I can't play football with my son.

A radical overhaul of the way Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (known as ME) is managed in Ireland is required, according to a Bailieboro sufferer. Barry Kavanagh, who was first diagnosed with the condition last October, believes that a proper framework for the treatment of ME needs to be put in place and he's hoping to set up a support group in Cavan for sufferers. It's estimated that 12,000 Irish people now suffer from ME. "There is no doubt that more needs to be done in this country for people with ME. As there is no specific test for it, it is a difficult diagnosis to make. Even if ME is suspected or diagnosed, it is hard for GPs to know where to send patients because no specific consultant in Ireland deals with this condition, so people can be moved around a lot," Mr Kavanagh told The Anglo-Celt. He is of the opinion that there appears to be little interest in properly researching the condition in Ireland and people are left in limbo because of that. Mr Kavanagh has been in touch with ME Trust Ireland who have been very supportive in his ambition to set up a support group in Cavan. He is aware of seven people who have ME in Cavan but believes the figure is higher. "I hope to hold monthly meetings in the Cavan Crystal Hotel," he stated. For full interview and more news from Bailieboro check this weeks Anglo-Celt