25 YEARS AGO/1981
Claims and counter claims at Omagh planning inquiry
THE PROPOSED superstore on the outskirts of Omagh could lead to a delay in the implementation of much-needed redevelopment and modernisation of the town centre.
That was the claim put forward at the public inquiry which opened into an application by Equipment Sales Ltd, for planning approval to provide a shopping complex with 55,000 sq. ft of sales area on the Dromore Road.
However, despite claims by a chartered town planner appearing for Omagh Chamber of Trade – the main objector to the proposed superstore – evidence was also put forward that the town would benefit greatly.
DUP councillor attacks housing plan for Pomeroy
HOUSING Executive proposals to build 15 new houses in Pomeroy were strongly attacked by DUP members of Cookstown District Council.
As senior officials from the Housing Executive outlined their five-year draft building programme for the area, Cllr Alan Kane described the plan as having "a distinct bias" in favour of the Catholic community.
In a heated and often stormy debate, Cllr Kane and his DUP colleagues voiced scathing criticism of the proposals for new houses at Pomeroy, and at Cemetery Road, Cookstown, which they described as "Republican areas". While he was making allegations of intimidation of Protestant families in Catholic estates, Cllr Kane's remarks were interspersed by shouts of "rubbish" and "nonsense" from other councillors.
50 YEARS AGO/1956
British Customs huts destroyed
EXTRA police were on duty along the Border, and special watch was being kept at all Customs posts following a series of incidents when six British Customs huts were destroyed by explosions and fire.
Police reinforcements were also on duty on the southern side of the Border. Arrangements were also being made to set up temporary structures to deal with the flow of traffic into the 26 Counties.
The huts destroyed or damaged were at Mullan and Clontivren, Co. Fermanagh; Moybridge (Aughnacloy), Co. Tyrone; Middletown, Carnagh and Tullyodonnell, Co. Armagh. The huts were unoccupied at the time of the attacks and no-one was injured.
Omagh meeting protests railway closure proposals
ALL interests in the area were represented at a meeting held in the Town Hall, Omagh, to protest against the government's intention to implement proposals for the closing down of sections of the GNR branch lines, and fears were expressed that such proposals, if carried out, will strike a wounding blow at the general trade and economy of the north-west.
There were several speakers, including prominent officials of railways staffs and organisations. Mr E. T. R. Herdman, Sion Mills, said before the railway came to Sion Mills his ancestors travelled by horse-drawn vehicle to Derry and thence by boat on to Belfast. He could visualise that happening again (laughter).
75 YEARS AGO/1931
Swallow killed by cricket ball
A YOUNG swallow flying across the pitch during a cricket match between Belfast GPO and Duncairn at Andersonstown, Belfast, was struck by a fast ball from the bat of a Duncairn player, and dropped dead immediately. The batsman was so upset by the incident that he was bowled next ball.
Mormons pelted with missiles in Strabane
THE HOSTILITY of the crowd broke up a Mormon meeting in the Abercorn Square, Strabane. Rotten eggs and rotten oranges were pelted at the four Mormon 'missionaries'. The Mormon leader declared that it was an act of cowardice and unmanliness to pelt any man with such missiles, and announced a meeting for the following night.
The four Mormons again held forth on their teaching in the Abercorn Square, Strabane, the next night, and there were constant interruptions by the large crowd that had gathered. After they had been singing and preaching for some time, they were bombarded with questions, and the hostility of the crowd was manifest.
District Inspector Walshe, who, along with some police, was present, advanced to the Mormons, and pointed out to them that it was now clear the crowd did not wish to hear them any further and he was afraid of trouble if they persisted. The Mormons then left and the police barred the way of any person following them.
100 YEARS/1906
Barman was 'barmaid'
'WILLIAM' Edwards who for some years carried on business in Melbourne as a racehorse trainer, and latterly acted as 'barman' in one or two hotels there, and subsequently filled the same position in Brisbane, was arrested on a Victorian warrant for absconding on bail.
It was then found that the accused was a woman. She is of a sturdy, thick-set build, and with a thoroughly masculine voice. She has been able to play her part well, for whenever offensive customers had to be ejected 'Bill' was called and the business was done with neatness and despatch.
The masquerader's proper name is Marian Edwards. She is unmarried, and she explains that her reason for failing to appear on a charge of burglary was that she dreaded being sent to gaol and so her sex discovered.
Runaway horse in Omagh
WHEN driving into Omagh on his way to the hunt, the horse attached to the trap of King Houston, solicitor, became restive and, after smashing the trap, threw the owner and Mildred Houston onto the road. Fortunately none of them were injured.
The horse dashed away at a furious pace and cleared the stone wall between the road and the field at Lisnamallard. After making a short circuit of the ground, the horse made for the road again, and in trying to negotiate an iron railing which formed portion of the fence, became impaled.
The breast and throat were badly torn. Subsequently help was obtained and the animal released from its perilous position.
- NIGEL McDONAGH
