Former sinn fein cllr in hospital following stabbing incident

Gardai in Cavan are investigating a serious stabbing incident which occurred at a house in Kilnaleck, Co Cavan earlier this afternoon, Wednesday, December 24.

The victim has been named locally as former Sinn Fein Cavan County Councillor Pauline Tully McCauley.

She was taken to Cavan General Hospital where she is being treated for her injuries.

A man in his late 50’s has been arrested in connection with the incident, which happened at around 3pm today.

He is currently being detained at Cavan Garda Station under the provisions of section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

The scene at Kilnaleck is currently preserved pending a full garda technical examination.

The wife of Pearse McCauley, the IRA man sentenced to 14 years in prison for his part in the killing of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, unexpectedly stepped down from her role as a Sinn Fein county councillor in Cavan back in April 2012.

The mother of two, has served more than 10 years as a public representative, and made the decision to resign citing work and family commitments.

Mrs McCauley married Brixton prison escapee Pearse McCauley while he was serving his jail sentence for the 2003 killing of the 52-year-old detective garda in June, 1996, who is survived by his wife Anne and their five children.

Pearse McCauley was released from prison in August 2009 after serving more than 10 years of his sentence.