| Teen thugs blamed for rampant town vandalism
(from The Nationalist, Saturday 20th September 2008)
Fire damage at the back of the late Jimmy Ryan's house at Watergate caused by vandals in the early hours of Saturday morning 13th September.
The community of Fethard have declared that they are "sick' of vandalism in their town. Over the last few months a group of young people have been blamed for a number of acts of vandalism, including graffiti and just last weekend a fire in a shed and now the local Community Council fear there could even be a risk to lives if this carries on.
The vandalism has been condemned by the Community Council and local parish priest Fr Tom Breen described the incidents as "sad" and "undesirable." According to one local man, a group of young thugs, ranging in age from ranging in age from pre to mid teens, have been the bane of the people of Fethard in the past few months. This group are running around without any parental supervision at all hours and are regularly engaged in drinking parties by day and night down by the Town Wall.
Local acts of vandalism include pushing the Portaloo toilets from the Medieval Festival into the Clashawley river, painting the Millennium Bridge with graffiti, pouring paint on the Medieval Town Wall itself. burning down the shed at the rear of the late Jimmy Ryan's house at Watergate, stealing crates of wine from the store behind Kellett's restaurant, breaking into various cars and stealing the contents and brawling in the street.
In a statement Fethard and Killusty Community Council condemn the recent spate of vandalism. “Members are concerned that unless the perpetrators are held responsible the current situation could escalate, resulting in more serious damage and possible risk to lives.”
The Community Council statement went on to appeal to members of the community to cooperate with the Gardai in their efforts to apprehend those responsible by passing on any relevant information, however insignificant they may feel it is. They are also appealing to parents to monitor and be aware where their children are at all times.
The Community Council identified these issues and other potential problems in their comprehensive 'Youth Needs and Service Provision Report' undertaken in the Fethard area in 2005 and facilitated by Tipperary Institute. The committee are also very disappointed that they have failed to get adequate support from the Government in providing a Youth Officer for their Fethard Community Youth Project in the Convent Hall.
Speaking to ‘The Nationalist’, Fr Breen said he wondered what the best approach to resolving this vandalism could be, and suggested the education that would be available in the Community Council's youth cafe, which is to open soon, could help.
He said there was a question of parental responsibility but that there also seems to be a breakdown in communication between young people and responsible adults. He did highlight the sale of 'take out' drink as a particular cause for antisocial behaviour.
Fethard was fortunate to have had a good period where there was no trouble and now they are suffering, Fr Breen said, but he added that there are a lot of good kids in the town.
Anybody with information to help track down these young offenders should contact the Gardai at Fethard Tel: 31202 or alternatively contact the Garda Confidential Freephone: 1800 666 111.
Pen friends for over 40 years
Pen friends for over 40 years L to R: Anne Walsh (Kenrick), Sr. Juliana Purcell and Julie Timmins (McKay).
Sister Juliana Purcell moved from the Presentation Convent, Fethard to Presentation Convent, Wellington, New Zealand, in 1965. Shortly afterwards she introduced Julie McKay of Wellington to Anne Kenrick from Burke St, Fethard. Anne and Julie corresponded regularly as pen friends, but only met for the first time in 1977, when Julie, by now married, visited Fethard with her husband and family. Julie came to Ireland again recently. She and Anne are seen here with Sister Juliana, who now lives in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.
Harvest Festival
This year’s Harvest Festival will take place at 8pm on Sunday 21st September at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland. Everyone is welcome to attend this annual service in the historic church on Main Street. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
Fethard GAA Club News
Fethard Senior Football team who were beaten 0-8 to 0-3 by Moyle Rovers in the South Final played in Cahir last Sunday.
Our year came to an end in Senior Football on Sunday last in when in the South Final we were beaten on a scoreline, Fethard 0-3, Moyle Rovers 0-8. The team was: Paul Fitzgerald, Shane Aylward, Michael Aherne, Glen Burke, Tommy Gahan, Cian Maher, Aiden Lonergan, Michael Dillon, Aiden Fitzgerald, Eoin Doyle, John Paul Looby, Jamie McCormack, Christopher Sheehan and Damien Byrne (captain). Subs used were: Ian Kenrick and Declan Doyle.
On Saturday next in Clonmel we play the Intermediate Hurling South Final against Moyle Rovers at 5.30pm. We wish our team the best of luck.
Photographed at the throw-in are L to R: Brian Tyrrell (linesman), Jimmy Williams (captain Moyle Rovers), Donie Cahill (referee), Damien Byrne (captain Fethard) and Andy Moloney (linesman).
Brian Coen (Fethard) on the attack
Glen Burke clearing the ball for Fethard
Our Jackpot was not won and we had no Match Three winner. The numbers drawn were: 17, 18, 22 and 23. The following received €30 each: Cora McGarry, Burke Street, Fethard; Stephen O’Brien, Rosegreen, Cashel; Cian Cuddihy, Woodvale Walk, Fethard; Davy Maher, 8 Barrack Street, Fethard; Claire Landy, Killusty, Fethard. The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Abigail Doyle, Woodvale Walk, Fethard. We would like to thank Harrington Developments for supplying the tickets.
Fethard Country Markets
Congratulations to Fethard Country Market members who were very successful again at this year’s Iverk Show held on Thursday 4th September. In the ‘Jam and Cake’ section, the Meany family, Crampscastle, were the leading exhibitors; in the ‘Farm Produce’ section, the Quinlan family from Lisronagh were overall winners; and in the ‘Vegetable’ section, David Curran, Moyglass, was the overall winner taking home thirteen 1st prizes and thirteen 2nd prizes. Since its establishment in 1826, the show has grown and developed far beyond what could have been originally envisaged by its founders. In this, its 182nd year, the Iverk Show is now one of, if not the most prestigious events in the Southeast.
To coincide with the recent 60th anniversary of Country Markets a delightful recipe book ‘Country Market Favourites’ has been published featuring favourite recipes collected from all the Country Markets in Ireland. The book was launched at the Iverk Show by Trevor Sergeant and will be available for sale at Fethard Country Market this Friday for €10.
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 10th September were 2, 11, 17 and 31. We had no Jackpot winner and no "Match 3" winner. The following three drawn tickets received €50:
Judy Whelan, Ballingarry, Thurles;
Marion Noonan, Drangan;
John Ryan, St. Patricks Place, Fethard.
The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Mary Keane, Knockelly, Fethard;
Maura Gorey, Main Street, Fethard;
Jessica Moloney, Congress Terrace, Fethard.
Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.
Patrician Presentation School News
Congratulations to the Junior Cert class who achieved excellent results in their exams. We wish them well in the senior cycle of the school.
Pupils of Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School photographed at Pilates classes in the school organised under the 'Women in Sports' initiative by South Tipperary Sports Partnership. Pilates exercises teach awareness of breath and alignment of the spine, and aim to strengthen the deep torso muscles. Back L to R: Valerie Connolly (South Tipperary Sports Partnership), Samantha Morrissey, Ida Carroll, Molly O'Dwyer, Chloe Byrne, Deirdre Dwyer, Geraldine Houlihan (Instructor). Front L to R: Sarah Hayes, Carrie Sweeney, Sarah Conway and Lucy Butler.
This year’s transition year group took part in an orientation programme in the school on Wednesday 10th September. Unfortunately, due to the poor weather conditions, the Slievenamon climb was abandoned. Instead, the group visited the Marlfield area of Clonmel and went bowling afterwards.
We take this opportunity to welcome all our First Year students, whom by now have settled in to their new surroundings. This group includes Daiana Adamczak from Poland and Sveta Novikova from the Ukraine. A further initiative for First Years, is that they now stay for lunch Monday to Friday, which gives them a chance to get to know one another and organise themselves for classes.
A warm welcome is also extended to students who have enrolled in the school in other year groups: Hayleigh Ellis to Second Year; Niall Rochford, Kayleigh Morrissey, Paul O’Neill and international student Stefan Müller (Germany) to Transition Year; Jeffrey Madigan and international students Mira Nagy (Germany), Louisa Lima (Brazil), Mattia Veronese (Italy) to Fifth Year; Alison Humphries and Linda Kelliher to Sixth Year. We hope that their time at our school will be positive and rewarding.
Fethard girls having a chat on Main Street L to R: Amanda Ryan, Shannon Keating and Kelley Coady.
Outing to Kilmallock and Lough Gur
On Saturday, 27th September, the Fethard Historical Society are organising their Autumn Outing to the walled town of Kilmallock and also to the pre-historic Visitor Centre and lake at Lough Gur. Both these interesting locations are over the border in County Limerick and everyone, whether a society member or not, is more than welcome to come along.
In ways this is a ‘return trip’ as, on 9th April last, Limerick County Council organised a group of over twenty property owners from Kilmallock to come to Fethard to see what we were doing with our Town Wall, and on that day they invited Community Council members, Historical Society members and Fethard citizens in general to visit Kilmallock and area.
Sarah McCutcheon, Archaeologist with Limerick County Council, will host the visit to Kilmallock and another expert, Michael Quinlan, will host the visit to Lough Gur, so all in all it should make for a very enjoyable outing for families and individuals alike.
It is planned to hire a coach for the day, beginning at 9am from the Town Hall, so please phone Dóirín 31936, Terry 23402 or Pat 31537, as soon as possible so that suitable transport can be arranged for everyone.
Senior Day at Fethard Day Care Centre
The Fethard & District Day Care Centre will hold a Senior Day on Friday 26th September from 11am. The chiropodist will attend and be available at a cost of €10. The district nurse will also be in attendance. A hot meal will be served. The cost of the service provided is €5.
Walled Town Photographic Competition
Once again the Irish Walled Town Network is holding a Photographic Competition which helps to highlight the Town Walls that still exist all over Ireland. Of course, Fethard is regarded as one of the best, if not the very best example of a preserved Town Wall in the country after Derry. It was fitting that in last year’s competition that a photograph from Fethard by Larry Kenny was one of the national winners.
At local level, the Fethard Historical Society are putting up cash prizes for the best and most interesting photos of our Town Wall and as only two weeks remain for the national deadline it means that people better start clicking right away. In the adult category a first and second prize of €75 and €25 respectively is being given. For the under 18s there are three prizes: €50, €30 and €20 and children should be encouraged to experiment as much as possible with the their ideas for an interesting photo of some aspect of the Town Wall. Even a photograph of a shadow made by the Wall or a weed growing on the wall could win one of the prizes. Photos can be dropped into Pat Looby in Kerry Street, phone 052 31537, or The Tirry Centre Community Office, before Monday 29th September.
Trust Golf Classic 2008
Centra Golf Team who were winners of the Frank Purcell Memorial Golf Classic that took place last weekend at Slievenamon Golf Club in aid of TRUST charity for the homeless. L to R: Vinny Murphy (McCarthy's), Paul Kenny, Aidan Kenny, Colin Kenny and Alice Leahy (TRUST). Also on the team was Darren O'Meara.
The 6th Annual Frank Purcell Memorial Golf Classic in aid of Trust took place last weekend at Slievenamon Golf Club. The overall winners were the team representing Centra Supermarket in Fethard, which comprised of brothers Paul, Colin and Aidan Kenny with Darren O’Meara. Their prize was a €1000 voucher for Mount Juliet Golf Club. A special mention must be given to the winner of the ‘Nearest the Pin’ competition, Mr Noel Davern, who has swapped the corridors of Dail Eireann for the lure of the golf course. Maybe a place on the seniors tour beckons?
The prizes were presented by Trust’s co founder Alice Leahy at a Barbecue in McCarthy’s on Saturday night. Alice spoke about her work and about the importance of private donations, which both keep her charity going and allow her to remain independent of Government handouts, which allows her to speak her mind and not bow to any political pressure.
Alice Leahy (TRUST) photographed with musicians Philip Donnelly and Foul Play at the Frank Purcell Memorial Golf Classic Barbecue. L to R: Shay Fitzgerald (lead vocals and acoustic guitar), Philip Donnelly (lead guitar and vocals), Alice Leahy (TRUST), Sean Feery (bass) and Shamus McCarthy (drums).
Music on the night was provided by Foul Play. The band featuring Irish guitar legend Philip Donnelly were in superb form on the night, rocking out a blistering set. Philip regaled the audience with his warm banter as well as his unique playing, throwing out anecdotes from his years playing with musical legends like the Everly Brothers, Johnny Cash and Nancy Griffith, to name but a few.
Photographed at the Frank Purcell Memorial Golf Classic Barbecue are L to R: David Morrissey, Patricia (Morrissey) and Jan Orski. Patricia and her husband Jan were home on holiday from Kent, England.
Thanks to all who helped to make the night such a success, to Slievenamon Golf Club for the course, to South East Scaffolding for the stage, to Premier Music for the lights, To Kellett’s Restaurant for the food, to the new chef on the night, Eamon Murphy, to all of the committee and to every person who put their hand in their pocket to help in any way. Every cent is very much appreciated. A particular word of thanks must go to a close friend of Frank Purcell, who won a libel case against a newspaper that week and donated the amount awarded to the Trust Golf Classic. And thanks to the ‘Weather Gods’ for holding back the rain!
Photographed at the Frank Purcell Memorial Golf Classic Barbecue are L to R: Hugh Holohan, Paddy Henehan, Eamon Delahunty and Jimpy Connolly.
Photographed at the Frank Purcell Memorial Golf Classic Barbecue are L to R: Ivica Garbinska and Tibor Michacs from Czech Republic.
Photographed at the Frank Purcell Memorial Golf Classic Barbecue are L to R: Alice Tobin and Kay Bradshaw.
Fethard Bridge Club Results
The results of our game held on Wednesday 10th September were:
1st Gross: Kay St. John and Rita Kane;
2nd Gross: Anna Cooke and Bernie O’Meara;
1st Nett: Frances Burke and Breda Walsh;
2nd Nett: Annie O’Brien and Marie Delaney.
We hope to see all our members back over the next couple of weeks. On 24th September we will be playing for sponsored prizes, on 1st October we play for the Free Sub Gross and on 8th October for the Free Sub Nett.
Anyone interested in learning bridge please contact Gemma Burke 31799 or Anne Connolly 31217. Looking for a partner, please contact Berney Myles at 32038.
Fethard fans in London and Devon England
"My husband, friends and I are all fans of Fethard and have visited. We are also facebook fans! We thought you might like this story for your website from your Fethard fans in London and Devon England.
In this photo are Carol Morrison and Lee Ann Day-Whistler with Sadler's Wells and his stallion handler Noel Stapleton who it was also a great pleasure to meet.
We have a fan website for horseracing which features a mini tribute site to Sadler's Wells www.famousracehorses.co.uk. We are too young to have seen him race, but over the years he has provided race fans all over the world with top class racehorses to follow on the racetrack and we are very grateful to him for all the enjoyment he has given us. Mr Magnier allowed us to visit Coolmore and meet him in retirement so four of us travelled over from London and Devon last week. We had seen him before a few years ago but it was wonderful to find the 27-year-old looking so youthful and happy. He loves attention and enjoyed meeting and posing with us. We will put the update on our website.
 The following day we visited 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition at the stable of local trainer Mouse Morris. War is back in light work and was looking a picture of health. We wish him all the best for making a comeback following his injury and stem cell treatment and wish to thank Mr Morris and his staff for allowing us to visit and take photos of his stable star. Here he is pictured with Sarah Smith who works at the stable www.mousemorris.com. My husband John Whistler took the photos. All the very best and hope we make it back to Fethard soon. –Lee Ann
Scouting Ireland registration
Annual registration will be held on Tuesday 23rd September in the ballroom for all existing and new members from 6:30pm to 8pm. It is a condition of registration that at least one parent or guardian will accompany each child. Each parent / guardian will be asked to sign the consent form and fill in a questionnaire. Census and membership must be with the secretary at National Headquarters, Larch Hill, Dublin, by 1st October 2008. New members welcome.
Meetings and activities will commence on Friday 26th September from 7pm to 9pm for scouts, and on Tuesday 30th September from 6:30pm to 8pm for cubs.
Fethard Macra na Feirme
Attention all Roy Keane wannabes in Fethard and surrounding areas, now is the time to put your skills to the test! The Fethard Macra Indoor Soccer Tournament is starting on Thursday, September 18th in Monroe. Any local teams interested in participating contact Michael 087-9019443. The South Tipp Macra entertainment committee have organised a jam packed weekend of entertainment.
On Friday 19th September, a night of bowling has been organised in Hot Shots in Clonmel. On Saturday 20th September, the eagerly anticipated mystery tour will take place. Where the tour will lead you to remains a closely guarded secret but a great evening’s craic has been guaranteed. Bus pick up points are as follows: Tipp Town at 6.45pm, Cashel at 7.15pm and Barne Lodge at 7.35pm. All quiz lovers pencil in Friday 3rd October in your diaries. Fethard Macra will be holding a table quiz in Butlers Bar, Main Street, Fethard. This will kick off at 9.30pm. For further info contact Michael or Una 087-6882683 or email fethardmacra@gmail.com
Fethard & Killusty Community Council
The next meeting of Fethard & Killusty Community Council will take place on Tuesday 23rd September at 8.30pm in the Tirry Community Centre.
Fire Damaged Dwelling at Fr. Tirry Park
Following Cllr. John Fahy’s representation on the above matter, the following reply was received from Jonathan Cooney, Housing Section, South Tipperary County Council.
“The County Council engaged architects who prepared drawings and specifications for the replacement of No. 11 Fr. Tirry Park, whilst also incorporating some repairs to No. 10.
It is a condition of our insurances that we forwarded these documents to the loss adjuster prior to proceeding to tender. These documents have been forwarded on and we are now in a position to advertise for planning. The planning application will be advertised in The Nationalist dated 13th September 2008.
The Council will then tender the works, including the demolition of the existing dwelling allowing a timeframe of 4 weeks for receipt of tenders. Typically it takes a further 4-6 weeks to assess the tenders and to receive the necessary paperwork from the successful contractor (i.e. insurances, C2, Tax Clearance, Site Specific Safety Statement & Bond). Part 8 Planning permission will run concurrently.
I note your concerns but as you can see from the above the Council has been actively progressing this matter. I trust the above is of some assistance to you.”
|
