From the pages of the Down Recorder, September 5, 1972

DUNDRUM — A rent collector was robbed of over £400 in a Dundrum house on Wednesday by two armed men. They gained access to the house beforehand by posing as plumbers and stating that they had arranged to meet the collector there to discuss business.

The collector was Mr. William McKibben, of Moneylane, and he made his call on middle-aged Miss Bridget Rooney, who was alone at her home at De Courcey Way about 12.30pm. Her three brothers, with whom she lives, were at work. One of them, James, was due home shortly for lunch.

Mr. McKibben had parked his car at the entrance to the new estate and was carrying his money bag. It wasn’t until he had entered the house that he was confronted by the men, one of whom was carrying a hand gun. One was dressed in a boiler suit. Neither of them was masked and one spoke with a brogue.

They had been in the house for 20 minutes and had warned Miss Rooney of the consequences of giving away their presence. Mr. McKibben was asked to stand against the wall. He was frisked and told to hand over his money bag. He and Miss Rooney were warned not to leave the house for 15 minutes. If they did so, they would be shot by a gunman who was covering the whole estate from a position on a nearby hill with an M1 carbine.

Afterwards Mr. McKibben called to a passer-by to telephone the police. He said the robbers seemed to know that he was driving a new car, but they were not interested in taking it or his personal money. Both he and Miss Rooney were severely shocked by the event.

DOWNPATRICK — The spate of vandalism at Down Cathedral, which, if unchecked, may result in the closure of the building except at times of services, brought comment this week from the bishop of the diocese, Dr. George Quin. “It was with sadness that I learned of the damage to the cathedral, a building which holds such an important place in the affections of Christian people of all denominations,” he said.

“It is hard to understand the motives of anyone who would do such a thing. I cannot but think that this is one more example of the general breakdown in behaviour and utter disregard for the feelings of other people that we are witnessing, not only in our own country but in so many other parts of the world.

“Thousands of people who visit this cathedral and this part of the country associated with our patron saint will join me in expressing sadness at these happenings.”

SAINTFIELD — Residents at the Carson Park estate — it lies off the main road half way between Crossgar and Saintfield — are annoyed because grass on a quarter acre play site is so long that their children cannot play. “It is like an African jungle,” is how one resident described it this week.

“It’s a disgrace,” said another. “The East Down Rural Council have the machinery, the time, the men and the money. It’s high time they came out and cut this grass. It’s high time they woke up and saw the light.”

There are about two dozen children on the 12-house estate, which was built under 20 years ago, and the residents have other complaints as well as those concerning the play area.

“Our children are not safe when they are able to play here,” says one mother. There is quite a lot of heavy traffic on the Crossgar Road. It runs by the open play area and it would be possible for a child to stray into the path of a car or lorry.”

BALLYWARD — When a Castlewellan horse dealer, Jim McEvoy, bought a three year-old gelding in County Waterford, little did he think the animal would pick up a gold medal at the Munich Olympic Games. The gelding — it’s called Ambassador — was trained by Mr. McEvoy and his brother Oliver at Ballyward, and although they only kept him for one-and-a-half years, they picked up about 15 awards with him in various show competitions. They also hunted him with the East Down Foxhounds.

Ambassador was sold to Frank Kernan, of Crossmaglen and later to the top Italian rider, Manchenelli, who rode him to victory and an individual gold medal at Munich on Sunday. “He was a wonderful horse,” says Mr. McEvoy.

NEWCASTLE — Some time ago a committee of Newcastle churches felt the need for prayer for peace and after consideration a day or prayer was held. Later a service of intercession was held in the Methodist Church. The committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. James Madden, felt it might be possible to follow this up with a convention and one will be held commencing on September 12 and running until September 16. The organisers feel that it is ever so necessary to create interest and to deepen the spiritual life of the people by the spreading of spiritual holiness.

KILLYLEAGH — Two members of Second Killyleagh Presbyterian Church choir have received gifts from their fellow members to mark the occasion of their recent marriages. Mrs. R. Johnston, organist, made the presentations to Mrs. Roma Rodgers and Mrs. Betty Lennon. Mr. Bertie Dougan and Miss Jane Blain spoke of their loyalty to the choir and expressed good wishes to Mesdames Rodgers and Lennon for their future happiness.

PORTAFERRY — Everyone talks continually about the problem of litter and of how the callous holidaymakers and the careless day trippers clutter up our highways and byways with rubbish, refuse and odds and ends. But no one seems to do anything constructive about solving or at least alleviating the problem as it stands at present. And with the advent of more throw-away bottles and disposable containers things could get even worse.

These are the thoughts of Edna Hull, the County Down-born writer and poetess now on holiday in Portaferry.

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