The Anglo-Celt Review of the Year – October

Connolly elected President

IN THE end it was Cavan–Monaghan that stood apart. In an election where the country turned decisively towards Independent Catherine Connolly, this border constituency offered Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys her only victory.

In Cavan-Monaghan Humphreys secured nearly six in ten of the valid votes cast: 31,075 to Connolly’s 20,273.

But, nationally, it was the independent candidate, Catherine Connolly, who swept the polls to a decisive win with 63% of the votes. She pledged to be a “president for all” in what was an upset for the political establishment.

‘Game changer’ for regional sports complex

The development of a multi-million regional sports campus for Cavan Town was given a significant boost with the allocation of an additional €15M in Peace funding.

The world-class facility, adjacent to Breffni Park, is being progressed by Cavan County Council in partnership with Cavan GAA and the Royal School.

It brought to €44M the total funding committed to the project to date.

€2.5M price tag on landmark property

A €2.5M guide price has been placed on the landmark former Poor Clare’s Convent building in the heart of Cavan Town. Brought to market by Sherry FitzGerald Declan Woods, the fully-let, mixed-use property on Main Street was being marketed as a rare investment opportunity, combining strong rental income, circa €272,940pa, with significant historical and architectural appeal.

Gardaí investigate spate of burglaries

GARDAÍ were investigating a recent spate of burglaries across Cavan, including one incident in which a homeowner returned from attending a wake to find their house being burgled.

It came as gardaí commenced its winter phase of its targeted operational activity, ‘Operation Thor’. This annual enforcement operation is aimed at preventing burglars from exploiting the reduced hours of daylight. Residential burglary tends to be higher in winter months.

Hospital apologises for shortcomings in care of Baby Luke

THE parents of an 11-month-old infant who died in Cavan General Hospital in 2023 say they are “angry and disgusted” because their son’s death was preventable.

Baby Luke Kelly passed away at the local hospital facility on July 5, 2023, having developed pneumonia and despite having overcome open heart surgery weeks earlier at Crumlin Hospital. He was just weeks shy of his first birthday.

The inquest into the death of baby Luke concluded at Cavan Courthouse with the county coroner returning a verdict of death by medical misadventure.

Dr Mary Flanagan concluded that “system failures led to Luke’s death”.

Before the inquest got underway in Cavan Courthouse last week, a letter from hospital management was read out. In it, they apologised to Luke’s parents - Helena Lyons and Barry Kelly from Shantemon - for ‘shortcomings’ in the care their son received at Cavan General leading up to his death.

Community rallies around for Ben

THE Crosserlough community rallied around the family of a local man injured in a serious road collision in a remote area of Western Australia. In little over a week, more than €180,000 was raised to help treat Ben Denning Galligan (25) who remained in ICU in an induced coma with serious, life-altering injuries, following the incident on October 14.

Retail deal sees Rudden expand to three key sites

Well-known businessman Padraic Rudden completed the acquisition of two long-standing retail outlets on the outskirts of Cavan Town. The transaction, which involved the takeover of the two former Kiernan’s Service Stations - at Dublin Road and Moynehall - marked a significant expansion for the Stradone entrepreneur, who already operates a successful store on Railway Road.