Author: admin

A DECISION on the construction of Clare’s first ever crematorium in Clarecastle could yet be months away, and will likely rest on the validity of a similar application made to construct a crematorium in Shannon in 2007.

Planners at Clare County Council have written to Fenloe Properties Ltd, the company behind the the proposed Clarecastle crematorium, looking for further information about 21 separate issues which have arisen on the back of their December 2013 planning application.

An Taisce have also made two separate representations to the planners regarding the crematorium – with both letters highlighting the need to clarify the validity of the 2007 planning application before permission for a second crematorium in the area can be granted.

This comes in the wake of a legal letter sent by Fenloe Properties Ltd to Clare County Council last October, regarding plans by the local authority to sell land in Shannon to an unnamed developer for the creation of a crematorium.

While the local authority had already approved an extension of planning for the Shannon crematorium, Fenloe objected to the proposed sale of the land itself.

It is as yet unclear if this development could yet go ahead – which raises the possibility of two crematoriums being built within 19 kilome- tres of each other.

The Clarecastle application has also prompted a number of objections from local residents – with four separate representation being made to Clare County Council.

Councillors Pat Daly (FF) and Tom McNamara (FF) have both applied to make representation in relation to the application.

In her representations, local Taisce officer Anny Wise, raised concerns about the prospect of rival Clare crematoriums.

“Foremost there should be certainty that the Shannon Crematorium has become out of date and is no longer relevant.

“There is a market for a crematorium in the area as we have several hundred Indian individuals living in this area.

“There would no be enough for two so the Shannon [proposal] must be confirmed as not viable before going ahead with this one,” she said in a letter to council planner earlier this month.

Senior planing staff officer with Clare County Council, Siobhan O’Reilly, wrote to Fenloe Properties Ltd earlier this month with a number of questions regarding the proposed development.

These questions included information about the type of furnace planned, the possibility of harmful emissions and other environmental issues.

A decision had been expected in February, but will now not likely be made before the end of the year.

A PROPOSAL to construct nine on-shore windfarms on a site just 2km from Doonbeg village has been overturned.

The plans, which were originally lodged by Clare Coastal Wind Power Limited on February 2 this year, were catapulted into the public spotlight three week later when billionaire American businessman, Donald Trump purchased the nearby Doonbeg Golf Course.

Trump, who has been involved in ongoing disputes with authorities in Scotland over windfarms being built close to his golfing interests, voiced his concerns against he proposed development.

According to Tony Lowes, Director of Friends of the Irish Environment, the billionaire host of The Apprentice television programme was “active” in opposing the development.

“Mr Trump was very active – he called me up and said they were opposed to the windfarm and noticed the work we had done,” said Mr Lowes.

Following the decision to deny planning for the development last week Mr Trump send a tweet to Scot- tish First Minister, Alex Salmond.

“Ireland just ended the bird killing wind farm near my great resort on the Atlantic Ocean. The reason, would hurt tourism!” he tweeted to Mr Salmond.

However, according to planning files associated with the planning permission, the project was halted on a technicality involving getting land owners’ signatures. According to a letter from planners at Clare County Council to Clare Coastal Wind Power, the planning permission was invalidated because the application contained a list of the local landowners whose land would be used for the development – but not each landowners signature, as required.

The Trump Organisation has stated its delight that the plans for the windfarm have been withdrawn.

“We are very pleased that the application has been withdrawn and alongside the local residents we will continue to monitor the situation and if necessary lodge a further objection,” said Executive Vice-president of Trump International, George Sorial.

It is not yet clear whether Clare Coastal Wind Power will re-submit their application in the future.

GARDAÍ in Ennis are investigating the attempted mugging of a 58-yearold woman of her handbag in broad daylight.

The incident occurred across from Steele’s Terrace at around 11.55am on Monday, April 13, when an attempt was made to rob a handbag from the woman as she walked on the footpath near Ennis Courthouse.

The woman was approached from behind by a man who knocked her to the ground and then attempted to steal her handbag. The victim bravely fought off her attacker and managed to hold onto her bag.

The incident only lasted for a few minutes with the man fleeing from the scene initially in the direction of the town centre.

The woman, who lives in the En- nis area, reported the incident to the gardaí and gave a full description of her attacker.

She did not suffer any serious injuries but it is said to have been left badly shaken by the ordeal. She told gardaí the man came up behind and attempted to grab her handbag.

Gardaí Ennis are investigating the incident and are studying CCTV of the area where the attempted robbery occurred.

FOUR people involved in what a Judge described as an “unseemly” pub row in Corofin have been bound to the peace.

Sisters Fiona Concannon (38) and Rebecca Concannon (35) were allegedly involved in an altercation with their uncle, Valentine Bane and his partner Sharon McGrath (41) in Crowley’s Bar, Main Street, Corofin on September 16, 2012.

After hearing evidence in the case, Judge Patrick Durcan said the “most unseemly”, “most appalling” and “most gross” behaviour had occurred in Crowley’s on the night.

Ms McGrath, with an address at Newtown Corofin, denied a charge of assault to Rebecca Concannon.

Fiona Concannon, with addresses at Newtown Corofin and Poulanine, Carron denied assaulting Mr Bane and Ms McGrath.

Judge Durcan dismissed the charge of assault on Mr Bane after saying no evidence had been offered in the prosecution.

Rebecca Concannon, with an address at Radharc an tSeidean, Corofin, denied assaulting Ms McGrath. Mr Bane, who also lives at Newtown Corofin, was not charged with any offence but was bound over to the peace after Judge Durcan said he had played a role in events at Crowley’s.

Sharon McGrath gave evidence that she and Mr Bane were in three pubs prior to going to Crowley’s. She said she was approached by Fiona Concannon. Ms McGrath said Ms Concannon said, “Will you get that boyfriend of yours to stop sticking his tongue out at my 60 year old mother”. The court heard Mr Bane is a brother of Ms Concannon’s mother.

Mr Bane denied making the gestures. He said the row “took off” by the door of the pub after he was “niggled” by another man and got an elbow in the back.

Rebecca Concannon told the court there was a “bit of gregging” in the pub and that Mr Bane shouted “C’mon Shrek” to another man in their company.

At this point in proceedings, Judge Durcan asked Inspector Tom Kennedy who Shrek was and if he could spell it. Insp Kennedy said Shrek was a cartoon character.

Judge Durcan also asked Insp Kennedy, “What’s gregging? Another example of Corofinese?”

Insp Kennedy said that he had never heard the phrase before and that it must only be used in Corofin.

Judge Durcan told solicitors for the parties that in his view these were extremely serious alleged assaults and carried serious penalties on conviction.

He said he was adjourning the case for 25 minutes. He said if parties decided not to go into evidence, he would impose a binding over order.

When the case resumed, solicitor for Ms McGrath, Daragh Hassett said his client was willing to be bound to the peace. Solicitor for the Concannons, Patrick Moylan told Judge Durcan his clients were not.

The case continued and heard from independent witness, publican Colm Carey. He said an incident developed between the Concannons and two people.

Mr Carey said he managed to halt the altercation by managing to get the other two people out the door.

Mr Carey said Fiona Concannon was not present in the pub when the incident developed.

Delivering his verdict, Judge Durcan said, “Nobody comes out of this prosecution smelling of roses other than the publican.”

Judge Durcan said two different versions had been given of events in Crowley’s. He said he had no alternative but to dismiss all outstanding charges against the Concannons and Ms McGrath.

He made an order binding Ms McGrath, Mr Bane and the Concannon sisters to the peace for a period of two years.

The parties were given 14 days to enter into the bond. Recognizance’s were fixed in each case in the event of any appeals.

THE three years stalemate on one of the county’s most dangerous road junctions is set to end with the development of Blakes Corner in Ennistymon set to be “kick-started” in the coming weeks, it was confirmed at yesterday’s meeting of Clare County Council.

The local authority confirmed yesterday that consultants have been appointed to undertake the long awaited Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Blakes Corner in Ennistymon and work is set to get underway soon. A total of € 120,000 has also been made available by the National Roads Authority (NRA) to fund the survey, which is expected to begin in a matter of weeks.

The building at Linnane’s and Blake’s are at the centre of a longrunning dispute involving Clare County Council, the NRA and local conservation group Saver Ennistymon’s Heritage.

Plans to demolish the buildings and rebuild their facade a few metres back from their current location, in the process making way for a new road layout, are being opposed by Save Ennistymon’s Heritage.

Progress on the proposed new road junction has been stalled since 2011, with Clare County Council deciding not to progress to the planning stage until funding for an EIS has been made available.

“The fact that an allocation [from the NRA] has been made available to kick start the planning and design process to deal with the ongoing traffic problems in the vicinity of Blake’s Corner is welcome and is a very important step towards achieving the desired objective,” said a council spokesperson.

Clare County Council and the NRA propose building a roundabout at Blake’s Corner to prevent ongoing traffic difficulties in the area and to make the roadway safe. Save Ennistymon’s Heritage would like the local authority to examine other possibilities – such as bypassing Ennistymon.

In recent weeks Clare County Council have commenced repair works on the two listed building – the first works to be carried out on the buildings since they were acquired by the local authority.

This works includes include roof repairs and external painting, with an amount of damaged being done to the building during the recent storms.

A number of windows in both buildings were broken during recent storms and it is understood that a number of skylights in Linnane’s have also been broken, allowing rainwater to flow into the interior of the building.

THE actions of a mystery guitarist, who played a half hour long guitar solo on a small rocky outcrop in the Ennistymon cascades, have been described as “reckless” and “highly dangerous” by Clare’s most senior water safety official.

Clare County Council Water Safety Officer Liam Griffin, yesterday appealed to members of the public not to copy the bizarre incident, which he said could easily have lead to a fatality.

The incident took place on a rocky crag in the centre of the famous En- nistymon Cascades, beside the Falls Hotel, earlier this month. A man was seen to enter the cascades underneath the bridge in Ennistymon and play a Slash-style guitar solo in the centre of the river for around half an hour.

While no one was hurt in the incident, a photograph of the guitarist was released on social media last week – prompting Clare’s Water Safety Office to issue a warning.

“This behaviour is both reckless and highly dangerous. I would appeal to the public not to imitate these acts as repeat acts of this nature will lead to a fatality,” said Mr Griffin yesterday.

The guitarist has been identified as a member of Clare band ‘Los Paddys de Los Pampas’ who intend to use footage of the guitarist for an upcoming music video. Band spokesperson Paddy Mulcahy, yesterday declined to identify the guitarist and claimed that the incident was safe.

“I can understand him [Clare Water Safety Officer, Liam Griffin] not wanting to encourage folks to play on the waterfall, but what we did was perfectly safe,” said Mr Mulcahy.

“Of course we don’t want kids playing there, but recording a video of a guitar solo is different to playing. If we were running across the waterfalls just for a laugh, I’d say that would have been a bad example for people. But we went there for a single purpose, did it quickly, and then left.

“The video is a scene for an upcoming music video. The guitarist wanted an epic scene for his guitar solo in the middle of the song, so we decided the most amazing looking place we have on our door step was the falls in Ennistymon.”

SHANNON Chamber of Commerce is “quietly confident” that a number of recent high profile jobs announcement in the Shannon Industrial Zone will lead to an improvement in the retail business in the town.

Shannon town was one of three Clare towns given a ‘red’ designation in a study undertaken by Teagasc into the effects that the recession has had on towns in Ireland between 2006 and 2011.

Shannon was ranked as the town in Clare worst hit by immigration during the recession, and the fifth worst town in terms of increases to the Live Register.

According to Helen Downes, CEO of the Shannon Chamber of Commerce, the Shannon Industrial Zone has seen some positive news in recent times and it is only a matter of time before it filters down and improves the employment situation in Shannon town and helps prevent immigration.

“We have a lot of really positive new in Shannon over the past couple of week and we are very hopeful about what is to come. We have seen a very positive announcement from Pepper in recent weeks. While I wouldn’t like to predict what will happen, there have been positives reports about Element Six in Shannon and Zimmer continues to be a key employer,” she said.

“I think the spin off for the retail section in Shannon will become apparent down the line. We have to be patient and see that the increased in employment in the industrial centres will lead to an increased football for businesses in Shannon. We are quietly confident that we will see an improvement in the months ahead,” she added.

A SENIOR official has re-iterated Ennis Town’s Council’s “significant concern” at having to foot a near € 500,000 legal bill in respect of cases taken against it in relation to national legislation.

The council was forced to defend two separate legal challenges taken in the High Court concerning the deregulation of the taxi industry and new casual trading byelaws.

Ennis Town Manager and Director of Service Gerard Dollard said it remains the local authority’s view that it should not bear the costs alone.

Mr Dollard’s comments are contained in the statutory audit of the Ennis Town Council’s financial accounts for the year ended December 31, 2012.

He states, “The cases referred to relate to challenges to national legislation and are cases that have been taken against the council. The council has no choice but to defend cases taken against it. Both cases have involved extensive High Court hearings. The council has had detailed discussions with the relevant government departments and also made every effort to operate the cases on the most cost effective basis possible. It remains the council’s view that costs relating to cases such as these should not be funded solely by the council.”

The auditor states the council was involved in two cases as a defendant in regard to challenges taken on matters relating to national legislation. One case related to the Ennis Casual Trading Byelaws 2011, which represented a challenge to the Casual Trading Act 1995 and in particular the status of casual trading on market rights.

The auditor states the council incurred legal costs of € 147,000 in respect to that matter. The council is also involved in a High Court case regarding the deregulation of the taxi industry some years ago.

The report states that a number of sample cases are being heard including one involving the town council.

The legal costs in this case are estimated to be in the region of € 300,000 and € 450,000.

In January, Mr Dollard said the council would receive € 200,000 from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Department of Transport towards the cost of the court hearings.

Mary GUERIN (née Harrington)
, Drewsboro Road,Tuamgraney. Funeral mass today (Tuesday), at 11.30amat St Joseph’s Church, Tuamgraney, with burial afterwards in St Cronin’s Cemetery. Family flowers only please, Donation if desired to Raheen Community Hospital. May she rest in peace.

Susan BANNON (née Keane)
, Loughville, Lahinch Road, Ennis. Formerly of Connolly and London. Laid to rest in Mullagh Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Berna LYONS
, Sunset House, Strand Line, Kilkee. Peacefully at The Galway Clinic. Reposing onTuesday evening 15th April at Lillis’ Funeral Home in Kilkee from5.30pmwith removal at 7pmto Kilkee Parish Church. RequiemMass on Wednesday at 11.30amfollowed by burial in Lisdeen Cemetery, Kilkee. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu toThe Clare 250 mile cycle. May she rest in peace.

Seamus WALSH
, Broadford/Shannon. Peacefully at Milford Care Centre after a short illness. Being laid to rest onTuesday. May he rest in peace.

Michael HICKEY
, Bridge Street, Scariff. Laid to rest in the NewCemetery, Moynoe. May he rest in peace.

Kathleen BARRY (née Benson)
, Bridgetown. Peacefully at Milbane Lodge Nursing Home Newport. Laid to rest in Bridgetown. May she rest in peace.

Mary CORRY (née Grace)
, Coolin, Coolmeen. Laid to rest in Kilfiddane Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Mary CUDDIHY
, Birmingham, England, and formerly of Bouladuff, Inagh. Laid to rest in Moohana Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Kathleen GEANEY (née Gissane)
, Knockanpierce, Nenagh/Killaloe. Formerly of Cross Roads, Killaloe. In the loving care of the staff of Nenagh Manor Nursing Home. Laid to rest in Old Abbey Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Michael James KELLY
, London and 18 St Patrick’sTerrace, Kilkee. Laid to rest in Lisdeen Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Kieran MULKERE
, Drumsallagh, Crusheen. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to Cancer Campaign. May he rest in peace.

Ann (Nan) GOONAN
,Whitegate. In the gentle care of the Staff of Portumna Retirement Village, Portumna, Co Galway. Laid to rest in Clonrush Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Teresa HYNES
, Mullagh Road, Miltown Malbay, Laid to rest in Ballard Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Karen RYAN (née Mc Cormack)
,The Hill, Loughrea/Inagh, Boston, Massachusetts. Laid to rest in Mount-Pleasant Cemetery. Donations, if so desired, to Galway Hospice Foundation. May she rest in peace.

David OWENS
, Dal Geish, Scarriff Road, Killaloe. Suddenly. Funeral Mass held in Killaloe. May he rest in peace.

Peter GUY
, Formerly of Ard na Greine, Ennis/ Clifden. Laid to rest in Banogues Cemetery, Galway. May he rest in peace.

PJ MURPHY
, McHughVillas, Ennis. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Peggy MCDONAGH (née McMahon)
, Knockdromagh, Ennistymon. Peacefully at The Galway Clinic. Laid to rest in the Old Cemetery, Ennistymon. May she rest in peace.

Stephen MALONE JNR
, 6 Dalcassian Drive, Ennis. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to the Irish Kidney Association. May he rest in peace.

PLANS have been lodged with Clare County Council which could see major developments in a number of key companies in the Shannon Industrial Zone in the months ahead.

EI Electronics, which currently employs more than 500 people at large campus in Shannon, has applied to construct a link building between two buildings in the Shannon Industrial Estate – a development which would also involve a major increase in the parking capacity in the local area.

Fabricated Products Shannon Ltd has also applied to planners for permission to extend its own factory facility and to create new office space in its Smithstown site.

It is not clear whether these enlarged facilities will lead to extra full-time employment in the Shannon area but a number of jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase of both projects.

The EI Electronics development in particular has raised hopes for the possibility of more jobs coming to Shannon.

The plans include a proposal to create an additional 138 parking places at its factory, which could indicate a future employment growth for what is already one of Clare’s biggest employers.

The EI Electronics proposal also includes plans to connecting properties known as Units 40-46 and Units 55-56 in the Shannon Industrial Estate by the construction of a link building.

The new building will be constructed across an existing access road preventing through access and generating a cul-de-sac at both sides of the building.

Other miscellaneous items including the provision of speed ramps and company signage on entrance gate are also included in the proposal.

Meanwhile, Fabricated Products Shannon Ltd has lodged plans for the construction of an extension to its existing factory including the construction of new offices, ancillary toilets and to relocate entrance gate including ancillary site works.

A decision on both proposals is not expected until June of this year.

THERE is “disquiet” in Clare and other jurisdictions over the operation of the Go Safe speed van system, a Judge has said.

Judge Patrick Durcan said concern exists nationwide at prosecutions taken by Go Safe for speeding offences.

The privately-run Go Safe has operated speed camera vans in Ireland since winning the Garda contract in 2009. The cameras operate on sections of road, which have a history of collisions occurring where speed was a contributory factor.

In recent months, Judge Durcan has been critical of Go Safe and has struck out a number of speeding charges brought against motorists in Clare.

Last month, he adjourned eight cases to May 2 after requesting the State look at the legislation underpinning the prosecutions brought by Go Safe.

After hearing evidence in one alleged speeding case, Judge Durcan raised concerns over the evidential basis of photographs taken by the vans’ cameras of alleged speeding motorists.

Ennis solicitor Daragh Hassett represents one of the people whose case has been adjourned to May. His client is contesting the charge.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Mr Hassett told Judge Durcan he would be making submissions to him on May 2 about Go Safe.

Mr Hassett said his client is “troubled” as to how Go Safe cases are being prosecuted.

Judge Durcan said Mr Hassett’s case would be treated as the lead case and he would hear submissions on May 2.

Judge Durcan said there is “disquiet throughout the county” and many areas of the country over Go Safe prosecutions.

Judge Durcan said he was also aware of what he called “startling admissions” made by a director of Go Safe in a Dublin court recently.

Go Safe was recently the focus of an RTÉ ‘Prime Time’ investigation, which uncovered allegations that motorists may have been wrongly fined for speeding offences.