Month: November 2011

HALF of all Garda vehicles in Clare are unfit for use and will have been scrapped within weeks, The Clare People can reveal.

Of the 33 cars in the Clare Division’s Garda fleet, eight have been scrapped, while another nine cars are nearing their maximum mileage of 300,000 kilometres and will soon be taken off the road.

Every pocket of the county will see reduced Garda patrols, as a result. The only detective car available to gardaí in Ennistymon is no longer available.

The district patrol car from Killaloe is no longer fit for use and has been replaced by a Tulla car, while cars from the Killaloe-based traffic corps are being used by gardaí on the beat.

Several of the cars attached to Ennis Garda Station are deployed across the county, in an effort to ensure rural parts are policed. No new vehicles are being purchased, due to cutbacks.

The head of policing in Clare, Chief Superintendent John Kerin, declined to comment on the figures, but Garda sources say the situation has got out of control and say they cannot do their job to the best of their ability without the basic re- sources.

Meanwhile, according to official figures obtained by The Clare People , 18 gardaí retired last year, while five have retired so far this year and another one will retire later this week, December 1.

Another 17 gardaí have indicated their intentions to retire by February, which will bring to 41 the number leaving the force since the beginning of last year.

A nationwide recruitment freeze means that numbers are expected to continue to dwindle until new recruits are taken on in a few years’ time.

“If they all go, we will have lost 41 people. At least 12 or 13 of the 17 have made their minds up,” said Chief Supt Kerin.

“If they all go, 41 is a hell of a lot of people,” he added.

The Ennis and west Clare districts are the hardest hit. 14 have retired in Ennis and outlying stations since the start of last year.

In west Clare, nine gardaí retired since the start of last year. Four gardaí retired in Killaloe last year and none this year.

One garda retired in Ennistymon last year and none are likely to retire this year. Last year, nine gardaí retired in Shannon, which included five from immigration at Shannon Airport.

“The biggest impact at the moment is Kilrush and the amount of experience lost in a rural district. It takes quite a while to build up experience. The people who left Kilrush last year have been replaced by others in the division.

“We had a few replacement people in Ennis, on transfers, and if I can I send replacements to Kilrush,” said Chief Supt Kerin.

However, transfers are rare and are not additional personnel.

Chief Supt Kerin said that there are no plans to close any of the rural stations where gardaí are retiring such as Doonbeg and Carrigaholt.

“Until we are told otherwise as regards the closure of stations we will be opening the stations for limited periods, two or three times a week. There will be cover.

“People will be able to carry out transactions, ordinary business,” he said.

Chief Supt Kerin said that decisions on the allocation of resources will have to be taken in February, while final numbers of retirees are established.

“It will be the end of February before we know who is retired. We will sit down and see if we have to reduce numbers in specialist units then,” he said.

SHANNON Development’s role as a driver of the mid-west economy over the past 50 years could be wiped away with the stroke of a pen in next week’s Budget, the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar has revealed.

On a visit to Clare on Saturday, Minister Varadkar spelled out clearly that Shannon Development’s future as the engine of the mid-west economy now hangs in the balance, if its responsibilities for tourism marketing and business development are taken over by other state agencies.

“Shannon Development has a remit for tourism marketing as well as product development, enterprise development, inward investment and does a lot of different things,” said Minister Varadkar.

“Its remit is under Minister Richard Bruton (Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation) rather than under my remit. What the Government has said is that Fáilte Ireland is willing to take over all of Shannon Development’s tourism functions, if the agency is subsumed into the IDA and Enterprise Ireland.

“Fáilte Ireland operates in the midwest already and would be including the region in all its broader marketing and would be marketing in much the same way as is markets the south west. In the past, Shannon Development had a very big income from its properties, which it was then able to re-invest into tourism in the region. Because of the collapse in the property market, Shannon Development doesn’t have that income anymore,” he added.

This means that, as a worst case scenario, Shannon Development’s role within the region could be relegated to overseeing the management of facilities such as Bunratty, Knappogue and Dungaire Castles.

“Shannon Heritage does a very good job of running its attractions and that operates as a company and I certainly wouldn’t see that changing,” said Minister Varadkar.

If the proposed changes to the operation of Shannon Development don’t go ahead, Minister Varadkar said, “I don’t see any reason not to continue the status quo, except that we will be taking over the marketing functions, but Shannon Development could continue to run the attractions and run its own properties, but things are changing.”

Shannon Development was established in 1959 as the Shannon Free Airport Development Company. The agency is responsible for the Shannon Free Zone and the National Technology Park in Limerick.

Shannon Town was also created and managed by the company until it was transferred to Clare County Council in 2004 – a transfer that was the biggest property transaction in the history of the state.

A MAN who served in Iraq with the British Army returned home to Clare with post traumatic stress, his solicitor has told a court.

Ross Culligan (24), of Church Drive, Clarecastle was accused of forging a prescription, and using a forged prescription at Holly’s Pharmacy, Ennis, on October 19 last.

Inspector John Galvin told Ennis District Court on Friday that staff at the pharmacy alerted gardaí that the accused had used a false prescription in an effort to obtain tablets.

He said that the accused fully cooperated with gardaí.

Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett said that his client had spent time in the British Army and had been to Iraq.

“He came back with post traumatic stress. He was not able to deal with coming home. He is now back in Ireland trying to get on with his life,” he added. “He is ashamed for what he did and it won’t happen again,” said the solicitor.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy adjourned the case until January for preparation of a Probation report.

A MAN who was dealing drugs to 10 people to feed his own habit got a wake up call when he was caught, a court has been told.

Gerry Downey (31), of Maiville, Kilrush Road, Ennis, was before Ennis District Court on Friday charged with possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply, at Government Buildings, Ennis, on March 17 last.

Inspector John Galvin told the court that the accused admitted to gardaí that the cannabis was “for distribution to other people”.

He said that the drug was valued at € 1,900.

Defending solicitor Stephen Nicholas said that his client had been in employment as a plasterer but had lost his job in the recession. He said that while he was unemployed, he lapsed into taking cannabis.

“Naivety is written all over this case,” he said.

“He admitted everything. He had hidden the stash in bushes in a housing estate.

“It was clearly visible in a field be- tween the Revenue Commissioners office and the rugby club,” said the solicitor.

“It was naive,” he said.

“He doesn’t have a car. The only thing he has is a bicycle. He admitted that he was dealing. There were 10 people in a circle to whom he was dealing. He was dealing to feed his own habit. This was probably a wake-up call for him,” said the solicitor.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy adjourned the case until January for preparation of a Probation report and sought urinalysis and toxicology reports.

TWO PEOPLE have been charged in connection with the seizure of drugs in Ennis.

Brian Greene (35), of Corrovorrin Avenue, Ennis, is charged with possession of heroin for sale or supply and possession of heroin at an address in Lifford, Ennis, on April 27, 2010.

He is also charged with cultivating plants of the genus cannabis at Corrovorrin Avenue, on the same date.

Garda Stephen Hession told the court that he arrested the defendant on October 28 last. When the three charges were put to him, he did not reply.

Free legal aid was granted to the accused’s solicitor Eugene O’Kelly.

The court was told that the DPP has directed that the accused be tried in the circuit court.

The case was adjourned until January for service of the book of evidence.

Another defendant also appeared in court on Friday in connection with alleged drugs offences.

Anett Hausmann is facing five charges in total. Ms Hausmann (34), with addresses at Gort Leamhán, Roslevan, Ennis, and Clare Vil- las, Clare Road, Ennis, is accused of possession of heroin for sale or supply and possession of heroin and cannabis resin at an address in Lifford, on April 27, 2010.

She is also charged with possession of heroin for sale or supply and possession of heroin in Ennis on November 4 last.

The court heard that the DPP has directed that her case be dealt with in the district court. Free legal aid was granted to Ms Hausmann.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy said he was consenting to summary disposal of her case in the district court. He adjourned the case until January.

ELDERLY people in the Lahinch area are living in fear and are terrified as a result of intimidation and anti-social behaviour from local teenagers. That is the view of a community activist, who has prompted the re-establishment of a neighbourhood watch scheme in the area.

Tomsie O’Sullivan told The Clare People that several senior citizens in the Lahinch area are antagonised by gangs of youths.

In recent months, several community alert and neighbourhood watch schemes have been set up across the county. Community alerts are mainly focused on towns, while neighbourhood watch programmes feature in more sparsely populated rural areas where many of the residents have little contact with others.

One of the newer neighbourhood watch groups to be established is in Lahinch. Tomsie O’Sullivan, who is involved in forming the group, said community safety is a priority.

“The bottom line for it all is hoping to get people visiting each other and for neighbours to trust each other,” he said.

He said that educating young people is an essential part of the programme. “We are hoping to visit schools in time and make young people aware of what is happening in the neighbourhoods. Young people who are mischievous need to realise the effect their actions have on the eld- erly.”

He said that he went about setting up the programme, because, “I see too much going on. There is a lot of petty crime. There is a lot of pilfering. There is fear in elderly people. There is genuine fear there. Young people are taking advantage of this.

“Around the village elderly are fearful. It starts with playfulness. Then someone steals something from a shop and are aggressive with anyone they meet. There are elements creating havoc. Young people from 14 to 17 are pelting stones at windows and breaking them and antagonising the elderly. The gardaí have been to parents and have advised them and this helps and some people have turned around but others continue. If they are prosecuted, it could affect their careers if they want to go overseas,” he said.

He said he is aware of two rural homes that were broken into recently while the owners were attending funerals and said this leaves people in fear. “The main fear is people calling that they don’t know. Security lights are important for them,” said Tomsie.

The group intends to buy panic alarms for residents living in the area, at a cost of around € 400 each. Funding will be provided to cover most of the cost.

A KILLIMER woman is the brainchild behind a groundbreaking initiative that will see Ireland’s first illustrated book for baby sign language – a phenomenon that’s now taking off in Ireland.

Miriam Devitt, who has been granted aided to the tune of € 6,500 by the Clare Local Development Company, will launch her SuperHands book in Dublin on December 10.

Based on a concept that originated in the US in 1986 with Dr Joseph Garcia, baby sign language has become an international phenomenon allowing parents to communicate at a whole new level with their infants before they have learned to talk.

Ms Devitt launched her initiative in west Clare in 2009 and, since then, hundreds of parents and their babies have taken part in SuperHands classes, learning this new method of communicating with their babies.

“This is a very exciting time for infant communication in Ireland,” says Devitt. “The feedback from my classes in Clare and Limerick has been so great that I was keen to expand as quickly as possible.

“Now parents all over the country can experience the joys of signing with their babies.”

This board book introduces parents and their children to the first 40 signs they will need to communicate with each other. From food and drink to fun toy and animal signs, this book will get the mums and dads of Ireland communicating with their infants before they can even talk.

“Using simple gestures, babies and their parents embark on an entirely new journey of interaction with each other and, more importantly, have fun together,” says Ms Devitt.

“Thanks to SuperHands’ baby sign language dictionary, parents and babies can learn to sign with each other from the comfort of their own homes while using ISL, Irish Sign Language, the language of our local deaf community.

“Baby sign language can reduce a baby’s frustration, enhance confidence, increase the parent-child bond, accelerate speech and reduce temper tantrums. Above all, however, it’s about spending enjoyable, quality time with your baby,” she adds.

To find out more about Superhands, Miriam’s baby sign classes in Clare or where to find the book, visit www. superhands.ie or call Miriam directly on 086 8223165.

AN “open and honest” discussion about the issues surrounding suicide will take place at the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon on Thursday, December 1.

The Mental Health Forum on depression in rural Ireland will be addressed by Minister of State With Responsibility For Mental Health, Older People, Equality And Disabil- ity, Kathleen Lynch.

Other speakers on the night will include Dan Neville, President of the Association of Suicidology; Billy O’Connell GP, local doctor and community activist; and Dr Moosajee Bhamjee, Clare Psychiatrist.

According to organiser Ally Carr, “This evening is a public event open to all. The goal is to eradicate the stigma, which quite sadly is still prevalent with mental ollness.

“Our preoccupation historically with institutions as a nation has not helped and is still somewhat resonant. With changing cultural and community patterns in rural Ireland, we as citizens must address this epidemic.”

Ms Carr said figures show that the number of people affected by depression in Clare is one of the highest in Ireland.

“Speak to anyone in mental health and they will tell you that we are very high up there,” she said.

The north Clare woman said exact Clare figures are hard to obtain due to issues with “recording and reporting of suicide” She added, “A lot of it is that people won’t come out and admit that they have a problem.”

Ms Carr continued, “We must empower ourselves to deal with this illness. Merely referring to the medical profession alone in secrecy will not make this problem go away.

“We must show solidarity and acceptance to those suffering in our community. I would urge all citizens of Clare to come and support this evening. It will be educational, supportive and, most of all, it will offer hope.”

Members of the Samaritans, Aware and Shine will be present to provide information about their services. The talk gets underway at 7.30pm.

TWENTY full-time and part-time jobs will be provided when a Roslevan pub re-opens on Friday.

The Grove bar and restaurant opens under new management on December 2.

New manager Donagh Vaughan has been working in the pub trade in Clare for more than 20 years.

Despite the tough economic conditions, Donagh is looking forward to the challenge.

He said, “It is a good time to be opening, November is gone and we’re just getting into Christmas. We want to provide a good local pub to the local area.”

He added, “Roslevan is a massive area. And we want to try and serve it. It’s a spot that always had a good local pub.”

Donagh said the business would provide 10 full-time and 10 part-time jobs.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be available at The Grove.

“Food is a very important part of the pub business now,” Donagh said.

There will also be a strong emphasis on screening live sport.

“We want to give people a good service – good value and good customer service.”

Donagh added, “We’re hoping to get a lot of repeat business, a lot of families. It’s important that you get to know people’s names and get to know the people who are living in the area.

“It’s very much available for parties and we cater for large groups of up to 25 people. We’re here to help people. It will be a very hands-on approach.”

Donagh and the staff are looking forward to opening night.

“We want to let the locals see the renovations. We think it will be a big change for them. We want to see what they think and we’ll roll on from there,” he said.

SHANNON Airport can only be given its independence from the Dublin Airport Authority if its debts are completely cleared, part-cleared or taken on by another entity, which would then allow Clare’s international airport begin a new chapter with a clean slate.

The prospect of such a landmark move for the airport that recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of the turning of the first sod in Rineanna in 1936, has been hinted at by Transport Minister, Leo Varadkar.

On a visit to Clare to participate in the 23rd staging of the national tourism conference organised by Clare Tourist Council and Clare County Council, Minister Varadkar confirmed that Shannon’s debts that are now running at € 100m must be confronted as part of any restructuring of the airport.

Speaking in Ennistymon, Minister Varadkar said that Booz & Company – the team of international consultants hired by his department to plot a new future for Shannon will “looking at how much of a debt Shannon could reasonably carry”.

“That is very important at the moment, because Shannon has a very large debt ascribed to it, because of the investment that’s been incurred there and also because of the losses that have been built up over the years.

“It would be very hard to see Shannon work on its own, if it’s to carry all that debt. Part of the work they [Booz & Company] are doing for me is working out what level of debt would be sustainable,” added Minister Varadkar.

In late October, Booz & Company, a leading global management consult- ing firm, that helps businesses and governments and has branches in 39 countries worldwide was given the job of “consulting as widely as possible with the stakeholders in Shannon” ahead of a proposal being put to government that will chart a new future for the 75-year-old airport.

“The consultants haven’t come back to me yet,” Minister Varadkar told The Clare People . “They are going to come back to me at the end of November and I expect to bring a memo to government in January.”

He said that the terms and conditions of Shannon’s “new start” all depended on “what comes out of the (consultation) process. It is not predetermined. What I’ve asked them to do is look at a number of options.

“One of the things that’s clear is there will be no government money given to Shannon. The Government doesn’t give money to Shannon – what happens at the moment is that the profits from Dublin and Aer Rianta International are used to subsidise Shannon and Cork. However, Dublin’s profits are diminishing and that money isn’t there anymore,” Minister Varadkar added.