Latest news with #IrishRedCross
The Journal
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Charlie Flanagan apologises for 'tone' of tweet calling Paul Murphy's march in Egypt a 'circus'
THE CHAIR OF the Irish Red Cross Charlie Flanagan has apologised for the 'tone' of a tweet calling Dublin TD Paul Murphy's trip to Egypt to participate in a march calling for aid to be supplied to Gaza a 'circus'. Flanagan, who previously served as the Minister for Justice among other portfolios, responded to a pre-recorded video put out on Murphy's X account in which Murphy explained that if people were seeing the video, it meant that he had been detained by the Egyptian authorities. In the video, Murphy asked people to contact Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris as well as the Egyptian authorities to urge the 'immediate release' of himself and his fellow detainees. In response, Flanagan wrote: 'It's now clear that if [Paul Murphy] returns from the latest circus he needs to sign up for geography lessons as well as history.' It's now clear that if @paulmurphy_TD returns from the latest circus he needs to sign up for geography lessons as well as history. — Charlie Flanagan (@CharlieFlanagan) June 14, 2025 Advertisement He was met with significant backlash online. Murphy's fellow party member Ruth Coppinger said that Flanagan's comment was 'shocking'. 'Former minister and apparently chair of the Red Cross mocking people and a TD being illegally mistreated by Egypt. Wow. He should know what the Egyptian regime is like from his time trying to get Irish citizens freed from their torture chambers,' she said. After a number of hours, Flanagan issued another tweet, saying: 'I regret the tone of my earlier tweet on Egypt that has been seen as insensitive. The situation in Gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe. 'I fully support the lifting of the blockade and the free flow of vital aid. All my life I have supported humanitarian values [and] continue to do so.' Murphy was released from detention by authorities last night and has had his passport returned. He is currently discussing with his group how they can proceed with their march. Speaking to The Journal from Egypt, he said, 'This isn't about me or Charlie Flanagan. We have thousands of people here who are trying to help bring the forced starvation of the people of Gaza to an end. I would hope that the chair of the Irish Red Cross would understand that.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Record number of Sanctuary Runners gear up for Sunday's Cork City Marathon
A record number of Sanctuary Runners are getting in some last-minute training in preparation for this year's Cork City Marathon on Sunday, June 1 More than 1,200 Sanctuary Runners, proudly wearing their distinctive blue t-shirts, will be on the starting line for this year's race. More than 1,200 Sanctuary Runners, proudly wearing their distinctive blue t-shirts, will be on the starting line for this year's Cork City Marathon. The group will include 52 different nationalities in what will be the largest ever Sanctuary Runners team, running a mix of the 10km, half and full marathon. Sanctuary Runners first took part in the Cork City Marathon in 2018, when 200 ran in the event, and the 'blue wave' of solidarity has continued to grow since then. 'The level of support for the Sanctuary Runners this year has blown us away,' said Graham Clifford, the journalist and broadcaster who founded the hugely popular solidarity-through-sport organisation. Mr Clifford was recently awarded the Lord Mayor's Trophy for his service to the marathon, integration and the community, following a public vote. He said: What we have really noticed this year is a desire by people in Cork to wear the blue and show their solidarity with people who have moved to Ireland from other countries, celebrating diversity, embracing our multicultural city and sending out a clear message to the world that decency, kindness and welcome flow through these streets. Included on Sanctuary Runners team will be 200 runners from direct provision centres across Cork City and County as well as others visiting from Dublin, Athlone and Limerick. There will be 30 Ukrainian participants in Sanctuary Runner blue - as well as some 70 transition-year students from Coláiste and Phiarsaigh in Glanmire and Midleton CBS. Sanctuary Runners, now a registered charity, has welcomed some 35,000 people to events since it first began on Leeside in 2018 and has 42 groups operating across Ireland. Earlier this month it was named 'Community Organisation of the Year' at the Irish Red Cross Humanitarian Awards whose patron is now President Michael D Higgins. Sanctuary Runners, now a registered charity, has welcomed some 35,000 people to events since it first began on Leeside in 2018 and has 42 groups operating across Ireland. It also has a group in Brighton and will launch its new Sanctuary Runners GB organisation in the UK on June 18. It will hold the annual Global Solidarity Run on October 11 to allow people across the world to demonstrate solidarity with all those who are forcibly displaced or living in extreme poverty. Last year participants in 75-countries took part in the initiative and this year organisers hope to grow that number to over 100 countries. The Global Solidarity Run is supported by Irish Aid, the Ireland Funds and the European Commission. Read More Watch: Sanctuary Runners celebrate their 7th birthday at Marina Park
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Former minister Charlie Flanagan elected chair of the Irish Red Cross
Charlie Flanagan is a solicitor and long-serving public representative, first elected to the Dáil in 1987 for the Laois – Offaly constituency as a member of Fine Gael. He held a number of senior roles including chair of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, Fine Gael Party chief whip, Spokesperson on Law Reform, Minister for Children, and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. Follow Independent Laois on Facebook He later served as Minister for Justice before stepping down from the cabinet in 2020. Most recently, he chaired the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, where he worked on humanitarian issues. Flanagan maintained an interest in humanitarian action throughout his career. He travelled to Mozambique with Irish Aid, to Ukraine on three occasions, and had multiple visits to Gaza and the Middle East. He also currently volunteers on the board of a cross-border peace-keeping charity 'Co-operation Ireland', where he serves as vice chair. Secretary general of the Irish Red Cross, Deirdre Garvey paid tribute to the outgoing chair, Pat Carey: 'Over the past ten years, he has steered the Irish Red Cross through an era of immense change and challenge, not least our unprecedented response to the war in Ukraine and the challenges faced by members, communities and the public during the Covid-19 years. 'Charlie Flanagan brings a powerful blend of domestic and international experience, a deep understanding of humanitarian issues, and a passion for volunteerism. I have no doubt he will be an outstanding chair as we work to strengthen our services and build a more resilient, compassionate Ireland.' Flanagan was elected through a vote by the Irish Red Cross general assembly and his role will aid with the 2025 – 2030 strategy, focused on transforming the organisation and growing its reach across Ireland. The strategy prioritises expanding national services, deepening community impact, and increasing awareness of the Red Cross' role as Ireland's humanitarian defence force, ready to respond and help people to recover after crises and emergencies.
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Former Laois minister elected chair of the Irish Red Cross
Charlie Flanagan is a solicitor and long-serving public representative, first elected to the Dáil in 1987 for the Laois – Offaly constituency as a member of Fine Gael. He held a number of senior roles including chair of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, Fine Gael Party chief whip, Spokesperson on Law Reform, Minister for Children, and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. Follow Independent Laois on Facebook He later served as Minister for Justice before stepping down from the cabinet in 2020. Most recently, he chaired the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, where he worked on humanitarian issues. Flanagan maintained an interest in humanitarian action throughout his career. He travelled to Mozambique with Irish Aid, to Ukraine on three occasions, and had multiple visits to Gaza and the Middle East. He also currently volunteers on the board of a cross-border peace-keeping charity 'Co-operation Ireland', where he serves as vice chair. Secretary general of the Irish Red Cross, Deirdre Garvey paid tribute to the outgoing chair, Pat Carey: 'Over the past ten years, he has steered the Irish Red Cross through an era of immense change and challenge, not least our unprecedented response to the war in Ukraine and the challenges faced by members, communities and the public during the Covid-19 years. 'Charlie Flanagan brings a powerful blend of domestic and international experience, a deep understanding of humanitarian issues, and a passion for volunteerism. I have no doubt he will be an outstanding chair as we work to strengthen our services and build a more resilient, compassionate Ireland.' Flanagan was elected through a vote by the Irish Red Cross general assembly and his role will aid with the 2025 – 2030 strategy, focused on transforming the organisation and growing its reach across Ireland. The strategy prioritises expanding national services, deepening community impact, and increasing awareness of the Red Cross' role as Ireland's humanitarian defence force, ready to respond and help people to recover after crises and emergencies.
The Journal
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Former Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan elected chair of the Irish Red Cross
FORMER JUSTICE MINISTER Charlie Flanagan has been elected at the new chair of the board of the Irish Red Cross. The Irish Red Cross has an active network of over 3,000 volunteers at 73 branches across Ireland and is also a member of the global Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. Flanagan, who also served as Minister for Foreign Affairs, was elected to the position following a vote of the Irish Red Cross' general assembly. He takes over from Pat Carey, who is also a former minister. Carey held the role for nine years across three terms. Flanagan said he is 'proud to join the Irish Red Cross as Chair at a time of renewal and ambition' for the organisation. He said the Red Cross 'exemplifies all that is best about civic duty and compassion' and has 'always been held in high regard'. And reflecting on his time as chair, Carey described the past nine years as 'the greatest privilege of my life'. 'Over the past nine years, I have seen first-hand the courage, care, and commitment of our volunteers, members and staff,' said Carey. Advertisement He said the response to the invasion of Ukraine was a 'defining moment that showed the true heart of this organisation'. 'I leave knowing the Red Cross is in safe hands, with a bold vision for the future,' Carey added. The Irish Red Cross is currently on the first year of its 2025 – 2030 strategy, which aims to grow the organisation's reach across Ireland and increase awareness of the organisation as a humanitarian defence force. It said that Flanagan's appointment 'brings timely and relevant experience'. A spokesperson for the Red Cross remarked that Flanagan has 'maintained a deep interest in international affairs and humanitarian action'. 'He has travelled extensively in humanitarian contexts, including to Mozambique with Irish Aid, to Ukraine on three occasions, and multiple visits to Gaza and the Middle East,' said the spokesperson. Flanagan also currently volunteers on the board of the cross-border peace-keeping charity, Co-operation Ireland, where he serves as vice chair. Deirdre Garvey, Secretary General of the Irish Red Cross, welcomed the election of Flanagan and also praised Carey for his tenure and his response to the war in Ukraine and the Covid pandemic. She added: 'Charlie Flanagan brings a powerful blend of domestic and international experience, a deep understanding of humanitarian issues, and a passion for volunteerism. 'I have no doubt he will be an outstanding Chair as we work to strengthen our services and build a more resilient, compassionate Ireland.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
