Category: News

LOCK UP your houses and have a neighbour keep an eye on your property when going to the All-Ireland hurling final replay is the message from gardaí and community alert groups alike as criminals target an empty county on September 28th.

Following a spate of burglaries and attempted break-ins all over Clare on September 8th, the date of a drawn final, Banner supporters are being warned in advance to secure their property before heading to Croke Park.

A number of premises, including one closed public house, was targeted while the Banner took on Cork in Croke Park nine days ago.

Recent incidents have shown that criminals are now taking note of local events as well as hurling matches to strike at houses and premises.

As a result communities in parts of Clare are being forced to arrange for neighbours to police their property when they attend weddings and funerals – as organised groups of burglars have started targeting major community events.

According to the Spancilhill/Clooney Community Alert Group, members are working around the clock trying to keep their area safe.

The group have recently agreed a partnership with Barefield Community Alert in an effort to pool resources and help maintain cover.

“There is no doubt in my mind that these criminals are targeting specific events in specific areas. Weddings, funerals, big matches – anything that they can find out about in the paper,” said Joe Corbett of the Spancilhill/Clooney Community Alert Group.

“When my mother died last year I had to arrange for two people to look after the property while the funeral was on. People are living in fear. It used to be the case that you could lock the door behind you and be confident that your property would be safe, but that is not the case anymore. A number of places were targetted during the the All-Ireland final, which is a really horrible thing for people to come home to.”

His comments come as gardaí investigate a spate of burglaries across Clare.

In the seven days between September 6 and 15, gardaí recorded multiple burglaries in areas such as Mullagh, Crusheen, Corofin, Kilmaley, Ennis and Killaloe.

Tinerana House, the 19th century mansion believed to be owned by Euromillions winner Dolores McNamara, was among the properties hit by criminals while all taps, light fittings and a copper cylinder were stolen from one Killaloe property.

Crime Prevention Officer, Sgt Joe Downey, is encouraging people attending major events to leave someone behind to look after property.

He added, “If that isn’t possible then hopefully they would have alarms or some form of electronic surveillance at the house.”

EVERY house in Ennis will be contacted by the Ennis Evangelical Church over the next week as they attempt to revive religious faith in the county town and bring Clare people back to God.

More than 10,000 postcard style messages will be delivered in Ennis in the coming days inviting people to re-engage with God. The postcards, which have been dubbed the “Ask Campaign”, invite Ennis people to devise one question which they would like God to answer.

The Ennis Evangelical Church are hoping to collect the questions and answer as many of them as they can – using the bible to gain the answers. A spokesperson from the church told The Clare People yesterday that the campaign has not been organised to convert people to the evangelical church – but was instead organised to encourage people to speak to God.

“The aim is to deliver the message to every single residential property in Ennis. Our aim is to try and let people know that they can have a relationship with God,” said Philip Pain of the Ennis Evangelical Church.

“We are relational beings and we were made that way. He wants us to have a relationship with him so I think it is quite reasonable for us to ask him questions. I think he wants us to come to him with our hopes and concerns.

“We would also like to understand the concerns of the people here in Ennis, where our church is based. It is all very well being spiritual but it has to be real as well. We want to understand the issues that are on people’s hearts.”

The church has already received a number of responses from people and will soon begin to answer these questions through their website. The Ennis Evangelical Church stressed they did not instigate the “Ask Campaign” as a means of recruiting people into their church.

“We really don’t care where people go to church and do their worship. The important thing is that they get to know the living God and are saved for eternal life. Whether they choose to come to church with us on a Sunday morning or attend one of our bible studies classes is not the issue, the issue is that souls are saved for the lord and his glory,” continued Mr Pain.

A GRANDMOTHER blew a whistle and claimed to be a whistleblower on war crimes as Ennis District Court was disrupted for a brief period on Wednesday.

Anti-war activist Margaretta Darcy (79) shouted, “there are US warplanes at Shannon. The Irish Government is guilty of complicity and if you are against war, say ‘no to war’.” during the brief hearing.

Ms Darcy, with an address at St Bridget’s Place, Woodquay, Galway, and her co-accused, Niall Farrell (60), received loud cheers and a round of applause from supporters following their actions.

Earlier, Mr Farrell, had been ordered to leave the courtroom after making a number of statements.

Mr Farrell, with an address at Ballynacloghy, Maree, Galway, claimed “murder is being committed at Shan- non Airport” and that there is “blood” on the hands of all Irish people.

There was an eruption of laughter after Mr Farrell pulled on a rubber mask of US President Barrack Obama as he was escorted from the courtroom by gardaí.

Both Ms Darcy and M Farrell wore orange Guantanamo style jumpsuits.

Both accused are charged with two offences under the Air Navigation and Transport Act.

It is alleged that Mr Farrell and Ms Darcy on October 7 (2012) and September 1 (2013) interfered with the proper use of Shannon Airport by going on the runway without permission.

Outlining the alleged facts, Insp Kennedy said the pair was discovered by airport security on the runway.

The accused were conveyed to the terminal building, charged and brought before Limerick District Court on September 2.

Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction. Insp Kennedy said the pair had declined legal representation. He said the State would transmit all papers relating to the alleged offences to the accused.

Mr Farrell asked Judge Durcan to strike out the charges, claiming, “these were not actual crimes, it was an act of humanity.”

At a court appearance in July, court was adjourned for a few minutes after Ms Darcy, who walks with the aid of a walking frame, jumped up on a bench and demanded her case be heard.

On Wednesday, Judge Durcan adjourned the cases to October 2. The accused were accompanied by a large group of supporters including a sketch artist.

Judge Durcan ordered that one man put down a sign reading “War Is The Crime”.

THE world’s most famous middle distance runner is waking up in North Clare this morning, and preparing for a leisurely jog around Ennistymon. World and Olympic 800 meter champion, David Rudisha, will today pay a visit to all three secondary schools in Ennistymon – starting in the vocational school, before taking on the big climb to the Ennistymon CBS and finally on to Scoil Mhuire. Rodesia and his wife Lizzy are the guests of Ennistymon couple Pat and Neilus O’Doherty, who have hosted a number of Olympic champions in Ennistymon over the years.

On August of 2010, Rudisha broke Wilson Kipketer’s 800 metre World Record and was also the first man to run under one minute and 41 second for the event. Indeed, so complete is the 23 year old’s domination of the event that h- has now ran the three quickest 800 metres ever recorded.

Rudisha is famously trained by Irish Christian brother Colm O’Connell. Brother O’Connell first arrived in the Rift valley from Cork in 1976 on a two-year placement to teach at a Catholic boarding school and over the last 30 he has helped establish kenya as the powerhouse of middle distance running. O’Connell first spotted 14-year-old David Rudisha in 2004, running the 200 metre sprint at a provincial schools race.

“He only came fifth, but I noticed he was a tall, elegant runner, and that he was focused, so I made a mental note to watch out for his progress,” he said.

“He had never run an 800m before so I wasn’t expecting anything. Then the surprise came.”

The young Rudisha ended up beating the then Kenyan national champion and record a time just eight second off a world record – in his first ever 800 metre race.

A MAN allegedly told his neighbours he would “burn them out of the house” during a disturbance at a housing estate in Ennis earlier this year.

Details of the incident at Dun na hInse, Ennis on May 9 were heard at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that gardaí were called to a dispute between residents of two houses.

The court heard Shane Constable (25) was in one of the houses shouting at his neighbour.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that Mr Constable shouted that he was “going to burn them out of the house.”

Gardaí arrested the accused to defuse the situation, the court heard.

Mr Constable is charged with two public order offences – intoxication and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that there was nothing in the garda statements to say that her client had threatened to burn down the house.

Ms Godfrey said Mr Constable had not been charged with making a threat and that the house was not burned down.

Judge Patrick Durcan said that if the allegation was true, it was a serious matter “reminiscent of what happened with the Black and Tans in this part of the country.”

He adjourned the case to allow the arresting garda give evidence in the case.

The case was adjourned for mention to tomorrow (September 18).

THE North Clare economy could be set for an annual boost of more than € 3 million if the Burren Farming for Conservation Project is rolled out across all of the regions 600 farmers.

Funding for the project, which currently totals € 1 million for 160 conservation farmers, is due for regeneration in 2015. The Burren made history at the weekend by becoming the first location in Ireland to win the European Diploma of Protected Ar- eas Award and it is thought that this award could prompt the full roll-out of the Burren Farming for Conservation Project across the Burren.

“This is awarded to areas of high environmental value that are also been managed to a very high standard. It is a very prestigious award, and this the first time that it has been received by any region in Ireland,” said Brendan Dunford of the Burren Farming for Conservation Project.

“A lot of people worked to get this award, everyone made a contribution. The awards are not as important as the work on the ground. If you get the work on the ground done properly then the awards will follow.

“The real significance of the award is probably for the future of conservation farming in the Burren. This is a real signal that what we are going here is working. It is delivering in a cost effective way for the tax payers; it is popular among the farmers and it is producing real environmental gains. We don’t want that to stop, in fact we want to increase it.

“This programme really should be rolled out right across the Burren and not just for the areas we are at the moment.”

Funding for the Burren Farming for Conservation Project comes from unspent Single Farm Payment finding, which is redistributed by the Department of Agriculture.

“This money goes to farmers who employ other people to help make quantifiable environmental improvements on their farm. They shop locally for equipment and supplies, so there is a huge recycling of that money,” continued Mr Dunford.

“The funding has a benefit to the North Clare economy which is far in excess of € 1 million.”

A BODY piercing artist has been fined € 1000 after pleading guilty to careless driving in Shannon earlier this year.

Douglas Ashton (26) was pursued by a garda car after driving in a figure S fashion on the N19 in April.

Mr Ashton, with an address at Ballycaseymore, Shannon, had previously been charged with driving in a manner that was dangerous to public on the N19 near Smithstown, Shan- non on April 12 (2013).

The case originally came before Ennis District Court in July when Judge Patrick Durcan refused a defence application to reduce the charge to one of careless driving.

The court heard Mr Ashton would plead guilty to a reduced charge.

At the time Garda Noel O’Rourke of Shannon Garda Station told the court that at five minutes past midnight he observed Mr Ashton drive in a figure S fashion at high speed across two lanes of the N19.

Garda O’Rourke said during his pursuit of the car down the 1.8km stretch of road, his garda patrol car reached a speed of 100km.

Judge Durcan refused to reduce the charge and indicated that another Judge would hear the case.

On Wednesday, defence solicitor John Casey urged Judge Durcan to reconsider his decision.

Mr Casey told the court that his client was in the process of selling the car at the time. He said Mr Ashton accelerated too quickly on the night.

Mr Casey said his client, a body piercer, needed his new car for work and family reasons. He urged the court not to disqualify his client from driving. After hearing a summary of the facts, Judge Durcan agreed to reduce the charge.

“There was no endangerment to any third party. The only danger was to the accused man himself.”

Judge Durcan imposed a fine of € 1000 for careless driving. He also fined Mr Ashton € 250 for not having a valid NCT. A 23- Y EA R – OLD man has been given 100 hours community service in lieu of two months in prison, for beaching the peace, and had a drug charge adjourned until March. Ben Farrelly, St Bridgits, Kildimo, Kilrush, Co. Clare was out with his partner in Kilrush on May 24, when he got involved in an incident with other unnamed people. Solicitor for the defence Patrick Moylan told the court that his client was verbally abused by others on the evening in question. “When the gardaí arrived they scampered and my client stayed with his girlfriend. It wasn’t that he was drinking and he was out looking for trouble, trouble came looking for him,” he said. Mr Moylan said,“Alcohol doesn’t mix well with him.” “When he drank he drank to excess, he nowfeels he can moderate his drink.” The court also heard that on November 10, 2012 when gardaí called to Mr Farrelly’s house they found cannabis plant “in a healthy state of growth” and evidence of cultivation in his room. Mr Moynihan said that cannabis was an issue for Mr Farrelly and that he was addicted. He suggested that he engage with a counsellor that comes to Kilrush on a regular basis. Judge Patrick Durcan adjoined the drug charges until March 18, 2014 and placed Mr Farrelly under the supervision of the probation officer. He sentenced himto 100 hours of community service in lieu of two months in prison on the Section 6 Public Order offence and took into consideration an intoxication charge under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. A MA N CH A R GED with robbing a shopworker at knifepoint in Ennis earlier this month is due back in court tomorrow. The 30-year-old woman was on her way to work when she was allegedly approached by a man allegedly carrying a nine-inch kitchen knife, Ennis District Court heard onWednesday. It is alleged that WilliamDonovan (20) grabbed the woman’s handbag before running away. Mr Donovan, with an address at Clancy Park, Ennis, appeared in Court onWednesday. He is charged robbing a handbag containing a purse, cash and a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone. He is also charged with the production of an article, a nine-inch blade, while committing robbery. The alleged offences are alleged to have occurred at Clon Road, Ennis on September 1. Garda Claire McDermott of Ennis Garda Station told the court that the woman was on her way to work when the alleged robbery occurred. Gardaí opposed solicitorTara Godfrey’s bail application on behalf of her client. Separately, Mr Donovan is also charged with the theft of clothes, keys, a mobile phone and cash fromDough beach, Lahinch on August 28. Judge Patrick Durcan refused bail. He remanded Mr Donovan in custody to appear again at Ennis District Court on September 18. A 71- Y EA R – OLD

POSTERS advertising a swingers nightclub have been described as “sleazy” and a “publicity stunt” by one of the organiser of the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival.

Marcus White – who operates the Hydro, the Imperial and the Burren Castle hotels in Lisdoonvarna – has hit out at the posters, which appeared in the village last week.

The posters advertise a Limerick venue called ‘i-kandie.ie’ and de- scribes the club as “Ireland’s only real swingers’ club venue”.

Mr White yesterday hit out the club – describing it as sleazy and not at all in line with the spirit of traditional matchmaking which takes place at the Lisdoonvarna festival.

“This is a traditional festival with roots going back hundreds of year and we don’t want to be associated with anything sleazy like that [the swingers club]. No one is Lisdoonvarna would tolerate that,” he said

“This is just a publicity stunt. Anything like that would tarnish the reputation of this festival. I can tell you for certain, no one up here would have anytime for the likes of that.”

The posters advertised weekly swingers parties at the venue at Eastway Business Park, Crossagalla in Limerick. It is understood that the club, which has been in business for more than five years, attracts in excess of 30 people for its club night.

The facilities is described as including a sauna, a tv lounge with movies and a reception area with an open fire where people can meet and chat. The club generally opens on a Satur- day night, with couples arriving at 12 noon and festivities continuing until 5am.

It is believed that the Limerick club deliberately targeted this year’s matchmaking festival in the hopes of drumming up some extra by enticing a portion of the traditional Lisdoonvarna crowd into partner swapping.

The Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival has been in operation for more than 150 year. The festival, which is overseen by local matchmaker Willie Daly, attracts thousands of people to North Clare each year.

Esther (Essie) FEELY (née Duggan)
, Parkview,Wexford and formerly Ennis, wife of the Late JimFeely. Reposing at Mackens Funeral Home, Distillery Road,Wexford, onTuesday from 5pmwith Memorial Service at 7pm. Ceremony onWednesday in St Joseph’s Church, Lifford, Ennis, at 12.30pm, followed by burial in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

John (Jack) O’BRIEN,
Ballyglass, Doora, Quin. Laid to rest in St Bricken’s Church grounds. May he rest in peace.

Patrick MORONEY,
Gortavrulla, Feakle. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Kilclaren Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to Raheen Hospice. May he rest in peace.

Teresa WILSON
, Kilkerrin, Labasheeda. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Killofin Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. May she rest in peace.

Gerry WHYTE
, Springfield Drive,Templeogue, Miltown Malbay. Peacefully in the wonderful care of the staff at the Beacon Hospital. Laid to rest at Mount Jerome Crematorium. Donations if desired to St.Vincent de Paul. May he rest in peace.

Eithne KEAVENEY
, Ennis, Roscommon. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Andrew (Andy) HOGAN
, Carrigoran and late of Hermitage, Ennis. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Brendan TWOMEY
,Adare, Knock. Formerly of Knock, Clare. In his 91st year. Laid to rest in Kilmurry McMahon cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Kevin MCKEE
, 25 Shannon Park, Ennis. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to Kilmaley Day Centre. May he rest in peace.

Brid WARREN (née Doolaghty)
, Cappalea North, Kilmaley. Peacefully at her residence, in the presence of her loving family. Laid to rest in Mount Temple Cemetery Kilmaley. Donations, is desired, to the Irish Kidney Association or the Irish Cancer Society. May she rest in peace.

John (Johnny) HOGAN
, Bronx, NewYork and Lislanahan, Kilkee. Suddenly in NewYork. Husband of the Late Noreen (Clancy), son of the Late Patrick &Teresa Hogan (Lislanahan, Kilkee) and brother of the Late PJ (London). Laid to rest in St John’s Church, Kingsbridge, NewYork on September 14. May he rest in peace.

Elizabeth (Betty) GRIMES
, 18 Lee Park, Drumgeely, Shannon. Laid to rest in Illaunumanagh Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Michael O’GRADY
, Oatfield, Sixmilebridge. Former member of Clare and Limerick Fresian Breeders Association. Laid to rest in Doonass Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

John PENDER
, England, and formerly of Einagh, Monmore. Laid to rest in NewShanakyle Cemetery, Kilrush. May he rest in peace.

James (Jim) MCCARTHY
, Donadea, Naas/ Ballynacally. Formerly of Clonfurish, Ballynacally. Laid to rest in Kilcreast Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Margaret (Peg) O’DONNELL (née Al
len) , 11 Drumgeely Ave, Shannon. Late of Rosbrien, Limerick. Laid to rest in Lemanagh Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Martin CAHILL
, Cahermurphy, Kilmihil. Suddenly. Laid to rest in Kilmihil cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Claire KENNEDY
, Stone Park, Coolmeen. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Kilfidane Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

A DISTRICT Court judge told a defendant that while he sympathised with the fact he suffered from a condition whose symptoms included severe bouts of fatigue, he could not use the rare medical condition as an excuse to break the law.

Martin Haugh of Farrihy, Kilkee, suffers from Addison’s Disease.

On the morning of July 29, 2013, he was found lying in the foetal position on the grassy margins on the Miltown Malbay Road out of Kilkee by Garda John Cahill.

The court heard he was very intoxicated and the gardaí had difficulty getting him to stand. They took him into custody for his own safety.

A bag of cannabis resin worth an estimated € 40 was also found in Mr Haugh’s pocket.

Supt Seamus Nolan told the court that gardaí accepted this was for his own personal use.

The 24 year-old was charged with being intoxicated in a public place under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order Act) 1994 and unlawful possession of a controlled drug – cannabis resin contrary to Section 3 and Section 27 (as amended by Section 6) of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Pleading guilty to the charges, solicitor for the defendant Joe Chambers said his client suffered from “the top level” of Addison’s Disease and “one of the symptoms is he can be overcome by fatigue”.

He said Mr Haugh was out in Kilkee and was to stay with his brother. As he couldn’t get into his brother’s house he decided to walk home, got tired, and lay down on the side of the road. Mr Chambers told the court that his client uses cannabis on occasion to relieve the symptoms of his condition.

“It is not acceptable to the law, but science would accept it to get such relief,” he added.

“He is not a troublemaker. He lives at home with his family and can’t work because of his condition.”

He previously received the probation act from the court, because of his condition.

“I accept he suffers from the disease but I am forming the view that he is using it as an excuse. This is not an excuse to break public order or drug offences,” said residing judge Patrick Durcan.

“He is not a violent person by any means,” said Mr Chambers.

“Should the gardaí on this fine morning come along and poke him with a stick and say he was okay, the superintendent would be here with a team of counsel as part of an inquiry. Addison’s Disease or not your client must abide with the law,” said Judge Durcan.

The judge advised Mr Haugh to seek pain relief from a medical practitioner. He adjourned the case until March 18. THE CASE against a 19-year-old has been adjourned for a probation report, after he pleased guilty to obstructing a garda in the course of his duty and possession of cannabis at Kilrush District Court on Tuesday. The court heard that Alan Clohessy, of 9A Willow Green, Kilrush tried to evade a garda warrant on June 26, 2013 by running inside his house and locking the door. Supt Seamus Nolan told the court that gardaí forced their way into the defendant’s room, at which point he threw an object out the window. The object was not recovered. In the bedroom gardaí found four cannabis cigarette butt ends. Solicitor for the defence Gearóid Williams said that since the incident a bill of € 217 was issued for repair work on the door by Clare County Council.He told the court that Mr Clohessy lives at home with his brother, mother and her partner and is currently unemployed. Judge Patrick Durcan said while he has no issue dealing with the Section 6 offence [drug possession], the second charge was “a complete affront to gardaí and society.” “This is not just a drug matter but an offence against gardaí,” he said. Judge Durcan said he would take into consideration that the defendant had no previous convictions and he was “slow to hand out sentence that would have repercussions down the line.” He asked for a probation report and remanded Mr Clohessy on continuing bail until November 12.

EXPLORING sacred places around her native Ennis provided the inspiration for Caitriona Sheedy’s contribution to Culture Night.

“The process begins with a silent walk, while observing any sensations, thoughts, feelings and then drawing a map of first impression,” she reveals.

“Then an area that you feel drawn to is chosen as the place that you carry out the next stages for the rest of the process,” she adds.

The Old Mill in Ennis became the focal point of Ms Sheedy’s study and for his exhibition she has created a wheel. “The overall feeling at the summing up was one of ‘hopelessness – afraid to die, afraid to live’,” she says.

“The wheel sits idol and I learned as a result of the project that there has been efforts by two different parties to get this place in motion again.”

The first stage of this project was undertaken by way of exploring the energy of place.

Ms Sheedy’s work already explored energy and she had decided to deepen this work by learning more about what it is her work communicates and how the energy of a particular subject could be channeled.

“Drawn to explore the energy of sacred sites, I was delighted to take part in a Goethean study of place which gave her the steps she felt would be hugely beneficial to her own work.

“On the walks in the first stage I knew that it was a huge space to take on and thought to repeat the process on my own again in different areas.

“However it seemed much more logical to invite other artists to get involved and so a call for artists was sent out and part two of the project began in May,” she adds.