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A WOMAN who parked across two disabled parking bays in Ennis Courthouse acted in an “ignorant” and “insensitive” manner, a court has heard.

Judge Patrick Durcan was speaking as he imposed a € 750 fine on a mother of seven who was found to have illegally parked in disabled parking bays on May 22, 2013. Judge Durcan also disqualified the woman from holding a driver’s license for a period of six months, by way of ancillary order.

“Obviously this is an ignorant and insensitive person who would park across two disabled parking bays”, added Judge Durcan.

The woman was not present in court for the brief hearing. Judge Durcan said that he recently had to adjourn a case from Gort District Court to Ennis District Court to cater for a disabled person attending the court.

The woman who received the fine later appeared in court. Solicitor Tara Godfrey told Judge Durcan the woman was in a “very distressed state”. Judge Durcan refused an application to fix recognizance for an appeal as the case had already been dealt with.

Ms Godfrey said she would file a new application with the court requesting recognizance be fixed in the event of an appeal.

THE FIRST details of what location in Clare have been infected by Ash Dieback have been confirmed.

At last night meeting of Clare County Council it was confirmed that an area of forestry between Ennistymon and Lisdoonvarna has been infected with the contagious fungal disease.

It was also confirmed that three other positive cases of Ash Dieback or Chalara fraxinea have been found in trees bordering the M18 motorway.

The Department of Agriculture confirmed to the Clare People last month that a total of seven positive cases of the disease have been found in Clare. However, despite a number of inquires, the department has consistently declined to give any detail of the exact location of the outbreaks.

Yesterday’s information represents the first detailed confirmation of where outbreaks have taken place since it arrive in Ireland almost 13 months ago.

“Ash dieback disease has been found in at least three location close to motorways in Clare and in one plantation between Ennistymon and Lisdoonvarna,” a council spokesperson said yesterday.

The information was in response to a motion put forward by Cllr Brian Meaney (FF) who said that people with ash plantation in Clare were “ex- tremely concerned” about the spread of the disease.

At present there a total of 75 ash plantation through county with the average size of these plantation less than 10 hectares in size.

The number of instances of ash dieback in Clare has more than doubled over the last six months with Clare trees now the third most infected in Ireland.

According to figures obtained from the Department of Agriculture, a total of seven positive cases of ash dieback, or Chalara fraxinea, have been recorded in Clare so far this year – up from just three cases in May.

Coincidentally, strong hurling counties have, to date, been hit hardest by ash die back. The last three All Ireland hurling champions – Clare, Kilkenny and Tipperary – have the three highest instances of ash dieback in Ireland.

The Department of Agriculture has declined to give exact details of the location of infected trees in Clare and other counties. This follows confusion earlier this year when the department appeared to release contradictory information about the location of infected trees in Clare.

A CONSTRUCTION company, who objected to plans by Clare County Council to sell land in Shannon for the creation of a crematorium earlier this year, have lodged its own plans to build a crematorium in Clarecastle.

Fenloe Properties Ltd have lodge plans with the local authority to construct a chapel and crematorium furnace on lands at Ballaghfadda on the Kildysart Road.

The plans also include a cemetery, remembrance and memorial gardens and a car park – with a planning decision not likely to be made until February of next year.

In October of this year a solicitors letter was sent by Fenloe Limited to Clare County Council – regarding plans by the local authority to sell land in Shannon to an unnamed developer for the creation of a crematorium.

The council had already granted planning permission for the development of a crematorium on that site in 2007 – but this project never came to fruition.

A council spokesperson confirmed yesterday that it had received a letter from Fenloe Properties and because of that letter – the matter had not been discussed at the November meeting of Clare County Council.

“The Council is in receipt of correspondence and the matter is being dealt with.

An extension of planning permission has been approved by the Council.

The disposal of the lands was deferred by the elected members at the November meeting,” said a council spokesperson.

In 2007, former County Councillors Tony McMahon (LAB) and the late Sean Hillery (FF), lodged plans to build a crematorium beside Illaunamanagh graveyard in the Shannon area.

At the time concerns were expressed about the rezoning of public lands, future ownership of the land, the disposal of waste at the site.

The proposal was appealed to An Bord Pleanala in 2009 but planning was granted – contrary to the recommendation of the boards own inspector.

However, plans to construct the Shannon crematorium were never activated and the project appeared dead until reactivated by an unknown developer earlier this year.

Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND), who had opposed the sale of the Shannon land in 2007, said yesterday that he would keep an close watch on the Clarecastle plan.

“At this point I don’t know enough about this [planned Clarecastle crematorium] proposal, but if the land is suitable zones and meets with the requirements set out in the planning process then I would be in favour of it,” he said.

SHANNON suffered a major jobs blow last week when it was revealed that one of the longest serving companies in the Free Zone will close its manufacutring facility in 2014.

On Thursday it was announced through a public relations firm in Dublin that Kraus and Naimer would shut down the manufacturing arm of its operation in the industial estate early in the new year. “Production at the facility, which supplies electrical switchgear, will cease at the end of January 2014,” a statement issued by through FleishmanHilliard revealed.

The announcement was made to the total workforce of 63 by senior management from the company’s parent group in Austria.

The employees were told that “the closure is due to the business sus- taining losses for the last number of years, which have been driven by the impact of weak customer demand due to the global recession.

“The decision follows previous efforts to restructure the facility and a move recently to enter short working time arrangements,” the statement continued.

“It is with deep regret we have had to make this decision which has been made due to ongoing and unsustainable losses incurred at the Shannon

facility,” said Ted Naimer, Global President at Kraus and Naimer.

“We will be entering into a process with staff over coming days in relation to an orderly winding down of the facility, and thank them sincerely for the contribution they have made to the company,” he added

Kraus and Naimer established its facility, which is involved in the manufacture of a variety of electrical switches for industry, in Shannon in 1973.

SIPTU, which had been in talks with the company about strategies to maintain its operation in Shannon, said workers are shocked and angered to learn of the company’s decision to end production.

The union says further talks are due to take place at the company next week.

It will explore all avenues open to maintaining employment and if necessary trying to secure the best redundancy deals possible.

ENNIS Street Radio, organised by Ennis Chamber and supported by Ennis Town Council, was launched on Friday evening last at Glór Irish Music Centre.

Councillor Michael Guilfoyle of Ennis Town Council was on hand to officially launch the Street Radio, which is in its third successive year.

Councillor Guilfoyle said that Ennis Town Council were delighted to support the initiative to bring a festive atmosphere and good cheer to the streets of Ennis during the Christmas Shopping Period.

As part of the Christmas Shop Local Campaign, Ennis Town Council are providing Free Parking in public carparks on the street from 9am12pm for December until January 6. There is also free parking all day in Cloughleigh Car Park. Free parking up to 12pm daily to January 5 will be available at the following off-street and on-street locations:

Off-street – Abbey St Car Park; Bindon Street Car Park; Cornmarket Car Park; Friars Walk Car Park; Friary Car Park; Lower Market Street Car Park; Market Place Car Park, Parnell St Car Park; Woodquay Car Park (all € 1.30/1 hour or € 2.60 for 2 hour from 12:00-5:00pm).

On-Street: Abbey Street, College Road, Drumbiggle Road, Gort Road, Harmony Street, Kilrush Road, Lower Market Street, Market Place, McNamara Park, Mill Road, New Road, New Road Car Park, Newbridge Road, Simms Lane, Station Road, and Turnpike Road (normal parking rates apply after 12pm).

Speaking at the Launch of Ennis Street Radio, President of Ennis Chamber thanked Ennis Town Council for their support and that of Ennis Street Radio Ger Sweeney.

Ms Madden added that the businesses of Ennis have really come behind the Ennis Street Radio, giving away thousands of euro worth of prizes and vouchers to shoppers as a way of thanking them for their custom over the year and particularly at Christmas which is a very important time for retailers and hospitality. Businesses in Ennis will also be open on the Sundays in December as well as Late Night Opening from December 18 to 20 and on December 23.

Ennis Street Radio is sponsored by Ennis Electrical, Ozone Gym, Clean Ireland Recycling and the Irishshop. com. As well as on the streets, Ennis Street Radio can be listened to live on www.visitennis.ie or by downloading the Ennis APP.

THE BOOK of evidence has been served on a man charged in connection with an alleged stabbing in Shannon last year.

Darren Lindsay (22), with an address at Cronan Grove, Shannon, appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

The accused is charged with assault causing harm to a man at Cluain Airne, Shannon on September 30 (2012).

Inspector Tom Kennedy applied for an amendment to be made to the charge sheet concerning the location where the alleged offence is alleged to have taken place.

Defence solicitor Oonagh Moylan objected to the amendment, saying it changed the nature of the charge.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he was overruling Ms Moylan’s objection and granting the amendment.

Garda Irene O’Flynn of Ennis Garda Station gave evidence of serving the book of evidence on solicitor Oonagh Moylan for her client Darren Lindsay.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) consented to the accused being returned for trial to the next sessions of the Circuit Criminal Court.

Legal aid was approved for Ms Moylan and one junior counsel. Judge Durcan delivered the alibi warning to the accused and made the order returning the man for trial.

IT was a case of lucky 13 for the people of Shannon on Thursday night last – the number who were honoured by Shannon Town Council as part of its annual Liosta na Laochra civic awards initiative that took place in Sean Lemass Library.

Broadcasters, journalists, athletes, kick-boxers and All-Ireland under 21 and senior winning hurler Aaron Cunningham were among those presented with awards by Mayor of Shannon Greg Duff.

Each year Shannon Town Council honours residents from the community who have achieved national or international recognition or have achieved their national/international recognition with a club, society or organisation operating within the functional area of Shannon Town Council.

The award winners were broadcasters/journalists Valerie Sweeney, Aisling O’Loughlin, Rachel English and Orla Walsh; All-Ireland winning athletes from Shannon Athletic Club; Geariod McMahon, Colin Curran, Dylan O’Brien and Seamus McMahon; medal winners at the World Kickboxing Championships and members of Shannon Kickboxing Club in Leona O’Shea, David Ryan, Caimin Murphy and Darren McNamara as wll as Aaron Cunningham.

The Mayor of Shannon noted that “the awards winners have brought great pride to the Shannon community through their achievements by their achievements in their chosen sports and professional careers”.

On the night civic honours were also awarded to Clare Civil Defence and EI Electronics. Clare Civil Defence were awarded a civic honour in recognition of their ongoing voluntary work on behalf of the communities in Clare including Shannon.

“The assistance of the Civil Defence in the organisation of the St. Patricks Day parade each year is much appreciated,” said Mayor Duff, while he also praised “the tireless voluntary work of the civil defence over the last number of years, especially during the severe weather incidences that have effected Ireland”.

EI Electronics celebrated their 50th year in business earlier this year. The company manufacture detector alarms from their facility in Shannon, a landmark that was honoured by the town council in recognition of “the much needed employment the company brought to local people” but they also because of the company’s generous sponsorship of community organisations and events.

GARDAÍ are urging anyone affected by illegal money lending in the town of Kilrush to come forward and speak to them.

The appeal comes following a dawn raid on businesses and homes in the Kilrush area by gardaí investigating illegal money lending, on Tuesday last.

A total of 11 people were arrested following the searches, which commenced at 7am.

They were later released without charge and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The planned search followed months of investigations involving local gardaí assisted by Criminal Assets Bureau, Regional Support Unit, and Special Detective Units from Galway, the National Criminal Intelligence Unit as well as officials from Revenue, Social Welfare and Clare County Council.

The arrests included five males aged between 18 and 55 years, and six females aged between 20 and 49 years.

All those arrested were detained at various Garda Stations in County Clare, Limerick and Galway under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

The investigation, which has been ongoing for several months, centres around complaints received from various individuals and is focused on those suspected of being engaged in unlicensed money lending. _

There had been a number of reports to gardaí of intimidation relating to the illegal money lending during the last year, but those making the complaints were often too frightened to make statements.

Kilrush Gardaí along with CAB and other local bodies began to carry out further investigations leading to last week’s searches and arrests.

This is the second major investigation requiring extensive Garda resources, to be carried out in the town in the last number of months.

Gardaí in Kilrush, in conjunction with the National Drugs Unit have been tackling the supply of illegal drugs issue with a special five-month undercover operation spanning the end of last year and the first quarter of this year.

A total of 1,400 Garda man-hours were used in Operation Luxor, which resulted in at least eight arrests that have come before the courts so far.

NELSON Mandela’s inspirational fight for freedom touched the lives of people around the world including that of a young priest from Scariff.

One of the closest friendships Mandela shared during the 18 years he spent imprisoned on Robben Island was with Fr Brendan Long, a native of Scariff who served as prison chaplain.

Aged 28, Fr Long was appointed chaplain to Robben Island in 1962 after a term at St Mary’s Cathedral.

Every Sunday, Fr Long would take a ferry from Cape Town to the island to hold services for the inmates.

As the prisoners’ beliefs varied, non-denominational services were held and confessions for Catholic inmates were heard,

In a 2003 interview, Fr Long recalled how the future President of South Africa would read aloud passages from scriptures.

“He once said to me: ‘If I were a communist I wouldn’t have read scripture,’ He read with great pride a psalm entitled ‘Let every creature praise the Lord’, Fr Long told a South African newspaper Mail and Guardian.

The article states “The chaplain’s weekly trips to Robben Island usually ended with a joke about them getting together for a party in freedom, little thinking this would ever come about. Their friendship continued after Mandela was transferred to Pollsmoor prison on the mainland in 1982 and his release from detention on February 11, 1990”.

Fr Long returned to Ireland in the mid nineties but his friendship with one of world’s great Statesmen endured beyond the confines of Mandela’s captivity.

Mandela, who passed away on Thursday, received an honorary doctorate from the National University of Ireland Galway in 2003.

He used the visit to Ireland to catch up with this old friend from Scariff who was one of the guests at the ceremony.

Reporting on the occasion, the Irish Independent described the “poignant scene” as Mandela greeted Fr Long.

Fr Long recalled meeting “the humble, highly intelligent, very spiritual Mandela and man with the very, very warm handshake”. Fr Long passed away in April 2009.

GARDA plans aimed at curbing crime in Ennis town centre over the Christmas period will be unveiled at a meeting on Monday night.

The annual Christmas Business Watch meeting will take place at Ennis Garda Station on Monday, December 16, 6.15pm-7pm.

All businesses are invited to attend the meeting. The Ennis Chamber Garda Accord was established in 2003 to formalise meetings between the business community and the local Gardaí.

Members of the Garda Crime Prevention Unit and Business Liaison Team will be in attendance to give advice to businesses on how best to protect themselves, cash and premises in the busy Christmas period. The Gardaí will also answer any question from the business community in relation to security issues throughout the year.

Businesses will also hear first-hand Ennis Gardaí’s activities in relation to Beat-on-the-Street and about conditions for Pedestrianisation in the Christmas Shopping Period. Ennis’s Purple Flag Award will also be discussed as to how the town can ensure the retention of this accolade in 2014.

The meeting comes after businesses in the Market raised concerns over “aggressive behaviour” of some groups of young people in the area.

Ennis councilor, Johnny Flynn (FG) said the concerns were highlighted at a recent meeting with representatives of businesses in the Market.

He stated, “During the meeting the majority expressed serious concerns for themselves, their staff and customers as a result of aggressive behaviour of groups of young people

He continued, “The businesses claim that it is the same group that are causing damage to both business and negatively impact on the public perception of safety whilst shopping or strolling through their business area.

“The ability of businesses to pay rates, other local government costs, etc, they say, are directly related to the ability to trade successfully in a safe and attractive area. They believe that all the good work of both the Council and both in promoting and managing Ennis can be undone by this small sector of society”.

According to Cllr Flynn, some business owners “have witnessed tourists and locals leaving their street at haste when some hassle between the youths and or various families ‘kicks off’.”