The Anglo-Celt Review of the year – August

Major housing development

ONE hundred and forty-five new homes were planned for the outskirts of Cavan Town with work on the €55 million development in Drumlark due to start in September.

The developers, the Dublin-based Fitzpatrick Heavy Group, confirmed to The Anglo-Celt they purchased a 13-acre site from local businessman, Brendan Cosgrove, and have already secured planning permission for the new homes. They were a mix of one, two, three and four-bed properties with the asking price for a three-bed expected in the region of €365,000.

Humphreys’ bid for Áras

HEATHER Humphreys has promised to be a “unifying force” if elected the next President of Ireland.

“Where there is division I would try to bring unity,” she pledged.

The former Cavan Monaghan Fine Gael TD was speaking to this newspaper after she finally officially announced her intention to run for the top job in Ireland.

It followed MEP Mairead McGuinness’ shock withdrawal from the race on “medical grounds”.

Parents begin series of protests

TWO determined Cavan mothers protested outside the HSE offices in Cavan Town demanding action to address systemic failings in the provision of disability services for children in the region.

Serena Dawson and Rachel Kearns were leading the call for change to address endless waiting lists for this children to access vital services and therapies.

The peaceful protest outside the new Cavan Primary Care Children’s Services Centre on Main Street was the first in a series by affected families and their supporters.

Money Mules - Trapped in the Transfer

The Celt began a four-part series in which reporter Gemma Good looked at the rise of money mules to steal or launder money, how young people are being targeted for this purpose, what it involves and the consequences if left with a conviction for a fraud offence. The series was supported by a documentary, which can be viewed on the Celt’s youtube channel.

Surgeon appears on UK news podcast

IRISH trauma and vascular surgeon Morgan McMonagle believes a resolution to the conflict in Palestine rests “in the hands of three white, Caucasian men who don’t seem to want meaningful peace.” Dr McMonagle has worked in some of the world’s most harrowing conflicts - including two stints in Gaza itself since the Israeli bombardment began. He appeared on the popular ‘Ways to Change the World’ podcast hosted by Channel 4 news anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

Bypass business case prepped for submission

Cavan County council was aiming to submit a 'preliminary business case' to the Department in 2026 for the Virginia N3 Bypass.

The local authority was continuing to progress the development of the project through the final elements of design and environmental evaluation and subject to the necessary Government approval.

It was expected the formal planning application to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála next year.

Households urged to conserve water

UISCE Éireann was appealing to customers, particularly in Clones and the surrounding areas, to continue their efforts to conserve water and protect supply. Met Éireann data taken from the nearby Ballyhaise weather station in Co Cavan showed that combined rainfall over the past 14 months was 915.2mm. This was down significantly from the long-term 14-month average of 1,177.8mm, or a decrease of 22%.

Funeral takes place of mum who died by assisted suicide

THE funeral took place of Cavan woman Maureen Slough, who died at the Pegasos clinic on July 10, after travelling alone to Switzerland to end her life by assisted suicide.

Ms Slough had told family and friends she was going on a holiday to Lithuania, and her daughter was only informed of her mother's passing via a WhatsApp message afterwards.

What occurred has brought renewed scrutiny to Switzerland’s controversial assisted suicide regime, and the growing phenomenon of so-called suicide tourism.