Ireland's Eye - A round up of top Irish news stories

A look at news from around Ireland

Bullying Worries
CHILDREN as young as nine and 10 of age are being subjected to bullying in local schools, a seminar on bullying held in Longford town heard.

Vicky McEnery, 22, from Co. Westmeath, spoke eloquently about how bullying made her secondary school years a misery.  She told a story of consistent verbal harassment that sometimes veered into physical bullying.

She also outlined how the bullying had affected her personally and of how it continued even after she spoke out on national television. A second year student at university, McEnery now travels the length and breadth of the country to speak about her experience in the hope of helping others.

From the floor on the night, two local parents outlined how bullying had a serious effect on their children. In both cases, they felt that their children’s schools had not done enough to tackle the issue. In both cases, the expert panel said these were typical stories they are hearing all over the country.

One of the most disturbing contributions on the night was from a local youth worker who told the meeting that girls from fifth and sixth class (grade) in local schools are posting pictures of themselves in their underwear online.

This comment drew gasps of shock from the floor as the youth worker went on to explain how he tries to warn young people about this behavior and its implications, particularly in terms of attracting predators.

Monica Monaghan founded the Anti-Bullying Coalition as a response to her own experience at the hands of bullies as a young teacher.  

She spoke at length about the role in schools in dealing with bullying. She told the audience that she felt the current guidelines in place for schools were “unsafe” as they were 20 years old, and she welcomed the fact that new guidelines are being introduced in schools for the coming school year.

“It is costing the country a fortune to mop up after this,” she said of the bullying problem, adding that there had been a “lack of joined-up thinking” on the issue.

Leitrim Observer

Don’t Knock Marriage
LOVE is in the air, particularly around Knock, where the country’s oldest marriage introduction service facilitated 11 weddings last year.

Clearly Cupid remains smitten by the traditional-style service, which has increasingly attracted young professional women – including teachers, doctors and nurses – aged in their thirties.

Recently renamed Knock Marriage Introductions, the Catholic Church service was founded by the late Father Michael Keane in 1968, leading to 910 marriages over its 45-year history.

Figures just released from the service’s 45th annual report reveal that in 2012 they received 1,000 telephone inquiries and 580 written queries. The applicant breakdown by gender and age showed 69 men (aged 25-45), 29 men (46-75); 66 women (aged 25-45), 23 women (46-75).

Canon Joseph Cooney, director of the group, said the service’s “proven track record” ensured consistent levels of interest year-on-year.

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Nster.com