A forged £20 note ‘was so good that it almost fooled Fermoy gardai’. Of extremely good quality, it also contained ‘a watermark and the silver strip which runs through the paper’, with the note being passed to an unsuspecting business person in Pearse Square. According to gardai who examined the note, aside from the colours which were ‘slightly less intense than the genuine note’, the ‘give-away’ occurred when the note was folded, as the colouring faded along the fold lines, something which would not happen with real notes.
‘Outraged at callous act’ – A very irate John Mortell from Dunmahon, Glanworth contacted The Avondhu to highlight an incident near his home which left him ‘sickened’. A cairn terrier dog was dumped ‘by some very callous individual’ on the roadside in a plastic fertiliser bag, which was discovered by two ‘extremely shocked’ local youngsters, John Mortell Jnr and Michael Cashman, as they happened to walk the road. The terrier, about 7 years of age, appeared to have been well cared for – however, the story had a happy ending, as the lads gave him a new home, naming him ‘Sparky’.
There was ‘rampant’ speculation in Fermoy that an American company, specialising in the manufacture of smoke detectors, was to become occupiers of the ‘advanced factory’ located at Cork Road. The front page story in July 1995, stated that ‘reliable sources’ had informed The Avondhu of an announcement date of August 16th, and it was understood that 150 jobs would be created. The news was welcomed by chairman of the Northern Division, Cllr Aileen Pyne, who stated it represented a tremendous boost to the town.
A top line-up was announced for the Mitchelstown International Deer Festival in 1995. The four day event was officially opened by former Taoiseach, CJ Haughey, with a jam-packed line-up. Free open air concerts would feature The Memories, Boyzone, Don Baker and The Booley House. Mary Black was also entertaining at the Deer Congress Hall, with tickets priced at £13 and £15. While a novel bartenders race, where entrants would run approximately 200 metres with a tray holding a pint of Carling (festival sponsors), was sure to be competitive. Not a drop spilt I bet!
Riordan’s SuperValu, Fermoy, one of the region’s top supermarkets, was celebrating 30 years of successful trading. Based in Courthouse Road, having moved from MacCurtain Street in the 1980s, the firm began trading in 1965 as Riordan’s VG under the guidance of the late John Riordan. The emphasis placed on quality, service and value was the hallmark of the company’s success, with John’s son, Michael who managed the business, saying ‘customer satisfaction was always a priority’.
Front page news in July 1995 stated that Glanworth Mill was in line to be developed, something which was warmly welcomed by Cllr Carey Joyce. A ‘business partnership run by Lynn Glassscoe and Emelyn Heaps’, both well known in the North Cork area, had plans to turn the Mill into a restaurant and wine bar. There was also a suggestion that a craft shop may feature in the plans.
There was no slowdown in the amount of thefts in the region – A farmer with land at Croughevoe, Mitchelstown was ‘surprised’ to find he was minus a 10-foot steel gate. It clearly wasn’t an open and shut case! While gardai were investigating a robbery at a Fermoy butchers, with two boning knives and a carver being stolen.
Fermoy GAA Club were looking forward to the acid test of their new facilities, as they prepared to stage a county senior hurling championship quarter-final tie between Ballyhea and Erins Own. Their newly built dressing rooms were sure to be commented on favourably by visiting players, while the new stand would be occupied for the first time, with a large crowd expected. However, seating for the stand (2,000 capacity) would only be installed following the county hurling clash. With several other enhancements being undertaken in the grounds, overall costs were approximately £180,000.
In brief – Ann Finn, representing Araglin Ladies Club, was the newly crowned Monarch of the Glen at Araglin Carnival in July 1995. Plant machinery moved into Duntaheen, Fermoy as construction began on a major sheltered housing project; overseen by Fermoy Geriatric Association, the development would consist of 25 single dwelling houses and a centrally located day care/administration centre, estimated to cost in the region of £1 million. Two pairs of Denim jeans could be had for just £20 at Joe Murphy’s, Fermoy.
