30th July,
042 932 0888
Man sentenced to death over Seán Rooney killing
Taoiseach welcomes conviction but criticises fact Mohammad Ayyad is still at large
By Paul Byrne
A NUMBER of people have been convicted for the murder of Irish Defence Forces Private Seán Rooney in Lebanon following a Military Tribunal in Beirut on Monday. The main defendant, Mohammad Ayyad was sentenced to death but Ayyad, a member of Hezbollah, was absent from the proceedings and is still at large. Ruairí
Ó Murchú the Sinn Fein TD for Louth reacted to the news by stating that it was ‘absolutely ridiculous’ that Ayyad was still at large.
Private Rooney, 24, from Dundalk and later Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, was killed while serving in Lebanon when his UN peacekeeping convoy was attacked in December 2022.
The shooting, near the town of AlAqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of militant group Hezbollah, resulted in the death of the UN peacekeeper.
An Taoiseach Micheal Martin also bemoaned the fact that Ayyad was still at large while calling the sentences for the other men involved as ‘far too lenient’.
“Earlier today a Military Tribunal in Beirut convicted a number of men over the murder of UN Peacekeeper Private Sean Rooney in Lebanon in December 2022.
“While I welcome the conviction of the main defendant, it is unsatisfactory that he is still at large. Many will feel the sentences passed down on the other defendants are far too lenient.
Continued on Page 2
In attendance at Croke Park ahead of the 2025 TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Championship Finals is Louth captain Áine Breen.
Man sentenced to death over Pte Sean Rooney’s
From Page 1
“The justice system in Lebanon, and the delay in progressing in this case, was deeply regrettable.
Peacekeeping is the most noble cause of all, and the role of the peacekeeper must at all times be honoured and respected.
“This is a very difficult day for the family of Sean Rooney, in particular his mother Natasha.
Sean was a soldier of great courage, who put the safety of others before his own safety in the line of duty.
“He was brave and diligent. My thoughts and prayers
are with Natasha, his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time,” stated An Taoiseach.
Louth TD Ruairí Ó Murchú said his first thoughts are with the family of Sean Rooney, whose grandparents live in Dundalk, and his friends and his Defence Forces’ colleagues.
He said that while the verdicts in the court case in Lebanon are welcome, it is ‘absolutely ridiculous’ that Ayyad, who received a death sentence which is expected to be commuted to a lengthy prison term, is still at large.
In addition, he said the other defendants’ sentences, which
ranged from monetary fines to a number of months in prison, were ‘extraordinarily lenient by any terms’.
Deputy Ó Murchú said: ‘First and foremost, we need to know where Ayyad is. He was released on bail following his first court appearances because of an apparent medical issue, but has not appeared since and is at large.
‘While I welcome the fact that he has been found guilty and sentenced, no-one can be impressed with the situation that he is not actually in custody’.
The Dundalk TD said he would write to Tánaiste Simon
Harris and Taoiseach Micheál Martin about the case, to urge them to use all avenues open to the State to ensure that Ayyad is captured and serves the sentence he was handed down.
In addition, Deputy Ó Murchú said the Rooney family needs to know all the circumstances of how the 24-year-old peacekeeper was killed. He said there are a number of other investigations into the death, including at UN and Defence Forces’ level, that ‘need to provide information to the family, as well as providing opportunities to learn from what happened so that this never can happen again’.
12,000 hits from all over the world for Jim’s graveyard project
WHEN Jim Kerley completed the mammoth nine-year project which saw him and a team of volunteers create a searchable database for every single grave in Dowdallshill cemetery he had an inkling it would prove popular. However, with the project up and running for seven months now the popularity of the site has exceeded all expectations with more than 12000 hits to date on the site since December. And that number is expected to swell further now that a sign with a QR code for the website has been erected at Dowdallshill Graveyard.
The site which can be found on the Louth County Council website under Services-Graveyards, maps every single one of the 11,000+ graves and 25,000+ people in Dowdallshill graveyard.
The records include the name, age, religious persuasion, occupation, marital status, last place of residence, dates of death and burial as well as grave number and location The earliest burial on the database is April 1895. The last date is December 2019. Recent burials will be added on an annual rolling five-year period. The last place of residence field has been redacted for those entries under thirty years old and will be added on an annual rolling basis.
According to Jim, the popularity of the site is
testament to the hard work involved from everybody who helped his dream become a reality.
“We are absolutely delighted that the site has proven to be very popular with not only local people but people from all over the world. We were looking at the information recently and we found that the site has had 12,000 hits since its launch in December and those hits have come from not only Ireland but Belgium, Germany, Spain, the USA and even China.
“Obviously most of these would be Irish people abroad with maybe some relatives or friends in Dowdallshill graveyard but it’s fantastic to see that the hard work has been worth it. We recently got a sign with a QR code and information about the website put up in Dowdallshill Graveyard just in time for the Blessings
of the Graves a couple of weeks back and we had a spike of 400 people clicking on to the website over that weekend.
“I was at the Blessings of the Graves and I had an awful lot of people coming over to me talking about the project and how helpful they found it to be. There was a girl at the graveyard at the Blessings of the Graveyard who told me she should be getting commission as she spent most of the time directing people to the website to make it easier for them to find their loved ones graves,” laughs Jim.
“It was a real labour of love which took nine painstaking years and I couldn’t have done it without the help of Louth County Council who came on board with the project. Helen Dibley and Frances Monaghan were the two main girls in the council who helped build the web-
site and map it. We also had invaluable assistance from volunteers in Louth Volunteer Centre and students up in DkIT.
Oaklawns resident Jim, a retired fireman and keen local historian, is hoping the brand new sign in Dowdallshill graveyard will ensure the site gets even more traffic and generate more interest in the website.
“It was a mammoth task and as I was in the midst of it I would always joke to people that I just wanted to get it completed before I ended up in the graveyard,” laughs Jim. “We managed to do that and thankfully it is running very well and has been well received. We have the sign up now with the QR code in Dowdallshill graveyard so hopefully the site will prove valuable to plenty more people in the future,” concluded Jim.
EZ Living Interiors opening in Dundalk this Saturday
LEADING furniture and home accessories retailer EZ Living Interiors, is delighted to announce the grand opening of their Dundalk store located at Dundalk Retail Park, Inner Relief Rd, Marshes Upper, A91 X8C6k.
To celebrate, EZ Living Interiors will host an opening event this Saturday at 11am with ‘Help Me Buy a Home’ presenter Liz O’Kane and Louth Senior Men’s Football star players Emmet Carolan and Ciaran Downey. Customers can enjoy a meet and greet with the players, who have just celebrated their Leinster Senior Men’s Championship victory, a historic moment as it brought an end to a 68 year wait for the Delaney Cup. Plus, a host of fun-filled activities will keep the whole family entertained.
KNOCK Pilgrimage
Monday 4th August: Departure from Dundal. Special Celebration at Knock Shrine for all.
Concluding with Eucharistic Healing Service with Sister Briege McKenna, OSC Enquiries: 0851833110.
Lough Derg One Day Retreat: Saturday, 23rd August departure from Dundalk Enquiries phone: 085 1833110.
Medjugorje: 27th August to 1st September (5nights) Sharing 230 Euro – limited single rooms 300 EURO. 5 night Bed/Breakfast, Transport to and from Dubrovnik airport. Pilgrims are required to book their own flight. There are only a few remaining spaces. Enquiries: Laurena - 0851833110 –0879420709.
Liz O’Kane.
The late Pte Sean Rooney.
Jim Kerley beside the new sign advertising the graveyard database in Dowdallshill cemetery.
All-Ireland Poc Fada Final returns to Annaverna
THE annual All Ireland Poc Fada Final returns to Annaverna Monday 04th August next in the Cooley Mountains. Competitors taking
part this year are of the highest calibre, with many holding All Star Awards, All Ireland Club and County medals and numerous
other accolades. The modern Poc Fada recreates the legendary journey of Cú Chulainn who as the 7-year-old boy Setanta decided he had waited long enough to become a member of the famous Red Branch Knights of Ulster. So he set off from his home in Dundalk for the Macra, the Red Branch Knights school in Ard Mhacha (Armagh), some 60km away.
The 5 km Senior Hurling and 2.5 km Senior Camogie and Under 16 courses do provide ample opportunity to practice poc’s, as on average the Senior Hurling takes 46 pocs to win.
Fada took place the following year in 1961.
First sponsored by Martin Donnelly over 25 years ago the MD Sports myclubshop.ie
der for the M. Donnelly My Club Shop.ie Playing Order: SENIOR HURLING
All-Ireland Poc Fada Finals represent one of the longest-running sponsorships within the GAA and Camogie Association.
While today’s competitors cannot fully recreate Setanta’s mythical feats, they do compete over the same Cooley mountains as Setanta once passed.
While crossing The Cooley Mountains Setanta hit his sliotar far ahead and ran forward to catch it on his hurley stick before it hit the ground.
The modern AllIreland Poc Fada dates back to 1960 when six boys from Dundalk (Mal Begley, Peter Crilly, Sean Mc Aeney, Jerome Mc Donagh, Peter Myles and first ever winner Damien Callan) under the watchful eye of An tAthair Pól Mac Shean, took part in the very first Poc Fada. The first All-Ireland Poc
Everyone is very welcome to Annaverna on Bank Holiday Monday, so why not make your way to the mountain for 11am and make sure to bring the kids who can meet our hurling heroes.
The Full Playing Or-
Food Safety Authority urge people to be aware of risks involving listeria
THE Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) advised on Monday that a food recall of various branded spinach and mixed leaves products produced by McCormack Family Farms is underway due to the detection of Listeria monocytogenes.
To date, there are no cases of listeriosis associated with the spinach and mixed leaves products that are the subject of this recall. Also, there is currently no evidence that this food recall is linked with the listeriosis outbreak related to ready-to-heat meals that is currently under investigation.
“The FSAI is aware that consumers may be feeling anxious at the news of a
second recall involving Listeria monocytogenes. While we urge people to be aware of the risks, and to take precautions when using ready-to-eat foods, they can be assured that there is a robust food control system in place in Ireland, which contributed to the identification of the latest need for a recall.
The FSAI advice, as always, is that if anyone has eaten any recalled foods and are feeling well, they do not need to do anything. However, if anyone has eaten any recalled foods and feels unwell, they should seek medical advice,” stated the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacterium
Listeria monocytogenes. It is usually acquired by eating contaminated food. The Listeria bacteria that can cause illness is killed by cooking food thoroughly (i.e. until piping hot throughout). Serious infection with Listeria monocytogenes is very rare. On average each year, there are between 14 and 22 cases of listeriosis reported in Ireland. Listeria poses a particular risk to elderly people, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. These individuals in particular, should avoid higher risk foods and ensure that they cook food thoroughly until piping hot, and in line with manufacturer’s instructions.
1. Cathal Dillon, Tipperary; 2. Pearce Smyth, Down; 3. Noel Fallon, Roscommon; 4. Sean Og McLaren, Antrim; 5. Killian Phelan, Kilkenny; 6. Cillian Kiely, Offaly; 7. Darren Geoghegan, Louth; 8. Brendan Cummins, Tipperary; 9. Pat Burke, Westmeath; 10. Bobby Douglas, Mayo; 11. Colin Ryan, Limerick; 12. Fionan Mackessy-2024 Champion, Kilkenny.
SENIOR CAMOGIE
1. Isobelle McIn-
erney, Clare; 2. Ellen Leech, Antrim; 3. Patricia Coote, Westmeath; 4. Maeve Muldoon, Galway; 5. Sara Louise Graffin Down; 6. Molly Lynch- 2024 Champion, Cork
U-16 HURLING
1. Donnacha Collins, Derry; 2. Oran Stratford, Galway; 3. Sean Og O’Regan, Waterford; 4. Conor Raleigh, Westmeath.
U-16 CAMOGIE
1. Siofra Ginty, Offaly; 2. Kayla Garrett, Galway; 3. Saoirse Ryan, Tipperary; 4. Eimear Ward,
Fatima Open Golf Competition
THE 34th Fatima Open takes place this Saturday August 2nd at the Ballymascanlon Hotel Golf Course. Tee-time will take place between 1:30 and 3pm with prizes for the following: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th. Front 9. Back 9. Longest drive 9th hole, closest to the pin 3rd hole. The Gerry Gallagher Memorial Prize. The Kevin Mathews Memorial Prize.
Main sponsors: Cullens Autoparts, FastFix, John Laverty Motor Factors, MVI. Presentation of prizes in Lennons Bar 8-9pm. Contact Paul Mathews (0857226163), Leo Martin (0863675618) or Paddy ‘The Caddie’ Murtagh (0879732709). All welcome.
month in the year, but which is the
10—Can you name the two different fictional newspapers that Clark Kent (Superman) and Peter Parker (Spiderman) worked for?
What connection has the
Troika got in Ireland?
Which famous Dundalk bar was once run by the Kerley sisters and later Betty Fitzpatrick?
6—What is on average 238,855 miles away from earth?
7—Which popular salad gets it’s name from the New York hotel where itwas first made?
8—According to the lyrics of the song by the Weather Girls, it will startraining men at just about what time?
9—February is the shortest
The Stinker—What is the only word in English ending in the letters `mt`?
Antrim.
The Poc Fada final is on Monday in Annaverna.
Sensational Kate has the golden touch in Germany
Kate O’Connor’s star continues to rise with the Belfry Garden native winning a gold medal in the women’s heptathlon at the World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany last Thursday.
The hugely talented 24-year old smashed the national record of 6297 points which she set in 2021 as she amassed a total of 6487 which is the fourth best performance in the world in 2025. With the Olympics on the horizon for next year, O’Connor is undoubtedly in the best shape of her fledgling career and excitement is building as she continues to make waves in the notoriously difficult heptathlon event.
O’Connor has enjoyed a stellar start to her 2025 season already having won bronze at the European Indoors in the Netherlands before winning a World Indoor silver in China.
The former St Gerard’s AC athlete began her competition with an average start in the 100 metre hurdles with a time of 13.89 which is well outside her PB for that event. However, a very im-
pressive showing in the high jump where she cleared 1.83m saw her get back on track. She backed that up with a solid throw of 13.76m in the Shot Putt but she kept the best for last on day one as she ran her fastest ever 200m in a time of 24.33 to lead comfortably in the standings after day 1.
On Wednesday morning, she made a shaky start in the 100m hurdles, clocking 13.89, some way down on her best of 13.57. But she bounced back with a hugely impressive 1.83m in the high jump, the second highest clearance of her career, before throwing 13.76m in the shot putt. She closed the day in superb fashion, smashing her 200m personal best with 24.33, leaving her well clear in the overnight standings.
Day two began with solid efforts in both the long jump and the javelin meaning O’Connor was all but assured of Gold barring disaster heading into the final event which was the 800 metres.
Knowing that she had a chance to smash her own national record
with a decent performance in the 800 metres, O’Connor gave it her all for the final event and ended up finishing the race with a lifetime best of 2:10.46.
In winning gold, O’Connor became only the fourth ever Irish athlete to do so on the track and she now joins an illustrious list that includes Ronnie Delany (won 800m in 1961); Niall Bruton (1500m in 1991) Sonia O’Sullivan (1500m in 1991) and Thomas Barr (400m hurdles in 2015).
Speaking afterwards O’Connor expressed her delight: “I’m in the shape of my life at the moment, and to go out here and do this on a global stage, I’m really happy with that. To put on the Irish vest here and represent my country and Ulster University who have supported me so much over the years is fantastic.”
O’Connor, a master’s student in communication and PR at Ulster University, will now go into Septembers World Championships in Tokyo full of confidence.
Luanasa historical walks
COOLEYconnectwell are running a number of historical walking events celebrating the celtic month of Luanasa during August. Ranging between Dundalk, Ravensdale, Cooley and Carlingford, these walks are led by experienced guides on hidden tracks, trails and mountain terrain, highlighting the hidden gems of the Cooley Peninsula. A brief outline of event include, Bilberry Sunday on 1st and 2nd in Carlingford /Cooley, Landlords and Linen in Ravensdale on 4th, Hidden Heritage in Lismawully on 18th, Booleying on Carlingford Hills on 20th, and the Ancient Mass Path Loop in Ravensdale on 23rd.
Contact cooleyconnectwellbeinglouth@ gmail.com or 083 3924117.
Kate O’Connor’s total of 6487 meant she finished well ahead of silver medallist Szabina Szucs (6081) of Hungary and Emilia Surch of Australia (6068), who took bronze.
Cooleyconnectwell are running a number of historical walks this weekend.
DkIT Researchers Present at Musicology Conference
DKIT researchers, Dr Adèle Commins and Dr Daithí Kearney recently presented at the 23rd Annual Plenary of the Society for Musicology in Ireland hosted by the School of Music, University College Dublin.
Commins, Head of Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music at DkIT, examined the link between poetry and compositional practice in the work of Irishborn composer Charles Villiers Stanford. Her paper focused in particular on the influence of the Italian poet Dante, whose work continues to influence popular culture from the novels of Dan Brown, films like The Pirates of the Caribbean, and video games like Dante’s Inferno. In this paper,
she presented an analysis of Stanford’s music to demonstrate the role of poetry in inspiring the creative process.
Kearney, Co-Director of the Creative Arts Research Centre at DkIT, presented an examination of Spanish themes in Irish music, focusing in particular on composer Bill Whelan and the internationally renowned band
The Chieftains. Whelan, who celebrates his 75th birthday this year, is best know for Riverdance but, two years prior to that seminal moment in Irish musical history he composed The Seville Suite, which brought together Irish and Spanish musicians and dancers for a special performance at Expo’92.
A few years later, The
Chieftains released their Grammy-award winning album Santiago, which drew on the music of the Iberian Peninsula and its diaspora.
Kearney notes the various interpretations of Spanish national and regional culture and how this has been developed
by Irish musicians. The conference included a wide range of speakers from Ireland and internationally, exploring a range of aspects on musicological research including new approaches to Opera, music and migration, democracy and social
engagement. The keynote address delivered by Professor Esteban Buch (Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales, Paris) explored the relationship between music and politics, which proved very topical in the current global context.
Tributes for father of three who was tragically killed in workplace accident
TRIBUTES have poured in for a fatherof-three who was tragically killed in a workplace accident at EK Fuels on the Armagh Road.
Forty-year-old Saul McElwain from Ballynamoney, Carlingford was operating machinery when the horrific accident happened just after 9am on Tuesday morning. Gardaí confirmed that he was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Gardai and emergency services were alerted to a fatal workplace accident at a premises at Lisdoo, Dundalk, Co Louth on Monday 22nd July, 2025 at approximately 9:15am.
“A male in his 40s was pronounced deceased at the scene,” the statement continued.
“His body was removed to the mortuary at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and a postmortem examination will take place in due course. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has been notified and will conduct its own investigation. A file will be prepared for the Coroner’s Court,” read the statement.
In his death notice on RIP.ie, Saul’s notice said
he will be sadly missed by his loving wife Sarah, daughters Naomi, Abbie and Jessica, his parents Richard and Kathleen, brothers Patrick and Ross, sisters Miriam and Vivien, brothers-in-law Benny, Eddie, Mark and Alex, sisters-in-law Pamela, Aideen, Bernadette and Laura, parents-in-law Yvonne and Alec, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, his extended family and all who knew him.
Condolences on the site described Saul as a ‘gentleman and a lovely genuine man who was well known for the twinkle in his eye and his big smile.
Mr McElwain was buried on Saturday at Ballymascanlon Churchyard following a service at Dundalk Presbyterian Church.
Great success for Dundalk at recent Provincial Fleadhanna
FLEADH Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford Town from the 3rd to the 10th of August will bring the curtain down on the 2025 Fleadh season.
In recent weeks members of the Dundalk branch of Comhaltas (Comhaltas Dún Dealgan) have been busy competing at the provincial Fleadhanna in Leinster and Ulster to secure qualification to the All Ireland in Wexford. Their performances were well rewarded and as a result the Dundalk branch will be represented 17 competitions in Wexford. First and second placed competitors at Provincial Fleadhanna qualify to compete in the All-Ireland Finals.
At the Leinster Fleadh held in Drogheda the following were amongst the prize winners:
12-15 AGE GROUP: Ryan
Martin 1st Harp Slow Airs; Kayla Martin 1st Uilleann Pipes Slow Airs, 2nd Harp Dance Music & 3rd Uilleann Pipes Dance Music.
15-18 AGE GROUP: Jaymee
Martin 1st Harp Slow Airs and 3rd Harp Dance Music.
OVER-18 (Senior): Rachael Dooley 1st Harp Dance Music
& 1st Harp Slow Airs; James White 1st Piano Accordion, & 1st Piano; Enda Dooley 1st Banjo & 2nd Mandolin; Rachael & Enda Dooley 3rd Duets.
The Ulster Fleadh was held in Warrenpoint last weekend and the following Dundalk branch members were prize winners:
12-15 AGE GROUP: Philip Carr 1st 12-15 Mandolin.
15-18 AGE GROUP: Lauren Carr 1st 15-18 Flute Slow Airs; Fionn Marron 1st 1518 Mandolin & 3rd Banjo; Dearbhla and Fionn Marron 2nd Duets; Dearbhla Marron 2nd Ladies singing English Singing.
OVER-18 (Senior): Hannah
Nic Eindrí 1st in singing self accompanied on harp; 2nd Harp Slow Airs & 3rd in Ladies Sean Nós Singing.
Congratulations to all and best of luck in Wexford. The branch will hold their Flag Day this Friday, 1st August. After ‘The Fleadh’ in Wexford if will be back to work with weekly branch music classes.
Anyone wishing express interest in classes for the 2025/2026 season can contact the branch secretary Lorraine at 087 928 6130.
Daithí Kearney and Adele Commins.
The late Saul McElwain.
Jaymee and Ryan Martin.
Enda Dooley.
James White.
Rachel Dooley.
Byrne relishing chance to lead Louth ladies to fourth Junior All-Ireland success
FROM the three previous TG4
All-Ireland junior football championship finals that Louth’s Eimear Byrne has played in up to this point, there is one that clearly stands out above all others.
Having been part of a side that lost out to Limerick at Croke Park in 2018, Byrne returned to the same venue 12 months later as the Wee County took on Fermanagh in another third-tier decider. While a 3-13 to 2-6 victory for Louth ensured it was always going to be a memorable day, the fact Byrne’s sister Aoife lined up alongside her in midfield made it extra special for the St Mochta’s star.
Although Aoife has stepped away from the inter-county scene in recent years, Eimear was a starter when her native county lost out to Fermanagh in last year’s junior showpiece. She has also been an ever-present in the Louth attack during 2025 and is now set to feature in her fourth West County Hotel Cup final against Antrim in GAA HQ this Sunday (August 3rd)
“In 2019 I was playing alongside my sister Aoife. She has actually retired from inter-county football now. She has had two kids since, but she is back playing club football. Hopefully at some stage
I’ll get to play alongside her this year,” Byrne explained.
“2019 was a very, very special year and climbing the steps of the Hogan Stand alongside your sister and playing in midfield with her is something very, very special. Unfortunately I won’t have her beside me this time around, but she’ll definitely be in the stands shouting me on anyway.”
Next weekend won’t be the first visit to Croke Park this year for the Byrne family as they were previously there on May 11 for one of the most unforgettable days in the recent sporting history of the Wee County.
15 years after another of her siblings (Declan) featured off the bench in a much-discussed provincial decider defeat to the same opposition, Eimear’s brother Ciaran played the final eight minutes as the Louth men’s team collected their first Leinster senior football championship title in 68 years with a final victory over Meath.
The family achievements don’t end there, however, as the aforementioned Declan was part of the management team for a Louth U20s side that qualified for an All-Ireland final with a last-four triumph over Mayo on May 16two days before Eimear kicked a brace of points for the ladies side
in their TG4 Leinster junior football championship final success over Carlow.
“It has been a very special year in our house. I’m sitting here looking out the window and the Louth flags are still flying high, and they’ve been up there for the last couple of weeks. Because ‘Casey’ (a nickname given to Ciaran due to Eimear’s inability to pronounce his name when she was younger) was in the Leinster final and got over the line with that.
“Then Deccie was involved in the coaching team for the Louth U20s. It has been a big couple of
weeks in our house and loving every moment of it. I think I said this a couple of times in different interviews, that when I walk through the door, my Dad, there is a massive smile on his face.
“It’s the likes of him, you’re kind of delighted he’s getting to live through these moments and seeing Louth football being in a really, really good place.”
What has already been a remarkable year for the Byrnes would be topped off if Louth could claim their fourth All-Ireland junior football championship crown this weekend.
Yet Byrne was very close to not being part of the panel this deep into the competition. A PE and Biology teacher at St Joseph’s secondary school in Drogheda, Byrne is opting to take a career break in the coming months.
She was initially planning to go travelling last month with her other half, but with a burning desire to get Louth back up to the intermediate grade, Byrne eventually altered her plans.
“Originally at the start of the year, I actually had planned to go in June and then I looked at the calendar. I shed a few tears because my boyfriend, he was taking a shorter working year. He’s a guard. He had applied for and got it granted for June,” Byrne recalled.
“We looked at the calendar, I turned to my boyfriend and I said ‘I actually can’t go in June now’. I said ‘I really want to stay and give Louth another rattle’. I had chatted to Kevin (Larkin) the manager and obviously he didn’t want me to go. Then I went in and spoke to my principal, and he actually gave me a bit of confidence to actually go for a career break.
“I decided to take the full year out next year, but I’m only travelling for six weeks in November and a bit of December. I’ll be twid-
dling my thumbs, looking for a bit of subbing early on next year to fill my time.”
It will all prove to be worthwhile for Byrne if she can secure the second TG4 All-Ireland junior football championship title of her career next weekend. However, when you consider they triumphed at this grade as recently as 2022, there are a number of players in the Antrim squad who will be looking to do the same.
The Saffrons have accrued a Lidl National Football League Division 4 crown and a TG4 Ulster junior football championship title across an unbeaten run of 16 games to date in 2025, and this is more than enough reason for Byrne and Louth to be wary of their challenge.
“Antrim, they’re a strong outfit. They have some great runners all over the pitch. Their midfield and some very, very strong forwards. It’s definitely going to be a tough contest. We’re not going to be naïve going in, we’ve met Antrim a couple of times before over the last couple of years,” Byrne added.
“We’re well used to what they can produce as well. It’s going to be very, very tough. Any day in Croke Park is going to be a big occasion for both teams. We’re looking forward to it, nonetheless.”
Sisters Aoife Byrne, left, and Eimear Byrne of Louth lift the West County Hotel Cup following their 2019 victory over Femanagh at Croke Park.
THE ROLE OF THE CATHAOIRLEACH IN LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL
AN Cathaoirleach is the First Citizen of the County, taking precedence over all others, except the President, when attending events or functions within County Louth.
An Cathaoirleach is elected at the Annual Meeting every June and serves for a one year term. The responsibilities of An Cathaoirleach include the following:
Chairing of Council Meetings;
Representing the Council at local, national and international events; Bestowing Civic Honours on groups and citizens within the County; Bestowing the Freedom of the County.
An Leas-Cathaoirleach is also elected at the Annual Meeting every June. They deputise for An Cathaoirleach in the event that they are unable to attend a meeting or event. The role can be taken up by councillors more than once and that has happened in Louth on numerous occasions with Fianna Fáil’s Nicholas McCabe wearing the chains of office no less than eight times during his 49 year career in local politics. Peter Savage was also a regular Cathaoirleach during his time serving as a councillor with the Fianna Fáil Cooley native taking on the role no less than seven times.
In 2002 Jacqui McConville made history when she became the first woman to be elected as Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, following in her father John’s footsteps who carried out the role on two occasions previously.
Last month another Fianna Fáil man was elected as An Cathaoirleach with Sean Kelly, who topped the poll in last year’s local elections, taking up the role for he first time since becoming a Louth County Councillor in 2019.
According to the popular O’Hanlon Park man it was a very proud moment for both him and his family when he was elected as An Cathaoirleach.
“It’s lovely and an amazing privilege to be the first citizen of your County and to be seen as the leader of your County. I probably didn’t realise how big of a role it actually was until I took it and the work started coming in. You are expected to do a lot within the County which, don’t get me wrong, I am enjoying doing but it is a busy schedule no doubt.
“I think my parents are enjoying it more than I am and they are going around the place telling people that I’m the Cathaoirleach, but yeah it’s a huge honour for them as well. It was very special to have my parents and two older sisters in the Chamber when I was elected Cathaoirleach as they have always been so supportive and we are a very close family.
Like I come from a very normal
background. My Dad worked in the shoe factories in Dundalk here for years and was a painter and decorator after that and my Mam worked in textiles and then when myself and my two sisters came along she stayed at home to look after us. I’d be the first in my family to have got a university degree so it would have been a very normal upbringing and it’s great that somebody like me can take on this role,” explains Sean.
“I got elected last month and it’s been full on for the past four weeks. Last Sunday for example I attended the exhibition for the model railway station in Dundalk, I was at Bag it Bin it in St Helena’s Park, I then helped launch the jerseys for the Head in the Game. The next day I met with Minister Dara Calleary who was in Louth to open three different projects around the County and that took up most of Monday. It’s just full on pretty much every day and it’s prepping for those things as well.
“The way it works is that if you have an event you want me to attend in my role as Cathaoirleach you have to contact the office of the Cathaoirleach and we will send you a protocol form asking about the nature of the function and then depending on availabil-
ity we’ll let you know if I can attend.
“You get to meet hundreds of people every week and luckily enough I have always been a people person anyway although maybe not ever on this level but I’m getting used to it and I love being around people and I’m a social creature anyway so it doesn’t really phase me. I can see if you were in anyway a nervous person or in any way quiet then this definitely would not be the role for you as you are pretty much thrown in the deep end.
“You have to try and make the most of the role as well. It’s all about promoting the County. We want to make sure that Louth is the best place possible to call home, to work in and we have to try and improve ourselves as much as possible.
“There are marginalised people in our communities who don’t feel like the County councils have any role to play in improving their lives but it does and I want to make sure the message of the County Council is brought to them as well,” stated Sean.
Sean laughs when asked if there are any quirks that come with the role saying that unlike the Lord Mayor of Dublin he is not allowed to graze sheep in any of the local parks. There are however some traditional proto-
cols that come with the job.
“Technically, under the protocol, you are the most senior citizen in the County unless the President of Ireland is in the County at the same time. You have to be treated as such and with that there can be a bit of formality at these various functions I attend. You have to be escorted in to the event, you have to be introduced to all of the VIP’s who are at the event. For instance when Minister Dara Calleary arrived in Dundalk yesterday, I had to greet him and welcome him to the County.
“Luckily, I’ve worked in Leinster House for thirteen years and I’m well used to being around politicians and delegations so it’s kind of like second nature for me to do that kind of stuff and be that welcoming voice. This job is only a one year thing so the way I look at it is you have to give it your all for the year and just do as much as possible with it.
“As I said before I’m from O’Hanlon Park and I’m now living in Ard Easmuinn. With regards to me being the Cathaoirleach I don’t think I’m going to be getting notions anytime soon and if I did my family and friends would fairly kick me into touch and rightly so,” laughs Sean.
With regards to the current upsurge in toxicity and anger directed to many local and national politicians Sean says he thankfully hasn’t really got too much of that since being first elected in 2019 and he puts that down to his honesty and realism when speaking to people who come to him looking for help.
“If somebody rings me and says you know, I’m looking for a house but I’m only on the housing list six months, I’m not going to turn around and say to them, oh don’t you worry I’ll get on to the council and get you sorted. I’ll be blunt and just basically say to them, well on average you’re talking about a wait of five or six years, you’re probably going to have a look at the private rental options and then tell them what they need to do and who to talk to. I don’t want to bullshit people. I’m not in this to give people false promises or lead people astray and I think that has stopped some of the toxicity because what you see is what you get and people know I’m going to tell them how it is.
“Funding is a big problem at local government level and of course there are issues I am passionate about that I would love to see more funding for. We have a serious problem with Mental Health. Crosslanes is not fit for purpose. It has never been fit for purpose and as a result of that we are losing people on an almost weekly basis and that has to stop. We drastically need to address the issue of mental health. Other major issues in Dundalk include the brown water which is constantly plaguing us every summer. And that is because we need a significant investment by Uisce Éireann in the Cavanhill Treatment Plant and that needs to happen sooner rather than later.
“Then of course you have all the issues around the provision of housing, school places both at primary and secondary level. We had hundreds of people this year on waiting lists for all of our secondary schools and then we have the issue of special needs education and the provisions we need to make there.
Seán says he is aware that as a local councillor he has limited powers in trying to fix many of the issues he listed as needing fixing around Dundalk and says it is no secret that he would love one day to contest a general election and represent the people of Louth in the Dáíl.
“I think Dundalk needs more voices in the Dáil. I think we need to make sure we are getting everything and applying for everything we can get and if I got the opportunity in the future to be that voice I would grab that opportunity with both hands,” concluded Sean.
The current Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council is Cllr Sean Kelly. Pic Credit: Louth County Council.
CLLR. CIARÁN FISHER REFLECTS
ON FIRST YEAR AS A COUNCILLOR
LAST year, barely two months out from the local elections, Dundalk native Ciarán Fisher was trying to figure out who to vote for. When going through the list of candidates, Ciarán realised there were not too many on the list who were living in the town centre and promising to represent the town itself. Also, none of the candidates were promising to fix all the issues he was passionate about such as community facilities and animal welfare.
Ciarán grew up in Drive 2 Muirhevnamór before moving to Pearse Park when he was 11. As well as loving sports, Ciarán enjoyed school, especially English and History and that passion for those subjects has continued into his day job where he has taught History and English in Coláiste Chú Chulainn for the past ten years. He currently lives in the town centre with his Fiancée Emma, his daughter Lara, son Bran and his two rescue greyhounds (Maud and Cyril).
Speaking to the Dundalk Leader, the Independent Councillor gave an insight into how he got involved in politics and what his first year in the job has been like.
“Growing up I will hold my hands up and say I was never very political in the sense I was never in any political organisation or group or anything like that. Like I’d read the newspapers and when I was younger my Dad would buy the newspaper and when he was finished with it I’d read it starting from the back and read the sport and as you got towards the front occasionally you’d read about certain stories about social issues and think, that’s annoying.
“Like I think when people say they are not political I think that’s not really true as everybody is political in some shape, way or form. Even if it’s just a case of being annoyed by the potholes outside your house or rubbish being dumped in your estate, or inflation or not being able to get a house for yourself, your children etc. Naturally the method for complaining about that or trying to get it addressed is via politics because otherwise you are shouting into the wind.
For me I gradually came around to the view that it was better to be involved in politics than standing on the outside and blindly hoping things would change. I had tuned into the most recent local elections where I suppose previously my only involvement in local elections would have been me going on, looking at the ballot and casting my vote after maybe recognising somebody who had called to the door.
“I’ve always read the local newspapers and would have been fairly tuned into local issues and I think it’s maybe just the age that I’m at I recognise now that there’s people who are coming just behind me that are finding it very hard to get on the property ladder. I was starting to notice these problems from being involved with football. I was noticing young people leaving the country and I think that made me that bit more aware of some of the local issues.
“To get back to my decision to run for
local elections last year I suppose I kind of felt that Dundalk was a town was somewhat under- represented relative to some of the other areas around the county. I recognised that as a proud Dundalk man and I wanted to make sure our great town was represented and well represented. Another reason I wanted to put my hand up and stand for election is because I’m a teacher and I teach history and English and taught CSPE and I’m always telling my students how change can begin with an individual. If you want to change society, you have to get involved and part of my decision to run was in replicating that advice and showing that what I teach is a possibility and if you do want to go out and make a difference that you can get involved with communities and clubs and you can get involved with politics and you can make a difference.
“As for the moment I decided to run, it was a very spur of the moment thing I have to say. It wasn’t that I thought long and hard about it. I was reading some articles about the local election and I was a bit underwhelmed about it. I didn’t think anybody was hitting all of the things that I was particularly interested in, whether that be community facilities, animal welfare, community engagement etc. I thought well, is somebody going to put their name forward that will reflect my views or will it always be a compromised choice I make when deciding who to vote for.
“It was quite late, on a Saturday night when I was sitting on my computer and I asked myself hypothetically, what would my priorities look like? I typed them up and then I thought, ok, if you are going to launch a campaign, what else do you need? You need all the other things like the visuals, the posters, the flyers. I then began to play around for a few hours designing a flyer to see what it looked like and was thinking I might run it by a few people during the week.
“I made the poster and then just posted it on social media and then went to bed and then I just woke up the next day and I was committed to it. I had a quick thought wondering if I should just delete the message and say it was a joke
and then I thought in some regards that’s the hardest bit done. As it turned out that was very incorrect as it is pretty tough running an election campaign without the backing of a party. I think my partner Emma got a bit of a shock when I announced that I was running for local election but she was very supportive and from that point on it was all systems go really.
“I think it was about seven weeks out from the election which was quite late so I had to quickly formulate a plan. I think I probably lost about a stone weight from walking around the town knocking on doors and telling people what I stood for. I knocked every urban door in Dundalk and did some rural canvassing but eventually decided to just focus on the urban areas as I was spending hours in the rural parts of the county and only talking to maybe ten or fifteen people.
“I remember going in to sign up to put my name down as a candidate and I was shown the electoral boundary and I remember going ‘Oh God’. It is such a huge area to cover but thanks to help from my brother and friends we did manage to cover a lot of ground.
“On the day of the count my biggest fear was embarrassing myself by getting hardly any votes but thankfully after the first few counts I was kind of hanging around sixth and seventh in what was a six seater so at that point I was just delighted that I hadn’t made a fool of myself. It’s a long and exhaustive day in the Count centre but it is a fascinating process and it is great to see democracy in action right before your eyes as you get to watch the counters count each and every vote.
“When it became clear that I was successful and had won a seat the feelings were just very thankful and proud that I had managed to do it with such a small team behind me. There was no big party machine or anything like that. I felt honoured and privileged that the people of my town had placed their faith in me but I knew that the hard work would really start now. I knew I had a lot to learn about the processes of being a councillor and going to meetings but I’m a
quick learner and I was excited for the challenge that lay ahead.
“When you go into that first council meeting you see the media sitting in the corner and you realise that everything you say and do is being recorded. It was a proud moment sitting in my seat as when you are elected a seat is not just an abstract thing, you actually get a seat which is yours until the next election.
“Given the fact I am a teacher as well it has been a hectic year but I have learned how to manage my time better and ensure that I don’t suffer with burnout. As a councillor you get calls constantly asking you to help them with issues and I enjoy that part of it and it is satisfying when you are able to get things done. You do get some people coming up to you in the street and demanding things get fixed immediately but in general people are good and if they see me with my family they’ll say ‘I’ll get you again or I’ll give them a card and they’ll contact me at a later time.
“Burnout is definitely a risk and it’s a lot of work and it can consume you if you let it do so but I’ve also said to people as well that politics has to have a space in it for people that are working other jobs or have a family at home because that is representative of society. It can’t just be the preserve of people doing it because they have loads of free time or because they can afford to do it. It has to be accessible. I don’t think it always is accessible to all kinds of people and it has to be doable for somebody with a job and a kid or there’s something wrong with the system.
“I feel like at this stage I have my feet under the table now and I’m more confident in tackling issues and progressing things forward and getting things over the line now. I’m in my second year now so I can no longer use the excuse that I’m new. I think when you start any new job there is maybe a degree of imposter syndrome where you come in and you have your ideas and you are saying to yourself ‘Am I any good at this?” So that has faded now and I’m a bit more confident.
“A lot of the job is actually secretarial. It’s sending emails. It’s going back and forth trying to get information and moving that information around as opposed to actually doing stuff so while it is a serious job in some regards because you are shaping policy that’s not most of the job. Most of the job is meeting people and trying to join the dots and helping them get the right form, the right information, advocating for them the right way to make sure they are looked after the way they should be.
“I think the local authority system as it is now has plenty of room for improvement but it does sort of work. It’s a miracle how we get through a week, a month or a year sometimes given how underfunded or dysfunctional some things can be but it does work in a roundabout way and it generally errs on the side of progress and good albeit maybe it’s not as efficient as it could be.
“I think the solution to it becoming more efficient is to give the councillors
more say and a bit more power. I do understand that the council are underfunded and are trying to put in square pegs in round holes sometimes with the budget that they are giving from central government. And by the way this is the same central government that says they are awash with money.
When asked if he would be tempted to join one a political party Ciarán says he feels it would be disingenuous to do so during this term given the fact that he was voted in as an independent.
“I feel that because I’ve been voted in as an independent, that’s the furrow I have to plough. I think it would be disingenuous having gone around to the doors as an independent. That’s what got me here and that’s how I have to proceed for the next four years. I can obviously see the comforts and the protection and the benefits of being involved within the system of a party and I am sometimes envious of it as I said given the fact I was elected as an independent I will proceed as one.
“As well as that I think we need other voices in politics as well who can speak their mind. Parties are whipped and although I think the parties have some great candidates in Dundalk like Seán Kelly for Fianna Fáil, Kevin Meenan for Sinn Fein or Robbie Nash, a man of the people for Fine Gael and I could never personally attack any of those guys but I can certainly attack their parties and I have certainly issues with their parties policies and I can criticise them in the way that maybe Seán, Kevin or Robbie can’t and that’s a problem with politics. Where you have somebody that you like and you know and you suspect that you have a lot of common ground but they aren’t allowed to speak to an issue. Like for instance with the likes of housing I’m sure candidates from parties in government are being told, don’t be criticising housing! Deflect, defer, mention this figure about how many houses are going to be built next year and to me that is very limiting.
“In four years time I’d like to be remembered as somebody who put their name forward, tried their best, was effective, gave it their all and if I were to run again people might vote for me based on that. I’ve shown it can be done on your own with a lot of hard work and a little bit of investment. I’ve shown you can stand up and represent your community and maybe in some way I’ve broken the mould as there hasn’t been an independent seat in Dundalk/Carlingford in a long time.
“I’m a proud Dundalk man. I just like the town. I love the people. It’s a lovely kind of size of an urban area and there’s enough of us that we’re our own people. We’re the smallest county but we have these two distinct towns that we’ve created our own kind of sub-culture and our own place and it’s a place to be proud of. And as a father of two I want to ensure that when my kids are growing up that they will be proud of Dundalk too so that’s what keeps me going really,” concluded Ciarán.
Cllr Ciarán Fisher says he has learnt a lot in his first year as a councilor.
NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART
Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I asked you for many favours. This time, I ask for this special favour (mention it). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart, where your Father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes, it will become your favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for three days. Promise publication and favours will be granted. (Never known to fail).
M.T.
NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART
Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I asked you for many favours. This time, I ask for this special favour (mention it). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart, where your Father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes, it will become your favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for three days. Promise publication and favours will be granted. (Never known to fail).
A.D.
LEGAL NOTICES
AN CHUIRT DUICHE
THE DISTRICT COURT
Licensing (Ireland) Act 1833
Section 6
Intoxication Liquor Act 1960
Section 29
Notice of Application for Certificate of Transfer of a Licence
Case No: D:LIC:DUND:2025:004938
Courts LicenceNo: LIC-7891
Revenue Licence No: DK0008SR District Court Area of Dundalk District No. 6
Zain Ul Abdin (Applicant)
TAKE NOTICE that the above-named Applicant Zain Ul Abdin as nominee of AZG Hospitality Limited of 5 Roden Place, Townspark, Dundalk, Louth, intends to apply to the Annual Licensing Court to be held at the Court at Dundalk District Court on the 09-Sep-2025 at 10:30 for the TRANSFER to the Applicant of the Special Restaurant Licence licence attached to the premises formerly known as the Townhouse and now known as The Cathedral Restaurant and situate at 5 Roden Place, Dundalk, Louth in the court area and district aforesaid.
Dated 14 Jul 2025
Signed: Catherine Allison & Co.
Solicitor for Applicant
Solicitors, 6 Roden Place, Dundalk, Louth.
To the Garda Superintendent, at LCM. LouthNorth.CE@Garda.ie, Dundalk Garda Station, The Crescent, Dundalk, Louth, A92 DK46;
To the Fire Officer, at fireoff@louthcoco.ie, Louth Fire Brigade, Dundalk, Louth;
To the Health Service Executive Official, at louth.
peho@hse.ie;
To the District Court Clerk, Dundalk District Court.
SELL IT THROUGH A CLASSIFIED—Only €5 for one week up to 20 words. 042 93 20888. The Dundalk Leader.
ATTENTION LANDLORDS—We supply furniture & Beds for any rental properties you have. Beds from €180, Bedroom Furniture Sets from €249 Call us today www.bedstore.ie, Coes Rd, Dundalk Tel 042 932 0927.
DOUBLE BEDROOM self-contained apartment to let, fully furnished, ensuite, kitchen/sittingroom, TV, washing machine, etc Crossmaglen (10 minutes drive from Dundalk) Tel 0044 746 9259 125. HOUSE FOR SALE—4 Bedroomed House for sale close to Ballymac Roundabout. 2 Storey house with 2 reception rooms. Has front and rear garden. Please phone 089 2430287 for any queries or to view.
CHIMNEY & STOVE CLEANING—Also gutter cleaning. Tel Paul McArdle 087 6660094 / 042 9332491 Email:tribalky@yahoo.com.
CHIMNEY CLEANER—The Clean sweep, clean & tidy, no dust. Brush & Vac. Also gutter cleaning. Contact - Cathal 087-225-9799.
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GRIMLEY’S DUBLIN ST. DUNDALK—Televisions, TV aerials, satellite, Freeview & Saorview, new installations, sales, service & repairs. Free estimates 042 935 4343.
DUNDALK GARDEN SERVICES—Tree topping, felling, hedge trimming, grass cutting & strimming. Rubbish Removals/Garage clearance, House & Garden refuse. Permit holder. Contact Ben 085840-7707.
FORTUNE TELLER—Available for appointment, private or group bookings. Tel. Alison 042 933 5102 or 087-67-51229.
ROOF LEAKS MASTER—We repair all types of roof/tile, slate, bangor blues. Repair torch on roofs, scrape & clean, chimneys & chimney pots, chimney bird guards, gutter facia & soffits. All work guaranteed, 25 years experience. Tel. 086 8184827.
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MOBILE HOME TRANSPORT—Transported throughout 32 Counties. Contact Eugene 086-6071702.
CARPET & OVEN CLEANING—Carpet, upholstery & specialist oven cleaning available. Call MVI Cleaning Dundalk on 042 94 21300 or visit www. mvicleaning.ie.
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ROOFING AND BUILDING CONTRACTOR AVAILABLE—Repairs and new builds. Fully insured. Contact Mark Carney on 087 1302040 for enquiries.
FIFI’S ALTERATIONS—Longwalk S.C. (formerly A-Alterations) Tel 083 011 8728. Zips, hems, clothes taken in or let out, also Dry Cleaning Service. Open Mon - Fri 9.30 - 5.30pm & Sat 10-2pm.
MAN WITH A VAN—Hedges, tree topping, painting, facia & Soffit, patios, concreting, garage clearouts, outside taps. Call Kevin for a free & honest quote 089-4016728.
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PAINTING SERVICES AVAILABLE—Interior and exterior plus Wallpapering, also sprayed and hand painted kitchens, all work carried out by professional trades men. Tel Brian 087 7558506.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE—Repairs, building, plumbing, painting, roof repairs, tiling, bathroom refurbishments, plastering, gardening, power washing, PVC facia and soffits, Over 20 yrs experience. References available. Whatsapp or Tel 085762-3758 for quotation.
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DIGGER HIRE—1.5-3.5 tonne digger and driver for hire. Dundalk and surrounding areas. Can cover gardens, drainage, driveways, clearance etc. Please call Joe 086 0663223.
PAINTING AND DECORATING—No job too small, keen rates, Dundalk & surrounding areas, estimates free. Phone 086 3848079.
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& COURSES
GET FIT the fun way and learn to dance, the Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot and Jive, now taking place in the Lisdoo, Dundalk Tuesday’s from 8pm - 10pm, no partner required. First wedding dance lessons and private lessons also available. Contact 086 357 3271 for further information.
DRUM LESSONS INCLUDING BODHRAN—For adults & children aged 8 years upwards. One to one lessons. Phone 087 414 4228.
SEWING CLASSES FOR ADULTS—September 6th until October 25th at Muirhevnamor Community Centre. For more details call Blathnaid on 086 0312003.
EASY-GOING country lad, mid 50s with GSOH seeks light-hearted female companion late 40s/ mid 50s with no ties. For walks/talks and to share the simple things in life. Tel 0868220403.
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LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL—We, Gearoid & Roisin Murtagh, intend to apply for Permission for development at 1 The Breakers, Templetown, Carlingford, Co. Louth A91 V344. The development will consist of: Permission for an extension and alterations to an existing dwelling house and associated site development works. This planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of Louth County Council, Town Hall, Crowe Street, Dundalk, from 9. 30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee €20.00 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed: AMC Loss Assessors & Surveyors, Upper Faughart, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Tel. 0879529699. E-mail aidan@amcla.ie.
LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL—I, Noel Connolly, intend to apply for Permission for development at Mount Avenue, Dundalk, Co. Louth A91 F5Y0. The development will consist of: Permission for a 2 storey front bay window extension to replace an existing single storey bay window, a new front open porch and associated site development works. This planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of Louth County Council, Town Hall, Crowe Street, Dundalk, from 9. 30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee €20.00 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed: AMC Loss Assessors & Surveyors, Upper Faughart, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Tel. 0879529699. E-mail aidan@amcla.ie.
LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL—I, Joseph Byrne, intend to apply for Retention Permission and Permission for development at Plaster, Mountpleasant, Dundalk, Co. Louth. The development will consist of: Retention of the relocation of agricultural entrance approved under planning ref. no. 22584 and associated site development works. Permission for the completion of all associated site development works. This planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of Louth County Council, Town Hall, Crowe Street, Dundalk, from 9. 30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee €20.00 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed: P. Herr & Associates, Block 4, Third Floor, Quayside Business Park, Mill Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth. A91 KA9R. Tel. 0429330019. E-mail info@pherr.ie.
LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL—FURTHER INFORMATION. Colette Gernon, has submitted to the planning authority significant further information in relation to planning application ref. no. 2547 at Skyhill, Kilcurry, Dundalk, Co. Louth. This significant further information in relation to the application has been furnished to the planning authority, and is available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the authority during its public opening hours. (Monday – Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm) A submission or observation in relation to the further information may be made in writing to the planning authority not later than two weeks after receipt of this newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, except in the case of a person or body who has already made a submission or observation. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed: AMC Loss Assessors & Surveyors, Upper Faughart, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Tel. 0879529699. E-mail aidan@amcla.ie. LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL—FURTHER INFORMATION. Kate McCloskey & Brian O’Hare, have submitted to the planning authority significant further information in relation to planning application ref. no. 2529 at Aghnaskeagh, Mounpleasant, Dundalk, Co. Louth A91 F59V. This significant further information in relation to the application has been furnished to the planning authority, and is available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the authority during its public opening hours. (Monday – Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm) A submission or observation in relation to the further information may be made in writing to the planning authority not later than two weeks after receipt of this newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, except in the case of a person or body who has already made a submission or observation. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed: AMC Loss Assessors & Surveyors, Upper Faughart, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Tel. 0879529699. Email aidan@amcla.ie.
LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL—Roma Carlingford Ltd, intend to apply for Retention Permission for development at Roma Restaurant, Dundalk Street, Carlingford, Co. Louth A91 K443. The development will consist of: Retention of the part change of use of an existing restaurant to a take away facility and associated site development works. This planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of Louth County Council, Town Hall, Crowe Street, Dundalk, from 9. 30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee €20.00 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed: P. Herr & Associates, Block 4, Third Floor, Quayside Business Park, Mill Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth. A91 KA9R. Tel. 042-9330019. E-mail info@pherr.ie.
Gillick edges out McKeown in final for the ages
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WEEK 5 of the Summer Series Of Darts saw the 2nd running of the Thomas and Richard Callan Perpetual Shield.
The brothers both passed very early in life and were well known, especially around the Lower End of town and the large attendance in a packed out venue was a setting for a great night of darts.
44 players were in the draw and the standard of darts never fails to entertain those in attendance.
Board 1 saw John O’Brien lay down an early marker with a win over John Donnelly in the prelims and he was soon claiming more big scalps with a win over Daniel Dunn.
Mervin Mc Caffrey and Hughie Shields also won on board 1 before being eliminated in the following round.
Mervin would, unfortunately for him, come up against John O’Brien who was building up a good head of steam and Hughie would be eliminated by Summer League Of Darts table topper Conor McArdle.
John would go on to win the board with a 2-0 win over Conor in a high scoring game.
On board 2, Conor Dunn was taking no prisoners and after beating Joe Davidson and Brian McArdle he would go on to beat Ciaran Treanor in a very high scoring game.
But unfortunately for Conor, he would come up against Gerard McKeown who was coming under the radar but putting in some eye catching performances.
Board 3 saw Dundalk Youth Darts player Colin Taaffe coming up against one of his coaches ,Cara O’Shaughnessy, and Colin would get the better of Cara before coming up against another Dundalk Youth Darts coach, Paddy Gibney and this was a real ding dong battle with Paddy just hitting the double in the decider.
Also on board 3, young Alan Callan was playing in a competition named after his two uncles.
After getting a narrow win over Richard Wykes, who was a great friend of Thomas and Richards, young Alan would then go on to lose in the decider against Padraic O’Rourke
The display from Alan in his first ever competitive game showed maturity beyond his years and with a bit more experience in competitive games will be one to keep an eye on in the future.
Both Paddy and Padraic would be eliminated by Michael Gillick, the man from Bailieborough is always a popular figure in local competitions.
Meanwhile on board 4, Mark Kerley took the 1st game against
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James Callan but James dug deep to get himself back in the game and after hitting tops to win the second game he repeated the trick in the next game to get the better of Mark.
James would come up against Aidan Conroy in the next round, Aidan would get the win over him with Aidan a very underrated player to those who don’t know him.
Also on the board, Fintan Rogers would get the better of David Callan in their deciding game.
Cian Roddy was progressing nicely but unfortunately for him he couldn’t get the better of Aidan Conroy who would then get the better of his cousin, Robbie Kieran in the board final.
The semi-finals would see John O’Brien face his cousin Gerard Mc Keown and Gerard’s form was letting up and he would go on to reach the Final.
Meanwhile the other semi-final was a real classic, Aidan Conroy v Michael Gillick.
Despite Aidan hitting a shanghai finish on the 18’s and throwing brilliant darts all evening, he just couldn’t get the better of Michael and lost 3-2.
The Final was really one for the ages.
Gerard McKeown went 1 up and Michael Gillick won the next two to put himself in the driving seat bit then Gerard dug deep and won the next, before each player won another game before it was
going into the decider. In the decider, Gerard broke like an Olympic sprinter from the blocks with 100, followed by a 180 and then a 140.
Michael started off with a 45, 140 and 134 but still trailed by just over 100 points with Gerard getting down to a finish.
But Michael would dig deep to hit a single 1, treble 19 before hitting double 18 so seal the win and take the title.
The organisers would like to thank all their sponsors for their continuing support and also Mullens, Roden Place for again providing the grub this week. Next up is the Quigley Family Cup next Thursday night.
James Quigley, Martin Carvill, Sheila Meehan, Marty Dixon and Frankie Quigley.
