Month: May 2008

THE four-day count down to the first ever all-singing, all-dancing West Clare’s Got Talent show has begun.

A total of 20 acts have been select- ed for the night’s final from an audi- tion earlier this month.

Acts include everything from sing- ing to dancing, comedy to drama sketches, gymnastics, hip-hop danc- ing, magic tricks and juggling.

The night’s entertainment will be- gin at 7pm sharp, on May 17, at the Kilrush Community Centre.

The mystery fifth judge on the night has also been announced as Ger Rush from the Kilrush Commu- nity College.

Mr Rush will join TG4 Coun- try and Western star Sonia Carrig, primary school teacher and singer Linda Clohessy-O’Gorman, Hell for Leather’s John Fennell and hip-hop instructor Nelly Gilligan.

Another award has also been add- ed to the line-up, the Adjudicators’ Award sponsored by Cooraclare’s Bernie Tubridy.

The winner on the night will walk

away with the perpetual shield spon- sored by Hartman’s Jewellers in Kil- rush. The jewellers will also sponsor a €50 voucher as a prize.

There will also be medals for sec- ond and third prizes on the night as well as vouchers provided by Holly- wood Hits and Tranquility.

By taking part in this competition Kilrush children and teenagers are being encouraged to help other chil- dren while displaying their talents, as all proceeds for the night will go towards the ISPCA.

The brainchild of Kilrush woman

Teresa Carrig, the talent show will see children from 10 to 18 years of age take to the stage to showcase their talents.

The event is being supported by the whole community with local busi- nesses all providing spot prizes for the night.

It is hoped that Saturday’s show is the first of many that will be repeated every year.

“It is very much community driven and it is great to see all the commu- nity involved in something like this,” said Ms Carrig.

CLARECASTLE man JJ McCabe, who scooped €18 million in a mas- sive land deal three years ago, has settled a court action with a farmer over a disputed piece of land.

In proceedings brought before En- nis Circuit Court, Stephen Moloney of Skehanagh, Clarecastle was seek- ing to have a 2001 deal between Mr McCabe and Lord Inchiquin Conor O’Brien concerning around nine acres of land adjacent declared void.

Mr Moloney also named Lord In- chiquin as a co-defendant in the pro- ceedings and in his claim to court, Mr Moloney said that Lord Inchiquin conveyed the previously unregistered lands to Mr McCabe in January 22, AUOF

The land is naturally divided by a deep trench filled with water and on one side is land reclaimed by Mr Mc- Cabe and farmed by his family for many years.

The other side consists of bogland and according to Mr Moloney has been occupied for over 50 years by Mr Moloney and his late father.

The claim goes on: “At no time dur- ing the period of occupation and use of land by Mr Moloney and his late father, has any other person, includ-

ing Mr McCabe or Lord Inchiquin occupied or used the land for any purpose. Mr Moloney and his late father have regularly grazed cattle on the land and have burned off scrub- type growth which appears annually on the surface on the bog.”

The claim contended that aris-

ing from the occupation and use of the land, Mr Moloney’s late father acquired title to the lands and this passed onto Mr Moloney.

Mr Moloney claimed that Lord In- chiquin was the owner of the disput- ed piece of land on January 22, 2001 that allowed him to sell the lands to

Mr McCabe.

Mr Moloney, JJ McCabe and Lord Inchiquin were present in court last Wednesday and the case was ex- pected to last the day. However, the legal teams thrashed out a deal by lunchtime.

In the settlement, it stated that the

court make a declaration that Mr Moloney is entitled to be registered as the full owner of a 4.655 acre site and Mr McCabe is entitled absolute- ly to the other 4.655 acre site which is currently registered in his name.

The settlement added that Mr Mc- Cabe “is entitled to the €35,000 IFA goodwill payment to the sum of €150,000 held on joint deposit, together with pro-rata interest. The balance monies and interest be spilt 50-50 between the parties”.

The settlement also stated that Mr Moloney shall within 28 days re- move the double gates erected on the public right of way specified on an accompanying map and shall at his own expense erect a 90 metre perma- nent fence.

The settlement added: “Mr Molo- ney and Mr McCabe undertake not to interfere with each other in their use and enjoyment of their respective lands.”

The settlement also stated that Mr McCabe shall deal with Lord Inchi- quin’s costs and expenses and the proceedings against Lord Inchiquin be struck out, while Mr Moloney and Mr McCabe will pay their own oO Ee

TWO Ennis newsagents were fined by a judge for serving cigarettes to an underage boy.

Patrick Meehan of Meehan’s shop and Gerard Connellan of The Abbey Newsagency – both in Abbey Street – were prosecuted in separate cases by the Health Service Authority af- ter they each sold a pack of twenty Benson and Hedges to a fifteen-year

old boy.

The Ennis District court heard that the boy – the son of a HSE inspec- tor – was sent into both shops to buy the cigarettes on October 26, 2007 as part of a HSE compliance check.

Judge Joseph Mangan heard evi- dence from a HSE inspector that she stood to one side in both shops and witnessed the boy being served with- out being asked for any proof of age.

Both newsagents admitted the of-

fences. Defence solicitor for Patrick Meehan said in his client’s defence that at the time, the shop was packed with school children and he was alone, trying to serve while keeping an eye on what was going on in the ENO ee

Stephen Nicholas for Meehan said the boy who was sent to buy the ciga- rettes could easily have been older.

‘The boy who came to the counter and asked for cigarettes 1s two inches

P-NOCCoMmO SEDO MOON ae BCosb1m

“He looked old enough. My client made a judgement call that he was old enough. He refuses at least ten people a week because they are too young in his shop.”

Judge Mangan fined Meehan €100 but refused to award the costs of the HSE prosecution against him.

Defence for Gerard Connellan told the court that he was away from the premises for a very short period and

it was a young assistant who served the under-age boy with cigarettes.

“Despite the fact that he clearly instructs his staff about this, and al- though he works long hours, he hap- pened to be away at the bank at the time.

“The assistant ended her employ- ment with him immediately”.

Judge Mangan also fined Connellan €100 and did not award costs against him.

A FATHER had to be removed from a courtroom as he repeatedly inter- rupted, after his teenage son and daughter were remanded in custody for breaching their curfews.

The two are charged with an of- fence under the Public Order Act, arising out of an incident in Shannon on March 13.

When they appeared in court in April, both were granted bail, in- cluding that they abide by a curfew, of 8pm to 8am.

However, Shannon District Court heard last week that the duo were seen out in public in the Drumgeely area of the town at 11.30pm on April 26. The boy told the court he was “very sorry” for breaching his bail conditions and said it would not hap-

OLoemr Reee BONE

However, Inspector Michael Gal- lagher asked him where he was when gardai called to him at 10pm on May 5. He said he was walking his dog.

His sister also apologised for breaching her curfew on April 26. She was also asked where she was when gardai called at 10pm on May 5 and said she was at a friend’s house, watching a DVD. Inspector Gallagh-

er said he was seeking to have the two remanded in custody for a week.

Defending solicitor Caitriona Car- mody said both of her clients would undertake to abide by stricter re- gimes. “Perhaps you can remand them overnight. It will teach them a lesson,” she said.

However, Judge Joseph Mangan agreed to Inspector Gallagher’s re- quest and remanded the boy to St

Patrick’s Institution and the girl to Oberstown.

The defendants’ father then entered the courtroom, asking, “Can I say something?” Judge Mangan warned him he would be removed if he con- tinued to interrupt the court.

Moments later the man was taken from the court by gardai, amid pro- tests of “All I want to do is talk to my daughter.”

THE owner of land on which 450 trees were uprooted did not realise her responsibility for the trees, a court has been told.

Sarah McInerney (36), of Clohan- more, Cree, appeared before En- nistymon District Court, arising out of an inspection a year-and-half ago.

A forester with the Department of Agriculture and Food, Inspector Kevin Keary told Ennistymon Dis- trict Court that he had inspected a 0.9 hectare site on October 13, 2006.

He said that the site had been plant- ed in 1994 and a significant quantity of trees had been uprooted.

“It was impossible to count them without the aid of a JCB,” he said.

The court was told that an agree- ment was reached that the amount of trees was 450.

Defending solicitor Michael Ryan said his client had gone to her solici- tor when she was purchasing the land and there had been a “miscommuni- cation.”

Mr Kevin Keary accepted that Ms McInerney had no knowledge of any

legal obligations regarding those aKoxe

Mr Ryan said that “a portion of the trees had already been cut down when she purchased.”

He said his client, an Irish-Amert- can, moved to Ireland in 2003 and bought the property the following year.

“She never wanted the trees. She

felt as she wasn’t getting a grant, she had no responsibility for the trees. It wasn’t malicious. It was a genuine mistake,” he said.

He said that the department will be re-issuing a replanting order. His cli- ent would face the expense of this, along with clearing the area.

Judge Joseph Mangan fined her ol Op

A 17-YEAR-OLD WHO broke into a house and school in Shannon whilst on a cocktail of drugs and alcohol has been handed a six-month deten- tion term. However, the boy will not serve time if he is found suitable for community service.

The boy pleaded guilty to several charges, including burglary, theft and criminal damage, in Shannon.

He admitted criminal damage and theft at St John’s national school and damaging a glass window of a house at Drumgeely Hill, on December 22 last.

He also pleaded guilty to stealing a jumper from a woman’s clothes line, on January 2 last.

Garda David Laing told the court that a number of burglaries were car- ried out in the Drumgeely area of Shannon on December 22.

The first of these was St John’s School, where the accused broke a window at the back and entered the building with another youth. A class- room was ransacked, items were thrown across the floor but nothing was taken.

The boy then went to a house at Drumgeely Hill, along with three others. A hatchet was used to break

a garden shed door.

The accused then moved to another house at Drumgeely Hill, where a hatchet was used to break glass. A lamp, goldfish bowl and plasma tel- evision were taken.

He was disturbed by the occupants, after they arrived home from a shop- ping trip. In that house, he stole a one dollar bill from the Central Bank in Trinidad and Tobago and a small dagger. He was later arrested and gardai found the one dollar bill and dagger on his property.

“The day he committed the bur- glaries he was under the influence of drink, possibly drugs,’ said the

garda.

Three other juveniles who were in- volved with him that afternoon were dealt with under the juvenile liaison programme, which deals with young offenders by cautioning them.

Defending solicitor Caitriona Car- mody said her client had a “dysfunc- tional” upbringing.

“He was drinking on the night of the break-in to the school and house. He was on a cocktail of drugs and al- cohol. His life was a mess. He took the jumper to wear,’ she said.

A social worker with the Health Service Executive, who has worked with the boy, said he was “a polite and

well-mannered young man. He wants to make something of his life.”

The boy told the court he started taking ecstacy when he was about 15 years of age. Initially he did not take the drug regularly, but he did “get more into it” as time progressed.

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a six-month detention sentence in St Patrick’s Institution, but said he would substitute it with 240 hours community service, if the boy is suit- able for it.

He said he wants the boy to be screened for drugs and wants to see compensation addressed. He ad- journed the case until next month.

A LAHINCH hotel has been fined €3,000 for breaching legislation re- lating to the employment of two 15- year-old boys.

Before Ennistymon District Court was Ashdale Industries, trading as The Shamrock Inn, Main Street, La- hinch. A plea of guilty was entered in the case of 40 summonses.

A number of the summonses relat- ed to the hours worked by the boys. One had worked for seven consecu- tive days, during which he should have had a rest period minimum of two days.

Other summonses related to the employment of a child between the hours of 8pm and 8am which was not permissible under the Employment ae

The company also admitted to fail- ing to display the Protection of Young Persons Act on the premises.

Caroline Hayes, an inspector with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said she visited the premises in July 2007.

‘Breaches were found in relation to two of the employees. A child under- 16 wasn’t given the minimum rest period,” she said.

On several occasions the boys worked until the early hours of the

morning.

Defending solicitor Sharon Cahir said the two boys were working in the bar, where they were collecting glasses and restocking small bottles of minerals behind the bar.

“My client is aware of the impor- tance of the legislation. These young adults were 15-and-a-half years old. The parents were aware of the hours they were working in the hotel. It was five and six hour shifts,” said Ms Cahir.

“The notice is displayed in the area now, for current staff to see,’ she nee

“This Act was enacted over 12 years ago. Ireland was a very differ- ent place in terms of young people working. My client does not employ young people,” she said.

The court was told the maximum fine on each summons was €1,904. Ms Cahir asked the court to take a number of the summonses into ac- count.

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed fines of €500 on six of the summons- es and took the others into considera- tion. He also ordered the company to pay €550 costs.

AN additional 18 charges have been brought by the State, as part of an in- vestigation into alleged damage to a Bank of Ireland pass machine. Romanian nationals Pavel Cirpaci (29), of Carrig Court, Fortunes- town Lane, Tallaght, Dublin 24, and Gabriela Lupo (20), of Stewart House, Dublin 1, had nine charges

each brought against them in court last week.

They were both charged with un- lawfully withdrawing money – to- talling €4,860 – from nine Bank of Ireland accounts at New Street, Kil- larney, on February 11 last.

The amounts allegedly taken from the accounts range from €220 and a L0eR

Both were previously charged with

damaging a Bank of Ireland ATM at SkyCourt, Shannon, on February 12 last. At a previous court hearing into the matter, Judge Joseph Man- gan declined jurisdiction of the case and it was adjourned for preparation of the Book of Evidence for the Cir- cuit Court.

Shannon District Court heard last Thursday that the new charges were included in the Book of Evidence.

Both were returned for trial. The defendants’ barrister Michael Hour1- gan applied for bail for Mr Cirpaci, who was in custody.

‘He has a wife and child here. He has lived here for the past six years. It’s his entitlement to bail,’ said the barrister.

However, Judge Joseph Mangan re- fused the application. Ms Lupo was remanded on continuing bail.

A YOUNG Barefield woman broke down in tears as she listened to her sister, Laura, recall how her mother suffered from MRSA and kept the extent of her illness from her family.

Laura, a young mother of one, who has now found the strength to lead the Ennis support group, explained how she was due to give birth to her first child at the end of 2006 when the MRSA nightmare began for the EVOOUE As

“I was due to give birth to my daughter in Limerick. It would have been my mother’s first grandchild. My mother had Parkinson’s for years and she was admitted to Ennis hos- pital while I was in hospital for five weeks before I gave birth to Alicia.

“I had to go visit her in the Inten- sive Care Unit and go back to the maternity unit directly after my visit. Only for I took it upon myself and the matron in the maternity warned me about the MRSA bug, I would not be aware of the threat.

“T wasn’t asked to wash my hands. I wasn’t asked to do anything. I did it of my own accord. Nobody met me at the doors.

“IT wore no gowns going into the Intensive Care Unit. My mum had MRSA for 40 days and the doctors denied it. My mum visited Caher- calla for a short period and she had a bed sore that was left untreated. She went back to Ennis General Hospital again and it was left untreated there as well, only for my aunt took it upon herself everyday to wash the wound.

‘After I had my daughter who was prematurely born, it was a while be- fore I was able to visit my mum again. When I went in to visit her, she was in a public ward and they still denied she had MRSA. I was there with her as much as I could, not knowing she was carrying the bug and I’d go back to my daughter every night.

She died Christmas Eve morning. The day before she died, I just looked at her chart and her doctor had writ- ten MRSA, just two days before she ehteren

“Only for I looked at her chart that day, I would have never known. I lost the head and went out and called for the matron – or whoever she was – I don’t know. And they still denied it. The doctor came down and he denied it and it was written down in black and white. A day later she died.

‘“Ttis down on her death cert that she died of the bug. I made everybody on that ward know she carried it.

All these elderly people with open sores and they just lay beside her on the ward.”

AS CLARE County Council cele- brated the official opening of its civic offices on Thursday last the conver- sation among guests was dominated not by the architecture, the environ- mentally friendly heating system or the disability access but the walls – the very green walls.

While the building itself was green in the environmental sense of the word, the bright green paint high- lighted the modern architecture and guests were evenly divided into two camps – those that loved it and those that favoured magnolia.

Whatever the feelings it certainly

made a conversation piece for those in attendance for the afternoon par- AY

The no-show of Minister for the Environment John Gormley didn’t dampen the spirits as Clare’s first citizen Mayor Cllr Patricia McCa- rthy opened the €25 million civic building.

Aras Contae an Chlair now pro- vides accommodation for 300 staff, as well as meeting rooms, staff canteen, laboratory, Mayor’s office, Council Chamber and three party rooms for the elected members. 320 car parking spaces are provided at the rear of the building.

Director of Services David Timlin,

who oversaw the building project, outlined how the Corporate Head- quarters building incorporates a number of environmentally friendly measures and operates as a naturally ventilated building. Solar panels and a wood chip heating system have been installed.

While many former local authority members and staff from the county were in attendance at the opening one former county councillor, who served with the county council for 11 years, took pride of place.

One time councillor, now success- ful businessman Bernard McNa- mara, was involved in the building as Michael McNamara and County

Building Contractors won the con- tract to construct the prominent building on New Road.

“T am delighted to be here because I probably took a bigger scelp off this job for old times sake when we were tendering for it. I think it was fortu- nate that it was the times that were rete

“It was a design build finance job and the financial rates that were available at the time were extraordi- narily more benefited than they are at the present.

“So the delivery of cost per foot here is half to two thirds to what some of the local authorities have spent in these buildings,” he said.