Month: January 2013

CLARE County Council has acknowledged that there are still “major problems” with a sewerage plant in Quin.

It emerged yesterday that the council could not proceed with a planned € 800,000 upgrade of the Quin Gardens plant in 2012 due to a lack of funding.

In a report, the council stated that while € 130,000 was spent on improving some priority features of the plant, issues remained with capacity.

The issue was due to come before a meeting of councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area yesterday. Quin councillor, Sonny Scanlan (FG), tabled a motion requesting an up to date position from the council on the sewerage system in Quin Gardens.

The project consists of the upgrading of the existing wastewater treatment plant including the provision of additional underground tanks and associated site works to increase capacity from 740 population equivalent (pe) to 1400 pe at Quin Gardens, Quin.

In his reply, Sean Ward, Senior Engineer, stated that it was not possible during 2012 to commence a full upgrade of the Quin wastewater treatment plant due to the non-availability of funding.

He continued, “However in August and September of 2012, Clare County Council applied to the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government’s rural water section for approval to divert Quin an amount approximately € 130,000 of our small schemes allocation which could not be spent at its original intended destination because of design issues. We succeeded in our application, and have spent this money on a number of the highest priority items of improvement at the existing plant – including screening, improved aeration and sludge tank. These works will be incorporated in any larger upgrade which we may be able to do in the future i.e. the money spent in 2012 won’t go to waste if we do the bigger job.”

Mr Ward added, “Already we are seeing an improvement in effluent results and a reduction in the costs of sludge management and are confident that odour problems will also be alleviated. We cannot however guarantee that the works done to date will solve all problems in the Quin sewerage system. These works do not add significantly to the spare capacity of the plant to cater for any future developments and there are still major problems of infiltration of stormwater and/or groundwater into the sewers. Furthermore when we receive a wastewater discharge license from the Environmental Protections Agency, we may have to comply with stringent conditions which the works done to date cannot in themselves achieve.

“Therefore we still intend to carry out a major upgrade if funding becomes available, and the works done to date can be regarded as an important advance element of such an upgrade,” he stated.

According to the council report, the proposed development will serve the needs of Quin village and its environs into the future. The report stated that Quin village will have a population of 789 persons by 2017.

CLARE County Council has been urged to consider modifying roundabouts in the Barefield area to prevent cars from being deliberately driven through them.

Flowerpots and other items on a roundabout near the M18 motorway were damaged during incidents of vandalism last July, with members of the Barefield Tidy Towns committee blaming the activities of boy racers.

Yesterday’s meeting of councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area heard that the deliberate driving of cars through the roundabout is a source of “significant frustration” to the local community.

Councillor Brian Meaney (GP) made the comments as he tabled a motion calling for measures to be “provided for to hinder access onto the roundabouts in Barefield village”.

Cllr Meaney told the meeting that cars are being driven late at night through the roundabout. He said the local community in Barefield had devoted a lot of resources into the upgrade and maintenance of the roundabouts.

Senior executive engineer for the Ennis Electoral Area, Eamon O’Dea, said it was important that all incidents be reported to the Gardaí.

He stated, “The council recognises the excellent work that is being carried out by the Tidy Towns and community groups in Barefield village. It is impracticable and unsafe to put measures in place to hinder access onto the centre of roundabouts, however it is important to report all non emergency intrusions onto the roundabouts and green areas to the gardaí as there are issues regarding pedestrian safety and incorrect use of a motor vehicle.”

Cllr Meaney said that while he would be happy to allow time for the gardaí to deal with the matter, it may be necessary for the council to install some sort of barricade.

DOUBLE yellow lines outside a Kilrush primary school are one road marking too many for one member of the local council, who has vowed to quit the council in four weeks if they are not removed.

Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF) said that he would leave Kilrush Town Council if parts of the line were not removed to allow parents to park when they pick up and drop off their children to St Senan’s Primary School.

He believes that the council executive has crossed a line by not remov- ing the offending lines on the direction of the elected council members last September.

At Thursday’s meeting of the council, Cllr Prendeville asked why the lines had not already been removed.

“This is becoming farcical. Parents are being forced to park illegally. If it is not carried out, I will resign from the council in the next four weeks,” said the father of the council.

“It is making a farce of what is happening in this town council.

“Is there another school in Ireland where there are double-yellow lines for 300 yards either side of the school?” he asked.

Cllr Marian McMahon Jones (FG) said there was no need for an emergency roads and traffic meeting on the lines as suggested by the town clerk, as the issue had already been decided.

“We have already agreed that there is a strip on either side of the pedestrian crossing where the double yellow lines can be removed,” she said.

Cllr Liam O’Looney (FF) added that legally under the Road Act the council could remove some of the yellow line.

“There should be minimum room for three spaces above and two spac- es below,” he said.

“My recollection of it was that the town engineer would go back and look at it,” Town Clerk John Corry told the councillors.

The councillors, however, expect the lines to be removed by the February meeting or they will be down their longest servicing member.

In the meantime, Cllr Prendeville has called for an amnesty for people parking on the double yellow lines outside the school.

“If anyone has a parking issue on that part of the road, they should be written off because a member of this council did not carry our instructions,” he said.

CLARE’S four town councils will meet in Ennis on Monday to begin their fight for survival.

With an estimated 16 months left before they are to be dissolved in favour of local municipal councils made up of members of a smaller Clare County Council, some believe the members have left it all a little too late.

The councils have been issued with forms and formats from their governing body, the AMAI, outlining how best to present their individual cases for survival to the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, the minister also responsible for announcing their demise.

Kilrush Town Councillor Paul Moroney (Ind) said he was not expecting a lot from the process, as input from the councillors prior to the announcement was all but ignored by central Government.

Cllr Marian McMahon Jones (FG) said town councillors had not come out fighting but they had to do something, even now.

“If we adopt the attitude of we can do nothing, then nothing will happen,” she said.

Kilrush Town Council is already researching and compiling a list of all that it has achieved in its 128year history, in its bid to the minister.

“I have trawled through archives both here [Kilrush Town Council] and in Clare County Council and in the Clare Local Studies Centre in Ennis.

“There are some very interesting snippets available from the land league, post famines and the Vandeleurs, right up to the present day,” explained Kilrush Town Clerk, John Corry.

All four councils – that is, Ennis, Kilrush, Shannon and Kilkee – will meet on Monday night, January 21, to further compile a county-wide argument to hang on to its four town councils.

THE West Clare town of Kilrush will be central to the national Famine commemoration this year, as it has been selected to host the main event.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan announced yesterday afternoon (Monday) that the maritime town will be the host location for the National Famine Commemoration Day, on a date yet to be announced.

The annual observance in Ireland commemorating the Great Famine has been organised officially by the Government since 2009. The main commemoration event is held in a different place each year, rotating among the four provinces of Ireland.

Events at the main venue usually include lectures, arts events, and visits to places connected to the Famine.

Local events also take place countrywide, while a minute’s silence is encouraged for schools and workplaces.

Mayor of Kilrush, Cllr Mairead O’Brien welcomed the news stating, “Kilrush has historically been very closely linked with and was greatly affected by the Great Irish Famine. It is fantastic to see this link being recognised nationally.”

According to John Corry, Kilrush Town Clerk, “It is a huge honour for the town to host this event in the year of the Gathering and I hope that many visitors from near and far will visit our great town during this Commemoration.”

Kilrush is recognised nationally as one of the locations worst affected by starvation, disease and emigration between 1845 and 1852. The famine years brought much hardship to Kilrush. Evictions, fever and chol- era reduced the population of southwest Clare to such an extent that it has never again attained its pre-famine numbers.

Famine author and Clare-based Historian Ciarán Ó Murchadha, who supported Kilrush’s bid to host the event, said, “I can state without any fear of contradiction that although all of Clare suffered grievously, no part of the county endured as much as Kilrush town and Kilrush union, and for such a prolonged period. That being the case, I am delighted to learn that Kilrush will host the next National Famine Commemoration event.”

A NEW face is expected in the council chamber in Kilrush next month with the inclusion of a new town councillor. The Kilrush citizen will take the seat, which has remained vacant since the passing of former mayor of the town, Cllr Stephen O’Gorman (FF).

At last Thursday’s meeting of Kilrush Town Council, Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF) said the Fianna Fáil party would begin the selection process shortly and the new member should be in situ for the next meeting of the council.

“Fianna Fáil will liaise with the family at first and then with the town clerk. The new councillor hopes to be in place at the February meeting,” he said.

Cllr O’Gorman died at home on December 14 following an illness. His passing left a vacant seat on the nine-person town council.

It is now the responsibility of the late councillor’s political party – Fi- anna Fáil – to co-opt someone to fill this seat. It is understood that the party will seek nominations for the position shortly, after consultation with the late councillor’s family.

The local Cumann will be tasked with selecting the candidate for the role, and the Cómhairle Dáil and Fianna Fáil will then ratify that choice. A spokesperson for Fianna Fáil in Kilrush said only, “The position will be filled in due course.”

Whoever is seconded to Cllr O’Gorman’s seat will likely serve one of the shortest ever terms on the 128-year-old council, as it is due to be dissolved during the summer of 2014.

Cllr O’Gorman served the council for more than 18 years, and was first elected in 1994. During his career, he served as mayor on two occasions.

Although he had been ill for a few months, his passing was considered sudden locally and was a shock to his loving family, friends, fellow councillors and constituents.

His colleagues described him as a “political colossus”.

CONCERNS have been expressed that any potential sale of semi-state companies could see responsibility for water services in Clare transferred to Shanghai. The comment was made yesterday by Fianna Fáil councillor PJ Kelly at the January meeting of Clare County Council.

Members were discussing a report on the eventual transfer of water services from local authorities to a new body, Irish Water.

Irish Water will be a subsidiary of Bórd Gáis, with reports indicating that the semi-state could be sold off.

Cllr Kelly told the meeting that Chinese investors have been linked with the purchase of Bord Gáis. Cllr Kelly said, “Will Clare water services be run from Shanghai? This is a serious question that needs to be asked.”

County Manager Tom Coughlan said that the government had given a commitment that Irish Water would remain in public ownership.

It is anticipated that Irish Water will take responsibility for all water service by 2017 with billing of customers set to commence in the first quarter on 2014.

Councillors expressed concerns over the transfer of services to Irish Water.

Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) claimed Irish Water will have a “dismal future” and questioned what the effect will be on staff working in the council’s water services division.

Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) asked if meters installed in new housing estates will be accepted by Irish Water or will new facilities have to be installed.

Cllr Michael Kelly (FF) said it was a “shambles” that no Clare representative is on the steering committee. Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said that an extraction levy should be imposed if Irish Water make a decision to extract water from the River Shannon for use in industries in the the East of the country.

Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) asked if the council would have to vote on transferring ownership of its water infrastructure to Irish Water.

He said, “It would be a step too far that councillors will give the nod to the transfer of substantial assets.”

Mr Coughlan said he is very aware of the concerns of staff and has met with all workers in the water services division over the past three weeks.

He said staffing would be an issued resolved at a national level between Irish Water and the trade unions.

He said it was his understanding that the council’s water infrastructure would be transferred to Irish Water. He said a vote may not be required if primary legislation is enacted that allows for the automatic transfer of assets.

Mr Coughlan said that while there had been no specific discussions of a mooted Shannon extraction scheme, every issue regarding water management is on the table.

Councillors requested that the Minister for the Environment allow for local representatives to be nominated to the Irish Water steering committee.

A PROPOSAL to provide an annual award for budding scientists and a scholarship for postgraduates was declined at last night’s (Monday) meeting of Clare County Council. Instead it was agreed that the proposal be sent to Clare VEC and the two local universities for their considerations.

The three councillors that suggested the annual award of € 1,000 “to acknowledge creative proposals from Young Scientists” at Secondary School level and a € 3,000 scholarship, for postgraduate research into a previously undeveloped resource “which could lead to substantial employment within the county”, expressed their disappointment with the move.

Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) said it was no “wonder people were despondent with politics” given the answer from the council executive. He added, “We have to show faith and hope in our young people.”

Cllr Tom McNamara (FF) was equally disappointed that the council did not come on board with the idea.

Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG), however, was willing to support Director of Services Ger Dollard’s suggestion that the idea be forwarded to other state bodies due to financial constraints.

Cllr Keating also proposed the issue be included in the 2014 budget.

Mr Dollard told the council members that the BT Young Scientists already played a role in encouraging scientific projects among second level students in the county.

“This offers an opportunity to secondary school students to progress creative ideas within a well established framework and structure,” he said. “It should be pointed out that no provision has been made for such schemes in the budget for 2013. It is suggested that the motion should be referred to the VEC in regard to secondary school involvement and to UL and NUIG with regard to third level input. These bodies have the appropriate expertise to progress any such scheme,” added the council official.

The council body agreed with Mr Dollard’s alternative proposal.

THERE was good news yesterday for residents of one of the areas in Ennis worst hit by floods three years ago.

Ennis Town Council yesterday signed a contract with Ward & Burke Construction Ltd for flood relief works to be carried out in the Watery Road / Elm Park area of the town.

The need for flood alleviation works to be carried out at Watery Road, Elm Park and Oakwood Drive was identified in the Ennis Main Drain- age & Flood Study Preliminary Report. The area experienced serious flooding in November 2009.

Dozens of famillies living in two local authority housing estates in Ennis – Oakwood Drive and Watery Road – were rescued from their homes by members of the army and civil defence when heavy floods struck the area in November 2009.

The € 307,000 (approx) project is being financed primarily by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme, with additional funding coming from Clare Local Authorities. Work on the project is scheduled to commence at the end of January, subject to river levels.

Welcoming the contract signing, the Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Peter Considine, stated;

“I would like to compliment Clare Local Authorities for their ongoing efforts to improve flood defences throughout Ennis, particularly in those areas that were badly affected by severe flooding in late 2009. I look forward to these works being completed which will be very much welcomed by the residents of Watery Road, Oakwood Drive and Elm Park.”

Eamon O’Dea, Senior Executive Engineer, Ennis Town Council, explained that the contract between the Council and Ward & Burke Construction Ltd involves the construction of 400 metres of new river embankment and a pump station.

“There will be minimal disruption to vehicular traffic during the construction period as the works will be carried out on lands adjacent to the Rover Fergus. It is anticipated that work will commence at the end of this month, subject to river levels,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr O’Dea confirmed that the OPW is expected to announce the awarding of a contract for the River Fergus Lower (Ennis) Drainage Scheme, from Bank Place bridge to Doora bridge, in the coming weeks.

A NORTH Clare man has been sentenced to four months in prison for what a Judge described as a “brutal” and unprovoked attack on the streets of Ennis last year.

John Paul Keating (21) with an address at 45 Rooska, Lisdoonvarna, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a man at O’Connell Street, Ennis on April 8, 2012.

He also pleaded guilty to a separate assault at McGann’s Pub, Doolin on January 8, 2012. In relation to the assault on O’Connell Street, the court heard that the injured party was approached by the accused as he returned to his hotel.

The court heard the parties knew each other in a “peripheral way.”

Insp Tom Kennedy told the court that Mr Keating shouted at the injured party, saying “I know you from Ballyvaughan.” He said the accused followed the injured party, pulled him by the shirt and punched him in the face three times.

Medical reports handed into the court showed that the victim suffered significant damage to his mouth.

The court heard that the man had been left with dental bills of almost € 2000.

The man also required stitches to his ear and nose.

Insp Kennedy said Mr Keating has no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client had been “terribly drunk” on the night in question and had no memory of what happened. She said Mr Keating had taken steps to deal with his drinking.

She said her client apologises unreservedly. Ms Godfrey urged the court not to impose a custodial sentence.

Judge Patrick Durcan said an innocent man had been the victim of a “brutal attack” and had been “vi- ciously assaulted.”

He said Mr Keating’s behaviour on the night was of a “most appalling nature.”

He said the fact that Mr Keating was “filled with booze” and had no memory of the assault “compounds the incident.”

He said no effort had been made to pay compensation to the injured party. Judge Durcan imposed a fourmonth prison sentence. Recogances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

Mr Keating also pleaded guilty to head butting a man in McGann’s pub in Doolin on January 8, 2012. The court heard that Mr Keating had assaulted a man after being involved in a heated argument with a woman.

Judge Durcan said it was appalling that a citizen in a public place should be subjected to an unprovoked assault. He fined Mr Keating € 250 and barred him from entering McGann’s pub for 12 months. A BOOK of evidence has been served on a West Clare man charged with an assault in Lahinch 13 months ago. Paul Matthews (21), with an address at Mullagh Road, Miltown Malbay, is charged with assault causing harm at the Claremont Hotel, Main Street, Lahinch on December 12 (2011). The case came before Judge Patrick Durcan at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Garda Irene O’Flynn gave evidence of having served the book of evidence on the solicitor of the accused. Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented for Mr Matthews to be returned for trial. Judge Durcan delivered the alibi warning. Mr Matthews was remanded on bail to appear at the next sitting of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on February 12.