Category: News

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.

A TOURIST who almost lost his sight in a “brutal” unprovoked New Year’s Day assault after coming to the aid of a woman in Ennistymon has been praised for his “gallantry”.

Dublin man Richard Mullen and his wife were returning to their holiday home in the early hours of January 1 when they came across a “young woman pinned to the ground by a thug” on Circular Road, Ennis District Court heard on Thursday.

Mr Mullen told the court he saw a young man standing over a woman with his hands over her throat. Mr Mullen said that after helping the woman to her feet, he received a blow to the head from William Donovan (20).

“I went down like a sack of spuds”, the 62-year-old recalled.

The court heard that after returning to Dublin, Mr Mullen received treatment for acute glaucoma caused by a swollen eye and almost lost his sight.

Passing sentence, Judge Patrick Durcan said he had never come across such a brutal assault in his time on the bench in Clare. He said Mr Mullen had required complex medical treatment to save his sight.

“He (Mr Mullen) was set upon in the most appalling, brutal and thuggish fashion,” said Judge Durcan who had considered refusing jurisdiction of the case.

Mr Donovan, with an address at Clancy Park, Ennis, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and other offences including burglary at Wilsons’, O’Connell Street, Ennis on March 22 (2013).

He also pleaded guilty to stealing clothes, cash and a mobile phone from a man who had gone for a swim in Dough Beach, Lahinch on August 28.

Mr Donovan, a father of one, stole an Apple laptop, four Nikon cameras and € 87 from Wilson’s.

He also pleaded guilty to breaking the window and stealing a jacket from a Citroen Berlingo parked behind Wilson’s.

Detective Garda Claire O’Shaughnessy said CCTV footage and DNA evidence from blood found on the broken car window were used to identify Mr Donovan. She said Mr Donovan had not admitted breaking into Wilson’s

Another man has also been charged in connection with the burglary, the court heard.

Storeowner Richard Wilson recalled finding doors to his premises smashed open on the morning after the burglary. He told the court the burglary had an effect on he and his wife. “I was very conscious of security before but even more so now,” he added.

Mr Donovan has 42 previous convictions. On March 28 he committed a string of offences in Ennistymon and Lahinch that included the theft of two Jack Russell terriers.

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client apologises unreservedly to the victims of his crimes.

She said Mr Donovan had significant problems with drink and tablets in the early part of the year.

She said Mr Donovan had taken steps to address his problems and had cleaned up his act since March.

“I would ask the court to accept this is a man who has changed”, added Ms Godfrey.

Judge Durcan said the devastation Mr Donovan visited upon Wilson’s was akin to something you would see in war-torn Libya and Syria.

“He broke down doors and gates and smashed his way in the very worst John Wayne manner you’d see in the movies of the Wild West”, he added.

He imposed sentences totaling 14 months on Mr Donovan. Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

A FATHER of 10 whose reckless behaviour sparked a violent disturbance at a roundabout in Ennis last year has claimed he is ready to make peace.

Bernie McDonagh Snr (46) has said he bears no ill feeling to the Doherty family after tensions between the former friends and neighbours spilled onto the streets of Ennis last October.

Mr McDonagh, with addresses at Ashline, Ennis, and Nashes Boreen, Cork City, told gardaí, “I’ve no illfeeling towards the Dohertys but they’d want to sort themselves out.”

Earlier this month Ennis Circuit Criminal Court heard Mr McDonagh told gardaí that he would be willing to sit down and talk with the Dohertys.

“Peace is the only way forward,” said Mr McDonagh, who is related to the Doherty family through mar- riage.

Bernie McDonagh Snr last week received a four-year prison sentence for his role in the incident at the Maid of Erin roundabout on October 14, 2012. He pleaded guilty to driving recklessly against the flow of traffic in a manner likely to cause harm. He also pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage.

Mr McDonagh Snr drove his car the wrong way around a roundabout nine times in pursuit of a Hiace van containing members of the Doherty family.

His son Bernie McDonagh Jnr (21), with address at Ashline, Ennis, and Nashes Boreen, Cork City, also received sentences totalling four years at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday.

Father of one Bernie McDonagh Jnr, with an address at Nashes Boreen, Cork, pleaded guilty to the production of a Stanley knife during the course of a dispute; violent disorder and assault causing harm to John Doherty.

Olympic boxer Kieran Joyce gave evidence on Bernie McDonagh Jnr’s behalf earlier this month. Mr Joyce, who competed for Ireland at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, told the court Bernie Jnr was a “very respectful young fella” and talented boxer. He said Mr McDonagh Jnr coached kids at the Sunnyside boxing club in Cork City and had hopes of competing at the next Olympic games.

A MAN who burned down his former home in Kilrush in an attempt to secure a new house for his mother has received an 18-month sentence.

Martin Blunnie (24) was “very disgruntled” with the local authority for not giving his mother Adrienne Simmons (56) after the area they lived fell into dereliction and disrepair.

The family set fire to their then home at 3 Beechpark in the John Paul Estate on March 15 (2012).

Passing sentence at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday, Judge Gerard Keys said the family made frequent requests to move from the estate where houses were boarded up and abandoned.

He said nobody irrespective of their background or means should be expected to live in houses of such poor condition.

However Judge Keys added the poor condition of the house wasº no justification of the family’s actions.

“I can understand your reaction but it cannot be justified”, he said.

Martin Blunnie and Adrienne Sim mons were drinking and became involved in a row with a local authority litter warden on the morning of the blaze due to a complaint over rubbish.

The court heard the Fire Services were called later in the day after smoke was seen coming from the windows.

Martin Blunnie was arrested and admitted to gardaí that he started the fire deliberately. Both he and Ms Simmons pleaded guilty to arson.

The court heard the family’s house had fallen into disrepair and was surrounded by derelict and boarded up properties.

Counsel for the DPP, Stephen Coughlan BL said, “He became indignant and set the house on fire with the view of getting new accommodation.” Mr Blunnie has 25 previous convictions.

The court heard that areas of the John Paul Estate have undergone regeneration. Ms Simmons has since moved to new rented accommodation.

On Thursday, Judge Keys said the family’s actions were not life threatening as the adjoining houses were abandoned and scheduled for demolition.

The court heard Martin Blunnie endured a chaotic childhood due to drink and drug problems.

“It is clear that Martin Blunnie was the main instigator and your mother went along with the actions,” added Judge Keys.

He sentenced Mr Blunnie to two years in prison but suspended the final six months.

Judge Keys said Ms Simmons had lived a tragic life and there would be no benefit to society by sending her to prison. He imposed a suspended sentence. A MA N who insulted and verbally abused a Judge in a foul-mouthed tirade at Ennis Courthouse last month has been advised to keep his cool. Jimmy Doherty (40) vented his fury at the outcome of a case by roaring obscenities at Judge Patrick Durcan in Ennis District Court on September 24. Mr Doherty, with an address at Maiville, Kilrush Road, Ennis was arrested and charged with engaging in threatening and insulting behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. OnWednesday, Mr Doherty pleaded guilty to the public order charge. Defence solicitor John Casey told the court his client wished to apologise for his behaviour on the day.“This was a time when he was under a lot of pressure,” explained Mr Casey. Inspector TomKennedy said he was “very surprised” to learn of Mr Doherty’s outburst. Speaking in court Mr Doherty said,“Your honour I’mvery sorry to you and I apologise to the court”. Judge Patrick Durcan said he accepted Mr Doherty’s apology.“I believe people should showrespect to one another. Mr Doherty, keep the cool inside the courthouse and outside the courthouse.” Judge Durcan struck out the charge against Mr Doherty. A T EEN A GER who was ordered to make a toolbox for his solicitor has been told he could have good career in woodwork. In July, Judge Patrick Durcan said he was making the order because it was obvious the boy had “natural gift” for woodwork.The 18 year old, who was a minor when it is alleged he committed a drugs offence, previously made a wooden toolbox as part of his involvement with the Probation Services. After reading a probation report, Judge Durcan commended the boy on his workmanship. He ordered that the teenager produce a similar itemfor his solicitor,Tara Godfrey, so she could use it while gardening. Judge Durcan said he wanted the boy to apply himself to something he is good at. “Here we have a young man that has a natural gift and I want to see himdevelop that gift,” he added. The case was adjourned to last Wednesday to allowthe teenager time to make the box. Solicitor Tara Godfrey brought the toolbox into court.“I’mvery happy with my gift. It’s fit for purpose,” she told the court. Judge Patrick Durcan congratulated the teenager on the“beautifully made” toolbox.“In my viewthat is a saleable item,” he said. “I’ll be looking out for ads in Clare newspapers as to where you’ll be selling these,” added Judge Durcan. A Probation Officer told the court that they would recommend the boy for an employment linkage programme. Inspector TomKennedy said no newissues had arisen with the accused. Judge Durcan struck out the charge against the teenager. A W ES T Clare man who caused a head on collision after overtaking on a bend near Lissycasey last year has been disqualified fromholding a license for two years. Gary Sullivan (19) was driving to Kilkee when he attempted to overtake a car on a continous white line near Caherea on NewYear’s Eve, Ennis District Court heard onWednesday. Mr Sullivan’s car collided with another car traveling in the opposite direction. No one was injured in the crash. Inspector TomKennedy told the court that Mr Sullivan made a “huge error of judgment.” Mr Sullivan, with an address at Marian Estate, Kilkee, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving an failing to have insurance.A request to reduce the charge to one of careless driving was not accepted by the court. Defence solicitor Fiona Hehir told the court her client swapped his old car for a new one in Clonmel on the night in question. She said Mr Sullivan had not yet transferred his insurance across to the newcar when the accident occurred. Ms Hehir said Mr Sullivan acted in a very mature manner in the aftermath of the accident.“He wrote a letter of apology to the family involved”, she added. The court heard Mr Sullivan hopes to travel abroad. Judge Patrick Durcan imposed fines totaling €750 and disqualified Mr Sullivan fromholding a driver’s license for two years.

A 22 YEAR-old man who used a catapult to break car windows in Newmarket on Fergus earlier this year has been ordered to personally apologise to the injured parties.

Joe Conroy smashed car windows in the Island View, Ennis Road and Glen an Aifreann areas of Newmarket on May 19, Ennis District Court heard on Wednesday. Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the accused used a catapult and marbles to cause € 705 worth of damage to three cars.

The court heard Mr Conroy had not paid compensation to the owners. Mr Conroy, with an address at The Island, Cratloe, pleaded guilty to three charges of criminal damage.

Defence solicitor Jenny Fitzgibbon told the court that her client had been under “severe pressure” in his personal life at the time the offences were committed. She said Mr Conroy acted “very stupidly” on the day.

“He didn’t hold back. He admitted his culpability. He admitted his stupidity”, she added. The court heard Mr Conroy worked as a metal fabricator after leaving school. Judge Patrick Durcan said his first priority was for Mr Conroy to pay compensation and show remorse.

“There will be a conviction in this matter but the issue is whether there will be a prison sentence,” he added.

Adjourning the case to January 8 (2014) for review, Judge Durcan said he expected Mr Conroy to have half of the compensation paid to the car owners by that date.

“I also want to be satisfied that he makes contact, personally, with the three injured parties”, he added.

PRISON sentences have been handed down to two men found driving around Ennis earlier this year with weapons including a claw hammer and a golf club.

Gardaí discovered the items along with a shovel handle and mop handle with a metal head after they were thrown from a car in Clancy Park on May 1 (2013).

At Ennis District Court on Thursday, Darren Maughan (21) and Kildare man Dermot O’Brien (25) pleaded guilty to possession of implements, contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.

Passing sentence, Judge Patrick Durcan said too often in the past 18 months he has dealt with cases where people believe they can “go around the county in a marauding fashion.”

“There is no room in our society for people who go around in mechanically propelled vehicles with implements of potential death and destruction”, he added.

Garda Stephen Dunne of Ennis Garda Station told the court that he observed a car driving in suspicious manner in the Cloughleigh area of Ennis on May 1.

He said gardaí followed the car to Clancy Park where they observed a claw hammer, mop handle, shovel handle and golf club being thrown from the vehicle.

The accused were arrested. The court heard Mr Maughan, with an address at Stonecourt, Drumbiggle, Ennis has 45 previous convictions, mainly arising from alcohol related incidents.

Defence solicitor William Cahir said Mr O’Brien is not from Ennis. “It would be unusual for him to be involved in something like this,” he added.

Mr Cahir told the court the men had not given a reason for having the weapons. “My clients fully accept these are items they should not have had”, he added.

Judge Durcan said the fact that no explanation had been offered was “very much against the defendants”.

He sentenced Mr Maughan to a total of seven months in prison and disqualified him from holding a driver’s license for a year.

Mr O’Brien, with an address at Brayton Park, Kilcock, Kildare and now living Ennis, received a suspended three-month sentence. He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service in lieu of another three-month sentence.

The father of two was disqualified from holding a driver’s license for a year. The disqualification was postponed until January 1, 2014.

MANAGEMENT at SkyCourt in Shannon have moved to rubbish speculation that one of the anchor tenants at the shopping centre was on the cusp of closing up shop after many years.

It was confirmed on Monday that “contrary to the expected negative outcome” Xtra-vision is to remain trading from its current location at SkyCourt in the town.

Since its announced closure earlier this year, Xtra-vision has been ‘trialtrading’ at SkyCourt and, thanks to the loyalty and support of Shannon shoppers, the level of spend at the SkyCourt outlet has sufficiently convinced the new owners that the Shannon outlet has potential.

“This is a most welcome boost for SkyCourt. It would have been a devastating blow to lose Xtra-vision as an anchor tenant,” said SkyCourt manager Pat Kelly.

“We knew that the Shannon store has always traded well and that’s why the landlord worked closely with the new owners throughout the receivership process to convince them of this fact.

“We are delighted that our efforts have been fruitful and look forward to seeing a new vibrancy and exciting developments at the Shannon store, which is now undergoing a refit to recommence trading.

“The Shannon community have to be commended for their support during the past few months and Senator Tony Mulcahy has to be singled out for his tireless campaigning to keep Xtra-vision Shannon open. With Christmas fast approaching, Xtra-vision will remain a favourite shopping stop for Christmas gifts and vouchers.”

Welcoming the news, Senator Tony Mulcahy added, “The decision by Xtra-vision to remain at Shannon demonstrates the value of shopping local. Even during the scale-down period, Shannon consumers stuck with a local outlet as opposed to moving elsewhere. All SkyCourt shops need this level of local support.

“New stores will only decide to locate at SkyCourt if they can be assured of trade. We may all have a wish list of shops we’d like to see at SkyCourt but the reality is, no amount of promotion will convince them to do so if there isn’t sufficient footfall,” he added.

THE Banner feel-good factor is spreading. Just days after the county hurlers gave everyone in Clare a reason to be cheerful, new results from the CSO have confirmed that the number of unemployed people in the county has reached a five-year low.

The number of people signing on the live register in Clare fell to its lowest level since February of 2009 last month.

In what is being seen as a big step forward for the county, this is the first time in almost five years that the number of people signing on dropped below the 9,000 mark.

September is traditionally a good month for the live register in Clare – with a large number of third level student returning to full time education and coming off the live register.

Between August and September of this year the number of people signing on dropped off dramatically from 9,613 to 8,983 – a drop of 6.5 per cent.

However, this drop is not just a seasonal drop as it also represents a year on year drop of 691 people – representing a drop of 7.1 per cent compared to 2012.

The drop in the number of people signing on was led by Ennis where the live register number dropped from 5, 528 in September of 2012 to 5,094 – a drop of 8 per cent.

While there is no concrete figures for job creation in Clare, it is understood that the tourism sector has had a good season to date, prompted in some way by the reduced VAT rate and the positive effects of the Gathering.

It is understood that the Government are likely to increase the VAT for the hospitality back up from its current two-year low of 9 per cent – a move which could threaten employment in the county’s tourism sector.

This news come hot on the heels of a survey from Hotels.com which reported that room prices in hotels were actually increasing.

These claims were strongly rejected by Lahinch hotelier and and president of the Irish Hotel Federation, Michael Vaughan, who described it as “outrageous” and said that the survey used too few hotel room prices to be accurate.

AS MANY as 30 people from Clare are taking a case against the company behind the faulty De Puy ASR hip replacement implanted in more than 3, 500 Irish patients between 2003 and 2010.

The legal firm behind the suite understands there are 170 more Clare people affected by the faulty implant and have advised them that it is not too late join the civil action.

De Puy ordered a recall of the medical device in 2010.

In a case against the company in Los Angeles, it was alleged that a Belfast surgeon emailed De Puy engineer Graham Isaac in May 2006 outlining his concerns about the device.

The New York Times also published revelations that one type of the defective devices were marketed in Europe after the US food and drug administration rejected their sale in America in 2009.

Now personal injuries law firm Peter McDonnell and Associates is holding an information meeting for Irish patients affected by the De Puy Hip Recall of 2010 on Monday week, October 21, in The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis.

Mr McDonnell, said whilst many of the 3, 500 public and private patients throughout Ireland who received the defective De Puy ASR Hip Resurfacing System – typically used in younger, more active patients – and the ASR XL Acetabular System, have already set the litigation process in motion, the vast majority of those who have been adversely affected are under the incorrect impression that the deadline, known as the Statute of Limitations, has already passed.

“Many patients whom I have spoken with throughout Ireland are under the impression that it is too late for them to submit a claim against De Puy. This, however, is not the case,” he said.

Of the 3, 516 Irish patients who received the implants, about 400 have had them replaced.

THE hundred thousand welcomes the 30,000 plus crowd gave to the victorious Clare team when they arrived back in Ennis with the Liam McCarthy Cup, was worth an estimated € 1 million to businesses in one evening alone.

It would appear that the Clare fans heeded the words of Clare hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald when he told them to forget the recession for a while, during the official homecoming at Tim Smythe Park (Fairgreen) in Ennis.

According to the CEO of Ennis Chamber of Commerce, Rita McInerney, the Sunday night homecom- ing was hugely beneficial, as people from all over the county converged in Ennis.

A conservative estimate of the money spent on the evening is approximately € 1 million said the business people’s representative.

“People had to spend money on petrol to come to Ennis, more spent it on food and drink when they were here and there was all the jerseys, flags and bunting that was purchased,” said Ms McInerney.

She estimated spending at an average of € 30 per person.

“That includes people who spent € 5 for a coffee and a snack to those that spent € 150 and stayed out until 5 in the morning,” she explained.

The build up to the All Ireland and the replay was not as profitable however, as people saved for the trip to Croke Park, she explained.

“People had to budget for the All Ireland and couldn’t spend in the run up to the game, but it was worth it because we were in an All Ireland. The businesses were happy to take in on the chin. It was such a great honour to be in the All Ireland,” she said.

“Obviously there was going to be a pull back on spending because people don’t have money, but on that night they came out in support.”

She added that the media focus on the county as a result of the team’s success was also hugely beneficial to the county.

“You couldn’t buy publicity like that,” she said.

“And the Liam McCarthy Cup is going to be here for a year so there will be plenty more celebrations I am sure.”