Month: January 2008

CONDITIONS at Ennistymon Courthouse have been criticised by the district court judge, almost two years after he vowed not to continue to sit there.

During this month’s sitting of the town’s district court last Wednesday, Judge Joseph Mangan concluded the sitting at lunchtime and adjourned several cases, citing the cold in the courtroom as the reason.

He again referred to the poor con- ditions in Ennistymon at a sitting of Ennis District Court two days later.

“I just don’t feel well. That’s thanks to Ennistymon the other day, and I’m sure there are solicitors equally in- disposed,” he said.

In March 2006, Judge Mangan said he would not sit at the Ennistymon court venue after September of that

year, due to the conditions.

The court has sat at the Teach Ceol venue for the past 10 years and acoustics are poor. At the time of the judge’s comments in 2006, the Courts Service set about finding a suitable alternative location, but the issue has not yet been resolved.

A spokesperson for the Courts Service told

SEVERAL shoplifting charges have been struck out, as the € sign did not appear on the charge sheets.

Frank Hassett (21), of Drumbig- gle Road, Ennis, faced a total of 13 charges, including criminal damage, theft and public order, at Ennis Dis- trict Court on Friday. All charges re- lated to a two-month period last year. However, seven of the charges were struck out, after Judge Joseph Man- gan noted that the € sign was not printed on the charge sheets.

“We now have the euro for about six or seven years. It should be possi- ble for the State to have acclimatised at this stage,” said the judge, dismiss- ing the charges.

Hassett was convicted of the six other charges. He pleaded guilty to breaking into an Ennis home and stealing <€1,900 cash along with small amounts of Sterling and US Dollars, on April 6 last. Some of the money was recovered but €900 was still outstanding. He also admitted breaking a win- dow of another home and stealing two bottles of Buckfast from a licensed premises in Ennis. He also admitted three public order offences. Hassett was jailed for two years at Ennis Circuit Court in November, for robbing a taxi driver at knifepoint. His solicitor Daragh Hassett said his client has had “a very severe ad- diction to alcohol and cocaine in re- cent times. He was in the throes of his addictions at the time of these offences.” Mr Hassett expressed hope that the sentence imposed in the Circuit Court wouldn’t be lengthened. Judge Joseph Mangan said, “I think it’s right to say he was given a lot of chances by this court. We have heard in the past in this court he had diffi- culties in his youth. It appeared at the time (previously) there was no end to the punishment he was prepared to inflict on society in order to get even for what was done to him. Perhaps he realises now he can’t keep taking it out on people who caused him no harm,” added the judge. He imposed two six-month jail terms, to run concurrently with the sentence currently being served.

A YOUNG man who joined in a high-speed car race on the outskirts of Ennis, amid poor driving condi- tions, was pursued by a garda who was travelling in an unmarked pa- trol car.

Cathal Vaughan (19), originally from Kilkee and with an address in Middlesex, UK, was convicted of dangerous driving and with crossing a continuous white line, at Kilmo- rane, Ennis, on December 29 last.

Sergeant Mattie Molyneaux told

Ennis District Court that he was on duty in an unmarked patrol car at Darragh.

He noticed a car passing by “at very high speed.” As he went to pur- sue it, another car passed by, also at speed.

Sergeant Molyneaux said he 1m- mediately got the impression that the two cars were racing.

He pursued them at a speed of up to 180 kilometres per hour, but “made very little impression on them”.

He said at Kilmorane, the two cars passed a line of vehicles. Another

car, a golf – driven by the accused – pulled out from that line and fol- lowed the two cars.

Other cars were overtaken on con- tinuous white lines, he said.

Sgt Molyneaux said the two cars which had been racing veered onto the bypass, via the roundabout near O’Sullivan and Hansbury garage.

The other car, being driving by the defendant, continued on towards Cahercalla, where he was arrested.

The garda said that traffic was heavy at the time and road surface was wet. “Conditions were not great

for driving,’ he added.

Sgt Molyneaux accepted that the accused was not involved in the in1- tial race, but that he joined in.

Defending solicitor Joe Moloney said his client “cannot explain” why he followed the two cars. He said there was “no oncoming tralf- fic when he (Vaughan) overtook the vehicles.”

The garda said the accused “did co-operate. I cannot fault him for his behaviour after I stopped him, but it was the problems that led up to it.

“I didn’t get to stop the other two defendants.

“IT wasn’t in a position to radio for help,’ said Sgt Molyneaux.

The solicitor said his client has been working in the UK for a number of months and needs his driver’s licence for work.

‘There was no accident, there was no collision. He put his hands up im- mediately,’ said Mr Moloney.

Judge Joseph Mangan fined Vaughan €4,000 but did not ban him from driving, citing work exi1- gencies as the reason.

DESPITE the fact that children in Clare as young as 12 are turning to alcohol and teenagers of 14 are using cannabis, the mid-west still has not employed a dedicated psychiatrist for adolescents. As a result, young people are falling between the child and adult psychiatric services. Neither is ideal for teenagers and young adults, according to Dr Moosa- jee Bhamjee, who said Clare people are now waiting up to one year for assessment by a psychiatrist. Research from a team of psycholo- gists and sociologists from Trin- ity College and University College

Dublin suggests that mental health problems among young people are increasing. According to Tony Bates of Headstrong, the National Centre for Mental Health, less than 10 per cent of young people with a mental illness engage in support services.

Dr Bhamjee agreed, saying, “A lot of them don’t see drink or drugs as a problem and that is a big issue.

“Drinking is now starting at the end of primary school, and cannabis smoking at the age of 14. These teen- agers are addicts by Leaving Cert and drop-outs at Junior Cert.”

The Clare psychiatrist maintains that peer pressure and body image are adding to the teen strain.

In what has become a vicious cir- cle, younger and younger children are turning to alcohol, drugs and other social problems in an attempt to justify their place in society.

Children at primary school level are presenting with anorexia and Obesity but most of these problems start at 14 and 15 years of age.

“We are beginning to see younger people with early onset of schizo- phrenia, manic depression and ma- nia, panic attracts and anxiety at- tacks due to social pressures.”

There is currently no psychiatrist for adolescents in the mid-west, for which the HSE and government must be chastised, said Dr Bhamjee.

The appointment of one, and a Support team, is estimated to cost €1 million. There are no admission places in Munster for adolescent pa- tients. Each year, an average of 16 adolescent admissions are made to Ward 5B in Limerick and at least one third are from Clare. Young “volun- tary” patients can also be accommo- dated at Ennis General Hospital.

Developing counselling services in colleges and a clinical psycholo- gist in primary schools when chil- dren are more receptive could help, said Dr Bhamjee. In an emergency, a child can be seen by the child psy- chiatrist department within days.

ONE MORE beginning.

Just like last year, a fresh dawn will fall over Clare next weekend when the county footballers and hurlers begin their season under new man- agement.

Mike McNamara gets the opportu- nity to lead out his county on Sunday when the hurlers take on the Univer- sity of Limerick and Frank Doherty gets a taste of inter-county manage- ment with Clare as the footballers come up against University College Cork on the same day.

While results this early in the year won’t count for much in the summer and while Sunday, mainly, represents the chance to wipe the slate clean, two wins would lift a cloud that has lingered since Clare left the national scene at the height of summer.

Last year was one of the poorest in for the GAA in Clare at All Ireland level. The Tony Considine reign will be remembered for the wrong rea- sons — the spats, the county board interference and ultimately, the poor results.

To be fair, it wasn’t all negative. Philip Brennan, Kevin Dilleen and

Brendan Bugler all represent the fu- UN Ken ;

Under Paidi O Sé, Clare started well but came undone after their sec- ond league game. The defeat against Waterford represented the worst day in Clare football history and the de- mise of football in the county was copper-fastened by the withdrawal of three key players shortly before that game.

Again, the emerging talent, in the form of the Under 21s 1s there and it’s now about transferring that to some- thing meaningful at senior level.

That’s why decent showings this

winter are more important than they normally would be.

Neither the Waterford Crystal Cup nor the McGrath Cup will tempt numbers to the terraces in any mean- ingful way, but a decent run in both competitions would shine some sun on the situation in Clare.

Only the die hards will come out of hibernation on Sunday and all will hope to claim they were there on day one of the revolution. It remains to be seen if the uprising happens, but right now, at least, the only way is up.

A NEW era for Clare GAA was ush- ered in at the Auburn Lodge Hotel in Ennis last Saturday as a new county

board executive was elected, while outgoing voluntary secretary Pat Fit- zgerald officially assumed the role in a full-time capacity.

Before a packed attendance, new

chairman Michael O’Neill looked to the future, while paying tribute to those who have gone before him. He

was formally proposed for the top job in Clare GAA by his Ballyea club-

mate Tom McInerney and seconded by Clondegad’s Seamus O’Reilly.

“We face major challenges ahead,” said O’Neill, “but we face them with energy and enthusiasm and I will not be found wanting when it comes to giving the level of leadership that is required for my position,’ he added.

“The best way forward is to draw up a Strategic plan that embraces all aspects of the GAA structures within the county. This plan will take a lit- tle time but it is vital to the future workings of the association within the county.

“Everything I have mentioned can only be achieved by inclusiveness. This means everyone having an input from grassroots level to county board and national level. Working together we can achieve our goals and I will no stone unturned in our quest for success on and off the field of play,” added O’Neill.

His vice-chairman for 2008 will be Lissycasey’s Johnny Hill — the out- going Development Officer defeated Tony O’Brien of Smith O’Briens by 99 votes to 69. In the two contests for positions on the executive, Ger Hickey from Feakle defeated Clare- castle’s Martin Reynolds by 131 to 34, while Corofin’s Tom Burke beat Domhnall O Loinsigh by 127 to 41 in the contest for Oifigeach Gaeilge. Burke, along with Michael O’Connor (Crusheen) and Ger Hickey make up the three new members of the county board executive for 2008.

A CLARE politician has accused the HSE of telling lies in its response to a query from Kilrush Town Council.

Outspoken Councillor Deirdre Cul- ligan (Ind) was reacting to a response to a query about the future of Ennis General Hospital and its services, presented to councillors at their De- cember meeting. In the letter the HSE reiterated its statement that the mam- mography unit at Ennis would not be recommissioned.

It said its decision was driven by the “need to provide the best possible clinical practices for patients in the mid-west”.

The letter added that, as a stand- alone unit, Ennis would not have the benefits and protections of a centre of excellence with the associated “checks and balances”.

Cllr Culligan asked, “If the mam- mography machine at Ennis General Hospital is not to be recommissioned, why does the planning application for the re-development of the hospital make provision for a Mammography Unit at the Hospital – with separate offices for two radiologists?

“The HSE refuses to accept that dig- ital mammogram equipment at Ennis would enable women to have the con- venience of having a mammogram in Ennis – and it could be relayed digit- ally for analysis by teams working at

the cancer centre,’ she said.

“It 1s worth noting that Prof Tom Keane, who 1s heading up the cancer programme, has said he accepts the case of localised cancer services sup- porting the cancer centres.”

The town council also asked the HSE what its plans were for the hos- pital. The HSE replied that it had en- gaged an “independent management consultant” to review the services and visit the hospitals in the mid-west. In addition to site visits, a number of fact finding interviews were held with consultant representation from each of the hospitals, senior nurses, GP representatives, ambulance, risk management staff were interviewed.

“Individuals or bodies were encour- aged to forward written submissions in relation to the scope of the current and future service activity for consid- eration. The management consultants are currently finalising their report,” the HSE said.

“The HSE reneged on public under- takings that the Teamwork consult- ants (independent consultants) would consult widely with all stake-holders. SW sleavas nate Mm sl Oe MnO elomm elo yo)lesDemere)ecuseNI tee for just 30 minutes. It is com- pletely untrue to claim Teamwork invited public submissions – no pub- lic notices inviting submissions were advertised,” said Cllr Culligan.

“I don’t agree with that response. I think it is a heap of lies.”

DISBELIEF, amazement, agony, glory turned into depression. Just some of the expressions used to de- scribe the Clare Junior team’s year in review. Camogie in Clare enjoyed new heights in popularity as the Jun- ior team forged its way to an All-Ire- land final appearance in Croke Park. The coverage that camogie got this year opened the minds of many to the game and the girls playing it.

This coupled with the live coverage on the final day and the lead up to it allowed the sporting people of Clare watch and enjoy what was a skilful game of camogie and wait in hope of that elusive All-Ireland title. This seemed to be in the offering as the final few seconds ticked down but the announcement of six minutes of injury time which turned into eight did little for the nerves.

Then within 30 seconds of that eventual full-time whistle the pow- ers that be in Croke Park had to whip the saffron and blue ribbons from the New Ireland Cup and re-adorn it with the red and white of Derry as a last gasp goal denied the girls of the Banner.

Strange as it may seem, this loss

has awoken the plight of camogie to an even greater number of people within the county as support over- flowed in the county. Those who never before batted an eyelid at the mention of camogie were now inter- ested and expressed their wishes for Clare to succeed.

That team, after losing the All-Ire- land, went on to win a Munster title, proving their mettle and gave some consolation to the deserving players.

The management of the Junior team was only established in February and with games fast approaching there was little time for settling down.

The team quickly got into training and markers laid down for all. The team had wins in the League over Kildare, Offaly, Derry, Antrim and a draw with Down which gave them a place in a play-off with Down for the league final. With little between these teams in the last number of years, Down edged this encounter by a one point margin. Clare threw themselves into preparations for the championship and with easy home wins against Antrim and Down, Clare then had a thirteen week wait to the All-Ireland semi-final, after Kildare failed to field and the sem1i- final dates were changed.

Clare were impressive winners over Waterford in that semi-final and faced an All-Ireland final appear- ance with Derry, one point losers the year before. Clare were confident of their ability heading into that final and many will say that they were extremely unfortunate to have lost in the way that they did.

With a young squad of players and six of the panel Under 18, the fu- ture 1S positive for this team. There are no retirements from the team at the moment, there is the return of Laura Linnane and Claire McMa- hon to look forward to and they also possess many strong underage play- ers. This will make competition for places very tough in the coming year which should be extremely beneficial for the Junior team.

This team represented Clare in the Munster Intermediate Final in Octo- ber and while the team was largely comprised of the All-Ireland squad, there were additions to the panel as some were unavailable. Shona En- right, Chloe Morey, Mary Clune, Ci- ara Lynch were all part of that panel and should be amongst those pushing for places this coming year.

Captain Deirdre Murphy and corner forward Claire Commane were both

nominated for All-Stars and although they were unsuccessful in that chal- lenge, the nominations were merited after solid displays from Deirdre at centre back who was a driving force for Clare throughout the campaign. In a position where she was unaccus- tomed to, Deirdre quickly settled in and was easily the best centre back in the Junior Championship.

Claire was Clare’s top scorer and added 1-6 in the All-Ireland fi- nal and received the player of the game award. Just some of the stars that shone through were Catherine O’Loughlin who had had a strong campaign at centre forward and Kate Lynch, Carina Roseingrave who made huge contributions as younger players. Dee Corcoran was very re- liable at full back while behind her Denise Lynch had kept Clare ahead in the semi-final with some fine saves and catches. Aoife Ryan had a great campaign as did Sharon O’ Loughlin, Amy Colleran, Sharon McMahon, Cathy Hally and Jane Scanlon.

The panel was then bolstered by the presence of Siobhan and Fiona Lafferty, Helen McMahon, Aimee McInerney, Aine O’Brien, Stehanie Moloney, Maire O’Halloran, Jane O’Leary, Edel Keating, Aiveen

O’Shea, Aoife Griffen and Rachel Lynch.

Clare are now ready to re-group and are anxious to start into a new campaign. They’re again setting their sights on preparing for a challenge on the All-Ireland title and the hope to lead Clare to the Senior ranks.

this week that she is still optimistic that the mys- tery into her brother’s death will be solved. She has appealed to anyone with information on the killing to come forward. “It seems to have been left there, shelved. There doesn’t seem to be

anything new. It is maddening, gall- ing. You keep thinking you might get a phone call but there is nothing,” said Ms Horgan.

“However we can’t give up hope and we hope that something will happen yet,” she added.

Ms Horgan lives in Ballyheigue, County Kerry and has not had direct contact with gardai probing the death. However her brother, Ray, who re- sides just 100 yards from where Sean lived in Ardnacrusha has liaised with the investigation team. But there has been no breakthrough as of yet.

“I am appealing to anyone with information, anyone who knows something and if they were afraid to say anything all along, to go to the guards now, five years on,’ she said.

“I know there might be fear in- volved as well. It could be that, but if they went to the guards they would never be known. Is it that they don’t understand what the family is going through?” she asked.

She said she firmly believed some- one was staying quiet and was refus-

ing to disclose information which might lead to the murder being solved.

‘There is not a hope that someone doesn’t know something. It is fright to see an innocent man left there. We don’t even have a proper idea why he was killed. Along with not knowing who, we don’t know why,” she said.

“They (the killers) are out there free. They could do it to anybody else. Have they any conscience at all’? How do you live with that?” she asked.

‘All we know is he was kind and soft-hearted. A lot of people wouldn’t have cars without him. He more or less told them to pay whenever they had money,’ said Ms Horgan.

“It doesn’t get any easier for us. It is like a burden you are carrying around. Maybe if there was some bit of closure it might help, but it is not going to bring him back,” she said.

One month before Sean was gunned down, Limerick nightclub bouncer Brian Fitzgerald was murdered at his home in Corbally, Limerick. Four

men were tried in relation to this case at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin this year. That trial concluded in November. Three of the men were acquitted, while the other, a 24-year- old, was found guilty of murder.

Ms Horgan said the breakthrough in that case left her with some hope that her brother’s killers would be caught.

“Brian Fitzgerald was killed just a month before Sean. We kept hoping that something might come out of Sean’s case, even though they were completely different cases,’ she said.

Mr Poland was born in Portum- na, County Galway and his family moved to Ardnacrusha several years ago. Sean had lived at the family home when he was murdered. His father and brother have since moved back to Clontuskert in east Galway.

CLARE owners enjoyed big suc- cess at an exciting day’s coursing in Cloncullen last Thursday.

Favourite Clare Man was pipped in the final of the South Clare Cup by Valverdes, owned by Anthony and Denis Clohessey and Michael and Martin Madigan from Killimer.

Valverdes had earlier received a bye run to the final after the Clare- castle owned Murty’s Shadow was withdrawn while Clareman edged

out Caeser Mac in the semi-final to book a final spot.

There was success for the SAM syndicate from Clarecastle when Bird’s Baby clinched the Oaks ticket for Clonmel.

Trained by Gerry Holihan for John Quinn, Woodpark Rebel was again in top form, winning out the South Clare All-aged Bitch Stake.

The win over Crafty Montico books a place in the Champion Stake in Clonmel for Woodpark Rebel.

Former Clare hurling manager

Anthony Daly is another who will be heading to Clonmel. Murty’s for One, owned by the ATM syndicate of Anthony and Michael Daly and Tommy Howard had already guar- anteed a place in the Boylesports Derby after winning at the Galway and Oranmore meeting.

Daly, along with fellow owners Stephen and Martin Sheedy will have another interest in Clonmel after the SAM syndicate owned Bird’s Baby beat of stiff competition for a spot in the Clonmel Minealla Oaks.

In the final Bird’s Baby saw off the challenge of the Miltown Malbay owned Dalcash Shannon by three lengths.

The reserve derby was won by the Scattery Syndicate from Kil- limer with Scattery Hyland which beat Siena’s Steel owned by Co- oraclare brothers John and Michael O’ Donoghue.

However there was joy for Coora- clare when Riverdale Honcho won the Cloncullen Stake for one and two course dogs and bitches, for owners

Michael and Fiona Meaney.

Fisherman’s Ace won the final of the working members stake for Kil- kee owner Joe Harte.