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THE East Clare Municipal District has been granted enough money to buy each person in the area a can of coke and a chocolate bar in discretionary local area funding for 2015.

Councillors at last Thursday’s area meeting voted to accept a discretionary budget of € 37,700 for the year ahead – of € 1.60 per person in the region. The areas had originally been granted just € 23,000 for the year head, or roughly € 1 per person, but this was increase last week following.

Councillors expressed their disappointment about the size of the budget, with members saying that is was not enough for a single project, never mind enough to cover an areas the size of the municipal district.

The low allocation is a direct consequence of the decision made two weeks ago to cut the overall household charge in Clare by 15 per cent. That proposal was supported by a coalition of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Fein and Independent councillors, while Fine Gael and independent Cllr Ian Lynch argued that more money should be allocated to councillors to spend on local projects.

“We’d all like to have more money. But unfortunately the decisions that was made on the property tax and that has resulted in this f gure. We tried our best to increase it and get as much as we could, but this is what we have,” said Cllr Joe Cooney (FG). This is the f rst local budget since the electoral areas were redrawn in June, with the East Clare area now growing to include some of the debunked North Clare Area.

“Basing this allocation on population is not ideal for the Killaloe area. This is a huge area. It is easy to blame the property tax for this [low amount of funding] but there were national issues at play in the amount of funding we have following that. If we had a million euro to spend that would be something,” said Cllr Pat Hayes (FF).

It was also pointed out that the € 37,700 allocation is not all the Clare County Council money that will be spent in East Clare in the coming year.

There will also be a programme of works, including roadworks, which will be allocated by the full council during its county wide budget later this year.

THE State has been granted a fur ther two weeks to obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP) in the case of a young woman accused of committing a late night robber y in Ennis. A woman in her twenties allegedly had her handbag stolen after she was approached from behind, allegedly punched in the face and knocked to the ground last month.

The alleged robber y is alleged to have occurred outside the Old Ground Hotel on O’Connell Street at around 11.50pm on Tuesday, September 2. A 20-year-old student, Roxanne Considine, with a former address at lower Clarehill, Clarecastle is charged in connection with the robber y.

A TIPPERARY man has appeared in court charged in connection with a burglary at a lighting shop in Ennis.

Thomas Manning (31) appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Mr Manning, with an address at Railway View, Roscrea, Tipperary, is charged with entering Lifford Lighting on Newbridge Road, Ennis as a trespasser and committing theft therein.

It is alleged Mr Manning committed the burglary on April 24, 2014.

Mr Manning appeared before the court on foot of a bench warrant issued for his arrest in May, the court heard.

Detective Garda John Casey of Ennis Garda Station gave evidence of arrest; charge and caution in respect of the alleged bench warrant offence.

He said the accused made no reply to charge after caution.

Legal aid was approved for solicitor John Casey.

Mr Manning was remanded in custody to appear again at Ennis District Court on Wednesday, October 15.

Mr Casey said the “substantive matter” before the court could be dealt with on that date.

PEOPLE using the M18 can expect extended delays this week as a section of the motorway between Crusheen and Gor t are closed to accommodate road improvement works.

Thousands of Clare commuters are becoming reacquainted with the town of Gor t, with large delays in the village as all nor th

THE residents of Woodstock View in Ennis have failed in their bid to prevent Woodstock Golf and Country Club from changing nine holiday homes at Garville Court into houses.

A local residents group, in the name of William O’Doherty, appealed the case to an Bórd Pleanála earlier this year, after Clare County Council granted permission for the company to transform the holiday homes into full-time dwelling.

Their appeal claims that the development would have a serious negative effect on the local tourism trade, greatly increase population density in the area and also cause a potentially dangerous traff c hazard. “The recent closure of Woodstock Hotel represents a signif cant loss of positive tourism infrastructure and employment in the local area. The proposal to convert nine of the existing holiday homes, adjacent to the Woodstock Hotel, would represent a further serious erosion of our local tourism infrastructure and undermine one of the key objectives of the current County Development Plan,” said the residents in their initial submission to Clare County Council. “Any conversion of the develop- ment from established clustered holidays homes to residential units would represent a dangerous precedent for the proper planning and development for the county as a whole and would undermine many of the objectives of the Development Plan and the Joint Housing Strategy for Clare Local Authorities.”

The Bord decided to uphold the decision, and Woodstock Golf and Country Club will now be able to develop the properties as full time residences rather holiday homes.

“It is considered that the proposed development would not adversely impact on the amenities of the area, would not seriously injure the amenities or depreciate the value of property in the vicinity of the site and would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area,” said the an Bórd Pleanála inspector.

A 20-YEAR-OLD West Clare man who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on the road between Lissycasey and Ennis has been told he is lucky not to have received a prison sentence.

At Ennis District Court, Judge Patrick Durcan said David O’Gorman, in a “repeated and dangerous manner”, breached the road traff c laws on a busy stretch of road.

Mr O’Gorman, with an address at Knocknagoran, Kilkee, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Caherea, Lissycasey on November 12, 2013.

He further pleaded guilty to charges of possession of cocaine and cannabis at Clondroadmore, Ennis, on the sale date.

Inspector Tom Kennedy outlined details of Mr O’Gorman’s driving.

He told the court Mr O’Gorman’s car overtook a car on a bend and continuous white line near Lissycasey.

The car, which was being driven by an off-duty garda, was forced to pull into the grass verge to ensure the accused’s car did not collide with an oncoming vehicle.

Insp Kennedy said the garda followed Mr O’Gorman and observed other instances of him “dangerously overtaking”, without indicating, on continuous white lines.

The incident occurred in the evening time when traff c was heavy in both directions, the court heard.

Insp Kennedy said the garda contacted his colleagues in Ennis.

The court heard Mr O’Gorman was stopped as he entered Ennis. Insp Kennedy said during a search, gardaí discovered Mr O’Gorman was in possession of small quantities of cocaine and cannabis.

Mr O’Gorman has no previous convictions. Defence solicitor Fiona Hehir told the court her client was rushing from Kilkee to pick up his girlfriend in Ennis and bring her to Shannon.

“He was very worried his girlfriend would be mad at him”, Ms Hehir added.

Judge Patrick Durcan asked if the relationship is still ongoing. “The relationship f nished shortly after this”, Ms Hehir said.

The court heard Mr O’Gorman has moved to England where he works for a shuttering business.

Ms Hehir told the court her client’s parents were very mad at him. “This has been a wake up call for him”, she added.

Judge Durcan said Mr O’Gorman’s driving on the day was “appalling”.

He said anyone who knows the main road between Ennis and Kil- rush knows you have to drive with the “utmost care and caution”. He imposed a f ne of € 750 and dis qualif ed Mr O’Gorman from hold ing a driver’s license for two years. He said details of the conviction are to be endorsed on Mr O’Gorman’s license.

Judge Durcan said, “I get the impression he is an intelligent young man but he is now facing a reality”.

He ordered a report from the Probation Services with respect to the drugs offences. Ms Hehir pointed out her client is now living in England

Judge Durcan said it is up to Mr O’Gorman to make himself available for meetings with the Probation Services.

“Mr O’Gorman is very lucky he is not leaving this courthouse with a prison sentence”, the Judge added.

The case was adjourned to January 14, 2015 for a probation report.

A FARM labourer who left the scene of a ‘hit and run’ accident in west Clare earlier this year has been told he may lose his driver’s license.

Drew Clancy (19) crashed his car into the side of a van as Mr Clancy exited a car park and drove onto the main road at Dough, Spanish Point on February 13.

Mr Clancy was driving without insurance and left the scene, Ennis District Court heard on Wednesday.

Mr Clancy, with an address at Fintra More, Miltown Malbay, pleaded guilty to driving without due care or attention.

He also admitted charges of driving without insurance and failing to report the occurrence.

Garda Margaret Leahy of Ennistymon Garda Station told the court she responded to a report of a hit and run accident at Spanish Point on the date in question. Garda Leahy said a van driver told her the car that struck his vehicle drove away from the scene.

Garda Leahy said she determined the identity of the driver after the van driver gave her partial details of the car’s registration number.

No injuries were suffered as a result of the accident, the court heard.

Garda Leahy said Mr Clancy later made a cautioned statement to gardaí in which he admitted hitting the car.

The court € 1500 worth of damage was caused to the van.

Judge Patrick Durcan asked Garda Leahy why the accused left the scene. “He panicked. He had no insurance and he was aware he had no insurance”, Garda Leahy said.

Mr Clancy has no previous convictions. The case was previously adjourned after Judge Durcan ordered a probation report. Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client is going to agricultural college and is saving to pay compensation to the injured party.

“He’s a young man with a promising future who made a dreadful mistake”, Ms Godfrey said.

Judge Durcan said, “I won’t deal with this until compensation is paid”.

Judge Durcan said there is a possibility of a disqualif cation and deten tion in the case unless compensation is paid.

He remanded Mr Clancy on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on November 26.

A PROSECUTION taken against a young Ennis man accused of unlawful possession of a knife has ended after a district court judge made no order in the case.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Patrick Durcan said the only option open to him in the case of Sylvanus Akpaku was one of “no order”.

Judge Durcan made the decision after differences emerged between the judge and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on how the case should proceed. The DPP directed summary disposal of the case in the district court but after hearing a summary of the alleged facts, Judge Durcan refused jurisdiction.

The case was referred back to the DPP and came back before Judge Durcan in September.

After again outlining a summary of the alleged facts, Insp Kennedy told the court the DPP had determined the matter was not suitable for trial on indictment in the circuit court and should instead be tried in the district court.

Judge Durcan said he had a particular view on the jurisdiction of the case, which he said he could not fully elaborate on. However he mentioned that his views might have something to do with sentencing, should it arise in the case.

“Am I bound by what the DPP says?”, the judge asked Insp Kennedy.

Insp Kennedy said he would have to refer back to the DPP for further directions. “I have never seen this before,” he added.

Judge Durcan said he had a responsibility to the district court area he presides over to ensure that law and order is maintained.

He adjourned the case to October 7 to allow gardaí further consult with the DPP.

The case came back before Judge Durcan on Wednesday where Insp Kennedy said the DPP maintained her original view on the case.

“The DPP is withholding consent. She is saying the (alleged) offence is within the sentencing parameters of the district court,” Insp Kennedy.

Judge Durcan said the only order he could make was no order.

Mr Akpaku (20), with an address at Dun Na hInse, Lahinch Road, Ennis, was charged with having a knife which had a blade or which was sharply pointed at Mill Road, Ennis, on May 3, 2014.

The alleged offence was contrary to the f rearms and offensive weap ons act.

In the case it was alleged the knife was discovered in the accused’s sock during a garda search of the car he was traveling in.

It was alleged he told gardaí he had the knife for his own safety. The prosecution case against Mr Akpaku has now ceased.

THE Chief Fire Off cer for Clare has been requested to investigate f re safety standards at St Joseph’s Hospital in Ennis.

The call was issued last week by local councilor James Breen (Ind) in response to a report by health watchdog HIQA on safety standards at the hospital.

In an email to Clare County Council, Adrian Kelly, Chief Fire Off cer states that since 2008 there has been an extensive f re safety upgrade at St Joseph’s Hospital.

The email states the upgrade included a full f re risk assessment and the granting of four f re safety certif icates to the hospital. Upgrades were carried out to f re escape routes; f re detection and alarm systems; f re doors; compart mentation; pre f re planning; f re safety management and fore brigade access. “A full f re exercise was carried out between f re f ghters in Ennis f re brigade and staff at the hospital in 2011.

“The premises is due to be re-inspected shortly but it accepted there has been extensive work carried out in order to upgrade f re safety stand ards at St Joseph’s Hospital”, the email states.

The email was disclosed to councillors at the October meeting of the Ennis Municipal District Committee. The report by HIQA carried out following an unannounced inspection in August was critical of the geriatric hospital for not acting on recommendations following a serious f re relat ed incident in March during which a patient was injured.

In her report last week HIQA’s inspector Mary Moore reported that staff at the hospital said they did not have time to supervise residents while they smoked. The report was also critical of f re safety procedures including the lack of availability of proper f re blankets in certain parts of the hospital.

Since the report was published the HSE has issued a statement saying that it will co-operate with the coroner in relation to the patients death.

Meanwhile Bernard Gloster, Area Manager, HSE Mid –West said there are no plans to build a new hospital.

“We want to assure the public that the inspection carried out was routine as part of the regulatory process and inspections happen in both public and private facilities all over the country,” he said.

“A substantial part of the concern in the report is to do with the f re safety precautions. These have been addressed and the inspector conf rmed satisfaction with the actions put forward.”

The work undertaken includes the replacement of f re hose reels with f re extinguishers; having corridors renamed and permanent signage erected.

In its statement the HSE also said, “The Report makes reference to the recommendations of an internal investigation following an incident in March 2014.

“The HSE is limited in its capacity to comment at the present time on these matters, we can, however, conf rm that a resident sustained in juries in an apparent smoking related incident.

“The recommendations from the investigation into that matter were being implemented at the time of the inspection but were not completed, hence, the comment in the Inspection Report.”

THREE men who damaged the car of a woman attending a religious ceremony in Ennis have each received prison sentences after failing to pay compensation to their victim.

Michael Doherty (52), Patrick Doherty (35) and James Galbraith (46) were convicted in November (2013) of criminal damage.

They were ordered by Judge William Early to pay € 7000 compensation to the victim. Judge Early said if the money was paid, he would recommend a six month suspended sentence for each accused.

The case was adjourned to Febru- ary (2014) when the men were given eight months to pay compensation.

The three men appeared back before Ennis District Court on Wednesday where their solicitors said there was “no reality” to compensation being paid. Judge Patrick Durcan initially said he was reluctant to impose f nals orders on a case heard by another Judge.

But after being told, Judge Early had f xed recognizances in the event men chose to appeal the decision.

Judge Durcan activated six-month sentences in respect of each accused.

Michael Doherty and James Galbraith intend to appeal the orders.

Michael Doherty and Patrick Do- herty, both with addresses at St Michael’s Park, Ballymaley, Ennis and James Galbraith, formerly of Lissaniska, Ennis and now living in Bettystown, Meath, all denied the charge of criminal damage at Drumcliff graveyard on March 24, 2013.

In November 2013, Ennis District Court heard mother of two Kathleen Maughan was visiting her husband’s grave when her Ford Focus car was damaged in a violent incident at Drumcliff.

Ms Maughan told the court she saw three men armed with slash hooks and hatchets alight from vehicles and attack her car on March 24, 2013.

Ms Maughan, who is from Ennis but now lives in Cork, was one of a group of 20 people attending a blessing of the graves ceremony.

After hearing the evidence, Judge William Early said;

“I believe the evidence of Ms Maughan. I believe she is telling the truth, therefore it must follow that I f nd them guilty as charged.” Judge Early said it seemed to be the case that Ms Maughan was a “victim of one of these wretched family feuds that are all too common in the Traveller community”.

There was a heated conclusion to the hearing of the case when f urry of insults were f red at Ms Maughan from people sitting in the gallery. TODAY A b right sunny st art , cloud ing ove r lat e r b ut d r y, t e mp s 13c