18,000 COPIES WEEKLY Ciaran makes a mark on debut
Patsy Kelly 5k Run
Feis success for local musicians
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Pages 10, 12 & 15
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David granted his wish to return home Wednesday, 16th April, 2014. Vol. 7, Issue 16 • 63 Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Tel: 042 9320888. Fax: 042 9329676. Email: editorial@dundalkleader.com; advertising@dundalkleader.com
By Niamh Kirk
David Garvey who suffers from locked in syndrome and has been pleading with the HSE to let him go home after 18 months in hospital, this week received some very good news. David and his family have been told that the HSE have committed to a programme that will see him home in the next few months. “We are delighted, David is thrilled, he’s delighted, he can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel now,” said Lynn Flood David’s sister. David has been writing to the HSE bosses to end what was an effective imprisonment for him in Beaumount Hospital. He wrote repeatedly to the medical
professional and managers describing the loneliness he felt, and how much his life would improve if he were allowed home. But repeatedly he was told that it was not possible to fund it. However following the intervention of Peter Fitzpatrick TD, a meeting was arranged with Pat Healy National Director of Social Care in the HSE. Last week at the meeting the Garvey family were told that the funding was in fact not an issue, and that they had been misinformed. The problem was allowing David to move from a level 5 medical facility in Beaumount Hospital to a level 1, in the home, in one go. However at the meeting Continued on Page 4
Family tradition continues at Ultan’s Confirmation
Rose O'Hagan with her grandson, Ultan, at Confirmation in Kilcurry
By Paul Byrne A family tradition dating back 60 years was maintained at a Confirmation ceremony on Saturday last when a local
boy proudly displayed a medal first worn by his grandmother. The medal was worn by Ultan O’Hagan as he made his confirmation at Kilcurry
Church, having been originally bought for his grandmother Rose, before being passed down through the generations to a number Continued on Page 2