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A MAN has appeared in court charged with the harassment of a woman on four occasions at a housing estate in Ennis earlier this year.

William Keane (39), with an address at 71 Hawthorns, Limerick Road, Ennis, is charged with the harassment of a named woman at Abbey Court, Limerick Road, Ennis.

It is alleged that Mr Keane did harass the woman on January 25 (2013), January 27 (2013), January 29 (2013) and February 3 (2013). Handing in evidence of arrest, charge and caution by schedule, Inspector John Galvin said the accused made no reply to charge after caution.

Legal aid was approved for solicitor Daragh Hassett. Mr Hassett said he required time to seek disclosure from the State.

Insp Galvin said directions are being sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in respect of the case.

Solicitor for the alleged injured par- ty, Stephen Nicholas, told the court that he retained a watching brief in the case.

Bail was approved for Mr Keane, on the condition he have no contact with the alleged injured party.

Mr Nicholas requested that that the Court order Mr Keane not to have contact of any kind with the woman.

Refusing the application, Judge Patrick Durcan said his original order already stated that the accused was not to have contact of any kind with the alleged injured party.

Judge Durcan added, “That means text, email, ringing, a letter, a knock on the door, anything.”

At one point during proceedings, Mr Hassett told the Court that the alleged injured party was attempting to speak directly to Judge Durcan.

Mr Hassett said he objected to anyone other than Mr Nicholas addressing the Judge.

Mr Keane was remanded on continuing bail to appear again in Court on May 15. DPP’s directions are expected to be known by that date, the court heard.

IRELAND’S Tour de France hero, Stephen Roche, will be in Lahinch this weekend to lead a community cycle on Sunday morning.

Roche, who created history in 1987 by winning cycling’s triple crown of the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the World Championships, will lead the cycle from the Lahinch Promenade on Easter Sunday morning, March 31, at 10am.

Cycling has undergone a renaissance in North Clare in recent years with the Burren Cycling Club becoming one of Ireland’s leading amateur clubs as well as the formation of a new club in Ennistymon earlier this year.

The cycle is being organised by Roi- sin Ni Ghairbhith, An Taisce Green Schools officer for Clare, who is also organising a free bike fixing event in Ennistymon this Saturday.

“We fixed a record breaking 116 bikes the last time we did this back in September so we are back due to popular demand,” said Roisin.

“This time we are under no pressure to break the record so we will be focussing more on teaching people how to fix their bikes as we fix them with them. I’ve organsied this event mainly to encourage people to use the brand new cycle lane all the way from Ennistymon to Lahinch.”

There will be 10 bicycle mechanics at the Teach Ceol in Ennistymon from 3pm to 6pm on March 30. People are also encouraged to come along who want to buy or sell a bike on the day.

A JUDGE has branded as “crazy” the lack of places in facilities for juvenile offenders in Ireland.

Judge Patrick Durcan made the comment after being told that there were no beds available anywhere in the country on Friday for juvenile offenders.

Judge Durcan was imposing sentence on a 16-year-old Clare boy who pleaded guilty to a public order offence committed at a Health Services Executive (HSE) in Ennis last January. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of theft from Dunnes Stores last April.

Judge Durcan said he was com- pelled to agree with the recommendation of the Probation Services that a detention order be imposed on the teenager.

He said he would impose two detention orders of four months each.

However, Bláthnaid Connolly of the Probation Services, told Judge Durcan that no custodial beds were available anywhere on Friday.

Judge Durcan said, “This is a crazy situation.”

He said it is a matter for the State to provide facilities for young people.

Inspector Tom Kennedy urged Judge Durcan not to finalise his order without a place being available for the boy.

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey requested that the Court finalise it’s order. She said that if sentencing was adjourned for a week, there was a danger her client “would run away or kill himself.”

Ms Godfrey added, “The court should make this order today.” The court heard that the boy had suffered from drug abuse problems and suffers from ADHD.

Solicitor for the HSE, Aisling Carr, said a significant number of resources had been allocated to the boy over the past year.

Ms Carr said the boy had missed appointments and not co-operated with his addiction counselor. She said the teenager must co-operate with the services to a certain degree.

The boy’s father told the court that he did not want his son to attend a particular service in Limerick City because issues had arisen with some people from the area.

Ms Godfrey said her client suffered from a “bad form of ADHD.

She added, “His father has tried to stand by his son every step of the way.”

Judge Durcan said the boy had to realize he could not be the sole determining factor of his own immediate future. He said the boy had “abused” any level of freedom afforded to him in the past.

Judge Durcan remanded the boy on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on March 27 for sentence.

He said the HSE had a “particular responsibility in this matter.”

THE Office of Public Works (OPW) says it will attempt to “minimize as much as possible” any interruptions to traffic during the construction of the latest phase of the Ennis Flood Relief Scheme.

Work on the estimated € 7.1 million project from Bank Place Bridge to Doora Bridge has already commenced at locations around Ennis town centre.

It is anticipated that the works will approximately 18 months to complete and will lead to the protection of 849 residential and 425 non-residential properties on completion.

Defences including enhanced river walls, pumping stations and new drainage systems are included in the project, which is aimed at protecting Ennis against a 100-year flood event.

Mayo firm Wills Bros Ltd are carrying out the works.

Work is currently underway at Abbey Street car park leading to a temporary closure of an area close to the river wall. Drainage works in some areas of the town may lead to lane closures, explained Richard Long, Senior Employee On-site Representative for JB Barry / OPW.

He said, “There are going to some disruptions but we not going to close roads. It will be more a case of lane closures. Traffic plans for streets in different areas are being drawn up and they will have to get the approval of the local authorities. We will be reviewing our plans and we will attempt to minimize as much as possible any disruptions. The overall goal is to protect Ennis from floods.”

Major works will take place in the coming months at Francis Street and Ennis Courthouse where a new pumping station will be installed. Other areas including Harmony Row and Newbridge Road will be affected by the works.

Improvements to embankments near Knox’s bridge and the Clarecastle barrage also form part of the project.

Mr Long said, “The plan is to get it done as quickly s possible.”

Phase one of the Ennis Flood Relief Scheme, which involved works at Parnell Street and Mill Road, is credited with preventing floods in large areas of the town centre during November 2009.

Earlier this month An Bord Pleanála approved an application from Clare County Council to construct the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme which when completed will deliver flood defences in Clonroadmore, Ballybeg and Clareabbey. The estimated cost of the project is € 4 million.

THE MYSTERY of the missing plaque commemorating three Ennis Republican Volunteers shot during the Civil War has been solved, as Ennis Town Council confirmed to the Clare People that it is “safely with a local community group.”

Republican Sinn Fein Clare plans to call for the reinstallation of the plaque on New Jail Road after its Easter memorial service this week- end.

According to a council spokesperson a local community group, who feared it would be damaged during the work, took down the plaque during the construction of the new road.

“It is still in safe keeping,” he said.

The town council plans to erect new signage on the New Jail Road next month and said it was happy to reinstate the plaque at that time, if the group wish them to do so.

The plaque remembers Patrick Mahoney (25), Christopher Quinn (21) and William Shaughnessy (18) who were executed on Station Road at the old gaol in 1923.

The three men will also be remembered at a memorial service on Easter Monday at the Republican plot in Drumcliff Cemetery at 3pm organised by Clare Republican Sinn Fein.

The group will also remember James Glynn who died on May 2 1934.

Wreaths will be laid afterwards by RSF Clare and the James Connolly Cummann.

SOME teenagers in Ennis are being forced to commit crimes to pay off debts to a ‘Fagin’ type figure in the town.

The man was referred to during a sitting of Ennis District Court on Friday where a 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty to charges of burglary, trespass and the unauthorised taking of a vehicle.

His solicitor, John Casey, said there had been an element of force attached to the crimes.

He explained that a situation might arise whereby the man would offer to lend a young person money.

Mr Casey said, “You might never pay this back but he might say to you to do this or do that.”

“A vulnerable young man like this can never get out of it. His mother is genuinely disturbed by all of this.” he added.

The man, whom the court heard is known to gardaí, was compared at a previous court sitting to ‘Fagin’, the criminal mastermind from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist.

The court heard that the boy has now moved out of Ennis to a rural part of West Clare.

He has also removed the SIM card from his mobile phone so he could not be contacted by people in Ennis.

Addressing the court the teenager said; “Since I left the court the last day, I’ve done everything the court asked me to do.” Judge Patrick Durcan adjourned the case until May. SEPARATELY a different 17-yearold boy has pleaded guilty to multiple charges of theft and burglary at premises in Ennis and Kilfenora.

At Ennis District Court on Friday the boy pleaded guilty to handling a stolen Samsung Galaxy phone on Newbridge Road on October 31; handling a stolen Samsung phone in Considine’s Road, Cloughleigh, Ennis on January 20 (2013).

He also pleaded guilty to stealing a mobile phone on Watery Road, Ennis on February 4; theft of a black Apple iPod from Old Gort Road on February 8 and stealing a Nintendo DS and camcorder from Hermitage, Ennis on dates unknown between December 30 and 31.

He also pleaded guilty to entering Ennis Rugby Club as trespasser to commit the theft of a 32 inch television on dates unknown between December 1 and 25.

Also listed was theft of a Playsta- tion at Doctor’s Hill, Kilfenora on dates unknown between December 25 and 27; entering 66 Westwood, Ennis as a trespasser to commit the theft of jewelry worth € 300 and a mobile phone on dates unknown between December 25 and 26; entering 8 Showgrounds View, Ennis, as a trespasser to commit theft of a Samsung TV, laptop computer and Playstation on dates unknown between December 26 and 27.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he was very concerned about the teenager. He sought a pre-sentence report from the Probation Services. The case was adjourned until April 17.

ALLEGATIONS of council corruption led to an hour-long debate, that went round in circles in the council chamber on Friday evening last, and eventually ended up back where it started, albeit with a happier council membership and executive.

Elaborating on his questions into council contractors, how the contracts are awarded and if the contractors are compliant with employment law, Cllr Gerry Flynn (Ind) quoted a paper “Political Corruption is not just about Brown Envelopes” and presented by Frank Flannery at the MacGill Summer School in Donegal last year.

“Among the public there is a belief that corrupt practices are endemic in political life,” said the councillor.

County Manager Tom Coughlan was quick to raise concerns about any accusations of corruption that may be contained in quoting an article that specifically referred to political corruption.

“Are you alleging corrupt practices yes or no please?” he asked the Shannon Councillor.

Cllr Flynn said he was merely quoting from Frank Flannery, adding he carefully worded his motion with council workers and union representatives.

The county manager said that none of the issues had been brought to his attention when he met with the union just “a couple of weeks ago”.

“The chamber is not the place for these issues to be raised,” he added.

In reference to a query as to whether council staff, elected members or members of their immediate family, provide goods or services either directly or indirectly to Clare County Council the manager replied;

“It is a small county. A lot of people are related to a lot of people.

“You cannot expect me to carry out a witch hunt,” adding there was a contingency in place that put the onus on the contractor, employee or council members to reveal any such information.

“If any councillor considers there are any corrupt practices in this council let me know,” he said.

“You may not be aware but your members are aware that not all contractors are compliant,” said Cllr Flynn.

“You say you are aware. Will you give me that information?

“I don’t see how I can do something if I am not given the facts,” replied the county manager.

Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) told the chamber the issue could not be disbanded with until Cllr Flynn made it clear who he was accusing of corruption, stating a grey cloud now hung over the council.

Different members of the council called on the controversial Shannon councillor to make clear his accusation.

In an attempt to bring an end to the debate, Mayor Cllr Pat Daly (FF) “I do not think anyone is corrupt”, to which Cllr Flynn said “I didn’t say the manager or the executive was corrupt.”

“We take it from that it was the councillors that are corrupt,” said Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind).

“She’ll know next year when the elections are on I’ll give her a chance to come back,” retorted Cllr Flynn.

“I am the only female member here to say her is to suggest he is referring to me,” she replied angered.

“Are you corrupt?” said Cllr Flynn.

“Take that back,” Cllr McCarthy replied.

“Not for one minute did I state Cllr McCarthy or the manager is corrupt,” he conceded.

The manager then noted there were now not allegations of corruption at executive level.

Councillors then called on Cllr Flynn to name who he considered corrupt.

“Don’t start the innuendo and walk away from it and leave the mud on the rest of us,” said Cllr Joe Arkins (FG).

Eventually Cllr Flynn conceded somewhat – “not once did I say the council elected members or executive are corrupt. I was speaking in terms of speech from MacGill Summer School.”

This was enough for the council and we all got to go on with our lives – one hour later.

HOMEOWNERS in four Clare ghost housing estates remain exempt for the local property tax, due for payment from July.

However those that own or pay the mortgages on houses in 19 other es- tates exempt from last year’s “household charge” are now expected to pay up this new tax.

All properties identified as not liable for the new property tax by Clare County Council for the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government that are in the south and east of the county.

Ard na Deirge, Knockycloraun, Killaloe and Radharc an Locha, Scarriff Road, Mountshannon are two of the four Clare estates named in the list of unfinished housing estates published in the last week.

The remaining two estates are in Sixmilebridge – Chuirt an Droichead, on Main Street and Ard Ratha on the Broadford Road. Last year’s waiver applied in respect of the € 100 Household Charge was applied to 23 ghost estates.

The new list however contains 83 per cent less housing estates and reflects what the department describes as “the significant progress made by local authorities in reducing the number of problem estates.”

Not all householders agree however. Approximately 5,000 households nationally are eligible for an exemption under section 10 of the Finance Local Property Tax Act 2011.

Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan said;

“It is right and proper that households in unfinished developments should be exempt from payment of the Local Property Tax.

“The number of properties eligible for a waiver reflects the progress made in tackling unfinished housing developments, as well as the more objective approach to categorisation applied to the 2012 National Housing Development Survey.”

“I would urge people not to assume that just because they were eligible for a waiver from the household charge they will be eligible for an exemption from the local property tax. The list has changed substantially reflecting the improvements made by local authorities in resolving problems in unfinished housing developments,” he said. Information is available on the Department of Environment and Clare County Council websites.

WAS it a flair, was it a light aircraft, no, it was a meteorite that fell from the West Clare skies on Tuesday afternoon last and resulted in a massive land, air and sea search.

Around midday, a number of callers reported a “red flare” or a “fire ball” on the sky and making its way inland from Cappa towards Kilrush town.

Another caller later reported seeing what they believed to be a light aircraft on fire.

The Kilrush RNLI was one of the rescue services called to the scene of the mystery light and searched the area from Querrin Point to Cappa village.

“The information that was relayed was that people on the coast saw what looked like a small aircraft, which approaching turned into what seemed a ball of flame.

“At this time the same sightings were reported in the Shannon region,” explained Kilrush RNLI PRO Pauline Dunleavy.

The lifeboat was supported in the search by the Shannon helicopter, and crews from the Kilkee and Mallow Coast Guard, who at this time were involved with another incident in Ballybunnion and crossed the waters and joined in the search following the reports.

At about 2.30pm the search was called off as there was no sight of the mystery-flying object.

“After two and a half hours the search was stood down as the Aviation Department stated there were no aircrafts in the region and the conclusion was that it was perhaps a meteorite landing,” explained Ms Dunleavy.

The mysterious meteorite was just the first call out for a buy RNLI that day.

Just before 9.30pm Valentia Coast Guard again paged the lifeboat crew as a member of the public saw flares in the Kilrush area.

“We launched and after an hour we were stood down as there was no evidence along the shore from Cappa to the Moneypoint area.

“The unit of the Kilkee Coast Guard also carried out an intense shore search,” said a busy Ms Dunleavy.

She praised the members of the public that called in both possible emergencies, and urged anyone who does see anything suspicious out on the water to dial 999 without delay.

A CLARE businessman has been ordered to pay just over € 13,000 to a 15 year-old girl who broke her wrist after she came off an inflatable slide.

Mike McKee of the Shannon based HT Promotions was ordered to pay damages of € 12, 500 and special damages of € 630 to Kyiah Moloney, at Ennis Circuit Civil Court on Tuesday.

Kyiah Moloney, with an address at Clancy Park, Ennis was suing through her mother Jacinta Moloney.

The girl was aged 11 when the occurred at a party at Carnelly Woods, near Clarecastle on June 6 2008. Kyiah Moloney sustained the injuries after a section of an inflatable slide deflated “suddenly and without warning”, the court heard.

The plaintiff claimed that the slide deflated because of an inadequate repair job carried out a few days earlier at the section of the slide where it deflated.

Mr McKee told the court that the slide could not have deflated in the manner alleged as the structure of the bouncy castle is compartmentalised in such a way to take into ac- count the effect of tears.

Mr McKee said the company advises hirers that only two people be allowed on the slide in question at the one time.

Under cross-examination from Counsel for Moloney, Pat Whyms BL, Mr McKee admitted that the restriction is not included in the printed terms and conditions given to customers.

Mr McKee said that the slide could have deflated because of someone jumping on the area.

The court heard that HT Promotions provides a range of inflatables and that the terms and conditions is a standard document.

Judge Tom O’Donnell said he was satisfied that no negligence is applicable to the plaintiff.

He said he was satisfied that there was no evidence of abuse of the section where deflation occurred.

He said he considered the terms and conditions “vague in the extreme”. Judge O’Donnell said it was “not adequate” that the hirer is given an oral warning regarding the number of people permitted in the inflatable.

He said that on the balance of probabilities, the plaintiff is entitled to succeed.