Can you identify this colourful character from years gone by?

In the print edition of today’s newspaper, we launched an appeal on behalf Brian Mailey from Limavady, who holds around 10,000 historical photographs from around Limavady.

Mr Mailey recently came across another interesting addition for his collection - a photograph of an as yet unidentified man who would have been well known in times gone by across the North West - from Limavady, Londonderry and Strabane to parts of Donegal such as Muff and Quigley’s Point. One name suggested for the man in Mr Mailey’s photograph was ‘Johnny Cuttems’ whose real name is thought to have been McLaughlin.

It has since been suggested that the man in the photograph was not, in fact, Johnny ‘Cuttems’ McLaughlin at all. Today, we would like to renew our appeal for information about both the man in the photograph and the man who was indeed known as Johnny ‘Cuttems’.

A number of interesting stories have already been uncovered about Johnny Cuttems. One tells of how, at a house where he would have been made welcome, in Little James’ Street in Londonderry, the outdoor toilet had no lock so he would have alerted passers by to the fact that the toilet was ‘occupied’ by loudly singing the song ‘Jerusalem.’

Another tale is about a meeting between the late RC Bishop and the man known as Johnny Cuttems in Gransha Hospital.

The Bishop said: “How’re you doing Johnny?”

Not getting the expected recognition in return, the bishop continued: “Do you not know me Johnny?”

“No, I can’t say I do”, says Johnny. “I’m the Bishop of Derry” replies the Bishop.

“Don’t worry”, says Johnny. “You’ll not be long in here ‘til you have that knocked out of your head.”

However, no-one has as yet been able to identify the man in the picture supplied by Brian Mailey.

Also, if anyone has a picture of Johhny Cuttems to share with readers, please get in touch.

If you think you can help, please contact the Sentinel newsroom on 02871341175, email niall.deeney@jpress.co.uk or william.allen@jpress.co.uk or simply call into our office on Spencer Road in the Waterside.