Over 200 South Coast Community TV activists picketed the Dáil in early June, 1993, in an effort to persuade the Government to grant them legalised status. Several buses, containing a large contingent from the Fermoy area, along with others from Carrigaline and Clonakilty, made for Dublin and sought a meeting with Minister for Communications, Brian Cowen TD, which was refused. However, a special submission was handed in for his attention, outlining a history of community TV and included questions as to why legal status was being ignored by the Government.

Ballyporeen’s musical priest, Fr Joseph Bracken, was celebrating his golden jubilee in the priesthood. Born in Clonmel on June 27th, 1917, he was ordained in Maynooth in 1943, with his first appointment being in Slough, near London. He was then sent to Faithlegg, Co Wexford, before having appointments in St Patrick’s parish, Waterford City; Ring, Old Parish (1947-1956); Ballymacarbry (16 years); Ballylooby (4 years) and was PP in Kilmacthomas (1978-1986). He then came to Ballyporeen, until his retirement in 1992. A special jubilee Mass was held in the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Ballyporeen to mark the occasion. Having a love of music, he wrote the song ‘April 1916’ which won the Munster Comhaltas organised song contest, before his 1968 composition ‘Ar an Sli go Cluain Meala’ won the Castlebar Open competition.

Some teenagers looking to cool off during the hot spell in summer 1993 took to jumping into the Blackwater river, Fermoy from the bridge, which was causing much concern amongst locals. Those who got in contact with The Avondhu, said they feared for the childrens’ safety, saying the youngsters were crossing a ‘strong paraphet which represented a drop of 15 plus feet into the river’ and also saw the possibility of a dangerous fall onto ‘the concrete quay walk’. Gardai had been notified and were taking ‘a very dim view of such antics’.

There was a clash of views at the Mallow area roads meeting, with Deputy Ned O’Keeffe and Senator Joe Sherlock debating the subject of a possible toll on the N8. Mr O’Keeffe stated that “it’s a total exaggeration to say there will be a toll charged on the Cork Dublin road”, saying it was “complete rubbish”. However, Senator Sherlock, brandishing several green sheets consisting of a copy of Sections 61 of the Roads’ Bill 1991, retorted “Did you read this?’

Grange junior B footballers were expecting to overcome the championship challenge of Ballyclough, however their narrow 4 point victory secured was hard fought. The Avondhu report headline read ‘O’Rourke inspired Grange as Condon’s goal seals it’. Grange found themselves behind at half-time (1-7 to 0-4), while with 15 minutes remaining, they trailed by 5 points. When Fergal O’Dowd’s pass set up Declan Condon for the all important goal, Grange could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Araglin’s Peter Fitzgibbon was getting set to fly to Taiwan, to compete at the 31st Skill Olympics, a 5-day event. Working as sommelier at the Silver Springs Hotel in Cork, Peter was set to compete in the Food & Beverage section, competing against 14 other countries. Part of his brief was to serve a flambé meal, including providing a complete silver service.

Snippets - The popular Mountain Barracks hostelry changed hands, with Tom Daly, a native of Skeheen, Mitchelstown taking over from Frank Ivory. Sharpshooter, Cpl Robbie Walsh, stationed at Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy won the individual All Army 1993 Steyr Rifle Championships, while Mitchelstown’s Cpl Bobby Condon, coached the 13th Battalion FCA to All-Ireland glory, when they took the Falling Plates competition. The future of Mitchelstown Garda barracks remained under scrutiny, with a possible downgrading still on the cards.

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