Month: June 2013

TRUSTWORTHY and reliable volunteers living in North Clare are being sought to provide cancer patients with safe, comfortable and confidential transport to and from University Hospital, Galway.

The Irish Cancer Society is working to extend its Care to Drive Service for Clare patients to include the Galway hospital.

Last month the charity announced that the service would be provided to Clare patients being treated at the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Dooradoyle.

Care to Drive allows cancer patients access to free transport to and from their chemotherapy treatment, removing the stress and difficulty of travelling at a particularly challenging time.

The Irish Cancer Society is looking for drivers in North Clare, who would be willing to drive patients to and from their treatments.

The service is free to both the hospital and the patient with volunteers being paid a contribution towards their fuel allowance and toll road costs.

The Society recruits and extensive- ly trains volunteers and asks only that volunteers have free weekday availability, can commit to two weekdays a month and have access to a car.

There are a number of reasons why a cancer patient may need to use the Care to Drive service.

They may have been advised not to drive by their doctor due to the aggressive nature of treatment; the patient may have no family in the immediate vicinity or they may be unable to take time off work to transport them to treatment.

In response to these needs, Care to Drive was developed in 2008 by the Irish Cancer Society and is now in its fifth year of the national rollout of the service.

It is currently available in ten hospitals nationwide and will be available in another five hospitals by the end of 2013.

Last year, the Society brought a total of 402 cancer patients on 6,392 journeys.

If you think you can help and are interested in becoming a volunteer or are looking for further information, then you can contact Gail at ‘Care to Drive’ at the Irish Cancer Society on (01) 231 05 66, email transport@irishcancer.ie or see www.cancer.ie.

A NORTH Clare action-group designed to formally oppose the construction of Ireland’s large fish-farm off the Fanore coast was established last week.

The action-group, which contains 15 active local members, met last week to establish a strategy for opposing the farm.

A petition set up by the group last Thursday has already received almost 500 signatures and is on target to reach 1,000 by the end of the week.

According to local GP and action group member, Fergus Glynn, the group is made up of a large cross section of the local North Clare community.

“We are not against a project like this taking place, we just have a lot of serious concerns that have not been met yet.

“We are not against fish farms at all, in fact aqua-culture is an essential part of our future, but not like this.

“Oyster fish farming, for example, is far more sustainable and cleaner than salmon farming,” said Fergus.

“We have set a number of goals fro the campaign.

“The first is to get this petition off the ground, the second is the Tour de Burren – which will bring more than 2,500 thousands visitors to North Clare.

“We plan to target this event in two weeks time and we will plan to spread as much information as possible among the people at that event.

“We understand that there will be a Junior Minister at that event and we would hope to make our feelings own.”

According to the action group, no local politicians have attended to any of the public meeting organised in Clare to date.

“We have had representatives from the national politicians. the Clare TD, but we haven’t heard from any of the county councillors.

“We will be organising a meeting fore the local politicians later this month and we will let them know well in advance,” continued Fergus.

“We will also be inviting BIM [Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the government agency proposing the fish farm to the meeting.

“We have always been keen to engage with BIM and we will continue to do so. We want to here every side of the argument.”

THE unavailability of a 24 hour CT scanning service at the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Ennis is putting the lives of stroke patients at risk.

According to retired nurse and member of the HSE West Regional Forum Cllr Tom McNamara (FF) people travelling from the West Clare peninsula are at greatest risk, as they are more than three hours out from critical testing and treatment at the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick.

Ann Doherty, CEO, Mid Western Regional Hospital Group said however that she would continue to agree to disagree with Cllr McNamara’s argument.

She said medical personnel had advised her that the best place to go is where thrombolysis can be administered, not necessarily the nearest place.

The HSE officer added that not enough patients presenting with strokes go through the Ennis Hospital to justify a 24 hour CT scanning service there.

“We have to agree to disagree on this,” she said.

Cllr McNamara had been arguing that if a CT scan was available 24 hours a day at Ennis, people living on the West Clare peninsula could be tested quickly for stroke and administered thrombolysis within the crucial three hours necessary for it to prevent permanent damage.

Thrombolytics restore cerebral blood flow in some patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Test have shown that administering this intravenous drug within the first three hours of ischemic stroke onset offers substantial net benefits for virtually all patients with potentially disabling deficits.

Stroke patients in places such as Carrigaholt in West Clare are 105 kilometres from such treatment in Limerick.

The majority would also have to wait for an ambulance to travel from Kilrush or even Ennis to bring them to the hospital, adding to the time lapse.

“People on the peninsula will not beat the three hour stroke time,” said Cllr McNamara.

AS MANY as 250 Claires, Clares and Clairs from as far away as Hawaii, Australia and Europe have already signed up to be part of a record breaking attempt in Ennis on June 23. Organisers of the Gathering Event are now asking home grown Claires and those from all over Ireland to join in the attempt to break the World Record held by the Mohammads of Dubai, by having the largest ever gathering of persons with the same first name.

As many as 250 people from all over Ireland, the UK, Europe, and as far away as Australia and Hawaii have so far registered to participate in the event with many hundreds more expected to sign up closer to the time.

The largest gathering of people with the same first name is 1,096 Mohammeds in Dubai in 2005. The Clare event is being oraganised by the Clare Volunteer Centre, supported by the Gathering Clare Steering Committee.

“This is a family event where everyone from babies to grandparents are welcome to attend. You don’t have to be from County Clare, you may not have even heard of County Clare but you will share a name that is synonymous with being ‘clear, bright and famous’,” explained Sharon Meaney, Manager of the Clare Volunteer Centre:

The Electoral Register shows that there 608 people aged 18 or over named Clair, Claire or Clare in County Clare alone so there is clearly a large pool of people in the region that can contribute to this world record attempt.”

“The Guinness World Records insist that the only proof of identity we can accept is a Birth Certificate,” added Ms Meaney.

TWO West Clare businesses will take up the mantle following the decision of Fáilte Ireland not to reopen tourist offices in the principal towns of Kilrush and Kilkee.

The national tourism body has instead issued licences to Crotty’s in Kilrush and Any Occasion Gift Shop in Kilkee to provide Fáilte Ireland “Visitor Information Points”.

The licences were awarded after the contract went to tender earlier this year. The licences have been issued until the end of the year at which point they will be put to tender again.

For the staff at Crotty’s the addition of the Fáilte Ireland tourism information point is a natural progression for what they do every day.

Owner Rebecca Brew explained that the majority of the staff have taken part in familiarity trips to different destinations around west and north Clare already, and as all of the floor staff are from the locality, local knowledge will add to the tourist and visitor experience.

This is the first time Fáilte Ireland awarded a visitor information point licence to a food and drink business, and Ms Brew believes that the location of Crotty’s is ideally placed in the Square, Kilrush to provide such a service.

“I see Kilrush as a lovely place to visit; full of architecturally impressive buildings with a great history located in the town is our Marina where one can access the Ancient Monastic island of Scattery or go dolphin watching on the Shannon estuary. The Vandeleur walled gardens are gorgeous and free to all and can be accessed in two minutes from the town via Turret Lane, at the end of Moore Street, giving the Kilrush woods and gardens a town park feel, great for walks and cycling,” added the woman with all the local knowledge.

Paul Williams at Any Occasion Gift Shop in Kilkee is just as pleased to be helping tourists on a more formal basis. The entrance to the shop will be designated as a tourist information site.

“We tend to get asked these (tourism) type of questions anyway because of the type of business we have,” he said. Paul and the staff are already well informed on local tourist attractions, as the business is part of the local Chamber of Commerce and Loop Head Tourism.

Mr Williams is also optimistic about the tourism season ahead, as recent awards for the peninsula and the good weather has already seen an improvement in the tourism industry locally.

CLARE County Council will be allowed to break the recruitment embargo later this year to take on 26 new staff members – many of whom will work as ‘street ambassadors’ in towns across the county.

The scheme, which is part of the government’s Pathway to Work programme, was criticised at last nights meeting of Clare County Council, for not offering unemployed people any realistic career progress.

Cllr Patricia McCarthy (IND) branded the scheme as flawed, because the majority of position mentioned are unskilled and offer little options for further training.

The new street ambassadors, as well as roads and water operatives and some clerical staff, will be picked at random by the Department of Social Protection – with a pool of candidates then being sent forward for interview by Clare County Council.

The staff members will be employed on a part-time basis on a fixed term, 22 month contract.

To qualify, candidates must be on Job Seekers Allowance for more than two years.

“We should have been told about the job positions on off long before this stage. I have serious reservation about this,” said Cllr McCarthy (IND).

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) argued that working as a street ambassador could give a candidate confidence as well as other skills that might be useful for obtaining future employment.

“I think this is a very worthwhile project,” he said.

According to Eddie Power of the council’s Human resources Department, the local authority will have the final say in who is hired to take up the position.

MANY of the Clare Diaspora in New York are due to visit the county during the end of August to celebrate one of the biggest Gatherings in the Banner County.

Leading the celebration on Clare soil will be the County Clare Patriotic, Benevolent and Social Association of New York, formerly the County Claremen’s Association, who are celebrating their 125th anniversary.

A programme of events has been created including a civic reception, anniversary banquet, commemorative mass, golf days in both Doonbeg and Ennis, a tour of county including attractions such as The Cliffs of Moher and Loop Head.

There will an exhibition in the library and heritage and genealogy talk from Clare Roots Society.

President of the Association in New York, Cathy Hogan whose father hails from Kilkee, said, “You do not need to be a member of the Association to join us – all you need is the desire to return to the land of your birth or the land of your ancestors.”

Welcoming the “Home to Clare” initiative Mayor of Clare Cllr Pat Daly said; “This gives the people of Clare an opportunity to salute the New York Association for their sensitive care of generations of Clare emigrants and their contribution to the wider Clare community there down through the years.”

Mary Gleeson, General Manager of the Old Ground Hotel who has been co-ordinating information for the homecoming website on behalf of Promote Ennis said she had been fascinated to read some of the adventures and achievements of Clare peo- ple who left Ireland.

“Pat McDonnell of Doonbeg was an Olympic Champion and policeman on Times Square, Mike McTigue from Kilnamona was a world champion boxer and not too many people can claim to have a Gaelic Football field called after him this honour was bestowed on Ballyea man, Woodlawn resident Paddy Markham.

“It must have been a source of great pride for him that “Paddy’s Field” – the only athletic field on New York City parkland built for Gaelic Football was developed by the club founded by Paddy and other volunteers from the Woodlawn community. Other notable stories recall the genius of John Philip Holland – a pioneer in submarine development and Daniel O’Day from Kildysart who ensured the first pipe to bring oil to New York was laid,” she said.

Ms Gleeson also referenced the Clare connection to the most famous Irish political family -The Kennedys whose great great grandparents came from Newmarket.

These people will also be celebrated at the Gathering celebrations will take place from August 26 to 28.

A MOTHER of two passed heroin to her partner in Killaloe Courthouse in an “act of desperation”, a court has heard.

Eileen Fitzgerald (29) was observed passing a gramme of heroin and cannabis valued at € 167 to her partner who was in custody at Killaloe District Court on May 1 (2012).

Details of the offence were heard at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Ms Fitzgerald, with an address at Williamstown Lodge, Fedamore, Limerick, pleaded to guilty to drug possession.

Garda John Jenks of Killaloe Garda Station told the court that Ms Fitzgerald said she had been “under pressure” to pass the drugs.

He said Ms Fitzgerald’s partner told gadaí that he asked her to bring the drugs to court.

Ms Fitzgerald also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of heroin at Cnoc Cluain, Ballina on June 23 (2012).

The court heard that gardaí found four wraps of heroin valued at € 220 in the house.

Garda Jenks told the court that Ms Fitzgerald would give the drugs to people who called to the house. She has 17 previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Jenny Fitzgibbon told the court that her client’s heroin addiction increased after her partner went into custody last year. She said Ms Fitzgerald is taking methadone and is on a waiting list for a detox programme.

Ms Fitzgibbon said passing the drugs was an “act of desperation” on her client’s behalf.

She said Ms Fitzgerald was “foolish and disrespectful” to commit such an offence in court.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said it was “debatable” whether or not prison would be the best environment for the accused.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he must balance between helping people and ensuring the system of law and order is maintained and protected. He adjourned sentencing for a brief period.

When the case resumed, Judge Durcan said he had considered imposing a lengthy sentence. He said he was concerned that Ms Fitzgerald is a young mother who had a serious drug addiction. He adjourned the case to September 4 for a pre-sentence report from the probation services. Judge Durcan granted liberty to the State to re-enter the case.

SUPPORTERS of a proposal to scrap parking charges in Ennis on Saturdays have been challenged to identify the € 90,000 cuts in local authority spending required to implement the policy.

Ennis Town Council says free parking would have to be accompa nied by a major reduction in services like street cleaning and recreational facilities to make up for the shortfall in income.

The Council estimates that it would lose € 90,000 in six months under the proposal tabled by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) at it’s June meeting.

Town Manager Ger Dollard described as “irresponsible” any income-reducing proposal brought before the Council that doesn’t include a corresponding cut to spending.

Cllr Flynn proposed that Ennis Town Council follow the example of Nenagh “in it’s initiative to stimulate the local economy by allowing free car-parking for customers/visitors in public car parks on Saturdays for a trial six month period under the current byelaws as special occasions/ events.”

Cllr Flynn told the meeting that he did not think the cut would have a significant impact on the Council’s finances.

Cllr Mary Howard seconded the motion, saying that free parking could first be done on a trial basis.

“The town has gone quiet,” she added. Cllr Paul O’Shea (Lab) said it was time the Council tried something new in relation to parking in Ennis. In response, Town Clerk Leonard Cleary said the Council had piloted a number of parking initiatives in Ennis.

He told the meeting that the Council had undertaken a “detailed examination of income from car-parking.”

He continued, “In 2012 parking income was € 1,088,475.

The proposal in the notice of motion for free parking on Saturdays for six months could result in losses of € 90,000 approx. based on 2012.

“As the Budget for 2013 is now adopted, it is open to elected members to make submissions for expenditure reductions or income generation measures that can bridge the shortfall of € 90,000 approximately that would arise from the proposal in a 2014 budget context.”

He added that “essentially, elected members need to decide what services would not be delivered by the Council.”

Mr Cleary warned that “very hard choices” would have to be made on street cleaning, public lights, estate management and recreational facilities, if the policy is introduced.

Cllr Meaney said Nenagh’s problems stemmed from a decision to develop an out of town retail centre. Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) said the management of car-parks is crucial to the town.

He added, “Its not the car-parking that’s the problem. It’s what is in the town.”

Town Manager Ger Dollard said that if the motion passed, the Council executive would not implement it until the services to be cut were identified.

Deputy Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) described the motion as a “pointless exercise”, pending the outcome Council’s budget estimates meeting.

Cllr Flynn said he disagreed with Cllr Brennan’s assessment, saying the matter could be addressed before then.

Councillors voted unanimously to consider Cllr Flynn’s motion at their Budget 2014 meeting.

THE cost to the Fire Services of dealing with malicious fires in Ennis soared to € 183,631 over a three year period, new figures show.

There were a total of 147 likely malicious fires in Ennis between 2009 and 2012. The details were revealed at the June meeting of Ennis Town Council.

Councillor Paul O’Shea (Ind) requested that the Council provide data on the number of malicious fires caused in Ennis between 2009-2012 and the cost to the taxpayer of responding to calls from the fire service.

Details are contained in a letter from Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly to Town Manager Ger Dollard.

The Fire Services attended 20 malicious fires in 2012; 24 in 2011; a whopping 57 in 2010 and 46 in 2009.

Mr Kelly states that the fire service incident commander will record what his/her opinion is the ‘most likely source of ignition’ at the time of the incident.

He added, “However the investigation into the cause of fires is not a function of the Fire Services; rather it is a matter for An Garda Suíochana.”

Mr Kelly states that the majority of the incidents were either bonfires; vehicle fires; rubbish and unoccupied derelict buildings. The figures do not take into account the outcome of any investigation by An Garda Suíochana.

The cost to the Fire Services of attending malicious fire incidents in Ennis ran to € 21,992.02 in 2012.

Cllr O’Shea described the figures as ‘unacceptable’. He said, “What are we doing as a Council to deter this waste of taxpayers money?”

Town Manager Ger Dollard said these incidents are always a “cause for concern” to the Fire Services. He said the fire services have engaged in a number of awareness campaigns in recent years.

Mr Dollard told the meeting that the gardaí have been involved in investigating a number of these malicious fires.