25 YEARS AGO/1985

River search

POLICE and troops were continuing to search the River Strule, downstream of Omagh, for a body, thought to be that of a woman from County Antrim, after passers-by reported seeing a person falling into the flood-swollen river.

The woman concerned is thought to be in her 30s, married and came from the Cullybackey district. Although the RUC is believed to be aware of her identity, her name was not released as she had not been officially reported missing.

The drama began when a number of people on Bell's Bridge saw a person going into the river. Eye-witnesses said that although the alarm was raised almost immediately, the body was seen to rapidly submerge under the icy waters. Police, army helicopters, a boat and an underwater search unit from the RUC joined the operation but all that has been found was a lady's handbag on the riverbank.

Susan is top dog

A 16-YEAR-OLD Omagh girl is in a class of her own when it comes to handling man's best, four-legged friend. For Susan Mannion, from Killyclogher Road, has achieved a major success in the United Kingdom Pedigree Chum Stakes '84 Final, winning third place in the competition's junior handler section.

Her remarkable achievement - and her best so far - comes after handling dogs for just four years. Susan was up against stiff competition, with some of England's top handlers taking part in her section. Susan, a member of Omagh Canine Club, was delighted with her placing in England, particularly since this was the first time she had got so far in a major competition.

50 YEARS AGO/1960

Television 'is no threat'

THIS week's news has a twist: While the country shows wide support for television and its undoubted attractions, the Omagh branch of the Tyrone County Library reports that the number of people using the library is increasing, and the demand for books has never been higher. This is indeed a strange feature in the era of the 'picture box' and the boom in rock n'roll, and the record industry. With the rapid rise of television at the expense (in part) of the cinema, many libraries, too, have recorded a drop in numbers. But in Omagh the opposite has been the case. Mrs Coote, librarian, told our reporter that with more people using Omagh library, numbers reading non-fiction literature have also been increasing. Talking to some of the library users, most were pleased with the selection of books and the helpfulness of Mrs Coote. One man said that the books on 'Do It Yourself' and 'Home Electricity' were a great asset to any library, and at least he welcomed the presence of such reading matter.

Pupils fight fire

THE kitchen and the roof of Andrews Wood Primary School, Fivemiletown was badly damaged by fire. Pupils helped to fight the flames, forming a chain to the nearby river, and handing buckets of water to the teachers who were able to control the flames until the Enniskillen Fire Brigade arrived.

The fire broke out when the school dinner was about to be served. Clogher Fire Brigade were unable to attend the outbreak as they had been called away earlier in the day to the farm of John Hartford, when two of his six pikes of hay were completely destroyed.

75 YEARS AGO/1935

Roads blocked

A DANCE under the auspices of the local division of the AOH was announced to be held in the local hall in Mountstewart near Fintona. Some time before the dance was due to start it was discovered that all roads leading to the hall were blocked with felled trees and barbed wire entanglements.

In all, five or six barricades were erected on the roads approaching the hall. The police in Fintona were notified and they immediately proceeded to the scene and had the roads cleared before midnight with the assistance of civilians.

The hall where the dance was held was the subject of litigation in 1920.

Police in ambush

ONE man was arrested and four others escaped when Constables Wilson and Nicholl, of the Killeter Customs Patrol, seized five head of cattle in the townland of Garvagh. The cattle, which are alleged to have been smuggled, were impounded at the police barracks and removed later to Clogher.

Constable Wilson told a subsequent court hearing, at which a man named John Sweeney stood accused, said he was on duty on the night in question, and while lying in ambush he saw two men crossing Mourne Bridge, and behind these men came five head of cattle, driven by three men.

Constable Nicholl was successful in capturing the accused, while witness rounded up the cattle, which had scattered. The other men made good their escape across the fields in the darkness. The defendant was remanded on bail.

100 YEARS AGO/1910

Orangemen 'gunked'

PROTESTANT church bells tolled when someone sent word through East Tyrone that Amar Saunderson, Unionist candidate, had won that constituency in the Parliamentary election. The local Orange Lodge drums soon appeared, and were going in 'full style.'

When it became known that Professor Kettle, the Nationalist, was returned, the effect was more or less demoralising, and the Catholics did not spare the opportunity.

Mr Kettle waved an orange and green flag at the meeting of rejoicing that followed the poll. "East Tyrone is held fast and safe for Ireland," he said.

Workers assaulted

THE return of TM Kettle as member of Parliament for East Tyrone has been too severe a strain on the good temper of some of the bigots, and, as usual, the Catholic workers in one of the local weaving factories have been subjected to much annoyance by the jibes, taunts and offensive remarks of their Protestant fellow-workers.

With good sense the Catholics did not take the bait laid for them, but treated such conduct with the contemptuous silence it deserved.

This course of action was not to the liking of some of the workers, and Catholics were stoned when leaving their work. In fact the police had to be brought on the scene.

Matters, however, reached a climax when one of the Catholic working girls was stabbed by a Protestant employee when going to her work as usual.

- Nigel McDonagh