BRIDIE EARNS PAPAL AWARD
APRIL 2003
TIRELESS work on behalf of Redeemer parish and community earns papal recognition for Bridie Gartlan, Ard Easmuinn, when she is awarded a Bene Merenti medal by Archbishop Seán Brady.
She is a dedicated worker since the early days of the parish after being invited onto the parish council by Fr Owen Sweeney.
Bridie is involved in the Ministry of the Eucharist, Ministry of the Word, as well as the summer youth project.
She sits on a number of committees at diocesan level and does a lot of work on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society, and in 2000 is named overall winner in the Co. Louth people of the year awards.
A number of priests who serve in the parish over the years attend a ceremony and Mass in the Redeemer church.
Administrator Fr Eamonn McCamley says ‘Bridie is very deserving of the award, which is a great honour for her and the parish’. PARENTS from St Brigid’s School, Ard Easmuinn picket outside Dáil Éireann.
They protest against the failure of Minister Hanafin to give their children the same tuition time for practical subjects as their mainstream peers preparing for state exams.
The St Brigid’s students, who have learning disabilities, get significantly less tuition time.
‘We are disappointed that no local TDs come out to us, but feel we make an impact anyway,’ says spokesperson for the group, Orla McBride.
‘Labour’s Rúairí Quinn is planning on posing our question, ‘Why is St Brigid’s School being discriminated against?’ in the Dáil, but Mary Hanafin runs out of time and cannot take any more questions.
‘A new Taoíseach is being elected, so there are plenty of people around. A lot of people see us, and that is one of the main objectives to highlight the issue,’ Orla continues.
‘ This is only the beginning. We’ve started to put pressure on the Government to do something about it.’