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The Rape Crisis Midwest writes:

Rape Crisis Midwest was established 32 years ago and is a regional organisation serving Clare, Limerick and Tipperary. We provide a confidential one to one counselling service to both male and female survivors of rape and childhood sexual abuse. We see approximately 80 clients a week in the entire Midwest.

Our head office is based at Phoenix House, Punch’s Close, Rosbrien Road, Limerick. We also have services operating in Clare and Tipperary. The Clare service is based at Tracklands Business Park, Clonroadmore, Ennis serving the entire County of Clare. The Tipperary service is based in Silverview, Nenagh, Co Tipperary.

The financial status of the centre is at a critical point. We are part funded by the Child and Family Agency and like many other charities, have experienced significant cut backs over the last number of years. There is no reasonable prospect of meeting our shortfall, estimated to be in the region of €120,000 in the entire Midwest. The current fundraising programme in place will not satisfy that shortfall.

We regrettably have been forced to implement cost saving measures including a decision to temporarily close the Clare and Tipperary service for at least one month and possibly more. In addition, we have had to implement similar measures in Limerick and will only be in a position to offer a skeletal and limited service over the coming months. This is a decision that we have not taken lightly and has come on the back of additional significant cost saving measures over the last number of years.

We are appealing to the public to help fund the centres and to donate to us in a number of ways:

1. Log on to rapecrisis.ie and follow the link to donate – you can donate via your credit or debit card
2. Contact us on 1800 311511 and donate now
3. Get involved by emailing fundraising@rapecrisis.ie or by phoning 1800311511

It is ironic that during difficult economic times, demand for the service in the centres is even greater and we do not wish to have to close our doors to those who are most vulnerable in society. Please assist in helping to save our centre and providing this much-needed service to survivors of rape and childhood sexual abuse.

Rape Crisis

Cuts force rape crisis centre to temporarily close (Irish Independent)

Thanks Karl Murray

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The official naming ceremony of the Rosie Hackett Bridge in Dublin will take place at 3pm today and it will be open to the public tomorrow.

For the day that’s in it.

Ms Hackett was the only woman present at Liberty Hall, at the printing of the 1916 proclamation.

In her own words – from an interview that Ms Hackett did with Donncha Ó Dúlaing in ‘Women of the Revolution’, which was first broadcast on April 12, 1971 and is now on the RTE Archive – she said:

They hadn’t much type like, you know, their type was short and they had to patch it up, do you see, and like of course again, they worked all night, do you see, making, doing to The Proclamation, you see. But when I went in there was three men in the printing, where the machine was, in the machine room. And one man walked over and shook hands with me, congratulated me. I was the first that was allowed in to the printing, like during The Proclamation being done. And Madame [Countess Markievicz] herself was kicking up a row because she wasn’t let in. So there was nobody let in and I was only let in with the messages.

A Bridge for Rosie Hackett, Lifelong Activist for Women Workers (RTE Archive)

Previously:  Build A Bridge, Guys

Pics: Dublin City Council and Old Dublin Town

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Garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe was on duty in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, yesterday when he met Taoiseach Enda Kenny while he was in the town canvassing. In the Dail last week, the Taoiseach said:

“I’ve no problem in apologising to Sgt McCabe for the issues that he raised and for the fact that his raising these matters wasn’t dealt with more speedily in the first instance.”

Reporting on their meeting yesterday, Ronan Casey, in the Irish Daily Mail [not online], writes:

[Taoiseach Enda Kenny] did not take the opportunity to apologise to Sergeant McCabe in person – but both men smiled and shook hands at the Market Square. Mr Kenny said: ‘Hello Sergeant McCabe, how are you?’

Watch back on RTE’s Nine News here

Top pic: Mullingar

Broadsheet.ie