News Review - February 2022
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Oliver Gibson, Clamping Submarine featured on TV show Amazing Spaces. ©Rory GearyImage 2 of 5
Leona Maguire tips her hat to the crowd after the final putt of her three-stroke victory during the final round of the LPGA Drive On Championship golf tournament at Crown Colony Golf & Country Club, in Fort Myers, Florida. Photo: Steve Nesius/AP/Shutterstock Steve Nesius/AP/ShutterstockImage 3 of 5
Johnny McCabe gives his young son Jace a lift at the Ramor Macra charity run in aid of Be Buddies Not Bullies at Virginia Show Centre last February. Photo: Lorraine Teevan LORRAINE TEEVANImage 4 of 5
Jennifer Hands with her daughters Tinesha and Trinity.Image 5 of 5
Juliet Smyth Conaty at the snowy Town Lake in Bailieborough during February’s cold snap.Post woman receives bravery award
An Post presented an award to Catherine Farrell in recognition of her bravery in helping to save a pensioner from a savage dog attack, some three years ago in the Tunnyduff area of east Cavan.
The pandemic put pay to An Post’s original plans for the awards ceremony. Instead, at Catherine’s request, a low-key presentation of a beautifully hand turned yew bowl and a medal was made, in a quiet corner of the Kells An Post office, by her manager.
Lands at risk of flooding blocked from development
Dozens of acres of land across the county have been blocked from future development in the draft County Development Plan after they were found to overlap with newly established flood mapping. For the first time ever local councillors had to factor in the maps identifying potential flood planes drawn up following extensive surveys.
Along with the lands in Cavan Town, sites in Ballyjamesduff, Belturbet, Kingscourt and Mullagh needed to be examined. Further land identified as whiteland in Crossdoney, Crosskeys, Dowra, Killeshandra, Kilnaleck, Redhills, Shercock and Swanlinbar was also reviewed.
To Russia With Love
A Cavan mother’s hopes of travelling to Russia for innovative stem cell treatment for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) received a boost when an online fundraiser garnered over €20,000 in just 24 hours. Jennifer Hands (pictured top), a 41-year-old single mother of two teenagers from Milltown was diagnosed with the neurological condition after waking up one day to discover she had lost the feeling in her legs and feet.
'Sometimes people won’t even open the bills’
People in Cavan are “really feeling the pinch” and are being forced to cut back on essentials as living costs continue to increase. Basics, like the cost of groceries and heating, are now out of reach for some people locally, with organisations like Saint Vincent de Paul fielding increased calls. “I’m just hoping the weather turns before the midterm break,” says Madeline Uí Mhealóid of SVP in Cavan
Pride of Cavan
Leona Maguire was deservedly the toast of Ireland - again - as she won the LPGA Drive On Championship. A stunning final round saw her overcome the challenge of top American Lexi Thompson in Florida and pic up a winner's cheque worth $225,000.
'Vast majority' of 66 cable thefts occurred in this region
An Garda Síochána were appealing for information from the public arising from scores of thefts of telephone cable in the previous six months. Nationally Gardaí have been notified of 66 incidents of cable theft since last summer, “the vast majority” of which occurred in rural parts of Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath. The cables were likely targeted for copper contained within.
MONTH IN NUMBERS
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The number of refuge spaces for victims of domestic abuse to be provided in Cavan and Monaghan following the publication of a long awaited Tusla report.
“It [suicide] has manifested, if I might compare, as a cancer that was in remission, only to return with a vengeance. The doctors say, if you are in remission for five or six years, then you’re in the clear. What did we last? Five or six months... - Fr Donal Kilduff at the funeral Mass of a young Denn man
GOOD MONTH
• The Anglo-Celt belatedly (due to Covid) celebrated our 175th anniversary
• Chef Adrian Martin opened his Wildflower restaurant in Dublin
• Virginia College teacher Una Smith was one of just four teachers nationally to be recognised with a coveted Teachers Inspire Award for 2021.
• Oliver Gibson’s home built yellow glamping submarine appeared on Channel 4’s ‘Amazing Spaces’.
BAD MONTH
• Former Cavan Estate Agent Anthony Breathnach was charged with the theft of almost €143,000 of clients’ money following his arrest in Dublin Airport.
• Ambulances were under pressure with the average response time 4 minutes longer than for previous two years.
• The price of fertiliser had over tripled from circa €300/t last February to c. €950/t this February.