Category: News

THE new Shannon Airport company will be debt-free, but the write-off of € 100m plus that it owes will be at the price of Aer Rianta International (ARI) being lost to Shannon forever.

This quid pro-quo arrangement has been heralded by Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar, despite a demand from interest groups in the mid west region that Shannon be given a slice of ARI’s profits.

“ARI originated in Shannon,” admitted Minister Varadkar, “but what it will do is remain part of the DAA group which is going to be re-named. It started in Shannon, but moved beyond Shannon a long time ago.

“It has been contributing to the DAA group, but the justification we have to take the debt off Shannon is the fact that Shannon did contribute to the development of ARI,” he added.

The case for Shannon ownership of ARI, which is considered the jewel in the crown of the DAA, was made vociferously to Minister Varadkar as recently as last March by former ARI chief, Michael Hanrahan.

“Aer Rianta International started in May 1988 – we had an initial capital of € 1.2m and that came from the surpluses of Shannon through the ‘80s. Minister Varadkar indicated that this money came from Dublin – it came from Shannon,” he said.

“The concept that Shannon owes € 100m is to me an absolute scandal,” he blasted.

“Aer Rianta International invested in Birmingham Airport and that investment was £30m sterling. That came from the surpluses of Aer Rianta International. The DAA disposed of the investment Birmingham and made a profit of € 270m,” he added.

“ARI is a subsidiary of the DAA group and belongs to the state. It doesn’t belong to Shannon and what we are giving Shannon is independence,” Minister Varadkar has countered this week.

“We are giving Shannon the ability to set its own charges, we are giving it a situation where it is going to start off debt free and hopefully some cash in the bank and maybe cash incentives and other tools to make it a huge success.

“It’s because Shannon contributed so much to Aer Rianta International, in recognition of that it’s not going to have to carry any debt from the DAA.

“The exact mechanism about how that’s going to work will be part of the steering committee’s remit.

“What I want is the new company to have cash in the bank – cash to carry out investments that are needed and also to absorb any losses that might occur in the first year or two,” Minister Varadkar added.

VICTIMS of clerical child sex abuse or those with knowledge of abuse that has been perpetrated against children in Clare have this week been urged to step forward and alert the relevant authorities of these crimes.

The move that has been signalled as part of a new clerical child sex abuse awareness campaign being mounted by the Diocese of Killaloe throughout the county during the month of May.

This campaign was launched in the past week, just as the Catholic hierarchy was rocked by fresh abuse allegations surrrounding the investigation of notorious paedophile priest, Fr Brendan Smyth, that has left future of Cardinal Sean Brady as primate of all Ireland hanging in the balance.

As part of what the diocese has called “the importance of safeguarding children”, those who have suffered abuse in Clare have been urged to alert the Garda Siochána, the Health Services Executive or the Killaloe Diocese directly.

Throughout Clare those “concerned that someone you know is at risk in relation to a child safeguarding concern, or you wish to raise a matter from the past” have been told to come forward immediately.

“If you have grounds for concern about the welfare of a child you must act immediately to the statutory authorities and/or diocesan designated persons as soon as possible,” the Diocese of Killaloe has said.

“The designated persons will liaise with the statutory authorities – the Gardai the HSE and also the Bishop and the National Board for safeguarding children,” the diocese has added.

Since 2003, over € 2m has been paid out to victims of clerical child sex abuse in the Diocese of Killaloe. Money given victims are labelled as ‘Special Payments’ in the annual diocesan accounts published every year.

CLARE rugby great Keith Wood launched an end-of-life care programme, which is being rolled out in hospitals in the mid-west, including Ennis, in an effort to ensure that dying patients receive the best possible care.

Hospitals in the region are now part of the Network of Hospice Friendly Hospitals (HFH) which has been developed over the last five years and includes 25 acute and over 30 community hospitals.

The HFH Programme is in operation in the Mid Western Acute Hospitals Group in Limerick, Nenagh, Ennis, the Regional Maternity Hospital, the Regional Orthopaedic Hospital, Croom, and St Ita’s Community Hospital in Newcastle West.

In the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle, there are an average of 450 deaths each year, ranging in cause from road traffic accidents involving teenagers to complications arising from respiratory complaints among patients aged 90 years of age and over.

Up to 4,500 bereaved people are affected by these deaths.

Keith Wood officially launched the programme which aims to support frontline staff who are delivering end-of-life care, sometimes in very challenging conditions. Speaking at the launch, he said, “According to popular belief, an acute hospital is somewhere where people with various complaints go to get better and a hospice is a place where people go to die.

“Most of us want to die in our own homes. But most people now die in some form of hospital and 48 per cent of us will die in an acute hospital. The challenge facing the acute hospital system is how to train and assist all staff to provide a quality service for all patients at the end of life and also to help their families to cope.”

Frank Gunter, whose sister-in-law died in MWRH Dooradoyle in January 2012, said, “This was a most difficult time for the family, experiencing a tumult of feelings, denial, fatalism and helplessness and I’m sure that unconsciously we probably were a nuisance to the staff. But we were never made to feel that way. The medical and nursing staff were kind, understanding, respectful in all their dealings with us and they kept us informed every step of the way. They provided a safe environment for family to express their grief and sorrow.”

End of Life Care Co-Ordinator at the Mid Western Regional Hospi tal, Miriam McCarthy, commented, “What it boils down to is that we are trying to ensure the best possible care for the patient when they are reaching the end of their life’s journey, so that patients die with dignity and respect. It’s not as easy as it sounds in a busy acute hospital with all its hustle and bustle but staff have shown tremendous interest and families have also appreciated the initiatives that have taken place since we began in January 2011.

“We are organising a remembrance service in June for the families of those who have died in the previous twelve months, and developing plans for the physical upgrading of facilities. End-of-life care matters, and we are working hard to ensure that our hospital culture, the way we do things around here, reflects this.”

SHANNON Development is no longer an international airport – instead it’s a dying institution because of the “dead hands” of the Dublin Airport Authority and now Shannon Development, which threatens to be “more of the same”.

That was the stinging verdict delivered by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary in the wake of the government decision to separate Shannon Airport from DAA control by creating a new holding company comprising of Shannon Development and the old SAA to take control of the airport’s destiny.

“The last thing you’d call Shannon is a dynamic international airport,” blasted Mr O’Leary. “It is a dying airport, because it is being run by the dead hands of the Department of Transport. We have a solution to this and it’s to put Shannon up for sale.

“We’ve had lots of smoke and mirrors from the Department of Transport talking about reform, when all they’ve done is move Shannon from the DAA which is a failed quango, into SFDCO, which is no better.

“The private sector across Europe – the airlines have been privatised, the airports have been privatised, but in Ireland we have the world’s largest international airline, banging on for years about selling off airports.

“What do we do? We move the deck chairs on the Titanic. Transferring Shannon Airport to SFDCO isn’t going to recapture the two million lost passengers that Shannon has suffered in the last five years under DAA mismanagement,” he added.

In continuing his broadside, Mr O’Leary described the government announcement, which was made on the back of the Booz & Company report that put forward five possible recommendations for Shannon’s future, as “more of the same” and “drivel about a world-class aviation industry” in Shannon.

“The minister will form a steering group – a high level committee, consultation with stakeholders and another two years of fudge and dither while Shannon continues to lose traffic and lose jobs.

“We’re here fudging Shannon out of the DAA into SFDCO – why don’t we put Shannon up for sale? We’ve nothing to lose. We might get € 100m for it that might go down to pay government debt and would bring in new management and a new vision. Moving Shannon from the dead hands of the DAA to the probably the deader hands of SFDCO is not change, it’s not reform, it’s just moving the deckchairs on the Titanic,” he added.

LIFE IS returning to normal today for the family of an East Clare farmer who, after becoming trapped in his own slurry tank on Saturday, was rescued without suffering serious injury.

The man, who is in his 40s, was cleaning the slatted house on his farm in Aughrim, just outside Scariff, on Saturday when a manhole cover gave way.

The man fell into the 10-foot-deep slurry tank which, luckily for him, was only half-full at the time. The man was discovered by his mother when she heard him shouting and contacted the emergency services.

Two neighbours were able to res- cue the man before the arrival of the emergency services, lowering a ladder into the pit and allowing the man to climb free. The fire service’s first responders assessed the man in his home and established that he did not require hospitalisation.

According to East Clare farmer and Clare President of the ICMSA, Martin McMahon, it will take the man and his family some time to get over this traumatic experience.

“It is a big shock to the whole community. When you hear about an incident like this, with a man falling into a slurry pit, well my sympathies do go out to the man and his family,” said Martin.

“I am sure they are all overjoyed that he was able to come out of this alive but his confidence will have taken a knock.

“The biggest problem for farm safety in Clare now is farmers work ing on their own. Too many farmers have no choice but to be alone. They could be out of contact with anyone for six or eight hours at a stretch and, no matter how good or how careful you are, something can always go wrong.

“There is always a risk, you can always slip. That’s why it is so important for farmers to keep their mobile phones with them at all time. A lot of farmers in Clare are part-time farmers at the moment, so there may not even be a neighbour in the vicinity to hear you. You could be working three or four miles from the nearest other person, and that is dangerous.”

ENNIS will host its first ever classic music busking event this weekend, with all proceeds going to the Mid West Simon Community.

The unique busking event will take place in Clare’s county town this Friday and Saturday with the Clare Music Makers Orchestra already agreeing to offer their services for a few hours on Saturday morning.

The Simon Community is asking musicians from Clare to take part in the event and support the work of the Simon Community with homeless people in the county.

The recent Mid West Homeless forum report showed there were 1565 households are presenting as homeless in the region in 2010 – with 378 of those located in Clare. The Mid West Simon Community provides services to help people in crisis.

“For those willing to busk, we can offer a new experience, an opportunity to show off, a chance to give a crowd-pleasing performance, a huge thank you from us and a story to tell their grandchildren,” said Susan Ward of the Mid West Simon Community. “When they play that final note, they can take a bow knowing they have played a part in something that will make a real difference to real lives.”

A coffee morning is also taking place in Ennis as part of National Volunteer Week. The coffee morning will take place on Friday, May 18 in our the Charity Shop and Coffee Dock on Woodquay in Ennis.

To volunteer for the busking day, call Clare Volunteer Centre 065 68 66 800 or log on to their website www.volunteerclare.ie to access volunteer opportunities or call Susan at Mid West Simon Community on 061 608980.

SHANNON Heritage has been hailed as the jewel in the mid west’s crown by the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar – a ringing endorsement that’s set to ensure that the Shannon Development subsidiary is firewalled against any change to its operating structure during the implementation of a new semi-state blueprint for the region.

The government go-ahead for Shannon Heritage to continue with its historical mandate for operating visitor attractions in the mid west region was given by Minister Varadkar, after he signalled the break-up of the Shannon Development company that has operated in the mid west since 1959.

“We envisage with Shannon Development that of some its staff will transfer to the IDA, some to Enterprise Ireland and some to Fáilte Ireland and some becoming staff of the new airport body,” revealed Minister Varadkar.

“Shannon Heritage stands on its own,” he added, “because it’s a company that I’ve been hugely impressed with. It’s a company that’s growing outside the region as it has been given the contract for the management of Malahide Castle in Dublin. That shows what it can do”.

Shannon Heritage has responsibility for a host of visitor attractions in the mid west region, dating back to the medieval banquets that started at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in the early 1960s.

Banquets are also held at Dungaire Castle in Kinvara and Knappogue Castle in Quin, while its estimated that nearly five million people have enjoyed the mediaeval banquet experience over the past 50 years. Other Shannon Heritage attractions include Craggaunowen in Quin, Lough Gur in Kilmallock and the Brian Boru Heritage Centre in Killaloe.

“One thing the Shannon steering group will have to decide is whether Shannon Heritage becomes a subsidiary of Fáilte Ireland or a subsidiary of the new Shannon company,” revealed Minister Varadkar.

“My preference is that it would become a subsidiary of the new Shannon Airport company and would remain regionally focused,” he added.

A MAN who carried out a “vicious assault” on his brother with a hatchet has received a prison sentence.

James McDonagh (38), with an address at bay six Ballymurtagh, Shannon, attacked Michael McDonagh at the rear of their father’s home at the Ballymurtagh halting site on August 31 (2011). Half of Michael McDonagh’s left ear was severed in the assault while the father of four also suffered injuries to his scalp and abdomen. He spent four days in hospital receiving treatment for his injuries.

A jury found James McDonagh guilty of assault causing harm and possession of a hatchet earlier this month.

He was sentenced to five years in prison for assault and three years for possession of the hatchet. The final year of the sentence was suspended. The sentences are to be served on a concurrent basis.

Judge Gerald Keyes said James McDonagh, who has 97 previous convictions, has an “appalling record.”

He added, “Since your conviction on those charges you have not shown any sign of remorse.”

Referring to Michael McDonagh’s victim impact statement, Judge Keyes said the family are in fear of their lives. Judge Keyes added, “The information would suggest that you are a danger to society, to your brother, your family and extended family.”

He noted that James McDonagh had shown signs recently that he is willing to improve his behaviour by completing a relapse prevention programme while in prison

He added, “There is a letter from the Governor of Limerick prison, which I’m told is unusual, that supports the view that at this late stage you have decided to change your ways.”

Judge Keyes also noted Michael McDonagh’s request for any sentence to include some element of rehabilitation for his brother.

He suspended the final year of the sentence on condition that James McDonagh keep the peace for two years and enter a programme under the supervision of the probation and welfare services.

James McDonagh was ordered to not come within 500 yards of the Ballymurtagh halting site and to not approach Michael McDonagh or his family without first getting the permission of gardaí.

Judge Keyes ordered James McDonagh to abstain from the consumption of alcohol and drugs.

He said the fact that the offence had been committed shortly after James McDonagh had been released from prison was an “aggravating factor” in the case.

He added, “The severity of the attack on this man justifies the sentence.” A we e k o f c lo u d a n d b u rst s o f su n sh in e . Th u rsd a y w ill p ro b a b ly b e t h e wo rst d a y. Ne xt we e k lo o ks sim ila r e a rly in t h e we e k, b u t n o h e a t wa ve o n t h e h o rizo n .

A MAN has received a four-month prison sentence for sending a series of “vile and vicious” text messages to his former landlady.

Colm Quigley (39), with an address at 1 Steele’s Terrace, Ennis, pleaded guilty to offences contrary to the postal and telecommunications act at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

The court heard that on October 17 (2011) Mr Quigley sent eight offensive and threatening text messages to Carmel Corbett.

One of the messages read, “Pick out your headstone, you’ll be dead shortly.”

The accused also told Ms Corbett “Watch your back. I know where you are.”

Another text message made a threatening reference to Ms Corbett’s daughter. Inspector Tom Kennedy explained that Ms Corbett had rented accommodation in Drumcliff to Mr Quigley who had now left. He said there was some dispute as to whether this was amicable or not.

He said that Mr Quigley sent the messages after leaving the accommodation.

Insp Kennedy described the messages as “quite nasty and unsavory.”

The matter was reported to gardaí on October 19 and the messages were subsequently traced back to Mr Quigley.

The court heard that he admitted sending the messages to gardaí.

Insp Kennedy said, “He was very intoxicated when he sent them. He was very apologetic. He told the guards that not a million years would he normally do it.”

He added, “The victim was very disturbed and was concerned about going out on her own.”

Solicitor Daragh Hassett said his client, who lived in the house for two years, had carried out work to the property after previously being told that it would be brought up to a certain standard.

He said Mr Quigley had arrived back to the property to find the locks had been changed.

Mr Hassett said his client was upset and sent the messages from the pub.

He added, “He made no level or at- tempt to disguise his identification.”

The court heard that Mr Quigley wrote a letter of apology to the victim.

Mr Hassett said, “Its something he will be ashamed of until his dying days.”

Judge Patrick Durcan said he regarded the offence as a “very serious matter.”

He said, “This was a case where a person uses modern technology to mentally violate somebody.” He said the messages were of a “vile and viscous nature.”

He imposed a four month prison sentence and fined Mr Quigley € 800.

Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

A CLARE Government TD has said he believes that Shannon Development can successfully run Shannon Airport if it is given the right resources and expertise, and raised concerns about its future if it is leased to the private sector.

Deputy Michael McNamara (Lab) said, “On the decision of management, there is no reason why Shannon Development should not take over the role if the required expertise is brought in.”

While welcoming the decision of the Government to create an independent Shannon Airport, he raised concerns that there were still a lot of questions about its future.

The Labour TD said that while the airport and land bank assets will remain in public ownership, we don’t know if the new entity will ultimately be franchised to a semi-state or a private company.

“The operator needs to be reputable with a proven track record in the airport and aviation business. I do not believe that Shannon should be handed over on a long lease to oligarchs, no matter how tempting this might seem in terms of a quick-fix solution,” he said.

The Clare TD said that whoever takes over the airport couldn’t be allowed to run it down like the Dublin Airport Authority had been doing for the last number of years.

He said he also broadly supported the decision to restructure the enter- prise support agencies in the Shannon region.

Deputy McNamara said we would have to await the recommendations of the steering group to report to Cabinet before we have a clear picture of the new Shannon entity and how it proposes to develop the airport and the region.

He added that, while a quick-fix solution was not the answer, a solution had to be made quickly, “particularly if a new management structure is to be put in place in time to go out and compete for the 2013 tourism season”.

“By September 2011, most decisions on routes for 2012 were made and a tourism plan was in place. Minds must be focused quickly on the issue,’ he said.