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Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Wicklow charitymarks 15 years as annual report highlights ‘helping homeless with dignity'
Senator Aubrey McCarthy marked the milestone with a reminder of how 'a small group of us came together to create an organisation dedicated to helping those facing addiction and homelessness with dignity', and described 2024 as 'both busy and impactful'. In his message, he pointed to huge challenges in the early part of the year, when, in February, the demand for homeless services surged at Tiglin's Lighthouse homeless café, in Dublin. "Despite limited resources, the team persevered, distributing essentials to those in need,' he said. He was rewarded personally for his endeavours when he was bestowed with the Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year award, in May, something he modestly described as a 'true team effort'. This was followed in June, when he was 'both surprised and delighted' to be presented with the RDS Lifetime Achievement Award. From a challenging start, the year ended on a hugely positive note, with the organisation benefitting from a €1.4m grant to enhance women's recovery facilities, in September, followed by the October purchase of the Loreto convent in Bray. CEO Phil Thompson called the acquisition of the Bray facility 'remarkable', and noted how the site, currently home to around 40 Ukrainian nationals, 'opens new possibilities for Tiglin to address housing and healthcare needs for vulnerable populations'. "Looking ahead, we are excited to collaborate with Wicklow County Council and other state bodies to unlock the full potential of this site,' he said. The event, on Thursday, May 22, was hosted by Senator McCarthy, who was recently appointed to the Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Local Government, and showcased the charity's impactful and life-changing work across the country. The report itself outlines a year of intense activity and growing need. In 2024 alone, Tiglin's frontline Lighthouse Café served over 100,000 hot meals – an indicator of the deepening crisis of homelessness and hardship in Ireland. Social Care in Action brought together members of the Oireachtas, frontline workers, service users, and supporters. It offered a rare opportunity for policymakers to hear directly from those working on, and affected by, the realities of Ireland's social care landscape. A central theme was the role of lived experience in shaping effective national policy, particularly in the areas of addiction recovery, housing, and reintegration. ADVERTISEMENT Among the speakers were Tiglin graduates Paul and Nicola, who shared powerful personal stories of transformation. Nicola reflected on her past. 'My main goal for the day used to be just to drink. That was it. And saying it now, it's heartbreaking,' she said. Nicola was a participant in RTE's riveting three-part documentary in April, Hooked, hosted by Dr Brian Pennie. She was in the latter stages of treatment for alcohol addiction at Tiglin's Women's Centre in Greystones, and recounted how her days were shaped by addiction. These days, as part of Tiglin's reintegration programme, she's working in the bakery at the Rise coffee shop, while studying and slowly rebuilding herself as she strives to 'dip back into reality and to life'. Meanwhile, Paul, who also spoke at the launch, described how his life has too changed: 'Right now, in the community, I'm not 'Paul the addict' anymore,' he said. 'I'm just Paul. People don't know my past unless I tell them. And for the first time, I see a future – one where I give back and help others find their way too.' Today, Tiglin operates across seven locations, offering rehabilitation, supported housing, education, youth outreach, and community employment programmes. All of its work is grounded in a holistic, person-centred approach of restoration and dignity. The 2024 Annual Report highlights some remarkable outcomes for the organisation, including:
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Sir Chris Bonington: ‘I was inconsolable when I found out my son had died'
Born in London, Sir Chris Bonington was raised by his mum and grandmother after his father left the family. He has climbed or led 19 expeditions to the world's most challenging peaks, including four to Mount Everest. He's written 20 books about his adventures, including losing his close friend Mick Burke on Everest in 1975. He was knighted in 1996. Conrad, his first-born son with wife Wendy, died age three; he went on to have two more sons with Wendy – Joe and Rupert. After Wendy's death from motor neurone disease in 2014, Chris found love again with Loreto. They split their time between Cumbria and the south of France. Best childhood memory? When I was five, we lived on the ground floor of an Edwardian terrace in Hampstead. The back garden had a gate that led directly onto the bottom of Hampstead Heath. During a playdate with a friend, we slipped out the back gate and we went wandering up the Heath happily. Mum was out at work and when Grandma came looking for us, she saw we were gone, panicked and phoned the police. We were found and taken to Belsize Park station. The detective left us unattended in the inspector's office and I noticed a fridge and saw there was a pint of milk in it. I poured it all over his desk, undoubtedly over some arrest warrants and important files. At that moment, he came through the door with my grandma. Thankfully, I wasn't clipped around the ear. Everyone was just relieved we were in one piece. Best lesson you've learnt? Just keep going, even if it means taking a different route. When I was at school, most of my friends had got places at Cambridge or Oxford. Being a single parent, mum couldn't afford it, so I was expected to go to University College London instead. But when I found out I'd failed English, I had to go back to school again. I lasted about half a term, said 'sod this' and dropped out. I knew that meant I was going to get called up for National Service. I decided on the Royal Air Force because I hoped I'd get into RAF Mountain Rescue. To my amazement, I got through selection and ended up at RAF Cranwell. Best thing about climbing? I've climbed from a young age – just starting with trees. The physical and mental side of climbing pushes you and I was good at it. It was a matter of managing or conquering risk. And then as I got older and into mountaineering, I realised that not only did I love climbing, I was very good at organising expeditions. I was meticulous in planning – the guides, or blueprints, were inches thick because of the detail. I'm good at understanding how people work in a group. Being dictatorial builds resentment. When you are involved in a discussion, they're more likely to accept the outcome, and you earn their trust. Best character trait? I don't hold grudges against people. If they've disappointed me or let me down, I quickly get over it. Everyone's human and has their own points of view; I can live with it. When I was an instructor at the Army Outward Bound School in North Wales, I didn't get on well with the brigadier because I made the mistake of once telling him that our lads shouldn't go into the water for a swim one day when the sea was rough and dangerous. He held that against me and made a note on my file. That kind of black mark isn't good for an army career. It was a blessing in disguise; I wouldn't have been happy – my true calling was climbing. Best way to prepare for a climb? I've always gone running. I was a rough runner. I did the Cuillin Ridge in Scotland, solo on a hot day, but I hadn't hydrated enough, so I totally collapsed. These days, given I'm 90, my running days are over, but I go walking. Acclimatising is also vital. In 1978, Andy Rubin, the founder of Berghaus, asked me to lead a team up Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It's a dead easy mountain, but quite high. Most people who do it know nothing about acclimatisation, and get dragged up by guides too quickly, getting very sick and having a horrible time. Best challenge you've faced and overcome? In 1977, I climbed the Ogre, a mountain in Pakistan that had never been climbed before. It's not one of the highest; it's under the magic 8,000m magic range. But it's very, very difficult in every way, including a long, complicated approach. Best advice you'd give to a new climber? Be realistic about what you can do. Really think about it. Find out as much as you possibly can about the location, expedition or event. Then having done that, really look at yourself and think about how capable you are and how to get through it. Most of all enjoy it, and be challenged by it because to be worthwhile, you have to be challenged. Worst challenge you've faced? Leading an expedition attempting K2 (the second-highest mountain on Earth) in June 1978. That doesn't mean being out in front, you put your best climbers out front. Leading the expedition means directing it as a whole. The best position for my role is to be two camps behind the lead climber because you can see what's happening in the upper part and you've still got a feel of what's happening lower down. Ultimately, we hadn't chosen the best route, but it could have worked. There's a certain point when you're quite high up and we had to cross a long hanging glacier – which was the most direct route, but more difficult. We made it across in a thin line. Two days later, I'm on a rest day at camp and a huge avalanche came crashing down and someone said, 'Christ sake, do you realise one of our guys ahead could be in that?' I later found out that my close friend Nick Escourt had been in it and was killed. Talking to Nick's wife back home in Manchester about it was very hard. Unfortunately, most big expeditions lose people. It's very sad, but as a whole you accept that risk and you have to not be broken by it. Worst regret? I don't have regrets as such because I accept that I can't get everything right. But when it comes to loss, I still find it very difficult to talk about. In May 1966, I was in the Ecuadorian Amazon, to photograph Sangay, an active volcano, for The Telegraph when I was a photojournalist. I received a devastating note from a Kichwa tribesman. My son Conrad had died in a drowning accident. I was inconsolable. Returning through the jungle, on my long journey home, I realised I'd never be able to hold him again. Almost 60 years later, I still get very emotional about it. Worst lesson about society? Capitalism may have its faults, but communism is one hell of a lot worse. You're much better off within a capitalist society that has a conscience. That's why I've stayed loyal to Berghaus and the founders Steven and Andy Rubin; they're responsible capitalists that haven't gone dashing off abroad to avoid paying taxes and want to make a better world. Worst trait? I tend to make decisions very quickly, on tiny things and big things. Then later I'll realise, no that's not a very good idea after all and then I have to backtrack. My wonderful wife Loreto knows, when I make one of these decisions, that there's a good chance I'll change my mind again! I'm also impatient. If I'm interrupted when I'm focusing on something important, I get really irritable. But I get over it quickly, so others don't take any notice of it any more. Worst thing in the news? The appalling amount of violence that's going on in the world today, aimed very often at vulnerable people. What Hamas did in Gaza was appalling, but the reaction Israel has taken to hammer and hammer the area as a whole is killing so many civilians. For every terrorist they're killing, they're emboldening the remaining ones and creating a dozen more for a new generation whose minds are poisoned. Worst fear for the future? The original atom bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki are little more than firecrackers compared to the nuclear weapons that exist now. People have become so desensitised to talking about nuclear war, that they almost don't realise the apocalyptic effect it would have.
Irish Independent
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Loreto Wexford lose to St. Leo's in Leinster final
They lost this Leinster Division 1 league final to St. Leo's of Carlow, but to be in such an illustrious title decider just a few short years ago would have been unthinkable for the Loreto girls. They did themselves and the school proud on this journey, and they set a benchmark for others coming behind to meet and then surpass. The desire is there, the will is there, the talent is arriving. On the day, Ajax Athletic provided an ideal backdrop for a battle of two schools that are probably better known for their GAA exploits. It's a game that could have gone either way, as both teams had their spells in the ascendancy and both had to defend at times, but it turned into a cracking contest. The first-half was an end-to-end battle, with Loreto Wexford arguably having the better chances but they couldn't break the deadlock. The Carlow girls took the lead after 17 minutes after a pass turned Loreto's defence, creating a one-on-one opportunity that was superbly fired home by the champions. A short time later, the Loreto efforts in pushing for an equaliser paid dividends as an expertly-placed cross from Keisha Doyle was headed home by Polly Redmond, levelling the game coming into the half-time change of ends. With the game finely balanced, the third goal was always likely to tell a lot of the tale. Had Loreto found it, the result and destination of the cup may have been different. They did manage to create a gilt-edged chance to do just that. In what proved to be the turning point in the game, within the opening five minutes of the second-half, Keeva Maloney broke forward from midfield and won a penalty for Loreto Wexford as her attempted across from inside the box was ultimately handled by a St. Leo's defender. Mia Denton stepped up to penalty spot but was denied by a fantastic diving save by the St. Leo's goalkeeper. This turned out to be a crucial moment as the Carlow girls began to grow into the game, boosted by the dramatic swing in momentum. St. Leo's scored two goals in quick succession, each created by expertly-placed passes that cut through Loreto's defence. Chances were few and far between for Loreto from this point on as their opponents controlled possession and closed out the game as they were crowned Leinster League Division 1 champions. Loreto Wexford: Caoimh Whelan, Keisha Doyle, Alena Clancy, Nicole Murphy, Aoife McEldowney, Ciara Murphy, Layla Stafford, Keeva Maloney, Emma McEldowney, Mia Denton, Polly Redmond. Subs. - Nicole Lageu, Ciara Whelan, Méabh Hegarty, Isabel Kearney, Heidi O'Shea, Amy Halligan, Ell Martin.
The Independent
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Amazonian communities in Peru rejoice as plan for oil drilling on ancestral land stalls
Peru 's state-run oil company failed to attract any bids to develop an oil field that overlaps ancestral territories of several Indigenous groups, prompting celebration by the communities and environmentalists on Friday. The land parcel known as Block 64, which overlaps the ancestral territories of the Achuar, Wampis, and Chapra nations, has long been the focus of Indigenous resistance. Thursday's failed tender by Petroperu marked a major blow to its plans to expand oil production in the region. 'It's great news amid so much hardship we've been experiencing — a relief, but we remain on alert,' Olivia Bisa Tirko, president of the Chapra Nation's autonomous territorial government in Loreto, Peru, told The Associated Press by phone. Petroperu told AP in a written statement that several companies were interested in Block 64 but withdrew at the last minute due to internal strategic shifts, not external pressure. The company denied that Indigenous opposition played a role, asserting that local communities support oil development and are urging operations to begin. It also said that the block has the required community approval — known as a social license — which is seen as crucial for multinational oil and gas projects to proceed without conflict. Since 1995, Indigenous groups have strongly opposed oil development in the area, blocking multiple companies due to environmental and rights concerns. In 2022, Petroperu took control of Block 64, which known as an oil concession where the government has granted rights to explore and extract oil within a specific territory. ¨It's been a fight ever since the Peruvian state granted the concession without consultation or consent (from Indigenous communities),¨ Bisa Tirko said. ¨For more than 25 years, we have been fighting and resisting to defend our right to live in a healthy and balanced environment.¨ The outcome underscores the mounting legal, environmental and reputational risks deterring investors from Amazon oil development. Andrew Miller, advocacy director at Amazon Watch, an organization that works to protect the rainforest, says strong local opposition has deterred several multinational oil companies from developing Block 64 since 1995. He said that pollution from other oil blocks has harmed other communities in the Amazon. "The history of their sister Indigenous communities in neighboring oil blocks is poisoned water sources, social division and impoverishment," Miller said. 'Each day the oil doesn't flow is a day they can still use the rivers for their sustenance, as they always have.' Miller says despite multinational companies having invested tens of millions of dollars in past attempts to develop Block 64, none have seen a return, suggesting the industry now sees it as a costly financial dead end. Despite this, he believes the Peruvian government will keep searching for a way to encourage development of Block 64. 'Local communities and their allies will remain alert to this zombie project which has been killed multiple times but always attempts to return from the dead,' he said. —— The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Associated Press
16-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Amazonian communities in Peru rejoice as plan for oil drilling on ancestral land stalls
Peru 's state-run oil company failed to attract any bids to develop an oil field that overlaps ancestral territories of several Indigenous groups, prompting celebration by the communities and environmentalists on Friday. The land parcel known as Block 64, which overlaps the ancestral territories of the Achuar, Wampis, and Chapra nations, has long been the focus of Indigenous resistance. Thursday's failed tender by Petroperu marked a major blow to its plans to expand oil production in the region. 'It's great news amid so much hardship we've been experiencing — a relief, but we remain on alert,' Olivia Bisa Tirko, president of the Chapra Nation's autonomous territorial government in Loreto, Peru, told The Associated Press by phone. Petroperu told AP in a written statement that several companies were interested in Block 64 but withdrew at the last minute due to internal strategic shifts, not external pressure. The company denied that Indigenous opposition played a role, asserting that local communities support oil development and are urging operations to begin. It also said that the block has the required community approval — known as a social license — which is seen as crucial for multinational oil and gas projects to proceed without conflict. Since 1995, Indigenous groups have strongly opposed oil development in the area, blocking multiple companies due to environmental and rights concerns. In 2022, Petroperu took control of Block 64, which known as an oil concession where the government has granted rights to explore and extract oil within a specific territory. ¨It's been a fight ever since the Peruvian state granted the concession without consultation or consent (from Indigenous communities),¨ Bisa Tirko said. ¨For more than 25 years, we have been fighting and resisting to defend our right to live in a healthy and balanced environment.¨ The outcome underscores the mounting legal, environmental and reputational risks deterring investors from Amazon oil development. Andrew Miller, advocacy director at Amazon Watch, an organization that works to protect the rainforest, says strong local opposition has deterred several multinational oil companies from developing Block 64 since 1995. He said that pollution from other oil blocks has harmed other communities in the Amazon. 'The history of their sister Indigenous communities in neighboring oil blocks is poisoned water sources, social division and impoverishment,' Miller said. 'Each day the oil doesn't flow is a day they can still use the rivers for their sustenance, as they always have.' Miller says despite multinational companies having invested tens of millions of dollars in past attempts to develop Block 64, none have seen a return, suggesting the industry now sees it as a costly financial dead end. Despite this, he believes the Peruvian government will keep searching for a way to encourage development of Block 64. 'Local communities and their allies will remain alert to this zombie project which has been killed multiple times but always attempts to return from the dead,' he said. —— The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
