Category: News

CLARE’S most senior local authority has been shortlisted for a national engineer’s award.

Clare County Council is in the running for Engineers Ireland Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Employer of the Year Award.

The council, which has a long and successful record of CPD, has been short listed for its achievements in using in-house expertise, local knowledge and innovation to develop the Clare County Flood Forecasting System (CCFFS).

The unique system has proven highly successful and is being replicated by a number of organisations throughout the country.

Dublin City Council, Dromone Engineering Limited, global healthcare company Abbott Ireland and PM Group are among other lead- ing organisations shortlisted for the awards.

Commenting on the shortlist, Engineers Ireland director general and chartered engineer John Power said, “Every year we are hugely impressed by the quality of entries and the organisations’ commitment to CPD, this year is no different. The shortlist reflects companies that have demonstrated how the strategic use of CPD enables tangible business transformation, helping to establish Ireland as a centre of excellence for engineering.

“I would like to congratulate Clare County Council for reaching the shortlist and encourage them to continue investing in professional development.”

The winners will be announced this Wednesday, October 2, at the Engineers Ireland CPD Symposium and Awards in the Clyde Court Hotel in Dublin.

THE students of Gaelcholáiste an Chláir have proven to be top of the class and leading the way for other students, especially those sitting the Leaving Certificate.

A radio project, which the students were involved in, has not just been broadcast on national radio but is also shortlisted for the annual national radio awards.

‘Scrúdú Béil na hArdteiste’ was produced by Conn Ó Muíneacháin at his studio in Ballynacally, with the help of student teacher Áine Pyne from Ennis. The stars of the show were the transition year students of Gaelcholáiste an Chláir who took part in mock interviews based on the “sraith pictiúr” section of the Leaving Certificate oral test.

The series of four programmes was commisioned by RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta, who broadcast it twice in the lead-up to the oral exams in April. RTÉ subsequently nominated the series for the PPI Radio Awards, and it was announced in the shortlist last month.

Mr Ó Muíneacháin paid tribute to the staff and students of Gaelcholáiste an Chláir. “It was essential that the programme would have student voices,” he said, “and vital that they had a high standard of Irish. The Gaelcholáiste students deserve great credit for the success of the programme.”

The five students from transition year who took part in the series included Conal Ó hAiniféin, Sally Ní Mheadhra, Nicole Ní Chathasaigh, Áine Mhaoir and Alex Maguidhir under the guidance of teachers Íde Bhreathnach and Orla Ní Dhonncha.

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.”

POSITIVE Ageing Week will be celebrated with a wide number of events around Clare from September 27 to October 5.

This is the 11th year Age Action has marked UN International Day of Older Persons, which takes place on October 1.

Clare County Library has compiled a programme of events to celebrate this very worthwhile week. In association with Bluebird Care, there will be a Positive Ageing Photo Exhibition on display in the De Valera Public Library, Ennis, from Monday, September 30, to Friday, October 11. The exhibition showcases older people getting out and enjoying life. Some are still working, while others are continuing to enjoy hobbies and some are captured passing on their skills to another generation. The exhibition has been displayed in art galleries, libraries, nursing homes, schools, town halls and businesses. It is made up of 28 images with 28 separate descriptions. It can be viewed during normal library opening hours so don’t miss your chance to see these inspiring photos.

To coincide with the exhibition’s residency in the library Bluebird Care will also present a ‘Safe at Home’ security seminar there on Tuesday, October 8, at 6pm. This seminar is one in a nationwide series of security seminars that Bluebird Care has organised in response to a growing fear among older people about security at home. It will be attended by local Community Policing members of An Garda Síochána, security consultants and community representatives. This is a free event and everyone is welcome.

Senior citizens will have an opportunity to get in touch with their artistic side at an art workshop entitled.

During Positive Ageing Week, and throughout the month of October, Clare County Library will take a small section of the Local Studies Library on tour when library staff will visit nursing homes and day centres throughout the county. A selection of ‘Clare Champion’ newspapers from times past will be transported, along with photographs and books, so that extracts can be read and discussed, evoking memories of times past. The newspapers are part of a complete set of ‘Clare Champions’ dating back to 1903 which are housed at the Local Studies Centre on Harmony Row, Ennis. They are available to the pub- lic for reference use.

Remember too that senior citizens can avail of free library membership in all of Clare County Library’s branches. For more information on these events and much more visit Clare County Library’s website at www. clarelibrary.ie or telephone 065 6821616.

A MYSTERIOUS two metre-long, phallic-shaped object has been creating a stir in North Clare since it was discovered imbedded in sand on Lahinch beach on Sunday.

The object, which has already been christened the ‘Lahinch Langer’, appeared on the southern end of the beach and has been baffling locals and tourists alike.

The heavy object, which was discovered lodged in heavy sand, not too far from the 12th tee at Lahinch Gold Club, appeared to be covered with a mixture of shells and tentacles prompting speculation that it may be a previously unclassified species of sea animals.

The object was yesterday examined by Dr Eamon Doyle of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark, who determined that the object is in fact a collection of thousand a crustaceans known as Goose Barnacles.

Goose Barnacles are unlike other crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters. Instead of crawling along the sea bed, they attach themselves to floating materials and filter food from the water.

“It is difficult to tell what they are attached to because there are so many of them. Normally you might see them attached to a log or even a floating piece of plastic, but I have never seen them in these numbers before,” he said.

“They need moving water to wash through so they can feed, so they don’t move around like other crustaceans. They are relatively common but this is the first time that I have seen them in these number.”

A large number of the Goose Barnacles were still alive yesterday but unless the colony is returned to the sea soon they will all die.

“There was a lot of people stopping to look at them. Up until I arrived yesterday, I don’t think anyone really knew what it was. They there was a lot of people interested and taking photographs but I don’t think they realised that they were Goose Barnacles,” continued Dr Doyle.

“They are still alive at the moment but they won’t last for long if they are not re-floated. The way that the log is buried in the band it is hard to see how they would be released, even in high tide. It is hard to know how long the would last.”