Vision and Mission
Since 2003 the Board of Directors has driven a plan which has disestablished the National Executive Committee in 2005 and has seen the Organisation grow from a base of one 20 bedroom home to an expanding portfolio of housing in three centres in Ireland under the direction of the former CEO, Joe Lynch and the current CEO, Ollie O'Connor. The old Brú na bhFiann was demolished during the redevelopment of Dublin’s Smithfield Market and replaced with a state-of-the-art 40 bedroom complex, which was officially opened by the President of Ireland and Patron of ONET, Mrs. Mary McAleese. The new home contains a reception, bar, kitchen, dining room capable of seating up to 90 people, laundry and administration offices.
The two other homes that the charity owns and operates are located in Letterkenny, County Donegal, which has 7 bedrooms and Athlone, County Westmeath which has 8 bedrooms. The Letterkenny home is called Beechwood House and is located in Letterkenny Town itself. The home was purchased in 2003 and refurbished during 2004 using funding gained under the Irish Government's housing and anti poverty strategy, local donations and fundraising and from ONET's national funds. Beechwood House was ONET's second purchase and represented a major leap forward for the charity. The home was fully refurbished to the highest Health & Safety standards and delivers first class safe, affordable and comfortable accommodation to its residents since it was officially opened by Cllr Dessie Larkin, Letterkenny Town Mayor, in March 2004.
Custume House has a long history associated with the local Barracks and was, for many years, the home of the General Officer Commanding the Western Brigade. Negotiations for the purchase of the home from the Department of Defence concluded in 2005 and following a major investment from ONET which was again funded through the Irish Government's housing and anti poverty strategy, local donations and from ONET's national funds, the home was officially opened by the Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea TD, in August 2006. Custume House is currently home to seven ex-servicemen.
All of the homes are managed and run by ONET on a charitable basis and are dependent on funding from serving and retired members of the Defence Forces and donations from the Department of Defence and Dublin City Council. ONET also accommodates serving and retired members of the Defence Forces and their families from Ireland and overseas in their Dublin home, Brú na bhFiann.
Read more about this topic: Organisation Of National Ex-Servicemen
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