AN organisation that was set up in the 1950s to support former personnel of the Irish Defence Services is seeking help.
Oglaigh Naisiunta na hEireann (ONE), a charity comprising former national servicemen and women was established in 1951 following the amalgamation of a number of ex-service organisations.
In 2002 it was registered as a company limited by guarantee, as ONE, and has since been granted charitable status.
In the near 65 years since its foundation the organisation has experienced huge growth and today has 42 branches located throughout Ireland, the UK, US and Australia.
Sean Shinnors, secretary of the Fr James Gilmore branch of ONE, which covers the north county Dublin area and Dublin North East, says: “We still need help to support the many that may have fallen on hard times.
“As members of ONE we arrange social, cultural and sporting activities for members in order to develop a spirit of comradeship between serving and retired members of the services.
“Our branch has made a number of trips to WW1/WW2 sites in Europe, Lebanon and USA.”
At national level and throughout its countrywide branch network, ONE members attend and hold commemorative ceremonies to remember comrades who died in the service of the State. Ceremonies are also organised by individual branches.
Mr Shinnors says the primary objective of ONE is to ensure the welfare of ex–servicemen and women by way of providing subsidised accommodation to homeless, elderly or disabled members in need of such domestic accommodation and shelter, and any other assistance that may be required.
“We still need people to become members of the Fr James Gilmore branch of ONE,” he adds.
“You must be a former/retired, serving member of the Defence Forces, an FCA/RDF, An Slua Muiri/Naval Reserve, Civil Defence, Red Cross or An Garda Siochana.”
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Fr James Gilmore branch of ONE, please contact chairman Dessie O’Hara (086-8444600), secretary Sean Shinnors (086-3619167) or treasurer John Whelan (087-9611945).
•ONE would like to thank JC’s Supermarket in Swords for supporting its Fuchsia Campaign.
