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‘Not allowed set foot in Clare’

A MAN who pleaded guilty to stealing a can of Guinness and a number of Cadbury’s Creme Eggs has been banned from setting foot in County Clare for the next twelve months.

Bill Hill (56), with an address at Fairgreen Hostel, Fairgreen in Galway, was banned from entering the county at Ennis District Court last Wednesday and told to “be careful” if he found himself in South Galway. Mr Hill pleaded guilty to stealing the can of Guinness and chocolate treats – in what was described by Judge Patrick Durkin as a “serious” matter.

“I am directing the defendant to stay out of County Clare for the next 12 months. I don’t think that a custodial sentence is necessary for a can of Guinness and some cream eggs but this is a serious matter and I am barring you from Clare for the next 12 months,” he said.

“So keep out of Clare and be careful in South Galway as well. I don’t want to see you coming before me if I am up in Gort as well.”

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15 maritime jobs created in Kilbaha

FIFTEEN new high end jobs are coming to the Burren with the announcement that American maritime consultancy and recruitment firm, Flagship Management, will locate its European, Middle East and African Headquarters in Kinvara.

The new Kinvara operation provide consultancy and recruitment services to maritime companies operating in the North Sea and Gulf regions. The positions created will include a local head of operations, maritime consultants, recruitment consultants as well as finance and administrative staff are are expected to come on line over the next three years.

The Florida-based company is one of the maritime industry’s leading consulting firm for executive recruiting.

The company has enjoyed rapid growth in the European market over the last 18 to 24 months and the Kinvara operation is expected to drive that growth over the next decade.

Flagship Management’s spokesperson, John Mylott, said that Kinvara is perfect for the company’s expansion.

“We are delighted with the location in Kinvara and we have had a very warm reception from the community to date. We look forward to growing our European, Middle East and African business from Kinvara into the future,” he said.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister of State, Ciaran Cannon (FG), said it is very welcome boost for the Burren region.

“This is a company which would not otherwise have come on to the radar of the IDA, now choosing to locate operations in a location which doesn’t traditionally benefit from multinational investment and jobs. This is great news for Kinvara, I commend all involved and wish them every success for their future in Ireland,” he said.

“The fact that this company can serve markets across all of Europe, the Middle East and Africa from Kinvara is proof positive that with the right broadband connection any of our small rural communities can serve as a base for further job creation. All it takes is a little innovation and creativity on all our parts.”

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Teen told that if attitude doesn’t change – jail is next

A District Court Judge told a sitting in Kilrush he was sending a clear message that robbery of old ladies and young children would not be tolerated.

Judge Patrick Durcan made the comments as he handed down a suspended one-month sentence to an 18year-old Kilrush woman who robbed an elderly woman’s purse at the train station in Ennis. He also told her he would send her to prison the next time she appeared before him.

She was 17 years old at the time of the theft on January 26 this year and pleaded guilty to the theft at Kilrush District Court on Tuesday.

The teenager also pleaded guilty to public order offences and using threatening behaviour in the Market Square, Kilrush on November 26, 2012.

Judge Durcan fined her € 100 for the public order offence.

The court heard that on November 26 the girl was found fighting with another person in the Square and was using threatening behaviour.

The court also heard that on January 26, a woman in her 70s had her purse stolen in what was described by the defending solicitor as “an opportunistic crime”.

When gardaí arrested the young woman before the court she told them she had thrown the purse over a wall.

The purse was recovered but € 100 cash was missing from it.

Solicitor Fiona Hehir said her client is taking medication and is “in a better condition now than she was then”.

She added that she did not remember the incident in the Square.

Following sentencing Judge Durcan said it as obvious to him from observing the young woman in court that she had attitude problems.

“If there isn’t a change in attitude to me, the gardaí and the law you will be in prison next time you appear before me,” he said.

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Coroners Court records verdicts in six Clare deaths

AN OPEN verdict was recorded in the inquest into the death of Thomas Keane, Kilclogher, Cross in West Clare at yesterday sitting of the Ennis Coroners Court. Mr Keane (45), was discovered by his wife Ursula and his brother in law Brendan in his car, roughly two miles from his house, on February 7, 2013. Coroner Isobel O’Dea ruled that death was the result of acute cardiac arrest as a result of carbon monoxide inhalation. ENNIS Coroners Court heard yesterday that the death of Tina Doyle, from Ivy Hill, Gort Road in Ennis was the result of cardio-respiratory failure with a drugs overdose as a secondary cause. Mrs Doyle, born on April, 23, 1968, was discovered at her home by Garda Donagh Walsh from Ennis Garda Station on Janu- ary, 11, 2013, after being contacted by Mrs Doyle’s landlord. Coroner Isobel O’Dea recorded an open verdict in the inquest. AN OPEN verdict was recorded in the inquest of Barbara Glover, born July 31, 1964, at yesterday’s sitting of Ennis Coroners Court. The court heard that Mrs Glover was discovered by her husband, Sean Peter Glover, at their former home in Mountshannon on February 25, 2013. Coroner Isobel O’Dea ruled that Mrs Glover’s death was the result of asphyxiation with ligatures on the neck given as the secondary cause. THE DEATH of Niall Quinn of Cooraclare, Kilrush, was the result of asphyxiation, Ennis Coroners Court heard yesterday. Mr Quinn (55), was discovered by his wife Gretta Quinn in a shed at their farm on the morning of February 19, 2013. Coroner Isobel O’Dea recorded an open verdict in relation to the death. A VERDICT of death by misadventure was recorded in the inquest of Frank (Frankie) O’Connor at Ennis Coroners Court yesterday. The court heard that Mr O’Connor, born on June 4, 1969, was at a friend’s house at Clancy Park in Ennis, in the early hours of January 19, 2013, when he full unconscious. Coroner Isobel O’Dea ruled that Mr O’Connor’s death was the result of the combined effects of drugs and alcohol. A SMALL amount of prescription drugs combined was found to have caused the death of Ennis man Mark Travers in January of this year. Ennis Coroners Court heard yesterday that Mr Travers was discovered by his friend and employer, Leo Mannion, at his Ennis home on January 7 of this year. Mr Travers, born on March, 20, 1975, was found to have died from acute cardiac failure. Coroner Isobel O’Dea recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.

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Gorse fires reported around the county

A NUMBER of gorse fires broke out across the county over the weekend as drought condition once calling the county’s fire services into action.

Fire-fighters were called out on Saturday night to deal with a large gorse fire near the Hand Cross in Miltown Malbay.

The fire, which was situated close to a major blaze which destroyed acres of land earlier this year, was quickly brought under control.

The Clare County Fire and Rescue Service was also called to a minor grass fire on the N18 near Ballymorris over the weekend. This fire was also brought under control quickly.

The number of gorse and forest fires taking place during the recent drought has been reduced greatly as a result of the early wet start to the year. Many forest and scrub areas, which is previous years would have been susceptible to fire, have been saved so far this year because of a larger than normal growth of green vegetation earlier in the year.

Clare chief fire officer Adrian Kelly has called on the public to be vigilant and keep a close eye on vegetation in the weeks ahead.

“As the current spell of weather is conducive to forest, bog and gorse fires, we would like to remind landowners that it is an offence under the Wildlife Act to burn growing vegetation between March 1 and August 31 in any year, on any land not then cultivated. The sad fact is that if this simple rule was adhered to, many costly and dangerous wildfires would be avoided,” he said.

Landowners burning gorse, scrub, or vegetation must inform the Fire Service at least one day in advance and provide details of the location, time and duration of burning. Landowners burning within 1 mile of woodland must notify the local Garda Station and woodland owner in writing at least 7 days in advance.

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On your marks for Sports Scholarship applications

NUI Galway has issued a final call for applications from Clare to its Sports Scholarships Scheme for 2013/14.

Clare has a long tradition of provided students to the university who have secured scholarships, among them a slew of hurlers such as Donal Tuohy, John Conlon, Patrick Kelly Domhall O’Donovan, Caimin Morey, Cormac O’Donovan and Gerry O’Grady as well as current Clare and Sixmilebridge camogie player Chloe Morey.

The Scholarship Programme is aimed at student-athletes of outstanding calibre who register as students of the University. The scheme is open to students who are only attending the college this September for the first time.

The scheme is also open to students already studying at NUI Galway.

The deadline for application for current and prospective students is Wednesday the 31st July at 5pm.

In the current academic year, student athletes at NUI Galway received significant financial and professional support services.

The scholarships aim to help aspiring young sportspeople to continue to develop their sporting prowess while attending the university.

Currently 60 students receive support under the scheme in a broad range of sports.

The scheme has assisted dozens of athletes’ progress to the highest levels of their sport in recent years and is aimed at providing them with the tools for success in their careers in the long term.

“The strongest selling point of our Sports Scholarship program is the results that it is producing,” said Gary Ryan is Elite Sports Develop- ment Officer at the university.

“We have supported the development of numerous Irish Internationals including some World Champions and medallists over the last number of years as well as the enormous success that so many of our GAA players have enjoyed at Senior and U21 level in recent years.

“Our focus is on the support of our student athletes in their dual careers. We strive to offer world class supports in one of the Ireland’s leading universities.

“Our scholarship students develop skills that will sustain them in their future sporting and professional careers and the long list of successful sporting alumni is testament to that,” he added.

The deadline for application for current and prospective students who may be thinking of attending NUI Galway is Wednesday the 31st July at 5pm.

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Clare companies among top exporters in the country

FIVE Clare companies have exported a total of € 2 billion, and made their way on to the 2013 edition of Top 250 Exporters in Ireland and Northern Ireland, in association with Investec.

None of the five companies made it on to the top ten, but have been praised by the Irish Exporters Association (IEA), for contributing to the Irish export market.

Three Clare companies made it on to the top 100 with Benex Ltd making it on to the top 50 at 36th place.

The Shannon-based company exported € 1.074 billion worth of goods.

Mentor Graphics Ireland was in 74th having exported € 393 million worth of goods while Phardiag Ltd was in 77th place with € 368 in exports.

Zimmer Orthopedics Manufacturing Ltd was in 144th place with € 122 million exports and Enterasys Networks (Distribution) Ltd was in 153rd with € 114 million exports.

John Whelan, Chief Executive, The Irish Exporters Association, said, “The dominance of the information communications technology (ICT) sector in the top echelons of Irish exports industry continued in the Top 250 survey for 2013.

Total exports from the sector grew by 12 per cent in the past year maintaining Ireland’s place as the second largest exporter of computer and IT services in the world. Of the Top 20 companies listed, 10 of them are focused within the ICT arena.”

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McNamara’s mistake was no accident

LABOUR TD Michael McNamara has admitted it was not an accident and that he agreed with the opposition’s amendment to the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013, when he voted for it during the early hours of Thursday morning.

He said however that voting for the amendment on fatal foetal abnormalities was a mistake as it could have resulted in loopholes in the bill resulting in it falling, but not because he disagrees with the opposition’s proposal.

On reflection he maintains that he should not have voted for the amendment and it was a mistake due to its timing.

The Clare TD caused uproar during the late night, early morning sitting of the Dáil, when he voted against his own party whip on the amendment on the controversial bill just before proceedings were adjourned at 5am.

“At that time, I didn’t have time to appreciate the potential legal consequences of the decision if it had resulted in a change to the legislation. While the Bill as passed would, in my opinion, almost certainly be found to be Constitutional if referred to the Supreme Court under Article 26, the Constitutionality of a clause including fatal foetal abnormalities would be slightly less certain and under Article 26 an entire Bill is upheld or struck down. Therefore, to conclude the amendment would have been a mistake. Therefore, I realised my vote was a mistake,” he said.

“The government has said it is prevented by the Constitution from legislating for fatal foetal abnormalities. Yet it told the European Court of Human Rights in 2006, it would be Constitutional,” he said referring to the argument the Government made in the D versus Ireland case at the European Court of Human Rights in September 2005.

Miss D claimed her human rights were violated because of the lack of abortion services here. Her baby had been diagnosed with foetal abnormalities so severe it could not live outside the womb. The case was dismissed after the court ruled that the aggrieved individual had not brought an action before the Irish courts, therefore failing to exhaust all domestic avenues open to her.

“I want to see the issue addressed but accepted that would not be part of this bill and I voted with the Government as further amendments on the controversial abortion legislation were debated on Thursday evening, night and into Friday morning,” said Deputy McNamara.

Bernadette DEEGAN
, Ballymacahill, Barefield, Laid to rest in the Ireland Crematorium. May she rest in peace.

Kevin CARR
, 26 Clonbealy, Newport,Tipperary / Shannon. RequiemMass onTuesday at 11.30amat Newport Church, burial afterwards in Rockvale Cemetery Newport. May he rest in peace.

Teresa CARTER
, 30 McHughVillas, Ennis. Laid to rest in Romford Cemetery, Hollymount, Claremorris, Co Mayo. May she rest in peace.

Vera KELLY (née Hassett)
Ashview Court, Sixmilebridge/Ennis. Formerly of Drumbiggle Road, Ennis. Requiemmass on Tuesday at 11amat Sixmilebridge Church, followed by burial in Killeen Cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations, in lieu, if desired, to Milford Hospice. May she rest in peace.

Sean GARRAHY
, 53 College Green, Ennis. Formerly of Carnane Cross, Doolin. Peacefully at home. Laid to rest in the Holy Rosary Cemetery Doolin. Donations if desired to Doolin rescue or Milford Hospice. May he rest in peace.

John (Jack) MCMAHON
, Killenaugh, Carrigaholt. Peacefully at Regina House, Kilrush Laid to rest in Kilballyowen Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Helen O’SULLIVAN (née Moloney)
, MeadowCourt, Naas, Kildare / Ennis.After a long illness. Helen will be sadly missed by her loving husband Denis, daughters Muireann and Caoimhe, mother-in-lawMary, sisters Mary, Teresa, Brid, Evelyn and Catherine, brothers Christy, Frankie, Paddy, Joe and Sean, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended family and friends. (Sister of the lateWillie, Martin and Michael, Flannan’sTerrace, Ennis.) Funeral Mass onTuesday after 10amMass at the Church of the Irish Martyrs, Naas to St Corban’s Cemetery, Dublin Road, Naas. May she rest in peace.

Patrick (Pat) DOWNES,
SteelesTerrace Ennis and Castle Park, Kilmihil. Laid to rest in Kilmihil. May he rest in peace.

Marion MACKENNA (née McHALE
), Drogheda/ Clare. Peacefully, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. Laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Darragh CURLEY,
Waterdale, Ballybroughan, Cratloe. Laid to rest in Craughan Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Christina O’NEILL (née Kelly)
, Ballyline, Crusheen, Peacefully. Laid to rest in Kilawinna Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to Cahercalla Community Hospital. May she rest in peace.

Judith MCGANN
, Green Island Lodge, Ballyvaughan. Laid to rest in Ballyvaughan. Donations if desired in lieu to Milford Care centre. May she rest in peace.

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John Paul Estate regeneration plan gets back on track

THE regeneration of a Kilrush housing estate is back on track, after council officials met with a resident who raised concerns that his home would be devalued by the plans.

Last month the John Paul Estate resident told a meeting of Kilrush Town Council that the proposed Wilson’s Road entrance would pass directly beside his house devaluing the privately-owned family home.

He also raised concerns that the road would result in a lack of privacy for him and his family.

Due to these concerns the council agreed to suspend Part VIII approval for the plan, which meant the project would not get the green light from the members until the issue was resolved.

Kilrush town clerk John Corry said these issues have now been resolved after a meeting between the concerned resident, Mr Corry and a council planner.

It has been agreed to situate the footpath further from the home in question allowing for more privacy.

Mr Corry said the family are happy with this, and the council has signed of on the Part VIII.

Under the plan, which has gone to tender and a builder appointed, three houses on Elm Drive will be demolished to create an entrance to the council estate from Wilson’s Road.

This phase of the ongoing regeneration plan aims to open up the estate and remove more of the alleys at the back of some houses, which were encouraging anti-social behaviour.

The work is still subject to Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government funding, but Mr Corry said the council are very “hopeful”.

“The fact that we have received funding for the first and second phase, was are making the argument that we are brining it to completion,” he said.

“The department indicated that it is the most high priority case in the county.”

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Beachgoers urged to clean up their act

CLARE beachgoers have been asked to clean up their act, and council workers are providing more bins to help them do just that.

Clare County Council has employed additional resources to deal with the increase in litter that has resulted from what it calls ‘unprecedented’ visitor numbers to beaches such as Kilkee, Lahinch and Spanish Point.

The local authority says it is also installing additional, temporary bins along the length of the beach in an effort to minimise littering while litter wardens have been deployed to monitor littering activity. It is now urging visitors to Clare’s main beaches to take responsibility for their rubbish by bringing it home with them.

“Our beach is a fantastic resource for the wider community and it’s up to us all to ensure that we take home what we bring to the beach,” said Paul Moroney, Senior Engineer with Clare County Council.

“The council wishes to acknowledge those who have used the public bins to dispose of their litter. These bins are emptied regularly each day but often reach their capacity due to the unprecedented large volumes of visitors to the beaches. In Kilkee, we are finding that some people are dumping their litter along the seawall, on the beach or beside already full bins rather than bring their litter home with them. We are installing additional bins today to counteract the problem but would continue to ask the public to take responsibility for their own rubbish and leave nothing behind but their footprints,” he said. “Leaving or throwing litter in a public place is an offence that can be subject to an on-the-spot fine of € 150 or a maximum fine of € 3,000 if you are convicted of a litter offence in the District Court. Council litter wardens will take action where they deem necessary so we would advise the public to be wary of the law around littering. After all, indiscriminate dumping of picnic litter and other rubbish does not create a positive image for any beach or for local tourism.”