All Our Yesterdays: September 7

Chief executive steps down

THE chief executive of Strabane Council, Dr Victor Eakin, has announced he is to retire from the post that he has held for the last seven years.

The local authority’s most senior officer will vacate the post on December 31 of this year, in what is seen as a wholly-unexpected move.

Dr Eakin took up the post with Strabane District Council in September of 1991, under the chairmanship of Edward Turner.

According to a press statement issued, Dr Eakin decided to avail of early retirement under the scheme available to local government employees. The chief executive was previously employed by Derry City Council as director of environmental services before his appointment to Strabane.

War Memorial refurbishment

STRABANE District Council may undertake to refurbish the War Memorial in Sion Mills after failing to secure outside funding for the work. Councillors agreed that if a funder is not identified for the work, costing almost £4,000, it will refurbish the Memorial. It will bring to an end a year-long request by the Strabane branch of the Royal British Legion, who approached council in June 1997.

Visitors to Sion

PARTICULARLY welcome visitors to Sion Mills are Leslie and Margaret ‘Maggie’ Gallant from London. Mrs Gallant, née Quigley, was formerly of New Street, Sion, and a daughter of a well-known family in the village.

Breadvan burned in rioting

A BREADVAN was burned in the Drumrallagh Estate at Strabane in one of a number of incidents in the area.

About 100 youths were involved in the incident, and the van had earlier been stolen in Kennedy Street. Earlier, when troops were stoned, a 16-year-old was detained for questioning. Crowds, mainly women, gathered in the Bowling Green, near the police station, and at the nearby ‘Meeting House’.

Large, heavy concrete pillars – nicknamed ‘dragon’s teeth’, were overturned, and thus, opening the street to traffic.

Esteemed nurse retires

SISTER Nan Boyle of Strabane has retired from the nursing of the Tyrone County Hospital. One of the best-known and respected members of the senior nursing staff, Sister Boyle has been 37 years at the ‘County.

Tributes to her were paid at a farewell function where she received a presentation of Waterford Glass and a cheque on behalf of the staff. She also received presentations from the League of Nurses local branch, and from the hospital’s social club.

Sad death

THE death has occurred of Thomas Logue, Ballyhatton. Mr Logue, who had turned 70, was a well-known figure in the village all his life. Most of his working life was spent in the gardens of Sion houses. Also a competent Irish dancer and football fan, he seldom failed to attend a match in the Brea Field.

New rate collector appointed

THE Tyrone County Council, will, during their next meeting, appoint a new rate collector.

The new appointment will succeed the late William McFarlane for the Plumbridge district.

Meanwhile, Bernard McCartan, who paid a fine of £25 for having resigned his membership of the council has applied to the council for a refund of £20.

‘Ravenous rodents’ bite toes

A YOUNG child was attacked while in bed a few nights ago by rats, who ate a portion of his skin from his feet, including his toes. Medical treatment had to be procured.

The ravenous rodents, who are something in the nature of a plague across the locality, were beaten off by the child’s parents.

Diphtheria outbreak

AT a meeting of Omagh Urban Council, Dr A Duncan said that there were a ‘great many cases’ of diphtheria in the town and district.

He suggested that steps be taken to register the common lodging-houses in the town, and it was agreed to carry out the suggestion.

Horse knocks down boy

A LITTLE boy, aged two-years-old, son of Joseph D’Eath, West Street, Stewartstown, was out on the road in front of a house, when he was accidentally knocked down by a horse and cart, the property of G Cummings, Cochmount. The boy was injured about the body.