Category: Latest News

Fyi

Minceirs Whiden want to bring to the attention of any members of the Traveller community interested in joining the Guards,

An Garda Síochána, in partnership with the Public Appointments Service, has commenced its latest Recruitment Competition for New Garda Trainees.

Please be aware:   This recruitment drive is focused on encouraging those from our diverse and minority communities who may not have previously considered training to become a Garda. 

We are encouraging any members of our community who are interested in joining the Garda to put these go put themselves forward,  our community needs Travellers visibility within An Garda Síochána,

Note : The Deadline for applications to be submitted is 3pm Wednesday, 16th March 2022.  

For further information -Applicants can visit Publicjobs.ie – https://tinyurl.com/GardaTrainee2022    – The Garda National Diversity and Integration Unit can be contacted at diversity@garda.ie , if required.

Recent Changes to the Garda Uniform Policy and changes to the Irish Language requirement may be of particular interest to our diverse communities (see attachment above). Further information can be found at www.garda.ie or www.publicjobs.ie .

The death has occurred of Veronica (Ronnie) Fay
Skerries, Dublin

The death has occurred of Veronica (Ronnie) Fay. Peacefully in her sleep at home, surrounded by her loving family, in Milverton, Skerries, County Dublin, on Monday, 31st January 2022. She was well-known and much respected Co-Director of Pavee Point. The much loved daughter of the late Ray and Vera Fay. Darling wife of Philip and mother of Jonathan, Veronica and Paddy. Adored sister of Roy, Cathy, Moya, Orla and Oonagh and the late Don Fay, beloved Auntie and niece. A cherished friend and colleague and a leading human rights and community work advocate for and with Travellers and Roma in Ireland. May She Rest In Peace

Reposing at her residence Wednesday from 5pm to 8pm.
Removal Thursday to St. Patrick’s Church, Skerries arriving for 10am Funeral Mass, burial afterwards in Ardla Cemetery, Skerries.
 
https://rip.ie/death-notice/veronica-ronnie-fay-skerries-dublin/484752
 

Statement from President Michael D. Higgins on the death of Ms Ronnie Fay

ate: Mon 31st Jan, 2022 | 11:40

May I express on behalf of Sabina and myself, and as President of Ireland, what a great sadness it is to learn of the death of Ronnie Fay, Co-Director of Pavee Point, a founding member and its driving force.

For almost 40 years, with Ronnie at its heart, Pavee Point has campaigned for Traveller and Roma rights. Ronnie worked tirelessly to improve living circumstances, status and participation of the Traveller and Roma community and she continuously fought for social justice, greater solidarity, development, equality and human rights.

Ronnie’s life work has been a shining light of advocacy for Traveller and Roma rights. Through her activism, and with the assistance of Traveller community workers and leaders across the country, her courage and passion has changed the lives of so many members of the Traveller community. Her contribution was of such immense significance. She will be so missed.

May I offer my deepest condolences to Ronnie’s husband Philip, her children Jonathan, Veronica and Patrick, their family and friends; to all of Ronnie’s colleagues in Pavee Point; and to the Traveller and Roma communities who will all miss her so much.

Síocháin shíoraí dá hanam uasal lách croíúil.

Dear Friends and Allies.

It is with great sadness and sorrow that we have to tell you of the untimely passing of Ronnie Fay Co-Director of Pavee Point.

Our sympathies today go to her husband  Philip, her children Jonathan, Veronica and Patrick, her brother and sisters, extended family on their tragic loss.

Ronnie was a Strong, Brave and Courageous Woman a great friend and ally to the Traveller community for the best part of  40 years,  challenging  mistreatment of Travellers ,lobby and campaigning for equality and justice. 

Rest In Peace Ronnie, We will miss you.

FYI – Social Entrepreneurs Ireland and Thomas McCann are running an online ‘Spark Session’ for the Travelling community.

Join Social Entrepreneurs Ireland and Thomas McCann, founder of the Traveller Counselling Service for a free online session to learn more about coming up with ideas to solve problems that the Traveller community experience.

See how SEI can support you to work on your ideas and turn them into a real project or business!

Date: 2-3pm, Thursday 18th November, Location: online via Zoom

To Register: socialentrepreneurs.ie/spark-programme/ see attached link

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81240031589?pwd=RXhSUFpuTiswUEd3VEhMWUdMWVRVdz09

Warning – COVID -19 cases are rapidly on the increase again, with a jump of 44% in the last 2 week.

There are now 482 Covid-19 patients in hospital, with 74 of them in ICU, 76 people admitted to hospital since Saturday

According to an update from the HSE a quarter of the country’s ICU beds are now being used to treat people with Covid-19, with only 11 adult public ICU beds left available in the system along with one paediatric ICU bed.

The hospital – health service are rightly worried they see first hand  how dangerous this situation is 1. the battles people of all ages, many with no underlying medical conditions put in fighting for their lives, a battle that sadly far too many lost. 2. The disruption it is having on providing the regular care to ill people through out the country, with hospital appointments having to be cancelled – re-scheduled.

We heading into winter and as you all know COVID-19 thrives on the cold weather.  Please follow the government and HSE advice  to reduce risk we all know what these are – facemasks in public places, regular handwashing, limited unnecessary contacts.

90% of people in Ireland are now fully vaccinated. If you’re not vaccinated you at a higher risk.

President Michael D. Higgins` Speech at the Travellers in Prison Initiative Conference (Closing the Revolving Door) 5th Oct 2021. Where he reference the 1963 Itinerancy report and negative impact on the Traveller community, and Office Children Ombudsman recent report on Traveller children.

Love this Gentleman A President for All, the courage to speak the truth policies implemented from the 1963 Itinerancy Report, many of which continue to this day othering -discriminatory -racist is the root cause of the crisis/s the Traveller community is enduring.

President Higgins speech to Travellers in Prison Initiative conference – YouTube

Some picture from Minceirs Whiden’s Webinar Traveller Political Participation ” Road Less Travelled 23rd Sep 2021, Athlone.

Minceirs Whiden would like thank  the panellist  for their  insightful and thoughtful contribution to this important Traveller to Traveller discussion – on the issue and crisis  effecting the Traveller community, underlying causes, why we need to come together as a community -using our votes to gain political visibility and representation to get the voice of the Traveller community  heard  at the tables where decision effecting our community are made.
 
Panellist  Thomas McCann, Physiotherapist and Director of Traveller  Counselling Service, Catherine Joyce Collins Manager Blanchardstown Traveller Development Group – both long time campaigners for Traveller rights and equality. Julie O’Reilly – Longford 2021 Local Election Candidate, TJ Hogan 2021 Cork Local Election Candidate – 2020 National and  Seanad Election Candidate who is coordinating MW 3 year  national  Traveller political awareness – capacity building and leadership development  project. Kathleen Sherlock Minceirs Whiden Coordinator.

Hugh Friel  Men’s Development and Health Worker  with Donegal Traveller & Minceirs Whiden Chairperson, who chaired the event.

And  Breda Hogan our Event Planner young Traveller woman from Cork .