November 24, 2011

1911

Labourer shotWhilst Bartley McDonagh, a Connemara labourer, employed by Martin Conroy, farmer, Breanloughan, near Galway, was walking along the road on Sunday afternoon at 5 o’clock, a shot was fired from the adjoining field, striking the unfortunate man in the hip and posterior.

The affair has created a sensation in the district. Conroy, who is unpopular owing to some land he holds, was fired at and wounded in the head some years ago. The District Inspector, with a large force of police, searched the district, but no arrests have so far been made.

Kinvara floodedMr. T.W. Roseingrave, engineer to the Council, reported, in reference to the flooding of the Main-street in Kinvara.

He wrote – About 75 yards of the main street was badly flooded with the level of the water in the street about 3ft. 6ins. Above the level of some of the floors of the houses on the north side. This flooding was occasioned by the choking of the sewer at the catch pit.

Workhouse entertainmentOn Monday, 13 inst., the Master of Tuam Board of Guardians reported that a very excellent tea was given to the inmates by the Misses Cleary (nieces of the Archbishop). After the tea, there was a very enjoyable entertainment, during which Miss Cleary personally distributed tobacco to the old men and women, and fruit, sweets and toys to the children.

Especial thanks were due to Miss Cleary for the great interest she takes in the comfort and happiness of the inmates. Sincere thanks were also due to the Rev. Father McDermott (chaplain), Rec. Father Heneghan, C.C., Father Cunningham and Professor Guy, who were always ready and willing to cooperate, as they have often done, in bringing bright moments to the monotonous indoor life of the inmates.

1936

Poteen raidsThe Gardaí have been very active in raiding for poteen in South Connemara during the past week. On Friday morning, Gardaí from Lettermore captured over £200 worth of poteen-making implements and wash, while the Gardaí from Rosmuc station are reported to have seized two barrels of poteen in Derryrush.

New city schoolGalway City Vocational Education Committee estimate that they will require an additional £7,000 to cover all the costs in connection with the erection and equipment of their new school at Father Griffin Road, Galway. If this €7,000 is borrowed by the Galway Urban Council, half the repayment charges will be refunded to the city by the Department of Education. Of the amount is borrowed by the Vocational Education Committee, the full repayment charges will fall on the city.

Hospital funding crisisThe seriousness of the financial position of the Hospitals and Dispensaries Committee of the Galway County Board of Health was referred to at the Committee’s meeting at the Central Hospital. The secretary said that the total demand for the year was £48,130 as compared with £42,000 for the current financial year, an increase of £6,130, of which £3,300 was required to meet a debit balance on March 31.

At present, the Committee had no funds to meet the November or December payments unless the treasurers (the Galway branch of the National Bank) were kind enough to allow an overdraft.

Money should be made available from some source to meet immediate requirements, such as payment for turf supplies, weekly and monthly wages of workmen and domestic staff etc. and unless the treasurers were satisfied that arrangements were being made to provide a debit balance, they would hardly allow an overdraft. The whole position was very serious.

The secretary had gone into the figures and had cut them to the lowest limit. The Committee had now no money. The sum of £750 was now required to meet cheques and he could not go to the treasurers and ask for an overdraft. There was money now due for turf and it should be paid.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.