Róise Collins delves into the archives to bring you the news and images from yesteryear.
LETTERKENNY WATER SYSTEM AGAIN UNDER FIRE
THE difficulties which have continued in providing Letterkenny with an adequate water supply came in for some of the most severe criticism this week as it was believed that the major improvement schemes were nearing completion.
The residents of the Gortlee-Ballyraine area, who have so often been left without anything like a reasonable household supply over the years, came in for what is hoped will be a final dry period running over four days.
A major pipe burst in the Regional Technical College was said to have lost a huge 100,000 gallons each day.
For years Letterkenny has been without a night supply of water. It has been cut off about 10 o’clock in order to build up storage in the reservoir.
The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr Donal MacLochlainn, hit out about the supply, saying, “The businessmen of this town must be the most tolerant men in the whole country to have put up for so long with such ‘stop-go’ main water supply system as that which has been in existence in the town for many years now.”
LONG DELAY IN COMPLETING £500,000 FALCARRAGH SCHOOL
ALTHOUGH there has been around £500,000 spent in the erection of the new Pobalscoil Cloich Cheannfhaola at Falcarragh, there is grave dissatisfaction in the area, and the work on the school is far from completed.
The student body, numbering 460, moved into the school on February 3, but even yet all necessary equipment, furniture and other essential facilities required for the teaching
of woodwork, metalwork and home economics have not been provided.
The result is that the Gortahork Vocational School has had to be temporarily reopened to accommodate students taking practical subjects in their Intermediate and Leaving Certificate examinations.
Teachers are disappointed and disillusioned that they are unable to cover the practical aspects of their examination courses in the extensive new building. And parents are becoming increasingly worried that the undue delay in completing the new school will jeopardise the success of their children in the forthcoming examinations.
Local people who have constructive suggestions to make about the future possible use of the Gortahork Vocational School resent the fact that this further use of the Vocational School – which they readily accept is necessary – will delay any final decision being taken regarding the school.
RAPHOE DIOCESE MOURNS DEATH OF CANON HAUGHEY
THERE was sincere regret throughout the Raphoe Diocese at the news of the death, after a rather brief final illness, of the parish priest of Kilmacrennan, Very Rev James Canon Haughey. A native of Drimarone, he was aged 71.
He received his secondary education in St Eunan’s College, where he became a student in 1917. Deciding to study for the priesthood, he went to St Patricks college, Maynooth, in 1921 and was ordained in 1928. From then until 1934, he served on the American Mission.
On his recall to the Diocese, Canon Haughey filled a number of temporary posts before being appointed to his first curacy in Convoy in 1934.
He afterwards served in Drumoghill, Milford, Ballyshannon and Killybegs, before taking over as Administrator in the parish of Frosses.
Canon Haughey was a well beloved pastor in all the parishes which he ministered, being distinguished for his saintly life and abiding concern for the spiritual well-being of his flock.
April 20, 2001
FOOT AND MOUTH IS CREEPING CLOSER –DONEGAL IFA
DONEGAL was on red alert yesterday with increased security at the county’s 50 border crossings as part of ongoing efforts to combat the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
Fears that the highly contagious disease could reach Donegal were increased with reports that a flock of sheep at a farm in Limavady were being investigated for signs of the virus.
Mr George O’Hagan, Donegal IFA chairman, renewed his appeal to the farming community and public to intensify precautions in an effort to protect the county’s 400,000 sheep and 200,000 cattle.
“It’s creeping ever closer and our members are extremely worried that the virus will hit Donegal.
“There have been a number of worrying items in recent days not least confirmation this morning that a farm in Limavady is under investigation.
“Every possible precaution needs to be taken to protect the livestock industry,” Mr O’Hagan said.
Claiming that Donegal was now the only border county without power washing facilities at its border crossings, Mr O’Hagan said that the onus was on the government to tighten things up.
DETAILS ANNOUNCED OF PLAN TO ENTICE TOURISTS TO DONEGAL
DISCOUNT deals and special package holidays are part of the Donegal Tourism Marketing Initiative launched by Dr James McDaid, Minister for Tourism, Sport and recreation in an effort to bolster the flagging tourism industry.
However, despite worst fears the Easter weekend was successful in most areas with large crowds making their way across the border despite foot and mouth outbreaks in east Tyrone and Antrim.
Representatives of Donegal’s tourist industry came together to launch Donegal Tourism’s drive to encourage domestic holiday makers and conference organisers to the county to counter the fall-off in visitors due to the foot and mouth crisis.
The domestic market is worth approximately 4,000 jobs and is conservatively estimated at £35 million to £40 million revenue annually to the county.
TIME TO CLEAR MY BROTHER’S NAME – BLANEY
INDEPENDENT Fianna Fáil party leader Deputy Harry Blaney has called for a judicial enquiry into the Arms Trial of 1970 following revelations that a key statement made to the gardaí by a high ranking army officer was edited to exclude damaging evidence to the then Minister for Defence Mr Jim Gibbons.
Deputy Blaney’s brother Neil, who was Minister for Agriculture at the time, and the Minister for Finance, Mr Charlie Haughey were sacked from the cabinet for their role in the affair.
The IFF leader said on Wednesday afternoon the decision to import arms and ammunition was a collective decision of cabinet and approved at the highest political level. Deputy Blaney said the judicial enquiry was the only way to get to the bottom of the whole affair and clear the names of people involved.