Year in Review: Looking back on the news across Louth in Febraury 2025

February 4th

Employment in mid-Louth was dealt a heavy blow with the news that around 70 jobs are to be lost in Dunleer.

Glen Dimplex confirmed that approximately 70 jobs are to go at its Dunleer plant, with the process expected to be completed by October 2025, but said that it is “committed to a multi-million investment in its facility in Dunleer so that it can be re-purposed to accommodate a relocation of the Group’s fast growing sales and distribution arm (Glen Dimplex Ireland) and the 70 associated roles from Cloghran, County Dublin”.

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The 2024 Ardee Municipal District Civic Awards took place in Ardee Courthouse.

Compered by Susan Deery, Administrative Officer, Louth County Council, opened with Cllr John Sheridan, Cathaoirleach of Ardee Municipal District, commenting on the depth and variety of those nominated and praising each winner on how they individually, or collectively, enhanced the greater community.

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Cllr John Sheridan, Cathaoirleach of Ardee Municipal District, said: “These awards will be forever recorded in the roll of Civic Honours retained by Louth County Council.

“As councillors, we can see the impact that the 11 nominees have had on our communities in Ardee and Mid-Louth for many years and the positive impact and success of their work will be felt and remembered for many years to come.”

February 11th
Three families in Dundalk were the first in Ireland to live in 3D printed houses.

The first residential housing development in the country constructed using 3D Construction Technology was completed by Louth County Council.

And the new residents of the 3D printed houses at Grange Close in Dundalk were over the moon to get their keys last week – making them the first people in Ireland and UK to live in 3D printed homes.

February 18th

The lack of a proper Covid 19 inquiry that would give Dundalk families answers as to why 22 people died in Dealgan House Nursing Home almost five years ago was raised again in Leinster House by Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú.

The Dundalk TD was speaking during a debate on the Programme for Government which did not include an all-encompassing Covid 19 inquiry.

The government has instead established an ‘Independent Pandemic Evaluation Panel’ which is chaired by Professor Anne Scott which aims to ‘provide a factual account of the overall strategy and approach to planning for and handling of the pandemic in Ireland covering the period 1 January 2020 to 28 February 2022’.

Deputy Ó Murchú has, with a number of the Dealgan families, been calling since 2020 for an independent, public inquiry into how 22 people died in the Dundalk nursing home in April and May 2020.

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A man who attacked a woman who was running on the Carlingford/ Omeath greenway, has been jailed at Dundalk Circuit Court for five years and nine months.

The victim had previously told Judge Dara Hayes that she was in the early stages of pregnancy at the time, and was terrified for her own life and that of her baby.

Niall ‘Nyol’ Tumelty (30) with an address at Coolderry, Carrickmacross pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman causing her harm and falsely imprisoning her at the Greenway, Ballyonan, Omeath, on September 25th 2021.

February 25th

Plans were announced for a redevelopment of the Long Walk Shopping Centre in Dundalk, with a planning application lodged with Louth County Council, which if given the go-ahead will see a new café and retail units.

Lindat Limited applied for planning permission for the development at the Long Walk Shopping Centre, which if given the green light, would principally consist of the amalgamation of Unit 12, 13/14, 15 and part of 16, to create an enlarged unit, and the change of use from retail to café, with the remaining area in Unit 16 to be used as a smaller retail unit.

The applicant also seeks the go ahead for the amalgamation of Unit 6, 7, 8 and 9, to create an enlarged retail unit, and the amalgamation of Unit 34, 35, 36 and 37; and the amalgamation and change of use of Unit 38

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Confirmation from Louth County Council that all outstanding issues around the implementation of CCTV at litter hotspots have been resolved, has been welcomed by Sinn Féin's Councillor Antóin Watters saying “the roll-out of CCTV at litter blackspots could not come at a better time”.

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An Garda Síochána has updated its Physical Competency Test on the back of an external review carried out by Dr Michael McCorry from the Department of Humanities at Dundalk Institute of Technology