Month: October 2012

MORE than a dozen people who previously worked in the area of middle management and are now seeking employment are benefiting from a new initiative set up by the St Vincent de Paul.

The local St Joseph’s Conference of the St Vincent de Paul set up a support and information network targeted at this group, when it became apparent they were finding their new job-seeking status particularly difficult. To date an average of 12 to 15 people attend the monthly meetings, but the local SVP believe it can help even more.

Its next meeting is in the Information Age Park, Gort Road, Ennis, at 10 am on October 11.

The agenda includes a presentation from Gerard Kennedy, Clare Local Development Company, and from Michael Byrne of Acton BV.

Gerard will be outlining the activities of CLDC and the supports they have to offer and Michael will be talking on how the members can use the net to source jobs. Clare Connect is a network for unemployed supervisory and executive personnel and it meets on the second Thursday of each month in the Board Room of the Information Age Park.

Those wishing to attend would let the organisers know by emailing clareconnect123@gmail.com.

A NEW initiative to support local community groups to access Leader funding for projects that upgrade buildings and structures of heritage value has been launched by the Clare Heritage Forum.

The Community Built Heritage Animator Programme will run until autumn 2013 and kicks off with a series of local seminars that will help communities identify projects and explore the technical and funding aspects of conservation works.

The seminars will take place over the next two weeks starting on Tuesday, October 16, in the Lakeside Hotel, Killaloe, and Thursday, October 18, in the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis.

The following week’s events are in the Stella Maris, Kilkee, on Tuesday 23 and Falls Hotel, Ennistymon on Thursday 25. All seminars are from 7.30 to 9.30pm.

Dick Cronin, Architectural Conservation Officer with Clare County Council, is inviting local groups to the seminars or to get in touch to explore the potential of projects in their communities.

“Clare Heritage Forum, Clare County Council and local communities have been working together for many years to identify, preserve and promote the county’s rich built heritage,” said Mr Cronin.

“Right now, there is a great opportunity for community groups to conserve and enhance this heritage with Leader funding from Clare Local Development Company. We are looking for groups to propose projects and we will assist them with technical expertise in applying for Leader heritage grants,” he added.

The Animator Programme is being operated by Leahy Conway Architects who have widespread experience in the preservation and conservation of heritage structures. Conservation architect Paul Conway is encouraging groups to consider all types of structures in their area.

“It may be a flagship building but equally it may simply be the clearance of ivy in an old church or graveyard. Other examples include gate piers, mausolea, village pumps, old castles, lime kilns, follies and so on. There are many places in your community where the past lives but which could benefit from a heritage grant,” he said.

A MAN has been found guilty of the intimidation of two witnesses who gave evidence at a trial in Clare last year.

At Clare Circuit Criminal Court yesterday, Martin Joyce (22), with addresses at 113 Dun na hInse, Ennis and 2 St Patrick’s Mews, Clarecastle, was found guilty by a jury of the intimidation of his brother-in-law Michael Ward and Mr Ward’s wife, Rose Ward.

He was acquitted of a charge of threatening to kill Mr Ward at Shannon Airport on May 3 2011.

The Wards had travelled to Clare from England to give evidence at an arson trial against the Mr Joyce’s brother David. David Joyce was acquitted of the charge.

It had been alleged that Mr Joyce told Mr Ward that he would never be able to come back to Shannon and that he would be shot if he gave evidence at the trial.

It was alleged that Mr Joyce also told Mr Ward that there would “guns in court waiting for him” if he gave evidence.

Mr Ward told the court that he “felt very terrified” when he saw Mr Joyce entering the arrivals hall of Shannon Airport.

Mr Ward was with his wife and two children at the time.

The jury was shown CCTV footage of the encounter between Mr Joyce and Mr Ward.

Asked about Mr Joyce’s body language on the day, Mr Ward said, “he looked ready for action.”

He said, “I just felt very terrified to be honest with you.” Rose Ward said she got a “terrible fright” when she saw Mr Joyce.

“I got very badly disturbed when I saw him,” she added. The court heard that Ms Ward went to the airport police.

She said, “I was afraid that something that was going to happen. I was afraid Martin was going to do something bad.”

Patrick O’Neill of Shannon Airport Police told the court that Ms Ward seemed “very upset” at the time.

Mr Joyce was arrested two days after the incident. When asked by gardaí why he had come to Shannon, Mr Joyce said he was bringing his child to the doctor. Mr Joyce told gardaí that Mr Ward called him names at the airport. He denied threatening his brother in law.

Counsel for the accused Pat Whyms BL said every detail of the CCTV footage vindicated Mr Joyce’s account of what happened. He said his client had urged gardaí to review the CCTV.

Mr Whyms added, “This is a man begging for the objective evidence to be shown so he can be vindicated.” He said there was no evidence that Mr Joyce had threatened Mr Ward.

Mr Whyms said there were inconsistencies in Mr Ward’s evidence.

He added, “The evidence in this case has come nowhere close to the standard of proof required.”

It took the jury 89 minutes to unanimously find Mr Joyce not guilty of threatening to kill Mr Ward but guilty of intimidation.

After a further 36 minutes of deliberation the jury unanimously found Mr Joyce guilty of the intimidation of Rose Ward.

Judge Gerard Keyes adjourned sentencing to October 16. Mr Joyce was granted bail subject to conditions.

A FARMER has been acquitted of dangerous driving causing death of a German tourist near Bunratty Castle.

However John Boyce (57) with an address at Moyhill, Cratloe, was found guilty by a jury of careless driving.

The three-day trial at Ennis Circuit Court last week heard Mr Boyce was driving a tractor at the time of the crash, which killed Inge Schmidt (76) at Low Road, Bunratty, on October 29, 2010.

Ms Schmidt was walking across a zebra crossing when she came into contact with the tractor. She died in hospital later as a result of her injuries.

In his closing speech, Counsel for the State, Stephen Coughlan BL, told the jury that two eyewitnesses had seen Ms Schmidt on the crossing.

He said there was consistent evidence that it had been raining on the day of the accident.

Mr Coughlan said, “The fact that there was someone on the pedestrian crossing required the motorist to stop.”

He said that there was evidence that Mr Boyce did not stop at the point of impact.

Mr Coughlan said, “Speed is not an issue. There is no suggestion that the speed Mr Boyce was traveling contributed to the accident.”

The court heard that it had been impossible for gardai to determine the point of impact.

Mr Coughlan said Mr Boyce should have approached the junction with more care. He described Bunratty Folk Park as a very busy area.

Defence Counsel, Lorcan Connlly, told the court that this was a “very different case from most dangerous driving cases”.

He said alcohol and speed were not factors in the case.

Mr Connolly said Mr Boyce had told people at the scene of the acci- dent and gardaí that he had not seen Ms Schmidt.

He said this was not a case where Mr Boyce had attempted to “pull a rabbit” out of the hat on the day of the court case.

He added, “Mr Boyce has been consistent throughout. He did not see the woman.”

The court heard that no certificate of roadworthiness is required for tractors.

Mr Connolly said, “I am inviting you to find that he (Mr Boyce) is not criminally responsible for what happened on the day.”

Mr Connolly told the jury that Mr Boyce will have to “carry the cross” for what happened on that day for the rest of his life.

After seeking clarification from Judge Gerard Keyes, the jury found Mr Boyce not guilty of dangerous driving but guilty of careless driving.

Setencing was adjourned until Tuesday.

A MAN has been sentenced in 11 months in prison for a theft and criminal damage offences committed in Gort last month.

Brendan Sherlock (19), with an address at 41 Dromard, Lahinch Road, Ennis received the sentence at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Mr Sherlock pleaded guilty to the theft of a laptop and a quantity of cash from an apartment on Station Road, Gort on dates unknown between August 28 and 29.

Garda John Keating told the court that Mr Sherlock may have been invited into the premises. He said the laptop had not yet been recovered.

The court heard that Mr Sherlock also admitted breaking the window of a car parked on George’s Street, Gort on September 5. € 200 worth of damage was caused to the car.

The court heard that the accused stole alcohol from Aldi on September 6. Mr Sherlock has a number of previous convictions.

Solicitor Elaine Murphy told the court that her client comes from a large family in Ennis. She said Mr Sherlock’s mother had passed away after giving birth in 2008.

Ms Murphy said her client had been addicted to drink and drugs and had committed the offences to “feed his habit.” She said Mr Sherlock apologised for his behaviour and had cooperated with gardaí. Garda Keating said Mr Sherlock’s problems purely stemmed from drink and drugs.

Judge Durcan said he was considering remanding Mr Sherlock for six weeks in order for him to address his addiction problems. He said the court must be seen to act otherwise the gardaí in Gort would be inundated with complaints from “goodie, goodie” organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce. The court heard that the Mr Sherlock would be a suitable candidate to engage with the Probation services.

After consulting with her client, Ms Murphy told the court that Mr Sherlock did not wish meet with the Probation services.

She said, “My client wishes to have sentence dealt with today.”

He imposed sentences totaling 11 months. Judge Durcan said; “I am sorry that your client adopted the position he adopted and I hope it was for genuine reasons.”

AN Ennis man has been sentenced to five months in prison for what a judge described as an “absolutely reprehensible and appalling” assault in a bookmakers earlier this year.

A 59 year old man was spat at and kicked in an Ennis bookmakers on March 5 (2012).

Sean Moroney (41), with an address at 31 Dalcassian Park had pleaded guilty to assault, intoxication and provoking a breach of the peace.

The matter came before Ennis District Court on Wedneday for sentence.

Inspector John Galvin told the court that Mr Moroney entered the premises at 2.45pm on the day in question. The court heard that he spat at a customer and attempted to kick him.

Gardai escorted Mr Moroney from the premises. Insp Galvin said the accused was in a highly intoxicated state. The court heard that Mr Mo- roney has a number of previous convictions for public order offences and assault.

Solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client, a father of one, has had significant difficulties with alcohol.

She said the victim in the case had made a remark about her client’s father on the day in question.

Ms Godfrey said, “He apologises to the injured party but he said something that was quite cruel.

She urged the court to consider or- dering Mr Moroney to engage with the Probation services.

Judge Patrick Durcan said the accused had a record that was “unsavory in the extreme”.

He said he “absolutely abhors” assaults that involve spitting, saying there is an added element of insult in that type of assault.

Judge Durcan added, “They are not manly assaults. They are cowardly assaults.”

He described the incident in the bookmakers as “absolutely reprehensible and appalling.” He said he had to balance the accused’s guilty plea, his “battle with the demon drink” against the nature of the assault.

Judge Durcan sentenced Mr Moroney to four months in prison for the assault.

He imposed another month for provoking a breach of the peace. Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal. Judge Durcan said it was time for Mr Moroney to “wake up.”

THE Socialist Workers Party (SWP) are planning a major protest in the Clare area to oppose the septic tank registration charge.

Latest figures have confirmed that more than 8,000 people in Clare have registered their septic tanks with the Local Government Management Agency – less than 50 per cent of the total estimated number of septic tanks in the county.

Ennistymon representative for the Socialist Workers Party, Keith Cargill, says people believe that the charge is unfair on rural dwellers.

“There is no sense of fairness in this. People in Clare have already paid for these septic tanks so this is a double payment for something that people in urban areas get for free,” said Mr Cargill.

“We have a strong SWP presence in parts of Clare and plans are already in motion for a major protest to take place in the next few weeks. I’m not sure at this stage how it might work out, we may organise a combined protect with the SWP in Limerick but people are not happy with this and they do want something to be done.

“I think most people appreciate that the Social Workers Party is a very small organisation nationally, but we are growing. We have some members in Clare and the membership is growing all the time. It is growing slowly but it is growing.

“I think that we are the only party out there who are putting forward a counter-economic argument than everybody else. I think a lot of people are very bitter with the politics at the moment.

“There was a hope for change but that has proved to be more of the same. It now seems like there really is nothing between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael except what happened in the Civil War.

“Services are being cut, not just in rural areas but in urban areas as well, and people are not happy with it. There is a lot of disgruntlement out there and people are starting to voice there annoyance at what is going on.”

A LARGE dog, which savagely attacked a number of other dogs in Shannon last week, was apprehended while playing outside with 12 young children.

The dog, which was a German Shepherd/ Husky cross-breed, went on a bloody rampage last Wednesday, before it was captured by Clare dog warden, Frankie Coote.

According to Frankie, Shannon has become a major blackspot for dangerous dogs and he appealed for pet-owners to take care of their pets properly.

“A lady was walking a small Yorkshire Terrier on a lead. She had just come out of her gate when a German Shepherd/ Husky cross-breed grabbed her dog by the neck and, in one snap, killed it. She was terrorised by the incident, understandably” said Mr Coote.

“I was on my way down to this incident when I received another call from the gardaí to say that another dog had been attacked. I found the dog in a housing estate running around with 12 or 14 very young children.

“I was able to capture the dog and, luckily enough, he had not attacked any young persons at that time. He was desperate to meet any small dogs and he would have killed anyone that he came across.”

The owner of the dog has been located and the owner has given permission for the dog to be put down.

“This a big issue with large dogs in Clare. If a small pet dog goes a bit wild, it can be controlled, but these [big] dogs could do serious damage. That dog in Shannon could kill another dog with one bite – that could just as easily have been a child,” continued Mr Coote.

“Shannon has become the blackspot in Clare when it comes to dangerous dogs. It really has. I’ve had major problems in other areas in the past – in Ennis and Kilrush and other areas – but Shannon really is a big problem and it is showing no sign of getting better just yet.

“People need to realise just what their dogs are capable of doing.”

FIGURES from the Department of Justice show that Ennis solicitor Tara Godfrey was the highest earner from criminal legal aid cases in the county for the second year in a row. The Ennis solicitor earned € 144,434 last year with solicitor Darragh Hassett second on € 96,092.

SHANNON Airport will soon begin a new life as a debt-free, standalone airport, The Clare People can reveal. The Shannon Airport Task Force will present its plan for the future of the airport to Government next month – and that plan will include the removal of € 100 million of historic debt from the books of Shannon Airport.

This development is seen a vital boost to the airport’s prospects of survival and growth when it eventually emerges free of the grip of the Dublin Airport Authority.

County Manager, Tom Coughlan yesterday confirmed the details of a meeting which took place last week between representatives of the council and Rose Hynes of the Shannon Airport Task Force.

The statement outlines a new future for the airport, with plans to grow passenger number to 2.5 million per annum over the next five years. The task force will recommend a new approach which will see a combined focus on passengers and freight services at Shannon.

Speaking last night, Mr Coughlan welcomed the announcement, saying it is what the local authority had been hoping for and was in line with plans set out by the local authority in the Clare County Development Plan.

The news was also welcomed by Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald (Lab).

“This is great news for the airport. This gives Shannon a real fighting chance in the future. If the debt had been maintained at the airport, it would have been difficult to see how they would have managed it, to be honest.

“So this is very good news,” said