Month: May 2013

A GROUP of Clare farmers have proposed radical changing to the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), which they believe could prevent as disastrous fodder shortage, like the one seen over the past month, from happening again.

The United Farmers Association (UFA) have gained much support in Clare since they formed a number of months ago.

The organisation supports a redistribution of the money paid to Irish farmers under CAP with smaller farmers, such as those in Clare, ben- efiting more, while larger farmers, more common in the eastern counties, would get proportionately less.

Clare spokesperson for the UFA, Joe Corbett, has proposed a change to CAP regulations which he feels would unlock large landbanks of good farmland which are currently not being used to its potential.

The scheme involves allowing inactive landowners to lease their land with their Single Farm Payment (SFP) being split between the landowner and the leasing farmers.

Currently landowners will lose their SFP if they lease their land making leasing unattractive for both parties.

This system, according to Joe, would allow both parties to share the benefits of increased production on the land as well as sharing the SFP associated with the land, a system which he believes would lead to an increased production on Clare farms.

“Farmers who want to retire or maybe want to get employment off the farm need to be incentifised to lease their land. They can’t be expected to lease their land for less than they would get if they had the minimum stock levels as set out under the SFP,” said Joe.

“A person in this position will get 50 per cent of his SFP and get more than the remaining 50 per cent from the farmer who is leasing the land. The leasing farmers will then get 45 per cent of the SFP for the land, which will subsidise the cost of leasing, but he will be able to more than make this up from increased productivity on the land.

“This idea will unlock the production potential that is in this land and it will see the land owner and the active farmer sharing that potential.”

The UFA scheme would also see the remaining five per cent of the SFP used for an emergency hardship fund to be created to help farmers in times of extreme hardship, such as the recent fodder crisis.

CLARE farmers are within touching distance of an end to the fodder crisis – one of the worst feed shortages to hit the county’s farms in decades.

Clare IFA chairman, Andrew Dundas, believes that the next ten days are critical with any remaining fodder running out and grass growth just starting to begin in earnest.

The organisation helped to harvest a further 1,100 bales of silage from land banks at Shannon Airport last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday more than twice what they had predicted they would get from the site.

This mean that 2,300 bales of silage were harvested from the airport over the past two week. While these bales have already been allocated to Clare farmers and are likely all used up – they provided a vital stop gap to get farmers through the worst of the crisis.

“We have gotten a bit of heat and grass is starting to grow. It will take a week or two to get going properly but hopefully the end is in sight,” said Mr Dundas.

“The next few days are the real pressure time on farms but at least an end is, hopefully, in sight. Shannon Airport came at the critical time – there were a lot of farmers in a critical situation over the last 10 days and the bales [from Shannon Airport] really saved them.

“This was about getting people over the hump and I think it made a big difference in the county. I would say all those bales are eaten at this stage – but they were there at a crucial stage.”

One silver lining of the fodder crisis was the way that the local farming community – including the farming organisations, co-ops, marts, local businesses and farmers – came together to see themselves through the crisis.

“A bit of growth is crucial now. It will take a few weeks for the grass growth to come back and hopefully that will be the end of it,” continued Andrew.

“There was a great effort right across the farming community in Clare to get through this. Everyone worked incredible hard and a lot of organisations and people out there deserve a lot credit. It was a real cross community effort – from Shannon Airport to the marts, co-ops and all the agri-businesses. It was a great community effort.” Tue07May13

AN estimated € 240 million of ordinary hard-working Clare people’s money is being put under threat by a Government policy that “requires credit unions to give banks preferential access to creditors”.

According to MEP Marian Harkin (Ind), there are up to 66,000 people from the banner county, who are members of the county’s nine credit unions, and they must insist their public representatives oppose the Government policy and that of the Central Bank and regulators.

The MEP for Ireland North West accused the Government and the central bank of threatening the future of the credit union movement in the interests of banks, which, she said, had undermined the country’s economy and caused incalculable harm to individuals, families and the entire social fabric of the country.

“It is astounding, to say the least, that the Central Bank acting for the government, is attempting to weaken the credit union movement in the interest of the banks and in doing so is undermining a financial support mechanism which has, unlike the banks, done nothing but good for the community. The latest spokesperson for ‘official Ireland’ to engage in an unworthy attack on the credit unions is the registrar of credit unions Sha- ron Donnery. In her speech to the AGM of the Irish League of Credit Unions last weekend, she has warned of dire outcomes for the peoples’ credit movement if they fail to concede to the banks. For the Regulator of Credit Unions to demand concessions for banks, which broke every rule in the book by pushing excessive mortgages on people, is totally unacceptable.

“Even more unacceptable is the pressure being exercised by various representatives of ‘official Ireland’ that the banks must have preference over credit unions in debt recovery,” she said. “The banks, and the Central Bank, as their regulator, have lost any moral or business right to main- tain that mortgage repayment has primacy over the repayment of credit unions which are community-owned not for profit financial institutions.

“Over € 100 million of credit union funds were written off in the failures of Anglo Irish, AIB, Bank of Ireland and TSB. In no way can credit unions again be sacrificed to the benefit of badly-performing financial entities, many of whom are now raising interest rates on mortgages,” she said.

The nine credit unions in Clare include Derg Credit Union, Scarriff; Ennistymon and District, Ennistymon; Fergus, Lissycasey; Kilrush; SFADCo Staff, Shannon Town Centre; Sixmilebridge; St Peter and Paul, Clarecastle and St Francis, Ennis.

INTERNATIONALLY renowned acoustic group Lúnasa have announced their plans to break a Guinness World Record next month in Ennis.

The group is calling out for more than 1,020 musicians to take part on June 21 in Abbey Street car park, Ennis, in order to break a world record for the largest tin whistle ensemble.

Tracy Crawford, of Ennis Roots Music Weekend, has said that the event has received a massive response from an international audience because of its promotion during Lúnasa’s American tour and that they are expecting a lot of visitors from overseas.

Bands, groups, and music schools have also been invited to take part alongside anyone who wants to learn to play ‘The Siege of Ennis’ on the tin whistle for the first time.

According to Tracy, “The event is for everyone and it’s a chance to take up an instrument. It will be very exciting to try break the world record and we are really looking forward to it.”

The current world record for the largest ensemble of tin whistlers stands at 1,015 which was achieved at an event organised by Scoil Acla in Keel, Achill Island, on July 31, 2010. The ensemble performed the “Dawning of the Day”.

Custy’s and The Irish Shop in Ennis have a range of whistles available for the event in store.

“When purchasing a tin whistle,” Tracy continued, “make sure and tell them that you are taking part in the Guinness World Record Attempt to claim your free copy of the ABC tune notation.

“We chose the ‘Siege of Ennis’ because of its obvious connection with the county and to make it interesting we are going to play it in two different keys.”

Tracy has also announced that the weekend will further feature an International Street band competition and the chance to perform with the Kilfenora Ceilí Band.

The event coincides with the Gathering 2013 and will feature a free open air concert by Lúnasa, Socks in the Frying Pan, The Kilfenora Ceilí Band and special guest Maura O’Connell.

For video tutorials and more information on the record attempt visit www.ennisrootsweekend.com.

A LIMERICK man who spat in the face of garda in Kilkee last summer has been sentenced in eight weeks in jail. Lee McNamara (25) had to be restrained by three gardaí during an incident at Strand Line, Kilkee on August 15, 2012.

Mr McNamara, with an address at 150 Glenbrook, Old Singland Road, Limerick, appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

He pleaded guilty to charges of intoxication and provoking a breach of the peace. The court heard that Mr McNamara was sitting on a wall and shouting obscenities. Inspector Tom Kennedy said that when gardaí intervened, Mr McNamara got more aggressive and spat into a garda’s face. The court heard it took three gardaí to restrain Mr McNamara. The accused has 38 previous convictions, the court heard. Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said, “He apologises unreservedly. He was incredibly intoxicated”. Ms Godfrey said Mr McNamara, a father of one, had been involved in a family dispute on the day. She said her client has lived a life of “misery, drug abuse and addictions. It is about the saddest case I’ve ever seen. There is a sense of sadness pervading Mr McNamara,” she added. Ms Godfrey said her client is a man without hope and without much prospects. Insp Kennedy said that while he did not know the circumstances of Mr McNamara’s life, “his behaviour on the day was deplorable to his child and to the gardaí.”

Addressing Mr McNamara, Judge Patrick Durcan said; “You may not like the gardaí but the guards are empowered to do a job. They do a difficult job.” He said tourism is very important to areas like West Clare and people have the right to go for a walk without seeing such behaviour.

Judge Durcan said he accepted that Mr McNamara has had a difficult background but this did not give him the right to visit these difficulties on the public. However, he added, “someone who spits on the gardaí deserves very little sympathy.”

He fined Mr McNamara € 400 and imposed a 10 week prison sentence. Judge Durcan reduced the sentence by two weeks. A JUDGE

A MAN who committed a series of offences on Holy Thursday that included the theft of two Jack Russel terriers has paid compensation of € 1700 to victims of his crimes.

William Donovan (20) appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday having previously pleaded guilty to a number of offences committed in North Clare on March 28.

Mr Donovan, with an address at 54 Clancy Park, Ennis admitted stealing two tan and white terriers worth € 200 from 18 Ardnaculla, Ennistymon on March 28. The dogs were returned to their owner.

He stole an alloy wheel at Station Road, Lahinch. He also entered a building on Station Road, Lahinch as a trespasser.

Mr Donovan admitted damaging the front window of Kenny’s Pub, Lahinch, causing € 1000 worth of damage.

Mr Donovan broke a window at the Claremont Hotel causing € 125 worth of damage.

The court was also told that the accused smashed the window of a silver Toyota Avensis before attempting to hotwire the car.

The court heard Mr Donovan then broke the windscreen of another car, belonging to the mother of the previous car owner, causing € 400 worth of damage.

Gardaí stopped Mr Donovan around 40 yards from where he stole the alloy wheel.

The court heard the accused’s car had only three wheels as it appeared a tyre may have blown out.

The court heard that gardaí were able to trace Mr Donovan’s movements on the day by following the tracks made by the three wheel car.

On Wednesday, solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that Mr Donovan’s family had gathered € 1700 for compensation to injured parties.

Of the series of incidents on Holy Thursday, Ms Godfrey said;

“There was a lot of prescription drugs taken and he lost the proverbial run of himself.”

However Ms Godfrey added that Mr Donovan is a “completely different person” from the one who appeared in court in March.

She told the court that her client is committed to entering a residential treatment programme.

Addressing Mr Donovan, Judge Patrick Durcan said; “You’re a young man and there is no reason why you can’t face up to challenges in life.”

Judge Durcan placed Mr Donovan on a probation bond for nine months. He ordered him to abide by all directions of the Probation Services.

A MOTHER has spoken of the “nightmare” she endured when she was sexually assaulted by a man in her home two years ago.

The woman says her life was a “complete” daze following the assault that occurred in mid-Clare in December 2011.

The man assaulted the woman as she slept in bed with her then partner following a night out.

In he victim impact statement read out at Ennis Circuit Court last week, the woman recalled feeling “terrified” at the time of the assault.

She said she does not remember her daughter’s first Christmas, adding that such a special occasion was “stolen” from her because of the assault.

She said the incident has had major impact on her life.

The mother of one said she suffers from “night terrors” and frequent “panic attacks.”

She explained that she checks several times to make sure all doors and windows are locked at night.

She added, “I am a nervous wreck, a victim. This is not who I want to be. This is not who I was.”

“One person’s evil action can change an innocent person’s life forever,” she said.

The woman thanked her family and counsellor for the support provided. The court heard she has not returned to work since the assault.

A 32-year-old Polish man pleaded guilty to sexual assault at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court in September.

Last week the court heard the man entered the bed and twice digitally penetrated the woman.

Detective Sergeant Kevin O’Hagan told the court that the woman was scared the man would become aggressive so she woke up her partner discreetly.

The woman ran out of the house and rang the gardaí, the court heard.

The court heard the man has five previous convictions, none for sexual offences.

Defense Counsel Elaine Houlihan told the court that her client had a lot to drink on the night and has restrained from drinking alcohol since.

Ms Houlihan said the man is “extremely remorseful” for what happened.

She added, “He has accepted responsibility for this monumental misjudgment of error.”

Judge Caroll Moran said, “This is a serious case, a difficult case.”

He adjourned sentencing until June 24. Reporting restrictions were place on the case.

ALMOST 80 per cent of Clare householders have paid the household charge. Householders have until today (Tuesday) to ensure their registration for the property tax is in the post and appropriately post marked.

It is possible to register on line before May 28.

While it is unknown how many Clare properties have been registered it has been revealed that 79.5 per cent of property owners in Clare are compliant with last year’s household charge.

Homeowners in County Clare who have not yet registered their property for the Household Charge, as opposed to the property tax, are being reminded that the charge can be paid up to June 30. As of May 1, a total of 36,400 residential property owners in Clare have registered their property for the Household Charge, equating to a compliance rate of 79.5 per cent compared to the national compliance rate of 74% (1,198,091 households).

Residential property owners are also being reminded that they will be required to demonstrate compliance with the Household Charge legislation when selling a property; non-compliance will complicate the conveyancing process.

Meanwhile those with a second property have added property bills before the end of next month.

Clare County Council has reminded property owners affected by the Non-Principal Private Residence (NPPR) scheme that the deadline for payment of the € 200 charge for 2013 is June 30. The annual charge applies to any residential property in which the owner does not reside as their normal place of residence.

It also applies to vacant residential property and properties where the owners live abroad. NPPR property owners are liable for the charge in 2013 in addition to the half-year Local Property Tax.

Seamus Halpin, Senior Executive Officer, Finance Department of Clare County Council, said; “The NPPR Charge, which was introduced under the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 set an annual charge of € 200 per residence, with a significant late payment fee. A € 20 late payment fee will apply in respect of each month or part of a month per each annual charge during which the charge remains unpaid. Anyone who has not registered and is liable to the NPPR charge has already accrued significant late payment fees on their property.”

A GREATER focus on environmentally-friendly water-based activities at Ballyalla Lake could create opportunities for employment around Ennis, a meeting has heard.

Rowing clubs and businesses involved in water sports were among those to address a public meeting called to discuss issues concerning the future of Ballyalla Lake.

Ennis-based businessman John Dillane said anything that provides employment for young people in Ennis must be encouraged.

He said, “We’re coming into a time of the year where students are going to be looking for summer jobs and there are very few out there…A lot of things could be done around Ballyalla to generate summer employment.

Mr Dillane, a former President of Ennis Chamber, added, “It is extremely important that we do something that will create jobs for young people in the town.”

Alan Coote of Clare Kayak Hire told the meeting that there is demand for a water sports centre near Ennis.

He explained, “At the minute everything seems to be up around Lahinch. There is nothing in the town. I see people doing kayak trips in Corofin, Inchiquinn but I really think there is a need in Ennis for a water sports centre.”

Mr Coote, who runs kayak and stand up paddleboat classes, said any increased activity would not impact on the wildlife in the area.

He said, “There would be no motors, no pollution. The noise would be minimal for wildlife and people around the area. I think there is an opportunity to create jobs. In Ennis it could be all year around with the schools. There are around 5,000 school kids in Ennis. I talked to a good few people who said they have to factor in the cost of travelling for school trips. They would rather there was something in the town.

“Everything I’m talking about doing is going to be real eco-friendly. There isn’t going to be any noise pollution. We won’t be going in around where the birds are,” added Mr Coote.

Síle Ní Dheargáin is the co-founder of the popular Clarecastle-based Fergus Rowers Club

Ms Ní Dheargáin said access to Ballyalla has been hugely beneficial for the club.

She said, “Every Saturday we have Ballyalla Lake taken over from 11am to 3pm in the day. We have the two boats going constantly. We have one senior rower out on the boat, training them in. It’s a really safe environment; there are no currents. In Clarecastle there is a tidal aspect so you need that bit more experience to bring in boats when the tide is going out.”

Ms Ní Dheargáin said Ballyalla could be improved from a water sports perspective by the addition of secure storage space for boats and other facilities such as handrails and a pontoon.

THE scope of any plans to develop or enhance the recreational and leisure potential of Ballyalla Lake would be limited by the legal designation of the area, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has warned.

Seamus Hassett, NPWS District Conservation Officer, told a public meeting that consent is required in order for certain activity to take place on the lake.

He said the recently established Ballyalla Working Group would have to bear in mind the legal designation of the site.

The area is subject to three levels of protection, the meeting heard.

Ballyalla is a wildlife sanctuary, a special area of conservation and a special protection area.

The area is a habitat for around 2,000 to 3,000 birds.

David Lyons of the NPWS told the meeting that there has been a decrease in the numbers of some birds at the lake.

Mr Hassett said the lake’s legal designations does not prohibit activity on the lake. However he said any proposals to increase activity would have to go through a “screening” process.

John Murphy of Birdwatch Ireland said there are many issues around the lake that are disrupting the bird population.

He described any proposal to select Ballyalla, as Ennis’ flagship lakeside amenity as “crazy”.

He suggested that Lough Girroga would be a more suitable location for water-based activities.

Mr Murphy warned against development around Ballyalla that would upset the “distinct wildlife of the area”.

Clare Fine Gael TD, Deputy Joe Carey told the meeting that Ballyalla Lake needs to be utlished more by people in Ennis.

He added, “Obviously there are sensibilities around development. But there is no reason why it can’t be developed in a sensitive way.”

Cllr Tony Mulqueen (FG) said he believes that the lake has been “overused” in recent years. He said Ballyalla should be preserved and any plans for water sport activities confined to waterways between Clarecastle and Ennis.