25 YEARS AGO/1981
Snow and frost made for chaotic weekend
A COMBINATION of heavy snow, record sub-zero temperatures, dense fog, strong winds and frost added up to make one of the most chaotic weekends for the counties West of the Bann for many years - if not in living memory.
Practically everyone in all spheres of activity were affected by the Arctic-like conditions, which were particularly bad in Co. Fermanagh. Motorists experienced long delays in getting to and from work, and many drivers were forced to abandon their vehicles.
Schools, too, were hit by the weather, and although most managed to remain open, burst water mains or heating failure caused several schools to close. Attendances were below normal after the weekend, when a slow thaw created a new headache - flooding.
Three members of Omagh family found dead
THREE members of a well-known and respected Omagh family were found dead in their cottage home at Ballygowans, apparently having suffocated. A retired farmer and his sister were sitting on chairs and apparently had been watching television when they died. A second sister was found lying behind a door.
There was evidence that a fire had occurred in the adjoining bedroom, but it had gone out. There were no marks on either of the bodies, however.
The dead man was aged in his seventies and both sisters were aged in their sixties.
50 YEARS AGO/1956
Fuel shortage saved Dungannon Barracks
LACK of petrol supplies is thought to have saved serious destruction at Dungannon RUC Barracks. An Ulster Transport Authority heavy-cattle lorry was stolen and driven to Goraghwood quarries, where 150lbs of gelignite had been stolen.
It is thought to have been divided amongst trained IRA squads selected for destruction of military barracks and other Government property. On the return journey the raiders apparently ran out of petrol. They had just reached Dungannon at 2am when a siren alerted the Special Constabulary.
The raiders are thought to have abandoned the lorry and carried 30lb of gelignite a mile through side-streets to the local Gaelic football grounds, and dispersed.
Rock 'n roll interrupts Strabane Council meeting
ROCK n' roll is bothering Strabane Urban Council so much so that it will not be allowed in the dance hall above the chamber when meetings of the council are being held at the same time. Matters were brought to a head at a council meeting when the assistant town clerk was reading a letter. John O'Kane commented, "You may shout it to us, you could not hear yourself speaking."
At this stage there was a tremendous din from the Assembly Hall and Mr O'Kane added, "It would be all right if they were rolling but they are rocking as well. They should be told to leave their shoes at the foot of the stairs."
75 YEARS AGO/1931
Valuable dogs destroyed in fire
A GREYHOUND ablaze on the main street in Aughnacloy drew the attention of the police to a serious fire behind the business premises of TG McCann, victualler.
The damage ran into several hundred pounds, the losses including a block of outhouses used as stable and byre, a hay loft and its contents, and two valuable greyhounds and three greyhound puppies. The police found the buildings well ablaze, and a number of horses and cattle were removed to safety.
Access was cut off to the greyhounds, which were locked up in the loft. The police were unavailing in their efforts to extinguish the outbreak, the water supply being inadequate and made scarcer by the frosty conditions. The flames, which completely gutted the outhouses, were prevented spreading to the dwelling house and the business premises.
Error causes explosion at Augher
A MOTOR cyclist, whose name has not been disclosed, travelling from Fivemiletown to Caledon, stopped at Augher for petrol. While the petrol was being supplied he struck a match to light a cigarette, and the flame, coming into contact with the petrol, a violent explosion occurred.
The cycle was badly damaged and the owner's clothes burned, but otherwise he was unhurt and able to proceed home.
100 YEARS AGO/1906
Tyrone man's shocking death
A BRAKESMAN named Hugh Maxwell from Cookstown was instantaneously killed on the main line of the Glasgow and Paisley Joint Railway, about 200 yards west of Gower Bridge, Ibrox. It appears that Maxwell, who was in the employment of the Caledonian Railway Company, was with a mineral train which was standing on the loop line near to Gower Bridge.
The 8.30am passenger train from Ayr to Glasgow was passing on the opposite side of the rails, and knocked him down. The train passed over him and mutilated the body in a terrible manner.
It was very foggy at the time, and the driver of the passenger train states that he did not observe Maxwell on the line, nor was he aware that his trained had passed over anyone until he had arrived at St. Enoch's Station, Glasgow.
Tyrone ghost story
IN the story books 'ghosts' used only to haunt houses, sequestered lanes or old baronial halls, but a story from Coalisland is to the effect that a spectre is reported to be appearing at a coalpit that sank at Red Row, near the town.
The 'spirit', in the figure of a woman in white, is reported to come about midnight every night, and vanishes about 4am. The apparition is said to have caused the utmost dread amongst the miners, many of whom positively vouch for the truth of the story.
Clergymen have visited the pit, and talked the matter over with the men, many of whom are quite overcome with fear.
- NIGEL MCDONAGH
