TERAPROOF:User:rorynoonanDate:16/03/2015Time:08:13:35Edition:16/03/2015Monmonecho160315Page:1
Zone:EE
EE - V1
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015
EDITION NO. 35,847
Serving Cork for 120 years
Happy St Patrick Street!
RRP: e1.50
Taoiseach to help Lacey end seven year list wait By AUDREY ELLARD WALSH
THE Taoiseach is to intervene on behalf of a Cork woman with severe physical and intellectual disabilities who has been on a waiting list for vital home modifications for the past seven years.
THE city centre was packed with people of all ages throughout the weekend enjoying the St Patrick’s Festival, which has already been deemed a huge success. Large numbers of overseas visitors, as well as locals enjoyed free family entertainment including music, street theatre and a market yesterday and Saturday. Today is a chance to recharge the batteries ahead of the fun resuming tomorrow. The parade starts at 1pm from the South Mall. See pages 2 and 3. Picture: Ger McCarthy
Lacey Kiely, aged 20, from the Commons Road, has Rett Syndrome, a rare condition that affects the development of the brain. Her family applied to Cork City Council for a grant to build a downstairs bathroom and wheelchair ramp in 2008, but are still waiting for approval. They are one of 57 families in Cork city currently waiting for Adaptation Grants. The Evening Echo highlighted Lacey’s story earlier this month. She requires 24 hour care and every day she has to be lifted out of bed, washed, clothed and tube fed. A bowl in the front room has to be used to wash her. Senator Colm Burke, who has been lobbying on their behalf, said he had highlighted Lacey’s case to the Taoiseach in recent days. “I spoke to the Taoiseach on this matter who agrees that this issue is much too serious to ignore. “All of the documents relating to this case were passed through his office and he has
Lacey Kiely whose parents are waiting seven years for their home to be adapted to help her and (inset) flashback to our story highlighting their plight. confirmed to me that he will be contacting the city manager’s office. “This is not the only case that I am dealing with but this is the most serious in terms of the time period. This family and ● Continued on page two.
Sky Fibre has launched
16.03.15 Recommended retail price €1.50
Fly to page 3 to find out more
© Disney/Pixar