Month: August 2008

A DRUMBIGGLE man, who took a Swipe at a Garda patrol car with an axe, has a history of mental difficul- ties a judge was told.

34-year-old Sean Sullivan of 16 Waterpark Heights, Drumbiggle, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Firearms Act when he appeared before Ennis District Court yester- day.

The court heard evidence that gardai were called to Waterpark on May 2, 2007, where they found Sulli- van in conversation with his mother.

A Garda witness told the court that as they arrived on the scene “Sul- livan had his back to us. When he turned around he was holding an axe and when he spotted us, he rushed at the patrol car and swung the axe.

Thankfully, no one was hurt.”

Sullivan’s solicitor, Tara Godfrey produced letters from a consultant psychiatrist and told the court that her client had a history of depression and manic episodes.

He had been diagnosed with At- tention Deficit Disorder and has been suffering the negative effects of being cared for in institutions as PO NEen

“He goes through periods where he is stabilised and is quite able to cope. We would ask the court to ex- tend bail conditions but if a sentence is being imposed we would ask that it not be too long a sentence, as it 1s virtually impossible for him to re- ceive proper treatment for his prob- lems 1n prison.”

Judge Leo Malone imposed a two month jail sentence.

I went to get in that way. When I in his sister’s living room waiting to pulled the latch, the glass broke.” loLome DU KINO MANS OMON eA ArT OBA VOOR A JUDGE yesterday jailed a man for He told the court that the window “He is very apologetic. He didn’t four months for breaking a window __ had been cracked before he broke it. | mean to break the window and im- in his sister’s house. Gardai agreed that Maughan was mediately said he would pay for it as

Michael Maughan (34) with ad- dresses at 18 Beechwood, Clare- castle and 20 Stone Court, Ennis pleaded guilty but said breaking the window at his sister’s house at Station Court Road on August 24 was an accident.

He told Judge Leo Malone that he had been staying with his sister and there were some papers at her house which he needed to bring to Bushy Park where he is trying to get a place to deal with his drink problem.

“I knocked at the door but there was no answer and I know she leaves the back window open so

soon as possible,’ Maughan’s so- licitor, Tara Godfrey said.

Maughan, who has more than 30 previous convictions, had ap- peared before the same court last week on charges of theft and as- sault on a staff member at Dunnes NIKO tee

Judge Leo Malone had imposed fines and a suspended sentence on that occasion but said that he “gave this man a chance on sub- stantial charges last week. I won’t be giving him another one.”

THE negative effect of the Aer Lin- gus decision to abandon its Shannon/ Heathrow route is highlighted in the latest figures which show the airport losing almost 70,000 passengers on its London routes since the start of the year.

Figures released by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) show that Shannon has lost 68,423 passengers on its London routes for the first sev- en months of the year.

Figures for July show a drop of 16 per cent or 11,423 passengers to and from London on the corresponding period last year when the Heathrow service was in place.

Ryanair has introduced an addi- tional service to try to make up for the shortfall but they are failing to make up the deficit.

Ryanair has increased passenger numbers on its Stansted service from 29,333 to 33,946 for July and also increased its Gatwick number from 10,902 last year to 18,915.

The airline also launched a Luton service that delivered 8,171 in July. However, the new service doesn’t make up for the 32,220 that used the Shannon Heathrow service in July 2007.

Many passengers in the Mid-west are going to Cork to fly to Heath- row and the Cork Airport Authority (CAA) continues to benefit at Shan- non’s expense.

Cork increased its passenger num- bers to and from Heathrow during July by 19 per cent on the corre-

sponding month last year. The airport recorded a 13.5 per cent increase on its London Heathrow service for the first six months, going from 224,669 for the first six months of last year to 255,000 from January to June 2008. The bad news for Shannon was not confined to the London market with the economic downturn contributing to a drop of 11 per cent in passenger numbers to other UK destinations in July. 48,739 passengers used Shan- non to and from other UK destina- tions compared to 55,349 last year.

Routes to show a drop in traffic include Glasgow Prestwick (down 1,558); Nottingham (down 4,142) and Liverpool (down 1,314).

However, other routes performed well including Bournemouth (up 772) and Manchester (up 2,237).

With a number of Ryanair routes not performing as well as they did last year, airport management will be wary of Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary’s comment that Shannon is only one of two Ryanair basses that is losing money.

PROSPECTS of Aer Lingus revers- ing its controversial decision to aban- don its Shannon/Heathrow service in favour of Belfast have received a ma- jor setback with latest figures show- ing that the Belfast service now lags only 2,258 passengers behind the figures for Shannon.

UK Civil Aviation Authority fig- ures for July show that 29,962 pas- sengers travelled on the new Belfast/ Heathrow route last month compared

to 32,220 on the Shannon/Heathrow route for the same month last year.

Through aggressive pricing and marketing, Aer Lingus is heading towards recapturing the passenger numbers it had on the Shannon route less than six months after the launch of the Belfast service.

The gap of 10,009 for the month of June between the two services year on year was closed by 7,751 in favour of Belfast last month.

Aer Lingus spokesman, Enda Cor- neille said they were very encouraged

by the figures which were consistent with what the airline been saying all ~NKeyatee

Load factor for July on the Belfast route was 74 per cent and Mr Cor- neille said, “We are pleased with the load factor and that traffic 1s building month on month and shows that the business case of setting up the Bel- fast/Heathrow route is sound.”

“You can’t compare the Shannon service to the Belfast service as the Shannon service was in place for a number of years and the Belfast

service 18 only in place a number of ne Levels else

He said the Belfast service had gone from zero to a load factor of 74 per cent in a matter of months.

“We are pleased with the perform- ance of all our new routes at our Bel- fast base, but especially the Heath- row route.”

Figures for the first seven months show that 139,271 passengers used the Belfast/Heathrow service — 62,000 behind in passenger numbers on the Shannon/Heathrow service

for the same period last year.

202,219 passengers used the Shan- non/Heathrow service for the first seven months of last year.

At a Dail Transport Committee hearing last month, Aer Lingus chief executive, Dermot Mannion said he regretted the damage that was caused to the airline’s reputation in the Shan- non area during three or four months of last year. He later added that, “we have not ruled out any future short- haul operations from Shannon Auir- port”.

IRISH airlines have welcomed the British Competition Commission’s initial ruling that could end BAA’s monopoly ownership of London’s biggest airports.

Ryanair has called on the Govern- ment to move on the separation of Dublin, Shannon and Cork from the ruling hand of the Dublin Airport

Authority.

“The British Competition Commis- sion has confirmed that monopoly airports and an inadequate regulator has damaged the consumer interest in the UK,” said Ryanair’s director of legal and regulatory affairs, Jim CRE Yd ste

“Sadly, Ireland has followed this same failed model, which is why Dublin Airport provides such atro-

cious customer service at ever in- creasing costs to passengers.”

Mr Callaghan said that Ryanair has “no interest” in Owning any part of Stanstead, the airline’s biggest base, if itis sold but added that the airline will work in tandem with any new owner.

He added that Ryanair would also benefit from the sale of either Glas- gow or Edinburgh airports.

Meanwhile, Aer Lingus has also welcomed the British commission’s announcement.

A break up of the monopoly would result in lower landing costs for air- lines and this could be passed on in benefits to passengers, a spokesman for the airline said.

CLARE musicians were among the top prizewinners at the 2008 Fleadh Cheoil Na hEireann in Tullamore over the weekend. Ruan fiddle player Eimear Arkins took home one of the competition’s major individual prizes by coming first in the under 18 fiddle slow airs.

Eimear has 11 All-Ireland med- als and holds solo All-Ireland titles in Fiddle Slow Airs, English Sing- ing, Sean Nos Singing, Lilting and Comhra, as well as Bands and Grupa Ceoil.

Eimear had toured with Comhaltas in the 2007 Tour of Ireland and the 2008 Tour of Britain. She will be touring with Comhaltas in the 2008 North American tour during October no. ;

Eimear is also a member of Inis Og Ceili band who won the prestigious under 18 bands competition.

Other individual Clare winners in Tullamore included Aisling Hunt representing the Tulla branch of com- haltas in the under 12-button accor- dion; Siobhain Ni Ogain represent- ing the Corofin branch in the senior whistle category and Fergal Breen from the Doora-Barefield branch in the under 12 ulieann pipes.

Clare performed well across the cat- egories. The banner enjoyed success

in the under 12 instrumental groups section with Grupa Ceoil Burren and Grupa Ceoil Tigh na Coille finishing second and third respectively.

There was also a strong Clare showing in the dance competitions. St Mary’s took first place in the un- der 12 all-girls. In the mixed under 12-category St Joseph’s finished in third position while in the mixed un- der 15s St Michaels took first place.

The other west Clare set dancers taking part in the All-Ireland senior competition, Diabhliocht na hOige, also did the county proud by finish- ing second behind the other Clare set Kincora.

A SHORTAGE of new houses in Clare was predicted yesterday af- ter figures show the number of new house starts is only 29 per cent of what it was five years ago.

Local auctioneer, Dermot McMa- hon of Sherry Fitzgerald McMahon made the prediction after depart- ment figures confirmed that local authorities in Clare have received commencement notices for just 392 houses in the first half of this year.

This compares to the 1,330 com- mencement notices received for the same period in 2004. The figures provided by the Department of the

Environment show that there has been a steady decline in new house starts since 2004.

Last year there were 546 new house starts in the first half of the year and this followed 851 new house starts for the same period in 2006. There were 1,278 new house starts in 2005 and 1,330 in 2004.

Mr McMahon said that the inevita- ble consequence will be a shortage of new homes. Calling for Government intervention to help the first time buyer, he said that this would perco- late to other parts of the market.

“Confidence in the economy is the main thing needed for the housing market to recover,’ he said.

The McMahon auctioneering busi- ness has been in place for over a 100 years, and Mr McMahon said, “There are cycles and they can hurt people and there is a generation for whom this is a new experience.”

Cormac O’Sullivan of O’Sullivan Hurley DNG said that it will be well into 2009 before a significant meas- ure of consumer confidence will re- turn to the market.

He said however that confidence had increased in recent weeks with more viewings and inquiries. “People are holding back but if the prices are right, properties will sell,” he said.

In the past five workings day, his firm recorded four sale agreements.

THE Health Service Executive’s fail- ure to replace retired surgeons at En- nis General Hospital has raised fresh concerns over the downgrading of the hospital. ;

Mr Gerry Byrnes and Mr Denis O Ceallaigh, two of the longest serving consultants at the hospital, recently retired from their senior positions at

the Ennis Hospital.

Asked if the HSE plan to replace them with two full-time surgeons or with locum surgeons who will be shared with other hospitals, a spokes- woman said they had been replaced by locum consultants who “work ex- clusively at Ennis General”.

One of the locums is understood to be on a long-term contract and Green Party county councillor Brian

Meaney has expressed unease with the situation given that the HSE has initiated a review of surgical serv- ices.

“It seems we won’t just be battling for A and E but also for surgery. If the hospital cannot retain surgery, it will effectively kill off the A and E, because you won’t have access to all acute facilities,’ he said

Ennis Hospital Development

Committee chairman Ciaran O’Dea said the refusal of the HSE to replace retiring consultants with permanent appointments was further evidence, if any was needed, that the HSE will continue to undermine the future op- erational feasibility of Ennis Hospi- ee

‘Mary Harney’s stated strategy for the hospital is to remove 24-hour A and E status. One would have to wonder if there is a level of suffering or “acceptable losses” which the HSE will tolerate in the apparent drive to reduce services in Ennis to minor in- jury and day care treatment.

“The continuing delays in upgrad- ing the hospital, the recent “Ennis bypass” ambulance protocol, staffing embargos and the failure to replace consultants or provide staff for a CT scanner are all issues that lead one to wonder how many more will suf- fer before the HSE decide that Clare people deserve a properly resourced hospital and health service.

“It is increasingly obvious that a new approach is needed to combat the pressures to centralise services and population.

“It 1s unacceptable to the people of this county that our lives and the lives of our loved ones will be sac- rificed for an ineffective, inefficient unaccountable national body and political system, which seems to dis- regard councillors and TDs alike, as has happened with other issues such as Shannon Airport,’ Mr O’Dea con- cluded.

DESPITE the rain, hail and winds they danced, played and sang in Kil- rush at the weekend as visitors and locals made the most of the Eigse Mrs Crotty.

The public houses and workshops were a place of refuge and entertain- ment, as the crowds forgot one of the wettest Augusts on record with the help of an accordion, tin whistle or bodhran.

The Eigse Mrs Crotty Festival is in its 13th year and the traditional mu- sic festival has grown to incorporate music, singing and dancing work- shops, a Mrs Crotty memorial con- cert, singing sessions, recitals and a vibrant session trail.

The five-day festival would not be possible without the hard work of the local committee and the influence of the talented Mrs Crotty.

Born Elizabeth Markham in 1885 near Cooraclare, Mrs Crotty, was the youngest of the large Markham fam- ily. By the time of her death in 1960

she had become recognised as one of Ireland’s foremost exponents of the concertina

She married Miko Crotty and to- gether they established Crotty’s Pub- lic House in the Square, Kilrush. It was from this House of Music that Elizabeth Crotty’s reputation qul- etly grew. Ciaran MacMathuna’s first excursion to rural Ireland in the 1950’s with RTE’s mobile unit was to record the talented woman for the nb usa bE Toe

Mrs Crotty was described as a gentle and unassuming woman and a natural musician who enjoyed a unique mastery of the concertina.

It was said that people would seek out her company and sit quietly cap- tivated as she played. According to the official website “what she loved most of all was teaching and encour- aging young musicians”.

The spirit of this inspiring woman was well and truly in Kilrush this weekend as young people learnt from talented musicians and singers as part of the many workshops.

THE accumulated losses of Lahi- nch Seaworld have now passed the €500,000 mark after the company’s latest returns show the centre sus- tained a small loss in 2007.

According to the company’s |at- est returns to the Companies Office, Lahinch Seaworld sustained a loss of €10,900 in 2007, a drop on the €16,400 suffered in 2008.

The centre’s accumulated losses now stand at €507,000, however, centre director, Cllr Richard Nagle (FF) remained bullish yesterday over the financial state of the centre and its future prospects with the open- ing of a new gym that is expected to boost revenues.

The accounts also show that there has been a significant upturn in its cash-flow activities, increasing to 99,000 last year from ©22,000 the

previous year.

Cllr Nagle said yesterday, “The centre is doing very well and is being run very efficiently and costs are be- ing constantly monitored.

“There has been a very positive re- sponse to the gym and the new facili- ties will benefit tourists and locals alike.”

As a member of the board who doesn’t receive any fees for their involvement in the centre, Cllr Na-

gle said, “This summer’s miserable weather has shown just how impor- tant Lahinch Seaworld is for Lahinch where families can go and enjoy the facilities available.”

“By remaining open all year round, Lahinch Seaworld is a tremendous asset for the community. For exam- ple, 36 schools use the centre for swimming lessons.”

According to a statement accom- panying the accounts, the strategy of

the company is to actively promote its services and to be competitive.

The accounts show that an increase in turnover to €805,000 compared to €779,000 in 2006.

The accounts also show that the centre has 34 people employed with staff costs last year totalling €415,000 and has a bank loan, which is guaranteed by Clare County Coun- cil. The council this year contributed €60,000 to the centre.