By Conor Sharkey

THE hand-wringing wait has begun.

The three month consultation window on Greenfield Home expired at 4pm on Tuesday, just hours after 750 signed objections were handed in at Stormont by this newspaper. Two copies were presented, one to Health Minister Michael McGimpsey and a second to Vice Chair of the Stormont Health Committee, Michelle O'Neill.

Our presentation took place shortly before a delegation of concerned relatives of Greenfield residents arrived at government headquarters to hand in a further 5,876 objections.

Little could the Trust have realised just what an outcry they would provoke when they suggested last year that four residential homes in the West should close.

Since the announcement, Minister McGimpsey has reiterated time and again that in no way is the Trust proposal a done deal and that he will take into consideration all objections lodged during the consultation window.

Mr McGimpsey's final ruling on the future of Greenfield is expected within a matter of weeks. With over 6,000 signatures from the Strabane public, politicians and clergy now on his desk, let us hope the collective voice of our local community is given the respect it deserves.