Out Of The Flames

Philip Coogan

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Why I wrote this book

I wrote this true story, to let my readers know how great difficulties can be overcome.

Synopsis

Out of the Flames charts, with lyricism and moving honesty, the remarkable triumph over tragedy of one ordinary man, living through extraordinary times.

On the evening of the 7th of December 1971, Philip Coogan's life changed overnight when a sectarian bomb destroyed his thriving garage business in the seaside town of Donaghadee. Determined to rebuild, Philip was frustrated at every turn by the cold shoulders of the planning authorities and those who vowed to see him ' run out of town '.  Despite some help from an unexpected quarter - the Reverend Ian Paisley - there seemed to be no way forward in an increasingly suspicious and hostile community.As the troubles intensified, repeated attempts were made on Philip's life, and he and his young family flee across the border to the Republic, renting a damp and dilapidated old cottage in Roscommon.
Struggling to make ends meet, while reliving the horror of past events, Philip's health deteriorated as he suffered severe post-traumatic stress disorder and other related illnesses. Desperate for a better life for their three children, Philip and his wife planned to emigrate, but with no income, nor compensation for his injuries, it proved impossible.

The final straw came with a risible offer of £120, for the site of his former business from the local government in the North. Feeling defrauded and conspired against, Philip became increasingly angry and paranoid, and finally admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Drugged and violently humiliated, he merged a broken man and it seemed that Philip's life, in any meaningful sense, was over. What could possibly save him?

A visit to Knock Holy Shrine was the turning point. Philip managed to wean himself off anti-depressant drugs, trained and qualified as a Healer, and set himself to work in this capacity, volunteering locally via the Church and at Knock.

Reviews

Review form The Irish Post - Aug 2009

This is the extraordinary story of one man’s courage and strength to change his life. On the evening of December 7th 1971, Philip Coogan’s life changed overnight when a sectarian bomb and fire destroyed his thriving garage business in the seaside town of. Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, Philip’s Grandfather and family, fell Victim to anti British Army feeling in the South after 1916 uprisings, were burned out, and had to move North. Faced with little help from the authorities, except for some help from an unexpected quarter The Reverend Ian Paisley, there seemed no way forward in “an increasingly suspicious and hostile community”, with repeated attempts on his life. Philip and his young family, fled across the border to the Republic where they had to live in a damp and dilapidated old cottage in Roscommon and struggle to make ends meet. It was here that Philip’s health further deteriorated, now suffering post traumatic stress, epilepsy and other related illnesses. Desperate for a better life for their three children, Philip and his wife planned to emigrate, but with no income, nor compensation for his injuries, it proved impossible. Living in poverty, feeling angry and paranoid, Philip’s health collapsed, and he was admitted to a mental hospital, where he was drugged and violently humiliated. Upon release, he spent the following ten years attending the mental hospital, these, he recalls where the lost ten years of his life where he remembers little. Yet a chance visit to Knock Holy Shrine was a turning point in Philip’s life, and things began to change for him - the man he once was started to return. He remarkably managed to wean himself off anti-depressant drugs, and then trained and qualified as a healer. Now a Steward at the Knock Shrine Society, although his health never allowed him back into business. Philip studied at the Open University, and was awarded an MBA in business studies. Two years later he received a Doctrine degree. For the first time, he has told his remarkable story, of triumph over tragedy and it is a fascinating and inspiring read.

About the Author

Philip Coogan tells with honesty this true and moving story of himself and his young families tragedy in the seaside town of Donaghadee.

Out of The Flames began when Philip returned to his native Northern Ireland, where he had grown up as a schoolboy. Living at Arboe, Philip attended the local school, and soon became very popular with his school pals, because he could cure things. One evening his pals saw a lifeless bird by the road side, apparently it had been hit by an army jeep,always on the move from the nearby army camp during world war two. Philip was handed the lifeless creature. Cupping it in his hands for a short period. Philip could seen the little eyes moving -- next it began to move to the amazement of his pals, then it flapped its wings as Philip open his hands and everyone watched the bird fly off into the sunlight.

Philip later developed tuberculosis and had a near death experience. Shortly after his confirmation at Arboe, year 1946 Philip seen an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Philip came from a large family, and being the eldest he left school at an early age to work in his father's garage. Over the years Philip obtained many qualifications, working as a mechanic, a panelbeater and spray painter. In London Philip received a degree in General Garage Management.

He returned to Donaghadee in County Down, along with his Dublin-born wife and children. He had bought a detached bungalow overlooking the golf course, and shortly afterwards purchased a garage on the Coast Road. With the skills of a General Garage Manager, Philip soon had a thriving business.

It was on the evening of December 7th 1971 that Philip almost lost his life. A tragedy had occurred. The family business was bombed, and was destroyed in the fire. Philip, his wife Patricia and three young children were in tears in the run up to Christmas, their family lives left in pieces. Philip and the family had been very happy living in the seaside town, with the children at private school, and with a high standard of living -- this was their home.

Eventually, not being allowed to rebuild, and the bungalow having been repossessed, their lives were threatened. Over a year later in 1973 and virtually destitute, Philip had to take his family South, rented an old damp cottage at Frenchpark, where they knew no one on arrival. Living with epilepsy and stress from the bomb, Philip's health collapsed, he was admitted to a mental hospital, and lost ten years of his life being pumped up with drugs not remembering his children growing up.

After a few visits to a Holy Shrine, Philip slowly regained part of his health to the delight of his loving family. Philip in thanksgiving became a Steward of The Knock Shrine Society, where he has now been helping for years. His healing powers are now stronger than ever. He completed a course to become a member of The National Federation of Spiritual Healers worldwide, giving hands on healing by appointment. Philip also trained and obtained qualifications as a Reiki Master.

Philip further studies at the Open University, and was awarded an MBA in business studies. Over two years later he received a Doctrine degree.

With his love for writing Philip became a member in 1998 of Amnesty International.

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