The legacy from the forthcoming Special Olympics will lead to people forcing our politicians to fund and look after people with disabilities.
That is the view of chairman of the Special Olympics, Mr Denis O'Brien who formally launched Ennis and Ballyea's host programme to Russia's athletes in Ennis yesterday.
Ahead of the 104-strong Russian team arriving in Shannon Airport last night, Mr O'Brien said that the Games will promote campaigning for funding and recognition for people with disabilities.
He said: "I believe that over a period of years, we will not have two communities - we will have one community where our schools, for example, will have people with learning disabilities. So that is the big goal and we will have all those barriers removed." Mr O'Brien said that witnessing the torch run in communities across the country "has been the most moving experience in my lifetime".
