Omagh co-pilot survives crash

THE co-pilot of the helicopter which crashed off the Scilly Isles, killing 20 people, was an Omagh man. Captain Neil Charleton, son of Mr and Mrs Fred Charleton, Crevenagh Road, was one of only six survivors from the helicopter flying holidaymakers to the isles. The cause of the crash is still a mystery.

Capt. Charleton at 30, is one of the British Airways top helicopter pilots and a world distance record holder. The BA Sikorsky S61 plunged into 200 feet of water off St Mary's Island after taking off from Penzance. His mother, Eileen Charleton, spoke of the 90 minutes of agony when she did not know whether her pilot son was alive or dead.

"We heard a newsflash about the crash at 3pm, and it was an hour and a half before I knew he was safe. I've spoke to him briefly twice on the phone. He sounded perky and I was certainly glad to hear him."

Catholic families attacked

THE Most Rev. Dr Edwards Daly, Bishop of Derry, in a letter, has expressed his sympathy to the Catholic people of Dunamanagh who suffered sectarian violence when their homes were attacked by Loyalist mobs. He addressed all "who had suffered from intimidation and tension," especially those, he said, "who have felt it necessary to leave their homes".

"I quite understand what fear can do, especially if you have young children or elderly people to care for. I would appeal however to those who have left their homes to reflect on and consider their decision carefully before finalising that decision," said Bishop Daly.

Three families left the mixed estate immediately following the attacks in which the small number of local police were powerless.

50 YEARS AGO/1958

Heraldic stone found

WHILE excavating in Main Street, Newtownstewart, in connection with a drainage scheme, workmen uncovered portion of a stone appearing to be part of a crest either of a noble family or of some Planter family entitled to a crest.

When revealed, the stone was seen to be coloured in azure and sable, but these colours faded and vanished when the stone was cleared. The quarterings show a right hand, with lions rampant, with dragon and crescents.

There were three O'Neill castles at Newtownstewart, two of which have long since disappeared. These were situated at the junction of the Glenelly and Mourne rivers, and at Pigeon Hill beside the GNR Station. The third castle is that known as Avery's Castle not far from the village.

Cowards attack 'Herald' man

OUR staff photographer in Fermanagh, while taking pictures of pickets in Belmore Street at the Twelfth demonstration in Enniskillen, was savagely set upon by six Orangemen, wearing sashes, and his duffle coat in which he had hurriedly put his camera, was torn from him. When he got the coat back, the camera was gone.

Our photographer did not take the attack lying down in any sense and as he lashed out in self-defence, the crowd of cowardly attackers grew to upwards of a dozen.

At that stage, another 'Herald man arrived and went into action in defence of his colleague. Between them, they were trying to deal with at least a dozen cowards when a sergeant of police arrived. Fists and boots were freely used on the two 'Herald men who, fortunately, escaped without serious injury.

75 YEARS AGO/ 1933

'Had to sing for a living'

AT a special court held in Omagh, before John Empey JP, a tramp named John Palmer was charged with vagrancy. Sgt Farren gave evidence that the prisoner was begging in Castle Street. He was under the influence of drink and when he commenced to sing, a crowd gathered. He then abused the people.

Prisoner said the trouble was caused by people imitating him. He was an ex-soldier and he had to sing to earn a livelihood. If he got the chance he would leave the town. Mr Empey said to him, " There are too many of your class coming to Omagh."

Sgt Farren said he gave the accused a chance and when he got away some distance the tramp started making 'faces' at witness. Palmer was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour.

Free State flag burned

TRICOLOUR flags displayed for the official opening of the new Craigavon Bridge at Derry were forcibly removed. The decorative scheme on the bridge included the Union Jack and flags of the British Dominions, but the only emblem to which exception was taken was that of the Free State, The affair has created quite a stir.

A number of Derry Orangemen approached the workmen engaged in the preparations and insisted on the removal of the Saorstát flags. They threatened, it is stated, that unless the tricolours were removed, the 'B' Specials would not parade at the opening ceremonies.

For over an hour, they harassed the workmen to remove the tricolours. When they ultimately did so, one of the Orange mob seized one of the flags and ran to Fountain Street and Wapping Lane, Orange strongholds, where it was burned amid jeers and boos.

100 YEARS AGO/1908

An auld plaid shawl

TWO 'lady' residents of Brook Street in Omagh had a heated dispute regarding the ownership of a shawl. The wrangle developed into a serious quarrel, during the course of which a pair of tongs was used with rather serious effect.

The story of what led to the battle was related by Mary McFadden at a special Court, when her friend Mary Carr was charged with having unlawfully assaulted her and inflicting grievous bodily harm. McFadden, who had her head bandaged up, said Carr came to her house and demanded a shawl.

Witness ordered her out, but she refused to comply with this request, and witness then lifted the tongs to eject her. Prisoner caught the tongs and wrung them from her. She hit her three times with them and cut her badly on the head. At the time of the assault, prisoner was drunk. Dr Todd certified that the injured woman was suffering from three large incised lacerated wounds on the scalp, and one of these penetrated to the bones. He considered her life in danger. Prisoner was remanded in custody.

An Omagh man's fall

AT Newry Petty Sessions, John Floyd, alias William Joseph Russell, was charged with having been concealed in an entry near the town for an unlawful purpose.

Sergeant Ballantyne said that the defendant stated he was from Omagh, but he could not give a satisfactory account of himself. His hands were covered with clay, and the sergeant found that almost three stones of potatoes had been pulled up in a neighbouring garden.

He produced previous convictions against the defendant. The bench ordered one month's imprisonment in the case.

– Nigel McDonagh