MEMORIES 2000 FROM THE ARCHIVES
THIS WEEK 21 YEARS AGO
Fermoy Urban District Council was yet again the scene to a political skirmish, as local councillors declared their anger with a county councillor who revealed details they didn’t want in the public domain.
Cllr Kevin O’Keeffe was accused, not by name but as an unnamed councillor, by Cllr John Hussey of issuing Fermoy Urban Renewal Literature. Cllr Hussey said that as a result of these actions, stories were circulating throughout the town that premises to qualify under the scheme had already been decided, which, he said, was untrue.
Cllr Tadhg O’Donovan said he could not fathom how recommendations forwarded to the Department of the Environment had fallen into the hands of a public representative outside the
UDC chamber, yet UDC councillors had not been able to get their hands on it. While Cllr John Murphy described it as a ‘slap in the face’ and added that the ‘individual responsible had some cheek to go around town pushing the plan through people’s doors’.
Despite not being named, TheAvondhu investigated the alleged leak and contacted Cllr O’Keeffe, who had handed the information out to homes across the area. He immediately admitted responsibility for distributing the documentation around the urban renewal scheme and defended his actions.
“As a public representative for the electoral area of Fermoy, I consider that when information such as this comes to hand, it is my duty to inform the people of Fermoy. Anyone who received a document from me on the recommendations, also received a covering letter stating that it is subject to Department of Environment regulations,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Mitchelstown, the sale of land at the leisure centre project site was up for discussion at a public meeting. The gathering heard that it was the only viable option to ensure the scheme became a reality as they worked to dispose of 5.5 acres of the eight acre site, owned by the Community Leisure Centre Committee.
According to committee chairman, Ben Lynch, purchasing Harrington’s Field in 1995 and the Canon’s Field, including the Peppermill Restaurant in 1997, resulted in a debt of £140,000. “This combined with dwindling support for the Leisure Centre Lotto, and a first phase price tag of £2m, leaves the committee with no option but to sell a portion of the land at Brigown,” he said.
However that option came under scrutiny by one of the founders of the project, Tom Hyland. In a statement to The Avondhu, the outspoken businessman expressed his ‘ concern at the way some of the assets are now going to be disposed of’.
“Are the community going to get the proper value for the land? The auctioneer says we are, I say we are not,” he commented.
In Cork County Council, there was another political squabble, this time over the allocation of seven 3-bed houses at Duntaheen, Fermoy. There were allegations of ‘favouritism’ and ‘ unfairness’ aimed at the council, when a number of callers, who were overlooked in favour of others, made contact with
TheAvondhu.
One woman, who did not wish to be named, said she was being forced to live in cramped conditions, while houses were handed out to some people who were obviously not nearly in as bad a position. Another caller claimed that similar favouritism was shown in the Christmas allocation of housing.
Ger Power, Acting Assistant County Manager, said that under the system of identifying letting priorities, all applicants were investigated by a council officer. He said it was not unusual to have several complaints after a house or a scheme of houses were allocated, as everyone feels they are the most deserving. “We would love to be able to give houses to everyone, but they are a scarce resource,” he explained.
Although Mitchelstown’s Gerald Sherlock was away in college in Scotland, it didn’t effect his luck as he won a bumper £11,500 in the Mitchelstown Community Leisure Centre Project Lotto. Claiming the £10,000 top prize, he also won £1,500 when he matched four numbers in another lotto selection. Gerard, a native of St Fanahan’s Place, was no stranger to winning the local lotto as in August 1999 his numbers scooped the £5,000 jackpot!
In sport - Kilworth Celtic FC were celebrating victory in the Liam Fitzgerald Memorial Cup following a 3-1 win over Brideview A in Conna. They opened their account on the day when Darian O’Donoghue ‘turned on a six pence’ for the lead the goal, following a cross from Kevin Howard. 1-0 at the interval, Tommy Seymour scored twice in the second half to secure victory. Kilworth’s captain, Ger McCarthy, proudly accepted the cup after their historic win.