PIPS Newry and Mourne are proud to launch their new schools suicide prevention initiative – a School Relay Run which is set to take place later this month.

The suicide prevention and awareness charity has joined up with regional group Volunteer Now to create a positive approach in promoting the message that ‘Suicide is preventable’.   The event aims to highlight to all young people that participation, communication and social action can bring about real change in their schools, communities and the wider society.

A total of 318 students from 13 local secondary schools will participate in this event which will take place on Wednesday 21st June.  This number of students will give a visual representation of the current suicide statistics for 2015 in Northern Ireland.   The relay will begin from lead school, St.Paul’s High School in Bessbrook, and will follow an 11.5 mile route along which an olympic torch will be passed from one rely runner to the next.

PIPS are proud to announce 13 local ‘Sporting Ambassadors’ who will join with the school to reinforce the message that exercise is a clear path to positive mental health outcomes.

Eamon Murphy form PIPS Newry and Mourne says connecting the schools across the district in this way, “aims to address some of the real fears, while also reducing some of the stigma often associated with mental health issues.”

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the community, voluntary and statutory groups who have supported this campaign so far.”

If you would like to become involved, support or contribute to this event in any way, please contact Eamon at PIPS Newry and Mourne (028 30266195) or Aidan at Volunteer Now (07585110855).

The St Patrick’s Junior Choir from Drumgreenagh, who narrowly missed out on a place in the Britain’s Got Talent live finals, will take to the stage in Belfast this week at the prestigious Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards.

The gig, which takes place in Belfast’s Titanic building,  will mark the choir’s first public appearance since wowing the judges and millions of viewers on the live BGT semi-final on Monday last with their stunning rendition of Katy Perry’s “Roar.”

The 39-strong choir will kick off a star-studded evening opening the Irish News awards from the staircase at Titanic Belfast, where they will sing to around 550 business men and women at the black-tie event.

Irish News marketing manager John Brolly said organisers were “delighted to have secured the amazingly talented St Patrick’s PS for what is one of the biggest business dinners of the year,”

“It will set the tone for what will be a great night which celebrates the people-talent we have in Northern Ireland.”

Despite missing out on the finals of the hit ITV talent show, the choir are thrilled to have been given star treatment in London ahead of rehearsals for the show at the famous Elstree Studios, with school principal Sorcha Lyness describing it as “an amazing experience for a really talented group of children.”

Staff at the Glencarron Nursing Home in Crossmaglen will travel to the Stormont Hotel this Thursday (8th June) for the inaugural Staff Nursing Care Awards , after being shortlisted in four categories of the prestigious awards.

The glittering ceremony is the first event of its kind which sets out to reward best practice, celebrate the achievements and recognise innovation and outstanding clinical excellence among healthcare professionals, nursing homes and residential settings across the North of Ireland.

The Crossmaglen Nursing Home began its caring journey back in 1987 when as a private home it gained residential status. By 1990 the demand for places in the local facility saw a rapid expansion to accommodate 24 residents and further development in 1997 brought the bed total to 44. Glencarron continues to grow and expand with plans in place for an additional 30 beds.  A major refurbishment in 2010/2011 was undertaken in order that Glencarron could provide the optimum environment for patients with Dementia. This work is ongoing and the proposed extension will afford external works to complement the existing building, thus allowing for greater self expression of patients with dementia.

Glencarron has been described as “more than just a Nursing Home” and “a home from home” – fitting tributes to the residential care facility which has been shortlisted for the Nursing Home of the Year award at Thursday’s event.

According to Nursing Manager Oonagh Grant, the secret to Glencarron’s success is the way in which staff have made the care they give appear so effortless and seamless.

“Caring for individuals with complex physical and psychological needs is not an easy undertaking, it requires patience, gentleness and a genuine love of people,” Oonagh told The Examiner.

“Here in Glencarron we have been fortunate to find these qualities in abundance. We do not take this good fortune for granted. Staff training, mentoring and supervision ensure a clear understanding of individual roles and expectations. We believe that staff who are knowledgeable and appreciated perform much better.”

Oonagh herself has been shortlisted in the Nursing Manager of the Year category.  Having managed the Glencarron Nursing Home since 2010, Oonagh also has experience in the care of the elderly that spans over twenty years. As well as being a first class nurse and manager, Oonagh is a Specialist Nurse in palliative care and she also introduced the “Twilight Activities” initiative at the home to supervise those patients with dementia who became restless and agitated in the evening. This initiative has worked amazingly well for Glencarron and her foresight can be attributed to her  personal experience of nursing her own father through his dementia until his death two years ago.

Staff Nurse at Glencarron, Marie Walsh, is another member of staff who has been shortlisted for a prestigious award, having been nominated in the Registered Nurse of the Year category

Paying tribute to Marie, who has worked at the home for many years, Nursing Manager Oonagh says it is “a privilege to work with someone of her calibre.”

“Nothing is too much to ask. Her dedication and commitment is beyond reproach,” says Oonagh.

“Marie has donned her wellies and walked five miles in snow in order that patients had the care they deserved.”  The proud manager says Marie’s “absolute love” for her job is an “inspiration to all who work with her” and she has high praise for her “unfailing empathy” which will often see Marie still writing reports at 10pm “just so that  she could spend time comforting the sad, lonely and isolated.”

“If I ever needed a compassionate, caring nurse I would look no further than Staff Nurse Walsh,” says Oonagh.

A third “exceptional” member of staff is also hoping to scoop an award on Thursday.  Care Assistant  Emanuelle Grollo has been shortlisted for the title of Care Assistant of the Year and, according to his co-workers and his manager, the Italian native is a “most diligent, respectful and honourable gentleman.”

Emanuelle settled in Ireland four years ago as a missionary for his church and, despite having limited English on arrival, the dedicated care assistant is now fluent, “managing the craic like a local!”

“We consider ourselves extremely fortunate that Emanuelle applied for this role,” says Oonagh.

“Emanuelle is an exceptional carer who our residents ask for specifically to assist with their day to day care. He treats each patient with the utmost respect. His attitude to work is impeccable-he leaves out no detail in his delivery of care.”   The outstanding care assistant is described as “a shining example” to other staff due to his “patience and gentleness in the most challenging situations” and his effortless provision of empathy and comfort.

The staff and management at Glencarron Nursing Home wish their nominees the best of luck in Thursday’s Staff Nursing Care Awards and congratulate all on being shortlisted as a wonderful example of the “intelligent, kind, emotionally well equipped and diligent workforce” who are caring for the elderly in Crossmaglen.

The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) has announced that a new cross-border environmental project to protect endangered species and restore natural habitats is to receive €8.1m worth of funding under the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council will lead the new project called ‘Collaborative Action for the Natura Network’ (CANN), and will head a consortium of leading government departments, local authorities, research institutions, community groups and charities from across the region.

Council Chairperson, Gillian Fitzpatrick welcomed the funding and said the Council is delighted to be playing a lead role in such an exciting cross border project.

“The project will bring together a wide range of partners with great experience in the field of environmental protection.  I am confident this project will make a real and lasting difference on both sides of the border,” she said.

SEUPB Chief Executive, Gina McIntyre revealed that the project brings together “a wide range of partners with an impressive depth of experience in the field of environmental protection. By working in collaboration with each other they will be able to make a real and lasting difference on both sides of the border,” she added.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Gillian Fitzpatrick and Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) Chief Executive Officer, Gina McIntyre announce €8.1 million worth of EU funding for a cross-border environmental project.

The five-year project will help to improve the condition of protected habitats and priority species found within Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland.

The protection of these habitats and species will allow the region to meet targets set under the EU’s Birds and Habitats Directives along with realising the benefits from the many ecosystem services, such as carbon storage, alleviating flooding and visual and cultural landscapes provided by these areas.

In total, CANN will produce seven species action plans and 25 conservation action plans improving the conservation status of 3,150 hectares of land designated as being a Special Area of Conservation.  The project will also deliver a series of education and outreach programmes to help increase awareness in local communities to the potential value of natural habitats and endangered species.

Match-funding for the project has been provided by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in Ireland along with Scottish Natural Heritage.

The man convicted of inflicting ‘life-changing injuries’ on a Bessbrook toddler three years ago will learn his fate when his sentence is determined this Friday, 9th June.

Darren Eamonn Fagan (29) has already been told to expect a jail term after he admitted to a probation officer that he had punched the two year old girl to her head “as she would not stop crying” and he claimed he wanted peace to watch the X Factor on TV.

At his trial last month, Fagan pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent while the prosecution asked that an attempted murder charge be “left on the books”.  The trial also heard how he has a previous conviction for assaulting the 20-month-old child of a former partner.

Sinn Fein Councillor Roísín Mulgrew has been appointed as the new Chairperson of Newry Mourne and Down District Council.

Taking the chain of the First Citizen at Thursday’s third annual meeting of NMDDC, Councillor Mulgrew said,

“It is my honour tonight to be elected to serve as the new Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.  This occasion is made even more special by the support of my family and fellow party members with whom I have campaigned for many years and without their hard work and dedication I would not be here today.  This position is an opportunity to pursue and achieve real change for the people in our area.”

Speaking about the year ahead Councillor Mulgrew said she intends to place the uncertain future of Daisy Hill Hospital and “the looming threat of service closure at the forefront of local politics, empowering and supporting the inspiring grassroots activity of recent years.”

“I will use my year in office to bring together the wealth of ideas, the energy and the efforts of community groups, the staff of Daisy Hill, our trade unions and local businesses into one unified campaign,” she added.

“I will ensure that as a community we speak effectively with a single voice to save Daisy Hill and all of our health care facilities throughout the district which are under threat; they are at the heart of our community.”

Councillor Mulgrew outlined the importance of standing against Brexit, which she said will “define social, economic and political life in this region for a generation” disrupting the way of life and livelihoods of border communities in particular and she added that her chosen charities this year will reflect the “unceasing effort and the vast network of community activists throughout the district.”

“I look forward to tackling these challenges supported by a talented and dedicated Deputy Chair, Councillor William Clarke and indeed the whole Council team,” concluded the new Chairperson.

Sinn Fein Councillor Clarke, who was appointed the role of Deputy Chair at Thursday’s meeting, congratulated Councillor Mulgrew on becoming the district’s First Citizen, saying,

“I will do all I can in my role as Deputy Chairperson, to support Councillor Mulgrew. My congratulations also go to Councillor Fitzpatrick on the high energy role she undertook as Chairperson and to Councillor Craig for his role as Deputy Chair.”

Setting out his priorities for the year, Councillor Clarke said he would endeavour to “continue the healing process in communities and work with new citizens and ethnic groups within the district” as well as disadvantaged groups so that resources can be directed to those that need them most.

“My sincere thanks go to my party for nominating me for this role, I am honoured and humbled to be Deputy Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.”

Outgoing Chairperson, Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick thanked the public for embracing her throughout her year adding that she “truly had an amazing epic experience this year.”

“I would like to thank Councillor Garth Craig for his work as Deputy Chair and for his support throughout the year, and to the Chief Executive, Mr Liam Hannaway and Directors for their guidance and counsel.  I cannot end my year in office without mentioning the Democratic Services team without whom I couldn’t have conducted my business.  They worked tirelessly to ensure that I was able to attend so many events across the entire district as well as organising my recent Chairperson’s Charity Ball, which was a truly successful event. I am delighted with the funds which we raised for my chosen charities and the donations will be presented in due course.”

Describing her year in office as “tremendous, enjoyable, heart rendering, thoughtful and at times tough” Councillor Fitzpatrick thanked all the individuals, community groups, voluntary groups and business people she had met this year and wished the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson all the very best in their roles before thanking the SDLP for putting her forward and trusting her with the position of First Citizen.

Outgoing Deputy Chairperson, Councillor Garth Craig said it had been “an honour to serve the district”  and he thanked Councillor Fitzpatrick “for her tireless work” and Chief Executive, Liam Hannaway and his team for their support, as well as the Democratic Services team and his Party colleagues.

The ongoing inquest into the Kingsmill massacre heard this week how a workmate who usually travelled with the victims was mentioned on a list of names of leading Provisional IRA members that police believed were involved in serious crime.    The names were given by a self-confessed IRA informer, although not all those mentioned on the list were suspected of involvement in Kingsmill.

Ten workers were shot dead after their minibus was stopped at Kingsmill near Whitecross in January in 1976. The only Catholic on board was ordered to flee while Alan Black was the sole survivor of the attack despite being shot 18 times.

Alex Kane QC, barrister for relatives of the dead, told the Belfast inquest someone who “usually travelled” on the minibus was named on the list.

Former RUC detective chief inspector James Mitchell was presented with the list while giving his evidence to the inquest.  Names of leading Provisional IRA members were on the list, most of whom were living in the Republic of Ireland, which would have required extradition proceedings to arrest them, he said.

Mr Kane claimed lack of cooperation with Gardaí at the time led to vital evidence being missed.

DCI Mitchel, who led the original RUC investigation, told the court that an inadequate number of detectives was available to investigate the killings.

“It was an abnormal situation in south Armagh, the manpower was totally inadequate,” he told the inquest.  “You had detectives coming from Belfast who had no idea of the geography of south Armagh.  You had added problems on top of the actual manpower, the logistics of running an investigation with such inadequate manpower and with the security level in south Armagh.”

His group of 25 detectives, boosted after the Kingsmill attack, had to investigate ordinary as well as paramilitary crime and the former detective said he only had around a dozen available at one time.

Meanwhile, one of the first witnesses on the scene after the attack was accused of making up his evidence that SAS Captain Robert Nairac had played a part in the atrocity.  Gerald Byrne had been travelling in a vehicle with his brother-in-law Charlie Hughes when they came across the bodies, gave three separate statements in January 1976, July 2015 and June 2016.

Byrne claimed it was Nairac who stopped the minibus and that he was given this information by his partner whose late husband served in the military.   However, Fiona Doherty QC, acting on behalf of the family of John McConville, pointed out inconsistencies in his evidence over the years and suggested he had “spun a yarn” regarding Nairac’s involvement.

Byrne insisted he was just relating “what he had been told”.

At hearing.

A $100,000 reward has been offered for information into the murder of Garda Detective Adrian Donohoe who was shot dead during a botched robbery of a Credit Union at Bellurgan, near Dundalk in January 2013.

Gardai have advertised the bounty among the large Irish community living in the New York neighbourhoods of Woodlawn, Yonkers and the Bronx.  Officers claim one of the chief suspects in the murder had been living in the area until last month.  The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, travelled to New York in March 2013.

Irish authorities, working in conjunction with the US Department of Homeland Security, are to distribute reward posters across the Irish neighbourhoods, encouraging anyone with information to contact them.

“Investigators believe people living in the Woodlawn/Yonkers/The Bronx area of New York may have information that could assist this investigation.  A substantial reward is on offer for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons involved,” the posters state.

Garda Donohoe was escorting takings from the Credit Cnion to a bank on January 25th 2013 when an armed gang ambushed the three-car convoy he was travelling in. The married father of two was shot and died at the scene, before the gang made off with €4,000 in cash.

A man convicted of inflicting ‘life-changing injuries’ on a Bessbrook toddler three years ago has been handed a 13 and a half year prison sentence.  29 year old Darren Eamonn Fagan, who is originally from Portadown,  had already been told to expect a jail term  after he admitted that he had punched the two year old girl to her head whilst staying over at the child’s home in Bessbrook in October 2014.

Fagan, who has a previous conviction for assaulting the 20 month old child of a former partner, claimed the child “would not stop crying” and that he wanted peace to watch the X Factor on TV.

At his trial last month, he pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent while the prosecution asked that an attempted murder charge be “left on the books”.

During sentencing at Belfast Crown Court on Friday, Judge Geoffrey Miller QC described the assault and Fagan’s subsequent attempt to blame the child’s mother for the injuries as “cowardly, vindictive and shameful.”

The 29 year old was also handed an extended custodial sentence of three years “for the protection of the public” after the judge assessed him as posing a danger to society.  He was told he will have to serve half his 13 and a half year sentence in jail before the Parole Commissioners decide whether it is safe to release him back into the community.  If assessed as being safe to be freed from custody Fagan will spend the rest of his sentence, plus the extended custodial term, on supervised licence.

Judge Miller was told that the defendant had an “extensive criminal record’’ including convictions for violence and that the Probation Service had assessed him as “dangerous” with a “high likelihood of reoffending and a significant risk of serious harm” to the public in the future.

Passing sentence, Judge Miller highlighted the “ongoing trauma” for the family.

“This will have life-long consequences for the child and family members for which this defendant must bear sole responsibility,” he said.

Parents, pupils and staff at Anamar Primary School in Crossmaglen have been left bitterly disappointed at the news that it will close at the end of this school year.

Although the fate of the rural school has hung in the balance for several years now – with a steady decline in enrolment numbers cited as the reason for closure plans – last week’s announcement that the much-loved school will close its doors for the final time at the end of June has come as a huge blow.

In the absence of a Stormont Executive, senior civil servants took the decision to close the border school along with Tullycarnet PS in Belfast.  The Department of Education’s permanent secretary Derek Baker rubber-stamped the proposals following the the conclusion of a consultation period which ran until March this year.

“Any decision to close a school is an exceptionally significant issue which merits careful consideration,” Mr Baker said.

“However, in light of the clearly expressed views, decline in numbers which undermines the school’s viability, educational experience for pupils and availability of capacity in neighbouring primary schools, I accept the recommendations.” Just 26 of Anamar’s 91 places were filled in the last school year.

The school, located at the very edge of Upper Creggan Parish, has served families from the parishes of both Upper and Lower Creggan for 175 years, with generations of local families educated there.It’s future has been under threat for many years, with a proposal to close the school back in 2009 overturned by a dedicated campaign supported by the local community.  The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) also proposed closing the school in August 2016, subject to the outcome of a public consultation period with the final decision on the school’s future resting with then Education Minister, John O’Dowd.

Back then, the CCMS provided assurances that adequate provisions would be put in place for the pupils of Anamar Primary School.

To absorb pupil numbers from Anamar, St. Patrick’s PS in Crossmaglen has been permitted to increase its admissions in September from 50 pupils to 68 and admissions at Clonalig PS in Culloville have increased to 29 from 24.

Concerned parent, Fiona McCabe, who has three children at Anamar, said everyone involved with the school is “so disappointed” at the closure plans.   Her sons Malachy, Cathal and Peadar, who are in P7, P5 and P3 respectively, now face the challenge of settling into a new school away from many of their friends.

With older son Malachy heading to secondary school in September,  Fiona says Cathal and Peadar must now get used to bigger class numbers in their new school, St. Patrick’s PS in Crossmaglen, and with being separated from friends they have been with since starting school.

“We got the letter from CCMS informing us of the closure on 23rd May and we basically had to sort ourselves out as to where our children would go,” says Fiona.

“We’ve had no help with applications and there’s been no transition plan to the new schools.

“Of course, we’re all so disappointed at the closure of the school and it will be a huge adjustment for the children going to a new school in the middle of their primary education.  I’ve had 5 kids go through Anamar so it really feels like the end of an era.”

Fiona told us her children are “sad and nervous” about moving schools and being split up from their friends, some of whom will now attend other local primary schools including Cullyhanna, Clonalig and Carrickrovaddy.

Staff, parents and pupils are now preparing for an emotional farewell to Anamar, with plans underway for a special celebration of the school in its final week at the end of this month.  Former staff and pupils past and present are expected to attend to bid goodbye to the stalwart primary school which has been part of local history and education in Crossmaglen for generations.

USFC Down v Monaghan Saturday 24th June Athletic Grounds at 6.30pm

Second Division Galway’s defeat of First Division Mayo apart, all Provincial Football Championship matches to date have replicated league standing so on that basis First Division Monaghan should beat Second Division Down.

However, will last season’s massive 2-22 to 0-9 win for the Farney County prove fresh enough in the memory to allow complacency set in to their preparations, will one or both eyes be on Tyrone in the Ulster Final. And if so, can Down take advantage?

Last year Monaghan did not contest the kick outs in the first half to Down’s advantage and the scoring was close up to the interval but once they pushed up on the restart they were superior in every position and ran away with the result.

Neither squad shows much change in personnel in a year; only Stephen Kane (goals) and Gerard Collins (injured) don’t figure this time for Down though a handful are downgraded from starter to substitute allowing Michael Cunningham (goals), Anthony Doherty, Caolan Mooney, Shay Millar and the Johnstons, Jerome and Ryan, into the first fifteen.

For Monaghan, it’s a similar story with only Neil McAdam, Gavin Doogan and Jack McCarron breaking into their team and 17 of the 20 employed in Clones twelve months ago got game time v Cavan on 11th June.

When Down were expansive v Armagh they were also wide open at the back and shipped goals, when they tightened up at the back their scores were harder come by and its getting that balance right that will concern Eamon Burns who has invited several more players into his squad to freshen it up and make training more competitive.

Injuries to Niall Donnelly and Kevin McKernan that necessitated their substitution the last day will need to have cleared up and top scorer Barry O’Hagan has since been injured with his club so preparations are not ideal in the Mourne camp. If Donnelly doesn’t make it, Down have a ready-made replacement in Niall McParland who came on for him the last day and if McKernan is out, expect Conaill McGovern and Aidan Carr to alternate between sweeper and centre-half. Another player who could figure in the starting line-up is Donal O’Hare who is in his best ever form with Burren.

On the flip side Monaghan welcomed back the influential Darren Hughes during the Cavan match and they do seem to have too many riches for the Mourne men who would dearly love to reach a by now rare Ulster Final.

Residents of the Edenappa Road in Jonesboro were forced to jump over walls to escape a speeding car that attempted to mow them down during an incident on Sunday afternoon last (11th June).

Sinn Féin councillor Mickey Larkin described the dramatic event that had parents running to gather their children to safety while the reckless driver sped past them, performing ‘doughnuts’ and handbrake turns.

At one stage the vehicle was travelling at such speed that it became airborne when it hit the speed ramps in the village, Mr Larkin claimed.

“There was an attempt by the death drivers to run down a number of residents who had emerged to witness this criminal behaviour.  Damage was caused to cars and residents had to jump garden walls to escape,” the councillor said.

Around the same time, the driver of another car rammed a PSNI vehicle while crossing the border, in an attempt to escape from pursuing gardaí.

Councillor Larkin says those responsible for both incidents are not from the local area but had “crossed into the village from Co. Louth”.

“They are not welcome in our community. The residents of Jonesborough will not tolerate the rampages of reckless drivers like this. Children should be able to play safely on the streets of our towns and villages,” he said.

Citing fears among the community that those involved had consumed drink or drugs, Councillor Larkin added: “I have spoken to both the householders affected and the PSNI in relation to these incidents. Also I have contacted my colleagues in Louth to gather a greater understanding of what is happening and to encourage increased cooperation between An Garda and the PSNI to ensure that such incidents become a rarity instead of the norm.”

A Crossmaglen mum-of-three who, for the last 25 years, has suffered the debilitating effects of a rare condition known as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), has finally seen a specialist consultant in London – thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of her local community.

Thirty six year old Caroline McClelland-Hughes has spent most of her life trying to get treatment for  the inherited connective tissue disorder that affects approximately 1 in 5,000 people.  A lack of knowledge about the condition among medical professionals here means many sufferers go undiagnosed for years or fail to receive necessary treatment from dedicated multi-disciplinary teams which are not available in Northern Ireland.

The incurable condition is extremely rare and affects the musculoskeletal system, the autonomic system, the connective tissues and collagen of the body, as well as vital organs. Caroline has only been diagnosed with EDS within the last year despite having suffered with the effects of the condition all her life. The busy mum struggles daily with the effects of the progressive condition suffering varying symptoms from frequent dislocations to mitral valve and organ prolapse.  She lives with chronic pain and fatigue and wears a permanent neck brace as a result of her cranial instability,  using a walking stick to help her get around and a wheelchair if she has to travel any distance.

Due to the lack of specialist medical help for EDS in Ireland, the local community have been fundraising in earnest to send Caroline to the private EDS clinic in London.  The Sweet Caroline EDS Fund, set up in March this year has been inundated with generous donations, facilitating her first specialist consultation in London, which she attended on June 6th.

Speaking to The Examiner upon her return, Caroline said it was a huge relief to finally speak to medical professionals who are experts in her condition.

“It was great to finally talk to doctors who weren’t scratching their heads about my illness and who could give me a comprehensive treatment plan based on a list of priority needs which was discussed during the appointment,” said Caroline.

“My consultant wants to try conservative treatment first which is a relief for me too, as with 3 young children to think about, surgery abroad and the recovery from it is not something I want to consider at the moment.

“I received a specialist scan of my head and neck in London which I wouldn’t be able to get at home.  It identified a chiari malformation – which basically means my cerebellum falls into my neck cavity and spinal cord which can block spinal fluid thus causing many of my symptoms.  Botox treatment in the back of my head may help to decompress the neck so I will be returning to London every 4 to 6 weeks for therapy and treatment.”

Caroline says she also received a huge amount of “simple information and advice” on how to deal with dislocations and manage some of her symptoms at home to avoid multiple hospital visits.  As part of her treatment plan, she has started medication which aims to help with the frequent dislocations she suffers and her London consultants will liaise with her doctors at home to enable Caroline to be treated as much as possible at home.

The brave mum’s visit to London also led to her first face- to – face meeting with a fellow EDS sufferer –  a lady from Blackrock in Dublin and she is also in contact with a mum from Lislea who also suffers from the condition.

“It really helps to speak to other EDS sufferers and to be in contact with another mum with the condition will help us both as we are in the same situation, trying to manage our illness whilst caring for young children too.”

To help pay for her continued treatment in London, the Sweet Caroline Fund committee will be ramping up their fundraising efforts, and once again, the Crossmaglen community are stepping up to the plate, with a slew of fundraising ideas in the pipeline, including a sponsored cycle and a marathon.

Local businessman, Gerard McMonagle has also offered to donate part of the annual Truck Run proceeds to Caroline’s fund, a gesture she is extremely grateful for.

Displaying her usual positive outlook, Caroline says “the only way is up from here” and extended her thanks to everyone who has donated to her fundraising campaign so far, urging everyone to continue to support her as she embarks on a prolonged treatment plan in the hope of regaining some semblance of a normal life for her and her family.

The outgoing Irish Ambassador in London, Dan Mulhall, held a special meeting last week with Whitecross man Eugene Reavey and fellow victims of the Troubles, Micheal O’Hare and Stephen Travers.  The men had been cordially invited to the face-to-face meeting with Mr Mulhall after the ambassador heard the men speak at a peace and reconciliation function in St James’s University earlier this year.

According to Mr Reavey, hearing the men recount the details of the legacy cases for which they are still campaigning for justice had such a profound effect on Mr Mulhall that he insisted on meeting them personally before his term of office in London comes to a close.

Michael O’Hare is the brother of 12 year old Majella O’Hare who was shot and killed by Paratroopers on 14th August 1976.  Stephen Travers survived the Miami Showband Massacre by the UVF in July 1975, which left 5 members of the popular Miami Showband dead.  Eugene’s three brothers were shot and killed by members of the notorious Glenanne Gang at the family’s Whitecross home on 4th January 1975.

Speaking to The Examiner about the meeting, Mr Reavey said it was a pleasure to meet the Irish Ambassador, who has invited the men to speak at further functions in the US after he takes up his new post of Irish Ambassador in Washington.

Eugene said all three men provided a synopsis of their cases outlining all the legal obstacles preventing the relatives of Troubles victims from achieving justice for their loved ones and he revealed that Mr Mulhall has vowed to help the relatives in any way he can before he leaves office in London and within his new role in Washington.

“It is great to have Mr Mulhall’s support and we provided a framework for the ambassador to advance diplomatic efforts to achieve our aim of finally getting truth and justice for our loved ones,” he said.

“My briefing note gave a detailed synopsis of the murders of my brothers as part of the Glenanne series of attacks, as well as a brief synopsis of the background to legal proceedings as they currently stand which we feel would benefit from diplomatic pressure by the Irish Ambassador to the UK.

“I informed Mr Mulhall of our main concern that there has never been an effective investigation into the wider events of the Glenanne Gang – that the British government failed to carry out a thematic investigation linking all the Glenanne murders.  The judicial review which started last year seeks to compel the Secretary of State to initiate such an investigation and Judge Tracey will be delivering his verdict on that on 30th June.

“We are very hopeful that he will order an effective investigation to be carried out so we petitioned the ambassador to consider applying diplomatic pressure on the UK to ensure this happens without any further delays.”

Eugene added that what he describes as the British government’s “failure to resource the coronial system in Northern Ireland” was also detailed in a report he left with the outgoing ambassador, as well as a further synopsis of the civil case for damages that is being pursued by the relatives of Troubles’ victims and the legal battle to obtain full disclosure of documents from the PSNI and the British government.

“It was against this backdrop that we requested that diplomatic efforts are deployed to ensure the British government is compliant with its obligations to maintain the coronial system to ensure the inquest can proceed and to remove any further obstacles standing in the way of achieving justice for the murders of our loved ones,” said Eugene.

“We very much appreciated Mr Mulhall’s invite and feel it was an extremely pleasant and worthwhile meeting for all of us.”

Plans to connect Newry to Carlingford with a 10km extension of the existing Carlingford/Omeath Greenway were unveiled to the public on Friday last.

The €3.46 million EU funded project is being led by Louth County Council, working in collaboration with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and East Border Region Ltd. and the new stretch will build on the recently completed and already popular Carlingford Marina to Omeath Greenway.

Funding for the project is being provided by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

The chairman of Louth County Council, Cllr Paul Bell expressed delight to be working with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and East Border Region on the project, which he says, when completed, will see commuters and tourists alike able to travel from Carlingford to Newry on foot or by bike on a scenic, safe and traffic-free route.

“At the moment, just 2.7 per cent of cross-border commuters travel to work or education by bike or on foot. The Interreg programme aims to increase this to 10 per cent by 2023 and we, at Louth County Council, look forward to playing our part in achieving this,” he said.

An associated cross-border Greenway Activity Programme is to be developed under the themes of sustainable transport, active travel, healthy living and social cohesion and it is anticipated that up to 1,500 people will participate in this.

Businesses that employ significant numbers of cross-border workers, as well as education institutions will be encouraged to promote the use of the greenway for their commute.

Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Roisin Mulgrew paid tribute to the staff in each partner organisation for their foresight and commitment in developing this genuinely cross border project and in securing a significant amount of EU funding for its implementation.

“I wish them well in the construction phase, and I look forward to returning in the future to see the finished greenway which will greatly enhance our cross border region,” she said.

Welcoming the project Chief Executive Officer of the SEUPB, Gina McIntyre said the scheme represents one of the core objectives of the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme which is to promote environmentally friendly cross-border sustainable mobility. “Upon completion it will encourage more people to leave their cars at the door, and make their journeys either on foot or by bicycle. All of these small steps will help to reduce carbon emissions and connect people to places in a more eco-friendly way that will help protect the environment now and in the future,” she said.

This route will form part of the Great Eastern Greenway, which once completed, will provide a traffic-free link from Carlingford, Co Louth to Portadown, Co Armagh.

The team at Glencarron Nursing Home in Crossmaglen are thrilled that the efforts of their dedicated staff members have been recognised at the prestigious Staff Nursing Care Awards, which took place in the Stormont Hotel on 8th June.

The glittering ceremony was the first event of its kind which sets out to reward best practice, celebrate the achievements and recognise innovation and outstanding clinical excellence among healthcare professionals, nursing homes and residential settings across Northern Ireland.

With Glencarron staff shortlisted in four categories of the awards, the family run, independent setting was pitted against a number of big names in the industry, coming out on top in the Care Assistant of the Year category, with their highly respected care assistant, Emmanuelle Grollo, scooping the title.   Staff nurse Marie Walsh, also came runner up in the Nurse of the Year category.

The Glencarron Nursing Home and Nurse Manager Oonagh Grant were also shortlisted in the awards.

Speaking on behalf of his parents, Brendan and Bridie Liddy, the founders of the local nursing home, Garvin Liddy said the awards were the culmination of Glencarron’s commitment to caring and ongoing learning.

“Glencarron staff and management are delighted with their success and the acknowledgement and recognition of the great work being done in the Nursing Home,” said Garvin.

“At a time when acute health care services are under strain it is reassuring to know that our elderly population are still receiving a very high standard of clinical expertise without having to travel to A&E departments for care that can be given on site in Glencarron.

“In the last two years every nurse in Glencarron has undertaken Palliative Care and T34 pump training. This ensures our patients at the end of life need not be moved for palliative care to another facility.

“A number of staff have also been awarded a City & Guilds NVQ 3 in Best Practice in Dementia Care.

“The training of staff is paramount to the provision of clinical excellence and here in Glencarron we recognise the need for a programme of continuous professional development. These awards are the culmination of that commitment to caring and ongoing learning.

“Crossmaglen can, without doubt, pride itself on its commitment to caring for its local community. My parents, Brendan and Bridie Liddy would like to thank the staff for all their hard work and dedication.”

Mourners lined the streets of Newry on Saturday to pay their final respects to Disappeared victim, Seamus Ruddy, whose funeral mass took place in St Catherine’s Dominican Chapel in Newry, more than 30 years after his abduction and murder.

Family and friends of the 32 year old teacher were at last given the chance to say farewell after his remains were recovered in a forest at Pont-de-l’Arche outside Rouen in northern France last month.  Mr Ruddy was abducted in Paris in 1985 by the republican paramilitary group the INLA, before being murdered and then secretly buried.  He was a former member of the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) – the political wing of the INLA. It is believed he was murdered amid a dispute with INLA members about an arms dump.

The Newry man’s remains were found by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) on May 6th after new information was given to them by the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) and former INLA members.

Mr Ruddy’s relatives were supported at Requiem Mass by the families of other Disappeared victims, whilst candles representing the three remaining victims whose remains are still to be recovered were carried to the front of the chapel at the beginning of the moving service.

Delivering his homily, Bishop John McAreavey told mourners that his family had suffered years of not knowing where Seamus was buried and he said his death “represented the snuffing-out of a life that had many wholesome qualities.”

“It also cut off the promise of a new life in France,” he said.

“A family account of that time refers to letters and phone calls from Seamus, visits to him and plans to visit. ‘And then’, the account states, ‘there was nothing’.”

“In the years since his death, Seamus’s family and friends kept a long vigil,” added Bishop McAreavey.

“They grieved and prayed, they appealed for public support, which they hoped would lead to the recovery of his remains.””On Thursday, Seamus’s family and friends welcomed him home to Newry.

“They were finally been able to do what they always wanted to do – to have a wake, to celebrate a funeral Mass for Seamus and to say a personal and dignified farewell to him through the funeral liturgy.

“And in the months and years ahead they will be able to visit the grave where Seamus lies,”

Mr Ruddy’s sister Anne Morgan, who has campaigned tirelessly for information on the whereabouts of her brother’s remains, described the other Disappeared relatives as part of her family and she thanked everyone who had been involved in the long search.

“We will be forever grateful to you all,” she said.

Prayers were said for the families of the remaining Disappeared as well as for the ICLVR team and those who provided the information which led to the recovery of Mr Ruddy’s body.

Following Requiem Mass, Mr Ruddy was laid to rest alongside his parents Molly and John in Monk’s Hill Cemetery.

A Newry-based charity has launched a new £200,000 Community Fund to assist local community groups and organisations across the city.

Clanrye Abbey Developments, which was founded in 1986 and reconstituted in 2016, and has carried out significant charitable work to improve the built fabric of Newry for community use, announced the new funding call as it made financial contributions totalling more than £30,000 to three local charitable projects.

The groups to benefit from the financial assistance are: Rev. Norman Hutton of Newry First Presbyterian (Non Subscribing) Church to assist with repairs to the Church and the re-roofing of the adjacent Warnock Hall (£11,285); Newry Rugby Club to assist with urgent repairs to its outdated changing facilities for its burgeoning youth section as well as rewiring and re-plumbing of the clubrooms (£10,000); and Newry 2020 to assist with its Feasibility Study into the provision of a Newry City Park at the Albert Basin (£10,000).

Speaking at the launch of the Clanrye Abbey Developments Community Fund, Chair of the charity, Michael Savage, said: “We are delighted to support these three very deserving local projects. The mission statement of Clanrye Abbey Developments is ‘to assist in improving the local built environment to enhance the community and social fabric of the Greater Newry City Area’.  These three projects are reflective of the type of schemes that Clanrye Abbey Developments wants to support in the years ahead.

 “As well as presenting cheques relating to historical applications to the charity for funding, we are also launching the Clanrye Abbey Developments Community Fund,” Mr Savage continued.   “We are putting out a call for organisations and groups to apply for funding from a pot of upwards of £200,000 to assist projects aimed at improving the social fabric of the Greater Newry City area through enhancing the local built environment and we would encourage all organisations who feel they meet the criteria to apply for funding.”

Clanrye Abbey Developments presented a cheque for £10,000 to Newry 2020 to assist with its Feasibility Study into the provision of a Newry City Park at the Albert Basin. Michael Savage, left, Chair, Clanrye Abbey Developments is pictured presenting the cheque to Brian Cleland, Chair, Newry 2020 while looking on are Clanrye Abbey Developments Board Members, from left: Jane Magill, Secretary; Ciara Blaney, Director; Brendan Jackson, Treasurer and Peter McEvoy.

The newly reconstituted Clanrye Abbey Developments is a charity registered with the Charities Commission and run by a local voluntary Board of Directors. The Board members are Michael Savage, Chair; Jane Magill, Secretary; Brendan Jackson, Treasurer; Ciara Aiken; Frank Feely and Peter McEvoy.

A new website has been launched to assist local groups to apply for the funding at www.clanryeabbeydevelopments.co.uk.

Secretary Jane Magill says website will provide all the necessary information community groups and organisations across the greater Newry City area need to apply for funding.

“We have received initial requests for funding in recent months from a number of organisations and we would now ask them to engage in the application process and we will access their application over the coming weeks and months,” she said.

The Charity’s Treasurer Brendan Jackson outlined how the new fund will be tiered.

“The fund we are announcing today has three tiers or funding levels. Tier 1 offers funding of between £500 to £2,000 and is not subject to the match funding criteria which the other two tiers are. Tier 2 offers funding of between £2,000 and £10,000 and Tier 3 offers funding of between £10,000 and £20,000. The charity will only consider funding a maximum of three projects at Tier 3 level in this call due to the limited funds available,” he advised.

Clanrye Abbey Developments presented a cheque for £10,000 to Newry Rugby Club to assist with urgent repairs to its outdated changing facilities for its burgeoning youth section as well as rewiring and re-plumbing of the clubrooms. Pictured holding their cheque are Karen McNally, Newry Rugby Club Secretary and Nicki Kinsella, Treasurer while looking on are Clanrye Abbey Developments Board Members, back from left: Ciara Blaney, Director; Jane Magill, Secretary; Brendan Jackson, Treasurer; Michael Savage, Chair and Peter McEvoy, Director.

The application form for the Clanrye Abbey Developments Community Fund and guidance notes can be downloaded from the charity’s website  www.clanryeabbeydevelopments.co.uk. The process will involve scoring the applications and those groups and organisations that score highest will be more likely to be successful.

The closing date for applications to The Clanrye Abbey Developments Community Fund is Thursday, August 31st, 2017.

 For projects to be eligible they must take place between 1st September, 2017 and 31st August, 2018. Clanrye Abbey Developments will not accept retrospective applications (i.e. applications seeking funding for projects already started prior to 1st July, 2017).

 Applications must be delivered by 4pm on Thursday 31st August 2017 to Clanrye Abbey Developments Ltd., c/o Daly Park Chartered Accountants, Trevor Hill, Newry.

For further information visit www.clanryeabbeydevelopments.co.uk.

Clanrye Abbey Developments presented a cheque for £11,285 to Newry First Presbyterian (Non Subscribing) Church to assist with repairs to the Church and the re-roofing of the adjacent Warnock Hall. Pictured holding their cheque are Rev Norman Hutton and Gordon Cunningham, session, while looking on are Clanrye Abbey Developments Board Members, from left: Jane Magill, Secretary; Ciara Blaney, Director; Brendan Jackson, Treasurer; Michael Savage, Chair and Peter McEvoy, Director.

Both the Belfast Trust and the Southern Trust have avoided confirming if allegations of inflated -on-call pay rates have been offered to senior consultants in Belfast to cover the Daisy Hill A&E unit.

According to an Irish News report published last week, senior consultants in Belfast have been offered pay rates of at least £1,500 per night to stay in the Canal Court Hotel in Newry on-call for the beleaguered Daisy Hill Emergency Department.

It is claimed that senior doctors in Belfast have been approached informally with offers as high as £1,800 in an effort to address the much publicised staffing crisis at the local A&E Department.   Doctors would still receive the huge fee even if they were not called into work.

The Examiner understands the offer has not been taken up by any of the consultants approached “due to safety concerns and the embarrassment of working alongside nurses earning far less.”

Locum rates for A&E doctors usually start at £115 per hour for overnight cover.

Last month, the Southern Trust confirmed that the future of Daisy Hill’s Emergency Department had been secured for at least the next 15 months, after a a regional summit involving the four other health trusts agreed on a regional rota to cover Daisy Hill – which was on the brink of temporary closure due to a lack of senior medical staff available to cover night shifts.

The decision came after ongoing pressure over the future of the facility prompted public outcry and a slew of protest rallies and public meetings demanding the retention of round-the-clock services.

It was widely assumed the regional solution to the staffing crisis would not involve inflated pay rates.

The Department of Health has confirmed that “Terms and conditions” for A&E consultants willing to be placed on the rota for Daisy Hill formed part of the discussions at the regional summit but it said pay rates have not been finalised.

A spokesperson for the Department told the Irish News:

“It would be disappointing if the potential need for a regional rota resulted in the Southern Trust finding itself in the position of having no alternative but to pay what many would regard as an unreasonable rate, in order to maintain the service.”

The department added that the £1,500 on-call rate claim was a matter for the trust to respond to.

When contacted by The Examiner to answer the allegations, a Southern Trust representative told us,

“In the context of continuing difficulties with the recruitment and retention of consultant medical staff at the Daisy Hill Emergency Department, the Emergency Department continues to be supported by locum doctors paid at existing locum rates.

“The total Medical Agency and Locum spend for financial year 2016/17 for Daisy Hill Hospital Emergency Department was £2.83 million and £1.08m million for financial year 2015/16.”

After initially advising that the decision of any financial recompense did not lie with them, a Belfast Trust spokesperson said,

‘Some of our consultants have expressed a willingness to participate with other consultant colleagues throughout the Region in assisting Southern Trust to maintain consultant on-call provision for Daisy Hill’s ED. Belfast Trust understands that no formal remuneration has been agreed.

Two options for development of the long awaited Newry Southern Relief Road Scheme have been published for further consultation.

The options have been identified following completion of the Stage 1: Preliminary Options report.  This considered five options for the proposed scheme and has identified two road corridors to take forward for further development.

The scheme aims to provide a strategic transport link from the A1 Belfast-Dublin key transport corridor to the A2 Warrenpoint dual carriageway.  Both road corridors link the A2 Warrenpoint Road to the Ellisholding Junction on the A1. One corridor starts on the A2 Warrenpoint Road along the frontage of Greenbank Industrial Estate and crosses the Newry River and Canal just to the south Drumalane Quarry and then heads in a westerly direction towards the N1.  In the second option the corridor extends further south as far as Rough Island and follows along Fathom Line before heading in a northerly direction up Fathom Mountain to the N1.

A public information event is programmed for late autumn 2017 to provide an update on progress and to invite feedback to inform Stage 2 of the development work. This will assess routes within each corridor and identify a preferred route. It is expected that, subject to the project being allocated the necessary funds, the Stage 2 assessment could be complete in summer 2018.

Announcing the publication of the report, Southern Divisional Roads Manager, Simon Richardson said:  “The publication of this report is another key step in the delivery of the Newry Southern Relief Road. This will be an important link road between the key strategic corridor of the A1/N1 Belfast to Dublin route with the A2 and Northern Ireland’s second largest port at Warrenpoint Harbour.

The two proposed corridors for the Newry Southern Relief Road.

“The route will improve ‎journey times and journey time reliability for strategic traffic between the A2 Warrenpoint Road and the A1/N1. It will also significantly improve road safety and traffic congestion within Newry City centre by providing an alternative route for port traffic.

“The scheme will improve accessibility to both Newry City and Warrenpoint Harbour and support and maintain sustainable economic growth and employment within the area.”

SDLP Assembly Member for Newry and Armagh, Justin McNulty, has welcomed the progress on the development of the Southern Relief Road, describing the publication of the options as a “significant step forward.” 

‘Any measure which can help relieve the congestion at the heart of the city will be very much welcome by local residents, traders and those involved in the haulage industry,” added Mr Nulty.

“Not only will this ease congestion, but it will allow for the further development and expansion of Warrenpoint Harbour which is a key strategic port on this island.’

The SDLP MLA extended his sincere thanks to the teams working on the project and he encouraged everyone to engage in the Public Consultation process “so the final route can be identified and agreed with as much public support as possible.”

“I look forward to engaging in that process and ultimately want to see the works commence on site as soon as possible.”

To view the report documents, visit www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.