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17th June 2014 • Volume 21, Issue 22 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie
Brave Little Molly Battles On The courageous battle of plucky little Molly McNally from Balbriggan, has struck a chord with the public all over the North County. This was in evidence, as a very large crowd assembled at Balscadden National School on Tuesday, 10th June last, to witness teachers and volunteers having their heads shaved for the Molly McNally Miracle Trust. Brave little Molly (5) was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer last October. In that time, she has managed to capture the hearts of everyone she comes in contact with. Her wonderful attitude and ready smile are her trademark, and belies the trauma and pain that she has to endure on a regular basis. The Molly McNally Miracle Appeal Trust is gathering momentum, as
fundraisers are being organised all over the North County, in a bid to secure the potentially life
By Patrick Finnegan Molly’s dad, Gerry McNally was overwhelmed by the response of the people of Balscadden. He told the County Leader, “Everybody has been
parents having their hair shaved today for Molly, is very touching. Molly has just had major surgery on Friday last, 6th June, and you’d never know it, such is her cheery attitude. Initially, she had 82 tumours across her
Pictured after having their hair shaved off for the Molly McNally Miracle Trust at Balscadden National School, are Principal Chris White, teacher Darragh McGonigle, little Molly McNally and her father, Gerry McNally.
saving treatment abroad, that this brave little girl so badly requires.
absolutely incredible in their generosity, and to see teachers and
Local Fine Gael Farrell Councillors Deputy Declines To Back Reilly Comment The uncertainty surrounding the future of the Coalition Government, and in particular the future of our most senior politician, Dr James Reilly, is one that is causing great interest right here in the North County. However, the decision of the Minister’s party colleague, Alan Farrell TD, to decline to comment on whether Dr Reilly had his full confidence, is one that will be watched closely at Fine Gael party headquarters.
See our report on Page 5
entire body, and this has been reduced to just six. Last Friday’s operation was to remove a tumour the size of a large orange from her stomach, which took three-and-ahalf hours,” said an emotional Gerry. Last Tuesday’s event saw a very large crowd, including Molly herself, and her father Gerry watch, as volunteers gladly had their hair
shave off for the charity. Two such volunteers were school principal, Chris White and Molly’s teacher, Darragh McGonigle, who willingly had their heads shaved in front of the cheering crowd. Ms McGonigle said, “We are raising funds in the hope that, when treatment is finished here, Molly will be able to go to the United States for further treatment, which will help. It’s going to be difficult to raise the necessary funds, estimated to be about €200,000, so this is a big event that we’ve held at the school to help with the funding. We are fundraising in Balbriggan all of the time, and we held a sports day here today, knowing that we would have a big crowd, so it made sense to have our fundraising head shave on the same day. We’ve had a wonderful response from parents, families and we managed to raise €11,000 and it’s still growing,” she said. The head shave itself was full of atmosphere and music, with Molly herself enjoying the proceedings. Continued on page 12
Grow Your Business See page 16
From Baby Jack To
JACK THE LAD About six years ago, the County Leader featured a story, on a weekly basis for over a year, about brave little Jack McGuinness Daly, who had a heart transplant in London in April 2008. Little Jack’s story captured the hearts of people from the North County and the good news is that Jack, or baby Jack, as he was known back then, is now more like Jack the Lad, as he is a fine strapping eight year old. He is more than capable of holding his own on the football fields of his native Toberburr, near St Margaret’s. Our reporter caught up with him, as he enjoyed playing at the new Swords playground, on the occasion of the playground’s first anniversary celebrations last week. Jack, who made his First Holy Communion last month, is thriving at school, and he cites Maths and writing as his favourite subjects - the sure sign of a brain box. He plays for Rivermeade FC under 9s, where he is their goalkeeper. He also plays gaelic football for St Margaret’s. His footballing skills are no surprise, as his uncle is current Dublin GAA star, and All-Ireland winner, Darren Daly, from Rolestown. Jack was born with a heart disease known as Hyproplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a rare congenital heart defect, in which the left side of the heart is severely underdevel-
oped. He had to undergo two open heart surgeries in the early months of his life, and spent his first two years in Our Lady’s Hospital in Crumlin. He eventually had a heart transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, six years ago. His mother, Stephanie told the County Leader about the progress that this feisty warrior is making. “We were back in the UK three weeks ago, where he had an angiogram, to ensure that there were no blockages. He takes medication morning and night, to ensure the body doesn’t reject the new heart. He goes back to Crumlin Hospital regularly for blood tests, and then every three months, to have an ECG and Echo. He made his Communion in May, and he thoroughly enjoyed himself. There has only been one small dose of rejection since he received his new heart in 2008, but he was given steroids at the time, after which, thankfully, all was ok,” said Stephanie. Jack, who is a big Chelsea fan, rates their goalkeeper Petr Cech as one of his idols, although he also regarded Juan Mata as his hero, until he defected to Manchester United. “Now I don’t like him anymore,” declared a determined Jack. Pictured at the first anniversary party at Swords Playground on Saturday, 7th June last, are Jack McGuinness Daly (left), with his cousins Tadhg Daly and Caolán Daly