Lack of nursing home spaces blamed for hospital crisis


By Niamh McGovern A SEVERE shortage of nursing home spaces has been identified as the leading cause of delayed patient discharges in Northern Ireland, compounding pressure on already overwhelmed emergency departments. The Western Health Trust’s chief executive, Neil Guckian, addressed the issue during a board meeting on Thursday, revealing that over 500 patients across the […]


Big turnout for Aisling Centre talk


HUNDREDS of people turned out to the Crest Centre in Enniskillen on Saturday for the much-anticipated return of the now annual Aisling Centre’s Hope, Healing and Growth Day. To cope with the overwhelming number of people who expressed interest in the event, the conference was streamed online, with hundreds of people tuning in for the […]


Major support to tackle violence against women


FERMANAGH and Omagh District Council is to receive £135,000 over two years to help implement a new strategy aimed at Ending Violence Against Women and Girls as domestic violence cases soar locally. The county has been highlighted as one of the areas with the highest rate of domestic violence cases in the North, with Fermanagh […]


Expressway announces improved timetables for Route 30


EXPRESSWAY, Bus Éireann’s premium coach service, has announced an improved timetable for its Route 30 service. The new timetable will come into effect on January 26 and has been designed to provide more frequent and punctual travel for all Route 30 customers. Passengers are set to see significant benefits, as the improved schedule will better reflect […]


Hundreds attend to support launch of SOAS roadmap


HUNDREDS of people turned out to Fermanagh House on Monday night as health campaign group ‘Save Our Acute Services’ (SOAS) launched a discussion paper on a roadmap for the restoration of services at South West Acute Hospital (SWAH). The document provides a framework for meeting the Department of Health’s obligations in relation to the shortfall […]


Motorists blast ‘regional imbalance’ of road repairs


A LOCAL MLA has said that Fermanagh motorists are feeling “forgotten and neglected” by the Stormont Executive as the state of our roads worsen while others are getting a major upgrade. Major resurfacing work has recommenced on the Sydenham Bypass in Belfast which is expected to cost in the region of £3.8 million, with the […]


New role for Fermanagh actress Abigail Parkinson


KESH woman Abigail Parkinson is set to take another major step in her drama career as she confirms that she has “accepted a role in a production” which could see her star on our TV screens again. The actress made her mark on our screens when she played a starring role in BBC drama ‘Hope […]


Fermanagh boating victim remembered 50 years on


By Niamh McGovern A FERMANAGH man who was killed in one of Donegal’s ‘worst ever sea disasters’, was remembered at a 50th anniversary Mass last week. Large crowds gathered at St Columba’s Church, Burtonport on Tuesday (January 7), to mark exactly 50 years since the crew of the Evelyn Marie tragically lost their lives when their fishing […]


Fermanagh greengrocer fears for the future


A LOCAL greengrocer has said it’s “absolutely scandalous” that supermarkets are selling bags of fresh vegetables for around 10 and 20 pence as fears grow over the future of the high street. John Gallagher took over ‘Gillens’ Greengrocers’ in Church Street in Enniskillen in 2013 but like all greengrocers across the North, he’s concerned for their […]


400 tractors expected to convene for Fermanagh protest


FERMANAGH farmers are expected to round up as many as 400 tractors for a procession in protest to agricultural inheritance tax changes. According to a recent Parades Commission application submitted by Ulster Farmers Union, the rally is expected to take place on January 25 at 2pm, commencing at the Enniskillen Mart on the Old Tempo Road […]