STATE-OF-THE-ART CCTV SYSTEM INSTALLED IN DULEEK
LAW and order has been alive and well in Duleek for 500 years it was revealed at the launch of the hi-tech CCTV service for the area.
Derek Clarke from the Duleek Heritage Group told the gathering, held in the station, that the village had a Sheriff/Mayor dating back to 1480 while the first reference of a barracks dated to 1752 but was there since 1706 - at the same location as today.
The likes of Collier the Robber was one of their ‘star’ guests while in 1920, while under the auspicious of the RIC, was burned to the ground.
Sgt McCabe, who was in charge at the time, immediately headed to the band room, got rid of all the instruments and set up the new station there - where Lowth’s is today.
It was rebuilt in 1924 and in 1940, an extension was added.
Jim Curley, who grew up nearby, gave a history of the various sergeants who served in the locality, dating back to 1923.
They included Tim Shanley from 1944-50, who is now based in Clonmel.
Feom 1959-65, it was Brian Connaughton, his son, Brian, attending on the day. Another son, Shane, is a famed film writer. Brian won the Ras Tailteann in 1969. Dan McCann was in Duleek from 1966-68, a great help to the boxing club, while Richard O’Leary was head man from 1968 to 1986.
Liam Buggy, Pat Muldowney, Jim Flanagan, John Hyland and the present day, Sgt David Campbell are some of the other recent ones.