Death of a great / New primary school plans / Shocking Sunday / Ewes & Pews
Good morning, it’s Micheal with you this morning.
There are few men who achieved what Sean ‘Dingle’ Daly achieved in his lifetime; there are fewer who gave back to the community what he did. And there are even fewer who played senior county football for both Armagh and Tyrone.
For Monday saw the passing of a giant – a man who will be remembered with the reverence he truly deserves. A man who had community, sport and most importantly – family – at heart. Rest In Peace, Dingle.
Latest headlines
Plans to demolish and rebuild Co Armagh primary school recommended for approval
Birches man braving the Atlantic in charity row to Caribbean
Ewe must be joking! Passersby bemused as sheep commandeer Tassagh bus shelter
USPCA ‘shocked and dismayed’ as litter of puppies found abandoned in Whitecross
Teenage drink driver called police pretending to be third party following crash
Fifty new homes outside Lurgan up for Council approval
Man who assaulted staff at Portadown bar jailed and warned to quit alcohol
Markethill native Gareth ‘GG’ Robinson scores top role as Irish FA’s elite youth physio
Car stolen in Newry damages vehicles before being recovered in Bessbrook
Man in 40s killed after collision with stray horse close to border with Co Armagh
‘Outrageous act of environmental vandalism’ along busy Lurgan road
Haulier Hughes ordered to pay £180k to families of 39 migrants found dead in lorry
Parish news that has caused a bit of a stir..
Newry Cathedral Parish last week announced (there wasn’t much fanfare around this news to be fair) that newlyweds are to be charged £400 towards the cost of their nuptials, with an enhanced fee to help cover the bill for lighting and heating the church.
Once we released that story, a funeral director got in touch to share with us a letter from the same parish stating that they were to negotiate a £350 fee with the bereaved families – to be collected by the funeral director.
The stories resulted in quite a bit of feedback but tell us your thoughts…
Shocking Sunday!
In terms of news, Sunday’s tend to be quieter, for obvious reasons. But Sunday was reports of crime after crime. I remember December 2015 (I think!) was a particularly bad one for burglaries but now we’re getting regular robberies. Are people getting more and more desperate?
‘Frightening ordeal’ as men with hammers and screwdrivers rob Lurgan man at home
Female staff member assaulted during robbery at licensed premises in Portadown
Money stolen and property ‘ransacked’ in Crossmaglen
Man in 40s killed after collision with stray horse close to border with Co Armagh
Man taken to hospital following assault in Lurgan property
Video
On Friday we spoke to Portadown based estate agent Libby Clarke about her fundraising efforts at this years upcoming Belfast Marathon. Libby tells us how an accident on her farm nine years ago left her with significant injuries and following a hip operation in December 2022, she will now be at the marathon as “an athlete”
We love getting out and about and chatting to people. Over the New Year break, our reporter Scott was invited along to spend some time with a new Men’s Shed, set up in Annaghmore, where a group of men have transformed an old shed into a hive of activity. It provides the “distraction” needed to help with men’s mental health issues. Scott chatted with environmentalist Ian Matchett on mental health matters in men and why this project was developed as well as a few regular attendees.
Natalie McNally murder update
With Natalie’s killer still at large, her family, friends and police continue their quest to ensure the person responsible for this heinous act is brought to justice.
On Friday (January 6), detailed searches were carried out at an area close to the home of the 32 year old Mum-to-be.
There was also a heavy police presence in the area on Sunday night as officers spoke to passing motorists in a bid to jog someone’s memory.