Boyle needs a CCTV system
Soon Boyle will be the only large town in County Roscommon without a CCTV system. Recently Roscommon town unveiled it’s camera system, Castlerea have a CCTV system in place for a number of years now and Ballaghaderreen hope to soon launch an 18 camera system. All of the installations in the three towns feature ANPR cameras (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) which is of great assistance in tracking vehicles involved in illegal activity. Being the only town in the county without a CCTV system will send out all the wrong signals about Boyle to the criminal. Thankfully, it is understood Boyle Town Team in conjunction with Boyle Chamber of Commerce are revisiting the idea of the installation of a system for the town which will hopefully gain the support of all the community including the local business owners.
Disgust at cutting of trees along rail line
Over the last few weeks contractors for Irish Rail have been cutting back trees and hedges east of Boyle on the Dublin Sligo rail line. This website is still awaiting a response , sent two weeks ago, from Irish Rail querying why they are cutting trees now in the nesting season. Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976, as amended by Section 46 of the 2000 Act, provides protection for hedgerows by providing that it shall be an offence for a person to cut, grub, burn or otherwise destroy hedgerows on uncultivated land during the nesting season from 1st March to 31st August, subject to certain exceptions. The legislation makes provision for works (other than road or other construction works) to be carried out for reasons of public health and safety. But the question we asked is “Why could you not cut back the trees and hedges during the winter before nesting commences”? We await an answer.
A theory on how St. Joseph’s Church caught fire
The piece on Boyletoday Facebook page during the week marking the anniversary of the burning of the old St. Joseph’s Church proved very popular. One viewer asked how did the fire start. There were many theories to that at the time including one that did not get the attention it deserved. A sixth class student in St Joseph’s Boys National School was cycling back to school that day, a few minutes late, after his lunch break. As he passed along the Church Avenue he seen a suspicious looking man entering the Church by the side door. When the student got to the school and sat at his desk he noticed the smoke billowing from the Church and alerted his teacher who went out to the corridor to discuss it with his colleagues. By that time the alarm had already been raised by Fr. Breslin and Boyle Fire Brigade was enroute.
Later that evening at approximately 5pm, the same student, along with many of his friends, was still in the Church grounds watching the 95 year old place of worship lie in a pile of rubble and smoke. In the background he saw the same man whom he witnessed enter St Joseph’s at 2pm earlier that day. He told his mother who was with him and she suggested he tell a Garda, whom he knew that was present. The Garda dismissed the young lad’s story and never even looked at or for the man.
Perhaps the same man was innocent or guilty – that we will never know.
An add on to Darkness into Light walk
On Saturday morning week, Boyle will see hundreds of people gather for the annual Darkness into Light 5k. It’s a great event and one that is always so well supported in the town. The event commences at 4.15am and most people will be back by 5 – 5.30am, still full of the joys of spring! In recent years, a number of those who took part in the walk have gone out to Lough Key Forest Park to hear the ‘Dawn Chorus’. (The Dawn Chorus occurs when a multitude of birds of many different species all singing together in harmony as morning breaks and light begins to fill the skies). Being up so early for the walk is a good opportunity to hear one of nature’s magical experience right on our doorstep. Perhaps somebody with an interest in ornithology could organise a guided dawn Chorus walk this year in Rockingham after Darkness into Light concludes?
Royal development is a good news story for Boyle
Amazingly, there are some who think the regeneration of the eye sore Royal Hotel is a sad time for Boyle! The dilapidated building has been a blot on Boyle’s landscape for many years now and was for sale long enough for anyone to buy it who thought they could turn it into a hotel again. But before some get overcome with emotion, people need to remember that the Royal is not being demolished in total. The more modern accommodation block and restaurant are being taken away but the historic main two bay building will remain and be brought back to life including the former archway from the front of the building through to the rear. If the old historic main structure had been knocked, as some had suggested, then that would have been a sad time for Boyle. Instead it is being retained and restored which should be looked on as a happy time for our town!
And finally…..!
An lawyer arrived home late, after a very tough day trying to get a stay of execution. His last minute plea for clemency to the governor had failed and he was feeling worn out and depressed.
As soon as he walked through the door at home, his wife started on him about, ‘What time of night to be getting home is this? Where have you been? Dinner is cold and I’m not reheating it’. And on and on and on.
Too shattered to play his usual role in this familiar ritual, he poured himself a shot of whiskey and headed off for a long hot soak in the bath, pursued by the predictable sarcastic remarks as he dragged himself up the stairs.
While he was in the bath, the phone rang. The wife answered and was told that her husband’s client, James Wright, had been granted a stay of execution after all. Wright would not be hanged tonight.
Finally realizing what a terrible day he must have had, she decided to go upstairs and give him the good news.
As she opened the bathroom door, she was greeted by the sight of her husband, bent over naked, drying his legs and feet.
‘They’re not hanging Wright tonight,’ she said.
He whirled around and screamed, ‘A FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WOMAN, DON’T YOU EVER STOP?!’
