April 28, 2011

1911

Policeman runs over boyAs a little lad of 4 years and 5 months was playing on the roadway at about 5 o’clock at Eyre-square on Easter Monday afternoon, he was run over by a policeman riding a bicycle. The incident was witnessed by some people who were on the scene, and general indignation was expressed at the action of the constable who, it is stated, rode away after the incident had occurred.

The boy’s father immediately reported the matter to Mr. Hears, D.I., and to the Head-constable, who took a statement from him, but up to now the name of the constable – who, it is presumed, hails from a county station – has not been disclosed; although Mr O’Dea, solr., who has the matter in hand, has demanded it. The police, it is understood, are making all inquiries.

Scandalous outrageOn last Sunday night at Craughwell railway station what would, from the details to hand, appear to have been a wanton and cowardly attack was made on the train conveying the Galway Gaels from Cork where they had been engaged with the Gaels of that county in the final for the Croke Cup in hurling and football.

The entry of the train to the station was heralded by a volley of stones from behind hedges close to the station. As the tickets were being collected, another fusillade started and the windows of the compartments were completely wrecked. To avoid the onslaught, the passengers had to get on all fours. Some were injured and many ladies fainted.

The only reason that can be assigned for the discreditable display is that a split has taken place amongst the local Gaels, and during the attack the name of one gentleman prominently identified with the Gaelic movement in the county was greeted with boos and hisses.

The attack was so continuous and heavy that the collection of tickets had to be abandoned until the train reached Athenry, where passengers and train presented a most sorry appearance. The affair has met with general condemnation.

1936

Galway airbaseAt 7.10pm on Wednesday evening, a Crilly Airways ‘plane arrived at Oranmore Aerodrome, Galway, from Baldonnel, Dublin. Major F.L. Crilly, managing director, said: “Two years ago, we offered to open a service between England and Ireland, but your Government did not then consider that the time was opportune. I have not yet been to Cork or Foynes, but I am well satisfied with Galway’s aerial possibilities.”

Captain G.S. Jones-Evans, pilot, said that this was the first occasion on which he had landed at Oranmore. With but very few improvements, he said, Oranmore could be made a first class landing ground.

Wonderful horseThere is a horse in the town of Ballygar that is gaining a great reputation as a leg breaker. Last week, the horse was borrowed by a schoolteacher from its owner. When the teacher took out the horse, it lashed out and the man’s leg was broken. He was removed to Central Hospital Galway. A few days afterwards, the owner of the horse took it out and it lashed out again and broke his leg.

Murder busA special ‘bus which arrived in Ballinasloe on Sunday evening took up to twenty witnesses to Dublin who are giving evidence in the ‘Curley murder charge’. Superintendent Dunphy, Inspector Monnelly, Sergeant Cahill and other officers of the guards in Ballinasloe also left for Dublin.

Dangerous cornerJames McMullan, a driver of a demonstration lorry (two tons) for McCairns Motors, Dublin, had a nasty spill on the Ballinasloe-Portumna road last weekend. The driver, who was accompanied by Charles P. Miller, Galway, lost control and the lorry went head on into the ditch.

Several efforts were made to get it out of the ditch, but it was found that the vehicle was so deeply embedded in the drain that it had to be abandoned and left there for a couple of days.

The lorry was badly damaged and broken up and part of it, including the spare wheels and tools, were taken into Ballinasloe guards’ station. Mr McMullan, the driver, was fortunate in not being badly injured. With the exception of a few cuts and a tooth or two broken, he received no other injuries. The second man was not injured.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.