25 YEARS AGO/1982
Busy year for the RUC
POLICE in the Omagh Division of the RUC earned thousands of pounds in overtime during the period of the Republican hunger strikes and Loyalist counter-demonstrations in the summer of 1981.
In his annual report, RUC Chief Constable Sir John Hermon revealed that the 1,305 hunger strike demonstrations coupled with the many Loyalist parades and rallies, involved almost two and a half million hours of police duty, costing a total of more than £12 million.
The chief constable's report does not give a breakdown of what the cost of the extra duty in each area amounted to, but it is known that the Omagh-based police were among the busiest of the rural divisions.
Low morale could affect patients
THE standard of patient care and services in local hospitals could be affected unless the government improves its pay to health service staff, a union leader warned. John Maguire, Omagh Branch secretary of the Confederation of Health Service Employees (COHSE), said that in all his 38 years in the service, he had never seen morale as low as it was at present.
"There is so much discontent among our staff about their pay that ultimately it is bound to affect the way people do their jobs," he added.
Mr Maguire was addressing a meeting of several hundred health service employees who took part in a one-hour stoppage at the entrance to the Tyrone and& Fermanagh Hospital, in support of a 12% pay claim. It was organised as part of a co-ordinated campaign of industrial action at a total of 12 hospitals.
50 YEARS AGO/1957
Police swoop on farmhouse
THREE young men who were arrested in a swoop on the barn of an outfarm at Donaghmore, were found guilty at Belfast City Commission of unlawful possession of arms, ammunition, and other explosive substances found at the barn.
A fourth man – son of the owner of the farm – was found guilty of aiding and abetting them.
The four men refused to recognise the court, but each made a short speech from the dock at the end of the prosecution evidence.
B-Special shot dead at Trillick
SPECIAL Constable Robert Henderson was fatally injured in a shooting incident at Trillick RUC Station.
He was in the dayroom with other constables about 5pm when a revolver was accidentally discharged by another special constable.
Special Constable Henderson collapsed with a bullet in the head. He was rushed to the Fermanagh County Hospital at Enniskillen, but was dead on admission.
At the inquest in Omagh, a verdict of accidental death was returned. The jury exonerated from any blame the special constable who fired the fatal shot.
75 YEARS AGO/1932
There might be trouble
ROWLEY Elliott, MP (Unionist), speaking at the annual meeting of the Cookstown Branch of the Ulster Women's Unionist Association, said that Mr De Valera's threat to make aliens of the loyalist population of the Free State, people who had always a warm regard for the imperial connection, was more than flesh could endure. The outlook in the South was very unsettled, and an unsettled Free State was bound to affect Northern Ireland.
There might be trouble. He was not an alarmist, but facts had to be faced. If there was trouble, the loyal people could be depended upon to stand by the government and the RUC, and, if necessary, the B men would again take up arms in defence of their province.
Motoring to cost more?
MOTORING may cost more in the near future. Leading companies are considering an increase in the price of petrol. The price maintenance agreement between the leading British petrol companies has expired, and negotiations are in progress between the independent companies and the combine with a view to entering into a new agreement, the object of which, in view of recent taxation of petrol, is to increase the price all round.
Some companies, it is understood, are in favour of an increase, but with others standing out at the moment, no decision has yet been made. An increase of as much as 4d a gallon is spoken of. As far as the Free State is concerned, no increase is at present contemplated. If, however, an increase is put on by the British companies, it will automatically be put into operation by the allied firms in Ireland.
100 YEARS AGO/1907
Orange Hall opened near Omagh
MOUNTJOY district, about four miles from Omagh, was the scene of an Orange demonstration, the occasion being the opening of the new hall in connection with the Omagh District LOL. The brethren of the district assembled at the Protestant Hall, Omagh, and proceeded thence to the station to meet the brethren from Fintona, Trillick, and Sixmilecross districts, who arrived by train.
The members of the Newtownstewart, Sion Mills, and Ardstraw lodges also took part in the demonstration. A large procession was formed, and having paraded the principal streets of the town, marched by the Derry road to Mountjoy.
On the way the procession was swelled by contingents with bands from different parts. Everything passed off peaceably, and not the slightest disturbance took place, there being no interference of any kind with the procession. Mr WT Miller, JP, opened the hall. The usual stock resolutions denouncing Home Rule, etc., were discussed. In the evening, the various lodges and bands separated.
Stole a pound of tea
AT Fintona Petty Sessions on Tuesday, a man named John O'Donnell, hailing from Park, Co. Derry, was brought up in custody and charged with the larceny of a pound of tea, the property of Charles Rodgers, Fintona. Sgt Deane prosecuted.
Defendant pleaded guilty, and in extenuation of the offence, that he was drunk, and had no intention of taking the tea.
– RYAN McALEER
