A look back at what happened in May in Louth
Woman injured in Dundalk attack dies in hospital
7th May
Louth County Council are reminded dog owners of their legal responsibilities around dog control, following an attack on lambs in the Ravensdale area of north Louth in the beginning of May.
A number of lambs were killed, and several others seriously injured during the attack by a single pet dog.
The incident was reported to An Garda Síochána.
Louth County Council Dog Warden service attended the scene and have described it as “a direct result of irresponsible dog ownership”.
The local authority recently launched a public appeal to dog owners, highlighting the responsibilities which come with dog ownership.
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Dunleer retained firefighter, John Molloy, was given the “best birthday present ever” with news that he will not have to retire on his 60th birthday at the end of May.
Mr Molloy, who is the station officer in Dunleer, had feared he had no choice but to retire when he turned 60 in a couple of weeks’ time.
While the government had committed to increasing the mandatory retirement age for retained firefighters to 62, and to enact legislation before the Dáil’s summer recess, Mr Molloy was worried that it would not happen in time for him.
But in early May, the Department of Public Expenditure announced that “the necessary legislative provisions can be enacted before the Dáil summer recess, with temporary measures in place until that time.”
Mr Molloy was one of a number of retained firefighters who received word that they could continue past their 60th birthday while the legislation is drafted and passed.
14th May
An elderly woman seriously injured in an attack in the Glenwood Estate in Dundalk at the beginning of May passed away in a Dublin hospital.
Patricia Muckian had been seriously injured in an attack which also saw two other women injured.
A 47-year-old man appeared before Dundalk District Court charged in connection with the attack.
Nicholas Muckian with an address at Glenwood, Dundalk is charged with three counts of assault causing harm, at the same location, in Glenwood.
Mr Muckian was further charged with unlawfully intimidating another person with a hatchet at the same location on the same date.
28th May
Big changes are on the cards for the former Dunnes Stores building on Park Street in Dundalk, with plans underway to convert the landmark site into a sports entertainment building, with an outdoor seating area, to serve a new and growing trend known as “competitive socialising”.
A site notice was erected at the Park Street site, indicating that GR8 Entertainment Ltd intends to apply for planning permission for the development, that would consist of the Change of Use of the retail unit to a sports entertainment premises with outdoor seating on Park Street; signage on the front elevation on Park Street, and side elevation on River Lane; and associated elevational changes and all associated site development work.
Dundalk BIDS has been involved in trying to bring the former supermarket building back to life, as part of ongoing efforts to bring commercial activity back to the area.
People joined An Táin Arts Centre at the Market Square for the incredible journey of Little Amal, a giant puppet on a mission of hope and unity.
Little Amal is the 12 foot puppet of a 10 year old Syrian refugee child who has become a global symbol of human rights, especially those of refugees. Amal, whose name means Hope in Arabic, is from just outside Aleppo in Syria.
She has visited 160 towns and cities in 16 countries and has been welcomed by two million people on the street and by tens of millions online.
She was welcomed at Market Square by Breifne Holohan and a band of Irish musicians, members of MAD Youth Theatre and Setanta Choir.
As part of the visit, primary school children from Faughart Community National School took part in an art workshop with local artist Sophie Coyle in preparation for Amal’s arrival.
MAD Youth Theatre performed a short movement performance to welcome Amal. Members of the public greeted and engaged with Little Amal with children reaching out to touch her hands.