WARNING – DISTRESSING CONTENT A 2-year-old baby girl was strangled to death in her crib by an 8ft 6in ‘hungry’ pet python trying to eat her. The snake belonged to the child’s mother and her live-in boyfriend.

In a horrific tragedy, a two-year-old girl was strangled to death in her crib by a Burmese python which belonged to her mother and her mother’s live-in boyfriend.

Shaiunna Hare was killed by ‘Gypsy’, the 8-foot 6-inch albino Burmese python owned by her mum Jaren Ashley Hare, and her mum’s partner, Charles Jason Darnell.

Jaren was 19 at the time of her daughter’s death in July 2009, while Charles was 32, and they all resided in the town of Bushnell in central Florida, USA. Charles’ two children, aged 12 and seven, also lived in the single-story house with them.

The five-year-old Burmese python Gypsy crushed Shaiunna to death, with the cause of death being logged as asphyxiation. According tothe Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, on the fateful day in July 2009, Charles found the 8ft 6in snake wrapped around Shaiunna’s head and body after the reptile had escaped the unsecured 200-gallon aquarium that had nothing but a quilt for a lid, while the couple slept at night.

The medical examiner found snake bites on the two-year-old’s head and arms, with the autopsy showing one bite on Shaiunna’s upper right arm, one on her upper left arm, and a third bite on her forehead.

According to a medical examiner who testified during the trial, the albino snake was severely underfed and underweight, weighing just 13 pounds, when a healthy reptile that size should’ve weighed around 150 pounds. The snake had not been fed for a month and the medical examiner confirmed it was trying to eat the baby girl, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Charles told detectives that the snake was in its tank when he retired for bed that night, and an hour later he said he found the python in the hallway, after which he stuffed the deadly beast in a mesh laundry bag with a small hole, and put it in its tank. He subsequently covered the unsecured tank with a quilt that was held on by safety pins, telling authorities he thought this was enough to secure the exotic pet.

The next morning, Charles reportedly found the snake coiled around Shaiunna’s head with its fangs sunk into her forehead.

Mum Jaren told deputies that Gypsy the snake had escaped from the tank and the laundry bag at least 10 times in the two months prior to her daughter’s killing, and said that she had planned to make a locking lid for the tank.

Charles then called 911 and could be heard saying, “She got out of the cage and got into the baby’s crib and strangled her to death. I’m going to kill the b****,” in the frantic recording of the call as he reportedly stabbed their pet snake with a knife and meat cleaver. Shaiunna tragically died at the scene.

Notably, the aquarium was kept in the living room of their house, where Charles’ two young kids, aged 12 and seven at the time, slept on a sofa bed. Luckily, those two children were unharmed.

Tampa Bay Times reports that in May 2009, in two separate incidents, Charles was arrested and charged with driving with a suspended license, criminal mischief, and possession of cocaine and pain pills.

He was also accused of ripping a mirror off his ex-wife’s car. In that same month, someone had called in a complaint to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), alleging that the couple were regular drug users and neglected the young children living in their house under their care.

A snake breeder, Eugene Bessette, also testified during the 2011 trial and said the python was very underfed and malnourished. According to NBC News, Eugene also said the snake’s home aquarium was not fit for the reptile: “It’s totally and impossibly incapable of housing a python. It has no way to secure the animal. It’s impossible. You can put fish in there if it doesn’t leak.”

WTSP reports Gypsy the snake had been mum Jaren’s pet since she was 14-year-old, while Charles took responsibility for the care of the python.

During the trial, Jaren’s defence attorney, Ismael Solis Jr, said she had owned the albino python for five years as he argued that “this snake was no different than a family dog. The snake is like a little puppy to her.”

Jaren and Charles were both found guilty of third degree murder, manslaughter and child neglect for the July 2009 death of Jaren’s daughter Shaiunna. After the reading of the verdict, Charles was seen attempting to console his distraught girlfriend.

Post the sentencing, Shaiunna’s biological father, Joseph Gilkerson, said: “Justice was served. I’m happy it was served.”

Jaren and Charles both received and served a 12-year prison sentence, with state records showing Charles was released from prison in January 2021 while Jaren was released nine months later.

Despite the horrific tragedy, the couple seemed to have maintained their romantic relationship while incarcerated, and reportedly claimed they planned to get married upon their release, even as they were instructed to remain on parole until 2026.

News 6 reportedly contacted a number associated with Charles, and Jaren declined to comment, as per Click Orlando.

In a separate case, Shaiunna’s dad Joseph lodged a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Children and Families for wrongful death, as he alleged that the agency had failed to safeguard his child after a DCF investigator had seen the python in the house. The lawsuit was later settled after a confidential agreement between Joseph and the department.

Jaren and her partner Charles became the first people in Florida’s history to be convicted on criminal charges for a snake killing, as per the state attorney’s office. After the tragedy, the Florida legislature amended state rules to broadly prohibit the possession of Burmese pythons and other large snakes.

Mistake when taking the medication could lead to two different conditions

Omeprazole is a common medication taken by millions of people across the UK to treat a range of stomach issues like heart burn, indigestion and acid reflux. However, many people could be ‘misusing’ the drug because it’s available over-the-counter with few understanding the warnings around how long they are allowed to take it.

Researchers in Brazil discovered that using Omeprazole for too long can change the way your body absorbs certain nutrients, potentially putting people at risk of serious health issues like aneamia and osteoporosis by decreasing iron levels and leeching calcium from your diet into the bloodstream instead of your bones.

Osteoporosis causes the bones to become more weak and fragile, making it more susceptible to breaks and fractures as they start losing bone density. It develops over several years but the condition doesn’t have many noticeable symptoms until a person starts breaking bones.

Anaemia on the other hand causes a range of noticeable symptoms including tiredness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, pale skin and headaches. It can be treated with certain medications and lifestyle changes such as eating more meat and fortified cereals.

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Official guidance from the NHS warns: “Do not take omeprazole for longer than 2 weeks if you bought it without a prescription. See a GP if your symptoms get worse or do not get better.”

However, because people can buy some omeprazole medications at pharmacies without needing a prescription, some may be taking it for much longer than they are meant to.

People taking the medication long-term are advised to have regular check-ins with their doctor. It’s also best to check with your doctor if you plan to stop taking the drug after long-term use, even if it wasn’t prescribed in the first place.

Omeprazole can cause a range of side effects even with normal usage under doctor’s orders. This can include headaches, stomach pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhoea or vomiting.

The NHS also warns: “Taking omeprazole can make it harder to notice symptoms of some serious conditions, such as stomach cancer. See a GP if you’re worried.”

Published in the ACS Omega journal earlier this year, scientists at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), the study used rates and simulated the way humans use the drug. They found long-term use caused mineral accumulations in the stomach, imbalances in the spleen and liver as well as changes in the blood.

The animals’ blood had increased calcium levels and decreased iron levels. Indicating a risk of anemia and osteoporosis as a result. Longer studies are needed to confirm these results.

Andréa Santana de Brito, a researcher at UNIFESP, told Agência FAPESP: “It isn’t a question of demonizing the drug, which is effective for various gastric conditions. The problem is its trivialized use, even for mild symptoms such as heartburn, and for prolonged periods of months and even years. Its adverse effects shouldn’t be overlooked.”

Clancy lacked control and was likely unable to tell the difference between right and wrong on that January 2023 day, he told the jury on Friday.

“In her mind, she believed that she would be doing her children a favour by having them go to heaven with her rather than remain on earth without her doing the mothering,” Resnick testified.

The case is expected to go to the jury early next week following nearly a month of witness testimony.

Earlier this week, Clancy’s mother and former mother-in-law testified about how Clancy’s mental health deteriorated after the birth of her youngest son.

“She was begging for help,” Clancy’s former mother-in-law, Susan Clancy, said of a woman she described as a “very nurturing, very loving” mother.

Clancy has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder.

Prosecutors have said that in January 2023, Clancy intentionally strangled the three children with fitness bands in their Massachusetts home before jumping out of a second-floor window. Clancy, now 36, was paralysed by the jump and has attended the trial in a wheelchair.

The defence have said Clancy experienced hallucinations and delusions after giving birth to Callan and she was undergoing medical treatment for psychiatric problems. She checked herself into a psychiatric hospital for a few days just before the deaths.

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) defines postpartum psychosis as a rare serious mental health illness that can affect someone soon after having a baby.

“Postpartum psychosis is very different from the ‘baby blues’,” the NHS adds. “It’s a serious mental illness and should be treated as a medical emergency.”

If you are suffering distress or despair and need support, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org.

In the UK a list of organisations that can help is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Even for well-traveled IndyCar drivers, a track with the U.S. Capitol in the background is a little awe inspiring.

“We get to race at a lot of cool cities, but this one is by far the best that we’ve ever had, and I can say that very truthfully,” Kyle Kirkwood said Friday. “Going by the Capitol building, the views here, all the architecture of all the buildings around here, all the museums, it’s stuff that you dream of.

“It’s a serious honor and privilege.”

This weekend’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix is the second big sporting event staged by President Donald Trump in Washington as part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebration. The first was a UFC fight card on the White House’s South Lawn in June.

IndyCar racing — an open-wheel counterpart to NASCAR — doesn’t have quite the same association with the right-wing “manosphere” or the MAGA movement, but series owner Roger Penske received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump in 2019 and led the effort to put together this race in the District of Columbia.

For the drivers, it’s a welcome moment in the spotlight.

“What’s been the coolest part of this week? Honestly, the media covering us,” Kirkwood said. “It’s cool to see IndyCar in this light. We don’t get these opportunities very often outside of the Indy 500, and to have an event that is sought after as much as the 500 is something that’s special.”

Washington has little history with high-level motorsports. In 2002, the parking lot at RFK Stadium on the city’s east side was transformed into a course for an American Le Mans Series event.

The Freedom 250 is downtown in one of D.C.’s prime tourist areas. If you’re not in a race car, it’s not the greatest weekend to be driving around the area given all the road closures, but if the weather holds up, the setting has the potential to be spectacular.

“As a boy from the Netherlands that just got his green card, it is really cool,” said Rinus VeeKay, who has six top-10 finishes this season. “We didn’t get too much U.S. history in school … but learning so much about it here, seeing all the monuments and museums and just how every building kind of has a special purpose here around the city, is very cool. Getting to see the White House, this is stuff you see in movies.”

The White House is not part of the D.C. course, although after Turn 1, the track does include a lengthy straightaway along Pennsylvania Avenue, heading northwest away from the Capitol. Then there’s a sharp left turn between the National Archives and the main Justice Department building, followed by a couple quick 90-degree turns as the track navigates the city’s grid system.

After a straightaway takes drivers across the National Mall, they turn left onto Independence Avenue, passing the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum. and the Eisenhower Memorial before heading north on 3rd Street to the finish line, which is just west of the Capitol.

“I think it’s more exciting when you actually get on the grounds and see what you’re about to do. I mean, when is this ever going to happen again?” said Josef Newgarden, a driver for Team Penske. “I hope it’s great visibility. That’s probably the biggest thing that it could bring to us — is visibility to people that aren’t maybe as familiar with IndyCar racing.”

IndyCar practice and qualifying are scheduled for Saturday, along with an IROC race. The IndyCar race is Sunday and set for 250 miles (147 laps) — the second-longest street circuit race in IndyCar history.

The 1.7-mile track includes seven turns in all. The Air & Space Museum and National Gallery of Art are both inside the course’s perimeter, with a fan zone between them. The track is shorter and has fewer turns than several others on the IndyCar schedule, but it’s not much different from the 1.6-mile, nine-turn circuit used in downtown Detroit.

“It’s short and snappy, but you know what? We don’t know. We haven’t driven on it yet,” driver Marcus Armstrong said. “We’ll find out tomorrow. It might even be wet tomorrow. There’s a lot of crosswalks, a lot of paint on the track, so that could be super slippery.”

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See AP’s full auto racing coverage here

England are rebuilding their bowling attack for two reasons.

First, the retirement of Ben Stokes has robbed them not only of inspiration, but of balance.

Secondly, Stokes has followed Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Chris Woakes and, most likely, Mark Wood out of the door. That is 1,871 Test wickets lost in less than three years.

The first stab at a post-Stokes team included four frontline seamers – Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson – supported by the part-time off-breaks of Dan Lawrence.

In helpful conditions, it could not have gone better for England. Robinson and Tongue took eight wickets apiece, while Archer and Atkinson improved after a rusty first innings when they struggled to adapt following a month playing in The Hundred. Lawrence bowled only one over in the match.

Clearly, there will be times when England need a frontline spinner, but there is no consistently Test-class spinner in the country right now.

There is an argument to be made that England should continue to stack their attack with seamers because they are the best bowlers – Root said they “don’t know how good they could be”.

The likes of Sam Cook and Brydon Carse wait in the wings to step in or provide different skills if necessary, meaning England have a large squad of pacemen to choose from.

A trip to Bangladesh in February will mean England have to find some spin. For now, they should stay in the fast lane.

The actress, best known for her role as Maxine Peacock on the ITV soap, posted on Instagram on August 20, revealing that she had just undergone her fifth round of chemotherapy.

The 53-year-old told fans she was ‘over the moon’ to find out her heart was ‘fine’ and her organs were ‘okay’ but she was struggling with her fifth bout of shingles.

Tracy said no medication was helping to fully clear up the shingles and from the chemotherapy treatment her immune system was ‘lower than low’.

Other side effects the singer said she was struggling with was her hands swelling, her nails falling off and splitting and the skin under her feet was ‘shedding’ and ‘peeling’.

She says these were all side effects of her cancer treatment and she is taking it ‘one day at a time’ to work through these struggles.

Tracy Shaw gives health update amid cancer diagnosis

Best known for starring as Maxine Peacock in the ITV soap, Tracy said the side effects mean her treatment team will have to discuss the next steps in her chemo plan.

In their next meeting, the oncologist team will decide whether she will undergo the ‘full whack’ of her sixth round of chemotherapy or not.

They will also discuss whether her surgery to have her tumours removed will need to be postponed or not.

Tracy claims her immune system will drop again due to the chemotherapy treatment she is receiving and admits she is finding it harder to share updates online.

But despite what she’s going through with her cancer battle, she says she is determined to ‘remain positive’ with a smile on her face. 

In the post, Tracy said: “So, I met my oncologist yesterday and I had chemo five today and I just want to share how wonderful it is going for the chemo and meeting other people on this journey, men and women fighting different cancers and sharing that common bond of what we are going through. 

“So, the news about my personal journey with where we are at is that it is taking its toll on my body. 

“My heart is fine which I’m over the moon about, thank you God. 

“The organs are okay but my body because I am about to come into the fifth bout of shingles with no break, and no matter what medication I take, even though it assists in drying the ones that are present up, more come out. 

“So, it’s been consistent wearing on my nerve endings basically. 

“My nails are coming off and splitting, my hands swell, and my skin on the underneath of my feet is all shredding and peeling on the heels.

“It’s just one of the side effects really that are concerning the oncologist before surgery.

“The team will be discussing again to contemplate whether they give me the full whack of chemo six. 

“It may postpone my surgery which none of us want, because the body is not going to be well enough to fight it and shingles is a nerve ending and a warning sign for my body.”

Tracy was diagnosed with the disease in April this year and has continued to keep fans updated on social media as she goes through her cancer journey.

Following her recent chemotherapy, she says she is trying to ‘work with her body’ and is sleeping a lot more.

Tracy says she will be able to give listeners another update in three weeks’ time when she meets with her team again to discuss her upcoming surgery.

Tracy said: “The immune system, which is what the chemo has been doing, is lower than low and it’s about to go even lower. 

“I am finding it a little bit harder to share as much about it because I am determined to remain positive with a smile but from about day seven onwards, it is quite difficult and my body is wanting to sleep a lot. 

“I am eating and resting and sleeping and trying to work with my body while I go through this next phase.

“So, for now I am just going to be taking one day at a time, one symptom, one side effect at a time. 

“I don’t particularly enjoy this period, but I am going with it and I am flowing, waiting to hear about my appointment for the surgery which you know I am really looking forward to having the tumours removed and then heading back to the chemo room.

“I have still got to have a chemo injection into my leg which hurts so that will continue whether or not I have the other two chemos as well and the sixth, we will wait and see. 

“But I will keep you posted in three weeks’ time when I meet the team again.”

Do you watch Coronation Street? Let us know in the comments.

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT Raymond Williams, 61, slashed the throat of Tania Williams outside her home after seeing her with another man during a night out in Norwich

A jealous killer who followed his estranged wife on a night out before laying in wait and fatally attacking her has been found guilty of murder.

Raymond Williams, 61, slashed the throat of Tania Williams outside her home after seeing her with another man during a night out in Norwich. The 49-year-old mother-of-four was found with severe injuries and significant blood loss close to her home in Thorpe St Andrew, Norfolk.

Despite the best efforts of neighbours and paramedics to save her life, she sadly died.

Williams, who previously served as a Norfolk police community support officer, was found guilty of her murder following a trial at Norwich Crown Court, which heard he had been “consumed with jealousy”.

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Footage shown to the jury included the last moments of Tania’s life and captured her former husband “going from bar to bar” to track her down.

CCTV shows him leaving his flat in shared accommodation in Dereham Road before heading into the city centre. The trial heard Williams approached a man she was with, telling him they were still married and pointing to his wedding ring.

Williams is then seen on CCTV searching for Tania before eventually locating her in Revolucion de Cuba, on Queen Street. Both Williams and Tania can then be seen walking out of the venue and down the street, with Tania appearing to distance herself from him.

As Tania heads in one direction to catch a bus home, Williams is seen jogging down Wensum Street towards where his white Vauxhall Corsa was parked on Fishergate.

Security footage then shows this car parked on Yarmouth Road as he “laid in wait” for Tania, who is then seen on CCTV getting off her bus and walking towards her home in Catherine Gardens.

At 11.30pm, neighbours heard petrified screams, including a female voice saying: “What are you going to do? Kill me?”, before Tania was discovered lying on the ground in a “pool of blood”.

Two hours later, armed police arrested Williams at his accommodation. By now, he was dressed completely differently after disposing of everything he was wearing earlier in the evening in a bid to avoid forensic detection.

CCTV had captured him acting suspiciously around bins in nearby alleyways. Footage showed him taking off his watch, which had been given to him by Tania, and dropping it down a drain.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Sam Pontin said: “This was a thorough and complex investigation involving officers and staff from across the force.

“Thanks to the strength of the evidence presented, the jury was able to reach its verdict and hold Williams accountable for his actions. While no verdict can undo the pain caused by Tania’s death, I hope today’s outcome provides her family with some measure of justice.”

Williams will be sentenced on September 21.

Man United travel to Hull City this afternoon for their first Premier League fixture of the season.

Manchester United embark on their first Premier League fixture of the season this afternoon as they travel to newly-promoted Hull City.

The Reds enter the game as heavy favourites but Michael Carrick insisted he was not underestimating the Tigers when asked about the challenge they will pose at his pre-match press conference. United have been boosted by the return of Benjamin Sesko to full training. The Slovenian forward missed all of United’s pre-season fixtures as he recovered from injury.

Karl Darlow is also back training but is United’s second-choice goalkeeper this season. Matthijs de Ligt has been ruled out, despite training this week, and Mason Mount is a doubt after he picked up a knock against Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.

MEN Sport’s United writers have named the side they would start against Hull.

Steven Railston

United have a golden opportunity to get off to the perfect start and should have enough quality to secure an opening day win.

Noussair Mazraoui started at right-back against Milan last weekend, but I’d bring Diogo Dalot back into the team. I would start Leny Yoro alongside Harry Maguire in central defence, although Carrick seems likely to pick Ayden Heaven to partner the 33-year-old. This season is Yoro’s third at Old Trafford, and he should be starting games regularly if he is to become the defender United believe he can.

The midfield picks itself, given Mount is an injury doubt and Kobbie Mainoo only played 30 minutes in pre-season, and I’d go with an attack of Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu, who should all cause Hull problems with their pace.

Jack Flintham

Carrick’s first major selection decision is at right-back with Mazraoui and Dalot battling it out for a start. I would lean towards Mazraoui, with Luke Shaw on the opposite flank and Heaven partnering Maguire at centre-back.

In midfield, Mount will have been desperate to solidify his spot in the centre but, once again, an injury has scuppered his plans. With that in mind, Andrey Santos should be partnered by Youri Tielemans. The former Aston Villa man has more match fitness than Mainoo but next week the battle to start in midfield will be fiercer.

In attack, Sesko’s return is a boost but it would be risky throwing him into the starting line-up. Mbeumo has impressed leading the line and should keep his spot. I would also prefer to see Matheus Cunha on the left over Dorgu, but that battle is a close-run thing.

Eugene Diamond has been the first stop for the latest news and sweet treats for decades

Back in August 1979 when Eugene Diamond first started out in business, Margaret Thatcher had been Prime Minister for only a few months and Northern Ireland was a very different place.

Now at the age of 69, the owner of Diamonds Newsagents is emotional as he prepares to bow out after 47 years.

His independent newsagents on Broughshane Street has been keeping the people of Ballymena and beyond up to date with the latest news for decades.

In that time, Eugene has ensured locals are chomping on the latest chocolate, sweets and of course, news.

A well-known face around the Co Antrim town and beyond thanks to social media, his departure marks the end of an era for one of the last of the old school sweet shop owners left in Northern Ireland.

He’s famous for posting images of the front and back pages of newspapers on Facebook and X every day of the week and opens the doors of his shop at 5.30am daily.

In addition to posting the daily newspaper headlines, he was also known for his lively over the counter banter and sharing early morning pictures of Broughshane Street alongside a weather update.

Before finding himself behind the counter of a paper shop, Eugene started off delivering papers as a wee boy. In those 47 years, he witnessed the high points of the newspaper market when major titles sold in record numbers.

But the much loved local retailer has confirmed that Sunday, August 30 will be the final day of opening for his popular Ballymena shop, marking the end of almost 50 years in business.

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Taking to social media to announce his decision, Mr Diamond said: “On Sunday 30th August 2026 this window light that’s shone from early morning on Broughshane Street as last 47 years will go out for good.

“I will retire that evening and Diamonds newsagents will close for good. I’ve loved this job and wouldn’t change a thing,” adding: “It’s been a blast.”

Speaking to Belfast Live ahead of shutting up shop for the final time, Eugene said: “It was a completely different world here in Ballymena back in August 1979. People walked to work; there weren’t as many cars on the road.

“Your average daily newspaper was between 5-7p and the average daily newspaper now is between £1-£2.40 or £3.20 if you want to go as far as The Times. You got two chews for one penny, a Penny Bubbly for a penny. I think milk around that time for a pint was somewhere around 10-12p is now a pound so things in price have moved on big time.”

Inside Diamonds, you’ve also found a staggering variety of sweets and chocolate bars – Eugene has long prided himself on being the first person in Ireland to stock Creme Eggs each year.

“We always did all the staples, the Mars, Rowntrees and a lot of Cadbury’s. We had direct accounts with them and in those days we were the outlet for chocolates when they were targeting a new market. They used newsagents. Everything was launched through newsagents,” Eugene said.

“Wispa and Twirl came along in my time in here and we had to keep them embargoed until the launch date, those things just went through the roof. With potato crisps when I first came in, you would have had cheese and onions, smoky bacon, ready salted and salt and vinegar.

“Then there was this great thing that came along: the Tudor Crisps, which people loved. Tudor spring onion just sold en masse and you would not believe how many boxes we went through every day.”

Eugene added: “I became famous for Creme Eggs too and I’ve always went out of my way to have them early. They were available every year from early to mid November. Most people don’t want to see them until after the Christmas stuff’s gone so I thought it was a great idea and it worked very well for me.

“People actually went out of their way to come here for the Creme Eggs. There was one woman now deceased and her husband who had to come here because, basically, he thought we sold the freshest.

“When Orange Twirl was just launched and it was very hard to get, Eamonn Holmes asked me to keep a box for him because it was a limited edition and then in the end they brought it out all the time.”

Sadly Eugene says ill-health prompted his decision to put his shop on the market last year: “I had taken ill and honestly didn’t know what it was but I was unable to work. Luckily we got a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy, which was impacting on my spine, the bones in the back of my neck.

“I had a bit of surgery to relieve that and I have some pins where the bones were. I’m doing well but to be truthful, the energy levels aren’t there. I’m coming into my 69th year so basically maybe I’m retirement age.”

Since announcing news of the shop’s closure later this month, Eugene has been flooded with messages: “Honestly, people have been more than good. I’ve been inundated by people sending me good wishes, praying for me in every church and chapel in this town and maybe further afield. I’ve been very, very lucky. Customers have just been outstanding.

“Sunday, August 30th will be the final day and we’ll shut up shop that evening. There might be the odd weather picture and newspaper headline on social media but it’ll not be in the montage form anymore because I won’t have the availability of the papers.

“We were in the level of the old fashioned newsagents. People came in, they had a yarn and communicated with us. We always had great craic and never anything too heavy. There was some laughter here over the years. I really appreciated them all, every last one. Great people.”

And when asked what he plans to do first in his retirement, Eugene replies with a smile: “A holiday.”

Video: Justin Kernoghan

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