CIVIL DEFENCE MEETING
The first meeting to recruit volunteers for the civil defence was held by the County Council in Letterkenny this week. The meeting, the first of its kind in the county, attracted a fair attendance including prominent public figures from the area. Two films, "The Effects of Atomic Warfare" and "Hydrogen Bomb" were shown. These were described by the County Manager as the most terrible and horrific he had ever seen. At the conclusion of the meeting, a number of those present became the first citizens in the county to join the Citizen Defence Organisation (CDO). The purpose of the meeting was to awaken people to the danger of atomic warfare.
WELCOME FOR NEW MINISTER
A tumultuous reception was accorded the new Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, Mr Neal Blaney, on his triumphant return home after his elevation to Ministerial Office. The occasion was a historical one and provided some of the biggest and most spectacular victory rallies since the formation of Fianna Fail. Letterkenny was the centre of the great demonstration, when Mr Blaney arrived there following a record-breaking meeting at Lifford.
For over an hour beforehand, despite the inclement weather, crowds assembled at the Market Square where a platform had been provided. Mr Blaney's car was escorted into the town by a guard of honour. A huge procession preceeded the Ministerial party, which was headed by three bands. The processionalists bore torchlights, and the parade covered the whole length of Port Road, Upper and Lower Main Street and Ballymacool. Bonfires were also burned on the hillsides surrounding the town.
POSTING EGGS
At this season of the year, considerable quantities of eggs are conveyed by post. The Minister of Posts and Telegraphs, therefore, directs the attention of the public to the method of packing found by experience to afford the best protection. A strong rigid box, with suitable partitions and a well fitting lid, should be used. Each egg should be wrapped seperately with paper or soft material and placed on end in a seperate compartment. Any spaces between the eggs should be filled with paper or some such material. The cover of the package should be conspicuously marked "eggs".
SHOOTING CONTEST
In an Inter-Platoon FCA .22 Shooting Competition held at FCA Headquarters, Rockhill, the Letterkenny team had a splendid win with a total of 283 points. Runners-up were Lifford with 273 points and in third place were Cloghan with 271. The Chief Register and Adjudicator in charge of the competition was Captain T.P. Nee. The individual placings found a tie for the first place with the high scoring of 54 for a possible of 54 points and lay between Lieut. McMenamin, Cloghan, and Lieut. Dawson.
NEW RULE ON MASS
A papal rescript, published in the Vatican City, gives Bishops the right to allow priests to celebrate mass in the afternoon every day, provided it is of spiritual advantage to the faithful. The Pontiff has made this innovation in response to suggestions from Bishops. Hithero, Mass in the afternoons was only allowed on Sundays, holy days of obligation and on the first Friday of each month. The rescript abolishes all previous rules on the subject, including an Apostolic Constitution issued by the Pope four years ago.
25 YEARS AGO
March 27, 1982
LORD MAYOR CANDIDATES
Election fever returns to Letterkenny over the coming months following the selection of candidates to compete for the title of Lord Mayor of Letterkenny. The title was held for the last two years by Mr Barney McDaid who, under the rules of office, cannot stand again. The new candidates will hit the campaign trail and whoever raises most money for charity will be announced as the new Lord Mayor on May 21. The candidates are Mr Johnny Gallagher of McNeely Villas, Mrs Margaret Doherty, also of McNeely Villas, and Mr Peter "Eddie" Flynn of Main Street.
ESSENTIAL MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
Theatre nurses at Letterkenny General Hospital are asking the people of the entire county to help the nursing staff purchase a Gastroscope, a small but extremely expensive piece of diagnostic equipment which is used for diagnostic purposes and to perform biopsies. A gastroscope was installed in the hospital last week when enough money for a downpayment was raised. It costs £10,500 and so far £5000 has been raised. £4500 of this was donated by Donegal farmers.
SENIOR SHIELD FOR KILCAR
Martin McHugh found his scoring touch as his points in last week's Shield final brought Kilcar from behind at the end of the first half to an outstanding victory over Naomh Columba, last year's winners. Each team dominated a half of the game, Naomh Columba the first and Kilcar the second. The second half saw the game threaten to get out of hand as the tension and desire to win mounted in front of the large crowd. Three players were booked in all. Overall, Kilcar deserved to win. They were the team that put the most effort into the game, particularly in the second half. Glen tried hand, but Kilcar closed off all their opportunities. The game finished Naomh Columba 1-05, Kilcar 1-10.
WALKING IRELAND
A 55 year old Waterford man started out from Malin Head in an attempt to break the existing record for walking to Mizen Head, Cork. John Dowling, originally of Tramore and now living in England, is walking in aid of a charity in England. The 1971 record of 7 days 22 minutes was broken in 1979 by Roy Dickens of Antrim in a marathon walk from south to north.
NEW ST CONAL'S TREATMENT
The first National Symposium on Behavioral Pyschotherapy was conducted by personnel from St Conal's Hospital in the Ballyraine Hotel in Letterkenny. The staff at St Conal's are specifically trained in this new approach to psychiatry and are the only hospital in the country with such trained personnel. As with many new treatments, the demand outstrips the availability. It is hoped the Symposium will be a stepping stone towards increasing professional and public awareness of this new treatment's practical uses.
