A rosy outcome!
A young Park woman will represent County Derry in the Rose of Tralee final this summer.
By Orla McNicholl
Catherine Lagan was selected as the Derry rose at the recent five day regional heat, which was held in Portlaoise.
The Park beauty, who is an R.E. teacher at St. Joseph’s secondary school in Creggan, was judged against 36 other Roses at the regional finals.
Speaking to the County Derry Post, the 27 year old said she was shocked when she heard her name called out: “The competition was really tough and I thought everyone was superb, I really didn’t think I was going to get through, but I was absolutely delighted when my name was called out.
“My father and sisters were really proud of me, you could just see it in their eyes, and they were on the edge of their seats throughout as there was such a high level of competition.”
Catherine is now looking forward to the final in August.
“I have always dreamt about entering the Rose of Tralee and if I won it, I would just be blown away.
“If I won it would be such an achievement and would also be great for my school.
“I am really excited about the final in August, although just getting to the final is like a win to me-anything else will be an added bonus.”
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Lifeline for Katie
A seriously ill baby was thrown a precious lifeline yesterday when a top US hospital confirmed a date for life saving treatment.
By Connla Young
Little Katie Maguire from Magherafelt suffers from intractable epilepsy which causes her to have of dozens of seisures every day.
The nine-month-old also suffers from cerebral palsy and is so sick she can’t smile, swallow or see.
Her parents Gary McCann and Mekila Maguire care for their sick daughter 24 hours a day and are currently trying to raise £250,000 to pay for the cost of specialist treatment at Memorial Children’s Hospital in Chicago.
The Magherafelt couple last night said they are ‘over the moon’ that a date for Katie to travel to the US for treatment has finally been confirmed as August 20.
Last night her dad Gary said the family is praying that Katie’s health holds up.
“Katie’s seisures are getting more and more vigorous so we are going to try to get her out there earlier. If she is too sick to fly at that time the chances of getting another date might be very slim.”
The delighted dad thanked everyone who has helped the family so far and urged people to continue to get behind Katie’s fundraising campaign.
Meanwhile, brave Tracey Loane raised £1000 for Katie by getting her hair shaved off at the weekend.
The 19-year-old Magherafelt woman said: “I wanted to have my head shaved so I could raise as much money for Katie as possible, but I was nervous.
“I am so pleased I did it in the end though because Katie’s parents were so grateful.”
A series of fundraising events for Katie’s campaign will be held in Dungiven this Friday.
1 commentTop of the class!
A Magherafelt teacher has been named the best primary school teacher in Northern Ireland.
By David Friel
info@derrypost.com
Mrs Ciara O’Neill of St Brigids Primary School, Magherafelt, won Primary School Teacher of the Year in Northern Ireland at the weekend annual UK Teaching Awards.
The Teaching Awards is a celebration of teaching and learning with the guiding principal is to recognise excellent teachers and share their expertise.
Mrs O’Neill’s achievements can be put into perspective when you consider that every primary school teacher in Northern Ireland was eligible for the award.
The pupil who nominated Mrs O’Neill for the award said she was a great music teacher.
‘Me and my sister want to nominate Mrs O’Neill because she is a fantastic P.1 teacher and music teacher.
“In assembly she teaches the whole school African songs and tells us all about classical composers.
“At choir we have great fun because she makes us do funny dances and exercises to help us to sing better.
“In P.1 Mrs O’Neill sings her lessons all the time. My wee sister sings them all at home, that’s how she learns everything!
“She teaches P.1s yoga and meditation and has fantastic ideas.
“We love Mrs O’Neill and we want her to win.”
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River sewage row in Draperstown
Environment chiefs were slammed last night after they failed to take samples after a serious pollution incident in Draperstown.
By Connla Young
The criticism came after human sewage leaked into the River Moyola near the town earlier this month.
The river’s crystal clear waters were turned into a mucky torrent of raw human waste after a suspected leak at a nearby waste water treatment works.
It is believed human waste leaked into a stream which in turn made its way into the river.
The pollution incident was discovered by local anglers on June 1 and was immediately reported to the Department of the Environment.
It is understood the issue came to light after human waste was spotted in river the Mullanavoo Road ford, just outside the town.
It has emerged that DoE officials failed to take samples of the polluted water when they arrived at the scene.
Michael McGlade, who is a committee member of Moyola Angling Club, last night insisted DoE officials should have taken samples and that more should be done to ensure there is no repeat of the leak that sparked the environmental alert.
“This incident offers further evidence that there needs to be an independent environmental watchdog,” he said. “This happened just after the minister confirmed there would be no independent body set up to investigate such incidents.
“Despite this Moyola Angling Association would encourage members of the public to report any incidents of pollution they come across. If anyone wants more information they should visit our website on www.moyolaangling.com.”
A spokesperson for the DoE explained that Northern Ireland Water Ltd was informed of the incident after the leak was traced back to its waste treatment works at Draperstown. The spokesperson added that an investigation was ongoing.
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Arsonists attack pensioners
A pensioner last night said he is lucky to be alive after his home was targeted by ‘evil’ arsonists at the weekend.
By Connla Young
Frank Tierney (81), his wife Maureen Tierney (70), and their son Kevin were all sleeping in her Josephine Avenue home around 2.30am on Sunday when the arsonists pushed three blazing wheelie bins against the wall of their bungalow.
The attackers also tried to torch a nearby oil tank.
The family only became aware of the vicious blaze when police hammered on their door in a desperate bid to get them out of the house.
It is understood a passing patrol noticed two people running from the scene and when they went to investigate they found the house had been set alight.
The PSNI were on high alert after another house was attacked by arsonists at Thiepval Court a short time earlier.
Plucky pensioner Frank Tierney said he had been shaken by the terrifying episode.
“We are very lucky to be alive,” he said.
“It upset us very much that somebody could come along with such evil ideas in their heads to destroy people’s property and lives.”
Kevin Tierney said his family had a lucky escape.
“It was a very frightening experience especially for my parents,” he said.
“Everybody is shook up a bit. We would all have slept through it if it had not been for the police. Another five minutes and the house would have been well alight.”
A spokeswoman for the PSNI said the incidents may be connected.
“Police are treating both incidents as arson. Initial enquiries suggest that they are connected,” she said.
There have been over 20 arson attacks in Limavady so far this year.
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Thanks for caring
A young Desertmartin boy has returned with a special present for hospital staff who cared for him over the past year.
By Ciaran O’Neill
editor@derrypost.com
Kevin McStravick had three spells in Musgrave Park Hospital in the past year for treatment on a serious hip injury.
His mother, Martina, was so pleased at the treatment Kevin received, she decided to take part in the Belfast marathon to raise money for the hospital.
Martina and her friend, Kate Breen, managed to raise £1,000 through their efforts.
And Kevin and his family recently returned to the hospital to thank staff personally and hand over the cheque.
No commentsAsh to headline Glasgowbury festival
One of Ireland’s top bands will headline the Glasgowbury festival in Draperstown next month.
By Orla McNicholl
Organisers of the Glasgowbury festival have announced that rock band Ash will headline the event.
The Downpatrick band is currently touring their latest album ‘Twilight of the innocents’ worldwide.
Their upcoming gig at the Glasgowbury festival is the only Northern Ireland date they have planned this year so July 26 promises to be an unforgettable event in the Sperrins.
Alternative rock band Ash, whose hits include ‘Sometimes,’ ‘Shining Light’ and ‘Burn Baby Burn,’which currently features as the BBC’s theme tune to Euro 2008, will be performing live in the heart of the Sperrins at Eagles’ Rock.
The Glasgowbury music festival, now in its eighth year started off as a gathering of local bands and songwriters who performed a concert to help raise awareness for the Ulster Cancer Foundation charity.
The event is now bigger than ever, attracting hundreds of musicians and fans every summer.
The festival line up is now complete with over 50 artists confirmed including, Fighting with Wire, Oppenheimer, The Delawares, Joe Echo and Superfreakz.
Tickets to this much anticipated event are strictly limited, so organisers advise that concert book early. Tickets cost £30 (including camping) or £25 (day ticket only) and are available from www.wegottickets.com or can be booked in advance from a number of regional outlets.
No commentsHit and run incident in Dungiven
A Dungiven woman is recovering after being involved in a hit and run accident at the weekend.
By Connla Young
The woman, aged in her 50’s, was struck by a car at Main Street Dunigiven at around 3.50am on Sunday.
The vehicle sped from the scene of the accident.
It is understood the woman was treated at the scene by paramedics.
Although not requiring hospital treatment, the woman is understood to have suffered injuries to a thumb and a leg.
Police have confirmed that a man was later interviewed in relation to the incident and released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service.
A spokesperson for the PSNI said: “Police are investigating a hit and run collision involving a car and a pedestrian on Main Street, Dungiven during the early hours of Sunday.”
No commentsKeep Katie alive
Collections have been held at churches in Magherafelt parish to raise cash in a bid to save the life of a nine month old baby from the town.
By Connla Young
Little Katie Maguire suffers from intractable epilepsy which causes violent fits every day.
Her parents, Gary McCann and Mekila Maguire, have both left work to care for their baby daughter and are trying to raise £250,000so she can get specialist treatment in America.
The distraught parents say Katie’s “best hope” of a healthy life rests with her getting the medical attention she desperately needs.
The level of treatment and expertise Katie requires is not available on the National Health Service, forcing the family to look abroad for help.
With each debilitating seizure, the development of Katie’s brain is significantly impacted reducing her capacity to develop fully.
The terrible nature of the child’s condition means she cannot see, eat or swallow.
Katie’s father Gary says his family has been boosted by the generosity of local people.
“The response to the chapel collection was brilliant. Some people have come forward to do things for us. We will take all the help we can get.”
As part of the fundraising effort, Katie’s parents have set up a website www.keepbabykatieawake.com.
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Double blaze probe in Magherafelt
Police in Magherafelt have launched a probe after two suspicious fires were started in Magherafelt at the weekend.
By Connla Young
In the most serious incident, extensive damage was caused to the front of an office block at Queen’s Avenue.
It is understood the fire was started after a wheelie bin was pushed against the front of the building and set alight.
The vicious blaze destroyed a porch and smoke damage was caused to the interior of the building. Firefighters later managed to bring the fire under control.
In the second incident, a member of the public was forced to put out a fire at Meeting Street after two wheelie bins were set alight at the rear of a house. There were no injuries during either incident.
It is understood a group of youths were seen in the vicinity of both incidents shortly before the fires were started.
A spokeswoman for the PSNI said: “Police are working to establish a motive for the incidents and enquiries are ongoing.”
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