December 6, 2012

Date Published: 05-Dec-2012

1912

Estate agent evicted

On Friday efternoon, the estate agent of the Gough and Lahiffe estates was having a hot time at his office, Gort, from whence he was speedily evicted. He, as usual, attended to collect his rent, but some misunderstanding arose between the agent and himself, in whose house he was, with the result that he had to make a speedy exit, and seek shelter in a disused house in Crow street.

Triple drowning

News has come to hand of a sad drowning fatality near Carraroe last evening. It seems that as three men, John Flaherty, Coleman Flaherty, and Jas. Griffin, were returning from Derrybrien Court, the canoe overturned in a squall, and all were lost. The body of John Flaherty, who was seventy years of age, has been recovered at Collshigne. The bodies of the other two men have not yet been discovered.

Faction fight

On Monday night, a fierce encounter took place between a party of tinkers at Church street, Gort. Bottles, sticks, and irons were freely used, and two members of the roaming band got seriously injured. Others were more fortunate and escaped with slight bruises and cuts.

The police put in their usual “after the ball” appearance. When they had succeeded in taking the names of those implicated, they informed them that they would all be summoned for the next court day.

1937

Canvassers found ‘on’

At Galway District Court on Thursday, before District Justice Sean Mac Giollarnath, Annie Coyne, publican, Raven Terrace, Galway, was charged with a breach of the licensing laws on November 5. Supt. Murphy, G.S., prosecuted, and Mr. L.E. O’Dean, solicitor, appeaed for defendant.

Sergeant McGarry said that at 10.50pm on November 6, accompanied by Garda Lynch, he knocked at defendant’s door. After some delay, Michael Coyne admitted witness, who found signs of drink in the bar.

On going out into the yard, witness found Martin Bermingham, Dalysfort-road, and Martin Walsh, Lower Salthill.

Bermingham told witness that he had called to canvass Mr. Coyne’s vote and they had had no drink. Cross-examined, witness said that it was the time of the Corporation elections, and he (witness) was satisfied that Bermingham was canvassing in the area that night.

Michael Coyne, defendant’s husband, said that Bermingham and Walsh called to canvass witness’s vote. Witness was talking to them in the yard when the guards knocked at the door.

Justice: Well, it was election time and you did not bring Mr. Bermingham any luck (laughter).

Defendant was fined £1 and the men found on the premises were fined 10s. each.

Atrocious remarks

At Castlerea District Court on Wednesday, before Mr. Hugh L. McCann, Deputy D.J., a man was summoned for being drunk and disorderly on the public street. Inspector O’Sullivan said that on November 13 he found defendant drunk on the Market Square beside Kelly’s Hotel.

He was using offensive and most obscene language. Some of his remarks were atrocious and not a bit like what one would expect to hear in a Christian country. The defendant said he was sorry for the offence and had taken the pledge.

Replying to the District Justice, Inspector O’Sullivan said that this man was before the court on three occasions charged with similar offences. On November 14, 1934, he was convicted and fined £1; on October 14, 1936, he was fined 10s. and on May 12, 1937, he was fined 5s. He was a builder’s assistant and belonged to decent people, but when he took drink he became a nuisance to the community.

The Justice ordered the defendant to enter into recognisances in his own surety of £5 together with an independent surety of £5, to be of good behaviour for two years, or in default, serve a term of one month’s imprisonment.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.