25 YEARS AGO/1982
Local radio for North-West?
A NEW local independent radio station based in Derry but serving Omagh, Strabane and Fermanagh areas, as well as the North-West, could be 'on the air' by the autumn of 1983.
The new commercial station, which is being set up by Northside Sound Ltd, under the auspices of the Independent Broadcasting Association, will have a catchment population of about 400,000 and will take in parts of Donegal and possibly Sligo as well.
Proposals for the development of the station - for which a name has yet to be chosen - were outlined at a meeting in Omagh which was hosted by Northside Sound Limited and attended by members and officials of the local District Council.
Tyrone falls to Fermanagh
FERMANAGH'S barren 37 years in the football wilderness came to an end at Breiffni Park, Cavan, where amid scenes of riotous excitement and joy the Erne county defeated neighbouring Tyrone by 1-8 to 0-10 in a pulsating Ulster semi-final.
The Fermanagh defence was subjected to a full-scale Tyrone attack, relieved by only momentary sorties beyond midfield and it looked inevitable that the remorseless tide of white shirts must get through for the crucial scores.
But for Tyrone it was not to be and a simply heroic Fermanagh defence blocked, harried and chased every ball and played with such bravery and skill that Tyrone were unable to overcome. A famous victory indeed for Fermanagh while Tyrone have reached the end of their championship road for another year.
50 YEARS AGO/1957
Show attracts large entries
INCREASED entries in the cattle sections was a feature of Tyrone Farming Society's 118th Annual Show, held in Omagh. Maintaining its reputation for the biggest turnout of Aberdeen-Angus cattle in Ireland, the show also attracted large entries in the dairy section, Ayrshires, Fresians and Shorthons being well represented.
The judges praised the high quality of the exhibits and had considerable difficulty in selecting the prizewinners, especially in the cattle section.
The strong support which the show - the premier agricultural event in the county - receives from local farmers was evidenced by the fact that, throughout the day, from the start of the judging until the completion, several thousands were present at the show.
Public interest, apart from the livestock, was centred around the various other prizes and the county exhibits were well represented among the lists of prizewinners.
'B' Specials hut blown up
A NISSEN-TYPE hut, used by the B Specials at Beragh and situated on the Beragh-Sixmilecross Road, was blown up in the middle of the night. Built during the war as a Home Guard hut, it had brick gables and was completely wrecked in the explosion.
People returning from the Omagh Show dance were held up by police patrols and the cars were searched and occupants questioned. A number of Nationalist homes in the vicinity have been visited by police and a number of young men detained for questioning.
75 YEARS AGO/1932
Omagh stowaway jailed
A 30-YEAR-OLD Omagh man was charged at East Ham, England, as a stowaway on the Shaw-Saville steamer Raranga. Mr Burgess, who prosecuted, said the Raranga left Wellington (New Zealand) in May and when the vessel got to sea, the accused was found under some sacks on the bridge deck. He stated that he had left Ulster in 1927 under an emigration scheme to New Zealand and got farm work. He lost that, and after travelling about and failing to get a job he decided to return home.
Mr Burgess added that the Emigration Authorities did not admit the nationality of a man until it was proved, and if the defendant did not prove he was Irish the shipping company would have to return him to New Zealand. The Omagh man, who pleaded guilty, and made no defence, was sent to jail for four weeks with hard labour.
Orange rowdyism in Coalisland
EXCITING scenes took place in Coalisland following a provocative display by the Ballinkelly Orange band parading the Catholic quarter of the town. The band, followed by a huge crowd, marched through Coalisland, and a Union Jack, carried in front of the procession, was waved in such a way as to knock off hats of pedestrians.
An attempt was made to snatch the flag and a general melee followed, but police separated the rival parties. The band then proceeded through the town, but on the return journey it was greeted with volleys of stones and gravel.
The police, however, again separated the rival parties, who then contented themselves with cheering and shouting at each other.
100 YEARS AGO/1907
Dispute with spades
BENEFREAGHAN, near Mountfield, was the scene of a desperate affray between two men, named John Devlin, a member of the Omagh Board of Guardians and District Council, and John Daly. Both men were seriously injured as a result, it is said, of blows from spades which they used in the quarrel. They had to be removed to the County Hospital, and the tragic sequel of the affray is that Daly died from his injuries, namely a compound fracture of the skull. It appears the affray was a consequence of a row which started when Daly was refused more drink in Devlin's public-house.
A special court was held at the Tyrone County Hospital where John Devlin was charged with the wilful murder of John Daly.
Dangerous false teeth
A BLACKPOOL restaurant proprietor named Arthur Andrews was found in bed foaming at the mouth with his false teeth stuck fast in his throat. A constable who was called in dislodged the teeth and applied artificial respiration, but Andrews died.
Threw acid at man
AT Glasgow Sheriff's Court, Jane Leyden, a good-looking young woman, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment for having thrown carbolic acid on a man, injuring his face and right eye. Alighted by her sweetheart, a nephew of the injured man, she called at the house, intending the liquid for her faithless lover, but being refused admission by the uncle who opened the door, she threw it at him.
– NIGEL McDONAGH
