Evening Echo » Deirdre O’Reilly

SVP boss wants Third World cash used for feeding our poor

Deirdre O'Reilly — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:59:30 +0000

THE Government should divert some of the money it sends to the needy in Third World countries to help feed ‘our own’.
That’s according to regional vice president of St Vincent De Paul, Brendan Dempsey, who has accused the Government of being ‘completely unaware of the suffering and desperation of people’ here.
The charity’s annual report for 2012 reveals they spent 7.8 million in the city and county helping people in need last year.
“The crisis isn’t easing one bit. If anything, it’s getting worse,” he said.
as he called on the Government to divert some of the funding to help the needy overseas, to ‘feed our own.’ He also said that 30 families in the city relied totally on the charity as they are not entitled to anything from the State.
“These are tradesmen who were self-employed and are not entitled to social welfare, business men and women who used to employ staff, pay income tax, rates and many other taxes; the odd ex-millionaire who has lost everything. Many of these people went bust because they could not collect the tens of thousands of euro owed to them by big contracting companies,” said Mr Dempsey, who also highlighted the plight of young people who are returning from abroad and who are not entitled to anything from the State.
The charity boss has now called on the Government to divert some overseas funding to them.
“I’m asking the Government to divert just a little of the monies being spent supporting the unfortunate poor in Third World countries and just feed our own. I am not asking for social welfare for them, just food, that’s all,” said Mr. Dempsey.
St Vincent De Paul now estimates that up to 3,000 in the city alone are in receipt of their assistance.
“Some of these families need our help just once or twice a year, while others need it more regularly,” said Mr Dempsey.
The charity has also reported an increase in the number of people coming to them for help with fuel costs because of the prolonged winter; has helped students with food and accommodation and those whose families who have been unable to pay registration fees.
“We’re inundated with calls and are busier now in middle class and affluent areas than in working class areas.”
The 7.8m figure includes the cost of running its two shelters which provide 120 beds every night.
In 2012 the charity spent 6 million, excluding the cost of running the shelters, and in 2011 its costs for the year were
5.5 million.

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Our 1,500km trek to support Munster

Deirdre O'Reilly — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:09:34 +0000

THREE GENERATIONS of one Cork family are pulling out all the stops are travelling 1,500km on land and sea to make sure they’re in Montpellier tomorrow to shout on Munster when they take on Clermont in the Heineken Cup semi-final.
Paul O’Byrne, his parents Monica and Don, and his 13-year-old son Craig left their home in Riverstick at 3pm yesterday to begin the epic journey to Stade De La Mosson.
The first leg of their journey took them from Cork to Rosslare. Next, they boarded the 9.30pm Celtic Link Ferry to Cherbourg which was due to arrive in France at 4.30pm this afternoon. (friday). “It’s a long ferry journey but we’ll play cards and read the Echo and we’ll be grand,” said Paul, just before he embarked on the trip yesterday.
The family were to spend tonight driving south and expected to arrive in Montpellier at 1am tomorrow morning — with enough time to get some rest before the 5pm match start.
“It’s a long journey but hopefully it will be worth it. It’s motorway all the way, so it should be grand,” said Paul.
Paul, who is a big Munster supporter, has followed Paul O’Connell and the team for many years.
“I’ve been to a few Heineken Cup semi finals and finals, so it would have been a shame to miss this,” he said.
The family got a special deal for the cars, cabins as passengers for 200.
“Flights would have cost us between 400 and 500 each, so we couldn’t leave the opportunity go. I know it’s a long journey but that’s half the fun of these things. We’re looking forward to the journey and the match,” he added.
Meanwhile, keeping the home fires burning in Riverstick are Paul’s wife Rachel and two other sons Harry and Rowan.
Paul and his family are among an estimated 8,000 Munster fans marching on Montpellier.
Seven flights will leave Ireland tomorrow — three departing from Cork, two from Shannon and two from Dublin.
If Munster win they’ll secure a place for themselves in the final which will be played in the Aviva in Dublin.

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SVP boss slams State debt service

Deirdre O'Reilly — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:10:11 +0000

THE new personal insolvency service announced yesterday by the Government has been described as ‘doing nothing for those in need’ by a leading Cork charity.
Brendan Dempsey of St Vincent De Paul has criticised the new service for what he described as ‘keeping power in the hands of the banks’.
The Insolvency Service of Ireland has produced a number of guidelines in which people in debt are allowed live within once an agreement between them and their creditors has been reached. A single adult living alone will be allowed 900 a month to live, while two adults with four children and a car are expected to live on 1,359.67.
Other guidelines for a single adult include 31 a month for healthcare, 12.22 for home insurance and a person is also expected to put aside 43.33 a month in savings.
Other guidelines allow for car and home insurance, but not private health insurance. However, it may be included in certain circumstances. And a car will be allowed if there is not an adequate public transport system available. However, people will not be expected to give up their job where childcare exceeds wages. Reacting to the guidelines, Brendan Dempsey said they were pandering to the banks.
“This is just going to squeeze people further. People are coming to us because they simply cannot exist and if they lived for four or five lifetimes they would still not be able to pay back what they owe. These people didn’t live beyond their means, but now they have no means to live. And it’s the banks who are once again the winners.”
However, Lorcan O’Connor of the Insolvency Service of Ireland believes the guidelines will give people reasonable living expenses: “In my mind these guidelines are positive for debtors and act as a level of protection. People will not live at a level of luxury but will also not live in subsistence. They identify needs, not wants.” “These guidelines do not micro manage debtors, they give people a second chance and are an important stepping stone to getting debt down.”
Fianna Fáil finance spokesman Michael McGrath said; “The banks will still be in control and will have the final say, and that a fundamental mistake.”
For further information on the Insolvency Service of Ireland contact www.isi.gov.ie.

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Cork to get post natal depression hospital unit

Deirdre O'Reilly — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:21:28 +0000

CORK is on track to have the country’s first hospital unit specifically for women with Post Natal Depression (PND).
Minister of State Kathleen Lynch confirmed that as part of the new psychiatric unit at Cork University Hospital, it’s proposed that a two bed unit be set aside for mothers with PND, which importantly, will allow mothers keep their babies with them.
“I have been speaking with management in CUH and they have informed me that two beds could be put aside if needed for women with Post Natal Depression. Something is needed because there is nothing there at the moment,” said Minister Lynch. “As long as it is determined that a woman needs to be hospitalised, she will get the care she needs and crucially she will be able to keep her baby with her which is vitally important for the bonding process between mother and baby. And the new unit will also be on the same campus as the maternity hospital,” she added.
The campaign for a dedicated unit has been spearheaded by Madge Fogarty who founded PND Ireland in Cork in 1992.

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Priest poster is turning heads

Deirdre O'Reilly — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:05:40 +0000

The priesthood is getting a whole new look thanks to its latest poster boy.
The Vatican may have ‘Gorgeous George’, Archbishop George Ganswein, who graced the front cover of Vanity Fair magazine, but the Cork and Ross Diocese has a brand new poster boy, who is turning heads in churches the length and breadth of Cork. As part of its advertising campaign to attract men to the priesthood, the Diocese has put up a poster in a number of churches giving information on a upcoming vocations day.
However, the poster is drawing a lot of attention from the fairer of the species due to the ‘easy on the eye’ looks of the young man gracing it.
However the good news for the legion of admiring fans is that the handsome young man in the poster isn’t a priest, he is a model.
The poster is advertising an information day aimed at men who are thinking of joining the priesthood, which takes place tomorrow at Ennismore Retreat Centre, Montenotte. Representatives from the diocese will be available to speak to anyone who would like to go along, in confidence between 10am and 4pm.
There are currently five seminarians training for the priesthood from the diocese of Cork and Ross. This compares with a figure of between 15 and 20, 25 years ago.
Cork and Ross diocesan Secretary, Fr Tom Deenihan said the aim of the information day is to answer questions people might have.
“If someone feels they are being called to the priesthood they should explore the matter further with their own parish priest or at this information day.
“This affords them the opportunity to do that in a relaxed and informal setting. Joining the priesthood is a permanent commitment, but no more than married life.
“While vocations are down dramatically, there is a steady stream of people who make enquiries. Some decide to progress and others don’t. This information day is about answering questions,” said Fr Deenihan.
For further details contact Fr Tom Deenihan on (021) 4301717 or Fr Bertie O’Mahony on (021) 4371684 or e-mail: secretary@corkand ross.org.

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‘One tablespoon of blood can help save a baby’s life’

Deirdre O'Reilly — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:00:51 +0000

AN APPEAL has been made for extra blood donations to cater for demand caused by the bank holiday weekend just past and the Easter one ahead.
With St Patrick’s weekend just gone and Easter weekend ahead, the Irish Blood Transfusion Board has appealed to existing and new donors to give blood.
“We are particularly low on O-Positive, O-Negative and A-Negative,” said Ann O’Donovan, donor recruitment manager for the southern area. While a unit of blood has a shelf life of 35 days, fresh blood is always needed for babies.
“We always give babies fresh blood and a tablespoon of blood can save a baby’s life,” said Ann, “so we’re appealing to people to make a special effort and all donations are so appreciated and so necessary.
“There is always demand for blood around bank holiday weekends and we also have two less days over two weeks for donor clinics, so all donations are appreciated,” she added.
While stocks of some blood groups are low, stocks of others aren’t.
“Stocks of AB Positive are adequate at the moment so we’re advising donors of that group to delay giving blood,” said Ann. In recent years blood donations have been affected by the increase in emigration: “A lot of our younger donors have left the country and this is having a huge impact on us, so we’re now looking for new donors,” added Ann.
Clinics will be held this week at the Blood Donor Clinic which is located on the grounds of St Finbarr’s Hospital, Douglas Road;
Today:uesday:     1.30pm to 8pm;
Wednesday:     8am to 2pm;
Thursday:     1.30pm to 8pm;
Further clinics will be held in the Abbey Hotel in Ballyvourney today Tuesday from 5pm to 8.30pm and in the Parkway Hotel in Dunmanway on Wednesday and Thursday from 5pm to 8.30pm. For further information contact (021) 4807400, 1850-731 137 or www.giveblood.ie.

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A Pope of Hope

Deirdre O'Reilly — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:57:38 +0000

CORK’S bishops and religious leaders today described the election of Pope Francis I as ‘ground-breaking’ and ‘a time of hope’.
The Catholic Church’s surprising new leader from “the end of the earth,” Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is the first Pontiff from the New World, the first non-European since the Middle Ages, the first Pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit and the first named Francis, after St Francis of Assisi.
The 76-year-old archbishop of Buenos Aires celebrated his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel as Pope today ahead of his inaugural Mass next Tuesday in the Vatican, which will be attended by President Michael D Higgins and Minister Michael Noonan.
Bishop of Cork and Ross Dr John Buckley said he was most impressed by the new Pope’s words after his election last night.
“I was impressed with the way he invited people to pray for him and pray with him and then led the crowd in prayer,” said the bishop., who believes the Church can only be renewed through prayer.
Bishop Buckley said he was also impressed by the simple life Cardinal Bergoglio lived as archbishop
“He is a man of simplicity and humility. I pray that the Pontificate of Francis will be a long and happy one and that he will succeed in bringing the people close to god.”
Bishop of Cloyne William Crean, who took over the diocese in January, said: “On behalf of the priests and the people of Cloyne, I warmly welcome the election of Pope Francis. As the first Latin American Pope, he is already breaking new ground. We look forward with prayer, faith and confidence to a new phase for the Church and Papacy.”
Fr Bill Bermingham in Blarney said the new Pope’s simple lifestyle and work with the poor would resonate well during tough economic times.
“I was very happy that a Jesuit was chosen. Jesuits have contributed a great deal to the Church in terms of their intellect and also their work with the poor. I think Pope Francis will bring a simplicity of life to the Church.
“We all need to realise the mistakes of the past. We need good, humble, strong and wise leadership.”

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You’re In My Heart Always

Deirdre O'Reilly — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 08:39:57 +0000

“YOU’RE in my heart always. Mommy” — those were the heartbreaking words written on a wreath by Rebecca McCarthy, as she said goodbye to her three-year-old daughter and husband who were laid to rest yesterday.
Clarissa, aged three, was buried in the arms of her father, Martin aged 50, in a single oak coffin, in a family plot in Schull, amid heartbreaking scenes.
Their bodies were recovered from the water at Audley Cove, near Ballydehob, just yards from the family home on Wednesday.
Martin took the life of his daughter, then his own.
Another wreath from the Schull Parent and Toddler Group reminded mourners of the young life lost, and read; “To Clarissa. You brightened up our lives. We will miss your smile.”
A beautiful picture of Clarissathe smiling child was placed on top of the coffin. Among the gifts brought to the altar included a little black and white cuddly toy lamb, a bronze statuette of a man and a dog, and two framed pictures.
Chief celebrant of the funeral Mass, Fr Tony O’Mahony said there were no words or actions that can help Rebecca or Martin’s family come to terms with the tragedy.
“Although God did not call Clarissa and Martin, now they are with him. He will not turn them away, he will look after them.”

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Funding announced to open 20-bed unit at Marymount

Deirdre O'Reilly — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:20:24 +0000

FUNDING has been secured to open a 20-bed unit at Marymount Hospice that had been closed due to lack of funding.
Despite opening 18-months ago just 24 of the hospice’s 44 beds had been operational until now.
The remaining 20 beds, which are on a closed floor, were unable to open due to a shortage in funding.
However, ahead of the HSE announcing its Service Plan this afternoon, it emerged that the funding had been secured and the 20 beds would open this year.
Chief Executive Officer of Marymount, Kevin O’Dwyer described it as fantastic news. “It was a shame to see the place empty for so long, so this is great news. We have been negotiating with the HSE for some time. It now means that the people who need our services will get the care that is most appropriate for their condition. The people are there for these beds and are currently being cared for either at home or in acute hospitals,” said Kevin.
Agriculture minister Simon Coveney, who had urged the HSE to make this a priority, described the announcement as very positive.
“This is a phenomenal facility run by brilliant people. So many people have spent valuable periods of their lives there and we simply had to address the fact that a whole floor couldn’t open because the money wasn’t there. The people who deserve the credit for this announcement are the people in Maymount and the HSE,” said Minister Coveney.
A third palliative care consultant is also to be appointed which will be shared between Marymount, CUH and Mallow General Hospital. This will enable a satellite community base for the north Cork are to now provide services.

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Callous thieves take gold cross and relic

Deirdre O'Reilly — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:16:32 +0000

A CORK priest has appealed to thieves who took a relic, right, from a church to return it as soon as possible.
Canon Dan Crowley has urged the people who took a relic from St Patrick’s Church on Lower Glanmire Road to return it to its home. The relic — which is encased in a gold cross — was taken last Thursday afternoon at around 2pm and there has been no sight of it since.
“This has been in the church since the 1970s and we’re all very distressed and disappointed about this.
“It has caused a lot of sadness to people who come to pray and worship. We all have a sense of loss,” said Canon Crowley.
The relic was in a cross, which was stored in a locked cabinet near the altar. It is around eight inches high and four inches wide. It has four green stones in the centre of it.
The Latin inscription on the cross is ‘Ex oss. S. Patriti Ep’ and it is fixed to a timber base.
“We would love to have the relic back. We’d also love to have the cross back but more importantly we’d love to have the relic back. I’m appealing to the people who took is to return it out of love and back into our keeping,” said Canon Crowley.
Anyone with anyone information is asked to contact Mayfield gardaí (021) 4558510.

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