25 YEARS AGO/1981
Loyalist 'Third Force' displays bring sharp reaction
LOCAL representatives of the SDLP and IIP reacted sharply to the emergence of the Loyalist 'Third Force' on the streets of rural towns and villages, and voiced strong condemnation of the RUC who, they claimed, did nothing to prevent hundreds of men in paramilitary uniform taking part in apparently illegal parades
And Omagh DUP Cllr Rev. Ivan Foster, the proclaimed "County Commandant of the Fermanagh Battalion of the Third Force," has come in for particularly scathing criticism as the result of the strongly-worded interviews he gave to broadcasting organisations and statements he made to other news media.
Meanwhile, the much-vaunted 'Day of Action' organised by DUP leader, Rev. Ian Paisley, passed off locally with an air of anti-climax. Although the protest cavalcades and road blockages were evident in most towns, the level of participation and the degree of absenteeism from work did not appear nearly as high as in the areas east of the Bann.
Picket to highlight hardships
A PICKET mounted outside Omagh's social security offices claimed to highlight the increasing level of hardships experienced by claimants. It was just one of a series of protests mounted on Social Security offices throughout Northern Ireland by the Poverty Lobby.
The picket – which was supported by representatives of Omagh's Gingerbread Group, Youth Opportunities scheme, and the Welfare Rights Office, as well as other organisations, community groups and Trade Unions – was a protest against the "wealthy getting rich, while many are being forced to live below the poverty level".
50 YEARS AGO/1956
Omagh-born correspondent dies in New York
AN internationally-known local man whose name will rank with Russell of the 'Times' as one of the greatest war correspondents, died at White Plains, New York, at the age of 82. He was Captain Francis McCullagh who for many decades was a familiar figure in war-torn centres and who secured some famous international 'scoops.' His most striking news story came from the battered Port Arthur during the Russo-Japanese war of 1904 when he sent an exclusive eye-witness account of the destruction of the Russian Fleet at anchor there by the Japanese batteries under the direction of General Nogi.
The late Captain McCullagh held the high distinction of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Sava, awarded him for service in the Balkan Wars of 1912.
Dispute may cause Fintona Golf Club to cease
IT is possible that Fintona Golf Club may go out of action unless agreement can be reached between the club and R. Brown-Lecky, owner of the beautiful Ecclesville demesne where the links are situated before the letting expires.
A campaign has been undertaken by a certain section of the public in support of a traditional right of access to the pasture and wooded lands that comprise the spacious estate, and future lettings are to be on the basis that the liberties granted to the public in the past, are not to be curtailed. The committee of the Golf Club, however, state they can not accept a new letting on this basis. They claim they are entitled to the privacy that the game requires and which every other club enjoys.
75 YEARS AGO/1931
Fires in Cookstown - two houses destroyed
TWO dwelling houses in Cookstown occupied by Mrs Treanor and Messrs. John and Joseph O'Neill were completely destroyed by fire. Portion of an adjoining house was damaged.
The outbreak was discovered by a boy named Reid, who was passing about eight o'clock. He saw flames in the window of the house occupied by Mrs Treanor, who was absent from home at the time. The alarm was raised and when the door was smashed open the interior was a mass of flames.
A crowd quickly gathered and efforts to extinguish the fire were futile, although some articles of furniture were saved.
Members of the fire brigade and police were soon on the scene. Valuable assistance was rendered by Sergeants Connor and Gallagher and Constables Stack and Megahey.
Newspapers 2,000 years old
'NEWSPAPERS' in the form of large stone tablets have been discovered during evacuations at Ostia in Italy. One is said to record the death of Pompey in 49 BC, and the will of Julius Caesar with his bequests to the people of Rome.
Because of his dispatches from the war in Gaul, Caesar is often called the father of journalism, but it seems that Cicero, born in 160 BC, has a greater claim to this distinction. Cicero used to post in the galleries of his villa at Tusclum a record or journal of the passing events of note, with a list of births, deaths and marriages. From a letter of Cicero's it is known that he used a system of abbreviated writing.
100 YEARS AGO/1906
Referee assaulted and kicked at Fintona
A REGRETTABLE scene took place at Fintona at the conclusion of an association football match between Omagh Celtic and the Fintona club. One of the supporters of the Fintona Club deliberately assaulted the referee by striking him on the face, and afterwards a large mob surrounded the 'knight of the whistle,' who was knocked down and kicked in a brutal manner. One of the Celtic players who went to the referee's assistance was also badly abused. A messenger was dispatched for the police, two of whom came on the scene and peace was proclaimed. During the progress of the game, one of the Celtic men was struck by a Fintona player and the Omagh custodian also had a hot time of it with the spectators. It was regrettable that such 'scenes' should occur over sport.
Poisoned by post
A MYSTERIOUS case of supposed poisoning is reported from Cummock, Ayrshire. Wm. Lennox, a gentleman of means, who is well advanced in years, received through the post a cake of shortbread. It apparently came from an old friend and the card inside the package contained the words, 'Happy greetings from an old friend.'
A few days later, Mr lennox, Miss McKerrow (his niece), and Mrs Baine, mother of the managing director of the London Electric Supply, ate a small portion of the shortbread, and became ill. Miss McKerrow, after suffering great agony for an hour died, and Mrs Lennox was still in great danger, but Mrs Blaine is considerably better.
– EMMET BYRNE
