Category: News

FIVE Clare restaurants have scooped majority of honorary awards at the Munster Regional Final at the Santa Rita / LIFE Magazine Irish Restaurant Awards, which took place in The Imperial Hotel in Cork on April 22.

Noel’s Restaurant, Bunratty, is now not only home to an award-winning seafood chowder, but it has the friendliest staff; after being awarded for Best Customer Service on the big night in Cork.

“It was a team effort,” began Noel Wallace, “everyone buys into the same plan and works together.

“We have a fabulous team here and we are absolutely delighted to receive the award, especially at a time where customer service is so highly valued.

“We had a great night and look forward to the All-Ireland event on June 10.”

Over 350 restaurant owners and staff celebrated their success and hard work at the awards and witness fellow restauranteurs accept the prestigious awards.

Other winners include JP Clarkes of Bunratty, awarded the title of Best Gastro Pub; The Wild Honey Inn in Liscannor, who received Best Restaurant; and the well-known Earl of Thomond in Dromoland, who accepted awards for Best Hotel Restaurant and Best Chef, David McCann.

L’Arco, an authentic Italian Restaurant located in the heart of Ballvaughan also received the award for Best Casual Dining for the second year in a row. Run by the Quinn family with Italian chefs from Sardinia, the aim is to offer an authentic and affordable Italian dining experience, suitable for families and diners seeking reasonable prices and in comfortable surroundings.

According to chief executive of the Restaurant Association of Ireland, “the awards cast a spotlight on the brightest and best players on the Irish restaurant scene.

“Restaurateurs are entrepreneurs, and that is reflected in the fact that the restaurant sector is the biggest employer within the hospitality industry. We provide employment to 64,000 people and the industry has annual sales in excess of € 2 billion; tonight, everyone is a winner.”

Nominations for the awards were made by members of the public online for the first time. All nominees were then assessed by regional judging panels, made up of industry experts across the region. Votes from the consumer, members of the Restaurants Association of Ireland and the regional judges are independently assessed by KPMG who give the County Winner in each category.

CLARE people are still opening their hearts, and their wallets, to the Fianna Fáil party – despite the party being blamed by many for helping to bring about the 2008 collapse of the Irish economy.

Fianna Fáil netted in excess of € 17,000 from church gate collections in Clare last year.

This means that Clare mass goers donated more to the Fianna Fáil party last year than any other county in Ireland.

Indeed, Clare alone contributed more than 9 per cent of the party’s entire € 185,000 take from the church gate collection in 2012.

This cash boost from the Banner county is a welcome tonic for the party who are currently working to reduce the large debt built up after the last general election. The part have already reduced the debt from an estimate € 2 million to just over € 1.2 million.

The € 17,000 raised in Clare last year was an improvement on party’s performance in the county in 2011 which brought in a total of € 16, 536. Fianna Fáil has been a consistent hit at the church door in Clare with previous collections netting the part € 23,594 in 2009 and € 21,727 in 2010.

Indeed, last year performance at the church gate marks an important turning point in the party’s financial fortunes in Clare as the amount of money collected has increase for the first time since the start of the recession.

A motion calling for an end of the practice of church gate collections was effectively defeated at this weekend party ard f heis.

The collection has become a divisive subject with party circles and threaten to create an urban/rural divide in Fianna Fáil.

The church gate collection netted the party just € 20 in Dublin last year – which prompted some urban based party delegated to support a motion to scrap the process.

This motion was, however, amended referred back to the party’s finance committee for further discussion.

CANCER patients in Clare who are attending Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, for chemotherapy treatment are being encouraged to avail of a free transport service provided by the Irish Cancer Society.

The national charity’s ‘Care to Drive’ is the second such organisation to provide this service in the county, as the West Clare Mini Marathon Centre has provided a free taxi service for cancer patients for 15 years.

The Kilkee-based organisation takes patients for treatment to Ennis, Limerick, Galway and Dublin, and also provides the service to patients requiring radiotherapy which can take up to 35 days over seven weeks.

From this week however the Irish Cancer Society will provide a volunteer transport service for patients requiring chemotherapy at the Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick.

The society said from late autumn, it intendeds that Care to Drive will operate from Galway University Hospital and it is hoped that patients from North Clare could be also be brought to this cancer centre of excellence.

The Irish Cancer Society’s Care to Drive service offers patients transport from their front door to the door of the hospital and home again which will help to alleviate some of the stress or difficulty associated with getting to their appointments.

Care to Drive is a volunteer-delivered service where the Irish Cancer Society recruits and trains volunteers who give their time free of charge to drive patients to and from hospital. Cancer patients may need to use Care to Drive for a number of reasons: they may have been advised not to drive by their doctor due to the aggressive nature of treatment, the patient may have no family in the immediate vicinity or they may be unable to take time off work to transport them to the hospital.

The society currently has more than 27 drivers in Clare available for anyone travelling to Mid-Western Regional Hospital Limerick for cancer treatment. Last year, Care to Drive volunteers across the country brought 402 cancer patients on 6,392 journeys travelling 237,708km.

Any cancer patient who is interested in availing of the service should speak to the social worker in MidWestern Regional Hospital or talk to their oncology nurse when they are receiving treatment.

Andr e w Ha milt on a ha milt on@cla r e people.ie

DISCUSSIONS have taken place between senior management from the Health Service’s Executive (HSE) and Ennis Town Council over the provision of accommodation for a man who admits setting fire to a nursing home.

The meetings were highlighted at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court last Thursday during the case of James Sherlock (24).

Mr Sherlock, a wheelchair bound amputee formerly of 16 Childers Road, Ennis, has pleaded guilty to causing arson at the Lakes Nursing Home, Killaloe on August 20 (2010). Sentencing in the case had previously been adjourned to see if a suitable residential placing could be found for Mr Sherlock.

The accused was not in court last week as he was staying in the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick. Eoin Ryan, Senior Probation Officer for the Ennis area, told the court that Mr Sherlock was medically fit to be discharged “but has nowhere to go.”

He said no appropriate accommodation is available for Mr Sherlock.

Mr Ryan explained that due to Mr Sherlock’s past behavioural difficulties and his conviction for arson, many nursing homes and hostels would not accept him due to insurance issues.

He said he was aware that the matter has been discussed between the HSE and Ennis Town Council.

Counsel for Mr Sherlock, Pat Whyms BL, told the court on Monday that his client had discharged himself from the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick.

Judge Gerard Keyes said he was “very conscious” that Mr Sherlock was not present in court.

He said he was of the view that there would be “absolutely nothing to be gained by imposing a custodial sentence on this man.”

“The State has to provide facilities for this man,” he added.

Judge Keyes said he would be prepared to impose a suspended sentence on condition that Mr Sherlock “respect the facilities afforded to him without any interference or unacceptable behaviour.”

He said he hoped his comments would alleviate some of the concerns of accomdation providers.

The case was adjourned until yesterday (Monday). It was further adjourned until June.

RECEIVING your First Holy Communion used to be a traditional celebration of receiving a holy sacrement for the first time; nowadays parents are spending hundreds of euros on what has become somewhat of a competition.

Many fear that My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding has set a trend of vulumtuous dresses and extravagant parties that are costing parents up to € 600, according to a survey conducted by EBS; but is this true for our home town of Ennis and have we lost sight of Catholic practice and fallen into the trap of hypocrisy and mass delusion?

Despite the on-going economic crisis, the amount of money being spent on a child’s First Holy Communion has increased dramatically over the last few years.

It empties the already dwindling pay-packets of parents and, in fact, the earnings of a typical eight year old child making their First Holy Communion could pay for majority of the party.

The survey shows that in 2011 thousands of Irish children received monetary gifts to the value of nearly € 350. The survey further suggests that in 2013 their days makings will add up to nearly € 500 – almost enough to pay off the average party.

Barefield National School Principal, Mr John Burns said “Families are generally sensible and curtail the costs within their budgets. However, there are a minority of people who can be extravagant and can expend a considerable amount of money, which they may not have.

“In my time, we went home. The evening was spent at home with my family and relations. Today, families use hotels or organise caterers for home dining with the all important bouncing castle.

“It is a most exciting day as it involves the whole family being connected together in preparing for this wonderful sacrament. It is not meant to be a one day religious ceremony. It is for life”.

There is however, only so much that can be taught in our schools. Whilst our teachers prepare and educate our children for their big day in every way possible, home is their biggest influence. The home is the “domestic Church”, and also where the heart is.

When the public were asked their opinion on cost control during First Holy Communion time some felt that parents let their children get away with the fancy dress and extravagant parties. However, Emily McGrath believes that “it’s still under the con- trol of the parents and it’s up to the parents to make a stand and say how much they are prepared to say.

“There was much more family involvement when I made my first holy communion”, Ms McGrath continued, “there would have been a big reception, but there still would have been emphasis on the dress.

“I think people tend to forget that the obsession with fancy communion dresses goes back quite a long way, it’s not just today.

What is really important is realising that this is your child’s day to take “centre stage” and for their relationship with God to further grow and flourish.

Fr Ger Fitzgerald of the Killaloe Diocese believes that too much focus can sometimes be put on the aftershow and that some forget what is really important on the big day.

“I think it easy to sensationalise big dresses and hummers whilst missing the kernel of truth that shows us that there is real faith on display here, in the prayer of the children.

“It is I believe also easy to bemoan the fact that there are the presence of hummers and outlandish dresses”, he continued, “but, I think that we, as priests and Church, should try to educate a little more.

Fr Fitzgerald further stated that during “our teaching and preaching we should try to point out that maybe the First Holy Communion is perhaps not the place for these things as it can distract not only the adults but also the children from what has taken place.

“I think that if we highlight the “extras” we, the Church and media, should work together to highlight as well the absolutely necessary components, those being the joy with which the children come to receive and also the faith they display in their prayer and in their wonder and awe in the presence of something that is greater than all of us combined. They are a joy to us and many of us could learn from their example of simplicity, true humility and love of God”.

Ennis National School recieved their First Holy Communion two weeks ago and, according to Fr Fitzgerald, “they sat there, rapt in attention, hands joined, watchin. In their world, they knew something was happening, something special.

“As I looked on”, Fr Fitzgerald continued, “one could effortlessly see that they knew this was a special day and that Jesus, their friend, was coming to them in a new way. In the way they prayed, in the way they behaved, in the way they watched and paid attention and most specifically in the way they received, they demonstrated that they at that moment were close to Jesus and that is what communion is ultimately about, a relationship with the Lord”.

AN ENNIS man convicted of intimidating his brother-in-law has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Last October, Martin Joyce (22), with addresses at 113 Dun na hInse, Ennis and 2 St Patrick’s Mews, Clarecastle, was found guilty by a jury of the intimidation of his brother-in-law Michael Ward and Mr Ward’s wife, Rose Ward.

The offences were committed while Mr Joyce was on bail, Ennis Circuit Criminal Court heard on Friday.

He was acquitted of a charge of threatening to kill Mr Ward at Shannon Airport on May 3 2011.

The Wards had travelled to Clare from England to give evidence at an arson trial against the Mr Joyce’s brother David. David Joyce was acquitted of the charge.

Sentencing in Martin Joyce’s case had been delayed pending the finali- sation of another case in the Midlands.

On Friday, Counsel for the State, Stephen Coughlan BL, said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had decided that Mr Joyce’s case could proceed to sentencing.

Judge Gerard Keyes said the victims in the case had given sworn evidence that they felt “frightened and intimidated” of Martin Joyce and were afraid to come to court.

He said that in their victim impact statement, the Wards said they lived in a “twilight world” unable to attend family occasions such as weddings and funerals.

Judge Keyes said intimidation of witnesses is a “serious matter and goes to undermine the whole justice system.”

He said people who witness crime must feel safe to come forward “otherwise anarchy would prevail and we would end up with a lawless society.”

Judge Keyes commended the Wards for their “resilience and bravery” for enabling the trial to proceed.

The court heard that Mr Joyce has 32 previous convictions, the majority for road traffic offences.

Noting the length of time it has taken for sentencing to be finalized, Judge Keyes imposed a two-year sentence on both counts to run concurrently.

Judge Keyes suspended the final six months of the sentence on condition that Mr Joyce have no direct or indirect contact with Michael and Rose Ward.

He backdated the sentence to September 30 (2012) in acknowledgement of the length of time Mr Joyce had spent on remand.

Addressing Mr Joyce, Judge Keyes said there should not be any more difficulties between the families.

Mr Joyce replied;

“There won’t be Judge. Thanks very much.”

A DISTRICT
Court Judge has hit out at what he called the“abuse” of the courts system in Clare. Judge Patrick Durcan was speaking during at Ennis District Court Wednesday after being informed of a proposed change in legal representation for a Limerick man. Solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that she had been asked by Limerick solicitor John Devanne to take over the case of Martin Casey (22). Mr Casey, with an address at Bay 6Toppings Field, John CarewPark, Limerick, is accused of handling stolen property – a green blade hedge trimmer and Efco Chainsaw- at Carrahill Crusheen on February 27 (2013). Mr Casey is also alleged to have handled a stolen Stihl chainsawat the same location and date. After being told of Mr Casey’s proposed change in legal representation, Judge Durcan said he was getting “very tired of abuse of the courts systemwhere people are coming on an off record.” He said if a solicitor ceases to represent someone, then“they should showrespect to the court, the registrar, the client, to showup and come off record.” Judge Durcan added,“This isn’t the London Underground where people can simply can come on and off.” Judge Patrick Durcan adjourned the case to May 1 when he said he would consider Mr Devannes application to come off record. Another Limerick man also appeared in court charged with the incident at Crusheen. Anthony Quinlivan (18), with an address at 12 ElmPlace, Rathbane, Roxboro Road, Limerick, is charged with handling a green blade hedge trimmer, Efco chainsawand Stihl chainsawat Crusheen on February 27. Mr Quinlivan is also charged with having an article which had a blade or which was sharply pointed at the same location and date. Mr Quinlivan was represented by solicitor Fiona Hehir. His case was adjourned until May 1.

THE cases
of two men charged with offences arising out of an alleged incident at Ennis Courthouse are to be heard next month. Anthony Doherty (27) and Dylan Dinan (20) were both before Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Mr Doherty, with an address at 30 Lenabeg, Lahinch Road, Ennis, is charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at Ennis Courthouse on January 16 (2013). Mr Dinan, with an address at 6Waterpark Court, Drumbiggle, Ennis, is charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at Ennis Courthouse on January 16 (2013). He also charged with assault at the same location and date. Mr Doherty is represented by solicitor John Casey. Mr Dinan is represented by solicitor Tara Godfrey. CCTV evidence is to be sought in the case, the court heard. The cases were adjourned for hearing until May 20.

A MAN
found in possession of a Stanley knife in a pub in Ennis has received a suspended sentence. At Ennis District Court onTuesday, Darren Maughan (21) pleaded guilty to possession of a knife at Knox’s Bar,Abbey Street, Ennis on February 2 (2013). Inspector TomKennedy told the court that gardaí were called to deal a public order incident at Knox’s involving Mr Maughan. Gardai searched Mr Maughan and found that he was carrying a knife for “no good reason.” Mr Maughan, with an address at 20 Stonecourt, Drumbiggle, Ennis also pleaded guilty to stealing seven bottles of wine fromNext-Door offlicense, Gort Road on April 16 (2013). Mr Maughan also pleaded guilty to a charge of assault at Ennis Courthouse. Defence solicitor WilliamCahir said his client is a young man who has “chronic problems with alcohol.” He said Mr Maughan had recently tackled his problems before but had recently “fallen off the wagon”. Judge Eamon O’Brien imposed a nine month suspended sentence in relation to the offences at Knox’s. All other matters were taken into consideration. Judge O’Brien said he would suspend the sentence on condition that Mr Maughan enter a bond to be of good behaviour. He told Mr Maughan he should join Alcoholic’s Anonymous (AA).

CLARE opposition to a massive organic fish farm planned for off the North Clare coast took shape following a mass meeting of local fishermen and women in New Quay.

The meeting, which was originally organised by Clare TD Michael McNamara (Lab) as a means of developing local coastal businesses, turned into a virtual campaign meeting to oppose the proposed fish farm – which locals claims is the biggest threat to indigenous local fish industries. The proposed twin fish farms will cover 500 acres of water off the Doolin and Fanore coast if it given the green lights by the Department of Agriculture. Government agency Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) have proposed that a licence be granted for a third party operator to build and manage the farm – which they claim will create 500 jobs.

These claims are being opposed by a number of groups, including Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFA) – a second government agency, who claim that the project will create far fewer jobs and will also destroy a large number of smaller local businesses.

Doolin local, Mattie Shannon, attended the meeting and said that the vast majority of local people are against the fish farm. “Everybody who attended the meeting and has anything to do with fishing or Doolin or the Aran Islands was against the proposed giant fish farm. BIM are proposing to build 10 of these off the west coast – from Mizen Head to Malin Head,” he said.

“There are a number of large fish farms like this in Canada but, under their own regulations, a farm of this size would no longer be allowed in Canada. It really is massive, it is half the size of Inis Oirr.

“They are dangling theses jobs in front of people. They started off talking about 300 jobs and then they upped it to 500 jobs. It is quite possible that there are a large number of jobs in it but whether these jobs are for local Clare people in another thing,” he said.

“At the same time this will destabilise jobs that are there already in smaller family operations all along Galway Bay. South west are the main winds in that area, so any contamination or spills or anything like that will wash in to us and effect all the small industries that are there already. I don’t know why we are talking about threatening jobs that are there already to create jobs for some multinational company.”

A JUDGE has rejected a Clarecastle man’s offer to pay € 5,000 compensation to a plasterer he assaulted with a golf club 17 months ago.

David Casey suffered a fractured skull when he was assaulted by Ian Considine (25) at St Joseph’s Terrace, Clarecastle, in the early hours of December 27 (2011).

Mr Considine, with an address at 55 St Joseph’s Terrace, Clarecastle, appeared at Ennis Circuit Crminal Court on Friday.

Judge Gerard Keyes rejected Mr Considine’s compensation offer, saying he was conscious of the perception that exists that people can attempt to “buy” a suspended sentence.

In February, Mr Considine pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to Mr Casey, a father of two who also lives in the St Joseph’s Terrace area.

The court heard that on the night in question Mr Casey was involved in an incident outside the Considine family home.

Garda Niamh Browne of Ennis Garda Station said Mr Casey threw a crutch at the door and broke one of the windows.

Members of the accused’s family including his father came outside, the court heard.

Mr Considine, who lives near the home, was awoken by his sister and arrived at the scene armed with a golf club, the court heard.

Counsel for the State Stephen Coughlan BL, told the court that for want of a better expression, Mr Considine, “literally pole-axed Mr Casey”.

Mr Casey was transferred to the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick and later Cork University Hospital.

He sustained a right frontal skull fracture and 6cm laceration.

Mr Casey required further treatment in 2012 to remove skull fragments that were “leaning on his brain”, the court heard.

In his victim impact report, Mr Casey said the incident had greatly affected his life.

He said he had been unable to work since the assault. He said he is worried every time he goes to the doctor.

Mr Casey added, “I have no grudge against Mr Considine.

“I want to put this behind me and move onto the next chapter of my life. …. “What is done is done and there is nothing we can do about it now.”

Defence Counsel Kenneth Kerins, said his client, a qualified carpenter, made a “very foolish and rash decision” on the night.

Mr Kerins added, “He stands before the court genuinely remorseful.”

Mr Considine has no previous conviction and has not come to garda attention since the assault, the court heard. Mr Kerins said there had no further incidents between the parties.

The court heard Mr Considine de- scribed as a hardworking, reliable man.

The father of two is a long serving member of Manus Celtic soccer club.

Mr Kerins said his client would be willing to pay € 5000 compensation to the injured party.

Judge Gerard Keyes said he found the figure too low, noting the length of time the victim had been out of work.

Judge Keyes said he was also conscious of the perception that exists among the public that defendants can attempt to “buy” a suspended sentence.

Judge Keyes indicated that he might accept a figure of € 10,000 but added that payment is no guarantee that a suspended sentence will be imposed.

Judge Keyes said he required time to consider the case in greater length.

He added; “I cannot ignore the seriousness of the injuries inflicted on this man with a golf club.”

A CAMPAIGNER for the homeless is facing a possible prison sentence after being convicted of stealing almost € 27,000 from an 87 year resident of St Joseph’s Hospital in Ennis. At Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday, a jury convicted Josephine O’Brien (59) on nine of 10 counts of theft from the bank account of Stephen O’Halloran.

Ms O’Brien, with an address at 15 Bridgeview, Roslevan, was found guilty of stealing € 26, 503 on dates between July 2006 and October 2010. The pair first met when they were patients living in Ennis General Hospital. They subsequently lived together in rented accommodation.

The two-day trial heard that after Mr O’Halloran became a resident of St Joseph’s Hospital in December 2005, he gave Ms O’Brien his ATM card for the account that received his English pension.

The court heard that when enquiries were made to arrange for the pension to pay for Mr O’Halloran’s care in St Joseph’s, there was very little money left in the account.

Ms O’Brien admitted making the transactions over the period from January 2006 to October 2010, claiming she had consent to do so.

The court heard evidence from Mr O’Halloran who said she did not have the authority to make the withdrawals. The court heard that Mr O’Halloran said Ms O’Brien visited him for the first six months of his stay in St Joseph’s but that the visits stopped after June 2006.

This was disputed by Ms O’Brien. The court also heard evidence from Detective Garda Beatrice Ryan who investigated the theft.

In a Garda interview, Ms O’Brien said, “I know I shouldn’t have taken the money but I did.”

She told gardaí, “I am sorry. I want to pay it back.”Ms O’Brien told gardaí that she never spent the money on herself. She said she used it to pay rent and to fund a drop in centre for the homeless in Chapel Lane, Ennis.

Ms O’Brien is co-founder of the Homeless Education Learning Programme (HELP), an Ennis-based organisation that supports homeless people. In his closing speech, Counsel for the State, Stephen Coughlan said there had been a pattern of Ms O’Brien “clearing” out Mr O’Halloran’s bank account.

He said, “You don’t get a blanket authority to raid a person’s account.”

Counsel for Ms O’Brien Lorcan Connolly BL said, “She opened a drop in centre. Is that the profile of a dishonest person?”

It took the jury two hours to return a unanimous verdict of guilty in nine of the ten counts Ms O’Brien was charged with. They returned a verdict of not guilty for the count covering January 2006 to June 2006.