A teenage disco in Fermoy, promoted as a school fundraising event, caused much controversy as it was witness to scenes ‘bordering on the disgraceful’. The non-alcoholic disco, held in the Talk of the South, was reported to have went ‘dramatically wrong’, with a ‘hard core minority of teenage girls, aided and abetted in some cases by teenage males’, under the influence of alcohol.
Security at the event turned away several young people from the door. Management at The Grand Hotel stated that as they did ‘not have the legal right to search people entering the disco’, that some drink may have been smuggled in – however categorically confirmed that ‘no alcololic drink was served’.
Hotel management at one stage considered abandoning the disco, while the principal of the school went on stage to call for order, which ‘was met with some jeering’. Gardai were investigating, while concerned parents were ‘demanding to know where children obtained the alcohol’.
It was reported that ‘while The Point in Dublin was enjoying the success of Riverdance, the point in Kilworth was that severe flooding was making life miserable for two Kilworth families’.
No joking matter however, as following an incessant day’s rain, flood waters from the Kilally and Ballinrush areas took its toll near Molly Barry’s Cross, flooding two dwellings alongside the main Fermoy/Mitchelstown Road. Angry residents laid the blame squarely on recent roadworks which saw the surface of the N8 roadway ‘dramatically raised over the level of their houses’.
Double celebration for Ballyduff’s Gearoid Berry, a past pupil of St Colman’s College, Fermoy, who was presented with the Physics Gold Medal at an awards ceremony held in UCC, by Minister of State at the Department of Education, Bernard Allen TD.
The awards scheme publicly acknowledged students who obtained the highest marks in the science subjects – Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology – in the 1994 Leaving Certificate in Cork City and county. Gearoid, who was studying Science at UCD, also won a prestigious award from the Institute of Physics in Ireland.
There were differing opinions over a bussing saga at Ballygiblin National School, with the possibility of free school transport being withdrawn from some pupils being discussed at a Northern Division meeting, Cllr Carey Joyce raising the issue through a motion.
He was requesting that the Department of Education continue with free transport at the school, which was scheduled to be withdrawn by Easter 1995. Cllr Joyce saw the move as being ‘very harsh’ and was looking for the authority to lobby the Minister, as the number of children was under 10.
This was seconded by Deputy Ned O’Keeffe. However, Senator Joe Sherlock disputed this view, saying there was ‘absolutely no proposal to withdraw free transport’. It was agreed to write to the Department of Education.
In brief – Lightning struck twice for one unlucky Mitchelstown motorist – Having had the rear side windows of his Ford Fiesta stolen weeks before the festive season in 1994, his parked car was again targeted in February 1995, with yet another of the rear side windows disappearing!
Newly crowned Irish senior light middleweight boxing champion, Fermoy’s Declan Higgins, was preparing to represent his country in his first senior international v World number 3 ranked, Italy. Galbally were preparing for the visit of US Ambassador, Jean Kennedy-Smith who it was reported would arrive in style on a pony and trap; her previously planned visit to Ireland’s tidiest town, in November 1994, was cancelled due to a last minute hitch in her schedule.
Fermoy FC bowed out of the FAI Intermediate Cup, beaten in the quarter-final at home to Dublin side, Ashtown Villa 2-1. The home pitch was described as being in ‘remarkable condition’, with club officials and dedicated supporters ‘putting down sand and wood shavings on the surface’ to ensure then match went ahead, following a spell of poor weather.
With 10 minutes to go in the first half, the visitors opened the scoring through Ray Murtagh – Ashtown led 1-0 at the interval. In spite of good early pressure in the second half, Ashtown extended their lead through Anthony Kenny. With 10 minutes remaining, Fermoy scored through Paul Houlihan, however Villa held on comfortably to progress.
Fermoy team: W O’Hanlon, W Van Wijnen, P Roche, W Corcoran, Noel O’Connor, B McMahon, D Twomey, M Hennessy, T Egan, Rory O’Connor, Kieran O’Connor. Sub: Houlihan for Hennessy, S Tobin.
