ARDARA businessman Stephen McCahill is being remembered for his enduring community spirit following his tragic passing yesterday.
It is thought Mr McCahill (65) may have been stabbed in an incident at his home in the early hours of yesterday (Monday) morning.
A hugely popular and very well-known businessman, Mr McCahill was a former Donegal Person of the Year.
His sudden passing has numbed the local community.
Gardaí say they are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding his death and have arrested a man in his 30s.
Mr McCahill is very well-known throughout Donegal and such has been his involvement in local community life, he was affectionately known as ‘Mr Ardara’.
Co-owner of the town’s Corner House pub, he was named Donegal Person of the Year for 2016.
He has contributed to local committees and organisations in various capacities and was also heavily involved with Ardara GAA where he was treasurer for 14 years and chairman for four years.
Donegal TD Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher paid a touching tribute to the popular Glenties native.
“The dawning of the New Year soon turned to widespread sadness with the news breaking of the untimely passing of a lifelong friend, Stephen McCahill,” Deputy Gallagher began.
“A native of Glenties, Stephen had made Ardara his home for many years.
“It was there that he and his wife Marietta raised their family, a son Stephen and a daughter Gemma.”
Deputy Gallagher said he knew Mr McCahill through his work, his community and voluntary efforts across southwest Donegal, and his involvement in sport.
“Stephen had a tremendous flare and drive for community development, and his efforts were widely known and appreciated in Ardara and far beyond,” the Fianna Fáil TD continued.
“In recognition of this commitment, Stephen was named Donegal Person of the Year in 2016, an honour he truly deserved.”
In 1981, Mr McCahill moved back to Donegal to work with Campbell Seafoods in Killybegs, where he was employed as quality control manager, and through the intervening years he had a long and respected association with the fishing sector.
More recently, he was heavily involved in business within the Ardara area, with a local public house and auctioneers’ company.
Deputy Gallagher said Mr McCahill possessed a remarkable business ethic and ability, which earned him great respect throughout the community.
He said yesterday morning’s tragic events will weigh extremely heavy on the close-knit community of Ardara.
“I urge us all to support the entire family network of the McCahill and Maloney families during this most difficult time,” he said.
“Stephen’s many friends and business associates will also need our prayers, support and comfort in the time ahead.”
