REVIEW OF THE YEAR – OCTOBER

Breffni revamp revealed

Sports fans got a first glimpse of the futuristic Kingspan Breffni Stadium as the Cavan GAA County Board submitted plans to the council for approval for a multi-million euro redevelopment. The ambitious plans provide for an extended covered seated area, performance assessment and rehab hub, conference facilities, a handball court, hospitality facilities and a museum, as well as new pitches.

Once works are complete Chairman of Cavan GAA Kieran Callaghan believes it will establish the revamped county grounds as one of the premier sporting arenas in Ireland. “If you take Croke Park and Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork, this is definitely up there with the best,” he told The Anglo-Celt. “When you look at a proposal like this, it’s not just the footballers on the pitch. It’s even more than that.”

Cavan welcomes the relics of St Kilian

It was an emotional, historic and holy occasion when the relics of St Kilian returned to Mullagh in what was a major event for the Diocese of Kilmore.

People from Mullagh and Würzburg gathered by St Kilian’s Well, at the furthest edge of the parish to welcome home their saint, scholar, warrior, hero, and herald of the Gospel in what was a moment of “deep exchange”, according to parish priest, Fr Paul Prior. Cllr Shane P. O’Reilly, chair of the Diocesan Organising Committee, had been with the relics of St Kilian and his martyred colleagues - Totnan and Kolonat - from when they first landed on Irish soil via Rosslare days earlier.

Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Eoin Doyle, said it had been a massive “collaborative” undertaking to bring the relics to Ireland, the first time they’ve left Germany in over 1,300 years. He said the partnership between Cavan and Würzburg had been fostered over many years, and that this was moment of “great poignancy”.

Missed diagnosis of brain tumour leads to man’s death

A series of “systems failures” at Cavan General Hospital led to the missed diagnosis of a brain tumour, which grew four times in size in a matter of months and ultimately caused a man’s death.

Martin Lawlor’s inquest heard of multiple “missed opportunities” to pick up the clinical oversight, as well as a near 15-year wait for an IT solution, and other concerns over delays when crucial scanning equipment breaks down.

Mr Lawlor (71) died surrounded by his loving family at Cavan General (CGH) on September 23, 2016.

His wife Patricia, who attended the hearing at Cavan Courthouse, described her late husband as her “soulmate” and “perfect in every way”.The inquest into his death recorded a ‘Narrative’ verdict.

In a statement to The Anglo-Celt following the hearing, a spokesperson for the RSCI hospital group, which includes the Cavan and Monaghan Hospital Group, extended their “sincere condolences” to the family on the passing of Mr Lawlor.

Meet the new owner of the Slieve Russell

The sale of the Slieve Russell in Ballyconnell was finally concluded.

After months of intense speculation, Redhills native Tony Brady was confirmed as the new owner.

His interest in the popular hotel and country club was first reported by this newspaper the previous month.

Brady is a Melbourne-based businessman and brother to Ollie Brady, Cavan’s first All-Star.

Transport plan for the county town

A NEW master plan was being drawn up to shape the future development of transport infrastructure in Cavan Town over the next 20 to 30 years. The draft document could be ready in a matter of months. Elected members were told, however, that any proposal to extend the bypass of Virginia along the N3 as far as the Border with Fermanagh remains “very, very long term”.

Director of Services Paddy Connaughton was speaking at the October monthly meeting of Cavan County Council where concerns were raised over the readiness of local infrastructure to cope with an expected influx of through traffic once the bottleneck in Virginia is eliminated.

Cavan backs Occupied Territories Bill

CAVAN County Council joined a growing number of local authorities across Ireland to back the enactment of the Occupied Territories Bill, legislation aimed at stopping the importation of goods and services produced on settlements in illegally occupied Palestinian territory. If enacted, Ireland would become the first western country to cut trade ties with the country governed by the Benjamin Netanyahu-led coalition.

Cllr Siofán Conaty (SF), proposing the motion, said that, over the previous 12 months, “Israeli genocide in Gaza has broadened and deepened. Netanyahu has opened the gates of hell and is dragging Palestine through them. There must be an immediate and total ceasefire, Israel must be held to account, and Ireland can and should play a role in building peace in the region.”

NUMBER OF THE MONTH

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The combined score in the cavan senior championship final after 45 minutes at a windswept kingspan breffni

Check out the highs and lows of November 2024