Photograph of Limerick, by Dermot Lynch.



Mar
2

Post 6 Committee for 2023

The Following members have been elected to the committee. Chairman: Joe Curtin. Secretary: Ken OBrien. Treasurer: Joe Hayes. Clothing Officer: Michael Walsh. Committee: Pa Hogan, Cyril Shanahan. If you wish to be involved n the committee, contact any member, before the next Committee meeting on Thursday 23rd March.

Mar
2

Stand Down Parade for BSM Stan Hurley

The Stand Down Parade for Stan Hurley will take place on Thursday 13th of April. Details will be published closer to the date.

Mar
2

Saint Patrick's Day Events

The Mass in the Garrison Church will take place at 10am. The Parade is due to start at 12noon, members intending to march, should be in position for 11.30am. Update: The Forecast is for rain on Friday Morning, so members are asked to wear, Rain Jackets.

Mar
2

Post 6 Newsletter

Vol 4 Issue 1 of the Newsletter will be available in April 23.

Mar
2

Membership Fees and Post Fees

Membership and Post Fes are now overdue and must be paid to the Post Treasurer as soon as possible. Please contact the Secretary if you need assistance. Please note that failure to pay your membership fees, can result in your removal from the Association. Update: Membership fees must be paid by 31st of March. IUNVA are implementing new rules, which means that a member may be deemed as a lapsed member after that date.

 

Attending the Respect and Loyalty Parade in Cork City on Saturday 04/May/19

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, TD, publishes Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces.

 

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, today published the report of the Independent Review Group on dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces.

While acknowledging that the Defence Forces have a proud and rich legacy of peacekeeping and service since its foundation 100 years ago, the report reveals a pattern of unacceptable behaviour, misogyny, discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct within our Defence Forces.

It also states that out-of-date policies and procedures for tackling complaints are not fit for purpose.

At this morning’s Cabinet meeting Government agreed to progress, as a priority, the report’s recommendations, including:

  • Establishment of a statutory inquiry to investigate whether there have been serious systemic failures in dealing with individual complaints, including sexual misconduct.
  • Setting up an External Oversight Body to increase transparency and accountability; and to drive necessary culture change throughout the Defence Forces;
  • Urgently reforming the existing mechanisms for making a complaint to restore faith and trust in the complaints process.
  • Preparing legislation to:-

o   establish an independent complaints mechanism for serving members of the Defence Forces;

o   establish the External Oversight Body on a statutory basis; and

o   amend the Defence Act, 1954 to allow all allegations of rape, or aggravated sexual assault in the Defence Forces in the State be referred to An Garda Síochána for investigation.

  • a significant programme of reform and culture change delivered by external experts, with measures to eradicate reprisals and retaliation, and develop new policies on gender, inclusion and diversity.

 

Reacting to the publication of the report, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said:

 

“I believe that this report is a watershed moment.  While it correctly acknowledges the high regard in which the Defence Forces is held, and its decades of peacekeeping roles, it nonetheless, signals the critical need for fundamental and immediate cultural change which goes to the very heart of issues relating to dignity, mutual respect and duty of care.

 

“Bullying, misogynistic behaviour, and any form of sexual misconduct is simply unacceptable, and has no place in a 21st century workplace.”

 

Thanking the Review Group, chaired by Ms Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon for their work, and acknowledging the courage by members of the Defence Forces in sharing their experiences, the Tánaiste added:

 

“In particular, I want to thank the Women of Honour, and Women and Men of Honour, who have done so much to raise awareness of these issues.

 

“I will be progressing a comprehensive programme of immediate actions to address the extremely serious shortcomings identified in this report.

 

“As Minister for Defence I, and the government is absolutely determined that this report must be, and will be, the catalyst for transformation of Ireland’s Defence Forces.”


Link to report:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/4eb09-report-of-the-independent-review-group-on-dignity-and-equality-issues-in-the-defence-forces/

 

Additional Support Information for Defence Forces personnel, both serving and retired, who have been affected by unacceptable behaviour

For those members, both serving and former, who have been affected by unacceptable behaviour, thefollowing supports continue to be available:
The independent and external Confidential Contact Person (CCP) with Raiseaconcern can be contacted using the following:
Landline 01 6107929, Mobile: 086 0299929, Email: defence@raiseaconcern.comPost:                                       
Raiseaconcern, Station House, The Waterways, Sallins, Co. Kildare W91 DN60.
The 24/7 confidential counselling service, INSPIRE is available to all individuals who avail of the CCP facility.
Callers mention “Defence Forces” when they call and they will be routed to the appropriate person.
To access INSPIRE, please call 1800 409-673. Personnel serving overseas can access the service using 00-353-1-685-681.
The Personal Support Service (PSS) for serving members. The PSSO and Occupational Social Worker network in each Brigade/Formation supports serving personnel and their families in times of crisis and general difficulty.
Services include provision of a wide range of information and advice, stress management, counselling and referral to specialist assistance.
The Chaplaincy Service provides confidential, comprehensive pastoral support and spiritual care to serving personnel at home and overseas. You should contact your local chaplain in this regard.
For those affected by sexual crimes, they should contact Garda National Protection Services Bureau Number:01 6663430/35: Email gnpsb@garda.ie
The Rape Crisis Centre operates the National 24-hour Helpline 1800 778888 for those who need support in anypart of the country www.drcc.ie


When visiting the www.iunva.ie page, you can return to iunvalimerick by scrolling the News page to the links subpage, there you will see Post 6, click on this link to go to the Post webpage.


You can visit www.iunva.ie by following the link on the links page.





If there are photographs or articles about you on this site and you wish to have them removed, please contact me on +353863488118.

This is in conjunction with the Data Protection Regulation recently issued.

You can also send an email to kenobrien@iunvalimerickpostno6.net.

Please see, agreed Pay changes, below, that will take effect on agreement with all parties.

Each group will get feedback from their members and if agreed, it will take effect immediately from that date.




Recently, Post 6 received a cheque, from the Tesco in the Cummunity Fund. Pictured are Pa Hogan and Ken OBrien of Post 6, who received the cheque from Pat Kelly and David Broome of Tesco, Arthurs Quay, Limerick.

Not getting updates from IUNVA or your Post


Are you a member of IUNVA, paying your fees through your pension.

If so and you are not getting updates from your local post. It may be, because the Post is inactive, you can contact Ken OBrien on 0863488118 or IUNVA HQ to check your present status.

You may be a member, but your details might not be up to date.

____________________________________________


Post 6 News.


IUNVA Membership of €24 and Post Fees of €6 are due.

These fees must be paid by 31st of December each year. Please note that failure to pay these fees could result in your membership being cancelled. Those that pay membership through their pension are required to pay the Post fees of €6, to the Post Treasurer.

While all those that pay membership fees to the post, are required to pay Membership and Fees of €30 to the Post Treasurer. We will send a text to each member in the coming days.



Text and Email scams.

A number of people have been on, saying they are not getting texts or notifications. Please check that your mailbox or voicemail box is not full. You should clear these on a regular basis as you have only a small storage space. If you are not getting any messages from me, please contact me and we will try to sort it out.


Fraudsters are still attempting to scam people and their methods keep changing. Please be aware and do not accept request for money through texts or emails. Also do not reply to any calls from numbers, that you are not sure of, if the person is genuine, they will leave a message or send you a text. At this point we must assume that a call or text, is not genuine until we check it out.


Please do not reply to any calls from these numbers, if you do not know who the caller is. This applies to voicemail and also emails. If the person calling has not made themselves visible to you, please block the number and if necessary contact the Authorities or Gardai.





For those of us feeling anxious and lonely, the HSE have added a contact number for those of us who wish to speak to someone about our problems.



Text Hello to 50808 day or night, someone will contact you to discuss your worries, or if need be, feel free to ring Ken on 086 3488118.



Lets us also remember our comrades and family that have passed away in the last 12 Months, We are thinking of you all, at this time.



Changes to Military Pension Help Desk.


See Vol 3, Issue 9 for the latest changes to the NSSO contact details.


Phone Number 0818 107100, select 4 for Military queries.



On the drop down link on this page, is the Post Newsletter.

You can check on what is happening or get information on subjects that might be of interest to you.

If you wish to have the Newsletter mailed to you, please forward your email address to Ken OBrien

_________________________________________

From the Committee of Post 6 and IUNVA, please follow the recommended directions in relation to COVID-19.

Please keep safe, if you are isolated and need assistance, please contact Ken on 086 3488118, we will try and assist in any way we can.




___________________________________________________________

ANSAC Credit Union


ANSAC CU, who sponsor our Newsletter have put in place a number of options to assist members at this very trying time. If you are unsure of what to do, give the office a ring and the very helpful staff will guide you through your options.


 




Post 6,

Does not condone Racism or Bullying in any shape or form.


Mia's Army


OnelifeIreland, is a non profit charity in process of registration that was set up by former soldier William O Neill and his daughter Aisling O Neill following the tragic death by suicide of Mia O Neill (16) on 06.09.2019.

Following years of racial abuse and bullying that began at the age of 4. Mia was Willie's granddaughter.

Mia's Army are a group of youths who have formed following Mia's tragic and preventable loss. They are committed, passionate and relentless in their fight to bring more awareness to the racism that exists in today's society, encouraging a change in the social interactions of youths, inspiring others to break the stigma surrounding mental health and eventually to raise much
needed funding to improve existing mental health services.

Statement :-
We want to spread a positive and uplifting message to youths that they are not alone and it's ok not to be ok. The root of our message is, to always #bekind ????

Mia's Army is not just for people who knew Mia on a personal level.

Mia's Army is for anyone who has been a victim of racial abuse and bullying.

Mia's Army is for anyone who struggles with mental health and wants to promote and support change.

Mia's Army is about positive awareness and bringing a fun and inspiring message that will give others hope.

Mia's Army is all inclusive!




 

Have you left ANSAC CU, it is possible to re apply.



3Post 6 Annual General Meeting 2023.


At the AGM, the following were elected to serve as the Post Committee, for 2023.


Chairman:             Joe Curtin.

Secretary:              Ken OBrien

Tresurer:               Joe Hayes

Clothing Officer:  Rama Walsh

Committee:           Pa Hogan, Cyril Shanahan.

Delegates to National Meetings: Ken OBrien, there is a vacancy for anther Delegate and reserve Delegate, to represent Post 6 at the Delegate meetings.


In order to ensure maximum attendance at Post Meetings, we have arranged with the NCOs Mess to hold our meetings at 11am on the last Thursday of each month. This was following requests from a number of members.

New or Lapsed Members

Post 6, would like to welcome any new members that wish to join IUNVA, or indeed welcome back any lapsed members. 

Serving members of Defence Forces may join IUNVA.

A Veteran does not mean a retired Soldier, in this case it means, a person that has Served Overseas with the UN.

If you wish to join or rejoin, contact any current Post Member, for details. Post No 6 would like to build on its current strength and would welcome any help in that matter.

 

At the handover of the Post No 6 Newsletter to IUNVA HQ for the Museum, Tony Stack Post No 6 Delegate, Jim Casey IUNVA Chairman, Tony Liddy Post No 6 Delegate, Charlie Mott IUNVA Secretary.


The Newsletter is issued every two months and is also available on this website or can be emailed to individuals.

For details contact Ken OBrien on 086 3488118


 


Post 6 News Updates



Currently we do not have contact details for all our members, we are trying to correct this.


If you are not receiving text notifications, please contact Ken OBrien





____________________________________________

Post No 6: News and Activities


Part Time Courses:

Are you interested in taking up a part time course. We have added a link on the Links page to fetchcourses.ie.

There are courses for all interests.


 

Tesco Community Fund




Post Chairman Tony Ledger and Secretary Ken OBrien receiving a cheque from Caoimhe on behalf of the Tesco in the Community Fund, in Arthurs Quay.

This is part of the Tesco Community Fund assisting Clubs and Causes in the locality.