JUNE 2003
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Athletic Team from SARS-Countries Not Welcomed in Ireland
DUBLIN - On May 15, Minister for Health Micheal Martin surprised and disappointed many when he announced that he was asking the athletic teams from SARS-affected countries not to travel to Ireland for the Special Olympics in June. Martin was acting on the advice of an expert group chaired by the Government's Chief Medical Officer.
While there were those who approved of the decision, most people seemed to be taken aback with the news that people with learning difficulties were being singled out while other travellers from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines and Singapore are allowed to enter Ireland without restriction.
The fact that the athletes and their support groups would be mixing with thousands of others was given as the differentiating factor, although that should have been offset by the plan for each of the teams to enter voluntary quarantine before travelling.
The World Health Organisation, the Special Olympics Organising Committee and a spokesperson from the headquarters of the Special Olympics movement in the United States, were all critical of the stance being taken by the Government.
Two days earlier the WHO had said it did not support a ban on Chinese athletes travelling to Ireland for the Special Olympics. Speaking from the organization's head office in Geneva, Dr. Mike Ryan said that there are ways of managing the risk.
Bad Joke Backfires for Leitrim Player
An ill-advised joke has caused a major headache for a Leitrim football player, whose team played New York on May 4. Ciaran Murray found himself in trouble at JFK Airport after jokingly suggesting to a check-in agent that a bomb was in one of his bags before departing New York.
He was arrested, searched and detained by security after the remark, but has since returned home. He will have to return to the United States to face legal proceedings at a later date. Through his solicitor, Murray issued a statement apologizing for his behaviour and admitting "how wrong and downright silly this off-the-cuff remark was."
St. Anthony Relics to Draw Huge Crowds
DUBLIN - Thousands of pilgrims are expected to view the remains of one of the world's best loved saints, St. Anthony, when they are brought to Ireland.
The relics of St. Anthony, who died in 1232, will be flown from Padua in Italy on June 5 for a nine-day tour of Dublin and Carlow. Cardinal Desmond
Connell will preside over an official welcoming ceremony.
The Italian Franciscan monk, famous for finding lost objects, is hugely popular throughout the country and is expected to draw even bigger crowds than St. Therese of Lisieux, known as the Little Flower, whose remains drew an estimated one in four Irish people two years ago.
JULY 12 & 13
Bagpipe & Drum Contests Celtic Arts & Crafts Children's Events Celtic Animal Farm Sheepdog Trials Scottish Athletics
U.S. National Scottish Fiddling Competition Highland, Irish & Scottish Country Dancing Best of the Best Saturday Night Celtic Concert Harp Competition Beer Garden
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