December 29th, 1916 – January 4th, 1917
A very serious affray, believed to have involved the use of a knife, took place near Kilbehenny resulting in the death of Edward Coffey and serious injuries to his brother Michael. It took place at 7pm while there was a funeral in the village. John Walsh was arrested in connection with the affair and lodged in Mitchelstown police barracks. He was later remanded to Limerick Gaol.
A report reached Tipperary that a farmer named Lane from Ballylanders district, while returning from Mitchelstown fair, was found dead in his cart with half his face eaten off by a young sow, which he was bringing home. Three days later, J. Lane, Ballylanders wrote contradicting this initial report: ‘he was not, as stated, dead before reaching his home, nor is it true that his face was half eaten by a young sow in his cart. The young man, respected here by a wide circle of friends, unhappily met with an accident on his way from Mitchelstown and died shortly after reaching his home. Much sympathy with his young wife and relatives is felt locally’.
When the death of Mr James Byrne occurred at Ballyhooly House, Ballyhooly, it removed a well-known figure from southern Irish life. He was, perhaps, best known as an agriculturist, his herd of shorthorns at Wallstown being famous among stockbreeders. He was chairman of the Cork Farmers’ Association.
An exceedingly enjoyable New Year’s concert was held at the Y.M.C.A. hut, Moore Park, Fermoy, at which an excellent programme was provided by members of the 7th Cadet Battalion, men of the R.A.M.C. and Leicester Regiment, and ladies of Fermoy and district. The programme opened with a brilliant pianoforte solo by Cadet Lowe of the Shaftesbury Theatre, London.
Mitchelstown No. 2 Council met and Mr M. Hyland presided. The Local Government Board recommended that tenants of labourers’ cottages should be informed that they would be dispossessed if they did not carry out their obligation to cultivate one-half their plots. The council decided to inform tenants accordingly.
A year and a half, black polly heifer that strayed from Kilworth on December 19th was still missing. Any information as to its whereabouts would be gladly received by Denis Heskin, Kilclogh, Kilworth or by the RIC in the village.
Thomas Daly, Queen’s Square, Fermoy issued a notice that all persons having in their possession corrugated iron or timber, the property of the Fermoy Athletic Grounds Company Ltd, were required to notify him and deliver it up forthwith. A prosecution would be instituted against any person in whose possession such iron or timber was found after Thursday, 4th January.
At Lismore Quarter Sessions, there was an application brought by Mrs Ellen Vaughan, shopkeeper, Cappoquin against Patrick Kirby, labourer, Cappoquin, for committal for neglect to pay a debt of £3 12s 3d under an instalment order made at the April sessions. After hearing the evidence, his honour adjourned the case to next sessions.
