Month: May 2014

MORE than a a dozen people Clare people will be affected by the temporary closure of the Rape Crisis Centre Midwest in Ennis.

The centre yesterday cited funding shortfalls as the reason for closing offices and services in Ennis, Nenagh and Limerick.

Rape Crisis Midwest provides a confidential one to one counselling service to both male and female survivors of rape and childhood sexual abuse. The service sees approximately 80 clients a week in the entire midwest.

Between 12 and 14 people a week attend the service at the Tracklands business park in Ennis.

Many of those are adults who suffered sexual abuse as children.

The Ennis centre is due to close on a temporary basis in September.

A spokeswoman for Rape Crisis Midwest said yesterday, “The financial status of the centre is at a critical point. We are part funded by the Child and Family Agency and, like many other charities, have experienced significant cutbacks over the last number of years. There is no reasonable prospect of meeting our shortfall, estimated to be in the region of € 120,000 in the entire midwest. The current fundraising programme in place will not satisfy that shortfall.”

Rape Crisis Midwest provides 3.2 counselling staff to cater for demand in Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.

She continued, “We regrettably have been forced to implement cost saving measures including a decision to temporarily close the Clare and Tipperary service for at least one month and possibly more. In addition, we have had to implement similar measures in Limerick and will only be in a position to offer a skeletal and limited service over the coming months. This is a decision that we have not taken lightly and has come on the back of additional significant cost-saving measures over the last number of years.”

The decision to close will not affect the centre’s forensic service unit for sexual assault victims, which will continue to operate at the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick.

The service is appealing for donations. For further information log on to www.rapecrisis.ie or contact 1800 311511.

The spokeswoman continued, “It is ironic that during difficult economic times, demand for the service in the centres is even greater and we do not wish to have to close our doors to those who are most vulnerable in society. Please assist in helping to save our centre and providing this muchneeded service to survivors of rape and childhood sexual abuse.” TODAY A ve ry we t a ft e rn o o n in sto re , te m p s a t 16c b u t h e avy sh o we rs.

SHANNON is set to have a key role in the celebration of 75 years of transatlantic travel into Ireland, with Clare’s international airport teaming up with the former flyingboat airbase in Foynes for the Foynes/Shannon 75th Anniversary Airshow in July.

The event takes place on July 5/6, details of which were officially announced at the weekend at Shannon Airport by its Chairman Rose Hynes and Foynes Flying Boat Museum Director Margaret O’Shaughnessy to coincide with yet another key milestone for aviation on the estuary – the 75th anniversary of the first aircraft, the Irish Air Corps Aero Anson A43, landing at Rineanna, which is now Shannon Airport.

The high point of the July festival will be a three-hour airshow on Sunday, July 6, featuring some of Europe’s leading aerobatic experts in a range of aircraft. Over 20 acts from Ireland, the UK and Europe are booked to appear in what promises to be the country’s most spectacular airshow for many years. Sunday will also see An Taoiseach Enda Kenny unveil a plaque to all who used the Foynes Air Base.

The festival will also include a stunning dare-devil display at dusk on Saturday by the UK based-Breitling Wing Walkers as well as a Sky Pyro Show and a fireworks display over the river and harbour.

Looking ahead to the festival, Shannon Airport Chairman Rose Hynes said the 75th anniversary is not just significant for Shannon and Ireland but for aviation internationally.

“The name Shannon is recognized and respected across the world of aviation as it has such a pivotal place in the history of air travel. It was the first European gateway for transatlantic flights and so much history also followed. While it is all concentrated today on this side of the estuary, it really began across the estuary at Foynes.

“We are delighted to support this very important anniversary and all the more so today as we celebrate our own 75th anniversary this weekend the landing of the first aircraft here at Shannon.

“We are very proud of our place in global aviation, having achieved so many firsts, from being the original transatlantic crossing to the birthplace of duty-free and right up to becoming the first airport outside North America to have full US preclearance. It is right that we honour that history in style with the weekend festivities in Foynes and look to the example given by the pioneers of 75 years ago as an inspiration going forward.”

In addition to Shannon Airport, other organisations and companies supporting the event are Shannon Foynes Port Company, Limerick City & County Council, IAA, Avolon, which is headed up by Clare People owner Domhnal Slattery, Air Contractors and Irelandia Aviation.

ONE thousand years after his victory at the Battle of Clontarf, Brian Boru’s castle has finally been taken.

Gardaí in Killaloe are investigating the theft of a massive wooden reproduction of Brian Boru’s castle Kincora, which has been taken from a community garden in the village.

The central tower section of the castle, which is understood to be in excess of 16 foot tall, was taken last week and the local community are appealing for its safe return.

The castle, along with the large tower centre-piece, were constructed over the past six months by an army of local volunteers including members of the local Men’s Shed. The structure was built to mark the thousand year anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf and had already been used at a number of commemoration events and reenactments.

According to the secretary of the Killaloe/Ballina 2014 Committee, Brona Moriarty, the local community are desperate to get the castle back.

“It really was the most incredible structure. They worked on it for more than two months and put hundreds of hours into it. The tower itself is a really substantial structure, it would take about eight strong men to left it. It was about 16 feet high with a a thatched roof on it and beautifully designed and built,” she said.

“It would have taken a truck or a large van to move it, and a large group of people much have been involved. We would really love to get it back. It was made by the community, for the community, so maybe if the people who took it were aware of that they might give it back.

“Making the castle was such a positive thing for the community so it is quite upsetting and disheartening that it has been taken.”

The castle was designed by Scariffbased artist Nathalie El Baba.

“It’s such a big structure so it’s not the kind of thing that could have been taken easily. It’s really big, it’s the king of thing that you couldn’t really hide so we believe that a number of people must know where it is,” said Nathalie.

“Whoever took it much have take it in the middle of the night or they would have been seen. We just want it back.”

The castle was taken at some time between Friday evening, May 2, and Monday morning May 5. A local campaign was launched yesterday to raise public awareness of missing tower as well as the ‘Free The Tower’ facebook group.

A HIGHLY invasive species of marine animals known as “marine vomit” has been discovered in the waters off the North Clare coast.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) says it is aware of the spread in south Galway Bay area of the carpet sea squirt known as Didemnum vexillum, a highly invasive non-native species that can smother marine life.

Didemnum vexillum are tiny animals in the tunicate family, that form together in massive colonies when conditions for breeding are suitable. These massive colonies spread quickly along the surface of the water, growing over and smothering anything in its path such as muscles, clams, oysters and plant life.

The marine vomit, which is given its names because of the colonies appearance as it spreads under water, is understood to have been carried to Clare from Japanese waters on the hulls of ships or in ballast wa- ter discharged from certain vessels.

It is not as yet clear if it will have a serious detrimental effect on the local shellfish populations, but tests carried out in waters close to Traught Beach on the Clare/Galway border indicate that it could pose a threat locally.

Indeed, these tests reveal a significant presence of marine vomit growing on the sea bed for the first time in Ireland. Up until now concentrations of Didemnum vexillum have been found on floating structures which cause little danger to other marine life.

Once the marine vomit become established it can spread rapidly. Indeed, the species could one day cover the entire of Galway Bay as was seen in George’s Bank between Canada and America where it now covers an area estimated to be more than 200 square kilometres.

Marine vomit has been located at more then six places around the Irish coast but Galway Bay now appears to be at the highest risk of invasion.

SINN Fein remain confident as early indications suggest it could secure its first Clare County Council seat in living memory, when the electorate go to the polls on Friday.

With national polls showing voters favouring Independent and Sinn Féin candidates, those canvassing in Clare said the party is looking strong.

Independent candidates have also reported that people on the doorsteps are indicating support for non-parties and the Government opposition party. Despite being in Government, Fine Gael remains optimistic although cautious, while Fianna Fáil are getting a less hostile reception than the last time they went on the hustings.

Meanwhile Labour is reportedly hopeful but taking nothing for granted. Director of Elections for Fine Gael Edmund Jennings said that while candidates are getting a good reaction on the door, there is a fear that there could be a surprise when the votes are counted.

“There could be a swing against the Government and we are very mindful of that, but we are not getting it on the doors,” he said.

“Most of our candidates are sitting county councillors and those that are not are very strong. When you speak to the individual candidates they are quietly confident,” he added.

Sinn Féin in Clare has a pep in its step as it canvasses the doors believing there is a real chance of returning a county councillor to the chamber for the first time in almost 90 years, with Shannon and Ennis polling strong for the party.

Finbarr MacGabhann, Director of Elections for Sinn Féin in Clare told The Clare People the party was very encouraged by the reception on the doorstep.

“There is a lot of anger at the Government and previous government, and we would be confident of taking a seat.

Director of Elections for Fianna Fáil Gerry Reidy said that reception on the doorsteps for the party’s candidates is much better that the last local elections in 2009 and general election in 2011.

“There is very good engagement. It was visibly hostile the last time,” he said.

“Our fear is visible apathy. We are not too confident of a large turn out.”

Labour TD Michael McNamara said that while the party is confident it is taking nothing for granted. The party is particularly hopeful of taking a seat in Ennis area.

WATER safety officer Liam Griffin has retired from Clare County Council after more than four decades service.

Last summer the Ennis man led the campaign for people to stay safe in Clare waters during one of the warm- est spell in almost a decade.

As well as over seeing water safety in the county’s public bathing areas, Mr Griffin was also charged with responsibility for the Civil Defence.

The proud Eire Óg man joined Clare County Council on July 16, 1973, as an assistant civil defence officer.

He served in this role until 1996, when he was appointed Civil Defence Officer and Water Safety Development Officer.

Retiring “a few years early” to make the most of his retirement years, Mr Griffin said he was looking forward to the freedom of not being governed by the clock and the freedom to travel more, even at short notice.

First on his itinerary is a trip to America with his wife Marie at the end of the year.

“I have been most places in the world except America, so the trip is planned,” he said.

He is also looking forward to spending time with his family – daughters Sinead and Eimear, son John and his fiancé Jenny, and son-in-law Aidan – as well as his grandchildren, the fourth of which is due to make their way into the world any day.

Asked if he will miss the job, the father of three said, “I have made a huge amount of friends and friendships through the years, but those will be friends for life.”

The Mayor Joe Arkins (FG) and county manager Tom Coughlan led tributes to Liam for his outstanding work in the area of civil defence and water safety over 41 years.

SINN Fein remain confident as early indications suggest it could secure its first Clare County Council seat in living memory when the electorate go to the polls on Friday.

With national polls showing voters favouring Independent and Sinn Féin candidates, those canvassing in Clare said the party is looking strong.

Independent candidates have also reported that people on the doorsteps are indicating support for non-parties and the Government opposition party. Despite being in Government, Fine Gael remains optimistic although cautious, while Fianna Fáil are getting a less hostile reception than the last time they went on the hustings. Meanwhile Labour is reportedly hopeful but taking nothing for granted.

Director of Elections for Fine Gael Edmund Jennings said that while candidates are getting a good reaction on the doorstep, there is a fear there could be a surprise when the votes are counted.

Finbarr MacGabhann, Director of Elections for Sinn Féin in Clare told The Clare People the party was very encouraged by the reception on the doorstep.

Director of Elections for Fianna Fáil Gerry Reidy said that reception on the doorsteps for the party’s candidates is much better than the last local elections in 2009 and general election in 2011.

Labour TD Michael McNamara said that while the party is confident it is taking nothing for granted.

Meanwhile, the majority of Independent candidates believe this is going to be their election as the electorate says anything but party politics.

DANGEROUS scenes unfolded in Shannon on Saturday night when local gardaí had to call for assistance as a stand-off developed between members of the force and soccer supporters from Moyross on a bus attempting to return to Limerick.

It is understood that the extra gardaí called to the scene, arrived in Shannon already in riot gear.

Following the stand-off, which lasted for more than 20 minutes, gardaí made an arrest and recovered items allegedly stolen from a group of local teenagers earlier that evening.

Locals watching the scenes in Shannon on Saturday night described the situation as fraught.

“It was frightening for a while. The gardaí weren’t wanted on that bus and they were slow to come off it. Thankfully the reinforcements arrived when they did, otherwise I don’t know what would have happened,” a man who did not wish to be identified told The Clare People .

Seven teenagers were in a wooded area in Drumgeely when they were approached at around 7.30pm by a group of three males. Two of the group were wearing hoodies. One of them produced a knife and demanded money from them. The suspects stole € 24 and a speaker for a mobile phone before making off in the direction of Corrib Park.

It transpired the gang had travelled to Shannon with the Moyross United soccer club from Limerick. The suspects were part of a group of supporters that travelled by bus to play local side Shannon Town.

Gardaí in Shannon were alerted and intercepted the bus before it left the area. The passengers were asked to disembark and one of the injured parties was able to identify an 18year-old man suspected of being involved in the robbery.

CLARE County Council has been allocated € 368,000 under the Government’s Special Resolution Fund (SRF) for Unfinished Housing Developments.

The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government has approved the council’s application for funding to enable works to be undertaken at two local housing developments, namely the Aisling Estate on the Lahinch Road in Ennis and Bruachlan/An Grianan in Westbury.

Clare County Council says it will now commence a period of engagement with the relevant stakeholders at the locations concerned with a view to commencing works.

Mayor of Clare Councillor Joe Arkins welcomed the funding announcement, adding, “Engagement from all key stakeholders is critical to progressing the proposed resolution of these sites. I believe the funding enables Clare County Council to provide a solution to these unfinished estates which have been deteriorating over the past number of years and impacting negatively on the residents and the landscape in the area.”

Commenting on the background to the funding allocation, Bernadette Haugh, Administrative Officer, Planning & Enterprise, stated, “The successful application is part of the council’s ongoing focus on unfinished estates throughout the county. A team from the Planning & Enterprise section of the council has been focusing on this issue and will continue to work towards solutions on the many developments where difficulties are being experienced throughout the county.”

Ms Haugh explained that Clare County Council will now engage with the Bondholders AIB, NAMA and the owner of the land in relation to the Aisling site to agree how the proposed site resolution will be progressed. Similar discussions will be undertaken with Grant Thornton who are the appointed receivers in relation to the Westbury site.

“The drawdown of approved funding will commence immediately in order to advance the early execution of the works. Once the programme of works has been agreed Clare County Council will organise an information session with residents in the area of these development to outline how the proposed resolution process will proceed. The condition of the funding requires that the proposed works are completed by the end of 2014,” added Ms Haugh.

TAOISEACH and Fine Gael Party leader Enda Kenny said this week that Fine Gael would not increase the Local Property Tax if elected to local government.

In a whistle-stop visit to the Banner County just a week after polls indicate a swing towards independent candidates and people’s dissatis- faction with the introduction of the LPT, Mr Kenny admitted that being in Government was not an easy position.

But as the Mayo man kissed babies, high fived teenagers and shook hands with pensioners it quickly became apparent that he was not about to run into the hostility he was met with an hour earlier in Limerick.

Instead, supported by the party faithful, a two person anti-abortion protest outside the Temple Gate all but went unnoticed, while the mother of a disabled child who lost her medical card had her say in a peaceful manner.

Among those waiting to meet the leader of the country was Noel O’Driscoll, originally from O’Callaghans Mills, whose late father became secretary of the local Fine Gael branch in 1922 and was there until he died 56 years later.

Mr O’Driscoll showed the Taoiseach an original Land League membership card owned by his great grandfather.

Flanked by MEP Sean Kelly, local election candidates and the county’s two Fine Gael TDs – Pat Breen and Joe Carey – Mr Kenny was remaining coy on how he believes his 16 local election candidates will fare in Clare come May 23.

“Far be for it me to guess what the good people of Clare are going to do when they go to the polls but I will say this for our party we offer a very strong team of candidates.”

“Whoever the people elect for the county council elections they need to understand that these candidates and these councillors are being given responsibility that has never been handed out before to councillors. They are going to have to make decisions about the expenditure for property charges. The Fine Gael candidates will not be voting to increase them, they will be reducing them where possible. They will have to make decisions about rates and about property charges and development plans for their own areas,” he added.

“It is not about electing people to sound off at council meetings. It is a case of electing people to make decisions, the authority being displaced down to the councils.”