2022 Dundalk news in review - March

1st March 2022

Workers who spent over 15 years working at National Pen in Dundalk and are now facing redundancy, were said to be “very disappointed”, following the final redundancy offer made to them by the company.

The final offer made to workers by management the previous week, was for statutory redundancy, along with 1.65 weeks’ pay for each year worked up to 15 years, and 0.65 of a week’s pay for every year worked over 15.

The offer was revealed to the Dundalk Democrat by Louth TD, Ruairí Ó Murchú who said the workers, particularly those with over 15 years’ loyalty to the firm, were ‘very disappointed’.

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€843,466 was awarded to five projects across County Louth, through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, as part of the government's Our Rural Future initiative.

Dunleer, Termonfeckin, Carlingford, Baltray and Collon were to benefit from the funding.

A communal heating scheme at the Carlinn Hall housing estate in Dundalk was raised in the Dáil after it was revealed that some residents’ bills have gone from “a couple of hundred euro to almost €700” in the last two months.

The Carlinn Hall development was launched in 2007 by Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and was billed as “the estate of the future” with A-rated homes and a communal heating scheme, initially provided by biomass.

Louth County Council is not in a position to add additional public lighting to public areas in Louth, as it says it cannot pay for them.

Councillors were informed of this at the monthly Council meeting, where Director of Services, Frank Pentony, said that it was a question of money, that the local authority does not have.

7th March 2022

Thefts from shops soared by a shocking 189% compared to last year, new figures revealed.

Public order offences and minor assaults also spiked dramatically compared with the same period last year, according to figures presented at Dundalk’s Joint Policing Committee meeting.

A new adult respite facility is to open in Dundalk by the end of April, to replace Sruthan House which has been closed since March 2020, the HSE has confirmed.

A new four bed, seven nights a week, 48 weeks a year, respite service is on the way, that will become available to a greater group of people availing of respite including those with complex needs.

Chief Superintendent Christopher Mangan retired after 40 years with the gardai.

Tributes were paid to Sgt Mangan for his public service to the community that has “left a legacy in Louth”.

Hundreds of people attended a vigil in Dundalk on Saturday 5 March to show their solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

The event, which took place outside the courthouse at Market Square, saw members of the local Ukrainian community and local people join together to call for an end to the Russian invasion.

15th March 2022

Louth County Council spent €1,008,127 on unscheduled emergency accommodation last year, including in commercial hotels and B&Bs in the county.

According to the North East Region's local authority Homelessness Financial Report for End of Year 2021, made available last week, a total of €2,426,142 out of an initial 2021 expenditure estimate of €4,067,812, was spent on homeless services last year.

22nd March 2022

Louth could be asked to accommodate up to 3,500 refugees fleeing war-torn Ukraine based on estimates at the time, with Louth County Council identifying suitable locations should the need arise, Louth County Council Chief Executive, Joan Martin, told councillors at the monthly meeting.

Dundalk woman Mags Tuite, who is living with advanced breast cancer, urged the public to support cancer services through Daffodil Day on Friday 25th March.

A Ceremony of Remembrance and Reflection took place in front of the courthouse in Dundalk on Sunday 20 March to remember the lives lost in Louth during the Covid-19 pandemic.

29th March 2022

€2.24 million in funding has been announced for Housing Adaptation Grants for older people and people living with a disability in Louth for 2022.

Secondary schools across Louth played a huge part in reaching the €10k target, by raising over €6k in a Jersey Day on March 15.