PLANS: ONE aims to open up a new centre for veterans in the town of Newbridge in the near-future

By Ciarán Mather / Leinster Leader / Kildare Live

Councillors for the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District received a deputation from members of ONE (the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel) on Wednesday, April 17 last.

ONE, also known as Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann as Gaeilge, is a registered charity for veterans of the Irish Defence Forces.

It was established on 10 March 1951, and, according to its website, its primary objective is ‘to support the needs of Irish veterans by the provision of accommodation to homeless veterans in its veterans’ homes and the provision of other advice and support to veterans through its nationwide network of Branches and Veterans’ Support Centres.’

Two members of ONE, Cormac Kirwan and Michael Carroll, delivered the deputation to councillors present at the meeting, in addition to members of Kildare County Council.

MAIN STATISTICS

They told the local representatives that 140,000 ex-Irish Defence Forces personnel have availed of ONE’s services.

25 per cent of these veterans reside in the CHO7 region (which, according to the Health Service Executive, refers to the Kildare / West Wicklow, Dublin West, Dublin South City, Dublin South West regions).

“20,000 to 40,000 of these veterans reside in Kildare,” the councillors were informed by Mr Kirwan and Mr Carroll.

The two ONE members continued by explaining the main wide-ranging causes that can result in veterans finding themselves homeless.

Factors can include: mental health difficulties, marriage breakdowns, poverty, and substance misuse, among others.

They also said that the organisation ‘prepares veterans for independent living.’

“Houses are maintained at a very high standard,” they added.

Read the full article here: https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/home/1488240/kildare-cllrs-receive-presentation-from-veteran-support-group.html

ONE’s primary objective is to support the needs of Irish veterans by the provision of accommodation to homeless and other veterans in need of such domestic accommodation in its Veterans Homes and the provision of other advice and support to veterans, in particular Mental Health advice, through its nationwide network of Branches and Veterans Support Centres. Visit our website for more info.

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