Month: February 2009

A DISPUTE between a furniture shop manager and a member of staff led to the employee stealing more than €3,000 worth of furniture from the store.

As aresult, the now former employ- ee was charged with five offences in connection with the disappearance of the furniture from the shop, in NJ erveveeyee

Brian McDonnell went in at night and took an assortment of furniture from his former employer at Smith- town Furniture.

McDonnell (25), of Lismorris, Cuthar Rea, Lissycasey, admitted entering the premises as a trespasser and stealing a television unit and cof- fee table, valued at €719, between November | and 6 last.

He pleaded guilty to stealing a nest of tables, six chairs, two coffee tables, a coat stand, recliner chair, foot stool and two lockers – valued at €1,773 – from the premises between October 1, 2006 and October 1, 2008.

He also admitted stealing a nail gun, valued at €7/50, between No- vember 7 and 12 last.

He also admitted entering the premises as a trespasser with intent to commit theft on November 21 Ee

Garda Bryan McCarthy told Shan- non District Court on Thursday that he arrested the accused on February 12 last. He did not make any reply when five charges were put to him. Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client was pleading guilty to WSO ENE one

Inspector Tom Kennedy, prosecut- ing, said there were a number of charges of theft.

He explained that the total value of the property taken was €3,242. While it was recovered, it had to be resold as second-hand property and €1,246 was outstanding. “It tran- spired furniture was disappearing from the shop,” he said.

Garda McCarthy told the court that the accused had been employed for a number of years at Smithstown Fur- niture World, Smithstown, Shannon,

which was the injured party in the case.

He said McDonnell’s employment had ceased in September or Octo- ber last and subsequent to that “‘it’s alleged the shop was burgled four abe stone

“Since he was an employee, he still had a key. He used to open the front door and disarm the alarm and remove items of furniture from the shop,” he said.

“We viewed CCTV and we ob- served Mr McDonnell. He had his

van parked at the back,” he said.

‘As far back as two years, a certain amount of furniture was stolen from the shop,” he added.

Gda McCarthy said the property was for the defendant’s own use. He said that between October 1, 2006 and October 1, 2008, other items had been taken and were found on the de- fendant’s own property.

However, Ms Godfrey said her cli- ent would refute a large part of what the garda had said.

She said that her client – who has

no previous convictions – had been friendly with his employer Noel Justice for many years and they had gone on holidays to Orlando together with their families last June.

However, the relationship between the two men broke down after that and she said her client had since “walked out” on his job.

“Mr McDonnell will say he gave Noel Justice €2,000 in May of last year, in consideration of furniture,” she said. Gda McCarthy accepted that that had been said to him and

said that when the accused was ques- tioned initially, he told gardai that a dispute between himself and Mr Jus- tice had been behind it all.

Ms Godfrey said her client discov- ered that stamps had not been paid in respect of his employment and “un- der tremendous pressure” he went to the premises and took the furniture.

“My client had become so annoyed, so antagonised by the situation, his judgment was clouded. He accepts he shouldn’t have dealt with it in the way he did,” she added.

“He is mortified. He is embar- rassed. He is upset. Everything that was taken was recovered. My client has instructed me to pursue Mr Jus- tice separately for the €2,000,” she said.

“To use a colloquial term, he lost it. He felt that Mr Justice was not giving him satisfaction in any respect. He took the furniture, which in his mind was rightfully his. He should have taken a case against Mr Justice for either the money or the furniture,” added Ms Godfrey.

Noel Justice then took the stand and asked by Judge Joseph Mangan had there been a dispute, he said, “Yes.” Referring to the €2,000, he said that the accused had received furniture to the value of €1,520 and he had noti- fied him that a voucher for €480 was available for him in the shop “when he returned the items he had taken. . . He wasn’t happy with that.”

Ms Godfrey put it to Mr Justice that her client had €1,316 in court and that would ensure the witness would not be at any loss. He replied, “Td much prefer to seek legal advice off my own solicitor before I could decide what I could do.”

The solicitor said her client was well respected in his community.

Judge Mangan imposed a fine of €300 on one of the charges and took the others into consideration. He fixed a bond in the event of an ap- peal.

Jet FM hopes to freshen up Shannon airwaves

PARENTS of children attending Seamount College in Kinvara are calling on Education Minister, Batt O Keeffe, to clarify the future of the school before growing speculation causes a major drop in new enrol- ments.

Following the Governments deci- sion to delay the construction of a new school for Seamount earlier this month – fears have been growing that the whole project could be put in jeopardy.

After protracted discussions in 2007 the Sisters of Mercy, who own the current school building and premises, agreed to forgo closing the school until a facility was construct- ed by the Government.

The first condition on this decision however, was that the school be built without delay.

According to RESCUE, the parents eroup campaigning for the school, clarification is required urgently.

“The people of Kinvara have been waiting patiently for nearly two years since Ministers Noel Treacey and Tony Killeen stood on the stage in Seamount College and promised that Kinvara would have a new co-ed school – they told the assembled stu- dents, teachers and parents that the problem was over,’ said a RESCUE spokesperson.

“Tt is being publicly speculated that the Department of Education have appointed officials to visit Kinvara this month to inspect sites already identified for the new school, nego- tiations are at an advanced stage be- tween the Department and the Mercy

Sisters to keep Seamount College open until the new co-ed school is ready.

“These negotiations may include the lease or purchase of the existing school buildings by the department to allow the school to be developed to a co-educational model.”

RESCUE claim that the Depart- ment of Education have been unable to answer any of their questions in relation to the school’s future.

“The provision of a co-ed school in Kinvara was approved on the strength of the department’s own report of January 2008. RESCUE

questions whether the minister has ever read this report,” continued the spokesperson.

‘Before the last election, the Green Party, now partners in Government, made much noise about the provision for education in their 50 point plan. They made a specific commitment,

at national level, to second level edu- cation in Kinvara.”’

MEMBERS of the Ennis Forum are set to protest outside the offices of Ennis Town Council next Monday, WW ETKe see

Businesses are to gather at Guar- anakilla in the upper market area of Ennis at 2.30pm before marching to Waterpark House. The March month- ly meeting of Ennis Town Council is due to take place 3.30pm.

Prior to that meeting, representa- tives of the business lobby group will also deliver a letter outlining a number of issues that they insist the council must immediately address.

The forum is calling for commer- cial rates to be frozen at 2008 levels.

Members of Ennis Town Council agreed last December to increase commercial rates by three per cent.

Selo Coacreem-UNOMyc-VelRMN eke ttbate es to be phased in gradually and not levied as one large payment.

Public parking and taxi rank serv- ices are the other main issues ad- dressed in the letter.

‘All businesses are looking for a re- duction in the cost of doing business and an improvement in services,” said local Fine Gael councillor and Ennis Forum committee member, Johnny Flynn.

He continued, “We are asking that Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council step up and play their part to lower costs and retain

jobs in Ennis. Because that’s what’s its all about, keeping jobs in Ennis.”

CEO of Ennis Chamber and En- nis Forum committee member, Rita McInerney, said the forum had met regularly since a committee was es- tablished two weeks ago.

She said the objective of the protest was to publicly raise the concerns that have emerged in the business community over the past number of years.

“We want to sit down and find a way forward with the council. We are looking for an immediate reduction in rates and an immediate suspension in water charges. We understand that we have to pay for the interim treat- ment plant but there has been a huge

increase in water charges. It makes it difficult for any business trying to budget for the year ahead,” she said.

Ms McInerney said the forum was eager to meet with councillors and council officials but warned that all parties would have to be equally rep- resented at meetings.

“We want to make sure that all businesses have their voices heard,” she said.

Of the prospect of the Ennis Forum fielding a candidate in the forthcom- ing local elections, an option put for- ward at a Forum meeting two weeks, Ms McInerney said that the elections was not an “immediate issue’ and had not been discussed by the com- Hep LAK Lon

TRIBUTES were paid _ through- out the Fine Gael Party to outgoing councillor Madeleine Taylor Quinn just minutes after she announced her intention not to contest the 2009 lo- cal elections.

Amongst the first to pay tribute was the chairperson of the Fine Gael branch in Clare, Dick Pilk- ington.

‘Madeleine has been a true Fine Gael person. We have had many disagreements on policies and on

different things we agreed to differ,” he said.

He commended her for travelling from Donegal to Clare to ensure that Fine Gael secured a European seat for Jim Higgins in 2005.

“You have shown what a mayor should be. You have dignity and abil- ity and you are going to be a hard act to follow,” he said.

Joe Arkins, who chaired Friday night’s convention, congratulated her on her long involvement in poli- wee

“IT am particularly proud of you as

mayor of Clare and as someone I can look up to as mayor of Clare,” he said.

Cllr Taylor Quinn was the first Fine Gael member to be elected mayor of Clare, when she took office last June.

As she prepares to leave local poli- tics from the highest office possible, she has vowed to remain a member of Fine Gael and involved in polli- wee

Clare TD Joe Carey praised her for flying the Fine Gael flag in county Clare, “through thick and thin.”

“Madeleine Taylor Quinn always put the Fine Gael Party first. I have no doubt that your time in politics is not finished,” he said.

Fellow TD Pat Breen also added his regards.

“I was elected to Clare County Council with you in 1999, and while we had our political differences from time to time, we worked for the party very well together while I was on the council.

“I wish you well in your short little holiday. Do hope you have an extend- ed break if you can at all in it, and I

know that you will be there with us all in the local elections, lending a hand,” he said.

Cllr Oliver Garry, who will con- tinue to contest the election in the Kilrush area said, “I have yet to meet anybody that has not praised her on the job of mayor, from all sides of politics.

“She is probably the best mayor to have ever represented this council and I wish you well for the next five months.”

He thanked her for her support dur- ing his first term in the council.

“T have served for 30 years on at council, and at this point in time I have other things I feel I’d like to do.

I’d like a break from elections at this stage.”

Elections have been part of the west Clare woman’s life since she was a child, as she watched her late father Frank go on the hustings.

He served as a TD until 1981, when she ran in his place.

Prior to that Cllr Taylor Quinn had been elected to the county council.

She now hopes to concentrate on her legal interests and plans to set up a consultancy business, drawing on

her legal and political expertise.

Although she is the youngest mem- ber of the council in the Kilrush Electoral Area, she is also one of the longest serving.

Asked if she will remain involved with Fine Gael she said, “At this stage I couldn’t see why not. I have made a major contribution to the Fine Gael party. I was a member of the Fine Gael party long before I was an elected member. I was one of the founding members of young

Fine Gael. I was the first woman to be elected to an honorary position as honorary secretary back in 1979.

“IT have flown the flag for Fine Gael,” she said.

Her impressive résumé also in- cludes a number of years on the front bench in opposition, work on the Maastricht Treaty and the women’s rights committee, and she chaired the Select Committee on Judicial Yo or bee lelone

In 1982 Taylor Quinn almost left

politics after a series of malicious ru- mours threatened to finish her bud- ding career.

Back fighting she was re-elected in November 1982.

Born in Moyasta, she went to Mo- yasta National School, Convent of Mercy, Kilrush, and University Col- lege Galway.

She was first elected to Clare Coun- ty Council in 1979, and served as a TD from 1981-1982 and 1982-1992. She was a senator from 1992-2002.

ELECTED members of Clare Coun- ty Council who have been unhappy with the way the planning process is being applied in Clare should ad- dress their concerns to the govern- ment, who are now drawing up new planning legislation.

That was what councillors were told in an answer to a motion before the local authority from Cllr PJ Kel- ly (FF) asking for a definition of the term ‘proper planning and sustain- able development’.

In the official answer, Cllr Kelly was referred to a source book which described the term in the context of Global equity an issue “which has absolutely nothing to do with plan- ning in county Clare”.

The councillor was also told that the government is in the process of drawing up new planning legisla- tion and this was an opportunity for members to express their views.

Cllr Kelly said that as far as he can see, the term “is different things for different areas and it leads to incon- sistency and injustice in a big way. It allows the maximum discretion to planners but what it boils down to 1s that each applicant will be given a fair trial but they can be sure they’Il be shot at dawn.”

The councillor said that “people have suffered because of the interpretation of this and I would hope that when new legislation comes into being, this term will be properly defined.”

A TWO-YEAR Clare bid to ensure seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong travels to Ireland paid off yesterday when it was offi- cially confirmed that the Texan will take part in the Tour of Ireland in PaUUaU ee

It comes on the back of a long cam- paign by Clare hurler Tony Griffin to entice Armstrong, one of the most recognisable faces in global sports, to the country.

Almost two-years to the day that Griffin firet visited Armstrong at his home outside Austin, Texas, and first suggested the trip to Ireland, the cy- clist has confirmed that it will hap- pen later this year.

It’s also highly likely that Griffin will play a major part in Armstrong’s visit as at present, Griffin is in the final stages of establishing a unique Irish company that will cater for the training and logistical requirements for amateur and elite athletes and teams visiting Ireland.

“It’s highly possible that Lance

Armstrong will be one of the first clients of the company and we will have a professional attachment to his visit” Griffin said yesterday, “but at the moment, we’re just apprecia- tive that he’s coming to Ireland in the summer. It’s a huge coup for the country in general.

“T have been in regular contact with him since we first met in 2007 and over a series of emails, it was be- coming ever more clear to me that he was, at last, going to come to Ireland. Not only will it raise the profile of cycling in this country, it will help in this country’s fight against cancer.”

Griffin’s relationship with Arm- strong goes back to his cycle across Canada, which raised funds for can- cer research, €400,000 of which go- ing to Livestrong, Armstrong’s own charity which also seeks to battle cancer.

Four weeks ago, Griffin met with the Livestrong Chief of Staff, Mor- gan Binswanger, at a private meeting in Dublin and at that stage, it was be- coming clear Armstrong would take part in the Tour of Ireland.

“Lance is going to use the Tour of Ireland as a launching pad for a ma- jor event, the first Livestrong Global Cancer Summit, which takes place in Dublin. Ireland overcame a strong bid from France to secure Dublin as the location for this and I remember speaking to Lance on the first day we met and him saying he was delighted we had led the way in fighting can- cer by banning smoking in public places.”

HISTORY in the making as St Caimin’s finally overcame Ard Scoil Ris at the second attempt to reach their first ever Harty Cup final. A ti- gerish display throughout ensured it was the Shannon side who advanced in Meelick on Sunday in a game that was low on scores but high on ten- sion.

In attempting to sum up Sunday’s game, one phrase said it all about St Caimin’s. As the players emerged for the second half, St Caimin’s cen- tre-back Kevin Lynch urged his side that ““Now is the time” and that apt philosophy was the main difference between the sides on Sunday. St Caimin’s appetite for the battle and refusal to allow Ard Scoil Ris any room to manoeuvre rather unnerved the Limerick side and it was obvious that St Caimin’s had done a lot of ex- tra homework since the drawn game.

As aresult, Ard Scoil Ris never re- motely reached the heights of their last three tough encounters against St Flannan’s and St Caimin’s and for long periods, this game somewhat passed them by. The majority of 50- SO balls were won by St Caimin’s who made up for their obvious physi- cal disadvantage by blocking, hook- ing and making life generally dif- ficult for the Limerick side and that perseverence is why St Caimin’s de- servedly prevailed.

In the first meeting between this pair, the Shannon side got off to a blistering start and again that was the formula for success here. In fact, within the first minute, they were awarded a penalty after Alan Mul- ready picked out the unmarked Sean Hynan in front of goal and goalkeep- er PJ Hall had no choice but to bring him down though Patrick Sheehan’s penalty was stopped by Shane Dowl- ing.

That frentic start set the tone for the afternoon but it was to take six min- utes for the opening score through Alan Mulready and the Sixmileb- ridge man was also involved in the second score as he set up fellow club- mate Timmy Crowe to double their lead by the 10th minute.

In contrast, Ard Scoil Ris hit four wides in the same period and in fact, took sixteen minutes to finally grab

their first score through a Kevin Downes free. St Caimin’s however, were backed by a strong breeze and made that advantage count in the final ten minutes of the half, with Patrick Sheehan assuredly convert- ing four frees, with the only reply a similar Downes effort that left the half-time score 0-6 to 0-2.

Ard Scoil Ris had yet to settle but aided by the wind, they threw the game wide open after the restart with a Superb opportunist goal from Kevin Downes. A lofty Conor Ryan lineball from just inside the St Caimin’s half was gathered by Downes who made half a yard for himself before strik-

ing a pin-point shot into the right corner of the net.

Momentum was now firmly with the Limerick side but credit St Caimin’s for digging in and refusing to lie down. They did ride their luck a little as Ard Scoil Ris piled on the pressure in search of an equalising point but four successive wides from the Limerick side including a near miss for goal after James O’Brien got a deft flick to a Declan Hannon long ball, kept St Caimin’s in front.

They weathered the storm though and with Lynch’s words perhaps still ringing in their ears, they did seize the moment, hitting three successive

points to restore their four point lead. Two well-worked scores from Padra- ic Collins and a John Guilfoyle point put the Clare side 0-9 to 1-2 ahead by the 49th minute but Ard Scoil Ris were not finished yet and after Dec- lan Hannon converted a 65, substi- tute Jamie Shanahan burst through on goal but had his shot tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Tommy Grit- neon

Now only trailing by two, Ard Scoil Ris upped the ante and St Caimin’s had Griffin again to thank for keeping out a Brendan O’Connor pull in the 52nd minute. Some great defending from Enda Byoce in par-

ticular kept St Caimin’s heads above water and as Ard Scoil Ris became more desperate and pushed players forward, the Shannon side cleverly picked them off on the break.

In the 54th minute, the ball broke inside the Ard Scoil Ris half where Timmy Crowe and his marker To- mas Nolan were isolated and when Crowe won the race to the ball, No- lan had no option but to pull him down, receiving his second yellow as Sheehan easily converted the free. A similar incident only minutes later involving Padraic Collins and goal- keeper PJ Hall saw Sheehan hit the insurance point for St Caimin’s and create history for the emerging side to reach their first ever Harty decider. The reward for the Shannon school is a clash with Thurles CBS in Nenagh on March 8, a repeat of their first round clash in which the Tipperary side came out on top. However, after coming through these two bruising encounters St Caimin’s won’t fear their more illustrious opponents in their determined charge for success.

HAVING taken on board some north- ern influence last year in the shape of All-Ireland winning manager Mick- ey Harte from Tyrone and Seamus McEneaney from Monaghan, Clare football champions Kilmurry Ibrick- ane have already begun their quest to defend their county title by looking north once more.

Over the weekend, Tony Scullion, an All-Ireland winner with Derry in 1993, visited the West Clare club and laid some foundations for what could be another hugely successful season. His visit came a week before the be- ginning of the Cusack Cup and re- inforces the fact that the West Clare side will be the obvious team to beat throughout 2009.

Scullion was widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers to play for Derry and is among the few play- ers who won four All Stars over the course of their career. It’s not as if Scullion lacks any sideline knowl-

edge though.

He was part of Ulster’s backroom team during last year’s Railway Cup and it was for this and for his well- known ability as a motivator that he made the long trip to the West of Clare to kick-start Kilmury Ibrick- ane’s season.