Not all the gifts in bright lit windows, In all the Christmas shops in town, Shall I now choose, But prefer to sit in silence and reflect, On the joy you are to me . There is no present you can buy, Though you parcel up creation, That will bring more sparkle to my eye Than the love I have for you. I sing sweet carols under the stars And hymns by the Milky Way, And I am happy wandering, In dreams, to gently touch Your hand, your face, your eyes,your soul. And, contemplating bliss, a kiss, There is no happy Christmas if there is not this.
END.
Tom Ryan,”Iona”, Rahealty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
The song “Melancholy Christmas” is a song about isolation and loneliness during the Christmas holiday season and highlights the need for connection with those living alone.
Melancholy Christmas.
Lyrics: American singer-songwriter and musician Amy Lee Grant and record producer, singer/songwriter, Marshall Noah Altman. Vocals: Amy Lee Grant.
Melancholy Christmas.
I post another picture from the quiet of my room, And wonder who’ll like it and wonder what to do, With the rest of tonight and tomorrow tonight too. Christmas is coming soon. Coming soon. Maybe I’ll call up some friends, just to see if they’re home. I don’t want to feel lonely, but I’m here alone, And the snow falls down. Coming down. (Merry Christmas). You could come over, (Merry Christmas). It’s not too late, (Merry Christmas). Don’t worry ’bout presents, (Merry Christmas). I’ve saved you a place, (Merry Christmas). Light a few candles, (Merry Christmas). And sing Christmas songs, (Merry Christmas). Everybody, (Merry Christmas). Needs a place to belong, (Merry Christmas). It’s Christmas, (Merry Christmas). If you feel lonely, (Merry Christmas). I feel it too, (Merry Christmas). If nobody’s said it, (Merry Christmas). I’m wishing you, (Merry Christmas). Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.
Predeceased by his parents Jack and Johanna Cahill and his sister Peggy O’Sullivan; Mr Cahill, sadly, passed away unexpectedly at his place of ordinary residence.
His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; brother Tommy, nieces Kay and Trisha, nephews John and Damien, grandnieces, grandnephew, extended relatives, good neighbours and friends.
The extended Cahill family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
According to the Irish Govrnment: You are considered homeless if one of the following applies to you:-
There is no accommodation available that you and any other person who normally lives with you, can reasonably stay in.
You are living in a hospital, county home, night shelter or other such institution, and you are living there because you have no suitable accommodation.
You are unable to provide accommodation from your own resources.
In general, you may be considered homeless if you are:-
Sleeping rough.
Staying in an emergency hostel or refuge.
Staying in bed and breakfast or hotel accommodation on a temporary basis.
Staying temporarily with friends or family because you have nowhere else to go.
Squatting(occupying a building illegally)
While our current Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs, perceive themselves as global statesmen striding the universe, 14,303 individuals accessed emergency accommodation nationally in June 2024 – an increase of 144(1%) on May 2024.
The Fountain.
Lyrics: American country singer/songwriter Mitch Rossell. Vocals:Mitch Rossell[Third place finisher in Season 18 of America’s Got Talent.]
Please read the lyricshereunder.
The Fountain.
My name is James Lee Roberts, and I think I’m 36, But it’s hard to keep track of the days when you live a life like this. I look for ways to eat and a place to sleep when it gets dark, But I spend most of my time on this bench here in the park. And every day is different, but as long as it don’t rain, There’s a fountain with an angel where strangers bring their change. They stand there for a minute, some even close their eyes, And right off of their fingertips they let their wishes fly. And I can’t help but think as they sink in the water, That if you add ’em up it’d get me through at least a little while. So I wonder how long wishes have to sit there at the bottom, Before the chance of coming true passes by. Cars and clothes and money, and houses on a hill, Faith and love and happiness, and broken hearts to heal. Every dream is different, but every dreamer is the same, We’re all in search of something that a little change can bring. And I can’t help but think as they sink in the water, That if you add ’em up it’d get me through at least a little while, So I wonder how long wishes have to sit there at the bottom, Before the chance of coming true passes by. And I can’t help but think as they sink in the water, That if you add ’em up it’d get me through at least a little while. Oh but if I made a wish to get my life out of rock bottom, I wouldn’t want somebody taking mine. My name is James Lee Roberts, and I think I’m 36 But it’s hard to keep track of the days when you live a life like this.
END
According to the 2022 census, there are 163,433 vacant homes in Ireland, of which 48,000 have been empty since 2016.
The ongoing positive impact of ‘Operation Thor’ on combatting residential burglaries welcomed by communities.
Operation Thor is An Garda Síochána’s national strategy targeting organised crime groups involved in burglaries and associated criminal activity.
The winter phase of Operation Thor commenced on 1 October 2024 and will run until the end of March 2025.
A reduction of approximately 75% in residential burglaries has been recorded between 2016 and 2023.
Operation Thor, was commenced by An Garda Síochána in 2015, and is designed to tackle an anticipated increase in the number of burglaries and associated criminal activity that usually occur during winter months, by undertaking targeted enforcement and preventative activity. This initiative has successfully reduced the rate of winter burglaries, leading to a significant decline in property-related crime since its introduction.
Between January 1st 2024 and December 11th 2024, some 2,058 arrests and 4,663 charges and summons were recorded in association with Operation Thor.
Operation Thor tackles burglary and actively targets organised crime gangs and repeat offenders through co-ordinated crime prevention and enforcement activity, based on intelligence and the latest burglary trends.
Since Operation Thor was established a reduction of approximately 75% in residential burglaries has been recorded between 2016 and 2023.
Last month, a comprehensive policing operation under Operation Thor, resulted in 23 arrests. These individuals were charged with a total of 100 offences including offences for burglary, theft, unauthorised taking of a vehicle and possession of stolen property. Just recently, three people were arrested as part of an intelligence-led operation targeting an organised criminal group suspected of committing burglaries at commercial properties in Galway, Mayo, Cork, Kildare and Wexford.
The Garda crime prevention advice under Operation Thor, which is highlighted through public information campaigns and by Garda Prevention Officers includes the ‘Lock up, Light up’ campaign.
An Garda Síochána also have a free property recording app. Should any items be stolen, the app provides a way of reporting this to An Garda Síochána and gives the public the option to share information with Gardaí for this purpose.
The Department of Justice also provides funding to Muintir na Tíre to cover the costs incurred by community groups in administering the Text Alert Scheme.
Text Alert enables communities to set up a group to receive alerts advising them of suspicious or criminal activity in their area. As well as ensuring awareness among users of the service, it can also lead to them reporting suspicious activity to Gardaí.
Further information on the property marking app, text alert schemes and other crime prevention information can be found on the Garda website: www.garda.ie.
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