25 YEARS AGO/1982
News on homes for the elderly
THE decision, in principle, by Omagh District Council, to make available a site in the county town for sheltered housing development, has been welcomed by the director of the Fold Housing Association, Mrs Mitchell, after a meeting with the council's Finance Committee.
The site being considered is part of the old railway station, off James' Street, and is regarded as most suitable for the provision of housing for the frail elderly, because of its reasonable convenience to churches, shopping, community and transport facilities.
The association has been trying for four years without success to find a suitable site in Omagh; the only other Fold development in West Tyrone is at Greenfield, Strabane, where building is well advanced.
Dangerous toy withdrawn
A HONG KONG produced toy – which could prove to be a potential danger to young children – has been withdrawn from Wellworths stores in Omagh, and throughout Northern Ireland, following a complaint by a local customer.
The quick action of Wellworths headquarters to remove the 'Love to Learn Counter Frame' from its stores, once the danger was pointed out, was praised by the RM at Omagh Court, Gerard McCanny. In imposing only a £10 nominal fine. Mr McCanny commented, "The incident could have had serious implications, but the firm acted in a responsible manner in removing the toys from all of its stores."
The charge against FA Wellworth and Co, Ltd, whose registered offices at 1 High Street, Enniskillen, came after selling a child's toy at Market Street, Omagh, on August 7, 1981, which contained metal rods, having points sharp enough to inflict a wound or abrasion, and which was not so constructed that the points were not accessible under normal condition of use to a child's fingers.
50 YEARS AGO/1957
Death of leading journalist
ONE of the leading Irish journalists, Anthony Mulvey, former MP for Fermanagh/Tyrone, died at his residence, Derry Road, Omagh, following an illness of several months. He was in his 74th year, and living in retirement.
Editor of the 'Herald' newspapers for 30 years, the late Mr Mulvey retired from the position in 1947 to devote his full time to public duties, and despite the strong representations made to him by the directors to remain as editor.
An outstanding journalist and public figure, his death is a great loss to the Irish newspaper world and to the many national causes in which he worked energetically throughout an active life. As an MP for 16 years he represented the interests of his constituents and of his country with sincerity and vigour. Largely due to his representations, political prisoners held in British gaols were subsequently released.
Council condemns outrages
AT Omagh Urban Council W J Hamilton said he was sure the members would join with him in condemning the terrible outrages which had been committed in Northern Ireland recently. These outrages had been committed by irresponsible people who acted contrary to the wishes of all decent people.
He thought the best thanks of the council should be conveyed to the Government for taking strong steps to put an end to outrages and to protect law-abiding people. He would like to refer to the RUC, the Special Constabulary and the military forces for the wonderful part they played. They had not spared themselves, and they carried out their duties in an exemplary manner.
Men of peace on both sides of the border expressed the views that these forays should stop, and edecent people hoped they would. The proposal was unanimously adopted.
75 YEARS AGO/1932
Son killed in wall collapse
AT Dungannon Quarter Sessions James Williamson, and his wife Sarah J Williamson, Bush, Dungannon, claimed £214 10s compensation in respect of their son, Martin Williamson, who died from injuries received while working at the site of the new Orange Hall in May last year.
Mr McCoy, appearing for the applicants, said the deceased was engaged in removing one of the local historic landmarks, namely Hannyton's Arch, which was at the entrance to O'Neill's Castle. The removal of the arch was part of the clearing operations for a site for the newly erected Orange Hall.
With others, Williamson was removing a key-stone, and when they removed it the entire structure collapsed. Williamson was severely injured and died less than two weeks later at Tyrone County Hospital.
Carnival dance a success
THE FIRST carnival dance under the auspices of the Dromore Coursing Club held in the Pavillion was a great success from all points of view.
The hall was lavishly decorated, and bore a gala appearance, gaily-coloured festoons were displayed in profusion, and artistically intermingled with beautifully coloured electric lights. The work of decoration was certainly a painstaking business, but the success that attended the function fully justified the laborious work connected with it.
The arrangements for the dance were all that could be desired, and nothing was left undone to ensure an enjoyable night.
There were upwards of 300 people attending, contingents coming from, Fintona, Trillick, Omagh, Enniskillen as well as the neighbouring districts.
100 YEARS AGO/1907
Telephone operator murdered
A SHOCKING tragedy occurred at a house in London when a young woman named Florence Wakeling, a telephone operator employed by the National Telephone Company, was shot by her lover, a man named Edward Wyatt.
He fired three times, wounding her so severely that after lingering until 7am the following morning, the unfortunate girl expired. Jealousy is believed to be the motive. The couple had been at a music hall during that evening, and the deceased was bidding goodbye to a visitor at her residence when three revolver shots were heard.
The deceased's sister subsequently rushed into the drawing-room, where they found Florence lying on the floor bleeding profusely from three wounds, while the man was standing over her with a revolver in his right hand.
A hint for Omagh
A MEETING of the merchants and inhabitants of Strabane was held in the Courthouse, under the auspices of the Strabane Mercantile Association, for the purpose of discussing the proposed railway between Dunamanagh, from Strabane to Cookstown, via Gortin and Plumbridge.
A resolution was passed that 'the inhabitants and traders in Strabane, in public meeting assembled, hereby approve of a projected line of railway from Strabane to Cookstown, via Plumbridge, Gortin and Greencastle, provided the terminus be in Strabane, and bind themselves to give all the assistance they can in promoting the scheme.'
– NIGEL McDONAGH
