Special Olympics Torch Arrives in Dungannon
Publish Date: Thursday, 17 February 2005
Mayor Robert Mulligan welcomed the Special Olympics Torch Run to Dungannon today at a reception held at Dungannon Leisure Centre. Over one hundred special guests including schoolchildren from St Patrick’s Primary School, Dungannon Primary School and Sperrinview Special School greeted torch Runners from the Gardai and PSNI. Guest ‘runners’ from Dungannon’s sporting community was award-winning motorcyclist Ryan Farquhar.
In his greeting, Mayor Mulligan spoke of the lengthy association Dungannon has shared with Special Olympics. He said:
“Special Olympics is obviously very dear to our hearts here in Dungannon and I was delighted last week to attend the launch of the Dungannon Special Olympics Club. I am also very proud to say that over the years our Borough has boasted quite a few Special Olympic Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. “
The Mayor paid tribute to the fundraising efforts of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics:
“We are all very aware that huge costs are involved with running Special Olympic Games and it is thanks to people like you who fundraise with your law enforcement colleagues throughout the world that much needed funding is raised.”
The Mayor also took the opportunity to wish good luck to Dungannon athletes Liam Weir and Finbar Hughes who will represent Team Ireland at the Winter Games in Japan next week:
“As a Council Dungannon & South Tyrone are committed to providing opportunities in sport. And for us it is an encouragement to know we are playing a small part in what is an international programme of year round games. We are also greatly honoured to have Finbar Hughes and Liam Weir travelling to Japan and I would take this opportunity to wish you both all the very best - already you are great sporting heroes in the Borough and I am sure that, yet again, you will do us proud.”
Liam, Finbar and their contemporaries on ‘Team Ireland’ will participate in the Winter Games from February 26th in the ski resort of Mure Village in Japan. Daily progress reports will be available online at www.specialolympics.ie
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