‘Pray with us for Naomi’s full recovery’

‘Pray with us for Naomi’s full recovery’

14 December 2016

“PRAYER can move mountains”, Naomi Bailie’s distraught mother has said.

As her daughter, the high profile Sinn Fein councillor for Downpatrick remains critically ill in intensive care battling meningitis, Sheila Bailie has urged the community to keep praying for her recovery.

Thirty one year-old Naomi, advisor to Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard, was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast last week after becoming suddenly ill.

The mother of one, from Ballygalget, underwent surgery at the weekend to help stabilise her condition following a number of complications.

Well-wishers have flooded Facebook over the past week to offer their support to her family who have asked for continuing prayer.

In a series of posts updating friends and family on Naomi’s condition, Sheila Bailie said Naomi, her husband, Gerard, baby daughter Niadh, parents and brothers appreciated the community’s prayers.

“We are all humbled by the overwhelming love and prayers from the whole community for Naomi,” she said.

“We appreciate every single post, message, text, card and phone call - Naomi will be made aware when she gets better.

“We too are praying for her full and speedy recovery. Please keep Naomi, Gerard, Niadh, Martin, Shane, Caolan and myself in your thoughts and prayers. We believe in the power this will have to help Naomi through this scary journey.

“She is still very ill, but prayer can move mountains.”

Dozens of supporters responded by pledging “healing prayer” for Naomi with one saying “she a fighter and with our prayers will get better soon” and another promising “Praying for you all, that the Lord will bring Naomi through to perfect health.”

Speaking on behalf of Newry, Mourne and Down Council, chairwoman Gillian Fitzpatrick also offered support.

“We are very sorry to hear about this terrible news of Councillor Naomi Bailie’s sudden illness..

“The thoughts of all at the council are with Naomi, her family and friends. We sincerely hope she makes a full and speedy recovery,” she said.

Fellow Sinn Fein councillor Willie Clarke is also among Naomi’s many well-wishers.

He said Naomi, the first chairwoman of Newry, Mourne and Down Council when it was created last year, was a dedicated councillor with whom he had worked very well as an Assemblyman when she was his political advisor.

He said she worked hard for all sections of the community.

“It is very sad to see Naomi in such a precarious situation, the whole community is shocked and saddened that Naomi is seriously ill,” he said.

“I have received messages of support for Naomi and her family circle and friends from all political parties, I would like to offer my  thoughts and prayers that Naomi will make a full recovery.”

The Strangford community has also offered its prayers and support for Naomi with Simon Artherton, from the festival committee, describing her as a “good friend” to the village’s growing summer festival.

“Naomi was a great support to us, starting when she was chairwoman of the new council,” he said.

“She was very encouraging and came along when we were putting the bunting up last summer, offering great help. The community is very sorry to hear she is so ill and hopes she makes a full recovery.”