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Tragic Donegal double killing:
Jimmy was a 'Cat at heart’
23.10.14
TRAGIC Jimmy Cuddihy
fully embraced life in his adopted County Donegal
but he was "a Cat" from Kilkenny at heart.
The retired secondary school teacher and his
Inishowen-born wife Kathleen, both in their 70s,
were found slain at their home this morning on the
outskirts of Carndonagh.
A man in his early 40s, who was known to the couple,
was arrested a short time after the grim discovery
at their neat bungalow in the townland of Churchtown
about 9am.
Friends and neighbours in the north Inishowen market
town are struggling tonight to absorb the shock news
of the well-known pensioners' deaths.
Many heartfelt tributes were paid to the much-loved
couple, who had four grown-up children, James,
Maureen, Delilah and Julian, all aged in their 40s. |
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Kathleen and Jimmy Cuddihy who were
slain at their Carn home. |
Mr Cuddihy first
arrived as a young teacher in the 1960s to work in
Carndonagh Community School where his main subject
was maths.
He settled in the town permanently after meeting and
falling in love with his future wife Kathleen a
nurse from nearby Malin. Kathleen was the daughter
of Mick Deery, a councillor on Donegal County
Council.
The young couple married and went on to rear four
children at their 1970s bungalow on the 'Mountain
Road', the main thoroughfare to Buncrana.
The Cuddihys were heavily involved in the life of
their local community before and after retirement.
They were members of Ballyliffin Golf Club and had
both previously served in captaincy and presidency
roles at the club.
Locals described Mr Cuddihy as "a great character"
who loved Donegal but remained a Kilkenny man at
heart.
"Jimmy was a Kilkenny man alright. He grinned as he
gave you his account of Kilkenny's latest win in the
hurling,” one acquaintance said tonight.
"He wasn't really a flag-waving type of person but
he was a Cat alright."
His wife Kathleen was referred to locally as 'Nurse
Cuddihy' and was very well known due to her work for
many years in the local ambulance service.
She tirelessly fundraised for charity including for
patients at Letterkenny General Hospital.
Meanwhile, local primary school principal and Sinn
Féin councillor Albert Doherty, who knew the couple
well, said the community was shocked and saddened by
the tragedy.
"We're completely devastated and stunned. They were
two people who were very much loved in the area.
They were loved by all," said Cllr Doherty.
"They were really great people. Our sincere
thoughts, sympathy and prayers are with the family." |
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