Month: April 2009

THE Health Information and Qual- ity Authority found that services at Ennis General Hospital were unsafe.

In its 13l-page report following an investigation into the quality and safety of services and supporting ar- rangements provided by the Health Service Executive at the Mid-West- ern Regional Hospital Ennis, the au- thority found it was unsafe to keep the service configuration at the hos- pital as it currently was.

However, according to the report there were significant opportunities for high quality, appropriate services to be provided at Ennis General in the future but these must be safe for the benefit of the public.

According to HIQA, the investiga- tion found examples of good non- acute care being provided at the Clare hospital and a committed ethos from Hospital staff. It also identified a range of services which could be greatly expanded and enhanced at the hospital in the future, including diagnostic services, outpatients, day procedures, appropriate medical care, minor injuries and rehabilita- tion as part of the Regional Hospital Weiaerae

Dr Tracey Cooper, Chief Execu- tive of the Health Information and Quality Authority, said, “The inves- tigation found that the hospital as it is currently configured is unsafe and will need to change the range and types of services it provides for its patients in order to build a thriving, appropriate and safer future for the community that it serves.

“Tt is therefore vitally important that the Health Service Executive sets about planning the implementation of all the recommendations contained in this report, in conjunction with staff

and local communities. Similarly, it is important to ensure that appropri- ate facilities, resources and staff are in place throughout the Mid-Western Hospital Network to effectively man- age these changes safely.”

Diane Whittingham, the chairper- son of the authority’s investigation team, said, “What has driven this investigation is a concern for safety and quality, and there are significant opportunities for high quality, ap- propriate services to be provided at MWRH Ennis in the future.

‘To ensure that these services are fit for purpose, the HSE should, as

a priority, undertake a review of the effective management, leader- ship and governance arrangements at Mid-Western Regional Hospital Limerick to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to guar- antee the effective management and safe implementation of these chang- es. However, it is clear that it is un- safe to keep the current service con- figuration at MWRH Ennis and the changes recommended in this Report must happen in a safe and effective manner.”

The Report highlighted a lack of clarity and accountability and found

that there is no single person at hospi- tal level who is fully accountable for the quality and safety of services.

Dr Cooper said, “The case for change has to be developed and com- municated clearly and effectively to patients, the public and healthcare workers. The authority will request the Health Service Executive to pro- duce an implementation plan for the efficient, safe and effective imple- mentation of the 65 recommenda- tions contained within the Report and we look forward to working with it and all other stakeholders to driver safer services.”

THE area around the west Clare par- ish of Cooraclare was in shock this bank holiday weekend, as a third life was lost at a notorious accident blackspot.

Jim Ahearn was less than three miles from his new home in Dan- ganallen, Cooraclare, when his 4×4 Discovery Jeep struck a ditch and overturned at approximately 5pm on Saturday evening.

The 54-year-old died in the single- vehicle collision at Tullabrack East.

Mr Ahearn, a native of County Limerick, was new to the area, hav- ing moved to west Clare after return- ing from England.

The accident victim was alone in the jeep with his dog at the time of the accident.

The dog warden removed the dog KO) TOM NO oMeo Io

ENNIS RFC has – successfully claimed four points at a hearing of the Munster Junior Committee fol- lowing claims that Clanwilliam FC failed to honour a fixture.

The hearing was held on Thurs- day last at the Springfort Hall Hotel, Newtwopothouse, Cork where the Clanwilliam club was not represent- ed.

While the clash was listed to be played on Sunday last, that game did not go ahead following Ennis’

successful claim of the points. The Munster Junior League, Division 2 game was originally listed for Sun- day February |, however it was post- poned because Clanwilliam’s pitch was deemed unplayable on the pre- vious day. However, Ennis have also claimed that Clanwilliam hosted a visiting team on the following day, Monday.

At a Muster Junior Committee meeting on Thursday March 5, the fixture was listed for March 15tand published on the Munster Branch web site. On Wednesday March 11 how-

ever, Clanwilliam contacted Ennis’s Honorary Fixtures Secretary to tell him that there had been a mistake in the Munster Rugby website and that the game was fixed for March 22.

Ennis contacted the chairman of the Munster Junior Committee and told him in as far as Ennis was con- cerned, the fixture was made, listed, a referee appointed and that the Clare club would be travelling to Clanwil- liam F.C. on the arranged date, Sun- day the 15th. Ennis then phoned Clanwilliam and informed the club of the same.

Ennis claims that they were told they would be “on their own in Tip- perary as Clanwilliam F.C. would not be fielding.” Ennis then moved to claim the four points for this fixture.

“We all signed up to abide by the rules of this competition at the be- ginning of the season and accept the rulings of the Munster Junior Com- mittee. It is our opinion that Clanwil- liam F.C. have deliberately set out to defy the committee and honorary fixtures secretary’s rulings. Should we be able to prove they played a visiting team on Monday we will be

asking that rule 6 (a) of the junior league competition be implemented including the automatic demotion to the next lower division,” a letter from Ennis RFC to the Munster Junior Goes MKeomelKeee

At last Thursdays meeting, the En- nis club was awarded the four points in the absence of Clanwilliam, however there is now likely to be a further hearing after Clanwilliam lodged an objection to the Munster Junior Committee decision.

PENALTY shoot-outs rarely have fa- vourites but even in the tension, there were little signs that this was going to be Shannon Olympic’s day.

After Ray Quigley saw his spot kick saved by Rhine goalkeeper Ro- nan Gallagher, referee David McCa- rthy ordered the strike re-taken, for Gallagher’s movement off the line.

Quigley made no mistake at the second time of asking. With the score 4-4, Paul O’Connor stepped up for Olympic’s first sudden death penalty.

Again Gallagher saved. Or so it seemed. In pushing the ball clear, Gallagher was dealt a massive stroke of bad luck when it rebounded off his foot and trickled back into the net.

Seconds later David Collins thumped home before Olympic goal- ie Kieran McCarthy guessed cor- rectly to save from Enda Malone. We

had our winners, a mightily jubilant Olympic.

As cup-ties go, you couldn’t have asked for much more. In an action packed first half, Rhine scored early on before Olympic struck twice to lead 2-1.

In first half of injury time, Noel Donnellan felled David O’Brien in- side the box. Johnny O’Brien con- verted from the spot for his second ON alomee NYA

From there on Olympic had more clear chances than their opponents to win it. Rhine too had their moments and even had a goal rubbed out for handball in the closing stages of ex- tra time.

Second Division Rhine set the ball rolling when Johnny O’Brien thumped home from the edge of the area in the 10th minute. It didn’t take long for Olympic to respond with O’Connor’s terrific strike restoring parity.

Gallagher’s booming free kicks regularly located Rhine’s _ lively frontmen and caused plenty of prob- lems for Olympic’s back four.

But with Jason Regan and Don- nacha Kelly pulling the strings for Olympic, it was the Shannon side who edged ahead. Wayne Regan whipped in a terrific corner and Kelly rose to head home in the 32nd minute.

Rhine persevered and were reward- ed with an equaliser through Johnny O’Brien’s penalty. David O’Brien’s half volley shaved the post just after half time. At the other end, Gallagher did well to keep out Jason Regan. Ol- ympic had a better chance moments later when O’Connor’s shot bounced to Gallagher.

The last chance of normal time fell to Rhine’s Caimin O’Connor who pulled his shot just wide. O’Connor again went close for Olympic in the first half of extra time as did Ray

Quigley.

It was time for penalties. Johnny O’Brien and Jason Regan both netted before the tie was eventually settled in Olympic’s favour.

Rhine go back to chasing promo- tion. Olympic, well placed near the summit of division one with a cup Semi-final to come, can still dream of the double.

DON’T be fooled by the four goals.

True, there was plenty of goalmouth action and those four goals but you could easily draw a line under things Neuse

All because, this was a dreadfully poor spectacle — the bite you’d asso- ciate with a cup tie at this advanced stage of the competition was sadly missing. Instead it was a tepid affair served up by two teams that certainly didn’t show their best.

Not that Lifford really cared at the end of this excruciatingly boring 90 minutes — they were full value for the win and if anything should have won by more as they closed to within one more win of a first Clare Cup final appearance in 33 years.

Both sides were understrength, but the loss of Stephen Hickey and Shane Daniels to the Rock Rovers cause was more keenly felt than Declan McMahon and Gary McNaboe’s ab- sence for Lifford.

Daniels’ commanding presence was badly missed in the centre of the defence while their attack was some- thing akin to a blunt instrument in the absence of Hickey, who has been scoring goals for fun all season.

It rendered Rock a pale shadow of the team that won an historic first Clare Cup title last season and meant that Lifford didn’t have to over-ex- tend themselves to cruise into the ETS me celtie

They were on their way as early as the fifth minute when the combative Roberto Pinto bustled his way from the edge of the area to the byline before centering for Ryan Boyle to sidefoot home the lead goal from eight yards.

It was as if Lifford were expecting an easy day of it after that opening

strike, because they subsequently sat

back on the lead and let Rock Rovers

come at them for a lot of the half. They didn’t pay the price for this

lax attitude, but should have. Rock could have had two penalties before Roberto Pinto made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute. In the 20th minute a

Lifford handball in their own area was waved away by referee — ten minutes later Brian Fitzpatrick was clearly obstructed in the area.

This rough justice on Rock was compounded when a clever flick-on by David McCarthy put Roberto in the clear and he made no mistake when beating Leonard Keane from six yards.

Any hopes of a Rock comeback ended 13 seconds into the second half when Leonard Keane spilled David McCarthy 25-yard yard effort into his own net. Game over, but the champions did at least make it inter- esting when Ashley Glynn finally forced the ball over the Lifford line after a five double-save from Mike elerliy

That said in the closing 15 min- utes David McCarthy’s penalty was save by Keane, while Ryan Boyle sidefooted wide with the goal at his mercy.

The final whistle couldn’t come quick enough.

AY LMER’S Rest bar and restaurant, together with the award-winning Rose Cottage Guest House, is on the market with Leyden Auctioneers at €2.5 million (negotiable).

Located at the top of the Turnpike, close to the Limerick Road, the bar has been recently renovated and modernised to a high standard. Fea- tures include stained glass windows, flag floors and solid oak counter. It also encompasses an off-licence and has a good trade, serving bar food seven days a week.

Upstairs is ‘O’Donaills Restaurant’, which has been newly renovated. It is

a 50-seater restaurant with bar facili- ties and comes fully furnished. It is an ideal venue for private parties and functions.”

The characterful Rose Cottage, which has its own entrance, 1s situat- ed next door to the bar and restaurant and it comprises nine en-suite bed- rooms. It is well designed and main- tained and is in constant demand, by its loyal and regular clientele, as well as those holidaying or visiting the area. Together with the nine en- suite bedrooms, Rose Cottage also includes a spacious breakfast room, reception area and two luxury bed- rooms with feature baths.

There is a garden to the rear of

Aylmer’s Rest, with decking and a patio area, plus a separate smoking area.

In addition, there is a car parking area to the front and side of Aylmer’s Rest and Rose Cottage.

Occupying a 1.2 acre site, selling agents Leyden Auctioneers believe ‘‘Aylmer’s Rest and the adjacent Rose Cottage guest house offer excellent development potential”.

For further information, telephone 065 6820555

THE old ways of managing both the economy and the health system need to be totally scrapped and rebuilt from scratch if Ireland is to over- come the current economic crisis.

That was the message from Clare TD and newly re-elected member of the Fine Gael Executive Council, Martin Conway, at this weekend’s Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Dubllin.

“The economy has now entered centre-stage and Fine Gael, as a party, have a great asset in its deputy leader Richard Bruton – who is seen as being 100 per cent strong on the economy,” he said.

‘The Fine Gael party certainly be- lieve that Richard Bruton as finance minister would take a blank sheet and start from scratch and, at this stage, that is probably what is required. We need a new Government with a new strategy and a mandate to start from scratch and rebuild the economy.

‘There is a feeling that the people at the top seem to get away with eve- rything. We are now faced with a sit- uation in next week’s budget where the people at the bottom are going to have to fund it.”

Health also dominated much of the debates at the Ard Fheis, with Fine Gael announcing details of a univer- sal healthcare system.

“The other major thing that Fine Gael have announced is its health

policy, where we are going to have universal healthcare. Fine Gael will put in a system if they get into Gov- ernment where we will have a uni- versal health insurance which will eliminate the two-tier health system which currently exists,’ continued Conway.

“Again I think we need to take a blank sheet, start from scratch and build a universal health system that BUN Mores eles eUmrU 0B

“James Reilly, the FG spokesperson on health, has been to Ennis Hospi- tal. He has spoken with the people who are involved in the implementa- tion of the Teamwork Report and he had made it clear that it is Fine Gael’s policy to retain 24-hour consultant-

led accident and emergency services at Ennis General Hospital.

‘There are examples in other coun- tries and even in Northern Ireland where small emergency centres like Ennis are properly funded and do save lives.

“At the end of the day, if you are coming from Loop Head into Limer- ick in the middle of rush-hour traffic, then you have a problem.

“It may not have been mentioned directly but it certainly is uppermost on the minds of the delegates from Clare and the party health spokes- man.”

FOR Ennis native Tony Morgan, the biennial pilgrimage to the Fine Gael Ard Fheis is the very first date etched in the calendar. A veteran of more party conferences than he’d care to remember, the former chair of the Ennis branch of Fine Gael is in a unique position to judge the current crop of Fine Gael talent.

According to Tony, despite some shortcomings, Enda Kenny is the man to lead Fine Gael back into Government.

“Enda is not a great man to think on his feet – if I could put it that way. But if he is in a situation where he is dealing with a problem that he is well briefed on, then he can really talk about it,” he said.

‘He 1s inclined to hum and haw a bit when faced with the general cut and thrust of politics but maybe that’s no bad thing. Other people can be too bloomin’ glib altogether sometimes.

“Richard Bruton is great – he has a great financial brain on him. He would make a great minister for fi- nance. I think he should be left in the position. Enda Kenny is a good leader and he should be left where he is too.

“I know that a lot of people say that Enda Kenny can’t cut the mustard but I think he is doing very well. He rescued the party after the last gen- eral election. It’s a good team and a young team. They are all excellent people who would make good min- isters.””

As with many who attended the Fine Gael Ard Fheis over the week- end, Tony believed that the state of the economy should be the main fo- cus for the party going forward.

“I watched a few of the debates there this morning and Fine Gael is certainly putting across their poli- cies and what they want to do. They are also well able to elaborate on all the ills that Fianna Fail have created over the years,” he said.

“The economy and the banks is a really big thing. I think a lot of peo- ple feel totally let down. It wasn’t just the Government alone, but the banks, the regulators, the central bank.

“The banks were shovelling money out to the people. If someone came looking for a 100 per cent mortgage, they gave them a 105 per cent mort- gage. It was totally ridiculous. They borrowed billion and millions from the international money markets and now the whole thing has collapsed.”

SEAMOUNT College in Kinvara is at the centre of a row which threat- ens to cause a Serious split in the Fine Gael party.

According to insider reports at the party national Ard Fheis in Dublin this weekend, an argument relating to promises made by party leader Enda Kenny in relation to the school, as well as the surprise announcement that former Progressive Democrat leader Ciaran Cannon would be join- ing the party, are at the centre of the spat.

The argument is reported to have started during a parliamentary party meeting which took place in Dublin last Tuesday, March 1. During the meeting, party leader Enda Kenny is reported to have exchanged heated words with south Galway TD Ulick Burke.

According to party insiders, Burke was unhappy with Cannon – who is currently a senator – being effective- ly announced as his running mate in the constituency for the next elec- tion without him being warned in BYORI DaGor

According to reports, the party leader is said to have become very angry when confronted by Deputy Burke and said he had “gone out on a {***ing limb for you” in the past.

The limb that the party leader was referring to was his personal backing for a campaign for the construction of a new school in Kinvara to replace

Seamount College, ahead of the last general election.

The party’s backing for the group to save Seamount College was one of the main issues in the south Gal- way area ahead of the last election and is credited with helping Burke, as well as party colleague Paul Con- naughton, get elected.

With the future of Seamount Col- lege still in doubt, the argument is likely to re-surface over the coming weeks and months.

Following an announcement in Jan- uary that the proposed new school in

Kinvara would be delayed as a result of the slowdown in the economy, the Sisters of Mercy, who own the land on which the school is built, threat- ened to pull the plug on their current deal with the Department of Agricul- Ub Ken

However, the religious Order has agreed to lease the land to the gov- ernment and is currently in discus- sions with the Department of Edu- cation on a number of outstanding conditions.

Meanwhile, Clare is now the most represented county on the National

Executive of the Fine Gael party, fol- lowing the successful election of Cllr Martin Conway and Leonora Carey, sister of Clare TD Joe Carey, to the national forum at the weekend’s Fine Gael Ard Fheis.

WHATEVER the north Clare elec- torate has in store in 2009, it’s doubt- ful if it will be anything on to the dogfight in the constituency the last time around.

And, it was a dogfight that served up plenty of shocks and no little con- troversy in the scrap for the six avail- able seats.

The shock came by way of Fianna Fail councillor of 19 years and former chairman of the council, Michael Hillery, losing his seat.

Of course, it didn’t end there for the Hillery clan, another former chair- man Sean Hillery also lost his seat in the Shannon electoral area, mean- ing that there was no Hillery repre- sentation on Clare’s premier decision making body for the 2004-09 term of office.

Michael Hillery’s defeat wasn’t the only reverse for Fianna Fail in the ul- tra-competitive constituency — Tom Burke also lost his seat, meaning that two outgoing Fianna Fail councillors were the big losers as the party’s representation slipped from three to AYfOP

It wasn’t all bad for Fianna Fail though – Michael Kelly’s exhaustive canvass of the length and breadth of the constituency over a number of years saw the then 60-year-old win back the seat he lost in the 1999 elec- tion with a poll topping performance that made him one of the real Fianna Fail stars of the 2004 poll.

Fine Gael were also toasting a fa- mous victory – the party organisa- tion rolled back the years when win- ning two seats in north Clare for the first time since Bill Murphy TD and Jimmy O’Brien were returned in the 1967 election.

‘Our success was due to a hard and quality canvass of the total area and to having several committed and well motivated young people on our can- vassing teams. There’s no doubt that we were dealt a helping hand by the present government,’ Cllr Joe Arkins said after Fine Gael’s success.

“The Fine Gael organisation in north Clare have proved that it is possible to win two council seats by dedication and hard work and this certainly will be mirrored in the next General Election when Fine Gael will take two seats,’ added Cllr Arkins prophetically.

Fine Gael have been loath to make predictions about how they might fare this time around, but presum- ably they’re of the view that once more they’ll be “dealt a helping hand by the present government”.

“It was a dogfight for sure,” said Cllr Richard Nagle after being elected in 2004 without reaching the quota. The fifth and sixth seats were filled by Nagle and Martin Conway of Fine Gael.

This time around the seven de- clared candidates have only five seats to play for, something that could yet turn the constituency into another dogfight, even if it falls well short of the drama provided five years ago at the Colaiste Muire count centre in J Syayevise