A LOCAL funeral director has shared his harrowing memories of funerals during a global pandemic. Pat Blake from Derrylin has recalled having to bury people when family or loved ones were not allowed to attend due to coronavirus restrictions. “It seems like a lifetime ago the whole Covid era but the incidents are like yesterday,” he said. […]
‘Dramatic deterioration’ in ambulance handovers
THERE has been a significant increase in the length of ambulance handover waiting times across the North over the past four years, and patients are potentially coming to “severe harm” as a result. That is the conclusion of the Auditor General, Dorinna Carville, who published a major report yesterday (Tuesday) on ambulance handover times, which […]
Firearm incident accused pair to be returned for trial
A CASE involving a shooting incident in Irvinestown which police believe may have been the result of a retaliation over perceived lack of justice for an assault, is to transfer to Crown Court or trial. Paul Sweeney (26) from Railway Park, Kesh and Terence John Maughan (33) from Townhill Park, Irvinestown are jointly charged with […]
Fermanagh gears up for bumper bank holiday weekend
ENNISKILLEN is the place to be once again this St Patrick’s Day, with tens of thousands expected to descend on the county town for the celebrations. The hard working team at Project St Patrick have organised yet another bumper bank holiday weekend focused around this year’s theme of ‘Jump and Jive into ‘25’. The festivities […]
Galway man denies making fake bank notes
A MAN is set to stand trial in Enniskillen next month charged with almost a dozen counts of using fake bank notes. Tadgh O’Lochlain of Furnish, Lettermullan, Co Galway is charged with 11 counts of tendering counterfeit currency, and one count of possessing counterfeit currency. The 11 tendering charges relate to September 26 and 28 […]
‘The thing that hurts the most is he died alone’
“FIVE years on it still hurts” are the words of a Fermanagh woman who lost her brother during the pandemic. Anne Elliott-King lost her brother Basil Elliott after he contracted Covid-19 following a long period of ill-health. “It still hurts that we couldn’t have a proper funeral for my brother but to be honest people are […]
Lack man accused of domestic abuse charge
A LACK man has appeared in court in relation to an alleged domestic abuse offence. William Charles James Scanlon (54) from Main Street is accused of engaging in a course of abusive behaviour likely to cause a woman to suffer physical or psychological harm. Offending is alleged to have occurred on February 5. A police […]
Fermanagh teacher speaks out about upskirting
A LOCAL teacher has described herself as an “accidental activist” as she is part responsible for making sure that upskirting is illegal in the North. Sally Rees was left horrified when one of her students upskirted her in class and was then forced to continue teaching them. Speaking at her unions Equalities Conference, Sally recalled the […]
Translink giving away children’s books in Enniskillen
To mark World Book Day Translink is giving away 300 children’s books at selected bus and train stations. One of the bus stations selected to be giving away these books is Enniskillen Bus Station. “You can pick up your copy at Belfast Grand Central, Foyle Street Bus Centre, Bangor Bus and Rail Station, Newry Bus […]
Fermanagh families holding out hope for justice
A TROUBLES legacy body, with a former senior police officer from Enniskillen at the helm, remains committed to getting the “unvarnished truth for victims, survivors and families” of the local conflict. Peter Sheridan, pictured below, is the commissioner for investigations at the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, which will take over many unresolved […]