Category: News

THERE will be no change in the status of US military flights passing through Shannon in light of the revelations from the whistle-blowing website Wikileaks that successive Fianna Fáil-led governments refused to properly investigate claims that the airport was used by the CIA to illegally transport terror suspects.

The Fine Gael-led government has confirmed that military flights passing through Clare’s international airport will not be inspected, with a spokesperson saying that “no changes are envisaged in relation to inspection of US military flights going through Shannon”.

This announcement comes on the back of the release of diplomatic cables by the Wikileaks which showed that the extent of Fianna Fáil-led government investigations into alleged ‘torture flights’ amounted to then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern asking US Ambassador to Ireland James Kenny, ‘am I alright on this?’.

A cable from Mr Kenny’s successor as ambassador, Thomas Foley, also revealed that within a month of becoming Taoiseach, Brian Cowen confirmed his unwavering support for the use of Shannon.

“Cowen stressed that as long as he is in office, the US can count on continued support for its military activities at Shannon,” Mr Foley said in a confidential cable in June 2008.

Three years on, current Taoiseach Enda Kenny backed this stance after discussing the Shannon issue with President Obama during his one-day visit to Ireland.

“We discussed the relationship between Ireland and the States, the continuing importance of that, and I reiterated the no-change policy in respect of the use of Shannon, in respect of American aircraft serving the UN resolutions, passing through,” he said.

In January, Amnesty International Ireland claimed that the then Government “knew rendition flights transited Ireland and that they knew this breached the legally binding convention on torture”.

In calling for an independent investigation into the use of Shannon, Amnesty Ireland’s executive director Colm O’Gorman said “this stunning disregard for people’s lives and the rule of law is unconscionable”.

The Programme for Government states the Government “will enforce the prohibition on the use of Irish airspace, airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates of international law”.

“Arrangements for the overflight and landing of US military aircraft have been continuously in place for over 50 years. Civilian aircraft are prohibited from carrying weapons or munitions over Ireland or into Irish airports unless they receive an exemption from the transport minister,” a government spokesperson told The Clare People .

A JUDGE has warned two teenagers involved in a burglary in Kilrush that they must work with the probation services or face prison sentences.

Judge Carroll Moran was speaking at Ennis Circuit Court on Monday (May 30) at the case of Warren O’Donnell (19), of Moore Street, Kilrush,

Mr O’Donnell is charged with aggravated burglary and assault at Kilrush on November 12 2008.

Another teenager, who was 13 when the incident occurred and cannot be named, is also charged in connection with the burglary.

Assault victim, Domingos Semedo, said in a victim impact statement read in court by a Portuguese interpreter that the incident had changed his life and forced him to give up work for a period of four months.

He stated that he had lost out in just over € 17,000 in wages. This figure was disputed by Pat Whyms, Counsel for O’Donnell.

Mr Whyms questioned how Mr Semedo could have lost out on € 17,000 when he had only moved to Kilrush four days prior to the incident.

Mr Semedo, who was not in court, stated that he went through a “very stressful” period, adding, “I still wake up thinking about the incident…I still have nightmares.”

While thanking the gardaí for their support and assistance, Mr Semedo stated that he was “very disappointed with the criminal justice system in Ireland” as he did not think the “aggressors” would be punished.

“It would help to know that the aggressors got a sentence”, he added.

Mr Whyms said his client had got into “more serious difficulties” since 2008 and was currently serving a prison sentence.

He said probation reports had indicated that his client needed ongoing addiction and psychological counseling.

Judge Carroll Moran said he was “very concerned” about Mr O’Donnell’s subsequent offences.

He adjourned the matter for 12 months.

He added that if there isn’t a “glowing report from the probation services”, the accused faced possible three year jail sentences.

IT’S a long way from Peru to Clare but thankfully not too long for one Shannon worker.

Delia O’Malley, a machine operator with Ei Electronics, received the surprise of a lifetime last week when six members of her family touched down in Shannon after completing the 6,000-mile trip from their native Peru.

The visiting party included Delia’s parents Leonidas Zarate (94) and Dolores Zarate (85), two brothers and two sisters.

The family re-union was complete when another of Delia’s sisters flew in from Barcelona, while two other siblings also live in Ireland.

Mother-of-one Delia, who moved to Shannon 11 years ago, said she got a shock when she heard her parents had come to Ireland.

She said, “This is the first time they have travelled here together. My mother was here two years ago but my father has never been over here. He was born in 1917. When I was told they were coming, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I didn’t know they were coming.”

The visit to Ireland is Leonidas’ first trip abroad since attending the World Cup in 1986.

Delia added, “It’s amazing they came. My Dad is 94 my mother is 85. We have a family of 12 and all the kids are still alive.”

The family, who originally hail from Cajamarca in northern Peru near the Andes Mountains, have enjoyed their trip to Ireland. She said, “They love it except there are no mountains. Everything is green and so flat. They think it’s a park.”

CLARE will represent Ireland in the hugely prestigious Tall Ships race later this month, with the county flying the Irish flag internationally thanks to Celtic Mist, the yacht formerly belonging to Taoiseach Charles Haughey that’s now the property of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) that’s headquartered in Kilrush.

IWDG co-ordinator Dr Simon Berrow has revealed that the 17-metre steel-hulled yacht has been given a new home at Kilrush Creek Marina in a berth that has been sponsored by Shannon Development.

In April, the IWDG was offered the yacht as a gift from the Haughey fam- ily to support its work on the study and conservation of whales, dolphins and porpoise in Irish waters.

“It was a very generous offer from the Haughey family, but the IWDG had to explore the condition and feasibility of running such a large vessel,” said Dr Berrow. “We commissioned a number of independent surveys and have thoroughly inspected the yacht and are happy it is in good sea-worthy condition and has been well maintained. We have estimated maintenance and other costs and prepared a business plan. The Celtic Mist is a resource for all those interested in promoting marine research and conservation in Ireland,” he added.

“Celtic Mist is a very suitable ves- sel for the IWDG. It will provide an opportunity to increase the skills of the members so that they can become more effective in their work, be it at an amateur or professional level,” said IWDG director Fiacc Ó Brolacháin. “I am happy that the boat is to be put to good use on a project that was close to my father’s heart,” said Conor Haughey ahead of Celtic Mist’s arrival in Kilrush, the town Charles Haughey was made a freeman of in 1985.

Before coming to Kilrush, the yacht will take part in the Tall Ships Race in Waterford on June 30. After being berthed in Shannon Developmentowned Creek Marina it will be refitted with extra berths and equipped with IWDG research equipment.

RURAL communities in West Clare are being urged to get involved in their local community alert schemes, which were relaunched yesterday.

Several schemes have been up and running for some time and were reignited at a function at Kilrush Garda Station last night.

Schemes have been in existence in several West Clare areas including Labasheeda, Ballynacally, Kildysart, Cranny, Coolmeen, Kilmihil, Knockerra, Cooraclare, Doonbeg, Carrigaholt and Kilkee and a new scheme has been set up in Killimer.

A chairperson and secretary is elected in each scheme and they liaise with local gardaí. District meetings, involving all of the schemes, take place a few times a year, at which any issues in the various areas can be raised.

Garda Eoin Daly, who is responsible for the schemes in the Kilrush Garda District, is encouraging new people to get involved.

“We are continuing with existing schemes and setting up more schemes in villages.

“We want new members. People in the various parishes run them themselves,” he said.

Gardaí liaise with the representatives of the groups and offer advice on such issues as intruder alarms, smoke alarms and general security advice.

They also urge members of the community to contact garda stations with any issues or concerns that they may have.

“Neighbourhood Watch schemes have been ongoing in Kilrush for the past few years. Community Alerts are more for the rural areas,” said Gda Daly.

“People can talk to their representatives and bring an issue to them and this can be passed on to their local gardaí.

“We urge people to be vigilant, for instance documenting registrations of strange vehicles. We stress the importance of making note of anything suspicious and ring us,” added Gda Daly.

Gardaí are keen that similar schemes are set up in every parish and village and anyone interested in getting involved should contact their local garda or Kilrush Garda Station on 065 9051017.

A FORMER teacher in Scariff Community College who passed away last year after a long illness has been honoured in the east Clare school by the creation of a garden in her memory.

Andrea McMahon was a value member of staff at the community college for 30 years, teaching Irish, French and Religious at the school from the time she joined the teaching staff in 1980.

Fr Brendan Quinlivan performed the special blessing and dedication ceremony, while students marked the occasion by publishing a two-page remembrance of Ms McMahon in their annual magazine, Anoir

“I always found her very inspiring as a teacher. As a student I felt that I could talk to Ms McMahon about any problem I might have had. I found her to be a sympathetic person” said Edel Broderick.

Retired principal John S. Kelly contributes a special reflection to the magazine and concludes,

“Isn’t it sad that it is so often in the parting that we finally recognise uniqueness,” said retired principal John S Kelly. “I feel that Andrea, who is surely listening to us now, might be inclined to say, ‘Now continue the good work which you are doing in facilitating the education of our young people in East Clare.

“Continue to work as a close-knit community of teachers, students and parents, always treating each other with dignity and fellowship.’ In that way, perhaps, we best respect and honour her memory.”

PLANS to cut teaching supports to children with special needs have been criticised by parents in Clare.

The Department of Education and Science announced last week that supports to children would be cut by 10 per cent next year.

Schools and parents groups are seeking clarification from the Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn, on what the impact of the planned cuts will be.

According to Bunratty mother Emer Sherry, parents are “extremely stressed” about the proposed cuts.

Ms Sherry, whose 10-year-old son Jack has cerebral palsy, said, “It appears that children in Clare may be affected by the proposed plan if the withheld 10 per cent of the allocation is needed for unforeseen applications.

“My question to the minister is: can you guarantee that my child, and all other primary and secondary school children with special needs and disabilities in Clare, will have their full complement of resource hours from September on? Resource hours are not inefficiencies that need to be cut; they are essential to ensure full inclusion and access to education for all our children.”

Ms Sherry, who is the Clare representative for the Special Needs Parents Association and the chairperson of Connect Abilities, a parent support group in Southeast Clare, said that the cutbacks “do not make sense”.

“He (Jack) needs five resource hours a week. These cutbacks do not make sense, especially when you think that there are all these inefficiencies in the public service that could be dealt with.”

She added, “It is extremely stressful. It’s going to be the end of September before we know what is going to happen.”

Schools have already submitted applications for next term’s teaching supports. The principal of one of Clare’s largest primary schools said that the implications of the cuts are still being assessed by schools.

Ray McInerney of Ennis National School, added, “One thing is for certain, the people who have the greatest need are going to be hit the hardest.”

John Burns, principal of Barefield national school said the impact of the cutbacks is not yet known.

He added, “Any cutbacks in special needs supports is detrimental. We are still assessing the impact as it relates to Barefield.”

EIGHTEEN-year-old Alanagh Hunt was the toast of Shannon at the weekend when she scooped the coveted Miss Clare title.

Alanagh was chosen as the winner, amid competition from 12 other hopefuls, at a function in the Queen’s Hotel in Ennis on Friday night.

Alanagh, who was cheered on by her family and friends from Shannon, is no stranger to success, having previously won the Miss UL competition at the University of Limerick, where she is currently studying for an Arts Degree.

Alanagh will now go on to represent Clare in the Miss Universe finals in Dublin on June 10, after the adjudicators – DJ Johnny Hammond, dancer Michael Donnellan, events co-ordinator Dave Shelly and last year’s winner Sinead O’Leary – deemed her to be the winner.

Comedian Danny Dowling compered the event, in front of a huge crowd on the night.

“The night was a great success. There was stiff competition,” said organiser Charlotte Casey.

“Alanagh is an amazing girl. We have no doubt she will do well and do County Clare proud. She has a fabulous personality. She is very bubbly and she is exactly what we are looking for,” she added.

The prizes Alanagh received on the night included clothes and jewellery.

All contestants had their make-up done by Susan Fox, while their hair was done by Ken Bradley on the night.

TOM Howard from Ennis thought he was going to Kenya with the Building of Hope to do something for other, less fortunate people. But he came back knowing, in his own words, that he had done himself a favour.

“I think those 10 days were 10 of the best in my life,” he told The Clare People .

Tom had previously supported friends who were going on similar missions, but had not considered going out himself. The boss of his own conservation building company, he had felt the best role for him was a supportive one.

“Then I went to a fundraiser for the Building of Hope volunteers in The Old Ground and there was such an amazing atmosphere, I signed on there and then. I thought I was doing something good for others but what actually happened was that I had one of the most amazing experiences. It was great to see how the little bit you do can make such a difference to people’s lives,” he said.

Now Tom is heading back to Kenya after seeing the plight of the children in the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the courage of the people living in Migombani.

“We met a woman who was HIV positive whose husband had left. She got up at 5am every morning to go and try to find work so that she could put food on the table and send her children to school, to give them a chance of a better future. However hard things are here for us, they’re a hundred times worse there. You have to feel what parents there feel, knowing what is in store for their children. If you think about how it would feel if you didn’t have the money to feed your own children or bring them to the doctor when they get sick, you can feel the pain of those parents,” said Tom.

But the impression Tom left with was one of a welcoming people struggling to make a life.

‘It was just the most fantatstic experience to actually be there and get involved. I’m a builder but I ended up tiling because that was what was needed when we were there. Everyone rolled up their sleeves and did what had to be done and it was fantatstic. I can’t wait to go back. And I would urge everyone to support the fundraisers that are being held. This project is going to make such a difference to the lives of those children but it can’t be done without funds.”

BILL SLATTERY is set to fill the Clare County Council vacancy in the North Clare electoral, while there will be a two-way contest between Sean McLoughlin and Marinella Rafferty for the county council seat in the Shannon electoral area.

The closing date for nominations for the two county council positions was last Thursday and The Clare People has learned that Slattery, who stood for election in the 1985 and 1999 county council elections, will be unopposed for the council vacancy in North Clare, as he was the only candidate nominated for the position.

“I’m steeped in Fine Gael politics and have been a member of the party since 1977,” Mr Slattery told The Clare People this week.

He continued, “While my grandfather, Bill Murphy, was a member of the county council and a TD for 16 years between 1951 and 1967, I would be honoured to serve on Clare County Council.”

The north Clare vacancy was created by the election of Fine Gael’s Martin Conway to Seanad Éireann last month, which meant he had resign his council seat under the dual mandate rule.

A host of possible candidates were mooted for the council seat in the wake of Senator Conway’s election to the upper house of the Oireachtas on April 28 last.

These included the national president of Young Fine Gael, Eric Keane, local party activist Peter Davenport and David Quinn, son of former TD, Senator and Mayor of Clare, Madeleine Taylor Quinn.

However, Mr Slattery was the only name submitted to Clare Fine Gael Constituency secretary Sean Chambers by last Thursday’s 5pm deadline.

He will be confirmed in his new council role after a meeting of Fine Gael members of the North Clare electoral area on June 9th and his election will then be ratified by the national organisation.

It will represent fourth time lucky for the Lahinch man – he first stood for election in 1985 when he polled 645 first preferences, while in 1999 he polled 573 votes.

In 1995, he was the Fine Gael candidate for the vacancy caused by the death of party colleague Frank Henchy, but was election was blocked by Fianna Fáil who used their then council majority to elect Tom Burke instead.

Meanwhile, this Thursday a tight vote is expected in the race to succeed former Mayor of Clare, Tony Mulcahy as a member of the council for the Shannon Electoral area.