25 YEARS AGO/1982
Schools closed by big freeze-up
EDUCATION - schools and transport for pupils - was the main victim of the below freezing weather which fortunately did not affect West and North Tyrone as seriously as other areas throughout the country. But the record low temperatures – on some days it never stopped freezing throughout the 24 hours – did mean minor roads were in a serious condition, and caused oil heating systems to freeze, and burst pipes in many homes.
These were also the problems that hit hardest at schools and schoolchildren. On Tuesday, a quarter of the school buses which operate in the Omagh and Plumbridge areas did not run because of diesel freezing, failed batteries or boiling radiators. Hundreds of schoolchildren also got an unexpected holiday from school.
Farmer appeals to dog owners
SHEEP worrying in Fintona has reached such an alarming degree that local farmers are now being forced to close their flocks in at night. Already substantial financial losses have been incurred by numerous farmers, following vicious attacks on sheep - and in the lambing season - by packs of dogs.
Many sheep and young lambs have been killed in the attacks, with the result that police in the area have been going out on special early morning patrols in a bid to catch the killer dogs.
"The problem is so bad now that I have to close my flocks in at night," said one of the most recent victims of the attacks, Gerard Murray of Kilcoutry. Mr Murray, who is an extensive sheep farmer, said that dogs could cause some terrible injuries to sheep and it was particularly bad at this time of year when ewes were heavy in lamb.
50 YEARS AGO/1957
Omagh firms hit by revaluation
BUSINESS people in Omagh are highly dissatisfied following the general revaluation undertaken by the Commissioners of Valuation, which places a heavier load on themselves as against other classes of the community.
There is not one instance in the town where the valuation of premises has been reduced, and although large businesses have been severely affected, the heavier burden will most directly be felt by the small family-business.
An immediate consequence of the revaluation will be reduced rates, but people recognise that the benefits will only be transient, and the battle-cry of all the business people interviewed by our reporter was, "We intend to appeal."
Bishop condemns raids
HIS Lordship, Most Rev Dr Eugene O'Callaghan, Bishop of Clogher, said that priests should read on Sunday at all Masses, the Bishops' instructions that it was a mortal sin to take part in any of the occurrences that had taken place recently.
"There are evil people going about trying to take advantages of the disturbances in the country, trying to ruin our country," said his Lordship. "We have a number of Communists who will certainly use this opportunity to try and destroy us," he added.
Meanwhile, police who raided the premises in George's Street, Omagh, formerly used by Sinn Féin, seized a Tricolour flag and some party literature. The premises were the headquarters of Sinn Féin during the Mid-Ulster by-elections. They have not been used since Sinn Féin was banned.
75 YEARS AGO/1932
Flour Mills destroyed
DAMAGE estimated at £5,000 was caused by a fire which occurred at the extensive flour mills of Messrs R. Stewart and Son at Gortin, Coalisland. The fire was discovered between four and five o'clock in the morning, and despite the efforts of voluntary helpers and the local Fire Brigade, the premises were completely gutted.
John Stewart, a member of the firm, was attending a sick child when he noticed the glare of the fire in the fourth story of the mill, and he immediately rushed to it and used a fire extinguisher. This had little effect, so good a grip had the flames got on the pitch-pine woodwork of the interior.
A servant of Mr Stewart's hurried to Coalisland with news of the outbreak, and the police and fire brigade were quickly on the scene. The fire eventually burned itself out, leaving nothing but the blackened walls and debris.
Flood scenes in Glasgow
MANY families were rendered homeless in Glasgow when the River Cart overflowed its banks. The tenants, returning from New Year parties, found the water rising rapidly, and many failed to gain admittance to their homes. The water quickly surrounded a number of large tenement blocks, and the occupants on the ground floors erected barricades to stem the flow.
Police officers waded through water in the darkness and carried terrified people to safety, while strenuous efforts were made to keep open some drains.
About 2,000 people were imprisoned for some 12 hours in the houses in the flooded Cathcart district, and in many places swimming was the only method of getting away. Firemen and police worked heroically in pumping the water from the houses.
100 YEARS AGO/1907
'Ghost' at Newtown
THE 'Royal Warrior' ghost which has for the past few weeks taken up residence in the Old Castle, Newtownstewart, has not made its accustomed appearance since Thursday, when the inhabitants are becoming to feel quite happy again.
The following notice, which we cannot say is official, was posted up on the castle on Sunday morning: "King James, alias 'Warrior Ghost' has died from the effects of a bullet wound inflicted by a would-be shootist and we are unanimous in returning an open verdict.
"Such," continues the notice, "was the verdict of a jury of 12 level-headed, strong-nerved men who sat on the corpse in an inquest on Saturday evening."
Stewartstown accident
A SERIOUS accident would probably have occurred at Stewartstown Railway Station had it not been for the plucky conduct of a platform porter.
As the 3.42pm train steamed out of the station, a young lady rushed ddown the platform to catch the outgoing train.
A young man threw open one of the doors of a third class compartment and the young lady caught hold of the door, which swung back, and she was swung with great force onto the footboard.
Fortunately, the porter on the platform, John Quinn, at great personal risk, rushed to her assistance and in the nick of time rescued her from her perilous position.
– NIGEL McDONAGH
