Ex-Boyzone star shines in Buncrana 12.10.07

ACTOR and former Boyzone star Keith Duffy was in Buncrana yesterday to officially open the new iCARE respite and activity centre. The former Corrie cast member, whose daughter Mia has autism, attracted a large crowd to the event which was also attended by the Mayor of Buncrana, Cllr. Paul Bradley, local councillors and clergy.
	The Dublin-born celebrity congratulated the iCARE committee in getting closer to their long-held dream of providing a permanent autism centre in Inishowen. He said Ireland's Constitution needed to recognise the educational requirements of all children. It currently entitled
every child to an education, he said, but this needed to be changed to "appropriate education" to differentiate between the educational needs of the mainstream and children with special needs. He said he was so impressed with the special needs services provided by the local primary school, Scoil Iosagain, including its music therapy sessions, that he would be encouraging other educationalists to come and visit the school and see for themselves.

iCARE spent more than €56,000 buying prefabs for its new centre located at Ballymacarry. Their ultimate aim, however, is to build a permanent centre in the future. Yesterday's official opening, compered by broadcaster Frank Galligan, concluded a busy week for the iCARE team and followed its gala fashion show the previous night. The show was held to raise funds to help run the Ballymacarry centre and build a permanent autism respite and activity centre at a future date.
Some funds from the gala event will also go to Scoil Iosagain for their ongoing work with iCARE (Inishowen Children's Autism Related Education) For more photos click here .
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