Mayo memories: Missing lions and a ministerial homecoming
By Tom Gillespie
IN November 1994 the hunt for two ‘escaped’ lions came to a head when The Connaught Telegraph reported: ‘Missing Castlebar lions in Garda custody’.
The front page article read: A pair of ‘escaped’ lions have been taken into custody by gardaí in Castlebar, after being at large for a quarter of a century.
The animals mysteriously disappeared and went on the missing list until late 1990.
Since then they had been located at a ‘safe house’ recovering from their ordeal.
The lions, known locally as Freddy and Andy, are large stone carvings which had adorned the entrance to the old garda station in the town.
When one of them, Andy, was damaged by a truck, both were removed for ‘safe-keeping’ and somehow their whereabouts eluded the authorities.
Local councillor Johnny Mee succeeded in locating Freddy and some months later Andy was discovered by local historian Ernie Sweeney when he took both lions into his care.
Since then they have been sand-blasted and repaired and on Tuesday, November 22, 1994, they were returned to their rightful place of honour on the steps of the new €1.3 million Castlebar Garda Station, which, the article stated, would be fully operational in the new year (1995).
The building, facing the town’s Mall, had been erected on the original site where Andy and Freddy once stood so proud.
The old garda station was too small to accommodate the 60-plus rank and file gardaí and a complement of clerical staff.
Then Minister for Justice Padraig Flynn sanctioned the new garda station and work got underway in 1992.
Now Andy and Freddy, each weighing five-hundred weight, still hold pride of place on floodlit plinths on either side of the entrance to the station.
Supt. Padraig Tansey was on hand in November 1994 to welcome back the lions as they were delivered back to where they once stood.
Supt. Tansey said then: “We are delighted to have Freddy and Andy back. They disappeared 25 years ago and were on the missing list until recently when two fine detectives, Johnny Mee and Ernie Sweeney, recaptured them.”
It was appropriate, he said, that they should stand in front of the new garda station as they were the only link with the old barracks.
Johnny Mee added: “As they are part of the heritage of the town it was important that they were located and restored to their rightful place in front of the new garda station.”
ENDA KENNY'S TRIUMPH
The following month, December 1994, Enda Kenny was appointed Minister for Tourism and Trade and I covered his homecoming to the constituency.
I wrote: A bitter cold wind swept through the crossroads in Headford as the newly appointed Minister for Tourism and Trade, Enda Kenny, returned triumphantly to the West Mayo constituency in his government Mercedes.
But the hearts of all those who turned out to greet the 43-year-old politician were on fire with delight.
Bonfires blazed, supporters cheered and car horns honked as the cavalcade prepared for a tour de force all the way to his native Castlebar and a waiting throng who had gathered to celebrate this historic occasion.
It was 62 years since a Fine Gael minister last returned to Mayo. On that occasion it was then Minister for Justice, James Fitzgerald-Kenney from Clogher.
Kenny’s procession wound its way to Shrule, Kilmaine, Ballinrobe, Partry, Ballintubber, Ayle, Westport, Islandeady and on to the Travellers Friend Hotel, Castlebar, for the homecoming celebrations.
Among those present were Senator Paddy Bourke, Deputy Padraig McCormack, Senator Jarlath McDonagh and newly elected TD Michael Ring who said he was the first to refer to Mr. Kenny as a minister at the by-election count in Castlebar in June (1994).
Addressing the crowd, Minister Kenny said it was a unique privilege for him and a great honour for his constituency and his family.
He added: ”I appreciate the sincerity of you coming here on a cold winter’s evening close to Christmas to show your appreciation for our return home.
“I am genuinely proud to be a member of a government led by John Bruton in whom I placed my faith many years ago to be a man of integrity, of trust, loyalty, dedication and commitment, not only to his native Meath but to his country and to everyone living in it.”
Mr. Kenny said there were two kinds of perception of ministers. One was often judged on the events that took place within each department.
But, he said: “Never forget that I now represent, on your behalf, one of the 15 most powerful voices in this country.
“We determine around that table what is best for the people of Ireland. The State car is not mine. It is your car and I intend to use it for the best purposes of the people of this constituency, of this county, of this province and of this country.
“I have served a long apprenticeship in Dáil Éireann and I can assure you this is one TD who will not let the trappings of office go to his head on your behalf.
“I know where I came from and I know where I am going and I know the people I represent.”
It was then time to start the mandatory touring and it was after midnight before the cavalcade landed in Castlebar.
After a brief call to Coady’s Bar - the Fine Gael HQ - in was straight to the Travellers Friend Hotel, where the then chairman of Castlebar Urban Council, the late Liam Coady, was on hand to greet the minister.