Author: admin

WITH just days until the newly elected Clare County Council meet for the first time, mystery still surrounds how much they will be paid and their expenses.

At the 11th hour the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan (FG) still has not revealed if the 28 new county councillors would receive a pay cut or a pay rise in the new smaller county council.

He said he would announce a revised package of changes to payments to cathaorligh, mayors and expenses for attendance at conferences shortly. It is understood that there will be a limit of € 1,000 per councillor for attending conferences.

The expenses to be allocated to cover newly enlarged constituencies are also a closely guarded secret for now.

It is understood however that there will be extra money on top of the basic salary to be pocketed by the mayor of the county, the chairs of the four new Municipal Districts (the former electoral areas) and for the chairpersons of the Special Strategic Policy Committees.

From Friday, May 30, all 28 elected the previous Friday were formerly considered county councillors.

This Friday, June 6, they will meet for the first time in Aras Contae an Clár (right_ to elect a new mayor and decide how many times they will meet during the five-year office term.

It is understood a proposal is to go before the newly elected members suggesting that full county council meetings are held just every second month, with each Municipal District to meet monthly.

This proposal is already meeting some resistance from more established members who are more accustomed to full monthly council meetings.

As all four town councils in Clare are now gone, there will be no more mayors of Kilrush, Shannon or Kilkee.

As Ennis has a population of more than 20,000 people however the councillors from the Ennis Munici- pal District can elect a town mayor from among its members.

There is no clear indication as yet when this post will be decided upon or whether it too might be included in a power sharing agreement between the paties. The other Municipal Districts – Killaloe, Shannon and West Clare – will elect a chairperson, or more specifically a chairman, as there are no women among them.

While the new look council will no longer be responsible for water, it will take charge of Enterprise, as the Enterprise Board has now come under the remit of the local authority.

Moves to bring the Clare Local Development Company (Leader) under the council’s authority is currently being resisted nationally.

A WELL-KNOWN peace activist is seeking legal costs against the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after the State failed in a criminal prosecution against him.

A charge against Edward Horgan (68) of failing to obey the direction of a garda to leave the vicinity of Shannon Airport was dismissed at Ennis District Court on Tuesday.

Judge Mary Larkin dismissed the charge against the retired Irish Army commandant and prominent anti-war campaigner following an application from Mr Horgan’s barrister, Brian McInerney.

Mr Horgan, with an address at Charnwood, Newtown, Castletroy, Limerick, and his co-accused Tim Hourigan (38), with an address at Cedar Court, Kennedy Park, Limerick, both denied a charge of failing to obey the direction of a garda to leave the vicinity of Shannon Airport on October 13, 2013.

The charge alleged the men were loitering without lawful authority or reasonable excuse in a public place in circumstances, which gave rise to reasonable apprehension for the safety of persons or for the maintenance of the public peace.

However Counsel for Mr Horgan applied to have the charge dismissed on the grounds that the direction given by Garda Thomas Downey of Shannon Garda Station in a car park on the day in question was “vague in the extreme”.

Garda Downey encountered the two men in a car park near Shannon Airport that was closed to the public, the court heard. He told the court he had gone there after receiving information that two people were in the car park. Garda Downey said he asked the men to leave the area. However Mr Horgan and Mr Hourigan said that when they enquired what area they had to leave, Garda Downey told them “Rineanna South”.

Counsel said this was a “colossal area”. In his application, Mr McInerney said, his client did not know the area from which he had to leave and that failure to comply with a direction that was “vague and imprecise” is not a criminal act.

He said no civilians were present during the brief exchange so a breach of the peace could not have occurred.

Mr Hourigan, who represented himself in court, also applied for a direction from the Judge.

Judge Larkin dismissed the charge against both men, saying there could not have been a reasonable apprehension for the safety of persons or the maintenance of the public peace.

Mr McInerney said he was compelled to seek costs against the DPP. He said he had advised the Gardaí beforehand of the issue existing in the case but the DPP had still decided to proceed with the prosecution.

Judge Mary Larkin said, “I have never been in a court where the court has made an order for costs against the DPP.”

She adjourned the matter to July 16 for submissions from Counsel.

CHILDREN attending the region’s only paediatric ward can now attend school in a purpose-built classrooms, without leaving the hospital grounds.

The new purpose-built Children’s Ark School was officially opened in the University Hospital Limerick on Thursday, May 29. The school provides multi-denominational pri- mary- and secondary-level education for students attending the hospital.

The new facility is made up of a large classroom for primary students, a second classroom for secondary students, toilets, office space and an outdoor learning area.

The Department of Education and Skills has approved the installation of 100MB fibre broadband to enable access to the most up to date technology to support the education of the students.

Dr Liam Carroll, founding member and former Chair of the Children’s Ark School Board of Management and Jayden Conway Wood officially opened the new classrooms.

The school, like any other, is managed by a Board of Management and has two teachers. Both teachers, Mary Carr and Margaret McCarthy are members of HOPE, the organisa tion for hospital teachers in Europe.

Speaking at the opening, Ann Doherty, CEO, UL Hospitals, said, “We are very proud of having such a quality school on site and I want to acknowledge and thank the Board of Management and their staff for all the work they have done to make this school a reality.”

The Children’s Ark School was originally the brainchild of Dr Carroll, Consultant Paediatrician, who got sanction from the Department of Education and Skills to establish a school to cater for the ongoing education of children in University Hospital Limerick.

The school commenced in 2006 and originally operated from the dining room of the Sunshine Ward in the Children’s Ark Unit.

Frank Keane, Chair, Board of Management and former manager of Ennis Hospital, added that “the new school is a wonderful new development, encompassing the best available information technology to assist in providing continuity for those young people unlucky enough to be ill and requiring hospital care. Meeting the young person’s educational needs is a vital part of the holistic approach required to put them on the road to recovery.” Mr Keane also wanted to acknowledge the hard work of everyone involved but said that “a huge thank you must go to my predecessor as Chair of the Board of Management, Dr Liam Carroll, who was the true visionary who had the foresight to get the concept of education while in hospital off the ground back in December 2006”.

AS THE time has past to remove all election posters and plaquards from the county’s streets and roads, some candidates have complained that discarded posters are miraculously appearing again.

During the run up to the local and European elections there were the usual complaints that posters were removed from where they were positioned by campaign teams.

Now as the last votes have been counted “silly season” is setting in again as once disappeared posters are reappearing.

Forgotten election posters still on posts and polls will cost candidates € 150 per poster from now on.

Such fines are issued by Clare County Council’s Environment Department.

In a bid to avoid such fines some candidates have taken to social media asking people to report any sighting of posters.

Ennis Labour candidate Seamus Ryan was particularly disturbed that a poster he removed from Abbey Street a week ago was back again a day later.

“I found one that had been put up on a pole in Abbey Street car park by someone other than a member of my campaign team.

“I know it was put up by someone other than us for two reasons.

“Firstly I personally removed the poster from that very pole on Monday last.

“Secondly no candidate puts the cable ties to the front of the poster, it blocks the name,” he said, publishing a photo of the offending poster on Facebook.

“This is a level of pathetic vindictiveness we really don’t need in local politics.

“Somebody really wants me to get a € 150 fine (that’s per poster), if you see any more up please let me know,” he appealed.

Election poll topper in Shannon Cathal Crowe (FF) was equally concerned about his posters remaining up the poll.

He was among a number of local election candidates using the new communication of social media to remove the more traditional form of communication.

THE number of Clare people who took their own life showed a marked decline last year, prompting hopes that the county may be turning the corner on the suicide epidemic.

According to official figures obtained from the Central Statistic Office (CSO), 14 Clare people, 12 males and two females, took their own lives in 2013 – giving a suicide rate of 11.9.

This shows is marked decline of the 13.7 suicide rate from the previ- ous year. The news comes on the two year anniversary of the tragic death of West Clare teenager William Winder, who passed away on June 3, 2012.

According to William’s father and founder of the William Winder Rainbow Foundation, Mark Winder, more needs to be done to keep the suicide rate in Clare in decline.

The foundation offers free information and access to councillors for Clare people effected by depression or suffering from other issues.

“It’s great to see the figures declining finally and people speaking about suicide is helping. It is my son’s second year anniversary and we’ve been dealing with that ourselves. But we had a family day last week in Lahinch.

“We see families coming up to us directly all the time and talking about suicide. That wound not have happened five years ago,” said Mark.

“Families are being broken up, people are being forced to emigrate and that has an effect. Families are suffering and the whole community are suffering.

“You can go through places now and it’s like going through a ghost town. But if you have a place to turn to and people are willing to talk, then it helps. There was nothing in Clare [for people who were feeling suicidal].

“You could get in your car and drive to Pieta House but if you are feeling suicidal, the last thing you should do is get behind the wheel. The kids don’t know where to turn.

“It happens, it’s can be a split second decision, and it is destroying people. I think they are seeing that now; they can see from the hurt [felt by the people left behind after a suicide]. I cry openly, my wife cries openly. We talk to kids and to school and we tell them. They can see the devastation in our faces.

“We saw the suicide stats last night and it’s great that they are declining but there is a lot not being taken into account. Like single vehicle accidents are not being classified as suicides even if there is a suicide note. But any decline is going in the right direction. Anything is good news. We’ve seen enough deaths in Clare. We’ve seen the devastation.

“We need to keep talking about it. We need to keep it on the forefront of people’s mind. The [Government] funding for this in non-existent. It hits me in the heart every time I see a suicide and hear of a suicide.

“You live it, you live it every day. Once you have someone in your family that died of suicide you never get away from it.”

For more information on the work of the William Winder Rainbow Foundation visit www.williamwinderrainbowfoundation.ie.

A CLARE TD has recalled the day he had to “bite the bullet” and let go a childhood friend from his job as parliamentary assistant.

Michael McNamara told an employment appeals tribunal in Ennis on Thursday that he decided to dismiss Conor Daly after a second period of probation ended in March 2012.

Mr McNamara said he made the decision because he was unhappy with Mr Daly’s performance in some aspects of the job.

He said he received complaints that constituent’s queries were not being treated sympathetically.

Mr McNamara said he also received complaints from Government departments about the manner in which Mr Daly made queries.

Mr Daly, who previously worked as a golf caddy in Doonbeg Golf Club, claims he was unfairly dismissed from the job. The tribunal heard Mr Daly was an on annual salary of approximately € 40,000.

The tribunal heard Mr Daly worked as a driver for Mr McNamara in the general election before being hired as a parliamentary assistant for the Labour deputy.

Mr McNamara said he extended Mr Daly’s initial period of probation for six months in 2011 because he was unhappy with his performance.

Mr McNamara said he advised Mr Daly to take constituent’s queries more seriously and be “clear and concise” when requesting information from government departments.

The tribunal heard the men have been friends since childhood in Scariff and Tuamgraney.

“I wanted to believe he could improve,” he said.

But Mr McNamara said he realised in March 2012 that he had to “bite the bullet” and let Mr Daly go.

He described the meeting with Mr Daly as “very hard”. He said he had never let anyone go from a job before.

Mr McNamara said Mr Daly started crying after being told he would not keep his job beyond the period of probation.

“He was emotional. He really needed the job,” he added.

Solicitor for Mr Daly, Kate McInerney, said that her client will say in evidence he did not get any clear guidance from the TD and was not given an opportunity to improve. She said the decision to dismiss Mr Daly was “disproportionate”.

Mr McNamara said, “I made it clear to Conor that he had to improve and he failed to do so.”

The hearing was adjourned to September 18 when Mr Daly will give evidence.

LAZARUS Investment Limited have lodged a fifth major planning application for the development of construction projects formally proposed by the Atlantis Development Company in North Clare.

The projects, which are all located in the Doolin and Liscannor area, had been granted planning permission before the collapse of the Celtic Tiger but have never been devel- oped.

The latest proposal by the North Clare-based company involves the extension of planning permission for the construction of a four-house development at Coogyulla in Doolin.

This follows similar planning application in recent week which could see the creation of a park and ride facility to the Cliffs of Moher, a major development of Egan’s and McHugh’s in Liscannor and a the construction of a new supermarket development in Doolin, if they get the go ahead.

According to documents obtained from the Company Registration Office (CRO), local businessman John Declan Flanagan, with a company address at ‘The Mermaid’ in Liscannor, is the director of both Lazarus Investment Limited and the Atlantis Development Company.

The company’s application for the construction of a park and ride facility connecting Liscannor with the Cliffs of Moher could be contentious. Lazarus Investments Limited have already lodged an objection to plans by Clare County Council to develop the existing temporary car park at the Cliffs of Moher Experience. A planning decision on this project was due last month but no formal decision has yet been announced by the local authority.

Lazarus are also looking to revive plans to develop two of North Clare’s iconic pubs – Egan’s and McHugh’s in Liscannor.

This plan involves the demolition of a storage area and toilets at the back of Joseph McHugh’s and a storage buildings at the back of Egan’s and the extension of McHugh including a new storage area, lounge, toilets and an open smoking area. The development will also see the construction of a seven bedroom hostel, five apartments and four commercial units.

A separate application involved outline permission for the development a supermarket, crèche, medical centre and a chemist at Killilagh in Doolin, as well as the construction of five houses.

THE Department of Education has granted approval for a new hall and an additional car park at St Joseph’s Secondar y School, Spanish Point.

The project is in addition to the new autism unit, which is expected to be completed later this year.

The two-room unit will be situated on the seaside of the secondary school.

Al ready teachers from the second- ar y school have under taken specialised training so that they can assist students from the unit who wish to under take some or all classes in the mainstream school.

The specialised autism unit will be staffed with exper t teachers and other staff, while the students who wish to can also avail of mainstream education.

As well as Depar tment of Education funding to build the unit, the school has also been supported by a number of local fundraisers to help stock the unit with state of the ar t equipment and props when it opens.

The car park and hall is a new addition to the campus.

Labour TD Michael McNamara said the approval of the hall will provide a facility for all who live in Spanish Point and its environs.

“This is excellent news. It is just two years ago since I first ar ranged a meeting with Principal Mary Crawford and Ruai rí Quinn. The project was delayed because of issues which arose in relation to the loss of rights of way to/from the school and the resultant need to provide additional car parking. These issues have now been resolved and the preparator y work can commence.

“This means the work of selecting the design team and building contractor can begin. Subject to a successful planning application, it is expected the new autism unit could be completed in time for the first intake of students in September 2015,” said Deputy McNamara.

NEWLY elected councillor Mary Howard (FG) has promised that the dynamics of Clare County Council will “change completely” following an influx of new female candidates to the local authority.

Speaking after her election to Clare County Council on Sunday afternoon, Howard praised all the Clare women who put themselves forward for this local election.

“It’s great to see that we have great quality women candidates in Clare. They are hard working, they are clever and they have the passion and drive.

“The dynamic is going to change completely now [because of the women candidates],” she said.

The Ennis-based councillor, who was one of three Fine Gael councillors returned in the Ennis area, has credited an “old fashioned” approach to politics for her success at this election.

“It’s been a long few months, it’s been a hard battle and a big big area for us to cover, for all of us. I canvassed the old fashioned way, one foot in front of the other.

“We started in the bitter cold last winter and we finished up this week. Thank God it worked out the way I wanted it. I love my job and I have a great passion for where I live and I love what I do,” she said.

“When I got elected five years ago [to Ennis Town Council], there was such a transition in my life, a lot going on. So I decided that I would do it [politics] full time, to the best of my abilities.

“I decided that it would be a career choice for me. I have loved every minute of it.”

Mary BUGLER
, Ogonolloe, Clare. Funeral Mass in St Molua’s Church, Ogonnelloe, today (Tuesday) at 12 noon followed by burial in Ogonnelloe cemetry. Donations if desired to Raheen Community Hospital. May she rest in peace.

Seán CULLINAN
, Cornmarket Street, Ennis/North Circular Road, former HSE Dublin and Oxmanstown, North Circular Road, Dublin 7 and late of Cornmarket Street, Ennis. Funeral Mass in Ennis Cathedral today (Tuesday) at 11 am. Burial afterwards in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Michael CLOHESSY
,Tullabrack, Kilrush. Peacefully at University Hospital Limerick. Laid to rest in Breassa Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Peggy CUGGERAN (née McMAHON)
, Stewart Street, Kilrush. Funeral arriving at St. Senan’s Church, Kilrush, this morning (Tuesday) for 11amMass, burial afterwards in All Saints Cemetery, Shanakyle. May she rest in peace.

Tom GUINEY
, Doolough, Connolly. Laid to rest in Coore. May he rest in peace.

Bridget HEHIR
, Boloughra, Cranny. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Cranny. May she rest in peace.

Sr Maria Goretti MCGRATH
, Convent of Mercy, Nenagh/Spanish Point, formerly of Garrykennedy, Portroe, at McAuley House, Limerick. Laid to rest in St Mary’s Convent Cemetery, Nenagh. May she rest in peace.

Michael Joseph QUINN
, Leopardstown/Inch, Laid to rest in Shanganagh Cemetery, Foxrock. May he rest in peace.

Johanna FITZGERALD (née Holohan)
, Toovahera, Lisdoonvarna. Laid to rest in Kilmoon cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Gerry LINNANE
, Stack’sVillas,Tralee, formerly of Newquay. Laid to rest in NewRath Cemetery, Tralee. May he rest in peace.

Nancy O’GRADY (née Duggan)
, Cahercanivan, Kilmihil. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Reilig Nua, Kilmihil. May she rest in peace.

Mary CASEY
, Deerpark, Doora, Ennis and formerly of Kings Road, Kildysart. Laid to rest in Kildysart Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Sr Mary CLANCY
, Daughters of the Cross, Beech Park Convent, Dublin/Ennis. Laid to rest in Deans Grange Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to Blackrock Hospice. May she rest in peace.

Francis Glen FOY
, Killeen, Corofin. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Tom KEANE
, Birmingham, England and formerly of Clonfadda, Killaloe. Laid to rest in Bridgetown Church Grounds. Donations, if desired, to Milford Hospice. May he rest in peace.

Mary KEARINS
, Sutton/Sixmilebridge. Suddenly at Marymount Care Centre,Westmanstown. Laid to rest in St Fintan’s Cemetery, Sutton. May she rest in peace.

WHEN Clare Colleran Molloy FF and Mary Howard FG were elected to Clare County Council on the 20th and final Ennis count it brought to three the number of women that would serve on the next local authority.

The female complement on the new 28-seat council is still only 10 per cent of the overall council membership, but it is also a 200 per cent increase in female representation at county level.

It was feared that when Cllr Patrica McCarthy (Ind), the only woman on the current council, announced her retirement there would be a shortage of female candidate willing to come forward.

While there will be no female representation on the Killaloe, Shannon and West Clare Municipal Areas, Ennis will now have three.

Clare Colleran Molloy was the last of the three – which includes Ann Norton (Ind) – to be elected and the dark horse among the three.

Her election she admitted was a surprise even to herself.

“I am so thrilled first and foremost as a first time candidate that I got that vote of confidence from so many people and obviously it is reflective of all the hard work I put in along with my husband Tony. We started knocking on doors on February 6 and we had such a good team of not only family and friends but also good cumann Fianna Fáil support,” she said.

“I did not expect to be standing here today,” she said minutes after she was declared elected.

The woman from Quin explained that after hours of nervous energy on Saturday, she had resigned herself to the fact that she would not get the seat by the Sunday. Hours later she was elected.

The new councillor elect has already got a “baptism of fire” in the world of politics following a flow of comments on a public online forum caused her distress ahead of the election.

The barrister said she was currently having that issue dealt with and is looking forward to her new political career.