DUNDALK’S FREE NEWSPAPER Green Flag for Blackrock Page 9
Three reasons for school to celebrate Page 8
Don’t abandon my daughter
Irish dancers raise funds Page 6
Wednesday, 13th September, 2017. Vol. 10, Issue 37 • 63 Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth Tel: 042 9320888. Fax: 042 9329676. Email: editorial@dundalkleader.com; advertising@dundalkleader.com
By Eunan Whyte
A Dundalk woman who is struggling to cope with caring for her severely disabled daughter has made an emotional appeal for somebody to help. Mary Jane Maguire from Laurel Brook Gardens claims that she is now “at her wits’ end” having battled to get help for sevenyear-old Mary Kate who has profound autism, and she hit out at the lack of support being offered for children with special needs. The mother of two has met with a brick
wall in the effort to get speech therapy and occupational therapy for her daughter who has profound autism. As a result of years without making progress, she is becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of help and support as she watches her daughter’s condition and behaviour continually deteriorate. “It is so difficult to explain what it is like for parents of children with special needs. So many of us have no support and nowhere to turn to. It can be impossible to maintain a home for kids
Mary Kate with her mother Mary Jane with disabilities, but we know that life could be so much easier. with a little bit of help and support See Page 2
Spirit of kindness alive and well By Paul Byrne
Three young children from Muirhevnamor showed the spirit of generosity is alive and well by organising a fundraiser for the Dundalk Dog Rescue service. Ellie Dollard Hutchinson, Owen Aughey and Aisling Glenholmes who are all still in primary school took it upon themselves to organise their own fundraising campaign to help out Dundalk Dog Rescue who are in the process of raising money to build a modern dog rescue centre. See Page 2