Latest news with #JohnKeenan
Irish Independent
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
These Cork ‘plastic fans' are cheering up the CUH ahead of Sunday's final
John is one of two Johnnies, alongside John Keenan, who have taken their job as hospital porters at Cork University Hospital (CUH) to the next level, leveraging the Bottle Deposit Return Scheme to raise funds that are independent of any department, executive, or administration, and has been used to vastly improve patient care. Televisions, remote controls, dummies for babies, headphones for children with noise sensitivity, even table fans to help combat the recent spell of hot weather, 'The Johnnies' now have their own custom, clean, branded bottle bins, and a separate area in the hospital's yard, where we chat about their latest spend. 'I love hurling, I used play with 'The Barrs' (St Finbarr's Hurling Club in Togher). We were in the hospital during the week and talking about the match, so I said to John Keenan, 'why don't we get some bunting'. 'I had seen a fella selling it on the side of the street a few days ago, so I said, 'why don't we get some for the wards?'. We put it up around the kids wards in Safari, Ladybird, our colleague Mary Coleman did the kids A&E and did a fantastic job, and it just totally brightens up the place for the kids.' The pair, along with Operations Manager Brendan O'Reilly, show me around the various wards where Cork flags and red-and-white bunting hang proudly, bringing a bit of Croke Park to the CUH. 'We spent about €900 between flags and bunting. My sister Eileen works in Cummins' Sports and they have been very good to us,' John explains. The Johnnies are like celebrities in the place. Porters, doctors, management, nurses, even patients stop and salute them for their work, which had originally started among the two lads and fellow porter John Lenihan to fund a Chinese Takeaway, (which, incidentally, they never got). 'We'd be up in the wards collecting and you can hear the patients say to their families, 'there's a box outside the door now there for The Johnnies', they're doing fantastic work so support them. 'Even when I'm outside the hospital, I have friends who say to me 'Johnny, I have a few bags at home for ya', and I'll call up and pick them up.' As we enter the children's ward, a group of nurses give the two fundraisers and colleagues a big welcome, before graciously posing for a photo alongside one of the many Rebel flags dotted right across the hospital. ADVERTISEMENT 'When we thought of the bunting, it was an extra bit of work, but we got a great kick out of it. Down towards the A&E, especially the older people, they were really cheered up by it. 'There was a good few patients now starting to put up Tipperary colours on their own doors, so it's a good aul' laugh!' However, John says after 14 months, the efforts are taking their toll on the two men. 'We don't want to give it up but we'd love for more people to come on board because every day we're at it. I'm just off nights this morning, and I'm supposed to be off for a week now, but I'm back and taking a bag over to my local SuperValu this evening,' John says. '260,000 bottles is an awful lot, and it's non-stop. I'd almost be afraid of going home because I'd see the bottles more than I'd see the wife! And the car is destroyed! I put a few towels down to try and protect it, but that doesn't do much. 'I'd love if someone put their hand up to valet it for me!'
Irish Independent
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
These Cork ‘plastic fans' are cheering up the CUH ahead of Sunday's final
John is one of two Johnnies, alongside John Keenan, who have taken their job as hospital porters at Cork University Hospital (CUH) to the next level, leveraging the Bottle Deposit Return Scheme to raise funds that are independent of any department, executive, or administration, and has been used to vastly improve patient care. Televisions, remote controls, dummies for babies, headphones for children with noise sensitivity, even table fans to help combat the recent spell of hot weather, 'The Johnnies' now have their own custom, clean, branded bottle bins, and a separate area in the hospital's yard, where we chat about their latest spend. 'I love hurling, I used play with 'The Barrs' (St Finbarr's Hurling Club in Togher). We were in the hospital during the week and talking about the match, so I said to John Keenan, 'why don't we get some bunting'. 'I had seen a fella selling it on the side of the street a few days ago, so I said, 'why don't we get some for the wards?'. We put it up around the kids wards in Safari, Ladybird, our colleague Mary Coleman did the kids A&E and did a fantastic job, and it just totally brightens up the place for the kids.' The pair, along with Operations Manager Brendan O'Reilly, show me around the various wards where Cork flags and red-and-white bunting hang proudly, bringing a bit of Croke Park to the CUH. 'We spent about €900 between flags and bunting. My sister Eileen works in Cummins' Sports and they have been very good to us,' John explains. The Johnnies are like celebrities in the place. Porters, doctors, management, nurses, even patients stop and salute them for their work, which had originally started among the two lads and fellow porter John Lenihan to fund a Chinese Takeaway, (which, incidentally, they never got). 'We'd be up in the wards collecting and you can hear the patients say to their families, 'there's a box outside the door now there for The Johnnies', they're doing fantastic work so support them. 'Even when I'm outside the hospital, I have friends who say to me 'Johnny, I have a few bags at home for ya', and I'll call up and pick them up.' As we enter the children's ward, a group of nurses give the two fundraisers and colleagues a big welcome, before graciously posing for a photo alongside one of the many Rebel flags dotted right across the hospital. 'When we thought of the bunting, it was an extra bit of work, but we got a great kick out of it. Down towards the A&E, especially the older people, they were really cheered up by it. 'There was a good few patients now starting to put up Tipperary colours on their own doors, so it's a good aul' laugh!' However, John says after 14 months, the efforts are taking their toll on the two men. 'We don't want to give it up but we'd love for more people to come on board because every day we're at it. I'm just off nights this morning, and I'm supposed to be off for a week now, but I'm back and taking a bag over to my local SuperValu this evening,' John says. '260,000 bottles is an awful lot, and it's non-stop. I'd almost be afraid of going home because I'd see the bottles more than I'd see the wife! And the car is destroyed! I put a few towels down to try and protect it, but that doesn't do much. 'I'd love if someone put their hand up to valet it for me!'
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Daily Record
Fundraiser launched after crucifix 'torched' and gravestones damaged at Scots cemetery
A man appeared in court on Tuesday after the wooden crucifix was set alight and 40 headstones damaged at an East Renfrewshire cemetery. A fundraiser has been launched by a local church after a crucifix was "torched" and gravestones were damaged at a cemetery in East Renfrewshire. Police launched a probe following reports of vandalism at St Conval's Cemetery on Glasgow Road in Hurlet, Barrhead, in the early hours of Sunday morning. The Diocese of Paisley have now set up the fundraiser to pay for the repairs and have donated £15,000 to help families impacted. A statement to accompany the fundraiser reads: "Following the recent acts of vandalism carried out at St Conval's Cemetery and after many inquiries, the Diocese of Paisley has decided to set up a fund to provide the necessary repairs to the vandalised gravestones. "The Diocese will contribute an initial sum of £15,000 to formally launch the appeal. "All money donated will be distributed to the affected families and used to refurbish the scorched crucifix. We are incredibly grateful for the support and generosity in this difficult time." You can find out more and donate to the fundraiser here. On Tuesday a man appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court charged with wilful fire-raising, malicious mischief, breach of the peace and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and admission that weapon was carried with intended use to injure someone. Grzegorz Strzelecki, of no fixed abode, made no plea, was committed for further examination and remanded in custody. He is set to be back in the dock within the next eight days. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A Police Scotland spokesperson previously said: "A 39-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with wilful fire-raising and vandalism at St Conval's Cemetery on Glasgow Road in Hurlet, Barrhead. "Officers attended after receiving a report of the incident around 8.50am on Sunday, June 29, 2025. "The man was due to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court on Monday, 30 June, 2025. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal." The Bishop of Paisley, Bishop John Keenan previously said: 'I am saddened and dismayed. 'My thoughts and prayers are with the families, as well as with the whole community of relatives and friends who visit St Conval's and care for the graves of their loved ones so tenderly.' The bishop added: 'My gratitude goes to the St Conval's staff who maintain the grounds and administer the cemetery.'
BBC News
02-07-2025
- BBC News
Diocese appeals for donations to repair vandalised graves
The Diocese of Paisley has appealed for donations to help repair vandalised graves in East Renfrewshire. Around 40 headstones were smashed and a large crucifix set on fire at Barrhead the weekend, in scenes locals previously told the BBC were "horrendous". The diocese announced it would contribute an initial sum of £15,000 to formally launch the appeal, with an online fund set up for future funding that will go towards helping affected families.A 39-year-old man appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court on Monday charged with vandalism and wilful fire raising in connection with the incidents. A spokesperson for the diocese said it was "incredibly grateful" for donations that have already come in, but external funding via other online funds could not have gift aid applied, which would add extra cash to the total spokesperson added: "External funds make it difficult to manage the distribution of donations to the affected families. Donations which come to the diocese allow us to liaise with the owners of the lairs and fund the necessary repairs to their gravestones." The spokesperson also said that the diocese thanked everyone who has already offered support. Word of the vandalism began to spread on social media on Sunday, followed by a statement from the Bishop of Paisley, John Monday the graveyard was filled with families checking whether graves of their loved ones had been affected. A staff member at the cemetery told BBC Scotland on Monday he had never seen vandalism like it in more than 30 years working woman told BBC Scotland: "To see all this damage is horrendous. Everybody is in shock, they can't quite believe it. It's very emotional."
Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Daily Record
Man charged after crucifix 'torched' and gravestones damaged at Scots cemetery
Police launched a probe following reports of vandalism at St Conval's Cemetery on Glasgow Road in Hurlet, Barrhead, in the early hours of Sunday morning. A man has been arrested and charged after a wooden crucifix was set alight and 40 headstones damaged at an East Renfrewshire cemetery. Police launched a probe following reports of vandalism at St Conval's Cemetery on Glasgow Road in Hurlet, Barrhead, in the early hours of Sunday morning. The Diocese of Paisley reported that after entering the cemetery grounds "those responsible attacked around 40 headstones, with some being demolished". Pictures also showed that a five-metre-high wooden crucifix was set on fire. Officers have now confirmed that a 39-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with wilful fire-raising and vandalism. He is due to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court on Monday. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A 39-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with wilful fire-raising and vandalism at St Conval's Cemetery on Glasgow Road in Hurlet, Barrhead. "Officers attended after receiving a report of the incident around 8.50am on Sunday, June 29, 2025. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. "The man is due to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court on Monday, 30 June, 2025. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal." The Bishop of Paisley, Bishop John Keenan previously said: 'I am saddened and dismayed. 'My thoughts and prayers are with the families, as well as with the whole community of relatives and friends who visit St Conval's and care for the graves of their loved ones so tenderly.' The bishop added: 'My gratitude goes to the St Conval's staff who maintain the grounds and administer the cemetery.'
