Medical Examiner in Irish nanny case requests more time

The latest status hearing took place on July 30 in Woburn for Irish nanny Aisling Brady McCarthy accused of murdering a 1-year old Massachusetts girl in her care more than two years ago. Judge Maureen Hogan heard that Medical Examiner Dr Katherine Lindstrom has completed her re-examination of all medical materials in her possession, but has yet to complete the requested report as requested.

Jacqueline Faherty, chief legal counsel for the Massachusetts Medical Examiner’s Office, said in Middlesex County Superior Court that Dr Lindstrom has not yet reached a final conclusion on the death of Rehim Sabir. Ms Faherty said Dr Lindstrom has requested further items she would like to examine and would also like to review grand jury testimony. This is expected to take an additional 2-4 weeks. Chief medical examiner Henry Nields will also be asked to review the case, Ms Faherty added.

Judge Hogan expressed her frustration with the length of time the re-examination is taking. The initial request to re-examine the records was made four months ago. The judge asked the state medical examiner’s office last month to appear in court and explain why it was taking so long to review the autopsy report. The next status hearing is scheduled for Aug 28th with the trial date set for October 13th.

The American Ireland Fund hosts successful Nantucket celebration

$1 Million Gift Announced in Support of The Irish Arts Center
Chairman of The American Ireland Fund John Fitzpatrick, Jim Geraghty, Roma Downey, President & CEO of The Worldwide Ireland Kieran McLoughlin, New England Director of The American Ireland Fund Steve Greeley

On Saturday, July 25, The American Ireland Fund hosted over 125 people at its 26th annual Nantucket Celebration, held at the home of Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley. This year’s Nantucket Celebration was co-chaired by Chris and Ann Quick, Bob and Laura Reynolds and Jim & Susan Geraghty, with Special Guest Emmy-nominated actress and producer Roma Downey.

Among the guests attending were: Vanity Fair feature writer Maureen Orth and her son Luke Russert of MSNBC; President & CEO of Natixis John Hailer; MSNBC’s Chris Matthews and his wife Kathleen Matthews; New England Patriots’ Coach Bill Belichick and Linda Holliday; Chairman of The American Ireland Fund and New York Hotelier John Fitzpatrick; President & CEO of The Worldwide Ireland Funds Kieran McLoughlin; and The American Ireland Fund’s New England Director Steve Greeley and his wife Jan.

At the event, it was announced by Kieran McLoughlin that a $1 million pledge to The American Ireland Fund for the Irish Arts Center was being made by the event’s special guest, Roma Downey. McLoughlin said “it is marvelous that such a celebrated artist as Roma is doing so much to promote and preserve Irish culture in her adopted home. Her generosity is a tribute to the power of, and necessity for, philanthropy.”

Founded in 1972, the Irish Arts Center is a New York-based arts and cultural center. With support from The American Ireland Fund, The Irish Arts Center is currently building a state-of-the-art new facility in Hell’s Kitchen that will greatly expand their capabilities with offerings ranging from a 199-seat, state-of-the-art theater to studios, classrooms and social space for the community.

Speaking at the event, Roma Downey said: “When I first emigrated to America, it was to New York City I moved. In those early years as a homesick artist, I personally sought out the Irish Arts Center and found solace from the work they were doing there, and strength from the people that gathered there. So I am incredibly grateful that all these years later I am personally able to support helping The Irish Arts Center expand with this incredible new building and the exciting new programs, and I applaud The American Ireland Fund for it’s important support of this vibrant program.”

Past honorees of The American Ireland Fund Nantucket Celebration include Nobel Peace Prize Winner John Hume, Special Olympics President and CEO Tim Shriver, the late author Frank McCourt, businesswoman and philanthropist Wendy Schmidt, the late broadcast journalist Tim Russert, print and broadcast journalist Mike Barnicle and Anne Finucane, Vice Chairwoman of Bank of America.

Roma was raised in Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland and attended the London Drama Studio. Roma was nominated for the Helen Hayes Best Actress Award in 1991 while touring the US with Abbey Theatre's production of "The Playboy of the Western World". Her stage credits include the Broadway production of "The Circle", opposite Rex Harrison, and some Off-Broadway Productions, including "Love's Labour's Lost", "Tamara" and "Arms and the Man". She is an Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actress from CBS hit series "Touched by an Angel” and Producer of the TV hit "The Bible," in which she also play Mary the Mother of Jesus. Roma is married to producer Mark Burnett.

The American Ireland Fund is part of The Worldwide Ireland Funds, a philanthropic network across 12 countries that has raised over $500 million for worthy causes in Ireland and Irish causes around the world. It is the largest network of friends of Ireland dedicated to supporting programs of peace and reconciliation, arts and culture, education and community development. Founded in 1976, The Worldwide Ireland Funds have benefited over 3,000 organizations. Funds raised are contributed by private sources - individuals, corporations and foundations.

In response to the severe downturn in the Irish economy, The Worldwide Ireland Funds launched the Promising Ireland Campaign in 2009 to raise $100 million for charities experiencing an increased demand for their services at a time of a major reduction in resources. Thanks to the generosity of donors, the initial goal was doubled to raise $200 million by the end of 2015. The second goal was achieved six months ahead of schedule. As a result, over one third of the Funds' total earnings since foundation have been raised during the six years of the Campaign. The Campaign is set to continue to raise key support for charities until its scheduled conclusion at the end of 2015. Over 800 projects and organizations have received support from the Promising Ireland Campaign.

More information can be found at www.theirelandfunds.org

PaddyWagon inflatable pub launches in Boston

The inflatable Irish pub is a new business venture launched by Owen Cahill and a group of business partners. They recently launched their new service popular in Ireland and the UK for corporate gatherings, backyard parties and other events. Customers will be able to reserve the large, air-filled Irish pub that can accommodate more than 70 people. It has enough space inside to house a bar and a live band or customers can choose from a range of other entertainment options that are offered by the PaddyWagon service. Options available include Irish dancers, Irish wolfhounds and various musical acts.

The company will also contract out food and drink services at a customer’s request. Their team can work with customers to design a customized drink menu, ranging from locally made microbrews to eclectic craft brews. Should the venture prove a success in Boston, then it is likely to be expanded to other areas across the country. Cahill sees Boston as being the ideal starting place for PaddyWagon and hopes that the strong Irish connection in the area will ensure demand for customers for events from weddings to concerts, christenings to graduations, birthdays to holiday/office parties.

Further information can be found at www.thepaddywagonpub.com