Of the seven-man team preparing to represent Ireland at the 1996 World Fly Fishing Championships in May 1996, three were from the locality – namely, Tom Whelan, Glanworth; Clem Carroll, Fermoy and Craig Justice, Castletownroche. Held in the Czech Republic, the lads were selected following their participation in the 1995 Irish championships in Durrow, Co Laois. They received an official send off from the Trout Angling Federation of Ireland. friends and well-wishers at a function held in the Arches, Mallow.
A residents’ association had been formed at one Rathcormac estate, with the intention of overseeing the completion of landscaping works at the development, which they believed to be the responsibility of Cork County Council. A deputation of residents addressed members of Cork County Council in May 1996 ‘in protest over a number of works’ at the ‘12-house development’. It was noted the boundary fence with Ashfield Place was in ‘a very dangerous state’ and needed addressing – no blame was being attached to developers Bride View Homes by the residents, who commenced work at the estate in 1983. One spokesperson told the Council members that ‘the development was known locally, not as Gracelands, but as dis-Gracelands’.
The May 1996 meeting of Fermoy UDC heard that ‘payment of water rates from 119 residents in the town who had previously refused to pay the charge’, had been received. In total, notices of disconnection had been issued to 120 residents and to date, all but one resident – described as ‘a vocal advocate of non-payment of rates’ – had made ‘some form of agreement with the Council to pay the outstanding amounts’. Resultingly, £19,000 in unpaid rates had been collected. Court proceedings to ‘cut off the (one) individual’s water supply would now follow’.
A ceremony was held in Ballyhooly to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the shooting dead by British Crown forces on May 20th, 1921 of local martyr, Liam Burke, during the War of Independence. A large crowd from across the political spectrum were in attendance. MC for the occasion was Dan Jones, as Seamus Burke, a nephew of the late Liam, laid a wreath at the Gortroche monument.
Grant aid totalling £72,500 was confirmed as being earmarked for Avondhu Tourism Association from the Central Fisheries Board, to develop the fishery at Knockananig Reservoir. The application for funding had been made in conjunction with Fermoy Urban District Council – funds would be used to construct fishing stands at the reservoir, as well as improving access to the site and the general upgrading of the facility.
There was a reported ‘political compromise’ in Ballyhooly, as TDs Paul Bradford and Ned O’Keeffe officially led off a sponsored cycle race, in aid of the village’s proposed tennis court development, on a tandem bicycle. Along with renowned Fermoy cyclist, Frank O’Sullivan, the ‘keen political rivals’ led the way and while ‘visiting each side of the road on a number of occasions’ in the first hundred yards or so, eventually got things on an even keel. With Deputy Bradford taking the driver’s seat, ‘some onlookers noticed Deputy O’Keeffe trying less than hard on the back seat’!
Doneraile finally received the long awaited news that a new Garda sergeant had been appointed to the area, the post to be filled by Sgt George Finch by the end of May 1996. The position had been vacant since August 1995, and amid much uncertainty there was much lobbying and protest by concerned locals to have the post filled without delay.
Mitchelstown Celtic, following their 1-0 victory over White City at the Town Park, were crowned 1996 North Cork League Cup champions – scorer Thomas Murphy. Kilworth U12 hurlers defeated Buttevant in the North Cork U12 B hurling league final in May 1996, on a scoreline 4-3 to 1-5 – Padraig Geary captained the side.
In brief – Minister for Sport, Bernard Allen TD, unveiled exciting new plans for a racecourse for Cork, with a total investment in providing the facility at Mallow ‘of the order of £7 million’. A large crowd gathered at Lower Cork Street, Mitchelstown to see the local Credit Union’s ATM service officially launched, the first credit union in the south to offer such a service.
