Local community rallies to back Marc
By Maurice Garvey
THE Ballyfermot community rallied once again to support a vulnerable neighbour – raising funds which will go towards speech and occupational therapy services for a young boy with Down’s syndrome.
The event was organised by Emer Mullen, who last week won an appeal with the Department of Education, to reinstate her special needs son Marc (11) back into school after he was suspended for behavioural issues last February.
Emer, from Gurteen Road, Ballyfermot, battled for months to reinstate Marc, after his suspension from Stewarts Hospital, in Palmerstown.
After making a public appeal in February, the family received “brilliant support from the community,” said Emer.
Emer said: “The fundraiser went fantastic. My friends did a great job. I’m blessed with them for organising the event, and the prizes were really nice too. The total amount raised is not known yet.
“The Sinn Féin office were great, and nearly every business provided a raffle prize. Two lads – David Reilly and Christopher Morrison – provided funds for Marc from the sale of a horse raffled off to stud.”
