From the Archives

25 Years Ago

2001

Angler’s Ashes

The story of Jim Jackson, an English angler from Hull who spent more than two decades fishing the rivers and lakes of Cavan, touched many in the region. Having visited annually with his wife Jean, he grew deeply attached to Lough Oughter, especially Montgomery’s Ford and Trinity. Following his death, Jean honoured his final request by scattering his ashes on his favourite stretch of the lake shortly before Christmas. The couple had built lasting friendships in Butlersbridge with Charlie and Patricia Mundy, and Jim’s absence had been widely mourned. Jean, who kept ponies and donkeys at Killykeen during their holidays, regretfully noted that she was unlikely to return as frequently, as she had always relied on her husband to drive.

UDC urge use of CCTV

At Cavan Urban Council, concerns about the rising levels of vandalism, harassment, and attacks in the town reached new urgency.

Cllr Terry Argue highlighted the growing damage to parked cars and proposed employing security personnel, particularly after a shopkeeper’s vehicle had been vandalised to the tune of £750.

Dr Eamon McDwyer argued strongly for the installation of cameras in carparks, pointing to ongoing disturbances such as the long-standing late-night racket in College Street that left two female residents terrorised for 20 years.

Other councillors noted poor lighting, roving gangs, and recent assaults on two women near the John Paul complex.

Chairman Patrick Sexton stated that the council would act decisively, improving lighting and installing CCTV to restore safety for shoppers and visitors to the town...

Clash over Glan gypsum

A clash unfolded at Cavan County Council over the longstanding issue of gypsum deposits in Glangevlin. Cllr Peter McVitty claimed that nothing had been done in 30 years to develop an industry that could provide employment in West Cavan, an area long afflicted by emigration.

Cllr Eddie Feely countered that he and others had worked to progress mining and manufacturing there, lamenting that an attempt by Sean Quinn to obtain a licence in 1996, which had been “floored".

With Gypsum Industries having surrendered its licence the previous April and no new development emerging, Cllr McVitty called for ministerial intervention.

County Manager Brian Johnston confirmed that an exploration licence had been advertised, though the outcome remained unknown.

50 Years Ago

1976

Judge appointed

Judge Herbert McWilliam, a Ballybay native educated at Trinity College Dublin and the King’s Inns, was appointed to the High Court.

Having served in the Defence Forces during the Emergency and later establishing a substantial legal practice on the Northern Circuit, he had been appointed a Circuit Court judge in 1973 and was advanced to the higher bench...

Monaghan scheme delayed

Plans for the development of the Monaghan Vocational School and the Monaghan Collegiate School at Beech Hill encountered delays when the Department refused to approve submitted costings.

Dr Hill, CEO of the County Monaghan Vocational Committee, reported that the architect’s estimate of £151 per square metre for the vocational school and £144 for the collegiate school exceeded the Department’s standard rate of £119.

He remained optimistic that adjustments could be made in finishing work to satisfy cost requirements, noting that a meeting with the Department’s officers was scheduled to resolve the matter. Special consideration might also be possible due to the challenging conditions of the site...

Gruesome find in Clones attic

Clones Gardaí launched an investigation after workmen discovered human remains in the attic of a business premises at the Diamond.

State Pathologist, Dr Harbison, conducted a post-mortem, though early indications suggested the remains had been there for many years and that the sex of the infant had yet to be determined...

Storm damage at GAA HQ

Storm damage at Cavan GAA headquarters, Breffni Park, caused significant destruction to the galvanised paling along the approach road.

The ongoing construction of the new stand remained visible in the aftermath, and it was anticipated that the damaged fencing would be replaced by a concrete wall under the park’s broader development scheme.

100 Years Ago

1926

Refused to apologise

In Enniskillen Urban Council, a heated exchange erupted when the Workers’ Council objected to remarks made at a previous meeting by Mr R. R. Browne, who had claimed that 75% of the unemployed were “loafers".

Browne, a major employer, stood firmly by his comments, noting that he had long worked to secure affordable fuel for the very people he was accused of insulting.

The chairman urged Labour representatives not to take Browne’s statements too seriously, suggesting his “bark was worse than his bite".

Workers’ Council secretary Mr Jones protested that the unemployed who “went out to fight” were not loafers, and that Browne’s comments had been deeply insulting.

When Jones moved that the Council demand an apology, the chairman refused to put the motion on the grounds that it fell outside council business.

The Labour members promptly walked out...

Thefts at Mohill Post Office

At Mohill District Court, post office assistant Bridget Kate Maguire, aged 24, faced charges of embezzlement at Newtowngore Post Office.

The prosecution alleged deficits totalling more than £25 over several months, though her father had repaid the sums.

Her solicitor argued that poor conditions, frequent raiding, and Maguire’s unsuitability for clerical work accounted for the inaccuracies.

The judge applied the Probation of Offenders Act, ordering her only to pay expenses...

Poteen find near Lisnaskea

At Lisnaskea Licensing Court, several men were charged in relation to poteen production.

In separate incidents, Francis Sweeney was found carrying nearly a gallon of illegally distilled spirits, while Peter McDonnell and Michael Moan senior were discovered with active stills, wash, and apparatus in mountainous terrain near their homes.

Police recounted how the Moans attempted to flee, with the younger man caught carrying the worm of a still. Sweeney received six weeks’ hard labour; McDonnell and Moan senior were sentenced to three months and fined £20 each; the younger Moan was fined £6.