Tag Archive for: Homelessness Awareness

We were first contacted about Radostin by a social worker from Cloverhill Prison. Radostin, a Bulgarian national, had arrived at the facility in poor mental health after wandering the streets of Dublin for over a month. During his time in prison, he received psychiatric support, and as his condition improved, he expressed a strong desire to return to his home country, although he had little memory of how he ended up in Ireland.

The social worker arranged for a meeting between Radostin and Barka staff before his court appearance. Given Radostin’s commitment to returning to Bulgaria, Barka workers purchased a flight for him. After his release from prison, he was accompanied by the social worker and Barka team to the Bulgarian consulate, where they secured his travel document. Following this, they took him to pre-arranged emergency accommodation for the night.

Barka team members provided him with clean clothing and food for the journey. Early the next morning, at 6:30, a Barka staff member collected Radostin from the hostel and traveled with him to the airport, where another Barka employee awaited to accompany him on the flight to Sofia.

Upon arrival in Bulgaria, Radostin was reunited with his brother, who had been eagerly awaiting his return. The family expressed immense gratitude for the coordinated effort that made his safe journey possible. Radostin now has the opportunity to continue his recovery surrounded by family and in familiar surroundings, hopeful for a fresh start back home.