Homeless Aid benefit from Navan school fundraiser

THE staff, pupils and parents at a Navan school have kept the memory of one of their former pupils alive by making a special donation to an organisation helping homeless people.

John (Johnny) Gallagher from Drumman, Duleek was found unconscious at Mill Lane in Drogheda in October. He was taken by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital but was pronounced dead by medical staff.

John was a former resident of Drogheda Homeless Aid and and everyone there was devastated at his death. He had left the hostel 10 days before his death and it was thought that he had then gone to a squat in the town.

John had been a pupil at St Ultan’s School Navan up to four years ago and this week Acting Principal Karen Byrne, who was one of the teachers who taught John, described him as “very well thought of in the school, a lovable chap who was infectious in his character. He was always trying to build bridges with people and he was always very appreciative of the people who went the extra mile for him”.

Every year, the school organises a major cake sale to raise funds for a charity and for a school. Ms Byrne contacted the Mayor of Navan Cllr Tommy Reilly who suggested a good way to remember John was to make a donation to Drogheda Homeless Aid which offers services to people experiencing homelessness in Louth and Meath. Cllr Reilly said that he admired the work of Drogheda Homeless Aid, which, apart from Louth and Meath County Councils, was the only charitable organisation catering for the homeless in South and Mid-Louth and Meath. “This is a great gesture on the part of St Ultan’s and I’m delighted that the Acting Principal Karen Byrne has gone to so much trouble in organising this gesture.”

Ms Byrne, along with two other teachers and several pupils made a presentation of €1,000 to Paul Murphy representing Drogheda Homeless Aid at a special ceremony in the school, also attended by the Mayor.