Month: April 2008

A FOREIGN national was kicked while he lay on the ground, as people spilled out of a nightclub in Shan- eee

Arising out of the incident, three men and a woman pleaded guilty to violent disorder, while two of the men admitted to a charge of assault causing harm.

James Hesse (22), Gleann na Smol, Shannon; Caine Levers (24) and his sister Chantelle Levers (20), of Ross- bracken, Shannon; and Kevin Kelly (27), of Rossbracken, Shannon, all pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Hesse and Caine Levers, who were described in court as “the main pro- tagonists” pleaded guilty to assault

causing harm, arising out of a row at Tullyvarraga, Shannon, at around 2am on April 21, 2006.

At Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, Judge Carroll Moran ordered that €5,000 compensation be paid to the victim and he adjourned sentencing to allow this to be done.

Outlining the details of the incident, Garda Aidan Sweeney told the court that when he arrived at the scene, ‘a group of people were attacking a man who was on the ground.”

He said he observed Hesse kicking the man on the ground. He said that CCTV footage showed Caine Levers “making a swing” for the victim, while Chantelle Levers had “her two arms up, like she was going to punch somebody.”

While the victim wasn’t uncon- scious when gardai arrived, “he was in a bad condition,’ said the garda.

The victim sustained a wound over the right eye, but has now recovered.

Judge Moran said that Hesse and Caine Levers should each pay €2,000 in compensation to the vic- tim, while the other two accused should pay €1,000 each. However Kelly’s barrister Mark Nicholas said his client “had no contact really with the principal injured party”. The garda accepted this and the judge then said Kelly did not have to pay oyna ole shsr-1eceyee

He noted that Chantelle Levers was “peripherally involved” and said the court may consider “some other solu- tion” for her.

A KILRUSH teenager is facing three years behind bars for a stabbing, af- ter a court heard he breached his cur- few on nine occasions.

Daniel O’Brien Junior (19), of Sycamore Drive, John Paul Estate, Kilrush, had been ordered to abide by a number of conditions, including that he obey a curfew and be home ease nopeee

This was after he pleaded guilty in April 2005 to a charge of assault causing serious harm, in which he stabbed another man in the stomach in 2003, when the accused was just 15. The victim had sustained ‘near fatal injuries’ according to medics who treated him.

The sentencing had been adjourned and he had been ordered to abide by various conditions.

However, at Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, gardai in Kilrush outlined details of nine occasions in which he east eOm Aso OL UNE KAYA

Five of those were since his last appearance in the court, last Novem- ber.

Garda Donal Corkery told the court that O’Brien was arrested in Thurles at 12.30am on November 18 last and charged with a number of offences. These were still being dealt with in the district court.

He was seen in a licensed premises in Thurles at 10.45pm later that day, meaning it would be impossible for him to get to his home in Kilrush by Bhyee

On December 24, Garda Corkery stopped O’Brien in a car in Kilrush at 11.15pm.

He was seen in two west Clare bars in the early hours of the morning, on two other dates.

O’Brien’s barrister Mark Nicholas said that he was in Thurles to pur- sue his ‘scaffolding ticket’ as he has worked with a scaffolding firm in re- nM UD este

‘He doesn’t recall being there the following day,’ he said, relating to the second alleged sighting of O’Brien in Thurles.

“Is nine breaches of curfew a man out of control? Two were family occasions. He is aged 19. It is very hard to be at home every night at 11 o’clock,” he added.

Judge Carroll Moran said that when details of the stabbing case were heard in court, he had a four year suspended sentence in mind. How- ever, he said he must impose a jail term, after hearing about the curfew pasts slone

‘He ran at him (the victim) with a knife, with a blade about six inches long. . . the injured party was sem1- conscious. He could have died,” said the judge.

He said that a curfew of 11pm was “reasonably realistic.”

“The cumulative effect of all these, | must impose a prison sentence of four years, and suspend the last year, said the judge.

A MAJOR initiative geared towards cracking down on burglaries and thefts has sprung into action. The move comes in the wake of crime Statistics showing that those offences

account for almost 80 per cent of all crimes reported last year.

As gardai estimate that there has been a further increase in these types of crime since the start of this year, they are aiming to tackle this head-on.

The initiative is being rolled out nationally and gardai in Clare are warning people to be mindful of op- portunistic crime, particularly dur- TbOTSMn OM oComncL UDO ON OaCe)

Ennistymon Superintendent Gabri- el O’Gara said that thefts from cars

and thefts of machinery are of par- ticular concern in the county.

Several cars parked in tourist spots across the county are targeted every Summer. Just last week, two cars parked at Inchiquin Lake were bro- ken into while their owners were out fishing. A substantial amount of cash was taken from one of the cars.

Supt O’Gara is also warning peo- ple to be aware of distraction crime in rural areas.

“People are going around selling stuff. They are targeting people living on their own. One person attracts your attention at the front door, while another goes around to the back of your home. The advice is to only buy from reputable people. Don’t engage them,” he said.

“In rural communities, be vigilant in relation to your own property and your neighbours. Take numbers of cars,” he said.

He confirmed that meetings have been held in recent weeks with a view to re-establishing several com- munity alert groups in north Clare.

“We are going to up the ante on this by getting more people involved and having more regular meetings,” said Supt O’Gara.

THE Limerick Clare Energy Agency (LCEA) has said that the Govern- ment’s launch of a Home Energy Saving Scheme had presented the people of Clare and Limerick with an ideal opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The LCEA, along with Clare Coun- ty Council and Limerick County Council, will administer the multi- million euro pilot scheme. “The aim of the scheme is to en- courage homeowners to improve the

energy efficiency of their homes in order to reduce energy use and green- house gas emissions,’ explained Pat Stephens, Director of the LCEA.

“By participating in the scheme, householders in counties Clare and Limerick, with the exception of Lim- erick City, can potentially save up to €500 on their energy bills every year,’ he said.

“Thousands of tonnes of CO2 will also be saved in its first year alone. The full €100 million scheme is ex- pected to yield greenhouse gas sav- ings of 175,000 tonnes per year,” said

Mr Stephens.

Outlining the operation of the scheme across Clare and Limerick, Mr Stephens stated, “Householders will avail of a Building Energy Rat- ing (BER) assessor to come to their house, give the home a BER rating and advise on the works that need to be carried out to improve energy efficiency. The homeowner will pre- pay €100 towards the cost of this assessment, with Sustainable Energy Ireland subsidising the balance. The Government, therefore, will cover approximately two thirds of the cost

of the assessment.”

“The assessor may advise that the house requires such work as attic insulation, interior or exterior wall insulation, low emissions double- glazing, heating control or a range of other energy efficient works.

“The Government will then cover up to 30 per cent of the cost of these works, to a maximum of €2,500. On completion of the works a follow-up energy assessment on the building will be undertaken so that there is a “before and after” test of what has been done,” he said.

Mr Stephens urged householders across Clare and Limerick to imme- diately consider the scheme. ‘Homeowners interested in receiv- ing financial assistance in improv- ing the energy efficiency of their own home should call the Lo-Call number that will be advertised by Sustainable Energy Ireland the Gov- ernment over the coming days. “Alternatively, they may view our website at www.lcea.ie for further information on the Home Energy Saving Scheme,’ concluded Mr Stephens.

“YOU have ruined my life.” That was the stark message yesterday from a 60-year-old woman to the knife- wielding drug addict who viciously attacked her.

A court heard how Jean Nolan is in fear of leaving her home alone after a nightmare attack in broad daylight in Shannon.

It was revealed that a bench war- rant had been issued for her attack- er’s arrest when he failed to turn up for sentencing at Ennis Circuit Court at the end of 2006.

He had robbed two other women — aged 75 and 23 — in Ennis in Septem- ber 2004 and was due to have those matters finalised in 2006.

Robert Nestor (27), originally from Hermitage, Ennis and also with an address at Elm House, Drumgeely, Shannon, admitted robbing €110 cash from Ms Nolan at Dun an Or1r, Shannon on November 20 last. He also pleaded guilty to producing a knife, in the course of robbing the

cash.

Detective Sergeant Michael Houli- han told the court yesterday that Ms Nolan was walking home from work at 2pm when she noticed someone following her.

She heard a low murmur behind her and a man jumped out in front of her.

“He was wearing a hoodie pulled tightly around his head. She resisted by holding on to her handbag. She was pulled forcibly and knocked to the ground. She noticed the accused was holding a knife,” he said.

“I believe he repeatedly swung the knife at her. There was evidence of that on her coat and also on the in- jury she had,” he said.

Ms Nolan sustained a finger injury, for which she received five stitches.

A number of witnesses were swift- ly on the scene and pursued Nestor. When gardai arrived, he was hiding in a Shed in a nearby housing estate.

IRISH farmers rose up with one voice last week and unilaterally re- jected the current trade deal on the table of the World Trade Organisa- nee

More than 10,000 farmers brought Dublin to a standstill Thursday in an unprecedented show of power and solidarity. The protest was timed to coincide with the visit of the Presi- dent of the EU Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso.

Barosso was in the capital to cam- paign for a yes vote in a crunch up- coming referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. The majority of Irish farm- ing organisations have threatened

urging a no vote if their concerns on the WTO are ignored.

‘Farmers could not support a Com- mission that has sold out on family farming and food production right across Europe,’ said IFA president, Padraig Walshe addressing the pro- test.

“If the Mandelson proposals were followed there would not be farmer support for the treaty. That is my message for President Barroso today. That is my message for the Govern- ment today.”

It has been claimed that the out- come of the current negotiations would cost the Irish economy four billion euro and see 50,000 farm- ers put out of business, along with

50,000 job losses in the processing sector.

Speaking before the national day of protest, Clare IFA County Chairman Michael Lynch has called on farm- ers to hit back against Commissioner Mandelson.

“The WTO negotiations are at a critical stage and Mandelson is out of control, offering to destroy the CAP in a reckless last-ditch effort to get a deal,’ he said.

“The reality of the Mandelson cuts would be a flood of beef steak 1m- ports from South America into Eu- rope, which would collapse Irish cat- tle prices to €2/kg or 7Op/Ib, making suckler and livestock farming totally uneconomic.

“Milk prices would be cut to 24c/ litre as a direct result of greatly in- creased imports of butter and other dairy products. There would also be huge losses in the sheep, pigs, poul- try and grain sectors.

“Irish agriculture would be devas- tated and the loss of farmers’ liveli- hoods and jobs in the food industry, agri-business and services would be felt in towns and communities across the entire country.

“If Mandelson is not stopped, we are facing a €4 billion per year loss to economy with rural Ireland hard- est hit by far. This 1s a crucial protest in our campaign to stop Mandelson and secure the future of Irish farm-

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THE Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan has called for realism to prevail in the upcoming WTO talks.

Speaking in Luxembourg at the Council of Agriculture Munisters meeting last week, Minister Cough- lan said that while Ireland, like most member states is committed to the WTO multilateral trading system, the European Union should not be bounced into concluding a deal which is unbalanced and does not respect the important role of agri- culture within the EU or the changed circumstances which prevail in re- lation to global food shortages and food security.

“We need to inject some realism into the discussions. We cannot al- low European agriculture to be sac- rificed for the sake of an unbalanced deal,’ she said.

Outlining the changed circum- stances in relation to food scarcity and food security the minister said that mounting concerns in Europe and the world on these issues makes the CAP more important than ever.

Coughlan went on to say the EU must safe-guard its production base so that it can meet the future demand of its population for food, feed and bioenergy.

“Ireland is committed to working closely with our partner Govern- ments, multi-lateral agencies and hu-

manitarian organisations to develop effective mechanisms and supports that proactively prevent persistent food shortages becoming famines in parallel to longer-term development programmes,’ she said.

Coughlan met with a number of her ministerial colleagues and counter- parts including the French Miuinis- ter for Agriculture, Michel Barnier on the margins of the meeting and she expressed satisfaction with the strong line which many of her col- leagues are taking in search of a bal- anced WTO deal which respects the important role which EU agriculture plays in the production of safe food to the highest standards, respecting animal health and welfare as well as

environmental concerns.

Meanwhile, Macra na Feirme na- tional president Catherine Buckley called on young farmers across the country to support actions taken against the WTO.

Buckley said the impact of the lat- est paper on the WTO negotiations would be a ‘Worst Trade Outcome’ for young farmers and it would dev- astate the agriculture industry.

“The future of agriculture in this country 1S very much dependent on the outcome of the upcoming WTO negotiations and EU Trade Commis- sioner Mandelson is determined to dismantle and destroy the agricul- tural industry for young farmers,” she added.

LITTLE boffins saw theory put to the test last week, when a stunt pi- lot drew gasps from the pupils as he turned barrel loops over the school.

The aeronautical display was to show the youngsters of fourth class, who have been doing a project on the Forces of Flight, just what can be Ley stor

Former RAF pilot and aerobatic display pilot, Gerry Humphries, took

to the skies after being approached by the school to give the youngsters a practical demonstration.

All 260 pupils gathered in the school yard on Thursday morning to see the death-defying stunts.

Fourth class teacher, Cathal Crowe said the pupils were “amazed. He per- formed loops, did barrel rolls, stalls and did a dive towards the school. The children were delighted”.

Earlier in the year, the class had visits from pilot, Jane Magill, and

aeronautical engineer, Eddie Ryan, who both talked to the youngsters about their careers in the aviation industry.

The school is reaching for an Ex- cellence in Science award for the third year running and the display went ahead in tandem with the Par- teen National School Green Schools Action Day.

Organised by the school’s Green Schools co-ordinator, Aisling Carey and discover science co-ordina-

tor, Fidelma Coughlan, the day was one on which youngsters displayed projects they have been working on and their knowledge about important environmental matters.

ENJOYING a facial and a get-to- gether with the neighbours was all child’s play in Tulla at the weekend.

And the money raised from dona- tions for free facials at the Pamper Parlour and a meet the neighbours night are going towards building a playground in the village.

The campaign for the playground was launched last month with the ‘Buy a Brick’ campaign, in which residents and businesses are being asked to contribute the cost of one or more bricks to get the play facilities off the ground.

Planning permission has now been granted for the development of a play area after a year of work by a com- mittee of parents.

€110,000 in grant money has been made available for the playground but another €40,000 is needed to make the youngsters’ dream a reality.

At the weekend, Pamper Parlour boss, Mary Corry offered free forty minute facials to people willing to make a donation to the fund.

And customers were delighted at the chance to have a little pamper- ing, knowing the money was going to a great cause.

On Friday night, Mary invited 48 families to a “Get To Know the Neighbours’ night and offered spot- prizes, food and “a chance to social- ise, have a bit of craic and help the playground fund”.

Mary delivered invites all over Tul- la, from Meaghera Cross to Kiltan- non Cross.

“[ had a gathering in my own house two years ago and there are so many new houses since then, it was time for another one. Life 1s so busy now- adays that we only see each other passing in our cars. It was amazing, people were saying to me that they never knew one neighbour looked af- ter kids or another had such a trade. It was great for us to to get to know the people living in our area.”

Mary is fully supportive of the playground, having become a mother to baby Ava six months ago.

She is one of a many businesses in the area which are getting behind the fund and other events are being or- ganised.

The site for the playground was donated by a local man, Mick Ke- hoe and, said playground committee

member, Jim O’Sullivan, “we are very grateful for it”.

The “Buy A Brick’ campaign in- volves donating €100 or whatever people can afford. The donation will go directly towards the building cost and everyone who buys a brick will get a certificate to display on the wall Ome) es lerer

We recognise the fact that €100 is a lot of money for some families to donate so we would gladly welcome any contribution that people can make,’ he added.

THE Junior Ladies football team from Scoil Mhuire Ennistymon has marked their place in history this year.

With an outstanding success rate, having ruthlessly conquered all around them, they made it to the all Ireland semi final for the first time in the schools history.

After securing an amazing Mun- ster final win in Kerry, they went on to play in the All-Ireland Semi Final Or ANE NE

“We started off in the beginning of the year, we played in the early rounds and we knew that if we lost a match we would be knocked out but we got through them. Then we went

on to play Kilmihil in the Clare final and we won,” said player Niamh O’ Dea.

“We played the Munsters in Kerry and then we went on to play the all Ireland semi-final, we lost that but it has been good fun. It was hard work, we trained after school on Fridays and some Sundays. It was tough but it was worth it.”

The team has a wide range of stu- dents from first year all the way up to transition year.

“It was brilliant because I’m in first year. Just coming to the school has been brilliant and I get to play with girls who are so much older than me. It is a great privilege to play especially in a Munster final.” says Aisling Torpy, one of the youngest

members of the team.

Since Scoil Mhuire’s success in the Munster finals, ladies football, in north Clare especially, has received a boost.

“It has all been brilliant fun. We put a lot of effort in to try and win, and we were happy with how far we got,” says player Siobhan Garrihy.

“North Clare has definitely im- proved in regards to ladies football because in Ennistymon there has never been a focus on ladies football. It has always been the men’s football and hurling. It proves that women are just as good as men, we put in just as much of an effort and we can get Uae hee

The team’s overwhelming success has had a glowing reflection on the

school.

“It is great for the school. The girls trained hard and it is a nice reward for them that they can see that by putting in the work they get some- thing back out of it,’ says coach Car- mel Eustace

“It is good for the girls and it is good for the school. It highlights a lot of the sport that we do in the school and maybe girls who are interested in ladies football might choose to go to Scoil Mhuire in the future.”