Locals abroad share their stories in new Westmeath Independent feature

The first part of an extensive new Westmeath Independent feature - 'Abroad In Uncertain Times' - is published in this week's edition, out now. 

With the Coronavirus having a serious impact on countries across the globe, our reporter Adrian Cusack has been in touch with locals abroad to find out how they're coping.

Across four pages in this week's edition, there are interviews with people from the Athlone area who are currently living in New York, Dubai, Spain, Thailand, Australia, Canada, and England. 

Athlone man James McCormack and his girlfriend Nicola Monaghan, from Ballymore, have been living in Toronto for the last three years. James said the crisis has brought everyday life there to a standstill. 

"The public transport is empty, and the streets make it look like a ghost town. In a city of over three million people, it's so surreal to see it completely barren," he said.

"Nicola and I have both been let go from our jobs. Our bosses have told us the layoffs are temporary, but we weren't given any dates for our return, so it's all up in the air right now." 

James said the hardest part of the situation was living so far from their relatives. 

"Yes it's frustrating being bored at home, and also in two or three months, if this is not all over, we will no doubt run into some financial difficulty, but overall we have nothing to complain about. Yes, things could be better, but they could also certainly be a lot worse.

"We are both healthy, and we are very much aware of the real tragedy this virus is bringing to some parts of the world, Italy being a prime example. We need to try keep our spirits high and smile and be happy as much as possible!"

You can read the full interview with James in today's Westmeath Independent. This week we have also featured: Orla Nolan and Aoife Butler in New York; Katie Nugent in Dubai; Brendan O'Neill in Cadiz, Spain; Megan Cleary and Adrienne O'Connell in Australia; Noel Lackey Jr in Thailand; and Ursula O'Donovan in England.  

Our paper is available in shops now, and if you can't get to the shop an ePaper (digital edition) of the paper can be purchased, anywhere in the world, through this link: https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/epaper 

The 'Abroad In Uncertain Times' feature will continue, with stories from more locals who are overseas, next week. 

Here's a quick peek at what it looks like this week: