Category: News

THE regeneration of a Kilrush housing estate is back on track, after council officials met with a resident who raised concerns that his home would be devalued by the plans.

Last month the John Paul Estate resident told a meeting of Kilrush Town Council that the proposed Wilson’s Road entrance would pass directly beside his house devaluing the privately-owned family home.

He also raised concerns that the road would result in a lack of privacy for him and his family.

Due to these concerns the council agreed to suspend Part VIII approval for the plan, which meant the project would not get the green light from the members until the issue was resolved.

Kilrush town clerk John Corry said these issues have now been resolved after a meeting between the concerned resident, Mr Corry and a council planner.

It has been agreed to situate the footpath further from the home in question allowing for more privacy.

Mr Corry said the family are happy with this, and the council has signed of on the Part VIII.

Under the plan, which has gone to tender and a builder appointed, three houses on Elm Drive will be demolished to create an entrance to the council estate from Wilson’s Road.

This phase of the ongoing regeneration plan aims to open up the estate and remove more of the alleys at the back of some houses, which were encouraging anti-social behaviour.

The work is still subject to Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government funding, but Mr Corry said the council are very “hopeful”.

“The fact that we have received funding for the first and second phase, was are making the argument that we are brining it to completion,” he said.

“The department indicated that it is the most high priority case in the county.”

CLARE beachgoers have been asked to clean up their act, and council workers are providing more bins to help them do just that.

Clare County Council has employed additional resources to deal with the increase in litter that has resulted from what it calls ‘unprecedented’ visitor numbers to beaches such as Kilkee, Lahinch and Spanish Point.

The local authority says it is also installing additional, temporary bins along the length of the beach in an effort to minimise littering while litter wardens have been deployed to monitor littering activity. It is now urging visitors to Clare’s main beaches to take responsibility for their rubbish by bringing it home with them.

“Our beach is a fantastic resource for the wider community and it’s up to us all to ensure that we take home what we bring to the beach,” said Paul Moroney, Senior Engineer with Clare County Council.

“The council wishes to acknowledge those who have used the public bins to dispose of their litter. These bins are emptied regularly each day but often reach their capacity due to the unprecedented large volumes of visitors to the beaches. In Kilkee, we are finding that some people are dumping their litter along the seawall, on the beach or beside already full bins rather than bring their litter home with them. We are installing additional bins today to counteract the problem but would continue to ask the public to take responsibility for their own rubbish and leave nothing behind but their footprints,” he said. “Leaving or throwing litter in a public place is an offence that can be subject to an on-the-spot fine of € 150 or a maximum fine of € 3,000 if you are convicted of a litter offence in the District Court. Council litter wardens will take action where they deem necessary so we would advise the public to be wary of the law around littering. After all, indiscriminate dumping of picnic litter and other rubbish does not create a positive image for any beach or for local tourism.”

YOUNG people have been gathering all weekend to lay flowers and say prayers at a canal in Ardnacrusha which only days before was the scene of summer fun and merriment.

On Friday evening last the village of Meelick was shocked as news spread that popular local teenager Joe Kileen had drowned in the canal, which for generations of teenagers had been considered a dangerous rite of passage.

The 17-year-old who was described as “charismatic” and “upbeat” lost his life in the area of the canal known locally as “Head Race” while diving and swimming with a group of friends.

Just hours before the horrifying tragedy the ESB, who own the power station in Ardnacrusha that the canal serves, had warned against using the unguarded canal.

The eldest of a family of four from Kilavoher, Meelick, Joe attended St Nessan’s Community College in Limerick and before that the local primary school.

His former schoolteacher Cathal Crowe described the teenager as “a real up beat lad with great charisma. He had the biggest smile and wave when you would meet him.”

“I remember from school, he and his brother were tenacious and wiry soccer and football players. They were gifted and talented.

“He [Joe] was well liked by young and old in the community,” said the primary school teacher who is also a local county councillor.

“This tragedy has resonated with a lot of his age group. I would have taught a lot of his peers and they are all very shocked. The whole community is in shock. The life is gone out of the place. It has really hit home how fragile life is.”

Speaking about the area where Joe died, Cllr Crowe (FF) said it was almost a rite of passage for teenag- ers, an area that mothers have been warning their sons is too dangerous for generations. Unfortunately there have been several deaths there. Every generation can recall a tragedy in the canal,” he said.

“It is a beautiful amenity area in our community but we have to remember it is an industrial canal to service the power station and it is not safe for swimming. Right now is about laying Joe to rest, but this is something we must consider in the coming weeks,” he added.

Joe is survived by his heartbroken parents Marie and Pat (Douglas), younger brother Cian and younger sisters Jenny and Tara.

CLAIMING to be a natural blond may not be as straightforward as once thought, especially if the tresses in question have a green hue.

Hairdressers and colourists in a number of salons in Ennis have said that hair dyes have been found to go off colour depending on where the client is living.

Ladies and some gentlemen have been reporting a green tinge on their blond locks, while brunettes and red heads are also finding their lovely locks changing colour after several washes.

The hairdressers have put the changes down to elements of copper in some domestic waters, with high lime contents also causing havoc.

“Lime is less and less of an issues now since the change to the Ennis water,” said one hairdresser, “but there are still some private water schemes where it can be a problem.”

Sean Ward, Senior Engineer with Clare County Council, said there have been no problems reported to the council. Referring to queries about Ennis water he said, “The council is not aware of any change to the chemical composition of the raw water from Drumcliffe spring either in recent times or over the many years for which it has been the town’s source both via the old and new treatment plants.

“Small changes were made in early March 2009 (when new treatment plant began supplying the town) in the chemical processes to produce the treated water, but there haven’t been changes since then,” he said.

“All our testing indicates compliance with all the requirements of the 2007 drinking water regulations.”

Asked about Tulla he said, “The water there comes from the Broadford borehole, at which the only treatment is chlorination, and this hasn’t changed. Testing hasn’t shown any non-compliances.”

Asked about private scheme with and example given of Darragh, he said some premises have private supplies and some (mainly those nearer to Ennis and Ballyea) are on the Killone group water scheme.

“This is a private scheme with its own source, but Clare County Council tests its water, and no non-compliances with regulations have been found,” he said.

A FRESH appeal for Clare County Council to reduce its rates has been sounded out in Shannon this week following the announcement that one of the town’s newest retail businesses has signed a new three-year lease to remain at the SkyCourt Centre.

Having trial-traded SkyCourt Shannon as a retail location for the past twelve months, the big brandsfor-less retailer Dealz has signed a further three-year lease with SkyCourt, confirming its commitment to the shopping centre as an attractive option for retailers.

In hailing the announcement, SkyCourt manager Pat Kelly has called on the local authority to undertake an urgent review of its rates charges.

“It’s a misconception that we are charging high rents. We offer very flexible lease terms. We don’t, however, control rates, which is a huge issue for retailers who want to open in the shopping centre,” he said.

“For a lot of the retailers in SkyCourt, rates payable to Clare County Council are higher than the service charge or rent and this is a deterrent to setting up and a factor in many closures. We too would appeal to Clare County Council to urgently review the rates payable in Shannon,” added Mr Kelly.

The announcement that Dealz is to remain at Shannon comes as a major boost to SkyCourt, with Mr Kelly saying that the discount store has “become extremely popular with Shannon shoppers, generating the level of footfall required to remain sustainable”.

Calling on the people of Shannon to support their town, shop local, and keep businesses open, Mr Kelly said that the retention of Xtra-vision at SkyCourt is the perfect example of where this level of support is needed. SkyCourt management has agreed with the new owners of Xtra-vision to ‘trial trading’ in the centre until August 2013 when they will review trade and make a final decision to remain open or close.

“This store has always traded well in SkyCourt. We need to encourage the people of Shannon to get down to the store and avail of the great bargains currently available in the shop, and in so doing help to keep the store open into the future,” said Mr Kelly.

“It would be very disappointing to lose Xtra-vision from SkyCourt; we simply have to prove the Shannon store’s viability,” he added.

Commenting on recent closures in SkyCourt, Mr Kelly said that while Shannon has lost three shops since Christmas, it’s very much a reflection of the recessionary times and an occurrence that is being mirrored in towns throughout Ireland.

THREE Clare Garda stations could be going under the hammer, although the Office of Public Works would not confirm for certain last evening that all stations closed in the Clare district in the last two years would be put up for sale.

It is understood however that the recently renovated former Garda station in Broadford, the station in Carrigaholt and the one in Labasheeda are being put on the market.

The OPW said it would confirm later exactly which of the Clare properties would be for sale. It is currently trying to appoint estate agents to sell the former Garda stations.

“For disposal purposes the properties are divided into Lots. Interested agents may put forward proposals for any or all of the Lots which will be disposed of on a sole agency basis,” a spokesperson said.

Final date for receipt of applica- tions is by close of business on Friday, July 19.

“Agents will be expected to advise on the market value of the properties, arrange and fund the production of BER certificates. It is envisaged that unsold properties will be withdrawn from agents after six months,” according to the OPW.

Minister of State for Public Service Reform and the Office of Public Works Brian Hayes said his department has identified no alternative State use for the properties that are to go on the market, though he added he’s received requests from various community groups expressing an interest in some of the former stations.

TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Clare’s most experienced and high profile detectives who passed away suddenly on Wednesday while out jogging.

Detective Sergeant Michael Moloney (51), who was better known to many as Mick, had been out jogging in Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park when he was found in a collapsed state by a passer-by.

The emergency services were called but Det Sgt Moloney was pronounced dead at the scene.

The married father of three was central to a number of high profile cases in Clare in the last number of years, and was the lead detective in the infamous “Lying Eyes” case which resulted in the jailing of Ennis woman Sharon Collins for conspiring to murder her partner PJ Howard and his two sons in 2008.

Sgt Moloney was also one of the lead investigators in two separate murders, which concluded just two weeks ago, with the conviction of Joe Heffernan and Colm Deeley.

Mayor of Clare Joe Arkins (FG), who is also Chair of the Joint Policing Committee, described the late Garda as an “exceptional officer who served the force and his community with distinction”.

A Galway native Det Sgt Moloney served as a member of an Garda Síochana for more than 30 years, firstly in Dublin and later as a sergeant in Kilrush and Ennis.

He is survived by his wife Sadie, daughters Dáire and Orla, son Kevin, sister Mary, brothers Jerry and Diarmuid, mother-In-Law Teresa, extended family and friends.

Tributes were also paid at Ennis District Court on Friday. Ennis Courthouse manager Josephine Tone described Det Sgt Moloney as a “devoted father” and “devoted husband” to wife Sadie who attends court frequently in her work with the Probation Services.

Speaking on behalf of the Clare Law Association, Solicitor John Casey said Det Sgt Moloney was a “gentleman from the top of his head to the tips of his toes, both professionally and personally.” “He will be terribly and sadly missed,” added Mr Casey.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said there had been a “huge sense of shock and sadness at the Garda station” since Wednesday. He said Det Sgt Moloney was a “very accomplished investigator” and that Gardaí very grateful for the messages of support they had received from the local community.

Judge Patrick Durcan said a sudden death is a terrible thing that strikes people in a particular way.

He said it was obvious that Det Sgt Moloney was “intensely driven and intensely professional”. He said the entire community should be grateful for the dedication of gardaí like Det Sgt Moloney.

Following a large funeral in Ennis, Det Sgt Moloney was laid to rest in Templemaley Cemetery Barefield on Saturday afternoon.

THE sunshine has seen a major boost to retail operations all along the west coast of Clare in the last few days with all stores reporting a welcome surge in business.

Last weekend saw roads to and from a host of Clare beaches thronged and with forecasts suggesting at least ten more days of warm and sunny con- ditions, the mini-boom looks set to continue.

John McCarthy from the Lahinch Surf School is delighted with the upswing he has seen in the last two weeks.

“These weeks are usually our quitest weeks of the summer, but this year we have had a great turnout at our surf school. It’s geat to see all the local businesses doing so well, the waves are great out here, it’s been like California,” he told The Clare People .

Accommodation has been at a premium in West Clare and the famed Willie Clancy Week will also boost local trade and employment.

According to managing director of the Armada, John Burke, their combined hotels now employ around 225 people, which up up 35 from last year.

Speaking about their boost in business, John said, “It’s a combination of a number of factors, but the weather is certainly supporting it. We are working hard to maxamise opportunities, with additional seating outside, barbecues, a local activity club, strawberry and ice cream stands, and cold plates; customers are reacting well to these so far,” he said.

The weather has been a great boost for local companies specialising in water sports such as surfing, kayaking, cliffs cruises and stand up paddling, while bicycle hire has also seen a huge increase in demand.

Forecasters are predicting the good weather for at least ten days, with temperatures in Clare expected to hit the 28c mark mid-week.

CLARE County Council has commenced a countywide survey of an estimated 31,000 domestic water connections in the county ahead of the Government’s introduction of water charges.

However a council official said the local authority staff would not require access to private property while conducting their assessment of water connections.

Carmel Greene, Water Services Department with Clare County Council, said, “The survey duration will be very short in most cases, and so the surveyor will not usually be outside a property for more than five minutes. If any person tries to gain access to a property or home claiming to be part of the water survey team, access should not be given and the gardaí should be contacted immediately.

“Surveyors will carry official County Council photo identification and will be able to present a supervisor’s telephone number for verification.”

The survey work is being carried out on behalf of Irish Water, which is set to take over responsibility for the delivery of water services from local authorities at the beginning of next year.

As part of this work, Clare County Council will be carrying out a visual examination of the connection between the public water mains and householder’s water system.

The council advised there would be no interruption to the water supply and no digging or excavation will be carried out. It also confirmed that homes that are connected to a private water supply or Group Water Supply schemes would not be surveyed.

“As a result of the decision by government to commence a project of meter installation in domestic premises, Clare County Council is carrying out a survey of domestic water connections, in order to gather information to support the installation of water meters for domestic consumers,” explained Ms Greene.

“The survey involves an employee of Clare County Council carrying out a visual examination of the service connection or stop-cock at each property on the public water network. This will determine, in advance, if your home is likely to be suitable for a meter to be installed and, if so, the degree of work required during the installation of the meter.

“The stopcocks are generally located under the footpath at the entrance to the driveway or gate of each home. Householders will be notified in advance by Irish Water of the installation of meters, which is estimated to commence in the coming months.”

THE case of three men alleged to have damaged a car parked outside Drumcliff graveyard has been adjourned to October for hearing.

The cases of the three men, Michael Doherty (51), with an address at 2 St Michael’s Park, Ballymaley, Ennis; James Galbraith (45), with an address at 1 St Michael’s Park, Gort Road, Ennis, and Patrick Doherty (34), with an address at Bay 2 St Michael’s Park, Ballymaley, were before Judge Durcan at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

All three are charged with the criminal damage of a car which was parked at Drumcliff on March 24th last.

It is alleged that the three men attacked the Ford Focus with weapons, breaking windows and damaging the bodywork.

The court previously heard that the female owner of the fled from the scene after the alleged incident occurred.

Solicitor for Patrick and Michael Doherty, Daragh Hassett, told the court that his client’s attendance from court had been excused on the day in question due to a family wedding.

Mr Hassett requested a date to have the case heard.

He said he expected the case to last around 90 minutes.

October 10 was subsequently fixed as hearing date for the case.