Pages from the Past

1860 Tragic death of local teenager The Westmeath Independent reported in early September 1860 of the tragic and accidental death of a 17-year-old youth. James Turkington, who was interred in the graveyard of St Peter's church, on Thursday evening was son of John Turkington of King Street. The youth, along with his twelve-year-old brother Andrew, went up the Shannon in a boat to shoot waterfowl. Off the north side of Hare Island, they stopped to make a little alteration to the sail of the boat. The paper said: "to accomplish this, the deceased had to change his position, in doing so his foot came into contact with the lock of his gun, which immediately exploded and lodged the contents, a heavy charge of shot, in the fleshy part of his thigh. In great agony, he endeavoured, with the help of his brother, to staunch the wound from which the blood flowed freely, but without effect." However, the yacht of the Hon. Richard Handcock passed the scene shortly afterwards, and the boy was brought to town and transferred into the care of Dr Hetheringon. However, "life was fast ebbing away and in a few hours he breathed his last in the arms of his afflicted parents". "He was a most affectionate son, industriously assisted his father in the business and was remarkable for his obliging and good-natured disposition. Turf stealer caught in the act The paper reported on the following case before the local magistrates. "Thomas Gilligan was charged by Peter Guinan, with having stolen his turf, from a clamp in the bog. Constable McCormick gave evidence of having detected Gilligan in the fact - from frequent complaints of people in the neighbourhood of the loss of their turf, he disguised himself and concealed himself in a turf bank, and at twilight he saw the defendant come with an ass and car to the bog, and commence to load it with the complainant's turf. The defendant ,whose appearance was of rather comfortable circumstances, admitted the fact, but looked upon it in so trivial a light, that he expected the bench would pass it over. He was, however, disappointed, on being sent to the county gaol for fourteen days' imprisonment, diversified with hard labour." 1910 Alabama priest visits his native Drum In recent times, the story of the murdered Rev James Coyle, grand uncle to singer Brendan Shine has been highlighted, both in this paper and on an RTÉ programme Would You Believe. During the programme the story of the court case, described as 'the OJ of the early 20th century', was outlined in some detail. The trial of Methodist Minister, Rev Edwin Stephenson, who confessed to the police immediately after the killing, became a show of force by the Ku Klux Klan. Fr Coyle is considered a martyr for his faith among Catholics in Birmingham in Alabama, and there are calls to have him beatified, and eventually to have him canonised a saint. Back in 1910 in Athlone, eleven years before his killing, the Westmeath Independent reported on the return of Rev Coyle to his native parish of Drum. The paper said Re,. Coyle had just returned to the scene of his missionary labours in Alabama, after spending some weeks with his parents and among his friends in his native parish of Drum. The paper noted that he appeared in vigorous health, and looked like someone who worked in the bracing breeze of a temperate climate, "so robust and buoyant and healthy does he appear." The report noted that it was eight years since the priest had a similar vocation and on the previous occasion he had also visited his relations in Drum. Fr Coyle at the time was the pastor of the principal church of the city of Birmingham where he had two assistants. He had received his early education from his father, Owen Coyle, who was for over 40 years the principal of the Drumpark School and subsequently at the Jesuit's Missionary at Mungret, where he was ordained and appointed to the diocese of Mobile. He served some time as a professor in the college there and was subsequently promoted by the bishop to the pastorship of St Paul's parish in Birmingham. 1960 GAA chairman laments spectators behaviour The Westmeath GAA Board meeting in Mullingar in late August 50 years ago heard criticism of spectators barracking players. The issue arose on the report of the referee on the Athlone v. Rosemount game at Moate, in which reference was made to the spectators barracking the Athlone players. The chairman said that 90 per cent of trouble at games was caused by spectators. The referee, who was present at the meeting, said he would not have mentioned this in the report except that this type of behaviour was causing trouble at games. The chairman agreed that there appeared a few who were more concerned with trying to abuse players, rather than encouraging their own team. A delegate suggested the appointment of a vigilance committee, who could take note of these people at games and bring it to the attention of the clubs concerned. However, the debate passed without any concrete decision being taken on the issue. Pioneers win Beamish Cup final The Beamish Cup final was the highpoint of the local junior soccer scene. In 1960, the final was played between Pioneers and St Mary's, with the former winning by 3-2. The report noted that the trophies were presented to both teams by Rev. J. Hyland OMI, a former players with St Mary's. Pioneers: Murray, Waldron, McLoughlin, P. Joyce, J. Greene, O'Brien, Cummins, Quinn, T. Greene, Larkin, J. Joyce. St Mary's: Costelloe, Dunne Huynes, M. Browne, S. O'Connor, Colleran, Shiels, D. Browne, D. O'Connor, Dolan, Warby.