Mitchelstown’s economic future was in the spotlight over two decades ago as there were concerns about plans to provide industrial locations at Cahir Hill. There were delays in releasing the sites owned by Cork County Council at the estate meaning that the town had lost the opportunity of one small manufacturer who wished to locate in the area.
There were worries that this could be just the beginning of a failure in the plan and The Avondhu revealed that there were a number of businesses examining the possibility of using the location as a base to generate income and jobs as they set up manufacturing bases.
The problem with the site was that the council were embroiled in a legal dispute with a local businessman who was claiming rights to the site meaning that there was a potentially indefinite delay in access. Fears were mounting that all those interested parties would look elsewhere leaving Mitchelstown without much needed new employment opportunities. Cllr Joe Sherlock called on the council’s management to take ‘whatever steps necessary’ to expedite the case and solve the impasse.
here was other news also that the Mitchelstown Development Company were having plans frustrated in a similar way as they tried to secure a site near the town for another advanced factory unit.
There were tributes to a much loved teacher in Kilworth as Eleanor Hynes retired after 46 years of service in the community. When Eleanor announced her retirement as the principal of the junior national school the village came together to mark the event in big style. More than a hundred people showed up to show their appreciation for Eleanor’s unfailing dedication to the people of the area.
She began her teaching career in Araglin before moving to Kilworth in 1955 where she met her husband Michael and became an integral part of the community. She joined the drama society and began playing the organ in the church. The first class she taught was in 1955 in Kilworth and as she celebrated her retirement in 1999 she spoke about the huge difference in the village over the years. She told the gathered well-wishers it was a different school back then, it was a girls only facility and she was known as Miss Harrington.
There was a heated debate over the allocations of social housing at a county council meeting. It was not just a county wide problem but in every community in North Cork. There were debates around whether councillors should have a say in who gets a house, but local Councillor Aileen Pyne said that this would be ‘a detrimental step’.
In the days before mobile phones there was the constant issue of phoneboxes. Communities would reel in rage as yet another of the critical local resources was attacked by vandals.
This week, 21 years ago, such an event happened in Galbally when the phonebox suffered a devastating attack, its door ripped off the hinges. It resulted in enraged public outcry and calls for the perpetrator to be hunted down.
The subject of comments by the head of Fermoy Enterprise Board that Fermoy was losing millions due to Government inaction hit the headlines again. Cllr Tadhg O’Donovan waded in behind the comments by Michael Hanley but also criticised his view that water supply and road networks were solely to blame for the economic hardship experienced in the town.
“Unless we as a community face up to our shortcomings in Fermoy, we can never hope to realise the enormous economic and social potential that’s available,” Cllr O’Donovan said.
There was also a tag a bag waiver scheme implemented for all social welfare recipients in the town, according to Cllr John Murphy. “The move is a sensible humane one, it takes into account the financial strain on those who are dependent on social welfare payment and I will be seeking that such a scheme is introduced in Fermoy,” he said.
Meanwhile another politician Paul Bradford didn’t have much faith in how needs were calculated for financial assistance by the Government. “The means testing system of social welfare payments is totally out of touch with reality and must be changed in the December budget,” he said. He called on the Government to end what he called ‘the crazy system’ of assessing deposits in banks, post offices and building societies at 7.5% return to determine the amount paid.
In sport Kilbehenny FC saw success in the semi-final of the Avondhu Shield after a thrilling 1-1 draw. The Forge and Kilbehenny went to penalties with Kilbehenny going through 6-5.
There was a win for Ballyduff GAA in the intermediate, winning Eugene Hickey Memorial Perpetual Trophy after defeating Butlerstown. Vice captain John Twomey was presented with the cup.
