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18th March 2015 • Volume 22, Issue 09 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie
Emotional Reilly Speaks Out Local Minister, Dr James Reilly broke down five minutes into a radio interview last week, while talking about his son, who has autism and the discretionary medical cards. Dr Reilly was speaking to RTE presenter, Ray D’Arcy about his tenure as Minister for Health and said that he regrets the discretionary medical cards, “That’s what upsets me most,” he said. In an emotional moment, he said, “I had no real choice because of the money situation we found ourselves in. I never thought that’s where I’d end up as Minister and as a parent of a child with a disability, taking cards off children with a disability.” “I’m very glad that situation was rectified before I left, in terms that it stopped and a review group was put in place.” He briefly broke down when speaking about his second son, Jamie who was diagnosed
“Investment in children is the biggest return that you will ever get” - Dr. James Reilly TD with autism. He voice quivered as he told D’Arcy, “I hope I can hold it together for this. I sat at the end of the bed and I still remember, I suppose, crying there
with my wife, as we looked at our beautiful boy.” He continued, “We thought his future was gone, but thankfully we were wrong. The one message I would give to parents is, let nobody set a limit on your child’s horizon. We were told that he was mentally handicapped. We were told not to worry. “We went to England and we got him assessed there. We were told he did have autism. The mistake made by the psychologist unfortunately was that he used a verbal tool to assess a non verbal child. And when he started talking at five, the doors started opening,” he said. A proud Dr Reilly then spoke of the determination of his son in coping with his condition. “He got to go to normal school when he was 11 and he’s progressed from there. He’s got an honours degree from Trinity in genetics and a masters in biotechnology from Queens and he’s studying for a PhD in autism and stem cell research,” he said. Continued on page 16
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told the County Leader, Brave little Molly McNally, “Her recovery was the six-year-old Balbriggan girl, who exceptional and all her had a vital bone counts were up. We marrow transplant never doubted her operation at Crumlin courage, determinaChildrens Hospital tion and spirit, which recently, is now back brought her through home with her family this with flying in Balbriggan. colours,” he said. Both Her parents, Emma and Emma and Gerry were Gerry are understand- Molly McNally fulsome in their praise able delighted to have their for Crumlin Hospital and the little girl back home at last. wonderful care they provided Brave Molly underwent very for Molly. “There’s nowhere tough chemotherapy prior to else in the world that we would her operation. A relieved Gerry have chosen to take care of
Molly. Her consultant, Cormac Owens and his excellent team left nothing to chance and we cannot praise them enough,” said Gerry. “Molly is understandably delighted to be back home with her family and she is in great spirits. We had to return to the hospital last Thursday for a visit, but everything worked out fine. Whilst Molly is at home, we still have to keep a careful eye on her, for fear of infection,” he said. Meanwhile keep a look-out for any upcoming fundraisers in aid of the Molly McNally Miracle Trust as your support will be vital in securing much needed treatment for Molly.
SUPPORT DEMANDED FOR FISHING COMMUNITY Local Sinn Fein councillor, Malachy Quinn has called for more support for dwindling fishing communities throughout the North County. He was about the issue speaking at the Party Ard Fheis in Derry recently. “All along the coast of the North County there are fishing communities struggling to make a living, the continuous attacks on Irish Fishing Quotas by Europe over the years have brought the Industry to its knees. The lack of real leadership on the issue by previous Governments & MEPs have only served to facilitate Cllr. Quinn this,” Quinn said. “That said, I am concerned that the fishing industry is not attractive to young people throughout the locality due to decades of neglect by successive Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour governments, who have continuously ignored coastal communities,” he continued. “Sinn Féin has a strong team at home and in Europe, and with my colleagues Matt Carthy MEP for Midland’s North West, our fisheries spokesperson in the Dáil Martin Ferris TD and Minister Michelle O’Neill, we will continue to address these issues and stand up for Irish fishermen and coastal communities in the North County and beyond,” Quinn concluded determinedly.