A FERMANAGH family has been left ‘devastated’ by the selection criteria set out for post-primary transfer to Mount Lourdes Grammar School. The family, who wish to remain anonymous, has not one, but two daughters with late spring birthdays who, because of the selection criteria dictated by the school’s board of governors, will miss out on […]
Businesses concerned about footfall drop off over flags
CONCERNS have emerged from business owners who fear a drop off in footfall over the erection of pro-Union flags across Enniskillen. According to Fermanagh MLA, Jemma Dolan, customers have felt “unwelcome” due to the vast amount of flags and banners erected to commemorate the centenary of Northern Ireland. “A number of business owners have contacted […]
Going from bad to worse – sewage backing up at local estate after power is cut off
“Border village left with ticking health and ecological time bomb on its doorstep” – Dolan IT’S BEEN called “an environmental disaster” by residents, and now the ongoing sewerage saga at a local housing development has been made all the worse. A group of 20 homeowners at Ravensbrae in Garrison have been campaigning in recent months to […]
Brollagh school fall out continues with threat to withhold support for church
THE FALLOUT from last week’s announcement St Mary’s High School in Brollagh is to close for good, is continuing, with vows of boycotts and threats of legal action. Last week Education Minister Peter Weir announced that his department had rejected proposals to give St Mary’s integrated status and the school would be closing in August. Since then there […]
Concern at cancer waiting times at Western Trust
A LISNASKEA woman has voiced her concern after major delays in cancer waiting times across the Western Trust forced her mother to go private in order to receive a cancerous tumour diagnosis, despite being red flagged by her local GP three times. Anna O’Reilly saw a colorectal specialist in SWAH on 22 October and following a CT […]
Students call to ‘not delay’ guidance on exams
WHILE the cancellation of all GCSE and ‘A’ level examinations has been a “relief” for many, anxiety remains rife with pupils “none the wiser” as to how they will be graded. With tight lockdown restrictions still in place, and the majority of pupils facing an extended period of remote learning, students at St Kevin’s College, […]
‘Here we go again’ businesses brace for the worst
FOR Cocoon Health and Beauty owner Carmel McElroy, Stormont’s announcement came as a “knife through the heart.” Speaking to the Herald, the Lisnaskea business woman and mother-of-one revealed, “We were closed for four months and to think that now we are faced with at least another month is heartbreaking. “The short notice meant that myself […]
Six hours’ notice to shut-up-shop
A FERMANAGH driving instructor has been left outraged after the Executive gave him “six hours notice” to stop all trade on Friday. After receiving confirmation via his car radio in the middle of a lesson with a student on Friday afternoon, Conor McCann told the Herald, “It’s just typical. We are licensed by the government […]
Urgent plea to help NHS in fight against Covid
FERMANAGH may still have a remarkably low Covid infection rate, but with numbers beginning to creep back up, the Western Trust has issued a passionate appeal to the public to “stay safe.” Even before the unprecedented difficulties created by the virus, the winter season had been becoming increasingly challenging for the local health service. In […]
Older average age is putting farmers at high Covid risk
WORKERS in many essential occupations are particularly vulnerable to severe illness from Covid-19, according to a new study published yesterday (Tuesday) by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). The age profile of local agricultural workers is suggested to be a notable risk factor. The study claims it is the occupational group with the largest […]