An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir February 2020 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | VETERAN'S NEWS VETERAN'S NEWS VETERAN'S NEWS REPORT & PHOTOS BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD VETERANS LOOKING OUT FOR VETERANS I n addition to providing accommodation in Dublin, Letter- kenny, and Athlone for homeless veterans, the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) also supports veter- ans through its nationwide network of branches and veteran's support centres (VSCs). On 28th November 2019, ONE opened its latest VSC, in Athy, Co Kildare. This is the fifteenth such centre available to veterans around the country. A large number of people gathered for the official opening on a dark evening in Kildare. St Michael's Branch of ONE, based in Athy, was the main driving force behind this VSC, and branch chairman, Kevin Carton, carried out MC duties at the opening ceremony. ONE national president, Jim Fay, cut the ribbon on the outside of the door before everyone entered into the warmth and dryness of the large facility, which is furnished with large, comfy, leather chairs. Speaking to the packed room Kevin said it was great to welcome everyone to what is "a great success for veterans." He went on to say: "This was our goal from day one, when the branch was set up: to create a place to meet socially and collectively." He expressed thanks for the support the project received from a large number of people, starting with the local community. "Councillor Mark Wall and Aoife Breslin showed their support from day one," Kevin told the audience, "in conjunction with Athy Municipal Council and Kildare County Council. We greatly appreciate the support from Tom Burgess for providing these premises, and the members would like to also thank Maurice Flinter and Tim Flood for their support in helping to kit out the centre. "As chairman of the Athy branch, I would also like to express my thanks to all the members of the branch and their families for their continued hard work and the support they have provided over the last six years." Kevin then handed over to Jim Fay, who said: "On behalf of ONE I would like to thank the branch for all their hard work, and offer best wishes on the success of the centre. The amount of hard work and graft done by Kevin and the members is here for all to see." ONE's Leinster Area Council Chairperson, Mick Kinahan, congrat- ulated the Athy branch and said: "It's great to see this centre open on the main street of the town. I hope we can follow your success and do the same soon in McKee Barracks, Dublin." Councillor Mark Wall (Labour) followed with more appreciative words for the local veterans: "This project has been going on for a long time, and you won't get a better location than Main St for the centre. This is a marvellous example of a great association; St Michael's ONE is the first group we turn to when we need something done and they have never been found wanting." He also expressed a big 'thank you' to the Defence Forces and ONE for their service and commitment. That same day ONE's CEO, Ollie O'Connor, and the president of IUNVA, Jim Casey, were at Government Buildings to meet with the Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe TD, and his officials for the announcement of the donation of €300,000 from dormant accounts funds to be shared between ONE and IUNVA projects over the next three years. ONE plan to use such funding to develop a five-bed hostel and a VSC in Cobh, Co Cork. ONE's National President, Jim Fay along with Councillor Mark Wall cut the ribbon on the new VSC in Athy. Pictured L/R: Chairman of St. Michael's Branch of ONE Kevin Carton, veteran John O'Neill, ONE National President Jim Fay, Councillor Mark Wall and Chairman of ONE's Leinster Area Council Mick Kinahan.

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