Longford Review of the Year April 2024: Longford shocked by New York tragedy, tributes paid to late Sarah McNally

Longford shocked by NY tragedy

Tributes were paid to the Longford woman who died following a horrific stabbing attack in New York.
A spokesperson from the New York Police Department Deputy Commissioner Public Information confirmed the identity of victim of last night's incident as 41-year-old Sarah McNally of Queens Street, NY.
Ms McNally is originally from Longford town and she had been living and working in New York for a number of years.
Cllr Gerry Warnock remembered the deceased as 'a lovely soul'. Cllr Warnock remarked, "My thoughts and prayers are with Dorrie, Dessie and Sarah's extended family and many friends."
He added, "This is an absolute tragedy and may God give them the strength to navigate this cruel journey of having their beautiful girl taken from them.
"May her gentle soul rest in peace.
In a Facebook post, Sarah's aunt Mary McNally wrote, "we are heartbroken. Rest in peace my beautiful niece Sarah."
Sarah died after she suffered a stab wound to her neck at the Ceilí House Irish pub on Grand Avenue in Maspeth at approximately 6.34pm on Saturday, March 30.

Concern over future of diabetes service

Concerns that paediatric diabetes service in the Midlands could close due to staff shortages are “negatively affecting the health of the children who use the services” a Longford mother has claimed.
“My daughter is one of the 145 children who rely heavily on the support from the Paediatric Diabetes Clinic in Mullingar,” mother Nikki Donlon told the Longford Leader, “She's been relying on the service for 18 months now.”
The monitoring and treatment of diabetes is complex. The parents of sufferers must observe their children around the clock.
They rely on the clinic as a lifeline, for medical advice, ratio adjustments, and further testing of diabetes related complications.

Longford becomes literary capital for Granard Booktown

All roads led to north Longford as Granard assumed the role of a literary hub as it hosts its second Booktown Festival.
Visitors from across the globe flocked to the town to enjoy a packed programme of events over three days.
Granard Booktown Festival encourages book lovers to visit the town and share in the written arts. The festival provides cultural amenities throughout the town, creating a wellspring of literary creation.
“Among the contributions were those from our first artist in residence, Noel Monahan. Our Friday night headliner took place in the library,” Organiser John Connell outlined.

Peter Burke ‘humbled and honoured’

Longford / Westmeath Fine Gael TD Peter Burke said he was 'humbled and honoured' on being appointed Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment by new Taoiseach Simon Harris.
Deputy Burke, who had been Minister of State with responsibility for EU Affairs & Defence, now becomes the first Cabinet Minister from his hometown of Mullingar.