Our columnist Frank Brandon writes again on the turmoil and terror being inflicted on society by drug barons; He welcomes the return of traditional travelling entertainment to rural areas; And in a week of deep sadness in the community, adds his condolences following a tragic traffic collision in Cloonfad
Many times over the years I have talked about the harm drugs do in our society, and the outrageous amounts of money drug dealers make out of the misery their dealing causes. Despite huge seizures of products, firearms, and cash, the big gangs just seem to carry on regardless, no matter how much success the law enforcement agencies appear to have against them.
According to media reports and evidence subsequently given in court, last week in a standard enough raid on a flat in Dublin, when the Gardaí made their way in they got more than they bargained for. The court was told that when the Gardaí entered they came upon a vicious assault being carried out by a gang on a woman in her 30s. A court sitting was told that among the injuries received by the alleged victim were multiple broken bones, burn marks, lacerations, stab wounds and scalp injuries. What makes the whole thing even more appalling is the suggestion that the woman’s ‘offence’ related to a drug debt. Clearly drug barons are more than willing to send gangs to inflict unknown and unjust punishment on people.
Of course it goes without saying that people who carry out such instructions are only foot soldiers, a long way removed from the people on top. No matter how hard they are hit, the bosses will still be flying around, flaunting their wealth – safe, at least for now, from prosecution.
It’s only a couple of weeks since RTE’s Prime Time focused on some desperate stories where families were torn apart by drug debt, oftentimes owed by children; situations where parents and siblings were threatened, abused, intimidated, and on occasion subjected to appalling violence when the debt of their kids was not being paid back.
In some instances, houses were wrecked, with everything smashed to bits. In one case, the entire family had to leave their home because their son, who had long since left the family home, owed an amount of money to a drug dealer. In this case, the family left the country because of the terror that they encountered as a result of a debt they did not incur. Given the lengths drug gangs are prepared to go to, I have to say they made a right decision.
Remembering James and Harry
One of the things I’ve learnt over the years is that there is no such thing as an easy life. Nearly everyone has to face some type of trauma and tribulation at some time.
However, for two families in Cloonfad, last Friday evening brought a degree of sorrow and heartbreak that is almost impossible to comprehend, when 13-year-old James Daniels and 19-year-old Harry Fagan lost their lives in a horrific road traffic accident. A third youth was also seriously injured in the accident.
No words will ever allay the sense of loss and grief that the families and friends of the deceased are experiencing. All I can do is pray that the injured youth makes a full recovery, express my heartiest sympathies to both families, and pray that their cherished children rest in peace.
Some welcome drama coming to Kilbegnet Hall
It’s Sunday evening as I write, and I am struggling to find anything worth watching on the telly despite its hundreds of different programmes and channels (as a Manchester United supporter, Match of the Day 2 on BBC didn’t appeal to me). My mind is wandering all the way back to my (national) schooldays back in the 1950s, when live entertainment was very much to the fore.
Travelling shows were always calling to the schools, along with mini-circuses, Punch and Judy acts, magicians, and comedians. We grew up with all that kind of stuff being part and parcel of everyday life. As a result, every village and country crossroads had their own drama group, and the local hall was the life and soul of our communities.
Sadly, television arrived on our shores in the early 1960s, and although we didn’t actually realise it at the time, it began to slowly do away with our creativity, and gradually all our local drama groups started to fade away.
However, after a period in the doldrums, the Kilbegnet Drama group reappeared at some point early in the new millennium and went on to stage many memorable plays in the local parochial hall. My wife Carol featured in some of the productions, along with a cast featuring amazingly good actors and actresses.
Since then, the local drama scene has stayed alive to a certain degree, but out here in rural Ireland, the North East Galway Fit-Up theatre is now really bringing drama to local parishes. There are three shows scheduled for six local rural communities, including two in Kilbegnet Hall, on this Thursday (October 3rd) and next Thursday (October 10th).
Back in the 19th century, companies of travelling performers toured our towns and villages, bringing their various shows to the people, and the modern Fit-Up theatre is a throwback to those days. I suppose the performers who graced my schooldays were the tail-end of those groups.
I have to say that it’s wonderful to see the Fit-Up theatre coming to our areas, and I feel guilty that I didn’t highlight their activity until now. However it’s not too late to show our appreciation for their efforts. Here in Kilbegnet, let’s come out in large numbers to support the performers in their two remaining play nights!
If this newspaper gets into your hands too late for this Thursday’s (October 3rd) performance, make sure you don’t forget the one on the 10th, and pack out Kilbegnet Hall on the night. The travelling players deserve your support, so don’t let them down!
The group will perform three different plays in six different venues (including Kilbegnet) over six weeks, and all the performances start at 8 pm.
In this age of advanced technology, isn’t it great to see something different come to our communities? Get out and show that we really appreciate their efforts!
And finally…
Out here in Creggs, romance was really in the air recently when two members of our football team tied the knot at the weekend.
Each couple – Paul Burke and Claire McMahon, and James McKeague and Cathy O’Rourke – walked down their respective aisles on Friday last, and we wish them all long and happy lives together.
Before he went, James was selected on the Roscommon Herald’s team of the week, which was a nice wedding present for him. Hopefully it is sufficient encouragement to ensure neither of the two new grooms will contemplate retirement from the football.
Congratulations to everyone involved, well done to you all, and if I had a glass I would drink to your health and happiness!
