Ireland Ignores Legal Recognition Sign Languages

Deaf News: Sign language gives tens of thousands of Irish people the priceless gift of communication but it's still unrecognised as an official language by the Irish State.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - Now, 40 local authorities are heaping pressure on the Government to fully recognise Irish Sign Language (ISL) as an official language, the Sunday Independent has learned.



More than a year after the Seanad rejected a bill to legally recognise ISL, county and city councils, all over the country, have passed a motion on the issue to "help put pressure on local TDs".



After more than 30 years of campaigning, Eddie Redmond CEO of the Irish Deaf Society (IDS) says the community still feels hugely isolated and ignored at national level.



Speaking through an interpreter, Mr Redmond said: "The Government have been avoiding the issue. There is huge uproar among the Deaf community, because we are cut off from access to information.



"Every citizen should have access to services as a human right, and until there is adequate provision, the Deaf community will continue to be discriminated against and there will be a constant invalidation," he said.



Eight years ago, the Irish government signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which contains duties towards native sign languages. To date, Ireland remains one of the few European countries that have not ratified the convention into law.



Meanwhile, 45 other countries - including the UK and Northern Ireland - have granted legal status to their own unique sign language... Read more: http://independent.ie/irish-news/news/deaf-community-roar-for-recognition-of-sign-language.html



Recognition of sign languages listing:

The legal recognition of sign languages

Deaf Man Accused of Killing Man at Bus Stop

DUBLIN - Deaf man remanded in custody accused of killing man at bus stop. A Deaf man charged with killing a man who died after he was hit by a bus in Dublin city centre has been held in custody for another week.



Eoghan Dudley (28), who was originally from Rathfarnham in the city's south side, suffered horrific head injuries after he fell under a double-decker bus following an altercation at the junction of Dawson Street and Nassau Street on December 6.



The deceased man had recently been living in rented accommodation in Co Wicklow and was identified two days after his death.



On Friday last, which was also his 29th birthday, Edward Connors, whose latest address was a hostel in the city-centre's north side, was arrested in connection with the incident and detained at Pearse Street Garda station.



When charged at the station last Saturday night he had replied “I am sorry about him, it was an accident”. He did not apply for bail and had been remanded in custody at Dublin District Court last Monday.



Connors is accused of manslaughter of Mr Dudley at Dawson Street. Read more: http://www.independent.ie/national-news/courts/deaf-man-remanded-in-custody-accused-of-killing-man-at-bus-stop-3325495.html SOURCE



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Deaf Man Charged With Manslaughter of Bus Crash Victim

Deaf Man Charged With Manslaughter of Bus Crash Victim

DUBLIN - Deaf man charged with manslaughter of bus crash victim 'very sorry.' A Deaf man has apologised for the death of a man who was hit by a bus following an alleged roadside altercation.



Edward Connors, who is profoundly Deaf, has been charged with the manslaughter of Eoghan Dudley. The 28-year-old died last Thursday evening after suffering severe head injuries in the incident in Dublin city centre.



Connors, 29, who has been living in a homeless hostel in Dublin, was brought before the city’s District Court where proceedings were translated through a sign language interpreter.



Detective Garda Conor O’Braonain told the court that, when Connors was charged at Pearse Street Garda Station on Saturday night, he replied: “I’m very sorry about him. It was an accident.”



Judge David McHugh remanded him in custody until December 13, when he will be brought before Cloverhill courthouse.



Connors, who wore a navy tracksuit, is accused of killing Mr Dudley at the busy junction of Dawson Street and Nassau Street. Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/deaf-man-charged-with-manslaughter-of-bus-crash-victim-very-sorry-577334.html SOURCE