Category: News

A MAN who placed stone boulders across the main Ennis to Kilmaley road has been told his actions could have resulted in someone being killed.

The warning came at Ennis District Court on Wednesday at the sentencing of Eoin Kerin (28) who placed the boulders on the Kilmaley Road on November 23 (2011) after a night of drinking.

Last October, Mr Kerin, with an address at Beechpark, Ennis pleaded guilty to charges of criminal damage and intentionally placing a dangerous obstruction upon a road.

A van was damaged when it hit the rocks on the night. The case had been adjourned on a number of occasions and Mr Kerin appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Outlining the facts of the case to Judge Patrick Durcan, Inspector Tom Kennedy said the van driver could not avoid the boulders. Gardaí were called and the boulders were cleared from the road.

However Insp Kennedy told the court the rocks and boulders were put back on the road within 15 minutes. Mr Kerin was spotted in a field near the road. He admitted the offences to gardaí.

“What he did was absolutely hugely dangerous”, said Insp Kennedy.

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that her client had paid compensation to the injured party. She said there is a low risk of Mr Kerin re-offending.

Ms Godfrey urged the court to adjourn the case for a long period.

Judge Patrick Durcan said someone could have been killed as a result of what Mr Kerin did.

“It is a case that troubles me. It is a serious matter”, he added.

Judge Durcan adjourned the case for a brief period to consider sentence.

When the case resumed, Judge Durcan imposed a fine of € 500.

He said, “I have to convict your client. I have to bear in mind that somebody could’ve been killed. It’s a terrible thing to do.”

Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

THE number of commercial flights in and out of Shannon ai r por t so far this year are up on the same period last year, however the ai r por t has the lowest number of daily flights when compared to Dublin and Cork.

According to the Irish Aviation Authority’s latest repor t, the cumulative number of flights from January to September through t he Shannon ter mi nal has increased by 5. 5 per cent when compared to the same period i n 2012.

While that proves positive for t he local newly independent ai r por t, t he average number of daily flights are still slightly less than its nearest competitor in Cork.

Cork increased its flight numbers in and out of the ai r por t by just 5.2 per cent, slightly less than Shannon, but it maintains an average daily movement of 62 flights.

Shannon is just slightly behind wit h 60 daily movements.

Dublin, which has 88 per cent of the t raffic of the three ai r por ts, also showed an increase of 6.6 per cent of flights in and out of the ai r por t wit h an average of 498 daily movements.

Total flights in Irish ai rspace increased by 0. 8 per cent when compared to September 2012, with the busiest day being September 6, with 1, 557 flights in Irish ai rspace.

IAA CEO, Eamonn Brennan said, “This sust ained growth is ver y en- couraging news for Dublin Ai r por t and t he wider economy. September was also a good month for Shannon, up 5. 5 per cent year-on-year. There is some way to go to catch up wit h previous levels during the peak years but 2013 is a step in t he right di rection.”

On a cumulative basis, commercial ter minal t raffic for Dublin, Cork and Shannon ai r por ts for Januar y to September 2013 was up by 2.7 per cent, compared to the same period in 2012.

A JUDGE has ordered the dismantling of a cannabis grow-house in East Clare that was the subject of a garda raid two years ago.

Judge Gerard Keys made the order at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court as he adjourned sentencing of Bridgetown man Sean Mason.

Mr Mason (37) pleaded guilty to cultivation of cannabis without license after gardaí discovered a “purpose built” and “sophisticated” cannabis grow house at his home in Ballybrack, Bridgetown on October 29 2011.

Outlining details of the operation earlier this month, Garda Francis Brennan of Ennis Garda Station told the court the search uncovered incubators containing 72 young cannabis plants.

One building was fitted out with a tiled floor equipped with drains to take away water and ventilation and lighting systems.

Gardaí also discovered cannabis resin in a lunchbox and a black plastic bag containing cannabis off-cuts.

Mr Mason accepted responsibility for the cannabis growing operation and told gardaí he used the drug for medical reasons.

Garda Brennan said gardaí did not accept Mr Mason’s reason for growing cannabis.

Judge Keys adjourned sentencing to hear the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) view on the seriousness of the offence.

On Thursday, Counsel for the DPP, Stephen Coughlan BL told the court that Mr Mason had grown cannabis for medical reasons.

He said there was no evidence this was part of an organised crime set up.

Adjourning sentence, Judge Keys ordered the complete dismantling of the areas of the premises altered for the growth of cannabis.

He said he wanted to ensure the building could not be used again for cultivating cannabis plants.

“I want it dismantled in such a way to satisfy gardaí that it cannot be used for the growth of cannabis,” he added.

The case was adjourned for mention to the final week of October.

THE members and supporters of the County Clare PB&S Association of New York City have much to celebrate at their annual ball this year.

Not only is it marking the 125th anniversary of the organisation, it is also celebrating Clare’s All Ireland Senior and Under 21 Hurling win with special guests former All Ireland winning manager Ger Loughnane and current All Ireland winning manager Davy Fitzgerald.

Since the Clare Association was founded in New York in 1888, its officers, members and friends have joined together each year to celebrate their Clare heritage and remind themselves of the purpose and goals of the association.

This year on Saturday, November 9, at Riverside Church in New York City, Sixmilebridge and Kilkee natives will be honoured as Claremen of the Year.

Association President Catherine Hogan said, “In a year where we celebrate our past, we honour our future. We are extremely pleased to announce our Claremen of the Year for 2013 are Kevin Grady and Tony Nolan.

“Kevin, a native of Sixmilebridge, County Clare, is a resident manager in Manhattan; and Tony, a native of Kilkee, is president of Allcom Electric Inc. Both these young men are relative newcomers to the association but have from the very start lent their support to many an association undertaking.

“They take great pride in their native county and are already proud members of the association, willing to lend a hand to any cause they are asked. We see them doing great things for the future of the association. We are proud to claim them as our own, and add the names of two great Claremen, Kevin Grady and Tony Nolan, to our honour roll this year,” she said.

Ger Loughnane will be returning as Master of Ceremonies for this year’s event.

Partial proceeds of this year’s event will be donated to two charities Share a Dream Foundation, County Limerick, and YWCA Special Needs Programs, White Plains, New York.

A TEENAGER who stole € 1300 worth of goods from Clare businesses across an 11 month shoplifting spree has been warned she faces a rison sentence.

Roxanne Considine (19) stole goods including cosmetics, wine and a chicken roll from shops and pharmacies in Ennis and Clarecastle between November 2012 and September 2013. Ms Considine, with an address at Clarehill, Clarecastle, pleaded guilty to 14 theft charges, details of which were outlined at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. She has no previous convictions.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that from a garda point of view, Ms Considine is a “bad thief.”

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that her client was “subject to extreme neglect” as a child. She said Ms Considine stole to get money for cannabis, a drug to which she had been seriously addicted.

Ms Godfrey said her client was a bright woman who achieved her junior and leaving certificates.

Judge Patrick Durcan said that the accused had come from a “very sad and very difficult background” having suffered the deaths of her parents and younger brother.

Noting Ms Considine’s guilty pleas and willingness to deal with her addiction, Judge Durcan adjourned sentencing for a month. However he warned Ms Considine that she would receive a nine-month prison sentence of she re-offended in that time.

“She’s a bright young lady and she must take responsibility,” he added.

The case was adjourned for a month and Ms Considine was ordered to remain under the supervision of the Probation Services.

JAIL terms have been handed down to three men involved in a major public order disturbance in the centre of Ennis last year.

Passing sentence at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court last week, Judge Gerard Keys said, “A message must go out from this court that this constant feuding must stop.”

He was speaking as Bernie McDonagh Snr (46) (Ashline, Kilrush Road, Ennis and Nashes Boreen Cork), his son Bernie McDonagh Jnr (21) (Ashline, Kilrush Road, Ennis and Nashes Boreen, Cork City) and brother Christopher McDonagh (38) (Childer’s Road, Cloughleigh) all received prison sentences for their involvement in an incident at the Maid of Erin roundabout on October 14, 2012.

Father of 10 Bernie McDonagh Snr drove at speed the wrong way around a roundabout, nine times, in pursuit of a Hiace carrying members of the Doherty family.

He rammed three vehicles including a garda before eventually being restrained using pepper spray. A young child was in Mr McDonagh’s car at the time.

The court heard Mr McDonagh was the victim of a brutal assault in 2010 when he lost his finger after being attacked with a machete after pick- ing up his children from school. The court heard the incident at the Maid of Erin was sparked by a violent altercation at a wedding in Ennis days earlier.

In a victim impact statement, a female garda described how she suffered severe psychological trauma following the violent incident.

“It was my belief that I was going to be seriously or fatally injured,” she added.

Judge Keys said the men acted as if they were “above the law” on the night.

Sentencing Mr McDonagh to a total of four years in prison, Judge Keys said the accused displayed a “total disregard for law and order”.

“You conduct on this occasion can only be described as outrageous,” he added.

His son Bernie McDonagh Jnr (21) also received sentences totalling four years.

He arrived with two others to the Maid of Erin and “savagely attacked” victim John Doherty with a Stanley knife.

Mr Doherty was slashed repeatedly in the back and neck. “I felt like my time was up. I prayed to God for strength,” said Mr Doherty in his victim impact report.

The McDonaghs were ordered not to have any future contact with the Dohertys.

Father of six Christopher McDon- agh received a 16-month sentence for the production of an iron bar and violent disorder.

The court heard gardaí were surprised at Christopher McDonagh’s involvement. He was described in court as a devoted family man who had never bee in serious trouble before.

A 17 year-old who produced a hatchet was ordered to remain under the supervision of the Probation Services. His case was adjourned to 2014.

During that incident, Garda Martin O’Brien, a former League of Ireland referee, was used as a human shield between the boy and the person he approached.

GARDAÍ say efforts to track down an East Clare man suspected of the wholesale dealing of drugs in the county are ongoing.

The man was the target in 2011 of a major Garda operation against drug dealers operating in Clare.

The man, who is in his forties, fled the jurisdiction after being arrested two years ago on foot of a major drugs find on the Clare/Tipperary border. He is thought to be on the run in a Northern area of England.

The man was described at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday as being a suspected “wholesale dealer of drugs in Clare and Limerick”.

Garda Gary Stack of Ennis Garda Station told the court that the man was the target of the operation and that investigations into his whereabouts are continuing.

“We are following a definite line of enquiries,” added Gary Stack.

Judge Gerard Keys ordered that the man’s name not be disclosed in the media after Counsel for the DPP, Stephen Coughlan BL, warned that it could prejudice any potential trial against him.

Details of the Garda operation emerged at the sentencing of a Killaloe man who pleaded guilty to having cannabis for sale or supply at Ballina on November 14, 2011.

Jonathan Grimes (33), of Main Street, Killaloe, was the driver of a car carrying almost five kilos of cannabis resin, with an estimated value € 28.432.

Mr Grimes was one of two people who travelled to Dublin to collect the drugs. The court heard that the civil engineering student was asked by another man to make the journey. Garda Stack told the court that Mr Grimes had some idea he was going to collect drugs but had no idea of the quantity involved.

He said the other man may have taken advantage of Mr Grimes, who received € 150 and € 30 petrol money for driving the car. The other man has since fled the jurisdiction the court heard.

The court heard Mr Grimes had never come to Garda attention previously.

His barrister, Kenneth Kerins, said his client had developed serious drug and alcohol problems but has dedicated the last two years of his life to recovery and counselling.

Passing sentence, Judge Gerard Keys said it was accepted that Mr Grimes did not know the size of the consignment and was not the main person in charge of the transaction.

He imposed a three-year sentence, suspended on condition Mr Grimes continue his education and an rehabilitation.

A HOMEGROWN Clare company that has been in business for 34 years has been acquired by one of the world’s largest elevator companies.

In a statement last week, American giant Kone announced that it had purchased Ennis Lifts, a local company specializing in the supply, installation, modernization and maintenance of elevators, escalators and autowalks.

Ennis Lifts Limited was founded in 1979 by C.P. McGuinness. Since then Ennis Lifts has grown to become the largest national lift and escalator company in Ireland, also serving Europe and the Middle East.

A statement on the company’s website states, “The cornerstone from which the company has developed has been providing excellence at all levels to our customers, thus becoming specialists in the supply, installation, modernisation and maintenance of lifts, escalators and walkways.”

Kone’s executive vice president and area director for central and north Europe, Ari Lehtoranta said the company is “delighted” with the purchase of Ennis Lifts.

“We are very pleased to have Ennis as a part of Kone. The acquisition will strengthen our business in the challenging Irish market.”

According to Kone, Ennis will continue to operate as a separate company under its current name and brand.

Kone is one of the global leaders in the elevator and escalator industry. In addition to manufacturing elevators, escalators and automatic building doors, it provides maintenance to its global customers. Worldwide, it employs about 35,000 people including 325 in the Quad-Cities, a group of five cities on the Illinois / Iowa border.

The company’s North American headquarters are located in in Lisle, Illinois. Kone Americas’ operations centre is at Kone Centre in Moline. The company has an escalator plant is in Coal Valley, Illinois.

No one from Ennis Lifts was available for comment when The Clare People contacted the company yesterday.

GARDAÍ remain extremely concerned that tensions between two Traveller families in Ennis could result in more violence as it emerged that witnesses are wearing protective vests to court.

The fear was expressed ahead of the expected sentencing in Ennis today of four people involved in a violent public order disturbance at the Maid of Erin roundabout last October.

A Circuit Court judge was told last week that the relationship between the families has not improved and that “tensions remain very high”.

“There are garda concerns for the potential for violent incidents,” said Detective Garda John Casey at a sitting of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday. The court was told that the two families previously lived as neighbours and friends in the Ashline area of Ennis.

THE family of a Kilfenora man Brian McMahon, who tragically lost his life in California over the weekend, flew out to America yesterday to be with his wife and children.

Father of two Brian McMahon was killed in a car accident in the Californian city of San Rafael on Friday morning last. Mr McMahon, who is 46 years old and has been living in America for a number of years, was out walking close to his home just before 8am, local time, when the ac- cident took place.

The exact details of the accident are not yet clear but it appears that Mr McMahon was struck by a single vehicle on the street close to his home at 7.45am. Emergency first aid was given to Mr McMahon at the scene at he was rushed by ambulance to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

“San Rafael police officers and San Rafael paramedics located an unconscious 46-year-old man lying in the roadway. Life saving measures were immediately initiated. The male sub- ject was transported to Kaiser Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival,” said a spokesperson from the local police department.

“The driver of the involved vehicle remained on scene and called 911 to report the collision. Numerous bystanders were interviewed at the scene.

“The driver fully cooperated with the investigation. At this time, it appears neither alcohol nor any other impairment was present or a factor in this collision. The involved vehicle was taken for a thorough inspection.”

Police are reportedly investigating the possibility that the driver may have been blinded by the bright morning sun and did not see see Mr McMahon out walking. Mr McMahon was home in Clare in August and was due to return with his sons for the All-Ireland hurling final but was unable to do so because of work.

Mr McMahon is survived by his Tipperary born wife and his his two children aged 13 and 11 years old. He is also survived by his father Murty McMahon, his American-based brother John and a number of siblings based in the North Clare area.