A female walker has raised concerns about a man who followed her along a popular walkway in suspicious circumstances in Poyntzpass last night.

Victoria Fleming took to social media to highlight her sinister experience near the scenic Acton Lake on Monday evening.

“When walking from Acton Lake back to Poyntzpass, I got followed by a male in his twenties wearing a bauble hat, hoodie and tracksuit bottoms,” she explained.

After a period of time past and growing increasingly uncomfortable Victoria slowed up before stopping to let the man walk past, but much to her alarm, the man kept turning around and staring at her after passing.

She added: “This continued for a while until a few people passed and I stopped to take a photo.

“A lady passed me and she knew something was up and at this stage he disappeared. I continued to walk on and only the lady sensed something was wrong she had stopped.

Victoria said she continued to walk a little further but spotted the stranger hiding in a bush in a field just off the path.

In a desperate attempt to flee, she ran towards the lady who had passed and stopped moments before.

The man himself ran towards Poyntzpass “but looking behind him” as he did, she said.

“I don’t know whether he was going to rob me or what but he was rummaging around in the front of his trousers.

“I am just glad this lady sensed something was up. Please make people aware.”

Cusher DUP Councillor Gareth Wilson stated: “This is a concerning issue on what is a very well used canal towpath.

“People should be free to walk or cycle this route in peace and safety and I understand the PSNI has been informed of this incident.”

He added: “The information has been widely circulated on social media and this widespread awareness is useful for everyone. I trust that the PSNI can fully investigate these concerns as soon as possible.”

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A cyclist who crashed his bicycle in a last ditch attempt to avoid a runner along the new trails in Gosford Forest Park dislocated several extremities.

Jackie Anderson suffered a number of painful injuries, including a dislocated toe and thumb; the former so severe he was forced to have a minor operation in hospital.

Mr Anderson displayed his injuries on social media in a bid to highlight what he says is a problem along the new trails in Gosford.

Explaining how his injuries occurred, the keen cyclist said he met a runner on the bike trails, and as the runner allegedly run in front of him, he was forced into a last-ditch evasive manoeuvre, however, the slippery planks on the bridge meant he took a excruciating tumble.

“As usual I was told I was in the wrong on a bike only trail,” he explained. “I pointed out the sign to her and she said ‘I run here all the time’; that is all I have for it.”

Commenting on the issue, Cusher DUP councillor Alderman Gareth Wilson issued a general safety message.

“Gosford is a popular facility and is growing in popularity every week,” he said.

“With this rise in usage, especially on the trails, all users need generally to be aware of the trail they are on and its designation.

“People also must be alert to other users and as the new off-roader karts will be utilising trails at certain times, there will be extra traffic to contend with.

“I would also urge people if listening to music whilst on their bike or jogging, to ensure they can still hear oncoming users and be able to react.

“As in any outdoor facility, being alert and following the code helps everyone enjoy this large forest environment.”

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A Keady woman who caused an accident after travelling too fast round a bend on a narrow road has been handed three penalty points.

Court heard the 22-year-old initially believed she was not at fault but now accepted liability given the position of skid marks on the road.

Rebecca Nugent, of Rathmoyle Park, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

It was heard that on April 10, at 4.15pm, police were alerted to a road traffic accident involving a BMW and a Peugeot 207 on the Marlacoo Beg Road, Markethill.

Officers did not attend the scene as it was said to be a damage only collision.

However, the injured party, who had been the driver of the BMW, later contacted police to say their child had suffered a seatbelt injury.

Officers then attended the scene taking photographs and sketches.

Prosecution stated: “The defendant had been travelling too fast on a blind bend and collided with the injured party’s vehicle.

“The skid marks show how she swerved onto a bank but was not able to avoid the collision.”

During interview, Nugent denied being at fault claiming the injured party had been travelling at too high a speed.

Defence counsel stated: “The defendant is a domiciliary care worker. She had been on her way to a client’s house when the accident occurred.

“This road is narrow and the accident occurred in a bend.”

He added: “She had been of the opinion that the injured party was travelling too fast but given the position of the skid marks on the road she accepts her liability.

“She was fully cooperative with police and given her job her licence is very important to her.”

Nugent was handed three penalty points and ordered to pay a fine of £75, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within eight weeks.

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At least two cars have been involved in a serious road traffic collision on the main Armagh-Newry Road, near Markethill, this evening (Sunday).

The crash, at Parrs Lane junction, happened shortly before 9pm.

One eye-witness, speaking to Armagh I, described the scene as serious and advised motorists to avoid the area.

She said there were at least two cars involved, with a lot of debris strewn across the carriageway.

Emergency services had not yet arrived by 9pm, but several vehicles had stopped, with a number of people offering assistance at the roadside.

One member of the public was seen to be directing traffic.

The seriousness of the collision remains unknown at present but avoid the area if possible this evening.

There are no further details at this stage. This story will be updated as and when more information becomes available.

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A 15-year plan to fill in and make safe a flooded and disused Markethill quarry could soon be kicking into action.

It will, that is, if Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council gives the nod.

It will be no easy or fast task in getting the job done, the ultimate aim of which will be to create land fit for future development.

Building industry supplier F McCone and Sons Ltd has submitted a planning application for the work in relation to Coolmillish Quarry.

The Markethill-based applicant is seeking approval for “quarry restoration by way of inert material infilling and associated ancillary infrastructure/site works”.

The quarry in question – on lands at Coolmillish Road – has not been used for extraction since the 1990s.

The huge water-filled chasm is 25 metres deep at its centre.

And it will take over 60,000 tonnes of ‘inert materials’ to fill it in.

To transport that, the operation would require 20 lorry loads of material being brought to the site each day, five days a week for the next 15 years!

That represents, in terms of volume, over 700,000 cubic metres of materials.

This would be ferried to the site in skips and tally about 200 cubic metres a day.

According to a transport assessment, the current access to the site from the Coolmillish Road is positioned in such a way that “visibility splays are limited”, by vegetation to the left and a dip to the right.

With 40 lorry movements a day expected – both in and out of the site – the proposal therefore includes a new access too.

A pre-application consultation event for this major undertaking was held in the Old Courthouse in Markethill last November, with the applicant, members of  the professional team – including architect and agent – there to answer questions from members of the public.

And those members of the public who did attend were supportive of the application to restore the land and fill in the now flooded quarry – around 25 metres down at its deepest point – as they felt it was “unsafe”.

It was explained that clay, bricks and concrete were among the materials which would be used to fill the quarry and the site – after planning approval would be given – would be regulated by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

The work will also require a site office and weighbridge and ‘quarantine’ area, dictated by NIEA.

Papers submitted to council explain the process: “Incoming material will firstly pass through the weighbridge/wheel-wash and will proceed for visual inspection and verification by the site operator before being directed to the respective fill area.

“In the unlikely event incoming loads contain any unauthorised waste material, it will be removed at this stage and placed in the quarantine area for collection and disposal off-site.

“Additional mobile plant will be used on site to move and grade the fill material.

“Once infilling is completed the site will be topsoiled and sown in grass.”

A nearby watercourse has historically received groundwater discharge from the quarry site and it has been proposed that this will be used during the ‘dewatering’, at a rate to be agreed NI Rivers Agency and NI Environment Agency.

The plan is to return the site to a “safe and alternative use”.

Hedgerows, which would have been there prior to the land being used to quarry, will be reinstated.

An access and design statement highlights the final goal, as it concludes: “The proposal will take a former hard rock quarry and restore it to developable land with associated economic and employment benefits.”

The full planning application is now with ABC Coucil and is publicly advertised this week.

A decision will be expected in due course.

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Council officers this week took to cycling across all the bike trails in Gosford following concerns over their misuse in recent weeks.

Cyclists have been complaining that pedestrians – and especially runners – have been using the trails, putting theirs, and others safety at risk.

Just last week, cyclist Jackie Anderson suffered multiple injuries when he crashed in an attempt to avoid a runner of the bike trails.

The issue was raised with Council officers by DUP Alderman Gareth Wilson on Tuesday.

“I have raised the issue of pedestrians using the bike only trails again and officers cycled all the routes on Tuesday and took time to chat to anyone walking/running a dedicated bike trail – most knew they were on a bike trail,” councillor Wilson explained.

“So that opens up another avenue of education required which officers will be really focusing on. Signage will also be revisited.”

He added: “There are more measures coming which will help the overall operation. I would ask that everyone just has that extra bit of awareness whilst on the trails  as has been said they are attractive for people to explore hence why walkers are wandering down them.

“I’m regularly checking and feeding in the queries with Council and will continue to update in due course.

“Staff are listening and are very committed to making this work as smoothly as possible.”

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An alleged unfit driver accused of causing the death of a man found lying at the side of the road in Markethill three years ago is to contest that he has a case to answer, a judge heard on Tuesday.

Although a preliminary enquiry, the legal process necessary to refer all cases towards to the Crown Court, for 41-year-old John McBurney has been scheduled at Armagh Magistrates Court, his defence solicitor told District Judge Peter King he was seeking to contest whether there was sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case.

However, he added that the submissions in the Preliminary Investigation could likely be dealt with by skeleton arguments without the need for oral evidence.

In all criminal cases destined for the more senior Crown Court, the judge must be satisfied there is a case for the defendant to answer.

In a preliminary enquiry, the defence concede there is such a case whereas in a preliminary investigation, the prosecution must produce submissions, statements or call evidence in order to satisfy a judge to the requisite standard.

McBurney, from Green Park Avenue in Markethill, faces a single count of causing the death of David James Shields by driving carelessly and while unfit between June 11 and June 14 of 2016 on the Shillinghill Road, Markethill, Co Armagh.

The body of the 52-year-old was found lying at the side of the road in what police described at the time as a hut and run incident.

In court today on Tuesday Judge King adjourned the case to September 17.

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An Armagh man who ate four doughnuts whilst he walked around a Markethill supermarket has been handed a conditional discharge and a bill for £8.

The 24-year-old’s solicitor told court the defendant committed this offence whilst “living a very chaotic lifestyle during which he was living hand to mouth”.

James Livingstone, of Battleford Road, pleaded guilty to theft and disorderly behaviour at Armagh Magistrates’ on Tuesday.

It was heard that these offences related to two separate incidents which occurred earlier this year.

On April 1, at around 12.50pm, police responded to reports of males fighting on Culdee Crescent in Armagh.

Officers arrived and asked the males to move along but the defendant, who appeared intoxicated, became aggressive towards police.

This occurred in front of a primary school and Livingstone’s behaviour continued despite him being warned.

As a result the defendant was cautioned for disorderly behaviour.

On July 11, at around 8.30pm, a staff member at J D Hunter’s Supermarket in Markethill observed Livingstone eat four doughnuts as he walked around the store,

The manager approached the defendant after watching him eat the final doughnut.

Livingstone admitted to eating four doughnuts, when asked to pay the defendant said that he would drop the money for them in the next week.

The manager then noted something in Livingstone’s pocket, he was asked what it was and revealed it was a packet of sweets, these were retrieved and fit for resale.

Later that evening the defendant was cautioned for the offence and during interview at Dungannon Custody Suite on July 12 made no comment.

Defence solicitor Jarlath Fields stated: “Clearly one of these offence was a spectacle for members of the public, he has asked me to apologise to the court as this was an altercation between him and other people.

“In relation to the theft, this arose whilst Mr Livingstone was living a very chaotic lifestyle during which he was living hand to mouth”.

He continued: “He had went to the shop because he was hungry and started eating, he instructs that he had become a patron of this shop over a number of weeks which led to him being well known to the shop owner.

“He had said that he would pay for the goods the next week and that had been his intention, however, it is unacceptable to just left and eat what you want”.

Mr Fields added: “He has a significant record although not very much for acts of dishonesty, he has now got full time employment and resumed contact with his long term partner and their child”.

Livingstone was handed a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £8 compensation for the four doughnuts.

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Two women were taken to hospital following a collision in Markethill earlier this morning (Monday).

The two-vehicle crash happened on the Coolmillish Road around 7.45am.

Emergency services were called to the scene with fire crews, police and ambulance crews all in attendance.

One eye-witness, speaking to Armagh I, said: “The crash looked like a pretty bad one as both cars were absolutely wrecked but it looked like everyone was relatively okay.”

The injured women were taken to hospital with their injuries not thought be serious at this time.

The road was closed for a period while the vehicles were recovered and re-opened shortly after 9am.

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A Markethill man who collided with another vehicle after drink driving has been handed a 12 month disqualification.

The 29-year-old’s barrister told court the defendant made the “foolish decision” to drive after failing to procure a lift from his sister.

Feilim Livingstone, of Mowhan Road, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and having a defective tyre at Craigavon Magistrates’ on Wednesday.

Prosecution outlined that on July 9, at around 2.40am, police received a report that a silver van had collided with a car on West Street, Portadown, and that the male driver appeared to be drunk.

When officers arrived a witness identified the defendant as the driver of the van.

Police noted that Livingstone smelled strongly of intoxicating liquor and the keys to the vehicle were found in his pocket.

A preliminary breath test was carried out resulting in a fail and he was subsequently arrested.

Whilst in custody, an evidential sample gave a reading of 72mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

Upon inspection the van was also found to have two defective front tyres.

Defence barrister Conor Coulter stated: “This was a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity, Mr Livingstone had gone to a public house to pay a mechanic for work done to the van for an upcoming MOT.

“He then had a few drinks in the pub, he had tried to organised a lift from his sister but was unsuccessful which led to him making the foolish decision to drive”.

He added: “This was an error of judgment during a tough time in his personal life, he works as a car spray painter and will require his partner to take him to work”.

Livingstone was disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay a fine of £300, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 16 weeks.

He was certified for the drink driving course which would see his ban reduced to one of nine months if completed.

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An Armagh man has been handed a three year ban for his second drink driving related offence in 10 years.

Court heard the 52-year-old had taken a “chance” according to his barrister after drinking following a round of golf at a local club.

Geoffrey Thomas Gray, of Outlack Road, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol at the City’s Magistrates’ on Tuesday.

Prosecution outlined that on September 22, at 4.35pm, police on patrol of the Markethill area had reason to stop the defendant driving a Ford Focus on the Gosford Road.

Upon speaking to Gray officers noted a that he smelled strongly of alcohol.

A preliminary breath test was carried out resulting in a fail and the defendant was subsequently arrested.

Whilst at Banbridge Custody Suite, an evidential sample of breath was taken giving a reading of 81mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

Defence barrister Conor Coulter stated: “This was a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity; the difficulty is that Mr Gray, on April 5 of 2016, was convicted of a similar offence.

“Your worship will be aware that the defendant spent four days in custody after he made concerning comments to police regarding his mental health.”

He continued: “This has been a significant time of personal turmoil for Mr Gray; his marriage has broken down and he has been forced to sell the family home and farm.

“He instructs that he had been invited out to play golf with a friend at the Tandragee Golf Club, he had a few drinks afterwards, and took a chance driving home”.

District Judge Paul Copeland commented: “This offence in 2016 is within the 10 year period which triggers the mandatory three year disqualification”.

Gray was disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to pay a fine of £300, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 12 weeks.

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There are plans to upgrade the caravan and motorhome facilities in Gosford Forest Park.

The ABC Council’s leisure committee has agreed to to upgrade the caravan and motor home toilet block in Gosford and also renovate a building to provide a more up to date user-friendly community space and meeting/training room on the site.

DUP Cusher councillor Alderman Gareth Wilson said it was “another positive development” and was a “practical response to customer feedback”.

“I am delighted that whilst this work is being factored into Council spend, further outside sourced funding has been applied for, which if successful, will certainly assist in delivering these further works,” said councillor Wilson.

“Having a more up to date and user friendly large space for events such as birthday parties or for training and other uses will be a real benefit for the whole facility.

“This will also compliment the exciting and popular All Out Trekking service delivery.

“It will see a heating system installed and other improvements to make the current space more user friendly.”

He added: “Visiting the site on a number of occasions and seeing the caravan and motor home pitch area being well used and busy is very positive and the plans to upgrade the toilets and showering area serving this zone will be another very useful development and will add real value to the visitor experience.

“This improvement work will be continuing right across the site and as a public representative for the area I know I very much value all the public feedback from Park users and the hard work of council Officers.

“ABC Council has a great vision for Gosford and the site is already benefiting from development and with more exciting projects in the pipeline it will go from strength to strength.”

The Leisure Committee recommendation for works will proceed to full Council on October 21 for final ratification.

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A community is reeling after the latest in a series of high profile thefts saw two pick-up trucks stolen overnight on Monday.

Two Volkswagen Amarok vehicles were stolen overnight from Markethill with registrations NXZ1213 and FXZ7507.

Newry and Armagh DUP MLA William Irwin has slammed those responsible for the theft of three pick-ups within a mile and a half radius.

Mr Irwin said police are fully aware of the incidents which happened on the Markethill Road and Mullurg Road and believe an organised crime gang are responsible or a series of thefts.

“I am aware that a Ford Ranger was taken from a farm on the Markethill Road Portadown in recent weeks and also two VW Amorak pickups were taken from a farm on Mullurg Road last night which is very concerning for the owners of these vehicles,” said Mr Irwin.

“I understand that in another location in the district a BMW jeep was abandoned with the occupants fleeing, which may provide an important lead for PSNI teams to follow.

“Rural crime continues to be real concern in our district and these recent thefts only add to the concern being generated locally amongst the farming community.

“It is understandably alarming that an organised crime gang can move around the area and target farm yards in this manner.”

He concluded: “I would appeal to everyone to be extra alert especially as we move into the darker evenings and ensure all reasonable steps are taken to secure vehicles and machinery.

“I would also appeal to the public to be extra vigilant and report any suspicious vehicles or activity immediately to the PSNI. It is important that the PSNI apprehend those behind this crime spree and put them before the courts.”

Please contact Police on 101, quoting reference 76 of 15/10/19, if you spot either of these.

As ever, with the nights drawing in, please remember to keep all property safe and secure.

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A Markethill man who refused to submit to a breath test after veering off the road has been handed an 18-month disqualification.

The 43-year-old’s legal representative told court: “He had been promised work at a hotel in Banbridge but when he arrived he was informed there was no work and he made the stupid decision to start drinking in the bar.”

Paul Chambers, of Bunker Hill, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen of breath at Banbridge Magistrates’ Court – sitting at Newry – last Thursday.

Prosecution outlined that on September 13, at around 8pm, police were called to one vehicle collision on the Lisnagade Road in Banbridge.

Upon arrival officers were waived down by a neighbour who had witnessed the incident.

He said the care had left the road and traveled 200 feet landing in an adjacent garden.

Police approached the car noting that the engine was still running, they noted a strong smell of alcohol as they observed the defendant in the front seat.

Chambers told the officers that he had not been the driver of the car and that they had made off.

A preliminary breath test was carried out on the defendant which resulted in a fail, he was subsequently arrested and taken to Banbridge Custody Suite.

Whilst there, Chambers twice refused to submit a sample of breath for testing and we charged for the offence before the court after he sobered up.

Defence counsel stated: “Mr Chambers was a podiatrist by trade but lost his job and is now a carer for his 99-year-old grandmother.

“On the day in question he had been promised work at a hotel in Banbridge but when he arrived he was informed there was no work and he made the stupid decision to start drinking in the bar”.

He continued: “He was left without a way home, he is very lucky to be here today after making this stupid decision and he panicked as he knew he had been caught when police arrived.

“He has met this face on and accepts that he did not act appropriately at the scene. He instructs me he took back roads which he was not familiar with as there was a parade in Banbridge.”

Deputy District Judge Sean O’Hare said: “You are due credit for your early plea and your clear record, unfortunately given behaviour at the scene and at the police station the court has no idea how much alcohol you had consumed.”

Chambers was disqualified from driving for 18 months and was ordered to pay a fine of £250, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 20 weeks.

The defendant was certified for the drink driving course which would see his ban reduced by one quarter if completed.

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A Markethill man and his wife-to-be were left stunned been jilted by a hotel where they planned to host the supposed happiest day of their lives.

It comes after the closure – without warning – of the Balmoral Hotel in Warrenpoint last month, just six months after it was taken over by new management.

Judy Campbell (35) and fiance Adam Wallace (33) had put down a £1,000 deposit in March of this year after setting the date for December 7 at the hotel.

The bride-to-be told the Belfast Telegraph that news of the hotel’s closure was relayed to her by her fiance’s sister.

“I didn’t believe it. I thought there had obviously been some mistake so I started phoning but the line was dead,” she said.

Judy said she had met the new owners and even met with organisers with regards decorations, with last correspondence being via email just two weeks prior to the closure.

She did make contact with the previous owner, who she gave the deposit, but was informed that all documents were in the possession of his solicitor.

“My primary focus had to be the wedding, which is in seven weeks’ time, so I spent the next 24 hours frantically trying to find an alternative venue,” said Judy.

“It wasn’t easy. Thankfully the Kilmorey Arms in Kilkeel was able to help us out but I had to move the date to December 6, a day earlier, and that meant we lost the photographer.”

Apart from “losing £1,500 of our hard-earned cash”, Judy said the “hardest thing to take” was the lack of communication about the hotel closure.

Judy commented: “We’ve been told absolutely nothing”.

In a statement the company that took over the management of The Balmoral Hotel from March to September this year said: “It is very sad news, however, we were not in receipt of any money from previous management who couples had paid up to weeks before we took over.”

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The former police station and livestock sales yard in the centre of Markethill is to be demolished to make way for a multi-million pound commercial development.

Plans, which have been lodged by RHAS Properties, outlines ambitions to transform the now derelict site into an all-encompassing retail/commercial space, with a café on the main Mowhan Road – opposite the JD Hunter supermarket.

The development will have community at its heart, with the former police station site also making way for a car park.

The livestock mart has been vacant since October 2013 and the old police station is currently being used as a temporary car park.

In 2011, the police station went on the market for £200,000 before the Markethill Livestock Mart moved to Cladymilltown Road in 2013, replacing both the old town centre mart and the former Newtownhamilton Livestock Mart.

The police station was one of 26 rural stations across Northern Ireland earmarked for closure by the Policing Board in August 2009.

The application has been lodged with the planners at Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, with a decision expected before the end of the year.

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A number of police searches were carried out across Co Armagh in relation to the discovery of 39 bodies in the back of a lorry in Essex on Wednesday morning.

A 25-year-old man from Co Armagh is still being questioned by police.

The PSNI carried out raids on two houses associated with the 25-year-old – one in Markethill, and another in Laurelvale.

The National Crime Agency said it had sent officers to assist and identify any “organised crime groups who may have played a part”.

Ambulance staff discovered the bodies in the lorry at Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays just after 1.30am on Wednesday. The lorry and trailer left the port at Purfleet shortly after 1.05am.

Essex police said the tractor unit (the front part of the lorry) came from Northern Ireland and picked up the trailer from Purfleet.

They also began a murder inquiry yesterday as they attempted to establish who the migrants were and which country they had travelled from.

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Detectives investigating the deaths of 39 Chinese nationals found dead in a lorry trailer in Essex have been give an additional 24 hours to question the Co Armagh lorry driver.

The 25-year-old driver is being questioned following the discovery of the the eight women and 31 men.

Three properties in Co Armagh were search in the last 24 hours in relation to Wednesday morning’s discovery at the Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays.

The properties were in Markethill, Laurelvale and Armagh City.

Police said the driver had picked up the trailer at the port at Purfleet shortly after 1.05am, before ambulance crews were called at 1.30am.

Speaking after Essex Police was granted more time to question Mr Robinson on Thursday, Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills said the “priority is the preserving the dignity of the 39 people who have died and ensuring that we get answers for their loved ones”.

Each of the 39 deceased must undergo a full coroner’s process to establish a cause of death, before police move on to attempting to identify each individual within the trailer.

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The Markethill Action Cancer Community Group, spearheaded by its Chair, Aubrene Willis, is celebrating raising a phenomenal £8k for Action Cancer.

The Markethill Group was one of the first Action Cancer community groups formed when Dr George Edelstyn founded Action Cancer back in 1973.

At the beginning the group helped to raise funds for charities Action Cancer, Cancer Research and Combat Cancer year about and has been active in the community for the last 45 years.

Aubrene’s involvement with the group began when her friend Lucy was diagnosed with cancer and was being treated by Dr Edelstyn in Belfast.

Lucy wanted to help raise money for Dr Edelstyn’s work and for those other people who needed treatment.

Initially this was done through placement of boxes in shops and also through money raised in lieu of flowers and also hosting social events.

Sadly, Lucy passed away but prior to that she asked Aubrene to continue to raise money for Action Cancer – a promise that Aubrene has upheld and has continued to fundraise now for over four decades.

In fact, Action Cancer have already recognised her longevity and dedication to the charity and the group has raised over £100k since then.

Aubrene recalls the early days in the group’s history: “It wasn’t easy fundraising for a cancer charity at that time as people didn’t talk about the disease in the way they do today.

“For our first big event I took it upon myself to run a dinner dance in Drumsill House in Armagh for Action Cancer and the group helped me.

“In those days’ women didn’t attend funerals or pubs, in fact it was even odd for people to see the local grocer without his white coat!”

Action Cancer operates the UK’s first 3D digital breast cancer screening and provides free breast screening to 10,000 women each year aged 40-49 or 70 plus (outside of NHS screening age range). The Charity also provides free health checks for men and women aged 16+ which includes blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol, and body composition analysis. Action Cancer also operates the ‘Big Bus’ which is a mobile screening service.

All of Action Cancer’s services are free to the user but the charity receives no external funding and exists solely through public fundraising.

Furthermore, all monies raised for the charity remains within Northern Ireland and is used to help people here who are affected by cancer. As a result, fundraising by Community Groups such as Markethill, through volunteering their time, are of vital importance to the charity.

The Markethill Action Cancer Group, is made up of local people who volunteer to organise events and collections, and to raise the profile of the charity and its services. If you feel you’d like to make a difference locally then they would be delighted to hear from you. Contact Groups Executive, Mark Irwin-Watson on 02890 803344 or email
mirwin-watson@actioncancer.org.

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Police have charged a Co Armagh man in connection with the deaths of 39 people whose bodies were found in Grays, Essex on Wednesday.

Maurice Robinson, 25, of Laurel Drive, Craigavon, Northern Ireland was arrested shortly after the discovery was made at the Waterglade Retail Park.

He is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday 28 October charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and money laundering.

Three other people have been arrested in connection with this investigation.

A 38 year-old man and a 38 year-old woman from Warrington and a 48 year-old man from Northern Ireland, who were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to traffic people and manslaughter remain in custody.

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