Category: News

THE so-called “Centre of Excellence” for the mid-west cannot provide treatment for a specific type of heart attack after 5pm or at week- ends. The HSE admitted that as many as 58 people a year, or an average of more than one a week, suffering from a heart attack as a result of blocked arteries must be sent on to Galway to be treated, as the service is not available in the Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick outside of Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. When reconfiguration of hospitals in the mid-west was announced and the Accident and Emergency Department at Ennis General Hospital downgraded, Limerick was hailed as the centre of excellence for the whole region. It has now emerged that if Clare patients, who can no longer be treated in Ennis, arrive at the Regional Hospital in Limerick with a ST elevation MI (type of heart attack) after hours, they will be turned back and sent to Galway. A spokesperson for the HSE anticipated that Limerick will become a 24-hour Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) centre within the next few weeks, and the treatment will then be available around the clock. “Preparatory work has been in train for several months in accordance with national guidelines. The two centres for STEMI patients in the West of Ireland will be Galway University Hospital (which went live on October 1) and the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick,” he said. “Cardiology services in Limerick have expanded greatly in recent years, with a fifth cardiologist recently appointed. The hospital has a 24/7 coronary care unit and a cardiologist on call round the clock. The coronary care unit and day cardiology services will shortly be moving to a new stateof-the-art critical care block “It is important to note that a STEMI (ST elevation myocardial infarction) is not a case of cardiac arrest. Anyone suffering a cardiac arrest will continue to be treated 24-7-365 in the Mid Western Regional Hospital,” he said.

NORTH Clare will be the venue for a gathering of some of Europe’s best known poets and musicians this weekend.

The Western Writers and Clare Three Legged Stool Poets will host poets and musicians from Iceland, Faroe Islands, Norway, The Shetland Islands, Ouessant, Corsica, Sardinia and Ireland.

They will join colleagues from Ireland to explore the ‘Sacred and Profane origins of the island of Europe’ at a conference in Carron.

The event will run from Friday, October 19, to Sunday, October 21.

Estonian poet laureate Yaan Kaplinski will perform at the opening of the conference in Kilfenora Cathedral on Friday, 8pm.

He will also appear to an open mic session hosted by the Clare Three Legged Stool poets on Saturday in Glór, Ennis, at 2pm.

A final concert of all participants will take place in the Cathedral in Ennis on Sunday at 8pm. Entrance to all events is free.

Brian Mooney of Clare Three Legged Stool Poets said part of the conference will be closed to the public.

He explained, “The closed aspect will be two close-up ‘getting to know you’ sessions of all the participants in the Michael Cusack Centre in Carron where poets and musicians will have an opportunity to give a more intimate presentation of their work. These sessions will be held on Saturday morning from 10am to 12.30am, and on Sunday over two periods from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm. These sessions are not open to the public as such but are open to any poets who wish to participate.”

Mr Mooney continued, “At these two sessions, the main themes to explored will be the Brendan Voyage theme or spreading of Christianity north to the Western Isles of the Atlantic and the Norse theme and its movement south to the Mediterranean and both of these as an ongoing inspirational motif for modern day poetry.” For further information contact info@claresrock.com or enq uiries@kilfenorahostel.com.

A MAN has received a prison sentence after pleading guilty to a burglary at the Kilmaley Inn earlier this year.

Jamie Brohan (29), with an address at 142 Hermitage, Ennis, received sentences totaling 10 months at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Mr Brohan pleaded guilty to entering the Kilmaley Inn as a trespasser and committing an arrestable offence, the theft of a Samsung cash register valued at € 1200. The register contained € 15. The incident oc- curred on February 13.

Mr Brohan also pleaded guilty to stealing protein drinks valued at € 46 from Rochford’s Pharmacy, Kilrush Road, Ennis on February 23.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed summary disposal of the case. Jurisdiction was accepted in both matters.

The court heard that Mr Brohan entered the Kilmaley Inn through the rear of the premises at around 3am in the morning.

Detective Garda William Delaney told the court that the accused was subsequently found in possession of the register.

The court heard that Mr Brohan co-operated fully with gardaí and the property was recovered in full working order.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the accused has 58 previous convictions.

The court heard that Mr Brohan had previously received a five month suspended sentence for possession of a claw hammer and flick knife at Lasting Impressions hairdressers, Chapel Lane, Ennis between July 28 and 29, 2011.

Solicitor Daragh Hassett told the court that his client had developed an unfortunate addiction to heroin at an early age.

Mr Hassett said his client had received treatment for his addiction but had lapsed back in drug use during the time of the offences.

Mr Hassett added, “He’s still a young man.

“He’s not without hope.”

Judge Patrick Durcan described the break in at the Kilmaley Inn as an “extremely serious matter.”

He activated the five month suspended sentence imposed for the offence at Lasting Impressions.

He imposed a four-month sentence for the burglary at the Kilmaley Inn and one month for the theft at Rochfords Pharmacy.

Both sentences are to run consecutively to the previous five-month sentence.

Judge Durcan said assaults on businesses are “assaults on the fabric of the community.”

He said the message must go out that criminals are “going to face the highest level of penalties within the circumstances that we can impose.”

Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

A FORMER social care worker from Kildare who fraudently claimed € 7000 from an Ennis based healthcare company has been ordered to make a contribution to charity.

Adrian Sexton (33), with an address at 13 Shrowlands, Athy, Kildare, pleaded guilty at Ennis District Court on Wednesday to 46 charges of deception.

The court heard that “financial desperation” drove the former horse trainer to steal from his employer. Mr Sexton fought back tears as details of the case were heard in court.

Detective Garda William Delaney of Ennis Garda Station said Mr Sexton worked as a social worker for TTM Healthcare, Ballymaley Busi- ness Park.

The court heard that Mr Sexton submitted fraudulent timesheets that exaggerated the amount owed to him for work he said he carried out at children’s care units in New Ross, Newbridge and Drumcondra.

The offences dated from September 19 (2011) to January 2 (2012).

The amounts claimed for ranged in size from € 8 to € 500. The court heard that Mr Sexton repaid all the money owed to the company.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the Director of Pubic Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the case on a plea of guilty only. Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction.

Detective Delaney told the court that the fraud came to light when TTM Healthcare were informed by the care centres in question that the work had not been carried out. He said Mr Sexton cooperated fully with the garda investigation.

He has no previous convictions.

Solicitor Daragh Hassett told the court that Mr Sexton previously worked as a horse trainer near the Curragh.

He said the father-of-four was under extreme financial pressure at the time.

The court heard he volounteers with a number of organisations including Cuan Mhuire and Chernobyl Ireland. He also works with his local GAA club.

Mr Sexton has since lost his job with TTM Healthcare. Mr Hassett said;

“It is the height of stupidity, not matter what pressure he was under.”

Insp Kennedy said Mr Sexton was “clearly remorseful” for his actions. He described the offences as “completely out of character.”

The court heard that the Sexton family are moving to Australia to seek work.

Judge Patrick Durcan said these were serious offences “that happened systematically over a period of time.”

Noting the accused’s guilty plea, total co-operation and his repayment of the money, Judge Durcan ordered Mr Sexton to pay € 1000 to the court poor box by December 30.

He said the charges would be struck out if the payment is made by that date.

A WEST Clare publican accused of assaulting a customer at his home on a Sunday morning during the Willie Clancy Festival has had the charges against him dismissed

Unemployed bricklayer Kieran Flynn (35) alleged Sean Malone (52) showed up at his home on July 3 (2011), punched him around the head and pulled off his underwear during a 10-minute assault.

Mr Malone, with an address at The Lane Miltown Malbay, pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault causing harm.

The court heard that Mr Flynn had been on a 13-hour drinking session the previous day.

Mr Flynn, who admitted being very drunk, ended the day in Malone’s Bar where an altercation developed between he and Mr Malone’s partner Fiona White.

The court heard that Mr Flynn was thrown out of the bar.

Pointing to a lack of medical evidence, Judge Patrick Durcan dismissed the charges.

He said, “There has to be a doubt in mind and there is. I accordingly dismiss the charge.”

Judge Durcan said he had no reason “not to believe” Mr Flynn’s evidence. However he said this was a case where there was a conflict between the evidence of a drunk man and sober man.

Judge Durcan said that if a man had been “thrashed” in the manner described by Mr Flynn you would expect that medical evidence would have been produced to support that claim.

Over the course of three hours and 35 minutes, the court heard evidence from 11 witnesses including three other publicans in Miltown Malbay.

Mr Flynn alleged that Mr Malone had been “crying with temper” during the alleged altercation, adding that Mr Malone told him that he had insulted his parents on the night previous.

Mr Flynn’s partner, Cora Griffin (26), said he had a “bruised hand and buttocks” when she saw him.

His sister, Annette Cotter, said her brother was “lying on the floor naked from the waist down.”

She claimed there was blood spat- tered on the walls and that her brother was in agony.

A number of defence witnesses said Mr Flynn had been heard in Miltown on the previous day talking about a fight he had been in with another man.

Publicans Martin Flynn (Flynn’s Bar) Gerard Clancy (Clancy’s Bar) said Mr Flynn had been in their bars in the early afternoon on July 2. They said he had blood and scrapes on his knuckles.

Mr Clancy said he advised Mr Flynn to go home and sleep it off. He added, “He’s not awkward. He’s a lovely lad.”

Staff at Malone’s Bar also gave evidence that Mr Flynn was in a “very irritable mood” on July 2.

Ms White said Mr Flynn verbally abused her in Malone’s Bar and pushed her.

Mr Malone told the court that he asked Mr Flynn to leave his premises on July 2 because he was “beyond control.”

Mr Malone said he called to Mr Flynn’s the next morning because he was concerned for his well being. Insp Tom Kennedy said Mr Malone and other witnesses had attempted to “discredit” Mr Flynn.

This was rejected by the witnesses and Judge Durcan who said he did not “quibble” with the evidence given by the publicans.

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett said evidence had been given that Mr Flynn had spoken of being in a fight with another man on July 2.

He said there were “large doubts and inconsistencies in the State’s case.” Judge Durcan dismissed the charges.

A MAN has appeared in court charged with violent disorder at a primary school in Ennis earlier this year. Conor Mahon (21), with an address at Ballaghboy Halting Site, Quin Road Ennis, is alleged to have committed violent disorder at the Holy Family School, Station Road, Ennis on March 3.

He is also charged with unlawful production of an article contrary to the firearms and offensive weapons act at the same date and location.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Inspector Tom Kennedy said the matter would be proceeding on trial on indictment.

Charges previously brought against Mr Mahon arising out of the same incident were struck out by a Judge in June

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett told the court that this was the State’s “second bite of cherry” in respect of charges against his client.

Insp Kennedy explained that the charges were struck out following delays in obtaining directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

He said matters have progressed since then. Insp Kennedy told the court that the book of evidence would be served within 42 days.

Responding to Mr Hassett’s concerns, Judge Patrick Durcan said, “If the book of evidence is not served within 42 days, the wind is very much at your back.”

Mr Mahon was remanded on continuing bail to appear at Ennis District Court on November 14.

TWO men alleged to have been found with cannabis estimated to be worth € 13,000 have been sent forward for trial. Bryan Byrne (32) and Eoghan Phayer (35) both appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Mr Byrne, with an address at 28 Hillcroft Close, Dublin Road, Limerick and Mr Phayer, with an address at Hill Road, Bunratty, Clare, are facing charges under the misuse of drugs act. It is alleged that on April 7 (2011) at Aharinaghmore, Kilmore, Clare they possessed cannabis for sale or supply and at the time the market value of the controlled drug amounted to € 13,000 or more.

They are also charged with having cannabis for sale or supply and cultivation of cannabis at the same location on the same date.

The case was adjourned until last Wednesday to allow Judge Patrick Durcan to consider the matter of jurisdiction. Defence solicitors for both accused had raised concerns over jurisdiction and the manner in which the charges were brought against their clients. Judge Durcan accepted jurisdiction. He said, “I am satisfied that I can make an order returning both men for a trial sitting in Ennis.”

Solicitor for Mr Byrne Oonagh Moylan said the State had brought charges against her client last Wednesday without notice.

She said, “The defendant has not been afforded fair procedure.” Ms Moylan said the State had not given any reason why charges were originally brought in Limerick and then later in Clare.

Judge Durcan said he was dealing with the case on the basis that the charge sheets were properly brought before him. Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented for both accused to be returned for trial to the current sittings of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court.

Detective Garda Alan Kelly gave evidence of having served the book of evidence on both accused. Legal aid was approved for a solicitor, a junior counsel and a senior counsel in respect of each man. Judge Durcan made the orders returning both men for trial. A 67 YEAR old man has appeared in court for allegedly indecently assaulting a young boy in Clare.

The 10 charges date from January 1979 to May 1981 and were allegedly committed in Clare. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Detective Seargent Michael Moloney of Ennis Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

He told the court that the accused made no reply to each of the 10 charges. Inspector Tom Kennedy said the matter would be proceeding on indictment.

The case was adjourned until November 14 for service of the book of evidence. Judge Patrick Durcan imposed reporting restrictions.

A MAN who stole waste metal from a hospital in Ennis committed a “despicable” offence, a court has heard.

Gerard McDonagh (30) with an address at 36 Dromard, Lahinch Road, Ennis, pleaded guilty to the theft of old radiators from the grounds of Cahercalla Community Hospital and Hospice on May 3 (2012).

He also pleaded guilty to taking waste metal from the same location on May 7. The hospital was undergoing renovation works at the time.

The court previously heard that the father of four sold the radiators to a scrap metal dealer in Galway for € 200.

The matter came before Ennis District Court for sentencing on Wednesday.

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client knew the items were waste “but should’ve known better.” She added;

“He had no business being in the curtilage of the hospital.”

Ms Godfrey asked the court not to impose a custodial sentence.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he had to balance the accused’s guilty plea against the “despicable nature of these offences.”

He said Mr McDonagh “knew exactly what he was about.”

“I do not accept he came across these materials innocently,” Judge Durcan added.

The court heard that Mr McDonagh had previously received a suspended sentence at Galway Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Durcan imposed sentences totaling four months to run consecutively to the sentence imposed at Galway Circuit Criminal Court. Recogances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

After sentence was passed, Ms Godfrey told the court that she had been informed by her client that he had gone to Cahercalla to visit his sick aunt. A 56-YEAR-old man drank too much after being unlucky in love at the annual Matchmaking festival, a court has heard. Michael McDonagh, with an address at 14 Parnell Street, Summerhill, Ennis, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place during this year’s Matchmaking festival in Lisdoonvarna. Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that Mr McDonagh was found “laid out” on Main Street, Lisdoonvarna. He was subsequently brought back to Ennistymon Garda Station. Solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that her client had “rather optimistically made his way to the Matchmaking festival in Lisdoonvarna.” She said Mr McDonagh’s attempts to meet a partner were unsuccessful, after which “he had a drink followed by another drink.” She added, “The air just hit him and when the air hit him, he slid to the ground.” She said Mr McDonagh is very embarrassed by his behaviour. Judge Patrick Durcan fined Mr McDonagh € 100 and gave him three months to pay. Mr McDonagh was also warned about his behaviour at next year’s festival.

THE lives of hundreds of Clare dogs have been saved following a massive investment in the Clare Dog Pound by the UK-based Dogs Trust.

The investment, which could amount to as much as € 100,000 per year, will mean that every viable animal surrendered to the pound will be inoculated, micro-chipped and re-homed, either locally or in the United Kingdom.

The news comes after months of work and lobbying by the Clare Dog Warden, Frankie Coote, who believes that the investment will change the way that dog are treated in Clare forever.

“I think everyone has been concerned about the amount of dogs who are put down in Ireland. There are about 1,000 dogs put down in England each year compared to more than 18,000 in Ireland. This is great news – the Dogs Trust are basically sponsoring us to change that in Clare,” said Frankie.

“This is going to save the lives of 400 or 500 dogs in Clare every year, so it is massive news. This means that every puppy, let’s say, that arrives into us on a Monday, we can afford to get that dog all of its inoculations and also to get that dog microchipped.

“So if any member of the public comes and wants that dog, they will receive it with all of that already done. That is about € 160 spend on each dog. If we can’t re-home that dog in Clare, and the dogs can’t be homed elsewhere, then the Dogs Trust will bring those animals to the UK each week in a specially-designed carrier truck.”

This funding means that all nonviable dogs will be put down in Clare. Dogs that have been violent or whose owners requests that they are put down, will still be put down at Ennis Dog Pound.

“If a dog is dangerous or it has been left in to be put down by its owner, then there is nothing we can do. We are obliged under the law to do it. But any young healthy dogs, that we just didn’t have homes for in the past, they will all be saved now,” continued Frankie.

The arrangement came into effect yesterday morning, October 15, and will be fully funded by the Dogs Trust for a year’s trial.

Hopes are high that this trial will be extended to an ongoing relationship in 2013. Wh ile it w ill g e t b e t t e r by t h e we e ke n d , t h e re w ill b e a fa ir a m o u n t o f ra in d u rin g t h e we e k a n d t e m p e ra t u re s n o t c lim b in g a b o ve 11 d e g re e s.

ON TUESDAY, October 9 and Wednesday, October 10 in The West County Hotel, Ennis, secondary schools from all over the county competed in the Clare heats of the All-Ireland Schools Talent Search Competition.

This year, the competition’s benefiting charities are the NSPCC/ISPCC/Childline.

The ISPCC/NSPCC rely on the generosity of the public and donations from schools and companies for 90 per cent of its funding. Proceeds from The All-Ireland Schools Talent Search will go directly towards maintaining the charities’ support services for children and teenagers all over Ireland.

Tuesday and Wednesday nights were huge successes, as schools from all over Clare performed for both the audience and the judges.

The All-Ireland Schools Talent Search is not based solely on the judge’s decisions; the audience were allowed to vote for their favourite act.

There was a lot of support over both nights for the various performers, which included singers, comedy acts, bands and even a gospel choir.

As this competition is only for secondary school students, the ages on the nights varied from 12 to 17 and there was something to suit everyone in the audience.

Twenty acts got through from the Clare Heats. There will be a provincial heat coming up on Friday, No- vember 9, and following that there will be a semi-final and next March the All-Ireland Schools Talent Search Final will be televised in The Helix in Dublin.

Full support will be needed by all acts on the night so come along to support them on November 9. The proposed venue for this will be The West County Hotel, Ennis, but see Facebook to confirm details coming up to the event.

For more information, visit The All-Ireland Schools Talent Search’s Facebook page or go to www.schoolstalentsearch.org.