The annual Christmas fundraising event by students of Belvedere College in Dublin has raised nearly €90,000 for the homeless - almost double what was raised last year.
A spokeswoman for the school said the controversy surrounding the school's decision to cancel its annual Christmas sleep-out at College Green due to fears the students may be attacked raised the profile of the campaign.
Students believed the money they collected would make them a target, although the event has been trouble free in the past.
A 4th year student of the college, John Gallagher, said the reaction from the public to the news that the sleep-out was being cancelled was amazing.
"We had people phoning and writing into the school, giving their support. That support was one of the main reasons behind it going ahead in the end. It [the sleep-over] is going for 16 years. It is as much a Dublin Christmas institution as the panto".
As an alternative, sixth-year students slept out in the school grounds but collected outside the Bank of Ireland building at College Green during the evening and morning. Former pupils held their annual sleep-out at the GPO.
The money raised will go to homeless charities. The boys' homeless shelter in Dublin run by Jesuit priest Father Peter McVerry will get €60,000; Focus Ireland will receive €24,154; and the Los Angeles Society for the homeless will get €5,000.
Students also held a concert at Whelan's of Wexford Street.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/64c7504b-f9dd-4cbf-ad7c-534bbb1857e7.png)