Galway In Days Gone By

1914

Trespasser damage

At the City Petty Sessions, John Sullivan, Fairhill, Galway prosecuted Mary Clancy for the trespass of two goats on his cabbage garden, causing damage to the plants which he estimated at 10s. In his evidence, complainant stated that he had two other women summoned for a similar offence, but they had each settled by paying him 5s. 6d., which included costs. A decree for 5s. and costs was granted.

Rejected from the ‘Front’

William Higgins was summoned by Constable Hazlett for using obscene language on a public street. Mr. P.J.B. Daly, solr., who appeared for the defendant, said it was eighteen months since his client had “graced” the magistrates.

He had also volunteered for the front, but he was rejected. A sister of the defendant stated she had four brothers at the front, and when the defendant returned from Dublin after being rejected, they both indulged in some drink. Defendant was fined 1s.

Ranger returns

Corpl. Patrick Warde, Moylough, has returned from the seat of war, after an absence of four months. He told a correspondent that the Connaughts gained many victories during the fighting, and proved that they were of a fighting race.

He admitted they had a difficult task before them in their retreat from Mons, but there was one thing brought them consolation, and that was the heroism and bravery displayed by their gallant regiment.

He stated that the Germans were only formidable when they took you unawares. He does not look upon the Germans as brave individually, but he admits them for their discipline, and willingness to go wherever duty calls them.

Their last move in Flanders was a great failure. They foolishly undertake things beyond their strength. Corpl. Warde is attached to the Commissariat, and bears all testimony to the fact that all wants are carefully attended to.

1939

Ornamental TDs

When Galway Corporation at their weekly meeting in the City Hall were considering reports regarding flooding in Mill-street and Nuns’ Island, Mr. J.S. Young remarked in connection with a suggestion that the county T.D.s be asked to ascertain where the responsibility lay, that they should be made do something for their money. He added that they were only ornaments.

Scott medal for garda

Garda Daniel J. Manley, Milltown, who received a bronze Scott medal award at the Depot, Dublin, on Monday for bravery in the discharge of his duty, was stationed in Tuam when, on August 27, 1938, at 1am, he was on patrol duty with Garda Curran and they apprehended a man holding a single barrelled shot gun.

He turned his torch on the man and although he could not have known whether the gun was loaded or not, he took the risk and seized the gun. The man was arrested and subsequently sentenced to a period of imprisonment.

Adverse weather

The heavy rain for many weeks past have caused hige flooding in many areas in East and South Galway, and these floods are becoming more and more menacing.

Large pastures lie under water and livestock had to be removed to higher levels in many places and hand-fed. The gathering of beet and other root crops has been temporarily retarded in places. Roads in some districts are impassable. Prices for turf have increased owing to the difficulties of getting to the turf.

Death of apparition witness

It is with feelings of deep regret that we record the death, which took place recently, of Mrs. Bridget Murray Kavanagh, widow of the late Mr. John Kavanagh, of Baltimore, Maryland.

Deceased was born in Tuam, County Galway, the daughter of the late Patrick and Mary Roche Murray. She often stated that as a young girl, she had witnessed the apparition of the Blessed Virgin at Knock.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.