Pilgrims who are travelling out to Lourdes in July as part of the Clogher Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes are invited to a pre-trip get together in St Ronan's Parish Centre, Lisnaskea on Tuesday of next week, 19th June, at 8pm.
At the meeting, travel tickets will be distributed and Canon Joseph Mullin, PP, who is the organiser of the Lourdes Pilgrimage for the diocese will explain to those present details of the itinerary and the programme.
Gender Equality Strategy
The first meeting of the Design Team for the above project will take place on Tuesday, 19th June from 10.30am-1.00pm at Fermanagh House, Broadmeadow, Enniskillen. Individuals and organisations interested in the subject matter are welcome to attend. For further information, please contact Fermanagh Women's Network at Tel: 6634 3814.
Cannabis plants in growbag on deserted island
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of 22 cannabis plants which officers found on Stallion Cowes, a small uninhabited island in Lower Lough Erne.
Police were on boat patrol in the area on 6th June when they received a tip-off that led them to the island near Lusty Beg island. On the island police found 22 cannabis plants cultivated in Growbags. Police said the island was quite inaccessible and could only be reached by small inflatable dingy. Fingerprints and other forensic details were taken at the scene and samples of the plants were also taken. The plants themselves, thought to be worth about £500 each, were destroyed.
Three-day pilgrimage in full swing
The three-day pilgrimage on Lough Derg is now in full swing, having started on 1st June last and continuing until Monday, 13th August, the last batch of pilgrims departing on 15th August.
Pilgrims must be at least 15 years old, be in normal good health and be able to walk and kneel unaided. They must be fasting from midnight prior to their arrival. Due to the all-night Vigil, when night temperatures drop, pilgrims are advised to bring warm and waterproof clothing. The boats bringing the pilgrim on to the island depart from 11am until 3pm daily. The one meal a day requirement, the familiar black tea, toast and plain biscuits, is all they will have to eat until midnight of the third day when they can resume their normal diet. No cameras, mobile phones, etc are permitted on the island. The cost, to be paid on the mainland, is 45 euros or £32.
Chairman's congratulations
The outgoing chairman of Fermanagh District Council, John O'Kane congratulated the West Wing at Crom on coming first in the NI Tourism Awards for Best self-contained non-serving accommodation.
He also noted that Greenbox, a cross-Border environmental group which the Council works with, had been awarded a Highly Commended for development.
Hit and run collision
Police are appealing for witnesses following an incident on the Enniskillen Road shortly after 3am on Monday (11th). A taxi driver was heading out of Irvinestown when an oncoming car on the wrong side of the road clipped his vehicle causing damage across one side. Anyone who was in the area and could help identify the offending driver is asked to contact the station on 0845 600 8000 or 'Crimestoppers' on 0800 555 111.
Bogus caller
Police are investigating an incident on 6th June in which a bogus caller called to a house on the Dromore Road in Irvinestown and asked to take some water samples. A PSNI spokeswoman said the incident happened at about 8.15pm: "The complainant wasn't home at the time, but the door was opened by one of his children. The man, who was driving a grey Citroen Berlingo van, said he was from the Water Service and, upon gaining entry to the house went into the kitchen and filled two Ballygowan bottles with water from the tap.
"The occupant of the house though it was unusual that the Water Service would take water samples in Ballygowan bottles. When the Water Service were subsequently contacted, they also thought this was strange and weren't aware of anyone from their Water Testing division being in the area".
The caller was described as a slim male, about six feet tall with black neat hair and he was unshaven. He was wearing a black polo shirt with 'O'Neill's' on it. . The male didn't go anywhere else in the house except the kitchen.The man talked with a soft Southern accent, possibly a Monaghan, Cavan or Donegal accent.
"We are treating this incident as serious and the complainant is concerned for elderly people living in the area", the spokeswoman added.
