Sharpshooter Liam gets his prize 54 years on!

Liam with plaque at Finner in the company of Comdt Tony Meehan and Comdt Paddy Ryan

Fifty-four years is a long time waiting but last Saturday that wait finally ended when Liam Harkin Mountcharles was presented with a plaque for a shooting competition he won in 1948 while serving in the F.C.A.

It all came about by a chance remark Liam made in jest to the editor of this newspaper before Christmas. The story ran about how Liam had won a rifle competition held in the then Chapmans Hall attached to the Central Hotel back in 1948. “There were both regulars and recruits (F.C.A.) competing for the first prize and I came first - winning a bottle of stout!” More bemused than annoyed Liam told the story to Times editor Liam Hyland who as it turns out remembers well as a caddie the hall in his parent’s hotel being used by the Army for training. The story ran in the Times towards the end of last summer finishing with a request to local Commandant Tony Meehan to undo the injustice the distraught Mountcharles man had endured for over fifty years! True to form Tony brought the case to his superiors who readily agreed that the wrong be put right and that Liam Harkin should receive a special plaque presented by the Commanding Officer of the 24th Batallion in Finner Camp.

And so the intrepid Times trio of Conor Sinclair, Paul O Sullivan along with sharpshooter Harkin, set off last Saturday for Finner Camp. In a short ceremony Commandant Paddy Ryan O.C. 24th Battalion presented a beautifully inscribed plaque to Liam, thanked him for his service and apologised for the long delay! “It has always been the policy of the army to recognise service to country no matter how long the delay” the Commanding Officer said. Commandant Tony Meehan O.C. B Company 24th. Battalion reiterated those words and once again congratulated Liam and expressed his delight at the happy outcome.

Looking around Finner brought back memories for all three visitors because each one served time in the F.C.A. Liam in ‘48 , Conor in ’68 and Paul in ‘74. All three used the same type of rifle the .303 which had a kick-back like a mule that would test the socket of any shoulder! As it happened there was a new batch of F.C.A. recruits being trained in the use of the new Stira rifle, in an adjacent room. “This is the first time the F.C.A. will be using this weapon” , Tony Meehan said. It’s made of lightweight plastic resin, about half the size of the .303, has a telescopic sight and there’s no kick-back! After the speeches and presentation, photographs were taken to mark the occasion, drawing to a close the Stout Incident of ’48!

Reaching for the heights

Practising for his up coming trip to Nepal, picture shows Pat Murphy high up on the Bluestacks.
The Clar man leaves for a month to tackle the slopes of Everest, hoping to make it to first base camp.
All his family, friends and members of the Bluestack Ramblers wish the popular horticulturist well on this exciting adventure.

Special Olympics World Games 2003 Committee Electled

Alex Reid, Ernan McGettigan, John Durcan, Joe Murray

At a well attended meeting in the Central Hotel, Donegal Town on 30th January 2002, a working committee was elected with a view to organising and co-ordinating the workings of the Host Town Programme. The meeting was addressed by Seamus Campbell, who is the chairman of the Donegal County Committee. He outlined in detail what was required of a Host Town. The following committee was elected:- Chairperson - Paula Ryle; Vice-Chairperson: Bert O’Neill; Secretary: Caroline Harrigan; P.R.O.: Manus Brennan, Finance Co-Ordinator: Tom Reynolds; Accommodation Co-ordinator: Sinead McGowan; Entertainment Co-ordinator: Catriona Donaghy; Sports Co-ordinator: Paddy Muldoon; Transportation Co-ordinator: Raymond Nolan; Fundraising Co-ordinator: Paul Duncan and Kieran Mullin; Education Co-ordinators: Alec Reid and Patricia Mc Callog.

A medical/health co-ordinator, a coach-run co-ordinator and launguage services co-ordinator are three remaining posts which will be filled over the next few months. The meeting, which was facilitated by the Donegal Town Community Chamber, under the chairmanship of Ernan Mc Gettigan, was told of the amount of work which lies ahead in the next 18 months. Following the election of the committee and co-ordinators, Mr. McGettigan thanked all those who responded to the invitation to get involved and allow their names to go forward. He was confident that an enthusiastic vibrant and vigorous committee had been put in place and that the visit of the Hungarian delegation would be very successful and a very enriching experience for both hosts and visitors alike. Seamus Campbell spoke again before the meeting closed and thanked in particular Donegal Town Community Chamber for making the application initially and also for facilitating this particular meeting.

While the committee and co-ordinators are now in place, many more helpers are required. Anyone interested in getting involved is asked to contact the co-ordinator dealing with their specific area of interest.

Frosses Notes COLM KELLY

A few people have asked me to mention the vandalism that has taken place over the last few weeks in and around the village. There is no need for fences to be broken or signs to be tossed. If the people who are doing the damage would put their energy into something positive for the village it would be much more appreciated. The tidy towns committee announced in their report a couple of weeks ago some of the plans to further develop the village amenities, but it’s hard to be positive when you see unnecessary damage being done.

Winners in the Tidy Towns Quiz were Liam Mohan, Joseph Breslin, Bernard and John F. Kelly. Second place went to Des and Brenda Burke and Tony and Ann O’ Meara. The committee wish to thank P.J. and Laura Kelly for making out the questions. The next quiz is on Saturday 16th February in Kellys Bar starting at 10.00 p.m.

Kevin Mc Hugh, the well know singer (now turned philosopher) from Inver told me this last week; ‘The early bird gets the worm but it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese’ - isn’t that logic!

Congratulations to April Kerrs on winning a competition organised by An Garda Siochana for schools in the Ballyshannon district. The theme of the competition was why “I shouldn’t take drugs”. April’s prize included ¤100 and a plaque for herself and a plaque for the school. Well done April!

Celebrating birthdays around now are Michael Thomas (Frosses), Kathy Burke (Frosses), and Tommy Rose (Fanaghan). Becoming teenagers are Colm Bernard Kelly (Frosses), Lee Breslin (Selacis), Colin McErlan (Drimbarron), Donna Kelly (Drimbigh) and Denise Quigley (Coughlan Avenue).

Anybody who travelled up the Drumbarron road on Sunday couldn’t have missed that Ann Harley was celebrating her 40th Birthday. Congratulations to my own mother-in-law Mrs. Annie McGroary, Laghey who had a birthday last Saturday week. I seem to miss all the good parties.

Plans are at an early stage for the Frosses v Kelly group annual football match. Tom Mohan, London has suggested the last week-end in May. The match is in Frosses this year so training should commence shortly.

The annual general meeting of the Frosses Hall committee is on this Wednesday night. New members are always welcome.

Congratulations to Sharon (nee Mohan) and Lawrence Norton, Dublin, on the birth of a baby son, Thomas, on January 28th.