PROMINENT ACTOR and proud Cork man Cillian Murphy used his platform to speak out against Ireland's homeless crisis as he switched on the Christmas lights in Cork city last night.
As part of the 'Simon House of Light Festival', the Peaky Blinders star was joined by Sam McGuinness, CEO of homeless charity Dublin Simon Community as the lights illuminated the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre.
Please enjoy this picture of me taking a picture of everything and everyone but Cillian Murphy WHO IS RIGHT BESIDE ME. pic.twitter.com/tj1R0lybJC
— Hannah Murphy (@Hanelizaa) December 6, 2019
The occassion was tinged with sadness as Murphy acknowledged the plight of over 10,500 people in Ireland without a home this December.
"Believe me when I say it's not a problem that needs to exist in our society.
.@ThePeakyBlinder star Cillian Murphy has opened the @SimonCommunity annual light show this year.
His message?
"Homeless can and should end" pic.twitter.com/VTwcvIVaii— Hannah Murphy (@Hanelizaa) December 5, 2019
"Having said that, we're very lucky to have Dublin Simon Community here. I think the fact that the people who are doing such amazing, sterling work for many many years is a tribute to them.
"It takes a lot of empathy and a lot of courage to keep doing that type of work," he said, before leading a round of applause for the charity.
Speaking to RTÉ News after the launch, Murphy repeated the sentiments.
"It's a really serious societal issue and I'm just here as a citizen, really, to do what I can," the actor said. "It doesn't need to exist, does it really?"
Shining a light on homelessness: Cillian Murphy was speaking this evening at the launch of the Simon House of Light festival in Dublin. He said homelessness is not a problem that needs to exist. pic.twitter.com/nHq73fj4Ne
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 5, 2019
"If there's enough imagination, if there's enough resources, if people actively engage with it, I think hopefully it's something we can solve."
What a man⭐️💙 #cillianmurphy pic.twitter.com/uVsbiD3Nfu
— Cillgirl (@Cillfrenchgirl) December 6, 2019
Yesterday, protests against the government's perceived lack of inaction against Ireland's housing crisis took place in Dublin and Cork.
A further protest is planned for Galway this coming Saturday.
