Month: December 2009

DOZENS of households in Newmar- ket-on-Fergus will receive special deliveries on Christmas Eve — in the shape of food hampers. Given the poor economic climate, demand for food has doubled this year.

The Obair Social Inclusion Project has teamed up with St Vincent de Paul for this year’s Christmas Food Appeal. Locals in the village have been very generous in donating food and this will be divided into hampers and distributed to families in need.

Trolleys have been set up in the Su- per Valu and Spar supermarkets in the village, while a collection also

took place at the four churches in the parish. The response has been very positive and locals are still being urged to donate non-perishable foods in the run-up to Christmas.

Several groups in the village are represented on the Social Inclusion Project committee. These include The Going Strong group, the Farm- ers’ Market, Meals on Wheels, the scouts, Brothers of Charity and Acorn Women’s Group.

“We were sponsored signs and money from Obair to advertise the food appeal and we have put signs on trolleys in our two supermarkets. They will put together hamper bas- kets and give them out on Christmas

Eve,’ explained co-ordinator Siob- han O’Driscoll.

She said that the demand has in- creased this year, compared to last year.

“We are hoping to do between 30 and 40 hampers. They will be given to the most vulnerable in the vil- lage such as the elderly or the un- employed. We have an increase in demand. It would be double what it was last year due to the economic climate. People are very good. They are coming in every day with new toys and books,” she said.

While sufficient toys have already been donated, foods will be accepted until Wednesday of this week.

“We are looking for non-perishable foods such as biscuits, tea, coffee, sugar, selection boxes, pasta, rice, jam and honey. People are great in these times,” she said.

While St Vincent de Paul has spear- headed a food appeal for many years, last year was the first time that the Social Inclusion Project got involved and the response has been phenom- enal.

“We started last year. There are a lot of new families in the village and there are a lot of elderly people. Some people don’t have a lot,’ said Ms O’Driscoll. Anyone who wishes to make enquiries about the food ap- peal should phone 061 368030.

ENNIS Samaritans are urging peo- ple not let their worries spiral out of control and to seek support for emo- tional distress this Christmas and during the coming year.

According to a new survey carried out on behalf of the Samaritans, over half of the population (59 per cent) in the Republic of Ireland has worried this year about debt and money.

The survey also found that exam stress and pressure to achieve high marks in studies were one of the big- gest worries for 52 per cent of young

people (aged 18 and 24), while lone- liness was one of the top worries amongst 17 per cent of young people (aged 18 and 24) compared to only eight per cent of older people (aged 55 plus).

Mary Lynch of Ennis and Clare Samaritans said: “In the last year, Samaritans received more _ than 375,000 calls in the Republic of Ire- land and many of them were about the worries identified in this survey, with approximately one in every ten calls linked to financial stress.

The poll of 1,000 people asked the public to identify their five big-

gest worries over the past year. After money, the other top-five sources of anxiety were problems in relation- ships with family and friends (re- ported by 38 per cent of people) and fears about job security (35 per cent) followed by concerns about physi- cal health (32 per cent) and domestic politics (28 per cent).

Ms Lynch said sharing problems allows people to cope better with life’s challenges.

“If people don’t talk about their problems, they can build up over time and spiral into more serious emo- tional distress. Sharing your troubles

can be a huge relief and is often the first step to finding a way of coping with the challenges that life throws at all of us. Samaritans-trained vol- unteers are available 24/7 to offer confidential support to anyone feel- ing anxious, unhappy or distressed this Christmas and throughout the coming year,’ she said.

The Samaritans offer confidential, non-judgemental emotional support on a 24-hour basis. They can be con- tacted by calling 1850 60 90 90, by email at jo@samaritans.org or face to face at the premises on the Kilrush Road in Ennis.

ORGANISERS of the St Stephen’s Day Turkey Trot in Ennis are aim- ing a special appeal at groups and organisations to participate in this year’s event.

This year’s event, run in conjunc- tion with Marian Athletic Club and Ennis Town Council, starts at Water- park House, Drumbiggle on Satur- day December 26.

McDonalds, Ennis has also come on board to support the Turkey Trot which this year promises to be a bit different, with a prize pot total of €1,000 to be awarded to the group/ club/school/organisation with the largest turnout of runners/walkers ODN ome: hYA

“Kieran McDermott from McDon- alds has generously put up some sponsorship. The whole idea behind it is to try and get more people and groups involved in the trot this year,” explained one of the event’s organis- ers, Joe Queally.

“We are getting as many groups involved as possible; runners, walk- ers and schools. There will be a prize for the groups that has registered the most people. The whole idea is to raise money for the lifeboats, whilst people have always been generous, the momentum needs to be kept up,” he added.

Starting at Waterpark House, Drumbiggle, the route of this year’s Turkey Trot will take in Show- grounds Road, Cahercalla, Kilrush Road before finishing up back at Wa- terpark House.

Registration is free, however all donations received on the day will go towards the RNLI Lifeboats in ETc

Participating groups are urged to get as many people as possible to

Waterpark House for 11.45am, reg- ister before 12 noon and nominate

your chosen’ group/organisation. There will be a prize total of €1,000 Oy NM ASLemer-NtA

Prizes will be awarded for the top three finishers in both mens and la- dies races. Also, for the first time this year, category prizes will be awarded for boys and girls under 10 and boys and girls under 14.

A great day out for the family, the Turkey Trot is the perfect way to shed a few pounds of Christmas Day indulgence for a worthy cause – the

RNLI Lifeboats.

Organised by Ennis Town Council, Marian Athletic and the Royal Navy Lifeboats Institution (RNLI), the Turkey Trot takes place around En- nis on St Stephen’s Day.

This year’s event is also being held in aid of St Clare’s School, Ennis and other groups. People taking part will have the opportunity to make a contribution to help keep the lifeboat fleet afloat.

The RNLI provides on call, 24- hour lifeboat service to cover search and rescue up to 100 nautical miles

off the coast of Ireland.

The crews are made up of volun- teers from all walks of life that give up their time and comfort to carry out rescues and train for them, in difficult and often dangerous condi- tions.

A COMPLETE divide between the Catholic Church and primary schools in north Clare is now a realistic pos- sibility following calls from the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) to remove the Bishop of Galway, Martin Drennan, from his position as patron of the schools.

The organisation, which represents principles from more than 3,000 pri- mary school throughout the country, made the unprecedented comments following the appearance of the Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora in the Murphy Report re- leased late last month.

In a major poll of all principles conducted by the IPPN, more than 80 per cent of those who responded said that those named in the Murphy Report should be removed as patrons of schools.

Speaking over the weekend, Bishop Drennan has said that he has no in- tention of standing down from his position – leaving the school princi- pals and clergy in conflict over who should be patron of the 12 north Clare schools.

According to Larry Fleming, spokesperson for the Irish Primary Principals’ Network the move is un- precedented for his organisation.

“This is a very emotive issue and the fact that four out of five of our

members believe that the bishops should go is not surprising to me. The protection of children has to be addressed and this is a brave step for school principals. We felt in good conscience that we could not sit idly by and not say something,” he told

A JUDGE has been asked to excuse himself from hearing a court case, af- ter a solicitor claimed that reference was made to a defendant’s record, prior to the hearing of the case.

At Kilrush District Court on Wednesday, solicitor Eugene O’ Kelly represented a man who was charged with a public order offence.

The case had been in court original- ly in September and was adjourned on that occasion.

On Wednesday, Mr O’Kelly said to Judge Joseph Mangan, “I’d ask that you excuse yourself from hear- ing this case. I believe the State has fatally prejudiced your views on the case.”

He said that in court in September, Judge Mangan asked the State was the accused in jeopardy. The solici- tor said the judge was told that the accused was “well-recorded”’ on the Pulse system as a suspected offender for various crimes such as burglary and criminal damage.

He said this was before a hearing of the case and asked that the case be heard by a different judge who would “not be contaminated by that sort of information.”

However, Superintendent Michael Comyns, prosecuting, said he was “100 per cent” sure he did not say what had been alleged by the so- licitor. Judge Mangan adjourned the case for hearing at a special sitting of Ennis District Court next month.

STAFF at a convenience store in Shannon were not adequately paid when an inspection of the premises was carried out last year.

A court has heard that there were six staff employed at Londis, Bru na Sionna, Shannon, in June 2008. While the minimum wage was paid to staff, they were not paid the mini- mum rate for adults working in the grocery trade, which is marginally higher than the minimum wage.

Sa Wex Ltd, of Fergus Drive, Drumgeely, Shannon, was_ before Shannon District Court on Thursday, facing five summonses relating to an inspection of Londis, Bru na Sionna, on June 13, 2008.

It was accused of failing to keep records, contrary to the Organisation of Working Time Act.

The other four summonses related to the Industrial Relations Act — fail- ure to pay staff the correct remunera- tion rate; failure to pay staff the un- social hours premium; failure to pay staff the overtime rate and failure to display notices.

An employee of the National Em- ployment Rights Authority told the court that she visited the employer on the date in question and met a com- pany representative.

She said it was established during the inspection that the employer was in breach of the Industrial Relations Act. A letter was sent to the employer in July and no response was forth- coming.

The court was told that while the national minimum wage is €8.65, the minimum rate for adults working the grocery trade is €8.91.

The solicitor for the Minster for En- terprise, Trade and Employment said under legislation, employees in the grocery trade should have been paid

€8.91, on the date in question.

The National Employment Rights Authority representative said that one staff member worked 60 hours in one week. “We haven’t received all the time sheets from the employ- er,’ she said.

She said that a poster on work- ers’ rights was not displayed on the EDN

Defence solicitor Stephen Nicholas said the accused was pleading guilty to the offences.

“If you are operating a shop, you are supposed to be familiar with the legislation. The legislation is becom- ing increasingly complex. These people were not familiar with all of this,” he said.

“Five or six employees were not paid all they were entitled to but they were paid the minimum wage of €8.65,” he added.

However, the solicitor for the Min- ister said the defendants were given ample time to correct the mistakes they made.

Mr Nicholas said he was told the letters were answered, but the Na- tional Employment Rights Author- ity representative said, “There was no response to the alleged breaches. We sent five letters. We received two responses.”

Mr Nicholas said that his clients were Operating a convenience store in Shannon. “Records were not fur- nished because they were not kept,” he said, adding that the business was closed late last year. He said that €350,000 in debts have been accu- mulated. ““The company’s only asset was its lease on this property,” said Mr Nicholas.

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed fines totalling €1,500 and fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.

A POLISH national has been charged with importation of drugs, having been arrested at Shannon Airport last week.

Patryk Kamil Al Zand (31), of no fixed abode, is accused of importing a drug, possession of cannabis resin and possession for the purpose of sale or supply, at Shannon Airport, on Monday, December 14, 2009.

He was arrested after he got off a flight between Prestwick and Shan- non, having earlier travelled from Poland, on Monday of last week.

Cannabis resin, valued at €4,200, was retrieved as part of a garda in- vestigation, after the accused was

stopped by Customs Officers at S)etveveleswaWen eam

The accused was taken to hospital on Tuesday and was charged early last Wednesday.

Kilrush District Court was told on Wednesday that he did not reply when the charges were put to him.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the accused came into Shannon Airport with just €10 and an identification card in his posses- sion.

He said the State was satisfied that the accused does not have means and free legal aid was granted.

The accused was remanded in cus- tody to appear again in court later WTA (le)

A KILRUSH solicitor has expressed concern that a bench warrant was left “hanging around” a garda station for more than four months before being CLARO B

However, gardai say that the war- rant was executed as soon as it be- come known that it was still in exist- ence.

The comments were made in the case of Patrick Hall (23), of Craw- ford Street, Kilrush, who is accused of urinating in public at O’Curry Street, Kilkee, on June | last.

Garda Keith Hughes told Kilrush District Court on Wednesday that he executed a bench warrant by ar- resting the defendant the previous evening in Kilrush.

Defending solicitor Eugene O’ Kelly asked the garda had he been ap- proached by the accused on a number of occasions in relation to the bench warrant. Gda Hughes said the ac- cused has asked him if there were any pending cases against him.

Mr O’Kelly said his client was granted temporary release from Lim- erick prison on November 3 last and subsequently approached the garda and asked him if there were any out- standing matters.

The garda said he encountered the accused in mid-November when “there was no discussion about a warrant. There was a discussion about pending cases.”

Mr O’Kelly put it to the garda that the accused was in court on Novem- ber 8 last. The garda said he was not Sure at that time if the warrant had been executed.

Mr O’Kelly asked the garda, “Is there something about the impending approach of Christmas to do with the warrant being executed now?” The garda said there wasn’t and Superin- tendent Michael Comyns, prosecut- ing, said gardai were not objecting to bail being granted to the accused.

Mr O’Kelly said his client “wanted to clear the decks. I am satisfied Mr Hall has turned a corner. He wants to get on with his life. It’s very unfair that a warrant that has been hanging around the garda station since July is now being executed on the eve of Christmas.”

Supt Comyns said the bench war- rant was issued in July at the time warrants were issued in the circuit court. When Mr Hall presented him- self, the circuit court warrants were executed and Garda Hughes was not aware if the district court bench war- rant had been executed.

He said that Gda Hughes then made enquiries and last week’s district court was the first sitting since No- vember 8 and he executed the bench warrant in advance of the court.

Judge Joseph Mangan adjourned the case until next month and the ac- cused was granted bail.

TWO people have been charged after counterfeit €50 notes were found in circulation in Shannon.

Liam Glennon (22), of Rowlagh Crescent, Dublin 2, is accused of possession of drugs for the purpose

of sale or supply; obstructing a garda at Shannon Town Centre and having four counterfeit €50 notes, on March 11 last.

Josh Hand (19), of Longstone Park, Portrane, County Dublin, is accused of tendering a counterfeit €50 note at a premises in Shannon, on March

9 last. He 1s also charged with having a counterfeit €50 note on March 11.

Garda Bryan McCarthy told Shan- non District Court on Thursday that he met the two accused by appoint- ment that morning and charged Weloveee

The garda said it would be alleged

that counterfeit ©€50 notes were cashed in shops in Shannon. A de- scription of a car was obtained by gardai and they launched an investi- gation.

He said that the accused were stopped and spoken to by gardai. A quantity of cocaine was found in the

car. He said that Mr Glennon took responsibility for the cocaine, which was valued at €250. One individual had four counterfeit €50 notes, while another had one note, he said.

Judge Joseph Mangan accepted ju- risdiction of the case and adjourned it until early in the new year.

now has losses of over €4.5million but, according to Mr Collison, this rep- resents the full start-up costs of the newspaper since December 2005.

He said that this figure was “sig- nificantly below what we anticipated in our original business plan.”

‘The paper made a profit for the first time in September and is on course to break-even for the final quarter of the year. This was achieved through

extensive cost reductions, which cut weekly operational costs by over 50 per cent.”

“This would not have been pos- sible without the active cooperation and goodwill of staff whose sacri- fices over the past year have ensured the paper’s long-term survival’, he added.

The paper was established to chal- lenge the 100-year long dominance of The Clare Champion and _ latest ABC figures show The Champion’s circulation at 19,046 compared to The People’s 12,154.

Mr Collison said: “As a start-up operation, The Clare People had no accumulated reserves and felt the effects of the recession at an earlier stage than most of the legacy titles.”

‘This in some way proved a bless- ing in disguise as it enabled us to tackle our cost base earlier than might have been the norm. I would

expect that we will be one of the very few regional newspapers reporting break even or a profit for the final [VET to) axe) O hae

In the returns, the directors state that the key to this will be the achievement of forecasted revenues and the ability to contain costs at projected levels.”

“We initially hoped to reach breakeven during 2009 but the ex- pectation now 1s of further losses, but at approximately 45% of the 2008 levels, which in the current economic environment, 1s a positive result.”

The directors state that they and the shareholders have advanced interest free loans of €3.3million to the end of 2008 and have advanced further loans of €326,000 to the company up to September 20, 2009.