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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.
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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