Latest news with #GerryCarroll
Irish Times
23-06-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Foster carers wanted: ‘You can be over 55, gay, single, a job seeker, of ethnic minority, and be a carer'
They say that raising a child takes a village, but not everyone is fortunate enough to have the help and support they need. And some people, for a variety of reasons, are unable to take care of their own children. There are more than 5,000 children and young people in State care across Ireland with almost 90 per cent of these living with foster carers. Nicola Rowntree Carroll and her husband, Gerry, have been welcoming children into their home for almost two decades and say it has been an incredibly rewarding experience. 'When we first got married many years ago and it seemed unlikely that we would have our own children, we thought about fostering,' she says. 'But then we did become parents – to Sarah Louise, David and Emma – and we put it on the back burner for a while. Then, one day, both myself and Gerry happened to be listening to an interview on the radio about fostering. He was at home and I was at work, and coincidentally we both heard it. There was a call-out for foster parents, and we said, 'You know what? Let's do this.' That was about 18 years ago and we have been doing it ever since. The importance of foster care Listen | 68:58 In Ireland, more than 5,500 children are currently in foster care. We hear from two foster carers, Sinéad O'Donnell and Sharon Kelly, who tell Róisín Ingle why they wanted to open up their homes, the challenges involved and what advice they would give to anyone considering becoming a foster carer. 'In that time, we have fostered four children. Our first placement was a seven-month-old baby boy, who was an amazing little character who took to Gerry from the moment he came into the house in the arms of the social worker – I'd say he sat on Gerry's hip for a whole year. It was a wonderful experience all round, particularly as he went home at the end, which was just fantastic.' READ MORE Their next placement was a teenage boy, who came to their house in an emergency situation and stayed on for some time, ending only after tensions arose between the children. 'We would have loved to continue working with him, but he was the same age as our own son and conflicts had begun, so in terms of protecting our own child, unfortunately, the placement had to end,' says Nicola, who is a rape crisis worker. Nicola Rowntree Carroll. But their household numbers changed again as, shortly afterwards, they took in two brothers. 'We've had this foster placement of two teenage brothers, Andrew and Tristan, for nine years now,' she says. 'They are a long-term placement and will always be with us – they really are part of the furniture now at this stage.' The two brothers have integrated seamlessly into family life, and Nicola says they are blessed that everyone gets on so well, as this might not always be the case. 'Looking after the baby first was kind of handy because he wasn't going to be into anyone else's toys or anything like that, so it wasn't difficult,' she says. 'I had thought that it might be an issue for our youngest with [feelings of] displacement, but it was fine. There were issues with the second placement, but this is often the case with everyone trying to find their space within a new home. But we are really blessed with the boys, as all the children get on – and fight – like siblings. 'Of course, there are lots and highs and lows with fostering, regardless of the situation, and one of the things that we learned really early on from a social worker was to celebrate the small things. So that is something that we always try to do. But we have also been really lucky because we're now celebrating big things with the boys as well. 'Also, things have been very positive with regard to the boys' mum, as I have a fantastic relationship with her. This can be quite unusual and has been hard work – she has had to see someone else bringing up her children, which cannot be easy for any mother, but we have really worked very hard and meet each other every two weeks for coffee or lunch, a catch-up and a chat. I will text her when things happen with the boys, even simple things like going to the GP or if they have done well on a test or an exam, and I'll send photos. 'This has also made a huge difference for the boys, because they are not competing or protecting either situation – so in the house and on their phones, and she is referred to as 'Mum One', and I am 'Mum Two'. And with regard to any major decisions, I will run everything past Mum One before we say yes or no to it. That has been an absolute high, and has also been such a positive experience for all of us. I know Mum One would agree and say exactly that same thing, that it's not about us, it's all about the children.' If you have space, and time, and a little bit of room in your heart and in your mind, think about fostering June is National Fostering Awareness Month. 'The theme is 'Fostering Is for You', in which we want to address the myths around fostering eligibility,' says Jacqueline Smyth, Tusla national lead for foster care. 'You can be over 55, gay, single, a job seeker, of ethnic minority, etc and be a foster carer. Many people don't realise this and were ruling themselves out. 'There is an ongoing need for carers across the country. And it is important that the pool of available carers is both diverse and geographically spread to assist children in staying in their communities. Each child will have differing needs, and so a variety of family types is also important; quiet homes and busy ones, homes with children and those without, are all required. 'People often believe that fostering is something that is outside their range of skills when, in fact, what foster children need most are homes which are stable and filled with kindness and love. The love and care is the same as if you were looking after your own child or family member.' 'As part of National Fostering Awareness Month, we are asking people from diverse backgrounds, in communities across Ireland, to consider providing all types of foster care,' says Smyth. 'It could be respite care on weekends, even one weekend a month. It could be an emergency placement, or a longer-term placement for children and young people who cannot, for various reasons, live with their birth families.' Meanwhile, seasoned foster carer Nicola urges people to consider taking in a child as it could make such a difference to their life. 'If you have space, and time, and a little bit of room in your heart and in your mind and you want to make a positive difference to a child's life, think about fostering,' she says. 'I would encourage anyone considering it to get in touch with other foster carers. There are branches, hubs and support groups, so go talk to them and to foster carers in your local area. Find out what the supports are like and get in touch. Don't dismiss it, just think about it, because if you've considered it, then fostering is probably for you.' For more information on fostering, see or call freephone 1800-226771 to be connected with a social worker in your local area who can talk to you about what is involved and what might work for you
South Wales Guardian
16-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Stormont MLA Remuneration Board Bill passes despite opposition
The Assembly Members (Independent Remuneration Board) Bill will establish a new independent board to determine salaries and pensions for MLAs. It will replace the previous Independent Financial Review Panel which has been defunct for a number of years. Currently, the basic salary for an MLA is £51,500, but this can rise with position including chairing some committees or serving as a minister, with the First and deputy First Ministers receiving a salary of £123,500. A report alongside the Bill showed MLA salaries are lower than those received by Members of the Scottish Parliament (£72,196), Assembly Members at the Welsh Assembly (£72,057) and Members of the Irish Parliament (113,679 euros/£94,537). The Bill, put forward by the Assembly Commission, was passed by an oral vote by MLAs on Monday, with the sole MLAs representing the TUV and People Before Profit both opposing the Bill. TUV MLA Timothy Gaston claimed it is 'nothing more than a vehicle to enable MLAs to award themselves a substantial pay rise', and objected to former MLAs being entitled to sit on the new board. People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll also criticised that former MLAs could sit on the board, and said that a pay rise for MLAs amid 'rising rates of poverty' would be 'completely tone deaf'. However UUP MLA Andy Allen, who sits on the Assembly Commission, described a 'technical Bill' to deal with the process of how salaries and pensions are set. Closing the debate Sinn Fein MLA Sinead Ennis slammed what she termed 'inaccuracies and misunderstandings' over the Bill. She also warned that if the Bill did not pass the Assembly 'will have failed' to ensure legal clarity and leave no structure in place to determine the salaries and pensions of MLAs. 'In passing this Bill today, future discussions and decisions around the salaries and pensions of members will shift to the independent remuneration board,' she told MLAs. 'That board has independence in deciding what factors it wants to consider before determining its view on the appropriate level of salaries and pensions for members. 'That is the appropriate way of dealing with these matters.'
CTV News
31-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
‘A conglomeration of acquired goodies': N.B. man with cancer sells stuff to declutter
Gerry Carroll poses for a portrait with his wife Mary in Riverview, N.B., Thursday, May 29, 2025. Carroll, who has been told he has terminal cancer, has decided to sell his possessions in order to ease the burden on his family after his death. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ron Ward FREDERICTON — It was a complete shock when Gerry Carroll was diagnosed with cancer and was given months to live. The retired Riverview, N.B., sales representative said he had gone to see his family doctor in December 2023 for what he described as a 'gurgling' noise in his stomach. His family physician sent him for a scan, which showed malignant polyps. 'I think you have someone else's report there,' he remembers telling the doctor. A few weeks after he had time to process the news, Carroll said he wanted to make sure he found a way to get rid of some of his possessions that he has been collecting for nearly six decades. 'He's a hoarder,' said his wife, Mary Carroll. Her husband roared with laughter. 'I just have this acquisition problem,' he retorted. Carroll said there was no room left in his garage for all of his stuff. His collection spans almost everything, including two scooters, 'speakers, speakers, speakers,' books, cassettes, movies, televisions, VCRs, power tools and clothing. 'You name it, I have it,' he said. 'It's just a conglomeration of acquired goodies.' Part of his collection includes all the contents of a neighbour's apartment who was moving to a nursing home, he said. 'Almost ended 59 years of wedded bliss.' But he also began to worry about how his wife would deal with all the stuff when he dies. Inspired by a British practice where people sell things out of their vehicles, Carroll said he decided to do the same, and posted his idea on social media. The response was huge and positive. A property owner in Moncton, N.B., let Carroll use his empty lot. Heading into his second weekend of sales, Carroll said he plans on holding a bazaar every weekend until he gets rid of his stuff. Getting rid of all that he's acquired over the years, he said will leave his wife with 'peace and quiet.' 'I'm not getting rid of any of our personal belongings or things that our daughter may have given us or anything like that,' he added. Mary Carroll first met Gerry Carroll on Jan. 25, 1965, at a dance in Bible Hill, N.S. 'When I met him, I didn't like him,' she said with a chuckle. 'I thought he and his friend were show-offs.' Carroll asked her if he could escort her home, she said. She refused. At another dance a few days later, she said he asked her again if he could give her a ride back to her house. She turned him down again. But he didn't give up. 'I knew he was just going to go through (each day of) the week. So I said, 'Yes. I will go home with you,'' she said. 'That was the beginning.' It wasn't long before the two were married. Mary Carroll said she is taking it one day at a time as her husband deals with terminal cancer. While she is not fond of her husband's habit of collecting things, she said she doesn't know how to feel about him selling everything. 'It's something, I guess, that keeps his mind occupied,' she said. For Carroll, he said the sales are a way to meet people, have a few laughs and get some money. 'I'm 82. I've been married to my wife for 59 years, and we have a daughter and three beautiful grandchildren,' he said. 'That's about as good as it gets.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 31, 2025. The Canadian Press
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Department of Health criticised over delays in publishing updated suicide prevention action plan over funding shortfalls
A rapid review of Northern Ireland's suicide prevention strategy, Protect Life 2, was announced in December 2023. A report was due by March and an updated action plan was expected by June 2024. The review report was eventually published in September, but the revised action plan has yet to be published. In response to an Assembly question from west Belfast MLA Gerry Carroll in March, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt confirmed that an updated plan and implementation strategy would be approved on April 3. It has since emerged that despite being approved, the department will not publish the updated action plan due to funding shortfalls. Pat McGreevy, chair of the Suicide Down To Zero charity and former mental health nurse, said the delay is 'symbolic of a government that doesn't consider suicide prevention a priority.' 'In 2023, there were 221 reported suicides in Northern Ireland. Research from the United States indicates that 135 people are affected by each suicide death,' he added. "There seems no sense of urgency in relation to suicide in Northern Ireland, despite the fact that every week in Northern Ireland we lose four people to suicide leaving 540 people bereft.' Mr McGreevy criticised the decision to withhold publication of the plan due to funding shortfalls. 'The public have a right to see the intention or even ambition of the action plan which in part can be caveated by subject to funds becoming available,' he said. Sara Boyce, campaign organiser for Mental Health Rights: New Script — an initiative by the human rights NGO Participation and the Practice of Rights (PPR) — said the department had 'serious questions to answer about its commitment to suicide prevention.' "What should have taken months has dragged on without explanation, sending a clear message that suicide prevention is not a priority,' said Ms Boyce. 'Now we're told there's no funding for a revised plan. Meanwhile, there is no suicide prevention target, no strategic allocation of resources, and no progress on proven interventions — such as raising bridge parapets or ensuring GPs receive suicide prevention training. "Community and voluntary organisations are left to shoulder the burden, working tirelessly to save lives and support grieving families.' Ms Boyce added that PPR are calling for the action plan to be published immediately with clear targets and sufficient funding. They are also urging the Health Committee and Public Accounts Committee to 'investigate the unacceptable delays and ensure accountability." Mr Carroll said it was 'not good enough' that plans had been approved without prioritising the necessary funding. 'A suicide epidemic is destroying the fabric of working-class communities, with rates over twice as high in the most deprived areas,' he added. "Without adequate resources, these plans aren't worth the paper they're written on. "Between 2019 (when the Protect Life 2 Strategy was first published) and 2023, over 1,000 people in the north have died by suicide. The Executive must resolve funding shortfall issues immediately; people's lives depend on it." A spokesperson for the Department of Health said that Protect Life 2 has been extended until 2027. They added that the action plan and implementation strategy were approved by Ministers at the Executive Working Group on Mental Wellbeing, Resilience and Suicide Prevention on April 3, subject to funding. "Work on the plans has been completed and they will be published shortly once funding shortfall issues have been resolved,' added the spokesperson. "The new Action Plan will contain a wide range of actions aiming to reduce the rate of suicide in Northern Ireland.' Responding to claims that suicide prevention is not a priority for the department, the spokesperson said the Health Minister 'has made clear that he is fully committed to working towards a sustained reduction in suicide' They added that this 'will only be possible with full implementation and delivery of all Protect Life 2 actions.'
Irish Post
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Post
Politicians condemn arrest of elderly pro-Palestinian demonstrator in Belfast
POLITICIANS in the North have condemned the arrest of an elderly pro-Palestinian demonstrator in Belfast, with one saying he was 'disturbed' by the incident. A video circulating online showed the woman standing outside a branch of Barclays bank on Saturday as a police officer spoke to her before arresting her. The PSNI confirmed that two women had been arrested in relation to the incident on suspicion of criminal damage. A joint statement from several pro-Palestinian groups said they were 'shocked but not surprised at this serious escalation in the criminalisation of Palestine activists'. The woman is led away after being arrested In the video, the person recording appears to suggest stickers had been placed on the ATM of the Barclays branch in Castle Place before being removed. The bank has faced criticism over accusations from pro-Palestinian groups that it provides financial services to companies that sell arms to Israel. The woman, who describes herself as a 72-year-old Jewish grandmother, is subsequently arrested and led to a police van. "Police received a report relating to a protest in the Castle Place area of Belfast city centre on Saturday morning, May 24," said a PSNI statement. "Officers attended and two people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. "The women — one aged in her 70s and the other in her 50s — are in custody, assisting with police enquiries at this time." Supporters later gathered outside Musgrave Police Station, where the women were held. A subsequent video showed the women — reportedly members of Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) and Jews for Palestine Ireland — outside the station having been released. 'Repression' In a statement, People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said he was 'extremely disturbed' by the arrests. "All over the world Israel's legitimacy has utterly crumbled. And so the establishment is ramping up its repression to try and silence protestors," said the MLA for West Belfast. He added: "It is those who are funding, arming and committing genocide who should be charged — not the people protesting it!" Sinn Féin counterpart Pat Sheehan said it was 'disgraceful that… an elderly Jewish woman who has consistently and bravely campaigned for an end to Israel's genocide in Gaza has been arrested by the PSNI'. "Highlighting the genocidal, inhumane slaughter of defenceless civilians — and those who enable it — is not a crime," he continued. Mr Sheehan said that the party will be raising their concerns with the PSNI. The woman was taken to Musgrave Police Station A joint statement from Derry IPSC, Mid Ulster IPSC and BDS Strabane also criticised the arrest. "These activists were simply protesting Barclays, a bank complicit with the genocide of Palestinians," read the statement. "This is another example of how the state is determined to crush support for the Palestinian struggle for freedom and justice and taking action to end the genocide by Israel in Gaza where 2.2m people are being deliberately starved to death, hemmed into one fifth of their land and being slaughtered by the unrelenting bombing with arms supplied by the US, EU and UK. "Activists from across the North have been criminalised for protesting against the genocide. "We stand in full solidarity with all those facing repression for speaking out against genocide in Belfast today."
