Con Coughlan
A 89-year-old man who tripped and fell in Cork city centre at lunchtime was ignored by pedestrians, shoppers and motorists.
Con Coughlan (89) was eventually able to pick himself up off the road on Washington Street, and limp over to a wall.
Bruised, cut and shaken, Con managed to make his own way home.
Con appealed for people to be more considerate of the elderly, the disabled and the vulnerable.
"I was very surprised that no-one came over to help."
Con's family were so shocked that they contacted local radio station RedFM.
His granddaughter Orla said she was appalled and urged people to be more considerate. "I just wanted to make everyone aware that Cork people have gone to the extreme of being too wrapped up in their own lives to help others."
Widower Con (inset) regularly walks into the city for lunch. But he misjudged the height of a kerb and fell.
"It was 3pm on a Friday and not one car stopped, not one person passing on the path stopped to ask was granddad OK," Orla added.
"My granddad is so proud to be a Corkman. We cannot believe that someone wouldn't help an elderly person up off the ground after falling. It is really upsetting."
© Irish Independent
I had a similar experience in Bath many years ago when I fell off my motorcycle on a bend in a M.O.D. site at going home time. Cars slowed down reversed and drove out around me and none stopped.
People are generally inconsiderate and very, very few ever want to get involved.
I fell in the post office and three people stepped over to lift me up. I fell in front of my grandchildren and they stood staring at me. It's a generation thing.
ReplyDeleteWell may be it is a generation thing from your perspective and in the State which you live in; in the UK it is fairly common and it is getting that way in Ireland too.
DeleteIn the past I have stopped to help someone and called an ambulance - hope I would do it again if I was in a similar situation.People just seem very callous and uncaring - this story is a sad reflection of the world.
ReplyDeleteYes you are correct it is everywhere and especially on the roads.
DeleteThis is appalling - I would hope that if I fell someone would stop and help me.
ReplyDeleteLast week the farmer and I were meeting a friend in a cafe for lunch and as we walked through the door we saw that a man was stretched out on the floor being attended by a paramedic with a defibrillator. Four people were calmly eating fish and chips as though nothing were happening and another couple came in, sat down and ordered lunch. We went out and ate elsewhere - it seemed so inconsiderate to sit there and I really felt the cafe owner should have put a closed sign up for the duration.
You know some people are not just insensitive to others, they are completely ignorant and brash when it comes to knowing anything at all about civility and caring for others.
DeleteTheir crass behaviour makes my blood boil !
If the situation is under control, a lot of people would think the decent thing to do is carry on as normal and pretend nothing is happening. In a lot of cases you get a gathering crowd of gawpers, which I think is much worse
DeleteUnfortunately this sort of instance is becoming more common this day and age. There are probably many reasons that contribute, maybe the 'blame culture', de-sensativety through various media, decline of communities where people know each other or a list of other reasons? Who knows the answer but one thing I do know is that this faster 'better connected' world is becoming a damn sight more insular and uncaring.
ReplyDeleteWise words, John and I do think that you are correct. People are being fed an increasing acceptance of violence and pain through the media etc. Which has penetrated their psyche and is cutting off their sensitivity to others, we need to be aware of why this is happening.... perhaps it makes war easier to sell ?
DeleteI would always stop to help someone and I would like to think that my kids would too. I do think that society as a whole is becoming more and more selfish and that comes from the top. Companies no longer think that they should pay their taxes so that their workers can benefit from health care, education, policing etc. Politicians bang on about people on benefits as all scroungers rather than the majority who have fallen on hard times. The word compassion is very much missing from today's world. Now I will get off my soapbox! X
ReplyDeleteIt appears from what you are saying that the selfish are in charge Fran and gone is the socially structured caring society and that is truly awful.
DeleteHow terrible. I'm happy to report that here in Torbay if Con had fallen he would have been helped. People are very good and kind here, maybe due to an aging population. There are all sorts of stories in the papers every week and thank you letters from people who have been in distress and have been helped by a kind soul - not just older people, the youngsters are good too.
ReplyDeleteThere was robbery from a jewellery shop in Paignton last year. Young guys chased the robbers and people stopped to pick up the dropped items form the street and handed them back...it says a lot about a place when that happens!
Well that's good to know about the Torbay area Suzie and thank you for taking time out from your reconstruction to comment on this blog, much appreciated x
DeleteHow incredibly sad.
ReplyDeleteYes it is and those who ignored Con can best described as sad too.
DeleteThis is not just unfortunate and sad, it is appalling and a terrifying example of non-society.
DeleteIrene your comment is very accurate and succinct. Thank you
Delete"Blame culture" - I wonder if JW up there was hinting at what I was worried about - that people who walked by this poor elderly gent did so because they may have thought he was a bum and/or was inebriated?
ReplyDeleteI have assisted in moving the inebriated to a safe place before now. I really do not believe that people should be left neglected when in obvious need of assistance, regardless of their standing in society.
DeleteI completely agree.
DeleteSometimes the inconsiderate-ness and just plain meanness of the world is such a heavy weight I just don't know what to do.
Lead by example and do your best is what was drilled into me at early age.
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