This article is from page 3 of the 2011-08-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
MALICIOUS use of online social media and the Wikipedia tool on the internet were blamed last week on the spreading of “a vicious rumour” that Clare hurling legend Ger Loughnane had passed away.
The rumour, which was presented as a statement of fact, first emerged last on Wednesday evening last and from there gathered momentum through the night, before it finally emerged that it was malicious and totally unfounded.
A number of GAA websites around the country ran with the story, be- fore Loughnane family spokesperson, Matt Purcell, took to the Clare FM airwaves on Thursday morning to rubbish the false reports and allay peoples’ fear about the Clare hurling legend’s health.
“I was just talking to Ger’s family and thankfully he is still very much with us. He is as bright as a button and extremely well. He couldn’t be in better form and is responding 100 per cent to treatment,” said Purcell, who also hails from Feakle.
“The family were inundated with messages and calls yesterday and it was gone to a ridiculous point. How could someone start something stu- pid like that on the internet?
“Thankfully, we can set the record straight. Everything is going well and according to plan with his treatment. That’s about all there is to it,” Ger Loughnane’s close friend added.
Fifty-seven-year-old Loughnane was diagnosed with leukaemia in late June and immediately began an intense course of treatment in Dublin.
“It was very strange how this malicious rumour started,” said Clare County Board PRO Syl O’Connor.
“He is responding well to the treatment and they are hoping to let him out for a few days next week, all going well.
“The one thing I would wish now is that people would let him and the family get on with it. I said it when news of his illness first emerged and I’ll say it again – people should not make this story anything that it isn’t. We don’t want anybody to preempt anything, just let whatever is to happen, happen. We all wish him well.”