School Number 1: A Mission to Beslan

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Following the huge outpouring of sympathy from the Irish people for the terrorised families in Beslan, more than ?500,000 was raised through the auspices of the To Russia with Love charity. Spearheaded by charity founder, Debbie Deegan, the monies were collected in the weeks following the tragedy. Debbie Deegan herself travelled to Beslan to meet with local authorities, community leaders and indeed the bereaved and orphaned children. The trip will be the subject of an RTE documentary, to be screened on December 23 at. 9.30 pm.

“Forty-two days after the Beslan massacre Adrian McCarthy and Debbie Deegan travelled to the town carrying an Irish Book of Condolence. The citizens were just emerging from the traditional 40 days of mourning , still deeply traumatise, when this documentary –shot over only 3 days- was filmed. Parents, children, teachers, survivors of the hostage ordeal together with the bereaved talk about their experiences and subsequent anguish”. ( RTE guide)