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Press Releases

For all media enquiries and requests for information, interviews, expert comment, case studies or statistics, please contact Communications or call 086 7793 206.

30 Mar 2023
New Research Highlights Inadequacy of Supports for Women Experiencing Problematic Substance Use

New Research Highlights Inadequacy of Supports for Women Experiencing Problematic Substance Use   A summary of the report is available HERE To read the full report, go to Understanding...
31 Dec 2022
Planning Permission for Medically Supervised Injection Facility at Merchants Quay Granted

Planning Permission for Medically Supervised Injection Facility at Merchants Quay Granted   Merchants Quay Ireland welcomes An Bord Pleanála’s decision to grant planning permission for the reconfiguration of our...
25 Nov 2022
Merchants Quay Ireland launches urgent winter appeal as the charity extends its hours to meet growing demand

Merchants Quay Ireland launches urgent winter appeal as the charity extends its hours to meet growing demand   Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the national homeless and addiction charity, is...
20 Oct 2022
Merchants Quay Ireland Launches 2021 Annual Review

The 2021 Annual Review, launched today by Labour Party TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin shows that 11,621 people accessed its services last year. The charity says that as the housing...
12 Sep 2022
MQI launches appeal for urgent support, as the number of young people homeless in the state rises by 60%

MQI launches appeal for urgent support, as the number of young people homeless in the state rises by 60%   Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and addiction charity,...
30 Aug 2022
MQI marks International Overdose Awareness Day by Highlighting Experience of Women in Addiction

MQI marks International Overdose Awareness Day by Highlighting Experience of Women in Addiction   Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and addiction charity, is today marking International Overdose Awareness...
10 Aug 2022
New report highlights the latest drug trends among injecting drug users in Ireland

New report highlights the latest drug trends among injecting drug users in Ireland   The HSE in partnership with Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and addiction charity, have...
22 Jun 2022
Merchants Quay Ireland warns of “rapidly changing landscape of homelessness” as the charity launches urgent appeal for support

Merchants Quay Ireland warns of “rapidly changing landscape of homelessness” as the charity launches urgent appeal for support   Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the national homeless and addiction charity,...
31 Mar 2022
Merchants Quay Ireland kicks off brand new podcast ‘Tea with Merchants Quay’

Merchants Quay Ireland kicks off brand new podcast ‘Tea with Merchants Quay’ with discussion on its new women’s service ‘Jane’s Place’   Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and...
29 Mar 2022
Ringfenced mental health funding vital to deal with long-term negative impact of COVID-19

Ringfenced mental health funding vital to deal with long-term negative impact of COVID-19 isolation on mental health of people who are homeless and struggling with substance misuse – Merchants...
03 Mar 2022
“When a person finds themselves homeless for the first time, we need to be there”: Merchants Quay Ireland predicts growth in number of new homeless

“When a person finds themselves homeless for the first time, we need to be there”: Merchants Quay Ireland predicts growth in number of new homeless as it launches appeal...
28 Jan 2022
Tara Flynn, Tony Cantwell call for public to join Merchants Quay Ireland’s 10k Steps Challenge in aid of Ireland’s Homeless

Tara Flynn, Tony Cantwell call for public to join Merchants Quay Ireland’s 10k Steps Challenge in aid of Ireland’s Homeless   Comedians Tara Flynn and Tony Cantwell have called...
30 Nov 2021
Statement from Merchants Quay Ireland on Medically Supervised Injection Facility

Statement from Merchants Quay Ireland on Medically Supervised Injection Facility   The decision to grant planning permission, for the reconfiguration of MQI’s Riverbank building, to provide for a medically...
21 Oct 2021
Merchants Quay Ireland Launches 2020 Annual Review

The 2020 Annual Review, launched today by Labour Party TD Ivana Bacik, shows that 9,882 people accessed its services last year. The charity said the full impact on people’s...
06 Oct 2021
Merchants Quay Ireland Launches Petition for Gender-Specific Services

MQI Launches Petition Calling on Government to Ensure Women with Complex Needs Have Access to Gender-Specific Services   Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and addiction charity, has launched...
21 Sep 2021
Merchants Quay Ireland Launches Cavan and Monaghan Service

Minister Frank Feighan launches Merchants Quay Ireland’s Cavan & Monaghan Drug and Alcohol Service (CAMDAS)   Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and addiction charity, has today launched the...
09 Sep 2021
Urgent need for dedicated female service for women experiencing homelessness and addiction – Merchants Quay Ireland

Urgent need for dedicated female service for women experiencing homelessness and addiction – Merchants Quay Ireland     Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and addiction charity, has today...
30 Aug 2021
Merchants Quay Ireland and Woodland Group Announce Official Partnership

Merchants Quay Ireland and Woodland Group Announce Official Partnership   Woodland Group Ireland, one of the country’s leading freight forwarding and supply chain experts, is delighted to announce Merchants...
24 Jun 2021
Blisters, Dehydration and Sunburn: Summer Brings More Hardship for People Who are Homeless

Blisters, Dehydration and Sunburn: Summer Brings More Hardship for People Who are Homeless   Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the national homeless and drug services charity, has today launched its...
24 Feb 2021
Mental health funding essential as COVID restrictions worsen conditions for homeless – Merchants Quay Ireland

Mental health funding essential as COVID restrictions worsen conditions for homeless – Merchants Quay Ireland   The webinar, The Effects of COVID-19 on People Experiencing Mental Ill-health, Substance Use Disorder...
27 Nov 2020
Women in homelessness facing complex challenges, and need the right supports – Merchants Quay Ireland

Women in homelessness facing complex challenges, and need the right supports – Merchants Quay Ireland   The webinar, Responding to the Complex Needs of Women who use Substances- Women and...
05 Nov 2020
“COVID-19 exacerbating mental health issues amongst vulnerable people”– Merchants Quay Ireland launches 2019 Annual Review

“COVID-19 exacerbating mental health issues amongst vulnerable people”– Merchants Quay Ireland launches 2019 Annual Review   Last year saw a marked increase in mental health interventions amongst vulnerable people...
16 Sep 2020
“As our homeless are at their most vulnerable, all funding for our nurse has been ended.” – Merchants Quay Ireland launches nursing appeal

“As our homeless are at their most vulnerable, all funding for our nurse has been ended.” – Merchants Quay Ireland launches nursing appeal   Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the...
31 Aug 2020
MQI calls for implementation of national drug strategy to mark International Overdose Awareness Day 

MQI calls for implementation of national drug strategy to mark International Overdose Awareness Day   Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the national homeless and addiction charity, has marked International Overdose...
24 Jun 2020
Groups working with people who are homeless or who use drugs call on new Government to protect most vulnerable

New Government must act quickly on housing, healthcare and treatment in post-COVID19 period   An alliance of three groups working with those who are homeless and/or use drugs has...
05 Mar 2020
Six in ten people in Ireland have experience of addiction, new poll finds

Six in ten people in Ireland have experience of addiction, new poll finds Almost six in ten people in Ireland have direct experience of addiction, a new poll released...
24 Dec 2019
An Bord Pleanála decision to grant planning permission for a Medically Supervised Injecting Facility (MSIF)

An Bord Pleanála decision to grant planning permission for a Medically Supervised Injecting Facility (MSIF) Merchants Quay Ireland welcomes the decision to grant planning permission for a Medically Supervised...
12 Dec 2019
“Addiction in Ireland is at crisis point” – Merchants Quay Ireland responds to latest drug-related death statistics

“Addiction in Ireland is at crisis point” – Merchants Quay Ireland responds to latest drug-related death statistics Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) has today said that addiction in Ireland is...
03 Dec 2019
A “national scandal that over 10,500 people will spend Christmas with nowhere to call home” – Merchants Quay Ireland responds to latest homeless figures

A “national scandal that over 10,500 people will spend Christmas with nowhere to call home” – Merchants Quay Ireland responds to latest homeless figures Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the...
19 Nov 2019
“No one should wake up on the cold streets this Christmas morning” – Merchants Quay Ireland launches Christmas appeal

“No one should wake up on the cold streets this Christmas morning” – Merchants Quay Ireland launches Christmas appeal   Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the national homeless and addiction...
07 Nov 2019
50% increase in cases seeking cocaine treatment – Merchants Quay Ireland response

50% increase in cases seeking cocaine treatment – Merchants Quay Ireland response   Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and addiction charity, has said that the latest drug treatment...
24 Oct 2019
“By every measure, the homeless crisis is worsening” – Merchants Quay Ireland launches 2018 Annual Review

“By every measure, the homeless crisis is worsening” – Merchants Quay Ireland launches 2018 Annual Review   By every measure, the homelessness and addiction crisis is worsening, Merchants Quay...
02 Sep 2019
“Deeply disheartening” – Merchants Quay Ireland responds to new homeless figures

Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and addiction charity, has described the latest homeless figures as “deeply disheartening”. The figures, published today by the Department of Housing, show that in...
30 Aug 2019
‘Every drug death is a family tragedy’ – Merchants Quay Ireland marks International Overdose Awareness Day

‘Every drug death is a family tragedy’ – Merchants Quay Ireland marks International Overdose Awareness Day   Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the national homeless and addiction charity, has marked...
08 Aug 2019
Statement from Merchants Quay Ireland

Statement from Merchants Quay Ireland   Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) has decided to lodge an appeal with An Bord Pleanála regarding planning permission for a Medically Supervised Injecting Facility....
26 Jul 2019
Supervised injecting facility decision ‘puts lives at risk’, says Merchants Quay Ireland

Supervised injecting facility decision ‘puts lives at risk’, says Merchants Quay Ireland   Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the national homeless and drugs charity, has today said Dublin City Council’s...
13 Jun 2019
Merchants Quay Ireland launches appeal to help tackle mental health crisis among homeless

Merchants Quay Ireland launches appeal to help tackle mental health crisis among homeless   Homelessness is having a “growing impact” on mental health, Merchants Quay Ireland today warned. The...
29 May 2019
Latest homeless figures show Ireland is coming close to accepting the homeless crisis is a problem we cannot solve

Latest homeless figures show Ireland is coming close to accepting the homeless crisis is a problem we cannot solve Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and addiction charity, today...
13 May 2019
Merchants Quay Ireland look to address homeless crisis with Recruitment Open Day

Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the national homeless and addiction charity, has today announced that it will be hosting a recruitment open day to fill a number of roles. The...
30 Apr 2019
Latest homeless figures show 58% increase in the number of people homeless since launch of Rebuilding Ireland

Latest homeless figures show 58% increase in the number of people homeless since launch of Rebuilding Ireland Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and addiction charity, has today called...
17 Apr 2019
8,922 people were treated for problem drug use in 2017, new official figures have revealed

8,922 people were treated for problem drug use in 2017, new official figures have revealed   Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the national homeless and addiction charity, has today said...
05 Apr 2019
Merchants Quay Ireland gives stamp of approval for An Post ‘Address Point’ initiative

Merchants Quay Ireland gives stamp of approval for An Post ‘Address Point’ initiative Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and addiction charity, has today welcomed An Post’s ‘Address Point’...
08 Mar 2019
Drug-related deaths increase by one third in ten years

Drug-related deaths increase by one third in ten years “Addiction is destroying the physical and mental health of people, people are dying, and this sadly has become the norm.”...
06 Mar 2019
Merchants Quay Ireland launches urgent appeal for Sunday dinner services

Merchants Quay Ireland launches urgent appeal for Sunday dinner services Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the national homeless and addiction charity, has today launched an urgent Lenten appeal aimed at...
27 Feb 2019
Latest homeless statistics an ‘ongoing national trauma’, says Merchants Quay Ireland

Latest homeless statistics an ‘ongoing national trauma’, says Merchants Quay Ireland Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and addiction charity, has today said that the latest homeless statistics represent...
27 Feb 2019
New film shines a light on how homelessness and addiction combine to devasting effect

New film shines a light on how homelessness and addiction combine to devastating effect  Filmmakers go behind the scenes at Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), Ireland’s largest drop-in homeless centre...
07 Feb 2019
Criminal justice system is failing people in addiction, says Merchants Quay Ireland

Criminal justice system is failing people in addiction, says Merchants Quay Ireland Merchants Quay supports Senator Lynn Ruane’s Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill to modernise spent convictions legislation Merchants...
01 Feb 2019
New study on homeless deaths highlights urgent need for Medically Supervised Injecting Facility

New study on homeless deaths highlights urgent need for Medically Supervised Injecting Facility   Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and addiction charity, has today said that a new...
03 Dec 2018
Latest rough sleeper figures a “tragic reminder” of ongoing crisis, say Merchants Quay Ireland

Latest rough sleeper figures a “tragic reminder” of ongoing crisis, say Merchants Quay Ireland Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the national homeless charity, has described new rough sleeping figures as...
03 Dec 2018
Statement by Merchants Quay Ireland on planning decision by Dublin City Council

Statement by Merchants Quay Ireland on request for further information by Dublin City Council   Merchants Quay Ireland have received the request for further information from Dublin City Council...
23 Nov 2018
New Wicklow Recovery & Community Integration project to be launched today by Minister for Health Simon Harris TD

New Wicklow Recovery & Community Integration project to be launched today by Minister for Health Simon Harris TD Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the national homeless and drugs charity, has...
04 Oct 2018
‘Latest self-harm figures reveal the real human trauma behind homelessness’, says Merchants Quay Ireland

‘Latest self-harm figures reveal the real human trauma behind homelessness’, says Merchants Quay Ireland Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and drugs charity, has today said the latest Central...
27 Sep 2018
Latest homeless figures not ‘full picture’, says Merchants Quay Ireland

Latest homeless figures not ‘full picture’, says Merchants Quay Ireland Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and drugs charity, has today said that while the latest homeless figures show...
14 Sep 2018
Ireland faces a ‘deepening social crisis,’ warns Merchants Quay Ireland

Ireland faces a ‘deepening social crisis,’ warns Merchants Quay Ireland Ireland faces a “deepening social crisis”, Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) warned today, as levels of homelessness and addiction continued...
30 Aug 2018
‘Treatment is only possible if someone is still alive’

‘Treatment is only possible if someone is still alive’   Homeless and drugs organisations urge opioid users to take up ‘overdose antidote’ training   A coalition of homelessness and...
29 Aug 2018
Latest homeless figures ‘a national disgrace’, says Merchants Quay Ireland

Latest homeless figures ‘a national disgrace’, says Merchants Quay Ireland Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the national homeless and drugs charity, has today called the latest homeless figures “a national...
14 Aug 2018
Merchants Quay Ireland announces retirement of co-founder and CEO Tony Geoghegan, and appointment of Paula Byrne as new Chief Executive Officer

Merchants Quay Ireland announces retirement of co-founder and CEO Tony Geoghegan, and appointment of Paula Byrne as new Chief Executive Officer Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) today announced that Tony...
13 Jul 2018
Merchants Quay Ireland backs decriminalisation of drugs for personal use

Merchants Quay Ireland backs decriminalisation of drugs for personal use Leading homeless and drug services charity Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) has today called for a new approach to personal...
07 Jun 2018
Latest European Drug Report shows Ireland has fourth highest drug overdose deaths

Latest European Drug Report shows Ireland has fourth highest drug overdose deaths The latest European Drug Report, released today, shows Ireland continues to have one of the highest rates...
29 May 2018
‘Rebuilding Ireland’ strategy is failing people who have complex needs, says Merchants Quay Ireland

‘Rebuilding Ireland’ strategy is failing people who have complex needs, says Merchants Quay Ireland   Charity urges Housing Minister not to leave people in addiction behind   Figures released...
02 May 2018
Re-categorisation should not deflect urgency of homeless crisis

Homeless charity Merchants Quay Ireland has urged the Minister to ensure that the re-categorisation of the homeless figures must not deflect from the urgency of the current homeless crisis.
30 Apr 2018
Merchants Quay Ireland welcomes development of negotiations for wider availability of suboxone

Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and drugs charity, has welcomed news reported by the Medical Independent on negotiations for wider availability of suboxone being at advanced stages.
16 Feb 2018
Merchants Quay Ireland announced as preferred operator of Ireland’s first Medically Supervised Injecting Facility

Merchants Quay Ireland announced as preferred operator of Ireland’s first Medically Supervised Injecting Facility Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the homeless and drugs charity, is delighted to have been selected...
12 Dec 2017
695 drug-related deaths in 2015 show urgent need for supervised injection facility

MQI call for Supervised Injection Facility following latest drug-related death stats by HRB
13 Oct 2017
New Enhanced Drug & Alcohol Treatment Support Services for the Midlands Region

New Enhanced Drug & Alcohol Treatment Support Services for the Midlands Region Following an evaluation of drug and alcohol treatment support services in the Midlands, HSE CADS (Community, Alcohol...
05 Oct 2017
MQI Annual Report 2016

Merchants Quay Ireland launched 2016 Annual Report, highlighting unprecedented levels of homelessness and its impact on the drugs crisis in Ireland.
15 Jun 2017
MQI Hosts Seminar, 06/07/2017, on ‘Learning from the Experiences of People who Are Homeless’

MQI Hosts Seminar, 06/07/2017, on ‘Learning from the Experiences of People Who Are Homeless’ People who are homeless, especially those with more complex needs, such as drug and/or alcohol...