Priest to ‘bless haunted house’.
By Neal Keeling.
A priest ghostbuster has been called in by a family convinced their home is spooked. Frank and Julie Owen believe they are dealing with a poltergeist. The couple, who have lived in their 20-year-old council house in Peregrine Drive, Irlam, for nine months, say the spirit has: switched off the tv; thrown a door lock at a medium called to help; sworn at one of their daughters; smashed a clock.
Mr Owen, aged 28, who works for Salford recreation department, said: “Our three-year-old girl Joanne told us that she had seen an old woman who played with her and talked to her at night. We dismissed it at first as just her imagination. But then other things started happening and now we’re terrified. We do not want to leave our home, but we’re too scared to stay.” One night the couple, who have another daughter, 11-month-old Nicola, were so frightened they stayed with friends.
Father Lionel Devany, of St Joseph’s, confirmed that he had been called in to bless the house.
The scene of the strange happenings.
Julie: so frightened she stayed with friends.
Manchester Evening News, 20th June 1989.