Al Capone lived in Castleisland at a time when freedom of movement was just as assured as food, fresh air, water and a constant stream of female companions.
Al left his mark here. I got a text from Peter Carty last night: ‘Al Capone is dead’ – it read.
One of Killarney Road’s most famous dogs has gone to that great hunting ground – and it was an ease to him in the end.
He was the late Mike Kenny’s constant companion from the time they adopted each other in 2006 to Mike’s passing in August 2011.
Great Killarney Road Neighbours
Mike’s great Killarney Road neighbours the Cartys and the Sheehys looked after Al from then until the past few days when staying alive had just become too much of a struggle for him.
Al became the top dog at Brennan’s Bar and at Sheila Prendiville’s Bar & Grocery and you could find where his companion was holding court from the street as Al would invariably hang around the doors of the pubs. He enjoyed the freedom and lolloped around the streets of the town and you could meet him anywhere.
Dutch woman, Loudi Lammers had a furniture shop in Mitchell’s former joinery at Upper Main Street. She was also a very active animal lover and rescued and homed scores of dogs during her time here. Al was one of those lucky dogs – a very lucky dog – as you’ll find out.
A Close Call
Al had a close call. Loudi also had a habit of getting her rescued dogs neutered and vaccinated. I don’t know how he escaped but escape he did and he didn’t hide it.
I met Loudi on the street one fine evening and we were both heading for Sheila’s.
She hadn’t been in for a while and was anxious to catch up. She asked about Mike and his new friend and I told her they were getting on fine and that he had called him Al Capone.
Nuts and Bolts
She got to the nuts and bolts of her mission then and asked if Mike had taken him to be neutered.
Timing is everything and Al had it. As luck would have it, I happened to glance over her shoulder as we approached Sheila’s door. There, across the road, at Mollie’s Corner was Al and he thoroughly engaged with his latest fling and he sowing his wild oats in broad daylight. I pointed out the scene to Loudi and she put her shaking head in her hands.
God be good to both dog and man now, but Mike loved the notion that he had rescued Al in more ways than one.
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