sanguine personality mixed with a wonderful sense of humour makes him the perfect person to mediate when any hostilities arise. His preference is trust and diplomacy rather than setting rigid rules.

The shelter caters for alcoholic men. Although it is designed for short-term stay, some inevitably return.

While resident at the shelter, each person must engage in four and a half hours work per day, over five days, for which they receive an allowance. They also are in receipt of the dole but they must pay £17.00 rent per week.

The shelter caters for six residents at a time, who undertake to keep the house in order and do their own cooking, but Jim takes responsibility for shopping.

Income is generated by collecting bottles for re-cycling. The Irish Glass Bottle Co., Ringsend accept these.

Jim and his co-workers have to go out and collect bottles from pubs, restaurants and hotels. They take 30 tons of bottles per week to the I.G.B.Co,. for which they receive £40.00 per ton.

However, the shelter has many overheads, including heating and insurance, which takes a large slice of this.

Residents are not admitted if they are intoxicated, nor are they allowed to bring alcohol in.
Many former residents become voluntary workers at the shelter themselves. Some residents do succeed in returning to a regular job.

Jim O Riordan assesses those who come within his care and, where appropriate, refers them to the alcohol treatment centre at Baggot Street Hospital.

The trust also has a furniture depot at Blackrock where they collect furniture to assist those who find alternative residence.

Many residents at the shelter have been referred there from other institutions and Jim is liaison man here.

At Christmas time, residents undertake to cook their own Christmas dinner, creating a family environment which is so often missing in their own lives.

Jim, who is married with four children of his own, brings the entire family down for a short visit on Christmas morning to wish everyone at the shelter a happy Christmas and share this festive occasion with the people who count so much in his life.

The shelter will gladly accept any donations of bottles which can be left in the yard at any time, at 288 Merrion Rd, Dublin 4.