Still up in the air at Drumalee Church

Nearly three weeks after Storm Éowyn hit, one local parish is still feeling the effects of the winds that ravaged through the country.

St Patrick's Catholic Church in Drumalee has been closed since the storm, with worshippers instead attending 7pm mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Belturbet.

The winds blew "numerous" slates off the roof exposing the inside of the building to the elements, while there was "extensive" damage to guttering on the church. Despite temporary measures put in place to avoid further water damage, the community are still up in the air as to when the church will be open again.

Chairperson of the local Pastoral Parish Council and of the Drumalee Church Committee, Darragh McAvinney, said committee members were speaking with the assessors this week. They "don't know yet" how much repairs will cost or how they will be funded.

"We would be working through the insurers first and foremost to establish what needs to be done and what can be covered.

"Whatever comes in terms of possible shortfall of that we will need to figure that out."

Speaking on supports to fix the building, Darragh said: "It's still undetermined what we have available to us."

In conjunction with Fr Sean McDermott, they decided to move their 7pm Saturday mass to the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Belturbet.

"Obviously for folks who are used to going to Drumalee, it is a bit of an inconvenience."

Despite "disappointment" that the church had to close, he said people are "fully aware" of the reason behind the closure.

He said they would be "happy to see it reopen sooner rather than later once works are completed" however does not know when this will be.