Year in Review 2020: May

By Aideen O’Flaherty

While the country was still reeling from the coronavirus lockdown guidelines as we approached a summer unlike any before it, there was still a strong sense of community spirit and resilience around the county in May.

The streets of Newcastle were alive with the sound of music courtesy of the Retired Active Men’s Social (RAMS) in Rhythm choir, while members of the Newcastle Ladies’ Group line-danced to the music, every second Saturday since lockdown began on Aylmer Road.

Before the pandemic, the choir regularly performed in Tallaght University Hospital, Peamount Hospital and local nursing homes. (May 14 edition)

When Blessington woman Jacinta Walsh (55) was being brought to Tallaght University Hospital by ambulance as she struggled with coronavirus symptoms, she asked the paramedic, ‘Am I going to die?’.

Jacinta – who had pre-existing conditions – beat the odds and recovered – and the staff in Ruttle Ward applauded her when she left the hospital after recovering. (May 21 ­edition)

Clondalkin woman Pauline Byrne wrote poetry every day since lockdown began, documenting the minutiae of life during lockdown.

Her poems garnered an enthusiastic and growing audience, as she posted them online each day shortly after they were written. (May 14 edition)

The Echo also received a letter of commendation from President Michael D. Higgins on the 40th anniversary of the paper, with President Higgins stating that the milestone was being celebrated at a time “when independent and high-quality journalism is required more than ever”.  (May 7 edition)

Former staff of Debenhams Tallaght held a protest outside Level 1 of The Square, calling for a ‘proper’ redundancy package.

Some 100 employees in the Tallaght store lost their jobs after the Irish arm of the retailer went into liquidation. (May 21 edition)

Máirín Hughes celebrated her 106th birthday in the Maryfield Nursing Home in Chapelizod, with a tipple of her favourite sherry and a scrabble-themed cake. (May 28 edition)

Melanie Hill Rutherford, wife of League of Ireland legend Mark Rutherford, died aged 41 after a long battle with cancer. Members of Lucan United formed a guard of honour at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lucan. (May 28 edition)

Pick up your copy of this week’s Echo to read the full Year in Review for May 2020.