Pages from the Past

Selections from back issues of the Westmeath Independent. 150 YEARS AGO 1861 An ungallant man and a saucy, scolding wench Two people who made complaints against each other were each fined 6d with costs at the Athlone Petty Sessions in early November, 1861. The report in the Westmeath Independent read, as follows: "Thomas Irwin was summonsed by Eleanor Curry for having assaulted her on the 20th of October last. The complainant stated her case, she was at home on the day above mentioned, and being troubled with that domestic annoyance - a smoky chimney - she opened her room door to let in the fresh air and let out the smoke when the defendant came behind her and in a very ungallant manner struck her a blow over the right ear, which brought her to the ground, when he followed up his attack with a few kicks, that were still more unmanly. The defendant, who was the complainant in the next case, was examined. He deposed that this Mrs. Eleanor Curry, was the next bad thing to a smoky chimney, a scolding wench. She insisted in having this door opened which sent the smoke into his apartment, and when he remonstrated she became saucy; he admitted that he did give her a nudge, but not so violent as to know her down." Lecture on South African animals A lecture on South African animals will be delivered by Assistant Garrison Schoolmaster Wells, in the New Garrison School, on the 15th instant. It will be illustrated by magic lantern views and a map, portraying amusing and sporting incidents in connection with the people and animals of that colony. Doors open at six o'clock. 100 YEARS AGO 1911 Death of railway employee The Westmeath Independent reported on the tragic death of a railway employee George McKeon. Mr McKeon was aged between 30 and 35 and was married with a young family. Mr McKeon, who was a ballast guard with the Midland and Great Western Railway lost his life in an accident at the Monksland Pit Siding outside Athlone Station. The inquest heard that he was crushed between the drag hooks of two wagons which he was supposed to couple together. The inquest heard that a coupling pole is required to be used to couple and decouple wagons. A verdict of accidental death was returned. New Church of Ireland school The Westmeath Independent of November 18, 1911, reported on the official opening of the new Protestant schools for St Mary's parish. The school, which the paper said was at the end of Garden Vale, was for most of the 21st century known as Athlone Mixed National School. The report refers to the fact that it replaced a previous school "On the Hill" 50 YEARS AGO 1961 Clann hold on to county final after appeal In previous pieces from the Pages from the Past referring to 1961 we mentioned Clann na Gael's first senior county final win. However, the victory ended up in the boardrooms as the vanquished Elphin team lodged an objection. The report of the hearing quoted then Chairman of the county board, Dr. D. Keenan, as stating: "It was an awful pity that this should have happened after one of the best county finals they had for years." Elphin had based their objections on the grounds that after sounding the whistle, the referee, having checked his score sheet and after consultation with an umpire, had declared the game a draw to the captain and four players of their team when requested by them and at a later stage had altered his decision and declared the game was won by Clann na Gael The Chairman ruled that the only score which was official was the one submitted by the referee in his report to the board and he accordingly ruled out the objection. The referee, in his report, apologised for the misunderstanding which occurred after the final whistle. He could assure both players, officials and supporters that it was not intentional. When he had the opportunity of checking the score there was no doubt in his mind that Clann na Gael had won on the score 2-8 to 1-10. On behalf of Elphin, Mr M. Mulleady said the referee had told him it was a draw after he had checked his scoresheet. Even after consulting an umpire, the referee said it was a draw. Three or four minutes later, the county chairman presented the cup to Clann na Gael and Mr Mulleady said he was taking it that the chairman did so on his own initiative. Later, the chairman said he wanted to make it clear to the board that he presented the cup to Clann na Gael because he believed they had won. The referee's report submitted to the board also declared Clann the winners, the meeting heard. 25 YEARS AGO 1986 Plans for waterside revamp The Athlone Branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland in early November 1986 unveiled plans for a major amenity development on the west bank of the Shannon between the town bridge and the lock. The development project was proposed for three parts- firstly the upgrading of the Castle, secondly the refurbishment of the quayside from the bridge to the lock house and finally the setting up of a waterways museum in the Docks area. Deadly virus threatens dog population A deadly virus, which is sweeping through Athlone this week, is putting the lives of hundreds of dogs in the town at risk, the Westmeath Independent reported in early November 1986. The problem is so bad at the moment that the local branch of the ISPCA appealed this week to all dog owners in Athlone and the surrounding areas to have their animal vaccinated for the virus immediately. TR says politicians don't care In an interview with the Westmeath Independent in early November 1986, one of Ireland's best known country and western singers Tom Allen (TR Dallas) hit out at the manner in which Ireland was being run. "I think at this stage the politicians of the country just don't care about the country or its people. Unemployment is rising almost by the minute, the cream of our population, as they were so often described in the past cannot get out of the country fast enough, the building industry is almost at a standstill, farmers were encouraged to borrow a few years ago and now the lending institutions are trying to sell off some of those very same holdings - and who cares?" asked TR Dallas. He added: "I for one, would have no objection towards paying my fair share of taxes, which I am doing, if I saw progress. But instead the Irish public are being asked to cut back time and time again. I know it's a well worn out argument but like many other people I feel we have too many TDS and Senators. Why don't we have cutbacks in political life. Our island is too small for the numbers we have. "Why don't all the politicians get together and decide once and for all for the good of the country the numbers of TDs and Senators should be cut back."