Mattie McGrath Condoles for Mika Dwyer, Praises GAA Youth Work
Mattie McGrath offered condolences to Mika Dwyer and the No 73s family and praised the work of GAA clubs and local youth services. He highlighted the role of sport and community organisations in diverting young people from harmful behaviour and raised concern about shortages and assaults affecting 'Gaudi' officers.
He paid tribute to Mika Dwyer and extended sympathy to the No 73s family and the GAA community, also mentioning the Minton GAA community and the wider local sporting network.
He described youth services operating in the Boat and Dices of Waterford, Lismore and South Tipperary, referencing Cast and Inley Dices, the youth service building in Tipperary town, and named local workers including Darlene Nogue, Joey Higgins and Ellen Packer for their community efforts.
He thanked the 'Gaudi' and warned there are not enough officers, saying two in his area, John Walks and Philip Ryan, are now long-term injured after vicious assaults. He stressed the importance of having 'Gaudi' present in communities and visiting national schools to build relationships before problems arise.
He acknowledged his own G.A. club in Newcastle, Costa, Tom Mell Boxing Club, and volunteers such as Madden Finnessy and Sean O'Keefe, praising the achievements of young people involved in sport and the role clubs play in diverting youth from harmful behaviour.
Condolences and community impact
He paid tribute to Mika Dwyer and extended sympathy to the No 73s family and the GAA community, also mentioning the Minton GAA community and the wider local sporting network.
Youth services and local projects
He described youth services operating in the Boat and Dices of Waterford, Lismore and South Tipperary, referencing Cast and Inley Dices, the youth service building in Tipperary town, and named local workers including Darlene Nogue, Joey Higgins and Ellen Packer for their community efforts.
Policing and 'Gaudi' on the ground
He thanked the 'Gaudi' and warned there are not enough officers, saying two in his area, John Walks and Philip Ryan, are now long-term injured after vicious assaults. He stressed the importance of having 'Gaudi' present in communities and visiting national schools to build relationships before problems arise.
Local clubs and volunteers recognised
He acknowledged his own G.A. club in Newcastle, Costa, Tom Mell Boxing Club, and volunteers such as Madden Finnessy and Sean O'Keefe, praising the achievements of young people involved in sport and the role clubs play in diverting youth from harmful behaviour.
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Transcript
Good morning, good. I also want to add my advice of condolences to a great legend, Mika Dwyer and the No 73s family and the GAA community. And the Minton GAA community, they do so much, as do rugby, soccer and boxing and all the different sportings, so much to divert young people away from issues of harmful behaviour or whatever. And it's a pity. We're looking in my area, in the Boat and Dices of Waterford, Lismore, with the youth service, which covers a lot of the county, South Tipperary, and indeed with the Cast and Inley Dices, who do great work in the youth services and their building in Tipperary town on the main street. And, of course, Darlene Nogue, as well, is active. And I want to come to all involved there, and especially a friend of mine, Joey Higgins, and Ellen Packer, doing great work there in the community. So it's so important that, as Dr. O'Toole said, and I believe that is a profound old sianocle, and we must do that because this carrot is better than the stick. And praise the young people. Young people are great because the pressure they have today that we never had with the internet and with the mobile phones and ruddy machine. But I want to again thank you to Gaudi, the Euclidean officer, and indeed we don't have enough of them, and they're pulled off their duties because of the shortage of Gaudi. We have two wonderful Gaudi in my area, John Walks, Gaudi John Walks, and Gaudi Philip Ryan, both out now long-term injured after vicious assaults on both of them two fine officers. And it's a moan and to a shin, it's a pity, because they have the ear of the community, and they have the confidence of the community. And like a parish priest said one time, if you want to fill the churches, you must stand in the kitchens of the houses. And it's very important to have Gaudi on the ground and to have, you know, and that Gaudi, when my kids were even small, they used to visit the national schools. I don't know if they'd do it anymore. It's very important that they should have a relationship with the Gaudi, other than before they ever get into trouble or go down any slippery slope. I want to thank the G.A. club, my own club in Newcastle, Costa, and they were in Assura, for a tremendous work there, and all the G.A. clubs, and all the sporting clubs. And I'd have to think about Tom Mell Boxing Club, and indeed, Madden Finnessy there, and the whole team there, Sean O'Keefe, there's so many great young people on a course of sport, and it's boxing, and they're great achievements. So, they do great work for you at Division. We'll appreciate it. Thank you.