From the Archives
25 Years Ago
2000
Traffic solutions proposed for troublesome junction
Cavan County Manager Brian Johnston committed to exploring the installation of temporary traffic lights near the Tractamotors junction on the Ballinagh side to ease congestion caused by large trucks accessing the bypass.
He also proposed evaluating the addition of a third lane leading into the junction to allow traffic heading toward Cavan Town to proceed without delay.
Dr Eamonn McDwyer raised the issue, supported by a motion from councillors Argue, Boylan, and O’Reilly. Suggestions included a Garda presence during peak hours and signage in Ballinagh to redirect drivers via Crossdoney.
Town Engineer John Brannigan meanwhile reported that the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the road extension had been finalised and was awaiting ministerial approval, with construction expected to begin later that year and take 18 months...
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In October 1985, the Iranian Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Abbasali Zali (second from right) and 10 Iranian officials paid a business visit to Bailieboro Co - Op, and in particular to the cheeseplant, to see the production of the different varieties of cheese available at the Co - Op. which included goats milk cheese. Included in picture with the Minister were at back (from left) Dan Collier, Production manager, Bailieboro Co - Op; A. Davaud Alnossavi, MP, Agriculture Committee; Paddy O’Brien, Chief Executive, Bailieboro Co - Op and an Iranian official. The Minister is seen here sampling some Bailieborough Co - Op cheese.Image 2 of 4
Pat Kelly, Ballyhaise, celebrated his 101st birthday in St Felim’s Hospital, Cavan, in October 1975. Pat, who was unmarried, was an active sprightly citizen who enjoyed a pint of stout each day. He said: “The day wouldn’t be the same without it!” He attributed his long life to this but he says that, when he was 18, it only cost 2d. “Times have changed, and money isn’t easy got now,” he said, as he puffed away on his pipe.Image 3 of 4
The Chief Executive and the Company Secretary of An Post paid a courtesy visit to Cavan Post Office in October 1985 where they met and had discussions with the staff. Pictured outside the Cavan Post Office were (from left) Paddy Donohoe, Supervisor; Jim Treacy, Company Secretary, An Post; Gerard Harvey, Chief Executive of An Post and Joe Hayes, Head Postmaster, Cavan.Image 4 of 4
Patrick J. Joyce (second from left), Chairman, Dorr Bros, Ballinamore, presenting a specially-struck commemorative plaque of St Oliver Plunkett to Most Rev Dr F.J. McKiernan, Bishop of Kilmore. The Bishop was set to present the plaque to Pope Paul on behalf of the Diocese of Kilmore after the canonisation ceremonies in Rome in October 1975. Also in picture were (from left) Des Braiden, the artist who designed the plaque (in pewter and bronze) and Michael Martin, representative, Dorr Bros.Gardaí accused of inaction on late-night disturbances
At a meeting of Cavan County Council, councillors voiced frustration over what they described as the gardaí's failure to address late-night disturbances in towns across the county. The Council agreed to invite the then Chief Superintendent Colm Rooney to the next meeting for a full discussion on the issue.
Cllr Michael Giles, who lives near a late-night takeaway, said he could easily identify the same group of six individuals causing noise at night, and believed gardaí should be able to do the same. He argued that businesses should not be penalised due to a lack of enforcement by other agencies.
Cllr Clifford Kelly raised concerns about littering in Kingscourt, noting it had been repeatedly highlighted by the local Community Development Council. The issue was particularly severe in the evenings, as people discarded rubbish from their cars. He called for the appointment of two additional litter wardens and suggested that they operate in unmarked vehicles at night to catch offenders.
Cllr Giles confirmed that Bailieborough faced similar issues and criticised the lack of enforcement of existing litter laws...
Calls to regulate ‘chipper’ closing times
Councillor Paddy O’Reilly argued that the late-night operation of takeaway outlets, or ‘chippers’, contributed significantly to disturbances and litter.
He proposed that the County Council consider setting a fixed closing time for such businesses.
Cllr Giles disagreed, insisting that people had a right to food at 2am or 3am if businesses were willing to provide it. He maintained that it was the responsibility of law enforcement to ensure public order.
Cllr Kelly added that buses returning from a major nightclub near Carrickmacross often dropped passengers in Kingscourt, where they visited fast food outlets and then littered the streets...
North–South food directory launched
A unique cross-border initiative was launched in Monaghan with the introduction of the Irish Border Food Directory, a comprehensive listing of 106 local food producers.
The project, a collaboration between twelve LEADER groups from both sides of the border, aimed to raise awareness of the high-quality food and niche products available in the region. The printed directory was to be distributed to restaurants, pubs, hotels, hospitals, and schools, while an accompanying website would allow for regular updates and new entries.
Minister Bríd Rodgers praised the initiative as an excellent example of cross-border cooperation envisioned in the Good Friday Agreement, while Minister Noel Davern commended LEADER’s ongoing support for rural food producers.
50 YEARS AGO
1975
Bullock falls into old mine shaft
A 10-cwt bullock belonging to Michael Farrelly of Ballinaclose, Kingscourt, died after falling into a 20-foot-deep hole on land near the Gypsum Industries factory. The hole, a remnant of an old gypsum mine, opened up beneath the animal while it was lying down.
Despite efforts by factory employees and machinery, the bullock could not be saved and died shortly after being rescued...
Hay destroyed in Blacklion farm fire
A fire at a farm in Kiltyfelan, near Blacklion, caused extensive damage to stored hay and the building in which it was housed. The blaze broke out around 1am on a Sunday and was first discovered by the farmer, Patrick Scott. His wife flagged down a passing motorist who alerted emergency services in Belcoo.
Thanks to the quick response of local volunteers, the police, and fire brigade, the fire was eventually brought under control. Tragically, this was not the first such incident in the family - Mr Scott’s brother had lost his entire hay stock in a fire the previous winter at Holywell....
Compensation scheme for bombing damage
Monaghan County Council expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s compensation scheme for malicious damage caused by bombings related to the Northern Ireland conflict.
While damage claims were reimbursed, associated expenses such as legal and assessment fees were not covered. Councillors agreed to submit a resolution to the Department seeking changes to the scheme.
Deputies B. Toal, TD and J. Leonard, TD, argued that the compensation should also cover fire-related damages and personal injuries that occurred outside the scheme’s strict time limits. A specific case involving an injured woman from Emyvale was cited as an example of the scheme’s shortcomings...
Canonisation of Blessed Oliver Plunkett
A large local contingency set off for Rome to be present on Peter's Square when His Holiness Pope Paul VI canonised Blessed Oliver Plunkett, the Meath-born martyred Primate of Ireland.
Taoiseach, Liam Cosgrave, was set to lead the official Irish delegation and the Diocese of Kilmore was to be represented by Most Rev Dr F.J. McKiernan, Bishop of Kilmore, and a large number of pilgrims.
Most Rev Dr McCormack, Bishop of Meath, was to be one of the concelebrants with Pope Paul, at the new St Oliver Plunkett Mass, with five other Irish Bishops, and event that would be televised back here in Ireland.
100 YEARS AGO
1925
Shooting of guard in Arva
A shocking shooting incident occurred in Arva late on Monday night, in which a Civic Guard, Finlay - a native of Belfast - was seriously wounded at close range.
Guard Finlay was returning to his lodgings around 10:50pm and was in the process of opening the gate when two gunshots rang out from a distance of about ten yards. He sustained injuries to the chest, legs, and right arm. Yet despite his wounds, the injured officer still managed to rush to the house, force the door open, and collapse in the hallway. His assailants then fled the scene.
The shots were fired from a shotgun, and between 20 and 30 pellets struck the victim. Some were embedded in his chest, while others lodged in his limbs. A motive for the attack had not been established, though it was understood that Guard Finlay had recently been involved in investigating a particularly sensitive case in the town.
Finlay, married with two young children, had been stationed in Arva for one year and eight months. The incident caused widespread shock in the local area.
The wounded officer was transported to Cavan County Hospital on Tuesday, where doctors successfully removed all pellets except one lodged near his heart. Remarkably, a large pellet was found embedded in a notebook he had been carrying in his breast pocket - a detail that may well have saved his life.