Kildare Cllrs receive presentation from veteran support group

Councillors for the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District received a deputation from members of ONE (the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel) on Wednesday, April 17 last.

ONE, also known as Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann as Gaeilge, is a registered charity for veterans of the Irish Defence Forces.

It was established on 10 March 1951, and, according to its website, its primary objective is 'to support the needs of Irish veterans by the provision of accommodation to homeless veterans in its veterans' homes and the provision of other advice and support to veterans through its nationwide network of Branches and Veterans’ Support Centres.'

Two members of ONE, Cormac Kirwan and Michael Carroll, delivered the deputation to councillors present at the meeting, in addition to members of Kildare County Council.

MAIN STATISTICS

They told the local representatives that 140,000 ex-Irish Defence Forces personnel have availed of ONE’s services.

25 per cent of these veterans reside in the CHO7 region (which, according to the Health Service Executive, refers to the Kildare / West Wicklow, Dublin West, Dublin South City, Dublin South West regions).

"20,000 to 40,000 of these veterans reside in Kildare," the councillors were informed by Mr Kirwan and Mr Carroll.

The two ONE members continued by explaining the main wide-ranging causes that can result in veterans finding themselves homeless.

Factors can include: mental health difficulties, marriage breakdowns, poverty, and substance misuse, among others.

They also said that the organisation 'prepares veterans for independent living.'

"Houses are maintained at a very high standard," they added.

The official logo of ONE (the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel / Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann) Photograph supplied by ONE.

The duo further explained that ONE operates under a policy known as 'SCAR', which refers to: Support, Comradeship, Advocacy and Remembrance.

Mr Kirwan and Mr Carroll also said that the organisation intends to expand over the next few years, which would also include ONE’s plan to develop a new centre in Newbridge ('five or six bedrooms' are being considered for this centre).

ONE already has 33 branches and 15 veteran support centres across the country, including one centre in Athy and one centre located in The Curragh Camp.

At present, ONE has four operational homes (consisting of 51 bedrooms) and has five homes (consisting of 29 planned bedrooms) under development.

Mr Kirwan and Mr Carroll explained to councillors that 1,000 veterans have been kept off the street, and that 90 per cent of veterans who have availed of the group’s services have moved on to independent living.

However, they also pointed out that the majority of veterans that have come through ONE have been referred by second or third parties.

The duo explained that this is often because veterans may feel ashamed or embarrassed when it comes to seeking help to address their issues.

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RESPONSE

The deputation was overwhelmingly well-received by the local councillors, some of whom told Mr Kirwan and Mr Carroll that they had relatives in the Defence Forces, and one even said that they knew of someone who availed of ONE’s services.

The focus of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District was in particular lauded by the local representatives.

At the end of the deputation, Mr Kirwan and Mr Carroll thanked the councillors for their 'phenomenal response(s).'