Galway In Days Gone By

Timber theft

At Galway Petty Sessions, John Melia, Church Lane, was charged by Mr. Hildebrand, D.I., with the larceny of a plank of forest timber, the property of Messrs. McDonogh and Co. The timber was valued at 6s.

Constable Gaffney swore that he met the defendant coming from the direction of the Docks at 10.20pm on the 5th November, carrying a plank of timber on his shoulder.

When questioned, the defendant said: “I am going to Flanagan’s.” When asked where he got the timber, he replied that he was going on a message. After arrest, the defendant said he “found it floating in the water, and that he would do 18 months for it, as we would have Home Rule by then.” The plank was 6ft long, 2ft broad and 2 ins. thick and was perfectly dry.

Mr. Hildebrand said that about 12 months ago, the defendant got two months’ imprisonment for the larceny of an overcoat. He was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment.

1941

Fire Brigade threat

A petrol shortage may stop the work of the Galway Fire Brigade in the near future. This dangerous situation would have been brought about long ago if the Corporation had not been prudent and far-seeing enough to lay in a stock before rationing commenced.

Now only sixty-eight gallons remain, and no petrol coupons have yet been received from the Department of Supplies for November or December.

Mr. P. O’Flaherty, B.E., temporary Borough Surveyor, told the Corporation that they would be “ruined” were it not that they had put in a strock, and said that the petrol allowance in any month was not sufficient to meet the month’s requirements. The allowance fell as low as forty-eight gallons a month while their monthly requirements sometimes went as high as ninety gallons.

City flooding

A complaint by Mr Redington at the Corporation meeting that flooding had occurred in Wood Quay and Bohermore because there was something wrong with the gulleys was supported by Ald. O’Flaherty.

Mr. Redington said that the flood water had entered houses and he asked the Corporation to have something done to prevent a recurrence.

Ald. O’Flaherty also complained about flooding in Dominick-street and said that water had destroyed goods belonging to one businessman.

The Town Clerk explained that there was a difference of opinion as to who was responsible for the maintenance of the gulleys in good condition.

Ald. O’Flaherty said that the County Surveyor held that the Corporation was responsible for maintenance after the County Council had laid the gulleys. He believed that the flooding would not occur if the gulleys were flushed frequently.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.