A community was left shaken following a horrific robbery in Ballindangan in May 2000. Gardai were investigating the horrific two-hour ordeal in which three elderly women were tied up, verbally abused, and threatened in their home. It was believed that the three thugs involved, understood to be in their 20s, gained entry to the home of sisters Kitty and Eilish O’Brien and Hannah Casey by breaking a window.
Mitchelstown were preparing to welcome Ireland’s premier cycling event, the FBD Milk Rás, as stage 6 of the international event would finish at New Square. In all, some 200 riders representing 40 teams from various countries were competing in the gruelling 9-day race around Ireland. 17-year-old Katherina Nolan was announced as Mitchelstown’s Miss FBD Milk Rás 2000.
Readers of The Avondhu were issued with ballot papers for the Millennium Queen of the Galtees, Mitchelstown with four candidates in contention to take over for the outgoing queen, Joan Sweeney. The four were Carole Bradley, Eileen Graham, Brigid Lewis and Breda Murphy, representing the Sunshine Club, the Over 50s Club, Roche’s Spar and Ryan’s Centra.
Mitchelstown Traffic Management Plan was adopted by members of the Mallow/Fermoy Area Committee. The decision was made following extensive discussion by members who unanimously agreed that the town needed to be relieved of the heavy volumes of traffic passing through.
Flash floods caused chaos in south Tipperary in May 2000, resulting in ‘havoc and much damage’ to the Skeheenarinky/Burncourt area. One house in Skeheenarinky was flooded to a depth of two feet. The sudden afternoon torrent of water, locals claimed, was caused by log jams in Coillte owned forestry on the Galtees. There was complete devastation on local lands when trees and roots swept down the River Tar following the downpour.
The Blackwater Conservation Fund Group announced to all members and anglers that drift nets would not be operated on the river for the next five years. The move was considered a ‘boon to conserving salmon’ according to a representative for the group. This agreement would allow free passage for several thousand more fish into the Blackwater, resulting in ‘enormous opportunity’ for both conservation and tourism.
Cork County Council once again discussed the construction of a new bridge in Glanworth. The matter was raised in response to a deputation made by rallying locals lobbying for a new bridge. The council were told that a feasibility study would need to be conducted and the study would require £250,000 in funding to be carried out.
Councillor Frank O’Flynn tabled a motion requesting that a skip be provided by the council in New Square, Mitchelstown from early morning on market day to allow traders to dispose of refuse. Council officials shot down the motion stating that traders should take home their own rubbish.
26-year-old Conna man, Eoin Gallagher, crossed the line with his 100th point-to-point winner, ‘A Noon Is An Owl’ in Bandon. The amateur jockey was in his 7th season and at the time, had never broken a bone, which was a declaration few jockeys could make.
In entertainment, it was a busy week as families made their way to ‘Planet Circus’ in Fermoy. ‘Long Liam’ and ‘Epic Trance’ were the Saturday night acts in The Morning Star in Ballylanders. Mo O’Connor took to The Abbey Bar in Castlelyons, while Dave Mulcahy played Spratt’s in Mitchelstown on the same night. ‘The Tigger Movie’ and ‘Kevin and Perry Go Large’ starring Harry Enfield and Kathy Burke, screened in the Fermoy Community Youth Centre Cinema.
A nine-year old Clogheen gymnast, Miranda Van de Wal, took home silver at the Community Games which took place in the Canon Hayes Sports Complex in Tipperary Town. It was the first time ever that a Clogheen athlete took part in a gymnastic event and despite having only taken up the sport with two years, Miranda won the U10 silver medal.
Castlelyons U21 footballers secured the East Cork ‘B’ football championship with a goal in injury time v Dungourney in St Catherine’s grounds – Darren Sheedy got the vital score.
A swimming competition took place at Fermoy Leisure Centre, with 14 boys and 16 girls participating. One of the best results of the day was the U16 boys 50m backstroke, where David Sheehan won gold medal and would go on to represent Cork in Mosney at the All-Ireland finals in August 2000.
Two well know Conna handballers were congratulated as the two next-door neighbours, Paul Hayes and Chris Hurley, won All-Ireland 40/20 handball titles. Paul won the All-Ireland 40/20 Silver Masters double title with Pat Morris, and Chris won the All-Ireland Silver Masters B doubles title with Pat Buckley.
