THE future of St Luke’s, Mullinure and Longstone Hospitals in Armagh remains uncertain with many staff and patients concerned about the imminent closures that they believe will take place.

Cllr Cathal Boylan MLA has been contacted by a number of concerned members of staff who have told him that speculation is rife on the future of local hospitals.

“I have been approached by individuals who have serious concerns regarding the future of these hospital sites, their employment and the welfare of the patients involved,”

said the Newry and Armagh representative.

“Rumours are spreading like wildfire and staff have been told unofficially that they will be out of a job in 18 months time. Many are not working there very long to begin with and hate the thought of job hunting again. Others are devastated that they will be confronted with huge debts for mortgages and bank loans and no recourse to pay if they are made unemployed,”

Cllr Boylan continued.

However, the Health Board has refused to either confirm or deny these the speculation as a formal decision has not yet been made.

“I asked the Minister to outline his plans for these hospital sites and he tried to brush me off with a non-commital standard answer, so I have asked further questions of Mr McGimpsey of a more precise nature in which he will have to fully outline his Departments plans for all three hospital sites,”

Cllr Boylan continued.

“This uncertainty over the hospitals future is affecting the morale of nurses, porters and auxillary staff. There is also a very real concern for the welfare of the patients. Many have been in these hospitals for a great number of years and transferring them to new surroundings could have a very detrimental effect, while others would find it extremely difficult to adapt to life back in the community,”

Cllr Boylan concluded.

WATER privitisation may still be a likely option for Northern Ireland as resident looks set to pay for their water usage.

Dominic Bradley said:

“Everyone claims to be against water charges but we are seeing clear signs of wobble and climbdown on the part of Sinn Fein and the DUP, and the retreat could begin within days.”

“Unlike them, the SDLP opposed separate water charges first and foremost because it was clearly a device to aid privatisation. Let no one be in any doubt that the Treasury still wants to sell off our Water Service and I can find no evidence that either Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy or Finance Minister Peter Robinson intends to stop them.”

“The Independent Review Panel on Water clearly identified the privatisation plans that we first disclosed several years ago, and the first test for Conor Murphy will be whether he accepts the report of the Panel he himself set up. The right question for the minister is not ‘how much?’ but ‘why?’ What is the real purpose of a separate water charge at any level?”

“We all know that water has to be paid for, but the Panel pointed out that we are already paying to the tune of £160 per household per year through the rates. We think this may be a significant under-estimate, because it does not take account of recent regional rate hikes - most notably 19 per cent under Peter Hain - which were specifically justified in terms of paying for water and sewerage infrastructure.”

“The fact is that the Water Service is already part privatised. All customer contact has been put in the hands of a private contractor. Even though no decision has yet been taken, Crystal Alliance has a contract worth more than £90 million for service and billing. The Review Panel quite properly questioned the value of this contract and pointed out the great savings to be made by implementing an escape clause in the contract. Conor Murphy should examine this option without delay.”

By Gillian McVeigh
gillian@monaghanpost.com

NEWRY and Armagh Sinn Féin MLA Mickey Brady has stated that those engaged in the indiscriminate and reckless stoning of motorists and their vehicles should realise that ultimately their actions will result in death or serious injury. The MLA was speaking after visiting the scene of an incident where a motorist had his vehicle attacked on the Armagh Road, close to Markethill.

“Bricks were thrown at the windscreen of a family car. The motorist took evasive action, but the side window in the car was broken,”

said Mickey. He continued “

Thankfully the motorist escaped serious injuries. However it was a frightening experience and it was fortunate that no other members of the family were traveling inside the car- especially their young child.”

The Sinn Féin MLA said that whilst these types of attacks were not unique to South Armagh, there was a growing concern in the increase of such serious incidents.

“It is totally unacceptable that drivers and passengers be they emergency services or members of the public now face the threat of such attacks on a regular basis. Those who are involved in these violent and reckless activities are potentially involved in attempted murder”.

By Gillian McVeigh
gillian@monaghanpost.com

St. Patrick’s GFC will officially open their new, impressive grounds this Sunday. GAA chief, Paraic Duffy will be on hand to officially open the grounds and then the football will commence with throw in at 1.30pm for the Minor challenge between Ballyboden St. Enda’s and Culllyhanna - the 2007 champions of both counties.

At 3.30pm there will be an Official Opening ceremony by GAA Director General Paraic Duffy. At 4pm the long awaited Senior Football Challenge between Dublin and Armagh will kick off. This is sure to be a big game especially since Peter McDonnell’s side handed out a nine point drumming the last time these sides met a few weeks ago in the league.

Paul Caffrey is sure to bring a strong team with him, while McDonnell could give some other Cullyhanna lads a run out. Patrons please note that there will be stewarded parking at Cullyhanna Primary School and the Chapel which are about 500 yards from the grounds. Well done to the Cullyhanna club for building such a good amenity and getting the mighty Dubs down for a game as well.

By Gillian McVeigh
gillian@monaghanpost.com

INTRUDERS have burgled the hourse of a 78-year-old lady who lives at Tullyah Road, Beleeks, South Armagh.

Councillor Feehan who visited the victim said:

“Those thugs who robbed and tied up this elderly lady last night are nothing more than the lowest of the low. Four grown men came into her home, they left her tied her up in a chair and got away with a sum of money.”

“Attacks such as these are an attack on our community and an attack on the most vulnerable in society. Those responsible are sick human beings; they need to be taken of our streets and locked away for a very long time.”

“Four so called men carried out this act, no mother raises her son to go out and carry out such acts, it just makes me wonder what sort of people we’re dealing with. Have they no conscience, have they no mother or grandmother of their own?”

“The victim is understandably shaken by her ordeal, but this is a very quite but strong and resilient community and I know that the family, neighbours and friends will not allow the thugs who perpetrated this hideous crime to win, this community will rally round her to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

SDLP Newry and Armagh Assembly Member Dominic Bradley MLA has also condemned those responsible saying:

“Thugs like these need locked up, they need to be taken of our streets for if they attack a vulnerable lady, what would they do next.”

He continued:

“I would appeal to anyone who seen anything at all, no matter how small it may be or anyone who has any information to bring it to the PSNI to ensure these thugs are locked up and pay for their crime.”

The event took place in te Pearse Brothers GAA club Ballybay. Blackwater Regional Partnership organised and funded Salsa Classes through the Community Support Programme, the celebration evening included participants from Ballybay, Derrynoose, Tullycorbet, Lough Egish and Ardaghey.

David Callander Commented, the salsa classes where a very successful part of the community support programme with over 300 participants, the salsa Classes provided good social interaction across the border region and a great form of exercise.

Blackwater Regional Partnership would like to thank everyone who participated in the programme and a special thank you to Sunny Smailiene who provided the excellent dance tuition and proved the events to so successful and enjoyable.

The aim of the Community Support Programme is to re-establish old social linkages which existed in the border areas before the road closures during the troubles. Funding for all the activities within the Support Programme has been provided under the EU INTERREG 111A programme Ireland / Northern Ireland as administered by Border Action.