Bray’s First Rough Sleepers Count

Early this morning, I joined Community Gardaí, council staff, and local stakeholders for Bray’s first official rough sleepers count. The aim was simple: get a clear picture of how many people are currently sleeping rough in the area, check in with them, and offer some immediate support.

We were divided into teams and covered 10 designated areas across the town. Our job was to identify anyone sleeping rough, provide food, and have a quick conversation to see how they were doing. It was also an opportunity to start building trust with people who may be long-term homeless.

This count will now take place twice a year to help track trends, monitor changes, and support local services in planning—especially ahead of colder weather when the risks are higher.

Community Gardaí will continue to check in with people who have been identified to make sure they’re not left behind. This initiative is about making sure the most vulnerable in our community are seen, supported, and better connected to services.