In reply to a representation made by Ned O’Keeffe TD, the Minister for Justice, Maire Geoghegan Quinn, stated that the Garda presence at the Mitchelstown station was ‘quite adequate’. Fears had been expressed at the possible downgrading of the station, however Garda authorities considered Mitchelstown to be ‘relatively quiet in terms of crime’ and the introduction of restricted opening hours was to be introduced, from 8am-8pm. The Minister said that “the divisional officer does not consider this to be a downgrading, but in fact an enhancement of operational policing, as it allows station gardai to be released for outdoor operational duty.” That’s one spin to put on it!

The cost of taking a bath in Fermoy raised some eyebrows. At an October 1993 sitting of Fermoy UDC, a council official confirmed that 22 houses had been ‘tackled’ by the council in installing new indoor bathrooms into older local authority housing. When queried by Cllr Michael Hanley as to what the average cost of installing a bathroom in each was, he was told ‘approximately £10,000 to £11,000’! “That’s not exactly chicken feed, is it?”, was the councillor’s reply.

A seminar held at the Silver Springs Hotel conference centre in Cork, heard details of why Fermoy town had been so successful in creating new jobs. Organised by the Southern Region of the Marketing Institute of Ireland, its president, Seamus Hennessy, said that ‘Fermoy could boast the addition of over 1,000 new jobs through the acquisition of US giants, SCI and Met Life, plus expansion in indigenous industries like Woodfab and Silver Pail.’ The local VECs were complimented for adapting their courses which would give school-leavers the training they needed to take advantage of such new job opportunities. Guest speaker at the event was Fermoy Enterprise Board chief, Michael Hanley, while others to speak included Barry Condron, IDA; Chris White, MD SCI; locals Sheila Barrett, Coolagown and Padraig O’Brien, Castlelyons and Martin Joyce, MD Woodfab.

It was the end of an era in Mitchelstown, as shopkeeper Annie Lyons was set to close the doors to her family grocery shop, located on 20 Lower Cork Street. Annie was looking forward to retirement and closing her shop in October 1993. Some of her faithful staff had included Bridget and Peggy Fitzgerald. The premises, which was always ‘spick and span’, had won an award for the most attractive business premises in the town earlier in the year.

Ballygiblin were set to challenge for county junior B hurling honours in Pairc Ui Rinn, Cork, where they faced a somewhat unknown quantity in Belgooly. Having defeated city championship holders, Ballyphehane on a 2-14 to 2-4 scoreline in the semi-final, confidence was high within the camp. Their panel included sterling defender, Jackie Slattery, who had won a divisional championship medal in 1979 and was hoping to add to his medal collection before considering retirement!

A Dublin firm was set to take over the ex-CPI factory in Watergrasshill. The factory had ceased operation in 1984, shedding 40 jobs, with the premises located on the Leamlara Road, only being used for storage since. November 1st, 1993 was the date given for operations to begin at the factory, which was to be renamed ‘Hill Park Industrial Estate’. The new firm were to occupy 6,000sq ft of the 11,000sq ft site - there was no early indications on what workforce would be required.

Killavullen defeated Araglin in the North Cork junior B final at Ballyhooly, on a scoreline of 1-7 to 1-6. Meanwhile, St Catherines were preparing to contest the minor A hurling final, with mid-Cork representatives Eire Og their opponents. Gerard Sherlock, a member of Mitchelstown Handball Club, claimed the All-Ireland U17 60x30 title. While Catherine Kavanagh, a member of Mitchelstown Golf Club, claimed the women’s golfer of the year title - playing off a handicap of 14, the Mitchelstown AIB employee saw off the challenge of 84 other competitors.

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