It is believed that the free parking initiative gives a boost to local trade in the crucial holiday period for commercial activity in the tow

Monaghan County Planners will decide on the issue in January.

Normal park charges begin from the 2nd of January in both Cavan and Monaghan.

The Cavan-Monaghan number of theft-related crimes in the Northern Sound region is more than double the figure for the Sligo-Leitrim Garda Division.

Elsewhere a driver in Monaghan was detected at a speed of 128kph in an 80kph zone on the N2 near Drumcaw.

Monaghan County Council are seeking contractors to construct a new sensory garden/path in Carrickmacross.

39 people in Monaghan and 83 in Cavan have been granted Irish citizenship this year.

A Garda sergeant told Northern Sound there are many simple things homeowners and farmers can do to secure their property.