In response to fears expressed by women in Drogheda in the wake of the murder of Ashling Murphy, Councillor Declan Power who is the manager of the Barbican Centre, organised free self defence classes at the centre and all 150 places were snapped up very quickly.
“With many women now in fear of walking or running alone, we wanted to do something proactive and practical and have organised free self-defence classes for women,” Councillor Power said.
“I approached our Taekwondo instructors Peter and Karen O’Connell, who run ‘Cho’s Taekwondo School’, about providing self-defence classes for women, and they loved the idea.”
Taekwondo instructor Karen O’ Connell said: “We are going to run these classes for FREE in the Barbican Centre. Each Saturday, they will run for 60 minutes from February 5th to April 2nd in two blocks of four weeks.
“The response has been phenomenal, with over 150 women signed up. We’re delighted to facilitate, do something proactive and hope that the skills we teach will never have to be used but equipped to do so if needed.”
Unfortunately, there are no more places available; such is the demand. Still, those interested should leave a private message on Cho’s Taekwondo Drogheda Facebook page, with their name and number. These names will be placed on a cancellation list and offered a spot if somebody can’t make it.
