2023 in review - Looking back on August in Louth

August 1st 2023

Tributes were paid to a local triathlete who died tragically while competing in the Alpe d'Huez Triathlon in southeastern France.

48-year-old triathlete, Sarah Fagan, who lived in Old Muirhevna in Dundalk and was originally from Mountpleasant in north Louth, reportedly collapsed during the swimming event, a few minutes after the start and was in cardiorespiratory arrest, according to a statement released by the directors of the Alpe d'Huez Triathlon.

It said that “after being reanimated”, the victim was “airlifted to Grenoble University Hospital in a serious condition. Sadly, the victim passed away surrounded by her family.”

There was an outpouring of grief as tributes poured in for Sarah, who was an active member of Cuchulainn Cycling Club saying she “lived life to the full” and had “such a glow and warmth”.

August 8th 2023

The number of young people waiting to be seen at CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) for first-time appointments in the HSE area that covers Louth has almost trebled in the last three years, it emerged in August.

The figures, which were released to Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on mental health, Mark Ward TD, were described by Louth TD Ruairí Ó Murchú as “a complete failure by this government to prioritise young people’s mental health care”.

The figures for July 2020, when the government came to power, show that there were 270 young people in Community Healthcare Organisation 8, which covers Louth.

Figures released to Deputy Ward, show that figure stood at the time at 737.

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The Birches Day Care Centre in Dundalk celebrated 23 years in the town.

The centre provides a range of support to those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers as well as their families.

A mainstay in all that time has been Nurse Manager Olive Joyce, who has been there from the very beginning.

August 15th 2023

The Louth W.A.T.C.H. (Walking And Tandem Cycling for Health) Club launched two new additions to their fleet of bicycles at Market Square in Dundalk in August.

To the fanfare of music and bagpipes, volunteers showed off their new Electric Tandem Bike and Trishaw Electric Wheelchair bike to the gathered crowd.

Initially set up as a tandem cycling club for blind and partially sighted people, the club has grown to cater to people of all abilities.

August 22nd 2023

A man in his 20s died following a crash between two e-scooters and a car on the Armagh Road in Dundalk.

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of the fatal collision.

A male aged in his 20s, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Another male was treated for injuries by ambulance personnel at the scene and a third male was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital to be treated for serious injuries and was brought to a stable condition. Both men were aged in their 20s.

August 29th 2023

A total of 9,865 parking fines issued in Dundalk over the past five years remain unpaid, the Dundalk Democrat revealed in August.

Over €1.37 million worth of parking fines have been paid out to Louth County Council in the last five years, with just under 45% of valid tickets issued in Dundalk remaining unpaid.

In total, the local authority collected €1.370,857 in parking fines between 2018 and 2022, according to figures provided to the Democrat under Freedom of Information.

Overall, there were 27,568 fines issued by the council in Dundalk in the past five years.