Shock, dismay and disappointment were the reactions from Dairygold employees on the proposed move by the company of a substantial part of its meat processing operation from Mitchelstown to Dublin. Close on 400 employees turned up to a special meeting in The Firgrove Hotel to discuss the matter and, according to Gerry Ryan, branch secretary of SIPTU, the general mood among workers was that they were being betrayed by the company. Dairygold management claimed the decision to relocate was necessary in order to comply with a Department of Agriculture EU regulation which states that slaughtering and packaging be carried out separately.
Gardai were on the lookout for a black/blue coloured Raleigh bicycle (Raven) mountain bike that was lost outside Mac’s Bar, Glanworth. The back brakes were broken and there was a black lock around the saddle.
An attack on sheep in Ballysaggart prompted local dog warden, Ollie Walsh to appeal to the public to keep their dogs on leads and know their whereabouts at night. “People should keep their dogs locked up at night,” he said. “We’ve had a number of attacks on livestock over the past few years in the areas of Lismore, Tallow and Cappoquin. This affects farmers livelihoods and is generally a public menace.”
Mitchelstown gardai were investigating the theft of a quantity of post from the postbox at Lower Cork Street. The Avondhu brought the incident to the notice of the gardaí when a lady dropped in a quantity of opened envelopes to our office. It was obvious that whoever was responsible for this dastardly deed was hoping to find money in the envelopes. One particular letter stated that a cheque had been enclosed for examination fees – the cheque however was missing. There was also a number of other items including a birthday card which quite possibly could have contained money.
People caring for Mitchelstown was the motto of Mitchelstown’s newest association AROMA (Amalgamated Residents Of Mitchelstown Association) an umbrella body aimed towards bringing together the various residents associations in the town in a bid to rid Mitchelstown of the bad name it had acquired regarding tidiness. Those behind the new association were chairman, PC Kiely; secretary, Jacinta Cotter; treasurer, Des O’Leary and PRO, Mary Tobin.
A number of ladies from Ballyhooly expressed their outrage to The Avondhu at an advertisement placed by local hotelier Pat Tiernan of Ballyhooly Lodge in the December edition of the fishing magazine ‘Trout and Salmon’. The advert which offered fishing and accommodation to readers ended with the words “Get to know the real Ireland! Wine, Women and song available most nights! Seven women contacted The Avondhu stating that the wording implied that the women of Ballyhooly were ‘women of easy virtue’. Another lady who telephoned The Avondhu stated that the advert would encourage men of dubious character from the UK and the Continent to visit Ballyhooly and it wouldn’t be for catching salmon! According to another lady the advert casts aspersions on the character of every woman in Ballyhooly and she found the advert disgusting and that it would draw ‘weirdos’ into Ballyhooly.
As Mitchelstown mourned or celebrated (depending on your point of view) the demolition of its public toilets, the people of Fermoy were wondering where-to-now for their public convenience. Following a UDC decision to close the facility as a short term measure at Ashe Quay, the Mitchelstown experience appeared to stimulate some debate on the future of Fermoy’s public toilets. Cllr John Murphy felt that the new public toilets should be included in the extension to the youth centre. He suggested that Fermoy follow the Glanworth model which he said he was very impressed with. UDC chairman said the absence of public toilets in a busy town like Fermoy was a disgrace and argued that the toilets should be overhauled and made available to the public without delay.
Lady luck was missing for Killavullen’s junior footballers in the county final where they went down by 0-09 to 0-08 to Newmarket. Killavullen dominated the game and at times the North Cork champions looked like they’d cruise to victory but 18 wides compared to just 6 from their opponents proved to be their downfall. It was a heartbreaking defeat for Killavullen after being so much on top for so long. Killavullen team; Rory Lankford, Edmund O’Connor, Padraig Lankford, Bartley Hayes, John O’Regan, Brian O’Driscoll, Liam Dorgan, Paul Hartnett, Martin Carroll, Michael Whelan, Joe Taylor, Ian O’Driscoll, Alan O’Driscoll. Sub, Tony Carroll for Joe Taylor.
