tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5004730508631468243.post3385581376249394956..comments2024-03-23T10:20:15.689+00:00Comments on Léargas: World Suicide Prevention DayMáirtín Ó Muilleoirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15088662505129211196noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5004730508631468243.post-61638359689916125182009-09-14T13:15:35.368+01:002009-09-14T13:15:35.368+01:00Lesbian and gay young people are particularly at r...Lesbian and gay young people are particularly at risk of self harm and suicide often as a result of the homophobia and isolation they experience. Many young gay people feel they have no safe space where they will be accepted. Schools are beginning to recognise the crucial role they must play in challenging homophobia and creating a safe inclusive environment where all young people can thrive, but progress is slow. Caitriona Ruane has been very supportive of the work; check out http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/en/54_7054.htm a toolkit for schoolsUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13529084318881171737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5004730508631468243.post-33022765000925968332009-09-11T21:16:48.215+01:002009-09-11T21:16:48.215+01:00Calling on all nationalists to support the PSNI...Calling on all nationalists to support the PSNI''The former head of the police force in the North was accused of claiming a man beaten to death by loyalists may have been accidentally killed by his own family, an inquiry heard today.<br /><br />It was also suggested that Sir Ronnie Flanagan claimed Robert Hamill’s sister Diane had an agenda to “discredit” the force.<br /><br />Sir Ronnie said the record from an unnamed British government official presented to the Hamill inquiry was completely inaccurate and disgraceful.<br /><br />Mr Hamill, 25, was attacked in Portadown in April 1997.<br /><br />The minute from an unnamed government official said: “I generally found the Chief Constable in a pretty defensive and critical mood.<br /><br />“In particular, he commented that Hamill’s death could have been caused by his own family cradling his head in a way that led to oxygen starvation.”<br /><br />Catholic Mr Hamill died 11 days after he was kicked and beaten by a loyalist mob in the centre of Portadown. The inquiry is investigating if there was police malpractice in the killing.<br /><br />The allegation linking the victim’s family to his death was part of a minute of a conversation of July 24, 2000 but the official, who was carrying out a review, cannot be named.<br /><br />Sir Ronnie said: “To suggest that Robert’s death was due to anything other than the beating he received at the hands of his assailants is absolutely disgraceful.”<br /><br />He denied saying that Diane Hamill had an agenda to discredit the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).<br /><br />“I think she has an agenda to find out exactly what happened to her brother,” he added.<br /><br />Sir Ronnie admitted at the Belfast inquiry that relations between nationalists and police needed to improve and said it was one of his priorities on taking up office.<br /><br />Before Mr Hamill’s death, the controversial Drumcree Orange Order parade had been allowed down the nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown after an overwhelming display of aggression from loyalists.<br /><br />Sir Ronnie, who now lives in the Middle East, was Chief Constable of the RUC and then the Police Service of Northern Ireland between 1996 and 2002.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5004730508631468243.post-60535994597371514962009-09-10T18:10:00.457+01:002009-09-10T18:10:00.457+01:00Well Gerry , this is why I come back. The problem ...Well Gerry , this is why I come back. The problem of the high suicide rate in Derry had got my interest a few years ago. I subject close to my concern, in general of the problems, on the Island,a ‘Walk of the darkness’ wonderful idea , I been in contact for a few years both north and south on the issues.shocking figures ,for sure and impact on families and their communities . devastating in full. This Issue did bring me back and back to Ireland for research and studies a area of great importance.As ABRAHAM LINCOLN said:"As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide." All Ireland needs to live through this time, for a better life to come.Timothy Doughertynoreply@blogger.com