June 2, 2011

Date Published: 01-Jun-2011

1911

Shooting tragedyThe opening of the bathing season at Salthill, the picturesque Galway seaside resort, was marred when an appalling tragedy was enacted in a boarding house, a commercial traveller shooting his mother-in-law dead and injuring his two children, aged about four and five years, to such an extent that they are in a precarious condition in the Galway Infirmary.

From inquiries made, it appears the unfortunate man had been in financial trouble recently, which probably affected his mind.

Drunken assaultAt the city petty sessions, a man was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Dominick-st., and assaulting Constable Donegan. The constable deposed that on the evening of May 17, he was on duty in Dominick-street, and the defendant was guilty of disorderly conduct. He was interfering with another man, a blacksmith, who was working there. He was trying to get into the shop, and the owner was endeavouring to keep him out. Witness came on the scene and arrested him. He violently resisted arrest, and witness was forced to knock him down.

Defendant got hold of his cape and struck him twice, and prevented him from bringing him to the barrack. Only that another constable came to his assistance, he would have great difficulty in bringing the defendant to the barrack.

D.I. Heard said the man had been in jail since the assault, as he could not get bail. Constable Donegan said the man belongs to Munster-lane, but worked with a farmer in the Oranmore district. For being drunk and disorderly, the man was fined 5s and costs, and for the assault on the constable, he was sentenced to a month’s imprisonment.

The Chairman said the magistrates had taken into account the fact that he had already been in jail, and were letting him off with the very light sentence of a month.

1936

June snowHolidaymakers who intended to spend Whit Monday out of doors in Ballinasloe were disappointed. Rain fell all day, and in the afternoon there were heavy showers of hail and snow. To see snow on the ground for a couple of hours on June 1 was unusual, and the oldest inhabitant cannot recall an occasion when the weather was so wintry for the Whitsun holidays. All outdoor games and amusements were abandoned. Late in the evening, the heavy rain was accompanied by thunder and there were occasional flashes of lightning.

Cottages destroyedFour occupied thatched cottages on Tullinadaly Road, Tuam, were destroyed by fire on Friday evening last. The fire was noticed about 8 o’clock when the thatch of one house was seen burning near the chimney. Owing to the dry nature of the thatch, the flame spread rapidly and the other adjoining houses became involved.

Gardaí Mulvey and Lynagh were soon on the scene and with a number of neighbours succeeded in the removal of all the inhabitants and practically their entire furniture. The difficulty of stopping the fire from spreading was rendered more difficult by the long distance from which water had to be conveyed in buckets and other vessels. 

The nearest water pump is about 200 yards from the houses, and the river where was still further away. The houses, which were the property of Mr. Martin Corcoran, were occupied by Mrs. McHugh, Mrs. McGrath, Mrs. Flaherty and families and the Misses Smith.

It is not clear what was the origin of the fire, one statement being that it was a spark from a chimney on fire and another that it was the spark from papers lit by children. The occupiers of the houses have obtained temporary dwelling.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.