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Election race has begun ELECTION bells are ringing with February 8th confirmed as polling day. For the first time since 1918, a General Election will take place on a Saturday. The campaign trail is to heat up over the coming days as candidates began their canvass of a constituency which will give a key indication as to the make up of the next Government. At the time of going to print, there are ten confirmed candidates in Clare. Pat Breen (FG), Joe Carey (FG), Martin Conway (FG), Cathal Crowe (FF), Timmy Dooley (FF), Roisin Garvey (Greens), Rita McInerney (FF), Michael McNamara (IND), Theresa O’Donohoe (PBP) and Joseph Woulfe (IND) will appear on the ballot paper. Sinn Féin are to announce their candidate later this week. Labour are unlikely to select a prospective TD in Clare with the Social Democrats confirming they will not contest in the constituency. Kilrush councillor Ian Lynch is contemplating whether or not to join the race. The Independent representative feels a strong voice is needed to fight for the issues that matter for rural Clare. Cooraclare resident, David Barrett is considering running as an Independent candidate.
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16 Jan 2020
FERG RISES FROM PAIN OF LOSING PARENTS PÁRAIC McMAHON news@clareecho.ie
I
N a bid to break down stigmas surrounding mental health and help others, Fearghal Lawlor has shared his story with The Clare Echo. A native of Newmarket-on-Fergus, Fearghal who is a successful self-employed personal trainer in Shannon highlighted the need for people to incorporate physical and mental health as a daily bodily function “like going to the toilet”. Talking more and seeking professional help are ways he saw improvements within himself and has urged people to do likewise. Personal tragedy is something he has unfortunately become familiar with. At the age of seven, his mother died after an illness and in February 2017 his father passed away suddenly meaning that before turning
thirty, he and his younger sister Áine had to bury both of their parents. After sustaining a serious back injury which restricted his mobility, Fearghal began to put on weight and hit his heaviest at nineteen stone. Not alone did he endure physical pain but Lawlor admitted to being in a very dark place then and again subsequent to his father’s death. Since overcoming the injury and transforming his body, the Shannon based personal trainer has dealt with over 200 clients and set up his own business, Your Body’s Solution. “I’ve done a lot of work to be in the position I’m in both physically and mentally especially mentally. Keen to point out that there are people worse off and every person goes through their difficulties, Lawlor is hopeful that by sharing his story he will be able to help others.
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