In the headlines 21 years ago were allegations that the Mitchelstown Water Supply was at risk of pollution. Up to 50 leaking barrels had been dumped at Gortnahoun and homeowners reported a “toxic smell and taste” from their water; the site of the dumping was close to the bore wells where the Mitchelstown water supply was taken.
The Avondhu was littered with ads for the Special Savings Incentive Accounts scheme, where the government was giving a €1 top-up for every €4 saved. Meanwhile, the 15c plastic shopping bag levy was introduced in March 2002, and shoppers were pictured in this new era with their bags-for-life in Fermoy. There was little coverage given to that week’s abortion referendum held in 2002, nor was there in the weeks leading up to it; two pictures within the paper showed people voting both in Bishop Murphy Memorial School, Fermoy, and also in Mitchelstown.
Lismore Town Council moved into their new home in the town’s new council headquarters, while a new ‘luxury’ housing development was launched in the town too; ‘Castle Court’ would see 25 new homes delivered in the area.
Fermoy topped the IBAL litter league table; with a ‘litter free’ status, it was fourth in the league table behind Armagh, Wexford, and Enniskillen. Elsewhere ‘National Tree Week’ was marked in Kildorrery with the planting of an oak tree in an area that was earmarked for “major community development including the provision of sheltered housing units for the elderly”.
Toss Bryan’s were holding ‘Munster’s Biggest Lawnmower and Electrical’ clearout; push lawnmowers were £156 (€199), while ride-on mowers were £1063 (€1450): note the dual currency advertising. Meanwhile a Castletownroche Compost Company, McGill Environmental Systems, were to expand into Glenville with the recent purchase of a 14-acre site.
A Galbally Korean War victim was remembered in an article, one William ‘Billy’ Scully. He was one of 27 Irish men who, at least up until 2002, had not been given citizenship of the United States. A move was being made to grant the men posthumous citizenship. Meanwhile, a commemorative stone was placed to mark the site of the Scartnacruagha Ambush in Mocollop. Ballyduff, with descendants of the flying column who were involved in an ambush of Black and Tans.
There was a large turnout in Kilbehenny for MEP Brian Crowley, who was in the village to launch the Kilbehenny/Mitchelstown Caring Fund, set up for local Gerry Conway who had sustained serious injuries in a building accidents the previous November. A march was led by the Liam Lynch Pipe Band, and Mr Crowley spoke to those gather about the realities of life after an accident that brings “great changes”.
A weight restriction on Mulberry Road in Mitchelstown was deemed ‘not feasible’, but a sign would be put up advising no through-access for heavy vehicles. It was also announced that Thomas Street in Mitchelstown was to be one-way, Numerous incidents of larceny were reported in the area, with a black handbag taken from a car outside the Munster House in Fermoy and thefts from building sites rife across the area.
Niall Linehan from Bride Rovers was pictured after winning the aithriseoireacht (recitation) category at the Scór Sinsear County Finals in Watergrasshill. Mairead Rea from Glanworth took second in the solo singing category, while the Watergrasshill Question Time team of Eddie Mulholland, Jimmy Healy and Michael O’Reilly came runners-up.
The West Waterford Drama Festival celebrated was looking forward to its 21st year, while in Doneraile, a150th anniversary commemorative seminar of Canon Sheehan was in the planning for the upcoming March 17th, the writer’s birthday.
Retiring Lismore engineer Tom Linehan was honoured for his 36 years of service with a crystal picture frame, and the go-ahead was given for a new amalgamated national school in Cappoquin and the project was to go out to tender shortly
The Fermoy Swimming Club came home with a haul of medals form a gala, with 26 individual awards and 1st prize in the canon relay event by Diarmuid Dennehy, Sean Feehan, David Jordan, and Conor Morrison. Fanahan McSweeney AC also performed well at the Munster Juvenile Indoor Championships, where Kevin Downey took silver in the U16 shot putt.
A poem to ‘Istabraq’ featured, penned by Eoin Barry, Kilworth in the sports pages. Castlebridge Celtic celebrated a win in the U18 cup final over Araglin Celtic under captain William Martin, while the Loreto girls were through to the Junior B All-Ireland College’s camogie final with a win over Cross and Passion College, Antrim.
Finally, in the classifieds were a 1939 High Nellie bicycle in “perfect condition” as well as “beautiful Turkish Lamb Leather waistcoats” for €50 each. Sheepdogs pups were for sale too, “mother excellent with cattle, father excellent with sheep” (…and never the twain shall meet!)
