November 1, 2012

1912

Drunken constablesA startling story just reaches us from Athenry. One night during the past week, two constables who had to go out on patrol duty set into the country rather the worse for drink, their rifles slung over their shoulders, and no lights on their machines.

After going some distance one of the wobbling and reckless policemen ran down a civilian named Pat Doherty, and of course got spilled himself.

What then did he do? Irritated at his discomfiture, took his rifle and belaboured the unfortunate man with it, inflicting such terrible injuries that he had to be removed in an unconscious state to Dr. Quinlan’s, where 26 stitches were put in his head.

A force of police was sent out to arrest the constable who so forgot himself. It is said his companion was not arrested, that he cleared out. We get this account from a reliable source, just as we go to Press, and we give it for what it is worth.

1937

Spiddal sewerageThe Spiddal sewerage scheme was completed on Saturday at a cost of roughly £2,750, but so far not one house in the village has been linked up with the mains. The scheme is therefore of no practical benefit to the village as yet, and a ‘Connacht Tribune’ reporter was informed that many householders will be slow to incur the expense of availing of it.

During the present summer, new footpaths were laid down in Spiddal and if every house in the village were now induced or compelled to install the modern sanitary accommodation made available, Spiddal would shortly become the cleanest and most attractive little holiday resort on the West of Ireland.

Migrants returnAbout fifty migratory labourers returned from the potato fields of England to their homes in the Carraroe area on Monday evening. They were mostly young men and boys, and judging from their merriment as they passed in special buses, they appear to have had a good season.

Hotel staffAccording to a statement to The Connacht Tribune of a well-known southern hotel manageress at the recent annual meeting of the Irish Tourist Association, the vocational schools have failed to supply suitable staffs for employment. In Cork, Limerick, Galway or any other large centre, staffs have in most cases to be imported from Dublin.

Thirsty workAt Galway District Court before District Justice Sean Mac Giollarnath, the Attorney General summoned Charles Canavan, William-street, Galway, for breach of the licensing laws. Inspector Leen, G.S., prosecuted, and Mr. J. O’Donnell, solicitor, appeared for the defendant.

Sergeant Fitzgerald said that at 9.30pm on September 5 he was admitted to the licensed premises of defendant and found six men drinking there. When questioned by witness, one of the men found on the premises said: “I was dry after lighting up the harbour and I went in for a drink”.

Mr. O’Donnell pleaded guilty on behalf of the defendant, who, he said, purchased the premises last July. This was defendant’s first offence, and he asked that he be allowed off without an endorsement. The Justice imposed a fine of £2 with an endorsement.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.