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VICTIMS of industrial abuse in Clare are preparing a mass protest against the newly formed CaraNua organisation, which they say does not represent what the vast majority of victims actually want.

CaraNua, formally the Statutory Trust Fund, was formed last month to oversee the provision of services for people who have suffered abuse at the hands of the religious orders.

It is estimated that there are between 13,000 and 15,000 survivors still alive and CareNua has a budget of around € 110 million to help gain different services for these people.

Many victims groups are against the service, and claim that the money is owed directly to them from the religious orders and the state should not get involved. Ennis resident and spokesperson for the Survivors who Standing Together group, Cathriona Barker, said that many abuse victims now feel that a massive public protest is the only was of forcing the Government to change its mind.

“This money was given to survivors as a good will measure by the religious orders and the state have no business putting their hands on our money and dictating to us what happens. The state are guilt party in our childhood abuse, along with the church. What’s worse is that no survivor was ever asked for their opinion about any of this,” she told The Clare People yesterday.

“The vast majority of people would like this money split up between us. If you did that, then each victim would get € 7,300 from the church. For what many people went through this would be an insult, but at least it would be our decision.

Cathriona has been in contact with a number of other abuse survivors and the possibility of a mass protest seems to be getting closer.

“I was talking to a survivors group from the UK over the weekend and the majority of people over there don’t want anything to do with this new group either,” continued Cathriona.

“As far as we can see, most of the services being offered by CaraNua are services that a person should be able to access anyway. It is things like dental care, if a person needs a hip replacement, maybe if you need a door in your house widened.”

For more about Survivors Who Stand Together visit survivorswhostandtogether.wordpress.com.

IN THE 24 hours after news broke that Doonbeg golf club and hotel was to become Trump International Golf Links Ireland, traffic to the Doonbeg website multiplied five times.

Eric Trump said the Trump name brought with it new recognition from people who may not even have heard of the west of Ireland, never mind Doonbeg, and testimony to the interest in the newly-acquired resort and golf course was evident from the online searches.

According to Doonbeg Managing Director Joe Russell the week had been full of bombshells.

“The initial atmosphere was one of surprise that somebody of Donald Trump’s stature, and international recognition decided to take on Doonbeg,” he said

The property and business was just four weeks in receivership when the deal was done.

“When it came on the market I found out it created a certain ripple around the market of ‘my goodness Doonbeg is up for sale, let’s go for it’,” explained Mr Russell.

Donald Trump Jnr, Executive Vice President of the Trump Organisation, had toured the golf courses of Ireland two years ago, and Doonbeg had left a lasting impression.

“It’s the location. It’s the quality of the property. It’s what we have done since we opened, in terms of awards, recognition, hospitality. We have our own selves and our own success to thank to get someone like Donald Trump here,” said Mr Russell.

“On a larger scale it is a huge vote of confidence for Ireland, West Clare, Clare. We got Donald Trump!”

“They are a big company, they have the resources, they have the engine in terms of marketing, there is a structure there as it relates to how one does things.

“It will probably move us out of our current comfort zone in terms of how we do things, but that is to be expected when you join an organisa- tion, when you change an organisation. If you went into a new job you would have to modify your practises and your approach as to how you do things. But they didn’t come here for no reason. They came here to take what’s here and take it to the next level in terms of the amenity development, and they are bringing a lot to the party too in terms of expertise,” said the managing director.

He is not surprised however that Doonbeg is an attractive location.

“It is a very special destination and at least now we have a very good chance. The day you stand still in this business you are dead in the water,” he added, happy that there is potential to develop the tourism business further.

“Everywhere this organisation goes it appears to have an affect. There is an immediate impact. There is an operational impact. For me they expand our facilities again, I don’t have definitive on what they are talking about doing but there will be things put in to grow the business.”

When the golf course opened more than a decade ago, it brought with it the job equivalent of a major international company to a city.

“Something of this magnitude moving into a rural location in Ireland at the time was significant, it was major press, similarly you have a situation where you have Trump Organisation now coming into Doonbeg,” said Mr Russell.

But how will Trump tally with the area.

“How will it fit? Certainly the local community will see itself as responsible for a business being here at all. Many of them have worked with the club from a community perspective,” said Mr Russell adding that community involvement must be retained and built upon.

“It is not the castle on the hill. It is part of the community. If you ever move away from that ethos and you ever become anything other than that I think you are in trouble. 40 per cent of our market is North America, what most of those people want to do is go to the village, they want to drive around and if there is any hostility towards the club that will seek it out.”

“This is a destination now. You look around – Loop Head right up to Kilkee, to Doonbeg right up to the Cliffs of Moher, this is a destination.”

MIKE O’Connell said he went mad when work dried up a few years ago. A Limerick man who now lives in Ennis, Mike previously spent 12 years in the Army before working with Pan-American airlines.

When that ended, Mike worked briefly as a taxi driver before that too dried up. “I used detest going up to sign on. It used to break my heart. I’d have avoided it if I could have,” he recalls.

Salvation came in the form of an invitation to attend the Adult Education Centre where Mike enrolled in a two-year community care course.

He hasn’t looked back. “I’ve always dealt with people in my other jobs so I decided to go for community care and I’m glad I did because it opened my eyes to a lot of things that are changing,” he says.

“The ambition for everyone here is to get a job but even if you don’t, you learn so much.”

Like her classmate, mother of four Margaret O’Riordan had been out of education for 40 years before enrolling in adult education.

“I always had this feeling that I lost out a bit on education because I got married so young,” explains Margaret. “I felt I always would like to go back to education. I always had that in my head.”

Margaret, who previously worked in Spec Savers and Dunnes Stores and volunteered with local community groups, admits she found the prospect of returning to the classroom a daunting one.

“I was worried, really worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep up. I’d been 40 years out of education and I though, God, how am I going to learn all this? But step by step, we did it,” she says.

Both Margaret and Mike say their experiences of adult education have been hugely positive. “They have a saying here, education but not as you know it,” says Mike.

“It gives you confidence and builds up your self-esteem,” agrees Margaret.

For anyone unsure or anxious about returning to education, Margaret has a simple message – just go for it.

Mike says, “Do your day. Treat it like a job. After the first two weeks which are helter skelter, it will calm down. Give it the two weeks and then you get into a routine. I could never go back to sitting at home wondering what am I going to do all day.

“I’m sure there are people at home out of work who are mad to do something with their lives. This is the place to start it,” he adds.

SHANNON-based mining company Mincon could be set to double in size over the next two or three years – with the prospect of more jobs coming on stream in looking increasingly possibly. That is according to Mincon’s “house brokers” Davy Stockbrokers, who in a letter to potential investors last week described the Clare company as ‘outperform’ and said it was primed for expansion.

“It has grown rapidly in recent years, while generating returns of over 20 per cent,” the Davy note said. “[The company is] a pure play on the structurally less volatile global consumable rock-drilling products industry.”

Earlier this year, the company’s two biggest shareholders gave employees € 1.2 million from their own private funds to reward them for their hard work over the years.

Company founder Paddy Purcell and Kevin Barry initiated the employee recognition plan, which excluded all members of senior management.

The money was paid to Mincon’s 140 eligible employees across the group and was based on years of service with a payment of € 1,000 per staff member per year of service.

The Shannon-based rock drilling engineering company was founded in 1977 and listed on the Dublin and London stock exchanges late last year. Many of the company’s Shannon-based employees have been there for a number of decades.

“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Mincon Group employees that it has grown from its origins in Shannon into the interna- tional business it is today, with operations in Europe, Africa, the Americas and Australasia and with its securities quoted on the ESM and AIM,” said Paddy Purcell at the time that the payment was announced.

“As the largest shareholders in the company, Kevin and I wished to take this opportunity to show, in a tangible and meaningful way, our appreciation to the staff for their contribution in bringing Mincon to where it is today and positioning it for the next phase of its development organically and through acquisitions.”

NORTH Clare farmers have pledged to fight on against the decision to sell the Ennistymon Mart to Aldi following a “fruitless” meeting in Ennis yesterday.

Three member of Ennistymon IFA met with representatives from Clare Marts for a number of hours yesterday, at a meeting facilitated by Clare IFA president Andrew Dundas.

At the meeting, a spokesperson for Clare Marts confirmed that the sale of the mart had been agreed by the board of Clare Marts, but said that contracts had yet to be signed and the sale was dependent on planning permission being granted.

Tom Clair from Ennistymon IFA said yesterday that the people of Ennistymon feel like they have been “sold-out” by their fellow farmers for a “few dollars” from a multi-national.

“The people up here will fight this to the bitter end, that is for sure. But we are desperate downhearted that this has happened,” he said.

“The way that this has come about is not right.

“After all that was gone through to get that mart there in the first place and now to have it sold out from under us by our fellow farmers. And just because they had a few dollars dangled down in front of them. It’s not right.”

Yesterday’s meeting followed a protest help by more than 20 North Clare farmers outside of Ennis Marts last Tuesday evening and a mass meeting of more than 450 people which took place in Ennistymon earlier this month.

Those opposed to the sale will now likely take to the planning system to try and block the sale going through by lodging planning applications once Aldi bring forward a proposal.

The land where the mart currently sits was gifted to the people of Ennistymon by the McNamara clan as an area for fairs.

“It is though that the mart’s deeds could yet contain a condition requiring it to be operated for agricultural purposes. The Clare People contacted Clare Marts in relation to this story but they had no comment to make.

A COUSIN of former Republic of Ireland soccer star Steve Finnan has pleaded guilty to drug dealing arising from the discovery of an amount of prescription drugs in Quin last year.

Father of two, Sean Finnan (22), appeared before Ennis District Court on Thursday charged with possession of a controlled drug for sale or supply at his former address at 21 The Park, Quin, on January 7, 2013.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court gardaí found 250 xanax tablets and dealing paraphernalia including a ‘tick list’ when they executed a search warrant on the property.

The court heard Mr Finnan has 57 previous convictions mainly for drugs, public order and burglary offences.

Defence solicitor Shiofra Hassett told Judge Patrick Durcan her client is currently in prison.

She said Mr Finnan received a suspended sentence at Limerick District Court earlier this month but asked for the sentence to be activated because he feared for his life outside prison.

The court heard Mr Finnan received 25 pellet wounds outside his home in Limerick city in December.

Ms Hassett said her client had been forced to leave his home and sleep rough because he could not secure alternative accommodation.

“He had serious concerns for the safety of his family and that is why he left home”, she explained.

The court heard Mr Finnan is currently being held in protective custody because of threats against his life.

Ms Hassett asked the court not to add to her client’s current term of imprisonment.

Judge Patrick Durcan noted the risk of Mr Finnan re-offending is high.

However, noting the danger to Mr Finnan’s life, his family circumstances and current sentence, Judge Durcan said he wanted to make an order that reflected the seriousness of the charge and offered the accused some hope.

He imposed sentences totaling six months but suspended them on condition Mr Finnan enter into a bond to be law abiding. Mr Finnan is due for release in August. A CA S E where it is alleged a serious public order disturbance took place at a busy shopping centre in Ennis last year may be heard in the Circuit Court, a court has heard. OnWednesday, Inspector TomKennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has not yet directed in the case. He said a book of evidence may be required for the matter. Insp Kennedy was referring to an alleged incident at Tesco’s Ennis on December 18, 2013. Four people are facing charges arising from the alleged incident. Anne Delaney (45), with an address at Waterpark Heights, Ennis, is charged with engaging in threatening, insulting or abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. James Delaney (26), with an address Gordon Drive, Cloughleigh, Ennis is also charged with engaging in threatening, insulting or abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. James Keenan (40), with an address at 30 Childer’s Road, Cloughleigh, Ennis and a teenager are both charged with public order offences arising fromthe alleged incident at Tesco’s, Francis Street, Ennis on December 18. The cases were adjourned to March 12 for DPP’s directions. A MA N charged with having drugs allegedly worth €13,000 for sale or supply in Doora has been sent forward for trial to the Circuit Criminal Court. Keith Loftus (21), with an address at Noughaval, Doora, appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday. He is charged with possession of cannabis for purposes of sale or supply at Noughaval, Doora on August 6. He is also charged with unlawful possession at the same address and date. He is further charged with possession of cannabis and amphetamine for sale or supply when the aggregate market value of the controlled drugs amounted to €13,000 or more. Garda Irene O’Flynn gave evidence of serving the book of evidence on the accused. Inspector TomKennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented to the accused being returned for trial to the next sittings of the Circuit Criminal Court, on bail as set. Legal aid was approved for solicitor Daragh Hassett, one junior counsel and one senior counsel. Judge Patrick Durcan delivered the alibi warning and made the order returning the accused for trial. A MA N has appeared in court charged in connection with an incident of alleged dangerous driving in Scariff almost two years ago. DeclanWard (20), with an address at Derrynameal, Feakle, is charged driving a vehicle in a dangerous manner, which created a substantial risk of death or serious harmat Market Square, Scariff on March 13, 2012. He is further with handling stolen property, 10 cans of cider and the use of the vehicle without the owner’s consent. The court heard Mr Ward made no response to any of the charges after caution. Legal aid was approved for solicitor Daragh Hassett. Mr Hassett said he would not be making an application for bail at this point. Mr Ward was remanded in custody to appear again at Ennis District Court on February 19.

KILKEE photographer Noel Gavin has declared himself as the latest candidate to contest the Clare County Council election in the new West Clare area.

Mr Gavin will run under the umbrella group founded by Kilbaha man Jim Connolly, Independent Together.

Although born in Limerick, Noel had been holidaying in Kilkee for more than 40 years before deciding to buy a home there and move to the seaside town two years ago.

While not previously politically active himself, he comes from a Fine Gael family and is outspoken on a number of issues.

“My mother and uncle have been canvassing for Michael Noonan for years and would be expert canvass- ers,” he said, adding that while he has been getting tips from his mother that help stops there as she is committed to Limerick and Fine Gael.

Mr Gavin however believes it is time for a change from the traditional political parties.

“I don’t know how I will do but I think I will feel better for trying. I think there is an appetite out there for someone who is not part of the mainsteam party but who has ideas,” he said.

The photographer who has more than 40 years experience in national and international media said he was also committed to not taking any expenses if he was elected.

The would be councillor has also drawn up a proposal that would see county councillors paid a wage that is half the national average wage of € 35,000, TDs would receive twice that – € 70,000 under his plan, while Ministers would receive three times the national average wage and the Taoiseach four times.

Mr Gavin said he has been pleasantly surprised by the reaction of family and friends to his decision to put his name on the ballot paper.

While his children Noel (22) and Jane (19) are surprised he has not run for election sooner, his sceptical journalist friends have also been surprisingly supporting, he said. A DEVELOPER who raped a Brazilian woman he had asked to clean his house has been sentenced to seven and a half years, after a judge said he couldn’t “buy himself out” of a custodial sentence. Father-of-four Thomas Egan (47) of Cahermurphy, Kilmihill, Co Clare paid over € 10,000 in court to be forwarded to his victim, who has since returned to Brazil. Mr Justice Barry White suspended the final three and a half years of the sentence, noting that Egan had a previous “unblemished record” apart from a minor road traffic offence. Egan was convicted last May by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of raping the 23 year-old woman at a house in Tipperary on July 5, 2010. He had denied the charge. Egan admitted having sex with the woman, but told gardaí it was con

sensual and that she had not shown any fear. During the trial, Seán Gillane SC prosecuting, said Egan had approached the victim on a street in Gort, Co Galway and asked her to clean a house. They travelled to the house in Tipperary in his car and he set out a number of cleaning tasks for her. Upstairs in the house, Egan started to kiss her and touch her body. He tried to take her clothes off and then took her hand and placed it on his penis.

“She knew at that stage he wanted sex. She was afraid if she said ‘No’ to him it would make matters worse,” said Mr Gillane. He then raped her.

Afterwards the woman put on her clothes and asked him to drive her home. The following day, she made a complaint about the incident.

The court heard that she returned to Brazil a short time later. Detective Garda Colette Acton told the court that during garda interviews, Egan maintained there had been consensual sex.

Defence Counsel Brendan Grehan SC put it to the garda that the woman didn’t put up any resistance, to which the garda replied, “she was afraid.”

Conor McKenna BL, also acting for the defence, said Egan had made an unconditional offer of € 10,000 to “ease the victim’s financial woes”.

He said Egan had been unable to transfer the money to the victim until now because of difficulties with IBAN numbers and international transfers to Brazil.

He also said Egan was prepared to offer a further sum to the victim of € 5,000 a year for three years, with the first payment to take place in December. However the court heard Egan would not be able to follow through on this additional offer if his circumstances were “radically altered” by his being imprisoned.

Mr McKenna said Egan was held in high esteem and was a hard-working man who has provided for his family. He said that Egan had used no “gratuitous violence” or threats of any kind towards his victim, “not even a raised voice.” Mr Justice White said that on reading the victim impact report provided by the victim, he did not believe the rape had “a profound psychological effect” on her.

“It strikes me that your victim is more interested in compensation rather than anything else,” he said.

He sentenced Egan to seven and a half years in prison with the final three and a half years suspended.

The judge directed that € 50 given by Egan to the woman at the time of the offence be sent to the St Vincent de Paul.

A YOUNG family lost not just the roof of their home but a lifetime of memories and numerous precious objects when storm Darwin took the roof from their house and destroyed their home in Rehy East, Cross.

The Abel-Cahill family are now staying in a house in Kilkee, as each day more of the ceiling disappears and cracks appear on the family home.

Mother-of-two Kim Abel is thankful however that her young family escaped physically unharmed.

“I am glad I had my daughter in the living room with me at the time of the storm, because if she was in her room napping she would have been covered in glass because the sky light came right in,” she said.

Terrorised Kim was at home with her six-month-old baby daughter Kaylana when the storm took hold at lunchtime on Wednesday.

Kim recalled how a tree and debris fell outside narrowly missing her car as the gale became stronger. The house began to shake and she began to panic.

The young mother screamed for her partner’s mother, Anna Cahill, who was on the other side of the bungalow building and then ran into another room to be with her.

“I was on the other side of the house with my mother-in-law when I saw something crash on the ground. It was the roof from the other side of the house, where I had just left,” she said fighting back the tears.

The two women decided to grab the baby and run for the car in an attempt to drive away from the house. Ms Abel’s partner, Paul Cahill, has just arrived home grabbed the two pet dogs and joined the evacuation.

Ms Abel’s other daughter Chloe (5) was still in school just a few miles away.

The devastation of the house came at the worst time for the family as they have planned baby Kaylana’s Christening for this weekend, and family and friends from as far away as Wales and England are to gather in West Clare for the special family occasion.

“We have lost everything we had in the house. Everything in the attic is destroyed, all my memories are ruined,” said Kim.

For Mrs Cahill too the event was both emotional and frightening as the house was built by her later husband for his family.

“I don’t know what we will do, but we are all staying together where ever we go.

We are all a family and we need to be together,” said Ms Abel.

The family are currently staying in a house in Kilkee, but are now also under financial pressure as they do not qualify for rent allowance as they own a house, albeit one they cannot live in.

“We are definitely not going to be home in the next few months,” explained Kim, who continues to be haunted by the traumatic events of Wednesday afternoon.

SHANNON Airport has stepped up to the mark as a key economic driver for the mid-west region, according to Transport Minister, Leo Varadkar, who has told The Clare People that Donald Trump’s acquisition of Doonbeg Golf Club was made possible by having an international airport on its doorstep.

Speaking in Shannon Minister Varadkar lauded the “the renewed energy and vibrancy” as a new growth phase was announced for airport services that will see a new programme of hangar development come on stream in the next year.

“It is fair to say that recent high profile investments in this region like the Regeneron announcement for Limerick and Donald Trump’s acquisition of and planned investment in Doonbeg would not be happening were it not for Shannon Airport’s presence,” said Minister Varadkar.

His comments came as a new deal was signed for an eight-year lease by Air Contractors, a member of the ASL Aviation group, with the Shannon Group for the remaining hangar space at the airport.

This will be used by Air Contrac- tors for line maintenance on its fleet of Boeing and ATR aircraft, including its Boeing 757 aircrafts which will be flown by Aer Lingus on the new daily Shannon-Boston service launched last week and its six times weekly JFK New York service that commences in March.

The airport currently has 50,700sq meters of space in nine hangars, all of which will be fully occupied following the signing of contracts with Air Contractors.

To meet a current request for near term additional hangar space, the board of the Shannon Group recently agreed to seek planning permission and to tender for the procurement and associated works of a fabric hangar of 4,300sq metres capable of accommodating wide-bodied aircraft.

It is anticipated the new hangar – intended to be the first of a number of new hangars developed at Shannon – will be built and open for business by the end of the year.

“I welcome the board’s progress in relation to hangar capacity and its plans to develop an additional hangar this year,” said Minister Varadkar.

“This is in keeping with the wider plans for growth at Shannon, includ- ing the development of an International Aviation Services Centre here to complement the existing cluster of 40 aviation related businesses operating in Shannon.

“The development of maintenance facilities is one opportunity identified under this plan and this is a very positive first step in that space,” he added.

According to Shannon Group chairperson, Rose Hynes, the airport is “making strong early progress in relation to the wider Shannon project. Our success in achieving full occupancy of our hangar capacity is evidence of this”.

THREE men found guilty of damaging a car during a religious ceremony at a graveyard outside Ennis have been given eight months to pay full compensation to their victim.

Michael Doherty (52), Patrick Doherty (34) and James Galbraith (45) were convicted in November (2013) of criminal damage.

They were ordered by Judge William Early to pay € 7000 compensation to the victim. Judge Early said if the money was paid, he would recommend a six month suspended sentence for each accused.

The case came back before Ennis District Court on Tuesday where solicitor for the Dohertys, Daragh Hassett, said his clients did not have the full amount of compensation.

Mr Hassett told Judge Early his clients had € 500.

He said Michael and Patrick Doherty are both on social welfare and required time to get the outstanding compensation.

Defence solicitor for Mr Galbraith, John Casey said his client also had € 500 for the court and required further time.

He said Mr Galbraith has moved away from Ennis and had to spend money on securing new accommodation.

“The move from Ennis, to get away from this trouble, has cost him”, explained Mr Casey.

Judge William Early agreed to adjourn the case to October to allow the men time bring the remaining € 6,000 to court.

Judge Early warned the accused he would impose the default sentence of six months in prison if the money was not paid by October.

Inspector Michael Gallagher told the court the men had not come to garda attention since November.

Michael Doherty and Patrick Doherty, both with addresses at St Michael’s Park, Ballymaley, Ennis and James Galbraith, formerly of Lissaniska, Ennis and now living in Bettystown, Meath, all denied the charge of criminal damage at Drumcliff graveyard on March 24, 2013.

In November Ennis District Court heard mother of two Kathleen Maughan was visiting her husband’s grave when her Ford Focus car was damaged in a violent attack.

Ms Maughan told the court she saw three men armed with slash hooks and hatchets alight from vehicles and attack her car on March 24, 2013.

Ms Maughan, who is from Ennis but now lives in Cork, was one of a group of 20 people attending a blessing of the graves ceremony.

After hearing the evidence, Judge William Early said, “I believe the evidence of Ms Maughan.

“I believe she is telling the truth, therefore it must follow that I find them guilty as charged.”

Judge Early said it seemed to be the case that Ms Maughan was a “victim of one of these wretched family feuds that are all too common in the Traveller community”.

There was a heated conclusion to the hearing of the case in November. A flurry of insults were fired at Ms Maughan from people sitting in the gallery A MA N accused of using a knife during alleged robberies at two businesses in Ennis last year is to be sent forward for trial to the Circuit Court. James Hayes (26) with an address at Dun Na hInse, Ennis appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Mr Hayes is charged with the robbery of a woman at Glamorize, O’Connell, Street on November 25, 2013. It is alleged Mr Hayes took €400. He is also charged with production of a knife during the course of the alleged offence. It is further alleged Mr Hayes did rob €70 froma woman at Vaughan’s Florist, Ennis on December 12, 2013. He is also charged with the production of a knife arising fromthe same alleged robbery offence. Inspector TomKennedy told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed the cases proceed to trial on indictment, meaning they will be heard in the Circuit Court. Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court her client suffers frommuscular dystrophy and his movement has become more restricted. She said the High Court had previously directed prison authorities to provide appropriate care for Mr Hayes. He was remanded in custody to appear again at Ennis District Court on February 19 for service of the book of evidence. A W OMA N has appeared in court charged with child neglect at a Clare address. The 22-year-old woman appeared before Ennis District Court onWednesday. It is alleged the woman had in her care a child whomshe allegedly ill-treated, neglected, abandoned or exposed the child, or caused the child to be assaulted, ill-treated, neglected, abandoned or exposed, in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to the child’s health or seriously to affect his or her wellbeing. The charge relates to an alleged incident at a mid-Clare address in October 2012.The alleged offence is contrary to the Children’s Act Inspector TomKennedy said he believed this was the first charge of its type he had seen come before the court where the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal. Insp Kennedy said he suspected the case may be an indictable matter and would probably have to be referred back to the DPP. He said the issue of jurisdiction would also have to be addressed. The accused was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on February 26. A JUDGE has refused jurisdiction of a case where it is alleged a man was found in possession of a slash hook near the grounds of Ennis Courthouse. Michael Keenan (23), with an address at Meelagh View, Mahon, Cork, is alleged to have had a slash hook which had a blade or which was sharply pointed at Steele’s Terrace, Ennis on November 28, 2013. The alleged offence is contrary to the firearms and offensive weapons act. The case came before Ennis District Court on Wednesday to allowJudge Patrick Durcan consider jurisdiction. Garda Francis Brennan of Ennis Garda Station told the court the slash hook was allegedly found in the back of Mr Keenan’s vehicle. Garda Brennan said it would be alleged Mr Keenan denied any knowledge of having the alleged weapon. After seeing the slash hook, Judge Durcan refused jurisdiction, meaning the case will nowproceed to the Circuit Court. Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey consented to an extension of time for service of the book of evidence.The case was adjourned to April 9. A FIFT EEN year-old boy has appeared in court charged in connection with an alleged violent disturbance in the Market area of Ennis last year. The boy, accompanied by his mother, appeared before Ennis Children’s Court onWednesday. Inspector TomKennedy told the court the case is connected to that of two other accused who will be sent forward for trial to the Circuit Court. He said that as this charge concerns a juvenile, the presiding district court Judge must decide the issue of jurisdiction and not the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The teenager is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. Insp Kennedy said the charge relates to an alleged incident at Lower Market Street, Ennis on February 18, 2013. Insp Kennedy said it would be alleged the alleged injured party’s car was attacked. He said the incident allegedly involved three people carrying weapons including hatchets and a machete. He said the alleged incident took place around 7.30pm. Judge Patrick Durcan refused jurisdiction. Insp Kennedy said a book of evidence would have to be prepared in the case. The teenager was remanded on continuing bail.