Today is the 34th anniversary of the passage of the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution when voters backed by an overwhelming majority constitutional protections for unborn children. We caught up with some pro-life campaigners outside the Dáil marking the day
Chai Brady
Shine a light on ‘modern day slavery’ says bishop
Sex trafficking is “modern day slavery” and exists under the radar, according to an Irish bishop who has worked with an international group to combat human trafficking. Bishop Denis Brennan reacted to figures released by Ruhama, a charity that helps women involved in prostitution, which reveal large amounts of women continue to be smuggled into…
Over 65s deserve more options than just nursing homes, argues SJI
The Government has been called to focus on policy that will help elderly people live at home, as the number of people over the age of 65 in Ireland will double to nearly one million by 2031. As Ireland’s population ages Social Justice Ireland (SJI), an independent thinktank, released a report this week stressing that…
Missionaries warn against US provoking war in Korea
EXCLUSIVE Tens of millions of people would lose their lives in a matter of hours if the US pushes for a military response in Korea, an Irish missionary who has spent almost 50 years working with Koreans has warned. As tensions rise following nuclear weapons tests by North Korea, Fr Denis Monaghan SSC told The…
Who are the Orthodox?
The fastest growing religion in Ireland is poorly understood as our society’s growing secularism consumes public conscience. It’s been well-documented that between the 2011 and 2016 census a large amount of people no longer identify as Catholic (although it is still overwhelmingly the largest religion at 78.3% of the population). There is one Christian denomination…
Vulnerable migrant women exploited in Irish brothels
Almost 100 women who access an Irish charity’s services are victims of sex trafficking, according to a new report. Ruhama has helped vulnerable women involved in prostitution in Ireland for over 25 years, and its 2016 Annual Report shows they assisted 304 women of 37 nationalities. The charity was founded as a joint initiative of…
Anti-Semitism in Ireland linked to political beliefs – claim
Instances of anti-Semitism in Ireland are often linked to political beliefs relating to the Israel/Palestine conflict, according to the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland (JRCI). This has led to young people hiding their Judaism, and causes Jewish students not to engage in discussions about the conflict according to Maurice Cohen, chairperson of the JRCI. “I…
Jewish people ‘hide religion in Ireland’
Young Jewish people don’t want to draw attention to their creed due to anti-Israel sentiment in Ireland, according to a Jewish representative body. Irish Jewish people are conscious of being overt about their Judaism as they “do not want to attract the generally obsessive nature of anti-Israel demonisation which goes on in Ireland”, according to…
Vulnerable women easy prey for sex-traffickers
Women who have been trafficked and subsequently forced into prostitution in Ireland sometimes don’t know what country they’re in. Ruhama, an Irish charity that provides services for women involved in prostitution, often tackle challenging cases in which extremely vulnerable people are exploited by profit-fuelled opportunists, and transported like cargo both internationally and within countries. “The…
Sierra Leone locals pledge to overcome devastating mudslide
Locals in Sierra Leone have shown a “huge desire” to overcome the tragedy of a mudslide and floods that left hundreds dead, according to Trócaire’s Sorcha Fennell. The death toll has risen to almost 500, and over 600 people remain missing after last week’s massive mudslide – caused by heavy rains. It devastated multiple communities,…