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Irish News

Tipperary Teen Leads 50-Hour Protest at Leinster House Over Disability Delays

14-year-old Cara Darmody from Ardfinnan, Co. Tipperary has begun a 50-hour protest outside Leinster House, determined to “win and end disability discrimination” in Ireland.

Cara started her protest at 10am yesterday and is joined by her father, Mark. She met with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at 9am this morning and plans to continue her protest afterwards.

Cara's two younger brothers, Neil (12) and John (8), are both autistic and have severe intellectual disabilities. Motivated by their struggles, she's taking a stand against the long delays in accessing assessments of need — delays she says have broken the Disability Act “for almost a decade.”

Under the law, assessments are meant to be completed within six months, but only 7% were finished on time in early 2025. Over 15,000 children are still waiting, including 241 in Co. Tipperary. That number could rise to nearly 25,000 by the end of the year.

“Three previous Taoiseach promised me change, and they didn't bring change,” Cara said. “While I got €10 million worth of government funding, it just simply and utterly isn't enough as there are over 15,000 kids rotting on HSE waiting lists.”

She added: “The Government is breaking the law on that issue, and I'm here to fix that.”

Over five hours in the Dáil yesterday, TDs debated the issue and backed a motion from all opposition parties calling for reform. The Government accepted the motion. Several TDs praised Cara's courage and expressed concern for her sleeping outside.

Asked what she hopes will come from all this, Cara said:
“I want the Government to announce that they're going to stop breaking the law, and then announce when they're going to stop breaking the law, and then move heaven and earth to make that happen. And also allocate more money towards Cara's fund.”

Locals and supporters across the country are rallying behind this brave Tipperary teen, who is once again holding the State accountable — not just for her brothers, but for thousands of children still waiting for their basic rights.

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