4th November, 1999
Wasn’t that rugby match on Sunday
just fantastic. No folks, I’m not talking about Douglas
beating Crosshaven by a point, I’m talking about the All
Blacks and France. At the end of the first half it looked all
over, but the second half was a joy to behold. The French came
out with a passion and hunger. I know they were hungry because
almost at the end of the first half I saw a French player
nibbling on an All Black ear, and to be truthful I don’t
think he was romantically inclined. Mike Tyson, you have a lot to
answer for! To tell the truth, I’m not surprised. Any people
who eat snails, frogs legs, cows fed on human you know what, I
suppose an odd ear here and there is only a starter. Seriously,
it was a great game and should do a great deal to promote the
game of rugby.
Last weeks story “High Noon at Frankfield” was written
by Douglas man Ronnie McGinn. At the end of the story, which was
set in 1958, Ronnie mentioned times were changing in Douglas. The
bus service was to be extended to Frankfield. Ronnie, 41 years
later the people of Frankfield are still waiting. Two weeks ago a
reader asked me if I would print the Unions side of the story in
this ongoing dispute. I said I would. I’m still waiting for
the telephone call. He did tell me that the company wanted the
drivers to drive smaller buses to Frankfield for less money. On
the day I met this man it was about 4.30 in the afternoon and the
rain was pouring down. I saw youngsters getting off the bus in
Grange and then having to walk in the pouring rain to the end of
Frankfield. It would not be tolerated anywhere else.
Several months ago, Carrigaline based councillor Paula Desmond,
stated that Carrigaline had a huge young population and unless
something was done to provide facilities for the youth of the
area there would be big social problems. I totally agree with
her. Did I read somewhere that 50% of the population of Douglas
is under 21 years of age. Several readers have been in contact
with us concerning the gangs of youths who seem to be
congregating lately in Douglas East at night. There have been
some fights, and people are being intimidated by these gangs,
some of them are not from the Douglas area. The situation is
going to get worse. Douglas Garda Station has to provide service
to 42,000 people and the dogs on the street know that there are
not enough Gardai in Douglas. Don’t blame the Gardai, let
your public representatives know how you feel. We do need Gardai
on the beat (foot patrol) in Douglas Village every night. If need
be, enforce the law against loitering. And finally to our
politicians - provide some decent facilities for our youth or we
will have big social problems in Douglas.
I called down tonight to collect some photographs at St.
Columba’s Hall. Douglas Rugby club are based at the hall and
this year they celebrate their 21st birthday thanks to the late
Joe O’Reilly who founded the club 21 years ago. I love the
hall, it’s the heart and soul of Douglas. It’s got a
great feeling of history. Tonight a big order of fish & chips
was delivered and when Frank Murphy offered me a pint and the
girls offered me some fish and chips I was almost tempted, and
like Oscar Wilde, I can resist anything except temptation, but I
had to leave to get the Weekly ready for the printer in the
morning. I will be back in a few weeks for the big night. More
about this next week.
The best of luck to Nemo Rangers on Sunday when they take on UCC,
and congratulations to the Rockies on their great win last week.
To all our exiles in foreign lands, we are approaching Christmas
and if you would like to wish your family and friends festive and
New Years greetings you can do so by emailing your message to
douglasweekly@tinet.ie.
Well done to the stores manager Derry Healy at Dennehy’s
Cross motors who was very considerate and helpful to one of our
readers. Take a bow Dennehys!
I was watching a documentary on Meningitis recently. It seems
that the deadliest strain of that terrible illness in Meningitis
G. It killed 300 children in the UK last year. The good news is
that Cuban scientists have discovered a vaccine and they have
wiped out the disease. The bad news is that because the USA have
a trade embargo on Cuba, they will not let the Cubans market it.
It seems wrong to me that children will have to die because of
U.S. foreign policy that goes back to 1960. The Americans are
doing business with Vietnam, where 54,000 American soldiers died
for nothing, yet a tiny neighbour like Cuba is being starved of
essentials while Bill Clinton smokes Cuban cigars. At least
sometimes he smokes them.
Bye for now,
Michael O’Hanlon.
