A Defence Forces veterans’ charity has been approved of a €1m grant for the development in Cork city of a hostel to help ex-servicemen who have fallen on hard times.

Cork City Council advanced the grant to the charity ONE, the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann) which provides accommodation to veterans, who otherwise would be homeless and runs a network of Veteran Support Centres.

ONE also provides comradeship, advocacy services and in the remembrance of Irish Veterans for example the Cork Harbour tragedy of 1942 which Afloat reported of commemorations that took place last weekend involving the Naval Service.

On Monday, the €1m grant was formally approved by city councillors and follows the Department of Housing's funding application from ONE to provide funding for the hostel that will use a former HSE owned building.

The building has lain vacant for a long time and the property is located in the St. Lukes area of the city's northside at 92 Ballyhooley Road.

According to the Irish Examiner, which has more on the story, the grant from Cork City Council will enable ONE to carry out a renovation programme to facilitate the installation of six one-bed units at the premises.

As Afloat reported last year, ONE opened another hostel outside the city in Cobh, Cork Harbour which has accommodation for five ex-service personnel.