Miners Dig Deep for Justice says Cllr. Maurice Shortall.
Issued : Thursday 18 February, 2010
“MINERS DIG DEEP FOR JUSTICE” ! says Shortall. The National Coalminers Group traveled to Dail Eireann last Wednesday where they brought their case for compensation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Energy and National Resources. Chairman M.J. Nolan T.D. was delighted to facilitate the group. North Kilkenny Labour Cllr. Maurice Shortall has been a staunch member of the group and he was in the Dail to support the cause. “ You could hear a pin drop as former miners described the conditions underground, where they could not even see their work colleagues in the dusty darkness and some have permanent black tattoo like marks all over their bodies that cannot be washed off. Speaking from their hearts Joe NcEnery and Sean Lyons (Ballingarry) Charlie Hopkins (Arigna), Seamus Walsh (Deerpark) and Peter Kealy (Rossmore) recalled harrowing stories of working miles underground with little or no ventilation where one could barely see their hands. Many are suffering serious health problems as a result of the appalling conditions they endured during the working lives. This is a diminishing group of survivor minors who worked in the various coalmines in this country and their numbers are declining each year as a result of conditions such as pneumoconiosis due to the of inhalation of coal dust and back limb problems from having to work in such confined spaces. Since the campaign started some 50 miners have gone to their eternal reward alarmingly 9 have died in Ballingarry since 2008. Many are suffering serious health problems as a result of the appalling conditions The industrial respiratory diseases, asthma, bronchitis and emphysema were caused by the continual exposure to coal dust. The coal might be gone but the horrible effects of various lung diseases have killed and disabled hundreds of ex-miners. “ concluded Cllr. Shortall. The miners were pleased with the cross party support and the Oireachtas Committee will now re-convene with officials from the Departments of Social Welfare and Communications, Energy and National Resources. Hopefully this will result in justice for all concerned. The last word fell to committee member Liz McManus T.D. “I would urge Minister Ryan to consider the establishment of a scheme that could meet the needs of those involved and offer some sort of financial redress for what they had to endure on behalf of the rest of us. Given that the numbers involved are modest, the potential cost to the state would be quite modest.”
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