At the end of October 2001, there was an anthrax scare at SCI in Fermoy. An envelope of suspect white powder, later revealed to be a hoax, was opened by a female worker at the reception, and three Gardaí then attended the scene. In total, seven individuals came into direct contact with the powder. They were hosed down by firefighters in chemical suits. There was widespread speculation that the hoax had been perpetrated by a disgruntled ex-employee.
Four people were arrested after a robbery at a Mitchelstown pub, where the culprits grabbed the cash register and a number of musical instruments. They were apprehended at Kiltrislane in possession of the goods and an imitation firearm.
You could own your very own John Mandeville, as a bronze 12” statuette replica of the statue in New Market Square in Mitchelstown went into production by Mike Cullen Aherne: “an ideal memento for ex-patriots”.
The remains of Patrick Maher were interred in Ballylanders cemetery after a ceremony in Glenbrohane church following a state funeral. The volunteer had been executed by British forces at Mountjoy in 1921.
Seán and Kathleen Dennehy of Mitchelstown were pictured in October 2001 receiving the Albert Reynolds Cup after winning the All-Ireland Senior Waltzing Championships.
Meanwhile, Kilworth’s Dr Sean O’Flynn was honoured with a civic reception in Fermoy UDC chambers.
The Garda report on ‘Lost and Found’ included a child’s buggy found in SuperValu carpark in Fermoy, a metal fuel tank for an outboard engine was found at Barnane, and missing was a gold chain with a man’s face engraved on it. There were some demanding and specific ads in The Avondhu Classifieds, as one person sought “two or three kittens, nice coloured ones and tame, for a country home”. Another was looking for a Cairn x West Highland dog, up to 18 months, house trained, and to be a good watchdog.
Funding was refused for a Fermoy tourist office by Cork/Kerry Tourism, leading to accusations that North Cork was being neglected in favour of West Cork and Kerry. In Glocca Maura, residents won the battle to reinstall their postbox after enduring two years without one.
In Ballyporeen, baby John Donal O’Brien celebrated his first birthday after he was abducted at 22 hours old from Erinville Hospital before being found safe and returned to his parents, John and Brigid.
Araglin mourned the passing of publican Paddy O’Mahony, while in Kilworth the life of the late Betty Lee, former postmistress, was celebrated in the Parish Hall.
Work was nearly complete at the new Lidl store in Fermoy, which was set to open in November. Over the road, Glanworth Mill won the 2001 AA Choice Guest Accommodation of the year award, beating over 300 guesthouses throughout Ireland for the honour.
The Midleton Very Rare 2001 whiskey was launched 21 years ago, for a mere £62.42, while a small article in the newspaper announced that Mrs Quinn’s Charity Shop in Mitchelstown had just received a new consignment of goods, including a nice selection of giftware.
The Super Kiddies Tribute Show was coming to The Firgrove Hotel with Barney the Dinosaur, Pikachu, The Rugrats, and new addition, Bob the Builder, who would be teaching line dancing!
The Palace Players were set to stage The Honey Spike. It was described as “the journey of a tinker family” as they strove to get from the Giant’s Causeway to Kenmare in order for the protagonist, Breda Claffey, to give birth at the hospital in Kerry.
The Avondhu’s ‘Wedding Belles’ feature 21 years ago opened with the edict, “No matter what some might say, marriage is for life”. A piece on wedding speeches featured only reference to the males – the father of the bride, the groomsman, and the best man. The bride was given specific mention in one section though: the choice of flowers.
Killavullen GAA held their victory social, which had been postponed from March due to Foot and Mouth Disease, to celebrate the men’s achievements throughout 2000. The Galtee Gaels U12 boys won the C championship, the first time an U12 team from the parish had won such an award.
In Fermoy Pitch and Putt Club, John Cahill, Eleanor Walsh and Dean Daly were the players of the year, while Kilworth angler Ray O’Sullivan was the first Irish person ever to win gold for Ireland in the light line class at the European Championships.
Finally, Mitchelstown boys were crowned the North Cork Junior A football champions with a 3-14 to 0-8 win over Doneraile. Captained by Anthony O’Brien, the team also featured brothers Michael and Simon Maher, and the Griffins -Carey, Peter Jnr and Alan. The team would face Kinsale in the county quarter-final.
