There was festive cheer in Keady over the weekend with the switching on of the Christmas lights.

Hundreds turned out to watch Santa Claus and his helpers to switch on the lights in the centre of the town on Friday night (December 1).

Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Sam Nicholson was on hand to mark the beginning of Christmas in Keady.

Photos by Liam McArdle.

In Pictures: Thousands soak up atmosphere at Georgian Day in Armagh

Watch: 25,000 people flock to Armagh for Georgian Day celebrations

Naíscoil an Chéide, now in its third year, continues to grow from strength to strength.

The Naíscoil has just received their first published ETI inspection report and are delighted to have achieved the highest possible outcome of ‘High Capacity’, in overall effectiveness.

The areas inspected in October 2017 included: outcomes for learners; quality of provision; leadership and management, and these were all deemed to be of a ‘very good’ standard.

The inspectors  go on to report that “both the indoor and outdoor learning environments are stimulating, well-resourced and child-centred.”

Of the Naíscoil staff the report said, “(the staff) plan together a well-balanced educational programme covering all areas of the curriculum” and “have created an effective immersion environment.”

“The dedicated team, work very well together and are committed to continuous staff development that impacts on the overall quality of the naíscoil.”

Due to expanding numbers Naíscoil an Chéide now has three members of staff trained in early years education, all having a high standard of Irish. Naíscoil an Chéide’s ethos is to provide children with a safe, secure and stimulating environment for learning – something the ETI inspectors  recognised during the inspection process and in the report: “the naíscoil’s approach to care and welfare impacts positively on learning, teaching, and outcomes”.

The Naíscoil is holding an open day on Sunday, December 10 from 12pm to 2pm, and the committee and staff would like to extend an invite to all parents and their children to come see the setting for themselves.

Application forms for funded places for September 2018 will be available on the day.

Emergency services are currently dealing with a serious incident in Keady this evening (Monday).

Police have closed off the Annvale Road close to the business centre in the town.

Fire crews are also on scene, with the operation appearing to be focused on the Bachelors Walk – a wooded area with a river just off residential properties.

According to one eye-witness, the road has been closed off, with police officers diverting traffic away from the scene.

There are no further details at this stage but we will be updating this story as information comes in.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area this evening.

Read more: Car catches fire on A1 after driver puts blanket on engine

A building was almost completely gutted following a blaze at a garage in Keady on Monday afternoon.

Firefighters were called to the scene of the incident on Bachelors Walk, just off the Annvale Road area of the town.

According to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), they were called to a mechanical garage which was “well alight” at 2.45pm.

Firefighters prevented the fire from spreading before completely extinguishing the flames.

Approximately 70 per cent of the building was damaged in the fire.

A NIFRS spokesperson confirmed that the owner of the property received minor burns to his arms and was treated by firefighters at the scene using a cooling gel.

He did not require an ambulance or hospital treatment.

One crew from Keady, two from Armagh and one from Newry, as well as two fire officers attended the incident.

The fire, which was deemed accidental, was put out shortly before 5.30pm.

An ambulance was forced to abandon plans to take a patient home on the outskirts of Keady because of treacherous roads.

The incident on Monday saw an ambulance crew stop several hundred yards from a patient’s home because of ice on the Clay Road.

Despite its rural location, there have been calls for many years to have this road, which is home to a local primary school, to be salted in the winter months.

The last number of years has seen repeated incidents in relation to the ice – this time last year Armagh I reported on a young mother losing control of her car after dropping her children off at school.

At the time there the then Roads Minister Chris Hazzard was invited to meet with representatives of Clay School and St Joseph’s PS in Madden, where they suffer similar issues on the Farnaloy Road.

Councillor Darren McNally has hit out at the gritting criteria, which means there has to be 1,500 vehicle movements a day.

“This criteria is awful, simple as,” slammed Mr McNally .

“Clay Primary School is in an area of difficult terrain and it’s exceptionally difficult and very dangerous to drive in the frost.

“On Monday, an ambulance crew were reluctant to go up the road with a patient because it was so bad; a neighbour actually drove to meet the ambulance to take the person home.

“I was on that road this morning and all I can say is that parents really are taking a big chance driving on it.”

Councillors Sharon Haughey-Grimley and Thomas O’Hanlon have also campaigned for more gritting around the respective schools, however, as Mr McNally says, he “didn’t get a firm guarantee that the road will be done”.

Read more: School bus crashes into field four days after councillor’s warning

A community group are putting together a number of events to celebrate their “first ever” Christmas in Darkley.

Darkley Rural Community Group will be kicking off festivities on Monday evening (December 18) at 7.30pm with a Santa Dash

Residents will don anything from a simple Santa hat to a full Santa suit, before running a lap of the village.

Santa is expected to arrive around 8pm, where it is hoped that his first engagement will be to officially turn on the lights on the Christmas tree.

Darkley Primary School pupil will sing some well-known carols before proceeding to the school where prizes will be presented to the winners of the annual Darkley Photographic Competition, with an exhibition of many of the entries in Darkley Primary School hall.

There will be refreshments provided while you view some wonderful images from the local area.

Members of Darkley Rural Community Group and staff of of the school will then help the young children write their letters to Santa, craft some masterpieces for Christmas and make up some magical reindeer food for Christmas Eve night.

A band of elves will then take families down to visit Santa in his sensory grotto, where all children will receive a gift.

And in the true spirit of Christmas, it is all free!

Roads across Co Armagh and much of Northern Ireland are treacherous this morning (Saturday).

Police have issued a province-wide warning of icy roads, despite the gritters’ best attempts to make the roads as safe as possible.

Already this morning, there has been one report of a minor accident on the Keady to Armagh road, with emergency services dealing with that incident at 9am.

In the Northern control area, PSNI have already responded to 16 separate reports of accidents, with black ice the contributing factor to most of these.

Police in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough have tweeted: “Due to ice on many of the roads this morning please slow down and drive carefully. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.”

Due to ice on many of the roads this morning please slow down and drive carefully. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.

— Arma, Banb & Crai (@PSNIABC) December 16, 2017

Revealed: Number of known sex offenders living in Co Armagh today

Fly-tippers have once again shamelessly dumped the entire contents of what could be a home renovation near a Co Armagh beauty spot.

Not for the first time in recent months, upper Darkley, has been besieged by an unscrupulous act of waste management, however this time, those responsible left their calling card.

Posting images on their Facebook page, Darkley Rural Community Group, who celebrated their first Christmas in the village just hours before, sarcastically branded the mess an “early Christmas present”.

A spokesperson for the group said: “After our lovely celebrations last night, we awoke to find that a number of items had been left for us up at Mountain Lodge.

“We got everything – including the kitchen sink!

“Thank you so much to those getting their house renovated for Christmas for leaving us your waste, your old doors, cabinets and all sorts of c**p.

“Timber, plastic and all sorts of material that could have been recycled as you passed through Keady or maybe closer to your home in Armagh City.

“We sincerely thank you for including in your waste, your name and address which has been duly passed on to Environmental Health to proceed with.

“So, if you live in Armagh City and have just refitted your kitchen and had work done to your home, we expect that you will be getting a call very soon to explain why your crap has found its way to Mountain Lodge.

“Merry Christmas. Love from Darkley Rural Community Group.”

Lazy and lacking in any sense of decency, these pictures show the lengths people will go to simply to clear themselves of their rubbish and unwanted goods.

It is a problem which has long blighted this and many areas.

Recently Armagh I reported on incidents of dumping around Tassagh and at Darkley, where flytippers had brazenly dumped loads of rubbish under ‘no dumping’ signs.

Carrigatuke Viewpoint is also regularly chosen by flytippers to dispose of tyres and other waste, something which has led to multi-agency meetings to discuss CCTV and other options to prevent this type of criminal behaviour.

These pictures were taken in and around the Clady area and show the actions of those intent on having a pre-holiday clear-out.

Read more: Shameless dumping near beauty spot as home contents and ID left on full view

Dozens of tyres, household waste and much, much more – even a mattress was flung along the side of the road, rather than being taken by its owners to be disposed of properly.

According to one local man, the problem in the Clady area is not a one-off.

“This is happening regularly up the Rockstown Road,” he said. “It’s time something was done to try and stop it.”

The items will be removed on a regular basis too – only for more to appear in their place.

But the fact remains, it is the honest and law-abiding ratepayer who will pick up the bill for the actions of these inconsiderate few!

There has been a serious two-vehicle collision on the outskirts of Keady this afternoon (Tuesday).

Emergency services are currently in attendance at the Granemore crossroads in Tassagh following the incident which happened shortly after midday.

The vehicles have been completely written off in what is being described as a “bad accident” by one eye-witness who was ushered away from the scene by police.

It appears the cars collided in the middle of the road, with one car coming along the Granemore Road from the Keady direction, while the other was travelling on the Dundrum Road.

This has been the fourth similar accident at these crossroads in the last 12 months.

In April 2016, MLA Justin McNulty highlighted the need for action at this accident blackspot.

Speaking at the time, Mr McNulty said: “The story from each resident is the same, time and time again; cars fail to stop as they approach the junction coming from the Keady direction.”

There is no indication as to the cause of today’s accident.

And despite calls for Transport NI to carry out an urgent review of the junction and to bring forward any improvements they can, including improved advanced warning signs of the dangerous junction, no action has been taken to date.

There are no further details at this stage.

Read more: Storm Eleanor to bring 14 hours of high winds up to 80mph this evening

A two-vehicle collision at a crossroads in Tassagh earlier today was the fourth in the space of 12 months.

Police confirmed they attended on the Granemore Road, Tassagh at around 12.15pm today.

Fortunately there were no serious injuries but both cars were badly damaged in the incident.

And SDLP councillor Sharon Haughey-Grimley slammed Road Service for failing to implement safety measures at the crossroads.

“It is absolutely scandalous that road service have ignored our repeat calls for safety improvements at this Crossroads,” said councillor Haughey.

“There have been four accidents in the last 12 months and still the Department of Infrastructure sit back and do nothing.

“There is not even a stop sign at this Crossroads, no road markings and the limited warning signs are ineffective with hedges grown up.

“There has been a real failure of Road Service in maintaining this junction and also in adopting safety measures.

“Do we have to wait until someone is seriously injured or worse before they act?

“I have once again been in touch with senior officials today from Infrastructure NI (Road Service) and have urged them to act urgently and I hope this time they will finally act, local drivers demand it!”

A Co Armagh school is facing allegations of cheating during GCSE examinations last summer.

An investigation has been launched at St Patrick’s High School in Keady following allegations which came to light just before Christmas.

The BBC reports that the school’s principal and board of governors said staff were “co-operating fully with the independent investigation”.

In a statement to the broadcaster, the school said the allegations affect “a small number of pupils entitled to additional access arrangements”.

It added: “The Principal and board of governors acted swiftly on receipt of the allegations and immediately elected to invite independent external assessors to examine the arrangements for and conduct of these examinations.

“There is no suggestion of systemic or widespread malpractice in the conduct of examinations at St Patrick’s High School.

“We have put in place additional arrangements for the supervision of pupils entitled to access arrangements in order to ensure confidence in the integrity of the January 2018 GCSE modules.”

The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) have also been informed of the alleged malpractice.

External invigilators will oversee some of January’s GCSE exams in the school, while the investigation is expected to be completed later this month.

In a statement from the CCMS, a spokesperson said they were “contacted by the school Principal (Pat McGuckian) immediately upon receipt of allegations of malpractice for certain groups of pupils in two GCSE examinations in 2017.”

“We are content that the school authorities have taken swift and appropriate action.”

Read more: Mourners gather for funeral of murdered mum Jayne Toal Reat

Cruel thieves have left two children devastated after stealing their bikes.

The incident happened at Keady Glen at around 2.30pm today (Saturday).

One of the bicycles – a brand new black-coloured ‘Ignite Aggressor’ mountain bike with full suspension – was a Christmas present. It had a Boyd’s Cycles sticker on it.

The other bicycle stolen was a men’s blue and grey GT mountain bike.

Both boys had been playing in the area when the thieves appeared out of nowhere in a dark grey coloured Vauxhall Vectra car.

Caitríona Tierney said her son Eoghan and his friend James were “very upset” and has asked anyone who may have any information to come forward.

She told Armagh I : “The boys had left them sitting to climb a bank. They saw the car driving off with the bikes hanging out and the boot up.

The car actually went over Keady hill past Fairgreen. James’s granny saw it.

“We’re just so angry that people think they can just do that.”

A Co Armagh man is facing a lengthy period behind bars after being found guilty of seriously assaulting his former partner.

Thomas Shane Maughan, 24, of Fairgreen Avenue, Keady appeared before Dungannon Magistrates’ Court accused of assaulting the woman, causing her actual bodily harm on August 25, last year.

The court heard how Maughan arrived at the victim’s Coalisland home around 10.30pm in a drunken and aggressive state.

Later that night the 24-year-old shouted expletives at the woman, calling her a whore before smashing a vase over her head.

He then repeatedly punched and kicked her, causing her injuries all over her body.

The woman, who can’t be named for legal reasons, told the court how she had been used like a “punch bag” during the prolonged and terrifying assault.

Maughan, who pled not guilty from the outset, denied even being at her house and that his mother brought him food just before midnight on the evening in question.

Despite sitting in the public gallery, his mother was not called forward by the defence.

District Judge John Meehan convicted Maughan of the offence.

The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports, with Maughan due back on February 14.

The jury is out on what has been responsible for a series of “green flashes” spotted in the sky over the wider Keady and Tassagh area tonight.

Armagh I has received a number of emails and messages this evening from curious followers.

One man said he witnessed a series of “three large flashes” back to back just before 7pm.

He said they appeared to be “green” in colour.

Another person who contacted us said they too noticed a similar scene and said they thought there “had been an explosion in the distance”.

A woman said she thought there it may have been lightning but there had been no thunder accompanying nor such weather forecast.

There had been suggestions from one resident that flashes may have been connected to an ongoing power cut in the area, but again this is purely speculative.

Some 800 homes are currently without electricity in the area due to a widespread power cut and are expected to be out for another while yet.

These outages are in the Tassagh, Keady, Newtownhamilton, Derrynoose, Markethill, Bessbrook and Hamiltonsbawn areas of the county.

Across the borough roads have been left in a hazardous state due to heavy snowfalls and there are amber warnings for more heavy snow and icy conditions overnight and through tomorrow.

Some local businesses and events were forced to close up early. The Orchard Leisure Centre in Armagh was among those which closed due to adverse conditions.

Hundreds of school pupils were also given a day off after a raft of closures due to the extreme weather.

It is expected that many will also close on Wednesday.

Armagh I will be providing updated information on schools and transport affected by the weather from early morning. At present there are a large number of schools keeping their doors closed on Wednesday.

And in case you missed it, here’s a man skiing in Redock…enjoy!

What were those green/blue flashes seen in the sky in various parts of Co Armagh and indeed Northern Ireland last night?

One man said he witnessed a series of “three large flashes” back to back just before 7pm in Keady.

Others were seeing these flashes in Clady, Tassagh and some in Derrynoose.

Armagh I received plenty of emails and messages asking…we weren’t entirely sure, but thanks to a few well-informed responses and the good people at Meaneys Weather, we have the answer.

Posting on their Facebook page, they said: “No need to panic as there have been numerous lightning strikes detected this evening not just in the north but right across the country.

“It’s called Thundersnow and it’s not an often occurrence, the lightning looks much brighter and may even appear green due to its reflection off the snow and you don’t usually hear the rumble of thunder because the sound gets absorbed by the snow.”

There you have it.

Watch: Thundersnow flashes caught on camera in Keady. Thanks to Paul Hughes Video for sending our way.

Meanwhile, more than 800 homes were without electricity for a large portion of Tuesday evening due to the weather and the disruption continues this morning.

Many schools have closed for the day – you can check out the latest list here.

Some roads remain treacherous and travelling isn’t recommended on more rural roads, unless absolutely essential.

A Co Armagh community has been praised for their spirit in helping out neighbours following the recent bout of bad weather.

Many residents around the sloping Keady town would have been left stranded in their homes only for locals to come along with tractors and machinery to clear the snow from most of the housing estates.

However, Sinn Fein councillor Darren McNally has called on Council to re-introduce a previous agreement with the Department for Infrastructure (DFI), which would allow council staff to grit and clear the paths, instead of relying on the DFI for these smaller jobs.

Councillor McNally raised the issue after describing the streets of the town this morning (Thursday) as being in a “terrible state”.

The Council were prompt to responding to his calls.

In a Facebook post, councillor McNally, said: “Council have a team in Keady today scrapping the paths and gritting them.

“Council have a multi digger in Keady today which is doing a great job. I’ve checked and a lot of the routes are now passable which is some difference compared to this morning.

“In addition to this, the car park was cleared yesterday with the help of a JCB.”

He added: “A lot of people have been so good helping out neighbours and the elderly. Residents have cleared roads in housing estates, helped free cars and tractors were used in some estates to clear snow. Great community spirit.”

Despite the quick and effective response, the Sinn Fein representative says he wants a more permanent solution put in place.

Watch: Tractors taking to clear the Mountview estate in Keady

Recently the issue of council staff gritting local car parks was brought before elected representatives.

It is an issue which has been raised often in the past and came before the chamber at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council last January.

Now, a full year on, and not much has changed in the thinking at the Civic Centre.

The council’s environmental services committee – sitting in Armagh last week – again considered the issue.

It was recommended that car parks under council control are not gritted.

Up until April 2015, car parks were the responsibility of Transport NI which did not grit car parks at all.

Incessant rain and the ongoing thaw has prompted the next danger on our doorsteps – flooding!

There are reports of a great deal of surface water on local roads making driving conditions dangerous.

The photographs were taken by Sinn Fein councillor Darren McNally, in Derrynoose this afternoon.

Rising flood waters have put a local community resource in danger of flooding.

“Mother Nature hasn’t let up,” he said. “With the heavy rain and the snow thawing there is now the possibility of flooding.

“I’ve had to request sandbags for Derrynoose community centre as the water is approaching the door of the gym.”

He has asked anyone in the area whose property is at danger of flooding to contact himself or call the emergency flooding helpline on (0300) 200 0100.

Read more: Four people rescued and treated for hypothermia in Mournes

A Keady man has been fined after an action brought by the Council in relation to the condition of three dogs he owned.

Damien Cunningham, of St Matthews Estate, Keady, appeared at Armagh Magistrates’ Court on Friday, January 19, charged with failing to ensure the welfare of three dogs in his care.

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council received an animal welfare complaint in February 2017 in relation to the welfare of dogs being kept by Cunningham.

On investigation of the complaint, an Animal Welfare Officer visited the defendant’s home in Keady, where three dogs were found being kept in dirty conditions, in addition one dog’s coat was heavy matted and another had facial scarring and a skin condition.

In Court Mr Cunningham pleaded guilty to the charge of failing to ensure the welfare of three dogs in his possession brought by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council under the provisions of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

He received a £250 fine and a £15 offender levy.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Alderman Gareth Wilson, welcomed the Court’s ruling and commented,

“It is upsetting to hear of cases of the mistreatment of animals in our society, but I am pleased that council continues to adhere to a rigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements.

“I would urge the public to be vigilant and report any suspected cases of mistreatment or cruelty to domestic animals and equines to our Animal Welfare team on 028 3751 5800 or email animalwelfare@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk.

“Complaints are investigated thoroughly and where necessary formal action is taken, which may include the issuing of Improvement Notices or, where appropriate, the seizure of animals and prosecution.”

A new community hall in Tassagh is starting to take shape following a £349,000 lottery grant last year.

Corran Community Association demolished their old Ancient Order of Hibernians Hall on the Newtownhamilton Road in the summer.

It was in December 2015 that Corran Community Association was awarded a share of a £2.7 million Big Lottery Fund grant under the Space and Place Programme.

Now, these images show the development taking shape earlier this month.

This new space will facilitate the holding of a range of activities at the same time given its multi-functional design, which will bring additional benefits and connectivity to the community.

The new Community Centre being built by Corran Community Association with its Space & Place funding is really taking shape! These pics from a recent visit show the gorgeous exterior brickwork and roomy interior. Read more about the planned facility: https://t.co/idKs4yQGEv pic.twitter.com/I9wXYPCnuj

— Space & Place (@spaceplaceni) January 16, 2018

As a result, the community will able to run current and many new activities for the people of the area with the added benefit that as a multi-use hall, a number of the core beneficiaries of the project are young people, older people, women and carers as well as groups who currently don’t use the hall due to political and cultural reasons.

The Corran Community Association was established in 1999 to develop activities and programmes which would benefit a small rural community located between Armagh City and Newtownhamiltion.

Since they were set up, the group has used the only community based venue in the area; this being an Ancient Order of Hibernians hall that was erected in 1934.

Despite ongoing maintenance of this building, it is no longer fit for purpose and this is viewed by the group and local residents as a barrier to wider community engagement and connectivity.