Latest news with #MichaelO'Brien
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Learning from lessons of the not-so-distant past – lifting the lid on family law
As researchers, we were astonished to hear people's experience of the rule, which means family hearings are heard in private, described by various participants as horrific, misogynistic and abusive. Over the past year we have been working with Dr Kenneth Burns, senior lecturer at University College Cork, on a research study commissioned by the Department of Justice to capture the experiences not only of family members who have direct experience of using the family law courts, but also those of the professionals, whose work intersects with in-camera rule. Judges were also interviewed for this study. Everyone knows someone whose marriage, for one reason or another (adultery, domestic violence) has not worked out. For some, they have no option but to pursue the legal route. From the outside looking in, you might think that the couple go to court, get a legal separation or divorce and go their separate ways. The reality, however, as highlighted by our research, shows that it is not as straightforward as one might think. In fact, as described by some of the participants in the study, the system itself can be quite horrific. According to some of our research participants, the in-camera rule has a lot to answer for, and in fact has resulted in many people who use the family courts feeling 'gagged', 'silenced' and 'having no voice'. One participant said that what the in-camera rule actually achieves is 'secrecy not privacy'. Others described it as a system that lacks transparency where there is little or no accountability for the oftentimes life-changing decisions that are made. It should come as no surprise then that from the outset of this study, the floodgates opened. Personal stories, some handwritten, from mothers, fathers and grandparents – all desperate for their stories to be heard – was a regular occurrence for both of us. Some of it was truly unbelievable and mind-boggling. Had we opened a Pandora's box? We dug deep, we found the judgments (some unpublished) only to find that what was contained in those emails and letters, sharing intimate personal accounts, was far from fictitious. In fact, you could not make it up. We were reminded of the powerful words spoken by the recently deceased Michael O'Brien, when he spoke to the nation in 2009 about his experiences of institutional abuse in one of Ireland's industrial schools. He emphasised the importance of giving voice to the voiceless and the need for people who have endured abuse to tell their stories. From our previous work in adoption research, we ask ourselves why today are the same words that were all too familiar to us making a resurgence in the family law space? Words such as secrecy, oppressive, silencing, punitive, abusive, misogynistic should have no place in contemporary Irish society. Indeed, one finding that was highlighted by both professionals and parents is that the in-camera rule has been interpreted so strictly in some cases, that people feel they cannot access crucial supports for fear of breaching the rule. Surely people have a right to reach out for support without fear of retribution? Transparency, clarity and accountability in both public and private family law should not be obscured by a privacy rule. Put by one survey participant, 'we should by now have moved past the simplistic unworkable 'silence' culture of our Catholic-dominated culture'. Those affected by adoption were relentless in their pursuit of justice. It was those who lived and breathed the long-term effects of those systemic injustices that fought for, and facilitated, much needed change in Irish adoption law. If there is one thing we can attest to from our collective experiences, it is that people should not be silenced. Surely Ireland's history has taught us that much? The wheel of change turns very, very slowly. In the context of Irish family law, the changes cannot come soon enough.
Sky News AU
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Danger on our streets': Allan government accused of putting Victorians ‘at risk' with massive cuts budgets for courts and police
The Allan government has been accused of putting the Victorian public 'at risk' after it cut funding to Victoria's police and courts in the midst of a crime crisis. The state government's latest budget, handed down on Tuesday, included a $50 million cut to Victoria Police's 2025-26 budget, a $30 million cut to Victoria's courts, and a $169 million reduction in court-related capital expenditure. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, shadow attorney-general Michael O'Brien said it didn't make any sense to cut funding to police and the courts while Victoria is grappling with a crime crisis. 'When you cut cops and cut courts, you increase danger and you cut community safety. That is exactly what Labor has done in this budget,' Mr O'Brien said. 'By the government cutting Court Services Victoria by $30 million, it means more backlogs in courts. It means more violent offenders getting bail, and it means more danger on our streets for every single Victorian. 'This is a government whose budget says it's focused on what matters most. Well, clearly this government isn't focused on community safety.' The Allan government has promoted it's budget by claiming it 'invests more than more than $2 billion in additional funding for the criminal justice system, courts and emergency services' – a figure that includes all funding over forward estimates. But the budget papers show that funding for 'Policing and Community Safety' has been reduced from $4.55 billion spent in 2024-25 to $4.5 billion for 2025-26. This is despite 1,100 police positions currently being vacant and 43 police stations across the state having closed or reduced their hours since November 2023. Funding for the Courts to deliver 'fair, timely and efficient dispensing of justice' has been reduced from $864 million to $834 million, while Court Services Victoria's capital expenditure has been cut from $318 million to $149 million – a reduction of 53 per cent.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Warren taking applications for veteran banners to be displayed downtown
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) — Warren is launching a new program aimed at publicly honoring veterans with strong ties to the city. The 'Warren Honors: Veterans Banner Program' was created through a partnership with the city, Trumbull County Historical Society and Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission. 'These banners are a reminder and a tribute to the brave men and brave women who have served our nation in dedication and sacrifice,' said Michael O'Brien, councilman at large. The banners will include a picture of the veteran, plus their branch and dates of service. They'll be displayed in downtown Warren between Memorial Day and Veterans Day in both 2025 and 2026. After the second season, they'll be returned to the applicant. 'These aren't just banners. They're testaments. They are family photo albums raised high in the sky. They are reminders that service doesn't end when the uniform comes off,' Mayor Doug Franklin said. The cost of a banner, which is double-sided and 18″ x 48″, is $200. Banner location and placement requests cannot be accommodated. To be eligible for a banner, the applicant must: Reside in or have resided in the City of Warren corporation limits at some point or have a strong Warren connection (such as having worked in Warren). Have served in any of the six branches of military service (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy or Space Force), including the Reserve and National Guard. The application process includes providing the following military identification documents: Military identification document and/or copy of DD-214. High-resolution photograph (5×7 or 8×10) of the military service member. Photos will be returned by mail to the applicant. Instead of mailing, you can also email the image to info@ The deadline to apply is May 14. You can print out an application for a banner here. The application, required documents and payment must be sent to the Trumbull County Historical Society (Attn: Veterans Banner Program) at 328 Mahoning Ave. PO Box 1907, Warren, OH 44482. The Warren Honors Banner Committee will review applications for eligibility on a first-come, first-served basis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Irish Independent
27-04-2025
- Irish Independent
How one voice shattered the shameful silence on clerical abuse: ‘You don't know what happened there. You haven't the foggiest... You don't know the hurt'
The funeral of Michael O'Brien heard how his courage illuminated a path for others to speak out Today at 21:30 When Mary Raftery's groundbreaking 1999 RTÉ series States of Fear aired, one line, narrated by Áine Lawlor, stood out. 'So far, only a fraction of the potential damage caused to children by these paedophiles is even known about.' That stripping of reverential titles from those inflicting harm on children and referring to them as they behaved instead was important — to the victims who needed to be heard, and to the public, who needed to understand that no longer could we place on pedestals mortal men and women with divine calling, who behaved abysmally.
Business Journals
24-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Eagle Life Science: Elevating Cold Chain Logistics in the Heart of Boston
In a city synonymous with biomedical innovation, logistics excellence is no longer a support function — it's a strategic imperative. That's where Eagle Life Science steps in. As a newly established division of Eagle Air Freight, Eagle Life Science is poised to become Boston's most trusted partner in GDP-certified, GxP-compliant logistics for the life sciences and biotech sectors. Backed by more than three decades of freight forwarding and supply chain experience, Eagle Air Freight has long been a name known for reliability, global reach, and white-glove customer service. Now, that legacy is evolving with a specialized focus on one of the most critical and complex sectors: life sciences. Eagle Life Science was launched to meet the growing demand for precision logistics solutions in Greater Boston's rapidly expanding biopharma ecosystem. From early-stage research labs to commercial manufacturing, life sciences companies need partners who understand the rigor of regulated transport and storage — where the margin for error is zero, and patient impact is real. 'Our clients are developing therapies that save lives. We see ourselves as an extension of their mission,' says Michael O'Brien, President of Eagle Life Science. 'That means having the infrastructure, compliance, and mindset to support them at every step of the journey.' Located in Boston, the division's flagship facility will include a high-capacity cold room, a GMP-ready cleanroom, and a purpose-built freezer farm offering storage at -20°C, 0°C, and +2°C to +8°C — all supported by 24/7 real-time temperature monitoring and GxP-compliant handling protocols. But Eagle Life Science is going beyond storage. By investing in automation, AI-driven risk management, and predictive maintenance, the company aims to deliver unmatched reliability and transparency — essential in a world where every sample, biologic, or investigational drug may represent years of research. Compliance is not an afterthought. It's embedded in the company's DNA. The facility is built to Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards, with comprehensive GxP training for all staff, digital SOP management, and audit-readiness as a baseline — not a goal. The service offering is designed for flexibility, covering early-phase R&D shipments, clinical trial supply chain support, biologics distribution, and storage for advanced therapies. Whether working with nimble biotech startups or global pharma firms, Eagle Life Science offers scalable, high-touch solutions that adapt to evolving needs. What makes the company different isn't just infrastructure — it's intention. At a time when life sciences supply chains are increasingly complex and global, Eagle Life Science brings a rare combination of agility, specialization, and service that clients say feels more like a partnership than a transaction. As Boston continues to lead in cell and gene therapy, personalized medicine, and biologic innovation, the need for agile, regulatory-savvy logistics partners will only grow. Eagle Life Science is here to meet that need — with purpose, precision, and people who care.
