Brendan Smith appeals for action after Eden Heaslip's death
Brendan Smith spoke about the death of 18-year-old Eden Heaslip and urged cross-government measures to tackle consistent bullying. He called on ministers and agencies to listen to bereaved families and to put in place cross-departmental action to prevent further suffering.
Case cited
He recounted his October remarks about Eden Heaslip, an 18-year-old who lost his life following consistent bullying. He described how Eden's parents, brother and sister had previously spoken on local radio about the different forms of bullying and the trauma their family endured.
Public testimony on national television
He noted that last week Eden's parents and siblings spoke with "grace and dignity" on national television, describing the heartbreaking impact and the trauma suffered by Eden and the family. Father Jason Murphy, a chaplain and deputy principal who has worked with traumatised young people, also spoke on the programme.
Appeal to ministers and agencies
He said he had spoken with the minister and other ministers about the need to listen to families who have suffered and grieved. He urged government-level listening and engagement so bereaved families' concerns inform any response.
Policy request for cross-departmental measures
He repeated the family's appeal that government put in place measures across departments to ensure a cross-government, cross-agency approach to bullying. His central ask was that measures be implemented so no other family is subject to the same suffering and trauma.
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In October last in this house I spoke about a young man who at that time had recently lost his life. That fine young man was Eden Heaslip, 18 years of age, and he lost his life following consistent bullying. At that time his parents, a brother and sister, spoke on our local radio about how their family member had been subjected to consistent and different forms of bullying and how they were anxious for the statutory agencies and government departments to take a new approach to the whole area of the crime of bullying. They appealed for government to put in place measures across departments to ensure that there is a cross-government and a cross-agency approach so that this very, very serious issue could be addressed properly. Sadly, many young people are being bullied consistently. They need support. Last week Eden's parents and brother and sister spoke with such grace and dignity on Primetime or national broadcaster. They spoke so movingly and it was really heartbreaking to listen to their story about such a fine young man and what Eden and his family had been subjected to. They outlined the trauma that Eden had been subjected to. This evening, last week, I spoke to Antishok, Minister Norma Foley and Minister Mary Butler about the need to listen to families and family members. members who have unfortunately gone through such trauma and who have suffered so much and who have suffered so much and what they want is that no other family would have to go through that suffering, that hardship and that trauma that they have gone through and are going through. I really would appeal and agencies, all of us as politicians, we learn by listening to people who have suffered and people who have gone through that grieving process. Father Jason Murphy, a noted chaplain and a deputy principal of a large second level school, spoke in that programme as well. So movingly, he has experienced dealing with young people who have gone through trauma, who are going through trauma. So Minister, I would appeal to you that across government, government level, we listen to the families, we listen to the families who unfortunately have gone through so much and whose one ask now is that put in place the measures to ensure that no other families are subject to the suffering that they have gone through. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. You
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