December 1st-7th 1916
Collegians defeated Fermoy at the Cork Athletic Grounds and appropriated the county football honours. Glorious weather prevailed, the sod was good order but the attendance was small. A fine exhibition of football was enjoyed by the spectators despite the fact that the scoring was low. The final score was: Collegians 3 points, Fermoy 1 point.
A large assembly of the traders and residents of Mitchelstown was held in the Town Hall. Dr T. O’Brien presided and referred to the distress existing amongst the deserving poor and suggested that steps should be taken to meet the situation. A large committee was appointed and sub-committees to deal with the milk, potato and coal supplies. A subscription list was opened and a sum of £50 was immediately subscribed.
At the Courthouse, Fermoy, Mr Coroner Rice, Solr., held an inquiry into the circumstances of the death of an infant belonging to Bridget O’Neill from the Mitchelstown district. The infant died in the Fermoy District Hospital and on a post-mortem examination, which the coroner deemed necessary to find the cause of death, the child weighed 8lbs 10oz, its age being, it was stated by the mother, 1 year and 8 months. The coroner stated there was nothing to show there was neglect of a criminal kind on the part of anyone in connection with the death, but that the inquiry was necessary to determine if the child’s life could have been saved. Some of those who gave evidence pointed to neglect. A Mrs Hennessey was criticised, but in the end the jury returned a verdict in agreement with the medical evidence, adding that they had not sufficient testimony to show what had been the cause of the emaciation.
Members of Clogheen Union granted the usual sum of 33 to Mrs Nolan, Garnavilla, for the fund in connection with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. An order was also made continuing the appointment of Miss Walsh as teacher of the amalgamated schools.
Master Jeremiah Canning, aged 13 years, recently won a scholarship for £10 (for superior answering at examination) on entering St Colman’s College, Fermoy. His success reflected much credit on the work of the school he previously attended. He was a pupil of Coolagown National School, of which Mr James Scannell was principal.
Fermoy Urban Council met and the chairman Mr E. J. Quinlan drew attention to the working of the Compulsory Education Act. The attendance at the schools was very bad and that was despite the best efforts of the inspector, administrator and the other members of the committee. Fines were imposed in some cases but then the parents paid the fines and the committee were powerless for two months. Some of the worst offenders were tenants of the council’s cottages. Quinlan proposed that where tenants were prosecuted for not sending their children to school that they be put out of the cottages. It was unanimously passed.
