Category: News

A ROMANIAN brother and sister who were caught with 25,000 cigarettes between them at Shannon Airport almost two years ago have been fined. Dafina Danila and Eugen Danila both with addresses at Lower Sherrod Street, Dublin 1 appeared at Shannon District Court on Thursday, charged with offences contrary to the Finance Act (2001).

The court was told that Ms Danila was stopped at Shannon Airport on November 7, 2009, with 13,800 cigarettes in her possession. The value of the cigarettes was € 5763.57. The court heard that the offences carry a fine and potential prison sentence.

Mr Danila was charged with having 12,200 cigarettes in his possession on the same date at Shannon Airport. The value of the cigarettes was € 5095.33.

The court was told that the maximum number of cigarettes allowed to a person returning from Tenerife is 250. The pair, who have no previous offences, were on their way back from Tenerife. State Solicitor, Martin Linnane, told the court that Ms Dafina has said that the cigarettes were for personal use. He said that in order for one person to consume over 13,000 cigarettes for personal use, they would have to smoke around 36 cigarettes every day for a year. Judge Joseph Mangan remarked that you would need a “spare chimney to get through that (amount) in a year”.

Judge Mangan said that a person who is returning from holiday may bring back a “moderate” amount of cigarettes for personal use.

However he added that there are other times when a person brings back cigarettes for the purposes of a more sinister application. Mr Linnane said he was not aware that this was the case. Judge Mangan imposed a fine of € 350.

THE former Two Mile Inn in Meelick, which closed in September of last year, has been bought with a view to re-opening it as a nursing home, The Clare People has learned.

The move would bring a substantial number of new jobs to the area.

Those directly involved with the sale were remaining tight-lipped about the detail, but sources in Meelick have confirmed that the plans are to have a state-of-the-art nursing home development on the site.

Tom Crosse of GVM autioneers in Limerick, who handled the sale, would say only that the property had been bought in trust by a firm of so- licitors, and that he understands there possibly may be plans to look at reopening as a nursing home.

The auctioneer would not comment on the purchase price but other sources have put the sale price in the region of € 1.25 million.

It’s not known when work might start on the new home. However, the property would be an ideal location for such a venture, with ample accomodation possibilities and car parking facilities.

The price tag on the value of the once popular hotel plummeted by € 6 million, from more than € 7 million, in the 12 months before it closed. There had ben interest previously but no deal emerged.

When the Two Mile Inn finally shut its doors, 15 full-time staff lost their jobs but many more than that would have been employed when the hotel was at its peak.

A series of efforts were made to find a buyer before Price Waterhouse Coopers put it on the market through GVM at a reduced price tag last November and invited tenders.

It is understood that the sale attracted considerable interest when the lower price tag was revealed.

One of Limerick’s longest-established hotels, the Two Mile Inn was built by Tom Ryan and later taken over by local hotelier Brendan Dunne in the mid-1970s.

In October 2008, Billy O’Riordan of PriceWaterhouseCoopers was appointed as receiver and he placed the hotel on the market as a going concern.

At the time, the price being sought was in the region of € 7 million. However, two years later, when a buyer could not be found, the asking price was slashed to € 1.2 million.

At the time, Mr Crosse described this as a “giveaway price” for such a substantial, high-profile property.

The property features 123 bedrooms, a bar/restaurant area and conferencing facilities as well as extensive car parking space. It occupies an 11-acre site on the Ennis dual carriageway, with easy access to Ennis, Shannon and Limerick city.

A MEMBER of Clare County Council has written to the Minister for the Environment, expressing concerns over the delayed completion of a housing estate in Shannon.

The letter was submitted to Phil Hogan by Independent Councillor Gerry Flynn in relation to the Cluain Airne housing development, which was brought to a standstill last year. At a meeting earlier this month, the Shannon Town Manager, Bernadette Kinsella said the council was not yet in a position to provide a date for completion of the 22-unit scheme.

The project got underway in June 2009 and it was initially envisaged that it would be completed within a year.

However, it was halted and those living in the immediate vicinity are demanding its resumption.

Town councillors expressed concern over the delay and took into account the residents’ frustrations.

Cllr Flynn said he was looking for answers to two questions:

“When is the start date and when is the finish date?”

Cllr Flynn told The Clare People that he has now submitted letters to both Phil Hogan and the Clare County Manager, Tom Coughlan.

“It’s like a saga at this stage,” said Cllr Flynn. He said he would like the circumstances surrounding the development to be outlined.

At the meeting, Ms Kinsella told councillors, “I share your total frustration.

“Without a doubt, it is a nuisance for the residents in the area. We have a significant level of expressions from people who are looking for a home.”

She said that the completion period from the time the work recommences until completion is 16 weeks, adding,

“But what I don’t have is a start date.” She said;

“There were delays in the retendering process. It had been our intention that we were expecting a nomination in January. The whole process is taking longer than anticipated.”

Cllr Flynn referred to the issue as a fiasco. Fine Gael Councillor Mary Brennan said that the people of Cluain Airne were “living their worst nightmare”.

A CAMPAIGN by students in Coláiste Mhuire to pay tribute to a former classmate and raise awareness of cancer among young people has been hailed as “creative, inspiring and positive”.

Transition-year students from the Ennis secondary school won two awards at the Young Social Innovators of the Year awards, which were held in Dublin last week.

Their project, ‘C the Bright Side’, was awarded the “Making our World Healthier – Physical Health” challenge award and they also received the ‘YSI Fun-raising Challenge’.

The students decided to base their project around the issue of cancer awareness, following the death last May of their friend, Ciara Conroy (16).

A student at Coláiste Mhuire, Ennis, Ciara was also involved with Can Teen Ireland, a nationwide sup- port group for young people who have or have had cancer.

Through various events and initiatives, the students raised almost € 500, the highest amount raised by any of the 350 projects who entered the competition.

The judges commended the students for a project that they said dealt with a “deeply sensitive personal issue in a way that was creative, inspiring and positive, through celebrating the life of a school friend”.

The project raised awareness of the issue of teen cancer and raised significant funds while leaving a lasting memorial of their friend, the judges said.

Over 5, 500 young people participated in Young Social Innovators’ project-based programme this year. Speaking at the ceremony, Sr Stanislaus Kennedy commended the winners and all the participants in Young Social Innovators 2011.

A YOUNG Ennis man facing the activation of a prison sentence reacted to “cheap remarks” about the colour of his skin during a public order incident, a court has heard.

Derek Matha (19), with an address at Gort na hAbhna, Ennis, appeared before Ennis District Court on Friday. He was in court to face the potential activation of a suspended sentence handed down at Ennis District Court in February.

He was brought back before the court following his involvement in separate public order offences in Cork city in April.

Solicitor for Mr Matha, Daragh Hassett, told the court that a fight had broken out between his client and a group of men.

He said his client, who is originally from South Africa, had been referred to by the colour of his skin and had been called “the N-word a couple of times”.

Mr Hassett said that every time his client goes out he is subjected to racial abuse.

He said that Mr Matha, who has previous convictions for public offences, had been living in Ennis for a number of years and had never experienced problems with racism while attending school.

He said that his client had fully cooperated with Gardaí. He added that Mr Matha knows he should have walked away after he heard the “cheap remarks”. “He knows this is the end of the line”, he added.

Judge Joseph Mangan questioned if alcohol had been a factor in any of the incidents the accused had been involved in.

“Would it be the colour of his drink, rather than the colour of his skin that’s the problem?” he added.

Mr Hassett acknowledged that his client had been drinking in Cork on the night in question. Judge Mangan put the matter back until May 27 for further consideration. A 60-YEAR-OLD man has appeared at Ennis District Court accused of having drugs for sale or supply. John Joyce (60), of Watery Road, Ennis, appeared in court on Friday on charges relating to the possession of quantities of cannabis and amphetamine, with a combined value of € 988.22. Gardaí discovered the drugs during a search of a house at 1 Watery Road, Ennis on December 15, 2010. The court heard that Gardai also found € 3,000 during the search of the premises. In making an application for free legal aid, Mr Joyce was questioned by Insp Gallagher. After being asked how he had travelled to court that morning, Mr Joyce said he had driven there in his van. He said he had bought the van in 2008 but added that he couldn’t recall how much the van had cost.

Insp Gallagher said that by his own conservative estimate, the van was valued at around € 30,000.

Solicitor for the accused, Tara God frey, said the vehicle had not been listed as an asset by Mr Joyce as it was needed for family use.

She said her client had no other savings and assets.

Of the € 3,000 found by Gardaí, Mr Joyce said that € 2,000 belonged to him, while € 1,000 belonged to his wife.

He said he had got the money from selling “palettes in Limerick” and from the sale of his son’s pony. Mr Joyce told the court that both he and his wife had been saving the money for Christmas.

Judge Joseph Mangan refused the application for free legal aid, noting that Mr Joyce had not listed his van as an asset in the application.

He accepted jurisdiction and adjourned the matter until June 10 for either a plea or a date for hearing.

AN Ennis photographer has followed in her father’s footsteps in more ways than one with her latest award-winning images.

Louise Brooks was among the winners at the Irish Professional Photographers Awards, claiming two gold and three silver medal prizes.

Louise was honoured in three categories – bridal, wedding reportage, fashion and classical portraiture. And the connection between Louise and the people in her photographs, in some cases, goes back a long way.

Suzanne Clear is the happy bride featured in the winning bridal image taken by Louise. In 1964, Louise’s father, Paschal, was the photographer for the wedding of Suzanne’s parents.

A similar connection links Orla O’Donnell’s family, featured in the prize-winning wedding reportage photo. Paschal took photos of the wedding of Orla’s parents in 1980.

The Brooks’ first studio opened in Ennis in 1961, with Louise taking over from her father in 2001. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the studio opening and Louise is inviting anyone who has featured in Brooks’ photographs over the years to visit the studio’s extensive archive.

She added, “The archive goes back to 1961, so there are a lot of photos there from over the years. People can come in, if they are looking for old photos, and search through.”

A MAN accused of the murder of a North Clare woman earlier this year has had his bail approved by the district court in Ennis.

Colm Deely (39), of School Road, Ballyvaughan, appeared in court on Friday in connection with the death of Deirdre McCarthy (43), whose body was found on Fanore beach on March 31 last.

Solicitor for Mr Deely, Ciara Macklin, told Ennis District Court on Friday that the High Court had previously approved bail for her client in April but that an issue regarding where Mr Deely was going to live remained outstanding.

She said this issue had now been resolved, the High Court order had been finalised and that an address for the accused had been agreed. She told Judge Joseph Mangan that while she would not be able to bring the order before the court until next week, she had received confirmation that the order had been approved at the High Court.

Insp Michael Gallagher said he too had received confirmation that the bail conditions had been amended.

Under the bail conditions, the accused must live with a relative at a stated address in Corofin, must observe a curfew and must sign on at Ennis Garda Station.

Mr Deely was also ordered to stay out of Corofin village and not to come within a 30km radius of Ballyvaughan village.

The High Court approved bail on condition of the accused’s own surety of € 1,000 and independent surety of € 21,000, with € 7,000 to be lodged.

Insp Gallagher said there was no objection from the Gardaí.

He requested an extension of time for the service of the book of evidence, which he said should be brought to Ennis District Court on July 8.

Insp Gallagher said that if there was any delay in the matter, Gardaí would contact Mr Deely’s legal team. Judge Mangan remanded the accused on bail to reappear before Ennis District Court on July 8. CHARGES have been brought against two young men arising out of an incident in Shannon earlier this year. The accused, aged 18 and 17, are charged with assault causing harm to one man and assault to another, at Finian Park, Shannon, on March 12, 2011. The 18-year-old is also charged with possession of a hurley at the same address on the same date, while the 17year-old is accused of possession of a hockey stick. He is also accused of intimidating through a text message, on March 14 last. Garda Roddy Burke told Shannon District Court on Thursday that he arrested the 17-year-old youth that morning. He was brought to Shannon Garda Station, where he was charged with four alleged offences. The court heard that he did not reply to the charges after caution. Detective Garda Stephen Ryan told the court that he arrested the 18-year-old in Ennis last Thursday morning. He said that when charged, he did not reply. HEROIN was found by Gardaí during a search of an apartment in Ennis last year, a court has heard. Donough Malone (44) with an address at Clare Road, Ennis, is charged with having drugs for sale or supply at a Mill House apartment, Mill Road, Ennis on February 11 (2010). Ennis District Court heard on Friday that when Gardaí entered the apartment on the Mill Road, they discovered two quantities of heroin. Insp Gallagher told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had recommended summary disposal of the matter. Judge Joseph Mangan accepted jurisdiction. He adjourned the matter until May 27 for either a plea or a date for a hearing.

CAR SALES were marginally down in Clare in April, but those working in the industry in the county believe they will increase again during this month. According to the SIMI (the Society of the Irish Motor Industry), there were 174 new cars registered in Clare during April, compared with 186 in April of last year. This reflects a decrease of 6.45 per cent.

It follows an increase of almost 20 per cent in March. There was also an increase in January – of more than 25 per cent – while there was a slight decrease in February, compared with February of last year.

To date this year, new car sales have increased by more than 12 per cent in Clare. During the first four months of the year, 1,394 new cars were registered, compared with 1,241 in the same spell last year. According to www.motorcheck.ie, the vast majority of car buyers in Clare are choosing hatchbacks and saloons, while small numbers of MPVs, estates, coupés and convertibles are also proving popular.

Declan Haugh, a director with Cahercalla Motors in Ennis, said he believes that April was a “blip” and envisages more positive months ahead.

“We found April was not as good as we would have hoped for. We found the first quarter of the year was good. There was a bit of confidence there. It was affected by two bank holidays,” said Mr Haugh.

DINGLE business interests’ success in making the West Kerry town a haven for tourists on the back of the bay being home to one dolphin over the past 28 years contrasts sharply with West Clare’s failure to cash on the tourism potential of Shannon Estuary dolphins.

The May monthly meeting of Kilrush Town Council heard councillors bemoan the fact that West Clare is the poor relation to Dingle when it comes to dolphin-watching tourism.

“Dingle have one dolphin and they’ve managed to make a multimillion euro industry out of it over the years,” said Cllr Ian Lynch.

“The Shannon Estuary has a family of dolphins, but we don’t seem to be able to market this properly and we haven’t exploited the resource that we have.”

This has led to calls for the Gateway to Shannon Dolphins Committee to make renewed efforts to kickstart the dolphin-watching industry on the estuary.

This committee was established a number of years ago but last Thursday’s meeting heard that it has been inactive over the last number years.

“The committee is led by Paul Edson, with the help of Dr Simon Berrow [Irish Whale and Dolphin Group], but it hasn’t met for the last couple of years,” revealed town clerk, John Corry.

“There is huge potential for the Shannon dolphin project and it should be developed, because it’s something that’s unique to the estuary and we should do everything to market this,” said Cllr Tom Prendeville.

WEST Clare tourism is set to get a huge boost in the coming season as Kilrush Town Council spearheads an initiative that will see Knockerra Lake opened up to anglers once more after an interval of many years.

Details of a local authority plan of action for the 50-acre lake north east of Kilrush that comes under the council’s jurisdiction were unveiled at Thursday’s monthly meeting, which has opened up the prospect of the facility being open for use in time for the peak tourist period of July and August.

“It was used as a recreational facility for a long number of years, but hasn’t been in the last ten years,” revealed Kilrush Town Clerk John Corry, “and to open up the facility again has involved a process of engagement with anglers and landowners. It has been a long process, but there is now light at the end of the tunnel,” he added.

Knockerra Lake hasn’t been open to public use for ten years, but in recent years Kilrush Town Council has made moves to re-open the facility, setting aside money is its annual budget for fencing and signage, while also making the lake more accessible. The lake is also set to be restocked with fish.

“There has been negotiations with the landowners and we hope to see the restoration of facilities provided at Knockerra,” Mr Corry told town councillors. “We are now at an advanced stage of finalising a lease agreement between the Town Council, the West Clare Angling Association and landowners.

Mr Corry also revealed that as part of the process “a local committee involving Kilrush Town Council, representatives of the angling association and landowners will be put in place” to oversee the operation of the facility.

“We will be meeting all the parties over the coming weeks and for the June meeting of the council we will have a update on the situation.”