The group arose in response to a serious shortage of affordable housing, in a time when a large number of properties standing empty.

In response, supporters marched every night from the General Post Office to Mountjoy prison during and 400 people blocked O’Connell Street Bridge on 20 January.

[2] Eventually after a large demonstration with a march to the Lord Mayor's residence at Mansion House he was released from prison and went on to help support an extensive program of squatting in private-owner properties.

[1] Denis Dennehy's position as secretary was then taken over by another homeless member, Eamonn O'Fearghail, who along with other families was squatting in private property on Pembroke Road, opposite the American Embassy.

The act criminalised squatting and faced with increased repressions and the political challenges of the Troubles the group splintered.

[1] Other prominent members were Sean MacStiofain (who would later join "Provisional" Sinn Féin after its 1970 split), Seán Ó Cionnaith, Proinsias De Rossa, and Eamonn McKenna (1936-2011) [8] who would join the Official Sinn Féin faction, Michael O'Riordan,[9] Máirín de Burca, Sam Nolan,[10] Margaret Gaj,[11] Bernard Brown (served as chairman) and Fr.

[12] The DHAC called for a housing emergency to be declared, a prohibition on demolishing sound living accommodation, and an immediate halt to the building of prestige office block projects.

[13] The latter organisation protested during a banquet held by the Taoiseach Jack Lynch, calling for Dennehy's release.