By 
25 YEARS AGO/1996:
Special birthday for Brigid
CARDS flooded in from all over the world to mark the birthday of a very special centenarian.
Brigid Lynch was surrounded by her family for the great event, which was celebrated, not just by her friends, but the entire community of Eskra, where she lives.
Staff and pupils from the local primary schools visited the centenarian, as did the chairman of Omagh District Council, and the icing on the cake for the birthday lady was a live appearance on the popular Kelly television show.
Known for her sense of humour, Brigid claims the key to a long life is due to her unflatering faith in God, good health and keeping active by working on the farm.
Seamus Shields, chairman of Omagh Council, presented Brigid with a medallion to mark her 100 years. Cards and telegrams arrived at the house from Australia, Mexico, Russia, USA, the UK and all over Ireland.
New housing development
AN attractive new housing development in Castlederg will be the new model for future planned family-sized housing developments to be undertaken by Oaklee Housing Association. The Association, in announcing details of the new Millbrook Gardens project said it was planned to have the work due for completion in the autumn of 1997.
Local contractors, Muldoon Bros, have secured the tender for construction work.
50 YEARS AGO/1961:
Tar sprayer destroyed
A TAR sprayer, worth between £7,000 and £10,000 was destroyed by a bomb at a Carrickmore quarry.
The blast, caused by an estimated 20lbs of gelignite, was at a quarry owned by John Hadden.
Shortly before 9am, a 20lb gelignite bomb was found at the rear of Phil Madden’s filling station, Lower Main Street, Strabane.
It was rendered safe by an Army explosives expert.
Meanwhile, an explosion at Hadden’s quarry, near Mountfield, has completely destroyed an electric transformer.
100th birthday celebrations
A PATIENT in the Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital, Omagh, celebrated his 100th birthday.
He is Edward Gorman of Eskra, and the birthday boy has been a patient in the hospital for 19 years.
A special birthday cake was baked by the catering staff, and there was a small party attended by relatives, patients, and members of the hospital staff.
Armed robbery in Newtown
AN armed man who held up a shop assistant in Newtownstewart stole £90.
The man, who walked into the grocery shop of Patrick Gallagher in Mill Street, ordered assistant, Kathleen Harkin to hand over the contents of the till. He then ran from the shop.
75 YEARS AGO/1946:
Facing famine death
WHILE no responsible Chinese government representative will give an estimate of the number of Chinese likely to die in this year’s threatened famine, unofficial estimates say that it is likely approximately 50,000,000 are facing death from slow starvation. Farming landlords and peasants alike face empty rice bowls this winter.
Death of 102-year-old
THE death has occurred at Drumhirk, Castlecaulfield of Cairns Wiggins, formerly of Loughans, Aughnacloy, at the age of 102. He was engaged in the farming industry all his life, and retained his faculties until the end.
Attacked by cow
W DAVIDSON, Favor Royal district of Augher, has been admitted to Tyrone County Hospital suffering from injuries sustained when she was attacked by a cow she was milking in a field adjoining her home.
Awarded prizes
IN the Great Northern Railway’s ‘Brighter Sessions’ competition, five Tyrone stations have been awarded prizes. They are: Newtownstewart; Victoria Bridge; Dromore Road; Beragh; and Donaghmore.
Military huts disposed
A TOTAL of 34 military huts at Erganagh were disposed of at an auction, conducted by R B Holmes. Prices ranged from £15 to £30.
100 YEARS AGO/1921:
Train burned
THE hearing of malicious injury claims was commenced at Omagh Quarter Sessions before County Court Judge Linechan.
The Great Northern Railway Company claimed £4,200 for damage sustained in connection with the burning of a number of waggons and goods, after the morning goods train from Belfast to Omagh, Strabane and Derry had been held up between Pomeroy and Carrickmore. W Wilson, guard, said that he was in charge of the train in question. The train stopped between Pomeroy and Carrickmore, and a number of armed men held him up.
They ordered him out of the van, and they made an examination of all the waggons. There were about 15 men at the place, and they set some of the waggons alight. Five waggons and the goods in them were totally destroyed.
Subsequently, witness assisted in detaching the burning waggons from the rest of the train. He was taken off the train and was kept prisoner while the waggons were being set on fire.
Evidence of the damage to the rolling stock and the permanent way was given by Michael Cromin, inspector, and J Wakeman, inspector. A decree for £1,951 was granted.
Flooding woes
CONSIDERABLE flooding took place in many parts of the Clogher Valley district following a heavy downpour of rain, which continued incessantly.
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