Real Lives Untold Sarah Trina

In this Episode Trina speaks with Dawn Russell of the Anna Liffey Drugs Project about her work as Head of Services.
Dawn says she’s motivated because she “cares deeply about people who are
marginalised, who are judged and left out of our society”, and she is “driven to
work for them to improve their lives.”
“...I have watched with pride as Ireland proved to the world
and to ourselves that we are a compassionate, inclusive and caring society
through the marriage equality and abortion rights referenda. Now in Ireland, it’s
time for people who are battling with addictions to be understood and to be
brought into our society, from the shadows and alleyways where they are forced
to live. People with drug and alcohol addictions have value, they have rights, and
we have to work for them to be recognised. This is what motivates me every day,”
says Russell.
To follow the Dawns work and the Anna Liffey Drugs Project go to
https://www.facebook.com/share/pSzw67HovzfHTVKv/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
https://www.instagram.com/analiffey?igsh=cjk5dXh2ZHlkeDlk

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Tony Duffin, the CEO of the Ana Liffey Drug Project, said that stigma against drug users is “very serious”
and that there needs to be a health-led approach to responding to drug use, rather than a criminal approach.
In this episode Tony talks to us about his upbringing in London, his Irish roots in Wexford, his family life and his work over the last 30+ years in harm reduction.
Duffin said that Ireland needs to change its laws around drugs to help address this stigma.
“Stigma is a huge issue. It does prevent people from coming forward to access treatment and rehabilitation
and other supports.
Duffin said that “In countries like Portugal, where they implemented the model of decriminalisation, which is essentially a
very good diversion scheme, they have seen stigma towards people who use drugs disappear. It took about 10 years, 15 years of treating it as a health issue before people realise and
start to say, ‘they’re not criminals, they’re people who need a bit of help’.”
Duffin added that he believes there is an important distinction between “drug use” and “problematic drug
use”,
To follow Tony's work and the work of Anna Liffey Drugs Project click below links
https://www.facebook.com/share/pSzw67HovzfHTVKv/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
https://www.instagram.com/analiffey?igsh=cjk5dXh2ZHlkeDlk

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Trina is joined by best selling author and producer Justin Brown, who hails from Aukland, New Zealand.
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In the first episode of Season 2 Trina and Sarah speak with Janet O'Brien, an amazingly courageous and resilient woman who lost her son Luke to a one-punch assault in Tallaght, South West Dublin on Halloween night 2017. His killer, 21 year old Jack Hall Ellis of Lismore Road in Crumlin, a childhood friend of Luke, punched him in his words “in drunkenness and anger” on the old Blessington Road after they left a pub. 13 days later Luke who was just 20 lost his fight for life in hospital from the injuries to his brain that he sustained when he hit his head on the ground as a result of the punch. Hall Ellis had downed up to ten double shots rum that night the court heard after he pleaded guilty in 2019 to the unlawful killing of Luke O' Brien O'Reilly and he was jailed for five years. Before his release from prison late last year Luke’s mother Janet met her son’s killer as part of the Restorative Justice Process, something she sought out herself, it has to be stressed. During that meeting she showed Hall Ellis a photograph of her son as he fought for his life in hospital during those last days. Janet has kindly agreed to tell us her painful story , she believes one punch assaults should carry a minimum sentence and she would encourage more people to avail of restorative justice.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY ANY OF THE ISSUES IN THE EPISODE YOU CAN CALL THE CRIME VICTIM'S HELPINE (crimevictimshelpline.ie) Freephone 116006
Or go to Home - Restorative Justice to find out more

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Sarah and Trina are joined by Micháel Campbell whose only daughter Ciara was murdered by her ex boyfriend in front of her 4 year old son in her home in County Carlow. It happened on the 12th of November 2007. Gordon Molloy from Ballickmoyler in Laois had been stalking 22 year-old Ciara for months after she ended their turbulent relationship. He had threatened to kill her and had broken into her home on numerous occasions to scare her. Ciara had been staying with friends the night before her murder and returned to the house the following morning, met her father Micháel with Jamie at the door, Micháel left for work and she made her way in with her young son. Molloy was inside her home after forcing entry the night before and lay in wait for her. He stabbed her 27 times, her son witnessed the savage attack. Micháel recounts the trauma of finding out what happened later that day and talks about the devastating impact Ciara's death has had on Jamie and the family. Micháel and Ciara's mother Paidi have met with the Parole Board to object to the murderer's 3rd application for release. They firmly believe he will kill again if he's allowed out.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY ANY OF THE ISSUES IN THE EPISODE YOU CAN CALL THE CRIME VICTIM'S HELPINE (crimevictimshelpline.ie) Freephone 116006 I WOMEN'S AID ON 1800 341 900 I MEN'S AID 01 5543811

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In January 2018 twenty one year-old Nicole Fox took her own life in the family home after she suffered over three years of relentless, brutal bullying both in person and online, perpetrated by a group of young adults. In the immediate aftermath of her beloved daughter’s death Nicole’s mother Jackie started to campaign for the anti-harassment laws here to be updated to include online bullying. In 2021 Jackie’s work paid off and Coco's Law was introduced. The new legislation criminalises harmful communications including the threat of and the distribution of intimate images. Jackie talks to Trina and Sarah about her painful journey, the loss of her beautiful daughter, how she will never move on but is moving forward and has learned to smile again.
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