News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

While a number of charitable organizations will be endeavoring to provide food and shelter for these men, who range in ages from their early 20s to pensioners, the stark reality is that they will have to endure the harsh winter elements over the Christmas season.

Homelessness still remains a major problem in Galway city and a number of those who have been forced onto the streets have been evicted from their homes because they are unable to pay rents or mortgages.

The Galway Simon Community, who provide 16,000 bed nights and 30,000 meals to homeless people, say that they are approached by new faces on a regular basis who find themselves without anywhere to live.

Kerry Mossop, Fundraising and Development Manager with Galway Simon, told the Galway City Tribune that contributing factors to homelessness included drug and drink addiction, relationship break-ups, unemployment and poverty.

But, in recent years, people who find that they are not in a financial position to pay their rents or meet their mortgage repayments are turning to Galway Simon for help.
(Source: GalwayBay Fm)

Kerry

A Tralee born missionary has volunteered to step down as director of the Columban Order in Chile pending the outcome of an investigation into claims he had a sexual relationship with two young men in the 1980s.

Fr Jeremiah "Derry" Healy stepped down as head of the Columban Fathers missionary society's operation in Chile last May, in line with the standard procedures in the Chilean churches guidelines, after the first of the two men reported the allegation to the society.

In June a second man made similar claims in a declaration presented to the archbishop of Santiago, Ricardo Ezzati Andrello.

Originally from Tralee Fr Healy has been a member of the Columban Order since 1969 and has been working as a missionary in Chile since 1981.

The first man Claudio Ramos said that when he was aged 16 in 1985 Fr Healy offered him space in his house to study as he was unable to do so at home due to family problems.

The second alleged victim Jorge Salas, now Mr Ramos's brother-in-law, said in his declaration to Santiago's archbishop that he met Fr Healy in 1983 when he was 19 years old.

Mr Salas said when he was 23 Fr Healy initiated a sexual relationship with him.

Following the complaints Fr Healy immediately stepped down as the Columban's Director in Chile and removed himself from public ministry pending the outcome of an internal church investigation in Chile.

The Columban order told The Kerryman that Fr Healy's decision to step down from his role and to remove himself from public ministry was a standard procedure as outlined in the Chilean churches guidelines on such matters.

Fr Healy said he intended to fully co-operate with any investigation.
(Source: Kerryman)

Kildare

An axe was brandished by a robber who threatened staff at an Athy newsagents over the past weekend.

The incident occurred last Saturday evening when the man entered the shop on Woodstock Street armed with a hatchet. He demanded that staff remove cash from the till. A small amount of cash was given to the man by the terrified staff and the robber left the scene.

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Nster.com