Mr Des Hirsch (58) has lived in his car since August last year. Parked on the seafront in Dublin, his black Mazda is spotlessly clean inside and out, and space is scrupulously managed.
"I have my duvet in the back seat and a few essentials like clothes and washing things. I have a radio here. It's my own place, however humble," he says cheerfully.
A former sales manager for a bakery, the well-spoken man lost his job when he was diagnosed with probable epilepsy three years ago and could no longer drive.
He had been living in rented accommodation, but lost this when his landlord decided to sell the house. He was given two weeks' notice.
"I hadn't a chance to find a new place with no job. I rang an old friend, Mary, and stayed with her for six months."
In the meantime, he had been in touch with Dublin City Council. But it took the housing section six months to recognise him as homeless because he would not access emergency accommodation, preferring to live in his car.
"And it's impossible to get accommodation because the private landlords at the cheaper end won't accept welfare cheques. It's the old cliché - you can't get an address without a job and you can't get a job without an address."
University-educated, Mr Hirsch has applied for numerous jobs, but because of his age, medical situation and homelessness he has been unsuccessful.
He is confident that he will get accommodation eventually, having been accepted on to the housing waiting list for senior citizens.
