Month: January 2014

AMAZING film from CCTV cameras at the playground in Lahinch during the early hours of Monday, January 6, shows massive waves sweep away recycling bins weighing half a ton as the playground disappears under water.

Clare County Council’s Paul Moroney, who monitored the footage explained that no human could have survived the ferocity of the waves and a car would have been crushed with the impact.

The senior engineer with the council’s water department showed the film to county councillors at a special meeting on Friday last in an at- tempt to depict the terrifying weather conditions the people living along the county’s coast were exposed to during the end of December and early January.

Shortly after 3am on the fateful morning a wave dislodged the bottle and can banks weighing 250kg each.

Three minutes before 5am all of the bottle banks were dislodged and moving at speed with the force of a wave across the playground.

Half an hour later the film captured the playground now under water and the final bank – the half tonne back containing wet clothes, being swept across the screen.

Just 20 minutes later, at 5.50am, the playground was full of water with none of the play equipment visible.

Mr Moroney explained that in flood hazard terms the area was calculated to be “extremely hazardous”, “making it hazardous to life”.

Just seconds later a wave took out the streetlights, and even though the cameras kept running the screen was black and the only sound came from an angry sea.

THERE is a ‘huge problem’ with theft in Clare, a Judge has warned.

Judge Patrick Durcan made his comments at Ennis District Court on Wednesday as he imposed a 12month prison sentence on a Romanian man convicted for his role in a number of theft offences.

Emil Brasoveanu (27), with an address at Dun Leinn, Monivea, Galway, was part of a three strong gang who targeted small businesses in West and North Clare in a crime spree on December 17 (2013).

In December, a husband and wife Anton Makula (26) and Anca Grancea (23) of Cluain Rocaird, Headford Road, Galway city, received prison sentences for their role in the offences.

All three had pleaded guilty to various theft charges on three businesses in West Clare.

In December, defence solicitor Fiona Hehir said the couple had “stupidly got involved in the operation” because they needed money for their children’s Christmas presents.

The court heard Mr Brasoveanu wore a ladies swimsuit during the commission of the thefts.

Last month, Sgt Ronan O’Hara of Kilrush Garda Station, told the court the accused wore the swimsuit back to front.

“By wearing it back to front, you can conceal more down the back of it”, explained Sgt O’Hara.

“It’s a new one on me”, said Sgt O’Hara when asked if he had come across this type of theft before.

The businesses targeted were McGrotty’s Medical Hall, Ennistymon, William’s Pharmacy, Kilkee and Miltown Malbay Post Office. All property was recovered, the court heard.

“These people (businesses) were very specifically targeted by these people in a deliberate and organised fashion”, said Judge Durcan at the time.

Praising the actions of local gardaí and the bravery of a post office worker who helped foil the theft of a charity box, Judge Durcan said of the accused;

“Their actions are putting jobs on the line, businesses in jeopardy and leads to a situation where a commu nity could’ve been deprived of essential services.”

On Wednesday, defence solicitor Fiona Hehir said Mr Brasoveanu was an unemployed father of two who committed the offences to get money for Christmas. Judge Durcan said, “I do not believe a single word of what your client has instructed you”.

He said Mr Brasoveanu was part of a gang that had engaged in the “commercial tyranny” of small businesses in West Clare.

“The court has to look on these type of offences with the greatest severity and it does”, he added.

The court heard the accused is currently serving a prison sentence, activated by a Cork court last month.

Judge Durcan imposed a 12-month prison sentence, noting that there is “huge problem with theft in Clare.”

“You can’t have people perpetrating this type of crime against the retail sector which is on it’s knees”, he added.

A TEENAGER who claimed she fell into debt to moneylenders has received a 15 month suspended sentence.

The 19 year-old had pleaded guilty to a string of shoplifting offences. She admitted stealing almost € 1300 worth of goods from businesses in Ennis and Clarecastle over an 11 month period.

The case came before Ennis District Court on Wednesday after sentencing was adjourned from December.

Last month, the woman told the court she owed € 1000 to a money- lender in Ennis. Asked by Judge Durcan how she would re-pay the money, the woman said, “I’ll have to give them money out of my dole.”

Her solicitor Tara Godfrey said, “I’ve done what I can to get her to make a statement but she won’t”.

Ms Godfrey said the woman fell into debt because of her cannabis addiction.

“This is not like AIB or the Bank of Ireland, the terms are quite severe. My client was afraid to be at liberty”, she added. The court heard the woman’s father and mother are both dead and her younger brother died when he was just three years old.

The woman was described in court as a “vulnerable person at the end of her tether”. The court heard she was a victim of neglect as a child.

After reading a Probation Report on the woman’s family history and apparent troubles with moneylenders, Judge Durcan said, “In my time as a Judge this is one of the saddest reports I have read.”

He remanded the woman in custody to appear again in court on January 8. On Wednesday, Judge Patrick Durcan said this was a “difficult case”.

Addressing the woman, Judge Durcan said, “I don’t want to imprison you for 18 months but the indications are that if you are at liberty you will continue to re-offend.” Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client would agree to stay out of Ennis.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said it would be helpful for all parties if the case was finalised. Imposing a 15-month suspended sentence, Judge Durcan said the woman was a “persistent shoplifter” who had grown up in “particularly difficult personal circumstances.”

Ms Godfrey told the court her client wanted to thank Judge Durcan, the court services, Probation services and gardaí for their patience in dealing with the case. A T IPPER A RY man accused of illegally cultivating cannabis plants has been sent forward for trial to the Circuit Criminal Court. ColmCafferkey (32), with an address at Demense, Roscrea, is facing three charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act It is alleged Mr Cafferkey did without license, cultivate plants of the genus cannabis, at Ballymulcashel, Sixmilebridge on August 14, 2012. The accused is also charged with having cannabis for sale or supply and unlawful possession of cannabis arising out of the same date and location. Mr Cafferkey first appeared before Ennis District Court in December where a garda Inspector said the matter would be proceeding to trial on indictment. The book of evidence was served on the accused in court onWednesday. Garda Sheila McGrath gave evidence of serving the book of evidence on solicitor Stiofán Fitzpatrick for his client. Inspector TomKennedy told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented for the accused to be returned for trial to the next sessions of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on February 18, 2014. Judge Patrick Durcan delivered the alibi warning and made the order returning the accused for trial. Legal aid was granted for Mr Fitzpatrick and one junior counsel. A N EN N IS man has denied an allegation that he harmed a dog by throwing it against a wall a number of times. Cathal McNamara (22), with an address at Old Military Barracks, Ennis, appeared at Ennis District Court onWednesday. He is charged in connection with an alleged incident that occurred at a named address in Ennis on December 15, 2013. It is alleged Mr McNamara contravened a safety order made at Ennis District Court in June by putting the applicant in fear by allegedly using threatening and abusive behaviour. It is alleged this behaviour included the accused harming a dog by throwing it at a wall a number of times and locking himself into a roomwith a child.The alleged of fence is contrary to the DomesticViolence Act. Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said she was seeking a date for hearing. She said her client denied what is alleged against himin the charge sheet. Judge Patrick Durcan said the alleged facts, as outlined in the charge sheet, indicated this was a very serious case.The case was adjourned to April 27 for hearing. T W O W ES T Clare man charged in connection with an alleged cannabis find last year have had the charges against themstruck out. Neil Casey (35) and Mark Lyons (25) appeared before Ennis District Court onWednesday. Mr Casey, with an address at Rinemacderrig, Carrigaholt, was alleged to have cultivated cannabis plants without license at Curragh, Feakle on June 18. Mr Casey also faced further charges of unlawful possession of cannabis and having the drug for sale or supply also at Curragh, Feakle on June 18. At a court sitting in December, Inspector Michael Gallagher said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed trial on indictment. Mark Lyons (25), with an address at Fleetrock, Carrigaholt, was charged with having cannabis for sale or supply and unlawful possession of cannabis. In December Insp Gallagher said the DPP had directed summary disposal of Mr Lyons’ case, meaning it was to proceed in the District Court. But onWednesday, Inspector TomKennedy told the court the State were seeking to withdrawthe charges as presented against both accused. He said an issue had developed on the State’s side. Judge Patrick Durcan approved the application and struck out the charges against both accused. A MA N charged with in connection with a serious assault in Ennis last summer will learn next month howthe case is likely to proceed. Michael Doherty (22), with an address at Bay 2, St Michael’s Park, Ballymaley, Ennis, appeared before Ennis District Court onWednesday. He is charged with assault causing harmto a teenager at Bank Place, Ennis on August 13, 2013. Inspector TomKennedy told the court he was not in a position to give directions fromthe Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Insp Kennedy said he expected to knowthe views of the DPP by next month. Judge Patrick Durcan adjourned the case to February 2. Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett consented to the matter being put back. T H E B OOK of evidence has been served on a Shannon man charged in connection with a serious assault in a pub.AdamDoody (19), with an address at Cluain Alainn, Shannon appeared at Ennis District Court onWednesday. He is charged with committing assault causing harmat Darcy’s Pub,Tullyvarraga, Shannon on February 9, 2013. Garda Sheila McGrath of Ennis Garda Station gave evidence of service of the book of evidence. Inspector TomKennedy said the DPP had consented to the accused being returned for trial to the next sessions of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Patrick made the order and delivered the alibi warning.

GARDAÍ in Clare have recovered more than three quarters of a million euro worth of cannabis plants at three different grow houses on the West Clare peninsula.

Three people were arrested yester- day (Monday) during the raid of two different houses in the Kilkee area, as part of ongoing investigations into the cultivation of drugs in west Clare. On Wednesday half a million euro worth of cannabis plants were discovered in Carrigaholt by local Gardaí working as part of a national operation – “Nitrogen”.

Yesterday afternoon Gardaí in Kilrush arrested a man believed to be a Vietnamese national following the planned raid of the rented house in Kilkee. The number of cannabis plants secured in the raid will not be known until later today (Tuesday) but it has been described by Gardaí as “sizeable”.

The man in his early 50s was arrested and detained in Ennis Garda Station last night under Section 2 of the Drugs Trafficking Act.

Earlier that morning Gardaí from Kilrush discovered 200 cannabis plants, worth an estimated € 160,00, in another rented house in the Kilkee area.

BUSINESS people in Doolin are keen to ensure that damage inflicted on Doolin Pier over the weekend is addressed as soon as possibly. The pier, its access road and the car park took extensive damage on Thursday night, with much of the flood defenses also being destroyed.

This left the pier vulnerable to a second wave of flooding on Monday morning, which undid much of the repair work undertaken by locals and Clare County Council over the weekend.

Eugene Garrihy of the Doolin2Aran ferry company is keen to ensure that the damage to Doolin not be left on the long finger while repairs are carried out elsewhere.

“Lahinch is getting a lot of the attention and rightly so; there was incredible damage done there, but the situation in Doolin needs to be address also. It is a terminal port and many of the tourists there are international tourists,” he said.

“We need the ESB to bring electricity back to the area and we need the council to restore some sort of road service so we can access the pier and start to get things back to normal.”

The Doolin Pier was hit with a double whammy with the smaller Monday morning storm doing more damage that the Friday storm, because all the flood defenses had been washed away on Friday.

“The fact that a lot of defenses were broken down on Friday meant that this morning surge [Monday] did an awful lot of damage even though it wasn’t as big. A lot of boulders and debris at the ferry offices on the pier were moved again last night, but at least we had a bit more warning about it,” continued Eugene.

“The basic infrastructure of the pier – the road and walls – have all been disturbed so that will have to be reinstated as soon as possible. It was the water rather than the wind that did the damage in Doolin.

“We took it upon ourselves to get the clean-up started on Saturday. We had five or six men there with a machine and we got a lot of the infrastructure back in action. The council also sent up a JCB and started to clear the car park. Hopefully we have seen the worst of it and we can get back to the clean up work tomorrow [Tuesday, January 7].”

THE Lahinch Promenade will be reopened to the public later this week with repair crews from Clare County Council set to begin work on the battered site this morning, January 7.

The promenade felt the brunt of this weekend’s unprecedented storms with millions of euro worth of damage being inflicted in just 48 hours. A combination of storm tides surging underneath the promenade itself and 40-foot waves crashing over it inflicted major damage to the sea wall and the structure of the prom itself.

Dozen of concrete slabs were lifted off the prom wall while large sections of iron railing, installed earlier this year by Clare County Council, were snapped and washed away. Despite the extensive damage, Clare County Council expect to be able to reopen the promenade before the weekend.

“The storm themselves are only beginning to die down at this stage as it is impossible to do any meaningful work in storm conditions. So, over the next few days we want to get in there and carry out the basic re- medial works that need attention and get the prom opened again as soon as possible. We would hope to be in a position to open the prom in a matter of days, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. To bring it back to the type of facility that it deserves to be will take major works,” said senior engineer with Clare County Council, Tom Tiernan.

“We have to put some sort of an estimate on what this is going to cost and make sure that this estimate is heard and considered and that we get the finding that we desperately need to carry out this work.”

The council has also committed to having Lahinch ship shape again before the start of the tourist season.

“The council are determined that Lahinch be up and running fully for the summer season. Nobody needs to be reminded that Lahinch is one of the jewels in the crown of Clare tourism and it needs to be up and running again for the summer season. The prom is one of the icon parts of the Clare tourism product and we want to be in a position where by that product is as good as ever come this summer,” continued Mr Tiernan.

THE most tragic event of this weekend storms took place in Lahinch where a brand new playground, built using money raised locally over more than a decade, was virtually washed away overnight.

The playground, which has been open for less than two years, sustained massive damage during the storm which ripped up all the protective matting, collapsed walls and the creation of a six-foot deep crater.

The playground was yesterday described as a “war zone” by local woman and member of the Lahinch Playground Committee, Nicola Hartigan-Downes.

“It is devastating. We invested so much time and effort into this playground and it was just wiped out in 24 hours. We’re back to the drawing board now.

“It is like a war zone. It’s like someone came in and dropped a crater right on top of it. There is a whole on the ground that you could fit a six-foot man into, all of the rubber mats have been lifted, fences and the gate have been knock. A lot of the equipment seems to be okay, we haven’t had an assessor out to it yet, but hopefully it will be okay. But we don’t know.

“The Clare County Council bottle banks were washed from one side of the playground right through to the other; we’re not sure what damage that might have done. It’s total devastation, the whole of the ground has been lifted off the playground.

“The playground is under water at the moment [Monday afternoon], so we don’t know what new damage has been done. All we can do is wait and see.”

The Lahinch Playground Committee held an emergency meeting last night and say they are determined to get the playground open again as soon as possible.

“We are moving on this straight away, we want the playground back up and running for the season. We had a lot of positive feedback from local businesses people and residents to say that they are behind us 100 per cent and they will be there with funding and manpower to help us out,” continued Nicola.

“We’re meeting tonight [Monday night], to see what the next step will be and we will we working on this straight away after that.”

A LUCKY young surfer has a miracle escape on Thursday evening after getting into difficulty in the waters off Lahinch, just as the storm began to hit.

The Doolin Unit of the Irish Coast Guard and the Irish Coast Guard Helicopter were tasked to investigate a report of someone in the water just after 5pm on Thursday evening. A search of the bay and shoreline revealed nothing and no surfers was reported missing as the storm began to touch ground after 6pm.

However, minutes after the search was stood down, a surfer was washed ashore on the promenade. The surfer was treated at the scene by coast guard and transported to hospital where he was treated for hypothermia.

“The sea washed him on the promenade and he was able to climb up the last bit himself. It was a pure miracle. He was very very lucky, his stars were certainly out that night,” said Matty Shannon of the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coast Guard.

“He had a few bumps and bruises but, considering what he come through, he was very very lucky.”

The Doolin Unit of the Irish Coast Guard responded to a large number of emergencies over the storm weekend. They assisted local fire services on Friday morning to help evacuate people from Lahinch. They also help the Irish Coast Guard with a number of evacuations in the Quilty area on Friday afternoon.

According to Matty, it is very rare to get two such powerful storms one after another.

“In 1991 we had a similar storm to this and before that there was something similar back in ‘63. I suppose every 20 or 30 years we get a storm like this, but not two of them in a row like we’ve just had,” he said.

AT AROUND 6.30am on Friday morning John O’Connor grabbed his two children and ran upstairs to safety.

It was pitch dark, so all the young family knew for certain was that there was water waist high in their home.

The former Kilmurry Ibrickane footballer’s family were terrified, and unsure himself what had just happened, he called his next door neighbour Danny McCarthy.

It was only then that Danny realised that the sea had engulfed the homes along the coast road at Tromoroe Castle, Seafield. He waded through the water, which was now waist high on a man, and towards the next-door house. The whole of the downstairs of the house, which had just been fitted with a new extension, was under water.

“We didn’t know was the sea still coming because we were up to our waist because it was dark. It was frightening. It was terrifying for the children,” said Mr McCarthy.

“John, his wife and the children were up stairs and that is what saved them. This really, really was seri- ous.”

The men called the Kilkee Coast Guard, who brought a raft in the front door and took the children to safety.

“Since then I can’t sleep or nothing,” said a very upset Mr O’Connor, who has still not been able to return home as the sea continued to break on the back of his house, his gardens and the nearby field he had transformed into a football pitch for his children gone.

“The kids keep asking when will they go back into their house, I don’t know will we ever be able to go back in,” he added, the enormity of the situation hitting home.

Danny and his partner and daughter were also evacuated, and he remains hopeful the sand bags will safe some of the rooms from the flooding.

He praised the work of the Kilkee Coast Guard.

“They were here in half an hour. They gave us confidence and a sense of security,” he said.

The local community of Kilmurry Ibrickane has also rallied around offering sheltered to those displaced with the natural disaster.

UP TO 10 metres of the land bank of the five star Doonbeg Lodge and Golf Course was lost to the Atlantic Ocean during the weekend storm.

“We got a right bashing but we are living to tell the tale,” said General Manager Joe Russell, who was confident that the Greg Norman-designed golf course would be playable again by Thursday. The picturesque resort was at the mercy of the high winds gusting up to 120 kilometres an hour, but the superintendents at the course were confident that all damage could be repaired.

“We have lost some land back into the ocean, but we have 18 holes in play. It has thrown up a lot of debris from the ocean but that does not affect play,” said Mr Russell.

He said that a clean up is been planned for tomorrow (Wednesday) once the full damage has been assessed and the weather monitored.

The high tides have also taken a few metres of sand from the dunes, which will naturally repair themselves in time.

Mr Russell has warned however against walking over the dunes however as there is now a sheer drop on one side, almost like a cliff, which is extremely dangerous.