I welcome the decision of my Fianna Fáil colleague, Minister Darragh O’Brien to include a new Fire Station in Ballyjamesduff in his Department’s Fire Services construction programme for 2021.

I am glad to have supported the work of Cavan County Council in bringing this much needed project to this stage.

All the personnel in our Emergency Services need proper facilities and this new station will be a welcome addition to our county’s fire services facilities.

Ends 29/12/20

Town and Village Renewal Scheme – Brendan Smith TD

I welcome this government funding which will benefit 14 towns and villages in Cavan and Monaghan and will fund a wide and diverse range of projects.   Walkways, community parks, the regeneration of derelict buildings and enhancement works at tourism attractions and the development of local amenities are deserving of this funding and will contribute to necessary local community development.

I compliment Cavan and Monaghan Councils and local community groups who have all worked to develop these projects” stated Brendan Smith TD.

The Covid-19 vaccine is here and the HSE are starting its roll out across the country.

Frontline healthcare workers and people over 65 living in long-term care facilities are most at risk, so they will be offered a vaccine first. Other groups will be offered a vaccine as it becomes available.

Right now, we still need to keep our distance, wash our hands and do everything we can to protect each other from Covid-19.

Visit https://bit.ly/3o0PKaC

#KeepYourDistance #WashYourHands #InThisTogether

Following further representations I have been informed by the Minister of State that the OPW will advertise their Part 9 planning application for Bawnboy Garda Station next week.

This project will consist of refurbishment  and fit-out works in the Garda Station in Bawnboy.  It is one of six Garda Stations that will reopened under a Pilot Scheme.

Below is a reply by the Minister for Justice to the most recent Parliamentary Question I tabled in Dáil Éireann regarding the bombing in Belturbet in December 1972.

______________________________________________
For Written Answer on : 15/12/2020
Question Number(s): 464 Question Reference(s): 43504/20
Department: Justice
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.
______________________________________________


QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 8 of 10 September 2020, if she will ensure further investigations are carried out into the Belturbet bombing of December 1972 following the submission of a report to her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. (Details Supplied) (Details supplied – Report by Edward Burke of Nottingham University and forwarded by Deputy Brendan Smith to the Minister for Justice on 10th September 2020).

REPLY

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I know that he has campaigned tirelessly on behalf of the families for many years and, of course,  I am in full agreement with him that the perpetrators of this atrocity should be brought to justice.

The bombing of Belturbet on 28 December 1972 was an appalling and callous act of violence that claimed the lives of two innocent young people and injured others. The pain and anguish caused was very evident in the RTE Investigates programme last night as family members recalled the events that took their loved ones away.  

The dreadful effects of this attack last to this day; the suffering of those who have lost what was most precious to them goes on. That the perpetrators of this atrocity have never been held accountable for their crimes can only compound the sense of loss.

My deepest sympathies go out to the bereaved and injured and it is my firm desire that the perpetrators will face justice and the families find the answers they seek.  

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Authorities have previously advised that the bombing and the murders were comprehensively investigated by An Garda Síochána at the time. The Defence Forces provided expert assistance and the investigation involved close liaison with the authorities in Northern Ireland. Despite every avenue of enquiry being pursued at the time there was insufficient evidence to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.

The investigation into the bombing and the two murders has not been closed and An Garda Síochána will pursue any new evidence or information that is made available. An Garda Síochána would, of course, work in close co-operation with the PSNI where that could advance the investigation.

Following the Debate in the House in September, I arranged for a copy of the academic article referred to by Deputy Smith, which concerned inter alia the Belturbet Bombing and information on a potential suspect, to be forwarded to the Garda authorities for attention.

I have also requested an update from the Garda authorities on the investigation.

Most importantly, I appeal for anybody with any information that may be relevant to this case, even after nearly 50 years, to bring it to the attention of the Garda Authorities to aid their investigation.

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith welcomes the confirmation from Minister of State O’Donovan that the Office of Public Works has received the necessary approval from An Garda Síochána to issue tender documents for the construction of Bailieborough Garda Station.

“This will enable tenders to be issued to the pre- qualified list of contractors for the construction of the Garda Station. Tenders will be returned early in 2021 for assessment and detailed consideration and it is expected that the preferred tenderer will be appointed within a short timeframe.

This new accommodation will be a welcome development providing modern facilities for Members of An Garda Síochána serving the Bailieborough District” stated Brendan Smith TD.

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith welcomes the additional funding under the Covid-19 Stability Fund for Community and Voluntary Organisations in Cavan and Monaghan.

“This Fund was established to support organisations, providing important services in local communities, which have been impacted by Covid-19 in their fundraising activities”, stated Deputy Brendan Smith. 

The following Organisations have received top-up grants –

CAVAN

Bailieborough Swimming & Leisure Centre CLG

Drumgoon Community Centre Co-Operative Society Ltd

The Cavan Centre

Camcas (Ballyconnell) Company Ltd

Killinkere Development Association

Cuan Cavan Cancer Group

Castlerahan Community Devopment Ltd

MONAGHAN

Knockatallon Development Company Limited By Guarantee

Iontas

The Down Syndrome Centre North East Company Limited By Guarantee

Clones Development Society Limited

Corduff Raferagh Community Association CLG

Crocus Cancer Support Centre CLG

Truagh Development Association Company Limited By Guarantee

Phoenix Centre Carrickmacross Company Limited By Guarantee

Castleblayney Care Housing Association Company Limited By Guarantee

Bawn Area Community Groups Company Limited by Guarantee

Aghabog Development Association Company Limited By Guarantee

Cu Chulainn Blood Bikes CLG

St Michaels Regional Community Development Company Limited by Guarantee

Tullycorbet Community Development Association

Doohamlet Community & Resource Centre CLG

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD, Brendan Smith has welcomed the provision of funding for swimming pool operators throughout the country  by his colleague, Jack Chambers TD, Minister of State for Sport.

“This is a difficult time for swimming pool operators and they have faced particular financial challenges over the past number of months.  Swimming has a very high participation rate and swimming pools are an important resource for communities and clubs throughout all regions.  This funding being provided by the Minister of State will help to ensure the sustainability of many swimming pools and assist in meeting the substantial costs in running same.

The following Centres will benefit in Cavan/Monaghan –

Bailieborough Swimming and Leisure Centre – €9,107

Cavan Swimming and Leisure Complex – €10,567

Farnham Estate Spa and Golf Resort – €7,818

Slieve Russell Hotel – €8,677

Zest Health & Fitness – €9,107

Coral Leisure Monaghan Ltd – €11,512

Hillgrove Hotel – €7,302

The government has made a number of financial allocations to assist community and sporting organisations to support them in meeting the particular challenges that have arisen due to the covid-19 pandemic” stated Brendan Smith TD.

I welcome the approval by my colleague Norma Foley TD Minister for Education of more than one million euro for school projects in Cavan and Monaghan under the 2021 Summer Works Scheme.

10 schools in Cavan with grant aid of €855,298 will benefit and 4 schools in Monaghan have been approved with grant aid of €221,662 under the scheme.

The works approved are for roof repairs at primary level and toilet and other sanitary facilities at primary and post- primary levels.

This early approval enables schools to make the necessary preparations in good time for such improvement works to be undertaken during the summer of 2021.

Minister Foley has over the last few months allocated substantial funds to many schools to enable them make necessary accommodation adaptations due to the covid 19 pandemic.The 2021 Summer Works Scheme will enable these schools whose applications have been approved carry out necessary improvement works’, stated Brendan Smith TD.

Schools approved in Cavan –

Loreto College, Virginia College, Dromaili SN, Killygarry NS, Virginia Primary, Scoil Bhride, SN Naomi Feidhlim Boys, SN Leitir, Castlerahan, SN Lathrach 2

Monaghan Schools –

St Louis Secondary School, Scoil Mhuire, St Mary’s BNS, Drumcorrin NS