THE DRIVER of what was left of this mangled car wreck not only walked away from it but fled the scene sparking a day long garda search on Sunday last.

And the two occupants of the second car involved in the smash, while being removed to hospital, did not sustain life threatening injuries.

This was nothing short of a “miracle” according to witnesses at the scene. One Castleblayney firefighter told The Post: “I have had to cut people out of cars who were dead in vehicles that looked in far better shape than this one. The fact that the driver survived let alone managed to get out of the car and flee the scene is nothing short of a miracle.”

THE COLLISION occurred at Aghadreenan, Broomfield on the Main N2 Castleblayney/Carrickmacross Road at around 1.15pm. A foreign national with an address in the Clones area was later apprehended by gardai some five hours after the accident and three miles from the scene. He was apprehended after a garda helicopter dispatched from Dublin used heat seeking technology to locate him hiding in bushes on farmland between the Dundalk and Carrickmacross roads approximately 3.5 kilometres from Castleblayney town centre.

The man is to appear at Castleblayney District court on Monday next charged with road traffic offences in connection with the head-on car smash.

An Audi car traveling northwards attempted to overtake a line of three cars only to collide head on with an oncoming Ford Fiesta which was being driven in the opposite direction towards Carrickmacross.

Such was the impact that the offending Audi’s was reduced to the overturned twisted mass of wreckage as seen on our exclusive photograph. The car’s engine ended up on the roadside some distance away from the main wreckage.

Traveling in the fiesta was a northern couple who were both removed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. A motorist who came on the scene of Sunday’s accident told The Post: “Looking at the scene which confronted me and the mangled wreckage on the road I have to say that it was a miracle that nobody was killed.”

OFFICIALS from Monaghan County Council and the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board struggled at the weekend to contain a major pollution incident which threatened Emy Lough - the source lake for the troubled Glaslough-Tyholland Group Water Scheme.

A council spokesperson told the Monaghan Post that the pollution on the Mountain Water not only threatened Emy Lough, but also resulted in a major fish kill.

Evidence of un-authorised dumping of waste and slurry was also discovered by Council Environment officials at a remote site in Drumfurrer, Emyvale, within 1km of the Mountain Water on the same date. Investigations into both incidents are continuing.

Director of Services Paul Clifford stated: “The decline in raw water quality in our lakes and rivers throughout the county is impacting on drinking water sources.

“Incidents such as this have major environmental impacts on the river and add greatly to the difficulties in treating water to meet the EC Drinking Water Standards”.

In County Monaghan, six public water supply schemes and 19 group water schemes, supplying in excess of 30,000 people, depend on surface waters for their source.

Monaghan County Council is asking the public to report details of any suspicious movements of waste (liquid wastes or animal slurries) to its environmental hotline at 1-800-200014 or 047-30500.

Director of Services Paul Clifford told the Monaghan Post that he believed the pollution was “completely unrelated” to the ongoing water crisis in Glaslough and Tyholland, although he did say that it highlighted the “whole overall delicate situation with water in general”.

Restrictions on the water on the Glaslough/Tyholland Group Water Scheme are still in place, although an Action Plan has been prepared by the scheme, and testing is taking place. Bottled water is available to members at Tyholland Community Centre and the Treatment Plant and drinking water is still available from the public taps located at the Enterprise Centre, Emyvale (opposite the Parish Field), the Monument, Main Street, Glaslough, and the Machinery Yard, Plantation, Monaghan (beside Monaghan Fire Station and Garda Station).

Director of Services Paul Clifford told the Monaghan Post that it was hoped that the supply would be “back online in the first week of June.”

IT HAS been a case of catch the pigeon this week as a lone racing pigeon has decided to call a local pub home.
Customers and staff of John McNally’s Tavern on Main Street, Carrickmacross are all starting to get used to having their feathered friend around.

Homer the homing pigeon “landed” at the door of the pub on Sunday evening and was first noticed by John’s grandson, Laurence, who immediately told his grandfather.

Laurence told the Post: “The pigeon flies up to the windowsill on the front of the pub and struts his stuff back and forth. He’s a great showoff.

“When you approach him he walks right up to you although he doesn’t get too close. He walked into the pub yesterday and the customers had a great laugh.”
Pub proprietor John McNally said: “Laurence called me out and showed me the pigeon the other day. He’s a very tame bird and will reluctantly eat out of your hand. We are all wondering where he came from but he has a ring on his leg so he’s a homing pigeon alright who has probably got lost.”

The popular local publican added that the pigeon tries his very best to get inside the pub at every opportunity. “He must be extremely thirsty after his journey. That’s the only explanation for it,” joked John.
The Monaghan Post has tracked down Homer’s owner and discovered that the pigeon has been missing since late last year!

We can reveal that the bird is owned by Andy Toner of Castlewellan, County Down who is a member of the Annsborough Homing Pigeon Association.

On hearing that the wayward bird has been found in Carrickmacross Andy told the Post: “I can’t believe it. I liberated that bird in Penzance in Cornwall last year. What’s he doing in Carrickmacross? It’s great that he’s been found at long last.”
Andy has now been in touch with the McNally’s and hopes to be reunited with his pigeon soon.

PUPILS from St Cholmcille’s National School, Carrickmacross had their confirmation all wrapped up when they made their confirmation in Inniskeen dressed in identical cream gowns with a gold tie last Sunday, 13 May.

School Principal Larry McDermot believes the use of gowns takes pressure off parents. “It means less pressure on parents to spend a huge amount on clothes that are only worn once. The gown also clearly identifies what children are being confirmed making them feel special on the day for the right reasons.” Local children also have to be careful about what way their hair is styled so that they can fit the gown over their head!

“It’s a sad case when we see children making communion getting their tan done and arriving in stretch limos – this just leads to greater expectations for confirmation and God help these parents when it comes to their weddings!”

Mr McDermot said parents are now buying more practical outfits for under the gowns and the day of waistcoats and big dresses are gone in Inniskeen.

Fr Peter McGuinness came up with the novel idea some 12 years ago, now both St Cholmcille’s and St Daigs’s National School use gowns for confirmation. Initially parents paid £5 to rent the gowns but now they are simply asked to have them dry-cleaned on return.

“At first the children said “no way” to gowns but were gob-smacked when they seen them on and then all agreed to wear them and now they enjoy wearing them,” Mr McDermot said.

A REPORT leaked from the HSE has spelt out plans to transfer all acute 24/7 medical services from Monaghan General Hospital to Cavan and Drogheda by the end of this year.

The report, circulated at a Sinn Féin press conference in Monaghan town on Monday past, outlines the objectives of the HSE in the run up to the establishment of a new regional hospital in 2012.

According to the report, Monaghan General Hospital is to become an “ambulatory centre” and any in-patient activity at the hospital will be “non-acute and nurse-led, eg rehab, respite”.

Dr Ilona Duffy, Chairperson of Your Vote, Your Hospital, the newly formed political wing of the Monaghan Community Alliance, told the Monaghan Post that the report confirmed the concerns already expressed by the Alliance. “This report is about money. There is no mention of patient care. It’s about savings, efficiencies and staff redeployment.” she said.

“Come the end of this year, when you have a heart attack, when you have a stroke, when you have an asthmatic attack, you will no longer be taken to Monaghan Hospital. You will be taken to Cavan. But it’s not safe for Cavan hospital to accept the increase in admissions as they are struggling already. This report confirms what we have been trying to drive home to people.”

A HSE spokesperson claimed that the document “may concern draft proposals” and has condemned the leak, accusing candidates of “politicising” the issue in the run up to the General Election.

The leaking of the report comes in the wake of a rally at the Hillgrove Hotel last Thursday, May 10 where almost 1,000 people turned out to witness election candidates signing a contract which pledged their support for the retention of services at Monaghan Hospital. Fianna Fáil candidates were not invited along to sign the contract.

THE CONFIRMATION class of St Mary’s National School, Clontibret have decided to donate part of the money given to them by parents and relatives for their confirmation to the Clontibret Fire Fund. The fund was established to help the Mohan family of 10 – the Mohans - who were left homeless when their house burned down a few weeks ago.

“I’m very proud of the class and particularly because the suggestion came from the class themselves. It’s a school tradition that each confirmation class donates part of their money to charity each year,” said Principal Elizabeth Moorehead.

Appeal Chairman, Sean Mulligan, thanked the class personally for their contribution. “I want to thank everybody in this class for this very generous gesture. Several local people have already remarked on what a lovely idea it is.”

This announcement came after the second meeting of the Fire Appeal Committee last Monday, 14 May. The fundraisers are set to begin their door-to-door campaign this week and have released information on how to donate to the fund. “There was a big turn-out at the first meeting and an even bigger turn-out for the second. The community has been very receptive and all want to help in whatever way they can,” Mr Mulligan said.

Everyone is asked to give generously to this good cause. People can donate anonymously or receipts are available for those who want them. Donations can also be made through AIB, Monaghan to account number 13621014, sort code 932477.

A SIXTY-TWO year old priest, Fr Jeremiah McGrath, who preached regularly in Maherarney Chapel in Smithboro, faces charges of indecent assault and three counts of facilitating the rape of a 12-year-old girl. Fr McGrath, from Roslea, County Fermanagh, has denied the charges.

Currently suspended from carrying out his parochial duties, the priest will stand trial along with a 38 year old man from Belfast, Billy Adams, who is accused of several rapes and a number of other offences. Father Jeremiah McGrath allegedly gave money to Mr Adams who used it to buy gifts for the young girl he had befriended in Liverpool.

Andrew Menary QC, prosecuting, said the priest knew Adams had a previous conviction for the rape of an eight-year-old girl, and often visited him in jail. He told the jury that Fr McGrath also knew about Adams’ friendship with the Liverpool girl.

The treats lavished on the girl included a three-week holiday in Blackpool. The prosecution’s allegation is that most, if not all of the money, came from Fr McGrath. The prosecution has also alleged that the priest was aware that Mr Adams was abusing the girl. Fr McGrath also faces one charge of assault over a claim he touched the girl in a sexual manner while giving her a lift. Mr Menary also claimed there was evidence of a sexual relationship between the two men, who met about 20 years ago in Ireland.

In police interviews, Fr McGrath denied any impropriety in relation to the girl but accepted the Roman Catholic Church would not approve of certain elements of his relationship with Adams, the court heard.

Mr Menary added: “It seems Jeremiah McGrath would indulge all of William Adams’ desires, including funding his interest in young girls, in order to keep Adams happy.”

The jury was shown a lengthy interview via video with the girl, who described how Adams regularly abused her.

The two men were arrested in December 2005. In April last year, Adams pleaded guilty to raping the girl in Blackpool during July and August 2005, but denied 11 other counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault, all relating to the same girl, between May and November 2005.

The trial at Liverpool Crown Court, which was adjourned last Tuesday, is expected to last until May 25.