Month: June 2011

AFTER hours drinking has become an issue in Kilkee pubs, but will no longer be tolerated, gardaí have pledged.

Two pubs were taken to court last week where fines were imposed for allowing people to be on the premises after hours.

Gardaí say that they will not tolerate law breaking and will crack down on after hours drinking in the coming months – as the tourist season reaches its height in the seaside resort.

Superintendent Gerry Wall, who is responsible for policing in the West Clare area, said the issue is particularly prevalent in Kilkee.

“It is more of an issue in Kilkee. Commonly, public order is blamed on late hours and drink being sold late. Exemptions cost around € 400 to serve alcohol for one-and-a-half to two hours outside the normal closing hours. Publicans need to understand that fact. They cannot be expected to be allowed to trade unless they have an exemption,” Supt Wall told The Clare People .

“The message is not one of putting licensees out of business. It is mere- ly to have reasonable compliance with the legislation. People who apply for exemptions will have the full benefit of exemptions,” he said.

Supt Wall also said that underage drinking will be targeted over the forthcoming summer months.

“We will target licensed premises and off-licences for underage drinking and selling to young people. People who complain of public order and disorder should recognise the fact there is huge responsibility on licence holders to sell drink only to people who are entitled to receive it,” he said.

“Adults buying alcohol for underage people is an issue. They do contribute to public order. It is very important in 2011 that businesses are allowed every opportunity to sell their area to prospective businesses. However, these people are damaging the community,” he said.

“Business in Kilkee is seasonal. We don’t want to hammer them, but they must act responsibly,” he added.

“They have my full support in promoting their businesses, events and festivals. Most of the retailers with wine licenses do act responsibly,” he said.

PLANS to begin a commercial commuter ferry service connecting Ballyvaughan and Galway City took its first major step forward last week when Leader granted funding for a feasibility study into the project to take place.

Over the next few weeks, an independent UK agency will compile a report on the proposed link which it is hoped will provide the technical and economic information to allow a private operator to begin the service.

While the campaign is being spearheaded by a Ballyvaughan-based group, the survey team will examine whether an alternative location in Clare could be more suitable for the ferry connection.

The proposed link is being spearheaded by the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop organisation, who believe that a non-subsidised commuter ferry could turn a profit by transporting people to and from Galway each day.

“This is a community-based project so what we want them to do is to see if this will be a feasible service to have in the long term. I live in Ballyvaughan, so I have been coming at this from that point of view but they will examine which are the best places to locate this service from – it could be Ballyvaughan, it could be New Quay or it could be somewhere else,” said Gwen Ryan of the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop group.

“The survey should take about eight week to complete and they will be contacting all the local stakeholders to get their opinions. There will be a report completed by the end of August so we should know by then how this ferry connection could work.”

The ferry connections is envisioned primarily for people living in North Clare but working in Galway, however it could also transport tourists during the summer season. The ferry trip from Ballyvaughan to Galway City will take less than half an hour, shaving more than an hour off a person’s daily commute.

“This would firstly give the people living in North Clare more transport options but it would also give tourists in Galway a different way of getting to the Burren as well. So hopefully it can work both ways,” continued Gwen.

“On a calm day, it will take between 20 minutes and half an hour to get from Ballyvaughan to Galway city. We want to prove that this will be sustainable without subsidies subsidies are not what we are looking for at the moment.”

For more information on the Hop, visit www.ballyvaughanbayhop.com or contact Gwen on gwen@ballyvaughanbayhop.com.

GARDAÍ have warned boat owners to be vigilant after the Killaloe Coast Guard Unit was called out on a major search on foot of an empty boat being spotted adrift on the lake.

The search was stood down after it was established that the boat was one of two which had been reported stolen.

The Coast Guard was tasked on Saturday by Valentia MRSC when a fisherman reported a fishing boat adrift on the lower lake below Killaloe.

There was no-one on board the boat when it was spotted.

The fisherman had seen a person on the same boat an hour and a half beforehand and, as the boat keys and life jacket were still on board, a major search of the area was conducted by the Killaloe Coast Guard Rib “DALTON”, Rescue 115, the Irish Coast Guard Helicopter from Shannon and a land search team from Killaloe Coast Guard.

On investigation, it was discovered that two boats from the local area had been stolen during the previous night and that the boat found adrift was one of these. After 45 minutes, the search was stood down as nothing was found.

Gardaí have advised boat owners to check their vessels and to take precautions to ensure that thieves can’t take boats which are moored on the lake.

The warning comes after a number of thefts of boat engines from vessels in Killaloe. The outboard engines are valuable and are being resold.

Gardai are asking anyone in the boating community who is offered an engine under suspicious circumstances to contact them.

RURAL communities in West Clare are being urged to get involved in their local community alert schemes, which were relaunched yesterday.

Several schemes have been up and running for some time and were reignited at a function at Kilrush Garda Station last night.

Schemes have been in existence in several West Clare areas including Labasheeda, Ballynacally, Kildysart, Cranny, Coolmeen, Kilmihil, Knockerra, Cooraclare, Doonbeg, Carrigaholt and Kilkee and a new scheme has been set up in Killimer.

A chairperson and secretary is elected in each scheme and they liaise with local gardaí. District meetings, involving all of the schemes, take place a few times a year, at which any issues in the various areas can be raised.

Garda Eoin Daly, who is responsible for the schemes in the Kilrush Garda District, is encouraging new people to get involved.

“We are continuing with existing schemes and setting up more schemes in villages.

“We want new members. People in the various parishes run them themselves,” he said.

Gardaí liaise with the representatives of the groups and offer advice on such issues as intruder alarms, smoke alarms and general security advice.

They also urge members of the community to contact garda stations with any issues or concerns that they may have.

“Neighbourhood Watch schemes have been ongoing in Kilrush for the past few years. Community Alerts are more for the rural areas,” said Gda Daly.

“People can talk to their representatives and bring an issue to them and this can be passed on to their local gardaí.

“We urge people to be vigilant, for instance documenting registrations of strange vehicles. We stress the importance of making note of anything suspicious and ring us,” added Gda Daly.

Gardaí are keen that similar schemes are set up in every parish and village and anyone interested in getting involved should contact their local garda or Kilrush Garda Station on 065 9051017.

A JUDGE has warned two teenagers involved in a burglary in Kilrush that they must work with the probation services or face prison sentences.

Judge Carroll Moran was speaking at Ennis Circuit Court on Monday (May 30) at the case of Warren O’Donnell (19), of Moore Street, Kilrush,

Mr O’Donnell is charged with aggravated burglary and assault at Kilrush on November 12 2008.

Another teenager, who was 13 when the incident occurred and cannot be named, is also charged in connection with the burglary.

Assault victim, Domingos Semedo, said in a victim impact statement read in court by a Portuguese interpreter that the incident had changed his life and forced him to give up work for a period of four months.

He stated that he had lost out in just over € 17,000 in wages. This figure was disputed by Pat Whyms, Counsel for O’Donnell.

Mr Whyms questioned how Mr Semedo could have lost out on € 17,000 when he had only moved to Kilrush four days prior to the incident.

Mr Semedo, who was not in court, stated that he went through a “very stressful” period, adding, “I still wake up thinking about the incident…I still have nightmares.”

While thanking the gardaí for their support and assistance, Mr Semedo stated that he was “very disappointed with the criminal justice system in Ireland” as he did not think the “aggressors” would be punished.

“It would help to know that the aggressors got a sentence”, he added.

Mr Whyms said his client had got into “more serious difficulties” since 2008 and was currently serving a prison sentence.

He said probation reports had indicated that his client needed ongoing addiction and psychological counseling.

Judge Carroll Moran said he was “very concerned” about Mr O’Donnell’s subsequent offences.

He adjourned the matter for 12 months.

He added that if there isn’t a “glowing report from the probation services”, the accused faced possible three year jail sentences.

A 48-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in Ennis District Court in connection with the alleged possession of child pornography. The man is charged with possession of 641 images of child pornographic material at his home in the South Galway area in March. On Friday, garda John Keating gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. Insp John Galvin told the court that gardaí had no objection provided certain conditions are met. Insp Galvin said the man must reside at a certain address and sign on once a week at a local Garda station. The man was ordered to notify Gardaí of any intention to move away from the area and to surrender his passport. He was also ordered to stay away from Coole Park and Garryland Woods. Solicitor for the accused consented to the bail conditions. Judge Joseph Mangan remanded the man to appear at Gort District Court on June 28.

A 29-YEAR-OLD man has received a suspended sentence in connection with the possession of almost € 8,000 worth of cannabis.

Maurice Crotty, with an address at 11 Bridge View, Roslevan, appeared at Ennis District Court on Friday.

Garda Alan Kelly told the court that the accused had been charged after Gardaí recovered a large amount of cannabis, a small amount of amphetamine, € 2340 in cash and a weighing scales. Garda Kelly said the value of the cannabis was € 7945.

He said the man had not come to garda attention since the drugs were found and added that he believed the man “had learned from his error”.

Solicitor for the accused, John Casey, said his client had made a full admission to gardaí and had since completely dissociated himself from drug dealing.

He explained that his client had been given drugs to sell along with drugs he had used himself. Mr Casey said this was not meant to act as an excuse, that it had been his client’s decision to do it, adding, “He had to do what he was told”.

He said the man had played hurling at underage level for Clare, had won numerous sports awards and had recently been named badminton player of the year.

He said his client believed that the discovery of the drugs by Gardaí had been ‘the best thing to happen to him.’

“It’s a serious charge. He knows it’s a serious charge”, he added.

Mr Casey said the man, who was previously a factory worker, had stopped taking drugs and was now on a good path.

Asking that a custodial sentence not be imposed, he said that if his client went to prison, “he would meet the people he has been trying to avoid for the past few months”.

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a four-month prison, suspended on the condition that the man be of good behaviour for two years and that he consented to a community service order of 150 hours. He ordered the man to appear back before court on July 15.

A CLARE businesswoman, who suffers from a painful and debilitating bent spine, has begun a campaign to have medicinal marijuana legalised in Ireland.

Bunratty woman Niamh O’Brien believes that legalising cannabis could benefit thousands of Clare people suffering from a variety of medical complaints and would also help stop the spread of organised crime in Ireland.

Niamh set up LCI Clare, (the Legalisation of Cannabis in Ireland, Clare branch), just two weeks ago and has already gained more than 650 friends on the organisations Facebook site. She believes that legalising cannabis for medicinal use, as has been done in many American states, could have a positive impact on people in Clare.

“To start with cannabis is an antiinflammatory, which reduces swelling and inflammation. It is a pain relief, it is used to combat depression, anxiety, to promote appetite, to help people who have Alzheimers, MS, Parkinson’s and for a variety of other conditions,” she told The Clare People yesterday.

“As it stands at present people in Ireland are being criminalised for taking a responsible attitude towards their own health and their own care. We have researched the ingredients of some of the medications that people are legally taking in Ireland today and people would be shocked and horrified if they knew what does into it.”

The membership of the Legalisation of Cannabis in Ireland has been growing in recent time. Having traditionally drawing most of its membership from Cork and Dublin, branches have been founded around the country in recent months.

According to Niamh, the current laws are forcing law-abiding people into interacting with criminal elements in order to obtain the cannabis which allows them to overcome their illness and live normal lives.

“Having to go down to a street corner and deal with criminals is not what we should be doing. In fact, this is the only situation where cannabis being seen as a gateway drug to other harmful drugs actually makes sense. You are forced to deal with people who have other dangerous substances that they want you to buy,” she continued.

“There is no guarantee in what you are getting from people like this, who are just out to make a profit. Putting people into the position where they have to deal with dangerous people who don’t care what they are selling you is not a good situation.”

To find out more about the organisation search for “LCI Clare” on Facebook.

BALLYVAUGHAN is Ireland’s new capital of cuisine after Gregan’s Castle dominated the prestigious Irish Restaurant Awards in Dublin last week. In an unprecedented sweeps of awards, the North Clare hotel took three of the top eight awards back to the Banner county – the most successful haul of Clare winners in the history of the awards.

More than 800 industry professionals turned out to the Burlington Hotel to see Gregan’s Castle chef Mickael Viljanen scoop the much coveted Best Chef in Ireland Award, while Gregan’s Castle also won the Best Hotel Restaurant and Best Customer Service Awards.

Located at the foot of Corkscrew Hill, Gregan’s Castle is operated by husband and wife team Simon and Frederieke Haden. Although they have won numerous national and international awards in recent years last week’s three victories is by far and away the biggest competitive success that has been won by any Clare eatery in recent years.

Finnish chef Mickael Viljanen has been cooking up a storm in Gregan’s Castle for more than three years now. He also beat fellow semi-finalist Kevin Thornton on his way to the overall crown.

FORMER employees of Shannonside Oil have said they will continue their protest until management at the company agree to enter into talks with them.

Four men – Jimmy Jones, Paddy Kelly, Pat Quinlivan and Colm Quinlivan – staged a protest at the Shannonside Oil depot on the Clare Road, Ennis, last Wednesday and Thursday. The men are claiming they were unfairly dismissed from their positions as driver/ salesmen in April.

Limerick man Jimmy Jones, who worked with the company for 20 years, said the workers were not given any reason for their dismissal. He said the group decided to protest after seeing their jobs advertised in The Clare Champion and Limerick Leader newspapers.

He added, “The same jobs. The company has refused to enter into any talks with us. They just told us to go home. We can’t get in contact with them since. We wrote letters to them. They won’t respond to them. We’re here to make the public aware of what has been done to us.”

Clare man Pat Quinlivan, a driver/ salesman for six years, said that the men had sought a meeting through their union SIPTU. He added, “We’d have worked six days a week if they wanted us to, worked late at night. All during the winter there with the bad roads, ice, slipping off the roads. We always did what we could for the company. And then this just happened like that.”

He continued, “We’re hoping to let the public know what happened to us and get their backing hopefully as well. We would look to be re-instated back with the company.”

Colm Quinlivan, driver/salesman for three years, said, “It’s only two years ago that I got a letter off the company to get a mortgage stating that the job was long term for the foreseeable future. I got that mortgage and now I won’t be able to pay the mortgage because I’ve no job.”

He added, “We’ll protest for as long as it takes to get some sort of meeting or some sort of negotiations.”

Tulla man Paddy Kelly, was a driver/sales man for eight years. He said he is worried about the future.

“I’m a married man with children. They’re at home wondering why I’m at home. It was over 20 years back in the last recession when (I last didn’t have a job). It didn’t matter that time because I was a young fella. Within six months of the last time I got a job and that was it. But now there’s nothing out there.”

In a statement on Wednesday, Corrib Oil, who took over Shannonside Oil in 2008, said they had been in talks with SIPTU and workers for the past 18 months, saying redundancies were necessary because of adverse market conditions. Management at Corrib Oil did not respond to requests on Wednesday and Thursday from The Clare People for a comment.