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19 Jan 2026

RIP: 'She died trying to stay safe' - Shock as homeless woman found dead in tent

Gardai discovered the woman, named locally as Natasha Smith, deceased on Pearse Street in Dublin at around 12:30pm on January 16

RIP:  'She died trying to stay safe' - Shock as homeless woman found dead in tent

Rest in Peace Natasha Smith

A homeless woman has been found dead in a tent in Dublin city.

Gardaí and emergency services responded to a medical incident which occurred at Pearse Street, Dublin 2, on January 16, 2026 at approximately 12:30pm.

A woman, aged in her 40s, was taken to St James’ Hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

The local Coroner has been informed.

The woman has been named locally as Natasha Smith who was homeless and sleeping in a tent in Dublin at the time of her passing, according to A Lending Hand, homeless service in Dublin.

Heartbroken messages have poured in on social media from those who knew and loved Natasha, and her family are devastated at this time.

A group on Facebook called 'A lending Hand', paid tribute to Natasha with a post that said: "This is Natasha who died on the streets of Dublin in her tent outside a garda station.

"Natasha chose a tent for safety, she slept outside a garda station to feel safer, as our emergency accommodation is not safe in the city, or non existent when you need an emergency bed.
"Natasha died trying to keep herself safe when the state should be providing emergency accommodation that is fit and safe for humans and not forcing women to take their chances in freezing conditions in a tent.

"Her family have been on to us, they have started a GoFundMe to help pay for Natasha's funeral....if everyone could help the family out at this really sad time. We hope your soul is free from all the pain you have endured, Rest in Peace our lovely Natasha".
A GoFundMe was created by Natasha's family to raise funds for her funeral. It has raised €7,861 in just two days.

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