Month: December 2013

UNITS of Clare County Fire Services were called to deal with a major blaze at a well known eco-farm near Clarecastle last week. No one was injured in the fire, which broke out at a farmhouse in IM Eco Farm at around 8pm on December 23. Units from Ennis and Shannon Fire Stations attended the scene. Four pumps, two water tankers and a Bronco hoist vehicle attended the fire at the family run business. It took fire crews almost four hours to bring the blaze under control. Extensive damage was caused to a farmhouse. Gardaí are now investigating the blaze, which is believed to have been accidental in nature. It is not thought the fire was started for any malicious reasons. Set in 100 acres of countryside, ‘Im eco farm’ is an eco workshop and exhibition located near Clarecastle on the town land of Islandmcgrath along the Fergus estuary. The popular farm offers visitors the opportunity to experience renewable energy hands-on by displaying step-by-step guides and full-scale working models of wind, solar and waterpower as well as offering DIY courses for a more environmentally friendly future. The eco-farm, which opened inc 2009, is the brainchild of Clarecastle native Eddie Connors – a local farmer who obtained a Bachelor of Technology in wood and building technology. The farm was featured on the RTE tv series Higher Ground in 2010 and was recently booked out for a special Christmas event at Santa’s Farm. It is also a very popular venue for school tours.

CALL outs to Christmas fires in Clare fell last year again for the third consecutive year, and the county’s fire service is determined to continue that trend this festive season.

The Clare Fire Service reported that brigades throughout Clare were mobilised to 44 incidents during last Christmas.

The call-out figures for the period December 20, 2012, to January 3, 2013, were less than those recorded during the corresponding periods in 2009, 2010 and 2011 when the Fire Service was mobilised to 81, 64 and 48 incidents respectively.

The majority of emergency callouts were attended by Ennis Fire Brigade (20), followed by Shannon (13), Killaloe (3), Ennistymon (3), Scariff (2), Kilrush (2) and Kilkee (1).

Six of the call outs related to chimney fires, down 18 from the previous year, while firefighters also attended 10 road-based incidents, two agricultural building fires, two storage building fires, one house fire, one outdoor rubbish fire and 11 false alarm incidents.

The main causes of fire during the festive season are candles left unprotected, fairylights left on all night or improperly wired, Christmas trees falling over, open fires without fireguards, and decorations catching fire.

According to Adrian Kelly, Clare Chief Fire Officer, “Open fires are used for longer periods during the Christmas period as people spend a lot more time at home. Electrical items and extension leads are used more. Add in flammable decorations, candles and alcohol and it becomes apparent that the risks increase during the festive season.”

Mayor of Clare Cllr Joe Arkins has urged members of the public to familiarise themselves with the fire safety advice, which may be viewed on the Clare County Council website at www.clarecoco.ie.

“While Christmas is a time for celebration, it is important that the public remains alert to the fire dangers that exist at their homes. I encourage householders across County Clare to think about fire safety ahead of and during the Christmas period to avoid the risk of their Christmas being ruined.”

BEING a card-carrying member of the Fianna Fáil comes at a cost that is too rich for some blood.

Following the fall of the last Government, it cost life-long grass root members a certain bit of embarrassment, but now as the soldiers of destiny regroup it is the monetary cost of membership that is causing concern.

Each member must pay an annual fee of € 20 to be a member of Fianna Fáil.

For this the members are to have the right to vote at convention for their preferred candidate, however as some members struggle to pay the fee their voting right is withdrawn.

This was a concern for Cllr Pat Keane at the party’s West Clare con- vention last week, during which he was selected to represent the party in the next Local Elections on the first count.

“It is sad for me to see some people turn up here tonight and they hadn’t a vote, and I say to the two deputies [Timmy Dooley and Nial Collins who were at the convention] that this is something at headquarters we have to address,” he said following his selection.

“The one person one vote is a good idea but we have to make it a realistic charge if people are to become members, and I think we can have more members if we can get that rectified and I have no doubt that ye will,” he added.

The € 20 fee was also a bone of contention at the Ennis convention where delegates questioned why they pay it after a directive to select just three candidates came from the party’s National Constituency Committee who are later to add two.

Delegates argued that their right to select candidates for the 2014 Local Election was taken away, and all that they got for their € 20 was to fundraise for the party.

It is understood that Fianna Fáil’s finance committee is now looking at “equitable ways of spreading cost on members”.

MEMBERS of the public are urged to be vigilant after Gardaí were informed of an unauthorized charity collection on Shannon last week.

Gardaí issued the warning after two teenage girls were seen carrying out an unauthorized collection on behalf of Youthreach Shannon, collecting for the Irish Cancer Society.

Shannon Youthreach are collecting for Limerick Marine search and rescue this year.

Crime prevention officer Sgt Joe Downey said that while bogus charity collections are not very common in Clare there can be an increase in such activity in the lead up to Christmas.

“You can see a bit more of these things before Christmas when people are feeling a bit more generous and they are inclined to give money without checking credentials. In this case there was a bit of legitimacy to it in that they had an old card. But it was for the Shannon Youthreach collection for 2012 for the Irish Cancer Society – Shannon Youthreach’s collection this year was for Limerick Marine Search and Rescue,” added Sgt Downey.

“People should check the details of people they are giving money to see if they are genuine. Otherwise it’s just another form of begging,” he added.

Ennis councillor Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) previously expressed concern about unauthorized charity collections.

He told a meeting of Ennis Town Council that there are doubts about the veracity of some collections taking place on the streets of Ennis. Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) told the meeting that the practice needs to be tightly monitored.

Meanwhile, teenagers have been warned that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in the town.

The warning comes ahead of a noalcohol teen disco for 14 to 17 year olds in Ennis on Friday, December 20. Gardaí have issued advice aimed at encouraging responsible behaviour.

“Teens are to be dropped and collected by parents/guardians. Those transporting by buses are to ensure that none of their passengers have consumed alcohol. There will be a Garda presence on the evening. Any teenager found to be misbehaving will be dealt with and parents/guardians will be contacted.”

A CLARE hat maker, whose began her career as a 12 year old knitting dolls of Brian Lohan, last week sold a hat to the worlds biggest fashion icon.

Margaret O’Connor, from Tubber in the middle of the Burren, says she want to help put Irish fashion designers on the map, after Lady Gaga choose one of her hats to wear to an event in London last week.

Margaret opened her millenery business in London just six months ago and is already the talk of the town after Lady Gaga wore her creation to a public appearance at the Isabella Blow Exhibition in London last week.

It was all a far cry from hand knitted dolls of Clare hurlers in red helmets.

“It all started off with hurling. When I was 12 years old I began making little Clare men and selling them in the wool shop in Ennis. I remember I used to make so many of Brian Lohan’s red helmets – I still see those dolls around the place when I come back to Clare,” said Margaret.

“I nearly had a stroke when I heard [about Lady Gaga], I was so happy. When you make something, it’s like your child and you are putting it out to the world and all you need is for one person to like it.

“I showed that piece [that Lady Gaga wore] to lots of people and they didn’t like it. I told them to trust me, that it was a statement but they didn’t get it. That’s why it was so brilliant when someone like Lady Gaga decided to wear it. It just showed that somebody gets it.”

Margaret studied at Cluain Mhuire in Galway before continuing her fashion education in Scotland, Edinburgh and South America. Last year she worked under the watchful eye of Irish milliner Philip Treacy and worked on a number a hats for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Following last week high profile experience with Lady Gaga, Marga- ret is hoping to help Irish fashioner designers to become better know in the UK and across Europe.

“I want people to hear about Irish designers. A lot of Irish designers are not breaking through and I want to help them break through. I think there is a lot of Irish talent going under the radar in Ireland. I don’t think there is a voice for Irish designers at the moment – the struggling artist is really struggling,” she said.

INCREASED foot patrols will be among employed by gardaí this month to tackle the seasonal rise in shoplifting.

Details of the crime prevention measures were outlined at a meeting in Ennis last night between local gardaí and businesses.

The Ennis Chamber Garda Accord was established in 2003 to formalise meetings between the business community and the local Gardaí.

Members of the Garda Crime Prevention Unit and Business Liaison Team will be in attendance to give advice to businesses on how best to protect themselves, cash and premises in the busy Christmas period.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, crime prevention officer Joe Downey said businesses are encouraged to take appropriate security measures.

The businesses most at risk tend to be chemists, newsagents, off-licenses and fast food outlets.

He said appropriate measures helped to protect staff, reduce losses and avoid the risk of increased insurance premiums.

Practical security steps that can be taken include: not leaving large sums of cash in tills; training staff in security procedures; maintaining safe keys under dual control and varying the times when cash is transferred to the safe.

Sgt Downey said, “This time of year you can typically have a rise in shoplifting.

“These meetings are an opportunity to emphasize and remind businesses about having the right security features and settings in their businesses.”

CEO of Ennis Chamber, Rita McInerney said businesses are also concerned about levels of anti-social behaviour on the streets of Ennis.

“It’s not widespread but there has been a few instances in the last few weeks.

“The gardaí cannot act unless they are informed about what is happening by businesses.

“There is a lack of reporting of these things, and I can understand that as well.

“But that shows the value of the Garda Accord, these concerns can be raised by businesses as a group.”

Ms McInerney said businesses are also hoping to discuss the possibility of using Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) to deter offending among young people.

At Ennis District Court last week, Judge Patrick Durcan said that shoplifting offences and thefts are creating major problems for small businesses in Clare and promised the courts would tackle the issue.

A CASE where it is alleged a GAA fan ran onto a pitch during a Clare club football game and kicked a player in the head is to be heard in the Circuit Court.

After hearing an outline of the alleged assault, Judge Patrick Durcan refused jurisdiction at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Eamon Leahy (51) has been charged with assault causing harm of football player Richard Carmody (29) during a football match at Wolfe Tones camogie grounds on May 12.

The alleged assault is alleged to have occurred during a Division 6 Junior B football match between Wolfe Tones and Killimer.

Mr Leahy, with an address at Cronan Park, Shannon, appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the case in the district court on a plea of guilty only.

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett said he had reviewed evidence and written to the DPP. Mr Hassett said his client had indicated he would plead guilty on the basis that he struck the alleged injured party just once.

Mr Hassett said witnesses had given varying accounts of what happened on the day.

Insp Kennedy said it was acceptable to the State for the case to proceed on the basis Mr Leahy struck one blow.

Judge Patrick Durcan requested an outline of the alleged facts to allow him consider jurisdiction.

The court heard Mr Leahy’s son Daragh was playing corner forward for Wolfe Tones when an incident developed on the pitch.

Insp Kennedy explained Eamon Leahy left his position on the sideline when a skirmish involving a number of people developed on the pitch.

“The State will say Mr Leahy came in from the sideline and kicked Richard Carmody (Killimer) in the head on the ground.

“It was a severe kick,” he added.

After viewing a medical report of the injuries suffered by the alleged victim, Judge Durcan said, “This man was kicked into the face, into the teeth. He was kicked unconscious.”

Insp Kennedy said, “He [Carmody] was dizzy, when he tried to get back on his feet he collapsed and lost consciousness.”

After hearing the alleged facts, Judge Durcan refused jurisdiction. He extended time for the service of the book of evidence.

THE property market in Clare could be on the verge of a recovery with a number of Clare properties making far more than their reserve at auction last week.

Four Clare properties sold for a combined total of € 228,000 at last week’s Allstop Auction in Dublin, a full € 83,000 of 57.2 per cent above their reserve.

The best performing property was a three bedroom, end of terrace house in Bunratty which sold for was € 92,000. The property, which was located in the Castle Garden development, went on the market with a reserve of just € 30,000.

Another property to perform well was was an end of terrace, three bedroom house in Mountshannon. The Lakeside Close property went on the market with a reserve of of € 35,000 but went on to be sold for a total of € 46,000.

A site with planning permission for a two-story detached house at Knockanean in Ennis also exceeded its reserve at last weeks Allstop auction. The site, which measures approximately 0.25 hectares, went on the market with a € 50,000 researve but was eventually sold or € 60,000.

The only Clare property not to exceed its reserve was a two-bedroom apartment in Kilkee. The apartment, which is located in the Kilkee Bay Apartments development, went on the market with a € 30,000 reserve and was sold for the same price.

The auction attracted more than 1,000 bidders with a total of 144 properties offered for sale. This latest auction was by far the largest undertaken by Allstops with with € 25 million worth of property being sold – almost double the next largest Allstop auction in which € 13 million worth of property was sold.

Large properties sold at the auction include an 18-hole golf course at Woodlands Golf Course sold for € 650,000. The 127-acres property includes a pitch and putt course and practice area.

A MAN, who was murdered while sleeping rough in the Phoenix Park in Dublin at the end of November, will be laid to rest in a family grave in Kildysart Cemetry today (Tuesday).

Gerard Donnelly will be buried along side his father after 11am Mass tomorrow.

The 36-year-old was found burned to death at Wellington Road, in the Phoenix Park, in the early hours of November 29 and it took Gardaí some time to identify the murder victim who grew up in Tallaght.

An only child, he has no remaining family in Dublin and so has been brought to West Clare to be laid to rest where his uncles and cousins still live.

His later father Flan was a native of Cranny and his mother is believed to be in hospital.

It is understood that the Gerard opted to live outdoors in the Phoenix Park on occasions as a “lifestyle” choice and was “not a typical homeless person”.

The father of one also had € 130,000 in a bank account following the sale of the family home five years ago.

Mr Donnelly’s remains reposed in Kildysart Church last night before his funeral Mass and burial today.

Ciaran Moran (27), who has an address at Camden Hall, Camden Street, Dublin, has been charged with his murder at Dublin District Court.

Two other people – a 20-year-old man and 17-year-old woman – were also arrested but both were later released without charge.

A SEARCH will continue today for a man who was swept into the sea off the North Clare coast at the weekend.

The man, believed to be a Latvian national in his 40s, was fishing with a friend near the lighthouse at Blackhead when he fell into the water. It is understood his friend went to get a life buoy but when he returned the man was no longer visible in the water.

The alarm was raised after gardaí at Tuam Garda Station contacted their colleagues in Ennistymon Garda Station. The Irish Coast Guard marine rescue coordination centre mounted a search operation at around 4.30pm on Sunday evening.

The Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard unit was alerted and mobilised while the Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter was also tasked. The RNLI lifeboat based at Inis Mór in the Aran Islands was also sent to assist in the search.

That search continued yesterday along a stretch of coastline from Fanore to Ballyvaughan.

The five-hour search, which involved the Doolin Irish Coast Guard unit, a search a rescue helicopter and some local boats, was stood down on Monday evening. It is thought the search will continue over the next five or six days. It is hoped that if sea conditions improve Navy Divers and divers from local sub-aqua clubs will be able to assist in the search.