skip to main content

LIVELINE CALLBACK *New series*

Liveline Callback 1 Image Name: Liveline Callback 1 Description: Conor, Colin and Anne
Liveline Callback Mary Dent Image Name: Liveline Callback Mary Dent

Series 3

The new series of LIVELINE CALLBACK is back on RTÉ One on Thursday November the 1st, following up on the some of the amazing stories and people who talk to Joe Duffy on his radio show. In the first episode we meet 25 year old Taekwando star Conor Grassick from Dublin who had to give up on his Olympic dream to care for his mother and brother. We catch up with homeless man Noel Nestor who contacted Liveline during last summer’s heat wave, as well as 86 year old Mary Dent and Garda reserve Paul Barnwell who became the most unlikely internet hit.

25 year old Taekwondo star Conor Grassick gave up on his Olympic dream to care for his mum and brother.

Ann Grassick rang Liveline in May 2017 as she’d been caring for her youngest son Colin who has profound special needs. But when she was diagnosed with Leukaemia in April 2017, she wasn’t able to care for him anymore. They received very few care hours and Ann was worried her eldest son Conor wouldn’t be able to manage Colin. He is diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome and Autism, and can become aggressive and difficult to handle physically.

Conor is a real Taekwondo talent, but when his mother became ill, he had to give up his dream of qualifying for the Olympics to care for his younger brother Colin. He also works fulltime as an SNA at St Joseph’s CBS National School in Fairview.

In December 2017 they received the devastating news that their mother Ann had breast cancer as well. Colin was eventually allocated four days respite a week at St Michael’s house, so in April 2018 Conor was able to return to international competition – with his Mum’s blessing. She was doing well all considered, so Conor decided to follow his dream again. But in June 2018 Ann sadly passed away.  Despite grieving the loss of his mother, Conor is now back training – with Tokyo 2020 firmly in his sights.

 

Homeless man Noel – who was living in his car with his dog Mia – contacted Liveline during last summer’s heat wave.

36 year old Noel Nestor contacted Liveline during the drought to ask people to give water to homeless people.  While on air he revealed some of his own heartbreaking story and spoke about his passion to make mental health services accessible to all.  Noel was living in his car with his dog Mia, but has since been staying at a rest house in Galway.  Liveline Callback travelled to Galway to spend a day with Noel and his loyal Boxer Mia.

Noel and his beloved Mia.

Garda reserve helps old lady home and becomes an internet sensation.

86 years old Mary Dent contacted Liveline in June 2017 because a very kind Garda reserve had helped her home through the crowds attending the Robbie Williams concert in the Aviva stadium.  She wanted to get in touch with him to say thank you – particularly after they’d become a very unlikely internet sensation.  Many of the revellers were so taken by the sight of the Garda carrying her shopping and holding her hand that they shared pictures of them all over social media.  The news even reached Mary’s son all the way over in San Francisco. Liveline Callback was there when Mary finally got to meet up with Garda Reserve – and full time farmer  – Paul Barnwell.