Facebook user slammed after criticising homeless man at Ballina Woolworths

A keyboard warrior who had a crack at a well-known North Coast homeless man has been slammed as “gutless” and a “twat” after an anonymous post drew ire from the community.

A keyboard warrior who criticised a well-known Ballina homeless man has been slammed as “gutless” and a “twat” after an anonymous post drew ire from the community.

The Facebook post on Sunday, aimed at a homeless man camped out the front of Woolworths Ballina on River St, attracted over 130 heated comments.

The post read: “Curious about the man that ‘lives’ next to Woolies on River St. I pass by several mornings every week at 6.30am on my way to work,” they wrote.

“It went from a few bags to three trolleys, and today three trolleys and six garbage bags full of stuff. On the way home at 3pm it was still there. How is this allowed to continue?”

A homeless man camped out the front of the Woolworths store on Ballina’s River St has been backed by the community after he was criticised. Picture: Supplied

Ballina resident Mark Ross rushed to the homeless man’s defence and urged people to think twice before passing judgment.

“This absolute gentleman’s name is Tony. He does not smoke or do drugs. He loves a chat and is so polite,” he said.

“The reason he has three trolleys is because people donate food and items to him. Obviously Woolworths and Ballina Police don’t (mind) otherwise he would have been moved on by now.”

Mr Ross said he had spoken with Tony nearly every day for close to three months.

“Seriously you have nothing better to do than worry this is a bad image. Next time buy him a coffee and listen to his story. He might open your eyes,” he said.

Mr Ross said the critic “should have kept it to themselves rather than shaming on social media”.

Other users were not so polite, slamming the original post as “gutless”.

Lo Cudan wrote: “Another twat that hides behind the ‘anonymous participant’. Thanks for sharing, and yes – gutless.”

1,623 people were counted as sleeping rough across NSW in February. Picture: Glenn Campbell/NcaNewsWire

Mim O’Grady added: “So many stories like this. How have we become such a selfish, heartless collective? No-one chooses to be homeless.”

Nada Muches said Tony was “a lovely man”. Others said they had donated food to him.

Madonna White wrote: “People never think that one day they might be down on their luck. For Christ’s sake have a bit of compassion and empathy.”

Another user said the person complaining needed to “stop bitching” and “sick of the Karen’s in this world.

Homelessness advocate John Lee, of Tweed Heads-based charity You Have A Friend, echoed a similar sentiment.

You Have a Friend founder John Lee has been helping the homeless in Tweed and Coolangatta for years.

“This kind of attitude is terrible, especially in the lead-up to Christmas,” he told NewsLocal.

“It’s horrendous and a hell of a shame that people can’t empathise. These people (the homeless) are forced to stay awake at night for fear of being bashed, and have to sleep in during the day.”

Mr Lee said the person who criticised the homeless man “should try sleeping rough on the streets one night to see how it feels”.

Mr Lee was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2021 for his service to the community.

According to a 2023 statewide NSW government street count from February 2-27, 1,623 people were counted sleeping rough – a 34 per cent (416 person) increase compared to 2022.

The increase has likely been a result of Australia’s growing cost of living and rental crisis, the worst in recent memory.