Month: July 2007

THE HSE ordered an external inde- pendent review into the treatment of patients at Cappahard Lodge, Ennis last May following concerns raised by a number of parties including Sree

A separate Garda investigation is also under way following complaints made by family members of Kilrush man Gerard Finn relating to his treat- ment and care at the home.

The 69-year-old, who died last month, was admitted to the home in December 2005 with Alzheimer’s

and angina.

During an “extended period of time” some of his family members made a number of complaints to the HSE regarding his care at Cappahard Lodge.

The complaints were investigated by the Clinical Director and Direc- tor of Nursing, Clare Mental Health Services under the HSE Trust in Care policy document which is designed to deal with allegations of abuse.

The first part of this investigation process began on September 5 last year and concluded on January 8 last. The complainants were informed of

the findings.

This “screening process” found that no abusive actions had taken place and that “nursing and medical care provided for Mr. Finn was ap- propriate”.

The HSE said that as a result no further investigation was warranted:

“These findings were communicat- ed to the family members together with the appeal procedures and con- tact details of the appeals officer. The appeal process was not availed of by family members,’ the HSE said in a lengthy statement.

Following the Trust in Care inves-

tigation the HSE continued to re- ceive complaints from some family members, however, in relation to Mr. Finn’s ongoing treatment and care.

An external review was then com- missioned prior to Mr Finn’s death in June.

‘Those members of Mr Finn’s fam- ily wishing to make submissions to the review team will be contacted and will be invited to do so,” said a HSE spokesperson.

The HSE said it would also be co- operating fully with the Garda inves- tigation.

Cappahard Lodge on the Tulla Road

is a community residence providing long term care for clients of Clare Mental Health Services. The home is inspected by the Mental Health Commission on an annual basis.

The review will be chaired by Dr Donald Lyons, Mental Welfare Com- mission of Scotland and will involve an examination of “Processes and Protocols relating to both the clini- cal and administrative management of the unit’.

Relatives and other stakeholders are to be contacted and asked to make TU leyseb hwy Oy ele

THE General Secretary of the Psy- chiatric Nurses’ Association (PNA) staunchly defended the standards and staff at Cappahard Lodge during the heated radio debate last Friday.

Des Kavanagh said: “We are talk- ing here about a unit that the health service 1s particularly proud of.”

He added that PNA nurses wel- comed any investigation “as an op- portunity to prove to all and sundry that the care we provide is of the op- timum”’.

He also criticised Ms Flanagan’s

decision to go public with her com- plaint before the investigation was finished.

“We have felt for a long time that we are caught in the middle of an in- ter-family row… what Ms Flanagan is doing is trying to use information and rumour to create an impression of Cappahard that is totally inappro- wrANKon

It is unfair to people who have family members there because it puts concerns in their minds that their relatives are under stress or duress or threat and there 1s nothing further from the truth.”

“THERE 1s no doubt that the Hanley proposals are alive and well and that the people of Clare are its first vic- anon

Those were the words of Clare Deputy Pat Breen (FG) in the Dail on Wednesday after news broke that there would no longer be a mammog- raphy service in the county.

“IT am reliably informed that unit was fully installed and ready to be recommissioned. The problem with the service is simply that there was no consultant radiologist employed at the hospital who was willing to

interpret and report on the mammo- grams, he said

“Prior to the refurbishment, this work was carried out by the HSE in Limerick Regional Hospital, but the service was discontinued. Why was the HSE not up-front with the peo- ple of Clare before the election?” he AIS .Cor6 B

“The HSE said this decision would cause inconvenience for the women of Clare but that those in north Clare could avail of services in Galway rather than make the long journey to Limerick. Did the HSE give any consideration to the women of west Clare, who will have to travel up to

100 miles to avail of the new serv- ice?” he asked.

Clare minister for state Tony Kil- leen (FF) said he was prepared to argue the case for retention of such services at acute hospitals rather than centralising services.

“Tam concerned about the loss of breast screening services at Ennis General Hospital and the impact it will have on the level of service be- ing received by Clare patients.

‘Any evidence I have seen, on the one hand, saying the centralisation of services is best is more than coun- tered by alternate evidence suggest- ing that the provision of local serv-

ices 1s best.

“IT am not entirely convinced that this decision will benefit the people of Clare in the long term”, added Minister Killeen.

Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley said that the HSE needed to clearly set out how it planned to manage the trans- fer to Galway and Limerick of some 400 women each year.

“It’s now time the HSE set out clearly the measures it intends to take to upgrade procedures in Limerick and Galway, particularly in light of a recent failure in Limerick to diag- nose a previous screened patient with breast cancer.”

FARM safety took centre stage this week with a number of organisation launching awareness campaigns aim- ing at preventing tragedies on Irish farms over the summer months.

Despite the weather, summer work on farms across the county has been continuing into late in the evening with farmers anxious to take advan- tage of any break in the weather.

Last week the IFA and the Road Safety Authority got together to launch a joint road safety strategy aimed at ensuring the safety of farm- MASP IMCLENN OTN oe

All road users were warned to ex- pect an increase in the number of agricultural vehicles using the roads

over the next few months and the IFA and RSA have called for increased vigilance for all.

‘I am advising farmers to be safety conscious whenever bringing a farm vehicle onto the public road,” said IFA President, Padraig Walshe

‘Farmers should be aware of traf- fic building up behind them and keep left where possible to allow other vehicles pass safely. I would appeal to other road users to show patience when encountering farm machinery on the road. With understanding on both sides, the roads can be safer for everybody’, he added.

Road users are being advised to watch out for tractors, trailers and other farm machinery exiting from fields and farm yards and to exercise

caution when travelling behind or meeting such vehicles on the public road.

Drivers of agricultural vehicles are also being reminded that they are governed by road traffic laws on driver licensing, insurance, standards in relation to vehicle roadworthiness, vehicle lighting and motor tax.

“Your driving mirror must provide an adequate view of the road to the rear.

“Do not carry a passenger unless the tractor is equipped to carry one and the trailer should not be used for transporting people unless it has pro- vision for carrying them,” said Noel Brett, CEO, Road Safety Authority.

“All agricultural vehicles must have proper working brakes on both trac-

tor and trailer units and must be fit- ted with lights, reflectors and indica- tors. In addition a vehicle should not be loaded in such a way that would make it unstable on the road, and beware of low bridges, overhanging trees, overhead cables and uneven road surfaces which could cause the load to shift and possibly overturn.”

Meanwhile, an internationally re- nowned expert on accident preven- tion will speak at the forthcoming National Seminar on Occupational Safety and Health in Agriculture.

Dr Juha Suutarinen of Agrifood Research, Finland will outline the key findings of a major study in Fin- land on the relationships between farm management and causes of farm accidents.

FORMER leader of the Green party and the newest member of the De- partment of Agriculture, Trevor Sar- gent, this week made his first official statement since entering government by urging consumers to look at or- ganic foods.

Speaking at the launch of Bord Bia’s “Think Organic” summer cam- paign, the newly appointed Minister for Food and Horticulture at the De- partment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, reminded consumers that everyone benefits from buying pro- duce in season.

“The benefits to the consumer and

the Irish producer are obvious, but there is also a much wider effect in terms of worldwide sustainabil- ity and reducing unnecessary food miles which are a significant factor in climate change,” he said.

“Consumers have an important role also in supporting organic produc- tion. When shopping it is important to buy in season organic food but also to check that produce has a label from one of the three registered Irish organic certification bodies as well as a producer licence number, Irish organic farmers operate to the high- est standard.”

The campaign, which runs un- til July 15, aims to continue rais-

ing consumer awareness of organic food, how to recognise it when shop- ping and where to buy it. Market- ing activities during the campaign will include outdoor advertising and consumer information leaflets with tips and recipes as well as informa- tion about local farmers market, box scheme deliveries and farm shops.

“The development of the organic sector 1S a priority in the new Pro- eramme for Government,” continued Sargent.

“A key objective is to grow the amount of certified organic produc- tion in Ireland from less than 1 per cent to 5 per cent of overall agricul- tural output. As 75 per cent of organ-

ic food consumed here is imported much of this growth will also mean many opportunities for import sub- stitution.”

Minister Sargent also confirmed that National Organic Week will be held this year from Monday, October PIR KOW Ze

“The success of the National Or- ganic Week depends upon the full involvement at local and regional level of as many organic producers and processors as possible,’ he con- tinued. “I’m calling on all organic producers and processors to play their part this year to make the very most of it.”

THE race is on to claim a place in Ire- land’s first ever official holy well tour which will be headed up by broad- caster, Donncha O’Dulaing. Clare people are being asked to nominate

their local well to become part of the tour which is raising money for third world charity Bothar.

“T am delighted to be able to lend my support doing what I love best, meeting people, discovering Ireland and all it has to offer. Almost every

part of Ireland has at least one holy well and the well’s water is believed by many to have healing properties,” said O’Dulaing.

“There are over 3000 wells in Ire- land, more than in any other country in the world , so I am encouraging

people to rediscover them and focus on making history present by raising funds for Bothar.”

O’Dulaing will be travelling all over Ireland on a holy well trail and member of the public are invited to get in touch with him by e-mailing failte @rte.ie.

Holy wells exist in most counties of Ireland.

While many of the old wells have fallen into disrepair, interest in the history and heritage associated with these ancient sites has been revived and there are many people now ac- tively attempting to restore them.

All funds raised will go directly to Bothar projects in the develop- ing world. Bothar give people the eift of a-food-and-income producing animal, together with the training & veterinary back-up necessary to look AVACoOMmAOt-Lmr-bOpbeet-0

Each family that receives an ani- mal must promise to ‘pass-on’ the gift of livestock by donating the first female offspring born to their animal to another needy family that 1s also involved in the Bothar programme.

Through this ‘pass-on’ tradition, the gift multiplies and has the power to help an entire community over many years.

Produce from the animals in the form of milk and honey, cheese and eggs can provide a family with a vi- tally important daily source of nu- trition. Any surplus produce can be sold to earn a little money for other foodstuffs, clothing, medicine and necessities.

The greatest dream of most devel- oping world families is to send their children to school to get an education and get a chance to break out of the cycle of poverty – a living gift from Bothar gives each family an oppor- tunity to do just that.

For further information on the holy well trail tune into Donncha’s ‘Fail- te’ Programme on Saturday evening at 10.0.5pm on RTE Radio 1.

FARMERS’ markets all over Clare could soon become subject to new protocols and “a quality assurance scheme to ensure that food and crafts are genuinely produced locally” ac- cording to the Minister for Commu- nity, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Deputy Eamon O Cuiv made the statement at the opening address of the All-Ireland Farmers’ Markets Seco eom srw ate Onom ERIM (oc).e He added that it is important to continue to identify barriers and address issues facing the industry, while complimenting its role in

healthy living.

“In Ireland, agriculture was tradi- tionally a mainstay of the rural econ- omy and food production was at its core,” he said.

“The professional pessimists see only doom and gloom in the fact that farming and rural economies have changed, but I know that we in this room recognise the new opportuni- ties to do things differently with the same quality materials.”

Cuiv complimented the high stand- ards of the farmers’ markets nation- BLO (on

“All of these food products are cre- ated with taste and craft, to provide

a memorable Irish experience. Con- Sumers enjoy the feel-good factor of buying direct from the producers at the market and they return again and again to continue experiencing the super quality and often-cheaper prices of the produce on offer.”

One issue raised at the conference by celebrity chef Darina Allen was the huge success of markets run by local committees in spite of in- consistent treatment of them by au- thorities. For example, signage for a market in Carrick-on-Shannon was funded while in Ennis, organisers were fined for putting up signs.

Suggestions included making ad-

ministration changes to the Casual Traders’ Act while new Minister for Food, Trevor Sargent, vowed to re- move obstacles to the markets.

Ms Allen also said that markets needed a controller and a code of practice so producers are central and food is not brought in from distant areas or sold on under false pretens- oe

According to An Bord Bia, there are five farmers’ markets in Clare at Ennis, Ballyvaughan, Killaloe, Kilrush and Shannon. Minister O SLUT AAT U(CREdarcLemmabbeTeUbeTcam Ke) mm icbu neous markets is available under the CLAR programme in his department.

A KILRUSH man who was found by a judge to have told lies during his trial has been handed a suspended jail term after paying compensation and apologising.

Martin Walsh (49) of Island View, Kilrush, had denied causing almost €4,000 damage to two cars at 22 O’Gorman Street, Kilrush on No- vember 28 2005.

However, he was found guilty by a jury at Ennis Circuit Court last Friday week. The trial judge, Judge Sean O Donnabhain, said the ac- cused had “fabricated a tissue of lies” and he remanded him in custody for a week.

When he reappeared in court last week Walsh apologised for telling Wty

Judge O Donnabhain pointed out, “An offence of criminal damage of

this type wouldn’t merit a custodial sentence. Compensation would be number one to consider, with maybe some sort of binding to the peace or a suspended sentence.”

The judge said to defence barrister Lorcan Connolly: “You are entitled to fight the case. Your man went two steps further. He lied about his whereabouts that night and made up lies about the injured parties.

‘For those two aggravating factors,

I have remanded him in custody for the week,’ added the judge.

Mr Connolly said that his client had paid almost €4,000 compensa- tion to gardai.

‘He did not enjoy the week in pris- on. He now realises he was responsi- ble for the damage and his behaviour was unacceptable and he wishes to proffer his apology to the two wom- en,” said Mr Connolly.

The judge replied, “He didn’t spare

them when he was in the witness box.”

Martin Walsh subsequently ad- dressed the court and apologised for CURD OreMpOONRIOMbUROtcE

“I’m very sorry for misleading the court, telling lies,” he said.

The judge imposed an 18-month jail term, and suspended the balance of the sentence, on condition that he keep the peace for that length of anealee

THE importance of keeping water- ways clear was stressed by a judge when he fined a publican who plead- ed guilty to discharging effluent into waters.

The proprietor of O’Connor’s pub in Doolin, Patrick Sexton, pleaded guilty to one charge arising out of an inspection by Clare County Council on August 11, 2005.

Karen Hayes, from Clare County Council’s Environmental Depart- ment, said she visited O’Connor’s pub as part of routine monitoring.

She told Ennis Circuit Court that she took an effluent sample and analysed it. The results showed that BOD, a measure of the oxygen used by microorganisms to decompose, was six times over the licensed limit, while the level of suspended sol- ids exceeded the legal limit by four

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Counsel for the accused said there was no “deliberate breach on my cli- ent’s behalf.”

Ms Hayes accepted this, saying, ‘He didn’t physically put the effluent in there.”

The court was told that the accused had three previous convictions un- der the same legislation, in 2001, 2003 and 2004.

Ms Hayes said that the prosecution

was mounted in the District Court, where jurisdiction had been declined and costs amounting to more than €2,500 had arisen.

“It is my opinion it could have been dealt with in the District Court,’ said Ms Hayes.

She said that since the proceedings were initiated, Mr Sexton had put in a lot of work to rectify the situation and was now meeting the require- ments.

His counsel said, “Since the date of this offence there have been no fur- ther difficulties.”

Judge Sean O Donnabhain pointed out that this was a fourth conviction.

‘Publicans are like everybody else. Reality sometimes only dawns when it gets caustic. We are all increasing- ly conscious of how important it is to keep waterways clear,” he said while imposing a fine of €2,500. He also ordered that accused pay costs.

A 61-YEAR-OLD man has admitted producing a hatchet in the course of a row in which his son was involved.

James Keane, a father-of-six, of Hermitage, Ennis pleaded guilty to the charge, arising out of an incident at Woodquay, Parnell Street, Ennis, on July 11, 2005.

Keane had denied assaulting David Halligan, causing him harm, on the same night.

He was found not guilty by a jury on that charge at the end of a day-

long trial last Wednesday.

Garda Eric Stafford told Ennis Cir- cuit Court that Keane was standing near the River Walk in Ennis with a hatchet while his son and another man were fighting.

He said that Keane was carrying a handbag which contained a vice grips.

Defence Counsel Lorcan Connolly said his client maintained graves in Ennis, “off his own bat”’.

“Td ask you to consider community service,’ said Mr Connolly.

Judge Sean O Donnabhain said he

accepted the accused had no previous convictions and had pleaded guilty.

‘“That’s impressive. He is not likely to re-offend. In the circumstances, he got carried away,” said the judge.

“It’s a one-off, but he did have and hold a hatchet,’ he added and im- posed a fine of €500.

During the trial into the alleged assault, the court was told that Mr Halligan (25) and his girlfriend had stopped to have a cigarette, on their way home from town.

They were approached and Mr Hal- ligan was assaulted. It was alleged by

the State that Mr Halligan was hit on the nose with an implement, which was being carried by the accused.

Mr Halligan told the trial that he “sot a belt of something. I didn’t know what it was at the time”’.

Mr Connolly said his client admit- ted he was present and admitted he SPT Or Dw MAD Otcar- bomb este) (se slo tlm

‘At no stage did he assault you. Any of the blows you got were from An- thony or James Keane Junior,’ said Mr Connolly.

Garda Albert Hardiman said he observed Anthony Keane taking an

implement from his father, the ac- cused, and threw it over his shoulder into the river.

The accused told the trial if he hit a person in the face with a hatchet, “his face wouldn’t be there no more”.

Counsel for the State, Stephen Coughlan put it to the accused that Mr Halligan was quite sure he was struck by a hatchet. The accused replied, “Not by me. . . I didn’t get involved.”

After deliberating for a short peri- od, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on the assault charge.