Shelter removed after deal made

The businessman who put a portable shelter in a car park in the centre of Londonderry to house people sleeping rough is to remove it on Wednesday.

The man, who doesn't want to be identified, said a deal has been brokered to find street drinkers places in hostels.

The mayor of Derry, Gerard Diver, who was also involved, said a longer-term solution would soon be in place.

"This involves making sure people have somewhere to go," he said.

"Most importantly, we have a strategy to support the 'Get Your Head Down' group with a view to having them providing the service which they want to provide in the city.

"Hopefully they will be up and running in the next week or two, and under the mayor's initiative, together with the Housing Executive and some other funders, we will be able to support that through until March next year," he said.

The shelter was left in a car park in Foyle Street almost a week ago in response to calls to help people living rough in the city.

Last month a man died of hypothermia while living in public toilets in Derry city centre.

Follow how the story developed on Radio Foyle

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