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A still from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof AP/Press Association Images

Paul Newman fan leaves €7 million to Barretstown

The Kildare charity, founded by the Hollywood legend, provides fun camps to children with serious illnesses.

A WEALTHY FAN of the late Hollywood actor Paul Newman has left a bequest of more than €7 million to Barretstown, an Irish charity that provides therapeutic recreation programmes for children with serious illnesses.

The organisation, founded by Newman in 1994, aims to rebuild the lives of the children who enter its Kildare campus. Its stated mission is that every child with serious illness should enjoy their childhood.

Chairman Maurice Pratt announced the major bequest yesterday, adding that the family of the “late supporter” wanted to remain anonymous.

“This is a magnificent act of generosity,” he said, “and we cannot express our gratitude strongly enough.”

Barretstown was first notified of the money earlier this year but only made the news public this weekend. The board said it will ensure the money is invested widely, saying it will go towards upgrading facilities and introducing new activities for campers.

The annual running costs of the camps are about €5 million and the interest income from the bequest “will be of great help in this regard”, said Pratt. However, he added they they will still need the help of “our many dedicated and generous supporters to raise our annual running costs to ensure that we can serve as many children affected by serious illness and their families far into the future”.

Newman modelled Barretstown on his renowned Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut.

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    Mute Stephen murphy
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    Mar 6th 2017, 1:40 PM

    Look underneath this crime, they were breeding dogs to sell pups and making money from it. So all you people out there, buying puppies for their little ones and getting rid of them afterwards. You played a part in this crime, stop buying puppies/kittens FFS and put this sick trade out of business.

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    Mute Patrick Pints
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    Mar 6th 2017, 1:43 PM

    @Stephen murphy: well at least thats 3 backstreet dog breeders out of business. Imagine how they treated the animals ?

    68
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    Mute Michael J
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    Mar 6th 2017, 1:57 PM

    Stephen talking BS as usual. He thinks little kids who want a dog are somehow complicit in this man killing his partner in crime. Priceless.

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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Mar 6th 2017, 2:04 PM

    Michael J. It’s not the Kids that fork out the Hundreds of Euro but the parents.

    47
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    Mute Patrick Pints
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    Mar 6th 2017, 2:06 PM

    @Michael J: the killing was the result of degenerates who profited on the back of unregulated animal breeding. hopefully social welfare looks for their dole to be repaid back.

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    Mute Stephen murphy
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    Mar 6th 2017, 6:34 PM

    @Michael J: If that’s true, then it takes a bs to know one and have you not the intelligence to see it’s the parents who buy the pets?

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    Mute tea biccies
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    Mar 6th 2017, 2:55 PM

    I knew Mr. Nevin. He was no saint. Him and his buddies kicked a man to death not very long ago

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    Mute Patrick Pints
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    Mar 6th 2017, 8:30 PM

    @tea biccies: karma eh

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    Mute HoneyBadger617
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    Mar 6th 2017, 2:20 PM

    It just goes to show you the type of people these are. Killing a man over a dog. Behind bars and in a cage they are where they belong

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    Mute Ananya Sharma
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    Mar 6th 2017, 3:10 PM

    Ruff justice has been served.

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    Mute beans not peas
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    Mar 6th 2017, 2:04 PM

    That’s woof justice

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    Mute Gary Rowe
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    Mar 6th 2017, 1:40 PM

    Why the gavel? You know they’re not used here …

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    Mute Ciarán Masterson
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    Mar 6th 2017, 2:10 PM

    Anyone who gets involved in an horrific incident like this involving a dog is barking mad.

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    Mute John003
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    Mar 6th 2017, 3:03 PM

    Amazed the judge did not rule final.two years of sentence suspended……Must be the harshest sentence for manslaughter ever….Normally it is 7 with 2 suspended…

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    Mute Emmet O'Keeffe
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    Mar 6th 2017, 4:22 PM

    A sad reflection on the mindset of many young Irishmen these days.
    One man dead, one serving life for murder and a third sent down for manslaughter.
    Why?
    War?
    A tribal dispute?
    Land?
    Religion?
    No.
    A few quid from dog breeding.

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    Mute DirectlyElectedMayor
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    Mar 7th 2017, 4:56 PM
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