Concerned parent speaks out over proposed cuts at his sons Special Needs school

Saint Augustine's School

Nestled in quiet Cul de Sac located just off Carysfort Avenue, Saint Augustine's School in Blackrock has been transforming the lives of people with disabilities since 1930.
Providing a range of educational, sporting and support services, the school has enabled many people who walked through it's doors to transition into adulthood, and live semi-, if not actual independent lives; Something their parents profess they never thought would have been achievable prior to their son or daughter entering the school.

P.E. Hall Saint Augustine' School

John is a parent who has a child attending Saint Augustine's.
He contacted me over grave concern he had regarding major changes planned to the services provided by the school, which he and other parents feel will seriously undo the great strides many of the kids in the school have made, especially those with autism.
So John agreed to be interviewed by me, and outlined what services the school currently provides, and which of these will be lost down the line, if the Saint John of God's Management team, and the H.S.E. have their way.

https://soundcloud.com/sean-heffernan-424205175/john-interview

Horticulture building at the school

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NB:  After the interview finished, John asked me to write the following:
John personally feels the Brothers of Saint John of God's services have been put in a very bad light, which he feels is unfair on them.
He wanted it said that it is the Management Team in Saint John of God's, and not the Brothers who are working with the HSE to "reform" (John says cut) services at Saint Augustine's School.
(The management team is a separate entity per se from the Brothers)
The brothers are shocked at the plans for the school, and have tried to help the parents in their fight in anyway they possibly could)

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“B” is for Bohs… and Barry.

After purchasing my match ticket, I headed out into the stands, as kick off drew closer.
I’ve yet to have my dinner, so I ravenously head for the Pie hut to get myself a good feed.
As I walk along a loud voice erupts “SEÁN!”. 
I look around and coming towards me with arms outstretched is my oul mucker Barry Lenihan.
“You’re my REAL brother” he opines.

Barry is the unofficial Bohemian Football Club mascot.
No one gets the fans singing like Barry does; when he starts to rev up for singing, you can see the gleeful expectation on some of the fans faces.

Barry doing What Barry does best!

Sadly Barry is not able to take the half time penalty kick anymore.
Protocol schmotocal – this is one piece of Health and Safety/insurance lark I’d happily put a red line through if I could.
You should have heard the roar of the crowd when Barry hit the back of the net, often after the third or four attempt at trying to beat the Bohs reserve goalkeeper,doing his half time warm up.
It was great to see the sheer joy on Barry’s face, as he ran towards the fans, arms aloft in celebration.
At that point I would give him the cup of tea and Wispa bar (the name of it whispered by Barry in reply) that I got him.

A fans eye view of Barry in action.

Recently Barry was missing from Dalymount Park for a few months.
It turned out he was in hospital recuperating from major surgery on his leg.
When he came back, the amount of fans coming up to him well wishing him, and telling him how happy they were to see him back, was something else.
The affection people have for the man from Whitehall truly is something else.
Spend just five minutes in his company, and I guarantee you you’ll leave with a big smile on your face and feeling happier with the world.
It was a great sight that night to see people give a full throated “B” after Barry began the chant that is his Dalymount trademark.

L is for Lenihan…. And Legend..

Jobstown protest defendants Campaign for Liberty reaches a crescendo.

Just over 5 years ago, the 24th of March 2012, was a day I will never forget.

For it was on this day that 3,000 people from all over the country attended the massive Anti Household Tax rally in The National Stadium.
The buzz about the place, and determination from those present meant it was a day that has lived long in the memory.

For much the same reasons, today is another that I won't forget in a hurry.
As somebody from the Tallaght area, who also has a  keen eye for judicial matters be they court cases, or proposed new laws/changes to existing ones, I couldn't  but head along to Liberty Hall.

For what was taking place was a rally i support of those people currently before the courts as a result of actions they took at a protest against the presence of the then Tanáiste Joan Burton, in Jobstown in West Tallaght.

The first person to speak from the stage was Andy Leeson, a key member of the Republican group Éirígí.
He gave some background into the case, and his own personal observations as to what he thought the whole thing was about:

The next person up to speak was ex Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins, who spoke about the wider consequences should the defendants before the courts be found guilty:

Next after Joe's speech was Singer and Senator Frances Black who spoke the importance of protesting and how she believed this right is fundamental to our democracy:

After Frances gave her speech, a number of other people then spoke, such as Vincent McGrath of the Rossport 5, and Gail o' Rourke who was acquitted of charges of assisting the suicide of a friend.

I always thought the law of kidnap was for the likes of Dessie o' Hare for his actions during te brutal kidnapping of the dentist Dessie o' Hare. or the people who kidnapped the businessman Don Tidey, and in the process fatally wounded Garda trainee Gary Sheehan, and Army Private Patrick Kelly,

While one can argue till kingdom come as to whether the protest in Jobstown was entirely peaceful, do the people up before the courts as a result of the protest, really warrant the charge of kidnap.
I say that because I can remember many a person featured in the Tallaght Echo and Evening Herald court pages who (to my mind) did worse, yet were given a suspended sentence and/or a €200 fine.

 The biggest and most prolonged applause and cheering from those assembled, not surprisingly was reserved for one of those wrongly convicted and jailed for the Birmingham bombings - Paddy Hill.
Whilst anyone who knows me, knows how much I abhor bad language, I am making an exception in this case.
Yes there is bad language in this video clip, but I feel this fiery and passionate speech, given (in my opinion) by one of the most famous men in history, should be put out there for people to see, and make up their minds one way or the other as to whether or not they agree with him:

ALL VIDEOS COPYRIGHT SEÁN HEFFERNAN.