Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to highlight the importance of a campaign led by young people involved in Comhairle na nÓg in Leitrim.The Use Your Brain Not Your Fists campaign is being run in conjunction with the community safety division of An Garda Síochána. The campaign highlights the consequences of assault for victims, but also for perpetrators in terms of prison sentences and the impact it would have on their career and travel prospects. I recently attended the launch of a film relating to this campaign which, as I said, was made by young people involved in Comhairle na nÓg in Leitrim. The film features Rosie Dolan, a mother from Carrick-on-Shannon. Her son died after being involved in an unprovoked attack. It also features Shane Grogan from Tuam and his parents Joe and Joan. Shane was the subject of a separate unprovoked attack on a night out and suffered catastrophic injuries. The film, which, as I have said, was produced by young people, really shows the human consequences of such assaults. I very much commend all of the young people involved in this campaign. They really are young leaders who are trying to ensure that a message is communicated to all young people to use their brains and not their fists. It is a very simple message but it can be a very effective one in terms of thinking before acting. This film, as I said, is being run in conjunction with the community safety division of An Garda Síochána and it will be promoted in all secondary schools in order to show our students the huge implications of not acting in an appropriate way. I very much commend the young people involved and the leadership they have shown on a very difficult issue.