AFTER bringing three children into the world and fighting off cancer eight years ago, Newtownbutler woman Margaret Byrne never expected that her toughest challenge was yet to come at the age of 73. Margaret tested positive for Covid-19 when rushed into SWAH by ambulance from her family home. Despite being told by health professionals that […]
Fear seriously ill avoiding hospital due to Covid threa
THE FERMANAGH public has been urged not to put off seeking medical treatment for potentially serious conditions due to the current health crisis. Last week the Health Service Journal, a publication for medical professionals, warned the current viral outbreak could have “unintended consequences” that “could do more harm than good.” It went on to explain […]
Big song surprise for mum!
A DERRYGONNELLY family spread across the globe came together to record a unique cover of ‘Grace’ as a surprise to celebrate their mum, Lena McGurn’s birthday. From Melbourne, Singapore and Glasgow the McGurn family recorded, edited and pieced together a video of their mum’s favourite song. Karina Thomas and her brothers Adrian, Stephen and Michael […]
Testing times: the SWAH lab workers key to saving lives
Testing is central to the battle to contain Covid-19 and Enniskillen’s Caoimhe Quigley gives an insight into the invaluable work being carried out at SWAH laboratories. Can you explain the role biomedical scientists in the fight against the virus. Biomedical scientists and Healthcare Science Assistants work in healthcare laboratories diagnosing diseases and evaluating the […]
‘We will come out of this better people and community’
PEOPLE IN Fermanagh must continue working as one, which will be how we survive the current challenges and come out the other side of this crisis together. That is the message from local councillor Thomas O’Reilly, who is chairman of the cross-community group Newtownbutler Together. Cllr O’Reilly said as tough as times may be at […]
Local shops are putting safety first
LOCAL shops have put their best foot forward when it comes to helping the communities they serve through what are unprecedented times. Retailers here have rose to the challenge of social distancing. From Trillick to Belleek, sanitisers and antibacterial wipes are the first thing customers meet upon entering shops. This week the Herald spoke to […]
GAA club vows to keep going with online Lotto
AS THE Covid-19 lockdown continues, GAA club lottos across Fermanagh are taking the innovative step to move fully online. Tempo Maguires’ lotto is the latest club draw to be moved online. Popular with people across the local community, and not just sports fans, the club’s jackpot currently stands at £10,000. Other clubs that have also […]
An Easter like none other…
THIS is a week when churches across the county are generally a daily hive of activity as parishioners meet together. This year paints a very different picture. For the first time in living memory church doors will be closed to the public both during Holy Week and on Easter Sunday. Enniskillen minister, Rev Lorna Dreaning […]
Vets may be facing prospect of medicine rationing
ISSUES with the flow of supply in veterinary medicine has left local vets facing up to rationing during what is one of the busiest seasons of the farming calendar. Local vet Innes Redmond of Lakeland Veterinary Services, with practices in Derrygonnelly and Belleek outlined challenges in getting essential products such as surgical scrubs and local […]
Mart closures hammer blow for Fermanagh’s farmers
AS marts cancelled livestock sales farmers here have been forced to hold onto cattle and sheep longer than normal. Aside from that, the temporary closure of marts has removed a social outlet for many farmers. Enniskillen Ulster Farmers Mart announced it was temporally suspending sales toward the end of March. A statement released notified the […]