A ‘great community person’
RIP Stradone crash victim to be laid to rest
Retired school principal Molly Rudden, the local woman who tragically died following a road accident last week, will be laid to rest later today.
Ms Rudden (née Healy), from Cordegan, Stradone, and also Rosses Point, Sligo, died following the single-vehicle crash in the townland of Monelty, Stradone, last Friday morning, June 18, at approximately 10.15am. She was the sole occupant of the car, and pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services who attended.
Her body was taken to Cavan General Hospital for post mortem, and diversions were put in place for a period to allow for garda forensic investigators to examine the scene.
An appeal was subsequently made for any witnesses to the accident, particularly any road users with camera footage, to contact Cavan Garda Station on 049-4368800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111 or any Garda station.
News of Ms Rudden's untimely death was greeted with immense sadness in the local community, where she was a prominent member involved in a variety of local organisations and causes over the years.
Ms Rudden taught at the former Tierlahood National School for many years where she was later appointed principal. She retired from teaching in 1999, at a time when the school at Tierlahood was being amalgamated with Clifferna National School to make way for the then newly constructed purpose-built St Michael's School at Clifferna.
Ms Rudden attended the opening of the new school where tributes were paid to her leadership both in the educational development of generations of young people living in the area, and to the betterment of the community in general.
She received high praise in 2000 and a special presentation was made to Ms Rudden in recognition of her research on the commemorative book 'Tierlahood School looks back'.
Ms Rudden was also regular contributor to the Laragh Variety Group's Gala Laugh-In at Stradone Community Centre as a member of the Ladies' Chorus.
Local county councillor, Val Smith, described the late Ms Rudden as a “great community person”.
“It's desperately sad. A real shock to everyone. I've been told she was out having lunch at the Lavey Inn in the days before, and had been brought to Sligo only the day before where she met with friends she maybe hadn't seen in more than a year.”
When the accident happened, it's believed Ms Rudden was on her way to meet friends travelling from Dublin. “She was a lovely woman, she'll be sadly missed,” added the Fine Gael representative.
Ms Rudden's death is the third road fatality to have occurred in Cavan so far this year. It follows the death of a man after his car collided with a truck on the N3 outside Cavan Town on April 22. The person involved died more than a week later from injuries sustained.
That same week Donegal motorcyclist Frederick Tully from Carndonagh died following an incident near Corlough back in April 24.
There have been a total of 52 deaths on Irish roads to date in 2021. The number is trending lower than the same period last year.
Ms Rudden is predeceased by her husband Sonny and infant daughter Mary.
She is survived by her family Fionnuala, Patricia, Bernard and Yvonne; grandchildren Kate, Tom, Jack, Lara, Alanna, Kiera, Luke, Cian, Emma and Ciara; in-laws; relatives, neighbours and many friends.
Having reposed at her home, Ms Rudden's removal will take place today (Wednesday), arriving at St Brigid's Church, Laragh for Funeral Mass at 12 noon.
Burial will take place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
In line with current guidelines, Molly's Funeral Mass is restricted to 50 people. The mass can be viewed at www.churchtv.ie/cavan.
All those standing along the route are asked to please adhere to social distancing and keep safe.