Category: News

DESPITE predictions of a wash out, Ennis is after having a bumper weekend. The inclement weather of the last week did not dampen the spirits of visitors to the county town for the Street Festival, Senior Inter-county Hurling Championship game and general tourist activities.

It is not yet known the exact net financial worth of the busy July weekend, but local estimates put it at hundreds of thousands of euro, with the more optimistic suggesting up to € 1 million.

The county spirit as well as the local economy got a boost after the two days of activities topped by a Clare win against Dublin.

President of the Ennis Chamber of Commerce Brian O’Neill described it all “as the best weekend of the year”.

All accommodation was booked out on Saturday night as the Dublin hurling team discovered when they searched for a bed for the night shortly after 10pm.

Mr O’Neill, who owns the popular Rowan Tree restaurant and hostel, said that he had a lot of the Dublin hurling fans staying with him, and although there was no room at his inn when the team called, he was sure they were accommodated elsewhere.

As many as 2,000 Dubliners are understood to have stayed in Ennis on Saturday night to enjoy the party atmosphere, despite their disappointment.

The fallout of the Volvo Ocean Race in Galway saw more bed occupied.

Mr O’Neill explained that Ennis accommodated a lot of the overflow from the Ocean Race, as many people opted to stay in Ennis and travel to Galway for the different events.

Many also stayed around the town’s street festival, which brought life to the town on Sunday according to the chamber president.

He also paid tribute to what is proving one of the biggest tourist attractions in the town this year – Ennis Abbey.

“Since Ennis Abbey re-opened it is driving a lot more tourists into the town centre and keeping them there. It is free of charge but benefiting the local economy as people stay around to buy a bottle of water, a sandwich, cup of coffee or another gift,” said the business man.

“The attitude and atmosphere is so much better when people are seen around the town,” he added.

RIVER levels in Ennis remain under constant observation amid rising concerns from local businesses over flooding.

A senior official with Ennis Town Council said yesterday that rainfall and water levels in the Ennis area probably the most “watched pieces of data in the county”.

Eamon O’Dea was responding to concerns sparked by recent heavy flooding in Clonakilty, Cork.

Cllr Tony Mulqueen (FG) told a meeting of councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area that businesses in the Abbey Street area fear a repeat of damage suffered during unprecedented flooding in November 2009.

He said, “When people saw what happened in Clonakilty, it made them more conscious of flooding.”

Mr O’Dea said council staff had recently conducted round-the-clock observation of water levels around Ennis.

He said an alert system is in place and that measures such as sandbags and electrical pumps are on standby in locations around the town.

However Mr O’Dea warned that there are certain extreme rainfall events that could not be planned for.

The meeting also heard that work on the lower Fergus Certified Drainage Contract is anticipated to commence in October.

The information was released in response to a motion tabled by Cllr James Breen (Ind).

“I am asking the up to date position in relation to the elimination of future flooding at Abbey Street Car Park. When will work on the river begin?” he said.

In his reply, Mr O’Dea stated, “The Office of Public Works (OPW) are presently carrying out a tender assessment on the lower Fergus Certified Drainage Contract. The works include the Abbey Street car park and area behind houses opposite the Abbey. The OPW anticipate that work will commence on the scheme in October 2012. The Council has requested that the work in this area is prioritised by the OPW contractor.”

The project was delayed earlier this year after the OPW was forced to abandon its tender process.

Mr O’Dea said that process had now re-commenced but that it may take some time before a contractor is appointed. “It is a fairly laborious process,” he added.

Cllr Breen said, “Its disappointing. This is the third year that this project has not started. Rate payers in the area are very concerned.”

The scheme will see improvements to river walls and other flood defenses on the Fergus from Bank Place to Doora Bridge. Phase one of the scheme is credited with preventing floods in large areas of the town centre during November 2009.

WATER levels on the River Shannon rose by a massive 500 centimetre in just 10 days in June, raising fears of unprecedented summer floods affecting parts of East and South Clare. Water levels on the river are currently on a par to the levels normally seen in October and November.

This has sparked concerns that an unprecedented summer flood could hit East Clare communities who are sometimes affected by winter flooding from the Shannon.

Concern has also been expressed that waterlogged area in parts of the county could be more susceptible to winter flooding this year – if the backlog of water doesn’t get a chance to clear.

The overall water levels on the River Shannon last month were more than 300 centimetre higher than the average for June of 2011.

According to figures released by the ESB, who control water flow at Ardnacrusha, water levels on the river rose from 37.7 metre on June 6 to 38.2 metres on June 16 and stood at 38.3 metres at the end of June.

The June water level was on a par with the November 2010 level, while it was marginally higher than the peak level in October 2009 – when many Clare towns were devastated by flooding.

It is as yet unclear how much of this massive backlog of water can be cleared by the ESB’s management of the Parteen Weir and Ardnacrusha.

A build-up of water which began in October of 2009 eventually contributed to widespread flooding across many areas in South East Clare later that year.

PRESSURE is mounting on An Post to bankroll a mid-week bus service for the people of Corofin who lost their local post office last week.

Following requests from members of the local community, Clare Accessible Transport have now started a Saturday morning service connecting Corofin and Kilfenora, one of the closest post offices to Corofin.

However, North Clare Senator Martin Conway (FG) met with offi cials at An Post last week and asked that the postal agency supply a midweek bus service to ease the pressure on locals.

“Many elderly people in Corofin and many of those on social welfare do not have transport and they will find it difficult to get to Kilfenora.

“I’m calling for An Post to provide bus transportation on a Tuesday and Friday for people without transportation, until an alternative premises can be found in Corofin,” said Senator Conway.

“An unfortunate set of circumstances led to the resignation of the postmaster in Corofin and to the closure of the post office.

“I acknowledge that An Post is doing its best, but the connectivity issue between the villages needs to be addressed,” he said.

Clare Accessible Transport hosted their first Saturday morning return service between Corofin and Kilfenora last week.

The not-for-profit organisation has committed to the service on a shortterm basis but could extend the service if required.

“The service leaves from outside Bofey Quinns in Corofin at 11.30am on Saturday and returns from Kilfenora at 12.15pm.

“We have a number of members in the Corofin area and they asked us to look at introducing this service,” said a spokesperson.

The Saturday morning bus service between Corofin and Kilfenora is open to anyone but users are asked to pay a € 10 yearly subscription to Clare Accessible Transport.

Following that, anyone with a travel pass can use the service for free, while a € 2 charge applies for the over 16s, and a € 1 charge applies for children under 16 years of age.

Children aged under five can use the service for free. Pre-booking is essential by ringing 061 924375.

Meanwhile, An Post have introduced an external postbox in Corofin to replace the posting facility in the Corofin Post Office and have confirmed that mail collections will continue at normal times.

It is still not clear when regular post office service will be resumed in Corofin.

THE first round of patients will be moved from Ennis General Hospital to its new on-campus, 50-bed unit from next week.

However, it could be more than two months before the entire unit is up and running.

The HSE had predicted the unit would open before the end of last month, but the timeline was delayed.

“Opening a new unit on a greenfield site is always more straightforward and less complex than on an existing hospital campus. The current work plan envisages transferring patients to the ground floor of the new unit in the week beginning July 9,” said a spokesperson for the HSE.

“Reconfiguration works with regard to the connection between the existing hospital and the new ward block will initially be carried out at first floor level. These are anticipated to commence in late July and take about six weeks to complete,” he said.

Once these works are completed, the transfer of patients to the first floor of the new unit will take place.

Further work is then scheduled to take place between the two buildings at ground floor level.

Equipping and commissioning for the new 50-bed ward block is now reaching its final stages, while unions and management are understood to be in talks about staffing the unit.

The extension will include two new wards with 50 new beds including en-suites, and facilities for CT scanning, operating theatres, endoscope facilities and day surgery.

When all patients are transferred into the unit, it will be the first “Strategy for the Control of Antimicrobial Resistance in Ireland” compliant hospital unit in the country.

Meanwhile, it also emerged in the last week that more than 370 patients are on the hospital’s endoscopy unit waiting list.

It is feared that the waiting list could put in jeopardy plans to have the mid-west’s only Colorectal Screening Programme unit at the hospital.

It is one of the 15 candidate hospitals earmarked for the project, however it must adhere to reduce waiting times to get the green light.

A WEST Clare branch of AIB has been targeted and robbed by an armed robber for the second time in 10 months. During the morning of Friday last, a lone gunman entered the bank’s branch on O’Curry Street, Kilkee, and held up staff. The hooded raider went behind the counter and took an undisclosed amount of cash from registers and the general counter area, before escaping towards the beach. No shots were fired during the robbery and no one was hurt in the inci- dent, but the two members of staff and customers were extremely shocked following the terrifying ordeal. Gardaí in Kilrush are investigating the incident and are appealing for the public’s assistance. A spokesperson for the Gardaí said the robbery took place at approximately 10.55am. “He lifted the counter and produced a firearm and, in a threatening manner, demanded money. He then took a sum of money from the tills and counter area. He left on foot down O’Curry Street, down Pantry Lane and on to Strandline and made good his escape,” he said. It is now hoped that someone will be able to come forward with details as to the thief’s mode of transport. “Did anyone notice this man in Kilkee before or after the robbery or what transport he may have used to come and go from Kilkee? Was he on his own or was he accompanied by others?” Gardaí are trying to ascertain. The brazen thief is described as five foot eight inches tall, with a “long, thin-looking face”. He wore a dark jacket and grey hoodie during the robbery. Anyone with information can contact Gardaí in Kilrush on 065 9080550.

CLARE is the only county in Munster without State-sponsored third level education, but it hasn’t stopped more people than ever before in the county embracing the education system.

That’s just one of the findings to emerge from the latest bulletin report of the 2011 National Census of Population released by the Central Statistics Office in the past week.

According to the figures, there are more students in Clare than there are people out of work in a breakdown of the population of the county that are over 15 years of age.

The huge surge in the numbers of students over the age of 15 in the county is reflected in a figure of 10,044, a figure which represents a 27.3 per cent jump numbering over 2,100 since the 2006 census results.

This means that the jump in student numbers in Clare is now running ahead of the provincial and national average that stands at 14 per cent and 17 per cent respectively.

However, the census returns have revealed that the county is behind the national average when it comes to the biggest tools of modern education – technology.

All because the numbers able to access much-needed information online is lower than in other parts of the country. Three in five Clare homes have access to broadband, and even this represents a four-fold jump from 2006, it’s still five percent below the national average.

The unemployment figures for the county stand at 9,805, which is lower than the national average, while the figure for those who are classified as ‘looking after the home/family’ is 8,476.

The figures for those working in Clare in April 2011 are 45,606, with the numbers of retired people standing at 12, 530.

Of the working population the healthy state of the agriculture industry in Clare is reflected in the fact that there are 7,499 farmer in Clare – a figure which is broken down between 5,064 men and 2,435 women.

AT LEAST five people have been injured in a spate of dog attacks in the county during the last 10 days.

Two teenagers were hospitalised following two of the incidents. The first, a 16-year-old girl from Inagh, was taken to hospital in Galway after she was attacked by the family’s pet husky. Meanwhile, a teenage boy from the Tulla area received chest wounds from a Golden Labrador while he was out cycling his bike. He was also taken to hospital for treatment. The county’s dog warden Frankie Coote has since taken charge of both dogs. Mr Coote is disturbed by the number of growing attacks in the county and fears a dog in Clare will eventually kill someone.

“It might sound alarmist but I think we are facing a child or person being killed in this county by a dog,” he said. The dog warden was himself a victim of an attack on Friday last. He explained that while the dogs looked friendly, one animal jumped at his throat. Due to his training Mr Coote escaped the attack with minor bruising to his throat and neck.

A HEROIN addict who admitted handling stolen money totalling € 3,500 has received a three-year prison sentence.

Half of the term handed down to Michael Sweeney (23) at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court yesterday was suspended.

Mr Sweeney, with an address at 13 Wood Road, Kilrush, pleaded guilty to handling stolen money in Kilrush last July.

The court heard that gardaí received a report that € 18,000 was stolen from a car in Kilrush on July 4 (2011). Garda Oliver Downes of Kilrush Garda Station, told the court that the owner of the money had intended to buy a car. He said the money had been kept in three envelopes in his car.

A search was carried out at Mr Sweeney’s home but no money was found, the court heard. Garda Downes said the accused was arrested and later made admissions to gardaí. He said Mr Sweeney told them that he had met two other people in a nearby woods.

The court heard that Mr Sweeney received € 3500, of which he spent € 1250 on a Toyota Corolla and € 500 on drugs. He told gardaí that he gave € 1880 to a third party. The court heard that Mr Sweeney has 23 previous convictions and suffers from a “very severe” heroin addiction.

Counsel for Mr Sweeney, Pat Whyms BL, said no evidence had offered in the case other than his client’s admission of guilt. He said nobody else had been charged in relation to the case.

Mr Whyms added, “He received the money, he did know it was stolen, but he did not steal it.”

Mr Whyms told the court that his client had been given the money by one of the men who had committed the theft. He said this man had previously damaged a car belonging to Mr Sweeney and this money was to cover the cost. He said that at all times, Mr Sweeny had been “completely upfront about what happened.”

Judge Carroll Moran noted that there would have been no case against Mr Sweeney “without the admissions he made.”

He added, “If he had stayed quiet there would have been no case against him at all.”

He imposed a three-year sentence and suspended the final 18 months for four years on condition that Mr Sweeney keep the peace.

Jeanne O’GRADY
of 59 Marian Estate, Kilkee. Peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital Ennis . Reposing onTuesday morning at Lillis Funeral Kilkee from10.30a.m, with removal at 11.30a.mto Kilkee Parish Church for Requiem Mass at 12 noon followed by burial in Kilferagh Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Kathleen O’CONNELL
of Aughboy, Clonlara. Funeral mass onTuesday at 12 noon in Clonlara Church, with burial afterwards in Doonass Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Thomas HANRAHAN
of Clondrinagh, Coolmeen. Suddenly. Laid to rest in Kilmurray Mc Mahon Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Thomas McMAHON
of 9 Ballycar Road, Newmarket-on-Fergus. Laid to rest in Newland’s Cross Crematorium, Dublin. Donations if desired to Milford Hospice. May he rest in peace.

Joe McNAMARA
of Uggoon,Tulla. Laid to rest in the local cemetery inTulla. May he rest in peace.

Bridget (Bridie) O’DONOGHUE
(née Noone) of Ballycuneen, Drumline, Newmarket-on-Fergus. Laid to rest in Fenloe Cemetery. Donations if desired to Milford Hospice. May she rest in peace.

Bridget (Breda) CLEARY (née Casserly)
of Hazel Grove, Roslevan, Ennis. Laid to rest in Templemaley Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Martin McNAMARA
of Luton, Bedfordshire, England & formerly of ShackletonTerrace,Well Road, Kilkee. Suddenly in England of Martin McNamara, Luton, England and formerly of ShackletonTerrace,Well Road, Kilkee. Cremation has taken place in England. Funeral Mass on Saturday, July 7 in St. Senan’s Church Kilkee at 11.30amfollowed by interment of Ashes in the family Grave in Lisdeen Cemetery Kilkee. May he rest in peace.

Jimmy O’DEA
of Tullabrack, Cooraclare. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Breaffa Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Kitty FOUDY (née Glynn)
of Kylea, Inagh. Laid to rest in Inagh. Donations, if desired, to Friends of Ennistymon Hospital. May she rest in peace.

David LYSAGHT
of 7 Ross an Oir, Ballycasey, Shannon. Laid to rest in Illaunumanagh Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Bridie (TOSF) CULLINAN (née Hickey)
of Clonroad, Ennis. Peacefully, in her 98th year. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Joe GRIFFIN
of Cragbrien, Darragh, Ennis. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Ballyea Church grounds. Donations, if desired, to Milford Hospice or Irish Cancer Society. May he rest in peace.

Sean MEEHAN
of Ardykyl, Sixmilebridge. Peacefully. Laid to rest at Feenagh Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Emmet (Hopper) RYAN
of Dough, Kilkee. Reposing onTuesday evening at Lillis’ Funeral Home in Kilkee from5pmuntil 7pm. Remains arriving to St. Senan’s Church, Kilkee, onWednesday morning for RequiemMass at 11.30am, followed by burial in Lisdeen Cemetery. Family flowers only please donations in lieu to Pieta House. May he rest in peace.

Owen NEVILLE
of Fergus Drive, Shannon. Reposing in Milford Hospice Mortuary onTuesday at 5.30pmuntil removal at 7.30pm. RequiemMass at Mary Immaculate Church, Shannon, onWednesday at 12 noon, followed by burial afterwards in the Old Cemetery, Adare. Family flowers only, please. Donations, if desired, to Milford Hospice. May he rest in peace.

Margaret (Peg) BYRNE (née Malone)
of (Shambo) Blackthorn Drive, Caherdavin, Limerick, and Carrigoran Nursing Home, Newmarketon-Fergus. Reposing in Carrigoran Nursing Home, Newmarket-on-Fergus, onTuesday at 4pmuntil 7pm. RequiemMass at Carrigoran Nursing Home onWednesday at 10.30am, followed by burial afterwards in St James Church Cemetery, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny. May she rest in peace.

RESIDENTS of a housing estate in Ennis have outlined their strong feelings at the anti-social behaviour of just one family in their estate, writing to councillors to list a litany of complaints that include intimadation, theft, noise, fighting and certain female family members using a back garden ‘as a toilet’.

The letter, which stunned many listeners at an Ennis Town Council meeting yesterday, claimed that two other families were forced to move from the estate as a result of the antisocial behaviour.

It also alleged that pubic urination on the estate’s footpaths and gardens is commonplace, while bad language is also an everyday occurence.

Sections of the letter were read out to councillors at the meeting.

The letter, which has been seen by The Clare People, states;

“A Brazilian family has moved out of the estate as a direct result of continuous noise, intimidation and the theft of their flicker scooter bike. Another lady and her children have moved also because of intimidation.” The letter highlights incidents of “continuous fighting”, “disgraceful bad language”, drunken verbal abuse and public urination.

It also states that parents no longer feel it is safe for them to allow their children to play outside their own homes.

As a result of the intimidation the letter writes states that residents in the estate keep clinds and curtains closed throughout the day. It also alleges that alcohol is being openly consumed during daylight hours in the estate, leading to instances of loud, verbal abuse directed at neighbours.

Residents’ associations recently met with councillors over the anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) told the meeting that he wants legislation to make landlords more accountable. He says the Health Services Executive (HSE) should be instructed to view any tenancy agreement prior to sanctioning a rent subsidy. He said some members of the Traveller community are causing “major concern” in Ennis. He claimed that, in some instances, residents are “afraid to call the guards because they will be identified”. He said, “I’ve had people crying in front of me because they are so afraid. People are living in fear and something has to be done.”

Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) said the situation in Ennis has “deteriorated”. He said, “They fight in our streets, our banks. They are taking on society.”

The council is to seek a meeting with the HSE and the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter.

According to Town Clerk, Leonard Cleary, “The community (residents and landlords) have a key stakehold in addressing the issues raised.”

The Ennis housing estate at the centre of the latest allegations is not one previously associated with such instances of anti-social behaviour.