Latest news with #GerryCarroll
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
‘A conglomeration of acquired goodies': N.B. man with cancer sells stuff to declutter
Gerry Carroll poses for a portrait with his wife Mary in Riverview, N.B., Thursday, May 29, 2025. Carroll, who has been told he has terminal cancer, has decided to sell his possessions in order to ease the burden on his family after his death. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ron Ward FREDERICTON — It was a complete shock when Gerry Carroll was diagnosed with cancer and was given months to live. The retired Riverview, N.B., sales representative said he had gone to see his family doctor in December 2023 for what he described as a 'gurgling' noise in his stomach. His family physician sent him for a scan, which showed malignant polyps. 'I think you have someone else's report there,' he remembers telling the doctor. A few weeks after he had time to process the news, Carroll said he wanted to make sure he found a way to get rid of some of his possessions that he has been collecting for nearly six decades. 'He's a hoarder,' said his wife, Mary Carroll. Her husband roared with laughter. 'I just have this acquisition problem,' he retorted. Carroll said there was no room left in his garage for all of his stuff. His collection spans almost everything, including two scooters, 'speakers, speakers, speakers,' books, cassettes, movies, televisions, VCRs, power tools and clothing. 'You name it, I have it,' he said. 'It's just a conglomeration of acquired goodies.' Part of his collection includes all the contents of a neighbour's apartment who was moving to a nursing home, he said. 'Almost ended 59 years of wedded bliss.' But he also began to worry about how his wife would deal with all the stuff when he dies. Inspired by a British practice where people sell things out of their vehicles, Carroll said he decided to do the same, and posted his idea on social media. The response was huge and positive. A property owner in Moncton, N.B., let Carroll use his empty lot. Heading into his second weekend of sales, Carroll said he plans on holding a bazaar every weekend until he gets rid of his stuff. Getting rid of all that he's acquired over the years, he said will leave his wife with 'peace and quiet.' 'I'm not getting rid of any of our personal belongings or things that our daughter may have given us or anything like that,' he added. Mary Carroll first met Gerry Carroll on Jan. 25, 1965, at a dance in Bible Hill, N.S. 'When I met him, I didn't like him,' she said with a chuckle. 'I thought he and his friend were show-offs.' Carroll asked her if he could escort her home, she said. She refused. At another dance a few days later, she said he asked her again if he could give her a ride back to her house. She turned him down again. But he didn't give up. 'I knew he was just going to go through (each day of) the week. So I said, 'Yes. I will go home with you,'' she said. 'That was the beginning.' It wasn't long before the two were married. Mary Carroll said she is taking it one day at a time as her husband deals with terminal cancer. While she is not fond of her husband's habit of collecting things, she said she doesn't know how to feel about him selling everything. 'It's something, I guess, that keeps his mind occupied,' she said. For Carroll, he said the sales are a way to meet people, have a few laughs and get some money. 'I'm 82. I've been married to my wife for 59 years, and we have a daughter and three beautiful grandchildren,' he said. 'That's about as good as it gets.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 31, 2025. The Canadian Press
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Department of Health criticised over delays in publishing updated suicide prevention action plan over funding shortfalls
A rapid review of Northern Ireland's suicide prevention strategy, Protect Life 2, was announced in December 2023. A report was due by March and an updated action plan was expected by June 2024. The review report was eventually published in September, but the revised action plan has yet to be published. In response to an Assembly question from west Belfast MLA Gerry Carroll in March, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt confirmed that an updated plan and implementation strategy would be approved on April 3. It has since emerged that despite being approved, the department will not publish the updated action plan due to funding shortfalls. Pat McGreevy, chair of the Suicide Down To Zero charity and former mental health nurse, said the delay is 'symbolic of a government that doesn't consider suicide prevention a priority.' 'In 2023, there were 221 reported suicides in Northern Ireland. Research from the United States indicates that 135 people are affected by each suicide death,' he added. "There seems no sense of urgency in relation to suicide in Northern Ireland, despite the fact that every week in Northern Ireland we lose four people to suicide leaving 540 people bereft.' Mr McGreevy criticised the decision to withhold publication of the plan due to funding shortfalls. 'The public have a right to see the intention or even ambition of the action plan which in part can be caveated by subject to funds becoming available,' he said. Sara Boyce, campaign organiser for Mental Health Rights: New Script — an initiative by the human rights NGO Participation and the Practice of Rights (PPR) — said the department had 'serious questions to answer about its commitment to suicide prevention.' "What should have taken months has dragged on without explanation, sending a clear message that suicide prevention is not a priority,' said Ms Boyce. 'Now we're told there's no funding for a revised plan. Meanwhile, there is no suicide prevention target, no strategic allocation of resources, and no progress on proven interventions — such as raising bridge parapets or ensuring GPs receive suicide prevention training. "Community and voluntary organisations are left to shoulder the burden, working tirelessly to save lives and support grieving families.' Ms Boyce added that PPR are calling for the action plan to be published immediately with clear targets and sufficient funding. They are also urging the Health Committee and Public Accounts Committee to 'investigate the unacceptable delays and ensure accountability." Mr Carroll said it was 'not good enough' that plans had been approved without prioritising the necessary funding. 'A suicide epidemic is destroying the fabric of working-class communities, with rates over twice as high in the most deprived areas,' he added. "Without adequate resources, these plans aren't worth the paper they're written on. "Between 2019 (when the Protect Life 2 Strategy was first published) and 2023, over 1,000 people in the north have died by suicide. The Executive must resolve funding shortfall issues immediately; people's lives depend on it." A spokesperson for the Department of Health said that Protect Life 2 has been extended until 2027. They added that the action plan and implementation strategy were approved by Ministers at the Executive Working Group on Mental Wellbeing, Resilience and Suicide Prevention on April 3, subject to funding. "Work on the plans has been completed and they will be published shortly once funding shortfall issues have been resolved,' added the spokesperson. "The new Action Plan will contain a wide range of actions aiming to reduce the rate of suicide in Northern Ireland.' Responding to claims that suicide prevention is not a priority for the department, the spokesperson said the Health Minister 'has made clear that he is fully committed to working towards a sustained reduction in suicide' They added that this 'will only be possible with full implementation and delivery of all Protect Life 2 actions.'
Irish Post
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Post
Politicians condemn arrest of elderly pro-Palestinian demonstrator in Belfast
POLITICIANS in the North have condemned the arrest of an elderly pro-Palestinian demonstrator in Belfast, with one saying he was 'disturbed' by the incident. A video circulating online showed the woman standing outside a branch of Barclays bank on Saturday as a police officer spoke to her before arresting her. The PSNI confirmed that two women had been arrested in relation to the incident on suspicion of criminal damage. A joint statement from several pro-Palestinian groups said they were 'shocked but not surprised at this serious escalation in the criminalisation of Palestine activists'. The woman is led away after being arrested In the video, the person recording appears to suggest stickers had been placed on the ATM of the Barclays branch in Castle Place before being removed. The bank has faced criticism over accusations from pro-Palestinian groups that it provides financial services to companies that sell arms to Israel. The woman, who describes herself as a 72-year-old Jewish grandmother, is subsequently arrested and led to a police van. "Police received a report relating to a protest in the Castle Place area of Belfast city centre on Saturday morning, May 24," said a PSNI statement. "Officers attended and two people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. "The women — one aged in her 70s and the other in her 50s — are in custody, assisting with police enquiries at this time." Supporters later gathered outside Musgrave Police Station, where the women were held. A subsequent video showed the women — reportedly members of Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) and Jews for Palestine Ireland — outside the station having been released. 'Repression' In a statement, People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said he was 'extremely disturbed' by the arrests. "All over the world Israel's legitimacy has utterly crumbled. And so the establishment is ramping up its repression to try and silence protestors," said the MLA for West Belfast. He added: "It is those who are funding, arming and committing genocide who should be charged — not the people protesting it!" Sinn Féin counterpart Pat Sheehan said it was 'disgraceful that… an elderly Jewish woman who has consistently and bravely campaigned for an end to Israel's genocide in Gaza has been arrested by the PSNI'. "Highlighting the genocidal, inhumane slaughter of defenceless civilians — and those who enable it — is not a crime," he continued. Mr Sheehan said that the party will be raising their concerns with the PSNI. The woman was taken to Musgrave Police Station A joint statement from Derry IPSC, Mid Ulster IPSC and BDS Strabane also criticised the arrest. "These activists were simply protesting Barclays, a bank complicit with the genocide of Palestinians," read the statement. "This is another example of how the state is determined to crush support for the Palestinian struggle for freedom and justice and taking action to end the genocide by Israel in Gaza where 2.2m people are being deliberately starved to death, hemmed into one fifth of their land and being slaughtered by the unrelenting bombing with arms supplied by the US, EU and UK. "Activists from across the North have been criminalised for protesting against the genocide. "We stand in full solidarity with all those facing repression for speaking out against genocide in Belfast today."
CBC
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBC
N.B. man with cancer wants to sell his stuff and meet some new friends. Both are happening
Getting rid of unused items has become a priority for Gerry Carroll, so he decided to sell them out of his car's trunk. Carroll, from Riverview, N.B., has terminal cancer and says he wants to leave less clutter for his wife. He said he's been hoarding items since 1967. He believes he only has a year or two to get rid of his things. "I would say that people in my generation didn't have a lot and when they did get something, or accumulate items, they had a tendency to keep them, and I still have that habit," he said. His habit of collecting stuff from yard sales got worse over time. There was no room left in his garage. Carroll said where he lives now isn't suitable for his own garage sale. So, inspired by a practice in England, he organized an event where people sell stuff out of the trunk of their car. "My time to do this may be limited and my wife wants me to make things easier for her, should I escape this world," he said. A social media post made by Carroll yielded a lot of response. He partnered with a property owner in Moncton, who let him use his empty lot on Mountain Road. Carroll said the idea is for anyone interested to show up and set up shop. He said he also plans to have a food truck on site and possibly some music in the future. "There's nothing in it for me monetarily. It's just satisfaction of seeing an idea put into place and working and hopefully get rid of my stuff," he said. The first event happened on Saturday morning with four vendors, including Carroll and the property owner. A food truck was also to arrive later in the day, said Carroll. He said it isn't all business. It's intended to be a social gathering, too. Timothy Girwan was one of the vendors who set up his shop at 8:30 a.m. He made about $85 over the first four hours, he said. Girwan said he likes to buy stuff at auctions and is also a member of a few buy-and-sell Facebook groups. He said he connected with Carroll after hearing about his event. "I think it's going to be a great venue to … probably make some new friends and get out and enjoy ourselves," he said. Wendy Deschenes had advertised online about her participation in the event and had several customers visit her. Some showed up before she could even set up her display, she said. "I've had some people from Sackville," she said "I've had lots of people from Moncton."
BBC News
17-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Gerry Carroll: Assembly member condemns 'intimidatory' graffiti
An assembly member has condemned graffiti painted on a wall in his west Belfast constituency as "disgraceful".Gerry Carroll said the graffiti, which featured his name alongside a crosshair symbol, was designed to intimidate him but "is not going to work".The People Before Profit MLA said that he understood the graffiti to have been the work of a "fringe fascist group".A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said it had "been made aware of threatening graffiti daubed on a wall in the west Belfast area". The statement added that enquires were "ongoing to establish the circumstances" and and appealed for anyone with information to contact to the BBC's Nolan Show, Carroll said: "It's not going to deter me from the campaigning that I do around anti-racist anti-fascist activity or anything else that I do in my constituency".He said that since the graffiti was discovered on Sunday morning, he had received numerous messages of support."These people have no answers or no alternative for working class communities, they are trying to prey on fear and division."He added that the group he believes to be behind the graffiti have "no support in west Belfast or anywhere else really".
