November 3, 2011

1911

Bad waterAt a meeting of Ballinasloe Rural District Council, Dr. J.J. Rossiter, M.O., for Ballinasloe district, reported that the water supply in Mackerrey was inadequate. It was unfit for human use.

Mr. Gill: Acting on this report, I have taken two samples of water and have forwarded them to Sir Charles Cameron.

Dr. Gavin: Kiltormer Dispensary District reported 7 cases of diphtheria and one case of enteric fever.

Mr. Gill: I have taken samples of the water in different places.

Mr. McKeigue: Every place around about has been affected by it.Chairman: The first thing we have to do is to order the pump to be closed up at once.

Cattle trespassPat Keane summoned Catherine Gallagher for trespass of three head of cattle on a commonage on the side of the public road. Pat Keane swore: I am a road contractor and on the 11th October, I found three head of cattle grazing on a plot of grass on the side of the road. I have strict orders from the Co. Surveyor not to allow any animals to be trespassing on my road. I gave the cattle up to Mrs. Gallagher’s son, and he abused me.

Mr. Glynn (defending solr.): On the east side of the road there is a commonage with no fence. Will you make up this fence and there will be no more trespass.

- It would cost too much.

- Mr. McElroy: How long is it?

- Mr. Glynn: It is only about 25 yards.

- Mr. McElroy: That’s not so much.

- Mr. Glynn: I have made more money on these people than what would build a fence from Derrybrien to here altogether (laughter).

- Mr. Glynn: I hope not. Dr. Comyn and myself have purchased a motor car out of it.

- The Court ordered Sergeant Lenigan to settle the dispute between them.

1936

Pitch invasionSpectators invaded the pitch and joined in the fight when blows were exchanged by opposing players fifteen minutes from the end of a Mayo County championship gaelic football match between Ballina and Ballycastle at Ballycastle on Sunday.

The Gardaí, it is stated, were unable to control the crowd, and the fight continued for 10 minutes. A number of the players were injured, including Gerald Courell, a former captain of the Mayo County team (fractured ribs), P. Moclair (injured legs), R. Frazer (body injuries), T. Curran (split shin), James McHale (split shin) and J. Kelly (facial injuries), all of the Ballina team.

Garda Kirwan and some of the Ballycastle players were also injured. Ballycastle was leading by six points to one when the fight started, and the game was abandoned. The match was in the Intermediate Division.

Strange experienceWhile motoring at Recess on Saturday night, Anthony Hynes, Kilkerrin, saw something dark out past his car and dive into the lake nearby. Almost at the same moment, the car lurched as if to follow the object. Hynes “blocked” his steering in the opposite direction and, applying the brakes, succeeded in bringing the car to a standstill. He then discovered that the vehicle, a 14.9 h.p. Ford, had discarded one of its front wheels and had been endeavouring to hobble along on three wheels.

Meanwhile, the missing wheel had floated far out into the lake, and its owner had no option but to take an icy dip in the moonlight.

English-speaking allegationsAllegations against children sent to the Gaeltacht by Coiste na bPaisti, made at Rathmines by Aindrias Mac Siomeoin, as Reachtaire of the Technical Schools Gaelic society were dealt with at a public meeting at An Cnoc, County Galway. Householders where the children stayed completely denied allegations that only a fourth of the 370 children spoke Irish during their stay in the Gaeltacht, and that the people of the Gaeltacht were speaking English either with the children or among themselves.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.