Craftsman Educator Activist
For the past 35 years, since establishing Just Forests in 1989, I have worked to help keep indigeneous and tribal people in their homes – their forests. Ireland’s role in the illegal and oft times bloody international timber trade threatened that right. Between 1989 – 2017, Just Forests facilitated approximately 600 Wood of Life workshops in 220 schools/public libraries and other venues nationwide including 4 weeks in Dublin ZOO.
Today I am fighting PTSB and the ‘vulture fund’ MARS Capital Finance Ireland DAC for my right to stay in my home.
Dick Spring open Wood of Life exhibition in Tralee Public Library
Michael D. Higgins open Wood of Life exhibition in Galway City Public Library
Michael Smith open Wood of Life exhibition in ENFO
This law firm of choice for internationally-focused companies and financial institutions doing business in and from Ireland has been accused of CORRUPTION
Established in 1825 in Dublin, Ireland and with offices in Cork, London, New York, Palo Alto and San Francisco, over 930 people work across Matheson’s six offices, including 124 partners and tax principals and over 620 legal, tax and digital services professionals.
Matheson – formerly Matheson Ormsby Prentice, services the legal needs of internationally-focused companies and financial institutions, including Vulture Funds doing business in and from Ireland.
It is a pleasure for me to be here this afternoon in Bishopstown Public Library to open the ‘Wood of Life’ exhibition for Just Forests.
Irish Aid, Ireland’s official Aid Programme, which is managed by my Department, is delighted to support this development education initiative.
I can see why the exhibition is very popular, particularly among students and the general public. It is unique and ‘hands-on’ and delivers a valuable learning experience.
At the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, the international community adopted a concrete action plan aimed at implementing sustainable development policies across all relevant economic, social and environmental areas.
The publication of the Guide, so soon after the Summit, sets an example for other sectors of the economy where our daily activities have an impact on sustainable development.
Mr. Brian Cowen T.D., Minister for Foreign Affairs, during the official launch of Just Forests ‘Good Wood Policy Guide’ in the Royal Institute of the Architects in Ireland (RIAI), 8 Merrion Suare, Dublin 2 on 25 September 2002.
Public Submissions by Just Forests on Education, Wildlife & Local Authorities Climate Action Plans
Ireland’s Climate Change and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 requires local authorities to prepare plans to help achieve the national climate ambition: to half greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Tom Roche of Just Forests (former) Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Contact Person for the Rep. of Ireland
Tom Roche presents the FSC Certificate to Martin Lowry, CEO of Coillte and Ray McSharry, Chairman of Coillte.
Irish sports clubs need to understand that Texaco’s offer of support is intended to greenwash its reputation as a serial polluter and major contributor to global warming. After it was held accountable in court by the communities it devastated, Chevron (owner of Texaco) refused to pay the $9.5 billion judgment and threatened the Indigenous peoples with a ‘lifetime of litigation’ unless they dropped the case.
I have no doubt that Aengus will be looking down in admiration at the sculptured figures you both created thinking “fair dues, Lads, you made me look as thin as Jack”.
Thanks Tom and Knut for this wonderful Memorial you both created.
Welcome to my workshop
After returning to Tullamore from Australia I set up my own small hand-crafted furniture business in the Tanyard Tullamore.
AWARDS
Winner of the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) Silver Medal in the RDS Forestry Awards Catagory - Education in Wood 1999
Third place with 'KING OAK' in Charleville Estate, Tullamore in the European Tree of the Year 2013
Nov 21, 2016
Killarney looking Good/Tidy Towns presented the Volunteer Award 2016, to Environmental and Human-rights Advocate, Tom Roche for his voluntary work in organising the Killarney Celebration of Trees events…
For the full picture of my work since 1989 click on the LINKTREE logo below.
