Support is welcomed for the big hearted local business which helps the homeless
Dear Sir,
The last few months have been very challenging for everyone in Drogheda. In February the words we all dreaded became a reality, Covid 19 had arrived in Ireland. Within weeks words like social distancing, hand hygiene, quarantine, isolation and cocooning became the ‘norm’ in our daily vocabulary. We all found ourselves in uncharted waters swimming against the tide, being steered by the HSE and politicians alike.
As a frontline worker, I have always found refuge in a local restaurant, the Casanova, a place I unwind with family and friends after a gruelling week in a very busy hospital. I have frequented this restaurant for many years with the result I became good friends with the head chef, Emad.
Emad, formally from Egypt, has lived and worked in Ireland for many years. Indeed, we would not be wrong in assuming that
Emad has Irish blood in him with his red hair and freckles !!.
During one of my visits to the Casanova, a homeless man came into the restaurant for a takeaway coffee, I approached Emad and said I would pay for the beverage. Emad replied “no, no that is free to this man and any other homeless person who needs a drink”. Indeed, Emad informed me that he provides free drink and food to the homeless in Drogheda and occasional shelter especially when the weather is very bad. When the town went into lockdown Emad continued to keep his doors open so the homeless could receive food at the height of the pandemic. This did not come as a surprise to the people of Droghed as Emad is well known and admired by many for his many kind gestures towards the homeless. Emad and his staff have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, providing an exceptional takeaway service to the public and much nutrition to the less well off in society. I feel very privileged, as so many others do, to be a friend of Emads. Like so many other frontline workers Emad and his fantastic team have but the needs of the homeless first and foremost, never asking for anything in return.
How will the citizens of Drogheda ever repay the kindness of Emad and all frontline workers ?
Shop, local, buy local, eat local and stay local. These collective measures can help Drogheda thrive again. Such small measures, are huge for so many people, especially for the homeless of Drogheda. Thank you Emad for all you have done and will continue to do for less well off in our society. Remember not all frontline workers wear capes!
Yours sincerely Jacinta Flanagan Drogheda