The front page of The Avondhu in May 2001 reported that Gardaí in Fermoy were investigating two alleged incidents of sexual assault on women in the town. Both attacks occurred within hours of each other but were not thought to be related. One took place at Elbow Lane, and the other at Chapel Hill near the Protestant Church. The attacks brought to four the number of sexual assault incidences in the town in recent months. Another attack in Mitchelstown that week on Mulberry Lane, again on a lone woman, was also being investigated by Gardaí.
In Castletownroche, two cross cocker spaniel puppies were rescued from drowning in the Awbeg River after being dumped. The dogs were thrown from a car with notes attached to their collars: “Please give us a home”. Two teenagers rescued the dogs after children playing alerted the youngsters to the dogs’ plight.
A deputation from Kildorrery made their way to a meeting of Cork County Council to draw attention to traffic issues in the village, particularly the speed of passing motorists, and the ever-increasing number of potholes. They told of one incident where an elderly person was abused by a motorist as she crossed the street for “not getting out of the way”.
A new six acre housing development in Brigown, Mitchelstown got approval from An Bord Pleanala, with construction work due to start in the coming month. The 88 units would range in price from £85,000 for a 2 bed semi-detached home to £175,000 for a five-bedroom detached home.
Toss Bryan’s were holding a ‘Lawnmower Clinic’ 21 years ago, where the public would be offered a free inspection of their problematic machines and could browse for possible replacement models. The advert promoted keystart lawnmowers for those with back trouble, with up to £40 trade-in on an old model.
The Garda Report 21 years ago sought information on six fishing rods taken from a car at Knockananig Reservoir in Fermoy, and three generators stolen locally, two in Rathcormac and another in Coolnakilla. Four hubcaps were stolen from a car in Fermoy in the late hours of the night. Firemen from Fermoy and Mitchelstown backed by 26 personnel from Collins Barracks battled a massive gorse fire at Kilally, Kilworth, with the blaze estimated at taking over 30 acres of land. The area was ‘notorious’ for fires.
The Carmelite Community and the people of Tallow were buzzing with anticipation for the visit of the Relics of St Therese to the town, as other areas had been awash with visitors when the relics were present.
Meanwhile, the National Spring Clean was deferred from April to June in order to avoid the risks of Foot and Mouth Disease.
In Fermoy, there was opposition to contractors’ use of ‘The Promenade’ as a depot for heavy plant machinery during pipe-laying work. Sorenson’s, the contractors, promised the area would be fully restored, but those opposed urged them to reconsider. Also in the town, the Mill Island ‘Friendship Bridge’ was opened and blessed by Fr Eugene Baker.
The new SSIA saving incentive had come into action on May 1st, 2001, and ads from the Credit Union as well as private brokers urged locals to get on board with the scheme.
Mitchelstown was due to decide its part in the 2003 Special Olympics, as a public meeting would be held in The Firgrove Hotel to discuss the feasibility of the town being one of 160 host towns for the event.
The Bottlehill Environmental Alliance were facing an uphill battle, as of their 75 written submissions and 21 oral submissions against the plan, the county manager would not find ‘even one worthy of a positive response’.
A five man team from the locality hoped to make the history books, competing in 2001’s Red Bull Flugtag competition. Glanworth’s Emelyn and Ross Heaps, Mossy Flynn and Martin Lyons, would join Ballyduff’s Alan Sivyer who would fly The Glanworth Mill Mirage, hoping to keep the beast in the air for more than seven seconds to beat the world record.
In Clondulane National School, children took part in ‘Africa Day’ with Ms Beni Oboru, who taught them all about Kenya and how to make grass skirts, as well as other aspects of her culture.
Mitchelstown Juvenile GAA boys suffered defeat to Ballyhooly in the U12 league final, and Glanworth GAA Club held a victory social in The Firgrove Hotel to celebrate the Minor team’s achievements. Castlelyons GAA had a new sponsor in FCI, while St Colman’s College in Fermoy were victorious in Croke Park, winning their third-ever All-Ireland hurling title, defeating Gort College 2-10 to 2-7.
