Parents protest over lack of supports and services for their children with additional needs

Parents from Trim and beyond gathered in the town on Saturday to protest at the lack of supports and services for their children with additional needs.

The peaceful protest, which took place outside the courthouse on Saturday afternoon, was organised by Mandy Clarke-Garry, mother to 11-year-old Jade to highlight the impact the lack of services is having not just on their daughter and family but also on many other families in the area.

Speaking afterwards Mandy said they were happy with how the protest went and had around 50 in attendance. Mandy spoke about their own situation and the detrimental impact lack of early intervention had for their daughter and encouraged anyone looking for information or help to contact her, saying parents should never feel on their own. Another parent also spoke as well as local councillors Ronan Moore and Dave Boyne.

Mandy said they had also been contacted by Meath West TD Johnny Guirke who has invited them to bring their campaign to the Dáil in September and in the meantime, they will be launching a petition, not just for parents in Trim but for parents across the county.

Mandy outlined how it was not just parents from Trim who had attended the protest and they realise parents across the county are having similar struggles accessing services and they will be representing them also.

She is encouraging parents to write letter detailing what services they need and they will bring these with them to present along with their peititon when they go to the Dáil.