I have been in touch with the Guards to state that I was used in two Vaccine trials in Madonna House and I was sexually abused in Foster Care – I would appeal to all affected in State and church care to contact @ MotherandBabyHomes@garda.ie and report any criminal wrongs done to them while in care!

Cllr Timmons (Chairperson) says ‘’Sadly we cant meet in person so the only safe option is to have the show online for 2021 , We have had to cut some categories out but there is still loads for people to enter , I look forward and am hopeful that the show will return to Newlands home and Garden centre and Áras Chrónáin  in 2022. This show is an opportunity to showcase all the wonderful skills we have in South Dublin’’

Clondalkin Handcraft & Horticultural Show 2021 is going on-line

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Clondalkin Handcraft & Horticultural Show (CHHS) are hosting this year’s show online. We will be using an archive photograph of our committee from our 2019 launch as we cannot meet up to take a photograph for 2021.

For this year we will be removing categories that we will not be able to judge. Entry forms will be available online on our Facebook, Instagram pages and by emailing us on clondalkinshow@gmail.com. We hope the public get involved in this year’s online show.

To enter we will require 2 photographs of the item, 1 photograph of the item on a plain white background and 1 of the entrant holding the item. Both photographs must be clear. The photograph of the item needs to up close, so the judges can see item clearly or they will not be able to judge item.

Email your photographs to clondalkinshow@gmail.com. Our Secretary will assign a Unique Show Number (USN) to each person entering the show. The judges will be sent only the photograph of the item. The photograph of the entrant holding the item is to prove they are the creator of the entered item, this photograph will never be seen by anyone except our Secretary and will be deleted after the show.

There will be no entry fee for this year’s show. Arrangements will be made collecting or delivery of prizes. Medals and rosettes can be posted to winners.

We are accepting entries after our launch date and up until 26^th June 2021. Judging will take place for the following week and winner will be announced on 4^th July 2021.

We would like to thank our sponsors who have been there for us right from the start without them and the public getting involved we would not be able to run the show. Best of luck to everyone entering the Clondalkin Handcraft & Horticultural On-line Show 2021.

Cllr Timmons says ” Its Nearly 25 years ago that the Journalist Veronica Guerin was shot dead on the Nass Road –  Veronica Guerin‘s murder led to the establishment of CAB (Criminal Assets Bureau) and a crackdown – I feel 25 years later we need to look at our drug laws , decriminalize drug use and have a real national Debate-Discussion on drugs. we have to do something , Some of Our communities are being ripped apart by drug use and the Government must respond to this issue. We must respect the memory of Veronica Guerin and to this we must relook at how we deal with the issue of drugs and drug crime.”

Cllr Timmons says ”I have also requested that South Dublin County Council clean up around the area of a memorial stone laid near where Veronica Guerin was shot dead 25 years ago . I hope pending restrictions to be able to do something to mark the anniversary of her death”

Dear Editor

Ireland’s reception system for asylum seekers is known as Direct Provision.  Under the Direct Provision system, people are accommodated across the country in communal institutional centres or former hotel style settings. The vast majority of the centres are managed on a for-profit basis by private contractors. There are many reasons to end the system there is one.

Direct Provision is intended to provide for the basic needs of people who are awaiting decisions on their applications for international protection. The system was designed as a short-term measure in the year 2000, just years after we shut institutions that wronged woman and children for Generations in Ireland, but many applicants in Direct Provision experience lengthy stays, which is associated with declining physical and mental health, self-esteem, and skills.  This system is wrong on so many levels and creates barriers to integration, contributes to poor mental and physical health and leads to social exclusion. I believe This system has contributed to a rise in racism, we are all Equal and should be treated the same. We are all entitled to the same chances and opportunities in life.

Today, there are more than 7,000 people living in Direct Provision centres across Ireland. I have been advocating for the establishment of an alternative reception system that is based on human rights principles and the best interests of the child. Our Proclamation says we cherish all the children of the Nation equally we don’t We cherish some but others are excluded and our treated differently – The 17 Motions I put down at South Dublin County Council Since 2014 for an end and to condemn the system known as direct provision and create a Human Rights based system have been supported by those of all parties and none,  Here in Clondalkin we have a Direct Provision centre I have met many people there and some have become friends , they are Irish, We are overall a very decent and compassionate people who welcome those who seek refuge from lack of freedom to be themselves members of the LGBT community , those seeking political asylum , those escaping fear of death and fear of poverty – We understand, We are open and decent society We want all of the children of the Nation to be cherished equally, After 21 years this year the Direct Provision system must be abolished and this should happen with full consultation with all in Direct Provision.

Go raibh maith agat,

Cllr Francis Timmons

Independent Dublin Mid West

Dear Editor

Limerick have voted for a Directly elected Mayor , this person will get a €129,000 , 5 staff including a special advisor. Should we have one in Dublin? Local Government  has been decimated , Elected Councillors have no say in Water , Bin Collection etc What power will this Directly elected Mayor have? Will the county manager hand over some of his power? The wage is the same as Junior Ministers, we now have super junior ministers , Is it a gravy train ? I would not be in favour without a major reform of elected local Government. Local Residents will rightly ask what difference will it make to local communities.  I don’t think its going to make a difference without proper and meaningful reform.

Go raibh maith agat,

Cllr Francis Timmons

Independent Dublin Mid West

Dear Editor

I felt the need to type this letter when I read about the  publication of a new sexual education programme developed by the Irish Bishops Conference. They have not surprisingly said that the Catholic church belief of Marriage is between  a man and woman must be part of this programme, The Vatican lately said they couldn’t bless a Same sex Marriage as it’s a sin, We voted by a popular majority that ‘’Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex’’. Ireland voted in 2015 and said yes to Love in large numbers and that was the day I became very proud to be Irish again  , this is the lesson our schools should be teaching and not what any church decides are the morals that should be taught.

I grew up in a harsh and judgemental Ireland, I want an Ireland that is fully equal and promotes and lives Equality. Our sex Educations should be based on facts. I urge the Government to intervene in this. Every child is Equal and they should be encouraged to be themselves. They need the Facts and they need support. 90% of schools are Catholic Schools and any hint that they would teach that a straight relationship is not as valid as an LGBT relationship is offensive and wrong.  A loving relationship is something to be promoted and aimed for by everyone. We should be teaching respect , tolerance and non-judgement in our schools. We should be nurturing all the children of the nation as Equals.

It’s frightening that around 4,000 LGBT+ teachers are hiding their sexual orientation because they fear for their job or promotion prospects would be harmed if their school patrons discovered their true identity, We need a state based sex education that reflects the modern republic many of us have fought for so long to achieve and that the Irish people In large majorities have voted for.

Go raibh maith agat,

Cllr Francis Timmons

Independent Dublin Mid West

Dear Editor

I am unsurprised that a large percentage of the Republic would vote for a United Ireland while its way more uncertain in Northern Ireland what way a vote would go! where we do more agree North, and South is most do not want to pay extra tax to pay for a United Ireland!

As a Republican I Live for the day of a United Ireland! But it has to be United based on a Majority, on Respect and on Trust! We cannot allow a return to violence on the Streets! Many things need to be done to build up trust and respect i.e. greater cross border co-operation, A Roadmap for change, much more cross border health and education, a budget cost and plan to how we afford it! An open and Honest national and cross political divides debate, the full implementation of the Good Friday agreement,

Most importantly is the need to compromise and be open minded! For many this will be a challenge – are we willing to sacrifice Our Flag?, Our National Anthem? , Our Countries Name? The Dail? Names like Tánaiste and Taoiseach? Etc in the United Ireland Cause?

Today 100 years ago Northern Ireland was divided from the Republic of Ireland, in all the years of the Troubles Lives were lost on both sides as atrocities led to so many deaths! Can we Forgive and Live side by side? Can we heal old wounds and so much hate!

To me it’s very Important that a United Ireland ensures that all the Children of the nation are at last Equal! That we deal with housing! that we deal with health! That we deal with Mental Health! That we deal with disability! Etc and that we build a United Ireland of opportunities for everyone! That we don’t miss out on opportunity to do things better for everyone!

The Debate is starting, we need to be kind in our debate, in our words and progressive in our thoughts and deeds!

Go raibh maith agat,

Cllr Francis Timmons

Independent Dublin Mid West

Coming soon Listening Service and support for Survivors of Church and State instituitional abuse – Details soon  

I spent the first few years of my life in Madonna House Institution I refuse to use the word home , a home is where you feal safe and have opportunities to grow, While in Madonna House I was used as part of the Vaccine Trials. I am put one of thousands of Children survivors who was mistreated in an institution.

We are told there is 57,000 survivors that are still alive, 57,000 Irish people looking for answers, Truth and Justice, both Children and their Mothers of a cruel Ireland that separated unmarried Mothers and their children. Many of us where ignored and dismissed as children when no one listened, and no one cared.

The plan by the Government to lock up files for 30 years is but another slap in the face for those who seek Truth and Justice. This legislation could see records of mother and baby institutions (homes) put beyond the reach of survivors for 30 years. This follows on from a previous plan to lock up files of survivors for 75 years , The Retention of Records Bill 2019 proposed to seal records from the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, commonly known as the Ryan report, and the Residential Institutions Redress Board in the National Archives for 75 years.

Both these do nothing to install faith that the culture of cover up has ended, as yet again Ireland try’s to sweep the past under the carpet the truth hidden again , the voice of those who were voiceless yet again silenced. The culture of control and cover up continues as the voice of survivor’s is yet again under discussion in the Dail and Seanad , the real discussion should involve truth telling and a process of healing , truth and justice that would allow survivors who want , to tell their story.

Many Survivors where abused sexually, physically, and mentally and this had life lasting effects on many.  If we are to grow as a country and a true equal community, we need to deal with the past and all the pain and hurt that so many felt and still feel.

We were hurt as Children, please don’t hurt us again, listen to those who lived through the institutions, we must never forget the Mothers who desperately wanted their Children and the Children who desperately wanted their mothers.