Local teenager highlights flooding of Lough Funshinagh on Newstalk

Lecarrow native and fifth year student at Athlone Community College Ryan Dolan was a guest on The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk radio on Friday last and highlighted that flooding is a huge issue for young people in South Roscommon.

He spoke about the huge problem with flooding in Lecarrow and the parish of St John's, Rahara and Knockcroghery. "We're currently suffering big flooding from our local turlough, Lough Funshinagh. I was down there Friday last. It's really devastating to see in person what's going on. We have two houses now that have been completely knocked due to the flooding, and a number of houses evacuated."

He added that the lake burst its banks and flooded onto the local regional road which is now adding an extra 20 minutes onto the journey to school for many of his peers which he said is a "big stress".

"It was only affecting maybe 100 families around the area but now with the road closure it's affecting so many more," said Ryan.

He said that climate change is a major concern for young people around the country.

The local student also highlighted that issues such as mental health, school stress and homework, road safety, homelessness and cyberbullying are of concern to young people today.

Ryan said that in years gone by, bullying only took place in-person but now there is no escape for many young people as it takes place online and the home is no longer a safe space. "Bullying can happen 24/7 and bullies are bullying 24/7."

He added that one of the five topics that was brought to Dáil na nÓg this year was body image which is also affecting many young people.

Ryan explained that five biggest topics from each Comhairle na nÓg (organised by individual local authorities) were narrowed down to two topics, which were school stress and mental health services.

School stress was then chosen as the main topic and this will now be brought to the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive.

One person from every Comhaire na nÓg in Ireland has a place on the National Executive and they will work on improving the issue of school stress over the next three years.

Ryan said that he worked with the Minister of State for Mental Health Mary Butler on the issue of mental health and developed a project entitled, 'Listen Link.'

"We spoke to the Minister and department officials about it. It is working its way through the procedures at the moment but Minister Butler, she has done a lot of work on mental health," he said, referring to the appointment of Dr Amanda Burke as the first ever clinical lead for youth mental health. "We've never seen a youth mental health office in Ireland before," concluded Ryan.