Looking back at 2022

The class of St Hugh's NS, Dowra that took part in the final of the national digital skills competition on RTÉ2 on June 16. St Hugh's competed against Moyvore Primary School

placeholder image — The class of St Hugh's NS, Dowra that took part in the final of the national digital skills competition on RTÉ2 on June 16. St Hugh's competed against Moyvore Primary School

In June we learned that Leitrim's crime figures were down on 2021 with burglaries, sexual offences staying low but assaults and public order offences had increased - which was to be expected as 2021 we had all been in lockdown!

Not connected to the crime figures, the phase two expansion of Carrick-on-Shannon CCTV was endorsed by gardai. The second phase of the very successful scheme will see 60 cameras recording across the town 24/7. There will be 12 new locations covered by he extra cameras. The CCTV was praised by Leitrim gardai for helping to increase efficiency and effectiveness of local policing. It was also noted that people feel safer in the town thanks to the cameras.

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association warned the public this month that the ongoing shortage of hospital consultants was restricting medical and surgical care. In the middle of June Letterkenny and Sligo Hospital combined had more than 45,000 people on waiting lists for treatment.

147 Ukrainian students were registered as attending Leitrim schools with 117 enrolled in national schools and 30 in post primary education.

Lisa King makes a presentation to world record breaker Ricki Wynne on behalf of Drumshanbo Athletic Club at a reception in The Mayflower, Drumshanbo Picture: Noreen Gaffney

Ricki Wynne from Drumshanbo made a world record in June by completing a 115km run up and down Croagh Patrick. Ricki made15 loops of the mountain ascending for 12km and descending for 12km and he completed it all in 23 hours and 53 minutes.

Bonfires blazed in Drumshanbo and Leitrim Village to welcome home Ricki “King of the Reek”, he paraded into Drumshanbo in an open top car before being presented with his World Record achievement.

Late in the year, the endurance athlete was honoured by Leitrim County Council for his achievement.

Saoirse Gibbons from Drumshanbo was crowned Leitrim's new Rose of Tralee. The 24-year-old was chosen at the Leitrim Rose Selection night in The Bush Hotel in June. The NUI Galway student was studying drama, theatre and performing with Irish. Saoirse appeared in the Dome in Tralee representing Leitrim at the end of August.

2022 Leitrim Rose of Tralee, Saoirse Gibbons is pictured with her parents Bart and Jacqui and her sister Eimear after she was crowned the winner at the Leitrim Selection night in June,

At the end of the month the CSO released preliminary results from this year's census and announced Leitrim's population has risen to 35,087.

The population increased 9.5% since 2016 and the population of Ireland was recorded at 5,123,536 - the highest figure recorded since 1841.