Category: News

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.”

RELATIONS rapidly deteriorated over a four-day period last October following a violent row at a wedding in Ennis Cathedral.

There followed a serious incident of criminal housing estate in the town centre on October 11 and an eruption of violence at the Maid of Erin three days later.

On Thursday Det John Casey of Ennis Garda Station said that while there has been no issues in the months since, gardaí believe the potential for violence remains if both sides encountered each other again.

He said a heavy Garda presence had been required anytime family members appeared in court.

The warning came as four people – Bernie McDonagh Snr (46), Christopher McDonagh (39), Bernie McDonagh Jnr (21) and a 17-year-old boy – appeared at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday. All four have pleaded guilty to offences at the Maid of Erin on October 14 (2012).

Father of 10, Bernie McDonagh Snr, with an address at Nashes Boreen, Cork, drove a car the wrong way around the roundabout, nine times, while in pursuit of a Hiace van carrying members of the Doherty family.

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.

Father of six Christopher McDonagh, with an address at Childers Road, Cloughleigh, has pleaded guilty to the production of an iron bar during the course of a dispute.

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.

The now 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty to the production of a hatchet during the course of a dispute.

All three also pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Judge Gerard Keys said feuding of this kind “is going on and on”. “It beggars belief that this goes on,” he added.

The 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 warning came it as emerged that a State witness wore a stab proof vest to a sitting of Ennis District Court earlier this month at a case arising from the dispute between the families.

The families, who are connected through marriage, previously lived as neighbours and friends in the Ashline area of Ennis.

A JUDGE has said he will halt legal payments to solicitors from November onwards if clients fail to show up in court.

Judge Patrick Durcan told a sitting of Ennis District Court on Wednesday that from November 1 onwards he will start making orders for the non-payment of legal aid if accused persons fail to attend court dates.

Judge Durcan signalled his intent to halt some legal aid payments in September when he was critical of the high number of people not turning up in court.

On Wednesday Judge Durcan said the day is gone where Ireland can afford to fund people who show “total disregard” to institutions who are there to serve them.

His comments came as he issued a bench warrant for a man who had failed to show up for his case.

He told defence solicitor Tara Godfrey that this was the second occa- sion he had issued a bench warrant for the accused.

Ms Godfrey said it was unfair for practitioners to be penalised for their client’s absence. She said that by not paying solicitors, the court “effectively says our work is worthless”.

She told Judge Durcan she could not understand where he was coming from on the matter.

Judge Durcan said he was unhappy with the tone of Ms Godfrey’s comments, adding that he was willing to discuss his decision with a solicitor’s representative.

Judge Durcan added that the payments would only be withheld in situations where clients failed to show up. He said solicitors would still receive the initial assignment payment.

For a first court date solicitors can receive a maximum payment of up to € 201 for the first two cases in respect of one defendant, € 120.88 in relation to each subsequent case and € 50.39 for each subsequent hearing days.

THE success of North Clare as Ireland’s foremost eco-tourism hotspot has been recognised with the news that a major international conference will take place in Ennistymon next week.

Following the success of a number of diverse projects including the BurrenLIFE Project and the Burren Ecotourism Network, North Clare now looks set to place itself at the head of this emerging tourism sector.

The conference will feature contributions from leading international experts on sustainable tourism including the Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism (France), Solimar International (USA), Cultural Site Research and Management (USA).

The event, which is called the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark LIFE Conference, could play an active role in shaping the future of sustainable tourism, not just in Ireland, but all over the world.

“Our premise in the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark is that conservation and tourism depend on each other and support each other, and it’s clear that the balance can only be achieved through a partnership between conservation, economic and social interests and in particular, between agencies and local people,” Carol Gleeson, Manager of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark LIFE Programme.

“The aim of this conference is to explore this balance and partnership by considering international best practice and by developing ideas on the type of environments and partnerships we need to create here in Ireland, and in Europe, for sustainable destinations to flourish.

“We are delighted to have very ex- perienced international and national speakers and facilitators, and we invite all conference participants to contribute to the discussion forums. The presentations and discussions will be recorded and circulated after the conference.”

Conference keynote speakers include Catalina Etcheverry Partner Relationship Manager for the Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism, Dr Douglas Comer President of Cultural Site Research and Management and the CSRM Foundation and Erika Harms of Solimar International.

A special presentation will also be made to Dr Pat O’Connor, former Director of the Geological Survey of Ireland, in recognition of the role he played in securing Global Geopark Status for the Burren and Cliffs of Moher region.

The conference will take place at the Falls Hotel and Spa in Ennistymon on October 17 and 18.

A HORSE, who was trapped in the River Fergus for a number of hours or even days, is recovering well after her ordeal.

The horse entered the river close to Victoria Court area on the Lahinch Road and became trapped an unable to free itself. A passerby noticed the animal and contacted the authorities who came to assist the stranded animal.

The animal could not be coaxed closer to the bank of the river, so Clare County Council’s dog warden, Frankie Coote, was forced to don his swimming gear and enter the river. After some effort the horse was rescued from the Fergus and is recovering well.

“We got a report that there was a horse stuck in the River Fergus just off the Lahinch Road, behind Victoria Court. The horse had obviously been there quite a long time it was very cold weak,” said Frankie.

“Unfortunately the horse could not be caught from the banks so I had to swim around trying to get near the horse it took just over half hour to get the rope on. Garda Colin Egan and Garda Damian Quaid were there to help and we were able to find and notify the owner.

“I would like to say thanks to everyone that helped and especially to Pat Tierney from Drumcliff stables who often would help. Thankfully the horse is now recovering well.”

This dramatic rescue comes less than a month after a healthy horse choked to death when it became entangled in a rope used to tether it on the outskirts of Ennis in September.

Indeed, horses have had a number of difficult years in the county. Horse ownership grew dramatically during the Celtic Tigers years with a number of people not able to afford to maintain their animals once the recession hit.

THE Health Service Executive (HSE) advised last evening (Monday) that all patients who will be affected by today’s strike by junior doctors would already have been contacted by phone.

The health service was not able to say however how many operations, clinics and medical procedures at Ennis Hospital and the University Hospital Limerick have been cancelled as a result of the industrial action.

All appointments have been reviewed, theatre-by-theatre, clinicby-clinic, for all hospitals in the University Limerick group including Ennis Hospital, University Hospital Limerick, University Maternity Hospital, Nenagh Hospital, Croom Hospital and St John’s Hospital.

“The message we wish to give to the public is a simple one, if your procedure or operation has to be cancelled you will be contacted directly by phone call. If you do not hear from us you should present to the hospital as normal,” a spokesperson for the hospital group said.

Any patient appointment that has to be cancelled will be rescheduled he added.

Urgent care for areas such as oncology, dialysis and emergency will be provided. This means that the Emergency Department in Dooradoyle will be open and also the local injuries units in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s hospitals.

More than 3,000 medical doctors will force hospitals into a Sunday standard service from 7am to midnight in an unprecedented action over working hours.

Junior doctors have warned that tomorrow’s one-day strike may not be the last as negotiation with the HSE fail to find a resolution to the issue of non-consultant doctors working shifts of more than 24 hours. Tue8October13

CLARE’S legal community extended a warm welcome to its newest member at Ennis District Courthouse last month.

Dundalk native Angela Byrne recently started work with Clare law firm Loughnane and Co. Solicitors. She previously worked as a solicitor in the Dundalk offices of Sean T O’Reilly and Company.

Ms Byrne was officially introduced at a recent sitting of Ennis District Court. Welcoming Ms Byrne to court on behalf of the Clare Law Society, solicitor Stephen Nicholas said Ms Byrne had worked in general law practice for nine years.

He said Ms Byrne is an experienced legal practitioner who would be warmly welcomed to Clare. Inspector Michael Gallagher welcomed Ms Byrne to Clare on behalf of the Gardaí. He wished her all the best on her career in Clare.

Judge Patrick Durcan told Ms Byrne that they shared something in common in that they are both law- yers who do not hail from the Banner County.

Referring to the drawn All-Ireland final between Clare and Cork earlier this month, Judge Durcan remarked, “The people of County Clare often surprise, as people in Cork will know, in the last minute!”

He told Ms Byrne she worked for an office of practitioners that is “highly regarded and respected both professionally and personally”.

“I wish you all the best with your current practice here in Clare,” he added.

Ms Byrne said, “I thank you all for your very kind words and I look forward very much to working with you.”

Loughnane & Co Solicitors is a long-established law firm with offices in Ennis and Scariff. The firms also have consultation rooms in Galway City and serve clients nationwide. The firm was established by Billy Loughnane in 1980.

CLARE County Council is working to remove a planning law which requires all building projects at Shannon Airport to be first lodged with an Bord Pleanála – no matter how small the project.

Under current planning legislation, the national planning authority must assess every development at the airport to see if it qualifies as a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID).

However, as the vast majority of development are too small to gain SID status, this requirement is effec- tively slowing the planning process by adding an unnecessary layer.

“If somebody wants to build a chicken coop at Shannon Airport, it has to go to an Bord Pleanála first to be determined if it is strategic infrastructure,” said Director of Service for Clare County Council, Ger Dollard.

“In most cases they [an Bord Pleanála] say that it is not as SID and it reverts back to the normal planning process. What people would prefer is that development that are clearly not of strategic important should go into the normal planning process.

“By going to the board and then having to come back to Clare County Council actually lengthens the planning process. In fairness to them [an Bord Pleanála] they have agreed to deal with submission after 21 days and they have stuck to that so far.”

A review of this planning law was recommended in the report of the task force into the future of Shannon Airport.

Under the current law all airports with passengers great than two million people per year must submit every development to an Bord Pleanála. While Shannon Airport has just 1.4 million passengers last year, the national planning board have included them in the SID process as they deem that Shannon has the potential to exceed two million passengers per year.

“Our optimum goal would be that any development at Shannon Airport would not be seen as a SID and would come to us. That may not happen but I think that something could be done regarding the minor development,” continued Mr Dollard.

“We are working with the airport on a number of issues and I think that everyone is working very well together. There is a serious intent there collectively to get the airport to grow in tourism terms and economic terms and in any other way that we can. Everyone is really up for achieving that.”

THE Health Services Executive (HSE) has been asked to provide a report on a mother of three caught in possession of almost € 5,500 worth of prescription drugs in Ennis earlier this year. Officers from the Clare Garda Divisional Drugs unit seized € 2,732 diazepam tablets when they raided the home of 33-year-old Kelly Corbett on January 1 (2013).

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Ms Corbett, with an address at 71 Westbourne Court, Watery Road, Ennis, pleaded guilty to having the drugs for sale or supply.

Inspector Michael Gallagher told the court the tablets had an estimated value of € 5464.

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett said his client co-operated fully with gardaí. He said Ms Corbett was struggling to raise three children when she was approached by someone with the offer of “making a quick euro”.

The court heard Ms Corbett took possession of a large consignment of benzodiazepine tablets and began selling them.

Gardaí began to suspect illegal activity when known drug users began calling to the house, the court heard.

Mr Hassett described it as an “amateurish operation” and said his client was “very embarrassed and very worried”.

He said, “There are people in this town who can access large consignments of drugs and prey on people like Ms Corbett to be their mules.”

Mr Hassett added it could also be questioned if the tablets would make close to € 5,500 on the open market.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he re- garded the crime as being at the upper end of District Court drugs offences. He adjourned the case for the preparation of a Probation report.

He ordered the Probation Services to liaise with the Health Services Executive on this case, explaining that it is incumbent on the Court to obtain advice from the HSE where a child protection issue may exist.

Judge Durcan said he also wanted to hear from the investigating Garda.

Ms Corbett was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on November 27. A S H A N N O N man who kicked a neighbour’s child up the backside after he repeatedly banged on his door has had the charges against him struck out. Gerr y Walsh (54), with an address at Tradaree Cour t, Shannon was charged with assault following the incident in Shannon on May 2 (2013). He pleaded guilty to the charge at Ennis District cour t on Wednesday. Outlining details of the incident, Inspector Michael Gallagher described it as a “most unusual and sad case”. He said the child was banging on the door when Mr Walsh came out an gave him a “small slap which he’ll probably regret for the rest of his life.” The cour t heard Mr Walsh was upset because there was a young child tr ying to sleep in the house. Solicitor John Casey said his client had just put a child to bed when the knocking star ted on the door. He said Mr Walsh gave the injured par ty a “kick up the backside”. The cour t heard that the boy told his father who in turn went to the Garda station. Mr Casey said there were no independent witnesses to the incident. Judge Patrick Durcan said he was striking out the charge. He told Mr Walsh to be more careful in the future. Speaking in cour t, Mr Walsh said the incident developed from an “ongoing matter” in the area. A TRUCK driver who crashed a vintage car into a roundabout in Ennis has been told to pay a substantial contribution to charity. Judge Patrick Durcan said he was making the decision because he “did not want to make an order putting a man out of a job.” Brian Nestor (38) crashed a vintage Ford Escort into a Clare County Council sign at Beech Park roundabout on January 19 (2013). Mr Nestor, with an address at Beech Park, Ennis, was driving home when the accident occurred, Ennis District Court heard on Wednesday. Inspector Michael Gallagher told the court that Mr Nestor left the scene without reporting the incident to gardaí. The accused later told gardaí he was coming from a friend’s house where he drank a can of Heineken.

He was unhurt after the accident. A Garda inspection of the car found that it was not in good overall condition. Solicitor John Casey told the court that his client entered the roundabout driving at 40 miles per hour, when the car left him. He said the condition of the vintage Ford Escort was a probable contributor to the collision. Mr Nestor pleaded gulty to a reduced charge of careless driving and failing to report the accident. He has no previous convictions. Mr Casey said a conviction and driving ban would seriously hurt his client’s ability to work. Judge Patrick Durcan said Mr Nestor’s failure to remain at the scene “raised considerable concerns.” Adjourning the case to tomorrow, Judge Durcan said he expdected Mr Nestor to make a substantial contribution to the court poor box. A T EEN A GER who broke into a Sixmilebridge school has been warned he must comply fully with the directions of the Probation Ser vices or face jail. Mark Burke (19), with an address at Beechwood Grove , Sixmilebridge, stole laptops after breaking into St Finnachta’s National School on August 27. All of the items were recovered and at Ennis District Cour t on Wednesday, Mr Burke pleaded guilty to the offence. The accused was also the subject of a repor t from the Probation Ser vices, which was handed into Judge Patrick Durcan. Judge Durcan said the repor t was “not good”. Defence solicitor Stiofán Fitzpatrick said his client was put under pressure by his peers and had borne the brunt of this latest offence. “When he consumes drink and prescription drugs, all sense goes out the window”, he added. The cour t also heard that the death of his father had a major impact on Mr Burke . Mr Fitzpatrick said his client is at a “crossroads” in his life. Probation Officer Eoin Ryan told the cour t that the accused had carried out community ser vice but missed other appointments. Judge Durcan adjourned the case for a brief period. When the case was re-called, Mr Ryan told the cour t that Mr Burke was willing to engage fully with the Ser vices. “He is aware of the consequences if he doesn’t,” Mr Ryan added. Addressing Mr Burke, Judge Durcan said; “If there is any breach, this matter will be brought back to me and I will deal with it.” The case was adjourned to October 3.

WITH Clare already on a natural high following last Saturday’s AllIreland final victory over Cork, the county is now preparing to enter the stratosphere with the news that a new form of cannabis has been named after famous Banner witch, Biddy Early.

The seed, which is one of five new strains developed in recent years by Magus Genetics in Holland, is described as growing to between 1.8 metres and 2 metres high and is ready for harvest in early October.

Selling and buying cannabis seeds is currently legal in Ireland but cultivating these seeds for person use of sale is a criminal offense. The Biddy Early strain has been specially bred to allow it to grow outdoors in a European climate.

Biddy Early is synonymous with Clare hurling because of the 81-year curse which the East Clare woman placed on the Banner county.

According to the Marijuana.com website, the Dutch company chose the Biddy Early name because her connection with witchcraft.

“Biddy Early is named for a 19th century woman accused of witchcraft, whose story became the subject of folk ballads and entered Irish legend. Magus, from the Latin for ‘priest’ or ‘sorcerer’, felt kinship with Biddy Early’s plight given the similarity between the witch hunt hysteria in times past and the current war on drugs.

“Biddy Early is the first variety that Magus genetics specifically formulated for outdoor gardening in temperate regions. Although an even mix of sativa and indica, this plant exhibits the strong lateral growth typically seen in sativas.

“Biddy likes to branch out. The branches are very elastic and pliable, easily trained or tied like vines to suit the available space. Outdoors, this suppleness makes the plant storm proof or resilient to harsh weather.”

The seeds are no longer available from Magus Genetics who have transferred distribution rights for Biddy Early to another Dutch company, Serious Seeds.

Magus Genetics were unavailable for comment yesterday, either about the Biddy Early seeds of Clare All Ireland success.