A FERMANAGH woman has been left with permanent health complications after waiting nearly two years for urgent surgery, only to discover her name had never been added to the colorectal waiting list. Despite a confirmed diagnosis of deep infiltrating bowel endometriosis in late 2023 and a clear clinical need for urgent intervention, a series of […]
Enniskillen woman spreads joy with hamper appeal
AS THE festive season approaches, one Enniskillen woman is on a heartfelt mission to bring some extra Christmas cheer to those who need it most. Determined to give back to her community, she has launched a fundraising campaign to create Christmas hampers for individuals and families who may be struggling this winter. Sinead Rooney, who […]
Mother’s fight for better mental health services
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A LOCAL mother has spoken out about her struggle with Fermanagh’s mental health system, fearing for her teenage son amid rising suicide rates. The child, referred to as ‘R’ to protect his identity, is now 14 and has shown signs of mental health struggles and behavioural challenges since he was just seven years old. “My […]
‘One in four’ are living in poverty in Fermanagh
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THE shocking extent of poverty in Fermanagh has been laid bare, with new figures revealing that nearly one in four people in the district are now living in relative poverty. Recent statistics show that approximately 23 per-cent of residents fall below the poverty line – three per-cent higher than the Northern Ireland average. Wages in […]
Back-to-school costs push Fermanagh families into debt
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FAMILIES across Fermanagh and the North are facing mounting financial pressures as back-to-school expenses continue to spiral, according to new research from the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU). The study, conducted by i-Reach in June 2025 with responses from 544 parents, found that nearly seven in ten (68 percent) view the cost of sending […]
Women ‘more likely to live in poverty’
FEMALES in Fermanagh are more likely to experience poverty than local males as the economic challenges of running a household and the cost of living crisis continues to rip through the county. Prior to Christmas, it was reported that residents and families in Fermanagh were grappling with a serious poverty crisis, with the district recording […]
Lack of housing contributing to Fermanagh homelessness
THE shortage of available housing and cost-of-living crisis are “significant and constant issues” locally which are resulting in a growing number of people living on the streets in Fermanagh. There has been a growing number of people in the North who have found themselves homeless, with cross-border charity ‘Depaul’ pledging to support people who are in […]
Giles Knight reflects on how he battled through Storm
THE neighbours could have heard us, leastways, the cat hid under the sofa. At 6.27 on a late January evening, the lights came back on. An assault on the senses – the front room illuminated. Out in the yard, my brain registered its meaning, but still it took a moment, stalled in disbelief. Running in […]
Business owner battles to stay afloat after High Street move
THE owner of an award-winning bespoke business in Enniskillen is facing the possibility of closing her doors for good after suffering ‘significant financial losses’. Shauna Gallagher, who founded The Natural Beauty Pot in 2010, relocated the business to Townhall Street in 2023. However, due to soaring costs and a lack of footfall, she now faces […]
Roslea’s Mairead tackles doubts to shine as Shania
Roslea native Mairead Rooney has become one of Ireland’s top Shania Twain tribute acts, but her journey to success wasn’t easy. The mother-of-two has battled imposter syndrome for much of her life – a condition that causes persistent self-doubt and manifests in different ways for different people. It was through her love of singing and […]