A Big Big Thanks to the Editor of The Garda Review Magazine who kindly welcomed an article from me, regarding my thoughts on the need for Suicide Awareness for An Garda Siochána. Truly appreciated.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
My Visit to Templemore
I was delighted to get the opportunity to speak with the Assistant Commissioner, and four colleagues who will be training the new intake of recruits in the Garda training college in Templemore on Thursday last.
The meeting lasted about an hour and was very positive. During our meeting they outlined the new B.A in applied Policing which will commence next month at the College. I was really impressed with the way that in this course, the students learn through working with realistic policing scenarios. To me it shows how practical and “real life” the course is.
At the meeting, I got a chance to get my thoughts across on the need the for more suicide training across the force. I outlined some suggestions that I would like to see included in their suicide awareness training. My hope being,that this training will be given in the Garda Training College and included in the Primary Inservice Program so that all members of An Garda Siochana will receive this training. This undoubtedly in my opinion will help and protect the Garda and indeed the suicidal person they may encounter.
They said they would think about what I said and that they found it very useful and informative. They also said that what was discussed will help them in how they train all members of the force.
That the meeting even took place is the biggest and most significant day for me since I set out on this campaign and I am most grateful to them for inviting me to the Garda Training College to speak with them on this hugely important issue.
I didn’t know what to expect but I left with the impression that they really listened to me and my suggestions and I genuinely hope that this could well be the start of something positive Please God.
Meeting with Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald
On July 23rd My brother and I had a meeting with the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald in the Dáil. I am most Thankful to Áine Collins TD and to Dan Neville TD who arranged for me to meet with Minister Fitzgerald.
I was happy with the meeting and most grateful that the Minister took the time to meet with me to discuss my campaign. During our meeting I outlined the suicide awareness/prevention training that I would like to see introduced in the Garda Training College and that it would be included in the Primary Inservice Program, that way it would show a commitment by an Garda Siochana to it.
I expressed my thinking to the Minister, that regretfully suicide is extremely prevalent in Ireland today and that obviously many members of An Garda Siochana have to deal with suicidal people as part of their post. Obviously this is extremely difficult for each member who has to encounter this. Therefore in my opinion there is a huge need for all members of An Garda Siochana to be trained to receive specific training in suicide awareness and how to apprehend suicidal drivers or the one who is known or suspected to be suicidal. I explained to her that I really believe, that this training would be extremely helpful for the Garda on a professional and indeed a personal level.
I was delighted to hear the Minister’s words “I am supporting your visit to Templemore as the Minister for Justice and I am supporting your call for training in Mental Health issues. I will be in touch with the Gardaí about it”.
Victim of suicidal driver urges Min Fitzgerald to ensure Garda training on suicide – Neville http://www.finegael.ie/latest-news/2014/victim-of-suicidal-driver/
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/heroic-irish-women-make-a-stand-for-those-they-lost-276796.html
BBC Spotlight & Twomey Family Remorial Weekend
Great Janine Jansen BBC Spotlight came to Our Weekend in honour of My Beauties & Filmed lots of Our Weekend.
Highlights of Our Weekend
http://www.frequency.com/video/irish-widow-who-lost-her-entire-family/173998751/-/5-1377
Fabulous Medical Staff from Torbay Hospital who looked after all of us, joined us for Our Weekend, What great people!
http://www.frequency.com/video/emergency-staff-who-treated-woman/174216063/-/5-1377
I spoke to Janine re Our Weekend in Honour of My Beauties & My Mission that all Our Gardaí be trained in suicide awareness/prevention.
http://www.frequency.com/video/could-you-forgive-if-suicidal-driver/174259793/-/5-857
Since Then
January 1st 2014
News of change in Police Pursuit Policy in Devon & Cornwall Police. I do Pray and hope that they will do more to look after the poor suicidal driver!
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/uk-police-alter-pursuit-tactics-days-after-plea-by-irish-woman-29882046.html
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/mother-who-lost-family-in-police-chase-welcomes-uk-changes-29884544.html
January 2014
Following news on Jan 1st someone mentioned to me had I ever looked into what goes on with Gardaí here, so I started to research Garda Training to deal with the suicidal driver or the one who is known or suspected to be suicidal.
I approached different members of the Dáil and suicide support groups to outline my concerns and request their support on this. Several members of the Dáil and Senate have come on board lobbying questions to the Minister on my behalf which I really appreciate. I have also received great help and support in this, from Inspire Ireland, Suicide Aware in Cork, 3T’s in Dublin and Pieta House.
http://randomirishnews.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/growing-support-among-tds-for-elber-twomeys-campaign-to-ensure-gardai-trained-in-how-to-pursue-suicidal-drivers/
February 15th 2014
I had a meeting with Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar thanks to Michael Creed TD.
At this meeting I outlined my concerns to the Minister.
http://randomirishnews.wordpress.com/2014/02/17/leo-varadkar-to-push-for-elber-twomey-campaign-push-for-suicidal-driver-pursuit-training-review-of-gardai-procedures/
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/suicide-crash-widows-campaign-to-boost-road-safety-gets-support-from-varadkar-30015440.html
March 22nd 2014
I addressed the Fianna Fáil Party Ard Fhéis thanks to help from Suicide Aware in Cork, Niall Collins TD and Michael Moynihan TD.
At the Árd Fhéis the motion was carried recognising the need for all Gardaí to receive specific training on how to deal with suicidal drivers and to deal with the one who is known or suspected to be suicidal.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/tribute-for-mum-who-lost-family-to-suicide-driver-30118816.html
http://www.eveningecho.ie/2014/03/24/mums-appeal-train-gardai-deal-suicidal-drivers/
March 31st
I attended Safe Talk training, suicide alertness for everyone.
April 9th
Fantastic to see that I am not the only person who is talking about the need for All Gardaí to receive training to deal with the suicidal soul. Let’s hope they do and that they go further and include the suicidal driver.
‘Widespread lack of training’ among gardaí in dealing with suicidal people (via @thejournal_ie) http://t.co/2TDk5rEiMq
— Elber Twomey (@elbertwomey) April 9, 2014
May 6th
My First Visit to Leinster House 🙂
Thanks to Patrick O’Donovan TD for arranging a meeting with David Stanton TD and Chairman of Joint Committee on Justice, Defence & Equality. A really productive meeting Thank God. Great people!
Please God more visits to Leinster House to come!
May 3rd
My Darling Con gone 1 Year, Horrific seems like Eternity
May 8th
I was honoured to be with Suicide Aware Cork as they launched their fantastic Amber Flag nationally today. What wonderful work they do. Well done to all involved.
May 10th
Darkness Into Light For Pieta House
My First Time doing “Darkness Into Light” Walk for Pieta House. What a Moving Experience! Well Done to Joan and All involved. Totally Recommend it! Please God will do again next year!
May 14th
I contacted the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications on May 7th, to request the support of the Committee that all Gardaí be trained to cope with a suspected suicidal driver or a person who is known or suspected to have suicidal ideation while driving a vehicle.
My correspondence was considered by the Committee at its meeting of 14 May where it was agreed to write to An Garda Siochana expressing its strong support for my request.
May 15th
I contacted the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice & Defence on May 7th, to request the support of the Committee that all Gardaí be trained to cope with a suspected suicidal driver or a person who is known or suspected to have suicidal ideation.
My correspondence was considered by the committee at its meeting on 15th May. All members fully supported my call for all members of An Garda Siochana to receive training on how to deal with suicidal drivers or those suspected to have suicidal ideation.
In this regard the Committee agreed to forward my correspondence to The Minister for Justice and Equality and the Garda Commissioner requesting that they give my proposal urgent consideration.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/tds-back-elberrsquos-call-for-garda-training-to-deal-with-suicide-269355.html
June 3rd
Unreal important meeting in Dublin to do with my Mission.
Really Believe we will see training in Suicide Awareness/Prevention for all Our Gardaí Please God!
June 6-8th Our Weekend in Honour of My Beauties
Extremely Emotional but Truly Wonderful Weekend, just as My Beauties Deserve.
http://www.evoke.ie/crash-survivor-elber-twomey/
June 19-26th
My First Trip to visit Our Lady of Fatima, Wow! Will definitely be back Please God 🙂
July 6th
No Words!
July 23rd
Meeting with Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald,
A Big Thanks to Áine Collins TD who arranged the meeting and to Dan Neville TD who attended the meeting with my brother Tomás and I.
Great to hear the Minister’s words “I am supporting your visit to Templemore as the Minister for Justice and I am supporting your call for training in Mental Health issues. I will be in touch with the Gardaí about it”.
Victim of suicidal driver urges Min Fitzgerald to ensure Garda training on suicide – Neville http://www.finegael.ie/latest-news/2014/victim-of-suicidal-driver/
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/heroic-irish-women-make-a-stand-for-those-they-lost-276796.html
Where There Is Life There Is Hope 