From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 13, 1994

From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 13, 1994

10 July 2024

NEWCASTLE – Four local charities have lost out on thousands of pounds after a death threat against top country and western star Daniel O’Donnell forced him to pull out of fundraising concerts in Newcastle this week.

Hundreds of fans from England, Scotland and Wales, as well as those from Northern Ireland, were due to travel to the Slieve Donard Hotel for a series of four concerts.

The death threat, issued in a telephone call to the singer’s Donegal hotel, the Viking House, on Friday night, scuppered tour plans in the seaside town.

The money-spinning concerts, due to start on Tuesday, had been expected to help the area’s sick and disabled, but they, along with Daniel’s devotees, now face bitter disappointment.

Among those who suffered were the Mid-Down branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Research Trust for Metabolic Disease in Children, the Newcastle branch of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Northern Ireland Disabled Drivers Association.

BALLYNAHINCH – Police investigating last week’s arson attack on Ballynahinch Health Centre, which caused damage estimated at £300,000 believe they know who is responsible.

They are convinced that the same man was also behind the attack on three Ulsterbuses in the town several weeks ago, when damage estimated at over £100,000 was caused.

The town’s library was also damaged during the incident on the Eleventh Night, but local firemen managed to prevent the blaze from spreading and causing even more damage.

The attacks have been condemned by local politicians who say the good name of the people of Ballynahinch has been tarnished.

LOUGHINISLAND – Three men from the Clough and Dundrum area have been detained by police for questioning about last month’s murder of six people at O’Toole’s Bar in Loughinisland.

They are presently being interviewed by murder squad detectives at Gough Barracks in Armagh, along with three other men who were lifted during police raids in North Belfast.

Senior police chiefs are refusing to comment directly on the swoops, but it is understood that the men are also being questioned about other serious terrorist crime both locally and in Belfast.

Meanwhile, sources close to the RUC have confirmed that there are striking similarities between the attack on O’Toole’s Bar and the Thierafurth Inn, near Kilcoo.

The attack in Kilcoo shortly before Christmas two years ago resulted in the death of a local man and bore all the hallmarks of a UVF attack.

Police now believe the incidents may be related, but they are refusing to comment on whether the same Loyalist paramilitaries are responsible for the attacks on the two rural pubs.

DOWNPATRICK – The Housing Executive has confirmed this week that it is to bulldoze 49 flats and maisonettes at Downpatrick’s Kennedy Square estate.

The move follows growing pressure from local residents and politicians and the bulldozers are expected to move on site shortly to clear the way for up to 40 new single and two-storey homes.

The decision to knock down the Kennedy Square homes follows hot on the heels of the plan to demolish 24 houses at the town’s Model Farm estate.

Executive officials say that while there is a “healthy waiting list for new homes” in Downpatrick, the Kennedy square estate is “unpopular” due to its design and layout.

Seven two-storey houses and 23 maisonettes will remain in the Executive’s ownership along with seven flats, and the authority is confident the redevelopment will greatly increase the demand for housing in the Kennedy Square area.

ARDGLASS – Department of Environment chiefs have this week ruled that an Ardglass businessman does not require an environmental statement to accompany his planning application for a new £1m fish factory.

The news was given to councillors on Monday evening, although some were taken aback by the Department’s notification and have called for a special meeting to discuss the issue once again.

The two-page letter forwarded to the council’s chief executive, Mr Owen O’Connor, follows a special meeting which was held on July 4 to discuss whether or not the council thought an environmental statement is in fact needed.

On that occasion, the council said it did, but the Department appears to have ignored the points raised by a number of members during the debate.

However, sources close to the Department’s planning service have admitted that because it has been determined an environmental statement is not necessary, it does not mean the Department will not have regard to likely environmental effects when deciding if permission should be granted.

KILLOUGH – A major anti-litter drive is spearheading the campaign to rejuvenate the village of Killough.

The recently-formed Killough Community Association is seeking across the board support for the clean-up efforts in an effort to improve the village’s tarnished image.

Association members say that the village has been the victim of official neglect, and has suffered from crime and drugs problems. Now, however, a community-based initiative is attempting to put new life into the picturesque seaside settlement.

Already a fun weekend of events has been held, and a car boot sale is also being planned.

Larger-scale long term plans for the village are also being formulated, and at the moment most of these are being kept under wraps. But it is known that there are moves being made to establish a community centre in Killough and also facilities for watersports.

DOWNPATRICK – Downpatrick man Francis Morgan is well-known as a scenery painter for local dramatic productions. He’s created the current backs for Castleward Opera and regularly works with St Patrick’s Choral Society on the scenery for their musical shows.

But for 49 days during August and September, Francis will have all the scenery he can handle as he swaps paint brushes for hiking boots and attempts an ambitious round-Ireland walk.

On August 1, Francis sets off from Downpatrick Post Office on a 1,250 mile trek that will take him through all the major coastal towns in Ireland and is aimed at raising thousands of pounds for the Save the Children Fund.

But Francis won’t be alone on his journey. For every inch of his maratahon walk he’ll be pushing a wheelbarrow in an effort to draw attention to his fundraising scheme, and he’ll also use it to carry the money donated by passers-by.

KILLYLEAGH – Planners have this week given the go-ahead for work to commence on a £1m improvement scheme at the Housing Executive’s Comber Road estate in Killyleagh.

A total of 85 homes will have a number of major improvements carried out including new extensions, over the next 21 months.

A number of tenants may have to be moved out of their homes and located in temporary accommodation, but Executive officials say the inconvenience will be worthwhile.

The work will take place at homes in the Highbury Walk, Castle Gardens, Highbury Avenue, Hillfoot Gardens and Sloane Crescent areas.

A spokesman for the Executive confirmed on Monday that the main objective of the scheme is to upgrade the housing stock at the Comber Road estate to a 30-year life standard.

PORTAFERRY – School children visiting Portaferry’s Exploris Aquarium found themselves in the company of Prince Charles recently when he officially opened the unique centre.

The Royal visitor, who was on a two-day visit to the province, talked to a group of primary school children during his tour of Northern Ireland’s only public aquarium on the shores of Strangford Lough.

Caroline Nolan, general manager of Exploris, conducted the tour, accompanied by the Secretary of State, Sir Patrick Mayhew, and the Environment Minister, Mr Tim Smith.

The Prince got the chance to see the spectacular open sea tank, which allows visitors to view the fauna of the Irish Sea.

After officially opening the centre by unveiling a commemorative plaque, he was given a rousing send-off as he left by helicopter for his next appointment.