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Pages 8, 10 & 12
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Ambulance fleet in need of CPR
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Wednesday, 23rd July, 2014. Vol. 7, Issue 30 • 63 Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Tel: 042 9320888. Fax: 042 9329676. Email: editorial@dundalkleader.com; advertising@dundalkleader.com
By Niamh Kirk and Paul Byrne
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Brendan in town for book launch
Young footballers star in Sweden
The ambulance service in Louth has been labelled a ‘sham’ after two vehicles broke down over the weekend, leading to serious questions being asked about the fleet. Sinn Fein councillor, Tomás Sharkey called on the Government to replace the fleet which he claims are well past their sell by date. “The fact we have had three major mechanical issues with our ambulances since March is a sham”, explained Tomás. “As well as that these ambulances are constantly giving warning lights on the dashboard for mechanical issues and they are an accident waiting to
happen. “The whole fleet needs to be replaced and we need to deal with it now. What happened last weekend was yet another incident putting people’s lives in danger. It’s not fair on the people of this county and it’s not fair on the ambulance staff who have had to deal with longer hours, staff shortages and faulty vehicles. From talking to my Sinn Fein colleagues around the country it would seem that we have the worst ambulance service in the country and that has to be sorted out immediately”, he added. The hard-hitting comments came following a weekend where one ambulance broke down on the Continued on Page 14
Lions Club gift keeps on giving
Emma Savage with boat owner Yakoob Sehuthamby
By Paul Byrne Ten years ago following one of the worst tsunamis in living memory, the Dundalk Lions Club purchased a boat
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which they donated to a Sri Lankan village to help local fishermen rebuild their lives. A decade on, news has filtered back that the boat is still being used by the locals,
after being spotted by a local woman, Emma Savage, on holiday in the area who sent back the good news. Full Story Page 14
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