Category: News

THE Burren has two new world champions and a host of new medalists following a brilliant performance by the Gort Taekwon-do club at the World Championships in England.

The club, which attracts members from all over North Clare and South Galway, sent seven athletes to take part in this year’s world championship, with all club members coming home with a medal.

The medals haul included two high performing families with father and son, John and Darragh Murphy, winning seven medals between them and mother and son, Gina and Cathal Casey, winning a medal each.

“This was out first ever World Championship as a club and every- one came home with something. It was an amazing performance club. It was a great performance over there. It was like a dream, everything went really really well for the club,” said Lisa Connolly of the Gort Taekwondo, who was also an international referee for this year’s competition.

“I was there as an international referee, which means that I ran a ring for three days, 12 hours a day. I was the centre referee so I was a challenge. You have to be very focussed when you are refereeing these matches – especially if you are going it for 10 or 12 hours every day.”

The leading medal winner was Darragh Murphy, who was awarded four golds and two silvers, followed by Cathal Casey who claimed one gold medal. There were silvers for David Neilan, David Joyce and Gina Casey while John Murphy and black belt John Flanaghan, taking a bronze.

Two on the club’s medalists are also in training to take part in the Kickboxing World Championships in Greece later this year.

“Cathal and Darragh are both training for the Kichboxing World Championships, which take place next month. Cathal is already a World Champion after winning in Florida last year so we are very hopeful,” continued Lisa.

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.

A CONVICTED rapist who failed to tell gardaí in Ennis he had moved address last month has received a suspended sentence.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Patrick Durcan warned the man that if he again failed to comply with his obligations under the Sex Offender’s Act, he would go to jail.

The 41-year-old man pleaded guilty to failing to notify gardaí of a change in his Ennis address in September, as required under the Sex Offenders’ Act (2001).

This is the second time in 12 months the man has committed such an offence.

Last September he spent three weeks living rough near the River Fergus after leaving rented accommodation.

At the time gardaí admitted they were extremely concerned when the man fell of their radar. He subsequently received a two-month prison sentence that was suspended for two years.

On Wednesday, Detective Garda John Casey of Ennis Garda Station, told the court the man was convicted in April 2005 of the sexual assault of a male and rape contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990.

The man moved to Clare in 2010 whereupon gardaí explained to him that he was required to tell them of any change in his living arrangements.

Defence solicitor John Casey told the court his client was between accommodation at the time.

He said the man slept in a garden shed at the rear of his former house while his new accommodation was being renovated.

Mr Casey said that if his client was sent to prison he would lose his accommodation, possessions and go back to “square one”.

“For someone like him to get permanent accommodation would be very difficult”, he added.

Judge Patrick Durcan said the accused is “someone who has fallen to the bottom of the barrel, very considerably.”

However Judge Durcan added, “It is incumbent on the defendant to comply strongly with obligations imposed on him by statute.”

Noting that the man had spent the past week in prison having been remanded in custody, Judge Durcan imposed a four-month sentence, suspended for two years.

He also decided not to activate the suspended sentence handed down last November.

Warning the accused as to his future behaviour Judge Durcan added, “If non-compliance is proven, I will put you into prison.”

AS NEW hurling Clare heroes were being written into the sporting annals on Saturday, a former Clare hurling great was inaugurated into a sporting hall of fame in Limerick.

Sean McMahon was one of the first 16 sports stars of all disciplines to be inaugurated in the new University of Limerick Sports Hall of Fame at the University Arena.

While he was shouting on his fellow Clare men on the pitch in Croke Park, miles away, back in Limerick, UL President Professor Don Barry announced the Doora Barefield man as one of the country’s sporting heroes at an event in the university.

Regarded as one of Clare’s greatestever hurlers, the 40-year-old holds the record as the highest scoring back in All-Ireland Championship history with 0-97 from 51 games.

In his book, ‘Raising the Banner’, Clare hurling manager Ger Loughnane famously said of the hurling star, “There are men, then there are men, then there’s Sean McMahon.”

The event on Saturday was open to members of the public to attend free of charge and was followed by a live screening of the replay of the All Ireland Hurling Final between Clare and Cork on a large screen at the University of Limerick Sports Club.

The other inaugural University of Limerick Sports Hall of Fame inductees were Dr Sarahjane Belton Rugby; Brian Mullins – Gaelic Football; Eimear Cregan – Hockey; Seán O’Grady – Paralympic Athletics; Jimmy Deenihan – Gaelic Football; Eddie O’Sullivan – Rugby; Gerard Hartmann – Triathlon; Ciara Peelo Sailing; Dr Liam Hennessy – Athletics; Ray Silke – Gaelic Football; Dr Eddie Keher – Hurling; Pat Spillane – Gaelic Football; Carmel Vekins Kayak and Canoe Polo; Tony Ward – Rugby and Sinéad Millea – Camogie.

TWO Galway men involved in a row at a stag party in Lahinch earlier this year have been told to be more careful when they are out.

Martin Frehill (31) and Kevin Kilkenny (42), both with addresses at Kill, Kiltormer, Ballinasloe, Galway, appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Mr Frehill pleaded guilty to provoking a breach of the peace and failing to comply with the direction of a garda.

Mr Kilkenny (42) pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the direction of a garda.

The charges relate to an incident at The Promenade, Lahinch, on July 6.

Inspector Michael Gallagher told the court that gardai were called to deal with an incident at O’Looney’s pub.

The court heard Mr Frehill verbally abused and pushed one garda, calling him a “f***ing p**** and a f***ing b*****x”.

Insp Gallagher said Mr Kilkenny then intervened and refused to leave the scene when directed to do so by a garda.

Neither man has any previous convictions.

Eight people in total were charged in connection with the incident.

The court heard that a number of the men have since returned to work in Australia.

Bench warrants were issued for their arrest when they failed to show up in court in July.

Defence solicitor John Casey told the court that a younger member of the group became involved in a row when he was refused entry to the pub.

Mr Casey said his clients had spent the day drinking.

He said they never behaved like that before and rang gardaí the next day to apologise.

Judge Patrick Durcan said the men were welcome to attend stag parties in Clare but were not entitled to abuse gardaí and members of the public.

“If you’re involved in a stag weekend again, be more careful,” he added.

Judge Durcan ordered both men to pay € 250 to the court poor box.

BOAT owners are being encouraged to install tracking devices after a raft of engine thefts from Clare piers in recent days.

A Mariner 65 HP engine was stolen from a boat at Seafield Pier in the early hours of Sunday morning. Thieves pulled the boat ashore and the engine was forcibly removed. Engines were also stolen from boats at Doonbeg pier overnight between Friday and Saturday and overnight between Wednesday and Thursday.

One of the stolen engines was valued at € 16,000. Sgt Joe Downey, Crime Prevention Officer, said Gardaí have not received many reports of suspicious activity as passers by may think thieves are actually the owners working on a boat.

He is encouraging boat owners to install tracking devices on engines. Similar devices are required by insurance companies for the owners of cars valued at € 50,000 or more.

The owners of JCBs can also use tracking devices to send out text messages to alert when machinery has been moved outside a certain set area.

Sgt Downey explained, “People are going to have to seriously ask themselves is it really necessary to keep engines overnight at piers? And if so have they installed tracking devices. A well installed tracking device can be be very useful.

“For instance tracking devices are very useful in laptops. People should seriously consider installing tracking devices when the value of the item is high.”

Despite a small number of breakins around the county over the AllIreland weekend, Sgt Downey said homeowners and businesses are heeding advice for someone to keep an eye on properties during major events.

“When the whole county is gone to the All-Ireland final, someone has to stay behind to mind the house. A lot of people heeded that advice. We had a couple of break ins in that period (match) and one that happened around the time of the homecoming on Sunday”.

A number of items were stolen from a houses in Newmarket and Corofin between Saturday and Sunday morning. A ladies handbag was stolen from a house in the Drumcliff Road area of Ennis between 6pm and 10pm on Sunday night.

Thieves ransacked house in the Hawthorns estate on the Limerick Road overnight between Sunday and Monday. The rear window was forced open.

A POLISH man who verbally abused children after drinking on the day of the All-Ireland hurling final behaved in a “contemptible” fashion, a court has heard.

Pawel Faldowski (26), an unemployed panel beater, roared abuse at members of the public and gardaí in Ennis town centre on September 8, Ennis District Court heard on Wednesday.

Mr Faldowski, with an address at Barrack Close, Ennis, pleaded guilty to engaging in offensive and abusive conduct having been ordered to desist by gardaí.

He also pleaded guilty to a second public order charge of being intoxicated to such an extent so as to be a danger to himself or to others.

Inspector Michael Gallagher said Mr Faldowski was falling in front of cars and being abusive to the public on Abbey Street on the night of the drawn hurling match between Clare and Cork.

The court heard he has 15 previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Angela Byrne told the court her client had been drinking all day and has very little recollection of events.

She said Mr Faldowski’s previous convictions all relate to drink.

Ms Byrne said he has taken steps to address his alcohol abuse.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he found the accused’s behaviour “contemptible”.

He imposed a fine of € 250. CLARE County Council has been fined € 5000 for breaching a licence by allowing odours escape from its landfill. At Ennis Circuit Court last week, Judge Gerald Keyes imposed the fine on Clare County Council after it pleaded guilty to the offence at its Inagh landfill on August 22, 2007. The council had initially pleaded not guilty to the offence before a jury on Monday with the case due to commence Tuesday and last two weeks. However the Counsel for the Council, Hugh Hartnett SC, told the court on Wednesday that his client would be pleading guilty to one count.