The Story is Real

Liveline item prompted robust discussion

A message landed this morning questioning my motivation for ‘rehashing’ the story of the woman seeking a covid injection on Liveline.

Here is the message:

Here is my reply:

This story prompted much discussion in the comments section, perhaps because it is hard to believe.

I believe the item is real, there is a Gofundme campaign in existence to support Lara Lawless, set up by her sister, Kerry Lawless. The details are the same as given to Joe Duffy in her interview on Monday’s Liveline.

Ms Lawless is described as newlywed, she worked alongside her husband in landscape gardening, up until her illness. This is a quote from Lara Lawless herself in her most recent update on the Gofundme page, posted January 28 2024:

“Now begins the journey of getting back to myself, processing what has happened over the past 10 months and creating a future where cancer doesn’t dominate. It’s a tough one at times and if I am truly honest, the past month has been a challenge mentally and emotionally. I have had good days, bad days and really bad days. We have all heard how cancer impacts the lives of those who have/had it and those around them. For me, the hardest part of cancer begins now.”

In the wake of publishing that story on Tuesday I’ve done three things.

a) Contacted the Gofundme page

b) Contacted Liveline

c) Contacted a local pharmacy.

The most interesting outcome of these three efforts is the pharmacy.

I contacted Curran’s Pharmacy in Ennistymon, where local politician Senator Martin Conway was pictured ‘receiving his covid vaccine’ which he posted on Twitter. That post is now deleted.

The lady at the pharmacy said there were no covid vaccines available at the pharmacy.

“It’s GP only now,” she said.

“Oh, so you will not be getting them back in again?”

“No.”

Are the covid vaccines finished?

Certainly, the advice Lara Lawless received from the HSE appears unusual.

This information gives rise to further questions.

I have no problem with people questioning my motivation as a journalist. My motivation remains the same as it always has been - to inform. In this instance, we have a woman in recovery receiving advice from her consultant - advice that I obviously disagree with.

The Substack article I posted on Tuesday prompted the greatest number of ‘unsubscribes’ I’ve experienced to date, which tells me one thing. We are in trouble. If we cannot bear to read something we disagree with, we are sinking to the level of echo chamber.

More concerning, is an element of dismissiveness for this woman, someone for whom we should be gravely concerned.

I’ve outlined above why I wrote up the article broadcast on Liveline. I don’t listen to that show as a rule, but I do ask for God’s guidance for my day. So when I feel prompted to switch on the radio, as happened on Monday, I do it. I believe there was some reason for this - though that reason might not yet be clear.

I’ve contacted Kerry Lawless through the Gofundme page and I’ve contacted the Liveline research team. The reason for doing so is to warn this woman that I do not believe taking a covid jab is the best course of action for her recovery.

In writing to the Liveline researcher, I included the study mentioned by Dr Pat Morrissey in the comments section of the previous article.

As I say, the aim of this exercise is to encourage Lara Lawless to ask questions and become informed about the risks attached to the covid shot. The goal is the protection of her welfare, which was always the main aim of this Substack. I aim to do this in a respectful way, because I do not see how being abusive or nasty or arrogant is helpful.

With hatred in our hearts, we get nowhere.

As a journalist I see it as my duty to do what I can to protect people from the lies my profession has told them.

Beyond that, the one other thing I have done consistently for such people is pray.

Perhaps there are a few of you out there who will join me in praying for this situation, for this lady’s discernment, her decision, her wellbeing?

For those questioning my motivation - feel free to.

Way back in September 2022 I had the privilege to interview Belgian Professor of Psychology, Mattias Desmet. I asked him how it felt to be attacked by his academic peers over his views on covid.

This is his answer:

“I don’t care in the end. I just don’t care. The only thing I know for sure is that I will just continue to speak out.”

Listen to the Liveline item broadcast on Monday

Link to article & comments posted Tuesday

Pray an Our Father as Gaeilge or a Rosary for discernment

Read the full Desmet article, below