Month: August 2013

AN Ennis based community group has issued an appeal to raise greater awareness of the issue of suicide amongst Travellers.

The Primary Health Care Programme is urging people struggling with problems to contact them or other services. The programme, which is run by the Ennis commu nity Development Project (CDP), was commenting following the recent death by suicide of a number of young travelers in the Mid West.

Programme coordinator, Dr Siobhan O’Connor, stated that deaths by suicide are “not uncommon in Clare.”

She said, “Ennis Community Development Project and the Clare Primary Health Care Programme for Travellers was saddened to read, once again, of suicides here in the MidWest.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the young people who died in Limerick and Tipperary. Unfortunately dying by suicide is not uncommon here in Clare.

“It breaks our hearts to lose those that died, their unrealised potential and their presence amongst us in our daily lives.

“We are distressed to bear witness to the heartbreak and confusion that is left behind.

“In 2010, the All-Ireland Traveller Health Study, the first study of Traveller health status and health needs that involves all Travellers living on the island of Ireland, was published.

“The study showed the suicide rate in male Travellers is 6.6 times higher than in the general population; and the female suicide rate is also higher than females in the general population”.

Dr O’Connor said suicide is blind to ethnicity, gender or faith. She continued, “Whether you are rich or poor, whether you live in the town or the countryside, it can reach everyone”.

Dr O’Connor said people need to know that help is available and are not alone in their struggle.

She said, “We appeal to anybody who is struggling, or needs to talk, or has a problem, to reach out, to find somebody to talk to before you take that very permanent solution to whatever it is and take advantage of all of the help that is there.

“Here in the Primary Health Care Programme for Travellers our Community Health Workers will listen in confidence. They can be contacted on 065 6823968.

Ennis CDP Primary health Care Programme for Travellers in Clare has a drop-in service every Wednesday from 10am to 1pm for any Traveller that wants to talk or get information on health services in the region.

SEVEN summer festivals in Clare are receiving € 81,500 in Arts Council funding this year, with the Willie Clancy Summer School Festival receiving the majority of the funding.

The Miltown Malbay festival, which took place from July 6 to July 14, was awarded € 60,000 as part of Arts Council’s provision of € 2.1m in support to over 40 festivals scheduled to take place all over Ireland this summer and early autumn.

The Summer Music on the Shannon, which is currently taking place at different venues throughout the county received € 6,000, while the Feakle International Traditional Music festival which is to begin tomorrow (Wednesday) was awarded € 5,500.

The Crotty Galvin Traditional Music Festival Weekend which will take place in early September and last months Ennis Street Festival received € 3,000 each, while the Music in the Glen and the Willie Keane Memorial Weekend, both to take place in October received € 2,000 each.

The funding was made available to these festivals under yearly grants, with a number also receiving fund ing through the Arts Council’s festivals and events scheme.

Orlaith McBride, Director of the Arts Council, said, “The Arts Council is delighted to be able to fund these very important upcoming festivals. Many of these festivals have be- come household names and this is down to the great work that is being done on the ground and in organisations around the country.”

“In addition, these festivals provide an important economic stimulus for the regions where they are held.

“Each year, thousands of tourists travel not just from across Ireland, but from across the world, to sample the atmosphere and to take part in the excitement that these events generate.

“Despite the vagaries of our summer weather, these festivals give a lift to cities and towns and create many memorable moments for visitors and locals alike.”

“Despite funding for the arts being cut by 30 per cent in the last five years, the Arts Council remains dedicated to maintaining support for the arts and ensuring that events around the country are available for people across Ireland in the months and years ahead,” she added.

RATE payers in Ennis are facing an uncertain year in 2014 with the prospect of a split rate – with businesses paying more for the second half of the year than they do in the first six months.

The upcoming merger of Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council means that the Ennis authority will strike a rate for the first six months of the year in December and businesses in Ennis may be forced to pay a different “county” rate for the second hand of the year.

The difference between the rate charged by Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council is one of the highest of any town and county council in the country. If the charge was directly transferred at its current rate it would mean a 10 per cent increase in the charge levied for businesses in Ennis.

“The town council is going to set a rate in Ennis until June of next year and we don’t know what is going to happen in July. There is a huge disparity between the town council rate and the county council rate in Ennis, and the fear is that the new rate will be adjusted upwards. But businesses in Ennis could see a jump of something like 10 per cent next year,” said Rita McInerney, CEO of Ennis Chamber of Commerce.

“Our members could budget for the year on one rate and then come July that rate is no more. That is the fear that a lot of businesses in Ennis have right now.”

Following the news that 16 jobs could be jeopardy at the Gallery Cafe in Gort, Rita called for all local authorities to show more support for local businesses.

“It is difficult in the hospitality and tourism sector at the moment and everyone is looking at every way they cant increase revenue of to cut costs.

“Businesses have looked at all of their expenses – like rent or staff costs and they have been able to make some progress. However, when it comes to rates, it is not something that you can shop around with,” she said.

“That is the most frustrating thing for businesses, as the recession has hit and as things have gotten more difficult, they have been able to work with suppliers and workers – but there has been no reduction in rates.”

ONE OF the Burren’s largest employers may be forced to close for good next month – leaving 16 people out of work.

The Gallery Café says they maybe forced to close for good at the end of the Summer, with owner Sarah Harty blaming a lack of support from the local authorities as the main reason for the closure.

An estimated 20 separate business have closed in Gort over the past two years – with many of the market towns traditional employers feeling the effects of the recession.

According to Sarah Harty, proprietor of the Gallery Café on Queen Street, businesses in Gort are being “buried alive” by Galway County Council.

“I have been running a business for eight years in this town, employing up to 16 people.

“In order to reinvent my business I needed to enhance the outside of my property to attract people in.

“After spending thousands each year on council rates, the council rejected my claim to improve the pavement outside which was a myriad of potholes – completely unsightly and near reck- less for any passer-by, due to lack of budget,” she said.

“So I took matters into my own hands and put up an attractive decking. This decking feature was instrumental in attracting people down this formerly little known side street of Gort, spreading business around this side of town.

“I was then asked to remove this by the council as it didn’t comply with their regulations, which I duly accepted.

“However, during the recent hot weather, my restaurant was too uncomfortable to sit inside, so I put tables and chairs outside on the pavement in order to keep my business going, making sure not to obstruct anyone.

“I then received a letter with a summons to court and a fine for doing so. I have now completely hit a wall and am considering closing – this lack of support for small businesses is killing our town, and I can’t afford the fine plus my rates.

“I feel I am getting no support from our local government.” The Clare People contacted Galway County Council in relation to this story but a spokesperson from the local authority declined to comment – saying it was policy not to comment on ongoing enforcement matters.

CLARE’S Water Safety Officer has warned people to remain vigilant on the county’s beaches following the rescue of a family of four from a West Clare beach last weekend.

The entire family were rescued by lifeguards, including a father, mother and four children who got caught in a rip current.

Describing the incident as serious Liam Griffin said, “If the lifeguards had not got involved I shudder to think what the consequences might have been for the entire family.”

“We still have a long way to go until the end of the summer. We still have the full month of August. If we get another fine spell we just don’t want three further drowning in county Clare.

“The three we had in July are three too many as far as I am concerned,” he said.

“If we do get a return of the fine weather I hope that we won’t have further fatalities and people will swim in the guarded locations and not to be swimming in quarries, reservoirs, rivers and un-recommended areas, places where they were swimming during the last warm spell.”

Mr Griffin said that despite the downturn in temperatures the county’s beaches are still very busy.

He advised beach goers to go to guarded beaches and swim between the flags.

“If you do that you are going to be grand.

“You won’t have a problem but there are people who don’t do that. They swim away from where the swim zone is and when they get into difficulty we have to try to take immediate action,” he said.

THE NUMBER of people signing on the live register in Clare has risen for the second straight month with 9,849 people signing on in the county in July.

This second straight rise comes after an extended period of good news on the live register – with the number signing on in May of this year at its lowest level in almost five years.

This last two months have come as a blow to the county – with hopes having been high that an end to the recession might have been in sight, although seasonal facts may have affected the figures.

The recent increase has been driven largely by increase in the Ennis area where the numbers signing on have risen by almost 250 people since May. Over the same period however, the numbers in the Ennistymon area have continued to drop. A total 1,404 people signed on in Ennistymon in July, the lowest number since June of 2009.

It is unclear whether this two-speed live register in the county is being driven by an increase in employment in the North Clare area as a possible result of a recovery in the tourism industry or by prolonged emigration from the area.

A NEW York woman who spat at a flight on attendant on a transatlantic flight has been ordered to pay a fine of € 500.

The captain of a Delta Airlines flight was forced to divert the plane to Shannon Airport last week after passenger Marianne Thatcher (30) became difficult and aggressive, Ennis District Court was told on Thursday.

Ms Thatcher, with an address at 1257 Park Avenue, Apartment 3, New York City, pleaded guilty to three charges arising out of a drink fuelled incident aboard a Delta Airlines flight in the early hours of August 1.

She pleaded guilty to engaging in behaviour likely to cause annoyance or offence to any person on board the aircraft; being intoxicated to such an extent that might endanger herself or persons on board; engaging in behaviour of threatening and or abusive nature with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

All offences are contrary to the Air Navigation and Transport Act.

The court heard that Ms Thatcher came to the attention of flight attendants four hours into the flight from New York’s JKF Airport to Athens.

The court heard that Ms Thatcher was drinking wine and became abusive towards staff.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said flight attendants offered Ms Thatcher a glass of water and some food.

“Ms Thatcher reacted badly and effectively demanded more wine,” he added.

The court heard Ms Thatcher was brought to a vacant seat at the rear of the plane.

Insp Kennedy said she spat at a flight attendant after being asked to sit down. She was restrained using plastic handcuffs.

He added, “The State will say she was intoxicated. Her behaviour was very aggressive.”

He said the episode lasted 30 minutes.

A total of 270 passengers and 13 crew were on board at the time.

The court heard the captain made the decision to divert to Shannon when the plane was 250km off the Irish coast.

Ms Thatcher was met by gardai at Shannon Airport and placed into custody. She has no previous convictions.

The court heard Ms Thatcher, who holds dual American and Greek citizenship, comes from a respected family and studied liberal arts and ceramics in college.

She previously worked in a Paris art gallery but returned to New York to care for her sick father.

Defence solicitor Catriona Carmody said her client suffered from depression and developed problems with alcohol following her father’s death.

She said Ms Thatcher was “terrified” to be in court.

Ms Carmody said her client had a drink at the airport and a few more on the plane and doesn’t remember anything about the incident on the flight..

“She is incredibly embarrassed about what happened.

“She feels she has brought terrible shame on herself and her family,” Ms Carmody added.

Passing sentence, Judge Aeneas McCarthy said passengers had been very much inconvenienced by Ms Thatcher’s behaviour.

“This is a clearly a serious matter. This airplane had to be diverted,” he added.

He imposed a € 500 fine with one month to pay and 10 days in prison in default.

Ms Carmody said the fine would be paid within 24 hours.

Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

ONE of Ireland’s most acclaimed painters is eyeing a former barracks on the banks of the River Fergus as the location of a proposed new artistin-residence project.

Ennis man and award winning artist Mick O’Dea (RHA) is part of a local group proposing to convert old stables located near the Garda Station into an artist’s studio.

O’Dea believes the site is rich with potential and the project could attract the very best artists from around the world.

He says, “Ennis is one of the few towns in Ireland without a studio or even a proper exhibition space. There is one in Glór, but that’s more of an annex, its part of the building. Ennis doesn’t have a dedicated space. It would be an interesting thing to happen for the town.

O’Dea adds, “Those buildings and that area from Steele’s Rock down by the river are what makes the town, I think. Can you imagine if that was a car-park or if those buildings were gone? They are amazing buildings and you have these stories that go with that area. It’s a good opportunity to get artists into the middle of Ennis.” It has been suggested that some of the work produced by artists using the studio would be gifted to local museums or local authorities.

O’Dea is currently working on a proposal document for Ennis based on artist in residence schemes from around the world.

He says the cost of transforming the stables into a working studio would be “minimal”. O’Dea says Ennis should also exploit its twinning arrangements with other towns and cities to bring artists from around the world to the town.

“We’re twinned with enough of towns. There must be artists in these places who would relish coming to Ennis.”O’Dea was part of a group of local people including Fine Gael councillor Johnny Flynn who recently visited the buildings.

Cllr Flynn is hoping that the Office of Public Works (OPW), who are currently carrying out major flood relief works on the river, will repair slates and the guttering of the building while scaffolding is in the water.

He says the artist-in-residence project could be the next step in promoting cultural tourism through a so-called Abbey Quarter, based around the town’s historic Franciscan Abbey.

“You’re talking about the best in international talent. Anything that would bring more culture into the town would be great.”

Cllr Flynn is also proposing that the OPW develop walkways and cycle paths along the Fergus in order to connect Ennis and Clarecastle.

CASH strapped parents in Clare who are facing back to school bills of more than € 700 per child are being forced to turn to moneylenders and charities such as the St Vincent de Paul in desperation.

The Clare Citizen Information Office surveyed stressed parents who sought their advice and assistance and discovered that the cost of one second level student starting school in Clare has reached almost € 800.

The € 200 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSFCA) grant is not taking the pressure off parents, said Clare’s Citizen Information Development Manager Paul Woulfe and he has raised concerns that the financial pressure is forcing people to turn to “legal and illegal money lenders in desperation”, who charge exorbitant interest rates and in the case of illegal money lenders can resort to threatening and abusive behaviour when collecting a debt.

Parents are also finding some sol- ace in organisations such as the St Vincent de Paul.

“It is easy to see how the costs add up. Shoes cost about € 250 because you need runners and sports shoes too, € 200 for school uniforms and tracksuits, books cost anything between € 200 and € 250 with miscellaneous classroom costs at least € 50.

“The voluntary contribution to schools is usually between € 100 to € 125,” explained Mr Woulfe.

The Citizen Information development manager said many parents find themselves in debt at the start of the school year, especially as the BSCFA and children’s allowance is reduced as costs increase. The cost of school tours and extra-curricular activities or tuition can also be very high.

“Though not compulsory, such activities are often essential with regard to social and educational inclusion,” said Mr Woulfe.

“Children from lower-income families are likely to benefit most and yet be most at risk of exclusion from costly extra-curricular activities and supports. Additionally, a child who has to opt out of school tours or outings is likely to experience social stigma,” he said.

“Evidence from MABS suggests that parents may opt to ensure that their children do continue to participate in extra-curricular activities, school tours etcetera, but that this brings with it the risk of deepening household poverty, which carries with it not only health risks associated with food and fuel poverty but also the stress of household indebtedness and social exclusion of the parents and family within the broader community or socio-economic context.”

“They have so many costs it is crippling and they face a great burden,” said Mr Woulfe.

Families on certain social welfare payments and some low income working families are this week applying for the back to school grant.

The grant for second level students is € 200 down from € 305, while € 100 is granted towards primary school children.

KILRUSH’S Music and Set Dancing Festival could be in doubt for next year, as it failed to receive any financial support from the Arts Council, but organisers are determined to make this year’s event one of the best ever. The festival, which replaced the Eigse Mrs Crotty festival five years ago, has new competitions added to its listing this year with a focus on encouraging young musicians.

Secretary of the group Anne Hayes said a new under 12-concertina competition will take place for the first time this year, as well as the traditional under-18 competition.

While the Kilrush Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann organised festival has encouraged musicians of all ages from all over Ireland to visit the town during the last five years, it is facing new challenges every time.

This year the direct funding from the Arts Council has been cut, resulting in the group working with € 3,000 less than last year. Determined volunteers have not been deterred by this or the fact they are also competing with other festivals and competitions.

As schools are opening earlier and earlier every year the national fleadh competition has been brought forward to accommodate school going partici- pants. As a result the Kilrush competition also had to be brought forward so as not to clash with the national competition. The West Clare music festival is now competing with the festival in Feakle and over laps with the Rose of Clare just out the road in Cooraclare-Cree. Despite all the hurdles the festival promises to be better than ever, opening tomorrow (Wednesday) with a Sessiun in the Teach Cheoil at 9pm.

The Singers Club will take place in the Haven Arms on Thursday August 8 at 10pm with_music, set dancing and Irish language classes on Friday from 10 am. A unique Musicial Boat Trip to Scattery Island will take place on Friday at 1pm, and an open air ceilí in Kilrush Town Square at 7pm followed by music sessions in the town bars from 10pm.

Classes will take place again on Saturday, as well as concertina competitions followed by open air dancing to Johnny Reidy Ceili Band at 2.30pm and a Gala Concert in the Teach Cheoil at 8pm.

On Sunday the final of the concertina competition is at noon with a monster open air music session at the Vandeleur Walled Gardens with Inis Cathaigh Comhaltas Branch. Open Air Ceili with the Five Counties Ceili Band in the square at 7p.m. with the closing sessions in the town’s bars at 10pm will bring the festival to a close.