Tag Archives: Bundoran

1942 Fermanagh.

2-5-1942 ENNISKILLEN GROCER’S SUCCESSFUL APPEAL. Ernest Colvin, grocer, High St., Enniskillen, appealed at Enniskillen Quarter. Sessions on Thursday against a penalty of £50 imposed at Enniskillen Petty Sessions on a charge of knowingly harbouring seven sacks of coffee beans with intent to evade the prohibition of export thereon. Mr. J. Cooper, D.L., Crown Solicitor, said that after Colvin had been convicted they succeeded in arresting a man from the Free State named Keenan, .for whom, this coffee was, and he was fined £50. When the case same on against Keenan they had interviewed Mr. Colvin and his assistant, and got them to come and give evidence against Keenan. In view of this fact the Customs Authorities would agree to this penalty, being reduced to £25. Mr. E. C. Ferguson, D. L. (for Colvin) agreed to this course, and accordingly his Honour affirmed the conviction, but reduced the penalty to £25.

2-5-1942 WHISKEY SEIZURE BY FLORENCECOURT POLICE. Sergeant Ryan and Constable Redpath, Florencecourt, on Saturday evening stopped a car at Drumcarn, Belnaleck, Co. Fermanagh, and on searching it found 6 five naggin bottles of whiskey, four similar bottles of wine and two large bottles of gin, as well as a dozen egg cups, a quantity of tobacco and cigarettes, a showerproof coat and quantity of sweepstake tickets, all of which were seized, together with the car. The driver was taken into custody,, and on. Sunday afternoon was allowed out on £20 bail to appear at next Enniskillen Petty Sessions. Major Dickie, R.M., attended at the Barracks, on Sunday afternoon, and the car driver was ,present with his solicitor, but no court was held, the reason being that the magistrate could not discharge any judicial function on a Sunday, though he can sit as a magistrate. The case could only have been .proceeded with had the man sufficient money to pay any fine which, if he had been convicted, might have been imposed. Had the case been heard and a fine inflicted, the order would have been unenforceable, as the Court was held on Sunday.

2-5-1942 FIRE AT CASTLECOOLE. BUILDINGS DESTROYED. An outbreak of fire occurred on Saturday afternoon in outhouses at Castlecoole, Enniskillen, the residence of the Earl of Belmore. The Enniskillen Town Brigade and the Auxiliary Fire Service, both under Mr. James Donnelly, town surveyor, receiving notification at ten minutes to one, were on the spot before one clock a quick turn-out which probably saved extensive buildings because the fire had gained a firm hold on the solid buildings and was burning fiercely. The efforts of the Brigades were chiefly directed towards confining the outbreak. Until. 2.30 p. m, the battle with the flames continued, ending only when about forty yards of the buildings had been destroyed roof and floors being burned out. The A.F.S. Brigade was under the immediate command of Mr. Freddy Bleakley with Mr. J. Lusted, A.F.S. chief in attendance.

2-5-1942 PARTY VOTE ECHO. FARTAGH COTTAGE TENANCY. An echo of a recent Enniskillen Rural Council party vote on a cottage tenancy was heard at Derrygonnelly Petty Sessions, on Friday, when the Council was granted a decree for possession of a cottage at Fartagh, against Miss Mary Millar. Miss Millar’s father was the tenant until his death a few months ago. Miss Millar applied for the cottage, but it was granted to a Unionist by a party vote of the Rural Council. Miss Millar is a Catholic.

2-5-1942 SEIZED BICYCLE AT BELLEEK BARRIER. JUDGE RECOMMENDS RETURN ON PAYMENT OF DUTY. Are bicycles liable to purchase tax? Although, according to Mr, George Dixon, Surveyor of customs and Excise for County Fermanagh the tax is collected throughout Great Britain and the Six Counties on bicycles, Mr. R. A. Herbert, L.B. (Messrs. Maguire and Herbert, Enniskillen contended during the course of an appeal at Enniskillen Quarter Sessions on Monday, before Deputy Judge Ellison, K.C., that the wording of the Section of the Act governing the matter makes bicycles not liable.

The appeal was one brought by Terence McGowan, of Ross, Tullyrossmearn, Co. Fermanagh, against an order of Major Dickie, R. M., forfeiting a bicycle under the Customs Acts. When cross-examining Mr. Dixon, the Customs Surveyor, Mr. Herbert referred the witness to the Finance Act No. 2, 1940, which created the Purchase-Tax, and stated that the schedule set out goods that were chargeable with purchase-tax. In the first column (that setting out goods charged at the basic rate of one third were the words: Road Vehicles and Cycles (whether mechanically propelled or not) being vehicles and cycles constructed or adapted solely or mainly for the carriage of passengers.” Mr. Dixon said that was the Section, which gave authority to charge purchase tax on bicycles. Mr. Herbert — Who would be the passenger on a bicycle?—He is his own. passenger. It is being definitely charged and paid all over the United Kingdom. It is time it was questioned. Mr. Herbert said a passenger was already interpreted in law. This boy cycling on this bicycle could not be said to be a passenger. Judge Ellison said he did not think the language in the Section was very neat for the purpose.

Mr. Herbert — It is very far from neat. He further argued that a machine constructed for one person to ride did not make the machine one “constructed for the carriage of passengers.” His Honour held against Mr. Herbert who raised the paint because one of the taxes the appellant was stated to have failed to pay was his purchase tax. Giving evidence for the respondent,  Customs Officer George Forrest, Belleek, stated McGowan was cycling past the barrier there, not stopping, when witness called on him to stop, seeing that he was riding a new bicycle. McGowan in answer to witness’s questions said he belonged to Kiltyclogher, but produced a national registration, card with his address at Ross, Tullyrossmearn. He asked him to account for the fact that he had stated he was from Leitrim, while he was from Ross, and McGowan said he lived at both places off and on, and that he had been, living in the Six Counties for ten years. He said he had borrowed the bicycle from his brother in Kiltyclogher as his own had been stolen. He then offered to pay whatever was necessary. Witness seized the bicycle and an order for forfeiture was granted at the Petty Sessions. “There has not been one single instance,” said witness, “of where a bicycle has been smuggled and has been confirmed as having been smuggled into the Six Counties where the bicycle has not been stated to have been a borrowed bicycle although the bicycle has actually been new at the moment. In cross-examination by Mr. Herbert, witness said cyclists should stop, and go into the Customs hut if necessary.

Do you stop all cyclists? —I do if I am on the road. We all pass these huts and see what occurs?—Sometimes it is after five o’clock (when the Customs hut closes). George Dixon, Customs Surveyor at Enniskillen, stated a Customs duty of 30 per cent, ad valorem was chargeable on Eire-built machines unless satisfactory evidence was produced (a certificate of origin from the manufacturer) that the machine was Empire-made and that the cost of materials and labour involved reached a certain percentage. Mr. Herbert—Could it have been of anything but Empire origin in these days? –Witness stated he admitted the present circumstances, but still the certificate was necessary. Mr, Herbert—Playing with the law like a child, isn’t it?—No, it isn’t. Would you swear this is a foreign article?— I cannot swear it, but it is for the importer to displace the prima facie charge by providing evidence. Were these things drawn to the attention of’ the importer? —It is the importer’s duty, if he wishes to claim preference, to make a declaration that he claims preference.

Don’t you think it would only be fair before putting Customs duty into force that the attention of the importer should be drawn to the provisions? —Undoubtedly, if the citizen had come into the hut and stated he had imported it. Mr. Herbert—A sort of Please, sir, can I pass? Mr, Herbert said McGowan came from Kiltyclogher but had been staying with friends in Ross for some years off and on. This was the smallest thing he had ever come across in the Customs line The same sort of point was raised before where a solicitor in Donegal drove his, car up to the barrier and the Customs seized it as having been imported, but the car was subsequently returned. This boy came along a proper route at a proper time and his bicycle was seized. He had gone a hundred yards or two into Six- County territory. It was straining the law very far to say a certificate of origin was required. Why didn’t they tell him to go back? When he found out the position the boy offered to pay. Mr. Cooper said this was not the only case brought up at the same place. The snuggling of bicycles into the Six Counties was a wholesale business. Mr. Herbert—There is no evidence of that.

Judge Ellison said he should be inclined to confirm the order and say he thought this boy should be let off if he paid what he should pay. Mr. Cooper—-We will forward it to the Customs, and they will obey your Honour’s recommendation. Mr. Herbert said Major Dickie had stated that if the brother had appeared to say the bicycle belonged to him he would have given it back. Unfortunately the brother could not appear as he was engaged in munitions work in England. His Honour—I think Major Dickie’s view of that was the right one.

25-4-1942. BELNALECK YOUTH’S LAPSE. A Belnaleck youth’s lapse led to his appearance at Enniskillen Petty Sessions on .Monday, before Major Dickie, R.M., charged with, larceny. The defendant was John Patrick Boyle, Toneyteague, and the articles concerned were a coat value £4, a silver watch value £4, a gold watch valued about £5, and the sum of 5/-. District Inspector Peacocke, who prosecuted, said that the silver watch, coat, and the sum of 5/- had been recovered. Constable Ewart gave evidence of a statement made by defendant, and, in reply to Mr. P. J. Flanagan, LL.B. (defending), said that defendant made a clean breast of the whole thing. Mr. Flanagan said that this had come as a complete surprise to defendant’s parents and everybody else, as heretofore defendant had borne an unblemished character. “He says he simply did not know what came over him,” said Mr. Flanagan, who added that defendant was prepared to make restitution for the gold watch that had not been recovered. His Worship bound over defendant for two years in his own bail of £10 and one surety of £10. He also ordered him to pay within three months the sum of £5 to Mrs. Cathcart, Belnaleck, the owner of the gold watch, and 31/6 costs of the prosecution.

25-4-1942. £2 FINES FOR BAD LORRY BRAKES. ENNISKILLEN COURT CASES. At Enniskillen Petty Sessions on Monday Thomas Coogan, Gortnacallon, Newtownbutler, was summoned, as owner, for permitting a motor lorry to be used with inefficient brakes.  James P. Connolly, Cloniston, Clones, was summoned as driver. Sergt. Sherrard said as a result of an accident he examined the motor lorry owned by Coogan and driven by Connolly. At 20 miles per hour Connolly was unable to stop the vehicle with the band brake before travelling 25 yards. The vehicle travelled a similar distance before being stopped by the footbrake. Constable Wilson, inspector of vehicles, said both brakes were defective on all wheels except the offside front. That was not due to the effects of the accident. Connolly did not appear. Coogan, in evidence, said the driver had full charge of the vehicle, and witness did not know that the brakes were defective. They had been adjusted a fortnight before. District-Inspector Peacocke—Can you say why Connolly is not here to-day?—I cannot; he was to be here. A fine of 40s was imposed on each summons. Sergt. Codd said both defendants were from the Twenty-Six Counties, and had temporary Six-County addresses.

25-4-1942. FRUITLESS SEARCH. TWO HOUR INCIDENT AT BELLEEK. A party of about thirty-six young men from the Enniskillen, district attended the great ceilidhe in O’Carroll’s Palais de Danse, Bundoran on Wednesday night of last week, to which parties came from the Six Counties. When the Enniskillen bus reached Belleek, just across the Border, in the Six Counties, on the return journey at about 4 a.m. they were met by a party of Enniskillen police under Head-Constable Thornton. The bus driver was ordered to proceed to the barracks. On arrival there, the dance patrons were taken into the barracks in groups of two and three at a time and were closely searched. Every particle of paper and article in the possession of each was taken out, placed on a table and examined thoroughly. The men had to take off their coats and these were gone through; several of the youths were made take off their boots and socks, which were minutely scrutinised. Three rooms at the barracks were engaged by the police party for the purpose and while the search proceeded three constables did duty with the young men in the bus whose turn had to come. In all the search took almost two hours and the bus did not .reach Enniskillen until after 8 a.m. An American who was on the bus, was not interfered with. The bus conveying the party from Belleek to the ceilidhe was also searched.

25-4-1942. A. O. H. DEVENISH DIVISION. The quarterly meeting, of the above Division was held in the A.O.H. Hall, Brollagh, on Sunday, 12th inst., the President occupying the chair. A vote of sympathy was passed to the relatives of the late Terence Keown, Larrigan, also to the relatives of the late James Reilly, Corrakeel. The motion was passed in silence.

 

1942 Fermanagh Herald. Belleek Attack.

8-8-1942. SMUGGLER ESCAPES BY RIVER SWIM. LARGE LOAVES SEIZURE BY NEWTOWNBUTLER POLICE. A seven a.m. chase of smugglers on the Monaghan-Fermanagh border last week led to the capture by Sergt. Blevins and Constable Freeman, Newtownbutler, of a large quantity of loaves. Sergt. Blevins, newly transferred to Newtownbutler from Belleek, where his customs work had gained him a wide reputation, surprised two men on the banks of the River Finn, which at this point is the border between the two States. The men were conveying loaves to a ‘’cot,” which is a large unwieldy float for carrying cattle across lakes and rivers in Fermanagh. On the arrival of the police, the cot, drawn up at the Six-County side of the river, already held a large consignment of loaves. As the police rushed to the “cot’’ one man made off across fields in the direction of the border. The other man, divesting himself of his clothes, put his pants around his neck and plunged into the icy-cold water and swam the thirty yards of river to Twenty- Six County territory. Both men made good their escape. The police seized all the loaves and the “cot’ which was later conveyed to Enniskillen. They also found and seized the jacket, waistcoat, boots and other clothing, excepting the trousers of the swimmer.

8-8-1942. TYRES SEIZED AT ENNISKILLEN. Seeing a man dragging two large bags along a railway line at Enniskillen, Sergt. McNally and Constable Walker investigated and found in the bags several doz. bicycle tyres which they seized.

8-8-1942. CUSTOM ACTIVITIES INTENSIFIED. Customs officers along the entire stretch of the Border (on both sides) from Pettigo to Clones are redoubling their efforts to prevent smuggling and the quantity of goods finding their way across from either side must have fallen to such an extent as to be a very small proportion of the former quantities. Trains and buses are gone through almost “with a fine comb” and many cross-border time schedules have been completely upset by the customs delay for months past, but more particularly of late. The intensified efforts, while naturally showing fair returns in seizures, are not producing nearly the same proportion of captures as in former times, the reason probably being that those with an inclination to smuggling are being ‘‘headed off” by the knowledge of what awaits them on arrival at the Customs post. This, of course, refers to ordinary travellers, and does not affect the professional smugglers who presumably have other means of getting across their consignments of prohibited goods. But even these find the more intensive police watch on both sides distinctly more discouraging.

5-9-1942. GLENFARNE NEIGHBOURS’ DISPUTE. AN ASSAULT CASE. “ Jealousy Over Land ” CASE AT KILTYCLOGHER COURT. At Kiltyclogher District Court on Tuesday, before Mr., Flattery, District Justice, Patrick McDermott, a minor, through his father, Peter McDermott, Lougnross, summoned Peter Clancy, of the same place, for alleged assault.

Mr. Alfred McMorrow, B.A., L.L.B., appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. P. O’Flynn, solicitor, Manorhamilton, appeared for defendant. Patrick McDermott, in evidence, stated that a few evenings before the alleged assault had taken place, Mrs. Clancy was milking a cow on the road and the cow had .its head across a gate leading into his (plaintiffs) father’s field. There had been some words between defendant’s wife and himself on that occasion about trespass, and a few days later, when he (plaintiff), was riding down the road on a donkey, Peter Clancy had come down the road meeting him and had knocked him off the donkey with a blow of a spade shaft and had got on top of him, pounding him with his knees. He had to take through another man’s land to escape as he could, not pass Clancy’s house.

Mr. O’Flynn—-Were you not prosecuted some time ago in this Court for stealing Clancy’s fowl?

Witness—It was my brother took the fowl; I only accompanied him.

Mr. O’Flynn—You were along with your brother, and for that reason you have spite in for Clancy. Do you know anything of a well between Clancy’s land and the land of a man named Flynn?—There is water in a shough; it is not a well.

Mr. O’Flynn — Why did you put bushes around that well from which the Clancy’s get water ?—I did it to stop trespass of cattle.

Mr. O’Flynn—On the evening of this terrible assault was Clancy thatching? — He was not.

Mr. O’Flynn—I put it to you that Clancy was thatching, and when you came down the road he came down the ladder and asked you what filthy language you had used to his wife. – He was not thatching.

Did you call Clancy a grabber?—-No.

You didn’t go home to tell your father about this terrible assault? A slap was all you got.

Peter McDermott, father of plaintiff, in evidence, stated that he suffered a lot with Clancy, all owing to jealousy over a bit of land he got. Clancy’s cattle were always on his land.

Mr. McMorrow-—You were going to town on the day of the assault? — I was going to the town, and I went to Clancy’s house and asked for a drink of water. Clancy came round the house with a knife in his hand, and said to me “When I get up to that son of yours it won’t be good for him.”

Mr, .O’Flynn — You went to the house of your greatest enemy and you asked for water. Did you get milk? — I did.

Mr. O’Flynn — You got more than you asked for. Was Clancy thatching?—I don’t know.

Mr. O’Flynn — You say he had a knife in his hand? Of course that knife was for cutting the scallops. Did he complain about the language your son used to his wife, and did you tell him to correct your son every time he heard him because he uses language like that at home?—I don’t remember.

5-9-1942. Clones Call for Reprieve—At the meeting of Clones Urban Council on the motion of Mr. McCabe, seconded by Mr. O’Connor, it was decided to send the following telegram to  the Duke of Abercorn:—“The newly elected Urban District Council of Clones composed of all shades of religion and politics, begs your Grace to use your prerogative of mercy for the reprieve of the six young men under sentence of death. By doing so you will ensure goodwill and friendship amongst the people on both sides of the border.”

 

5-9-1942. BELFAST YOUTH EXECUTED. WILLIAMS BORE UP WELL TO THE END. EARLY MORNING SCENES. POUCE PRECAUTIONS IN VICINITY OF PRISON. Thomas Joseph Williams, aged 19 was executed at Belfast Prison on Wednesday morning at 8 o’clock, all efforts to secure his reprieve having failed. At 8.15 a.m. a notice intimating that the death sentence had been carried out in their presence was posted on the prison gate and signed Robert Henderson, Sheriff for Belfast, George Stewart, Justice of the Peace, Thomas Moore Stuart, Governor of the prison, and Rev. T. McAllister, Chaplain.

Young Williams bore up well to the end. He had been visited by relatives a short time prior to the execution and his spiritual comforts were attended to by priests in attendance. Precautions against a demonstration were taken by the police and crowds who gathered at various points at the approaches to the jail and knelt in prayer.

No people were allowed into Crumlin Road for a distance of about 200 yards in front of the prison. A police car patrolled the area around the prison and a strong cordon of police was also drawn around the district.      .

As eight o’clock was striking there was an opposition demonstration in Old Park Road when about 100 women and girls gathered and sung ‘’God Save the King” and British songs and engaged in cheering. They were forced into side streets by the police.

Williams, with five others was convicted and sentenced at the Assize Commission in August on the charge of causing the death of Constable Murphy, R.U.C., by shooting in April. An appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal over a week ago was dismissed. A Nationwide appeal for the reprieve of the youths was without result in the case of Williams. On Sunday last Lord Abercorn’s statement announcing the reprieve of five of the youths was issued but it stated that the law must take its course in the case of Williams.

LORD ABERCORN’S STATEMENT. The statement issued at Stormont Castle said that the Six-County Governor had considered the cases of Thomas J. Williams, William J. Perry, Henry Cordner, John T. Oliver, Joseph Cahill and Patrick Simpson, ‘’prisoners lying under sentence of death in His Majesty’s Prison Belfast,” and decided that in the case of Williams the law must take its course, that the sentences in the cases of Perry, Cordner, Oliver and Cahill be commuted to penal servitude for life, and that Simpson’s sentence, be commuted to15 years’ penal servitude. The Governor’s decision was conveyed to the parents of the five reprieved men by Mr. D. F. Marrinan, their solicitor.

 

5-9-1942. …. and that such consecration as may be desired by the Church of England or the Catholic Church should be carried out on the individual grave. It was found that this principle met the wishes of the fighting Services better than the use of denominational plots and that it corresponded to a very deep conviction that the graves of men of very different faiths, who died, however, in a single cause, should be side by side. “If the local conditions make it necessary for a Separate Catholic plot to be formed, will you please arrange this through our District Inspector.’’ The Chairman—I suppose the Council would have no objection to that. Mr. William-Kelly—It is all the same, I think. The Council decided to grant Archdeacon Gannon’s request.

5-9-1942. £100 FOR ENNISKILLEN GRAVEYARD CARETAKER. The caretaker of Enniskillen new Cemetery—Mr. Jas. H. Kerr—applied to Enniskillen Rural Council for an increase of salary. The application, made last May, was adjourned till Tuesday, when the members had received the report of the Committee relative to the acquisition by the Catholic people of their hitherto unused plot. Mr. Kerr, who has £50 a year with free house, coal and light, plus £7 10s 0d a year war bonus, said he was afraid of the extension throwing so much additional work on him that, with the scarcity of  labour, he would find it difficult to cope with it. On the proposal of Mr. J. J. Bowler, seconded by Mr. A. Wilson, the Council unanimously agreed to increase Mr. Kerr’s salary to £100 a-year and to make him wholly responsible for the carrying out of all work at the Cemetery. -The Clerk pointed out that on many occasions the Registrar was not given sufficiently early notice of burials.

Old Graveyards—Caretakers’ Replies. Recently complaints were made as to the state of the old graveyards in Enniskillen rural area under the care of the Rural Council, and the Clerk was directed to write to the caretakers drawing their attention, to the complaints. Here are three replies received by the Council from caretakers :— From the caretaker of the old graveyard in Kinawley—‘‘I have mowed it twice this summer—the last time less than a month ago—and am now going to mow it a third time. It is quite possible that the person or persons who complained to you about the appearance of the graveyard, made a mistake about .the identity of .the plot. You can enquire off  some local person around the village about the  appearance of the old graveyard.’’ Devenish graveyard caretaker stated  that he never had failed to mow the graveyard, while the caretaker of. Pubble cemetery, Tempo, said: ‘‘I mow it once every year, and at the same time I remove the weeds, and trim the hedge.”

5-9-1942. GARVARY PENSIONER’S ESCAPE. An old-age pensioner named Mary McQuillan, of Shankhill, Garvary, had a remarkable escape when she was knocked down by a military lorry. Found lying in a pool of blood, she was rushed to hospital where it was found that her injuries were superficial. When knocked down she was going for a jug of milk, and on reaching hospital she was still clutching the jug.

5-9-1942. CAVAN FARMER FOR TRIAL. At Cavan District Court, before District Justice Lavery, Patrick Greene (24) farmer, Enniskeen, Kingscourt, was charged with maliciously burning a quantity of hay, value £100 the property of Patrick Tinnelly, Enniskeen, and maliciously burning a cart and harness and other property, value £50. Accused was returned for trial.

5-9-1942. Rossinver Convent.—The Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement of the Mother Lurana Mary Francis House, Rossinver, County Leitrim, have pleasure in announcing that permission has been given by the Holy See to make the Mother Lurana Mary Francis House a Temporary Novitiate for the duration of the war. The time of receptions will be announced later.

5-9-1942. £2 5s for Graveyard Caretaker.—At Enniskillen Rural Council on Tuesday, Mr. J. Murphy enquired if the salary of the caretaker of Cleenish Old Graveyard had been increased recently. The Clerk (Mr. J. Brown) said originally the salary was 30/-. Then about two years ago the salaries of all graveyard caretakers were increased by 50 per cent.

5-9-1942. Catholic Burials — Enniskillen Rural Council on Tuesday, Hon. C. L. Corry, J.P., presiding, instructed its engineer, Mr. James Donnelly, to prepare a specification for carrying out certain works at the New Cemetery, where the local Catholic community are utilizing their plot in future owing to lack of space at the Catholic Cemetery.

5-9-1942. NOTICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS. THE DERBY CAFÉ,ENNISKILLEN, WILL BE CLOSED ALL DAY THURSDAY,10TH SEPT. RE-OPENING FRIDAY MORNING.

5-9-1942. BUNDORAN LADY DIES IN COUNTY FERMANAGH. The death occurred of Mrs. F. Maguire, late of’ Ocean View, Bundoran. Since the death of her husband she had resided with her son and daughter-in-law at Lattoon, Belcoo, Co. Fermanagh. At the funeral last week the chief mourners were—James Hackett, Clogher (brother); Mrs. P. Carty (daughter); John and Freddie Maguire (sons); Peter Carty (son-in-law); Mrs. J. Maguire and Mrs. F. Maguire (daughters-in-law); Miss M. Maguire (sister-in-law); Nano, Packie and John Maguire, Jose, Jack, Frankie, Paddy, Peter and Michael Carty (grandchildren).

5-9-1942. AMERICAN SOLDIER SENTENCED. SEQUEL TO FATAL STABBING. Found guilty by secret ballot of the manslaughter of a member of the British Pioneer Corps, an American soldier, Pte. William Davis (23), of Texas, was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment by a United States Army courtmartial in the Six Counties on Tuesday.He was also ordered to be dishonourably discharged from the American Army. Davis, who was found not guilty on the original charge of murdering the Pioneer Private, Owen McLoughlin, of Motherwell, will be sent back to America to serve the sentence in a penitentiary. McLaughlin was fatally stabbed on August 1st during a row at a dance in Randalstown Orange Hall.

5-9-1942. THREE TYRONE SISTERS ENTER RELIGIOUS LIFE. Miss Agnes Murray (Sister Mary Laurence) was finally professed, and her sister Winnie (Sister Bernard Therese) made her first profession at La Sainty Union Convent, Bath, on 15th August. Another sister Miss May Murray, H. Dip., has entered the Loreto order in Llandudno, North Wales. She was educated at St. Louis Convent, Carrickmacross, and University College. Dublin. Miss Winnie Murray was educated at Loreto Convent, Omagh, and the Convent High School, Southampton. They are daughters of Mr. .and Mrs. Patrick Murray, Rathfragan, Fintona.

5-9-1942. TO FIGHT TUBERCULOSIS IN BRITAIN. A number of sets of miniature radiography apparatus-the new weapon to combat tuberculosis—has been ordered and may be ready about the end of the year, Mr. Ernest Brown, British Minister of Health, disclosed on Monday opening a sanatorium at Nottingham. We have many difficult problems to solve in finding how the best use can be made of this new weapon, he said. Ideally everyone ought to undergo a regular examination and look upon it as a normal health measure. The fight against tuberculosis—that scourge happiness and destroyer of manpower has a definite, and by no means unimportant, place in the nation’s war effort.

5-9-1942. TRANSACTIONS IN BRANDY. TWO MEN FINED AT BELFAST.

CASE AGAINST ENNISKILLEN MAN. Fines totalling £125 or in default three months imprisonment were imposed by Major Dickie, R.M., in Belfast Summons Court on Desmond McGratty, Ormond Road, Dublin, in Customs prosecutions arising out of transactions in brandy. Samuel Moore, Down St., Enniskillen, was fined in sums aggregating £101 and ordered 12 months’ imprisonment without hard labour. Immediate warrants were issued against both defendants. The summons against McGratty was for being concerned in dealing in 59 bottles of brandy and a bottle of wine, with dealing wholesale in .spirits without a licence, and for causing to be harboured 446 bottles of brandy. Moore was summoned for dealing in 59 bottles of brandy, delivering spirits without a permit, dealing wholesale in spirits without a licence, and causing spirits to be harboured.

Fines of £10 were imposed on R. M. McLane and John Watters, publicans, Belfast, for failing to make an entry in their stock books and other cases against them were dismissed. The former was summoned for being concerned in dealing with 59 bottles of brandy and a bottle of wine, with receiving spirits without a permit and failing to make the necessary stock book entries, and the latter for being concerned in harbouring 446 bottles of brandy, for receiving spirits without a licence, and for failing to make the necessary stock book entries.

Mr. T. J. Campbell, K.C., M.P. (instructed by Messrs. J. Donnelly & Co.) for the defence, said if there was any offence at all it was a Customs offence, and he submitted that his clients were innocent even of the Customs charge. Mr. R. F. Sheldon (Crown Solicitor), for the Commissioners of Customs and Excise, gave notice of appeal in the Excise Cases against these two defendants.

5-9-1942. POLICE RAIDS IN BELFAST. 200 PERSONS DETAINED. Belfast police raided various districts in the city early this week and as a result 200 men have been detained. The raids began at five o’clock on Tuesday morning and the district covered include Falls Road, Ardoyne, North Queen Street, the Dock area, the Markets area, and portions of Ballymacarret and Short Strand. A very large force of police was engaged and the swoop was made simultaneously in each district. The majority of the suspects were taken from their beds, and the men, having been allowed to dress, were removed in cage cars and taken under strong escort to the cells at Chichester Street. There was intense police activity in the Falls Road area of Belfast all during Tuesday night and into the early hours of Wednesday morning.

A number of houses were raided. One man is known to have been detained. In Lisburn district there were also extensive police raids and a number of persons taken to the local barracks were questioned and afterwards released. There were many raids on Thursday night and early on Friday morning. After a night of patrol activity by armoured cars, police in tenders and on foot carried out concentrated raids at dawn. It is understood that the people detained are mostly youths, but a number of girls are also under detention.    In one case a father and his five sons were taken, leaving the mother the only remaining member of the family. . Police waited outside factories and mills and questioned young men as they left at lunch hour. Some on arriving home were detained.

In one street in the Falls, police with drawn revolvers followed a number of youths and later another chase developed when a young man jumped out the back door of a house when the police entered, and ran across the Bog Meadows. The men detained comprised dockers, factory, mill and munition workers and some A.R.P. wardens and fire watchers were taken to the barracks.

12-9-1942. BELLEEK BARRACKS ATTACKED. BOMBS FAILED TO EXPLODE, SHOTS FIRED. ENNISKILLEN HOUSE SEARCHES. At 4 o’clock on Friday morning the R.U.C. Barracks at Belleek, a short distance from the .Border, was attacked. A homemade time bomb or bombs placed near the building failed to explode. Shots were fired at the barracks and to these the police replied. The telephone wires to Enniskillen were cut but the police got a message through to Kesh from which a police party under Head-Constable  Conlin rushed to the assistance of their Belleek colleagues. After less than half an hour, however, the firing ceased and the only damage caused was a few windows broken in the barracks. About fifty shots in all were fired. Considerable police activity followed, several men in the Belleek district being questioned. Police from County Head-quarters at Enniskillen, under County Inspector Gorman for several hours investigated and received reports on the occurrence.

ENNISKILLEN SEARCHES. In Enniskillen district during Friday six houses were visited by a party of armed police and detectives. Nothing was found it is believed. One mart, Mr. Bertie Love, of Mill St., Enniskillen, was painting on the roof of a hut several miles from the town when he was taken into custody. He was later released. In the interval, he was lengthily and closely questioned by several police officers. His house was one of those searched. Other houses raided included that of Mr. Sean Nethercott, Paget Square, well known Fermanagh Nationalist, and Mr. W. J. Monaghan, U.D.C., P.L.G. Several hours were spent in each search.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT. On Friday night R.U.C. headquarters issued this statement:—“At 4 a.m. to-day Belleek barracks, Co. Fermanagh was attacked by fire and bombs. About fifty shots were fired. Police returned the fire. After calling on the police to surrender, the assailants disappeared.

RANDALSTOWN AFFAIR. The explosion at Randalstown barracks, caused by a bomb placed on the sill, blew in one window and the surrounding brickwork, cut the heavy steel bars over the window, badly damaged adjacent houses and broke windows for a hundred yards on either side of the barracks. One of the injured policemen, Sergeant McCammond was flung across the day room and through a door opposite the window. He had been doing clerical work at the time. Constable Bunting, the other injured man, who was standing in the centre of the room was blown against another door and knocked semi-conscious. The sergeant was found to have a fracture of the left arm and severe abrasions to the left leg when he was removed to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where he was stated last night to be comfortable. The constable was not .seriously hurt. The day room is only 9ft. by 12ft. The floor was littered with bricks and other debris, while the walls were pitted with holes.

12-9-1942. ROSLEA COURT BORDER MERCHANT FINED. At Rosslea Petty Sessions before Major T. W. Dickie, R.M., John Maguire, merchant, Lackey, Roslea (near Clones), was charged on three counts with being in possession of the following goods with intent to evade export prohibition— 8 cwts. rice, 5 cwts. barley, 2½ cwts. S/R flour, 3 cwts. currants, 2 stones sultanas, 96 tins salmon and 42 lbs. soap powder. Mr. J. Cooper, Crown Solicitor, prosecuted, and Mr, Herbert, solicitor defended. Martin Shaw McMullen, of McKay and Leetham, Belfast, deposed to selling the goods to defendant on September 23rd, 1941. He had never seen defendant before. Cross-examined by Mr. Herbert, witness said there were no restrictions on the goods at that time.

Sergeant Moffatt deposed to visiting defendant’s premises, which were about 20 yards from the border, on Oct. 29th. Defendant had a very small stock and the goods which were seized were found in defendant’s dwelling-house. At that time witness could find no trace of baking soda or lentils which defendant had purchased in Belfast. In a statement defendant said half the goods were for a Mr. Somerville who owned a shop about 1½ miles away. Defendant refused to sign the statement.

Defendant, in evidence, stated he was an ex-serviceman and had served in the British army in France and in the East during the last war. He had been in business for himself since 1934 and was on friendly terms with Mr. Somerville, Clones with whom he had previously been employed. His purchases from January, 1941 to August, 1942, were £910. Witness had never any intention of smuggling these goods across the border. Convicting, defendant of being in possession of the goods for export, the R.M, imposed a fine of £60, with time to pay. He dismissed the other two charges. He ordered the forfeiture of 2 cwts. of barley and 2 cwts. of currants.

12-9-1942. MISCONDUCT AT WEEKLY DANCES. AMERICAN OFFICERS’ COMPLAINT.  A letter was read from the officer in charge of U.S.A. military police, regarding dances held in the Minor Townhall—particularly those held on Saturday nights, under the auspices of the football club. It stated: “The door keepers have no limit in admission; the result being that the atmosphere is appalling. There is no room to dance and when evilly disposed. There is no room to dance and when evilly disposed persons start a “brawl’ the hall is so crowded it is impossible to pick out the participants. We suggest that the number of persons admitted be limited to 150 at the outside. We are agreeable to place joint police patrols at the door, who will be responsible for seeing that the service men do not gain admittance after the correct number had been reached, and also our patrols will enter the hall if there is any disorder among the service personnel at the request of the door keeper or a member of the dance committee. We take this opportunity of expressing our appreciation to all classes in Enniskillen for the hospitality and cooperation we have invariably received.” In a subsequent letter it was stated: “We can no longer provide police patrols for duty at the above mentioned dances as we are not getting the cooperation of the organisers.’’

The Chairman (Mr. Johnston) said the difficulty was 200 to 300 people go to this dance and the place gets choked up. One dance last week had to be stopped on account of the conduct. There was only one thing they could do and it would be a drastic remedy—close the hall altogether to these dances. The Council made an order that the number of persons to be admitted to a dance in the Minor Hall be limited to 150.

12-9-1942. LEITRIM COUNCIL SYMPATHY. THE BALLINAMORE TRAGEDY. Mr. Mooney proposed a vote of sympathy with the relatives of the victims of the Ballinamore drowning tragedy. He happened to be in Ballinamore the previous Tuesday, and he witnessed a scene of sorrow there which he hoped never to see again. It was a consolation to know that the children who lost their lives were daily attenders at Mass and communicants. Therefore they were well prepared to meet their Creator, and their parents had the whole-hearted sympathy of the Council in their bereavement. Mr, P. J. Reynolds, in seconding said it was his intention as a member of the Council for Ballinamore area to propose a vote of sympathy as he thought according to procedure the agenda had to be finished first before taking up consideration of such a resolution. The parents had the wholehearted sympathy of the Leitrim County Council in the great loss which they had sustained. The Chairman said the sad occurrence had cast a gloom not alone over the Ballinamore area but it caused a painful shock throughout “Eire.” They sympathised deeply with the relatives of those children.

12-9-1942. DEARER 26-CO. BREAD. The price of the 41b. batch loaf is to be raised in the 26 Counties from ls to ls 1d, delivered, as from September 21. The price will be Is when sold at bakers’ shops. The price of flour (including wheaten meal) will be increased South of the Border from 52s 6d a sack of 280 lbs. to 60s free on rail at port mills, as from September 14th. The flour price increase is attributed to the new guaranteed price of 50s a barrel for Irish wheat,

12-9-1942. GLANGEVLIN TRAGEDY. MAN FOUND HANGED. A distressing tragedy was discovered in Glengevlin on Friday afternoon when Peter McGovern, Bealballie, Glangevlin was found dead, suspended from a rope, in his home. A niece of deceased, who had acted as housekeeper for him, had left on the previous evening to visit her sister’s house, some miles away. On her return on Friday afternoon she found the door bolted and. was unable to gain admittance. Securing assistance the door was forced .and the grim discovery made. THE INQUEST. At an inquest held on Saturday a verdict of suicide while of unsound mind was returned. It was stated that deceased had not been in good health since a recent illness. Sympathy was extended to his relatives. The funeral, which took place to Glangevlin, was largely attended.

12-9-1942. BALLYSHANNON COURT. JAIL SENTENCES FOR ASSAULT. At Ballyshannon District Court, before Mr. J. O’Hanrahan, D.J., Patrick and John Rooney, Single Street, Bundoran, were each sentenced to two months’ imprisonment with hard labour for assaulting Charles Gorman, who said he was cut in several places, Lieut. James Mahony, National Army, said one of the Rooneys held Gorman as the other beat him. Witness interfered and took the man away. John Rooney said Gorman started the row.

12-9-1942. KESH MAN GETS DECREE. A decree for £25 was given in a civil bill brought by Francis Maguire, Derrynieve, Kesh, against Lena Gallagher, Tourist House, Bundoran, for that amount due for. cash lent and advanced by plaintiff to defendant on the 20tk October, 1938.

12-9-1942. 60 DOZEN EGGS SEIZED. Imposing a penalty of £100 with a recommendation that it be reduced to £5 in a case in which James McGonigle, Corlea, was convicted of attempting to smuggle 60 dozen eggs across the Border, the Justice said he hoped it would serve as a warning to people on this side of the Border not to be catspaws for those outside the jurisdiction of the State. Garda McGarvey said when questioned McGonigle, who was carrying three boxes of eggs, in a donkey cart in the direction of Corlea, said he was conveying them for a day’s pay from a shop in Cashelard to a man who lived in the Belleek district. The eggs were seized.

12-9-1942. DRUMKEERAN DISTRICT COURT LICENCE APPLICATIONS. Mr. M, J. C. Keane, District Justice, presided at this Court on Wednesday. DANCE LICENCE. Mr. H. Murray, solicitor (Mr. C. L. Flynn), Carrick-on-Shannon, applied on behalf of Mrs. Celia Crowne, Drumkeeran, for an annual dance licence in respect of Crowne’s Hall, Drumkeeran.

Superintendent McNamara, Carrick-on-Shannon, said there was no objection to the licence and the Justice granted the application as asked by Mr. Murray— twenty dances in the year from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight. Mr. Thomas Dowd, Gluckawn, was granted a licence to hold a dance at Gluckawn National School, the guards having no objection.

ANNUAL LICENCES. The publicans in Drumkeeran and district had their annual applications listed for the renewal of their licence and as there was no objection the applications were granted, as also exemptions for early opening on fair mornings.

Mr. Patrick Dolan, .Drumkeeran, applied for the renewal of his spirit grocery wholesale and retail licence, and the Justice inquired if there was any proof of valuation with regard to the wholesale licence. Mr. Early, court clerk, said the applicant was within the limitation and had been granted a licence on a previous occasion. The renewal of the licence was accordingly granted.

12-9-1942. D.J. SUGGESTS TRANSPORT FACILITIES TO COURT. MINERS’ ABSENCE HOLDS UP CASE. Fifteen miners, summoned to give evidence at Ballyfarnon in a series of cases under the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1939, against Michael Leydon, managing director Arigna Collieries, Ltd., failed to appear, and Mr. Keane, D.J., adjourned the summonses for a month for their attendance. It was alleged that Mr. Leydon had failed to give workers annual leave and public holidays, and had failed to pay, assessor pay when they quitted his employment.

Mr. M. Lavin, Inspector of Mines and Factories, said Mr. Leydon had told him that he thought the Act did not apply to his mines. Mr. Leydon, after the issue of the summonses, sent a letter to the Department enclosing receipts from the persons concerned stating that they had got payment in respect of assessor pay, annual leave and holidays. Mr. C. E. Callan, defending, said the inspector had prevented Mr. Leydon increasing the men’s wages. The men could not be present at court owing to transport difficulties. Mr. Keane thought that some effort to transport them to court might he made.

12-9-1942. SMALL FINES PROTEST. CROWN SOLICITOR AND R.M. When at Tynan Petty Sessions on Saturday, Mr. Austin, R.M., fined Patk. Carbery, Balteagh, Middletown, £15 for having been concerned in carrying 35 bottles whisky, uncustomed goods, Mr, J. P. Best (Crown Solicitor) said it was no use the Commissioners getting small penalties like that.He again protested when Fras. Hughes, Lislanley, was fined £3 in respect of two cycle tyres.

If these penalties were to continue he suggested to the Commissioners that they make the minimum fine £100. Mr. Austin — If you want to fill the prisons well and good. Mr. Best—Small penalties encourage smuggling. Mr. Austin—I don’t believe in imprisonment unless it is absolutely necessary. Mr. Best — You don’t seem to think there is a war on.

SUING FOR £1,000 FINE. When Patrick Hamill, John St., Portadown, was charged in respect of 2 lbs. tea. Mr. Best said that under a new Order the authorities were suing for a. £1,000 fine. The R.M.—Very well, I will fine him £1,000. Then he goes to jail. Defendant—I’ll go to prison rather than pay £1,000. Mr. Best, (to the R.M.)—If you want to make yourself ridiculous you can impose the fine. A fine of £3 was imposed.

12-9-1942. BLACK-OUT WARNING. “I would like people clearly to understand that penalties will be very heavy in the coming winter if they don’t blackout, said Major Dickie, R.M:, at Enniskillen Petty Sessions on Monday. Addressing District Inspector Peacocke, his  Worship said: “At the same time, Mr. Peacock, I might suggest, that it would be well to draw, the attention of the military authorities to the practice of military cars and lorries not only passing through Enniskillen, but parking in Enniskillen, with unscreened headlights full on. I counted six of them at midnight with blazing headlights. . The whole town of Enniskillen must have been blazing with lights visible from the air for miles away,” he said. D. I. Peacocke—That matter has been given attention already. Of course you understand we must approach the authorities. In, the black-out cases before the Court, his Worship imposed fines of 5/- and costs in the majority and in one a fine of 20/- and costs was ordered.

COCOA SALE: £31 FINE. Thomas Coogan, merchant, Ballybay, was fined £20 and his brother, Patrick Coogan, £5 when summoned at Ballybay for charging 3/9 for a lb. of cocoa. They were also fined £2 each for selling the  cocoa to a non-customer For refusing to give a. receipt a further fine of £2 was imposed on Patrick Coogan.

12-9-1942. ROSLEA DROWNING TRAGEDY. FATHER’S STORY AT INQUEST. How a horrified father watched his son drown in a lake a short distance from the shore was described at an inquest held in Rosslea on Wednesday of last week into the circumstances of the death of a boy named Frank Morton (18) son of Constable Francis Morton, R.U.C., Rosslea, who: was drowned in Drumacritten Lake on the previous evening. The inquest was held by Mr. James Mulligan, Coroner, sitting without a jury. District Inspector Smyth, Lisnaskea, conducted the proceedings for the Crown. The death of young Morton, who was a general favourite with everyone, caused a pall of gloom in the district. A lad of fine physique, measuring six feet in height, the deceased was about to be accepted in the police force, and his untimely death has evoked widespread sympathy. A native of Co. Armagh, his father was transferred from Derrylin about five months ago, Deceased was his second eldest child, fond, of all kind of sport and a remarkably strong swimmer.

At the inquest, Constable Horton, who was obviously overcome with grief, stated that on the evening of the tragedy witness left his home about 6.30 to have a shot with his gun. His sons, Frank (dead) and George, asked him where he was going, and witness told them so that they would know where to get him. Later witness shot two wild ducks rising off  Drumacritten Lake. Witness tried to get his setter dog to go out for the ducks, but the dog would not go, as it had not seen the ducks on the water. Witness gave up trying to get the ducks and was going away when his two sons arrived. Frank said he would go in for the ducks, and started to take off his clothes. Deceased was a strong swimmer. His son entered the water, and when he was about halfway turned to come back, shouting for help. Witness ran up to a .field to get assistance, but when, he returned he could only see bubbles where his son had disappeared. A verdict of accidental death was returned and sympathy expressed with the bereaved family and relatives.

12-9-1942. SYMPATHY WITH POLICEMAN. When Constable Frank Morton, R.U.C., was giving evidence in a black-out case, Major Dickie said he would like to mention how much they all sympathised with Constable Morton on the occasion of his recent sad bereavement. They were all extremely sorry. Mr. Cooper also, associated himself with the expression of sympathy and Constable Morton, returned thanks. Constable Morton’s 18-year-old son had been drowned in a lake hear Roslea a couple, of days previously. Fines were imposed in a number of cases against householders for not having their premises effectively blacked-out, and Major Dickie said the .penalties would be much heavier this winter if there were any complaints from the R.A.F.

1942. August.

 

1-8-1942.ENNISKILLEN MAN SENTENCED. EXPORT OF LORRIES. John O’Connor, a 26-year-old motor trader, of Enniskillen, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment when he pleaded guilty before a Special Criminal Court in Dublin to four charges arising out of the purchase and exportation of motor-lorries from the 26 county area to a six county border area. Mr. Trant McCarthy, solicitor, for O’Connor, pleaded for a fine instead of imprisonment and said that O’Connor had been followed by tragedy from his early days. He was suffering from tuberculosis from 1935 to 1937 spent two years in hospital and was, compelled to use crutches after his discharge. He was about to undergo, a serious operation in a few days. The Court said that they could not vary the sentence.

1-8-1942. GAELIC PILCRIMS TO LOUGH DERG. One hundred and. thirty Gaelic speaking pilgrims left Dublin on Saturday on a Pilgrimage to Lough Derg sponsored by Croabh na h-Aiseirghe. It has for its object “Siochain an Domhain agus Saoirse na h-Eireann. They were joined by a party of Gaelic speakers from Tyrone and other parts of the Six Counties. The spiritual directors were An t-Athair Raghnall MacGiolla Gunna, O.F.M., and An t-Athair Leonardo Mattimoe, O.F.M. The Dublin pilgrims arrived back in the city on Monday.

1-8-1942.SEIZURES NEAR KESH.CATTLE AND SHEEP. Head-Constable Conlin, R.U.C., Kesh, Co. Fermanagh seized 200 sheep at Drumarn, Lisnarick, on suspicion of being imported from the 26 counties. He also seized 7 head of large cattle at Coalisland, Tyrone, on suspicion of being imported at the Fermanagh border.

1-8-1942.FERMANAGH YOUTH KILLED. EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. Charles Johnston, aged 20 years, a shop assisting at Gola, Lisbellaw, was killed in a motoring accident at Gola on Sunday. At about 6.45 p.m. he was travelling on a motor-cycle from Lisbellaw direction and at the cross roads he collided with a motor car being driven from Lisnaskea by Mr. B. L. Winslow, solicitor, Enniskillen. Death was instantaneous. At the inquest on Monday evening evidence was given that deceased emerged from the side road at Gola creamery and dashed into the side of Mr, Winslow’s car, which was on its proper side of the road. Deceased struck his forehead against the hinge of the door on the right hand side of the car, and went on for 19 or 20 yards when lie fell off the bicycle. A verdict was returned that death was due to haemorrhage and severe laceration of the brain and no blame was attached to Mr. Winslow. Sympathy was tendered to the relatives of deceased. Deceased resided with his uncle, Mr. George Clingan, Belleisle. Formerly he lived at Ballycassidy, when his mother, the late Mrs. Johnston, taught at Shanmullagh School.

1-8-1942.21,000 BOOKS GIVEN. ENNISKILLEN PAPER DRIVE. The people of Enniskillen and district responded on Saturday to the appeal for 5,000 books to help to swell the total in the waste paper competition. The town hopes to get a £1,000 prize. A temporary receiving stall was erected at The Diamond, and during the day this became the Mecca for hundreds of people who deposited their cast novels, magazines, etc. The local hon. organiser for salvage, Mr. D. Devine, had the assistance of several ladies, the Enniskillen Boy Scouts, Wolf Cubs and Girl Guides, as well as the Urban, Council employees. During the entire morning a U.S. Army band rendered selections. Shortly after 2.0 o’clock it was announced that 15,000 books had been received, and at 6.0 p.m. the total was in the region of 21,000.

1-8-1942. MILITARY EXERCISES IN TYRONE AND FERMANAGH. Large scale and realistic combined exercises in which Home Guards, military and auxiliary services in the Counties of Tyrone and Fermanagh took place during last week. The opposition was provided by the United States Forces whose tanks units, police, and A.P.R. services were in action.The tests were carried out in regard to communications between Tyrone and Fermanagh and in the matter of general administration and efficiency. (Ed. Who won?)

1-8-1942. Gaelic Festival at Ederney. PRIEST’S APPEAL FOR THE LANGUAGE, MUSIC, SONG AND DANCE. AN INTERESTING PROGRAMME. The greatest concourse of people ever seen in St. Joseph’s Park; Ederney, assembled on Sunday last to witness and partake in a real feast of Gaelic song, dance and sport while the close association between Gaelic culture and religion was indicated by the inclusion in the programme for the day of competition in Plain Chant. Rev. P. McCarney, P.P., in opening the proceedings, first expressed his regret and the regret of the people in general at the enforced absence of Mr. Cahir Healy, and hoped that we would soon have him amongst us once more as, no doubt he was present that day in spirit. In the unavoidable absence, he said, of prominent Gaels better qualified than he to deliver the opening oration he would enumerate a few points of interest in connection with such events as he was called on to declare open. The work of the Gaelic League is too well known to require any explanation. One can easily see evidence of preservation of Gaelic culture in language, arts and sports. Such events as these serve to remind the people, that as Irishmen and women they have a heritage to be cherished and handed on intact to future generations. When the most of Europe was uncivilised Ireland was the seat of culture and learning —a culture dating right back to prehistoric times and the Gaels were one of the most civilised and cultured races that ever inhabited any part of Europe. When aggression and other misfortunes fell to the lot of the Irish people and they had a series of bitter trials to endure this culture was in grave danger of destruction. The national language was prohibited and a foreign one substituted; education was denied to Irish children and later teachers who knew no Irish were appointed to teach children, who knew no English. In spite of these misfortunes the language still lives to-day, thanks to the patriotism and devotion of our forefathers and, in later years, to the founders and members of the Gaelic League. Recent misfortunes, continued Father Mc Carney, taught the people of France to cherish the ideals of their country and aid in bringing about a revival of patriotism and realisation of the duty they owed to past generations, but it is to be hoped that we in Ireland may awake, without the bursting of shells or crashing of bombs, to a fuller realisation of the beauties and greatness of our country, its language, music and sport. (Applause).

MUSICAL SELECTIONS. Appropriate musical selections were rendered by Tummery Pipers under the direction of their able bandmaster, Mr. James Irvine, and their rousing music and colourful native costumes added much to the brilliance and enjoyment of the proceedings. In this connection too St. Dympna’s Ceilidhe Band, Dromore, provided first class entertainment. Priests and people from all the surrounding parishes were present and helped to make the event the success that it was.

COMPETITION RESULTS.

Plain Chant 1.  Sacred Heart Choir, Irvinestown; 2, St. Joseph’s Choir, Ederney.

Songs in Gaelic—1, Ederney School Choir; 2 Irvinestown Boys’ Choir.

Anglo-Irish songs—1, Irvinestown Boys’ Choir; 2, Ederney School Choir.

Lilting—1, Michael McCann, Dromore; 2, Patrick Maguire, Sydare.

Traditional violin—1, P. Maguire, Sydare; 2, P. McNabb, Tummery.

Melodeon—1, Jack McCann, Dromore; 2, Sean McVeigh, do.

Three-hand reel. — 1, Knocknagor Troupe; 2, Kilskeery Troupe.

Hornpipe (senr.)- l, Mairead Bennett, Dublin.

Jig and hornpipe (junr.) —1, Knocknagor Troupe; 2, Kilskeery Troupe.

Ceilidhe Band—St. Dympna’s, Dromore.

Father Burns, C.C., Devenish, contributed humorous recitations which were greatly appreciated.

FOOTBALL COMPETITION.

First round—Irvinestown (8 pts.) v. Edemey (7 pts.). Dromore(12 pts.) v Pettigo (6 pts.) Final—Dromore (15 pts.) v. Irvinestown (1 pt.)

Valuable prizes were presented to successful competitors. The organisation committee was in charge of Fr. M. Donnelly, C.C., Ederney.

To complete the festivities a very successful Rinnce Mor was held in St. Josephs Hall, under the direction of Rev. E. O’Flanagan, C.C.

Gifts were presented to Mr. James McDonnell, Cahore, Ederney, and Mr. Monaghan, Derrybrick, Kesh, and Mr. P. Rooney, Ardmoney, Brookeborough.

1-8-1942.FAILED TO PLOUGH. FARMER FINED AT DERRYCONNELLY. “I cannot see any excuse whatever,” said Major Dickie, R.M., at Derrygonnelly Petty Sessions, on Friday, when he fined Robert Acheson, of Drumskimbly, £40, with £3/14/0 costs, on a summons brought by the Ministry of Agriculture, for failing in part to comply with a direction to plough.

Mr. J. Cooper, D.L., Grown Solicitor, prosecuting, said that defendant was served with a direction on 2nd January, 1942, requiring him to plough ten acres of his holdings in Drumskimbly, Cosbystown, Glenwinny, Kilgarrow, and Sandhill by the 30th. January, 1942, and a further 15½ acres by 11th April, 1942. Mr. Jordan, Ministry’s Inspector, visited the holding on 4th July, 1941, and reported that the area was 186 acres, of which an area of 51 acres was arable. On the 17th June, 1942, when the holding was visited, it was found that the total area cultivated was 12 acres leaving a default of 13½ acres. Mr. E. C. Ferguson, LL.B., M.P., defending, said that defendant was over 80 years of age; and had a nephew living with him. They managed to plough, and crop 12 acres. In that area, as his Worship knows, owing to work of national importance, labour was very scarce, and in fact if they had not a tractor well on in January they were likely to be left without one. The only defence was that defendant could not get sufficient labour and the area of his lands was scattered all over. Defendant said if he could have got the labour he would have been willing to crop as much as wanted. His Worship—Other farmers are in exactly, the same position and they managed to do it. Mr. Cooper said there was a previous conviction, defendant having been fined £10 last year. Mr. Ferguson—I think he did his best in the circumstances. His Worship—I cannot see any excuse whatever. Every other farmer in the county is doing his best. They seem to make no effort. .Defendant was fined as stated above.

1-8-1942. MANORHAMILTON NEWS. County Council Elections. Very little interest is being shown in the forthcoming elections. Probably the old members will again come forward. Not for years has Manorhamilton had a representative on the County Council and it is rumoured that the town will put up a candidate.

Clerical Appointment—Rev. M. Gilbride, recently ordained, has been appointed assistant to Rev. T. F. Brady, C.C., pending the appointment of a successor to the late Rt. Rev. Monsignor Soden, P.P., V.G., P.A.

Recent Deaths—The death of Mr. Jas. McLoughlin, Ross, which took place at an advanced age is deeply regretted. All his sons were prominent in the old I.R.A. movement. The funeral was large and representative. Another regretted death is that of Mrs. Feely, Castlemile, which took place last week. There was a large attendance at the funeral.

 

1-8-1942. TRACTOR OFFENCES. BALLINAMALLARD MEN SUMMONED. At Clogher Petty Sessions on Thursday Henry W. West, of Mullaghmeen, Ballinamallard, was fined Is for failing to show the maximum speed and laden weight on a tractor at Killclay, Augher, on 9th July, l5s for failure to have a reflecting mirror on the vehicle and for having no silencer attached he was dealt with under the probation Act. Terence McCann, of Beagh, Coa, Ballinamallard, the driver, for using the vehicle without having speed and weight displayed, was fined 1s, for having no bell or horn Is, for failing to have a reflecting mirror 5s, and a summons for having no silencer on the machine was dealt with under the Probation Act.

1-8-1942. ENNISKILLEN COLLEGIATE SCHOOL FEES. The students should not be enrolled on the register of the Enniskillen Collegiate School for Girls until their fees had been paid was the suggestion of Mr. J. Coffey at the meeting of the Co. Fermanagh Education Committee in Enniskillen on Friday. He advocated that a number of defaulting parents should be sent their accounts through legal channels. Rev. J. B. Jennings said it was a far more satisfactory method to pay the fees through the bank.

1-8-1942. DEATH OF POPULAR YOUNG KILTYCLOGHER LADY MISS ANNIE McGOWAN. A gloom has been cast over a wide area by the death of Miss Annie McGowan, of the Mental Hospital nursing staff, Sligo, which occurred in the Surgical Hospital, Sligo on Thursday week, following a brief illness. The deceased lady, who was only 22, was the second daughter of Mr. Patrick McGowan, Co. C., and Mrs. McGowan, Kiltyclogher. She was a nurse in Sligo Mental Hospital for a period of years, and during that time her gentle disposition and great charm of manner won for her the esteem and affection of all with whom, she came in contact. On Friday, amid scenes of deep mourning the remains were carried from the Surgical Hospital to the borough boundary by doctors and members of the Mental Hospital staff. A guard of honour was formed along the roadside as the hearse moved into Leitrim. On approaching Kiltyclogher, the cortege was met by relatives and a large body of people, who accompanied the remains to St. Patrick’s Church, where they were received by Rev. Father Brady, C.C. The funeral which took place to Rossinver on Saturday, was the largest seen in the district for years.

1-8-1942. ROAD WORKERS’ WAGES IN LEITRIM. COUNTY COUNCIL MAKE A RECOMMENDATION. At Leitrim County Council special meeting on Saturday, Mr. S. Flynn, T.D., chairman, presiding, Mr. Hoey moved that all men employed by the Council be paid the same rate of wages as those working in the bogs. Mr. J. Flynn seconded. Mr. Hoey said that the reason he moved his motion was that the road workers in the county were treated unfairly. He said that those employed on minor relief schemes and those employed by the Land Commission were paid a higher rate. Road workers should be paid at the same rate as those employed on the turf scheme, 6/6 per day. He proposed that the road workers be given, an increase of 8d per day in order to bring their wages to 5/6 per day. Mr. Callaghan, a representative of the road workers, said that all they asked was that the matter be put up to the Department and place the matter on the right shoulders. They, had asked Mr. Hoey to bring the resolution, forward as he argued they gave as good work as any of the others who had been granted an increase. The County Surveyor said that the matter was discussed at a conference he attended in Dublin and they had no power to grant an increase to road workers. At the conference this was a burning question. The only thing to do was to make a recommendation, as this question hampered them, when work was going on. They were allowed to pay 5/6 to workers on roads off the main roads and those on main roads were only allowed 4/10. There was a differentiation between what they could pay on grant works and improvement works. He would be glad if this was settled, as the men were not inclined to come out and work on the roads. Finally it was agreed to recommend to the Department that the road workers’  wages be increased to the same basis as the bog workers, not to take effect until after the 31st March, next.

 

1-8-1942. SEQUEL TO DELIVERY AT DERRYCONNELLY. ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO EXPORT. COURT CASE ADJOURNED. The seizure of 250 lbs. of tea had a sequel at Derrygonnelly Petty Sessions on Friday, before Major Dickie, R.M., when John James Maguire and Mary Maguire, of Derrygonnelly, were charged with having in the month of November, 1941, knowingly, harboured 250 lbs of tea with intent to evade the export prohibition applicable thereto. Teresa Rooney, who is employed as a book-keeper in Lavery’s Bar, 80 Chichester Street, Belfast, said that in August last a gentleman named Maguire ordered tea to be sent to his sister, Mrs. Charles Maguire, in Derrygonnelly. In consequence of that she got in touch with a Mr. Lyons, of Donaghadee, gave him the address of Mrs. Charles Maguire, and told him to send the invoice to her. An envelope which was left in the bar was handed over to Mr. Lyons. Mr. R. A. Herbert, DL.B. (defending), called defendant, John James Maguire, to come forward, and asked witness: “Did you ever see that man before?” Witness—No; that definitely is not the gentleman gave me the order.

 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8th 1942. THOSE BUTTER PARADES. It seems that there are some people who can be fooled all the time. The Ulster Scot having got all he wanted, having cut himself off from the rest of Ireland and sat in embittered loneliness behind an embattlement of tariffs designed to keep Irish goods out of the “ Paradise’ having for years denounced the Irish State as being just no good and a monstrosity whose existence should not be permitted, is now finding out that war’s lean and hungry grip in so far as his own bailiwick is concerned has imparted quite another hue to the land of Republican Green and that profitable and useful excursions can be made there with little or no hindrance. Thus, in hordes, are the Scots dwellers of the Six Counties pouring across the Border in search of that which cannot be had for love or money in their own quarters, and that is saying quite a lot. Anything that is rationed and everything that isn’t is fair game for these loyal sons of the Six Counties who have so suddenly discovered the catering and other amenities of the hated “Free State.”

One would think that the rigorous action only all-too rarely enforced by the Irish Customs authorities would have the approval and support of all the citizens of the State, but it appears not. Certain well-meaning people are getting up in the National assembly and suggesting that the Border seizures are creating a feeling that will lead only to the perpetuation of Partition! Was greater nonsense ever talked! The argument is that the Orange excursionists, whom the merchant and business houses of the Irish State would never see were it not for the circumstances of the times, are being won over to the national side by the courtesy and generosity of the “Southerners” with whom they are temporarily trading and that any official action taken to discourage this dealing will inevitably react against the national interests. Such is far from the truth. Scenery (and especially the scenery and panorama of well- stocked shop fronts) is the Orangeman’s sole interest in the Irish State to-day.

8-8-1942. JOTTINGS. Died While Bathing. – Private McAndrews, Belmullet, died while bathing at Rossnowlagh, near Ballyshannon.

Fatal Injuries.—Patrick Kelly (65), Drummond, Magheracloone, Carrickmacross, was fatally injured when his bicycle collided with a motor van.

Shop Entered—The confectionery shop of Mr. W. H. Creighton, Church Street, Enniskillen, was broken and entered and a quantity of sweets stolen. Police are investigating.

An Appointment.—At a special meeting of Monaghan Vocational Education Committee, Miss Maureen Duffy, a native of Co., Monaghan was appointed a commercial teacher to succeed Miss Forde, resigned.

Irvinestown Lady’s Success- Miss M. T. Dolan, S.R.N., C.M.B. has been appointed Ward Sister in the Belfast Union Hospital. She is daughter of Mrs. Dolan and the late Mr. John Dolan, Drumschool, Irvinestown.

Special Court—At a special court in Enniskillen on Monday before Major T. W. Dickie, R.M., Wm. Hynes, Nugent’s Entry, Enniskillen, was charged with a serious offence and was remanded, on £10 bail to next Enniskillen Petty Sessions on 17th inst.

New Head Constable. — Sergt. John F. Traynor, R.U.C., who, until a few years ago, was stationed, (for twelve years) in Enniskillen, has been promoted Head Constable and transferred from Mayobridge, Co. Down, to Clogher, Co. Tyrone.

Professed.—Sister St. Macarten, professed at Convent of Bon Secours, Cork, is the daughter of Mr, and Mrs. Patrick O’Daly, Lisnashannagh, Carrickmacross, and , sister of Rev. B. O’Daly, C.C, Tydavnet, and Rev. J. O‘Daly, C.C.. Los Angeles,

Band performances — In a letter to the Enniskillen Rural Council, on Tuesday the Six-County Tourist Development. Association, Ltd., stated it was felt every encouragement should be given to military and other bands to give performance at towns throughout Northern Ireland. Such performances would help to entertain the large number of people spending their holidays at home.

Alleged Desertion— At a special court in Enniskillen Benjamin Cyril Rees a serving soldier, charged with being an absentee from his unit, was remanded in custody to await a military escort. J. Freeman gave evidence of finding Rees in Newtownbutler sub-district wearing civilian attire. As a result of enquiries made and assistance given by Rees, witness located his uniform.

Council Workers’ Wage Increases. Enniskillen Urban Council, on Tuesday evening, adopted recommendations from the Finance and Lighting Committee that Henry Sadlier, for carting work granted an increase in remuneration of 5/- weekly, and that Frederick Walker while acting as roller-driver, be granted 3/- weekly increase. The application of Mr. Bracken, contractor for scavenging, for an increase was pending the supplying by him of further details.

SIX MEN SENTENCED TO DEATH RESULT OF BELFAST TRIAL. PRISONERS PLEAD “NO PREMEDITATION.” Six young Belfast men were sentenced to death at the Courthouse, Crumlin Rd., Belfast, on Thursday week, after a trial lasting three days. They were charged with the murder of Constable Patrick Murphy of 53, Cawnpore Street on Easter Sunday. The men who pleaded not guilty, were —Thomas J. Williams (19), house repairer, 46, Bombay Street, Belfast; Henry Cordner (19), fitter; 35, Malcolmson St.; William James Perry (21) labourer, 264, Cupar Street; John Terence Oliver (21) painter, 167 Springfield Road; Patrick Simpson (18), sheet-metal worker, 86, Cawnpore Street; and Joseph Cahill (21), joiner, 60, Divis Street.

The jury returned a verdict of guilty after an absence of 2 hours 5 minutes. The executions were fixed for Tuesday, August 18. In the case of Simpson the jury recommended mercy on account of his youth.

PRISONERS’ STATEMENTS. Asked if they had anything to say before sentence was passed, the prisoners, made the following statements CORDONER—“ I am not guilty. There was no premeditation to murder. I would like to thank my counsel, Mr. Lavery, Mr. Agnew and Mr. Marrinan for their splendid defence on my behalf.”

PERRY—“1.am not guilty of murder. There was no premeditation to murder. I also wish to thank Mr. Lavery and the other counsel for the manner in which they conducted the case.”

OLIVER—“Not guilty of murder. I had no premeditation to murder.” He also thanked his counsel.

SIMPSON—“I am not guilty of murder. I had no premeditation to murder, and I state that the operation at Kashmir Road was the only one to be performed. I also wish through the medium of the Press, on behalf of my comrades, to thank everyone who enabled us to have such a splendid defence in the case’

CAHILL—“I am not guilty of murder. There was no premeditation or intention to take life.”

WILLIAMS—“I am not guilty of murder. I am not afraid to die. There was no premeditation to murder. I want to thank my counsel for the splendid defence they put up on our behalf.’’

Before passing sentence, Lord Justice Murphy said: “I do not intend to say anything to you young men that would add to the horror of the position in which you find yourselves.”

He then passed the death sentence. The men remained standing at attention and calm during the proceedings. When warders and police were removing them from the dock to the underground passage the prisoners waved to friends in the Court. Several women sobbed and screamed. One made a rush to the dock crying “God help you, Tom.” Some of the prisoners shouted “Don’t be worrying.” Others, cried “God save Ireland.’ A number of British officers and other men in uniform were in the Court, which was heavily guarded by troops. Afterwards six women relatives were seen going across to the jail.

RECORDED SENTENCE ON GIRL. A further case arising out of the shooting of Constable P. Murphy was heard in Belfast on Friday, when a recorded sentence of one year was passed on Margaret Nolan (aged 17), 32 Bombay St., Belfast at the City Commission, when she pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact in the incident concerned.

Mr; J. Agnew, who defended, said that the police had spoken highly of the respectability of Miss Nolan’s family. He honestly thought that the girl did not realise the terrible consequence of the acts in which she had played a part, and he asked his lordship to consider that she would have a memory all her life of what happened on that Easter Sunday which would be more poignant than any punishment that could be inflicted.

Mr. J. C. McDermott said that the prisoner had been put forward on this charge because the Crown regarded the part which she had played on that Sunday as being a minor one.

Lord Justice Murphy said that he had recognised before he heard the evidence given on her behalf, that she had been led into that affair by older people.

PETITION FOR REPRIEVE SIGNED BY THOUSANDS. Forma of petition to the Six-County Governor asking for a reprieve of the six youths in Belfast Jail under sentence of death for the shooting of Constable Murphy are being extensively signed in Belfast, and arrangements are complete to secure signatures all over the Six-County area.

A representative committee of the Irish Unemployed Workers’ Association, which is taking part in the organisation of the petition, are seeking the co-operation of other sympathetic organisations, both in the Six Counties and in Great Britain, and has issued also an appeal to people in the Twenty-Six Counties to help.

Telegrams have been despatched to President Roosevelt, to the British Premier, to Mr. Herbert Morrison, British Home Secretary, and to the Clan na Gael, New York, asking them to use their influence in order to prevent the executions taking place.

Already arrangements have been; made by the reprieve organisations to have forms available in provincial centres next Sunday. Influential people on both sides of the Border, including Church leaders, and of every shade of political opinion, are to be approached to add their names to the list. Copies of the petition are to be sent to Cardinal MacRory and the Catholic Bishops, as well as the Protestant Primate and the heads of other Protestant Churches.

The Irish Unemployed Workers’ Organisation will, it is understood, ask the Belfast Trades Council to use their influence in the trade Union section of the community. At Masses in Belfast city churches the

TWO APPOINTMENTS DECIDED BY PARTY VOTES. Caretaker of Cemetery and Tenant of Cottage. DISCUSSION AT ENNISKILLEN RURAL COUNCIL. An appointment as a graveyard caretaker and the choice of a tenant for a labourer’s cottage were decided by party vote at the meeting of Enniskillen Rural Council on Tuesday, Hon. C. L. Corry (chairman) presiding. Proposing Mr. James Bartley, Cleenish Island, for appointment as caretaker of the island cemetery, Mr. James Murphy (N.) said the graveyard had been, neglected and was covered with weeds and nettles. It was a disgrace and he knew that in Mr. Bartley they would have a man who would look after the graveyard properly. Mr.W. Kelly (N.) seconded.

Mr. W. A. Thornton. (U.) proposed Mr. John Balfour, Cleenish, and Mr. J. Beatty (U.) seconded. Mr. Kelly—Should not this be advertised? Mr. Thornton — Sure it is only 30/- a year. Mr. Murphy. — The previous man got £2 a year. Mr. Beatty—It isn’t a big thing, not worth advertising. Mr. Murphy —The graveyard was neglected and we were throwing away £2 of the ratepayers’ money. Mr. Thornton—Nearly all are neglected. By 10 Unionist votes to 4 Nationalist, Balfour was appointed. Mr. E. Callaghan asked who supervised the cleaning of these graveyards. Mr. Murphy—No one at all-they get their money for doing nothing.

Mr. Callaghan said there were ricks of hay on Pobal (Pubble?) cemetery, which was a disgrace in any civilised community. Mr. Beatty- I saw it .as well as you and there was nothing wrong with it. There was only a handshaking of hay on it. Mr. Murphy- But it is hay, Mr. Beatty. Mr. Beatty—He told me he would take it away next day. The Clerk (Mr. J. Brown) said he would write to caretakers saying they must clean up the graveyards at once.

This was agreed to. Mr. Callaghan — A graveyard is no place for winning hay. Mr. Cathcart – Isn’t the hay won on any graveyard.

CINEMA PRICES-NO INCREASE. ENNISKILLEN URBAN COUNCIL DECISION. In the absence through indisposition of Mr. W. J. Monaghan, the following motion standing in his name, was proposed by Mr. T. Smyth at the meeting of Enniskillen Urban Council on Tuesday evening. “That the absolution of 1st June, 1942, refusing consent to the Regal Cinema Co. to raise the price of admission to balcony seats on Sundays by one penny to meet increased taxation be rescinded and that the application of the Company be granted.”

Mr. C. Patterson seconded Mr. T. Algeo moved the rejection of the motion, stating that if the cinema shows on Sunday the proprietors had the remedy in their own hands. The cinema, he said, should never have been allowed to open the cinemas on Sunday during the summer and he would propose later on that this be not allowed.

Mr. P. Kelly seconding, said he was opposed to the motion on the ground that he thought that there should not be particular seats for officers in the rear while the private soldier was as well entitled to sit in the balcony as anyone else. He thought the Regal Cinema should write to the Taxation Authorities on the matter instead of the Council.

Mr. W. E. Johnston (chairman), said he did not think there was any particular place in the Regal Cinema for officers. Mr. Kelly asserted that the balcony was being reserved for people with an inferiority complex. The Chairman replied that any soldier could go to whatever part of the cinema he liked. Mr. W. H. Creighton supporting Mr. Algeo’s amendment, said that when the Regal was granted permission, to open on Sundays the Council was informed the opening was purely to provide entertainment for the troops and that they did not want to make money out of it. He knew the proprietors were not running the shows at a loss. “If they were patriotic enough,’’ he added, ‘‘they would let them have the entertainment free, but instead of this they are trying to  make money out of it on Sundays.”

Mr. J. Logan said in wartime all businessmen had to contend with extra Expenses, such as extra wages. He understood that not one hundred officers would be frequenting this cinema so that the total amount involved would be 8/4. It was a very poor war effort. They should not charge anything on Sunday if it was for the benefit of the troops. He was afraid it was for  their own benefit. Mr. Patterson said he was given an explanation for. the suggested change—the  scarcity of coppers. Instead of the 8d seat as at present the 9d seat would exclude the use of coppers in payment, 6d and 3d pieces.

Mr. Algeo — They have their own remedy to close down. Mr. Creighton – That is right. The voting resulted- For the motion- Messrs. Fitzsimmons, Patterson, Smyth and the Chairman—4. Against—Messrs. Lee, Elliott, Logan, Creighton, Algeo, Kelly, Fox and McKeown—8. Mr. Weir did not vote. The Chairman declared the motion lost.

WIFE’S MAINTENANCE CLAIM AT BROOKEBORO’ HUSBAND SUED. Mrs. Mary Little, of Coolnakeklly, sued her husband, George Little, farm labourer, of Latnafree for maintenance, at Brookeboro’ Petty Sessions on Tuesday, before Major Dickie, R.M. Mr. Ferguson, M.P., solicitor, was for the wife, and Mr. Patterson for the husband.

Mrs. Little, who said she and her husband were over 30 years married, gave evidence of her husband having left her for no reason whatever that she knew of last May, and had not since returned. She lived with her grown up son and daughter, aged 16 and 13½ years. Defendant took his ration book with him and he paid nothing towards the upkeep of the family. All she had to live on with the family was 10/- a week brought in by her son. Answering Mr. Patterson, witness said her husband left her 18 years ago and again two years ago, but he came back afterwards. He was in the habit of walking away and leaving her for what reason she did not know. Defendant at present lived with his mother, and last March she and her family raised £15 to pay a fine imposed on him at Irvinestown Petty Sessions for the larceny of tools. James Little, a son, gave evidence of his parents not having got on well together for years back.

For the defence the husband alleged unfaithfulness on the part of his wife for 18 years back and said it was time for him to leave the house when the door was closed against him and his clothes thrown out on the street. He was earning 33/6 a week with board as a farm labourer. His Worship said it was perfectly clear a case of desertion was established and the defendant was entitled to maintain his wife and family. The question was one of the amount of contribution and he (his worship) thought a weekly allowance of 17/6 would be reasonable and he would make an order to that effect. Mr. Ferguson agreed the amount was reasonable as they did not want to take all defendant’s money from him. Defendant was ordered to pay in addition 28/- costs.

8-8-1942. MINISTRY WANTS IRON-ENNISKILLEN HAS IT. The Ministry wrote to Enniskillen Urban Council on Tuesday evening that it was requisitioning all available iron and steel railings in the Six Counties for the war effort, and it asked for the co-operation of local authorities. M. T. Algeo — There is 50 tons of cast iron railing lying outside the town for the last three years: why don’t they commandeer it? Chairman, (Mr. W. E. Johnston)—Mr. Donnelly (the surveyor) will assist the Ministry as far as possible. Mr. Donnelly said Mr. Ritchie and himself pointed out the iron, referred to by Mr. Algeo twelve months ago, and it was still there. Chairman—They will come now to take more stuff and may take it.

8-8-1942. Smuggling Charges—Terence McKeown, High St., Monaghan, was .fined £10 at  Aughnacloy for smuggling two cycle tyres, six cycle repair outfits, and three cycle wheel catches on July 20 at Mullaghtinney. Patrick McGlone, Belgium. Park, Monaghan, who was with the last defendant and who was charged with smuggling the same number of articles, did not appear. Both defendants had been out on hail, sureties being fixed at £10 each. The recognances in the case of McGlone were certified by Mr. J. O. H. Long, R.M., with a view to proceedings against the surety.

Clones Man Killed in Air Raid.—Mrs. J. McDonald, Roslea Tec., Clones, has been  informed that her husband, Mr. John McDonald, was killed in an air raid on Birmingham last week. He had been working there for the past year. He leaves a widow and two young children.

8-8-1942. R.A.F. MAN DROWNED. Aircraftsman A. Ernest Taylor, R.A.F., Killadeas, a native of Stoke-on-Trent, was drowned while bathing in Lough Erne during the week-end. At an inquest on Saturday, held by Mr. G. E. Warren, Coroner a verdict of accidental drowning was returned. It was stated that, with a companion, Tyler, went to bathe at Killadeas and the companion asked him could he swim. He said he could swim a little. The companion entered the water first and had only gone a short distance when he looked back and saw Tyler in difficulties. He went to help him, but Tyler caught him by the neck and was pulling him down, so that he had to let him go. He went out and shouted for help, which arrived, but Tyler had disappeared and could not be found. It was two and a half hours later when the body was recovered from a fifteen feet hole.

8-8-1942. CHURCHILL WILL NOT INTERVENE. CONDEMNED BELFAST YOUTHS REPRIEVE PETITION EXTENSIVELY SIGNED. Mr. Winston Churchill, British Premier, through his secretary, has replied to the recent telegram sent from, a conference of Nationalist Senators and Members of the Six-Co., Parliament in connection with the petition for the reprieve of the six young men under sentence of death in Belfast prison to the effect that “it is not a matter in which it is possible for him to intervene.” APPEAL. No date has yet been fixed for the hearing by the Court of Criminal Appeal of the appeal of the six young men. It is unlikely that it will come before the Court early next week.

THE PETITION. Satisfactory reports of the signing of the reprieve petition have been received at the Reprieve Committee’s headquarters in Belfast by Mr. Eamon Donnelly, Approximately 200,000 have signed the petition up to date and the campaign is still in progress. Thousands of signatures are being received daily at the Reprieve Committee’s office. The Duke of Abercorn, acknowledging the telegraphic, appeal, by the Lord Mayor of Cork (Ald. J. Allen) on behalf of the six men states, (through his private secretary, Mrs. S. Lewis Haslett) that it will have his careful consideration.

THE CONDEMNED YOUTHS. The six young men are attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion, each morning in a cell specially furnished for the purpose. They are visited daily by Rev. P. McAllister, Catholic chaplain to the prison Father Oliver, C P., and Father Alexis C.P., of Holy Cross Monastery, Ardoyne.

8-8-1942. Bundoran is having a record year. For the past month the resort has been crowded fully to capacity and hundreds failed to travel because of information that accommodation was not available. Nearly all visitors are from the Six Counties and County Fermanagh, especially Enniskillen, supplied a large proportion of cross-border holiday makers. The August weekend was the most crowded Bundoran has had in many years. Enniskillen sent hundreds of the visitors by train and bus while at least a dozen made the journey (32 miles) by bicycle.

1942 June.

£550 SOUGHT FOR MOUNTAIN BURNING. Enniskillen Rural Council on Tuesday, referred to its solicitor a preliminary notice of application for compensation on behalf of the Earl of Enniskillen for £550 for the burning of 1,500 acres of mountain lands with the heather, grass, game and game cover on the lands of Aghatirourke.

CARETAKER’S APPLICATION. Application for an increase in salary was made by Mr. James H. Kerr, cemetery caretaker, to the Enniskillen Rural District Council on Tuesday, Hon. C. L. Corry, J.P., presiding. Mr. Kerr said he had been nineteen years in the Council’s service and had only received one small increase in salary, six years ago. He had not taken any holidays since his appointment. The Clerk (Mr. J. Brown) said Mr. Kerr’s salary was £63 a year (inclusive of £13 bonus) with free house, coal and light, and 3/- for each grave. The Ministry would not, in his (the clerk’s) opinion grant an increase of salary in accordance with wartime regulations. It was decided to consider the application at the next meeting in July.

20-6-1942. SCOTSTOWN POTEEN CHARGE. At Monaghan District Court., before Mr. P. Lavery, D.J. at the suit of Supt. Ryan, Bernard McElmeel, Glan, Scotstown, was fined £6 for having a half-pint of illicit spirits, in his possession, Guard Hegarty stating that defendant, who was without a light on a bicycle, accelerated his speed when he met witness, who subsequently found a bottle containing poteen on the road. Defendant denied it was his. Mr. McWilliams, solr., for McElmeel, admitted ownership, and said his client lived with his father, aged 74 and there was no one else to look after the crop.

20-6-1942. £5 10s WEEKLY FOR MAN, HORSE, CART. COUNCIL OBJECTIONS. Horses and carts are almost unobtainable for daily hire in the Enniskillen district, being regularly employed on constant work, Mr, J. Donnelly, Surveyor, had reported to the Town improvement Committee: “Owing to the almost continuous employment of the Council’s lorry on the collection of waste paper and scrap iron, he found it necessary to hire a horse with cart and harness for street maintenance and other works. The horse, cart and harness was supplied by Mr. H. Sadlier, carting contractor to the Council. The driver was supplied by the Council.”

The committee recommended that Mr. Sadlier be paid a rate of 10/- per day. Mr. T. Algeo, after the reading of the foregoing report asked what was the rate of pay of the man regularly employed with, horse and cart by the Council. Mr. Donnelly said £3 10s weekly. Mr. Algeo said this thing should have been advertised, and they would have got a lot of people to do it more cheaply. One man was getting £3 10s for himself, his horse and cart; while for another they were, paying £5 10s for the horse and cart and man. Mr. Donnelly said the rate was fixed by the committee. The work had been increasing to such an extent that the lorry could no longer do it. Previously he had employed Francis Cleary at 15/- daily, but he had refused to do it this time at less than 25/- daily, at which, rate he said he was, paid elsewhere. He (Mr. Donnelly) tried everywhere to get another horse and cart, but could not do so. Mr Sadlier bought, a horse to provide it with a cart for the Council. The rate was 19/- weekly approximately. Mr. G. Elliott said there was no hope of getting it done cheaper. The matter was approved, Mr, Algeo dissenting.

20-6-1942. CAVAN FARMERS HIT BY SHORTAGE OF LABOUR. The shortage of labour on Cavan farms was referred to by members at a meeting of Cavan Agricultural Committee. Mr. Dolan said that farmers worked 16 hours a day tilling the land and they could not get the crop in. The secretary thought it would be doubly difficult getting it out. Mr. Taite — A lot of young people are going away to better themselves and it is hard to blame them. Senator Baxter said the number of men on the land was not sufficient to save the harvest. It was suggested that shopkeepers in towns should close for a few days weekly and allow off the assistants—-mostly farmers’ sons—to help on the land.

The secretary said voluntary organisation of some kind was needed. Senator Baxter suggested that if the urban dwellers realised the. grave risk to the, harvest they would willingly cooperate. At a meeting of Co. Monaghan Agricultural Committee reference was made to the glut of potatoes. Mr. McGahey said anything would be better than to see the potatoes rotting in the pits. Mr. Pollock said with the present glut it might be possible under a trade pact with Britain to exchange the potatoes for coal. Mr. McEntee said a stone of oatmeal could not be got in Monaghan.

20-6-1942. RHUBARB WANTED. ANY QUANTITY. HIGHEST PRICES PAID —AT- GRACEY’S The BROOK, ENNISKILLEN.

20-6-1942. ACCIDENT TO ENNISKILLEN STEAM ROLLER. The steam roller of Enniskillen Urban Council, while working (on hire) at an avenue in Lord Enniskillen’s demesne, Florencecourt, sunk on the side of the avenue and partly overturned. It took three, days’ efforts to get it out again. The roller was thus out of commission from 26th May till 2nd June. It had been on hire for three weeks at the time of the accident. Since then a number of badly worn tubes had to be replaced, Mr. Donnelly, Surveyor, told Enniskillen U.D.C.

20-6-1942. YOUNGSTERS BEGGING FROM U.S. TROOPS. REFERENCE AT URBAN COUNCIL. Mr. W. E. Johnston drew attention to the conduct of youngsters in Enniskillen begging from American soldiers. “It is an absolute disgrace the way the children are running, after these soldiers, stopping them, and begging at every corner,” he said. These soldiers were very kind, and when they came gave money to these kiddies, and now the soldiers were being absolutely annoyed. . Something should be done. This habit was not confined to Enniskillen, for he read of it happening elsewhere—in Belfast, Bangor, etc. It was not good to see this going on. It did not show Enniskillen up very well. It was decided to draw the attention of the police to the matter.

13-6-1942. NEW CAVAN CATHEDRAL FORMALLY OPENED BY BISHOP OF KILMORE. HIS LORDSHIP RECALLS THE DAYS OF PERSECUTION. The new Cathedral in Cavan was, on Sunday, formally opened for public worship by Most Rev. Dr. Lyons, Bishop of Kilmore. Three hundred years ago, Bishop Hugh O’Reilly, of Kilmore, suffered insult and. imprisonment for his faith. It was he who originated the Catholic Confederacy and fought against bitterness, treachery, and the persecution of his flock. It was fitting that his successor should use his chalice in the celebration of the first public Mass in the new edifice. “A symbol of victory” was the description applied by Most Rev. Dr. Lyons to his beautiful Cathedral, when, he addressed the vast congregation at the opening ceremony.

The building of a cathedral at any time” he said, “is proof of a vigorous religious life in a diocese. This Cathedral is much more it is the sign of our religious resurgence. “It links us across three centuries with the days of the great Hugh O’Reilly, Bishop of Kilmore, whose Chalice, well over 300 years old, is in use in the holy Mass to-day.’ “This Cathedral of Saints Patrick and Felim is an eloquent and noble act of thanksgiving to the Omnipotent God, who, over centuries has with, the outstretched arm of His Providence preserved our people in their ancient faith.”

BUILDING OF CATHEDRAL. Under the untiring zeal and efforts of Most Rev. Dr. Lyons, the splendid Cathedral has been almost completed in three years. The building fund was inaugurated in 1919 by the late Most Rev. Dr. Finnegan., and the foundation stone was laid in September, 1939. Next September the dedication ceremony will take place, marking the completion of the work. The Cathedral stands beside the old one, which will be taken down, stone by stone, to be re-erected in Ballyhaise, thus preserving a link with the glorious past of this historic diocese.

20-6-1942. JOTTINGS. Warships Collection.—Total to date in Fermanagh is £310,620, of which Enniskillen contributed £106,153, Irvinestown £46,534, and Lisnaskea £43,757.

Prisoner of War—included in the latest list of British prisoners of war in Italian hands is Pte. James Steward Bercin, Letter P.O. Fermanagh.

Monaghan postmaster for Mullingar—Mr. John Cassin, postmaster, Monaghan, has been transferred on promotion to be postmaster of Mullingar.

Monea Man’s Death—Word has been received that Pte. Edward Scott, son of Mr. Robert Scott, Means, Monea, County Fermanagh, has died in a prisoner of war camp in Italy.

W.V.S. Savings Effort. — W.V.S. Savings Groups for Fermanagh Warship Week provided the following totals: Enniskillen, £2,892 2s 8d; Enniskillen Rural, £7.753 14s Id; Lisnaskea Rural, £8,250 4s 6d.

A. F. Man missing—Flight-Sergeant Ronnie West, son of Mr. and Mrs. John West, Trory, Ballinamallard, Co. Fermanagh, has been reported missing following one of the bomber raids on Germany.

Kilskeery Aeridheacht.—The winner of the. solo singing (Anglo-Irish, under 14) at Kilskeery aeridheacht recently was Miss Nuala Drumm, Convent of Mercy, Enniskillen, not Nuala Quinn, as already stated.

Food and Drugs officers—Fermanagh County Council on Friday appointed Sergeant William O’Donnell, Belcoo, to be Food and Drugs Inspector for the Letterbreen Petty Sessions district, and Sergeant J. D. Cochrane for the Belleek Petty Sessions district.

Sympathy-Fermanagh Co., Council on Friday, on the proposal of Hon. C. L. Corry, J.P., seconded by Mr. J. W. Creighton, J.P., passed a resolution of sympathy with Mr. H. A. Burke, LL.B., Under-Sheriff, on the death of his father, Mr. H. A. Burke, D.L.

Fermanagh County council Officers—Sir Basil Brooke, M.P., was on Friday re-elected chairman of Fermanagh County Council, at the annual meeting pf that body. The re-election of the chairman was passed unanimously on the motion of Mr. A. Wilson, seconded by Mr. T. M. Noble. Hon. Cecil Lowry-Corry, J.P., was unanimously re-elected vice-chairman on the motion of Mr. G. Elliott, seconded by Mr. J. W. Creighton, J.P.

Rat Instead of Fish. While fishing for pike in the River Finn, near Rosslea, Mr. Joseph Montgomery, principal teacher, Rosslea P.E. School, had a remarkable experience. Mr. Montgomery was using a minnow and having felt a tug on his line, he proceeded to haul it in. To his amazement he landed, not a fish, but a large rat which was firmly hooked on the minnow.

20-6-1942. SONS OF ENNISKILLEN MAN GET DISTINCTIONS IN BRITISH COLONIAL SERVICE. Six sons, all of whom occupy or have retired from positions in the Colonial service—this is the record of the family of Mr. C. Bartley, retired inspector of schools. Fairview, Enniskillen, a native of County Monaghan whose eldest son, Charles, has just retired from a Judgeship of the High Court, Calcutta, and has been awarded a Knighthood. Sir Charles Bartley’s eldest son, recently awarded the. D.F.C. is now a squadron leader in the R.A.F.

Mr. Bartley’s other five sons are William, recently retired from the Colonial Civil Service, and who has just been awarded Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (C.M.G.) and Member of the Order of the British. Empire (M.B.E.). John, who is additional Secretary to the Government of India and who has been awarded Companion of the Order of the Star of India (C.S.I.) and Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (C.I.E.); Frederick, who has retired from the Indian Police, and who was awarded Commander of the Order of the British. Empire (C.B.E.) and also the King’s Police Medal with Bar; Douglas, who is Judge of the Supreme Court in Kenya and Gwyther, who is Deputy Inspector General of the police force in Assam, and who has been awarded the King’s Police Medal. Sir Charles and Jack are scholars of Trinity College both being senior moderators in classics and modern literature.

20-6-1942. ENNISKILLEN WOMAN FINED. Unlawful possession of army property was alleged against Mrs. Sidney Thompson, 5, Mary St., Enniskillen, who, at the local Petty Sessions on Monday, was charged with haying ten blankets, two paillasses and one pillow-slip, the property of the Army Council.

D.I. Peacocke prosecuted, and said defendant was the wife of a serving soldier. He alleged, she made a statement saving that eight of the blankets were the property of her husband’s grandmother, and the other two she bought in Brookeboro’. She added that her husband brought the other articles to the house. Head Constable Thornton gave evidence of searching defendant’s house and finding the property.. She made the statement read by the D.I. Sergeant Bailey, of the Special Investigation Branch of the Corps of Military Police, testified to accompanying the last witness when the search was made. All the blankets (produced) were W.D. property, and he was satisfied four of them were manufactured certainly not before 1940. One of the others might have been rejected by the Army. Ink stains on it made it appear as if it had been used on an office table and it was quite possible defendant’s husband might have come by it lawfully.

Miss A, Barrett, shopkeeper, Brookeborough, who had sold discarded Army blankets in her shop, did not think any of the blankets shown her had ever passed through her shop, and she did not recollect ever selling the defendant any. Asked by Major Dickie, P.M., if she wished to give evidence, defendant replied in the negative. His Worship said he must hold the charge proved. He observed that if the blankets had been new he would have taken a serious view of the case. He fined defendant 40/- and 6/8 costs, ordering that the property be returned to the military authorities.

20-6-1942. FOUR MONTHS JAIL SENTENCE ON NEWTOWNBUTLER MAN. Second Fined £50. R.M.—”DELIBERATE SMUGGLING” “I am tired giving those warnings and nobody seems to bother about them,” declared Major; Dickie, R.M., when recalling that, at previous Courts he had announced that stiff terms of imprisonment were in store for those caught smuggling. He was speaking at Newtownbutler Petty Sessions, on Tuesday, when Philip Swift of Lisnashillinda, was summoned for being knowingly concerned in removing 12 stone of flour and 14 cwt. sulphate of ammonia with intent to evade the prohibition of export. James Johnston, Kiltober was summonsed for being knowingly concerned in harbouring 14 cwts. sulphate of ammonia, 1 cwt 2 qrs. flour, 1 qr. custard powder, 14 lbs. pepper, 48 parcels of Bisto and 4 lbs. toilet soap, with intent to evade the prohibition. Mr. J. P. Black, solr., tendered a plea of guilty on behalf of Swift.

In the ease against Johnston, Sergeant Green said that on Sunday, 3th February he saw Swift outside a cafe in Newtownbutler. Later three military trucks drew up and Swift followed the soldiers inside. Later Swift left the town on his bicycle and one of the trucks followed him. The police followed both and discovered the truck at Johnston’s house, just on the border. They also saw Swift running away. In the byre they found the sulphate of ammonia and flour and the other articles (listed in the summons), in the dwelling house. They also seized four gross of clothes pegs for which Johnston was separately summonsed. Johnston told witness he got the pegs in Cavan.

Cross-examined by Mr. J. B. Murphy, witness said he was satisfied Johnston was not present when the stuff was delivered and it had been removed by the police before he reached home again. Constable Duffy also gave evidence. Robert Clarke, a serving soldier, grave evidence that Swift requested him, as a favour to deliver some sacks and witness agreed. They left the bags at a farm on the Clones road; seven bags of sulphate of ammonia and two bags of flour. Johnston, in evidence, said he had been away after Mass on Sunday morning till 3 a.m. on Monday, seeing an uncle at Smithboro’ and knew nothing about the transaction till he was informed by the servant girl. Cross-examined by Mr. J. Cooper, Crown Solicitor, defendant admitted Swift had spoken to him on the previous Friday about the proposed smuggling, but he Johnston, declined to have anything to do with it.

Mr, Murphy submitted that there was no evidence to show Johnston knew anything about the smuggling on that particular date. His Worship said defendant lived on the border and all the commodities in question had been found in this premises and yet Mr. Murphy was suggesting, there was no evidence against him. Anybody with intelligence should see that he was bringing the stuff to Johnston’s house had no sympathy with him. Mr. Black said his client admitted bringing the stuff to Johnston’s house but that Johnston did not know anything about it. His Worship said he had often stated

27-6-1942. CYCLIST’S FATAL INJURIES. KILLADEAS WOMANS FATE. Miss Catherine Breen, Drogan, Killadeas (73), single, who was seriously injured when as she was cycling near Riversdale, Ballinamallard, she was in collision with a private motor car, died in Fermanagh County Hospital on Monday evening. At an inquest in Fermanagh County Hospital an Tuesday, by Coroner George Warren and a jury, a verdict was returned of accidental death, no blame being attached to the driver. The driver, Ernest Stewart, cinema manager Lisnarick Rd., Irvinestown, driver of the car, stated he was driving from Enniskillen to Irvinestown, about 4 p.m. on Sunday at 30 mph. As he approached Riversdale Avenue he blew his horn. The cyclist came out of the Avenue straight in front of the car. He swerved to the right to avoid her but she went in front of the car and the left front headlamp hit her. He did everything in his power to avoid the collision.

Charles G. Thompson, V.S., Strabane, who was sitting beside the driver of the car, Thomas Aiken, Irvinestown, and Henry Crowhurst, Henry St., Enniskillen who were in the back of the car, gave similar evidence, stating the cyclist came out so quickly she could not be avoided. Evidence of identification was given by W. J. Breen, deceased’s brother, and Constable Bothwell produced a sketch, of the road and gave measurements.

27-6-1942. MARRIED TEACHERS NOT TO RESIGN. Fermanagh Education Committee heard from the Secretary (Mr, J. J. Maguire) that the junior assistant mistress appointed to Clonelly School at the last meeting had not taken the position. He wondered if the Committee would rescind the resolution on the books providing that a female teacher must resign three months after marriage. It was very difficult to get teachers. Capt. Wray —I see they are doing that in England. Secretary — It is an emergency provision for the duration of the war only. Dean MacManaway intimated he would hand in notice to have the resolution rescinded.

27-6-1942. YOUNG AMERICAN STUDENT’S SUCCESS. GRANDSON OF ENNISKILLEN MAN. The New York papers recently carried the news of the success of Mr. Joseph J. Martin in the annual elocution contest among students, of Fordham Preparatory School, high school division of Fordham University. Master Martin is a son of the Hon. Joseph P. Martin, assistant United States District Attorney, and grandson of Mr. Joseph Martin, Derrychara, Enniskillen (a native of Derrylin), retired official of the U.S. Postal Department. An uncle of the successful student is Mr. Jack Martin, B.A., N.T., Virginia, Co. Cavan. Master Martin is the holder of many awards as an orator, elocutionist, debater and thespian and he received a gold medal for his rendition of “The Burgomaster’s Death.” Assistant District Attorney Joe Martin is now attached to the United States armed forces.

27-6-1942. MEN WHO KEEP SONS AT HOME. Disabled Ex-Soldier’s Daughter’s Relief Claim. The daughter of a now disabled soldier who fought in the Great War and the South African War was refused outdoor relief by Enniskillen Board of Guardians on Tuesday.

The girl, aged 29, looks after her father, but is registered as able and willing to work at the local Labour Exchange. After receiving relief of 5/- weekly for five years, she was offered and accepted work at the Enniskillen Workhouse, where she was engaged at the job for a few weeks. Relieving Officer Cathcart said when the girl started to work he removed her from the relief list, and now that the work finished he brought her ease forward to consider the resumption of the weekly relief. Mr, J, Burns said there was a dearth of domestic servants. Was this girl willing to work? R.O. Cathcart — She is registered for work at the Exchange. Mr. A. Wilson — When she is registered for work it makes it legal for you to give her relief. Mr. W. A. Thornton — You are not hound to.

Mr. McKeown — Her father has served in two wars. Some of those people who are talking have big sons and they won’t send them out to keep up the Empire. This man fought in two wars and in his old age his daughter is watching him and is willing to go out to work when she can get it. Some of the people here won’t send their own sons out to fight for the Empire. Mr. Stewart proposed that relief be not granted to the girl, and Mr. J. Burns seconded. Mr. C. McKeown proposed that relief be restored, and Mr. D. Weir seconded.

For Mr. C. McKeown’s motion there voted: Lord Belmore, Messrs. Weir, Humphreys,  Clarke and McKeown—(5). For Mr. Stewart’s proposal a number of members—all Unionists—voted, and the Chairman (Mr. J. J. Coalter) said that this motion was passed.

THE PAST RECALLED. RECOLLECTIONS OF PETTIGO DISTRICT. In an recent issue of the ‘‘Fermanagh Herald” there was news of my native village school which not only filled me with pride, but helped me to recall some of the happiest memories of my boyhood days, together with many little episodes as a pupil following the opening stages of that school. At a recent concert in Aughnahoo school, that grand old song—“Come to the hedgerows,” was sung by the children —a song which was taught to hundreds of children in the same school by its first Master—Mr. J. T. Lawton, M.A., 56 years ago, and who went to live in Wabana, Newfoundland, after his early retirement.

The reading of the concert report thrilled me as I am sure it thrilled other readers who had the good fortune to study under Mr. Lawton at Aughnahoo. He was a brilliant teacher capable at the time of teaching most subjects now taught only in Colleges and Universities. I wonder how many of my school-mates living to-day recall the happy times experienced during that period, when we used to scurry along the narrow road (now covered with grass) to the shores of Lough Erne during our periods of recreation and indulge in all sorts of fun and frolic. Well I remember how when going to school with turf under our arms and school fees in our pockets we skated and slid on the ice-covered pond at Letter quarry—a place that received the attention of our Master on more than one occasion as it tended sometimes to keep us late from reaching the school.

The concerts organised by the same Master in the school would compare very favourably with the best of our modern concerts, and the excellent performances of the pupils in the production of many sketches which were special features of the programmes, coupled with the magic lantern displays and talks given by the Master himself could not be excelled. He organised these entertainments at his own expense, gave numerous prized and made special presentations to those of us who worked as pupils to secure distinctions.

At those; concerts the school room was thronged, the parents of the children travelling miles at night over country-side and mountain paths, carrying hurricane lamps and lanterns to witness an entertainment that left them spellbound. I could go on writing ad lib., on the humour and beauty of those concerts and particularly on the superb qualities of our old Master.

Aughnahoo school—what memories that old building brings to me! To-day or at least when last I saw its walls bore traces of the bullets of the “Tans” during the siege of Pettigo. The school has been the Alma Mater of many who have attained distinction in the professional and commercial spheres. The school lies in the heart of a most beautiful countryside. It is situated almost on the shores of Lough Erne-that great expanse of water with its sandy beaches and numerous wooded, islands. The Glebe, with its ancient Manse and acres of lawn, adorned with huge trees of sycamore shape and the grey ruins of Castle Termon Magrath tower high over the undergrowth. These are distinctive marks in the landscape. Then .there are the hills of Drumheriff, with their beautiful slopes of green pasture and silvery streams and the meadows, beneath where many of us used to gather the seasonable flowers on our way from school and fill the vases which adorned the mantel pieces in our homes.

Yet we did not in those far-off days appreciate all the natural gifts and beauties of our homeland. As in the case of myself later generations of pupils no doubt carry treasured memories of their time in Aughnahoo school. The exiled Irish and particularly those from rural Ireland all carry pleasant recollections of their carefree days at school and their innocent forms of enjoyment. Modern life unfortunately is devoid of the happy features of everyday life prevalent when myself and my comrades went to that dear old school. I am glad, however, that in many respects those features of modernity have not seriously permeated the life of my native district.

In those good old days to which I refer on Sundays and holydays the Waterfoot, in so far as assemblages were concerned, was a centre somewhat similar to the Bundoran of the present day. Fathers and mothers with their children and crowds of young people could be seen trekking along from the village to spend the afternoon along the sandy shores of Lough Erne, and large numbers basked in the Sun near the old walls or ruins of Castle Termon Magrath. In fact the Waterfoot was a household word in those  days, but I .regret to say that on my last visit some three years ago and on a Sunday afternoon I did not see one person there. Of course times have changed and the people in some respects have also changed. Wake up Pettigo let us see a rebirth of the old ideas and old customs!

Patrick McCaffrey, 3 McNeill Ave., Prestwick, Ayrshire.

27-6-1942. SCHOOLS MEALS SCHEME FOR FERMANAGH. In a letter to Fermanagh Regional Education Committee, on Friday, the Ministry wrote regarding the committee’s decision to inaugurate a scheme for mid-day meals for children, in attendance at public elementary schools, under which children deemed necessitous would receive free meals, and non-necessitous would be required to meet the cost of the food.

The Ministry noted that the standard of necessity had been fixed at 5/6 weekly per head in the rural areas, and 6/- in the urban area. As regards the proposal that the cost of each meal should not exceed 2d, the Ministry was of the opinion that it would not be desirable to limit the cost to that amount, as it was doubtful if a suitable meal could be provided at that price. The Ministry suggested that one of its officers and an inspector should attend a committee meeting for consultation. Mr. Coffey said 2d was the sum left down as the cost of a meal for farm labourers, and surely, therefore it should suffice for children.

The Secretary (Mr. J. J. Maguire) said he had been in touch with practically all the teachers in the county, and one thing all teachers pointed out, was lack of cooking facilities either in the school or near hand. This, they thought, would prevent them from giving anything to children except cocoa, milk, bread, butter, or jam, or any, of those things. There were very few necessitous children. In many cases the teachers put this to the parents, who had said they would prefer to continue to provide the food for the children as at present, rather than pay for a meal.

Mr. G. Elliott— Has this committee approved of putting a scheme into operation? Secretary— They have. Mr. G. Elliott— I think it is a mistake.

Capt. Wray said the resolution was on the books. The 2d as an estimated cost was suggested by the Finance Committee, who thought that perhaps it might cover milk. It was very difficult to put an estimate on it. The Committee’s resolution in March was that it should be left to each individual school to determine the type of meal they thought best suited to their pupils. If 2d did not cover it the committee could make it 2½d. They would be able to judge better when they had practical experience of the working of the scheme.

The Secretary said that matter was put to the teachers, and 97 per cent of the replies he got were in favour of cocoa, milk, or something of that nature, with bread and butter if obtainable, or margarine; cold milk in summer and hot in winter. A lot of schools had schemes running at present. The majority of schools seemed to have some scheme of hot meals for children in winter, and it seemed parents provided their own supplies of cocoa and milk, and had it prepared in school during play hours by the teachers. Parents who could afford the price of milk would prefer to continue to supply their own cocoa and milk rather than pay for the milk in the school.

Capt. Wray asked did the Ministry say the Committee must fix a higher price, or merely suggest it was insufficient? The Secretary said the Ministry thought it would be insufficient. Mr. Elliott asked must they go on with the scheme. The Secretary said there was nothing compulsory about it. Mr, McKeown said the teachers were very sympathetic; the difficulty was securing a place near hand.

27-6-1942. TEMPO VICTUALLER SUMMONED. FALSE REPRESENTATIONS CHARGE. At Lisbellaw Petty Sessions on Friday, before Major Dickie, R.M., Hugh Tunney victualler, Tempo., was charged with having, on 21st March last, at Tempo, obtained rationed foods (11½ lbs. of lard) from William and Carson Armstrong, trading as Armstrong Bros., without a permit from the Ministry of Food; he was further charged with obtaining the lard by false representations. William and Carson Armstrong, trading as Armstrong Bros., were summoned for supplying rationed foods.

William Stewart, an inspector of the Ministry of Food, gave evidence that when he called at Tunney’s shop on 21st March he saw a quantity of lard in the window, which Tunney said he bought from Armstrong Bros. Tunney also told him that he was short of suet, etc., and was giving the lard away with beef to his registered customers. William Armstrong admitted that he sold the lard to Tunney, but on the condition that it would be given back to him. Armstrong said that he understood Tunney had a licence to buy lard, and that he was only obliging him until such time as he (Tunney) got his own supply in. Tunney in a statement said he promised to give the lard back, and that he led them to believe he had a licence to buy. Tunney had a licence to sell but no permit to Acquire. Tunney pleaded that it was “just a bit of a misunderstanding.” Armstrong Bros. representative said that Tunney told him he had a licence to sell the lard and witness said he would lend him this quantity of lard until he got his own supply in. Tunney said he would return it when he got his own supply in. Witness lent the lard to Tunney on that understanding. His Worship said that these regulations must be strictly kept. For obtaining rationed goods by false representations he said that Tunney had caused a lot of trouble, and must pay 40s and 2s costs, this to rule the charge for obtaining rationed goods. “I think,” added his Worship, “that Armstrong Bros, were honestly misled. Therefore, I let them off under the Probation of Offenders Act.”

 

27-6-1942. HELD TO BE DESERTER. BUNDORAN MAN’S CASE. Edward Doherty, stated to be a native of Bundoran, with a. temporary address in Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, appeared an remand before Mr. J. H. Campbell, K.C., R.M., in the City Custody Court on Saturday charged with, being a deserter from the Army. When accused was before the Court last Saturday he alleged he had never been in the Army, that it was a cousin of the same name who had deserted and who had now rejoined the Army and was serving somewhere in the Middle East. The case had been adjourned for defendant to produce his birth certificate. Mr. Walmsley, for the accused, said he had written to Dublin for Doherty’s birth certificate and he had not yet received any reply. District-Inspector Cramsie, produced a number of documents found on the accused. Henry Kerr said at one time he lived at Springtown, County Derry, beside William Doherty, an uncle of defendant, whom accused visited from time to time. He did not believe the accused was ever in the British Army. His Worship held that Doherty was a deserter and ordered him to be handed over to a military escort.

KESH COURT CASES. THREE MONTHS FOR THEFT OF BICYCLE. Kesh Petty Sessions were held on Tuesday, before Major T. W. Dickie, R.M. Patrick McCafferty, Drumshane, Irvinestown, was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour for the larceny of a bicycle, value £10, the property of Wm John Mulholland, Derrylougher, Letter.

The R.M. said in the next similar case it would. Be twelve months’ imprisonment. Mr. Jas. Cooper, D.L., Crown Solicitor, prosecuted for the Ministry of Agriculture against John McDonagh, Drumcahey, for as alleged, illegally importing two head of cattle. An order for the forfeiture was in respect of one of the animals.

Patrick. J. Monaghan, Drumskinney, was summonsed for acquiring an excess quantity of flour, namely 62 stones, also for harbouring prohibited goods – 10 stones of sugar.

Defendant was fined £2 in each case.

Robert Moore, Mullaghmore, was summonsed for carrying prohibited goods at Movaran, namely 10 fruit loaves, 52 loaves, and 28 currant loaves. A sentence of two months’ imprisonment was ordered. Notice of appeal was given.

Frederick McCrea, Lisnarick, for making a false statement regarding 801bs, of tea, was fined £2, and was given the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act for failing to furnish particulars of rationed goods. The tea was forfeited.

27-6-1942. FIVE YEARS FOR STEPHEN HAYES. STATEMENT IN COURT. Stephen Hayes, former Chief of Staff of the I.R.A., who gave himself up to the police last September after he had escaped, wounded, from a house in Rathmines, Dublin, where he said he had been held captive after having been “court-martialled,’’ and sentenced to death by members, of an illegal organisation, was last week end sentenced to five years’ penal servitude by the Special Criminal Court, in Dublin, on a charge of having unlawfully usurped and exercised a function of government. He was described as Chief-of-Staff of the I.R.A. He refused to plead and, when asked if he wished to give .evidence on oath or call witnesses, replied that he did not. Later, when the Court—which had entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf—announced that he had been found guilty of the charge, he said he wished to make a statement, and from a slip of paper read the following:— ‘For over twenty-five years I have been associated with the national movement, and in all that time I have done what I considered my duty, conscientiously and according to my lights, fighting as a soldier always. I can swear before God that I have never been guilty of a treacherous or traitorous act against the Irish Republic. Neither have I committed any crime against the Irish people.’

A letter written by Hayes during his nine months’ interment in Mountjoy Prison was produced as the basis of the charge preferred against him.

1942 Fermanagh Herald – Local News.

21st February 1942. OBITUARY. MRS. THOMPSON, IRVINESTOWN. Amongst her numerous friends in Fermanagh and Tyrone the news of the death- of Mrs. Mary Thompson, Main Street, Irvinestown, has caused deep regret. Deceased was widow of Mr. Wm. Thompson, who predeceased her 23 years ago. Typical of genuine Irish womanhood—a good wife and mother and a kind and helpful neighbour—her admirable traits of character won for herself the highest esteem amongst all classes of the community. The sad end came on Tuesday, the 10th inst., after a short illness, during which she had the best medical attendance and tender nursing. Mrs. Thompson was deeply devout in the practice of her religious obligations and gave a shining example in this respect. During her illness she was frequently visited by the Rev. J. Trainor, P.P., and Rev. B. Lappin, C.C., and in her last moments Father Trainor was at her bedside. Fortified by the consoling rites of the Church, her death was a holy and a happy one. May her soul rest in peace.

There was a large and representative attendance at the funeral on Thursday the 12th inst., those present including the professional and commercial classes of a wide area. Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church, Irvinestown, by the Rev. B. Lappin, after which Father Trainor, P.P. in the course of a touching panegyric, referred to the exemplary Christian qualities, of the deceased. Her whole life, he said, was in accord with Divine precept; for very many years she was a daily Communicant, and as well as attending daily Mass, paid visits to the Blessed Sacrament in the Church every evening. She was foremost in every local work connected with religious associations, and was a devout member of the Sacred Heart Sodality for years. By her death, the parish had lost a member of the Catholic flock which by word and deed had given an edifying example to all. On behalf of priests and people he sympathised with the members of deceased’s family, and exhorted the faithful of the parish to be mindful of her in their prayers.

Father Trainor, assisted by Father Lappin, officiated at the graveside.

The chief mourners were William and James (sons), Mrs. G. Thompson, Dromore (daughter-in-law}Joseph and James Eves, Edemey (brothers) ; Mrs. McElrone, Clonelly; Mrs. McCartney, Philadelphia (sisters); James McElrone, Clonelly (brother-in-law.); Mrs. O’Kane, Pettigo; Mrs. Jas. Eves, Irvinestown; Mrs. Jos. Eves, Edemey; Mrs. Patrick Thompson, Portstewart (sisters-in-law). Clergy present, were:—Very Rev. J. Trainor, P.P.; Rev. John Eves, Ederney; Rev. B. Lappin, C.C., Whitehill; Rev. H. O’Hanlon, C.C., Newtownbutler, Rev. E. Flanagan, C.C., Ederney; Rev. C. McCormack, C.C., Pettigo.

21st February 1942. PETTIGO NEWS. A popular wedding took place in St. Patrick’s Church, Aghyaran, the contracting parties being Mr. Bernard McGrath, Carn, Pettigo, and Miss Nan McHugh, Cloghore. Mr, W. M. McKenna, Slavin, a cousin of the bride, was best man, and Miss Maggie McHugh, Magheramena, Belleek, also a cousin of the bride, was bridesmaid. The ceremony with Nuptial Mass, was performed by Rev. C. Byrne, P.P.

The death took place at her residence “Gortnaree” Pettigo of Miss Isabella Brandon. Deceased was one of the most respected ladies in the district

A very successful whist drive was held in Pettigo Courthouse, on Sunday night week which was organised by Pettigo branch of the Legion of Mary. The prize winners were:—Mrs. J. P. Griffin. Pettigo, 1: Mrs. P. J. Toomey, Pettigo, 2; Miss Maisie Britton, ‘Fincashel’ 3; Mrs. B. Breslin, Pettigo, 4; Gents prize, Mr. Charles Friel, Customs officer. After distributing of the prizes, Rev. P. McCormack, C.C., spiritual director, thanked all who attended.

The marriage took place in St. Brigid’s (sic) St. Joseph’s) Church, Belleek, of Mr. Michael Monaghan, Tamar, Pettigo, and Miss Annie Donnelly, Belalt, Pettigo. Mr. Peter Monaghan, brother of the bridegroom, was best man, and Miss Lizzie Monaghan, sister of the bridegroom, was bridesmaid. The ceremony, with Nuptial Mass, was performed by Rev. Father MacCloskey, C.C., Belleek.

Pettigo customs officials recently seized a quantity of butter, sugar and other articles from persons who were attempting to export them to the six-counties.

 

The death took place in Donegal Hospital, after a lingering illness, of Mr, Hugh McGee. Deceased who was only 25 years of age, leaves a sorrowing father and brothers.

A very-enjoyable dance was held in Letter Hall on Wednesday night of last week. The proceeds wore in aid of the local Band. The music was supplied by the Kentucky Trio Dance Band. Mr. Wm. H. Marshall, Skea, was M.C.

 

A pretty wedding took place in St. Mary’s Parish Church., Pettigo, the contracting parties being Mr. Frank Monaghan. Brookhill, Pettigo, and Miss Evylin McGrath, Carntressy, Pettigo. Mr. Michael. McGrath, brother of the bride, was best man, and Miss Tessie McGrath was bridesmaid. The ceremony, with Nuptial Mass, was performed by Rev P. McCormick, C.C., Pettigo.

21st February 1942. KINLOUGH MAN’S EXPERIENCE. A DAY IN BUNDORAN. At Ballyshannon District Court, Brian McGowan, Kinlough, was charged with being drunk on 27th December and with unlawfully damaging a car. Supt. T. Noonan, prosecuted and Mr. E. P. Condon defended.

Evidence was given that a man from Tullaghan left his motor van on the street in Bundoran. As he was not capable of driving the van that night, the Sergeant took away the ignition key and the man stayed in Bundoran. The van was left on the street all night. On that day Brian McGowan came into Bundoran with a load of potatoes in a donkey cart. He sold the potatoes, and some hours later converted the donkey and cart into cash. He got “gloriously’’ drunk and fell asleep somewhere in the vicinity of the East End. Some boys playing a prank took off his boots and put him in the van. When McGowan awoke he thought he was imprisoned in the van, and not knowing anything of the mechanism of a car—never being in a car in his life—he did not know how to get out. He lifted the starting handle ‘ of the car and smashed the windows. Then he found he could open the van at the back and succeeded in getting out that way. He could not find one of his boots and went home in his bare feet. The defendant, it was stated, paid £2 19s 6d compensation to the owner of the car. Justice O‘Hanrahan remarking that the defendant had paid dearly for his day applied the Probation, Act.

 

21st February 1942. BLACKLION DISTRICT NEWS. The death has occurred in England of Miss Kathleen Murray, formerly of Roo, Blacklion.

There was an equipment inspection on Wednesday and Thursday, nights at meetings of the local Security Force in Barran and Blacklion.

Mrs. Chas. Dolan presided at a meeting of the local Red Cross Branch in Blacklion on Friday evening. Arrangements were in progress for first-aid lectures.

The death of Miss Rose Quinn, which took place at her residence, Dernaseer, Blacklion, at an advanced age, has caused deep regret. Deceased belonged to an old and esteemed family. . The funeral was largely attended. Rev. Francis Shiels officiated in the church and at the graveside.

New concrete streets are replacing the old pavements in Blacklion. The work is a relief scheme in charge of the County Council.

 

21st February 1942. MR. DE VALERA IN CAVAN. PROFITEERING CONDEMNED. Speaking at a Fianna Fail Convention in Cavan on Sunday, Mr. de Valera said —The Fianna Fail Organisation being responsible for the election of the present Government had a special duty to be in the forefront of every national endeavour —in building up the defence forces, and in the production of food and fuel. He recalled that it had been founded as a national organisation, and said he thought it would be admitted that their main political objective had been achieved as far as the 26 Counties were concerned.

“We are a completely sovereign State, but, unfortunately, a portion of our country has been cut off, and until it is reunited to the rest no Nationalist can say that the national objective has been achieved. I think the whole nation is united in that, because the other major party and the Labour Party also agreed.’’ There were those who said that this, that and the other thing would happen when war came, but nothing took place which would not have happened to a completely sovereign State.

In making an appeal for good citizenship in the matter of reporting profiteering to the authorities, Mr. de Valera said he knew that people did not like to report their neighbours, but they must make up their minds to report profiteering. If your neighbour is a decent fellow you should act decently by him, but if your neighbour is profiteering on the community he is not a decent fellow and he does not deserve decent treatment.

One of the things we want most is the assistance of each individual in the community. We can’t have a policeman in every house or an inspector on every doorstep. Already there are far more inspectors than we would like to have. If we want to diminish the number of police or inspectors the quickest and best way is for each individual citizen to be an inspector for the community.

We should see that if there are people who are not decent in the neighbourhood they will not get away with making wealth at the expense of the poor, for that is what it often is.

“NO LEADER BUT DE VALERA.” Rev. T. Maguire, P. P., Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh, said, that they across the Border placed their full trust and confidence in the Government in Dublin for their deliverance. They had no leader but Mr. de Valera. The resolutions passed included one asking the Government to use all necessary compulsion short of conscription to ensure that all available young men would be brought into the Defence Forces.

21st February 1942. EXPORTING CHARGE. TWO LEITRIM MEN FINED AT BELLEEK. At Belleek Petty Sessions before Major Dickie, R. M., Bernard Brady and Francis Ferguson, both of Townalick, Rossinver, Co. Leitrim, were charged on remand with being knowingly concerned in the illegal, exportation of 90 21b. loaves, 1 cwt carbide, 61bs. cocoa and l lb. tea at Garrison on January 3 and were each fined £10 and £2 2s costs.

 

21st February 1942. £40 FINE TO REMAIN. NEWTOWNBUTLER MAN S APPEAL. COAL INTENDED FOR EXPORT. A farmer whose house is said to be situated on the very border, appealed at Enniskillen Quarter Sessions against a fine of £40 imposed on him at Newtownbutler Petty Sessions for having, as alleged, harboured 16½ tons of coal which was intended for export to the 26-Counties. In addition to the fine the Resident Magistrate had ordered the confiscation of the coal.

The appellant was William Coffey, Clonmacken, Newtownbutler, and he was represented by Mr. J. B. Murphy, solicitor. After a re-hearing of the evidence (already published in this newspaper) Deputy Judge Ellison, K. C., said that taking appellant’s circumstances into consideration (it had been stated his farm was 26 acres in extent) and the close proximity of his place to the border, he was constrained to take the view that appellant had the coal for an improper purpose. Accordingly he (the Judge), affirmed (the lower court ruling.

Mr. Murphy asked his Honour to consider the amount of the penalty. The forfeiture of the coal was in itself a loss of £64 and this with the £40 fine made the total penalty £104. Did his Honour not consider that justice could be met by the imposition of a smaller penalty. When the fine was imposed, said Mr. Murphy, he R.M. had in his mind decided that the penalty must be such as would deter other people from attempting to export coal. The loss of 16½ tons of coal alone would be a tremendous and sufficient deterrent in a case of the sort, he submitted. He suggested that, a £104 penalty on a 20-acre farmer was really too large in a case of the sort even though, the R.M. wanted, and very properly so, to make an example of him. The loss of 16½ tons of coal to appellant was appalling.

Mr .J. Cooper, D.L., Crown Solicitor, who represented the Customs Authorities, “very strongly” opposed the application for a reduced fine. He suggested that the coal never at any time belonged to appellant but to a Clones resident. People who did this sort of thing took the risk with their eyes open. At the present time, he understood tea was being sold for 16s a pound in Eire and coal was a very high price there too. His Honour had another case in which the appellant had been fined £40. People who got away with fines were prepared to carry on the racket owing to the high profits realised. It was nothing to some of them to lose now and again.

Mr. Murphy said he was able to inform Mr. Cooper that if he went through the town of Clones he would not find a single ton of British coal. In the other case referred to the appellant had a farm of nearly one hundred acres, he did not lose the coal, and he was fined £20. He (Mr. Murphy) thought it no harm, to tell his Honour that in Co. Tyrone, the Judge was rather more lenient and he (the solicitor) thought all the penalties should of a certain sameness.

Mr. Cooper—He could have been fined £500 under -the Act.

His Honour said he could not think that a 26-acre farmer was doing this transaction on his own. It seemed as if he was a catspaw for somebody else and he (the Judge) supposed that somebody else would pay for it. Consequently he could not see his way to grant the reduction asked for.

 

28th February 1942. AMERICAN TOOLS STOLEN. TWO TYRONE MEN RECEIVE JAIL SENTENCE. Magistrate’s Strong Comments at Kesh.

Kesh Courthouse on Tuesday resembled a hardware shop, when a large number of tools were exhibited in a larceny case. The defendants were James E. Maguire, Fivemiletown, and Michael McGinn, Ballynagowan, Clogher, charged with, the larceny of tools from a camp where they were employed on work of national importance. Mr. Smith, for the defendants, entered a plea of guilty. District Inspector Walshe referred in strong terms to the extensive larceny of tools at the camp. The tools had been brought from overseas for use on work of national importance. Sailors’ lives had been risked in bringing them over—and in some cases lives had been lost. He referred to the difficulty of getting replacements, and said that defendants had been employed at good wages and took advantage of their position to steal the tools given them to work with. It amounted to sabotage. Mr. Smith said that as he had entered a plea of guilty he thought it was unnecessary for the District Inspector to go into details,. He said Maguire was a married man with two, children aged 10 and 8½ years. He made a strong appeal for leniency in these cases.

Major Dickie, R. M. said he had been issuing stern warnings in these cases and he had his mind made up. It was .shocking treatment for these people coming to help them. His Worship sentenced each defendant to three months’ imprisonment and to one of the camp officers commented: “I am sorry to apologise for the conduct of my fellow-countrymen.”

 

28th February 1942. PETTIGO NOTES.  The death took .place in Enniskillen Hospital on Friday of Mrs. J. McClelland, Glenagarn, Pettigo. Deceased who was in the prime of life, leaves a husband and four children. The funeral to Tubrid cemetery was one of the largest ever seen in the district. The chief mourners were J. McClelland (husband); John, Edward, James and Robert McClelland (sons). The Rev. J. G. Sandford (rector),  officiated  at the graveside.

On Monday night an enjoyable dance was held in St. Patrick’s Hall, Lettercran proceeds being, in aid of repairs. The music was supplied by Mr. Wm. Baird and Mr. James McGrath, Mr. B. Cunningham being M.C.

Pettigo monthly fair on Friday was one of the briskest held in the village for three years. Prices for good quality animals were enticing. Springing cows and heifers, £20 10s 0d to £35 each; three year old heifers £19 to £21 each; two year olds, £14 to £15 10s 0d; small calves from £4 to £7 10s 0d; young pigs 35/- each.

28th February 1942. NOVELTY FOR FERMANAGH. As will be seen in our advertisement columns a silage mowing film is to be shown in Brookeborough Courthouse on Tuesday night of next week. This film has been made in the Six Counties and includes County Fermanagh farmers making silage. This should be interesting to all farmers as in addition to being the first appearance of this film in the county, silage making is the all-important operation on the farm, in a county with abundance of grass, wet climate and where, milk provides the largest proportion of the farmer’s income, .

 

BLACKLION DISTRICT NEWS. At a bull show for premiums at Brockagh, only two animals were exhibited.

There was a large attendance at a concert on Sunday night under the auspices of the Blacklion G.F.C. A report will appear in our next issue.

Most of the officers and committee were present at a Red Cross branch meeting in Blacklion on Friday evening. A number of members were enrolled.

Despite the difficulty of procuring building material, two new houses have been erected in the district, one for Mr. John McGinley, Belcoo, and the other for Mr. J. Armstrong, Blacklion.

During, the week Messrs. O’Connor and O’Keeffe attended at four centres in the district and distributed tons of seed oats and potatoes to farmers. The prices are 14/- per cwt. for oats, and 4/- per cwt. for potatoes.

There is at present a great demand for horses in the district. Some prices paid by buyers range from £30 to £45, and one animal, the property of Mr. J. McGovern, Loughan, was purchased at £66.

There was a large supply of cattle at Blacklion fair on Monday. Prices were in excess of the quotations of the previous fair, and many sales were effected.

The death of Mr. Patk, McGoldrick, merchant, which took place at his residence, Bealbally, Glangevlin, has caused deep regret over a wide area. Deceased, a prosperous young business man, was very popular in the district. He was a son of the late Mr. Patk. McGoldrick, who was a member of the old District Council and a member of the old Enniskillen Board of Guardians for many years. Deep sympathy is extended to deceased’s young wife, family, brother and sisters, The funeral to St. Patrick’s, Glangevlin, on Wednesday, was the largest seen in the district for many years. Rev. J. McCabe, P.P., who celebrated Requiem Mass, officiated at the graveside.

 

28th February 1942. ROOSTER FOR THE AIR FORCE. IRVINESTOWN MAN IN KESH CASE. Thomas Curley, Irvinestown, was charged at Kesh Petty Sessions, on Tuesday, before Major Dickie, R.M., that being a collector of eggs he obtained eggs from a person other than a producer registered with him for that purpose. He was also charged with obtaining the eggs at a price other than that permitted.

District Inspector Walshe, said that defendant was a licensed collector of eggs and had done wrong to purchase eggs from persons residing in the 26-Counties.

Defendant said that he had obtained the eggs for members of .the King’s forces who were going to England to see their wives.

His Worship — You must not do it.

Defendant—I would not have done it had I known it was any offence. I had them for the troops. 1 came to a very big loss at the same time.

The District Inspector said that defendant had 112 eggs, 8 lbs creamery butter, 11 lbs sugar, 55 hens, three geese, one duck, one rooster, and lost the whole lot.

Defendant said he thought he was doing a good turn purchasing the eggs at a cheaper rate than in the Six Counties.

His Worship—What would an air force man be wanting with a rooster? (laughter).

A fine of 20s was imposed on each summons.

 

DANCING CLASS IN COLLEGIATE SCHOOL. At the January meeting of the County Fermanagh Regional Education Committee Mr. C. McKeown complained of the admission of unauthorised persons to a dancing class held in the Enniskillen Collegiate School. By way of explanation the following letter was received from the Headmistress (Mrs. M. C. Smith M.A.) at the Committee’s monthly meeting on Friday. “In reply to your letter Miss Dobbin did carry on a dancing class at the School under the following circumstances. She was running a class for adults, chiefly former pupils of the School in the Minor Town Hall, but it was so much occupied that she found herself without a room and so asked me if she could carry on here. I have absolute confidence in Miss Dobbin and know that she would not abuse the privilege. It is naturally, important that her classes should pay as travelling from Dublin is expensive. It is to our School’s interest that they should pay otherwise we should lose Miss Dobbin’s services. The class, which was never advertised is not now functioning nor has it done so this term. The class was attended during last term by one or two people from Portora and one or two officers who came for a few lessons. I hope no objection can be taken to this under present circumstances. Miss Catt (proprietor) made herself responsible for the lighting and I have not sent in the bill for this and I shall have to find out the cost.” The explanation was accepted.

 

Donegal Vindicator (Ballyshannon 1911.

Donegal Vindicator, Ballyshannon Friday January 13th 1911. A Dance under the auspices of the Aodh Ruadh Hurling and Football Club will be held in the Rock Hall, Ballyshannon on Thursday 26th inst. An enjoyable night’s entertainment is anticipated. The date of the dance in connection with the Erne Football Club has been altered to Friday, 20th January, instead of the 18th, as previously arranged, owing to another function taking place on the latter date.

We will be pleased to have particulars from any farmers or others who have had unsatisfactory dealings with any of the much advertised Loan Banks. We may be in a position to give them useful information.

Labourers will be pleased to learn for once in a way that the Local Government Board is supreme. They have power to refuse to sanction the schedule of rents fixed by District Councils. As they have all along been in favour of lower rents than the Councils were inclined to fix, this, is good news for the labourers.

Please do not consider us impertinent but merely, anxious to bring forcibly before your Notice the finest Bread the World Produces. The World is a big high sounding word to use, but it is not too big nor too expressive in the case of Conlan’s Bread, for without question, and beyond all doubt, this is the absolute pinnacle of perfection. It is the richest, lightest,, most beautiful flavoured and wholesome Bread you ever tasted.. There is a subtle indefinable, something about it that charms the Palate. The freshness and rich full flavour of our special automatically papered and sealed Bread, embodies all that can be desired for the Breakfast Table, besides having the advantage of being protected against all impurities from handling or other causes prevalent in the ordinary Bread, and makes it more relished than ever.

DONEGAL VINDICATOR LEADER. With reference to our leader of last week and some comments that have reached us, we just want to ask one simple question—Is anybody or any authority doing anything to promote  trade or commerce in Ballyshannon? The only possible answer is an emphatic, – No,’ and that being so say that this is not right. Our population is dwindling and must grow smaller, there being no employment in the town or district. That being so are the people of the town prepared to look on placidly while the houses fall?

DEATH OF MR. MICHAEL MOLONEY, COACH SMITH, BALLYSHANNON.

The death took place, on Saturday last, at his residence, East Port Street, Ballyshannon, of one of the oldest and most respected inhabitants of the town, in the person of Mr Michael Moloney, Coachsmith. Deceased who has carried on business in Ballyshannon for many years, made for himself a wide circle of friends, by his kindly disposition and honesty in dealing. He retired some time ago as a superannuated member of the Amalgamated Society of Coachbuilders to enjoy a well-earned rest, but this was of very short duration, and his health suddenly broke down. Despite every attention he gradually became weaker, until the final end came as stated, on Saturday morning, when he passed peacefully away, fortified by the last rites of the Catholic Church, of which he was an earnest member, The news was learned with deep regret and the greatest possible sympathy is felt for his sorrowing wife in her sad bereavement at the loss of such a kind husband. The funeral took place to St. Joseph’s Cemetery, The Rock, on Monday, and was large and representative. The following relatives were chief mourners — John and Joseph Meehan, Patrick and John Quinn. Rev J. O’Daly, C.C., officiated in the Church, and at the graveside.—R.I.P.

DONEGAL VINDICATOR, BALLYSHANNON, FRIDAY, FEB. 3, 1911. Mr Alexander Anderson Ballinacarrick, intimates that the paragraph stating that he is  giving up his sire horse is entirely erroneous, that in fact he has not thought of so doing. This is pleasing intelligence, and we gladly make the correction. At the same time it is only right that Mr Anderson should know that the Department is under the impression that he is giving up the keeping of a sire horse, and he should take steps to put the matter straight.

Conlan’s Automatic Machine-Made Bread is, as its name implies, not an ordinary Bread. It is scientifically prepared by the newest machinery, under the supervision of an expert artisan who holds several Gold Medals for his productions, and who exercises the most scrupulous care in its manufacture. You cannot do better than make Conlan’s Bread the principal food of your household. It may save your family many times its cost in preserving and promoting good health, and preventing the many troubles caused by inferior food, especially in winter.

DEATH AND FUNERAL OF MRS THOS. ROONEY, BALLYSHANNON. On Monday last, the sad news was made known that Mrs Thomas Rooney had passed away at the Workhouse Hospital, The Rock, Ballyshannon, a victim of that dread disease, pneumonia. The news was learned with deep regret, as Mrs Rooney was snatched, almost, suddenly, from the enjoyment of perfect health to the sad and gloomy retirement of a deathbed, from which she never rose. Her few short days, spent in the hospital after the setting in of the illness, were made happy by the constant attendance; of her spiritual adviser, who prepared her for a happy death, and administered the last consolations of the Catholic Church, of which she was ever a devoted and earnest member. Deceased by her kind and genial disposition, made for herself a large circle of friends. The greatest sympathy is felt for her husband and children in their sad bereavement.

The funeral took place on Wednesday, to St. Joseph’s Cemetery, and the large concourse of people that filled the spacious Church, bore striking testimony of the esteem, in which deceased was held. The remains were laid on a catafalque before the High Altar, prior to interment, where the officiating clergyman, Rev J. O’Daly, C.C., preached a touching panegyric on the exemplary life of deceased, pointing: her out as a loving wife, a devoted mother, and courteous, trustworthy and painstaking in her capacity as caretaker of that Church. The sad procession then took place to the graveside, where the prayers of those present were offered up for the eternal repose of the soul of deceased. The chief mourners were-—Thomas Rooney, (husband); Richard Bromley, Patrick, James, Thomas, Michael, and John Rooney, (sons).—R.I.P.

FOOTBALL. CLIFFONY RANGERS v. DONEGAL CELTIC. Sunday last, at 3 o’clock, p.m., the Erne Park presented a scene of animation, the occasion being the much talked of contest for the four points in the Woods’ League Cup, to be played off by the above teams. Half-an-hour before that time appointed for the match a large crowd of spectators were on the ground.

The following are the teams:— Donegal Celtic —J. Farrell, B. McGinnity, W. McGlenaghy J. McGlenaghy, W. Crawford, C. Martin, E. Doherty, E. Cassidy. J. Brogan, P. McBrearty, P. McGowan.

Cliffoney Rangers—J. Murtagh, B. Curritt, P. Gallagher, Mayatt, Magee, Wyms. Oats, C. Gallagher, Carton, McGowan, J. Curritt. Duration of Game—Ninety minutes. Rangers won the toss, and elected to play with a slight breeze in their favour. The game commenced with Bangers charging into their opponent’s territory and dashing threateningly near their goal. This was repeated four or five times inside of twenty minutes, eventually ending in Rangers being awarded a penalty kick which was converted. They scored again before half-time Celtic also securing a goal. The second half of the game proved very interesting, finally concluding with Donegal coming away the victors by three goals to two. Referee — Mr John Curran, Bundoran. Linesmen—Messrs J. Kane, and W. Nicholl.

WOODS’ CUP COMPETITION. A meeting of the Council of above was held on Tuesday night, to decide a protest lodged by Belleek against Donegal, in a match played at Donegal, on Sunday, 22nd January. After hearing evidence it was agreed that both teams should come to an understanding, and play a game to decide the points. As a result of the draws, Ernes travel to Belleek on Sunday first.

HURLING. Aodh Ruadh (Ballyshannon) v. Shamrocks (Manorhamilton.) The Aodh Ruadh Hurling Club (Ballyshannon), which has been more or less inactive for the put few weeks, was up and doing on Sunday last. By a mutual agreement the Ballyshannon and Manorhamilton Gaels arranged to meet in Kiltyclogher to play an exhibition match, and, in conjunction to organise a Gaelic Club in the latter town. The Aodh Ruadh team travelled in its fall strength, and the journey was a pleasant one. The day being fine, and the roads in first-class condition, we enjoyed the breeze off Melvin’s Waters Blue immensely. The majority of the Manorhamilton boys, who had arrived in Kilty earlier in the day, walked about a quarter of a mile to meet us, and accorded us a hearty ‘cead mile failte.’ Mr Philip McGriskin was voted the dual honour of catering for both teams, and a right thoughtful host he proved himself. A large number of the townspeople came to witness the match, and, judging by their enthusiasm, seemed to enjoy it, some of those present remarking that they would assist in establishing a Gaelic Club in Kilty.

THE GAME. The match was one of the fastest I have seen since the inception of the Aodh Ruadh Club. I just witnessed one match which was almost as stiffly contested; the last game which was played in Kinlough between the Ballyshannon team and the Emmets. On Sunday both Clubs played well, and I won’t say that the score represented the game. From the start, till the whistle went for full time, the Shamrocks played with vigour and energy and they had hard luck in not putting on a few more points. They had some near things but always failed when they came in contact with those three redoubtable backs. M. D. Quigley, J. Laughlin and M. Munday. During the first half the play was rather one-sided, Aodh Ruadh pressing most of the time. The Manorhamilton backs, M. McLaughlin and F. Feely, gave a good exhibition of tackling, and the opposing forwards found their defence a somewhat difficult cordon to break through. The two Gallaghers (James and Hugh), Cecil Stephens, and Stephen Quinn gave the Manorhamilton goal-keeper plenty of trouble, and he saved some sweet shots. I made no mistake when I knighted Seamus Og O’Daly, as he wore his spurs with honour. I have another pair in stock yet, and if young Rutherford, of Manorhamilton, lives up to my expectations through the Assaroe Cup Tie, I will award him a knightship too. He is as fleet-footed as a deer, and has splendid staying powers. My compliments to ye, Bartley Laughlin! to be a recruit, you can handle a camán with extraordinary skill. You filled your position admirably, and I expect to hear of you making a name for yourself in the near future. The Manorhamilton backs played a capital game, and the fault was not theirs that their team was beaten. At half-time the game stood— Aodh Ruadh,         10 points – Manorhamilton, 3 points. On resuming, it looked as if the Leitrim boys meant to pull np for lost time, and overwhelm the Ballyshannon players, and for some time the ball hardly went away from the Aodh Ruadh quarters, but the Ballyshannon forwards again monopolised matters, and some fast shots emanated from J. McCormack and E. Cassidy. In the closing stages the Shamrocks pressed, T. Rutherford and P. Wilson being conspicuous, but though the Manorhamilton forwards put in all they knew they could not defeat the, Aodh Ruadh defence, P. O’Shea, E. Laughlin, P. Lally, and J, Drummond always being on the alert. At full time the score stood— Aodh Ruadh,       13 points Shamrocks,       10 points.

TEAMS. Ballyshannon—Goal, J. Downey ; backs, J. Loughlin, M. Munday, threequarters, M. D. Quigley, P. Lally, E. Laughlin; halves, P, O’Shea, J. Daly, J. Drummond, forwards, E. Cassidy. B. Laughlin, H. Gallagher, J. Gallagher. J. McCormack, S. Quinn, C. Stephens.

Manorhamilton— Goal. P. Kellegher; backs, M. McLaughlin, T, Feely; threequarters, J. Carney. J, Clancy, J. Wilson; halves, J. Laughlin, W. Ferguson, P. Wilson; forwards, P. Ferguson, T. Maguire, T. Rutherford, J. Clancy, P. Wilson, P. Rooney, P. McSherry, E. Harte. Referee—Mr. P. J. Sheridan.

GAELIC FOOTBALL. Owen Roe’s (Lisahully) v. Wolfe Tone’s) (Behey).

On Sunday the Lisahully Gaels travelled to Behey to play the local football team a friendly match. The day being fine, the field was in first- class condition. Owen Roe’s won the toss and played with a strong breeze in their favour. From the outset the travelling team had the best of the play, the ball being nearly all the time in the home team’s territory. At half- time the score stood—Lisahully, 5 points, Behey, nil. On the turn-over the home team made some strenuous efforts to regain lost ground, and equalise with their opponents. Their forwards made some determined dashes, but the Lisahully backs always proved too strong a barrier to get through. At full time the score stood—Lisahully, 5 points; Behey, nil.

DONEGAL RAILWAY, JOINT COMMITTEE. HALT AT CREEVY. We understand that at a recent meeting of the Donegal Railway Joint Committee it was decided to erect a Halt at Creevy, between Ballyshannon and Rossnowlagh. This will supply a long-felt want and will be a great boon to those in the neighbourhood and to all concerned. The late Donegal Railway Company had the matter under consideration some years ago but for some reason or other the project was dropped. Of late the question was raised afresh and taken up in an enthusiastic manner by Mr H. Likely, of Wardtown Castle, Ballyshannon. and who spared no efforts in bringing the negotiations to so successful an issue, A word of praise is also due to Mr Edwin A. Montgomery, the energetic and much esteemed local representative of the Midland Railway Company who was approached on the matter and whose influence and representations were very valuable in the bringing about of the now pleasing consummation of the agitation for this Halt. It is understood the erection of the Halt will be proceeded with as soon as possible.

BALLYSHANNON PETTY SESSIONS. These sessions were held yesterday, before Capt. Crosbie, R. M., presiding, Major White, J. S. Myles, and J. Daly, justices. The only business of importance before the court was the hearing of an application made by D. I. Hilderbrand, to have James Mulhern, Bundoran, described as an habitual drunkard, committed to an Inebriates Home. D. I. Hilderbrand, quoted the Act under which the application was made, and submitted the number of times defendant was fined in 1910. On being asked if he would care to have the matter decided by the magistrates present or a judge and jury, defendant preferred the latter and depositions were taken.

NEW ROADS IN BELLEEK DISTRICT. MEETING OF PROTEST. In connection with the proposals passed at recent meetings of Belleek District Council and sanctioned by Fermanagh County Council for a number of new roads, a meeting by way of protest was held in Belleek to-day (Friday). The meeting had been called by posters signed by many heavy ratepayers and extensively circulated. The meeting was held in the Court-house and there was a considerable attendance. It was at once seen that the proceedings would not be of the most harmonious description. On the motion of Mr James Earls, seconded by Mr Alexander Donaldson, Mr Edward Kerr took the chair. Mr Fred McBrien was elected secretary of the meeting.

The Chairman in stating the object of the meeting was subjected to considerable interruption. He read from the Co. Surveyor’s sheet the various roads proposed to be made. Mr P. Scott, Chairman Belleek District Council, also read the new roads and contended that the loan would not mean more than one penny in the £ on the rates. Mr Gallagher also spoke and said the meeting was a sham. The Chairman pointed out that the roads sanctioned amounted to £4,178 and that they were only installments, the County Surveyor’s estimate for their completion being £7,000, a total of £11,178. Amid great disorder a vote was taken on a resolution, disapproving of the making o£ the now roads, the chairman declared the motion carried by a majority of the ratepayers, while the opposition party representing the County and District Council claimed the vote was against the resolution. Subsequently the following committee was appointed – Mr Francis Flanagan, Roscor, to act on the Committee for Whealt, Launcelot Gormley, Leggs, Castlecaldwell; Edward Johnson, Tiranagher, Ardees; Patk McGrath, Brollagh; Thomas Scott. Garrison; Thomas Gallagher, Keenaghan; Edward McBrien, Ardees Lower; George Carson, Carron West; John Campbell, Corn; Alex Donaldson, Clyhore; James Doogan, Corry; P Duffy, Fassagh ; D Gilfedder, Drumanillar; J Dermott, Brollagh; J Teevan, Slavin; R Cowan, Ardees Pat McGourty, Monendogue; James Dundass, Manger; William McCowley, Commons; Wm Gallagher, Belleek; James Cleary, Belleek; Christopher Armstrong, Farrancassidy, Robt. Johnston, Fassagh, etc. with power to add to their number. After a vote of thanks, accompanied by a few appropriate words by Mr Flanagan had been passed to the Chairman this preliminary meeting adjourned.

1908. Irvinestown court, Old Age Pensions, Donegal V Fermanagh in hurling and a fatal drowning.

12th Sept 1908. IRVINESTOWN PETTY SESSIONS. TWO NEW MAGISTRATES. DRUNKS ON THE DECREASE. Small and simple were the cases of drunkenness at these petty sessions on Tuesday last, but long and tedious were the number of summonses against parents by the School Attendance Committee for neglecting to send their children to school. Many were the excuses offered, but the magistrates considered the cases in their proper light, and in nearly all cases imposed a fine. Mr. John Gray, R.M., presided, and there were also present:—Messrs. P. Riley, B. Bleakley, and Wm. Ginn, the two former being sworn in as Justices of the Peace at the beginning of the Court.

Constable Glynn summoned Jas. Doherty, Irvinestown, for being drunk and disorderly. This was an adjourned case from 8th June last. As defendant had conducted himself well in the meantime he was let off with a fine of 1 shilling.

Sergeant Dooley v. James Keys of Legnameltone for being drunk and disorderly. Complainant said the defendant was behaving in a very rowdy manner at Lisnarick Sports. He refused to give his name and when asked where he lived he said at home. Fined 6s. Same V. John Cassidy, for being drunk on the night of the 2nd inst. Defendant’s wife appeared and said he had taken the pledge.

Mr. Gray: Why did lie not appear himself? — He is away at a fair, sir.

Mr. Gray: That is no excuse; he should have appeared if he had any regard for the offence. Fined 7s 6d and costs.

TOO LAZY TO WORK. Sergeant Dooley summoned a youth named Jack Irvine for vagrancy. The sergeant stated that he found the defendant asleep in a shed. He was lately discharged from the workhouse, and was a very bad boy. He was hired with different farmers, but he would only remain, a day or so with any of them.

Mr. Gray: In my opinion he will be a criminal all the days of his life; at least he is on the right road for one. Their worships sent the defendant to gaol for 14 days with hard labour.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE CASES. The following were fined by the School Attendance Committee, through their officer, Mr. John Dolan, for not sending their children to school:—James Somerville, 2s 6d; Wm. Garrity, 2s 6d; Thomas Hetherington, Is; Ellen Graham, Is; Elizabeth O’Kane, 2s; James Keys, Is; James Balfour, 2s; Patrick McHugh, 2s; Cassie McDonagh, Is. In the cases of John McPike, P. McCaffery, and James Manley the magistrates made school attendance orders against them.

12th Sept 1908. OUR READERS’ VIEWS. OLD AGE PENSION.

Dear Mr. Editor,—As there seems to be some difference of opinion as to how a farmer’s income should be calculated will you kindly allow me space for a few observations about how, in my opinion, this should be done. Of course I don’t pretend to say that the figures I give are exactly accurate to the shilling, but they will point out the lines on which to proceed.

The farmer, being a producer, the only way you can arrive at his income is to leave a value on all he produces and then deduct whatever expenses are incidental in the cost of such production.

Let me take the case of a farmer with whom I am well acquainted. He and his wife are over 70 years of age, and unable to work or attend to themselves. He has one son, and keeps a servant man and a servant girl. The son of course works on the farm, and surely no government or right-thinking person would deny wages to all the sons or daughters of age, that work on the farm. They are neither slaves nor bondsmen.

The total produce of this farm on a good season is as follows (On a bad year it would be about half the value).

10 stacks of oats at £4 each ..£40

3 peaks of hay at £4 each .. £12

1 acre potatoes, value  £15

1 acre flax, value £21

A quantity of turnips, value £10.

Butter and milk of 4 cows, value £36.

4 pigs fattened  £20.

3 calves sold £9.

Value of grazing land              £8.

Total value of all production £171

Expenses incurred in producing the above: — Wages and board to servant man …………£36;

Wages and board to servant girl £30

Wages and board, allowed–to son £40.

Rent, and taxes £8

Cost of feeding 4 Cows and 3 calves, summer and winter £24.

Manures and seed of various kinds £7.

Extra-hands for corn, flax, turf,- &c.  £3.

Price of scutching flax £3.

Price and cost of feeding and fattening 4 pigs. £10.

Cast of feeding and upkeep of horse £26.

Wear and tear of carts, harness, ploughs, harrows, grubbers, rollers, spades, shovels, graips, barrows tubs, pots, pans, &c. &c. £10

Repairs and upkeep of farm, house, and offices £5.

Losses on stock and crop £5

Doctor’s fees, clergymen, beggars of various kinds  £3.

Total                             £210

Please note that I did not allow anything for board and clothing of the old people. Besides there are other expense that I don’t like to occupy your space in mentioning. Fowls of various kinds I have left out, because I firmly believe that the cost is at least , equal to the profit. The income of a farmer is always uncertain,. but the expenses are constant and sure. You will see from the above, and I have quoted from the most favourable season, that the farmer’s income is mostly a negative one. Very sincerely yours. VIGILANT. (Card enclosed.)

19th Sept 1908. GAELIC FIELDS. ULSTER CHAMPIONSHIP.

FERMANAGH V DONEGAL.

On Sunday last at Bundoran, Fermanagh and Donegal crossed camans in their fixture in the provincial championship in hurling. The honour of representing the Maguire County fell to the lot of the Maguires (county champions), and the O’Neill’s. Donegal’s team, was composed principally of the Bundoran teams, Sinn Fein and St. Patrick’s.

The match was fixed originally by the Provincial Council for Sunday, 20th September, but owing to the excursions ceasing on Sunday the 13th, an arrangement was come to by which it was agreed to play the match on that date.

Mr. E. Kerrins N.T., set the ball agoing at 3.30 in the presence of a fairly large crowd of spectators. Donegal were the first to get under way and bore down on the Fermanagh goal, but Wilson and Slevin were not found wanting, and the leather again travelled np field. Again Donegal returned to the attack, and again they were repulsed; Fermanagh backs playing a

splendid game. For some time now the play was in mid-field, but Fermanagh at last got a run up the left wing, and Carleton drove hard and fast for the Donegal citadel, but Gallagher made a fine save, which, however, resulted in a fifty for Fermanagh. Slevin took the fifty, but it proved abortive. Donegal now got possession and from a rush in front of the Fermanagh goal scored their first point—the only point during the first half.

On resuming, the play for the first ten minutes was altogether in favour of Fermanagh—their passing and combination being splendid. Donegal’s backs were sorely pressed, and their custodian Gallagher, was called upon to save on several occasions, which he did coolly and in fine style. Fermanagh, however, returned again and again to the attack, and as last broke down all opposition, and up went the red flag, amidst the cheers of their supporters. The play was now of rather an even nature nevertheless the ball travelled rapidly from wing to wing. Donegal again got possession, and Naughton drove up well in front of Fermanagh’s goal, where a scuffle took place which resulted in a minor for Donegal. After the puck-out some splendid play took place both goals being visited in turn but without result. At last Donegal got the leather and succeeded in scoring the equalising point. There was yet seven minutes to full time—time enough to lose or win a hurling match—and both teams settled down to work with a will, each striving hard for victory, but the gods had decreed otherwise, and a brilliant match ended in a draw of 3 points each.

The game had much in it to commend itself to the spectators to give encouragement to the workers in the cause, and to popularise the game itself. It was played throughout in a spirit worthy of the Gael. It should be set down as a headline to some of our county clubs, who are so prone to bring discredit on the fair name of the Gael. We trust they will copy the headline carefully, and we would then suggest committing it to memory.

19th Sept 1908. SAD FATALITY ON LOUGH ERNE. BOAT OVERTURNED. FOUR YOUNG MEN DROWNED. A drowning accident, of an unusually sad character occurred on. Upper Lough Erne on Tuesday evening. It appears that five young men were coming from Belturbet after seeing a friend away who was leaving for America. On the return journey it is said an altercation took place, with the result that the boat was overturned and four out of the five were drowned. A young man named Fitzpatrick alone escaped. The bodies have not yet been recovered. The names of the young men drowned are Fitzpatrick, Martin, Corey, and Fitzpatrick.

1953 July to December.

25-7-53 Ederney Parochial Sports. Teams from Pettigo, Dromore, Ederney and Trillick took part with Pettigo and Dromore reaching the finals by defeating respectively, Trilliok and Ederney. The final was not played owing to the rain and Pettigo won the tournament on a toss.

25-7-53 Weeping mothers and sweethearts crowded the GNR terminus at Great Victoria Street as more than 100 young men and women left by train for Cobh on their way to Canada. This was the 4th Emigrant Special to leave Belfast in the last six months and contained many families and Queen’s University graduates. The front of the train was decorated with the head of a giant Elk’s head. They will join the Cunard liner, “Georgic” at Cobh. Already on board from Southampton are 36 members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who have been attending the Coronation ceremonies.

15-8-53 At Belleek Court, Francis Devanney of Forkhill Park, Irvinestown was fined £3 with costs and bound him to keep the peace for twelve months on his own bail of £5 plus one surety of £5 for striking James Burns, Brollagh, Belleek on 30th June. Devanney, who has a family of 10, came out of a pub convenient to the Cementation Works yard and struck Burns in the face for being unwilling to go on strike. The R.M. said he would have sent Devanney to jail only that he had a large family. Devanney has a long list of previous convictions for similar offences.

22-8-53 After the unveiling ceremony in Pettigo on Saturday members of “C” Company, headed by their pipe band paraded to what was formerly the RIC barracks in Pettigo. (Currently in 2002, the Priest’s House) and observed 2 minutes silence in memory of the late Commandant P. Breen, who was in charge of taking the barracks in 1921. Afterwards the band played, “The Minstrel Boy,” which was Comdt. Breen’s favourite tune. (Unveiling of Pettigo 1922 memorial.)

22-8-53   Donkey owner fined at Belleek. Susan Johnston, Commons, Belleek was summonsed for allowing her donkey to wander on the road. Seamus O’Connor, a driver employed by the Cementation Company said that the donkey wandered out in front of him. He did the donkey little harm but the front of his car was smashed in. The defendant said that the donkey must have jumped over the ditch and that on the evening in question all the animals were being annoyed by flies. She was fined 7/6 with 18/- costs.

22-8-53 Enniskillen child drowned. Inquest on Lough Erne fatality. Gerald Divine, Darling St., Enniskillen, aged 6 years drowned on the afternoon of the 8th while playing at the Round “O,” Enniskillen.

22-8-53 Enniskillen Convent’s great achievement. Every one of the 28 pupils entered for the Senior Certificate Examination passed.

22-8-53  Northern Patriots remembered in Impressive Ceremony. War of Independence Recalled at the Unveiling of Pettigo Memorial. The names on the Memorial are Patrick Flood (Pettigo), William Kearney and Bernard Mc Canny (Drumquin) and William Deasley, (Dromore, Co., Tyrone). The commemorative Mass was said by Rev. A. Slowey, C. C., Belleek and an FCA Guard of Honour, under Lieutenant L. Emerson, Ballyshannon, rendered Compliments at the Consecration. Minister of Defence, General Sean Mc Keown attended. Mr. Oscar Traynor made the oration at the unveiling of the statue commemorating the invasion of Pettigo on June 4th, 1922.

29-8-53   Irish-Ireland Activities in Devenish. Children’s classes attended by almost 60 children of the Parish up to the age of 14 years. The classes have been enthusiastically attended and supported by the children on three nights weekly, and lessons have been given in Irish Prayers, conversational Irish, Irish singing, dancing and history. There have been lessons in etiquette and a football team of juveniles chosen from the boys has been established and has proved a match for the best in three counties. The season closed on the 15th of August with a Ceilidh in St. Mary’s Hall. Among the prize winners were: – Best mannered child, Mary Flanagan, Corramore. Irish Prayers, Eileen Burns, Cashel. Exercise Books, J. J. Carty, Knockaraven. Accordion 1. J. J. Carty, Knockaraven; 2. Gerald Feely, Knockaraven.

29-8-53 Lord Bishop’s Regulations – Dances must end at Midnight. The Lord Bishop of Clogher, Most Rev. Eugene O’Callaghan, D. D. has issued regulations governing the organisation and attendance of Catholics of the Diocese at dances which continue until after midnight. The regulations are to come into force on September 1st. All Cross-roads, open air and dancing decks are to close before lighting-up time, All Parochial Halls and halls controlled by Catholics are to close not later than 10 o’clock midnight – old time. In addition I forbid Catholics of this Diocese to attend any public dance which is to continue to a late hour. These regulations bind in conscience i.e. under pain of sin from 1st September. Priests are to exert vigilance to see that the Diocesan Law for the conclusion of all public dances is strictly observed.

5-9-53 Newtownbutler are new County Champions after beating Irvinestown in a grueling final by 0-6 to 0-4. The game was played in Gaelic Park, Enniskillen through terrific downpours but the large crowd cheered on while sheltering under trees. Billy Charlton was at the centre of an almost impregnable full back line for Irvinestown. Kevin McCann (Belleek) was a scrupulously fair referee whose handling of the game was beyond criticism.

12-9-53 Garrison Man Unconscious for Seven Days. William George Acheson of Gorteen, Garrison, was unconscious for 7 days and in hospital for a month after cycling into the side of a shooting-brake. As he had suffered a lot through his own negligence he was only fined 5 shillings.

19-9-53 A fine of 15 shillings plus costs was imposed on John Murphy, Stranlongford at Irvinestown Court on Friday for being drunk in charge of a bicycle twice. His wife appeared in his stead and said he was ill and asked for a month to pay the fine.

19-9-53  Ederney drew with Irvinestown 3-3 to 1-9 although the league points were of little interest to either in this local derby. In the juvenile match before Irvinestown easily defeated a much lighter Ederney team. Most promising for Ederney were Manus and Martin Maguire, Sean and Joe Rolston, Joe Turner, Tony Maguire and Tony McGrath. In goals for Ederney Seamus Milligan made several fine saves including two penalties.

19-9-53 On Tuesday morning after 11 o’clock Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Pettigo, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. O’Callaghan, Lord Bishop of Clogher, blessed and opened St. Mary’s new national school at Pettigo. At the blessing ceremony a guard of honour was provided by the school children under their teachers Master B. Egan, B.A., N.T., Mrs T. Bradley, N.T. and Miss Mc Fadden, N.T. The minister of Education was represented by Mr. Joseph Brennan, T.D. who in a short address said Pettigo people should be proud of their beautiful new school, which had been such a necessity for the past 30 years. The building, he said, was a credit to the contractor, Mr. Geo. Irwin, Donegal, and his staff of tradesmen and workers. Thanks was expressed to the Rev. priests, Very Rev. P. Dempsey P.P., Rev. Jas. F. Brennan, C.C. and Rev. A. Slowey, C.C. for their unfailing efforts and constant attention until the beautiful building was completed. To Fr. Jas. F. Brennan alone the parish are deeply indebted for all his work for both the welfare of his parishioners and for the churches and schools in both Pettigo and Lettercran, and it is hoped that he will remain many long years in the parish so as to reap the reward of his zeal. His Lordship also blessed the twelve new houses erected in the village under the housing scheme. The choir with Miss Dora Mc Neill at the organ rendered sacred music during the Mass.

19-9-53 Pettigo Girl’s Licence Suspended at Belleek. Kathleen Monaghan, Ballymacavanney, Lough Derg, was fined £2-2-6 with costs and disqualified from driving for a year in N. Ireland, for driving without due care, and without a licence, insurance and tail lights. She admitted all offences. Constable Bell who stopped her said she came into the town from the Ballyshannon direction on the wrong side of the white line and swerved up the Main Street. She said she was learning to drive.

26-9-53 Omagh, St. Enda’s win Irvinestown Tourney Final by defeating Lisnaskea by 5-8 to 2-7. The fifteen wristlet watches were presented to the Omagh players afterwards by Rev. J. Mc Kenna, P.P., Irvinestown. Omagh opened the scoring with two goals. The 13 a-side format suited Omagh.

3-10-53 All the residents allotted new houses in Pettigo have taken up their residence during the weekend and are delighted with such splendid houses with every modern convenience.

3-10-53 Armagh gallant in defeat as they fail in the All Ireland final to Kerry by 0-13 to 1-6. Armagh missed a penalty and squandered chances to win. The official attendance of 85,155 and receipts of £10,904-9-1 constitute a record and an additional 7,000 got into the ground without paying.

3-10-53 During Monday’s floods Mr. P. Halpin, Customs Officer, Pettigo, performed a plucky act when he rescued four sheep from the Termon River as they were being swept away. He waded waist deep into the fast flowing river to rescue them.

3-10-53  Marian Year Proclaimed. The Pope has proclaimed 1954 as Marian Year in celebration of the centenary of  the definition of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception by Pope Pius X1 on December 8th 1854. The Pope ordered the World’s 400 million Catholics to concentrate on Our Lady’s intercession for three objects:- The Unity of the Church, The Peace of the World and The Church of Silence – 60 million Catholics behind the Iron Curtain.

3-10-53 Mr. Cahir Healy, M.P., again unanimously chosen at the Nationalist Convention to run as an anti-partition candidate in South Fermanagh. It was decided not to run in Enniskillen or Lisnaskea (where the Prime minister held) as these areas had been gerrymandered to return two Unionist candidates although Fermanagh had a Nationalist majority.

10-10-53 Cost of Dying Rising Too. Enniskillen Rural District Council is losing £300 to £400 per year in running Brendrum Cemetery. Increases are to be made in the burial and grave charges.

10-10-53 Fermanagh give grand display in losing to Derry by 9 points to 6 points. Following a draw with Tyrone it seems that a corner has been turned in Fermanagh’s fortunes since they were last a team to be feared in 1935. “P. Rooney was sound enough … Matt Regan, a supposedly volatile footballer, was as sound as a bell, brilliant in placing, deadly in tackling and as clean a player as was on a clean field. More performances like this and Matt will have beaten the best of his past  …. Gonigle was a good plodding midfielder, with a flash of brilliance in him quite often … J. P. McCann seemed a grand player playing with the foot brake partly on.

10-10-53 Mrs Brigid Maguire, relict of Mr. Peter Maguire, died at her home at Knockaraven, Devenish on Tuesday 15th September.

10-10-53 On Sunday evening Pettigo village was en fete with bonfires and cheering crowds when the residents learned that their Junior team were victors in the County Final against the Doe team at Ballybofey.

10-10-53 On Wednesday of last week torrential rain fell in the district for twenty-four hours continuously causing the most devastating floods ever remembered in the district. In Cortness (Gortanessy?)district a bridge connecting the farm of J. Fletcher, with the leading Pettigo to Castlederg road was swept away, nothing being left on the iron girders. The village street was flooded to a depth of two feet from the Diamond to the railway station. Pedestrians had to wade to the railway station in their bare feet. Ricks of hay and corn were swept away and in the mountain district sheep were swept away. Roads were also torn. The Pettigo to Castlederg road was under water for three miles at Lettercran.

17-10-53 Ceilidhe Mhor in St. Joseph’s Hall, Cashel, on Sunday 18th, October. Music by McCusker Bros. Ceilidhe band (first visit to Cashel. Dancing 8 o’clock, Admission 3s-6d.

17-10-53 Dance in Mc Cabe’s Hall, Belleek, Friday 23rd October with music by Derrylin Starlight Band. Admission 4 shillings.

17-10-53 On Friday night Pettigo GFC held a victory ceilidh in St. Mary’s Hall, Pettigo, to celebrate victory over St. Michael’s (Doe) at Ballybofey the previous Sunday in the junior County Final. The cup was carried in procession through the village by the team headed by the captain. The hall was packed by patrons from both north and south of the Border. The dance which was from 8 to 12 concluded with the National Anthem.

17-10-53 Tully’s High St. Enniskillen – Special Coat Display – Lady’s Gabardine Coat in popular new colours for 6 ½ guineas.

31-10-53 At Kesh court, Pettigo man, Thomas Reilly of Mill St. was fined 40s and had his licence suspended for 12 months for driving a car without insurance and 10s for driving without a licence. William Elliott of Killsmollen was fined 8s for carrying two passengers on a goods vehicle without a licence, Grace Elliott, Tulnagin, Ederney and Patrick Meehan, Largy, Lack who were both fined 2s-6d. Hugh McGrath, Ednaveigh was fined 8s for allowing three heifers to wander on the road. For allowing four animals to wander on the road William R. Johnston, Lack was fined 6s. John A. Harron, Gubbaroe, was fined 5s for throwing fireworks in Kesh. Thomas Mc Clelland, Feddans, Kesh was fined 20s for using a goods vehicle without a licence and Edward Maguire, Main St. Ederney was fined 3s for having no reflective mirror on a motor vehicle, and 5s, for having no horn.

31-10-53 Ballinamallard Couple’s claim against Kesh man. Charles Leonard and his wife Kathleen of Coolgarron, Ballinamallard sued Malcolm Turner of Tievaveeney, Kesh for £50 and breach of contract. They alleged that the defendant had invited them to live with him and that he would transfer his lands to Kathleen. They took up residence and put in two acres of potatoes and one of corn but the plaintiff refused to complete the contract or allow them to take away the crops. The defendant claimed that they had ordered £25 of groceries from Blakley McCartney of Kesh in his name and used them solely for themselves and family. The Judge granted £10 to the plaintiffs and allowed the defendant to keep the crops.

31-10-53 Enniskillen Fishery Board member disqualified for six months and fined £7 and costs after a fishery prosecution in Derrygonnelly. He was Mr John Maguire, Boa Island, a fisherman and his partner Edward Cassidy who was fined £4 and costs. Evidence was given that they had failed to stop their boat when challenged by the police launch, were fishing with worms with long lines and had undersized eels in their possession.

31-10-53  Fermanaghman to share in the residue of a ten million pound estate. One of two brothers who will share in the residue of the estate of the Duke of Westminster, Britain’s richest landowner, after many legacies and annuities to members of the family, friends and servants is Lieutenant Colonel Robert George Grosvenor, Ely Lodge, Enniskillen. The Duke died last July aged 74. He came to Fermanagh in 1951 when he bought the Ely Estate from Mr. Cathcart. He and his brother are cousins of the late Duke.

31-10-53  Old Character Passes. An old man of the roads, Bob Davitt, died in Ballyshannon. He was almost 80 years old and had been known to generations of families in the North-West as a gentle, kindly, old man who moved from place to place with his familiar, “bundle on his shoulder.” Youngsters delighted in letting imagination work on the mysteries of the great bag, which was opened occasionally to show the small articles that Bob would sell. He had great dignity and would only condescend to take a meal at some houses, and indeed to call only in some. He slept in haysheds or at the foot of haystacks; he was loved by children of several generations. By his passing a link has been broken of Ireland’s “men of the road.” He had a considerable sum of money when he died.

31-10-53  The sudden death took place at Killybeg, Belleek, of Mrs Jane Keown, wife of Mr. Patrick Keown. She had been in indifferent health for some time past.

7-11-53 A decree of £3 was awarded against Thomas Duffy, Commons, Belleek, for trespass by his cattle on lands at Rathmore, Belleek. The action was taken by John Mc Elroy, Auctioneer, Belleek who had the setting of the land. He claimed that the land was worth £20 per annum but Duffy would only offer £12 which was refused.

7-11-53 Inquest on Ballyshannon woman adjourned. Mrs Agnes White (49), widow of James White, one of the leading merchants of the district in his time was found dead in the attic of her home on Tuesday of last week. She was suffering from heart trouble for a number of years and was inclined to excessive worry. She was found lying in the attic with a rug under her head as a pillow. He found a cup and a small glass beside the body. Guard Flynn gave evidence of finding traces of vomiting and two partly dissolved capsules of a purplish colour. Dr. Patrick Daly gave his opinion that the capsules could not have caused her death.

7-11-53 Mr. S. McGinley is appointed secretary of Pettigo GAA Club. (John McGinley, Customs Officer and father of Sean McGinley, noted Irish actor.)

7-11-53 Storm over Fermanagh – Torrential rain all over the county during Sunday caused the most serious and extensive flooding in years. The Belleek to Letter Road was impassable at Rosscreenagh, where water poured down from the hills and covered the entire valley.

7-11-53 The case was dismissed against Joseph McDermott, Corry, Belleek, for riding his bicycle without due care and attention. He had been badly injured when struck by a lorry while cycling from his farm at Brollagh. He had spent 15 days in the Shiel Hospital, Ballyshannon, with severe head and arm injuries. A similar case against the lorry driver was adjourned.

14-11-53 The death has occurred of Rev. W. Babbington Steele, Castletown, Monea, retired minister of the Episcopalian Church of Ireland. He was born in 1865 and was the son of Rev. William Steele, headmaster of Portora from 1857 to 1891.He was the brother of  the convert, Rev. John Haughton Steele, born 1850, who had been minister at Deryvore, Co., Fermanagh, incumbent of Trinity Church, Crom, Newtownbutler for 27 years, before becoming a priest in 1912. Fr. Steele died on March 17th, 1920 and is interred in the grounds of Cavan Cathedral.

14-11-53 The death of Mr. James Cleary, Donegal House, Bundoran. He was a native of Lissan, Garvery, Enniskillen and had spent his early years in America returning in 1925 to set up a successful business in Bundoran. He had been on his way to Benediction on Monday evening when he died.

21-11-53 A fire broke out in the roof of Letterkeen School, Kesh, on Wednesday 11th. The 40 children were removed by their teacher Miss Mary I. Stephenson. Two sections of Enniskillen Fire brigade arrived within a half an hour, making the 18 mile journey in record time. They were able to put out the fire before any serious damage was done.

21-11-53  Opening Announcement – Radio and Television Service of Thomas P. Gannon, 37 East Bridge Street, Enniskillen opposite the GPO. Leading makes of radio and television stocked, batteries, valves and all radio components, sheet music and gramophone records, complete repair service, batteries charged.

21-11-53 Two men drowned in shocking Belleek tragedy. Both were employees of the Cementation Company. The dead men are Jack Lawler, Athy, Co., Kildare and Jack Mc Grath, Lisnarick. Edwards, J. Maguire of Boa Island was rescued. Mc Grath’s body has not yet been discovered despite search parties of up to 50 people searching the banks of the river. Mr. Maguire gave a graphic description of what happened to members of the Press.

28-11-53  Border fireworks. Guard James Dowd summonsed James McInern (18) of Bannaghbeg, Clonelly, Co., Fermanagh for exploding squibs in Main St. Pettigo and then running into the North out of the jurisdiction. McInern was caught but another youth escaped. The case was adjourned as McInern’s sister had rung in to say he was ill and unable to attend. Daniel McGrory was fined 10/- each for being lying down drunk on the road and having no light on his bicycle.

5-12-53 The minor Football Championship between Lisnaskea and Garrison was a very one sided affair with Lisnaskea having an easy win Garrison conceding two very soft goals at the beginning.

12-12-53 Ending of the Marian Year in a three day ceremony. Overflowing crowds at all Masses. “The cry for a new Redemption, a Redemption coming through Mary, has been answered.” Said at a ceremony at the Graan.

19-12-53 The longest ever Ballyshannon inquest lasting 3½ hours was resumed on the 9th on Mrs Agnes Fyffe White, proprietoress of the well-known business bearing her name, at the Mall, Ballyshannon, whose body was found in the attic of her home on 28th of October.

26-12-53  Inquest into Belleek tragedy. Accidental drowning verdicts were returned on John Lawlor (39) Athy, County Kildare and John McGrath, Rossgweer, Lisnarick, employees on the Erne Scheme at Belleek who lost their lives on the 16th November, when their boat was swept away after their engine had failed. The inquest on Lawlor was held in Belleek Courthouse and a jury of which Christopher Ross was foreman. John Maguire, Boa Island, the boatman gave evidence. The engine died out and they missed the first safety rope because the boat passed over it. They caught hold of the second but it sagged leaving them under the water. He let go and was swept through the open sluice gates. Below Belleek Bridge and the eel weir he caught up with the overturned boat and it took him to the bank where he clung to a tree until rescued. Like Lawlor he was wearing a life jacket but Lawlor’s head struck the sluice-gates and he was drowned. McGrath had no life jacket and his body was not found for days after. As his body was found on the Eire side of the Border an inquest was conducted in Ballyshannon. Frank McCauley found McGrath’s body having searched each day for it.

1953 January to June.

1953.

 National Events.

27 people die when a BEA Viking aircraft crashes at Belfast Airport (Nutt’s Corner) on 5 January
Samuel Beckett’s En Attendant Godot (Waiting for Godot) is first performed at the Théâtre Babylone, Paris on 5 January
The ferry Princess Victoria capsizes off the coast of County Down: 133 people die (31 January)
Insured workers in the Republic become eligible for medical benefit
The library of Alfred Chester Beatty, containing his unique collection of oriental manuscripts, opens in Dublin (8 August)
The Health Act provides for a free mother-and-child healthcare scheme in the Republic (29 October)
Michael Scott’s acclaimed Busaras (central bus station) is built in Dublin
The last Blasket Islanders are resettled on the mainland
John Bernal is awarded the Lenin Peace Prize.

Births.

Raymond Deane (composer, pianist and novelist) on Achill Island, Co. Mayo
Theo Dorgan (poet) in Cork
Hugo Hamilton (fiction writer) in Berlin
Mary Harney (politician; leader of the Progressive Democrats and Tánaiste) in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway (11/3)
Garry Hynes (theatre director) in Roscommon (10/6)
Rita Kelly (poet) in Galway
Frank McGuinness (playwright) in Buncrana, Co. Donegal (?/7)
Liam Neeson (film actor) in Ballymena, Co. Antrim
Patricia O’Donovan (trade unionist) in Cork
John Rocha (fashion designer, based mainly in Dublin since 1978) in Hong Kong (23/8)
Ronan Sheehan (fiction writer) in Dublin

Deaths.

Sir Arnold Bax
Henry Dixon
Richard Downey
F.L. Green
Beatrice Grimshaw
James Hamilton (3rd Duke of Abercorn)
Grace Henry
Maud Gonne MacBride
Alice Milligan
Eugene O’Neill
Joseph O’Neill
T.F. O’Rahilly
Robert Lloyd Praeger
James Scullin

Local Events.

3-1-53 Blackbog Parochial Bazaar in St. Joseph’s Hall, Ederney 4th-11th January in aid of a new church.

3-1-53 During the past week the most severe frost remembered for 15 years has held the Pettigo district in its grip. Lakes and rivers in the area were frozen over. The accompanying cold was intense as a result of which many people were confined to bed with influenza.

3-1-53 Kinlough. On Christmas Eve the countryside was illuminated by the Christmas Candles which lit up every house. Churches were crowded for Midnight Mass at which large numbers of the faithful received Holy Communion.

3-1-53 Regret has been occasioned in the Devenish district by the death of Mrs E. J. Mc Guinness, Corramore.

3-1-53.The death is reported at a comparatively early age of Mrs D. Duffy, Fassagh, mother of John and Joseph Duffy.

3-1-53 The inaugural meeting of the Clogher Historical Society was held on December 28th in St. Macartan’s Seminary, Monaghan, with Bishop O’Callaghan presiding. It is to produce an annual journal recording the religious, social, economic and political history of the Diocese of Clogher.

3-1-53 Two gypsies, Martin Ward and Bernard Reilly, were found guilty of breaking open the poor boxes at the Graan, Enniskillen and stealing the contents. The two who were at a gipsy encampment at Rossory, Enniskillen were jailed for six months each.

10-1-53 Thirteen men, who attended Mass for 35 minutes on the morning of New Year’s Day, were dismissed from the Winter Relief Scheme by Enniskillen Borough Council.

17-1-53 Regret has been occasioned by the death of Mr. Bernard Flanagan, Devenish, a member of an old respected family.

17-1-53 Successful Devenish Play. An audience of over 600 people packed into St. Mary’s Hall, Devenish to see the wonderfully realistic Nativity play presented by the children of the parish. A high tribute is due to Rev. Victor Marron C.C. and the teachers for the careful and diligent training that they gave to the children which resulted in the presentation of such an awe inspiring spectacle.

24-1-53  Dublin Dance aids Pettigo Memorial. A very successful dance was held on January 6th, in St. Peter’s Hall, Phibsborough, Dublin, in aid of the Pettigo Memorial Fund. The monument which will be in the shape of an Irish Volunteer on the march is being executed by a famous Dublin sculptor. It is hoped it will be ready to be unveiled early in June of this year. The Dublin Committee intend to issue a booklet containing an account of “The Battle of Pettigo.” It will also contain an account of the efforts made by successive British Governments from 1912 onwards to ensure for Britain a permanent hold on Northern Ireland.

24-1-53 The Pettigo 1922 Memorial Committee received £200 from the Pettigo Men’s Committee in New York also over £100 from members of the Old IRA in Dublin.

24-1-53 Writing in the Eire Society Bulletin of Boston USA, Miss Mary Frances Fox, one of the founders of, “The American League for an Undivided Ireland,” recalls her last visit to Garrison last year. Her mother was a native of Devenish Parish. She believes that “Garrison” is a name best forgotten and a return to the name of Devenish West. She applauds the efforts made in this direction by Rev. Canon Coyle, “patriot priest in the great Irish tradition, jailed during the fight for freedom, and now in the 52nd year of his priesthood.”

31-1-53 A total of £170 in fines was imposed at Kesh Court on five Dromore women who were stopped in a taxi coming from Pettigo smuggling cigarettes and tobacco on 30th August 1952. Rose Mc Cann was fined £20, Mary Donnelly £30, Sarah Donnelly £40, Rose Mc Caffrey (with a previous conviction) £50 and Jenny Gallagher £30. They were given three months to pay.

31-1-53 Bid to save Cloy School near Lack and avoid the bussing of the 18 pupils to Lack Primary School. Mr. Cahir Healy M.P. believed in the retention of small rural schools as it was a hardship for children to travel long distances to school which involved early rising and waiting on the roadside under trees in wet weather waiting for buses.

31-1-53 Fermanagh Conference agrees on the idea of a new abattoir. The present Enniskillen abattoir is out of date and the lease almost ended. Mr. Harry West proposed the export of meat from the new abattoir via St. Angelo Airdrome. Enniskillen Rural District Council is to give £5,000 to the new project.

31-1-53 Fermanagh widow, Mrs. Sarah Jane Elliott of Lisbellaw and her five children are granted £1,500 for the loss of her husband in a car accident. She was also granted an additional £400 on account of her own personal injuries arising from the collision with, Gerald McGrath, Post Office worker and Union official of Station Rd., Randallstown. The accident occurred on October 25th, 1950.

7-2-53 Corporal Tom Harte, of the US Army, arrived home on Christmas Eve after serving two years in Korea, giving his parents of Raheelan, Kiltyclogher a wonderful Christmas surprise. He brought home with him some beautiful examples of Japanese and Korean art and craft. He has returned to America last Friday to resume work with the Edison Company with whom he had been employed before enlisting.

7-2-53 Heavy loss of life as motor-vessel founders. Larne-Stranraer boat sinks in a gale. The Princess Victoria sank in a raging sea five miles off the County Down coast on Saturday afternoon on the way from Stranraer to Larne. There were only 44 survivors, 128 people drowned and 65 are still missing.

7-2-53 More than 1,000 people are feared drowned in extensive floods in south-east England and the Low Countries in a weekend of sea-driven floods. One hundred people are drowned and 400 missing on Canvey Island in the Thames estuary when a 17th century sea wall was breached. Bodies have been found on the tops of houses with water lapping at their feet and others entangled in the branches of trees.

7-2-53 The death is announced of Mrs Kate Gallagher of Tullygravarth, Cashelnadrea, Devenish in the Erne Hospital, Enniskillen at the advanced age of 71.

7-2-53 Thomas O’Reilly of Coramore, Lisnaskea was sentenced at Lisnaskea Court to a month’s imprisonment with hard labour for stealing 9 hens valued at £6-15-0 from Miss Bridget Mc Brien, Drumlone, Newtownbutler.

14-2-53 Kesh Boy’s Sad Fate. James Joseph Douglas, aged 18 ½ of Gortnagullion, Kesh, had been missing since Christmas Day, and his body was discovered drowned in Lough Erne between Portinode Bridge and Hare Island on 5th February. His bicycle, overcoat and army cap had been found on Portinode Bridge on Christmas Day. At the inquest in Kesh on Monday held by Mr. George Warren, coroner, a verdict of suicide was returned.

19-2-53 Belleek Property Sale has Court Sequel. Decree of £25 made against an Enniskillen auctioneer re the sale of No. 7 Rathmore Terrace, Belleek. Mr. Edward Ellis of Main St. Belleek was plaintiff and the defendants were Dr. Rollins of Croydon, Surrey administrator of the estate of Charlotte Emily Rollins, and Walter Brown of East Bridge St., Enniskillen. The houses in the row had been sold for £800 or £80 each. Mr Ellis had bought No 7 for £300 but had not been able to obtain possession. The houses had been advertised as freehold and turned out to be only leasehold with only 18 years left on the leases.

21-2-53 From Bishop O’Callaghan’s Lenten Pastoral. Seminary for Enniskillen. We have to provide a minor seminary in the Six County portion of the diocese for those boys who wish to follow the Northern Ireland Grammar School Course. We have already secured a suitable site at Enniskillen and hope to have the building commenced as soon as the permit from the Northern Ireland Government is obtained. I appeal to all who are in a position to make bequests for religious or charitable purposes to remember the new seminary.

14-3-53 At the AGM of St. Mary’s GFC the secretary Mr. P. Keown, expressed the view that efforts should be made to reunite Cashelnadrea area to the club so that a strong Parish Club be formed. He paid tribute to the help from the Cashel boys during 1952.

14-3-53 Cavanacross travelled to Devenish on Sunday for their first Junior League game and emerged victors after a gruelling hours’ football. Played in brilliant sunshine on an ideal pitch the game was keenly contested right to the end. The closeness of the scores is indication of the eveness of these two teams both of which can be commended for the clean sporting manner in which the game was played. The scoring opened after about 10 minutes play when J. Cassidy had a point for Cavanacross followed about five minutes later by a point for Devenish leaving the score at half time at 1 point each. After the interval Cavanacross had a further two points leaving the final score 0-1 to 0-3 in favour of the visitors. Mr. J. P. Meehan was a strict and impartial referee.

14-3-53 The newly formed Cashelnarea Club wish to remain independent and not sink their individuality by playing for another team.

21-3-53 “The Quiet Man” led to trouble at the cinema. The manager of the Regal Cinema, Enniskillen was “warned and severely reprimanded” for alleged overcrowding and obstruction of the passageways at a showing of this popular film.

21-3-53 At Belleek Court on Tuesday James Mc Laughlin, Corrakeel, Belleek was fined 8 shillings with costs for being drunk in charge of a pedal cycle.

21-3-53  Garrison Farmer’s Union meeting ends in disorder after a meeting in McGovern’s Hall on March 3rd. Mr. White, General Organiser, presided at the election of officers after Mr. Grogan, J.P. declined re-election as Chairman. He welcomed the huge attendance and stressed the motto of the Farmer’s Union “Defence and not Defiance,” and stressed that the organisation was non-political and non-sectarian. Mr. Wesley Acheson, vice chairman was proposed as chairman and Mr. Francis Timoney was also proposed. Without a vote Mr. White went on to ask for proposals for a vice-chairman. When challenged by Mr. Benny Dolan, Mr. White said he was not going to be dictated to and that only members could vote. Mr Dolan said he was a member and had paid his fee of 10s and  held his membership card which he had got a month ago from Mr McGee, the secretary. After examination Mr White said the card was invalid as it had not been signed by the Group Secretary, Mr. Armstrong.

In a heated discussion Mr. Joe Elliott said that the Garrison branch was a private branch where everything was done behind closed doors and Mr. Dolan said that there never was a meeting except at Christmas, that the secretary had no list of members nor had he any minutes of the last meeting. A voice in the body of the hall observed that the Chairman has no land and Mr White said he was going ahead with the election of officers. He then asked Mr Dolan and Mr. Elliott how much land they had and they replied respectively 110 and 180 acres. Mr. White said he was going on with the meeting and that that they would obey him or leave the room to which Mr. Dolan replied that they would stay and he would leave. Loud cheering drowned out Mr. White as he tried to proceed and he threatened to fetch the police to which Mr. Elliott said that they were not afraid of the police to more cheers.

Mr White told the meeting that if they would not submit to him he would have to wipe Garrison off the map and said he had come from Belfast not knowing the difference between farmer and farmer and said he detested the spirit that had been revealed at the meeting. When he again called for a vice-chairman he was told from the audience he would get no vice-chairman and he said he regretted having to close the branch. He then left the hall.

28-3-53 An Eire Customs Patrol under Mr. M. Dawson, P.O. seized a lorry and 50 small pigs which were being taken from Eire to Northern Ireland. The seized bonhams were later sold in Pettigo and the vehicle removed to Custom’s Headquarters. The value of the pigs is about £350.

28-3-53 The death is announced of Mr. J. P. Dunne, P.T., Teemore, has robbed the GAA in Fermanagh of one of the best known and respected members of the Association. He was playing for the County team when he was sixteen and after gaining every honour a Fermanagh player could he went on to serve his county with the same ability and loyalty in the Council chamber. He became chairman of the Co., Board at a time when its very existence was threatened by financial troubles and internal distension. Thanks to his energetic efforts and his wide guidance a healthy organisation and a respectable credit balance in cash made the way easier for his successor in 1943 when he decided to retire from what had been a most tiring and exhausting office.

28-3-53 Enniskillen’s last thatched house in a blaze. The two story five room house of Mr. Thomas Maguire, The Orchard, Enniskillen was gutted by fire recently. It was the last thatched house in Enniskillen. Mr. Maguire, aged 83, is organist in St. Michael’s Church, Enniskillen.

4-4-53 Cashelnadrea V Cavanacross played in a gale force wind ended with a win for the Cavanacross visitors by 1-2 to 1-1. Packy and Richard Tracey scored a goal and a point respectively for Cashelnadrea.

4-4-53 Despite a gale force wind Belleek and Irvinestown produced many fine passages of football in a close game in Irvinestown which ended 1-3 each. Sean Mc Caffrey fisted to the net for Belleek and John Doogan levelled the scoring with the last kick of the game.

4-4-53 These people can see through you. X-Ray Mobile Unit for Enniskillen. Have you got T.B.? The chances are about 100 to 1 against but if you happened to be the unlucky one you would be foolish not to learn about it so that you may be cured in a short time. Anyone above the age of 13 is entitled to a free x-ray at the Minor Townhall, Enniskillen.

11-4-53  Enniskillen’s new bridge joining the town to the Cornagrade Estate is to be called The Johnston Bridge in recognition of the part played by the Mayor of Enniskillen Ald. W. E. Johnston in getting approval from the Government for its construction.

11-4-53  In the new English Sewing Cotton Company’s factory over 300 are to be employed in Lisnaskea.

18-4-53  At a challenge football match between Pettigo and Belleek on Sunday at the football grounds, Pettigo were winners.

18-4-53 At Belleek Court Henry Acheson, Kevin McSherry both of Gurteen, Garrison and Andrew Sweeny of Kilcoo, were summonsed for disorderly behaviour in the public house of George Mc Manus, Belleek on 17th of February. Sergeant T. Cordner gave evidence of separating the three men struggling in a passage which led to the kitchen. He put Acheson out but later found that he had returned and had the proprietor by the throat and put him out again. McSherry questioned the authority of the Sergeant and said “there would be no peace until the green, white and gold is flying here.”  He also said to the publican and his two daughters that they were fine neighbours for phoning the police to which they replied that if they had not they would have wrecked the place. Mc Sherry was fined £1, Sweeny £2 and bound to the peace for a year and Acheson fined £4. Only McSherry appeared at the court.

18-4-53  Judge Troy at Ederney. Great Welcome for American friend of Ireland. Judge Mathew Troy, chief of the Irish-American, “Minute Men,” accompanied by Senator J. G. Lennon, was met by St. Joseph’s Band, Ederney and escorted to the Hall where he addressed the crowd. Rev. Fr. Mc Kenna P.P. praised him for the great work he was doing in the United States for a united Ireland. About 30 police were on duty in the vicinity.

18-4-53  Mary O’Reilly, a tinker was sentenced to two months in prison for stealing money on two occasions from Mrs Ellen Treacy, Fossagh. She had arrived pedalling her wares and snatched the money from the table. She was caught on the second occasion. The sentence will not take effect if she leaves Northern Ireland immediately. Aged 17, she was married since she was 15.

18-4-53  The death is announced of Dr. Alice Milligan, noted Irish Nationalist, poetess, essayist and dramatist at Lislap, Omagh, where she was born 80 years ago.

18-4-53  Bundoran’s An Tostal Attraction. On next Sunday a record off-season crowd for the Dr. Mc Kenna Cup game Donegal V Armagh at the Gaelic Park, Bundoran. This fixture, which is billed as a Tostal event of importance is arousing considerable interest and special trains and busses will bring their complement to the seaside on that day. Everyone who witnessed last season’s National League game between the same counties at Ballybay and the replay at Clones, when Donegal qualified for the semi-final, and won their first Lagan Cup, will agree if the same fare is provided, we are assured of a close and exciting hour of football. Donegal, with a home venue, will field a strong fifteen, which included a few young and promising stars, but will have a hard nut to crack in this experienced and well-balanced Armagh team.

18-4-53  Fermanagh Health Committee is pleased that at long last the Northern Ireland X-Ray Unit has visited the county. It was officially welcomed by Enniskillen Major Ald. W. E. Johnston, J.P. Some 300 people were x-rayed at the first session.

18-4-53  The introduction of Summer Time always brings with it a certain amount of confusion with it regarding the time of games. Next Sunday all games will begin at 4.00 p.m.

25-4-53  Devenish. Almost £200 worth of sheep and lambs have been destroyed by a dog on Kilea Mountain. If the animal is not traced and destroyed the sheep will have to be brought to the lowlands for safety.

25-4-53 The sympathy of a wide circle of friends is extended to Miss Briget Keenan and Mr. P. F. Keenan on the regretted death of their mother Mrs. P. Keenan.

2-5-53 On April 20th, Pettigo GAA Club purchased a large field which they are converting into an Athletics Park, from Mr. William Porter of Kimmid at the sum of £500.

9-5-53 At a football match between Pettigo and Donegal teams at Rosefield Park, on Sunday, after a well-played and strenuous game, Pettigo was the winner by two points. The recently formed Pettigo youthful team is showing great promise and if the spirit continues they should be able to make a name for themselves in the football field.

16-5-53 Devenish. The death of Mr. Thomas Johnston, Devenish, which occurred suddenly while he was carting on his farm is deeply regretted.

16-5-53 First in the Cashelnadrea district to have turf saved is Mr. Thos. Treacy, Woodvale House, Kilcoo.

16-5-53 Obituary of Mr. F. Keogh of Drumadravey, Lisnarick, electrician at RAF Station, Castle Archdale. He was disconnecting low tension wires when he was electrocuted. He is survived by his wife Veronica and sons Brendan, Peter and Desmond. He played goals for St. Molaise, Football Club, Irvinestown, for several years.

16-5-53   Regret is felt in the Lettercran district at the death of Mr. J. Mc Kenna, Proughlish, near Drumquinn aged 79 years. He was well known in the Lettercran district and was husband of Brigid Mc Kenna, a native of Lettercrann. He was father of Mrs John Sweeny, The Rock, Ballyshannon and of Mrs J. White, East Port, Ballyshannon. Internment took place in Longfield Cemetery.

23-5-53 John Tracy, Corramore, Garrison, Co., Fermanagh was fined £5 with £5-18-1 costs and expenses at Belleek Court for falsely claiming a grant of £1-4-6 towards the cost of fertilizers purchased from Belleek Cooperative Agricultural and Dairy Society.

23-5-53  Mr Vincent Keown, Killybig, had a narrow escape when he fell into the Erne at Belleek where he is employed  on the Erne Development Drainage Scheme. The presence of mind of a fellow worker Mr. Cyril Gibson saved him from possible drowning. Using a piece of wood on which there was a bent nail, he succeeded in hooking the nail in Keown’s clothing and pulling him to safety.

23-5-53 On Sunday matches were played in Rosefield Park between Pettigo and Barnesmore Minors and Juniors. The games which were played under very unfavourable conditions owing to a strong south-westerly wind were keenly contested. Barnesmore won the minor game and the most promising players for Pettigo were, Vincent Egan, Vincent McCrea, Joseph Moss and Joe Mc Fadden. Pettigo were the winners in the Junior match and in this game Vincent Egan, B. Maloney, J. Moss and Tony Mc Grath were always in the right place at the right time. Another promising player is Josie Mc Fadden. Mr. F. Muldoon refereed.

23-5-53 St. Mary’s Pipe Band has been equipped with new instruments. An interesting visitor to Devenish on Sunday was Senator Lennon, who was the guest of Mr. Fogarty, Cardiff, at the Melvin Hotel.

23-5-53 Success of Devenish Sports held in St. Mary’s Gaelic Park on Sunday 10th inst were an outstanding success and a crowd of several hundreds were drawn from Fermanagh, Leitrim and Donegal. They were delighted by the fine demonstration of athletics given by the schoolchildren of the parish in conjunction with the exquisite music provided by St. Mary’s Pipe Band. The tastefully dressed members of the children’s Irish Class gave a figure drill display under the direction of Miss Gilbride, Rosinver, and also gave displays of Irish dancing the music for which was provided by two talented young accordion players, J. J. Carty and P. Feehily. The latter is the son of Mr. P. Fehily, the well-known traditional fiddler. We congratulate Re. Victor Marron C.C. who was chief organiser of the event and marvel at the success of his efforts to give the children of Devenish a real Irish Ireland outlook. Without compulsion these children are as enthusiastic to learn the Irish language as Fr. Marron is to teach it. Mr. O’Donoghue, Ballyshannon, teaches them Irish dancing and Irish music and there is in this outpost of occupied Ireland we find youth enthusiastically embracing the culture that was the treasured possession of our forefathers and which has entirely disappeared from many parishes in the Republic of Ireland. I only pray that God may give to other parts of Ireland prototypes of Fr. Marron so that the spirit of real sincerity may be infused into the real Irish Ireland Revival Movement. In the football match which was between Belleek and Ballaghameehan St. Aiden’s the latter lead the heavier Belleek team by a point but Belleek with the aid of the wind in the second half won by 2-6 to 0-5 with Fr. Marron C.C. as referee.

23-5-53 Religious Profession of former Devenish Playright. Some years ago the name of Alfred G. Mc Govern, Aghoo, Tullyrossmearn, Devenish was known from end to end of Ireland as the author of several popular and  successful plays including, “Smuggling on the Border,” which had a great run in the Midlands and South: “Paddy Reilly from Ballyjamesduff,” a play founded on the popular song “Come back Paddy Reilly,” and “I will repay,” a historical play representing the life and times of Fr. Sheehy which may well be regarded as the masterpiece of this gifted son of Fermanagh. Your correspondent had the honour to be present at the first productions of all these plays, and reviewed them in turn. Brother Peter is a brother of Messrs. Francis J. Mc Govern, monumental sculptor, Kiltyclogher and of Mr. Leo Mc Govern, postmaster, American House, Bundoran and cousin of Rev. Patrick Stewart, S.M.A., Nigeria, and of Mr. John Sweeny, prominent New York businessman, and Mr. P. Mc Govern, P.C., Curran House, Kiltyclogher, and Mr. J. Sweeny, Latoon. He was reared within a mile of Kiltyclogher. A former playing member of Cashelnadrea Gaelic Football team he was also a gifted musician and his violin selections of traditional dance tunes and airs were frequently heard on concert platforms and Feiseanna all over the North-West. Six years ago Mr. Mc Govern decided to leave the world behind and entered religion as a novice at the Cistercian Monastery, Roscrea, Co., Tipperary. On Wednesday of last week he made his final profession at an impressive ceremony in the Monastery, taking the name in religion of Brother Peter, son of the late Mr. and Mrs John Mc Govern, Aghoo, Cashelnadrea.

30-5-53 A verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind was returned at an inquest in Ballyshannon on Monday on Edmond P. Condon (44) solicitor, who was found hanging in an out office of Mall House, Ballyshannon, his late mother’s residence, on Thursday evening. He was a former chairman of Ballyshannon Town Commissioners and had been missing since Sunday. Sergt. P. Flynn, who made the discovery, said that Condon seemed to be worried and had been unusually quiet recently.

30-5-53 Enniskillen Rural Council’s Victory over Lonely Spinster. Sheriff’s bailiffs Henry Coalter, Chanterhill, Enniskillen and Thomas Higgins, Enniskillen accompanied by Mr. A.W. Dinnen, Assistant Welfare Officer for Fermanagh, and two policemen, Sergeant Calderwood, Florencecourt and a constable evicted Margaret Nolan of Toneyloman, Belnaleck at 11 am on Tuesday. She was removed from the house built for her father the late John Nolan and had tried in vain to hold on to this family home in the 17 months since he died.

30-5-53 Only six months in existence the Ballyshannon Musical Society has taken a big step in arranging a concert at which the Radio Eireann Light Orchestra of 40 pieces will be guest artistes along with the eminent American mezzo-soprano, Patricia Thomas fresh from the New York Metropolitan Operatic Society, and Liam Arches, wizard of the accordion. This is the first time that the Radio Eireann Light Orchestra has come so far north, and the announcement of their visit has excited considerable interest all over the North-West. It will be the biggest musical event ever held in the North-West, a fact which is indicated by the steady demand for tickets.

30-5-53 Sunday’s memorable close to Irvinestown Carnival. Four thousand spectators thronged the streets for the fancy dress parade in which 100 children and 150 adults took part. In the children’s section the most original prize went to Edward, Stephen and Colum Mc Garrity as a Mau Mau Gang.

6-6-53 A continual downpour of rain which lasted practically all day marred Cashelnadrea’s annual sports which were held in St. Joseph’s Park. The rain partly nullified the efforts of Rev. Fr. Victor Marron, C.C. and his energetic helpers to make it a memorable success. St Mary’s Pipe Band woke the echoes amidst the mist obscured hills of historic Cashel and a number of events were run off including a juvenile match despite the sodden condition of the Park. A huge crowd of patrons danced at the sports ceilidhe to the music of Malachy Sweeny’s Ceilidhe Band, all the way from Armagh.

6-6-53  Belleek beat Irvinestown last Sunday by 2-4 to 0-7. Jim Diver, in goals for Irvinestown, was caught napping for Belleek’s simple first goal. Hughie Connors is the latest of our retired players to come out of retirement. The ex-Mulleek forward still knows where the posts are as he notched 1-2 against Irvinestown.

6-6-53  Cardinal D’Alton’s hope for Ireland during new British reign. In a statement he said, “I am sure that Irishmen of all shades of opinion, with their innate sense of chivalry, will join in good wishes to the young Queen who was called to the throne in circumstances of great personal sorrow. It is my earnest prayer that God may protect and guide her in her exalted office and that he reign may be the opening of a new era of prosperity for her people. All of us who love the old historic Ireland sincerely hope that during it we may see our country restored to its natural unity.

6-6-53 Everest has been conquered by 34 year old New Zealander E. P. Hilary and a Sherpa guide. The expedition was led by Colonel John Hunt.

6-6-53 Mr De Valera and his ministers refuse to attend the British Minister’s Garden Party on Coronation Day. No films of the Coronation will be shown in Dublin Cinemas as a result of threats from Sinn Fein.

6-6-53  Police are maintaining a 24 hour a day watch on the labourer’s cottage at Toneyloman, Belnaleck, from which the 47 year old spinster Margaret Nolan was evicted by bailiffs on a Court Order by Enniskillen Rural Council on Tuesday last. A Protestant tenant was selected for it 17 months ago has been given another house in the meantime although he lived in a better house when he made his first application than hundreds of Catholics today.

6-6-53 The world’s longest strike ended on Saturday. It lasted from March 6th, 1939 and for the first time since no pickets marched up and down past the 30ft frontage of Mr James Downey’s public house in Dun Laoghaire since James (78) is now dead. Fourteen years ago he sacked one of the barmen and the Irish National Union of Grocers, Vintners and Allied Trades Assistants demanded his reinstatement. The union withdrew the other barmen and James advertised for non-union men and got 400 replies. Down the years it is estimated that the pickets walked about 41,000 miles and it cost the union £8,500 in strike pay. Some of the original pickets died and others moved away or took other jobs but the union kept sending new pickets. Every night as James locked up he bade the union men good night as he went home and hired a sweeper whenever it snowed to make life easier for the pickets to walk. He was very particular about their punctuality and if there was no pickets present when he opened in the morning he rang the union to demand to know why they were not there and on each 6th of March he held an anniversary party, with drinks on the house to celebrate the strike. The faded “Strike on here” placards have been folded up as the pickets withdrew.

13-6-53  Looking forward to the League Final between Belleek and Lisnaskea there are several surprises in the Belleek line-up not the least being the choice of Brendan Faughnan as goalie. He was an outstanding centre forward until his retirement two seasons ago. Patsy Rooney at corner back is another surprise. He has not played a lot of late but he is such an accomplished player that he would be an automatic choice at centre half for most teams.

13-6-53 The death is announced of Mr. Mary A. Gallagher, Fassagh, Belleek, relict of Mr. John Gallagher.

13-6-53 Monster Sports Meeting to be held at St. Joseph’s Park, Cashel on June 21st. Football challenge for a set of medals, Ballyshannon V Belcoo/Cashel/Devenish selection. Admission 1/6, children 6 pence.

13-6-53   After extensive repairs the Erne Hospital, Enniskillen, was re-opened by Dame Dehra Parker, Minister of Health and Local Government in Northern Ireland. The work had changed the whole character and appearance of the hospital from the dull, gloomy character of the former Workhouse. The Hospitals Authority had wonderful plans for a new hospital which would mean sixth new beds in Fermanagh.

13-6-53 Bishop Eugene O’Callaghan, visits Black Bog Parish, Ederney, to decide, from four sites proposed, where Ederney’s new Church is to be built. He addressed several hundred parishioners in St. Joseph’s Hall, Ederney and introduced Mr. Padraic Gregory, Belfast, who will design the new church and supervise its erection. The present St. Joseph’s Church is 200 years old and is of the cruciform style typical of the post Penal Days with rows of seats in front and on both sides of the altar and with galleries above. It has stood the tests of two centuries and is a remarkable tribute to its builders. Very Rev. Felix Mc Kenna, Blackbog, began to build up a fund for its replacement four years ago and a substantial sum has already been collected. The Bishop remarked that it was a long time since a Church had been erected in Fermanagh. Mr. John Monaghan, R.D.C, expressed thanks, on behalf of the people, to His Lordship, Monsignor Gannon and Fr. Mc Kenna of Irvinestown, for having come to assist in this important selection.

13-6-53 Fermanagh Senior League Final was poor. Belleek defeated Lisnaskea by 1-9 to 1-2 in St. Molaise Park, Irvinestown in what must have been one of the poorest exhibitions of its class ever played in the county. J. P. Mc Cann at centre-field completely dominated the sector for the entire match. It was quarter way through the second half before Lisnaskea made their second serious attack of the game. Rooney starred for Belleek in a grand solid line at the back. Belleek last won this title in 1949.

13-6-53 John Magee, Derryrona, Leggs, Belleek was fined a total of 33 shillings plus costs at Belleek Court for being drunk in charge of a bicycle and £4-8-2 compensation for damaging Constable McCutcheon’s uniform. The constable was bringing him to the barrack when he began to resist and both fell on the ground damaging the constable’s waterproof coat, his trousers and lanyard. Two other constables assisted in taking the defendant to the barrack. He was fined 10s for being drunk in charge, 10s for assaulting the constable, 10s for damaging his clothes and 3s for having no lights or front brake.

13-6-53 Laurence Spratt, aged 19, of Bunaninver, Lisnarick, was charged before Mr. Justice Curran, with forging a £5 note and attempting to pass it to an Enniskillen shop assistant. He was said not to be leading a natural life for a boy as he spent most of his time at home reading and did not engage in sport as most other boys of his age did. A sample of his unusual reading material was a book on psychology in six easy lessons. As his parents were hardworking, honest people the judge imposed a suspended sentence of six months jail.

13-6-53 Senator O’Hare raised matters in connection with the Erne Scheme at Belleek which were annoying local farmers and others in the locality. As the dredging machinery operated day and night the waters of the Erne were constantly dirty and unsuitable for the farmers’ cattle to drink. Blasting was throwing large boulders into farmer’s fields which were an obstacle in making hay and this blasting also affected the livelihood of farmer/anglers who took guests out to fish on the Broad Lough.

13-6-53   “It is outrageous and ridiculous” said Mr. J. Coffey at Lisnaskea Rural Council on Saturday when the Council decided to accept by 11 votes to 5 the tender of John Mc Carron to act as caretaker of Derrylin urinal for £1 per week. He thought the urinal should be cleaned when necessary and added that the Lisnaskea caretaker was doing far more for far less.

20-6-53  Cardinal D’Alton blessed and opened the new £70,000 GAA stadium dedicated to Roger Casement in Andersonstown, a suburb of Belfast. He addressed 25,000 people inside the stadium and told them that he regarded the park as a sample of their patriotism and of the indestructible spirit of the Irish nation.

20-6-53 Michael Tate (32) of Bridgend, Ballyshannon, who had been in Crumlin Jail, Belfast, since 1st June for having had in his possession in Belleek one .45 bullet. He was fined £5 at Enniskillen Court. The defendant is believed to be originally from Co., Tipperary and resident in Ballyshannon for the past three or four years.

20-6-53 Mr. Robert Loane, of Rushindoo, Pettigo, has 100 ricks of hay saved.

20-6-53 Owners to blame for the Princess Victoria disaster. The Princess Victoria was unseaworthy when she sailed from Stranraer to Larne on the morning of January 31st to meet disaster in the Irish Sea. This was the verdict of the enquiry which investigated the loss of the ship with 133 lives.

20-6-53 Suspensions imposed at Fermanagh County Board include Seamus O’Connor, Belleek, one months and Sean Mc Caffrey, twelve months. Mc Caffrey’s case is to be appealed to the Ulster Council. Patsy Keown, formerly secretary of the Devenish Club, reported that the old Devenish Club had been disbanded and a new one formed. A minor team was being entered for competition in place of the Junior team. The SFL final between Belleek and Lisnaskea was fixed for 12th July at Irvinestown.

20-6-53 The death took place on Thursday of last week at Lettercran, Pettigo, of Mrs Catherine Haughey aged 88. In August of 1913 two of her children were accidentally drowned in a lake near her home. She was predeceased many years ago by her husband.

20-6-53 William Mc Mahon, Belleek was given the benefit of the Probation Act at Belleek Court for being drunk in charge of a bicycle.

20-6-53 A Garrison cattle dealer, Thomas Allingham, was fined £2 with costs for driving in such a manner as to prevent Henry Acheson, Gurteen, Garrison, from passing his cattle lorry.

27-6-53 In a Junior Football match Knocks defeated Kesh by 2-1 to 1-4. Kesh were best served by the goalie T. Maguire, full-back J. Montgomery, Clifford at centre field and Mc Mahon, left full forward. The referee was Mr. B. Mc Elroy.

27-6-53 In their first season in Senior Football, Derrygonnelly Harps oust the newly crowned Senior League Champions, Belleek, by 3-6 to 1-4. It was a hard tackling, fast encounter with keen marking and many bone-shaking clashes. On a slippery pitch with a greasy ball, Derrygonnelly lead by 3-3 to 0-3 at half time. Best for Belleek were M. Regan, J. P. Mc Cann, J. and M. Tunney and E. and P. Mc Caffrey. Mr. M. Cullen controlled the game admirably.

27-6-53 On Tuesday night heavy rainfall was experienced in the Pettigo area, continuing until mid-day on Wednesday. Not for 40 years did such flooding occur. Meadows of hay on the banks of the Termon River were swept away. Mr. Wm. Leonard, (cattle dealer), had almost 20 ricks of hay taken away by the flood.

27-6-53 The wedding took place recently in St. Mary’s Church, Devenish, between Mr. Michael H. Gilligan, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Gilligan, Cow Park, and Miss Elizabeth Dolan, second daughter of Mrs T. Dolan, Knockaraven. Mr. P. F. Gilligan, brother of the groom was best man. The bride was attended by her niece, Miss Marie Timoney. The honeymoon is being spent in the south of Ireland.

27-6-53 Two cases of infantile paralysis in Ballinamallard were reported to Fermanagh Health Committee.

The Famine 1847. Ballyshannon Herald.

1847. The issue of January 1st records a classic tale that ought to be filmed for it has all the ingredients of high drama or perhaps more accurately melodrama. On Christmas Eve a schooner lay just inside the Bar at Ballyshannon. The Bar is a high sandy ridge four miles down river from Ballyshannon that constantly threatens to block the exit of the Erne to the sea and the schooner was sheltering here waiting on a favourable wind. The ship was bound for Liverpool later with bacon and lard and had been charted by Mr. Edward Chism of Ballyshannon (Food was constantly being exported from Ireland during the famine). After a time a boat owned by Mr. Wade pulled alongside the vessel and men who claimed that they were from the saltworks at Ballyshannon asked to come aboard to light their pipes. (The real salt workers would have had to row outside the bar (sandbar) of Ballyshannon estuary) to the open sea to get saltwater which was then evaporated at Portnason, Ballyshannon, to get the salt for preserving the fish and meat exports from the area). Several men came on board and then produced guns, overcame the captain and crew and took a large quantity of bacon and lard from the ship. This is the Irish famine equivalent of Bob Cratchet’s Christmas turkey, especially when (as it turned out later that) it was hogsheads of ham and bacon that were on board. Many a starving household must have had an unexpectedly happy Christmas as a result of this piece of local piracy. By Christmas day the police recovered some of the booty buried in the nearby sand dunes and the soldiers were out combing the area. Three were arrested. Scarce a night passes by without a robbery in town or the vicinity, the paper reports.

1847.January 8th. There is great distress in the area. One man died after just being admitted to the Ballyshannon Workhouse. People won’t come in for aid until the last moment. The dead from the famine are not being buried properly in the Abbey graveyard in Ballyshannon as the graveyard has not deep enough soil. A man on his way from Ballyshannon to Donegal heard the sound of lamentation from a house along the way. Going into the house he found a girl of about sixteen dying and her parents trying to keep her warm. He gave money for food, etc., in the tradition of the good Samaritan, but the girl died in a short time.

January 22nd reported that Colonel Conolly and his family were staying at Cliff for the winter in order to give aid to their tenantry and a terrible increase of poverty, sickness and death was recorded by the paper. Unfortunately and damningly for the paper the above words were all they reported. It says volumes for their social attitude and incomprehension of the situation that they could write: “The details are too horrid to be published.” From Fermanagh the paper reports the action of the Rev. Grey Porter, whose principal estate was at Lisbellaw and who had brought in 150 tons of Indian meal at Derry per the ship Peru. He had bought in the grain at £10-10s-6d per ton and was going to sell it to his tenants at cost price which he hoped would be less than £12 per ton. This compared with £24-10-0 for Indian meal or £30 for oaten meal at market prices. Robberies for money, cattle or arms are a nightly occurrence.

On February 19th the Ballyshannon Herald published a very long letter from John Hamilton of St. Ernan’s near Donegal Town. This man was estate agent for the Conolly Estate around Ballyshannon and possibly for the Leslie Estate of Pettigo and other estates as well. In his own way he seems a man sensitive to the situation and practical for the future, although badly lacking in short term solutions. He seeks to combat apathy and fatalism in the tenantry which is admirable, if the person has the energy to look some distance ahead, but useless if starvation is a matter of days away.

John Hamilton begins by asking everyone to work hard in order to hold on to their tenancies. “Stir yourself and be doing. Drain a rood of ground and dig it eighteen inches deep and you will be paid for it if it done right and get many years to repay this money” (not a generous bargain and in the same vein) “seed will be provided and can be paid for later. Sow corn and not potatoes in rows nine inches apart and the seed two inches apart. This requires two stone of seed and repays 200 stone if the !and is well dug or well ploughed and is dry”. Tenants will be allowed to burn as much as they like and he (John Hamilton) will say nothing for this season (burning the dried sods of the land gave a short term fertility but was ultimately ruinous and absolutely forbidden normally). Tenants were urged to burn as much as they liked on black land i.e., bog land and to cart it to other ground to grow turnips. Sow “pease” (sic) and barley and field and garden beans (and mangle wozzels. Come to him for help. Uncommon work is required and he will not help anyone who holds land but will not work it. He, Hamilton, works hard himself and expects others to do likewise.

In the same issue Colonel Conolly has imported 500 tons of rice and one ton has been sent to the Bundoran schools and two to the Ballyshannon Relief Committee. The columns were illuminated by a row between the Vicar of Drumholm Mr. M. G. Fenwick and a local land agent. Alexander Hamilton, on the question of who should be allowed to get a place on the Relief Works. Should a man who has paid his rent get on the Relief? — if he is able to pay his rent does he need relief work? (as long as you managed the rent you could do what you liked afterwards and if you hadn’t the rent you could work until you could pay the rent — either way the rent was sacrosanct and Catch 22 was born long before Joseph Heller).

From now until April the Famine cannot squeeze into the Ballyshannon Herald and on March 12th we are informed that Fermanagh is improving and that petty thefts and slaughter of cattle had completely ceased, according to the Erne Packet. The reporting of the Donegal Assizes on March 12th at Lifford hints at what the newspaper doesn’t report. Bartley Loughlin, a former bailiff to Mr. H. Coane of Waterloo Cottage, Higginstown, Ballyshannon was alleged to have sent a threatening letter to Mrs. H. Coane saying that their family would be blown up with gunpowder for their oppression of the tenantry. Laughlin had been bailiff for Coane for fifteen years and his handwriting was familiar to his former master. In his capacity as bailiff Laughlin had been ordered to serve notice to quit on thirty tenants and ordered to distrain those persons who had not paid — as far as the landlord was concerned it would not be hard to seize fodder in lieu of rent. For inability or unwillingness to carry this out Bartley Loughlin was sacked. Councillor Doherty defended the ex-­bailiff and demolished the case by asking if Laughlin’s handwriting was so well known to Coane then why would he be so stupid as to write the letter in his own hand? A not-guilty verdict was returned. In the next case a John Donald got seven years’ transportation for stealing sheep from Michael Ward, but a woman, Rebecca Brack, (Brock?) was found not guilty of exposing a child to die at Finner, near Ballyshannon.

1847.In an echo of the Christmas Eve piracy in the Erne Estuary, James Currie, was accused of receiving a ham knowing it to be stolen. The ship’s name is now given as The Confidence and its Master as Joseph Davidson. The ship had been boarded by two boat’s crews and nine bales of bacon and hogsheads of ham had been stolen. Sub-Constable Davis arrested Currie walking through Ballyshannon on Christmas day carrying a ham. Currie said that he had found it in a hole in the ground among the sand dunes. He was found guilty with a recommendation for mercy and got nine months hard labour.

At Fermanagh Assizes at this time Daniel Nealy was convicted of stealing valuable property, plate, etc., from J. C. Bloomfield at Castle Caldwell. He was sentenced to seven years’ transportation. For a similar crime in the same area, the breaking into the house of Launcelot Corcoran near Castle Caldwell on the previous December 27th the following were tried:- James Mulrean, Maurice Connor, Peter Gallagher, Francis Gallagher, Maurice Lannon, William Lannon, George W. O’Connor and Edward Muldoon. All were found guilty and sentenced to fourteen years’ transportation except the last four, who got seven years’ transportation.

The March 26th issue details a brutal occurrence in the Pettigo area which happened on March 23rd. George Allingham with one Patterson and “the notorious Melanefy, the bailiff” came to the house of John McCrea of Clonaweel. Their purpose seemed to be to execute on order upon the person of John McCrea who wasn’t present. Only his two sons were there and after some persuasion they managed to get the three intruders out of the house. They seemed rather inebriated and threatened the sons and finally Melanefy fired at young Edward McCrea “wounding him dreadfully” in the head. Melanefy has run off and the countryside is now in pursuit!

By 2nd April, 1847 things have got so bad in the area as to force its attention upon this blinkered newspaper. It reports that the poor house is crowded to excess and fever and dysentery are spreading alarmingly. “Deaths are frightfully numerous. A fever hospital is urgently needed and its building would give employment to the poor.”

  1. April 23rd:- Captain Fortescue has arrived to take charge of the Commissariat Department, i.e., to give out food for the starving. A vessel with breadstuffs for this town and Enniskillen is waiting for a fair wind to get into port. It is hoped that she will get in today as the people discharged from the workhouse are in great distress. There is plenty of food coming in from America, but it is still at famine prices. Captain Lang is to superintend the public charities. Arrangements are in hand to setup a public soup kitchen to the plan of Mr. Sayer (but the paper notes with unaccustomed concern). “We fear it will not answer the purpose.”

Between Garrison, Derrygonnelly and Holywell many hundreds of acres wilt be left without crops because of the utter poverty of the people. Farmers and graziers cattle are being stolen nightly.

April 30th: There is a great fever sweeping Fermanagh especially in the country districts and arising largely from those who have left (or been sent out) of the workhouse and had now gone home and infected their friends who had generously but fatally taken them in.

  1. May 7th: Reports the hanging of Samuel Crumrner at Lifford. He was hanged for the murder of his father. His wife had also been sentenced for the same crime, but the sentence was commuted to transportation for life. It was the first hanging in Donegal for fourteen or fifteen years and about a thousand people came to watch. On the scaffold Crummer said (the name was not printed) swore his life away for small money in these times. He was a big man of 6’-2” and he said goodbye to his wife and children from the scaffold, although they were not present, before he was launched into eternity.

The steamship Albert under Commander Geary arrived in Ballyshannon with breadstuffs. It also towed in two ships which had been waiting outside the Bar for a favourable wind. The Albert is 147ft long, 42 feet wide, can carry 600 tons and has a capacity of 200 horse power. Many people have been shown over this ship.

On May 14th it is reported that the deaths around Clones, Co. Monaghan, are “inconceivably great”. In Enniskillen the poor and starving rushed the Board of Guardians meeting and all had to be admitted. Colonel Conolly has given his tenants eight tons of rice this week free plus free turnip seed. John and William Tredennick (local landowners between Ballyshannon and Belleek) are reducing their rents by 40% to 50%.

1847.May 21st reports the melancholy death of Captain Drake of the 92nd Regiment and a young local man, Henry Lipsett of Ballyshannon, who were drowned when their sailing boat was upset in the estuary.

Hundreds of the poor are being provided for by the Johnstons of Magheramena Castle near Belleek and their rents are reduced also.

There is great fever in Fermanagh and the well known Dr. Collum has recently succumbed. “God knows who will be next sacrificed on the altar of pestilence and death”. This last item is reprinted taken from the pages of the Erne Packet.

  1. May 28th: reports great fever in the locality of Ballyshannon and all classes were affected. People are warned not to feed beggars at their own door, especially strange ones. Heaps of manure must be removed from thoroughfares, lanes and alleyways as otherwise the Committee of the Ballyshannon Board of Guardians will cause them to be removed and prosecute the offenders. This is signed by M. Davis J.P., chairman.

In the June 11th issue the fever has greatly moderated and not a single death has been reported last week. There is a huge plague of snails affecting crops and people are advised to gather them as they are very suitable for feeding pigs.

June 18th: issue contains a very indignant letter protesting about a pauper with fever lying on Ballyshannon Bridge since Sunday last. The Board of Health should have put him in a lodging house and had a doctor visit him. Only one death has been reported in the past three weeks and that was of Matthew Donohue, an inoffensive, industrious man who kept a public house in Main St., Ballyshannon. There are very good prospects for the harvest. Enniskillen jail is said to be the most crowded in the kingdom.

At the Donegal Petty sessions reported on June 25th a little boy pleaded guilty to stealing a few ship’s biscuits from Messrs Bradshaw of Donegal Town. He was given six months’ jail. He cried as he was led away. Mary Ward got two months jail for stealing two hens.

Sept. 17th: reports that no rot can be seen in the potatoes and that a great fever rages about Enniskillen. The news from Fermanagh continues in the Oct 1st newspaper as it reports on the dissolution of Lowtherstown (Irvinestown) Poor Law Union. The immediate cause was the raising of the salary of the R.C. Chaplain to the Workhouse. In the row that followed the Protestant Chaplain’s salary was raised. Further rows caused the dismissal of the master of the workhouse and finally the Board of Guardians themselves were dismissed! This is the newspaper version of the dissolution of Lowtherstown P.L.U., but in fact there were much more grievous reasons why this

Union was taken over by a Government appointed Commissioner. The Guardians failed to levy anywhere near sufficient funds to support the poor and starving of the locality, thus causing the effects of the Famine to be even worse than need have been and the Workhouse which they were in charge of was very badly run. An inspector who visited Lowtherstown Workhouse wrote that he found people half naked dying in their own vomit and excrement, lying on the floor. He said that Lowtherstown was the worst workhouse that he ever visited. (See Parliamentary Papers: Irish Famine).

October 15th: reported the dissolution of Ballyshannon P.L.U. Commissioners and the appointment of a new government inspector. November 19th sees a letter saying that the people of the country are living on turnips and nothing else. The Gentlemen of the country must unite to stave off famine as they did last year.

The final note of 1847 reports the death of Mr. William Hassard of Garden Hill near Belcoo in Fermanagh. He was shot in the leg and died later. Suspicion pointed to one Creagh, (probably a Mc Grath from the Irish rendering of the name Mc Creigh) but there was insufficient evidence. Creagh’s father had been jailed by Hassard for non-payment of arrears of rent and had died in jail. (This is the type of indirect evidence of the Famine and its effects which makes one wish that this paper had made any decent attempt to write about the momentous events it was living through).