By Staff reporter
ULSTER'S newest ghost-hunter claims he has photographic evidence of the nastiest ghoul he's ever detected.
Ex-serviceman and self-proclaimed psychic Mike Hirons was probing spirit activity at the Donaghadee bar, Grace Neill?s, when he said he captured ?proof? of life beyond the grave.
Renowned as one of Northern Ireland?s most haunted spots, the ghost of long-dead landlady Grace Neill is believed to be among the host of spectres said to be lurking in the pub, which was built in 1611.
Armed with his thermal imaging gun, Mike, who launched a paranormal investigation service in October, called at the watering hole with a camera assistant last Monday night.
The Bangor man, 47, now reckons a sphere of light in one of the snaps taken during the visit, pictured, is among the darkest presences he?s felt ? and not just a reflection from the flash.
?The anomaly appeared before me as a ball of light upstairs, and was very evil, very unpleasant,? he said.
?Spirits usually come to me as shimmering spheres of light, then develop into flickering, vibrating images.
?Spirits also suck energy from people, and I got very out of breath as my energy was drawn out.
?It was an extremely oppressive experience,? he added.
The TV medium Derek Acorah visited the bar last year with his Most Haunted team and also claimed he felt a malevolent ghoul in the air.
Landlord Hans Arthur Snr, who runs Grace Neill?s with his son, admitted his family and bar staff had all experienced spine-chilling bumps in the night.
?We?ve all heard a loud sound like someone sweeping the floor and there?s also been glasses and cups falling off shelves,? he said.
?I even had a barmaid who said she regularly saw spirits of men walking past her upstairs in the old living quarters. When I lock up, I don?t hang about.?
Mike claimed he has been able to see poltergeists since the ghost of his grandmother visited him when he was 18.
?I?d been on a tour of duty when she passed away,? he said.
?I was sorry I never got to say goodbye but the night after she died I was lying in bed and I saw a shadow in the room ? it was a full manifestation of my grandmother.
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