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ONLY ONE quarter of Clare people have the opportunity to pass away in their own home – despite research showing that the vast majority of people in the county would prefer to die at home, as apposed to a hospital or nursing home.

According to a new survey compile by the Irish Hospice Foundation, only 26 per cent of Clare people have the opportunity of passing away in their own home – a fraction of the 74 per cent who would prefer to pass away at home. The report also found that that areas with no local hospice that delivers Specialist Palliative Care (SPC) Services through home care teams, have a higher proportion of deaths in their own homes compared to areas with a hospice.

The Irish Hospice Foundation be- lieve that more detailed research is needed to determine why more Clare people are not offered the chance to be at home when they pass away.

“It may be that those areas without hospices have better developed homecare teams.

“Other reasons may be at play, such as urban rural differences in allocation of community supports. But we need to f nd out,” Irish Hospice Foundation CEO, Sharon Foley.

“The IHF believes that enabling people to fulf ll their wish to die at home is not just a matter of effective health services and f exible, respon sive, people-centred systems.

“It is fundamental to the very basis of humanity in an evolved society.

“Allowing choice and dignity in end of life care, and in the experi ence of dying, is a strong indication of how we care for Irish society as a whole. ” A BUMPER Christmas, with an anticipated 15% increase in passenger numbers from 12 months ago, kicked off at Shannon Airport this weekend as close on 2,000 children, including from Clare and parents got to meet Santa in the skies. In an initiative to thank the public for its support over what has been a year of strong growth, as well as raise some much needed funds for two local charities, Shannon Airport, in partnership with Ryanair, made Christmas come early for the excited children as 12 f ights took the skies over Saturday and Sunday. Among those getting to savour this special moment were special needs children from the Clare Crusaders clinic, St Gabriel’s school in Limerick and Mirmear Autism Unit in Tipperary. Demand for the f ights’ was so high that they booked out in all of 12 minutes when they went up for grabs ten days ago. The fun weekend at the airport, which also saw the children get to enjoy a wide range of entertainment from costumed cartoon characters to puppet shows, heightened the Christmas cheer at the airport. Said Airport CEO Neil Pakey; “It was great to see children enjoying the treat. The excitement was unbelievable and we’re delighted to have partnered with Ryanair on what was a really special occasion. Special thanks too to all our staff who volunteered over the weekend.

A MAN who pleaded guilty to a break-in at an Ennis business and the theft of four bottles of wine escaped a prison sentence at Ennis District Court last Wednesday, December 10.

Gary Simms (43) with an address at Laurel Lodge in Ennis, pleaded guilty to the burglary which took place in Ennis on the early hours of December 3, 2014.

The court heard that a window was broken and the alarm set off at the Wine Buff off licence in Ennis at 3am on the morning of December 3 – with four bottles of wine being taken. Gardaí stopped Mr Simms on O’Connell’s Street in Ennis at 4.30am on the same morning and recovered the four bottles of wine which had a combined value of between € 80 and € 100.

Judge Patrick Durcan said that Mr Simms had a “dreadful record” with 77 previous convictions – although none of the previous conviction were for burglary. Council for the defence said that Mr Simms was a recovering alcoholic who was on the track to recovery, except for his slip on December 3.

The court heard that on the day of the incident Mr Simms had contacted his former partner with a view to organising a visit with his children before Christmas – but she had refused to allow him to visit.

Address the court, Mr Simms said that it was this incident which had led to his ‘set back’.

“Give me a chance, please,” he said to Judge Durcan. “Twice I have seen my kids this year. I’ve never exposed my kids to my alcoholism. I miss my children.”

The court also heard that Mr Simms is due to move from supported accommodation to his own home in January, if his recovery continues.

Judge Durcan placed Mr Simms on a probation bond for 12 months but warned him not to break the law during that period.

“Don’t come back before me again. I remember some of the names that come through here and I will remember yours,” he said.

of almost € 30,000 from the annual court poor box payout.

A total of € 28, 500 will be distributed to 23 groups and organisations, after details of this year’s recipients were released by the Court Services.

In some cases, instead of imposing a conviction, a district court judge can order that a defendant donate a sum to the court poor box, which in turn will be given to a charity.

The St Vincent De Paul is this year’s largest recipient.

The society’s branches in Ennis and Kilrush will each received a donation of € 5,000.

John Cullinane, Clare Area President SVP, welcomed the donation, saying the poor box has become an “essential” source of funding for the SVP.

“There is a big demand each year on our services. In the past three years, requests for our assistance have doubled, its gone up 100%. Our income is down about 25% in the past year. We are very grateful for funds from any source.

“We’re very grateful to Judge Patrick Durcan (District Court Judge for Clare and Gort, Co Galway). Over the years he has given us considera- ble funding each year and it’s something we are grateful for”, he said.

Mr Cullinane continued, “We give out a lot more food and toys at this time of year, additional to what we would normally give.

“People donate a lot of food to us and we will be giving that out over the next few weeks. It’s a busy season”.

Mr Cullinane said the society is also receiving more requests for assistance from people in employment.

“About 70% of our requests are repeats. Over the years, there would be a lot of the same people.

“In the past years, with the austerity measures, some people that are employed, because their salaries and wages have gone down, they are coming to us for assistance as well. That would have increased the demand on our service as well. But we’re in a position to cope with all requests”, he said.

The full list of court poor box recipients is as follows.

Clare Immigrant Support Centre (€ 500); St Senan’s Kilrush Conference of SVDP (€ 5000); St Vincent de Paul Ennis (€ 5000); District Day Care Centre, Clarecastle (€ 500); Hand in Hand (Childrens Cancer Charity) (€ 1000); Diabetes Ireland Clare Branch (€ 1000); Ennis CDP (€ 1500); Dream Believe Achieve (€ 1000); Lions Club of Ennis (€ 1500); Rape Crisis Midwest Clare Centre (€ 1000) ; Seeking Vision (€ 500); Clare Crusaders (€ 1000); Cahercalla Hospice (€ 1000); Poor Clares, Ennis (€ 1000); The Samaritans, Ennis (€ 1000); Clarecare (€ 1000); Clare Haven Services (€ 1000); Pieta House (€ 1000); Childline (€ 1000); Doolin Search & Rescue (€ 500); Kilkee Marine Rescue (€ 500); Killaloe/Ballina Search and Rescue (€ 500); St. Caimins Search & Rescue, Mountshannon (€ 500).

Although Slough Hall began life as a mess hall for the army, it was better known locally as a dancehall during the Irish show band era of the 1950’s and ‘60’s. The barracks was also the home of Irish League basketball in Clare during the 1980’s and early 1990. In more recent years the hall has hosted a number of productions by the local Ennistymon Choral Society as well as other community organisations. Slaugh Hall and the Army Barracks, which lie on a prime stretch of land between the Old (Championship) Course and Castle Course in Lahinch, was purchased from the Irish Defense Forces by Lahinch Golf Course for € 560,000 earlier this year. At the time a last ditch attempt was made by members of local community to raise enough money to purchase the property on behalf of the local community, but the attempt was unsuccessful. Local campaigners had hoped that the land, which borders the Lahinch Community Field, could be retained in community ownership and developed as a community centre and amenity park.

THE GREEN Party is on election footing in Clare with North Clare woman Roisín Garvey among the frontrunners to represent the party in the next General Election.

It is understood that the party leader Eamonn Ryan met with the An Taisce Green Schools off cer for County Clare and south Galway during a visit to the county last week, but told

THE Boghill Centre in Kilfenora was the big winner of this year’s Burren and Cliffs of Moher GeoparkLIFE Award which took place over the weekend. The centre took three of the 15 awards on offer on the night, including the main prizes in both the GeoparkLIFE awards and the Burren Ecotourism award.

The annual awards recognise achievement of Burren businesses in the development of sustainable tourism in the region. There were two sets of awards up for grabs on the night with eleven GeoparkLIFE awards and three awards from the Burren Ecotourism Network.

The Boghill Centre took the overall Sustainable Business of the Year award and the Energy Management award in the GeoparkLIFE awards while also being crowned Member of the Year by the Burren Ecotourism Network.

It was also a good night for the Burren Nature Sanctuary who won the Visitor Interpretation and Leave No Trace awards, while the Cliffs of Moher Experience, Sea View House, Heart of Burren Walks, Burren Free Range Pork, Cafe Linnalla, Kil- shanny House, St Tola’s Goat Farm, Doolin Hostel, Burren Food Trail and Martin Waldron of Cragmoher House, all won awards.

“These awards help to promote and give of f cial recognition to the wide range of fantastic work that is ongoing throughout the Burren through sustainable business practices. The awards also help us to monitor progress in relation to the Geopark Sustainable Code of Practice for Tourism programme,” said Carol Gleeson of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark.

“Since 2008, Clare County Council has been working in the Burren to develop a truly sustainable tourism destination that gives direct benef ts to the local community, promotes and celebrates local culture and produce, preserves the environment and provides a great experience for our visitors. “This has been achieved with great support and partnership from local communities and businesses and agencies responsible for tourism and conservation and local development. These awards reward those who have contributed to this process.”

THE case of a Kilrush man charged in connection with the alleged sending of indecent telephone messages has been adjourned to the new year.

Conor Haugh (21) appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday. He is charged with sending indecent telephone messages on two dates in November. Mr Haugh, with an address at Killballyowen, Cross, Kilrush, is charged with sending by telephone a message that was indecent on November 6, 2014.

He is further charged with sending an indecent message by phone on November 10, 2014. The charges state the alleged offences were allegedly committed at a named location in West Clare. Defence solicitor Patrick Moylan told the court the matter had previously been adjourned following an application from the State.

The court heard that directions are yet to issue from the DPP on how the case against the accused is to proceed. Inspector Tom Kennedy said he required time to obtain directions from the DPP.

Judge Patrick Durcan adjourned the case to February 18, 2015 Mr Haugh was remanded on continuing bail.

CLA RE County Council is in discussions with Shannon Commercial proper ties

not at his place of residence, having possession of an axe with the inten tion that it be used in the course of or in connection with a burglary. Mr McDonagh is alleged to have had the axe at Ennis Golf Club, Golf Links Road.

Also on November 28, Mr Mc Donagh is charged with entering Ennis Golf Club as a trespasser and attempting to commit criminal dam age. He is also charged with possession of cannabis at 32 Clancy Park, Ennis. Mr McDonagh, an unemployed sin gle man, appeared before Ennis Dis trict Court on Friday. Garda Frank Browne of Ennis Gar da Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He told the court Mr McDonagh made no reply to any of the charges after caution. Legal aid was approved for solici tor Tara Godfrey. Ms Godfrey said she had no ques tions regarding the arrest, charge and caution of her client. She said she was applying for bail for Mr McDonagh. Inspector Tom Kennedy said the State objected to bail. He told Judge Patrick Durcan the reasons of the State’s objections to bail.

Ms Godfrey asked Garda Browne if he would be satisf ed if Mr Mc Donagh gave a commitment to reside at home, sign on three times a week at Ennis Garda Station and make himself contactable at all times. Garda Browne said he would be sat isf ed.

But after hearing the full bail ap plication, Judge Durcan refused bail. He remanded Mr McDonagh in custody to appear again at Ennis Dis trict Court on December 10.

A WEST Clare teenager has proved himself to be an “honourable man” by admitting a driving offence and paying compensation, a court has heard. All charges against Drew Clancy (19) were struck out at Ennis District Court last week after he paid full compensation for the damage his driving caused.

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

At a sitting of Ennis District Court earlier this year, 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.

In October, 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. 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.

Judge Durcan adjourned the case to allow time for payment of compensation. On Friday, defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said full compensation of € 1460 had been paid.

Mr Clancy, a farm labourer, told Judge Durcan he saved the money from work.

Judge Durcan told Mr Clancy he had proved himself to be an “honourable man” by facing up to the charges and paying compensation. “I’m striking out all charges against you which means you’re record is clean”, Judge Durcan added.