4th May, 2000
Last week a member of a road bowling club asked
me to take a trip up to Monastery Road to view some of the
experts in action. So last Friday night I duly obliged. For the
first time ever I lofted a bowl, it's not as easy as it looks. It's
about angels and bends in the roads and there's a great amount of
skill in it. There were about 50 people there including a few
women and the banter and the craic was ongoing. I am sure most of
you readers have come across a bowling competition when you’re
driving and accordingly, slow down. On Friday night a jeep came
down the hill, saw the crowd and he seem to accelerate and roared
through them, probably trying to impress his female companion, a
dangerous thing to do. If you do come across a bowling match,
take your time and respect the people who are carrying on this
age old sport. Finally on the rematch between Pat Martin and
Walter Clarke, Pat told me that the match will be on when the
“Hall comes up with the Money” I'll be there for the
rematch.
Listening to a radio discussion on the Planning Controversy and
the councillors who allegedly took money from frank Dunlop. On
the programme a Government Minister asked the question “How
do we stop developers who wish to financially support the
Democratic Process” to which I say, if you believe that then
there's no hope for us!! One of the new recommendations is that
land rezoning and planning decisions should be decided by council
officials and not elected councillors. Remember George Redmond?
At the end of the day it seems everybody has a price and it must
be hard to refuse £50,000, just to put an X on a paper. Pearse,
Connolly, Collins if you could only see what you died for.
A reader asked me if I knew anything about the planned school in
Frankfield, she lives there and she told me there's not a sign of
anything happening. We rang Councillor Peter Kelly who told us
that it is going ahead. The buildings will be pre-fab and they
should be open in time for the children when they begin school in
September. We will keep you informed as thing's develop.
I met a reader yesterday who told me she met a Knight of the Road
on Sunday. The water pump in her car burst, you know the scene,
red light comes on, steam rises from under the bonnet. A man from
Shamrock Lawn (What else would you expect from Shamrock Lawn?) in
a red V.W Polo saw her predicament, went home, got some tape and
water, fixed the leak, topped up the radiator and sent her on her
way home. So well done to that gentleman (and I mean Gentleman)
who came to the rescue of a damsel in distress, you definitely
get this women's “stamp of approval”
I'm sick of Mr Bean on the television. The first time was very
funny, but talk about trying to “Flog a dead Horse”
bring back Fawlty Towers, it's due a re-run.
The beauty of democracy is that everybody is entitled to express
their opinion in a lawful manner as are the residents of Clogheen,
Co Tipperary in their opposition to 40 refugees being settled in
their town. However if you feel strongly about something and you
feel you’re right in your beliefs, then you should be open
in your expression of disagreement with the plans to house the
refugees. Putting bits of cardboard with writing on them around
children's necks or covering your face with anoraks and placards
seems to be a bit cowardly. Using children to voice adults
opposition to a situation is hopefully not something that other
residents elsewhere will resort to. On a related matter FAS had
an open day in St John's, Newfoundland, Canada. They expected 2,000
but 5,000 turned up. Minister Noel Tracey said “Isn't it
great, 10 years ago who would have thought we'd be bringing our
people home?” God Almighty, their ancestors left Ireland
during the famine 150 years ago and went to Canada as refugees.
Now they're “Our People”. Only a few years ago the late
Brian Lenihan stated that they were too many young people in
Ireland and that they should emigrate. They were “Our People”
too. A sixteen year old Nigerian boy in a Dublin chipshop, beaten
up and ends up in hospital. A drunken mob attacks a Nigerian shop
in Dublin, terrible wasn't it? But they're not really “Our
People” what did they expect, Cead Mile Failte.
Thanks to all the business clubs who have put forward Roses this
year to represent them. One winner will go forward to the Cork
Finals in Jury's during the summer, and who knows we might have a
Rose of Tralee from Douglas. I wish to thank everybody who
continues to support this annual community night, and I hope you
will turn up on the night to support all the Roses, and wish the
winner well. Music is by the fantastic Soulmasters, our own Steve
Goodman, with a first time stage appearance by the Band of the
Douglas School of Music.
Finally on a serious note. I read drug dealers are now selling
Viagra tablets on the streets of Cork. According to reports the
price of a tablet is £9.00 and the customers are young people
and middle aged men. I hope when those dealers are brought before
the courts, they get a “Stiff” Sentence.
Bye for now,
Michael O'Hanlon.
