·         Leitrim Comhairle na nOg

The Cathaoirleach warmly welcomed Rosie Dolan from Carrick and Suzanne Duffy from Leitrim County Council who came to make a presentation on a video campaign launched recently.  The “Use your Brain, not Your Fists” campaign was initiated through Leitrim Comhairle na nÓg to promote awareness among young people of the consequences of using their fists. Rosie lost her 20 year old son Andrew on 1^st January 2012 as a result of an unprovoked attack in Mullingar a week previously on 23^rd December 2011.

Rosie Dolan explained why she felt she had no choice but to get involved in the video to help people understand the pain and suffering that is caused through a moment of madness. If young people see the video, they may stop a moment and think and not go through with throwing a punch – one punch can have fatal consequences. The video is piggybacking on a Garda campaign although it has to be assumed that under 18s are not drinking, this is not necessarily so. Rosie also explained that various agencies supported the making of the video.

Suzanne Duffy explained their plan of action to promote the campaign:

·         Lobby all councillors and roll out the campaign nationwide.

·         Request Comhairle na nÓg in Roscommon to roll our programme

·         Written to Dept. of Education and Youth Affairs to include on SPHE Curriculum for First and Second years.

·         Received funding for workbooks to accompany video.

·         Encourage Sports Partnerships to get role models to support and share the video

·         Ultimate goal that everyone in the country will have seen the video – the video cost €6,500 to make with the support of Creative Ireland fund.

The members welcomed Rosie and Suzanne and expressed their sincere condolences to Rosie on the passing of her son Andrew and admired her bravery in taking on this campaign:

·         Links to Comhairle na nÓg across the country could be the key to getting out the message of “use your brain, not your fists”

·         Ask the Executive to get liaison officer to help spread this message to all schools in Roscommon

·         This will be discussed at Comhairle meeting in Roscommon on Thursday.

·         Children must now get parent’s permission to take pledge and it is not being taken up.

·         No agency assessing who and how many people are been affected by such attacks that can happen in a few seconds.

·         The accompanying posters should be put up in all sports clubs in the county

·         Public reps should be promoting this campaign

·         Roscommon Sports partnership will discuss this at their next meeting.

·         Huge issues with drink and drugs. National politicians should deal with selling of below cost alcohol, easy availability of alcohol etc.

·         Huge pressures on young people, peer pressure, social media to succeed and enjoy themselves

·         Young people want to engage and make things happen – they can take this challenge on – it’s their responsibility.

·         We must take a stand and say no, it’s not ok to be out of control on drink/drugs. This is a societal issue that needs to be tackled and national sporting organisations should help and lead the way.

·         Parents should be held responsible for the actions of their children that have such consequences

·         The members also wished well the Grogan family in Tuam, whose son Shane was also the victim of an unprovoked assault in 2012 and whose story will be featured on Crimecall tonight.

·         People were never more educated or well looked after. Drink driving that was acceptable years ago is no longer acceptable – we now need to tackle the issue of “out of control” with drugs now a worrying development as is the issue of drinking at home before going out.

·         The West Region Drugs Task Programme is rolling out the Risk and Protection Programme that encourages youngsters to get involved in three sports/other interests. ‘Planet Youth’

The Chief Executive said that Rosie Dolan, in her heartache has created a gift –a strong message and a message that he has a responsibility to bring this message to as many as possible. He hops that she will leave this chamber with assurances from all present that they will promote the message on her behalf.