Category: News

THE announcement by Ryanair last week that it will retain five new routes from Shannon airport has already saved jobs in Clare, a meeting has heard.

The airline will continue to operate services between Shannon and Berlin, Paris, Warsaw, Fuerteventura, Krakow during the winter.

At a meeting in Ennis on Thursday, the managing director of the Rowan Tree Café and Hostel in Ennis, Brian O’Neill, said last week’s announcement has already stabilised jobs.

He said, “Those announcements have already stabilised jobs in the tourism industry in Ennis and in Clare throughout the lower season of this year. A lot of businesses, like our own hostel, are seasonal businesses. We have a low season and a high season. But from that announcement we will re-plan for the winter and maybe stay open for longer than we previously would have, keeping more people in employment. More people living in and around Ennis and Clare will then go and spend money in businesses in Ennis and Clare. It creates a cycle. It will help for the future.”

Mr O’Neill addressed the meeting in his capacity as Chairman of Promote Ennis – a local partnership that aims to bring more tourists to the town.

He told businesses the recently launched Wild Atlantic Way represented both a “threat” and “advantage” to Ennis.

“We now have a very good motorway bypassing the town of Ennis on the east and now we have a new heavily marketed driving route bypassing the town on the west. The goal for Ennis obviously has to be to draw people in the town,” he explained.

Mr O’Neill said there are now 35 people employed as a result of Labasheeda man John O’Sullivan’s decision to extend his Dublin Bus and Quick Tours service from the capital to Ennis.

He told the meeting that local food producers are playing an increasingly important in Clare’s tourism industry.

“Tourists can go an experience it [food producers] themselves and the key to is to overnight in Ennis, they can go into restaurants and experience what culinary experts can do with the produce. They can see how it’s produced, how it’s made, support that employment,” he said.

MOTORISTS accused of speeding offences on Clare roads have been told their cases will not be dealt with until a High Court case on the Go Safe speed camera network is resolved. At Ennis District Court on Friday, Judge Patrick Durcan ad- journed 17 speed camera prosecutions to September 19.

A total of 18 people faced prosecutions for alleged speeding offences allegedly captured by cameras mounted in Go Safe vans.

Judge Durcan struck out a case against one person following an application from the State. The privately run Go Safe has operated speed camera vans in Ireland since winning the Garda contract in 2009.

The cameras operate on sections of road, which have a history of collisions occurring where speed was a contributory factor.

In recent months, Judge Durcan has been critical of Go Safe and has struck out a number of speeding charges brought against motorists in Clare. On Friday, Judge Durcan told all those who had answered summons issued by Insp John McDonald, that the law with regards to issuing of fixed charge penalty notices is the “cause of some controversy in the land”. He said a colleague has sent a case to the High Court seeking clarification of the law under-pinning the speed camera system.

He said he was adjourning all cases until the issue in the High Court has been dealt with.

He told those people facing prosecutions their cases were adjourned to September 19. He told them they are not required to be present in court on the day.

There was a brief exchange when the Judge told a Cork man facing a Go Safe prosecution he would get “brownie points” for being present in court on Friday.

To laughter in the court, the man replied, “Which points?”

Judge Durcan said, “Brownie points, a different category of points to the ones concerned with here.”

Five Go Safe Inspectors were present in court for the adjournments. As they left the courtroom Judge Durcan asked them to convey to Inspector McDonald “that it is a total waste of time and public money you guys turning up here until after September 19. Any prosecutions before then will be adjourned.”

“I don’t like to see State money wasted seeing five strapping men sit here all day,” he added.

THE acclaimed debut album from two Clare men has caught the ear of one of the biggest rap stars on the planet.

John Lillis and God Knows will perform the biggest gig of their lives tonight when they share the stage with hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg in Dublin.

Ennis DJ John (mynameisJohn) and Shannon MC God Knows are among the support acts for the veteran rapper’s shows in The Academy, tonight and tomorrow.

John and God Knows landed the prized support slot at one of the most eagerly anticipated rap shows of the year on the strength of their acclaimed debut album, Rusangano/ Family.

A copy of the album found its way to Snoop’s management team who were said to be very impressed by John and God Know’s thrilling blend of grime and hip-hop.

“We’re delighted with it. We’re buzzing. I remember listening to Snoop when I was 13. It’s hard to believe we’re going to be playing with him,” said John last week.

Rusangano/Family has attracted huge critical praise since it’s release in May.

Hot Press described the album as a “hip hop stunner”. Influential music writer, Nialler9 hailed Rusangano/ Family as “a game-changer in the way it drags Irish hip-hop into a fully-formed album/mixtape format with a confidence and skill that is unfamiliar in this country’s rap output”.

Music blog The Point of Everything said Rusangano/Family is the “best album of 2014 so far.”

“The reaction to it has been absolutely amazing. Its something that we definitely didn’t see coming” says God Knows, “When we started out, we just wanted to make music for ourselves.

“We’ve enjoyed every minute of it. The amount of support we have got from people in Clare and Limerick has been brilliant.”

The pair describes themselves as a “Zimbabwean Christian and Irish Pagan who sat down with a cup of tea to discuss making an album.”

“We’re two people who really enjoy making music. We’re gob smacked at how it’s been received so far,” said John.

John has been involved in DJ’ing and music production for the best part of a decade. In 2013 he released ‘The Struggle’ EP with Limerick producer Graeme S.

God Knows moved to Ireland with his family from Zimbabwe.

The former St Caimin’s Community School student is a founder member of the music collective Random Acts of Kindness (RAOK).

The pair will hold an album launch at Limerick’s Belltable theatre on July 4.

NORTH Clare was stunned last week following the tragic death of two men in a freak motorcycle accident on the N67 Lisdoonvarna to Ennistymon Road on Thursday night.

The deceased men have been named locally as Ferdinand “Ferdi” Waidel, a 55-year-old German national who had been living in Clare for more than a decade, and Ricardo ‘Ricky’ Godoy, Chilean television presenter and motorcycle enthusiast.

The men were travelling in opposite directions when the accident took place. Mr Waidel is thought to have been returning home from a shop trip in Ennistymon when the accident took place.

My Goday was one of a party of six people driving in the opposite direction on three pillion motorcycles. It is thought that both men were leaning into a corner travelling in opposite directions when collision took place.

Two units of the fire brigade from Ennistymon along with ambulances from Ennistymon and Ennis rushed to the scene. A rapid response advanced paramedic unit from Ennis also responded to the incident.

Mr Waidel was pronounced dead at the scene and as paramedics battled to resuscitate Mr Godoy, the Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) air ambulance was called in to airlift him to hospital.

However, he was also pronounced dead while being transported by ambulance to the helicopter. His pillion passenger, wife Pilar, was also injured in the collision and was airlifted to Galway University Hospital where she was treated for non-lifethreatening injuries.

Mr Godoy is a television personality in his native Chile and travels around world filming for his motorcycle show Mototemáticos. He is understood to have visited the Isle of Man last weekend for the famous TT races. Gardaí have appealed for witnesses and have asked anyone who was in the area to contact the Gardaí in Ennistymon on 065 7072180.

A CLARE woman and former novice nun has further lifted the lid on the hor rors faced by women in the Magdalene laundry industrial institutions.

Kildysart woman Patricia BurkeBrogan, who was one of the first people to highlight the plight of the Irish women forced to serve in the Magdalene laundries, will this week publish a memoir which detailing her time with the Sisters of Mercy.

Burke-Brogan was forced to oversee the work of more than 100 women who were forced to work in a laundry in Galway.

Her experiences with these women led to her leaving the Sisters of Mercy, and writing the short story ‘Sun Flowers’, which was the first artistic work details the life of women in the laundry.

In her memoir, which is entitled ‘With Grykes and Turloughs’, she describes first entering the laundry.

“She [the Mother Superior] opens another heavy double-locked door. A deafening noise hits us. We’re in a room with huge machines from which steam is hissing. Prison bar patterns the roof-windows. The greasy walls are sweating. There is a stench of soiled clothing. Bleach fumes sting my throat, I gasp for air,” she recalls.

“Gradually I see that the room is full of women: elderly women, middle-aged women, and young girls all seem to merge with the gray of the womb-like washing machines.”

When the 21-year-old Burke-Brogan challenged the Mother Superior about the imprisonment of the women, who were held behind two sets of locked doors, she was told that the imprisonment was to “protect them from their own passions” and that “no one wants” the women in the outside world.

The book also describes a strike at the laundry, which took place short- ly after Burke-Brogan’s arrival.

“At a signal from the two ringleaders, all of the women except from the white-capped consecrated penitents, sit down on the flagstone floor. Some hold baby cloths in their hands and rock back and forth as they sing lullabies,” she remembers.

“Suddenly, three of the consecrated penitents join the mothers on the floor. To and fro, to and fro. Mothers grieve their babies.”

‘With Grykes and Turloughs is published by Wordonthestreet Publishing and contains a forward written by President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins.

A JUDGE has granted the State further time to serve the books of evidence on two brothers accused of assaulting a hotel worker in Shannon last year.

Mark Hayes (25) and Sean Hayes (24), both with addresses at Aidan Park, Shannon, appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday, on charges arising from the alleged incident. They are both charged with assault causing harm to the man at the Oakwood Arms.

Mark Hayes is further alleged to have caused criminal damage to a bar table.

It is alleged that a male member of the hotel’s night staff was seriously assaulted at around 4am on September 29, 2013.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court for Mark Hayes.

The DPP directed summary disposal of the case of Sean Hayes in the district court, on a guilty plea only.

The alleged facts of the incident were outlined at Ennis District Court in March to allow Judge Patrick Durcan consider jurisdiction.

Insp Tom Kennedy said a dispute arose between a member of the night staff and the Hayes brothers at around 4am on the morning in question.

Insp Kennedy said it would be alleged Mark Hayes became involved in a verbal dispute with a member of the hotel’s night staff.

The court heard it is alleged that Mark Hayes then punched the alleged victim, knocking him onto the ground. The alleged victim was punched again while on the ground, the court heard.

Insp Kennedy said it is alleged that while the man and Mark Hayes were “grappling”, Sean Hayes stood behind the alleged injured party, punching him repeatedly into the back and kidneys.

Insp Kennedy said the incident lasted a few minutes and was halted when members of the public intervened. Judge Durcan refused jurisdiction of the case of Sean Hayes in the District Court, meaning it will proceed to the Circuit Court.

On Wednesday, Insp Kennedy said the State required a further two weeks to serve the books of the evidence on the accused.

“I’m assured the books will be here”, he added.

Both men were remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on June 18.

GARDAÍ are investigating early morning armed robbery at a business in Ennis town centre yesterday.

The incident occurred at around 7.30am at the Xtra Vision store in the market area of the town.

A man carrying a weapon entered the home entertainment and electrical goods store and made away with a quantity of cash. A member of staff was opening up when he was set upon by the assailant at the front door of the premises.

It is understood the man who carried out the robbery was carrying a hammer. Gardaí in Ennis are investigating the robbery and are looking at CCTV footage from the area.

The incident follows a similar robbery at a family run shop in Ennis last month

Gardaí have urged business owners in the town to be vigilant and take appropriate security measures such as lighting and security cameras to protect their premises.

A 15-YEAR-old boy charged with the false imprisonment of a teenager in Ennis last year is to be sent forward for trial to the Circuit Criminal Court. Jurisdiction of the case was refused by Judge Patrick Durcan on Wednesday after he heard an outline of the alleged facts of the case against the boy.

The Ennis boy – who was accompanied by his mother at Ennis Children’s Court – is charged with falsely imprisoning a 17-year-old at Quin Road, Ennis on August 19 last contrary to Section 15 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

He is also charged with unlawfully taking possession of a car without the consent of the owner or without lawful authority at the Quin Road, Ennis on the same date.

The boy is one of a number of people gardaí say were in a car that went on an “escapade” around Ennis last year. Three teenagers have been charged in connection with the incident. Inspector Tom Kennedy said it would be alleged the 15 year-old pushed the driver and forced him to sit in the car.

Judge Durcan refused jurisdiction. A book of evidence will be prepared and the case will be heard in the Circuit Court.

He adjourned the case for mention to tomorrow, June 11.

The boy was remanded on continuing bail. Two other teenagers have also been charged in connection with the incident on the Quin Road.

Patrick McCarthy (18) is charged with the robbery of a Sony mobile phone and € 5 worth of tobacco from a male on August 19.

Mr McCarthy, with an address at Westbourne, Watery Road, Ennis, is also charged unlawfully taking possession of a vehicle without the consent of the owner or without lawful authority. Insp Kennedy told Judge Durcan the DPP had directed summary disposal of the matters in the District Court. He outlined a summary of the alleged facts of the case to allow Judge Durcan consider whether or not to accept jurisdiction.

The court heard Mr McCarthy was one of a number of people who got into a car they waved down on O’Connell Street on August 19 last.

The court heard the driver was asked to go to a number of different housing estates and areas around the outskirts of Ennis.

Insp Kennedy said people were drinking in the car. He said the driver was assaulted at one point on the “journey” but not by Mr McCarthy.

Of the robbery charge, Insp Kennedy said that at one stage of this “escapade”, the car stopped on the humpback bridge on the Quin Road.

He said it would be alleged Mr McCarthy got out of the car and demanded money from a pedestrian.

Insp Kennedy said it is alleged the accused put his hands into the alleged victim’s pocket and took items.

He said Mr McCarthy then got back at the car, which at this point was being driven by another man.

Judge Durcan refused jurisdiction, meaning the case will now proceed to the Circuit Court.

Mr McCathy was remanded on continuing bail. The case was adjourned for mention to June 11.

A 19 year-old man also charged with an offence arising from the alleged incident on the Quin Road on August 19 last is also to be sent forward for trial to the Circuit Court.

He is due to appear before Ennis District Court tomorrow.

WATER from the Burren could be used to solve ongoing drinking water shortages on the Aran Islands following the discovery of a series of fresh water caves connecting North Clare with the islands.

The discovery of the massive cave network running underneath Galway Bay was made by scientists at NUI, Galway, who investigated the possibility following reports of fresh water currents in the sea by fishermen on the Aran Islands.

The cave network is understood to be in the region of 20 metres wide and runs for at least 50 miles. Further investigation is required on the unique underwater cave structure before its potential as a water source can be fully explored.

The massive underground river is made possible due to the limestone landscape of Burren, which can be dissolved by rainwater to form underground conduits.

“We were told about a well at a local hotel on Inishmaan that had an excellent supply of fresh water,” said Dr Tiernan Henry, Lecturer in Environmental Geology, School of Natural Sciences at NUI Galway.

“The islands can have water problems, they are always short, but this well went deep into the rock and was getting more water than falls on the whole island.”

These types of cave structures are similar to those at the Aillwee Caves in Ballyvaughan and Doolin Cave in Doolin. Indeed, there are a large number of underground cave network all around the Burren – only a fraction of which have be explored or mapped.

The Burren was last year given an award to recognise the work being undertaken to conserve some of Europe’s most outstanding natural and semi-natural areas.

The Council of Europe chose the Burren, stating the award recognises the European significance of the area, which has remarkable natural values, a rich flora and fauna, an important cultural heritage, traditional socio-economic activities and good management.

A MAN charged with possession of items with the intention they be used for theft will appear before Ennis District Court tomorrow.

Martin Ward (27), with an address at Gort Na Rí, Galway, was brought before the court on Thursday and subsequently granted bail.

He re-appeared before the court on Friday where Judge Patrick Durcan agreed to an application from defence solicitor, Daragh Hassett, to amend the terms of Mr Ward’s bail.

Mr Ward is charged that at Roscliff, Ballynacally, Ennis on June 4, when not at his residence, he had possession of bolt cutters, gloves and a torch with intention they be used in a theft. Mr Ward was granted bail at Ennis District Court on Thursday on a number of conditions including one that he stay away from all piers, quays, marinas and areas containing boats and boat engines.

His co-accused, a 33 year-old man from Ennis, was remanded in custody and is also due to appear in court on Wednesday.

Mr Ward’s case was called again at Ennis District Court on Friday.

Mr Hassett applied to have the bail conditions amended to allow his cli- ent sign on at a different garda station than the one previously agreed.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he wanted an assurance the State consented to the amendment before making any order. He said the case is a “very serious matter”, one where he had insisted bail conditions be written down.

Mr Hassett told the Judge he spoke with the prosecuting Garda Inspector, Tom Kennedy.

He said Insp Kennedy consented to the amendment. Judge Durcan made the amendment and remanded Mr Ward on bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on June 11.