CallingShotgun.ie makes it into Evening Echo

The Evening Echo covered one of my blog post's which marked them as the most popular Irish newspaper on Facebook. You can follow the author on twitter by clicking here.

CallingShotgun.ie makes it into Evening Echo

SVP rely on 'rainy day funds' during Christmas period

The Regional President of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP), Cork claims that the organisation is currently getting by on its ‘rainy day’ fund but will help everyone who seeks assistance. Brendan Dempsey said he was not sure if the other SVP offices around the country are facing the same problems, as they are all too busy to keep in constant contact.
“I’d say it’s the same in all regions, but I’m not sure. We won’t be meeting again until after the New Year because we’re so busy. The money should last us into the New Year. After that, we may have to rely on public donations.
For those who cannot give money, Mr Dempsey said the organisation would gladly accept volunteer time.
Mr Dempsey said that the recent half a tonne free cheese that was delivered to SVP Cork was out of stock by 4pm on the day that it arrived.
“We were absolutely blown away by the amount of people who were looking for the cheese. The half a tonne we ordered was gone only a few hours after it came in. We’ve ordered a new batch and we’re still waiting for that to come in.”
Mr Dempsey, a retired lorry driver, said that the future of Ireland is at risk and the current Government is not doing enough to save it.
“Just the other day a third year student in the university came in to us saying that he has to drop out of college because he couldn’t afford it any more. He was unsure about what the future holds for him and his face was pure white when I was talking to him.
“There are thousands of students missing out on becoming doctors, dentists and whatever else the university in Cork offers.
“Young people like that young man will have to become lorry drivers like me. That wasn’t what was supposed to happen. This generation was supposed to have it different to mine. They were supposed to have it better.”
Mr Dempsey went on to say that politicians didn’t do enough to help prevent the social injustices.
“The government didn’t do enough to help people. Most of them are gutless, toothless and useless. We elected them and we elected their opposition. The only real opposition to the social injustices that were going on was the media.
“The only politician that springs to mind that really helped Cork was the last Lord Mayor, Dara Murphy. He got up and came out and talked to the people on the street. He was great.”
Mr Dempsey said that SVP Cork is still searching for more volunteers, who would volunteer for two to three hours a week.
“We would train them up and then they would take part in some of the activities we organise. We do prison visitations, meals on wheels, help the homeless and we have around 18 shops throughout the city and county.”
To volunteer with SVP Cork, phone 021-4270444 or visit the base at Ozanam House, 2 Tuckey Street.

SVP rely on 'rainy day funds' during Christmas period

Free for all

A price war that has erupted between Ryanair and Irish Rail could see an increase in Cork business tourism. Irish Rail is exploring the possibility of offering free tickets on the Cork - Dublin route, after Ryanair began offering its customers one-way flights from Cork to Dublin for €10, including taxes and charges. Irish Rail has already started offering commuters on the Galway - Dublin route free fares, only charging €2 for online booking
The company says it will consider introducing free fares on the Cork – Dublin route if the scheme proved successful.
The possibility of free fares to Cork could work wonders for Cork’s business tourism, which has been identified as having major potential for the Munster region. However, regional air travel subsidies may be one target for Government cutbacks in next month’s Budget
Programme Manager at Cork Marketing Partnership, Liz McAvoy said that the more options people have of coming to Cork, the more likely they are to come.
“We’re delighted to hear that Irish Rail are considering this initiative. The more competition there is the better. We need to get as much connectivity as possible. The customer needs choice. We all rely on it.
“This is very good news from a Cork perspective. Any promotion that entices people who may not usually be interested in coming to Cork to come is a good thing, whether it is by rail, air, ferry or road.”
Cork Convention Bureau has already taken steps to get more business tourism from abroad with a week-long drive in the UK.
The County Mayor, Jim Daly and Lord Mayor of Cork, Michael O’Connell are leading the week-long UK hunt for business tourism to Cork.
General Manager of Cork Convention Bureau, Evelyn O’Sullivan said that there are plenty of opportunities for Cork to benefit from business tourism.
“With over 55 direct access routes from the UK and Europe and the value and selection to be had in our regional venues, Cork is a very attractive proposition to UK and European buyers; we just need to communicate this directly to them, which is why this event is so important.”
Cork Convention Bureau’s Honorary Chairman, Seamus Heaney said he is happy that transport agencies are offering cheap Cork transportation.
“Anything that gives cheaper access routes to Cork will be hugely beneficial, whether it is air transport or rail transport.
“We hope that the people that are attracted to visit Cork with the cheaper fares will become regulars to the city and will enjoy the city as a clean, varied and friendly destination.”
Mr Heaney also said that the Cork Convention Bureau’s UK visit is going well so far.
“We have been getting very good feedback from the drive so far. I think we will see the benefits of this trip will be seen for years.
“We are very grateful to Cork County and City Councils as well. The fact that we can send our mayors to the UK for the week shows that Cork is serious about attracting business tourism.”

Free for all

Say cheese!

A total of 58 Cork charities have received over 18 tonnes of cheese this week as the Government’s free cheese scheme is rolled out around the country. In Cork, the voluntary organisations collected the cheese at Orchard Warehousing, Cobh Cross and Colso Enterprises, Togher.
The President of Saint Vincent de Paul in Cork, Brendan Dempsey, said there is much demand in Cork for the free cheese, saying he already has a list of around 65 to 70 people that are looking for it.
“People are delighted to be getting the cheese. We have had an incredible amount of people calling in to see if they can get it. I have a big list of clients that are looking for the cheese.
“Of course people will be embarrassed. People are always embarrassed when they ask for help, but people have to ask or help when there are children going to bed hungry, and there are plenty of children going to bed hungry in Cork.”
Mr Dempsey said that he has spoken with many people around Cork who are under pressure to save money that are looking forward to their free cheese.
“I met one family who have to survive for the rest of the month on €120. That’s €120 for a mother, father and child. When I called over to them they were eating dry pasta. “In the last few months, I have never seen as many grown men coming into Saint Vincent de Paul crying. We’ve had to put tissues in our rooms. People are under huge amounts of pressure. Some people may scoff when it comes to the free cheese, but some people really will appreciate it.”
However, Sinn Fein councillor, Henry Cremin blasted the scheme, saying that he was “fuming” when he first heard of it.
“I thought it was a joke when it came out a few weeks ago. A few people called me as well and asked if the Government was serious.
“What they should have done was give out hampers or reinstate the Christmas bonus. If they did that, the money would be going right back into the local economy. People don’t hold on to their Christmas bonus. They spend it.”
Cllr Cremin also said that not everyone who was given the cheese would get the full benefit of it.

Say cheese!

London Bombing victim lashes inquest

Five years ago, 32-year-old Ben Freeman was nearly killed in the 7/7 London bombings. Now living in Cork City, Mr Freeman says the Coroner’s inquest into the attack, which started this week, is not enough. Mr Freeman, who lives with friends in Glasheen, has resided in Cork for the last six months. He says the only way there will be justice for the 52 people that died will be if the British Government can explain why information it held at the time was not acted upon. “The only way forward is to get a public inquiry into what happened that day. The Government said it was Al-Qaeda, but I don’t know. It’s said the Government, MI5 and MI6 that knew about the group and I want to know why it wasn’t stopped.” Mr Freeman was a victim of the Aldgate tube bombing and said that he wasn’t even supposed to be on the train. “I just barely missed the train before that. The only reason I missed it was because I was getting a thank you present for my workplace after I was made permanent there. It was a busy tube. Seven people were killed and everyone that as on it was taken to hospital.” Mr Freeman doesn’t have clear memories of the attack and suffered memory loss afterwards. “I remember getting on the train and a guy with a blue backpack pushing past me. Then I remember a rush of air and crawling to the floor. I thought I had just fallen over. “I remember finding that someone was on top of me. I later found out that it was because of this man that my injuries were not as bad as they are. He lost both of his legs, an arm, an eye and had a lot of internal damage. He is still alive though.” Mr Freeman spent the next three and a half weeks in hospital. He still suffers from nerve and muscle damage in his left arm, has pins in both his legs and a limp. The attack has also had a psychological impact on Mr Freeman’s life. “I don’t do crowds. I get very nervous when I’m in a group of large people. I didn’t have a problem with crowds before the attack, but I guess I associate large crowds with the busy tube. “I’m not great with public transportation. I’m okay with the buses around Cork, but I just can’t stand trains or tube systems. I guess that’s another reason I decided to move to Cork; there’s no tube system.” Despite the fact Mr Freeman still has injuries from the attack, he says he is grateful that it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. “I’m grateful that I wasn’t any taller. If I were a few inches taller, then it wouldn’t have been my arm they got, it would have been my heart. I’m also so grateful to that man who fell on top of me, or else my injuries would have been so much worse.” Mr Freeman said his move to Cork was one of the best decisions of his life. He is now studying Architectural Drafting in St John’s College, something he wanted to do since he was 18-years-old. “London was just too difficult to live in after the bombings. I had a lot of friends in Cork and that’s what I needed. It’s also not as as big or as fancy as London, which was just what I wanted. “Cork is my home now. I’m slowly getting my life back how I pictured it would be when I was younger. I feel like I am a Corkonian now.” Below is footage of the underground train that was bombed in Aldgate.

London Bombing victim lashes inquest

Suspicion surrounds Sheehan file

Cork Senator Jerry Buttimer has claimed that the release of a Garda file on fellow Fine Gael politician and Cork South West TD, PJ Sheehan, is highly suspicious given its timing, just days after Brian Cowen was accused of being hungover on national radio. The Cork South Senator was commenting on revelations that Deputy Sheehan threatened a garda after she stopped him driving out of Leinster House under the influence of alcohol during July.

Senator Buttimer said the timing was unusual, as it followed reports that there may be a leadership battle in Fianna Fail.

“I think it’s suspicious that this file was out in the public domain at this time, when the incident took place three months ago. The same thing happened earlier in the year when Trevor Sargent’s private letter became public after the situation with Willy O’Dea. I’m not pointing the finger at anyone and I’m not going to elaborate on it, but I am calling on the Garda Commissioner to look into this situation and see how it happened.”

Senator Buttimer said that he was not aware of the incident until Sunday and that drink driving should never be condoned.

“PJ Sheehan has been a good public representative, but we can not allow or tolerate drink driving. It’s time we had a debate on the use of alcohol. I am not going to give PJ a lecture. He’s a grown man and he knows what he has done. I can only comment.”

It is reported that 77-year-old Deputy Sheehan told the garda that “when we get into power you will get nothing” and that she would be “in trouble over this.”

Since the incident came to public knowledge, Deputy Sheehan has resigned from his position as Deputy Spokesperson on Agriculture and has made a public apology.

“I wish to offer a full and unreserved apology for my behaviour on 8 July in the environs of Leinster House. This behaviour was totally out of character in my 30 years in politics. In particular I offer my deepest apologies to the Gardaí on duty that night who were carrying out their duty in exemplary fashion.
“I also deeply regret the embarrassment this incident has caused the Fine Gael Party, its Leader, my colleagues in the Party, my constituents in Cork South West and my wife and family. I intend writing a letter in the morning expressing my deep personal apologies and regrets to the Gardaí in question.”

Fellow Cork South West TD, Jim O’Keeffe said that concerned citizens have come to him about the situation.

“A number of people have expressed the concerns to me about the situation, but most of these people would have been Fine Gael supporters. The response seems to be more sorrow than anger though. It is very unfortunate that this has happened towards the end of a long career in politics. It was inappropriate behaviour but I am glad he has apologised.”

Party Leader, Enda Kenny spoke of the situation at his recent visit to the Ploughing Championships, saying that it was an embarrassment to the party.

“This should never have happened and was completely out of character for the deputy involved."”

Alcohol Awareness Ireland and the Road Safety Authority would not comment on the incident when contacted.

Suspicion surrounds Sheehan file