'Forgotten veterans': Charity head pledges to get State to do more

Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE) is to open of a five-bed hostel for homeless veterans in Cobh, Co. Cork, on Sunday.

Incoming President of the ONE, Diarmuid Higgins, on Patrick Street, Cork, today. He hopes that during fuschia month next July as many people as possible will wear the fuschia to recognise the service and contribution of former members of the Irish Defence Forces. Photo: Dan Linehan

The incoming president of the charity which supports former members of the Irish Defence Forces says he plans to encourage the State to do more to support “forgotten veterans”, especially those who’ve fallen on hard times.

Diarmuid Higgins, who takes over on Sunday as president of Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the country’s only registered Defence Forces veterans charity, was speaking ahead of the opening of a five-bed hostel for homeless veterans in Cobh, Co. Cork, on Sunday.