From the pages of the Down Recorder, March 20, 1973

From the pages of the Down Recorder, March 20, 1973

20 March 2013

CASTLEWELLAN — An off-duty staff nurse, who was doing a good Samaritan act at a roadside accident, received injuries when a third vehicle crashed into the wreckage in dense fog early on Saturday morning. She is Miss Sarah O’Donnell, of Old Course, Downpatrick, and she was returning home with her mother after visiting friends in Castlewellan.

The multiple accident occurred at a UDR road block at the unction of the Clarkhill Road with the main Castlewellan-Downpatrick Road at Mill Hill. A Humber, driven by C. Rooney, the Ballagh, Newcastle, hit a UDR Land Rover and his passenger, 16 year-old Carmel McKevitt, of Annsborough, received severe facial injuries when her head went through the windscreen.

Nurse O’Donnell was giving first aid to Miss McKevitt in Rooney’s car when the third car, a Triumph, driven by Norman Edmonds, Newtownards, crashed into it from behind. A UDR man and two people in the third car were injured.

Newcastle fire brigade and two ambulances from Downpatrick were called to the scene to convey the six injured to hospital.

DUNDRUM — Mrs. Rose Ann McElroy, of St. Donard’s Walk, Dundrum, and her three small children, Damian, Paula and Geraldine, were injured when the Vauxhall car in which they were travelling struck and killed a pony at Drumaroad, near Castlewellan, on Sunday evening.

It was altogether an unlucky day for Mrs. McElroy for only a short time earlier she had learned that her father, Mr. Bernard Owens, of Drumaroad, had collapsed and died while attending a gaelic football match at Killyleagh.

The children were not seriously injured and were treated in Downe Hospital, Downpatrick.

DOWNPATRICK — EARLY morning newspaper thieves walked into a trap laid by Downpatrick on Wednesday and several will appear in court. It happened at Felix Elmore & Sons’ VG Stores at St. Patrick’s Avenue.

For a considerable time morning newspaper delivers have been rifled before the shop is opened at 8am, generally by people going to work. For them Wednesday was just like any other weekday. Some put the money through the letter box or under the door. But some didn’t. Those were the people who were being watched.

They were allowed to walk away from the shop, later to be whisked off to the station by a police car called up by radio. The operation began shortly after 6am and lasted for two hours. It marks the culmination of a long series of pilfering from the shop and it is believed that about a dozen people were lifted.

KILLARD — an appeal by Messrs Brian Morton and Co. against Down County Council’s refusal to permit a caravan park at Killard, Strangford, has been dismissed. Mr. J. Tomlinson, sitting as an independent party, held that the introduction of caravans would have a detrimental effect on the visual amenity of the area, which was of outstanding beauty. He also held it would be likely to jeopardise the proposed nature reserve.

ARDGLASS — The recent action of an Ulster Defence Regiment patrol in Ardglass came in for some strong criticism from the local SDLP branch at a meeting this week. The members were also highly critical of the conduct of those who caused damage to houses at the town’s new Parkside estate.

“Action of this kind will not be tolerated by Ardglass or its people,” the branch chairman, Mr. Dermot Curran, stated. “We have lived in peace and harmony in this town and that’s the way we intend to keep things.”

KILLYLEAGH — There was a large attendance representative of all sections of the community in the Cooke Hall, Killyleagh, on Friday evening for a concert organised by Mrs. O. Johnston, organist of 2nd Killyleagh Presbyterian Church. The soloists were Miss M. Williams, Mr. J. Moulden and Mr. T. Foye. Traditional pieces were played on violins and guitars by Mr. J. Donnan, Mr. G. McAdams, Mr. R. Lowry and Mr. D. Lowry.

The monologues and readings of Mrs. T. McLoughlin added a touch of humour, as did the sketch, ‘Dirty dealings on Windmill Hill,’ by Miss R. Lawther, Miss Z. McAllister and Mrs. W. J. Carruthers. Mr. B. Dougan expressed thanks to all who helped make the evening a success.

NEWCASTLE _ The Ulster Farmers’ Union Down County Quiz was held in the Harbour Inn, Newcastle, on Monday night. The South West Down Group met the Donard Group and won by 16 points to 14. The question master was Mr. D. J. McNeill, scorer was R. McMordie and the timekeeper was A. J. Linehan.

The Donard Group was represented by A~. Chambers, J. Crea, W. Crea, R. McGhie, H. Linehan and D. C. Deboys. Members of the South West Down Group team were S. Beck, W. Hanna, Mrs. Margaret Little, J. Cromie, Mrs. F. Magill and R. Lawson.

BALLYNAHINCH — A successful fashion show, presented by Mrs. E. A. Douglas, Main Street, Ballynahinch, was held on behalf of the local group of Combat Cancer Campaign in the Intermediate School on Friday. All the 500 tickets issued were sold and the gym was packed to capacity to see a really super mannequin show of attractive ladieswear.

Dr. F. J. O’Kane thanked all who had helped in any way to make the evening such a success. It is expected that at least £150 will be handed over to the funds of Combat Cancer Campaign from this event.

TYRELLA — A record 143 entries have been received for tomorrow’s point-to-point on the lands of Major John Corbett at Tyrella. One man who is pleased with the returns is the secretary, Mr. Jim Pooler, who says this looks like being the best meeting since races were first held at Tyrella.

Downpatrick draper and horse owner, Mr. Joseph Rea, is sponsoring a race — the Rea’s Emporium Chase for the third year in succession. But he will not be at Tyrella for his horse, Colonel Dan, is running at Limerick.

Mr. Rea’s first point-to-point outing was to Bright in 1945 and later he ran his horses at Farranfad.

DARRAGH CROSS — Darragh Cross completed the Lecale Table Tennis League double when their senior squad defeated Dunsford 5-1 in the league play-off. The winning margin hardly does justice to the gallant losers who fought all the way.

B. Keenan’s three-set win over J. Magee in the top singles was the prelude to some fine play. J. Weston, 18-9 down to R. Ross in the first set, rallied to put Darragh two up. The vital third game also went Darragh’s way with D. Casement outpointing T. Byrne in the best match of the night. R. McConvey’s consistency put Dunsford back in the fight, but the Darragh rearguard put the result beyond doubt.