Rough sleeper dies on street

8:00am Wednesday 20th February 2013 in News By Josh Layton

Kevin Dunne, known as Codger, (left) with outreach worker Patsy Moloney Kevin Dunne, known as Codger, (left) with outreach worker Patsy Moloney

A HOMELESS man, who was one of the most well-known faces on the streets of Swindon, has died after sleeping rough in a town centre car park.

Kevin Dunne, who was nicknamed Codger, was a regular visitor to outreach services and hostels.

He had lived in the town for many years and various professionals, charities and agencies are understood to have tried to save him from his addiction to drink and drugs.

Swindon Coroners’ Office confirmed it had been notified of the 45-year-old’s death and said an inquest was likely to be opened and adjourned next week.

Angus Macpherson, who runs the Breakfast Club and Filling Station outreach services, said he was aware of the tragedy, but could shed no further light on what had happened.

Mr Dunne had been a regular at the Filling Station, a weekly soup run and outreach service in Carfax Street, often turning up with his sleeping bag and blankets.

A friend, who did not want to be named, said he had been sleeping rough for up to three nights at a car park in nearby Islington Street, near the Menzies Hotel.

“Codger’s got some good friends and he’s been in Swindon all his life,” he said.

“He was a brilliant character. He would smile first thing in the morning and would be laughing and joking. We still don’t know what happened but it sounds like life got the better of him.”

Mr Dunne was known to the police through his association with drug users and drinkers and to the council and other agencies, which run a panel to monitor rough sleepers.

He had used services run by homeless charity Threshold Housing Link. A spokeswoman said: “It’s extremely sad that homelessness and the associated issues which Codger faced finally took their toll, as street outreach workers were working with him until the very end.

“Our condolences go to his friends and family.”

A police spokesman said: “We received a call from a member of the public shortly after 9am on Saturday to reports of a male found deceased inside Fleming Way car park.

“This is not being treated as a suspicious death and a report has been prepared for the coroners’ office.”

Comments(40)

gina948 says...
9:04am Wed 20 Feb 13

It doesnt say which one in the photo is the deceased...

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Tim Newroman says...
9:11am Wed 20 Feb 13

It states he was 45 years old, so you'd think it's more likely to be the one on the left.

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Another view says...
9:24am Wed 20 Feb 13

Yes he's the one on the left. Patsy on the right, who is nearly 80, does a lot to help those down on their luck.

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gina948 says...
9:26am Wed 20 Feb 13

@Tim Newroman I wouldnt want to assume considering he'd been living on the streets for so many years!

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Sybil420 says...
9:36am Wed 20 Feb 13

you'd have thought that nowadays, with all the facilities and help at hand, homelessness would have been eradicated. I find it unbelievable and a little bit sickening that in 2013, there are still people outside sleeping rough in the bitter cold.

More needs to be done to make sure that this isn't a reoccurring event.

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Tim Newroman says...
9:51am Wed 20 Feb 13

Sybil420 wrote:
you'd have thought that nowadays, with all the facilities and help at hand, homelessness would have been eradicated. I find it unbelievable and a little bit sickening that in 2013, there are still people outside sleeping rough in the bitter cold.

More needs to be done to make sure that this isn't a reoccurring event.
@Sybil420 - the article is a little disingenuous. It's obviously sad when anyone dies so young, but to blame it on 'homelessness', rather than alcohol and drug use is simply an attempt to sugar coat things and make us all feel guilty about something or other.

Everyone is entitled to housing benefit and various income support or job seeker's benefits. As the article points out, every suitable resource, assistance and outreach worker was made available in this case. There's only so much anyone can do, but ultimately it comes down to people wanting, or feeling a need, to help themselves.

Some people have always died in this manner, and some people always will.

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MissO says...
10:25am Wed 20 Feb 13

This guy was beyond help. a while ago a girl died of an overdose and i'm sure it was this girl that helped her to inject it - in her fingers!

This guy chose this way of life for whatever reason - its sad as it probably stems from a bad experiance of some sort - but he could have had help had he wanted it - many people turn their life around. Sadly he chose to continue his path which eventually killed him.

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ZiggyShort says...
10:28am Wed 20 Feb 13

I work pretty close to where he hung out near the John St car park. What I noticed about this chap was he was very affable and always had a cheery hello to anybody who cared to acknowledge him. I am saddened at this news. RIP.

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deepforest says...
10:45am Wed 20 Feb 13

"Everyone is entitled to housing benefit and various income support or job seeker's benefits. "

not true, the figures for those cut off from such supposed support services speak for themselves

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Tim Newroman says...
10:47am Wed 20 Feb 13

deepforest wrote:
"Everyone is entitled to housing benefit and various income support or job seeker's benefits. "

not true, the figures for those cut off from such supposed support services speak for themselves
Really? I am very interested in these numbers and how people manage to get themselves into such a position.

I've known several single males with no dependents who have had no home, no job and no income - all have received housing benefit and income benefits at the standard national rates.

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purplerose says...
11:33am Wed 20 Feb 13

unfortunately single male,s are not top priority when it comes to housing them they don,t even come bottom of the list in council housing list they are not entitled to anything I know of several single male,s that have been told by the council sorry we can,t help you at all.
The other thing is that sometime,s ppl like him are beyond help or don,t want the help they can,t seem to cope with living in a house or flat hence they normal spend all there time on the streets anyway cause they don,t know how to live in a normal house or flat it is a shame but hopefully he has found some peace now

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Sybil420 says...
11:51am Wed 20 Feb 13

Tim Newroman wrote:
Sybil420 wrote:
you'd have thought that nowadays, with all the facilities and help at hand, homelessness would have been eradicated. I find it unbelievable and a little bit sickening that in 2013, there are still people outside sleeping rough in the bitter cold.

More needs to be done to make sure that this isn't a reoccurring event.
@Sybil420 - the article is a little disingenuous. It's obviously sad when anyone dies so young, but to blame it on 'homelessness', rather than alcohol and drug use is simply an attempt to sugar coat things and make us all feel guilty about something or other.

Everyone is entitled to housing benefit and various income support or job seeker's benefits. As the article points out, every suitable resource, assistance and outreach worker was made available in this case. There's only so much anyone can do, but ultimately it comes down to people wanting, or feeling a need, to help themselves.

Some people have always died in this manner, and some people always will.
i wasn't attempting to sugar coat, nor was i intending to turn the blame to homelessness. I merely mean to say that you'd have thought that with the technology and governing we have in this country that it shouldn't come to this. Even with the addition of alcohol and drug misuse, no one should die on a car park in the cold.

And in addition, whilst housing benefit and income support is available, like others have pointed out, single middle aged men aren't high on the list of priorities. Yes, we're big on equality, but a mother and child or young family are more likely to be housed then a drug using man in his mid forties.

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RichardR1 says...
12:16pm Wed 20 Feb 13

In the real world people die, some despite the best efforts of others. To blame society each and every time ignores the fact we all can make choics, he chose to spurn the help.

As for benefits they are available but the criteria is a lot stricter than some may think. Nothing is guaranteed anymore.

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Hmmmf says...
12:25pm Wed 20 Feb 13

Sybil420 wrote:
I merely mean to say that you'd have thought that with the technology and governing we have in this country that it shouldn't come to this.

Why would you think that? What has technology got to do with homelessness? The Government spends plenty from the public purse to provide the kind of services needed to prevent people dying "on a carpark in the cold." You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.

Sybil420 wrote:
Yes, we're big on equality, but a mother and child or young family are more likely to be housed then a drug using man in his mid forties.

You say that as though it's a bad thing. The kind of compassion you're advocating costs money, and as everyone knows well enough, there's not much of that about. Dying in squalor is one of the likely outcomes which serve to deter most people from becoming forty year old drug and alcohol addicts. The more deterrents you remove, the more likely you are to end up with a nation of lotus-eaters, and no-one left to pay for them.

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Tim Newroman says...
12:32pm Wed 20 Feb 13

Yes, it is true that single males are the bottom of the pile in terms of the council and other agencies, but I know of at least four people who fit that profile that simply went down to the council offices and were given the standard housing benefit and job seekers allowance benefit within a few weeks. All they had to do was turn up, explain their situation and fill out some forms.

I suspect that there is more to the article than meets the eye.

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Amberflame says...
1:46pm Wed 20 Feb 13

Tim Newroman wrote:
Sybil420 wrote: you'd have thought that nowadays, with all the facilities and help at hand, homelessness would have been eradicated. I find it unbelievable and a little bit sickening that in 2013, there are still people outside sleeping rough in the bitter cold. More needs to be done to make sure that this isn't a reoccurring event.
@Sybil420 - the article is a little disingenuous. It's obviously sad when anyone dies so young, but to blame it on 'homelessness', rather than alcohol and drug use is simply an attempt to sugar coat things and make us all feel guilty about something or other. Everyone is entitled to housing benefit and various income support or job seeker's benefits. As the article points out, every suitable resource, assistance and outreach worker was made available in this case. There's only so much anyone can do, but ultimately it comes down to people wanting, or feeling a need, to help themselves. Some people have always died in this manner, and some people always will.
Tim,you have put that very well. It was what i wanted to say but you have said everything i would have liked to so no need.

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house on the hill says...
1:54pm Wed 20 Feb 13

""Tim Newroman says...
12:32pm Wed 20 Feb 13

Yes, it is true that single males are the bottom of the pile in terms of the council and other agencies, but I know of at least four people who fit that profile that simply went down to the council offices and were given the standard housing benefit and job seekers allowance benefit within a few weeks. All they had to do was turn up, explain their situation and fill out some forms.

I suspect that there is more to the article than meets the eye""""

The reality is that the Council has a statutory duty to house the homeless, so had he wanted to be housed he would have been as he clearly had nowhere else to go. Sadly he chose not to take that help and you can't force people to take it so as others have said, this is not an isolated incident and nor will it be in the future.

Yes of course its sad but it is a reality of life that some people really are beyond help and have to want to be helped but clearly dont. "In this day and age" isnt really relevant only that we have more choice now as well as more personal responsibility for our lives too.

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roberto5 says...
2:03pm Wed 20 Feb 13

Tim Newroman wrote:
Yes, it is true that single males are the bottom of the pile in terms of the council and other agencies, but I know of at least four people who fit that profile that simply went down to the council offices and were given the standard housing benefit and job seekers allowance benefit within a few weeks. All they had to do was turn up, explain their situation and fill out some forms.

I suspect that there is more to the article than meets the eye.
Not really, being addicted to drugs and drink most of your life and sleeping rough having to deal with extreme cold, there's not much more than meets the eye here. He could of just as easily died in a house or flat, look at Amy Winehouse for example, your body can only take so much abuse.

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JJJOB says...
4:21pm Wed 20 Feb 13

we aren't told the details of his demise....but most probably a combination of the cold and the other factors....it should be possible to make a pretty good guess, just hope he fell peacefully asleep

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REDROM says...
4:40pm Wed 20 Feb 13

Kevin had many friends, he was a lovely bloke, some of the comments on here are unfounded (MissO), and nothing to do with the man himself. He never had a luxurious life, but was loved by all the family that brought him up, He was just one of those who never got a break. But like it said he'd always have a smile on his face,and a joke to tell. Codger chose the way he lived, just because he drank and took drugs don't make him a bad person. And I know he was a really good man. The turn out at his send off will prove this. RIP Coffee, will miss you big time.

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the_bored1 says...
4:55pm Wed 20 Feb 13

RIP

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sammy118 says...
6:00pm Wed 20 Feb 13

R.I.P Codger.

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Jamayrea says...
6:24pm Wed 20 Feb 13

I was a friend of godgers before and when he was homeless he was a kind and gentle man who was very intelligent,for what reasons his close friends no why he was homeless rip I will miss seeing you in town love u godger x

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deepforest says...
7:38pm Wed 20 Feb 13

it's depressing to see how little some people care

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bowlerc67 says...
8:04pm Wed 20 Feb 13

I am so sad to learn of this gentle mans death, i have known Codger for about 2 years. He was a lovely guy and i always had time for him. He was a good friend of my daughters, who was also living rough for a short time in the car parks. He looked out for her alot. He did always have a smile for everyone, and would go out of his way to help. RIP Kevin you will be missed. Such a big character in the town scene xxxxxxx

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bowlerc67 says...
8:08pm Wed 20 Feb 13

Oh and by the way, unless you have lived rough and had addictions then you cannot 'judge' others.... It is so hard to get the proper help that is needed. Hardly any places to go to get really off it all....We need proper rehabs for people to go to, where everything is helped mind, body and soul.....If you need the help please try to reach out

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Russ STFC says...
8:39pm Wed 20 Feb 13

Not seen him for 25 years RIP Kev mate, I cant believe this he looks nothing like the person i knew when we were in our twenty's.

Sad news indeed and such kind person who would have done anything to help anyone at least when i knew him from years ago anyway.

Like someone said he will get a big turn out because he was a popular chap back then and it looks like nothing has changed.

You will be missed Kev despite the hard times you seem to have fallen on since i knew you.

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kala woody says...
8:52pm Wed 20 Feb 13

I have known this kind soul all my life he never had a bad word to say about anyone, his life has been hard from day one he didn't blame anyone for this just accepted it.. We as in his family and friends Will remember Kevin as he was and not how society seen him at his worst.. We Will remember you with a smile and memories of the real Kevin conleith dunne rip Mr dunne

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LocalBob80 says...
9:01pm Wed 20 Feb 13

It is very offensive, i agree, people think they can talk about things they have never had to experience....


Unfortunately some people, Tim Newroman in particular seem to feel their opinion is ALL that people want to hear.

Delusions of grandeur and condescension to others seem to take precedence over common courtesy and consideration towards others.

I last met this chap near the town hall.
He asked (friendly and politely) if he could have a chip cos he was starving.

I let him have the bag. He did seem very pleasant.
RIP

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Sashstaff says...
10:06pm Wed 20 Feb 13

RIP Codge x

Very few of the 'original lot' around now, so sad.

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mandy woodward says...
10:09pm Wed 20 Feb 13

i have had the pleasure of knowing Kevin and his family all my life, this is a very sad time for them and us , such a loss to us all , he was a well loved man to all who knew him , R.I.P Codge xx

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kala woody says...
10:35pm Wed 20 Feb 13

mandy woodward wrote:
i have had the pleasure of knowing Kevin and his family all my life, this is a very sad time for them and us , such a loss to us all , he was a well loved man to all who knew him , R.I.P Codge xx
Well said miss woodward x

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christine01 says...
9:43am Thu 21 Feb 13

can't believe you are gone :( you are going to be missed so much by all of us (family) and your many many friends love u so much xxxxxxxxx R.I.P Uncle Codge (will miss our belching competitions lol) XXXXXXXXXXXXX

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christine01 says...
9:46am Thu 21 Feb 13

yes, please take your argument elsewhere!!!

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Localboy86 says...
11:33am Thu 21 Feb 13

So sad, really does show that u shouldn't Judge a book by its cover. He was always very polite and friendly whenever I bumped into him. God bless

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mandy woodward says...
12:26pm Thu 21 Feb 13

christine01 wrote:
yes, please take your argument elsewhere!!!
Well said mate x

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Tim Newroman says...
2:26pm Thu 21 Feb 13

Localboy86 wrote:
So sad, really does show that u shouldn't Judge a book by its cover. He was always very polite and friendly whenever I bumped into him. God bless
What do you mean? He looks like a decent chap from the photo.

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adver says...
4:00pm Fri 22 Feb 13

At Tim & Gina it clearly states at the very beginning of the story which is the deceased!!!!!?

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RICHARDPIKE says...
7:54pm Fri 22 Feb 13

The one ON THE left is codger. Rip

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DarrenSTFCRomain says...
7:34pm Sun 24 Feb 13

R.I.P Mate...
WHAT A MAN..Very very Funny. Very clever and always had that smile on your face
We all had a good laugh as kids when you were in Whitworth rd.. You had a lot less than others but you had the love from a fantastic family...

You will always be in the hearts of your old freinds..
Still cant believe your gone..

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