From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 6, 1994

From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 6, 1994

3 April 2024

KILLYLEAGH – Local RUC chiefs have this week been asked to combat spiralling vandalism attacks in the Killyleagh area, following an incident at the town’s Roman Catholic Church.

A number of slates were knocked off the roof at St Mary’s Star of the Sea Church last week. The attack follows a stoning incident at 1st Killyleagh Presbyterian Church Hall when a number of windows were broken.

The upsurge in violence is causing concern among community leaders and the latest attacks follow an incident at the town’s Roman Catholic Primary School.

Last month, vandals ran riot at St Mary’s PS during an unprovoked vandalism attack when 22 panes of reinforced glass were smashed, causing damage estimated at £2,000.

Last February businessmen were left counting the cost when a number of premises were targeted by vandals during a blackout when plunged 70 per cent of homes in the province into darkness.

A gang of youths used the cover of darkness to embark upon an orgy of destruction, causing damage to a number of premises at several locations, including Frederick Street, Catherine Street and Irish Street.

CARRYDUFF – Martin Heaney, a Carryduff bus driver, will set off on Friday with bundles of joy for Romanian children.

One of seven Ulsterbus drivers linked with Express Aid International, he looks forward to bringing medical supplies and treats to children in a number of Romanian orphanages.

This is his first trip to Romania, but his friends in Express Aid have obtained donations and medical supplies on a large scale.

Their immense funding includes two fully maintained ambulances, as well as tinned food and clothing.

Martin is most grateful for the continued generosity of several Carryduff firms and looks forward to seeing the smiles on children’s faces as they receive crisps, chocolate and lemonade next week.

“They only see those luxuries when we deliver them three times a year,” he said with a smile.

“Express Aid International welcomes donations of money, goods, clothing, or specialist gifts.

BALLYNAHINCH – Ballynahinch could have a new link road by 1998, it has been claimed this week.

Senior officials at the Department of Environment Roads Service have given a commitment that they are to carry out a financial appraisal of such a scheme to link the town’s Downpatrick and Belfast roads.

The news comes two months after the Province’s Roads Minister, Mr Tim Smith, confirmed the town would not be getting a multi-million pound by-pass.

He said work on such a scheme to alleviate town centre congestion would not begin until the year 2000, a comment which angered the town’s politicians who claimed the move would stifle investment.

Last December the area’s Divisional Roads Manager, Mr David Stewart, said it could be five years before a by-pass scheme is included in a forward-looking five-year plan.

Mr Stewart, who threw his weight behind the vociferous campaign for a by-pass for the once-thriving market town, said a full cost analysis would be carried out before work on the scheme could commence.

DOWNPATRICK – Northern Ireland Electricity is being blamed for scaring local people into doing without essentials to pay their new-style bills early.

Downpatrick pensioner Michael McKeown said last week that some people are having to borrow money from relatives to pay their bills, convinced by the tone and warning of their bills that they will be cut off.

Paying his own bill early in Downpatrick Post Office on Thursday, Mr McKeown, of Quoile Park, said he knew of many pensioners and people on benefits being left short and their delicate budgeting plans disrupted.

“When I get a bill, I’m going to hold onto it like anyone else until the end of the month, because why   should you give a month’s interest to them by paying it early?” he said.

“It’s like the Sheriff of Sherwood Forest,” he added. “It’s absolutely dreadful sending that out to people.”

NIE has reassured people they will not be cut off without warning, but will find a letter enclosed with the next demand, outlining the new policy of not issuing red bills and advising them to pay the account immediately.

SHRIGLEY – Representatives from Shrigley’s International Leathers set off for a major inter-continental leather fair in the Far East next week, intending to coment the success of the company’s export market.

The Asia Pacific fair, which will be held in Hong Kong, is widely regarded as the largest and most important event of its kind within the leather industry.

And officials at the local firm believe the event will provide them with an ideal opportunity to increase their share of the expanding export market.

Exhibitors will include raw material suppliers and traders, machinery manufacturers, chemical suppliers, tanners and garment manufacturers from all over the world.

International Leathers marketing manager, Karen Mulligan, believes exhibiting at the fair is an important ingredient in the company’s strategy to increase export sales.

LOUGHINISLAND – A loyalist terror group has claimed responsibility for an arson attack at the premises of Loughinisland Gaelic Athletic Club last weekend.

A man claiming to represent the “Ulster Protestant Militia” phoned Downpatrick RUC station and gave a recognised codeword with a statement saying the organisation attempted to firebomb the club’s premises.

The unidentified caller threatened that similar attacks “against the republican movement” will continue. Saturday’s incident has been condemned by local GAA officials.

Police at Downpatrick said a bench seat and several chairs were damaged at around 1.30am on Saturday morning after a window was broken at the club and flammable liquid was poured in and set on fire.

Smoke damage was also caused to one of the changing rooms and other parts of the building housing the club’s bar and lounge. The fire did not spread as the room targeted had little furniture in it.

NEWCASTLE – Hopes are high that Newcastle can host the three-day Ulster final of the Rose of Tralee competition next year after the staging of this year’s Co Down final in the town proved to be a roaring success.

Judges from the competition’s Ulster committee who took part in Saturday night’s county heat in the Slieve Donard Hotel were reported to be highly impressed with the organisation of the event, and now the drive is on to bring the prestigious Ulster final to the foot of the Mournes.

Newcastle Chamber of Commerce was the driving force behind the show’s success, and the president, Mr Peter Law, said: “We put the best part of a year into planning this whole event, and it went without a hitch.

“Everything was scheduled down to the last detail – even to the extent of all the ladies in the audience receiving a complimentary rose – and we are very hopeful that this success will lead to Newcastle getting the Ulster final next year.

“We have the capability and the know-how to host the three-day event.”

MOUNTAIN BIKING – The explosion in the number of people taking up mountain biking is causing a major headache for local Department of Environment officials, it has been revealed.

They are particularly worried about the safety of walkers in towns and parks across the Province, including those in Down District.

But, with the help of the Forestry Service, the DoE believes it can go some way towards accommodating the needs of both the walkers and the bikers.

Forestry officials have this week issued a plea to cyclists not to use recreational areas “where they could cause injury to members of the public, either on foot or horseback.”

And they have also revealed they are to set aside special areas at some forest parksto meet the growing needs of the mountain bikers.

One site has already been set aside at Moneyscalp, opposite Tollymore Forest Park.