Unfortunately, it has been another weekend of devastation on our roads. The Madden community were plunged into grief as a dark cloud descended on the small Co Armagh village and wider townland on Saturday morning. Patrick Grimley played an integral part of that community; he was the club secretary of the local GAA club. He was also a voice often heard on Armagh GAA TV broadcasts, including this year’s senior final. His passing will leave a void among the GAA fraternity, but most devastatingly, in the family home he shared with his wife, Ciera, and three children. As the community comes to terms with Patrick’s loss, they are also coming together in their prayers and support of Ciera and the two other members of the club who remain in hospital at this time.
It is in these next few days, and those weeks and months ahead, that the meaning of community comes to the fore – the people of Madden have epitomised that in recent days and will no doubt continue to put their arms around those families whose lives have been changed forever.
The same can be said in Newtownhamilton, where Dylan Vallely continues his battle to recover from a road collision t in Camlough, just days before Hallowe’en. The St Michael’s GAA club, where Dylan was recently named Minor Player of the Year, have been front and centre in rallying the community in prayer and support over the last week and a half.
And in Portadown, the family of Sarah Louise McCauley has thanked the local community for their support. The 15-year-old schoolgirl remains in a critical condition in hospital following a crash on Halloween night.
The youngster was a pedestrian and was struck by a car near her home on Scotch Street.
Sarah’s sister Jessica said: “She has severe facial lacerations, a broken nose, multiple fractures and two bleeds in her brain and bleeds on her lung. It has been quite a serious injury to her head, to witness Sarah like that it’s very hard for the family. It’s broke our hearts, the whole family is just distraught over it. Sarah has a long road ahead of her for recovery. Thanks to everyone in the local community and from further away who have kept Sarah in their thoughts and prayers over the last few days.”
And on Sunday night we reported on a four-vehicle collision on the M1. Five people were taken to hospital as a result. Fortunately, the injuries were not serious.
Elsewhere over the last few days, a lorry driver was killed in Monaghan on Monday afternoon, while an 18-year-old man and woman died on their way on the road home from work in Donegal. In Coleraine, 15-year-old Candice Tosh, who was severely injured after she was struck by a car, sadly succumbed to her injuries.
Please, stay safe on the roads, especially as the inclement weather makes conditions much more hazardous.
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