Month: March 2011

TUBBER BASED publican, Gerry Finnerty, was last week named on the latest list of tax defaulter published by the Revenue Commission.

A judgement was made against Mr Finnerty, who serves as the local representative for Gort on Galway County Council, for just over € 71,000 – € 49,000 in tax and a further € 22,000 in penalties arising.

The Fianna Fáil councillor has been touted as a possible general election candidate in the run up to this years general election but did not succeed in winning a place on the parties ticket in Galway East. The Clare People contacted Cllr Finnerty yesterday but he declined to comment on the findings of the revenue commission.

In total, the Revenue Commission reported seven findings made against six individuals in Clare under a variety of different tax related offenses.

The largest fines were handed out to Patrick McMcGonigle from Cratloe who has been fines € 10,000 – € 5,000 for the sale or delivery of counterfeit spirits and € 5,000 for the sale or delivery of counterfeit cigarettes.

Anthony Carey from O’Callaghan’s Mills received the next highest fine of € 2,750. Patrick Baxter from Killaloe was fined € 2,000 while John Moloney from Clonlara and Patrick Costello from Sixmilebridge were fined € 1,250.

Derek Logue of the Bellbridge Hotel in Spanish Point was also fined € 800 for not having an up to date liqueur licence.

CLARE’S reputation as being a seat of education has been illustrated this week by a major national survey of secondary schools that has placed 15 schools in a league table of the top 400 around the country.

The survey, compiled by The Sunday Times shows that Rice College in Ennis is the best school in Clare with, one of the best in Munster and the only Clare school to be ranked among the top 50 in Ireland.

Rice College is now rated the 41st best school in Ireland, with the criteria used to ranking the schools being the rate of progression of students to third evel education.

In this regard the survey revealed, that from 2008 to 2010, 96 per cent of students in the school moved to further their studies at third level, with 68.2 per cent of those going to university. The school is also ranked number seven among secondary schools in Munster outside of Cork schools, while Colaiste Muire in Ennis is rated ninth in Munster and 52nd in Ireland.

The table shows that 90.9 per cent of the Leaving Cert classes from 2008 to 2010 at the all-girls school that’s celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, have gone to third level.

Next on the list from the county are two north Clare schools, Ennistymon CBS that’s rated at 65 (94.6 per cent in third level) and Mary Immaculate Secondary School in Lisdoonvara that’s at 66 (92.7 per cent), which brings to four the number of Clare schools in the top 100.

Three more schools are bracketted in the next hundred: Scoil Mhuire in Ennistymon at 114 (75.5 per cent); St Flannan’s College at 190 (70.8 per cent) and St Joseph’s Secondary Schoool in Tulla at 193 (77.2 per cent).

Other Clare schools in the top 400 are: St Caimin’s Community School in Shannon at 225 (74.1 per cent; St Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil at 260 (77.2 per cent); Scariff Community College at 234 (72.8 per cent); St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart at 299 (64.9 per cent); St Joseph’s Secondary School, Miltown at 312 (86.1 per cent); Ennis Community College at 235 (67.8 per cent); Kilrush Community School at 344 (64.1 per cent) and St Joseph’s Community College, Kilkee at 387 (65.1 per cent).

GORT’S Wild Swan Theatre Company are preparing to take to the stage in San Francisco tonight for the first of two sell out performances of their hit production of ‘A wake in the west’.

The group, formed in 1996, have been invited to perform at the 650seater Irish Cultural Centre in San Francisco as part of the city’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Actor Donal Connolly said the group are delighted to be bringing their show Stateside. “It’s great really, but we are a bit bemused by its success,” he said.

Written by Michael Joe Ginelly, ‘A wake in the west’ is set during the wake of Tom Healy who has drank himself to the grave and now wishes his grave to be a watery one by requesting cremation and the scattering of his ashes at sea, the comedy begins when a neighbour decides that Tom is not entitled to take it all with him.

“It is a hilarious comedy about a corpse laid out in the opening scene and the different people that come in and what they do to the corpse,” explained director Imelda Counihan when the play came to Ennis last August.

She continued, “You have an elderly women and her dentures are illfitting so she wonders did the corpse have a spare set. And they haven’t taken them out. They discover that the body is going to be cremated. So she goes investigating and manages to take out the teeth”.

“It’s mad, it’s mad comedy. As a group, they’ve done a great show with it. It was great fun. Donal (Connolly) plays the part of the corpse and of any of the parts to play that are by far and away the most difficult cause he has to lie there and pretend he is dead. They have to take the teeth out. They stuff Donal’s face up with cake. One of the women ties his face up with the tights to keep his mouth closed because rigormortis has set in. He has to lie through it all. He does and absolutely famous job,” Imelda said.

There is a large cast which includes some of the Wild Swan’s most experienced names; Kevin Glynn, Donal Connolly, Jimmy Hannigan, Helen Leech, Kate Sherry, Margaret Divilly, Marion Cahill Collins, Rose Finnegan, Max Lee and Jim Earley.

RECOGNISE, Respond, Refer. That was the message delivered to employers who have been urged to be proactive in dealing with domestic abuse issues in Clare.

The manager of Clare Haven which provides support for female victims of domestic abuse and their families – Denise Dunne told a conference last week that employers should ask the question: “Are things okay at home?” Speaking at the launch of the employer’s guidelines on domestic abuse in Limerick, Ms Dunne said it can be very difficult for a woman to disclose abuse.

“Employees may not disclose what they are experiencing at once and should be made aware that the manager is available to talk at any time in the future,” said Ms Dunne.

The guidelines were launched amid demand for support provided by Clare Haven rising significantly.

Last year, more than 300 people were housed at a refuge for victims of domestic abuse in Clare, while hundreds of distressed victims of abuse sought help. Requests for support among those suffering domestic abuse increased across the county, particularly in Shannon, where additional support has been provided, in response to demand.

Gerry Harahill, Collector General, who launched the brochure, welcomed the brief reference guide as a support to all employers including small employers and those with human resource managers and line managers. Mr Harahill told the conference that attitudes in society have to change. He suggested that eve- ryone could do something towards opening up the topic by taking away copies of the guidelines and passing them out in their place of work.

“It is often the person who goes to coffee with the woman who finds out first,” he said.

Kieran McSweeney, President of Limerick Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the need for such guidelines from an employer’s point of view. In an increasingly competitive economy and tight labour market, every cost needs to be identified. It was emphasised that the effects of domestic abuse on employees may not only have a significant financial impact on the employer, but may also result in high absenteeism and impact directly on work performance.

Mr McSweeney reminded the audience that research shows that one in five women experience domestic abuse. “This is huge,” he said, adding that the issue is very much a hidden and silent force in Irish society.

Copies of the Employer’s Guidelines on Domestic Abuse are available from Clare Haven Services in Ennis, telephone 065 6822435.

HUNDREDS of new construction jobs will be created in Clare in the coming week if a number of ambitious new projects are cleared to proceed.

The construction sector in the county is on the verge of a mini-revival with a sharp increase in the number of commercial and residential developments seeking planning permission with Clare County Council.

Over the next three weeks planners at the local authority will decide whether to grant permission for the construction of four major commercial developments and three residential developments in Clare – amounting to almost 250 residential units.

According to estimates from the CSO and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), more then 4,000 construction jobs have been lost in Clare since 2007.

The CIF yesterday urged Clare County Council to look positively on a number of “very viable” commercial projects in the county.

“There seems to be a number of very viable schemes going before Clare County Council at the moment and we would urge them to look favourable in them,” said Clare CIF spokesperson, Conor O’Connell.

“Despite this we need to see the quick roll out of a number of public schemes such as the Ennis Waste Water Scheme, which would be a help in itself but would also prompt related development in the area.”

A decision will be made this Thursday on the construction of a new supermarket and office development in Miltown Malbay. The proposal, which is being put forward by Michael Gleeson and Jim Shannon, will contain a 4,153 square metre supermarket, a warehouse, three office units and an underground parking facility.

A decision is also due on the construction of a Wellness Centre including 15 tourist accommodation units in Ruan, a medical centre and community pharmacy in Roslevan and a new thrift shop and offices by Clare Care in Killaloe.

On the residential side of the market Jim Woods Building Contractor is awaiting permission to construct 16 houses in Kilkishen, while Allied Irish Bank have applied for the construction of two new houses and the retention of planning for 25 more at Arda na Deirge in Killaloe. A decision is due from Clare County Council on March 31 whether to grant Drumquin Construction Ltd an extension on permission to develop 190 houses at Knockanean in Roslevan.

Meanwhile, a major step towards the construction of a large retail centre by Michael Lynch Ltd on the Tobarteascain Road in Ennis could be made next week. A decision on road and pedestrian access to the development in due next Monday.

THE owner of a new erotic sex shop has vowed to defy the “Joe Duffy brigade” when he opens his premises on O’Connell Street on St Patrick’s Day.

Businessman Pat Glynn will officially open the Erotica shop this Thursday and has signed a one year lease on the premises which was occupied by Moran’s until 2006 and most recently by the Two Euro Shop.

Speaking to The Clare People yesterday, Mr Glynn said that his shop was not a brothel and nothing illegal would be allowed to take place on the premises.

“People have questioned my decision to open an adult shop in the current age where internet porn is free and easily accessible, however Ennis has a huge population of people over 35 that have difficulty using the internet and after looking at the success of adult shops in places like Cork and Waterford I decided to take the leap of faith and face the backlash of the Joe Duffy brigade,” he told The Clare People .

“The shop will be selling a range of sex toys, magazines, DVDs, erotic chocolates, lubricants, sex games and other fun items. For the people that think it will promote illegal activities I can assure them that we will not be promoting anything of the sort.

“There is a difference between an adult store and a brothel. Sex is no longer something to be ashamed about and I do feel the minority that do have a problem with it clearly think we’re involved in illegal activities.”

Mr Glynn did admit that the location on O’Connell street “may be controversial” but said that the shop will be strictly over 18’s and efforts will be made to tone down the shop during daylight hours.

“We will do our best to keep the shop out of the public eye until after 8pm – we will have the blinds pulled and the pink neon light switched off until this time,” he said.

The head of the O’Connell’s Street Traders Association, Gearoid Mannion, has welcomed the new business, saying as long as nothing illegal is taking place, most local traders would welcome the adult shop.

“They will be paying rates the same as all the rest of us so, once it’s all legal, why should anyone have a problem with it. It’s up to the public now to vote with their feet after that and decide if it is going to be success,” he said.

OVERCROWDING at the existing pier in Doolin is becoming an increasing safety hazard, both for tourists and water users according to the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coastguard, who use the pier to launch their rescue crafts.

The existing pier is also believed to be too close in the shore-line, meaning that in the case of an emergency a docking boat would not have time to stop before it washes up on the rocks off the pier.

“When the new pier will be built all of the commercial traffic will be able to work off the new pier which will leave the existing pier and slipway for the use of the coastguard and leisure users – so it will take a huge amount of traffic off the existing pier and make things much safer for those using it,” said Mattie Shannon of the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coastguard.

“The coastguard would be very concerned about the amount of traffic that is currently operating off the pier as it now stands – not just for our own sake but also for the safety of the tens of thousands of tourists who will be using the pier during the summer months. It would be much better from a safety position if the new pier was allowed to go ahead.”

According to Niall Hughes of the Doolin Community Harbour Co-op, there is a large market from leisure craft owners, scuba diving and other sea uses to access the pier at Doolin.

“The existing harbour is too shallow and it dries out at low tide and the situation now is that there are so many people coming in and out at high tide that the pier gets overwhelmed.

“The pier is far too small for the needs of the community. It has gotten to the stage now that it is nearly all commercial boats coming in now and there is no room for leisure boats – but there is a big demand for leisure boats,” he said.

“There is a huge demand from scuba clubs, families, people who go fishing – to use the pier from a leisure point of view.

“If we have this deep water pier it means that the commercial boats can have safe access at all stages during the tide and the old pier can be used solely for leisure based activities. This is down to safety, there is just not enough space for everyone who wants to use the pier.”

DOOLIN will become the main ferry port transporting an estimated 70,000 tourists to the Aran Islands each year should the planned Doolin Pier Development get the go ahead.

That is the opinion of a group representing local tourist interests, ferry operators, the Doolin Community Harbour Co-op and the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coastguard who met in Doolin last week.

At present less than 10 per cent of the estimated 70,000 people who visit Aran travel through Doolin. According to the Doolin groups, the development of the new pier could attract more than half of these tourists to north Clare, with research also showing that 68 per cent of the people who visit the Islands from Doolin would stay at least one night in Clare.

The pier is being opposed by local surfers who believe that it will damage the famous surfing wave at Crab Island just off Doolin Pier.

According to Niall O’Dwyer of Doolin Tourism, the local people are depending on the pier to kick-start the tourism trade in Doolin and in the entire county.

“We are relying on this pier development to turn the tide for tourism in Doolin. It means we can bring large group to the pier all through the year which will give massive sustainability to the businesses lately,” he said.

“This will mean a lot to the people of the whole county. Coaches go to Galway at the moment to access the Aran Island but in reality it would be much easier for them to leave from here. More than 90 per cent of the traffic to the Aran Island goes through Galway but massive amount of that would go from Doolin if this pier is developed.”

More than 91 per cent of the entire population of Inis Oírr have signed a petition submitted to Clare County Council in favour of the pier development.

“The people of Inis Oírr have a close association with north Clare going back generations, not just in Doolin but also in Ballyvaughan and New Quay. This pier has enormous potential to reform those bonds which were formed over generations,” said ferry operator Eugene Garrihy.

“We are firmly of the belief that Clare can promote itself as a tourist location on its own if we secure this development but we must provide a better service for the people who come here.”

According to Mr Garrihy, this development is needed to prevent the emigration of the young people from the area and the eventual destruction of the old traditions in Doolin.

“I grew up in Doolin. I remember holding my mother’s hand when eight of my siblings emigrated to America and to England. I have a sister in New York who emigrated the day I was born, she is still there. I remember the tears and the suffering and the pain and all of that is happening again,” he continued.

“We have an opportunity now to do something that will create sustainable employment in the long term. We believe a good compromise has been reached and we just want to get on with it now.”

THE LAHINCH based West Coast Surf Club (WCSC) has described Clare County Council’s decision not to consult with either the Irish Surf Association or the WCSC before submitting the revised plan for Doolin Pier as both “shortsighted” and “regrettable”.

Next Monday, March 21, councillors at Clare County Council will vote whether to grant the local authorities Part 8 planning application for the development of Doolin Pier. A decision of the matter was deferred by the councillors in December to allow for more public consultation and since them more than 30 submission have been made on the proposed development.

Surfers fear the development of the pier will effect the waves generated off Crab Island just beside the proposed pier.

“We request that the revised proposals are not accepted and that Clare County Council revert to the 2002 proposal to extend the existing pier to ensure that the wave environ- ment in the area is maintained,” said Cliodhna Fawl in a submission on behalf of the West Coast Surf Club.

“We again take the opportunity to suggest, as we did during a meeting with Clare County Council, their consulting engineers, the WCSC and the ISA in November of 2010, that the option of locating the pier further north in the bay, above the larger public car part be revisited. “This is the closest area in the deep water channel to the deep water channel and is likely to have the least impact on the Doolin wave environ- ment.” In the sane submission the WCSC also raised safety concerns for surfers accessing the water should the new pier be development and a positive negative impact on tourism. “Apart from the damage that the proposed work will undoubtedly do to the world famous wave environment, the design poses a serious and significant health andww safety threat to the surfers accessing the waves at Doolin Point and Crab Island,” she says. “Surf tourism is a highly important and valuable income stream for west Clare, throughout the year, and to proceed with the proposed works without any assessment of the impact on these waves or without any input from surfers sends the wrong message not only outside of Clare but also outside of Ireland.”