Month: March 2011

THE Clareman caught up in the earthquake and tsunami tragedy in Japan has re-iterated his intention to stay living and working in the country, despite the decision of many other foreign nationals to leave because of nuclear meltdown fears.

Thirty-six-year-old David O’Donoghue from Shannon, who has been in Japan for the past six years was made homeless when a tsunami hit Kamasu City, where he lives and works as a teacher.

“The Irish embassy have been advising practicality in the situation,” O’Donoghue told The Clare People this Monday. “The French jumped the gun in providing two planes last week to get people out, while the international media have been dramatising the situation.

“The situation is that things have become quite upbeat and positive over the pat few days, regarding the reactor situation in Fukushima. There was and remains trepidation and some fear, people are anxious but composed,” he added.

O’Donoghue was teaching when the disaster that destroyed his apartment struck, which rendered him homeless and living with friends until finding alternative accommodation this week.

“I’m back teaching as of last Friday,” he revealed, “but the national school system is off for the time being. We still have no water and won’t have water for three months, that’s the expectation. There’s well water and water supplies have been supplied by the Japanese self-defence forces.

“It has devastated the country in many respects and what the emergency services are doing now is going step by step to repair any damage that there is. Even after only one week the change in my home town is astonishing.

“A lot of the electricity poles and telephone poles that collapsed or were teetering have been put back. They have made huge repairs in one week. There is huge progress being made. Emergency crews have been working non-stop 24 seven,” he added.

DETAILS of specific aircraft that anti-war protesters believe have been linked to renditions have been formally handed over to gardaí in Clare.

Anti-war campaigners transported wheelbarrows of material to Shannon Garda Station last Friday morning in an effort to highlight the use of Shannon Airport by military aircraft.

Members of Shannonwatch brought the wheelbarrows – containing photographs and documents relating to the use of Shannon by CIA planes – from the Oakwood Arms Hotel to the local Garda Station, as part of their ongoing efforts to highlight their concerns.

They say that the evidence supports their claims and they are hoping that gardaí will now investigate alleged human rights violations and other possible breaches of international law at Shannon.

Ray Murphy of Amnesty International said there is substantial evidence to suggest that Ireland has played a role in the rendition circuit but that to-date, the gardaí have been either unwilling or unable to conduct searches and inspections.

“We need an effective reporting, verification and control system put in place immediately. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence must direct the gardaí to act to ensure Ireland complies with its international legal obligations,” said Mr Murphy.

Former United Nations Humani- tarian Co-ordinator in Iraq, Denis Halliday, emphasised the humanitarian disasters that are a direct result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Those who were complicit in these wars, including the Irish government, must be held to account,” he said.

“It is vital that the new Irish government prohibits the transit of belligerent US troops through Shannon Airport immediately, and focuses Irish foreign policy on genuine humanitarian support for victims of violence and natural disasters,” he added.

Shannonwatch is calling on the gardaí to review the evidence presented, and to provide a comprehensive report on the actions that will be taken to ensure Ireland complies with its international legal obligations.

The information presented to gardaí includes a list of aircraft that have at one time or another reportedly been linked to the US renditions programme. These include 20 that have been recorded at Shannon over the last eight years. “Some of these are frequent visitors to the airport,” said a Shannonwatch spokesperson. “And while many of them may not now be in use by CIA rendition crews, the fact that they have not been adequately investigated means that it is still possible for them or other aircraft to be used to commit breaches of international law,” added the spokesman.

THE circumstances surrounding the murder of mother-of-two Sylvia Roche-Kelly in Limerick in 2007 is featured in a new book which will hit the bookshelves later this week.

The case is included in a book written by The Cla re People journalist Emer Connolly. Out On Ba il focuses on crimes committed by people who are on bail, early release or temporary release. It features the human impact of crimes committed by those who are out on bail and contains particular emphasis on a number of specific cases.

Sylvia Roche-Kelly (33) was murdered by Jerry McGrath in a Limerick hotel bedroom in December 2007. McGrath, then aged 23, of Ballywalter, Cashel, County Tipperary, was on bail at the time, for assaulting a female taxi driver in Cavan earlier that year.

Another Clare case to feature in the book is the tragic deaths of teenage girls Lorna Mahoney (13) and Stacey Haugh (16) in a road accident near Carrigaholt in October 2003. David Naughton, who was then a teenager, was later jailed for six years for dangerous driving causing the deaths. However, after he was initially charged in connection with the accident, he was granted bail and disappeared. He was later tracked down in the UK. His decision to flee while on bail had a profound effect on the families of the two young girls, who waited every day for justice.

Among the other cases featured in the book is the vicious rape of a 75year-old widow in Nenagh by a man who was on bail at the time; and the murder of teacher Noel Carmody in Limerick in 2003 by two men – one who was on bail and the other who was unlawfully at large at the time. The murder of Swiss teenager Manuela Riedo in Galway in October 2007 by Gerald Barry is also featured. Barry, of Rosán Glas, Rahoon, Galway, was on bail at the time, having been charged with assaulting his ex-partner. Out On Ba il looks at the bail laws in Ireland and gives a voice to families who speak of the pain and suffering they have experienced, while gardaí involved in investigating such crimes express their frustrations at the system. Out On Ba il is Emer Connolly’s second book. Her first book, Lying Eyes a nd the Hitma n for Hire , was published in 2008. It was based on the story of Sharon Collins from Ennis, who solicited a ‘hitman’ to murder her partner, millionaire businessman PJ Howard, and his sons Robert and Niall. Both books are published by Gill & Macmillan. Out On Ba il will be available in bookshops from Friday.

A NEW discount store in Shannon, which will employ 12 people, is expected to play a pivotal role in increasing business in the town centre by at least 10 per cent. That’s the prediction of the manager of SkyCourt shopping centre Pat Kelly, who said he is optimistic that Buy Lo will attract huge numbers of shoppers to the centre.

A number of businesses in SkyCourt have closed in recent months including fashion outlet Pink, Roxy Records, Cafe 2000 and Bank of Ireland. Nevertheless Mr Kelly remains optimistic about the future.

“We have 65 units open at the moment. There are 13 or 14 vacant. How many have they vacant in Ennis? 70. In the last two months alone we let a small grocery supermarket, Jen, which does ethnic foods. What I’m finding is that recently we are getting a lot of enquiries about people who are trying to start up businesses,” he said.

“It has been a difficult 12 months. Our footfall figures were only down eight per cent last year, but the spend of the customers wouldn’t be the same,” said Mr Kelly.

“We are weathering the downturn reasonably well and the decision by Buy Lo to locate here gives us great confidence for the remainder of 2011 and beyond,” he said.

Mr Kelly said that the plan to attract anchor tenant Buy Lo – which will open in SkyCourt next week – had been on the cards for the past two years.

“We were working on it for the past two years. We had to go for planning which held it up for a few months and then negotiations and then we had to fit out the store,” said Mr Kelly.

“We’d be hoping with Buy Lo we would get back the figures we had in 2006/2007; that’s about 12 or 13 per cent,” he said.

Buy Lo will occupy 65 per cent of the unit previously held by Tesco. Additional car parking has been created to the back of the premises. The entire unit has been gutted and subdivided. Repairs have been carried out to the roof, while new flooring has been put in place.

“Their [Buy Lo] prices are very reasonable. They are the Irish version of Lidl and Aldi. I’d be very confident that it will bring a lot of people from Ennis and further afield,” said Mr Kelly. “I feel that Buy Lo is going to be a great bonus for us. In the times we are in, it is ideal because it is discount products and that’s what people want,” he said.

THE second highest number of complaints made to the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga came from Clare, a new report shows.

Of complaints received by Seán Ó Cuirreáin’s office 9.5 per cent came from Clare, compared to 9 per cent in Galway, 6 per cent in Kerry, 4 per cent in Donegal and 3 per cent in Mayo. The highest number of complaints (41 per cent) were made by people in Dublin.

The report looked at the level of service provided through Irish to customers by public service bodies.

The report states that in one instance, “An Coimisinéir Teanga decided, as a result of an investigation, that Iarnród Éireann was in contravention of its statutory duties in relation to certain signage erected in Ennis, County Clare.”

The report explains, “A series of complaints were made to the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga with regard to various Iarnród Éireann signs, alleging that they were not in compliance with the language requirements in signage legislation. The complaints concerned the signage at train stations, in car parks and at a new level crossing on the western route between Galway and Ennis.”

According to the report, “Based on the case put forward by Iarnród Éireann, An Coimisinéir Teanga considered it likely that these problems with the signage had arisen because of changes that had taken place over the years and because of misunderstandings in relation to the legislation.

“Iarnród Éireann indicated in its reply that ‘the signs included in the investigation are in place for many years’ (translation) and ‘generally the signage at level crossings are in English’ (translation). The investigation did not accept that either of these two arguments could be accepted as an excuse for neglecting to make the necessary corrections.

According to Mr Ó Cuireáin, “This investigation could have been avoided completely and the matter could have been dealt with on an informal basis if the public body had put its position in writing at the start.”

Despite the criticism, one Irish language activist in Ennis has welcomed efforts by Iarnród Éireann to make all signs bilingual.

Announcements on trains are now being made in Irish while upgraded signage has been placed at ticket offices, car parks and buses. The man, who did not wish to be named, said, “Another first for the town. The growing presence of Irish at Ennis station will surely contribute to the sustainability of the language through increased visibility and status.”

A COUPLE from North Clare escaped being sent to prison yesterday after undertaking not to interfere with their neighbour’s use of a right of a way.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Joseph Scales of Calluragh, Ennistymon, made an application to have Patrick J Madigan and his wife, Anne Madigan, committed to prison over the breach of a circuit order in relation to the right of way.

Patrick J Madigan admitted in court that he had breached the order regarding the right of way since it was introduced in July 2010.

Mr Madigan claimed that he had been forced to do so in an effort to protect his home from damage caused by the passing of machinery along the right of way.

Judge Moran was told that the dispute between the neighbours has been before the court “countless occasions” over the past number of years.

Garda Colm Collins told the court that on December 3, 2010, he observed Patrick J Madigan and his son, Joe Madigan, step out in front of Mr Scales’ tractor. Gda Collins said that the Madigans gestured to Mr Scales to stop and to go no further.

Sgt Brian Howard told the court that on November 28, 2010, an allegation was made to him regarding the blocking of the right of way.

Gardaí subsequently retrieved CCTV footage of the incident captured by cameras installed by the Madigan’s.

CCTV footage from November 28, 2010, played in court yesterday showed Joe Madigan exiting a door way and then standing in front of Mr Scales’ tractor.

Further footage then showed Mr Scales and Joe Madigan “tussling” and falling on the ground.

Mr Scales told the court that on November 28, 2010, he had gone to feed a pony and foal when he encountered Joe Madigan.

Patrick J Madigan told the court that he had to “take a stand” against Mr Scales’ machinery travelling along the right of way because he feared further damage being caused to his house.

Judge Moran put it to Mr Madigan that even though the court had ruled that Mr Scales was entitled to bring tractor and other machinery up the right of way, Mr Madigan’s stance now was “don’t mind what the court is saying”. Counsel for Mr Scales, Patrick Whyms, told the court that he was “seeking a committal order for the defendants”.

Judge Moran requested that the Madigan’s to take an unconditional and “solemn understanding” not to block the right of way.

Under oath, both Patrick J Madigan and Anne Madigan agreed not to interfere with Mr Scales’ right of way. Judge Moran gave Mr Whyms liberty to re-enter the motion but adjourned the matter of costs. Judge Moran warned the couple that they would be forced to pay costs as well as face other matters, if they breached the order.

CONSTRUCTION WORK on the multi-million euro pier in Doolin could get underway before the beginning of the summer following last nights decision by Clare County Council to grant Part Eight planning permission to the controversial development.

Following a protracted planning procedure, councillors at last nights meeting of the local authority voted unanimously to grant planning permission to the long awaited development, despite objections from a number of local and national surf organisers.

More than 30 members of the local Doolin community packed the offices of Clare County Council yesterday to hear the matter being debated. Each of the Doolin locals held up signs which read “Support Doolin Pier” as the planning permission was being discussed.

Speaking after the Part Eight planing permission had been granted, County Engineer Tom Tiernan said that tender process for the development will be started in weeks with the construction work not likely to be finished until 2012.

The original planning permission for the pier came before last Decembers meeting of Clare County Council but a decision on this was deferred by County Manager, Tom Coughlan, to allow for more public consultation to take place.

In total more than 30 individual planning submission were put forward in relation to the project with a number of other submission coming from organisation from all over the country.

Speaking before the planning permission was granted, Ennistymon based councillor Richard Nagle, said that the pier had the potential to generate hundreds of jobs for the people of north Clare.

“I would like to propose that we proceed immediately with this project – it is imperative that we go ahead with this without delay. We have spent months considering this, it has already been delayed.

“There are several interests groups in Doolin pier and all of those interests much be taken into account,” he said.

“We now must take a once in lifetime opportunity to enhance the tourism life of North Clare.

“This has the potential to make Doolin the main departure and arrival point to the Aran Islands and to create a huge amount of jobs in the north Clare area and in the wider community.”

Councillor Johnny Flynn (FG) said that his concerns about the safety of the surf access at the pier and the integrity of local surfing waves had been addressed during the planning process.

“I would have had very serious concerns about the damage that this might have had on the surfing product in the area but I am now satisfied that the consultation and wave monitoring which has been carried out by Clare County Council,” Councillor Flynn said.

THE elected members of Clare County Council yesterday went against the expressed wishes of County Manager, Tom Coughlan, by adopting the new East Clare Local Area Plan including a resolution to zone an area for the possible future development of a marina in Killaloe.

Following more then two hours of heated debate and detailed legal advice, the elected members of the local authority voted by 19 votes to four in favour of passing the revised plan, with four councillors abstaining from the vote.

It now remains to be seen whether the county manager will decided to use his executive function to over rule the decision of the elected members.

“The overriding concern as far as I am concerned in tourism development. The history of this development and this debate is very important. This is like a test case for all of this new regulation which has been passed down to us. These issues are appropriate to everyone – a similar situation could arise down in Loop Head or up in the Burren,” said Cllr Pat Hayes (FF).

“I think that if we can develop a marina in Killaloe then I feel that that is in the overriding public interest of the people of Clare.”

The final decision was arrived at by the elected members following a series of proposals and counter proposals which led to a number of loud shouting matches across council chambers and the meeting being adjourned on two separate occasion.

The first difficulty arose when expressed some concerns about the discussion being conducted in public and asked for a legal opinion on whether some details of the plan should be discussed in camera.

This prompted angry scenes in the council chambers with Shannon cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) eventually proposing and winning a vote to have the matter discussed in from of the media and the assemble public.

However, the meeting descended into chaos when a second proposal, calling for a 10 minute recess to allow for councillors to contemplate the plan was also voted on and passed by the councilors.

The Mayor of Clare, Christy Curtin (IND) ruled that the two motions were not in conflict and councillors could both have a ten minute break to “contemplate” the motion before discussing the motion in council chambers.

This prompted an angry outburst between Cllrs Gerry Flynn and Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) when the Shannon council alluded to the type of discussion which may have taken place during the 10 minute break.

At the request of Mayor Christy Curtin, Cllr Flynn eventually withdrew the remarks.

A TOTAL of 491 students from Clare have entered paintings in this year’s 57th Texaco Children’s Art Competition, the winners of which will be revealed next month.

In excess of 30,000 entries were received with students from each of the 32 counties taking part.

Judging of entries is currently taking place and winners will be announced in early-April. This will be followed by the prize-giving ceremony which takes place in May.

Pictured admiring three of the en- tries received from Clare are competition coordinator Annemarie Barnes (left) and competition adjudicator and well-known artist Dr Denise Ferran. Ms Barnes is holding a work entitled ‘In The Wild’ by 15-year-old Ryan Fleming from Ennis, a pupil at St John Bosco, Kildysart. Dr Ferran is holding a work entitled ‘Our Beautiful Coast’ by 16-year-old Michelle Clancy from Kilrush, a pupil at Kilrush Community School and another entitled ‘Beautiful Butterflies’ by 14-year-old Ashling McCann from Cranny, Kilrush, also a pupil at St John Bosco, Kildysart.