Latest news with #JerryButtimer
Irish Daily Mirror
27-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland's first LGBTQ GAA team makes history in inaugural match
Ulster's inaugural LGBTQ+ inclusive GAA team participated in a groundbreaking fixture last weekend. Aeracha Uladh journeyed to Munster Technological University's (MTU) GAA grounds to contest a landmark encounter against Cork's pioneering LGBTQ+ GAA Club, Na Laochra Aeracha on Saturday, July 19. This marked the inaugural clash between two LGBTQ+ inclusive GAA clubs, representing a monumental milestone for inclusive sport across Ireland. The final result in the historic encounter saw NLA triumph 4-7 to AU 1-3. The final score in the historic game was NLA 4-7 to AU 1-3. NLA organised a venue for refreshments in the city centre on Saturday evening after the match, so that the teams could get better acquainted and congratulate each other on the efforts that both clubs have made so far in progressing LGBTQ+ rights and breaking down barriers to sport. Minister Jerry Buttimer, TD of Cork South-Central, made a speech on July 16 on the significance of the event: "Next Saturday, on the eve of the All-Ireland Hurling Final, two gay teams from the North and South of our island will play a match in MTU in Cork. "I thank Cork's Na Laochra Aeracha, for its wonderful have encouraged inclusivity in sport and diversity. Aeracha Uladh coming to Cork shows the power of sport in uniting and raising the rainbow flag." Luke Moreland, Club Secretary for Aeracha Uladh, said: "On behalf of AU, I want to extend sincerest thanks to NLA for their warmth and hospitality and commend them for the tremendous amount of work that was carried out in organising this historical event. It is amazing to see the development that NLA have made in the last year, and we wish the Club every success as they continue to progress." Christine Boyle, Public Relations Officer for Aeracha Uladh added: "This is about more than just a Gaelic football match; this is an historically significant event which highlights the determination and drive that both AU and NLA have to advance LGBTQ+ rights and promote visibility in sport. "There is a need for LGBTQ+ inclusive Clubs like AU and NLA, as both of our Clubs offer a safe and welcoming space for anyone who wants to be involved in sport, a space where they are free to be unapologetically themselves. The challenge match hosted by NLA in Cork will hopefully encourage any individual who has wanted to play sports, or just be a part of a team, to experience that with like-minded people who are accepting and supportive." Aeracha Uladh was formed in April 2022 and the club's ethos is that everyone deserves a safe space to be involved in sport. With over 70 members, AU offers a fun, welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment where anybody can come to get fit and healthy and enjoy themselves, regardless of skill, orientation, gender identity, nationality or creed. Aeracha Uladh train at Sally Gardens Playing Fields on Mondays (LGFA 7-8pm, GAA 8-9pm) and Falls Park on Wednesdays (GAA 8-9pm, LGFA 9-10pm). To find out more, click here.
Irish Independent
05-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
New Cork sexual health centre location marks a ‘significant new chapter' for organisation
Founded in the 1980s as Cork AIDS Alliance, the organisation had operated from its premises at 16 Peter's Street for almost four decades. Sexual Health Centre's new location was officially opened by Minister Jerry Buttimer on Friday. 'This move is about more than just bricks and mortar,' said Fiona Finn, chief executive of the Sexual Health Centre. 'Relocating to South Mall is a powerful step forward in our mission to provide sexual health services for all. 'This modern, accessible facility allows us to meet the increasing demand for our services and to continue evolving in response to the changing needs of our community. 'The move takes sexual health to the heart of Cork city,' she added. The new premises provides additional counselling and support rooms, as well as a dedicated space for community outreach, education and events. The organisation said it remains committed to offering confidential, non-judgmental support and information on all aspects of sexual health, including rapid HIV testing, at-home SH24 self-test kits, free condoms, LGBTQ+ supports, pregnancy counselling and more. Chair of the Sexual Health Centre, Ciaran Lynch, said the facility's move marks a 'significant chapter' in the organisation's story. 'As we turn the page, we want to recognize the dedication and hard work of our current team and board, as well as pay tribute to those who came before us,' Mr Lynch said. 'This shared commitment has been instrumental in shaping the Centre into what it is today.'
Irish Examiner
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Northside jail rates spark ministerial review as prison plans face local opposition
The Minister of State for rural and community development has asked officials in the department to examine the findings of a major Irish Examiner investigation into who is being jailed in Cork and why. Jerry Buttimer said it was 'disconcerting' to read how, despite decades of targeted government investment in areas of the city officially classed as 'disadvantaged,' these areas still account for the highest number of jail terms imposed — and that this needs to be examined. The analysis of almost 1,500 jail terms imposed in Cork courts over the last five years found that seven northside suburbs were in the top 10 for the number of jail terms imposed. These areas align closely with parts of the city classed as 'disadvantaged' or 'very disadvantaged' in the 2022 Pobal Deprivation Index. These areas have higher rates of unemployment and lone parenting, and lower rates of school completion and third-level participation. The Irish Examiner analysis also found that people living on the northside received, on average, longer jail terms than those with an address on the southside. It revealed that homeless people received almost a quarter of the jail sentences handed down in the city courts over five years, and that addiction or substance abuse was cited in almost three-quarters of the cases analysed. Theft, assault, public order, and drugs offences were the most frequently mentioned in the city courts, with men accounting for 87% of all jail terms. Men's sentences were, on average, twice as long as those imposed on women. Mr Buttimer congratulated the Irish Examiner for the investigation, describing it as 'an important piece of work.' Jerry Buttimer said it was 'disconcerting' to read how, despite decades of targeted government investment in areas of the city officially classed as 'disadvantaged,' these areas still account for the highest number of jail terms imposed. Picture: Daragh Mc Sweeney While he highlighted several positive examples of family and youth projects involving the Irish Prison Service, local resource centres, and the Cork ETB aimed at addressing recidivism, he acknowledged there is still a major problem. 'I've spoken to officials in my own department in community rural development on how we can ensure that there is, with Pobal, a piece of work done so that we can ensure that the investment we are putting in is paying dividends, in terms of people not being institutionalised in prison,' he said. 'We also have to work with different organisations to ensure there is a pathway to education, to safer streets, to rehabilitation from drug and alcohol misuse. 'But it is disconcerting to see that despite the vast sums of money spent by Government over generations, over decades, there is a map that illustrates a clear issue that we have to have a clear conversation on. 'I've asked people in my department to look at that as well.' The research comes as opposition grows on the city's northside to recent government plans to repurpose the old Cork Prison building to provide around 300 new prison spaces. Tánaiste Simon Harris said the government will engage with the local community on the plan, but stated that his 'high-level instinct' is that the State's prison capacity must be increased—and quickly. That increased capacity, he said, would provide the space for education and training programmes aimed at tackling the revolving door problem in the prison system. 'Providing adequate prison space, having it properly staffed and adequately resourced, provides that space or an environment within the prison where there can be a focus on ending the revolving door, by saying to people, how are you going to get your life back on track,' he said. 'Our population has grown and grown very significantly in recent years. 'We in the Oireachtas voted to increase the sentencing - that people who carry out heinous crimes should pay in terms of the time in prison, and that does require extra prison spaces. 'The minister for justice has an important role to do in bringing that extra space on track as quickly as possible. 'Having said that, any process has to engage with communities. 'Any process has to be conscious of the views of communities, and this government will absolutely engage with the community in relation to that. 'But we want to make sure our streets are safe, we want to make sure crime never pays, and one of the greatest deterrents to crime is people knowing there is enough prison capacity and if I commit a crime, I'm have a decent chance of going to prison." Read More From northside to southside: What your address means when the gavel falls in Cork
Irish Independent
24-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Mitchelstown and Cobh get new remote working hubs
The Mitchelstown hub is located above the library in the heart of the town. It has 36 desk spaces, including hot desks, a large office with space for 10 people, several smaller offices and a meeting room. It's open for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Cobh hub has 15 desk spaces and three offices for two or three people. It's co-located with Cobh Library in the Arch Building on Casement Square, a historic building that dates back to the early 1800s and which was a former market house and town hall. The two hubs were co-funded by the Department of Rural & Community Development under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme and by Cork County Council. There are now 387 remote working hubs in Ireland as part of the Connected Hubs network, including 39 in County Cork. Speaking at the opening, Cork South-Central TD and Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Jerry Buttimer, said remote working hubs help to enhance local economies and revitalise communities by offering diverse services to remote workers, SMEs, and start-ups. "These hubs are essential in promoting sustainable, flexible work options. They can also increase productivity, help to improve collaboration and create networking opportunities as well as saving money for businesses and their employees," he said. 'The flexible work hubs are a wonderful addition to the town centres, providing working facilities and private offices for the local communities. The new hubs will significantly enhance the local capacity to start, expand and scale enterprises. In North Cork, the hub will complement the fantastic work being done by the Mitchelstown Enterprise Centre," said Mayor of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll. Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell, said the hubs will contribute to vibrant and inclusive local economies by nurturing an ecosystem and offering workers the freedom to choose where they live and work. "These initiatives can have a positive impact on personal and family lives, as well as promoting economic growth and fostering opportunities for sustainable development,' she said. Daily, weekly and monthly rentals of the hubs are available. Enquiries and reservations for a desk or office can be made on the Connected Hubs website
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Boost for 148 Leitrim community projects as over €110,000 allocated to help with running costs
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, have) announced the successful projects under the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025. The funding aims to provide capital supports essential for the many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas in rural and urban areas. The funding will support local groups with ongoing running costs. Cathaoirleach of Leitirm County Council Councillor Paddy O'Rourke said the funding will greatly benefit the groups across the county. 'I would like to thank the Minister and the Dept of Rural and Community Development and Gaeltacht for this significant funding allocation of more than €110,000 towards 148 community projects across County Leitrim through the Local Enhancement Programme 2025. "I would also like to warmly congratulate all of the community groups that were successful in securing funding and to thank them for the vital work that they continue to do,' said Cllr O'Rourke. Chief Executive of Leitrim of County Council, Joseph Gilhooly also welcomed the funding. "I welcome this allocation of funding to the county by the Dept .of Rural and Community Development and Gaeltacht. "This funding will provide much needed financial support to 148 community projects throughout the County. "Community groups are both key contributors and a valued partner in developing our county and enriching the social fabric and the lives of those who live within our county,' said Mr Gilhooly. The Local Enhancement Programme 2025 was launched in November 2024. The funding provides capital supports essential for the many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas in rural and urban areas and also current funding to support local groups with ongoing running costs. The Department of Rural and Community Development and Gaeltacht's Local Enhancement Programme 2025 is administered by the Leitrim Local Community Development Committees, with support from Leitrim County Council.
