Warned of obscene phone calls

POLICE in Omagh have issued a warning to housewives to be on their guard against an obscene and threatening phone caller. And in a second statement, local police have renewed their appeal to the public to be aware of bogus salesmen calling at homes in the area.

Police said that several housewives in Omagh received calls from an anonymous male person pretending that he represents government departments, such as Welfare, Education etc.

Having falsely obtained details of family circumstances, he then becomes obscene and issues threats against all the children of the family unless the recipients of the call agrees to certain suggestions.

Bid to block festival grant fails

A UNIONIST bid to block Omagh District Council giving a grant of £500 towards the annual festival organised by the Omagh Community Development Project, failed on a majority vote. But in making the grant, the council also decided that an effort should be made to extend the activities in connection with the festival to other areas in the town. The Unionist move came following a recommendation from the council's Finance and General Purpose Committee recommending that, in line with previous years, the council grant £500 to the Omagh Community Development Project towards the 1983 Community Festival in the town.

Patrick Fahy said the £500 was certainly a very small sum which the council was being asked to contribute compared to the amount of enjoyment which the festival gave to the people of Omagh. His only regret was that there was not more of these community festivals and that more areas did not contribute to the Omagh festival.

50 YEARS AGO/1958

Boy drowned in accident

ONE of the most poignant tragedies known in Tyrone for several years was the death in a drowning accident at Glenhordial, near Omagh, of a 12-year-old schoolboy. The boy was one of a party of Christian Brothers' Grammar School pupils who were paying a visit to the Urban Council waterworks and, with another companion, he slipped and fell into a water basin which at the point was 13 feet deep.

The boy's companion was fortunately saved by the prompt arrival on the scene of the waterworks caretaker, who, using a long pole, pulled the youth out of the water. The other boy disappeared under the water practically immediately and a gallant rescue effort by the teacher accompanying the party was in vain.

The teacher made several attempts to locate the missing boy but was in grave difficulty when the caretaker pulled him out.

Grand jury just 'drining tea'

IN the Senate, the deputy leader of the House, W. Clark, told P. McGill, Nationalist, that the Government did not see any good reason why grand juries should be abolished. He had no information that would lead him to believe that the persons called for grand jury were not properly qualified to serve.

Mr McGill had asked whether the government intended to abolish "our outworn and useless system". He also inquired whether the deputy leader was satisfied that persons called to sit on grand juries were properly qualified.

Mr McGill said that in Co. Tyrone the time of judges and petty juries was occupied while grand jurors went upstairs and "had cups of tea and coffee all morning". He saw no reason why grand juries should be continued, and that Resident Magistrates were well qualified to decide whether a person should go for trial.

75 YEARS AGO/1933

Cock-fighting foiled by police

ARRANGEMENTS for a big cock-fighting event, in which birds from the counties of Tyrone, Derry and Antrim were to do battle, have been foiled by the police. A secluded spot on the mountain over-looking Shaun's Hill, between Ballymena and Larne, had been selected as the venue, but the police, acting on information, patrolled all roads leading to it.

Apparently aware of the trap that had been set for them, those interested in the cock-fighting event avoided the police, but two men from Toome district on push bicycles were intercepted by the police and brought to Harryville barracks in Ballymena.

It was alleged that a quantity of poteen was found in their possession but they were liberated later on in the day.

Glaring example of bigotry

AT Omagh Board of Guardians John J. Fyffe (chairman) presiding, an application by Nurse Cassidy (the only Catholic nurse in the General Hospital) for an increase of salary was refused by 11 votes to 14, the voting, with the exception of one Unionist who voted for an increase with the Nationalists, being on party lines.

Nurse Cassidy has over 12 years' service with the Guardians. As senior nurse in the hospital, she possesses the highest qualifications, and has been described on different occasions by members as a most efficient nurse.

Her salary is £52 per annum, although all the rest of the junior nurses have initial salaries of £60 a year. WJ McClelland, proposing as an amendment that the Guardians refuse to grant the increase, said it was a very inopportune time for raising salaries. Mr Cassidy said, "Your attitude does not very much look like fair play."

100 YEARS AGO/1908

Expires after wedding dance

A YOUNG man about 30 years of age named David Oliver, who resided at Fecary, near Mountfield, met his death under exceedingly sad circumstances during the early hours. He had been at a wedding party in a neighbour's house, and was in the height of his enjoyment of the festival when he became suddenly ill and expired within half-an-hour.

Deceased enjoyed fairly good health, but was not very strong, being a sufferer from athsma. Of late he was in his usual state of health, and had been at work on the day previous to his death. He was dancing throughout the wedding.

In the opinion of Dr Duncan, death was due to heart failure, accelerated by excitement.

Violent scene at the Fair

JAMES Marks, Aldrummond, swore before Thomas Johnston, JP, to the effect that he came to Omagh Fair to buy a horse. He was in the horse fair and saw Thomas Devenney of Omagh there. Devenny came over to witness where he was standing with others, and said to him, "Are you as good a man as you were six or seven years ago in Sixmilecross?"

Witness said he did not know whether he was or not. Devenny then said, "You are a clever fellow, the same as your friend Campbell, and you will not leave the ground until I bog my fist into you." Witness said, "It is not worth your while." Devenny then went back a step or two and hit witness on the face with his head. Devenny came forward again and gave witness a 'chuck' on the chin with his knuckles.

Head Constable Sheridan said defendant was heavily under the influence of drink at the time. Devenny was fined 2s 6d and costs.

– Nigel McDonagh