Tullamore Circuit Court heard how woman falsely claimed maternity benefit
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14 Jan 2026
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14 Jan 2026
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It took over 50 people to create a circle around Emmet Square in Birr holding the 140ft. crochet blanket with each square representing ten children in Gaza who have lost their lives. Pic: Rose Mannion
A SMALL group of people from Tullamore, Laois and even as far away as Mayo, arrived by cars in Birr last Saturday to highlight the plight of people, and in particular, children, in Gaza.
Tullamore for Gaza, a group established in November 2023 to demonstrate support and solidarity for the people of Palestine and Gaza, brought with them a 140ft crochet blanket, symbolising the thousands of children killed in Gaza since the war commenced. They needed fifty plus people to unfold and hold the blanket, which was pretty heavy, and it wasn’t long before they had the required number and more too, as the blanket was unfolded.
The blanket, created by Craftivism for Palestine from around the country, is made up of 2,300 squares of crochet, each representing ten children who have died since the beginning of the genocide. Over the past few months, the blanket has travelled around the country, with Offaly being one of its last locations to be hosted in. A core group of twelve people have stitched the blanket together and continue to protect and repair it.
Organiser with Tullamore for Gaza, Anne Hoctor, said that “26,000 - that's the latest estimate on the number of children killed in Gaza since October 2023. 26,000 children who lost their lives. 26,000 mothers that lost their children. 26,000 fathers. 26,000 grannies and grandads. 26,000 children that were living, laughing, playing, dancing and singing two years ago. It is heartbreaking - we must do more to ensure that aid and shelter enters Gaza immediately”.
The blanket will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to the people and children in Gaza.
The group is calling on the people of Birr and Offaly to support the people, and in particular the children, of Gaza and Palestine.
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