FROM THE ARCHIVES
In TheAvondhu headlines 21 years ago was the news that Clúid had proposals for a 42-unit sheltered housing project on Ashe Quay in Fermoy, while An Bord Pleanála gave the go-ahead for a Tesco superstore in Mitchelstown; the original decision by the council had been appealed by The Retail Grocery Dairy and Allied Trades Association.
A public consultation process was to be carried out in Glanworth apropos a new bridge over the river Funcheon, while elsewhere, Cork County
Council were to clean and install delineators at a problem culvert at Bawnard in Ballindangan following a deputation from its residents to an area committee meeting.
Galtee Meats signed a €20 million contract to exclusively supply Musgraves with all its pork products; the company would process almost 6,000 pigs a week to meet the demand, 15% of the total national kill. Meanwhile local farmers were among a 300-strong IFA ‘tractorcade’ that travelled to the Dáil to push for increased incomes; they included Castletownroche’s John Magner and Richard Quirke, as well as Jerry Murphy from Killavullen. 17-year-old Glenroe farmer, John Kelly, was the youngest to take part and was pictured with his ‘faithful travelling companion’, DJ Sheehy.
Elsewhere, the closure of the Mart in Mitchelstown was given a two-page spread outlining the history of the well-known facility, including pictures of ‘ Turkey Thursday’. In Tipperary, meanwhile, the post office in Burncourt closed, apart from a few hours on Friday when pensioners could collect their payments; the Dowling family had run the valuable service for three generations.
Anita Meagher of Cappoquin Macra was presented with a special award by the organisation’s county chairman for her hard work and achievements, while Teagasc’s Dr Kevin O’Farrell, from Castletownroche, was appointed to the Advisory Committee on Veterinary Medicines of the Irish Medicines Board. In Lismore, the late Sr Baptist was honoured by local councillors; the former secondary school teacher had taught in the town for 57 years. In Mitchelstown Girl Guides, outgoing area commissioner, Linda Sheehy, was presented with shopping vouchers having joined the local group over 20 years previously.
A long-running dispute between Kevin T Finn, some residents of King’s Square and Kingston Close and Dairygold, came to a close at Mallow Circuit Court, as Dairygold promised to operate within noise limits stated in their licence.
Fermoy litter warden, John Barry, commended the townspeople as they embraced a six-month-old paper recycling bank that had been installed next to the bottle banks.
An EPA oral hearing on the Bottlehill landfill came to a close; a predicted cost of £9 million in 1999 had risen by 500% to €56 million in early 2003. Land acquisition costs and road improvements were not included in this figure.
Fermoy’s Ross Ó Lochlainn took first prize in the Social and Behavioural Section at the Esat BT Young Scientist competition, representing Coláiste an Phiarsaigh in Glanmire. He had undertaken a study of the effects of tolling on the then-proposed Fermoy bypass, drawing ' some very interesting conclusions'.
Mitchelstown Community Council announced plans to develop part of the Town Hall grounds with seating and a paved patio. New footpaths were denied for King’s Square in the town owing to the cost, but Kent Bridge in Fermoy did and traffic was reduced to one lane while the new tarmac was laid. Meanwhile, the Fermoy Heritage Society planned a John Anderson Day to commemorate the founder of the town.
Anglo Irish Bank had a full-page advert for a ‘7 Day Notice Personal Deposit Account’, and sterling deposit accounts for customers affected by the demutualisation of Scottish Provident. Loreto, Fermoy were running a draw, with tickets priced at €150; prizes included a car and a €3,000 holiday.
There were adverts for buses travelling to Bruce Springsteen in the RDS that coming May, as well as Robbie Williams in the Phoenix Park, while A1 Cabs opened in New Market Square in Mitchelstown.
As part of their Communion and Confirmation dinner promotion, Corbett Court provided one free quad bike ride at Glen Quads, while a traditional January 'Health and Fitness' feature included information on pitch and putt at Castle Gardens in Mitchelstown, and ‘Syndrome X’, caused by a diet high in sugar; luckily, a magic cure promised to speed up one’s metabolism.
On Christmas Eve 2002 the Lismore Fire Brigade collected over €4,000 for St Carthage’s House in their eighth annual ladder climb, while Cork footballer Colin Corkery was the invited guest of Araglin GAA for the presentation of medals to the U16s and was pictured with Tom, Gráinne and Paddy Kenneally.