Prayers offered for swine flu mum

Prayers are to be offered at masses in County Tyrone this weekend for a new mother from Omagh who is being treated in London for swine flu.

Shirley Hamilton, from Tattysallagh Road, gave birth to her son, Thomas Michael, prematurely in the Erne hospital in Enniskillen.

She was diagnosed with swine flu and is now on a ventilator in a drug-induced coma in the Royal Brompton Hospital.

Ms Hamilton's mother Anne said it was a "living nightmare" for the family.

"She has two girls, 12-year-old twins, and it's just a nightmare," she said.

Parish priest Father Kevin Mullan said the entire community was behind Ms Hamilton and her family.

"Shirley's workmates have been very good to the baby, they have been visiting him and they've been fundraising to support the family in their visit to London.

"There is a prayer and love network around her that's very strong at the moment," he said.