Insurance at charity jumps 300% to €510k
The cost of insurance for the St Joseph’s Foundation in Charleville has more than trebled over the four years to 2016, prompting a call for voluntary agencies to be given “an even playing field” when it comes to funding.
In a motion before Cork County Council, Cllr Ian Doyle (FF) has asked that the authority write to Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe requesting that he take immediate action to address the huge increase in insurance costs for voluntary Section 39 organisations
“If voluntary organisations like the St Joseph’s Foundation are to expand to meet demand they must be allowed an even playing field so that the monies received through donations and fundraising initiatives are used where they are needed the most,” Cllr Doyle told The Corkman.
FRIENDS of the Mitchelstown man who has gone missing while on holiday in Thailand have been urged to lend their support to a social media appeal to trace his whereabouts.
Anthony O’Sullivan (54), from O’Neill Crowley Terrace in Mitchelstown has not been seen since he disappeared from his hotel room in Bangkok last week.
His brother, Martin Patrick, has travelled to Bangkok to help co-ordinate the search for Martin, a self-employed electrician and a former pupil at St Fanahan’s College in Mitchelstown.
The Department of Foreign Affairs have said they are aware of Mr O’Sullivan’s disappearence and are providing consular assistance to his family in Bangkok.
On Sunday Martin Patrick posted on his Facebook page thanking people for enquiring about his brother. He said that Thai police had found Anthony’s passport and bank card in his hotel room and were “pretty confident” they would find him.
Another post on Martin Patrick’s Facebook page had indicated that Anthony may have been spotted at a Bangkok supermarket on Sunday afternoon.
“If you see him (Anthony) please take him to the police station or Irish Embassy,” read the message which was posted by a Thai friend of Anthony.
The message also included a picture of Anthony with an appeal for people in Thailand to share it across social media.
Anthony’s nephew, Sean O’Sullivan, also posted on social media asking anyone who may have seen his uncle to contact him or Martin Patrick through Facebook.
It is understood that Anthony is a seasoned traveller who has trekked in the Himalayas and visited Cambodia in recent years.
“Anthony has travelled widely – he would save up and head off for a few weeks and then come back to Mitchelstown where he is well known. He’s a very decent fellow and popular too,” said one local.
That sentiment was echoed by Mitchelstown-based Cork county councillor June Murphy who said she had been in contact with members of Anthony’s family in Mitchelstown over recent days.
“As people can image they are very worried and concerned for Anthony. The O’Sullivan’s are a well-liked and respected family and Anthony is a lovely guy,” said Cllr Murphy.
“The family are very keen to get as much online support for their appeal as possible and want people to share Anthony’s picture through social media in the hope that he will be found soon,” she added.