Humanity’s continuing war on animals is going well, according to the latest UN Extinction Index. Half the world’s 634 species of primates are dying out.
‘The situation is even better than we imagined,’ said Francesco Bellotti, President of Humans First, Think Later. ‘We’re killing species we’ve never even heard of.’
'Not even the most hardened animalist will shed a tear for the grey-shanked langur or the pygathrix cinerea – because until now no one had ever heard of them. Same goes for red colobus.’
‘Fifty years isn’t much in the life of the Earth – but it’s a heck of a lot when people work together.’
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
HSE’s new accidental death service
The HSE has begun manufacturing mercy wheelchairs. The first beneficiary was Beatrice Tuite (61) of St Laurence’s Nursing Home, Portlaoise. Ms Tuite suffered from dementia.
The Irish Times reported: ‘The chair was specially made for Ms Tuite and was supplied by the HSE, following assessment by an occupational therapist, with a belt around the waist to prevent her from falling out of the chair.’ Ms Tuite died of asphyxiation when her neck became caught in the safety belt, as planned.
The HSE strongly emphasised that the mercy wheelchairs were ‘not euthanasia by another name.’
The HSE has said: ‘for those without the means to travel to the Netherlands or Antwerp, the accidental death service provides another path.'
Elderly people with dementia, Alzheimers and depression can apply for the wheelchair upon consultation with a GP.
The Irish Times reported: ‘The chair was specially made for Ms Tuite and was supplied by the HSE, following assessment by an occupational therapist, with a belt around the waist to prevent her from falling out of the chair.’ Ms Tuite died of asphyxiation when her neck became caught in the safety belt, as planned.
The HSE strongly emphasised that the mercy wheelchairs were ‘not euthanasia by another name.’
The HSE has said: ‘for those without the means to travel to the Netherlands or Antwerp, the accidental death service provides another path.'
Elderly people with dementia, Alzheimers and depression can apply for the wheelchair upon consultation with a GP.
John O Shea on the Olympics
The first of Jizzwaxrainbow's sixty second interviews is with Goal chief executive John O Shea:
- Which do you prefer, rural or urban poverty?
- At the moment defintely rural.
- If you had to choose between helping the poor, the very poor, and the poorest of the poor, who would you choose?
- The poorest of the poor every time.
- Why do you think Minister Martin Cullen’s attendence at the Olympics is deplorable?
- Because the Chinese commit human rights abuses, particularly in Tibet, which is more evocative than its abuses in lesser known provinces.
- And where would you host the Olympics instead?
- Well I think we have to rule out a lot of places, but Ireland would be an obvious choice, though we don’t have the resources. Iceland is unsullied with human rights abuses, but it is rather small, and Finland can be quite dark. Ideally, the Olympics would be held in small countries oppressed by poverty, with the rich, tainted nations funding the whole enterprise. Until then, I think it should be held in Canada.
- Which do you prefer, rural or urban poverty?
- At the moment defintely rural.
- If you had to choose between helping the poor, the very poor, and the poorest of the poor, who would you choose?
- The poorest of the poor every time.
- Why do you think Minister Martin Cullen’s attendence at the Olympics is deplorable?
- Because the Chinese commit human rights abuses, particularly in Tibet, which is more evocative than its abuses in lesser known provinces.
- And where would you host the Olympics instead?
- Well I think we have to rule out a lot of places, but Ireland would be an obvious choice, though we don’t have the resources. Iceland is unsullied with human rights abuses, but it is rather small, and Finland can be quite dark. Ideally, the Olympics would be held in small countries oppressed by poverty, with the rich, tainted nations funding the whole enterprise. Until then, I think it should be held in Canada.
Graveyard ‘a cradle of Irish history’
Glasnevin cemetery is to be revamped in the lead-up to the 1916 centenary. Home to O' Connell, Parnell, DeValera and Collins, the State hopes to turn it into one of the great world cemeteries.
An tasteful interpretive centre is planned. There will also be a small café featuring staff dressed as some of the cemetery’s most famous inhabitants.
The Government has commissioned models from Dublin’s now defunct Wax Works. They will be placed either above the gravestones of the notable dead, or will be assembled in a small museum adjacent to the café.
The plan was initiated in 2006 and preparatory work began yesterday. It is due to be completed by early 2016.
An tasteful interpretive centre is planned. There will also be a small café featuring staff dressed as some of the cemetery’s most famous inhabitants.
The Government has commissioned models from Dublin’s now defunct Wax Works. They will be placed either above the gravestones of the notable dead, or will be assembled in a small museum adjacent to the café.
The plan was initiated in 2006 and preparatory work began yesterday. It is due to be completed by early 2016.
New buzzword unveiled for 2009 – 2014
‘Security of supply’ has beaten off contenders to become the buzzphrase of the next five years.
The phrase will be used by the media to cover topics from biofuels, the Meath pylons saga and Russian gas supplies to former Soviet dependents. Sociologists and literary critics will adopt the forumla within three years.
Since 1998, a phrase or word has been awarded special status in Ireland for a five year period. The outgoing winner was ‘feelgood factor.’
The win was announced last night in the Conrad Hotel, Dublin, by Longford model Edel Coakley, who represented Parity of Esteem between 1998 and 2003.
The phrase will be used by the media to cover topics from biofuels, the Meath pylons saga and Russian gas supplies to former Soviet dependents. Sociologists and literary critics will adopt the forumla within three years.
Since 1998, a phrase or word has been awarded special status in Ireland for a five year period. The outgoing winner was ‘feelgood factor.’
The win was announced last night in the Conrad Hotel, Dublin, by Longford model Edel Coakley, who represented Parity of Esteem between 1998 and 2003.
Dublin Bus fare hikes likely
As the price of oil drops yet again, Dublin Bus fears its fuel costs will double to €37 million next year. Oil fell today to $118 a barrel.
Meanwhile, a report has shown that inefficiencies in the banking practices of the HSE have added a further €20m onto its annual costs.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has denied his Department could do with the money. Mr Dempsey was attending the opening of the Park West & Cherry Orchard rail line yesterday, and initially refused to be drawn on the issue.
But reporters put it to him that he had asked Health Minister Mary Harney to ‘slap a few heads together.’
The Minister, posing for good news photographs with the Chairman of Iarnrod Eireann Dr John Lynch, said: ‘I made, and will make, no representations to the Minister for Health. Furthermore, what Dublin Bus gets up to is its own business. If you will excuse me, I am busy looking at the big picture.’
Dublin Bus’ revenue in 2007 was €200.4 million, an increase of 6% from 2006.
Meanwhile, a report has shown that inefficiencies in the banking practices of the HSE have added a further €20m onto its annual costs.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has denied his Department could do with the money. Mr Dempsey was attending the opening of the Park West & Cherry Orchard rail line yesterday, and initially refused to be drawn on the issue.
But reporters put it to him that he had asked Health Minister Mary Harney to ‘slap a few heads together.’
The Minister, posing for good news photographs with the Chairman of Iarnrod Eireann Dr John Lynch, said: ‘I made, and will make, no representations to the Minister for Health. Furthermore, what Dublin Bus gets up to is its own business. If you will excuse me, I am busy looking at the big picture.’
Dublin Bus’ revenue in 2007 was €200.4 million, an increase of 6% from 2006.
Fintan O Tooles of the future
The deadline for submissions and objections for the Dublin Docklands €4.5bn regeneration plan has been extended. Due to end tomorrow, citizens now have until September 23rd to view the display.
The Authority has particularly requested Dubliners between the ages of five and thirty-five to view the plans, because in thirty years’ time ‘they’ll be the ones cribbing about the lack of thought that went into the project.’
‘I swear to God,’ said Dan Culleton of the DDDA, ‘There’ll be this wrong and that wrong and why wasn’t that done better. Now’s your chance.'
The Authority has particularly requested Dubliners between the ages of five and thirty-five to view the plans, because in thirty years’ time ‘they’ll be the ones cribbing about the lack of thought that went into the project.’
‘I swear to God,’ said Dan Culleton of the DDDA, ‘There’ll be this wrong and that wrong and why wasn’t that done better. Now’s your chance.'
This time last year
This time last year the Sunday Independent ran a headline story: 'Cowen still secluded in Algarve on a long weekend break as crisis looms over economy.'
There were 'growing concerns at the rapid deterioration of the economy...mounting calls last night for his return...market turmoil, record high unemployment' and 'housing completion drop by 25%.'
A year on the Sunday Independent's headline was 'Cabinet goes on holidays as crisis worsens.'
Last year Richard Bruton said Mr Cowen's was a ‘cavalier attitude’. This year the Fine Gael finance spokesman said: 'What we are seeing is the latest thread of economic policy unravelling as a result of four years of soft option decision- making by Brian Cowen and the Department of Finance.' In 1998 Mr Bruton made the following remarks: 'FF is repeatedly taking the soft option.'
A secretary to Mr Fanning said: 'The summer crisis-Cabinet on holidays story is an annual - and immensely popular - one, run between the Galway races and the second week in August. This has been the case since 1986.'
There were 'growing concerns at the rapid deterioration of the economy...mounting calls last night for his return...market turmoil, record high unemployment' and 'housing completion drop by 25%.'
A year on the Sunday Independent's headline was 'Cabinet goes on holidays as crisis worsens.'
Last year Richard Bruton said Mr Cowen's was a ‘cavalier attitude’. This year the Fine Gael finance spokesman said: 'What we are seeing is the latest thread of economic policy unravelling as a result of four years of soft option decision- making by Brian Cowen and the Department of Finance.' In 1998 Mr Bruton made the following remarks: 'FF is repeatedly taking the soft option.'
A secretary to Mr Fanning said: 'The summer crisis-Cabinet on holidays story is an annual - and immensely popular - one, run between the Galway races and the second week in August. This has been the case since 1986.'
Pity the four hundred in Chad
Our troops in Chad have been suffering since their arrival last April because their camp’s sewerage system is not working properly. At present, it is fifty degrees in the shade and the stench is appalling. Engineers have identified a problem with the system’s decanter but have been unable to fix the apparatus.
Lt Gen Earley has assured the four hundred troops that more engineers are on the way. ‘We are lucky to have people who understand and who are committed to doing the very best that they can with the resources available,’ he said.
To make matters worse, the refugee camp for displaced people neighbours the Irish base. This complex has no sewerage system.
Viral infections are rampant among our troops, as the wind picks up faecal matter and circulates it around the base.
Defence Minister Willie O’Dea returned from a brief visit to Chad on July 30, but said nothing about the sewerage problems.
2 ½ billion people have no access to basic toilet facilities. Until recently, none of them was Irish.
Lt Gen Earley has assured the four hundred troops that more engineers are on the way. ‘We are lucky to have people who understand and who are committed to doing the very best that they can with the resources available,’ he said.
To make matters worse, the refugee camp for displaced people neighbours the Irish base. This complex has no sewerage system.
Viral infections are rampant among our troops, as the wind picks up faecal matter and circulates it around the base.
Defence Minister Willie O’Dea returned from a brief visit to Chad on July 30, but said nothing about the sewerage problems.
2 ½ billion people have no access to basic toilet facilities. Until recently, none of them was Irish.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Alcohol subsidy for Irish speakers
The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív, has unveiled a controversial new carrot for Irish speakers.
Mr Ó Cuív has announced subsidies of 50% on pints – provided Irish is spoken when drinking. The subsidy applies across the republic and will not discriminate against Gaeltacht areas.
To avail of the subsidy, however, drinkers must also switch to the as yet little known O Hara’s Stout.
‘This is because I’m not going to subsidise Diageo or any of the other merger and acquisitioners,’ the Minister said. ‘The O Hara brand is run by a few lads in Carlow. They’re the only ones left brewing in Ireland who are Irish owned and run. Even Beamish is gone. It’s a small outfit, but they’ve assured me they can brew more than enough to keep us going.’
Cabinet colleagues were taken aback at Mr Ó Cuív plans for financing the scheme, but his persuasiveness and clarity won the day.
He explained: ‘The EU made Irish the 23rd working language of the Union eighteen months ago, at a cost of €3.5m a year. But is anyone reading all that Brusselocracy as Gaeilge? No. Could that money be better spent? Yes. So I said, ditch Irish as a working language but continue to make the cash available to the cause. And they agreed. So the alcohol subsidies won’t cost the state a thing – at least in the early stages.’
The Irish Vintners Association welcomed the Minister’s initiative. It is hoped the scheme will give struggling pubs a welcome fillip.
If the programme goes well the Minister is expected to extend the idea to public transport, the health service and perhaps even the construction industry.
According to the 2002 census 40% of Irish people can speak Irish.
Mr Ó Cuív has announced subsidies of 50% on pints – provided Irish is spoken when drinking. The subsidy applies across the republic and will not discriminate against Gaeltacht areas.
To avail of the subsidy, however, drinkers must also switch to the as yet little known O Hara’s Stout.
‘This is because I’m not going to subsidise Diageo or any of the other merger and acquisitioners,’ the Minister said. ‘The O Hara brand is run by a few lads in Carlow. They’re the only ones left brewing in Ireland who are Irish owned and run. Even Beamish is gone. It’s a small outfit, but they’ve assured me they can brew more than enough to keep us going.’
Cabinet colleagues were taken aback at Mr Ó Cuív plans for financing the scheme, but his persuasiveness and clarity won the day.
He explained: ‘The EU made Irish the 23rd working language of the Union eighteen months ago, at a cost of €3.5m a year. But is anyone reading all that Brusselocracy as Gaeilge? No. Could that money be better spent? Yes. So I said, ditch Irish as a working language but continue to make the cash available to the cause. And they agreed. So the alcohol subsidies won’t cost the state a thing – at least in the early stages.’
The Irish Vintners Association welcomed the Minister’s initiative. It is hoped the scheme will give struggling pubs a welcome fillip.
If the programme goes well the Minister is expected to extend the idea to public transport, the health service and perhaps even the construction industry.
According to the 2002 census 40% of Irish people can speak Irish.
Judging Peig
Following the success of Judging Dev, historian Diarmuid Ferriter is to release the sequel, Judging Peig, this September.
Peig Sayers, who dictated her autobiography to her son in 1936, was a staple of the Irish school system, her descriptions of the austere life on the Blaskets a model for DeValerian Ireland. Peig was an early proponent of hardship literature.
But Mr Ferriter has discovered material which suggests she actually ran a brothel.
‘Perhaps an even more shocking discovery is that she was in fact not illiterate,’ according to a press release from the book’s publishers, the Royal Irish Academy.
Mr Ferriter has altered the landscape of Peig studies forever. We now know Pádraig Ó Guithín courted his young bride somewhat atypically. A newly discovered diary tells how he lured the young Peig to the Great Blasket with the promise of a porcelain music box. Something of an ingénue, she accompanied him in his curragh, only to be greeted by an island priest who married them instantly. The island was a very hostile environment for a non-native, and Peig had to toughen up to survive. She took over the local cat-house when the reigning madam died and by sheer dint of personality carved out a leading role in the community for herself.
‘All of this was airbrushed when Peig published her spartan stories of life on the island,' says Ferriter.
'Her son, Micheál, was said to be a gigolo who would never stand for the national anthem. After her death he and all her children emigrated to Massachusettes – a move we can now see as an attempt to start afresh.'
Judging Peig will be launched on September 14. RTÉ director general Cathal Goan is discussing with Mr Ferriter the possibility of a television series to partner the book.
Peig Sayers, who dictated her autobiography to her son in 1936, was a staple of the Irish school system, her descriptions of the austere life on the Blaskets a model for DeValerian Ireland. Peig was an early proponent of hardship literature.
But Mr Ferriter has discovered material which suggests she actually ran a brothel.
‘Perhaps an even more shocking discovery is that she was in fact not illiterate,’ according to a press release from the book’s publishers, the Royal Irish Academy.
Mr Ferriter has altered the landscape of Peig studies forever. We now know Pádraig Ó Guithín courted his young bride somewhat atypically. A newly discovered diary tells how he lured the young Peig to the Great Blasket with the promise of a porcelain music box. Something of an ingénue, she accompanied him in his curragh, only to be greeted by an island priest who married them instantly. The island was a very hostile environment for a non-native, and Peig had to toughen up to survive. She took over the local cat-house when the reigning madam died and by sheer dint of personality carved out a leading role in the community for herself.
‘All of this was airbrushed when Peig published her spartan stories of life on the island,' says Ferriter.
'Her son, Micheál, was said to be a gigolo who would never stand for the national anthem. After her death he and all her children emigrated to Massachusettes – a move we can now see as an attempt to start afresh.'
Judging Peig will be launched on September 14. RTÉ director general Cathal Goan is discussing with Mr Ferriter the possibility of a television series to partner the book.
Derailed talks deal Cowen a crushing blow
Taoiseach Brian Cowen was dealt another crushing blow this weekend following the collapse of talks with former Uachtarán Fianna Fail Bertie Ahern.
Mr Cowen, who had travelled to Fagan’s for the encounter, was trying to negotiate a return to power for the Drumcondraman. Talks broke down before closing time last night.
Mr Ahern initially seemed amenable to the idea of turning back the clock, and was particularly confident of his abilities to swing a yes vote in next February’s rerun of the Lisbon referendum, and to save the National Pay Talks.
But sources close to Mr Cowen say negotiations floundered when Mr Ahern insisted on a booming economy before he would retake the reigns. This was Mr Ahern’s only sine qua non.
The Taoiseach was taken aback by Mr Ahern’s doggedness on this issue, and is said to have met the request with repeated silences.
‘Unless the impasse is resolved, social partnership will be a thing of the past,’ said Labour leader Eamonn Gilmore. ‘We need Ahern at this crucial time. If he were to return, I can guarantee the Labour party - and I think i can say the Mulligar Entente - won't mention the 't' word.’
Fine Gael finance spokesman Richard Bruton said failure was ‘indicative of Brian Cowen.’
Mr Cowen, who had travelled to Fagan’s for the encounter, was trying to negotiate a return to power for the Drumcondraman. Talks broke down before closing time last night.
Mr Ahern initially seemed amenable to the idea of turning back the clock, and was particularly confident of his abilities to swing a yes vote in next February’s rerun of the Lisbon referendum, and to save the National Pay Talks.
But sources close to Mr Cowen say negotiations floundered when Mr Ahern insisted on a booming economy before he would retake the reigns. This was Mr Ahern’s only sine qua non.
The Taoiseach was taken aback by Mr Ahern’s doggedness on this issue, and is said to have met the request with repeated silences.
‘Unless the impasse is resolved, social partnership will be a thing of the past,’ said Labour leader Eamonn Gilmore. ‘We need Ahern at this crucial time. If he were to return, I can guarantee the Labour party - and I think i can say the Mulligar Entente - won't mention the 't' word.’
Fine Gael finance spokesman Richard Bruton said failure was ‘indicative of Brian Cowen.’
Celebrity Wheelchair User
RTÉ this morning unveiled the first of its new autumn programmes – Celebrity Wheelchair User.
Billed as a brand-new eight-part prime-time entertainment show for RTÉ One, it will combine the raw passion of wheelchair pushing with the glamorous world of celebrity.
Celebrity Wheelchair User takes eight Irish able-bodied personalities and throws them in at the deep end as they try to hail a taxi, enter pubs and restaurants and negotiate the ups and downs of footpaths within a specific time limit. Tasks must be performed as quickly as posible – and without any hiccups! Only the most skillful will make it to the final.
The pairs will perform their tasks in an Irish town of their choosing.
The line-up thus far:
Rosanna Davison will be pushed by Barry Egan
Brendan O Connor will be pushed by Aengus Fanning
Lisa Murphy will be pushed by Gerald Kean
Eddie O Sullivan will be pushed by Felipe Contepomi
Eoghan Harris will be pushed by Bertie Ahern
It is rumoured that Bono has agreed to push Ronnie Drew around Dalkey for the show’s bumper length finale.
Celebrity Wheelchair User broadcasts on RTÉ One on Sundays at 6.30pm from September 2nd. RTÉ brings you the best in broadcast entertainment.
Billed as a brand-new eight-part prime-time entertainment show for RTÉ One, it will combine the raw passion of wheelchair pushing with the glamorous world of celebrity.
Celebrity Wheelchair User takes eight Irish able-bodied personalities and throws them in at the deep end as they try to hail a taxi, enter pubs and restaurants and negotiate the ups and downs of footpaths within a specific time limit. Tasks must be performed as quickly as posible – and without any hiccups! Only the most skillful will make it to the final.
The pairs will perform their tasks in an Irish town of their choosing.
The line-up thus far:
Rosanna Davison will be pushed by Barry Egan
Brendan O Connor will be pushed by Aengus Fanning
Lisa Murphy will be pushed by Gerald Kean
Eddie O Sullivan will be pushed by Felipe Contepomi
Eoghan Harris will be pushed by Bertie Ahern
It is rumoured that Bono has agreed to push Ronnie Drew around Dalkey for the show’s bumper length finale.
Celebrity Wheelchair User broadcasts on RTÉ One on Sundays at 6.30pm from September 2nd. RTÉ brings you the best in broadcast entertainment.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Steve Staunton blamed for Lisbon failure
This week Fine Gael’s Maurice Hayes cut short attempts to scapegoat the Forum on Europe, which he chaired, for the Lisbon referendum result. The result is commonly referred to in political circles as ‘a failure.’
‘I wasn’t aware we were supposed to make up for the deficiencies of the education system,’ he said. The comment slipped under the No campaigners’ radar.
Meanwhile, relaxing in Tullamore’s Bridge House Hotel late last night, Taoiseach Brian Cowen confided his preferred scapegoat to barstaff.
‘I trusted Staunton to bring us to the Euros. You can do anything when the soccer’s on,’ he explained.
Two lounge-boys wiped tables and collected glasses in the vicinity as Mr Cowen continued:
‘Nice was rejected in June 2001. But then you had World Cup 2002. People were wetting their pants with anticipation. Sure they even voted us back in in May. We only got to the second round but the feelgood factor lasted till October, when we hit you with Nice Two.’
‘There was nothing like that this time around. My coming to power was good. All the photographs and handshakes. But it was no Saipan…’
‘I wasn’t aware we were supposed to make up for the deficiencies of the education system,’ he said. The comment slipped under the No campaigners’ radar.
Meanwhile, relaxing in Tullamore’s Bridge House Hotel late last night, Taoiseach Brian Cowen confided his preferred scapegoat to barstaff.
‘I trusted Staunton to bring us to the Euros. You can do anything when the soccer’s on,’ he explained.
Two lounge-boys wiped tables and collected glasses in the vicinity as Mr Cowen continued:
‘Nice was rejected in June 2001. But then you had World Cup 2002. People were wetting their pants with anticipation. Sure they even voted us back in in May. We only got to the second round but the feelgood factor lasted till October, when we hit you with Nice Two.’
‘There was nothing like that this time around. My coming to power was good. All the photographs and handshakes. But it was no Saipan…’
Fundraiser for Lawlor tribunal costs
Ms Justice Laffoy ruled this week that the Mahon tribunal cannot pursue Liam Lawlor’s estate for his debts. The costs, which total €430,000, seemed lost to the exchequer – until Taoiseach Brian Cowen called a hasty Cabinet meeting to discuss the best means of recouping the shortfall.
After some deliberation the Government decided to send four Ministers of State – Conor Lenihan, Pat Carey, Tony Killeen and Sean Haughey – on a fundraising walk in Nepal.
‘We hope not only to raise the €430,000 no longer owed by Liam,’ announced Mr Lenihan, ‘but to hit the €500,000 mark. The extra funds will be set aside for the coming revote on the Lisbon treaty.’
‘This money is badly needed,’ said Mr Cowen, laying special emphasis on the hoped for extra €70,000. ‘We were outspent by every party bar the Greens during the last referendum.
The Government team will walk around Nepal, which boasts eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, for two weeks in November, in return for which it will seek sponsorship from the public. Mr Cowen has urged all Cabinet Ministers to get knocking on doors now.
After some deliberation the Government decided to send four Ministers of State – Conor Lenihan, Pat Carey, Tony Killeen and Sean Haughey – on a fundraising walk in Nepal.
‘We hope not only to raise the €430,000 no longer owed by Liam,’ announced Mr Lenihan, ‘but to hit the €500,000 mark. The extra funds will be set aside for the coming revote on the Lisbon treaty.’
‘This money is badly needed,’ said Mr Cowen, laying special emphasis on the hoped for extra €70,000. ‘We were outspent by every party bar the Greens during the last referendum.
The Government team will walk around Nepal, which boasts eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, for two weeks in November, in return for which it will seek sponsorship from the public. Mr Cowen has urged all Cabinet Ministers to get knocking on doors now.
200 children admitted to adult mental hospitals last year
Competition for places in adult mental hospitals is set to continue this year, as new information shows 113 children were allocated places between January and June. It is expected that by October child admissions will have surpassed last year’s figure, which is close to 200.
‘The Central Mental Hospital is the big one,’ said Cillian Healy of the Irish Prison Service. ‘There's an overspill from the prisons so kids are often sent here. But they like it. CMH is a 105 bed campus. Its Dundrum location gives it a certain allure for youngsters who have heard about the Town Centre.'
‘After Dundrum you have a number of institutions fighting for second place,’ continued Mr Healy. ‘Vincent’s in Fairview is very popular. It’s kind of a boutique psychiatric hospital in a Victorian building. St. Conal’s in Donegal was popular when part of the hospital housed the Science Department of Letterkenny IT. But since the walls started falling in that demand has dropped.’
The Mental Health Commission is running a number of open days for young offenders this autumn. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews, is expected to attend all of the larger events.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday Mr Andrews made the following comments: 'The idea is to say to these kids - if we can't fit you in the Joy, Portlaoise or wherever, which psychiatric institution would you prefer? Overcrowding is rife in Irish prisons, so we might as well be realistic.'
Mental Health Commission spokesman Frank Keogh said it was initially feared that housing juvenile offenders with mentally unstable adults would have adverse effects on the youngsters. ‘Au contraire,’ he told reporters. ‘Young offenders like adult company. It makes them feel mature.’
‘The Central Mental Hospital is the big one,’ said Cillian Healy of the Irish Prison Service. ‘There's an overspill from the prisons so kids are often sent here. But they like it. CMH is a 105 bed campus. Its Dundrum location gives it a certain allure for youngsters who have heard about the Town Centre.'
‘After Dundrum you have a number of institutions fighting for second place,’ continued Mr Healy. ‘Vincent’s in Fairview is very popular. It’s kind of a boutique psychiatric hospital in a Victorian building. St. Conal’s in Donegal was popular when part of the hospital housed the Science Department of Letterkenny IT. But since the walls started falling in that demand has dropped.’
The Mental Health Commission is running a number of open days for young offenders this autumn. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews, is expected to attend all of the larger events.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday Mr Andrews made the following comments: 'The idea is to say to these kids - if we can't fit you in the Joy, Portlaoise or wherever, which psychiatric institution would you prefer? Overcrowding is rife in Irish prisons, so we might as well be realistic.'
Mental Health Commission spokesman Frank Keogh said it was initially feared that housing juvenile offenders with mentally unstable adults would have adverse effects on the youngsters. ‘Au contraire,’ he told reporters. ‘Young offenders like adult company. It makes them feel mature.’
Varadical analysis
Ireland's unemployment rate ‘cannot be blamed on the global economic situation,’ said FG spokesman on enterprise, trade and employment, Dr Leo Varadkar this week. Dr Varadkar proceded to list eight well-known countries whose unemployment was less than Ireland’s.
‘Why can’t we be more like Denmark?’ he asked. ‘The Danes have 1.7% unemployment. We haven’t had that since the height of the Celtic Tiger, a year or two ago. What’s the matter with the Government? Ten years of growth and now this, a downturn?’
Dr Varadkar was elected to the Dáil last year, at the age of 28. Not yet a household name, Dr Varadkar made headlines in January when he invited all Dail deputies to his 29th birthday party in Dublin’s Odessa Club. ‘I meant to just invite Fine Gaelers,’ Dr Varadkar said at the time, ‘but I sent the text to everyone by mistake. Of course they were all welcome, but I made sure they knew I had made a mistake.’
Dr Varadkar raised his profile the previous September by criticising in strong terms then-Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's financial practices in the 1992 - 94 era.
Party leader Enda Kenny, who was elected to the Dáil at the age of 24, said Dr Varadkar’s comments provided Ireland with a ‘road map out of recession.’
‘Why can’t we be more like Denmark?’ he asked. ‘The Danes have 1.7% unemployment. We haven’t had that since the height of the Celtic Tiger, a year or two ago. What’s the matter with the Government? Ten years of growth and now this, a downturn?’
Dr Varadkar was elected to the Dáil last year, at the age of 28. Not yet a household name, Dr Varadkar made headlines in January when he invited all Dail deputies to his 29th birthday party in Dublin’s Odessa Club. ‘I meant to just invite Fine Gaelers,’ Dr Varadkar said at the time, ‘but I sent the text to everyone by mistake. Of course they were all welcome, but I made sure they knew I had made a mistake.’
Dr Varadkar raised his profile the previous September by criticising in strong terms then-Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's financial practices in the 1992 - 94 era.
Party leader Enda Kenny, who was elected to the Dáil at the age of 24, said Dr Varadkar’s comments provided Ireland with a ‘road map out of recession.’
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