Category: News

FOUR people charged in connection with a public order disturbance at a roundabout in Ennis are due to appear in court again next week.

Ennis District Court heard on Wednesday that the men intend to apply to the High Court for bail.

Bernard McDonagh (45) and Christopher McDonagh (38), Bernard McDonagh Jnr (22) and a 16-year-old boy are alleged to have committed a number of offences arising out of the incident at the Maid of Erin on October 14.

Bernard McDonagh (45), with an address at 1 Ashline, Kilrush Road, Ennis is charged with the assault of John Doherty. He also faces three charges of criminal damage and one charge of dangerous driving.

It is further alleged that Bernard McDonagh (45) drove a vehicle in a dangerous and reckless manner which created substantial risk of death or serious harm to another.

Christopher McDonagh, with an address at 1 Davitt Terrace, Cloughleigh, Ennis, is charged with produc- ing an iron while about to commit an assault. He also charged with possession of an iron bar with intent to cause injury to John Doherty, Martin Doherty and Jimmy Doherty.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons is charged with possession of a hatchet with intent to cause injuries to John Doherty, Martin Doherty and Jimmy Doherty.

He is also charged with the production of a hatchet while about to commit an assault.

Bernard McDonagh Jnr (22) is charged with possession of an article with intent to cause injury and the production of an article in the course of a dispute.

He is also charged with assault causing harm. Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett said his clients intend to apply for bail.

All three men were remanded in custody to appear at Ennis District Court on November 7. The teenager was remanded in detention to appear in court on November 7. Directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are expected to be known by that date.

A Tipperary man who verbally abused gardaí in Shannon after a vodka drinking spree has been sentenced to two months in prison.

Luke Gray (24), with an address at 128 Ciamaltha Meadows, Nenagh, pleaded guilty at Ennis District Court on Tuesday to charges of intoxication and provoking a breach of the peace.

The charges arose out of a public order incident in Shannon town centre on October 13. Another man, Daniel Harty (32), of 73 Rossbracken, Shannon, also pleaded guilty to two charges of intoxication and provoking a breach of the peace. The court heard both men had been drinking to celebrate a christening.

Gardaí encountered Mr Gray at 1.25am in Shannon Town Centre, where he was roaring and shouting. Inspector John O’Sulivan said when asked to leave the area, Mr Gray told gardaí to “f*** off” “I’ll kill ye all”. Insp O’Sullivan said the father of five was “highly intoxicated.” Mr Gray has nine previous convictions.

The court heard that Mr Harty was also highly intoxicated but didn’t direct offensive language at the gardaí. Defence solicitor Jenny Fitzgibbon said Mr Gray had been drinking vodka prior to the incident. She said her client had a poor memory of what happened and that he was very repentant. Judge Patrick Durcan noted that Mr Gray had committed the offence three months after he had received a community service order. He said Mr Gray should be “ashamed of himself ”.

He added, “He decided to go a on a spree of alcohol consumption, consuming vodka which clearly doesn’t agree with him.” Judge Durcan said he had no time for people who interfere with the work of State agencies.

He imposed a two month prison sentence and fined Mr Gray € 250. Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal. Judge Durcan said he considered a community service order but that would have a made a “mockery” of the community service regime.

Mr Harty, a father of four, said he was ashamed of his actions on the night. He apologised to gardaí and to the court. He received a 100-hour community service order. A VICTIMof domestic abuse last week questioned why her husband received a suspended sentence at Ennis District Court. Eddie Sherlock (32), with an address at 70 Dun na hInse, Ennis pleaded guilty onWednesday to a breach of a court imposed safety order. The court heard that Mr Sherlock struck his wife with a walking stick and told her that he would cut her face with a Stanley knife during the incident on October 19. The court heard that Ms Sherlock ran to a garda checkpoint that was near the couple’ s house to get help. Defence solicitor John Casey told the court that his client would say that the event wasn’ t as dramatic as the version outlined in court. He said Mr Sherlock “aplogised unreservedly” for what happened to his wife. “The relationship would appear to be pretty toxic,” he added. Mr Casey said alcohol was not a factor in the incident and that Mr Sherlock would be better of staying away formhis wife. Judge Patrick Durcan said the facts of the case are appalling.Addressing Mr Sherlock he said,“You should be ashamed of yourself, terribly ashamed.” He noted Mr Sherlock’ s early guilty plea and decided not to activate three month suspended sentence previously imposed a court. For the breach of the safety order, Judge Durcan imposed a three month suspended sentence. He also ordered Mr Sherlock to stay away fromhis wife. “If I meet you again, you’ ll br incarcerated for the longest period possible,” he added. At the end of the case, Ms Sherlock asked why her husband received another suspended sentence. “What does that mean?”, she added. Judge Durcan said Ms Sherlock could raise the matter with gardaí.

AN IRAQ war veteran from Clarecastle who admitted forging a doctor’s prescription has escaped a prison sentence.

Ross Culligan (25) was told by Judge Patrick Durcan that he was getting ‘the chance he deserves’ at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Mr Culligan, with an address at 41 Church Drive, Clarecastle, pleaded guilty to forging a prescription contrary to the misuse of drugs act on dates unknown between February 14 and February 22 (2012) at 41 Church Drive, Clarecastle.

He pleaded guilty to using the forged prescription at Mary Jo Duffy’s Pharmacy, Tesco, Ennis on February 22.

Mr Culligan also pleaded guilty to an offence under the firearms act at Ennis Garda Station on February 23.

The court previously heard that after being brought to Ennis Garda Station, Mr Culligan was found in possession of a .22 calibre bullet. The State accepted that Mr Culligan did not have the bullet for any sinister reason.

The case had been adjourned for the preparation of a report from the Probation and Welfare Services af- ter Judge Patrick Durcan said that he was considering a five-month prison sentence.

Mr Culligan served in the Irish Guards regiment of the British Army.

The court heard he was discharged for medical reasons. Judge Durcan noted that Mr Culligan had previously committed a similar offence and was on probation when he committed the current offence.

He said that Mr Culligan had experienced a lot of difficulties in the past.

Judge Durcan said as a result of his military service overseas, “he (Mr Culligan) saw and was probably involved in terrible things that will be with him for the rest of his life.”

He told the court that he was very impressed by what defence solicitor Shiofra Hassett had said on her client’s behalf.

Judge Durcan remanded Mr Culligan on continuing bail to July 17 (2013), with liberty to the State to reenter at 24 hours notice.

He also requested an up to date report from the Probation services. He added, “I will give you the chance you deserve.”

Judge Durcan said, “Best of luck to you Mr Culligan, you’ll have good days and bad days.”

AS MANY as 500 jobs could be created off the North Clare coast over the next 12 months through the construction of Ireland largest ever organic fish farm.

The farm, which will located around five miles north/west of Doolin, is being put forward by the Irish Fisheries Board, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), who are currently aiming to begin spawning at the farm in the Autumn of next year.

According to BIM, the project will create 350 jobs directly through the operation and maintenance of the farm and a further 150 jobs through support industries locally. BIM are about to open a period of public consultation in relation to the development and will send a final application for a licence to government after that.

“This is a very real project and something that we are hoping to be able to put in place quite soon,” said Donal Maguire, Head of the Aquaculture Development Division at BIM.

“We would expect that the benefits of this project would be felt from Doolin north, all the way up the Clare coast.

“This is a very exciting project for fisheries in Clare and indeed for the whole West of Ireland.”

Ahead of the opening of public consultation, some opposition to the project has already been voiced – both in North Clare and the Aran Islands.

One North Clare fisherman, who asked not to be identified, said that there were fears that the fish farm could cause pollution and impact on the existing fishing in the area.

CARERS in Clare continue to face obstacles when applying for carers allowance, and that is before any budget has announced.

In the last number of weeks, one carer reported that when she applied for the € 204 carers allowance to look after her mother at home, she was refused. Instead, she was offered a € 730 nursing home subvention.

Asked if this flies in the face of Government policy, Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton said that the process is in a transitional phase.

“We are spending a lot more money on carers and we are giving carers allowance to a lot more people, including the half-way carers allowance, so we have managed to ringfence the budget to increase the number of people receiving it. That is in recognition…of the job the carers do and how vital that is, not just for the person they are caring for but indeed for the whole community,” she said.

“We have been changing the IT systems in the department in relation to all the applications for things like car ers, disability and domiciliary care allowance. And, basically, what we are doing is developing better and faster IT systems. While we are doing that, we have to have the old system and the new system running parallel so there have been some delays but certainly we are now getting into the backlog. The time it is taking has come down significantly. The fresher applications have not been facing anything like that,” she told The Clare People .

The National Carers Strategy, published earlier this year, promised to recognise, empower and support family carers. However, the Carers Association said Ireland’s 187,000 family carers are now facing cuts to home help hours, home care packages and vital support services.

In the 2006 census, 4,507 carers were recorded in Clare. Six years on, the number is likely to be significantly higher. According to the Carers Association, many people don’t recognise themselves as carers when it comes to the census as they believe they are “just looking after a family member”.

“We are calling on Government to stop praising carers with words, while punishing them with cuts. It’s time to turn rhetoric into reality,” said Catherine Cox, spokesperson for The Carers Association.

“Carers across the country are very fearful of what this budget will bring, with further threats of cuts to household benefits packages, free travel for carers and services for young adults with disabilities on reaching 18. All of these, against a backdrop of suspension of housing adaptation grants and increases in the costs of care in the home, are pushing many carers over the edge,” she said.

TWO FEUDING Ennis families are giving the county town a bad reputation it does not deserve according to Clare’s senior member of An Garda siochana.

At Monday night’s meeting of the joint policing committeee in Kildysart Chief Supt John Kerins described as ‘appalling’ disturbances by feuding families in the town within the last forthnight but said the gardai were determined to get on top of the issue.

To date eight people have been arrested in connection to incidents at the Maid of Erin roundabout last Sunday night week during which a garda was injured.

The Chief Supt said that more arrests would be made in the coming weeks in connection to anti-social behaviour outside the Cathedral in Ennis following a recent wedding.

Crime statistics for the county so far this year show that most crimes figures are remaining steady or decreasing with the exception of weapons and explosive offences which had increased by 32 per cent.

This figure is in the main due to the Traveller fueds according to the Chief Superintendent.

Mayor of Clare Pat Daly told the same meeting these poeple have to be stopped:

“They are gurriers. I don’t the law is strong enough, I think it is time to get them out of the town of Ennis and locked up forever,” he said.

The garda chief agreed that the incidents reflect poorly on Ennis’s reputation despite the statistics proving otherwise:

“This gives the town a bad reputation it does not deserve.

“The statistics show that it is one of the most peaceful towns of its size in Ireland,” he told the public meeting.

Cllr Joe Cooney relayed how a person moved to Ennis from East Clare and bought a house.

Due to anti-social behaviour on the housing estate that person was forced to move back to East Clare, rent a house and continue to pay a mortage for a house he could no longer live in.

“ It is not good enough,” he said.

Chief Super Kerins assured Cllr Cooney that gardai would be issuing asbos (anti-social behavioural orders) to the culprits in the coming weeks and the issue would be brought before the courts.

He explained however that it was difficult for the gardai to deal with the issue as they cannot lawfully enter a private house unless a crime is being committed.

THREE people charged in connection with a disturbance at the Maid of Erin roundabout in Ennis last weekend are due to make their third court appearance tomorrow.

Bernard McDonagh (45) and Christopher McDonagh (38) and a 16-yearold boy are alleged to have committed a number of offences arising out of the incident at a roundabout on October 14.

All three appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Bernard McDonagh, with an address at 1 Ashline, Kilrush Road, Ennis is charged with the assault of John Doherty. He also faces three charges of criminal damage and one charge of dangerous driving.

It is further alleged that Bernard McDonagh drove a vehicle in a dangerous and reckless manner which created substantial risk of death or serious harm to another.

Christopher McDonagh, with an address at 1 Davitt Terrace, Clough- leigh, Ennis, is charged with producing an iron while about to commit an assault.

He also charged with possession of an iron bar with intent to cause injury to John Doherty, Martin Doherty and Jimmy Doherty.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons is charged with possession of a hatchet with intent to cause injuries to John Doherty, Martin Doherty and Jimmy Doherty.

He is also charged with the production of a hatchet while about to com- mit an assault.

The court heard that all three accused were previously refused bail at Kilrush District Court.

Inspector Tom Kennedy requested an adjournment in all three cases for directions to issue from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Bernard and Christopher McDonagh were remanded in custody to appear again at Ennis District Court on October 24. The teenager was remanded in detention to Oberstown Detention Centre.

A JUDGE has rejected a suggestion that charges against an Ennis man accused of having heroin for sale or supply should be struck out.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy was speaking at Ennis District Court on Wednesday where he granted an extension of time for the service of the book of evidence on David Joyce (23).

Mr Joyce, with an address at 85 Dun Na hInse, is charged with unlawful possession of diamorphine at 90 Dun Na hInse, Ennis on May 30 (2012).

Mr Joyce is also charged with having diamorphine for purposes of sale or supply at the same location and date.

New charges of cannabis possession and having cannabis for sale or supply at the same location and date have now been brought against Mr Joyce.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed that all charges would be proceeding on trial on indictment. He requested that the case be adjourned until November 7 for service of the book of evidence.

Defence Solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that she was not consenting to a further adjournment.

She said the State had been informed in September of the DPP’s directions in relation to the heroin charges.

She said 42 days had elapsed between her client’s first appearance in court and his latest court appearance.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said there had been “significant operational issues” in the case.

He said the gardaí had now received clarity as regards the cannabis charges.

He said all the charges would be going forward as part one book of evidence.

Pointing to ongoing delays in the State’s case, Ms Godfrey suggested that the original charges against her client should be struck out.

“There was something happening in the background that we didn’t know about”, she added.

Judge McCarthy said he was satisfied by the explanation given by the State.

He extended time for service of the book of evidence.

Mr Joyce was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on November 7.

TWO sisters have appeared in court charged with offences arising from an incident at a primary school in Ennis earlier this year.

Rose Mahon (22) and Laura Molloy (21) are charged in relation to the disturbance at the Holy Family School, Station Road on March 20

Rose Mahon, with an address at Bay 3 Ballaghboy, Quin Road, Ennis, is alleged to have caused € 1500 worth of damage to a car.

Laura Molloy, with an address at Bay 3 Ballaghboy Halting Site, Quin Road, Ennis, is alleged to have pro- voked a breach of the peace.

Legal aid was approved for solicitor Daragh Hassett.

He told the court that he would be seeking disclosure from the State. Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the cases on pleas of guilty only.

Previous charges brought against Ms Mahon and Ms Molloy arising out of the same incident were struck out in June following delays in DPP’s directions. Both accused were remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on November 21.

A MOTHER of two convicted of a public order offence “flipped out” after her father was seriously injured during an incident at a roundabout in Ennis last weekend.

Angela Delaney (21) was fined € 300 at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Ms Delaney with an address at Bay 10 Carrow Browne Halting Site, Galway, pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace may be occasioned.

The charge related to a disturbance at the Maid of Erin, Ennis on October 14. Ms Delaney has no previous convictions. Defence solicitor John Casey said his client “flipped out” after her father received serious injuries. He added, “When she saw what was happening, she joined in.”

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the overall incident at the Maid of Erin was a serious matter.

He said the State had “some understanding” of Ms Delaney’s behaviour on the evening. Insp Kennedy said her father had been “very, very seriously injured.”

He said that while Ms Delaney was not involved directly in the feud, her public order offence was at the higher end of the scale. Judge Aeneas McCarthy imposed a € 300 fine.