Date Published: 04-May-2011

1911

Licensing case

At the Petty Sessions, D.I. Heard summoned Mr. Martin Hawkins Shop-street, for a breach of the licensing act on 27th March last. Sergt. Gilmartin deposed he was on duty with Constable Binnerhassett opposite Hawkins’ public house at 11.55pm. He went to the door and could hear people speaking in the shop.

Witness knocked at the front door and after knocking the conversation ceased and the parties left the shop and went to the kitchen. After some time the publican opened the door. He asked Mr Hawkins to account for the presence of James Toner, Shop-street and the publican made no reply.

Solicitor Mr. H.M.A. Murphy said: This is a very tiny shop with a very tiny shop next to it. Mr Toner is a hairdresser doing a respectable business, and on this particular occasion Mr Hawkins, who requires to be shaved as well as anyone else (laughter), left the razor to his next door neighbour to have it sharpened. The man was back with the razor when the police came on the scene. There is no evidence of drink, but Mr. Hawkins will tell you honestly he gave the man no drink.

Mr. Hawkins deposed he closed his premises at the proper time and at about 10.30, he gave the razor to Mr Toner to sharpen. He took it away with him and brought it back at 11.30. Witness gave Mr. Toner a drink at 10.30. He gave him no drink when he returned with the razor.

The case was dismissed.

U.I.L. eviction

On Friday fortnight, Mr. Thonas P. Corless, D.C. President Kinvara United Irish League, was evicted out of his holding at Crehaun, Kinvara, in pursuance of an order made by Judge Gibson at the recent Spring Assizes setting aside a deed purchasing the tenants’ interest and goodwill as far back as October 1902. Suffice it to say the eviction was part of a huge conspiracy to ruin a man for openly identifying himself with the National casue.

1936

Bog reclamation

The 400 acres farm of Mr Kenny, Ballinakill, near Eyrecourt, has been the source of an agitation amongst the surrounding farmers, who for the past few years feel that it should be taken over by the Land Commission and divided. The owner of the farm, Mr. Kenny, lives in Tipperary, and the farm is being grazed, there being a couple of hundred cattle and sheep on it.

Guards, under their chief office in Ballinasloe, and from other districts kept a careful watch on the farm last week, as there were fears of a cattle drive. It is believed that the watchfulness of the guards over the farm averted a big cattle drive which was being organised in the district. Guards are still keeping a vigilant eye on the farm. Meetings calling for the division of the land, which was part of the Pollock estate, have been held from time to time.

Painting Tuam Hall

The tender of Mr James Stockwell, Tuam, for £182 10s. for the painting of the Town Hall externally and internally was not accepted, as the Board could not afford the expenditure of this sum. A committee was appointed to consult with Mr. Stockwell as to the cost of the eternal painting only and to see if the work could be done for a sum that the Board’s finances would allow. As Mr. Stockwell’s tender was opened and declared publicly, the Board considered it to be unfair to invite any other contractor to tender.

Little girl killed

A tragic accident occurred in Ballygar on Tuesday evening, as a result of which the six year-old daughter of a Garda stationed in the town, succumbed to injuries. The little girl was accompanied by her younger sister and the daughter of another Garda on their way home from school at about 4pm, when an Austin car was involved in an accident with her.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.