25th November, 1999
Last Saturday afternoon I attended the
official opening of the eight new units at Douglas Lions House.
One of the residents Michael Barry showed me around his beautiful
self contained apartment. The most compact and comfortable home
one could wish for. The members of Douglas Lions, who to me are
unsung heroes, go about their caring work in a discreet way,
raising thousands of pounds towards giving the elderly a sense of
dignity and most important a home within the community. People
like Sean Fitzgerald, Liam Moloney, and Paddy Barry are only
three of the many who to me are the essence of community.
I’m told a couple who reside there are to become engaged
shortly. I took some photos, so check out the Weekly next week.
Ladies and Gentlemen of Douglas Lions, take a bow, you deserve
it.
On Sunday night I went to see the Peter Prendergast Awards Night
at the Rochestown Park Hotel, the recipient was Ireland’s
most famous Drummer, our own Joe Mac of the Dixies. A huge crowd
turned up on the night to pay tribute to Joe, once again I
spotted a lot of locals at the function, and everybody seemed to
enjoy their night out to honour Joe. As usual the impeccable Noel
Welch was M.C. for the night and I’m told the ageless
‘Rocker’ Declan Ryan stole the show.
On Monday Night I went to a book launch performed by Michael
Martin T.D. Minister of Education and Science. The venue was
Regina Mundi School for girls. Thirty eight years ago Miss Daisy
Corrigan fulfilled a life’s dream when she opened the school
for the first time. Now teacher Anne Marie Desmond has written a
book on the life and times of Daisy Corrigan. The huge crowd that
turned up for the Book Launch was testimony to the esteem and
love this great woman was held in. My three daughters were
students of Regina Mundi School and they have nothing but kind
words and memories of their days at Regina Mundi. A fitting
tribute to a woman described by the Minister as “Before Her
Time”. One story told about Daisy was when she called to see
Patrick Hillary, Minister of Education (many years ago) Daisy was
informed by his secretary that the Minister was very busy
“I’ll wait,” replied Daisy, after about two hours
waiting Daisy approached the secretary and asked “may I use
your telephone”. “Yes,” replied the secretary.
Daisy continued “I’m going to telephone the Irish Times
and tell them how long I’ve been waiting here”. Paddy
Hilary was out to see Daisy in two minutes. My kind of woman.
Well done to all for a lovely night and to Miss Motherway, thanks
for the glass of wine.
I’m sitting here watching the R.T.E News and it makes
depressing viewing. A Christian Brother is sentenced to thirty
six years in prison for sexual assaults on children during the
50’s & 60’s. What I can never understand is did any
other Brothers or staff hear the childrens cries when this man
committed his perverted acts over many years? I’m sick and
tired of listening to the excuse “he was a victim himself
when he was a child”, is that all the more reason NOT to
inflict pain similar on an innocent child that you allege was
inflicted on you. I’m sure that a lot of readers were, like
me, school children of the 50’s. I was beaten by ‘bald
sicko’ in the Model School, his weapon was a half sweeping
brush handle which he used with glee on nine and ten year old
children. But at least I went home to my mother and father after
school. Those poor children in Lota were orphans and their home
was a living hell. They had nobody to turn to for help and if
they had they would probably have got a beating. Lives ruined
forever, and I don’t believe that people didn’t know.
The Head Master in the Model School heard the beatings and cries,
but did nothing. They’re all as guilty because they knew and
did nothing.
Like last week I’m once again watching Oireachtas Report. I
missed the Dail report because I was watching Snooker Player
Jimmy White lose once again. Senator Joe Costello called rogue
builders “Cowboys”, he was followed by Senator David
Norris who also called the people who build or retain and then
seek planning “Cowboys”. Gentlemen, your chances of
regulating planning laws were summed up years ago by the greatest
cowboy of them all (not C.J.) John Wayne when he said
“That’ll be the day pilgrim”.
Next Monday night there will be a meeting open to everyone, to
discuss the setting up of a Tidy Towns Committee in Douglas. I
think it’s a great idea and one long overdue. The venue is
the Rochestown Park Hotel, the time is 8.00pm. Be there if you
care.
Finally I think its sad that David Irvine, the confused historian
was not allowed to speak at U.C.C . Its sad that a country such
as ours renowned for its speakers and historians could not
produce someone to show this looney up for what he is, a
fruitcake!! Hitler burnt books written by Jews, while a debate
was gagged by defenders of Democracy in Cork.
Bye for now,
Michael O’Hanlon.
