Month: February 2014

THE Mayor of Clare has challenged young people in Ennis to have the “courage” to say no to drugs

Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) was speaking to a group of teenagers at the launch of a Drugs Awareness Art Project in the headquarters of Clare County Council earlier this month.

Students attending the Ennis Community Development Project Traveller Education Peer Support Project designed a calendar aimed at highlighting greater awareness of the dangers of drug abuse.

Praising the effort and dedication of the students who all come from a Traveller background in Ennis, Cllr Arkins said it was important they now stand by the work they have done over the past 12 months.

He explained, “People take drugs because they believe they will change their lives. They can be certain about that, it will change their lives but it will change it for the worse. People take drugs because they think it’s going to solve a problem. It doesn’t solve a problem. It creates a problem.

“I salute the wonderful work you have done. But it is important you have the courage to stand by the work you have done and to be peers amongst your own. So when some youngster in school tell you he can get a bit of weed, or he can get this that or the other drug and it will do you no harm…you have to have the courage to stand up and you have to have the courage to say not it isn’t, no it doesn’t, no it won’t.”

Cllr Arkins also praised the work of Ennis CDP and the Mid Western Regional Drugs Taskforce who supported the campaign.

He added, “The most important thing I’ll tell ye lads is have the courage to stand by the work ye have done here. Ye have done absolutely wonderful work but have the courage to bring it forward for the year into the rest of yer lives and into the lives of the people ye come across. Have the courage to stand up and say anyone who takes drugs is a fool.”

A MAN has appeared in court charged with smashing a family car with a golf club during a serious incident in Kilrush last month.

Robbie Walsh (18) is facing four charges arising out of the alleged incident at Island View, Kilrush on January 7.

Mr Walsh, with an address at Island View, Kilrush, is charged with criminal damage of a car, engaging in behaviour to provoke a breach of the peace and the unlawful produc- tion of a golf club.

He is further charged with having under his control a golf club, intended to damage property – a car window – in a way that was likely to endanger the lives of a couple and their children.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said directions are still awaited from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He applied to have Mr Walsh remanded in custody to appear again at Ennis District Court on February 26. Bail was previously refused in the case, the court heard. Judge Wil- liam Early requested a summary of the alleged facts to allow him consider the issue of jurisdiction.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court the accused met his uncle in the Island View estate in Kilrush on the day in question.

He said the man and his wife were going collect their children from school. Insp Kennedy said it is alleged Robbie Walsh ran at their car with a golf club and smashed a number of windows.

He said it is alleged that even after the head of the club broke off, the ac- cused continued to strike the car with the shaft. Insp Kennedy said the children were not in the car at the time. He said it was his understanding this was “quite a serious incident”.

Judge Early said he was happy he had heard a summary of the alleged facts. He said he was satisfied this was not an alleged minor offence.

“I therefore refuse jurisdiction”, he said. The case will now proceed to the Circuit Court. Mr Walsh was remanded in custody to appear again in court on February 26 for DPP’s directions. T H E CA S E of a Polish man charged in connection with the alleged discovery of cannabis in Spancill Hill has been adjourned to the end of the month. Krystof Sobolewski (37) is charged with an offence arising fromthe alleged discovery of cannabis at The Island, Kilvoydan, Spancill Hill on January 21. It is alleged Mr Sobolewski was in possession of cannabis for purposes of selling it or otherwise supplying it. Mr Sobolewski, with an address at The Island, Kilvoydan, Spancill Hill, first appeared in court earlier this month where he was remanded in custody. OnWednesday, Inspector TomKennedy said the DPP had not issued directions in the case. He said this was a “relatively newmatter” and that the State required a further two weeks. However he told Judge Early that he was unsure whether the DDP’s views would be known by February 19. He said the case is being expedited. Defence solicitor John Casey said his client has spent the past two weeks in Limerick prison. JudgeWilliamEarly remanded the accused in custody to appear again in court on February 26. T W O POLIS H men facing charges arising fromthe discovery of an alleged cannabis growhouse inTulla are to learn howtheir cases will proceed later this month. Rafal Ucinek (25) and Emil Sumczynski (23), both with addresses at Miltown,Tulla, appeared before Ennis District Court onWednesday. They are charged with possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Miltown,Tulla on January 13. It is alleged gardaí seized 124 cannabis plants with an estimated value of €99,200. Inspector TomKennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had not issued directions in the case. He made an application to have both men remanded in custody for a further two weeks. Defence solicitor Stiofán Fitzpatrick consented to the State’s application. Judge Early remanded Mr Ucinek and Mr Sumczynski in custody to appear again at Ennis District Court on February 19. THE BOOK of evidence has been served on a Shannon man accused of assaulting a player during a football match last year. Eamon Leahy (51) is charged with assault causing harm to 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. Jurisdiction of the case was refused in the District Court after Judge Patrick Durcan heard an outline of the alleged facts. Mr Leahy, with an address at Cronan Park, Shannon, appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Garda Irene O’Flynn of Ennis Garda Station told the court she served a copy of the book of evidence on solicitor Daragh Hassett for his client Mr Leahy. Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented to the accused being returned for trial to the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on February 18. He said there are no objections to bail and no conditions were being sought. Judge William Early delivered the alibi warning and made the order returning the accused for trial on bail. Legal aid was approved for solicitor Daragh Hassett and one junior counsel.

TWO men charged in connection with the alleged theft of items from a historic lakeside mansion in Killaloe are to be sent forward for trial, a court has heard.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Inspector Tom Kennedy said he expects the books of evidence to be ready for service on Jeffrey Lee (41) and Declan Browne (25) by the end of the month.

Mr Lee, with an address at Cosgrave Park, Moyross, Limerick, is charged with entering Tinarana House as a trespasser on dates between August 17 and September 24, 2013 and committing theft therein.

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court the 42-day time period in which the State is required to serve the book of evidence had elapsed.

She said the State were now on day 50. Insp Kennedy the book of evidence was not yet ready.

He told the court Mr Lee’s case is linked to that of Declan Browne. He said Mr Browne had not been charged at the same time as Mr Lee.

He said the State solicitor is currently finalizing the books of evidence in respect of both accused.

He sought a further adjournment. Ms Godfrey said she would consent to the case being adjourned to February 26.

Insp Kennedy told Judge William Early he was confident the books would be ready by the end of the month.

Judge Early refused a defence application to mark the case peremptory against the State – meaning the matter could be struck out if the book of evidence is not ready by February 26.

However Judge Early told the legal teams he had marked “time running” on the file.

Declan Browne, (25), with an address at Cnoc an Cluain, Ballina, Tipperary, also appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Mr Browne is charged with handling stolen property – antique chandeliers, candelabra, light fittings, antique bathroom fittings, copper piping and cylinder – at Clear Circle Metals, Ballysimon Road, Limerick on September 13, 2013.

Insp Kennedy said the case would be proceeding to trial on indictment.

Ms Godfrey said Mr Browne appears to be a co-accused of Mr Lee. Mr Browne’s case was also adjourned to February 26.

Both accused were remanded on continuing bail.

A MAN who was part of a gang who terrorised an elderly man during a burglary at his home in West Clare has avoided a driving ban.

Noel Garry (20), with a former address at Tullycrine, Kilrush appeared at Ennis District Court on Friday where he pleaded guilty to four road traffic offences.

He admitted having on insurance, no NCT cert and no driver’s license when he was stopped by Garda Eoin O’Donoghue at the Tulla Road, Ennis on September 3, 2013.

Asked by Judge Patrick Durcan if there was anything unusual about the offence, Garda O’Donoghue said there wasn’t.

Mr Garry has one previous conviction under the road traffic act.

Defence solicitor Fiona Hehir said her client bought the car because he lived in a rural area at the time.

She told the court Mr Garry had just purchased the vehicle when he was stopped by the guards.

She said Mr Garry, who suffered from ADHD, fully cooperated with gardaí.

She urged the court not to disqualify her client from holding a driver’s license. She said Mr Garry was a young man who had never had the opportunity to drive.

Judge Durcan fined Mr Garry € 250 for having no driver’s license; € 100 for having not NCT and € 250 for having no insurance.

He said he was not disqualifying the accused from driving for work related reasons.

Mr Garry is currently in custody awaiting sentence for his role in a robbery at the home of a 68 year-old man in Cree on February 25, 2012.

He was one of four people who stole € 3000 from Michael McMahon whose home was targeted in a similar robbery just four days previ- ously.

Mr Garry pleaded guilty to robbery and evidence in the case was heard at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court in January.

The court heard that after the second robbery on February 25, a terrified Mr McMahon gathered his belongings and cycled 30 miles from his home to St Joseph’s nursing home in Ennis.

He had been threatened that his house would be burned down if he contacted gardaí, the court heard.

Mr Garry was one of three men who pleaded guilty. They are due to be sentenced on March 3.

THE first step towards what could the formation of the first ever Women’s Shed initiative in Ireland will be taken in Ennis on Thursday.

A meeting will take place at the offices of Clare Women’s Network at the Clonroad business park on February 13, 12 noon.

The proposal to develop a Women’s Shed in Ennis was put forward by local women Paula McNamara and Mary Howard.

It is similar to the Men’s Shed initiative – an international movement that provides opportunities for male volunteers to participate in voluntary community projects e.g planting housing estate green areas with native trees, shrubs and flowers. The ethos of the Men’s Shed is that men talk better shoulder-to-shoulder rather than face-to-face, this activity has many benefits – companionship, nonalcohol social outlet, mental health benefits, and skill development and enhancement.

The Ennis Men’s Shed is based at Centrepoint, Orchard Lane, Ennis. Paula McNamara says the success of the Men’s Shed was the inspiration for the Women’s Shed.

She explained, “We would be swapping skills teaching each other woodwork, crafts, computer, but mainly it’s an excuse to get out of the house, meet other women, and make friends. In this day and age it’s very easy to feel isolated when you become a mum, finish school, if you’re out of work, if your friends have emigrated or if you’ve retired it’s very easy to feel cut off, so the hope is that women of all ages all backgrounds would come together and work projects to help the community and hopefully have fun and make friend in the process”.

She added, “The women’s shed would be using the same facilities as the Ennis Men’s Shed at different days and times. The aim is to promote social interaction and aim to increase the quality of life and help out in the community. Our first meeting is next week and we should be ready to launch the Women’s Shed mid-March and we will be one of the world’s first Women’s Sheds running alongside a men’s shed. The women’s shed would be run on the same principles as the Men’s Sheds as non-profit organisations, to advise and improve the overall well being of all women”.

It is thought this would be the first Women’s Shed in Ireland. Mary Howard, a Fine Gael member of Ennis Town Council, said, “I am delighted to be asked to come on board as an advocate and facilitator with both the Ennis Men’s Shed and the upcoming Ennis Women’s Shed Project. There is a huge need for both of these facilities. The men who have set up the Ennis Men’s Shed are absolute gentlemen who have the most infectious enthusiasm and the biggest hearts. I am thrilled to be on board.”

THE cost of the unprecedented run of storms which battered the Clare coast over the past five weeks has grown to a massive € 36.8 million according to new estimates published yesterday by Clare County Council.

This means that more than € 12 million worth of damage was inflicted on the county over the past two weeks – with the giant sea swell and high winds of the St Brigid’s Day storm causing the lion’s share of this new damage.

This, coupled with the € 24 million worth of damage cause during the storm in early January, has left Clare County County with the possibility of a large hole in its budget should central government fail to make sufficient money available.

It was also revealed at last night’s meeting of Clare County Council that the local authority has already spent € 750,000 of its own money on repairs and clean-up operations to date.

County Manager Tom Coughlan admitted yesterday that the local authority has no budget for this € 750,000, admitting that the council was spending money that it did not have.

The council’s Corporate Policy Group (CPG) met before yesterday’s main council meeting and compiled a letter for the Government which stated that the council couldn’t, in good conscience, continue to spend money on repairs without central government giving firm details of the funding that will be made available. The most expensive storm damage was recorded in Lahinch where the council estimates that € 6.064 million will be required to fix damage done to the promenade and surround areas. The cost of repairs at Cloughaninchy in Quilty is now estimated at € 4.716, with the bulk of this going towards the re-construction of more than two kilometres of sea armour. There was also significant damage at Kilbaha in West Clare (€ 3.498 million) and New Quay in north Clare (€ 3.449 million) where roads and sea walls have been destroyed. Other badly damaged areas include Carrowmore (€ 1.628 million), White Strand/Doonmore (€ 1.550 million), Clahane in Liscannor (€ 1.487 million), Kilcredaun Irish College (€ 1.226 million), Carrowdotia, Moneypoint (€ 1.115 million), Doolin (€ 1.025 million) and Liscannor itself (€ 1.011 million). Serious questions have also been raised as to what agency or agencies are responsible for coastal defenses. There are 14 different agencies which have some interest in coastal and river flood defenses. “Until there is some clarity as to who is responsible for these areas this is going to be a very difficult project. We are all talking about providing leadership, but we cannot lead unless we know where we are going,” said county manager Tom Coughlan. “There are a lot of agencies involved, but there is no clarity who is responsible. We need a co-ordinated approach and that has to be led by Government. This is something that is outside the scope of Clare County Council.”

THE National Roads Authority (NRA) say that it has introduced a new system of ongoing maintenance on the M18, since the tragic death of 26-year-old student Vicky Courtney on a stretch the of road near Ballyline.

Ms Courtney died when her car veered off the motorway while driving in poor weather on November 18, 2012.

Following her inquest, which took place last September, Clare coroner Isobel O’Dea wrote to the NRA requesting that “a pool of water should not be allowed” to develop on the motorway.

According to an NRA spokesper- son, the organisation only assumed responsibility for maintenance on the M18 last September.

“The National Roads Authority fully agrees with the objective of the coroner’s statement in this regard,” said a spokesperson.

“Since this time, routine maintenance works have been undertaken including road sweeping and cleaning of gullies, slot drains and outfalls in addition to other general maintenance activities which assist with rapid drainage of water from the road surface.

“The NRA monitors and assesses the network under its direct control with a view to carrying out any maintenance or remedial works which might be required to improve road drainage and maintain the de- sign capacity of the drainage system. However, the possibility of the occurrence of surface water due to extreme weather events or other causes cannot be fully eliminated.

“In relation to the specific location on the north-bound carriageway of the M18 at Ballyline, the NRA is ensuring that our service provider is following their maintenance works. The installation of replacement pipework may be undertaken if the ongoing monitoring referred to indicates that this is warranted.

Ms Courtney’s inquest heard that she died when her red Peugeot spun 360 degrees after driving through a 15-metre pool of water lying across the fast lane. The car crashed into a barrier before overturning on the road.

A CLARE woman who endured a four-year sentence in a € 300,000 ‘debt prison’ has secured a 70-day protection period from her creditors.

The woman, who lives in Shannon, has a mortgage of € 329,000 with a financial institution, the Personal Insolvency Court in Ennis heard on Friday.

The Circuit Court heard the 30year-old secretary took out the mortgage on an investment property with her then boyfriend.

The relationship has since ended and it is thought the man has left the jurisdiction.

The court heard the woman has monthly repayments of € 1,600 and a credit card debt of € 3,600.

She is now living in rented accommodation. Judge Patrick Meaghan was told the investment property cost € 345,000 in 2007 but is now worth € 170,000.

The court heard the property is in poor condition with repair costs estimated at between € 20,000 and € 25,000. Judge Meaghan said he was satisfied to grant the protection certificate, meaning the woman now has 70 days to strike a deal with creditors.

The woman was not in court for the brief hearing, but was represented by Ennis based Personal Insolvency Practitioner (PIP) John Hogan.

Mr Hogan said the court’s decision would come as a relief to his client.

He said, “For 70 days she doesn’t have to worry about court appearances or things like that and just the level of hope that an arrangement can be reached”

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Mr Hogan said the emotional toll of struggling with debt had been “huge” on his client.

“She has put down four years of virtual trauma from her point of view. She obviously suffered the effect of the break-up of a relationship and then as a consequence of that, to be left holding the proverbial baby with regards the mortgage”.

He said the volountary surrender of the property would have been ideal for the woman but she would have been left with the balance of the mortgage – € 200,000

Mr Hogan added, “It really is a life sentence. Most traumas that people suffer heal in time, but when it comes to finance, you’re getting that letter every week, that phone call.

“There are statements coming in. It never leaves. It’s like a continuous sense of trauma.”

“She really has and people like her have suffered virtually a three year prison sentence”.

Mr Hogan said people he believes the personal insolvency process offers hope to debtors and banks.

“The real hope for people is that they are not expected just to exist. They are expected to be able to live and be socially included.

“What’s actaully happening is that people are trying to pay as much as they conceivably can to satisfy their creditors at the expense of food, light and heat..

“This process actually turns the tables a little bit”

MAGOWNA House in Inch is the latest Clare hotel to go under the hammer at an Allsop Space Auction with a reserve price of € 350,000.

Last year at the auction, Ashford Court Hotel in Ennis was sold to Clarecastle businessman and farmer JJ McCabe for € 305,000.

The millionaire also bought the Kilkee Bay Hotel that failed to sell at the same auction in a private deal afterwards.

Now the sellers of the 10-bed Magowna House are hoping for similar success.

Three two-bedroom cottages and an 18-hole pitch and putt course are also part of the sale.

The hotel is not the only property for sale at the February 25 auction however.

16.67 acres of land in Doonbeg, as well as an apartment at Town Court, Shannon and 22 acres of land at Ard- nacrusha are also to be sold off.

The “irregular-shaped plot of land” at Doonbeg is being offered with a reserve of € 75,000.

The 60-square-metre apartment in Shannon will sell for no less than € 20,000.

The two-bedroom property is on the first floor and includes off street parking.

Meanwhile a parcel of land in Ardnacrusha extending to approximately 8.963 hectares (22.13 acres) will go on sale with a reserve of € 75,000.

This irregular-shaped plot of land is subject to a tenancy expiring in March 2015 at a current rent of € 450 per annum.

The Clare properties and land are just five of 190 properties to go under the hammer in the RDS, Dublin, on February 25 starting at 9am.

Allsop Space director of auctions Robert Hoban maintained that no repossessed family homes would be sold at any of the company’s auctions.

A NIGERIAN born information technology consultant has confirmed his intention to run as a candidate in the 2104 local elections.

George Atijohn (47) intends to seek election in Ennis. The married father of two has lived with his family in the county capital for over 14 years. He has worked as a management and IT consultant. He currently volunteers as computer instructor in Ennis for the Clare/Limerick Education Training Board (ETB).

This is Mr Atijohn’s first time entering the political arena.

He says he wants to help achieve the “unprecedented transformation of County Clare through viable and sustainable economic structures”.

“Economic regeneration at the local level will ultimately improve the economy of the country,” he explained.

He wants to see Shannon Airport as a catalyst for job creation.

Mr Atijohn explained, “There is a new law in aviation (fifth freedom rights) which enables an airline to fly from its home country to a second country for example like Shannon in Ireland, picks up passengers there and fly to a third country for example New York in the USA. Most flights originating from West Africa pass through the European airspace enroute to the USA. Deals can be made with these airlines to make a stopover in Shannon for their passengers to undergo pre-clearance”.

Mr Atijohn said he wants to see greater focus on drugs awareness programmes in Ennis.

He also believes greater encouragement of multiculturalism can boost the local economy in Clare.

“Harnessing human capital resources of the other ethnic nationalities can improve the economic wellbeing of the town/county,” he added.

Mr Atijohn says he supports affordable housing initiatives through the Public Private Partnership approach. He hopes all candidates will be afforded the opportunity to discuss issues at a public debate.