Fermoy town councillors deferred a controversial vote on a material contravention that would see a site potentially rezoned to allow for a 100-bed hotel and residential development of 73 houses, on a 14-acre site by the Blackwater River. In deferring the vote, it was agreed three separate meetings would be held, one with the executive, one public meeting, and a reconvened council meeting to take a vote.
Sparkie, a 17-year-old dog from Araglin, survived a two-day escapade, being reunited with owners Terry and Margaret Harris after he had travelled a significant distance from home. Being blind, hearing impaired and ‘a little senile’, Sparkie was heard howling by Jim Parker some miles from the Harris’s home, and was discovered ‘completely covered’ in a cesspit. Terry jumped into the pit to rescue Sparkie and the family were delighted to be reunited.
Residents of the Kilcoran area of Ballyduff weren’t too happy as permission was granted to a local businessman to install a private helicopter landing pad on his premises at Kilcoran South, Conna. Residents and farmers were concerned about low-flying helicopters. Some were worried about milk yield and a drop in milk quality, if cows were agitated!
A Coillte forest in Carker North, Doneraile, was nearly set alight when an abandoned car was ignited. The area was known as a regular haunt for those engaged in ‘wheelies’ and ‘donut’ spins. Those engaged in the practice often abandoned ‘raced out’ cars by setting them alight.
Workers at Galtee Meats outlined their anxieties surrounding the future of their jobs, following rejection of the management’s work packages, as management at the plant said the outcome reflected ‘a vote against Galtee’. An almost unanimous vote was passed against management’s proposals, which at the time sought unification across the board of a pay structure of €9 per hour, job demarcation, reduction of overtime, the introduction of a performance-based incentive scheme, and more.
Fermoy retained its ‘Litter Free’ status, occupying the 9th position on the 2005 Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) table, which surveyed 57 towns, beating several other Cork towns. Mallow at the time ranked in 16th place and Midleton in 28th. Cobh and Youghal were both categorised as ‘litter black spots’ in the report.
Pike Road in Fermoy was temporarily closed due to subsidence, as a section of road suddenly caved in near the junction with Beechfield Estate.
Three criminal incidents took place one Thursday in May 2005 – two burglaries in Fermoy and one in Kilworth. Separately, a fire, suspected to be arson, also caused considerable damage in Barry’s old timber yard in Fermoy.
A public meeting was being arranged in Tallow to discuss the town’s difficulties. Among issues faced by locals was sewerage and the 50-year-old plant which was in need of upgrading. The Tallow Business Association and traders said they felt Tallow lacked proper infrastructure and services, which were hindering development of the town.
A 57-house development in Sweeney’s Field, adjacent to St Martin’s Church in Kilworth, was progressing well. Five timber frame houses had been erected and work was reported to be advancing quickly. The estate would eventually be named Páirc na gCapall.
Housing in Fermoy was also in demand, as the four-storey ‘Waterside’ apartment complex at Ashe Quay was nearing completion. Workers were resurfacing the car parking area at the front of the 42-unit complex and putting finishing touches to the ground floor, which was reported to consist of four retail units, a restaurant and an office suite.
Cork County Council was planning to honour former employee, Jackie (John) Walsh from Ballyclough, Mitchelstown, who was preparing to celebrate his 100th birthday. Jackie had spent 26 years as foreman of the Roads Section of the Mitchelstown Area Office.
Ballylanders hosted German royalty, as the Prince and Princess of Hohenlohe and a delegation of councillors from the region, visited the south Limerick village. Germany’s first encounter with the village was in 1981 when a twinning arrangement between the two villages was proposed.
Bartlemy Point-to-Point races drew a large crowd. Colman Sweeney of Castlelyons accepted a presentation from the point-to-points committee, while Seamus and Breda Spillane of Conna had a winner with Jolly Paddy. Ten Grand, a horse from Pat O’Connor’s stables in Ballyduff, also achieved an impressive win on the day.
Loreto Fermoy first year students claimed the Munster A ladies football blitz title, defeating Mitchelstown 3-2 to 2-1 in Rathkeale. Joanne O’Brien of Glanworth captained the team on the day.
