Fr Peter McVerry, champion of the homeless and downtrodden in Ireland for the last 30 years, will be guest of honour at the launch of a family support unit in the Shamrock Lodge next Wednesday (November 4 ).
“Aire”, from the Irish for “care”, is a support group for people with addiction in the family and has been operating twice a week in Athlone for almost a year.
Fr McVerry, an avid supporter of the group, will formally launch its presence in Athlone at 12 noon on Wednesday.
“Aire” is volunteer driven, according to local community garda, Gda Andrew Haran, who has been working behind the scenes with community workers in Tormey Villas and Monksland over the last few months to set it up.
The group is supported by the HSE, RAPID, the Gardai and local drug awareness groups.
Anybody affected by addiction of any kind in their family is welcome along on Wednesday for a cup of tea and a chat with people in similar circumstances.
