Ellen Leonard

Hiya 👋🏼

[Ellen Leonard @ElleLenn]

So this happened this morning while reading the traffic updates 🙈 Thanks so much @martylyricfm & @ianmcglynnlyric for being so encouraging 🥰 it was a WILD 🤣

[Marty Whelan @martylyricfm]

https://t.co/kfPiG8zVuP
Listen back here to the fantastic Ellen Leonard, announcer and soprano, singing for Marty on this mornings show. A talented woman!
@RTElyricfm @martylyricfm

[Ellen Leonard @ElleLenn]

@IrishRail we had the nicest train driver this morning on the 8:40am Dunboyne to Docklands line 🚂 Wishing us all a lovely day and even speaking as gaeilge 💚

[The Scoliosis Advocacy Network #BackUs @scolionetwork]

The last public update from the Paediatric Spinal Taskforce was May 2025. https://t.co/BqNJQX2QHd

Those minutes acknowledged no improvement in the spinal surgery waiting list since the start of the year, with 230 children waiting.

David Moore (CHI) described the static list as “disappointing”.

The Chair stated that, at current rates, meaningful reduction would be difficult to achieve.

At the same meeting, 56% of reform actions were marked “complete”. ‼️ (Despite this - Static lists, no reduction in waiters … ).

There has been no public update since 🤐

#BackUs #Scoliosis #Spinabifida #JusticeforHarvey

@CarrollJennifer @SimonHarrisTD @MichealMartinTD @CHI_Ireland @BernardGloster #LucyNugent @KateOFla @SBH_PAG

[Ellen Leonard @ElleLenn]

🎧➡️https://t.co/grP9CNhiwN

[Ellen Leonard @ElleLenn]

Hundreds of dogs across the country remain in shelters🐶@DSPCA spoke to me for @RTECountryWide about the effects surrendering has on the dogs left behind. A recent study shows 62% choose to adopt but rescues say there’s a long way to go when it comes to animal welfare in Ireland.

[Ellen Leonard @ElleLenn]

Hundreds of dogs across the country remain in shelters🐶@DSPCA spoke to me for @RTECountryWide about the effects surrendering has on the dogs left behind. A recent study shows 62% choose to adopt but rescues say there’s a long way to go when it comes to animal welfare in Ireland.

[Virgin Media News @VirginMediaNews]

Gardaí Deploy New Elevated Truck to Detect Traffic Offences

For more, watch @ElleLenn #VMNews at https://t.co/JdZsXkTyaO
#Gardaí #Ireland #RoadSafety

[The Scoliosis Advocacy Network #BackUs @scolionetwork]

Harvey's situation highlights ongoing issues within @CHI_Ireland, the NTPF, and the Spinal Task Force under Mr. Moore's leadership.

After over 2 years on the waiting list, Harvey was reportedly removed without his family's consent or notification. He continues to face serious health challenges, including difficulty breathing and pain, yet was taken off the surgical list with no clear plan or follow-up provided. @BernardGloster @KateOFla

Meanwhile, @SimonHarrisTD is avoiding engagement with parents, rushing around the country with no time for the families and children he has severely let down.

Families are left without answers, while those in charge avoid accountability.

It's time for action and transparency.

Our children deserve better. #backus @SBH_PAG @Stephen63224725 @GillSherratt23

[Scoliosis Ireland @ScolioIreland]

This is disgraceful @CHI_Ireland @SimonHarrisTD shame on you all !!
Thinking of you @GillSherratt23 no child should go through this ! #surgeryforharvey ❤️

[Gillian Sherratt @GillSherratt23]

So things have gone from bad to worse recently for Harvey unfortunately.
While we have been campaigning, while we have all been sharing his story, while we have been watching footage of Harvey struggling to breathe, while we have been watching him screaming in pain, @CHI_Ireland took it upon themselves to remove Harvey from the waiting list. Harvey was on the list since February 2022 and had been waiting over two years, and he was removed without our consent, or even us being informed. The only reason we even know is because I queried his status again. Where else in the world would you see a child with a curvature well over 100° actually taken *off* a surgical list. Spending years sitting on that list is bad enough but to go ahead and actually remove that little glimmer of hope we had is just inexcusable. They had no plan in place for Harvey, no scheduled follow up appointments, just him kicked off the list without even a curtesy call to let us know. As far as I can tell they gave zero consideration to his wellbeing in making that decision. We have been spending so much time trying to decide if we should put this out publicly but you have all been so supportive of us, and all the children waiting so far and it just felt too important to not share. Your support helps us fight for better, because we all know these children, and the children that will come after them deserve better.
From our own experience, this new task force is nothing but a media spin between CHI and @SimonHarrisTD to make it seem like they’re making things better but this is the reality. Not only have things not got better for most of us, in some cases they’ve somehow got worse. They say that they’re improving communications with parents but I have asked David Moore (the lead of the task force) repeatedly for information like when Harvey was removed from the list and he is actively evading answering. Don’t let the media spin fool you, these children are continuing to be failed and CHI and this government are not only allowing it, they’re causing it.

[Virgin Media News @VirginMediaNews]

Dublin is celebrating Climate Action Week with events across the capital, aiming to inspire and share knowledge on climate action. The initiative seeks to foster a healthier, more sustainable city.

For more, watch VMNews at https://t.co/JdZsXkTyaO

#VMNews

[Virgin Media News @VirginMediaNews]

WATCH: Students in County Westmeath are tackling road safety by producing a compelling video that highlights the dangers of using mobile phones while driving.

For more, watch @@ElleLenn on VMNews at https://t.co/JdZsXkTyaO
#RoadSafety #Westmeath #DrivingSafety

[Virgin Media News @VirginMediaNews]

Zoo Elephants Recover After Virus Outbreak; New Arrival Settles In

For more, watch @ElleLenn on VMNews at https://t.co/9UalHUcK18
#DublinZoo #Elephant #VirusOutbreak

[Virgin Media News @VirginMediaNews]

Dog owners and rescue groups protested the XL Bully ban starting 1 October, urging an ethical response. They ask Minister Humphreys to grant amnesty to dogs in shelters.

For more, watch VMNews at https://t.co/JdZsXkTyaO

#VMNews #XLBully

[Tadhg Rohan @tadhgrohan]

Final push for this that airs tonight.
Shouldn't be a case where my 5 year old son has to be shown on national TV just to highlight the lack of appropriate school places for him and many others.
#schoolforall #EducationCrisis #Ireland #SpecialNeeds #VirginMediaNews #Documentary

[Mairéad Cleary @maireadcleary7]

Teachers tell us they have to divvy up special education resources “loaves and fishes style”.

Hear more about the shortage of school places and lack of support for children with additional needs tonight on Virgin Media One at 8.30pm.

#IrelandsEducationCrisis

[Virgin Media News @VirginMediaNews]

As schools reopen, dozens of children with additional needs remain without a place. Virgin Media News' 'Ireland's Education Crisis' breaks down the numbers.
Catch it tonight at 8:30pm on Virgin Media One or Play. 
#EducationCrisis #SpecialNeeds @maireadcleary7 @VirginMedia_TV

[Virgin Media News @VirginMediaNews]

🎥 Ireland’s Thalidomide Scandal airs 28 Aug at 21:00 on Virgin Media One & Play. Paul Quinn says survivors are still fighting for justice.
#Thalidomide #Ireland #Justice #Documentary #HealthScandal @VirginMedia_TV @PaulQuinnNews

[Virgin Media News @VirginMediaNews]

📺 Ireland’s Education Crisis airs 29 Aug at 20:30 on Virgin Media One & Play. Caitriona Rohan’s son, Rian, who has autism, has been denied a place in over a dozen schools. 
#EducationCrisis #Ireland #SpecialNeeds #VirginMediaNews #Documentary @maireadcleary7 @VirginMedia_TV

[Virgin Media News @VirginMediaNews]

Oasis will embark on a tour, including two shows at Croke Park next August. Tickets go on sale this Saturday morning.

#OasisReunion #GallagherBrothers #CrokePark #MusicNews #Oasis @ElleLenn

[Ellen Leonard @ElleLenn]

Parents of children with additional needs are calling on the government to take urgent action to prevent them from being left behind. They say they’re exhausted and concerned for the future of their families.

[Virgin Media News @VirginMediaNews]

Parents of children with additional needs in West Dublin have rallied outside the Department of Education, protesting the shortage of school places.

#Education #WestDublin #Parents @ElleLenn