By Veronica Corr
“I don’t believe in miracles anymore.” These were the poignant words of Damian Ryczan, after he found out that his daughter Amelia, who suffers from Battens Disease, would not be able to receive a life-prolonging operation in the United States.
The Polish family now living in Foxfield, Carrickmacross, were devasted by the news that the procedure their four year-old daughter was due to undergo, which involved the drilling of holes into her skull, was no longer an option.
Amelia, her mother Tamara and a family friend, flew to America …

BIRTHDAYS don’t come around every day, and that is especially true for Jack Drumm, who despite turning 12-years-old yesterday, February 29th, only celebrated his third birthday, as he was born on leap day in the millennium year!
By happy coincidence, Ryan Tubridy visited Monaghan yesterday and broadcast his popular 2FM morning radio show from the Westenra Arms Hotel.
Monaghan was the second stop on Tubridy’s Greet on the Street national tour. The popular broadcaster was very approachable and every bit as warm as his public persona portrays.
His down to earth …

By Laura Anderson
Last weekend saw large crowds visit the Monaghan Business and Trade Fair held at the Four Seasons Hotel for the second year running.
Over the Saturday and Sunday over 50 local exhibitors displayed their goods and services at the show, which was organised to help promote local business and to encourage the people of County Monaghan to shop local.
Once again the show proved to be a great success as visitors enjoyed the free entertainment, Farmers Market and vintage motor display on Sunday organised by Kevin Boylan of Scotshouse.
A vast …

The Irish Valuation Office was unable to consider reducing the valuation of commercial and industrial properties for rates on the grounds of a downturn of business, the members of Monaghan Co Council were informed at their February meeting.
Members received a presentation from Mr Coleman Forkan, Valuation Office Team Leader, who outlined to them the process by which the valuation for commercial rates was determined and detailed the revaluation programme that his office would be putting into place in future years across the country and which he stated would …

Monaghan Co Council agreed on Monday to seek an urgent meeting with Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton in an initiative to boost employment creation in the county by heightening its profile as a magnet for inward investment.
A discussion generated by a motion of urgent business from the Sinn Féin grouping heard strong criticism of the Industrial Development Authority for what members perceived as the IDA’s virtual neglect of the county as a location for new enterprise and investment.
The unanimously supported SF motion read: …

By Veronica Corr
Prompt action by fire crews prevented the spread to other premises of a fire that broke out in Chinese Acupuncture and Care, Dawson Street, Monaghan on Tuesday last.
Dermot Brannigan, Acting Chief Fire Officer, credited the early detection, reporting and fast response of the fire brigade, as reasons why the fire didn’t spread to neighbouring premises.
Two units from Monaghan and one unit from Ballybay responded to the call, and a total of eighteen fire fighters from the retained service were on-site. Multiple breathing apparatus units were used.
There was …

Irish gymnast Kieran Behan, who qualified for the 2012 Olympic Games last week, has strong connections with County Monaghan. Behan, whose mother Bernie (née Gavan) comes from Newbliss, sealed his place at the London games when finishing fourth in the floor final at the Olympic test event. The story of Behan’s journey to become only the second Irish gymnast to reach the Olympics is an inspirational one, as he has overcome serious adversity through the years.
 Aged just ten, Behan had a benign tumour removed from his thigh and the operation …

Elaine Alexander, affectionately know as Shooter to her friends, has been crowned as Northern Ireland’s Adventure Icon as voted for by the public during the recent OutdoorNI.com Awards in association with Surf Mountain.
Miss Alexander, who last year successfully circumnavigated Ireland by Kayak in a fundraising challenge for the Share Holiday Village in Lisnaskea, won over forty percent of all votes in this much coveted category.
Upon receiving the award Miss Alexander said, “It is really lovely to be recognised by the public in this category. There were some outstanding individuals nominated …

Plans to convert the former Customs and Excise building on Monaghan Town’s Armagh Road into a business enterprise centre are to be pursued at Government Ministerial level by Monaghan Town Council.
The Council agreed at its December meeting to the terms of a motion from the Sinn Féin members seeking a meeting with Ministers John Perry and Richard Bruton to outline the opportunity that exists for the development of the proposal, which has been mooted strongly by Colr Sean Conlon in recent times.
The SF motion said that …

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said “Don’t be afraid. I bring you good news.” Luke 2,8-10
Those words are probably very familiar to you. Perhaps some of them are even more familiar than you may think.
 If someone asked you what were the most frequently repeated words in the whole Bible, what …