Month: July 2013

A SIGNIFICANT number of staff of the former Clare VEC will remain in place Ennis following an amalgamation with VECs in Limerick city and county, according to chief executive officer George O’Callaghan.

Eighty three years of educational history came to an end last week when Clare VEC was re-branded as part of a new Education and Training Board (ETB) for Clare and Limerick.

The new organisation will continue to run schools and provide adult education while taking on new training functions that were previously the responsibility of FÁS. CEO George O’Callaghan said any change to the organisation would be gradual.

The VEC runs seven post primary schools in Clare catering for 2,200 students. Around 600 people are employed by the ETB in Clare.

While many staff are facing the prospect of being transferred to Limerick, Mr O’Callaghan expects that a number will remain in Ennis.

He explained, “Capital and procurement functions will remain in Ennis, a significant number of staff will remain in Ennis.

“Our work is education. That is our mission. And we would feel we have made significant contributions over the years. That will continue to be made because the schools will continue and the further education provision will continue as well.” Mr O’Callaghan continued, “The most significant new function that will be transferred to the new Education and Training Board will be the FÁS training function. The FÁS training centre in Shannon and Raheen will transfer to the Education and Training Board in early 2014. That will fulfill the objective in the new name of the entity. The broader training functions of FÁS will transfer across in 2014.” Mr O’Callaghan has been officially designated as CEP of the new Cork ETB but has been seconded by the Minister for Education to work on a project examining the provision of post primary education in Limerick City. Former CEO of Limerick VEC Sean Burke has been named as CEO Designate of the new Education and Training Board for Clare and Limerick. Mr O’Callaghan said he was honoured to work for eight years as CEO of Clare VEC. He said, “They were a great staff to work with, very hard working across the board. We’d a great team and a good atmosphere in which we conducted in our work. That will continue in the new ETB as well.”

ENNIS Town Manager Ger Dollard has said he would be “concerned” if people with disabilities are having trouble accessing public toilets in the town.

It follows comments made by councillor Paul O’Shea (Ind), who called on the council to make access keys for the town’s two superloos available to people with disabilities.

At yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, Cllr O’Shea called for a radical overhaul of toilet facilities in Ennis. It costs the council almost € 67,000 per year to operate the automated public conveniences, known as superloos.

Cllr O’Shea described the cost as “extortionate” and called for an independent economic feasibility study on the cost of providing public toilets.

He said the council should provide different facilities that include baby changing facilities and facilities for members of the community with higher specific support needs.

“Public toilets have come on leaps and bounds since 1997,” he added.

Mr Dollard defended the council’s provision of public toilets in Ennis.

He stated, “The executive has previously done an assessment on traditional provision i.e. toilet block with the employment of toilet attendants against the more modern approach of superloos. The executive is in no doubt that when account is taken of the capital cost of provision, costs of operation and maintenance, payroll costs and other overhead and incidental cost that the automated public convenience model offers a cost effective solution and most importantly a standard of toilet facilities that is expected and required in modern cities and towns.”

He added, “The facilities currently in place by Ennis Town Council are modern fully accessible public toilet facilities. The council is not aware of issues regarding accessibility but is happy to examine any such issues in conjunction with the providers and operators of the automated public convenience.”

Mr Dollard said he would be “concerned” if members of the public with disabilities have trouble accessing toilets.

Fine Gael councillors Johnny Flynn and Mary Howard said the council should look at providing a third public toilet at the Parnell Street taxi rank.

THE redevelopment of the Gort Glas High Support Hostel in Ennis is the highest priority for the delivery of dementia care in Clare, according to The Health Service Executive (HSE).

The HSE identified the redevelopment, which has not yet been earmarked for funding, as key to allowing “greater synergy and coordination” in the delivery of dementia care in the county.

This follows the controvertial allocation of € 190,000 to the Clarecastle and District Daycare Centre in March of this year, a development which the HSE classified as low priority. Clarecastle TD, Joe Carey (FG), was accused of using his influence to gain this funding for his local centre unfairly, an allegation which he denied.

The HSE pointed out at the time that the services being funded in Clarecastle were already being provided “two miles down the road” in Ennis. The Clare People contacted them HSE in March, asking that they outline their funding priorities for the county. In a reply released last week, the Gort Glas development was identified as the HSE’s number one priority.

“As part of the Mid West Mental Health Service Plan 2013, local priorities include the closure of Gort Glas High Support Hostel in Ennis and the redevelopment of the facility as Headquarters for Clare Mental Health Services for Older Persons and as a Day Care Centre for Alzheimer’s patients,” said a HSE spokesperson.

“Local management is working in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland to develop Gort Glas on the campus of St Josephs Hospital in Ennis as a Dementia Specific Day Centre and out-patient facility for Psychiatry of Old Age.

“The project involved the extension and refurbish of the existing Gort Glas facility in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland. It is anticipated that the ASI will vacate existing rented accommodation in Ennis and relocate to Gort Glas. The relocation project will allow greater synergy and co-ordination of dementia care services in Clare.”

Other priority projects identified by the HSE include the opening of a dementia specific in-patient unit in St Joseph’s Hospital to cater for patients with “complex dementia” as part of the strategy to develop “much needed specialist services” for older persons and enhance integration with elderly care services.

THREE men involved in a violent row at Ennis Courthouse in May have received suspended prison sentences.

Simon McDonagh Jnr (18), with an address at 7 Aonach an Chláir, Clarecastle, Edward McDonagh (33), with an address at 18 Davitt Terrace, Cloughleigh, Ennis and Shane O’Donoghue (18), with an address unofficial halting site, Cragroe, Tulla, all appeared before a special sitting of Ennis District Court yesterday.

All three men pleaded guilty to provoking a breach of the peace at Ennis Courthouse on May 1.

Detective John Casey told the court that he and other gardai were forced to break up a fight between the McDonaghs and Mr O’Donoghue.

Det Casey said father of six Edward McDonagh and Shane O’Donoghue exchanged several punches and verbal assaults in a fight that erupted in the hallway outside the courtroom.

Simon McDonagh Jnr also hit Mr O’Donoghue “three or four punches”, the court heard. CCTV footage of the fight was shown in court.

Det Casey said a large number of members of the public were present in the Courthouse as three courts were sitting on the day.

A number of people fled the building in fear of what was happening, the court heard.

None of the men has any previous convictions

Det Casey explained that the fight was the product of a dispute between the McDonagh and O’Donoghue famillies who are connected through marriage.

The court heard the families have settled their difference and are speaking to each other again.

Solicitor for Simon McDonagh Jnr, Daragh Hassett, said his client is talented young soccer player who played for Avenue United in provincial and All-Ireland finals.

Solicitor Patrick Moylan, who represented Edward McDonagh, said his client is a qualified landscaper who had never been in trouble with gardaí before.

Mr Moylan added, “He apologises to the court, the gardaí and the public.”

Solicitor for Mr O’Donoghue, Jim Orange, said his client’s behaviour was “completely out of order on the day.”

Passing sentence, Judge Patrick Durcan said;

“No member of the public should ever feel that by coming into this court they are coming into a war zone.”

He said that in creating a “climate of terror and mayhem” the three defendants behaved in a “contemptible” manner.

He continued, “I regard these offences as the most serious breaches of public order I have had to deal with since my appointment to this district.”

However Judge Durcan noted that the men had no previous convictions and are of “excellent character” in the eyes of the court.

He then imposed two month suspended prison sentences on each defendant.

AN All-Ireland champion weightlifter found in illegal possession of a shotgun and cocaine in Mullagh almost three years ago has avoided an immediate jail term.

Sean McNamara (21), with an address at Doonogan, Mullagh, appeared for sentence before the Circuit Criminal Court in Ennis last Tuesday.

Mr McNamara is a Munster and All-Ireland weightlifting titleholder. He also holds two under 23 national records and has been short listed for the Irish weightlifting squad for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

On October 16 2010, members of the Clare Garda Divisional Drugs Unit raided a farmhouse near Doonogan, Mullagh. There they found a sawn off double barrel shotgun wrapped in a towel; 29.82 grammes of cocaine; weighing scales and glucose for mixing cocaine.

There were no cartridges in the gun, the court heard.

The court heard Mr McNamara ad- mitted the offence and was very cooperative and open to gardaí.

In April, Mr McNamara pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a shotgun and having cocaine for sale or supply.

Mr McNamara had been part of a gang involved in drug dealing in North and West Clare.

Delivering sentence, Judge Gerald Keyes said evidence had been given that Mr McNamara was “pressured” and “influenced” by the then 17-yearold head of the gang to store the shotgun.

Mr McNamara was in fear of this person who also sent a series of text messages from his phone.

Judge Keyes said the gun was sourced as a “scare tactic so the 17 year old could act the big man in a showdown because of dented pride.”

The court heard Mr McNamara has broken all links with the gang and has not come to garda attention in the years since.

Detective Garda Stephen Hession told the court that Mr McNamara was apprehended at the right time before things spiraled out of control.

In April, Defence Counsel, Michael Collins BL urged the Court not to impose a custodial sentence as it might harm his client’s Olympics hopes.

A mandatory minimum five-year sentence applied to the firearm charge but Judge Keyes said there were exceptional circumstances that allowed him not to impose the term.

The court heard Mr McNamara indicated at an early stage that he would be pleading guilty.

Judge Keyes said garda evidence also indicated that the chances of Mr McNamara committing similar offences in the future are low.

Judge Keyes imposed a three-year sentence on each charge, to run concurrently. He suspended the sentence for a period of five years.

He warned Mr McNamara that if he committed any more offence, he would activate the prison sentence.

Judge Keyes added, “These were very serious offences.

“Your future is in your hands and you have an opportunity to rectify this.”

CLARE people are being invited to take part in a hunt for the mysterious Daubenton water bat.

The bat, which is an endangered species in some countries, is understood to be relatively populous in Clare – but Bat Conservation Ireland are hoping to get an accurate reading of the local population this August.

The Daubenton bat exits in numerous countries across Europe and Asia – with Ireland, and indeed Clare – being the western most point of its natural habitat.

Indeed, the fact that Clare lies on the very edge of the Daubenton habitat makes an accurate count of its number here all the more important.

The Daubenton’s bat is known as the water bat because of its preference to roost and feed close to water such as rivers and lakes.

It is easy to identify because of all of all Ireland’s nine resident species of bat, it is the only species that will be seen continuously skimming the water surface as it is feeding on in- sects.

Anyone interested in helping to survey waterways in Clare for the bats this August is invited to take part in a special training event taking place in Ennis this week.

“This survey is part of a monitoring scheme recording the activity of the Daubenton’s bat.

“These yearly surveys allow us to determine whether the population of this bat species is increasing or decreasing,” said a spokesperson from Bat Conservation Ireland.

“Surveyors will be in teams of two people. Bat Conservation Ireland will provide the use of a bat detector for the survey.”

Anyone interested in take part in the survey is asked to come to the Civic Room at Ennis Town Council this Friday, July 5, from 8pm for a training evening.

The training will involve an indoor lecture followed by a practical session using bat detectors on a local river.

For more information about the Daubenton bat visit www.batconservationireland.org.

A NIGERIAN born business graduate intends to throw his hat into the ring for the 2014 local elections. George Atijohn says he wants to run as a candidate in the Ennis electoral area.

The married father of two wants to get involved in local politics in order to “improve the town of Ennis”. He has lived in the town for almost 13 years. If successful, Mr Atijohn said he would represent all the people of Ennis.

He said, “I’m not going to represent one particular community. I want to represent all the people of Ennis.”

The 47 year-old says he would like to get the opportunity to tackle issues such as unemployment and the shortage of local authority housing.

“Look at the problem with unemployment in Ennis. Unemployment doesn’t know any colour. We have nearly 1, 500 waiting on the housing list. These are things we need to tackle head on.”

“How do we create jobs? That is my interest. How do we get ourselves out of the economic mess that we are in?”

Mr Atijohn comes from farming background and previously ran an information technology business in the Lifford area of Ennis. He recently graduated from the University of Limerick with a Masters in Business Management. He says he can’t wait to hit the campaign trail.

“If I could start tomorrow, I would. I would love an opportunity to have a debate with other candidates. You know the way they do American debates? We should do them. It would be fun. Invite the people from the town in and let them assess the candidates.”

He added, “I’m not just talking the talk. I’m going to walk the walk. Let us come together and see how best we can improve the town.”

If successful, Mr Atijohn would be following in the footsteps of Taiwo Matthew who won a seat on Ennis Town Council in 2004. The Nigerian born doctor made history when he became the first immigrant to be elected to a local authority in Ireland.

FUNDING for small festivals in Clare has been slashed by more than 20 per cent in the latest tranche of funding announced by the Arts Council.

The funding, which was announced last week, will impact on festival taking place in the second half of 2013. Overall funding for six Clare festivals during this period come to € 20,000 – a reduction of a reduction of € 5,080 on the same tranche of funding last year.

The festival worst effected are the Willie Keane Memorial Festival, whose Art Council funding was cut by a whopping 35 per cent (from € 3,080 in 2012 to € 2,000 this year) and the Feakle International Traditional Music Festival, which saw a cut by 21.5 per cent (from € 7,000 in 2012 to € 5, 500 in 2013).

Funding was also granted to the Shannon Winter Music Festival (€ 4,500); Ennis Street Festival (€ 3,000), which taking place in July; the Crotty/Galvin Traditional Music Frestival Weekend (€ 3,000), which will be held in Moyasta in September and Music in the Glens in in Killaloe (€ 2,000).

This brings the total allocated to Clare through the Festival and Events Scheme (formally the Small Arts Festivals Scheme) to € 44,500 for 2013. Total Arts Council funding for small festivals in Clare amounted to € 83,100 in 2007 – meaning that funding levels in the county have dropped by more than 46 per cent over the last six years.

These continued cuts to the arts budget has prompted the chairperson for the Arts Council to call on the Government to take a different approach to funding the arts.

Chairwoman Pat Moylan has said the State should not take such a narrow view of stimuli for the economy and it needs to get away from the Celtic Tiger thinking that the only stimulus jobs that can be created are in construction.

“Sometimes there is too traditional a view that what creates jobs quickly are construction projects only. This is narrow thinking. The arts has untapped potential, already supports almost 21,000 jobs and contributes significantly to the economy,” she said.