Cork philanthropist urges wealthy people to give back to disadvantaged communities
Tom Cavanagh issued his call in Knocknaheeny on Cork’s northside yesterday where acting Garda Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan accepted the 132-reg 17-seat vehicle on behalf of Gurranabraher gardaí.
It was presented by Mr Cavanagh ’s Tomar Trust in partnership with the Knocknaheeny Justice and Youth Project.
Mr Cavanagh, who announced plans to fund an early education intervention programme on the city’s northside, said he hopes the bus will help build young people’s confidence. “The particular interest I have is in the education of young people.
“People who are born here are just as intelligent as the people born in any other part of the country.
“The kids born in 2014 deserve the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Kids need to have confidence and their parents need confidence.
“This bus will bring them in to contact with other people in the community, and to other places, and it makes them better as citizens.
“The kids will benefit in many ways, but particularly in confidence.”
But he said Ireland’s wealthy could do more to help similar communities.
“I think the more affluent people in the city have neglected the people in social housing communities.
“I think, if you are fortunate enough in this life to be given a few breaks, you have to help wherever you can help. If you don’t, I think you’re failing in your responsibilities. We are all part of the broader community and we are all there to help when we can.”
Interim Garda Commissioner O’Sullivan said yesterday’s event is what her organisation is all about — relationships with communities.
She said that she was delighted to accept the vehicle on behalf of the force.
But she dismissed suggestions that the Garda should accept privately-funded vehicles for the Garda emergency fleet, a common practice in parts of North America.
“We are very fortunate we have had an opportunity to invest in the fleet. We have a number of new cars and those additional cars have been made available to us for the fleet.”
Cllr Tony Fitzgerald, secretary of the Knocknaheeny Youth Project which has been working in partnership with gardaí since 1994, said the bus donation is a great boost for the community. “It will support social gain across the community.”
And despite recent scandals which rocked the Garda force, Mr Fitzgerald said his group’s working relationships and partnerships with local gardaí are stronger than ever.
