Category: News

KILNABOY man Joseph Kelly has won gold at the Worldskills competition held in Leipzig.

The aircraft mechanic at Transaero Engineering Ireland competed in the aircraft maintenance category at Worldskills Leipzig 2013 against aircraft maintenance engineers from around the world including Canada, Singapore, U.K, Sweden, Finland, New Zealand, China, Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and France to claim the top prize.

The competition took place over a four day period, 22 hours in total, with six modules to be completed.

The modules varied from sheet metal, daily inspection on a helicopter, gas turbine engine hot section inspections, flight control rigging, component removal, inspection and re-installation and electrical circuit troubleshooting and fault finding.

Mr Kelly was selected for Team Ireland having won the Irish national skills on two occasions in 2012 and 2013. He also took part in a series of interviews.

The training for the Worldskills competition was carried out mainly in FAS Shannon with expert in Aircraft Maintenance Michael Hayes.

The Kilnaboy man also received the ‘Best of Nation’ award.

NUI Galway has issued a final call for applications from Clare to its Sports Scholarships Scheme for 2013/14.

Clare has a long tradition of provided students to the university who have secured scholarships, among them a slew of hurlers such as Donal Tuohy, John Conlon, Patrick Kelly Domhall O’Donovan, Caimin Morey, Cormac O’Donovan and Gerry O’Grady as well as current Clare and Sixmilebridge camogie player Chloe Morey.

The Scholarship Programme is aimed at student-athletes of outstanding calibre who register as students of the University. The scheme is open to students who are only attending the college this September for the first time.

The scheme is also open to students already studying at NUI Galway.

The deadline for application for current and prospective students is Wednesday the 31st July at 5pm.

In the current academic year, student athletes at NUI Galway received significant financial and professional support services.

The scholarships aim to help aspiring young sportspeople to continue to develop their sporting prowess while attending the university.

Currently 60 students receive support under the scheme in a broad range of sports.

The scheme has assisted dozens of athletes’ progress to the highest levels of their sport in recent years and is aimed at providing them with the tools for success in their careers in the long term.

“The strongest selling point of our Sports Scholarship program is the results that it is producing,” said Gary Ryan is Elite Sports Develop- ment Officer at the university.

“We have supported the development of numerous Irish Internationals including some World Champions and medallists over the last number of years as well as the enormous success that so many of our GAA players have enjoyed at Senior and U21 level in recent years.

“Our focus is on the support of our student athletes in their dual careers. We strive to offer world class supports in one of the Ireland’s leading universities.

“Our scholarship students develop skills that will sustain them in their future sporting and professional careers and the long list of successful sporting alumni is testament to that,” he added.

The deadline for application for current and prospective students who may be thinking of attending NUI Galway is Wednesday the 31st July at 5pm.

THE people of Clare were not to blame for the current financial crisis – including the creation of a property bubble in the county. That is according to a new book about to be published by Clare resident, André Hakizimana.

The book, entitled ‘The Irish Economy – Past, Present and Future’, lays the blame for the ongoing recession on the policies used by the past and current government. According to the Ennis resident, the previous governments concentrated too much on exports, and this did not benefit the local domestic economy.

The present Fine Gael/Labour coalition government, he believes, is making the same mistake and should concentrate on investing and improving the domestic economy of many small regions, like County Clare.

“The housing boom and bust in Clare is a cause to the recession, but is not the core – the strategy [employed by the Government] is,” said Mr Hakizimana. “The Government should look to boost the local economy, rather than exports – where there is little or no job creation.

“The Government, the banks, but also the people must take responsibility for peoples current finincial status, but the public should not be blamed exclusively.

“The Government should invest in local enterprise as this would help people go back to work. This is key to improving our economy.”

Mr Hakizimana has been a Clare resident for almost 10 years and has a first hand experience of the effects of the economic boom and bust.

‘The Irish Economy – Past, Present and Future’ outlines the economic strategy of Ireland in recent decades and aims to pinpoint where everything started to go wrong. The book is available from The Ennis Book Shop at a cost of € 15.

THREE Clare artists have had their work showcased in an international festival of photography that’s taking place at various venues around the country.

The artists’ work was part of a group exhibition curated by Enniswoman Shelagh Honan that was organised as part of the PhotoIreland Festival, Ireland’s first ever festival of photography and image culture.

“It celebrates Ireland’s photographic talents, often times only recognised abroad, as well as bringing international practitioners and artists to Ireland,” a spokesperson for PhotoIreland Festival said.

“The festival highlights, promotes and elevates fine art photography in Ireland, conferring on it the importance it duly deserves.”

Clare’s involvement centred around the ‘Call it What You Will’ exhibition that included the work of curator Shelagh Honan, the work of Fiona O’Dwyer and Maria Finucane from Ennistymon and Tulla respectively, as well as Dublin-based artists Mike McLoughlin and Marie Phelan.

“This was an exhibition that involved the work of four lens-based artists,” Ms Honan told The Clare People this week.

“It wasn’t strictly photography based, but involved projection, video and photography.

“There were three separate exhibitions in Limerick as part of the festival, one in Ormston House, another in Occupy Space gallery and the ‘Call It What You Will’ exhibition in Faber Studios.

“This is the second ‘Call It What You Will’ exhibition in a series touring the country. The exhibition, which is not strict photography, involves a series of installations including sound, video and camera obsurca.

“The first took place in a disused house in Ballyferriter in Dingle and now Photography Ireland selected this work to be part of their PhotoIreland Festival exhibition. The second show follows a similar format to the first, but has evolved.” added Ms Honan.

The PhotoIreland Festival was established in 2010 and takes place every July, bringing together a wide range of artists, galleries and cultural institutions in a celebration of photography.

The inclusion of the ‘Call It What You Will’ exhibition in the PhotoIreland Festival programme comes as the Clare artists begin preparations to bring the exhibition to Ennis as part of ‘Culture Night’ that takes place throughout the country on September 20 next.

“Bringing the show to Ennis is important for us,” said Ms Honan, “and ‘Culture Night’ is the perfect opportunity to do that, with the key being to find a suitable building in the town to host the exhibition for a one to two-day period,” she added.

EIGHT PEOPLE from West Clare including a 16-year-old boy who were charged in May with selling or supplying drugs, including heroin and cannabis appeared again in Kilrush District Court on Tuesday.

Three of the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges against them, and had their cases adjourned until September 10 for sentencing.

Judge Patrick Durcan also ordered a pre-sentence probation report in all three cases.

Four of the defendants had their case adjourned until October 15 for a plea or hearing.

A bench warrant was ordered in the case of Clare O’Sullivan (25) of Main Street, Cooraclare, who failed to appear in court.

She was charged with having cannabis for sale or supply at the Kilrush Marina on Christmas Eve last, December 24, 2012.

She was also charged with having cannabis for sale on March 15, 2013 at Main Street Cooraclare, and again in the Tesco car park on February 4, 2013.

A STUDENT who pleaded guilty to drink driving an ambulance he took unlawfully while it was on a call out in Kilkee, and being in possession of a steak knife at the time, has been suspended from driving for three years, fined € 250 and given a total of 200 hours community service in lieu of a prison sentence at Kilrush District Court.

Conor Hannon (21) of 102 Sycamore Drive, Rathbane, Limerick was ordered to carry out 100 hours community work in lieu of a three month prison sentence for being in possession of a fire arm – a black handle steak knife.

He was handed a further 100 hours community work in lieu of another three month prison sentence for unlawfully taking the HSE ambulance contrary to Section 112 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, which is to run consecutively to the first sentence.

He was also fined € 250 and dis- qualified from driving for three years under the drink driving charge.

The court heard that gardaí were called to Victoria Terrace, Dough, Kilkee on May 6, 2013 at 2.30am by the ambulance service who were caring for a patient who had fallen and hurt his head.

A highly intoxicated Mr Hannon got into the ambulance and drove it forward a “few feet” before he was removed by ambulance personnel.

Garda Conor Flaherty gave evidence that as Mr Hannon was being removed to the Garda van a knife was found on him.

The garda added that the second year tourism student had been very apologetic the following day.

Defence solicitor Michael Ryan said that it was an indication of his client’s character that there was no element of violence on the night even though he was highly intoxicated, and that he had no recollection of the knife.

“He does feel that his drink was spiked on the night. We are not of- fering that as an excuse,” he added.

“When he got into the seat he put on the belt.

“That is an indication of the intoxication,” said Mr Ryan.

In sentencing Mr Hannon Judge Patrick Durcan said;

“In my view there is only one way to deal with that and put the message out loud and clear.”

The judge said that in his opinion “Someone who works for the ambulance service does a critically important job and if you turn on your radio and listen to Miriam O’Callaghan, Pat Kenny or better still, ‘Joe Duffy in the afternoon’, you will hear people without doubt complaining ‘the ambulance didn’t arrive on time’.

“Into this mix, you have Mr Hannon, filled to the gills with drink and he interferes with the ambulance service.”

The judge then issued the sentence suspending Mr Hannon from driving for three years, fining him € 250 and giving him a total of 200 hours community service

A WOMAN who attempted to undertake her own defense at Ennis District Court last Wednesday was urged to “talk to her husband” about securing the services of a solicitor.

Maria Tynan (46), with an address at Linton House, Oatfield in Sixmilebridge appeared on charges of assault at last Wednesday’s sitting of Ennis District Court.

Addressing the court, Mrs Linton said that she intended to defend herself in the case.

Judge Patrick Durkan said that while she had every right to defend herself, she should consider ever possibly avenue open to her concerning the case.

“If you had a pain in your side and you went to the doctor who said it was an appendicitis – that would make sense wouldn’t it.

“But it is still not a job that you should consider doing yourself,” said Judge Durcan.

Following urgings from Judge Durcan, Mrs Tynan sought legal aid for a solicitor to act on her behalf during the proceedings.

However, after stating that she and her husband own a 170 acre farm with more than 40 head of cattle, Judge Durcan indicated that she would likely not qualify for legal aid.

“I suggest that you talk to you husband,” he said.

The matter was adjourned until September 3 when it will come before the Killaloe District Court.

A FATHER drove a car the wrong way around a roundabout nine times in the centre of Ennis last year, ramming into vehicles including a Garda car, a court has heard.

Bernie McDonagh Snr (46) was the driver of the car that contained a 10-year-old boy strapped into a rear seat of the car. He crashed into three vehicles including a Garda car and attempted to run over three men who fled a Hiace van in terror.

Astonishing details of a violent public order disturbance that occurred at the Maid of Érin, Ennis, on October 14 (2012), were heard at Clare Circuit Criminal Court on Friday. The court was told that a garda was used as a human shield between a man and a 16-year-old boy carrying a hatchet. Martin Doherty grabbed Garda Martin O’Brien (Ennis) to use him as “shield” as the boy brandished the hatchet, the court heard. The teenager dropped the weapon after he was pepper sprayed.

The violence witnessed at the Maid of Érin last October was sparked by an alleged incident at a wedding in Ennis some days earlier. A garda has spoken of how her “life was turned upside down” after the reckless actions of the driver on the Maid of Érin roundabout, an incident she thinks about every day since.

“It was my belief that I was going to be seriously or fatally injured,” she told the court. Garda Marie Burke said in her six years as a garda she had never seen anyone behave in such a reckless manner, adding it was a “miracle” that nobody was killed.

FORMER Killaloe doctor Paschal Carmody believes lives could have been saved if he was allowed to continue to provide treatment to cancer sufferers.

The 65 year old was struck off the medical register in 2004 but secured a Supreme Court judgment that allows him to practice biological medicene.

Speaking on Wednesday after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) withdrew outstanding charges against him, Mr Carmody said his greatest regret was not being allowed to continue to care for his patients.

“The great regret I had is that I had 150 patients at that time, long term survivors, five years plus. When I was stopped, and it wasn’t just photo-dynamic therapy, it was all treatments, the duty of care was stopped for these patients.”

He claimed that lives were lost as a result of the decision to halt the treatment. “I do believe lives were lost. I have no doubt, I saw myself people who were maintaining very well, treatments two or three times a year. That was taken from them.

“In effect, each person was on treatment that is not available through any other source. I was the only doctor at the time providing treatments like that, photodynamic therapy. They stopped all that. People died over the years and one has to suspect it was through the withdrawal of that treatment for that illness.

“These are issues I have deep concerns with, a lot more than what I had to go through myself,” he added.

Mr Carmody said the Irish health system is going to have to take a more holistic approach to the treatment and care of patients.

He said, “We did attempt to bring in other modalities of treatment that could influence the welfare of sick people. It wasn’t for any other purpose but to enhance their wellbeing and to prolong life. If you went beyond that, that was marvelous. Sometimes we did. We had patients that survived and are alive today. They are still alive today 20 years later. These are the issues that kept us going through these dark times.”

He added, “I would still believe that the future is in this type of approach, a much wider approach as opposed to one treatment for one disease. I would say there is one disease but many approaches.”

Mr Carmody also indicated he may mount a legal challenge to the Irish Medical Council’s decision to take away his medical license.

Mr Carmody described the alle- gation that he had offered patients a cure for cancer as “outrageous”. He said, “That was contemptuous. That was the most vile add-on to the charges imaginable. No doctor or no intelligent person would say, ‘I can cure you of cancer’.”

ENNIS Town Council is to press ahead with plans for a significant face-lift of the Ennis market area.

A covered market will be placed in Garraunakilla the cur rent home of the Ennis Farmers’ Market. The second phase of the plan will see a covered market style development in Barrack Street.

The council is to proceed with a Par t VIII planning repor t for the re-development of both areas after a majority of councillors at yester- day’s meeting of Ennis Town Council spoke in favour of the proposals.

It comes after a report by architect Richard Rice identified a car park off Lysaght’s Lane in lower market street as the prefer red star ting point for the re-juvenation of the market.

However councillors yesterday expressed opposition to the Lysaght’s Lane proposal and urged the council to begin work in Garraunakilla.

The proposal was backed by councilors Tommy Brennan (Ind) and Mary Howard (FG) who said the council should look after traders in the farmers’ market.

Cllr Peter Considine (FF) also suppor ted siting the new covered market in Gar raunakilla. He said, “I suspect the majority of people, from the town and country, would like to see it in the traditional market area of the town.”

Cllr Brian Meaney (FF) told the meeting that the farmers’ market strongly opposed any move to Moran’s car park. He said no trader wanted to be “isolated in a dreary cor ner of a car park”.

Councillors agreed that Moran’s car park would be considered as part of a longer term re-development of the market.

There will also be an impact on the mall area of the market with town clerk Leonard Clear y saying an area will be closed off for pedestrianisation when the area is eventually re-developed.

He explained, “It’s going to look and feel ver y different and it’s obviously going to have an impact on traffic as well.”

The council has set a June 2014 deadline for work to start in Garraunakilla and Barrack Street.

The meeting heard that the re-de- velopment would involve the drawing up of new traffic management plans for the market.

Richard Rice of Healy Par tners Architects was commissioned by the council to explore the possibility of developing covered markets in Ennis.

The repor t strongly recommends the nor thern elevation of Gar raunakilla develop appropriate retail activity.

It also recommends the inclusion of a covered area and a kiosk if Gar raunakilla is retained as a farmers’ market.