A message of hope at the Cavan Town Darkness into Light walk outside the Cavan Cathedral on a foggy Saturday morning.

News Review - May 2022

Health Authority told to ‘get real’

THE HSE was urged to “get real” after a response to calls for more to be done to tackle suicide rates locally was met with widespread criticism from county councillors. Cavan County Council wrote to the organisation calling for an urgent review of supports given to schools to tackle mental health and suicide in Cavan after a number of high profile cases of suicide in the region in recent months.

250 new jobs expected for enterprise park

Councillors approved plans for the expansion of the industrial estate on the Cavan Road in Cootehill which could see the creation of up to 250 new jobs in the north of the county.

‘Smiling from the minute she was born’

Applause rang out across Celic Park as the club paid tribute to local teenager Aoibhe Byrne following her sudden death. Tributes were paid widely to the Coláiste Dún an Rí pupil who was an avid Celtic fan.

Wanted: A family home in Cavan Town

A rental property shortage saw a mother who was faced with moving herself and her children back to her native Poland as they were unable to find housing in Cavan Town. Single mother Agnieszka Wojtowicz, who worked as a part-time chef in Castlemanor Nursing Home was struggling to find a new home after being told her landlord was selling the house. “We have until the 11th of July. We were given three months so there’s one month gone now.”

Despite searching daily, she’s been unable to find a new home for her and her children.

Community mourns loss of ‘real deal’ Colin

THERE was an enormous outpouring of grief as the community of Gowna and surrounding areas gathered to mark the passing of the late Colin Madden (12). Hundreds swelled the Gowna GAA organised Guard of Honour, lining the village street leading to the Church of the Holy Family, Loch Gowna, where Colin’s Funeral Mass took place last May 16. Such were the numbers that those who could not find space in the small rural church were offered the opportunity to view a live stream of the service at nearby St Brigid’s Community Centre.

Tenders issued for next phase of Virginia bypass

THE next stage of work on the Virginia bypass project was expected to get underway shortly.

Tenders were issued by Cavan County Council for site investigation works to be carried out along the route.

The council said they hoped this project would help reduce the risk of unforeseen ground conditions which could negatively impact the design of the scheme.

MONTH IN NUMBERS

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The average rent per month in euro in County Cavan according to Daft.ie

With the cost of living soaring and inflation at a 22-year high, Ireland needs a pay rise... - Labour spokesperson Liam van der Spek on his party’s bill on a living wage

GOOD MONTH

• Edna McIntyre celebrated her 100th birthday, while Killeshandra’s Franci Magarahan turned 101.

• Cathal and Rita Rudden from Stradone won the 2022 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award

• Cavan Arts Festival drew great crowds to its wonderful programme of events for all the family, including The Villagers (above left). i

• Writer Claire Mulligan launched her debut children’s novel, ‘The Hunt for David Berman’.

BAD MONTH

• Herbicide MCPA was found in quantities which exceed recommended levels in drinking water supplies for Arva, Belturbet, and Gowna.

• Donegal had six points to spare as they beat Cavan in the Ulster Championship.

• Longstanding Lakeland Dairies CEO Michael Hanley announced he would retire at the end of 2022

• Medical scientists attached to the Lab at Cavan General stepped up their strike action when they again took to the picket line outside the hospital.