50 YEARS AGO
March 9, 1957
TRAIN HITS DERRY
Throughout the weekend, police and military on both sides of the border were on the hunt for three men who captured a GNR goods train near Porthall, Co Donegal, and sent it speeding driverless into Derry station. The men used detonators and red flags to initially stop the train at around 3am. They removed its crew at gunpoint and drove it to the border, three miles from Derry. They then set the control and jumped off, sending the train on its mission of destruction. A telephoned warning to Derry from the signalman at St Johnson averted greater damage and a possible blockage of the entire station as they were able to switch the train to one of the main platforms. The ninety ton train ploughed for 20 feet into the concrete but remained on the track. Searches are still taking place to locate the gunmen responsible.
MINING SURVEY
Following last week's visit by Mr Harvey Kendrick, a representative of the Canadian mining firm at present prospecting and exploring in other parts of the country, there was a special meeting of the Letterkenny Development Association. They met to discuss how best the Donegal mineral potential can best be exploited. The Chairman, Mr Edward McDaid, said he had a helpful chat with Mr Kendrick and gathered that experts from the Canadian firms would come to Donegal in the next few weeks to look into the mining possibilities. Mr Kendrick is likely to be amongst the group and he promised to attend a meeting of the Association. Meanwhile he asked that as much information as possible be gathered about former mines in the district. He stated that his company definitely intended to go ahead with exploratory work in the county.
FANCY DRESS
More than 300 children took part in one of the most colourful, humorous and spectacular fancy dress shows held in Letterkenny for many years. The new school of the Immaculate Conception at Sentry Hill, from which all the competition was drawn, was crowded for a two day event. Held in the well-equiped, spacious assembly hall, the two judges were held to the arduous task of selecting the prize-winners. Categories included Historical, Original, Comical, Artistic and Topical as well as Prettiest and Men-o'-War in the junior sections. Capacity crowds attended the event.
TURF CUTTING COMMENCED
As a result of the excellent dry weather of the past week, great activity prevailed in the bogs of several areas of South-West Donegal as the turf cutting season was commenced by many house-holders and turf vendors. In the districts of Laughill, Crove, Largeynaseeragh, Meenacharvey, Straln and Lemagowra, men were to be seen pearing bogs and cutting their turf crops. In some cases, householders have the bulk of their crop cut out. The excellent weather has been the principle factor and was responsible for the early start of operations. The fact that the turf is banked and will not be spread until the early Spring is a guarantee that it will not suffer much if any period of frost kicks in.
FOX EXTERMINATION
Reports coming to hand to the members of the Glencolumcille Parish Council of Muintir na Tire indicate that the fox extermination scheme is having the desired effect. It was put into operation by the Parish Council some weeks ago. Already carcasses of foxes have been found on the mountains and the moors. The marauders died as a result of picking up the poison traps laid in the fastness of the mountains and in sea clics under the direction of the Parish Council.
25 YEARS AGO
March 6, 1982
ANOTHER ELECTION
Strange times in Letterkenny. Not only is the cathedral town without a TD but it also has no "Lord Mayor". Amid the welter of political developments of the past few weeks, Mr Barney McDaid quietly relinquished his claim to the chain of office so Letterkenny has been left with no-one at the helm. But to keep everyone in practice for elections, the Community Centre will take the people of the town back to the polls to elect Barney's successor. Jim Lynch again takes over as Director of Elections.
"I would love to see this election turn into a carnival that would cast away the gloom and doom for a few weeks. The cause is a good one," he said.
NEW SHOPPING CENTRE
Work is to start next May on a 100,000 square foot shopping complex on the site currently used by Lough Swilly and CIE at the junction of the Ramelton and Port Roads in Letterkenny. The complex, which will cost an estimated £4 and a half million to build, will be the largest of its kind in Donegal and comparable to any in the country. Not only will it confirm Letterkenny as the new commercial capital of the entire North-West, but it will create jobs for 165 people when completed.
"RUBBISH" ARGUMENT
"Does the time 12.53am exist and is it legal?" was the question asked by a solicitor defending a man found driving while under the influence. The solicitor applied for a dismissal on the grounds that the summons stated the incident to have occurred at 12.53am. He argued that no such official time occurred and that the time should have been 00.53am. Justice BM Brennan, however, said it was a load of rubbish and dismissed the argument.
The solicitor had also applied for a direction on the grounds that the spelling of the defendant's hometown was incorrect. The judge responded by saying that he wasn't interested in the spelling and was satisfied that it referred to the town in question. He fined the defendant £75 and suspended his licence for a year.
HORSESHOE PITCHERS WANTED
Efforts are being made to get a rather unusual league of the ground in Donegal. A meeting is being held in Manorcunningham this week for anyone in the county interested in Horseshoe Pitching.
The eventual aim of the organisers is that a team representing the county will take part in the All-Ireland Horseshoe Pitching Competition.
ULSTER FOR UNDER 21S?
Commitment and determination will, according to the new County U - 21 team manager, see Donegal through to picking up the Ulster final this year. These were the confident words of the County Board's latest appointment, Mr Tom Conaghan, who was elected this week.
Mr Connaghan's remarkable success story with the Four Masters senior squad in 1981 is one which will stand him well in his new job. This year's Ulster title race begins with a game against Cavan at Breffni Park.
