Sir, - I am a very concerned 11-year-old girl. I live with my Mum, brother and sister in England, but I come over to Dublin to see my dad. This Christmas, when I came over, we decided to give a food package to an old man who lives in a concrete pipe near Booterstown bird sanctuary. We packed some chicken, spiced beef, etc., in a small hamper and went down to give it to him. I was disgusted at how he had to live. The pipe is literally on a rubbish tip, and the man has tried very hard to make it warmer, but it hasn't worked. When we shook his hand, he was freezing, like a dead person. He told us that he had been on the waiting list for a house for 16 years, but still hadn't got one. It makes me sick that anyone has to live like that, especially at Christmas. The man has no proper address, so he can't actually write letters to anyone that could help. We are trying to help at the minute, and are hoping very much that he will get a house soon.
Don't you think it is terrible that we are going into the Millennium year 2000 with so many people living on the street? - Yours, etc.
Joanna Graham, Seamount, Booterstown, Co Dublin.