Transition Year students hope to erect memorial to domestic abuse victims
Council to engage with TY students on poignant plan
A SENIOR official with Cork County Council said she will engage with Transition Year students at Loreto Secondary School in Fermoy over the possible installation of a memorial bench in Fermoy Town Park to remember victims of domestic abuse.
The motion was brought before a recent Fermoy Municipal District meeting by the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn.
The Fianna Fáil councillor asked that the local authority would accede to a request by Loreto School YSI Project to put in place a memorial bench to raise awareness, remember and acknowledge victims of domestic abuse in Fermoy Town Park.
Mayor O’Flynn said the students are hoping to erect a memorial bench in Fermoy Town Park as part of a Transition Year project. “I have been asked by the TY students in Loreto who are doing a wonderful project. It is about creating a memorial garden to remember and acknowledge the victims of domestic abuse, especially victims in Fermoy and the surrounding area. As part of their project, they would like a seat in our town park. It is a wonderful initiative by the students,” he said.
“It is a very successful school,” continued Mayor O’Flynn. “They have had numerous successful projects over the years. We can be proud of a school like Loreto. I propose that we give them permission to go ahead with this project with consultation from Margaret (Municipal District Officer).”
Fianna Fáil councillor William O’Leary seconded the motion saying it is ‘important’ to listen to suggestions from young people. “It is a very worthy cause. It is important to listen to students when they come up with suggestions.”
Municipal District Officer Margaret O‘Donoghue confirmed she will engage with the students. “I am happy to engage with the students.”
The Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarroll has received a special award at a prestigious awards ceremony in Dublin’s Mansion House.
The annual CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) HR Awards showcase the outstanding work and impact of the people profession in Ireland.
This year the judges awarded their Special Commendation prize to The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland, to recognise the way it has supported its employees in difficult times.
The high level of demand for the sanctuary has been challenging for employees when they cannot deal with all requests. In response, wellbeing was brought to the fore.
Director of CIPD Ireland Mary Connaughton said the judges recognised the efforts of the team, which had applied for the awards under the category of ‘Embedding a Culture of Workplace Wellbeing’.
“The team at the Donkey Sanctuary showed real compassion as they worked to train mental health first aiders to support employees. The judges wanted to highlight how they recognised the care and support needs of the mental health first aiders and organised counselling to help them deal with their own stresses.
“This care is a central aspect of supporting mental health and they wanted to recognise the Donkey Sanctuary for this approach,” Ms Commaughton added.
Since they first opened their gates in 1987, The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland has cared for over 5,600 neglected and abandoned donkeys from across Ireland. Today, they currently care for over 1,700 donkeys and mules.
More than 70 organisations made the list of finalists for this year’s awards programme which was divided into 14 categories covering a range of topics central to the sector.