Drug crime was the top story this week 21 years ago as gardai in Fermoy swooped on drug dealers in the town with two searches. Detectives seized cannabis, ecstasy and amphetamines as well as cash as they arrested two drug dealers. The garda find came after they stopped a carload of people in the town that led them to two houses where they found the drugs. They then carried out up to 20 searches of people over the weekend as they targeted drug users and dealers.
In financial circles Mitchelstown Credit Union announced they would twin with a similar business in Wales. Business people hailed the alliance as good news for the town.
Glanworth National School paid tribute to the late vice principal Eileen O’Sullivan who died tragically in 1993. A computer room was opened in her honour by the then Minister for Education and Science Micheál Martin TD.
There was a rash of incidents with young people interfering with roadworks on the Cork to Dublin road near Fermoy. The road was the site of pipe laying work but suspects had vandalised signs and placing equipment in a dangerous manner across the roadway. Gardai said they would crack down on the issue.
In Tallow the local community Urban Concern Association called a public meeting to discuss dangerous traffic and parking in the area. They called for action to make the village a safer place for all.
A Kilworth shop was taking the lead on single use plastic bags as they launched a new scheme for customers to return plastic bags so they could be recycled. Lynn and Brian Marshall who operated the local SPAR shop believed that the 1,000 plastic bags used in their shop per week could be reduced by the initiative.
Dangerous roads was a constant concern and to this day still is for councillors. Worries over a dangerous junction on the Old Cork Road and Glanworth Road caused concern for Cllr Conor O’Callaghan who said that a proposed life saving roundabout had not been installed despite getting permission a year previously. “It is a very dangerous junction and something should be done before it is too late and somebody is killed in a traffic accident.”
Tenders were being examined to find the new owner of the aerodrome in Fermoy with an ‘overwhelming response’ from prospective buyers. The former Fitzgerald Camp was located near Fermoy and developers had their eye on the land to get hold of valuable retail opportunities in the booming town.
There was a major political squabble in Lismore among local Fianna Fáil party faithful and those from headquarters in Dublin. It was all caused by the selection of candidates for the upcoming elections – local activists wanted to run more than two candidates despite orders from the national organisation. A private meeting took place and the issue was resolved but sources said there were many heated exchanges.
Mattie Noonan was acclaimed for his charitable fundraising efforts in the Dublin and Belfast marathons. The Coolagown native was raising the money for the ISPCC and all done with no training.
A county council water worker made a shocking discovery of poisonous chemicals in Shanowen Stream, a tributary of the river Bride, just outside the village of Rathcormac. Fionn O’Connell who was running a water treatment plant in Bridesbridge, found a number of dumped bottles of hazardous chemicals.
A new Cope Foundation facility in Fermoy was completed with the final touches were being put on the building. The massive £1.25 million facility would care for up to 30 patients and provide them with services.
In sport, successful Ballyhooly jockey Tom Lombard continued his winning run with another winner at the Kildorrery Point-to-Point races, piloting the Robert Tyner owned Thursday Fourball to win the 10 runner five year old maiden.
While Castle Celtic lost to Crescent Athletic in the league losing 2-0. Killavullen GAA opened their League Division 1 campaign with victory over Milford 3-6 to 1-9.
Paul Hayes from Conna won his fourth All-Ireland in the handball silver singles masters final. He was said to be one of the best players in the country for consistency.
