‘I could have been a goner’ - Nicholl
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Councillor Tommy Nicholl: Back in the council chamber after serious illness.
Former Ballymena Mayor, Councillor Tommy Nicholl, has recalled how he cheated death at the end of last year.
The Cullybackey man is on the road to recovery after a serious illness - and at last week's Ballymena Council Development and Leisure Services Committee meeting he took the opportunity to thank those who saved his life, and the well-wishers who have been in touch since.
"I now recognise I could have been a goner," said Cllr. Nicholl. "I pay tribute to the emergency services and the Dalriada Doctors on Call, along with the ambulance personnel who were at my house 10 minutes after the call. If it had not been for this speed it could have been a different matter."
Cllr. Nicholl, walking with the aid of stick, was welcomed back to Council by Councillor William McNeilly, who wished him a speedy recovery back to full health.
Cllr. Monica Digney echoed the sentiments.
Cllr. Nicholl said from the bottom of his heart he wished to thank everyone who sent best wishes to him.
He said he had received messages of support from everyone in the Chamber, "right across the political divide."
“It brought tears to my eyes when I thought of how many people were praying for me," he said.
“I am pleased everyone forgot about the political aspect."
The Councillor said he also thanked and appreciated every single person who enquired about his health in recent weeks.
Cllr. Nicholl, who was awarded the MBE back in 2006, has been a Councillor for 31 years.
He was twice Mayor, in 2001 and in 2006.
Cllr. Maurice Mills, who is Chair of the Development Committee, wished councillor Nicholl well in the days that lie ahead.
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