Two teenagers from Castletownroche were film stars in their own community as Anglea’s Ashes, the story of Frank McCourt’s childhood, hit cinemas. Paudie O’Sullivan and Liam Burke were selected from hundreds of hopefuls to appear in the movie. It all began for the pair as they were approached by local woman, Susan Wain who was involved in the production. “We thought it would be cool so we both headed off to Cork for an audition. When we got there, we had to try on the clothes of the time and they shaved our hair. After that, they took photos of us and a couple of days later we were called back – we had been given the parts,” Liam told The Avondhu.
A housing crisis was also a major feature of life 21 years ago, as Fermoy was suffering from a major shortfall in housing stock. Cllr Aileen Pyne had said that she was aware of three homeless families in the town and said that 363 new houses – to be built as part of the Council’s 4-year housing programme – would not alleviate the problem.
Plans for a ‘super motorway’, which would link the towns of Mitchelstown and Fermoy to Dublin, were announced. The strategy was part of the National Development Plan which would see a direct motorway connection from Dublin to Cork city, with links also to strategic towns en route. The N8 would remain and be used as a local connector, with the proposed M8 providing a direct link to the capital. An original plan to build a series of bypasses was scrapped and instead the focus was on a modern £150 million project, which would be built in two phases.
The first phase would stretch from Glanmire and Watergrasshill, bypassing Fermoy and Rathcormac, with the second phase then stretching from near Kilworth, bypassing Mitchelstown and Kilbehenny, to Skeheenarinky in County Tipperary. Councillors from across the region spoke of their delight at the change in direction for the road network, with plans to begin work in 2001.
Mary Lynch was the lucky individual who won the prize of a trip to Paris, to celebrate the 21st anniversary 21st anniversary of the founding of The Avondhu. Mary and her husband Brian, were set to fly out on the all expenses paid trip to Paris, while two other regular readers, Rita Lonergan from Labbamalogga and Catherine Colbert from Kilworth, were set to enjoy stays at luxury hotels in Ireland.
A public information meeting designed to improve local government and help promote the involvement of local communities in the development and planning of their areas, was announced in Lismore. Local groups were invited to become involved, where a strategy would then be developed to help these bodies work together, bringing a bright future for Lismore. Local Councillor, Ollie Wilkinson said that the organised area meetings would be hugely beneficial, “Too often we are told that people have no say, this is a chance to get people involved,” he said.
Three teenagers were arrested in Waterford City following a probe into a break-in at a supermarket in Lismore, in which a large quantity of cigarettes and spirits were taken. The youths broke a lock on the front door of the premises and then began to rifle the unit for the high value items. The youths were startled by gardai and fled the scene in a stolen Mitsubishi Galant, pursued by a lone patrol car, which ended in Waterford where they were cornered and arrested.
There was also a crime warning from gardai following a rise in cash thefts, with a warning that an organised group of young thieves were targeting local businesses. Gardai said that the group of four involved, which included a 12-year-old boy and two year old child, used distraction on victims to commit their crimes. Their spree started in Kilmeaden, County Waterford and then made their way to target shops in Lismore. Their theft involved the woman distracting the shop assistant by asking for a product in a different part of the shop, the male gang members then targeted the till.
Discussions took place oregarding the possibility of new toilets for the Mitchelstown. The plan came after Cllr Kevin O’Keeffe delivered a motion at a Northern Committee meeting of Cork County Council. Council officials said that they were examining possible locations for a so-called ‘superloo’.
In sport, Kilbehenny claimed a commanding 5-2 victory over Mitchelstown Celtic in a Whelan Cup fixture. Goals for the winners were scored by Ger Fox, John Walsh, Brian Mullins Andy Breedy and Johnny Maloney.
