Drogheda East County Council Candidate James Carroll and his campaign team joined in to give the Termon Abbey Spring Clean an extra boost last Saturday.
We decided to tackle the main roundabout to improve it so off I went and got a lawn-mower, shovels and spades and my campaign team got to work and the improvement is visible for all to see.
I would like to thank Maureen O’Brien and all her team in Termon Abbey for co-ordinating the day. I had been canvassing in the area the week before and a number of people raised a number of issues with me:
If elected, I will prioritise these three issues for the people of Termon Abbey.
The elections are on Friday 5th June 7am to 10pm. You vote in the Newtown Blues GFC Clubrooms. I decided to show the people of Termon Abbey that I am not just a talker but that I am a do-er. If I can be of any help on any matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Among the main challengers will be former All-Ireland Champion Sean Downes from the Stackallen club and Bellewstown stars Damien Mullaney and Anto Kavanagh.
However, two of the favourites must be James Carroll from Termonfechin’s Seapoint Pitch and Putt Club (pictured) and Ian Farrelly from Bellewstown Pitch and Putt Club who have both won on the course with James claiming the crown in 2006 and being runner-up to Ian in 2007 and 2008.
The players depart on Thursday for two days of practice before the 72 hole Championship starts at 8.30am on Saturday morning with Ian teeing it up at 8.38am and James on the first tee at 8.54am. Let’s hope one of the North-East players bring home the inaugural title of best player on the planet.
ENDS
The Health Service Executive’s (HSE) has published their report “Elder Abuse Service Developments 2008” and it shows that there are significant developments in tackling and preventing elder abuse. The Minister for Older People Máire Hoctor TD noted the increase in referrals from 927 in 2007 to 1,840 in 2008. She said that this shows that “the HSE structures now in place together with the high level attention being given to tackle this unacceptable problem are working.”
Drogheda East Fianna Fáil County Council candidate James Carroll said “In addition to developing procedures and structures to combat elder abuse in all its forms, the HSE appointed Senior Case Workers to assess suspected cases of elder abuse, implemented a public awareness campaign, established a National Centre for the Protection of Older People and provided a detailed analysis of referrals of alleged abuse in 2008. Such information is vital in being able to tackle the heretofore unspoken issue of elder abuse”.
“Additional funding was made available in 2008 for the public awareness campaign which commenced in November 2008. The purpose of the campaign was to raise consciousness among the public of elder abuse and in particular, awareness of financial abuse of the older people.
James added “Elder abuse is a societal problem as distinct from a health problem and the latest figures show that financial abuse of older people is one of the most common forms of abuse reported.
“We need to develop the elder abuse service further and to work in collaboration with other agencies as well as developing and evolving an effective policy in relation to elder abuse. The current policy framework, Protecting our Future … Report of the Working Group on Elder Abuse needs to be reviewed regularly. The results of a review will give critical information on how the current system works and will inform future steps to be taken to address elder abuse.
“I urged people to continue to ‘open their eyes to elder abuse’. Whatever form it may take, it is simply unacceptable. Anyone who feels they are the subject of abuse may report their anxieties, to a social worker, a public health nurse, a member of the Garda Síochána, any professional or care worker or their bank or solicitor. The HSE provides an Information Line 1850 24 1850 Monday to Saturday 8am-8pm,” James Carroll concluded.
ENDS
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Brendan Smith TD has launched the online facility for the 2009 single farm payment scheme at www.agfood.ie.
Louth County Council Candidate James Carroll said “This online facility will reduce delays experienced by farmers, where minor errors in the past have led to applications being rejected. Those who submit their applications on-line are much more likely to have their applications cleared for payment more quickly.”
“Minister Smith also noted that pre-printed application forms will begin to issue shortly and the Minister will make a more detailed statement about the 2009 Schemes in the near future”.
“In this difficult economic climate the reduction in the delays of payment to farmers is something that those within the farming community will welcome,” James Carroll added.
“Where farmers are uncomfortable in the use of the internet, the facility exists for recognised agents to carry out this process on their behalf and I would encourage these farmers to talk to their advisers on this matter”, concluded the new, first-time candidate.
ENDS
June 2009 Local Elections candidate James Carroll held his Election Launch and Fundraising Quiz and Raffle on Friday 3rd April in The Monasterboice Inn. “A huge turnout of 50 tables for my quiz with up on 250 people attending really blew me away. The great turnout of young people and people from the locality has really motivated me further to push on and give this campaign 100%.”
The winners (pictured) of the quiz with a tremendous score of 73/80 were Clogherhead’s Oriel Cove residents Barry Sullivan, Jeffrey Brannigan and Natasha Walsh as well as James Bell and Tom Giblin winning for themselves a €50 Tuites Butchers voucher and a bottle of wine each. James also held a raffle on the night with ten great prizes among them a weekend away in a Donegal Hotel, a VIP Oxegen worth €300 and a €50 voucher from Murtagh’s DIY Store on the Fairgreen in Drogheda. “I was very lucky to have got such great prizes sponsored.
“Local elections are costly ventures and last Friday night will go a long way to giving me the best chance of being elected,” James said afterwards. In his launch speech, James thanked the big crowd and then, focussed on his campaign priorities namely the creation of a long term jobs strategy for the north-east, road safety for our young people, tackling crime so that south Louth’s urban and rural people have a better quality of life, fighting for funding for community groups and representing commuters’ views.
ENDS
June 2009 local elections Fianna Fáil Candidate James Carroll has called on the Taoiseach to ensure that the upcoming budget on April 7th is fair and targets those who can afford to pay it the most.
“Equality and fairness has always been the cornerstone of Fianna Fáil policy, and in these difficult economic times, it is vitally important that this policy is followed”.
In a recent meeting, Mr. Carroll noted the challenges faced by the Taoiseach in leading the country through this period of economic difficulty; however he voiced the concerns of many, when noting the need to ensure that the budget both addressed the economic situation facing the country and the real personal and community concerns facing our citizens.
“The primary aim of this budget must be to rebalance our nation’s finances in the most equitable manner possible,” added Mr. Carroll who is running in the Drogheda East area which covers Drogheda, the coast and south Louth.
“It is important for us the citizens to recognise the challenges which lie ahead and to support the Government, so that they can make the though decisions which will guide us through these unchartered waters”, concluded James Carroll.
ENDS
Drogheda Senior Citizens Group hosted an Open Day last Friday in the Westcourt Hotel. County Council candidate James Carroll attended and was delighted to see the energy and buzz in the room. “There was a great turnout throughout the day and it just shows what is possible when energy, hard work and then, some co-ordination comes to harness it all together”.
Some of the many stands throughout the day were TASK alarms, Louth Leader Partnership, MABS, the Gardaí, the Fire Services, Mental Health Ireland and Drogheda Care and Repair who have a list of handy person services to undertake minor household repairs in the homes of older people.
“It was inspiring to see the wide variety of courses, options and services available to the senior citizens in Drogheda. From Skype training to personal alarms to improving security measures at home are some of the practical advice sources that were available on the day,” James Carroll added.
ENDS
Contact Senator James Carroll, Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Dublin 2
Tel: 01-6184374
Ogra.ie | FiannaFáil.ie | Louth County Council | Meath County Council | Houses of the Oireachtas
Website by Strawberry Media