DUNDALK’S FREE NEWSPAPER Cllr Dolores Minogue elected Cathaoirleach of LCC
Louth embrace the chaos to stun Armagh
Four National Awards for SONG Dundalk
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Wednesday, 17th June, 2026. Vol. 19, Issue 24 • 9A, Crowe Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth Tel: 042 932 0888 | Email: editorial@dundalkleader.com; advertising@dundalkleader.com
Height of friendship INSPIRATIONAL BRIDGET TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO IN MEMORY OF TRAGIC O’CONNOR FAMILY By Paul Byrne INSPIR ATIONAL Bridget Higgins is embarking on a five day hike of Africa’s tallest mountain in memory of the O’Connor family who were tragically killed last September at their home in Drumgowna outside Dundalk. Her aim is to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro on the 29th of September, exactly a year after the tragic events that unfolded in Drumgowna nine months ago. Robert O’Connor is charged with the murder of his parents Mark and Louise and his brother Evan with his trial scheduled to begin later this year. Bridget, who lives in Ardee, has been a friend of the O’Connors for over ten years having been Evan’s carer since he was a young boy.
Evan attended the Abacus School in Drogheda which was set up by his father Mark and Jacinta Walsh whose son Sam also had autism. At the time there were no autism classes in Drogheda and nowhere for the likes of Evan or Sam to go to school or receive an education. Mark and Jacinta established the school in 2003 for their sons and thanks to a lot of blood, sweat and tears the school has grown down through the years to a point where there are today over thirty children in the school. Bridget says that her climb of Africa’s highest mountain will be in memory of the O’Connors and also to raise money for Drogheda ABACAS Special School which played such a huge part of Evan’s life. Bridget (left) pictured with her dearly departed friend Louise O’Connor. Continued on Page 2