DUNGARVAN
OBSERVER Vol. 103
G A LWAY SUCCUMBS TO WAT E R F O R D ’ S INTENSITY
Friday, 3 April, 2015
EirGrid’s proposal to transmit through existing lines welcomed
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Easter Special Muiri K Boutique O'Connell St Dungarvan
Dungarvan & West Waterford Theatre Group presents
Attending the Waterford Camogie Victory Celebration Dinner Dance in The Park Hotel were Roisin Uniacke and Laura Murray. [Sean Byrne//Deise Media] The Divine Musical Comedy
April 21st – 26th St. Augustine’s College NEW TIERED SEATING 8.00 p.m.
Public urged to support 50k Cycle to raise awareness of mental health and suicide By Paul Mooney
Berlin Wall arrives in Lismore page 7
Waterford’s first distillery opened page 9 12
€2.00
A 50K CYCLE which will be held in the Comeragh District this coming Easter Sunday, 5th April, aims to promote awareness of mental health and suicide while also raising funds for charity support services. Mental health and suicide are still taboo subjects in today’s Ireland, but there are supports out there for people going through mental health difficulties. Waterford Councillor and organiser, Liam Brazil, hopes to address the issue and raise awareness of mental health and suicide through the 50k cycle. In a heartfelt and emotional appeal at the March meeting of Comeragh District Council, Cllr. Brazil urged everyone in County Waterford to come out in force on Easter Sunday, 5th April, to support the 50k Cycle, which will raise money for Suicide or Survive, a charity which
endeavours to challenge the stigma attached to mental illness and provide a range of programmes which increase understanding of suicide and play an active role in its prevention in Ireland. “It is very important to highlight the issues of mental health and suicide,” said Cllr. Brazil. He said that mental health is an issue that has been hidden in Ireland for years. Outlining some statistics, Cllr. Brazil said that there are over 600 recorded cases of suicide in Ireland each year. “For every three recorded cases, one suicide goes unreported,” said Cllr. Brazil. “So in reality, more than 750 people take their life in this country each year. That’s 64 people a month, or 16 people per week, who die by suicide. “As I’m sitting here in this Chamber, there are at least three people out there
contemplating taking their own life and no-one seems to care. “For those 750 families bereaved in the next 12 months, it is going to be very hard, I know, I was there,” Cllr. Brazil said. “To stand at the graveside and see loved one being buried because of suicide is the hardest thing of all, because people don’t know or understand what you’re going through or what you’re feeling so it’s easier to walk away, turn away and turn their back and think it will be okay tomorrow, but it won’t be okay tomorrow,” he said. “These 750 people who die by suicide - they are all loved ones - brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, uncles, and maybe a friend. Several friends of mine have taken their life by suicide down through the years, but I know if they had the chance, they would reconsider.” Continued on page 2
EIRGRID has released a draft report which indicates that super-sized pylons and overhead power lines may no longer be needed as part of its Grid Link Project for the South East and an alternative technology may be used. Last Friday, EirGrid released the draft report, which is available to view at www.eirgrid.com/yourgridyourviews. EirGrid is seeking feedback from the
public on the draft report. Kieran Hartley, of Comeraghs Against Pylons said that while this development from EirGrid to look at new technology is welcome, he urged caution, stating that it “begs the question” as to why this technology was not looked at in the Grid Link Project conception, as this technology has been available for some time. Continued on page 5
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