Headline news from The Nenagh Guardian a century ago and 50 years ago
March 28 1925
Daring Bank Robbery
Roscrea Branch of the Bank of Ireland was held up on Tuesday by three armed men, who got away with £10,000.
It was the eve of a big fair, and this fact probably operated on the minds of the thieves in fixing the date for the operation.
Shortly after mid-day, three well-dressed young men walked into Mr Paul Rice’s garage at Portlaoise and ordered a car to take them to Roscrea.
They were quite at ease, and Mr Power, one of Mr Rice’s chauffeurs, drove them over the 20 mile run to Roscrea, where they drove to Corcoran’s hotel, and enjoyed a good lunch, after which they chatted for a few minutes.
Re-entering the car, they ordered the driver to take them to the Bank of Ireland, intimating that they were afterwards going to Templemore. The driver drew up at the bank, with the car facing for Templemore, and the men descended and entered the bank, stating they would not be long.
Inside they separated, took up commanding positions, and on the signal from their leader, drew revolvers.
There was only one customer in the bank, and he and the few officials were ordered outside the counter, where they were lined up facing the wall. One of the raiders kept all five covered with his revolver, while his companions searched the premises and kept a watchful eye on the entrance door.
Notes and coins were quickly, but quietly, emptied into capacious pockets until the thieves were satisfied that they had all they could secure. Then the leader gave the word, ‘come on’, and the man who was covering the officials backed into the street and told the driver to ‘start her up’.
As the car started, one of the men jammed the barrel of a revolver into the ribs of the driver and told him to drive for his life.
Five miles from the town, on the road to Templemore, the driver was ordered into a bye-road leading to the village of Errill. At Gurtnabeg the car halted, and the three men descended. One of the men ordered Power to drive on, and he did so, the men watching him until he had turned the corner.
Power, realising that the bank had been raided, drove to Rathdowney, the nearest Civic Guard station, and reported his experience and his suspicions. He was detained and later taken to Roscrea barracks.
The Bank of Ireland has offered a £1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the robbers who stole a large sum.
Average Life of Man
According to Dr Charles Mayo, a celebrated American physician, the average age of man has increased in 75 years from 40 to 58 years.
In 1850, he is reported as saying, a man of 40 could well begin to look over the latest models in tombstones. But developments in surgery and preventive medicine greatly lengthened life, and he thinks the Biblical three score man will soon be the general average.
Moneygall Motor Accident
A MOTOR accident, simple in occurrence, but unfortunately involving the death of a popular young man, took place at Larenvale, Moneygall, on last Sunday evening.
A motor was travelling to Roscrea conveying a party of hurlers, etc., from Toomevara, where hurling and football matches had been played that day.
Near Moneygall the motoring party met a trap driven by a man named Meara from near Toomevara. Just as the cars were passing, it appears the horse got some fright and plunged towards the motor with the result that Mr P. J. O’ Flanagan, who was in the front seat, was struck by the shaft in the hip. Blood began to flow freely and his companions did all that was possible to alleviate the pain and stop the hemorrhage, which was serious.
He was conveyed with all haste to the District Hospital, Roscrea. Here, notwithstanding all that medical skill could do, he succumbed on Tuesday.
The late Mr O’ Flanaghan comes of a very highly respected and popular family. His father, Mr O’ Flanagan, N.T., Templederry, is one of the most capable members of his profession in the county and a man respected and liked by all who knew him. The deceased was a splendid Gael and a sterling Irishman. In fact on Sunday last - the day of the accident - he played with Roscrea teams in both hurling and football matches.
March 27 1965
Rugby Victory
Nenagh won the Tipperary-Waterford area of the Munster Junior Cup for the seventh successive time when they defeated Clanwilliam by 12 points to nil at Tyone on Sunday last. They now meet the Cork area winners at a home venue in the semi-final.
In the pack Frankie Flannery was back to his best with a brand of rugby that was characteristically his. Flannery, John Shoer and John Talbot were the outstanding trio on the home team.
Shoer’s kicking from the base of the scrum and his all-round effectiveness played a prominent part in the team’s victory. In the last line of defence Talbot never put a foot wrong, kicking and handling the greasy ball expertly.
There were other good displays on the Nenagh team, Billy Morgan took his two scoring chances in fine style, Teddy Morgan worked tremendously hard in the pack, as did colleagues Joe Gleeson, Michael McGrath, Pat Walsh, Pat Starr, John Irvine and Billy White. Noel Hassett was a capable out-half and centres Seamus Burns and John Horan gave their opposite numbers no scope.
T. J. O’ Donoghue made a fine run when he took a quick return pass from a lineout, only to be halted short of the line.
Nenagh’s total of 12 points came from three tries and a penalty goal.
Drama in Silvermines
The dramatic life of the Silvermines parish got under way last Sunday week, when the Ballinaclough Players featured in a two-act comedy, ‘Old Acquaintance’, and an enjoyable sketch.
There was also a supporting concert provided by local talent and assisted by the Geaney Brothers from Nenagh. Mr Joe Daly added his piece to the fun.
The Ballinaclough Class included: Alice Boland, Maura Moloughney, Alice Ryan, Pat O’ Neill, Rubin Butler, P. McDonald, Martin Clifford, P. Dunlea, M. Boland, P. Kennedy and P. Maher.
On this Friday night they visit Ballycommon.