Declan Wildes News Today

Speaking at the service, Steve McCarthy, whose family watched out for Mr Byrne for over 30 years, paid a warm and moving tribute to him. "Michael crossed our paths, probably 30 to 40 years ago. My parents were very good to him over the years and as it progressed, it filtered down, and over the last couple of years, I had the pleasure of keeping an eye on Michael,” he said. “Michael led a long and simple life, never complex, always with good and honest intentions. "Michael was born January 1...

The University College Dublin (UCD) flag was flown at half mast last week following the death of Michael Byrne. There is very little known about the elusive figure who frequented the universitys campus and affectionately became known as Old Man Belfield, but what is clear is that he lived outdoors for at least 50 years. In the 1970s Miriam McCarthy, a local woman who volunteered with Dublins Simon Community, came upon the solitary figure on a run-down site near St Vincents Hospital in Dublin 4...