Garda Tony Golden RIP
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has condemned the desecration of a book of condolence for the late Garda Tony Golden.
The book was defaced by a member of the public at Drogheda Garda Station on Tuesday with details of the incident emerging over the weekend.
It had to be removed and it is reported that the person responsible could face criminal charges.
Speaking at a Fine Gael event in Dublin on Saturday, Enda Kenny said he was “dismayed” at the news.
Dundalk Garda Station
Telephone lines at Dundalk Garda Station are down at present due to a technical fault.
Anyone who needs to contact the station is asked to either call into the station at The Crescent or call Drogheda Garda Station on 041 9874200.
Seamus Kirk TD
Garda numbers in Co Louth have fallen substantially in the last five years.
Local TD Seamus Kirk has learned that there are now 38 fewer Gardaí in the Louth Division since 2010, having put forward a parliamentary question on the matter to Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald.
While Dundalk Garda Station hasn’t suffered like elsewhere, many smaller areas throughout the county have.
Commenting on the figures, Deputy Kirk said: “The figures that I have obtained show that Garda resources have been slashed by Fine Gael and Labour since they came to office. There are now 38 fewer Gardai in the Louth Division compared to five years ago.
“Drogheda has seen the most dramatic reduction in numbers with 22 fewer Gardaí being attached to Drogheda Garda Station since 2010. The reduction in manpower has occurred across the county with Ardee, Castlebellingham, Collon, Blackrock, Dromad and Hackballscross all experiencing personnel cutbacks.
“There is a feeling in communities in Louth that crime rates are on the rise. People do not feel as safe as they used to in their own homes. This comes as no surprise considering the cutback in resourcing for the Gardaí that the Government has overseen since coming to office.
“The Government has been attempting to downplay the crime crisis by hiding behind official crime figures. However Fianna Fáil has spent the past three years saying that gaping holes in frontline policing are leading to a spike in crime levels. Every community that I visit identifies rising crime levels as a top concern. It is no coincidence that these feelings are expressed at a time when Garda numbers are falling.
“It is time for the Government to admit that rising crime levels is a serious problem in our communities. Action must be taken to reverse this trend. More resources are needed for our police force, and this includes restoring manpower to Garda stations. The only resourcing initiative that the Government has announced for policing is a small intake of student Gardaí for this year. However it has been highlighted by Garda management that this intake will barely even cover the number of people retiring from the force each year,” said Deputy Kirk.
Ciara Breen has been missing since February 1997
Gardaí insist there are no other suspects in the case of the disappearance of Dundalk teenager Ciara Breen 18 years ago.
A man in his 50s was arrested earlier this week in connection with the then 17-year-old’s disappearance after leaving her home in Batchelor’s Walk in February 1997.
The man was detained in Dundalk and taken to Drogheda Garda Station for questioning but was later released without charge. A file on the matter will be sent to the DPP.
However, a Garda source told LMFM this morning that they are not looking for anybody else in connection with Ciara’s disappearance.
Ciara Breen has been missing since February 1997
The man arrested yesterday in connection with the disappearance of Dundalk teenager Ciara Breen has been released without charge.
The man in his 50s was detained in the Dundalk area shortly after 7.30am yesterday and was taken to Drogheda Garda Station for questioning.
A file on the matter will now be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Then aged 17, Ciara went missing from her home in Bachelor’s Walk on the night of February 12th 1997 and hasn’t been seen since.
However, Gardaí confirmed late last year that two people had recently come forward with historical sightings of Ciara. Following a renewed appeal for information before Christmas, further people came forward with information, with an anonymous letter about her disappearance being sent to Gardaí.
Anyone with information can contact Dundalk Garda station on 042 9388400, or Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111.
Ciara Breen has been missing since February 1997
A man in his 50s has been arrested this morning in connection with the disappearance of Dundalk teenager Ciara Breen in February 1997.
The then 17-year-old went missing from her home in Bachelor’s Walk on the night of February 12th 1997 and hasn’t been seen since.
However, Gardaí confirmed late last year that two people had recently come forward with historical sightings of Ciara. Following a renewed appeal for information before Christmas, further people came forward with information, with an anonymous letter about her disappearance being sent to Gardaí.
The man was detained in the Dundalk area and has been taken to Drogheda Garda Station for questioning.
Speaking on an episode of RTE’s Crimecall, Ciara’s mother Bernadette revealed the heart-breaking final words she shared with the missing teenager at their home at Bachelor’s Walk.
“She said ‘Goodnight’ and I said ‘Goodnight pet, I love you’. And she goes ‘Mammy, don’t worry about anything, I love you, I’ll see you in the morning’.
“I said, ‘Sleep tight sweetheart, see you tomorrow’. They were the last words we spoke.”
Speaking to the Sunday World, Bernadette added: “I had one, just one little girl – my heart, my soul, my world – and just like that she was gone.
“I think she went out the front door and left the window off the latch to get back in. I sat the whole night waiting for her to come back.”
When last seen, Ciara was wearing a black leather jacket, blue jeans, a wine-coloured sweatshirt and a white t-shirt.
Anyone with information can contact Dundalk Garda station on 042 9388400, or Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111.
The late Seamus McMahon was shot five years ago this week
Gardaí last night released without charge the 23-year-old man they arrested in Dublin yesterday in relation to the murder of Seamus McMahon in Dundalk five years ago.
Mr McMahon, aged 41, was shot at a house in Bothar Chroinn, Saltown, Dundalk, on March 21st 2010 after two men entered the property around 7pm.
Mr McMahon was brought to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda with a gunshot wound to his side but later died from his injuries.
A man detained in Dublin yesterday had been detained in Drogheda Garda Station but was released without charge last night.
The late Seamus McMahon was shot five years ago this week
A 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Seamus McMahon in Dundalk five years ago.
Mr McMahon, aged 41, was shot at a house in Bothar Chroinn, Saltown, Dundalk, on March 21st 2010 after two men entered the property around 7pm.
Mr McMahon was brought to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda with a gunshot wound to his side but later died from his injuries.
A 23-year-old was arrested in Dublin today in relation to the murder and is being detained at Drogheda Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
aking the Polar Plunge with Dave Kearney, Colm O’Shea and Kane Douglas (Leinster Rugby) are Garda Patrick Sheridan (Drogheda), Garda Eugene Mulligan (Drogheda), Sargeant Anne Byrne (Clogherhead), Garda Pat Merrick (Castleblaney) and Garda Mark Kirwan (Clogherhead) during the launch of the Special Olympic Polar Plunge on Clogherhead Beach see http://www.specialolympics.ie for more details Pic: Thos Caffrey/Newsfile
People are being urged to get freezin’ for a reason this Saturday by signing up for Special Olympic’s Ireland icy Polar Plunge.
Leinster Rugby players Dave Kearney, Australian international Kane Douglas and Collie O’Shea were on-hand to support the launch of this unique event recently. It will see plungers brave the icy waters at Clogherhead beach Saturday in the hope of raising thousands of euro for Special Olympics athletes.
Separate plunges are also taking place in locations around the country this December as part of a fundraising drive to support athletes with intellectual disabilities.
The Clogherhead Polar Plunge is being spearheaded by local garda Patrick Sheridan from Drogheda Garda Station along with colleague Patrick Merrick, who is based in Castleblaney, Co Monaghan. Members of the RNLI, whose life boat station is based at Clogherhead, were also involved in the launch.
The event is being run as part of the Gardai’s role with the Law Enforcement Torch Run, an organisation that has been in partnership with Special Olympics for many years. Gardaí said they are hoping to attract up to 150 plungers on the day with the first plungers due to take their icy leap of faith at 11am.
Leinster player Kearney said signing up to take the plunge is a great way to support some of Ireland’s most inspiring athletes.
“Rugby players like myself are well used to taking ice baths but the Special Olympics Polar Plunge at Clogherhead beach on Saturday is a much more fun way to get freezin’ for a really good reason. I’d encourage everyone to sign up for the event at specialolympics.ie/polarplunge and help support some of Ireland’s most inspiring athletes,” said Kearney, who hails from Willville in north Louth.
Garda Patrick Sheridan is also hopeful that the people of Louth, Monaghan and Meath will get behind the event: “This is a fantastic way to raise much needed funds for Special Olympics athletes. All of the money raised will go towards supporting athletes in this region and ensuring that they continue to get access to sporting opportunities through competitions, leagues and interclub competitions. On top of that it promises to be good fun so sign-up today!”
A number of other local organisations have also pledged their support to the event.
Those interested in signing up for the Polar Plunge can do so at www.specialolympics.ie/polarplunge. Registration costs €15 and plungers are asked to raise a minimum €50, which goes directly to supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities through sport and competition. Plungers who raise more than €50 will also receive a complimentary ‘Ice Cool’ t-shirt.
Talk of the Town 