Category: News

BUSINESS-owners in Ennis have been urged to make premises available for a new arts initiative aimed at breathing new life into the town centre.

Latest developments under the recently launched the Ennis Access to Spaces Initiative (EASI) were discussed at last week’s meeting of Ennis Town Council.

Coordinated by Ennis Town Coun- cil, Clare County Council and Ennis Chamber of Commerce, the scheme aims to revitalise Ennis town centre by facilitating the use of unoccupied spaces for commercial, creative and community use.

A license agreement has been drawn up that provides for a mechanism for a formal agreement to be put in place between the council and participating parties.

Siobhán Mulcahy, Arts Officer, explained;

“A number of initiatives are hap- pening in the town and negotiations are underway with other landlords to facilitate the use of underused spaces in the town.”

She told the meeting that the agreement provides for a waiver of rates on non-commercial activities in participating properties.

Town Clerk Leonard Cleary said that the agreement would protect the interests of all parties involved.

Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) said the initiative would “enhance the streetscape of Ennis” and should prove successful.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) said the iniative could be used to attract even more tourists to Ennis:

“It is a worthwhile initiative and hopefully it will turn Ennis into a town that people want to visit.”

Empty and underutilised space, such as the premises beneath Sunkiss in Market Street, has already been transformed into a pop-up space highlighting work by some of Clare’s very best craftworkers and artists, including textile artist Steph Gahan, ceramicist Helen Griffin and contemporary furniture-maker John Hogan.

Mr Cleary urged business people in the town to support the initiative.

He said, “A number of crafts people have approached the arts officer and we need that reciprocated from the property-owners.”

Mr Cleary added, “This is an appeal, a special request, to create an arts cluster in the town to breathe new life into Ennis.”

A FURTHER extension of time has been granted for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to issue directions for three people charged in relation to alleged incidents outside a primary school in Ennis in March.

Conor Mahon (21), Rose Mahon (22) and Laura Molloy (21) are charged with alleged offences at the Holy Family Junior School, Station Road, Ennis on March 20.

Conor Mahon, of Ballaghboy, Quin Road, Ennis is charged with possession of a slash hook at the school contrary to the firearms and offen- sive weapons act and with engaging in threatening and, or, abusive behaviour.

Conor Mahon’s wife, Rose Mahon, a mother of two, also of Ballaghboy Quin Road, Ennis, is charged with causing € 1500 worth of damage to the windows of a vehicle belonging to Thomas Sherlock on Station Road.

Her sister, Laura Molloy, of 21 An Pairc, Bruach na hAbhainn, Ennis is also charged with causing € 1500 worth of damage to the windows of a vehicle belonging to Thomas Sherlock on Station Road. Both sisters are also charged with provoking a breach of the peace. All three accused deny the charges.

The matter was before Ennis District Court last Wednesday.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that directions had not yet been finalized. Solicitor for all three accused, Daragh Hassett said he had concerns that directions had not yet been issued.

He said. “This case has attracted a certain degree of notoriety about what is alleged to have happened in a school. All of which is denied.”

He said the strict bail conditions imposed on his clients meant that all three people “are basically under house arrest.”

He claimed that the file against his clients “had been left lying on a desk.” Mr Hassett added, “I want to know where these cases are going because they appear to be going nowhere.”Insp Kennedy said the case is being “actively investigated.”

He said, “This is very complex investigation. There is an element of cross allegations that the guards are looking into.” He said it had taken longer than anticipated to prepare the files. Insp Kennedy added, “This is not a simple matter. There are serious charges involved.”

He said that a file should be sent to the DPP in the next two weeks.

Judge Patrick Durcan adjourned the matter until June 6 for DPP’s directions.

Mr Hassett requested that bail conditions be altered for Conor and Rose Mahon.

He said the couple have children with heart difficulties and sometimes needed to attend the doctor after 9pm.

Curfew for Rose Mahon was extended to 12 midnight. Judge Durcan ruled that as bail for Conor Mahon was granted by the High Court, a change in bail conditions could only be secured there.

THE delay in the final roll out of Shannon’s independence from the Dublin Airport Authority could see the airport stripped bare as passenger numbers and services plummet further, a key Clare County Council committee has warned this week.

At a special meeting of the council’s Strategic Policy Committee for Community and Enterprise, Tourism and Emergency Services, a number of councillors voiced their concerns about the potential vacuum between the announcement and implementation of a new independent Shannon structure.

“I would like more urgency put into this,” said Cllr PJ Ryan (Ind). “I’d be scared that this steering group could go on and on for an awful long time. We need to make decisions to put things in place for 2013.

“I’d be afraid that if this thing goes on that the airport would end up like a carcass and the DAA would be picking things off it and you’d be left with nothing only bones. We have to move on fast,” he added.

This concern was echoed by a number of councillors, who criticised what they called the “limbo” that Shannon finds itself in ahead of the appointment of the steering committee to spearhead the Government decision to separate Shannon for DAA control.

“It’s only an announcement. We are in limbo long enough – we’re still in limbo,” said Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind).

“We have been left in limbo for long enough,” agreed Cllr Richard Nagle, who is chairman of the SPC.

“Shannon Airport has been in a straight jacket where it continues to decline. This does give an opportunity for a new beginning. I do think it is imperative for the county that we get clarity and that decisions are made quickly.

“If the steering committee isn’t put in place until the end of the year, where does that leave Shannon? The board of the airport authority (SAA) doesn’t have the power to make decisions at the moment regarding Shannon, because it’s still under the DAA,” added Cllr Nagle.

“It is a step in the right direction,” said Cllr Joe Arkins (FG), “but only a step and it is time we went from stepping into marching.

“We will be competing with Dublin and Cork for business.

“We are left in limbo and one of our competitors (Dublin Airport) has ownership of our competition (Cork Airport). We are going to find ourselves very much on the hind tit,” he added.

“I have concerns,” said Mayor of Ennis, Michael Guilfoyle (Ind). “Is Minister Varadkar just announcing this just for the sake of it, to get people positive thinking by the people of Clare and the mid-west area three weeks before the referendum. Something more positive should be coming and more direction should be given to us.

“At the minute, we are going around in circles,” he added.

“There would be a number of concerns,” admitted Clare County Council Director of Services, Ger Dollard.

“The biggest concern would be the timescale. What arrangements will be put in place short term before the airport begins to exercise its independent role?

“There are wider concerns about how the IDA, Failte Ireland and Enterprise Ireland will take on Shannon Development’s role. Clarity is needed quite quickly on how that is going to happen.

“However, there are a lot of positives, particularly in relation to independence, the fact that it will remain in public ownership and the fact that the airport will be debt-free, so there are a lot of positives.

“The county council with its own County Cevelopment Plan has been very strong in relation to Shannon Airport and in particular the development of airport lands. We particularly welcome the idea of a final services centre type model built around aviation at the airport,” Mr Dollard added.

THE chairman of the Ennis Joint Policing Committee (JPC) is to propose that all meetings are held in public.

Currently, the committee meetings between gardaí, local politicians, council officials and community representatives are held in private. There is one public meeting every year.

Now, the Chairman of the committee, Councillor Paul O’Shea (Lab) is calling for all meetings to be held in public.

Cllr O’Shea told last week’s meeting of Ennis Town Council that he had been calling for public sessions for the past two years. He said he would raise the matter at the next JPC meeting.

It followed criticisms of the current format by Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind).

He said, “I was quite disappointed with the last meeting. You got the feeling that we could ask as many questions as we wanted but we weren’t going to get any answers.”

Cllr Neylon proposed that any sensitive matters could be dealt with before the public session of the meeting.

He said the current format is not doing any service to the public.

Town Manager Ger Dollard told the meeting that the JPC is a separate body from the council and, as such, any changes could only be implemented by the committee members.

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said the JPC is a worthwhile project and had helped develop closer links between the council and Gardaí. He backed calls for meetings to be held in public.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) said the proposal was a matter for the JPC.

The next JPC meeting is due to take place on June 11.

A TAXI driver has been found guilty of assaulting a passenger near his home in Ennis two years ago.

Okechukwu Utuke, with an address at 45 Dun Na hInse, Ennis, pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to Michael L’ Estrange at Gort Na mBlath, Ennis on April 25 (2010). Mr Utuke (44) also pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbery.

It took a jury 23 minutes to convict Mr Utuke of assault. He was found not guilty of robbery. Details of the assault were heard at the three day trial in Ennis Circuit Court last week. Mr L’ Estrange, who suffered a fractured collarbone in the assault, told the jury that he had gone for a few drinks in town and left for home at around 1.30am. He said that he had started to walk but when he got to Country Pine, he “flagged” down a taxi.

He asked the driver to bring him to his home at 27 Gort na mBlath. Mr L’ Estrange said he stopped a short distance from his house. He said he never got a taxi directly to his home “because you don’t know who’s who.” Mr L’ Estrange said that after the car came to a halt in Gort Na mBlath, he disputed the fare of € 15, adding that it usually cost between seven and eight euros.

The court heard that Mr L’Estrange dropped € 10 onto the front passenger seat and left the car.

Mr L’ Estrange said that the driver followed him from the car, knocked him to the ground and started digging him with his fists. He said he was also struck with an implement.

Mr L’ Estrange said the driver then put his hands into his pocket and took out € 70. He added, “I asked him to give the money back. He got in his car and took off.”

Elaine Shanahan witnessed what she described as a “coloured man” beating another man on the ground just outside her home at 18 Gort na mBlath. She told the court she was horrified to see the man hit the other repeatedly with a toy trailer. He then proceeded to hit him with a sweeping brush, she recalled.

According to Ms Shanahan’s testimony, the assailant then got into his silver Toyota car and drove away at speed. She did not get the car registration number, but recorded the taxi number on her phone, which she later gave to Gardaí. The court heard that Mr Utuke accepted that he owned a silver Toyota Avensis and had made a call to Gort na mBlath on the night in question. The court heard that Mr Utuke claimed that Mr L’ Estrange had run off without paying. Mr Utuke was convicted of assault and acquitted of robbery. He is due to be sentenced on May 18.

CLARE County Council is demanding representation of the government appointed steering committee that will be charged with implementation of Shannon’s new status as a stand alone semi-state airport independent of the Dublin Airport Authority.

And the council is also demanding a seat on the board of the new Shan- non Airport management company that’s put in place by this steering committee as the final piece of the independence jigsaw.

This wish list of Clare’s premier decision making body was aired at a meeting of the local authority’s Strategic Policy Committee for Community and Enterprise, Tourism and Emergency Services in Áras an Chláir on Monday morning.

“We should write to Minister Var- adkar, impressing on him the need to put that steering committee in place as soon as is possible,” said Cllr Joe Arkins (FG), “and

We want representation on that committee and have to demand it”.

Expanding on Clare County Council’s demands, former Mayor of Clare, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) called on the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar, to “set up the new board and Clare County Council should have proper representation on it”.

“Before the new board is put in place the DAA still have control of Shannon and they aren’t going to spend a great deal of time focusing on Shannon,” warned Cllr Richard Nagle.

“It won’t be a priority, so it is imperative for the well-being of the airport that this steering committee is put in place very quickly and that it has very clear and focused objec- tives and a very aggressive marketing strategy because that’s the only way the airport is going to be turned around,” he added.

Members of the SPC resolved to write to Minister Varadkar seeking a meeting over the next couple of weeks, with a deputation of councillors, business and tourism interests in the region airing their views and vision for an independent Shannon Airport.

THERE have been calls for safety measures to be introduced to ensure Ennis doesn’t become the “sheepstealing” capital of Ireland.

It follows concerns raised by the theft of a number of sheep sculptures in Ennis recently.

The May meeting of Ennis Town Council heard that pieces from the ‘Clon Road Fair’ were stolen while they were being transported for repairs.

Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) proposed that the council provide a pen for the remaining sheep. However, the meeting heard that all of the pieces had been stolen.

Cllr Meaney said the sculptures had been subject to constant vandalism since they were installed on the Clon Road. “We shouldn’t give into vandals” he said.

Cllr Meaney said that the pieces cost around € 3,000 each.

He added, “We don’t want the sheepstealing tag attached to Clare.”

Town Clerk Leonard Cleary said that gardaí are investigating the matter. He said an insurance assessment is also being carried out.

Mr Cleary said the council’s existing sculpture budget would go mainly towards maintaining existing pieces around the town.

He said funds are not available for new projects.

Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) said that if the sheep are re-installed, then they should be filled with concrete to make them more secure.

Cllr Paul O’Shea (Lab) said he was against the proposal. He told the meeting that if money is not available for defibrillators, then it should not be available for sheep pens.

THERE are more questions than answers surrounding the future of Shannon Development and the exact role it is going to play in the new “Shannon entity”. Even the company itself is taking time to see what the future holds, as the briefest of outlines of its future was announced last week.

Shannon Development welcomed the separation of Shannon Airport from the Dublin Authority.

“There is still a lot of detail to be worked out around the new structure and operation of the new entity, but today’s announcement is undoubtedly a major step towards creating a new entity which will act as a catalyst for growth for the wider region in the years to come,” a spokesperson for the state company said.

She admitted, however, that it was difficult for Shannon Development to comment fully as it was still unsure of the details. “There are implications for Shannon Development’s longstanding economic development operations, but at this early stage it is difficult to assess the implications of the proposed restructuring, and the company will be taking time to reflect on the announcement. To this end, Shannon Development will work closely with the various Government departments concerned to get clarification for staff and clients around the decision as soon as possible,” she said.

There was little of a fully-formed plan evident in the Government’s announcement on Wednesday, which said the company would be brought together with the independent airport “to form a new entity with a commercial mandate in public ownership.”

“This decision represents a new beginning for the Shannon region, involving a drive to develop a worldclass aviation industry in Shannon, and a restructuring of tourism and enterprise support agencies in the region to support this goal,” the government statement said.

“The new entity will have a clear mandate, working closely with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to develop the potential of the aviation sector, and will explore other opportunities with those agencies for further prospective investments in the region.”

As stated in the Clare People last week, the Government confirmed that Shannon Development’s functions in relation to indigenous enterprise and foreign direct investment would transfer to Enterprise Ireland and IDA respectively, and the tourism functions of Shannon Development, including Regional Tourism Offices, will transfer to Fáilte Ireland.

“This new entity will continue to support the property needs of IDA/ EI clients in the area,” the statement said.

The only specific information revealed stated that the Ministers would establish a Steering Group “to determine the most effective organisational structure of the new entity, develop an implementation strategy for the new body and a plan setting out how the entity will help to achieve strong regional development, while ensuring the highest standard of support for enterprises in the region. The Group’s guiding principle will be the future development of the Shannon area.”

“The Steering Group will in particular assess the feasibility of creating an international aviation centre of excellence centred on Shannon Airport. The Steering Group may establish expert sub groups to assist in this work. The best positioning of the successful Shannon Heritage operation within the State sector will also be considered as part of the deliberations in the months ahead,” it stated.

THE Ennis Town Manager has defended the price of parking in the town amid claims it is damaging businesses.

Ger Dollard was speaking at yesterday’s meeting of councillors in Ennis east electoral area.

The matter was raised by councillor Pat Daly (FF). In a motion, Cllr Daly called for the Council “to seriously look at reducing the cost of parking per hour in Ennis from € 1.30 to one euro per hour particularly due to the fact that business in the town is down substantially.”

In his response, Town Clerk Lenoard Cleary said Ennis Town Council is currently in the process of reviewing parking byelaws in the town.

He continued, “This will involve a public consultation process. The parking fees are an integral part of the income utilised to balance the Ennis Town Council budget.

“Any reduction in parking fees would reduce the budget income available and hence impact on the delivery of services in Ennis.”

He added, “If a decision were to be made to reduce parking fees, this would have to be coupled with a decision as to which services would be curtailed or withdrawn.This matter will be considered by Ennis Town Council as the local authority for this functional area.”

Cllr Daly told the meeting that cost of parking had been cited by a number of businesspeople he had spoken to as a factor in declining sales.

He said customers were now choosing to shop in large retail stores in Limerick and Galway where parking is free.

Mr Dollard said, “Ennis Town Council is very conscious of the pressures on business”.

He said that he did not accept that the cost of parking was to blame.

He said there is “very good value” to be found in the long term car parks in Ennis.

Mr Dollard explained that the price of parking in the town centre has to be higher to ensure turnover of spaces.

A FORMER worker with Clare County Council who sexually assaulted young boys over a 27-year period has been sentenced to six years in prison.

Sean Leamy (61) with an address at Main Street, Tulla was convicted yesterday at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court.

He had pleaded guilty to 21 counts of sexual / indecent assault. The offences took place in areas, including courthouses in Tulla and Sixmilebridge from 1978 to 2005.

The court heard that Mr Leamy, a secretary and former member of the Tulla Pipe Band, worked for Clare County Council for over 30 years.

The victims were aged between seven and 14.

The court heard that Mr Leamy would strike up a relationship with boys by asking them about horse riding. During the assaults he would ask them to strike him with a jockey’s whip.

Statements from the five victims were read out in court. One man said that he had battled with alcohol and depression in his adult life.

Another of the injured parties said, “As a result of the abuse I suffered from Sean Leamy, my innocence was lost.”

One man said in his statement that he had given up playing rugby and hurling after the abuse. He said the accused had killed his love of music.

“I tried to kill myself,” he added.

Detective Garda Stephen Ryan of Shannon Garda Station led the investigation into Sean Leamy.

He said the accused had fully cooperated with gardaí and made a full admission.

Counsel for Mr Leamy, Mark Ni- cholas, said his client unreservedly apologised to all the victims.

He said from a position where he enjoyed some standing, his client had become a “social pariah” in his community. He said, “He is not welcome, ignored and despised. His reputation is in tatters and rightly so.”

The court heard that Mr Leamy has no previous convictions.

Judge Carol Moran said the accused had been an active member of the community in Tulla. He said the abuse in some cases was “regular and continuous”.

He added, “What’s really scandalous about it is that it took place over a period of 27 years. This is a bad case.”

Noting the accused’s early plea of guilty and the isolation he has experienced in his own community, Judge Moran imposed sentences totaling six years.