From the Archives 160426

25 Years Ago

2001

Little interest in Glangevlin Gypsum mine

Prospects for gypsum mining in the Glangevlin area appeared uncertain following correspondence from the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources to Cavan County Council.

The Department confirmed that the area had been included in prospecting licence competitions in August and November 2000, and again in February 2001, but no company expressed interest. The previous licence holder, Gypsum Industries of Kingscourt, had held the licence from April 1996 before surrendering it in April 2000, reportedly due to concerns about the project’s viability.

However, the Minister stated that the surrender of the licence did not necessarily rule out the possibility of future development.

The issue prompted debate among council members.

Eddie Feeley claimed that Seán Quinn had effectively been excluded from Glangevlin in 1996, a situation locals had not forgotten. Andrew Boylan maintained his support for developing the mine, while Peter McVitty proposed writing to the Minister to encourage progress, regardless of who led the project.

Seán Smith noted that while the Minister could make licences available, development depended on investor interest, adding that the lack of engagement from Quinn was indeed disappointing.

Arms Trial inquiry underway

Public reaction continued to grow following revelations by Captain James Kelly regarding documents linked to the 1970 Arms Trial drew a strong response from local readers who expressed strong support for the Bailieborough man's efforts to uncover previously unseen material seen as helping him restore his reputation.

Minister for Justice John O’Donoghue confirmed that he had contacted Garda Headquarters, the Attorney General, and the Chief State Solicitor seeking clarification on the alteration of Colonel Hefferon’s statement, a situation that came to light only after an RTÉ investigation, and which had formed part of the Book of Evidence in the trial.

FMD outbreak a blow to morale

New cases of Foot and Mouth Disease in Northern Ireland dealt a significant blow to confidence among farmers in border counties.

Minister for Agriculture Joe Walsh urged farmers and the public to remain vigilant and maintain strict biosecurity measures.

While some restrictions had recently eased- including the resumption of horse racing- plans to allow marts to operate as collection points for slaughter cattle were suspended.

There was also uncertainty surrounding the resumption of artificial insemination (AI) services. Officials indicated that limited services might resume in some southern areas, though not immediately in border regions.

At the height of outbreak, over 50 farms in Cavan were placed under restriction orders, though many were precautionary.

50 Years Ago

1976

Minister urges economy amid rising costs

Rising costs for oil, electricity, and heating were placing severe financial pressure on Cavan Vocational Education Committee, members heard at a meeting to approve the annual financial scheme.

Chief Executive Officer Mr P. Fleming warned that the scale of utility bills was “frightening,” while the Minister called for the strictest economy in spending.

The total allocation stood at £496,314, including £32,000 from local rates, with the remainder coming primarily from government grants. A reduction of £51,795 had been applied to estimates.

Cuts particularly affected school maintenance, while rising energy costs compounded the situation. Members also expressed concern about limited access to third-level education, as students from Cavan often had to travel to regional colleges in Sligo or Dundalk.

Proposals were discussed to expand local access to courses and increase scholarship provision, though resources remained constrained...

Roving 'Mr Music Man' visits Cavan

Well-known travelling musician and entertainer “Pecker” Dunne stopped in Cavan during his nationwide journey.

A multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, he had recently recorded his first LP, A Tinker’s Lullaby, in Belfast.

Known for his nomadic lifestyle, he described every town as his home, with his next destination simply “wherever the road takes me”...

Call to hand up firearms

Senior Garda officers issued a nationwide request for all licensed firearm holders to present their weapons at local Garda stations for classification and recording.

The measure followed earlier actions in which higher-calibre firearms had been retained by authorities in the interest of public safety. Since then, over 1,500 such weapons had remained in Garda custody.

The latest initiative extended to all sporting firearms, including shotguns and .22 rifles.

Gardaí confirmed that the process would be carried out in stages and that firearms would be returned after being recorded at a central data facility in Phoenix Park.

Dramatic rescue of Ballybay Driver

A young Ballybay man, Tommy Chambers, was recovering in Monaghan County Hospital after a dramatic rescue involving a lorry he was driving.

The incident occurred on the road between Derryvalley and Rockcorry when an old railway bridge at Lisgillen collapsed beneath the vehicle, sending it plunging approximately 20 feet onto a disused railway line.

Mr Chambers became trapped in the cab, prompting a major rescue operation involving Ballybay and Monaghan fire brigades.

Working under dangerous conditions due to the unstable position of the lorry, crews took four hours to free him.

The rescue, witnessed by the man's family, was described as one of the most dramatic in the county.

100 Years Ago

1926

Bicycle Stolen in Ballyhaise

A young man, Marshall Gillespie of Fastry, Co Monaghan, appeared before a special court in Cavan charged with the alleged theft of a bicycle belonging to William Mulligan, Drumgole.

The bicycle was reportedly taken from the Protestant Hall in Ballyhaise on the night of March 20.

The accused was remanded on bail to a future sitting of the District Court...

Sudden Death of Cootehill Restaurant Owner

The sudden death occurred of Thomas Porter, a well-known restaurant owner and farmer from Cootehill.

Mr Porter had been going about his normal business on the day of his death, attending a funeral earlier before becoming suddenly ill at his home that evening.

His funeral took place on Sunday at the old graveyard in Cootehill, with Rev. H.R. Armstrong and Rev. J.K. Currie officiating.