Category: News

TWO Limerick men appeared before a special sitting of Ennis District Court yesterday charged in connection with thefts from cars in Clare GAA grounds on Sunday.

Jonathan McCarthy (23), with and address at Quarry Road, Thomondgate, Limerick and Samuel Quilligan (25), with an address Altamira, Thomondgate, Limerick, are accused of stealing a hurley and € 20 from a car in Sixmilebridge GAA club on May 18.

They are also charged with the theft of a crate of Smirnoff Ice from a car in Broadford GAA club on May 18.

Mr McCarthy is accused of causing criminal damage to a side window of a car in Kildooras, Clonlara on the same day.

Detective Garda John Mulvihill of Killaloe Garda Station gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Mr McCarthy.

He said in response to two charges, the accused replied, “I’m very sorry”. In reply to the other charge, Mr McCarthy said, “I’m very sorry. I will pay for the costs”.

Detective Garda Bernard Casey of Killaloe Garda Station told the court Mr Quilligan made no comment to charges after caution.

Both men were granted bail subject to a number of conditions.

They were ordered to reside at their addresses; observe a curfew between 11pm and 7am and be available for inspection to gardaí.

They were ordered not to drive any motor vehicles until the case is resolved.

Both men were also ordered to stay out of Clare except for court business. Solicitor for both accused, John Herbert, told the court Mr McCarthy intends to receive immediate psychiatric treatment.

Judge Mary Larkin said Mr McCarthy must notify gardaí of any change in his address.

Both men were assigned legal aid after Mr Herbert said they were suitable candidates.

A third person, Danika Frahill (22) also appeared before the court.

Ms Frahill, with an address at Caherdavin Shopping Centre Apartments, Limerick, is charged with handling a stolen Nokia mobile phone at Shannon Garda Station on May 18. Detective Garda Stephen Ryan of Shannon Garda Station said Ms Frahill made no reply to charge after caution.

Ms Herbert told Judge Larkin that Ms Frahill is presently out of work and a suitable candidate for legal aid. The accused was granted bail on the same conditions as Mr Quilligan and Mr McCarthy.

All three were remanded on bail to appear at Killaloe District Court on July 1 for DPP’s directions.

ONE thousand years after his victory at the Battle of Clontarf, Brian Boru’s castle has finally been taken.

Gardaí in Killaloe are investigating the theft of a massive wooden reproduction of Brian Boru’s castle Kincora, which has been taken from a community garden in the village.

The central tower section of the castle, which is understood to be in excess of 16 foot tall, was taken last week and the local community are appealing for its safe return.

The castle, along with the large tower centre-piece, were constructed over the past six months by an army of local volunteers including members of the local Men’s Shed. The structure was built to mark the thousand year anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf and had already been used at a number of commemoration events and reenactments.

According to the secretary of the Killaloe/Ballina 2014 Committee, Brona Moriarty, the local community are desperate to get the castle back.

“It really was the most incredible structure. They worked on it for more than two months and put hundreds of hours into it. The tower itself is a really substantial structure, it would take about eight strong men to left it. It was about 16 feet high with a a thatched roof on it and beautifully designed and built,” she said.

“It would have taken a truck or a large van to move it, and a large group of people much have been involved. We would really love to get it back. It was made by the community, for the community, so maybe if the people who took it were aware of that they might give it back.

“Making the castle was such a positive thing for the community so it is quite upsetting and disheartening that it has been taken.”

The castle was designed by Scariffbased artist Nathalie El Baba.

“It’s such a big structure so it’s not the kind of thing that could have been taken easily. It’s really big, it’s the king of thing that you couldn’t really hide so we believe that a number of people must know where it is,” said Nathalie.

“Whoever took it much have take it in the middle of the night or they would have been seen. We just want it back.”

The castle was taken at some time between Friday evening, May 2, and Monday morning May 5. A local campaign was launched yesterday to raise public awareness of missing tower as well as the ‘Free The Tower’ facebook group.

FRESH allegations of historic clerical sexual abuse in the Killaloe Diocese have emerged in the wake of the publication of a review of safeguarding practices by Bishop Kieran O’Reilly last week.

The report, which was undertaken by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church of Ireland, details 26 separate allegation made against one priest, identified in the report as “Father A”, which took place on various dates from the mid-60s to the 1990s.

The priest was subsequently identified by Bishop O’Reilly as Fr Tom McNamara, who passed away in 1997.

Since this information was made public last Tuesday, The Clare People has been contacted by a number of people who claim to have been abused by Father McNamara – including one man who alleges that the abuse he suffered was not part of the 26 cases identified in the report.

The man, who has asked not to be identified, claims to have been abused by Father McNamara in an East Clare primary school in the mid to late 1960s.

“He abused me when I was at school. He would line up the boys against the school wall and put his hands inside their trousers. I would have been 12 years-old at the time. He would bring us to matches and no-one would want to sit in the front seat,” said the man.

“It wasn’t hidden at all. Everyone knew about it. What I don’t understand is why the teacher didn’t do anything. She [the teacher who is now deceased] must have known what was going on and did nothing. There was never a formal complaint made. Sure who would I complain to?”

Despite this alleged abuse, the man has a positive outlook towards members of the local church, and Bishop Emeritus Willie Walsh in particular. The man met Bishop Walsh during his time at St Flannan’s School in Ennis and described as “an honorable man, a decent man that you could say something to”.

Current child protection procedures at the Diocese of Killaloe was commended as part of last week’s report. Both current Bishop Kieran O’Reilly and his predecessor Willie Walsh were commended by the report for their handling of allegation made in the diocese and the steps they have taken to improve child safety in the diocese.

The diocese of Killaloe has designated two people, Cleo Yates and Fr Pat Malone, to receive all historic and new reports of abuse. Their contact information is available on www.killaloediocese.ie.

SHANNON is set to have a key role in the celebration of 75 years of transatlantic travel into Ireland, with Clare’s international airport teaming up with the former flyingboat airbase in Foynes for the Foynes/Shannon 75th Anniversary Airshow in July.

The event takes place on July 5/6, details of which were officially announced at the weekend at Shannon Airport by its Chairman Rose Hynes and Foynes Flying Boat Museum Director Margaret O’Shaughnessy to coincide with yet another key milestone for aviation on the estuary – the 75th anniversary of the first aircraft, the Irish Air Corps Aero Anson A43, landing at Rineanna, which is now Shannon Airport.

The high point of the July festival will be a three-hour airshow on Sunday, July 6, featuring some of Europe’s leading aerobatic experts in a range of aircraft. Over 20 acts from Ireland, the UK and Europe are booked to appear in what promises to be the country’s most spectacular airshow for many years. Sunday will also see An Taoiseach Enda Kenny unveil a plaque to all who used the Foynes Air Base.

The festival will also include a stunning dare-devil display at dusk on Saturday by the UK based-Breitling Wing Walkers as well as a Sky Pyro Show and a fireworks display over the river and harbour.

Looking ahead to the festival, Shannon Airport Chairman Rose Hynes said the 75th anniversary is not just significant for Shannon and Ireland but for aviation internationally.

“The name Shannon is recognized and respected across the world of aviation as it has such a pivotal place in the history of air travel. It was the first European gateway for transatlantic flights and so much history also followed. While it is all concentrated today on this side of the estuary, it really began across the estuary at Foynes.

“We are delighted to support this very important anniversary and all the more so today as we celebrate our own 75th anniversary this weekend the landing of the first aircraft here at Shannon.

“We are very proud of our place in global aviation, having achieved so many firsts, from being the original transatlantic crossing to the birthplace of duty-free and right up to becoming the first airport outside North America to have full US preclearance. It is right that we honour that history in style with the weekend festivities in Foynes and look to the example given by the pioneers of 75 years ago as an inspiration going forward.”

In addition to Shannon Airport, other organisations and companies supporting the event are Shannon Foynes Port Company, Limerick City & County Council, IAA, Avolon, which is headed up by Clare People owner Domhnal Slattery, Air Contractors and Irelandia Aviation.

FR TOM McNamara, the priest identified as “Father A” in last week’s review of safeguarding practices in the Diocese of Killaloe, may have abused children in America before returning to the diocese in the late 1960s.

Reports of three separate allegations of abuse involving Fr McNamara have emerged.

These reports involve separate allegation made by adolescents in the Diocese of St Augustine in north Florida where the Clare priests was stationed on dates between 1966 and 1968.

The diocese, which is located near Jacksonville in north Florida, say it was not aware of any subsequent abuse carried out by Fr McNamara until after the priest’s death in 1997.

A report by the Diocese of St Augustine undertaken in 2004 identifies Fr McNamara as the priest accused of “inappropriately touching” three youths during his service as a visiting priest in diocese in the late 1960s.

At the time of the report, a spokes- person from Diocese of St Augustine, which represents 162,000 Catholics, said there was no indication that diocesan officials knowingly returned the priest to an unsuspecting Irish church.

Indeed, according to the report, officials in the diocese only became aware of the allegations in 2003 six years after the death of Fr McNamara.

According to reports, McNamara served as a visiting priest at Christ the King and St Patrick parishes in Jacksonville. It is not clear if the allegation were made by boys or girls – or if the alleged abuse took place on church grounds.

The Bishop of Killaloe, Kieran O’Reilly, last week says he regrets the actions taken by the diocese, which allowed Fr McNamara to remain in active ministry for more than three decades, despite allegations of sexual abuse being made against him.

At the time of the initial abuse, Fr McNamara was not removed from active ministry but was instead sent by the diocese for therapy.

Fr McNamara retired from active minister in 1993 and died in 1997, aged 77.

Patrick (Brud) SKEHAN
, Faheymore, Bridgetown. Peacefully in the Millbrae Lodge Nursing Home, Newport. Removal fromhis residence on Tuesday for 11.30amRequiemMass in Bridgetown church. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Bridget (Pydge) STACK (née McNama
ra) , Deerpark, Newmarket-on-Fergus. Formerly of Glin, Co Limerick. RequiemMass in Sixmilebridge Parish Church today (Tuesday) at 12.30pm, followed by burial in Killeen Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Michael O’BRIEN
, 8 Summerhill, Ennis. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to the Clare 250 Mile Cycle. May he rest in peace.

PJ GINNANE
, Quay Road and formerly of Horse Island, Kildysart, Clare. Peacefully at his residence. Laid to rest in Kildysart. May he rest in peace.

Kieran MCNAMARA
, Portobello, Dublin/Kilkishen, late of Enagh East, Kilkishen. Laid to rest in Clonlea Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

James (Jimmy) RYNNE
, Ballykeale, Kilfenora. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Kilfenora cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Marie CLANCY (née McDonagh)
, Kilnaboy Road, Corofin, formerly of Glasha, Doolin. Laid to rest inThe Holy Rosary Cemetery, Doolin. Donations, if desired, toThe Irish Cancer Society Night Nurse Fund. May she rest in peace.

Patrick DILLON
, Muckinish, Ballyvaughan. Pecefully after a short illness. Laid to rest in Bishopsquarters Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Kathleen KELLY (née Phelan)
, Rock Bungalow, Old Gort Road, Ennis. Peacefully at the University Hospital Limerick. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Jane O’SHEA (née Sutton)
, Darragh, Ennis. Laid to rest in Ballyea. Donations, if desired, to Milford Hospice. May she rest in peace.

Hugh RICE
,Attyterilla, Ruan. Peacefully at Milford Hospice Limerick after a short illness. Laid to rest in Ruan Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to Milford Hospice. May he rest in peace

Eamon LEAHY
, 48 Cronin Park, Shannon. Laid to rest in Illaunamanagh Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Tony LYNCH
, Lissycasey. Peacefully at Cahercalla Hospice. Laid to rest in Lissycasey. Donations if desired toWest Clare Cancer Support and Cahercalla Hospice. May he rest in peace.

Martin QUEALLY,
Meelick, Inagh. Laid to rest in Inagh. Donations, if desired, to Milford Hospice. May he rest in peace.

Michael ROUGHAN
, Ennis, Galway. Formerly of Ballyneylon, Fountain. Laid to rest in the new Cemetery,Athenry. May he rest in peace.

MORE than a a dozen people Clare people will be affected by the temporary closure of the Rape Crisis Centre Midwest in Ennis.

The centre yesterday cited funding shortfalls as the reason for closing offices and services in Ennis, Nenagh and Limerick.

Rape Crisis Midwest provides a confidential one to one counselling service to both male and female survivors of rape and childhood sexual abuse. The service sees approximately 80 clients a week in the entire midwest.

Between 12 and 14 people a week attend the service at the Tracklands business park in Ennis.

Many of those are adults who suffered sexual abuse as children.

The Ennis centre is due to close on a temporary basis in September.

A spokeswoman for Rape Crisis Midwest said yesterday, “The financial status of the centre is at a critical point. We are part funded by the Child and Family Agency and, like many other charities, have experienced significant cutbacks over the last number of years. There is no reasonable prospect of meeting our shortfall, estimated to be in the region of € 120,000 in the entire midwest. The current fundraising programme in place will not satisfy that shortfall.”

Rape Crisis Midwest provides 3.2 counselling staff to cater for demand in Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.

She continued, “We regrettably have been forced to implement cost saving measures including a decision to temporarily close the Clare and Tipperary service for at least one month and possibly more. In addition, we have had to implement similar measures in Limerick and will only be in a position to offer a skeletal and limited service over the coming months. This is a decision that we have not taken lightly and has come on the back of additional significant cost-saving measures over the last number of years.”

The decision to close will not affect the centre’s forensic service unit for sexual assault victims, which will continue to operate at the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick.

The service is appealing for donations. For further information log on to www.rapecrisis.ie or contact 1800 311511.

The spokeswoman continued, “It is ironic that during difficult economic times, demand for the service in the centres is even greater and we do not wish to have to close our doors to those who are most vulnerable in society. Please assist in helping to save our centre and providing this muchneeded service to survivors of rape and childhood sexual abuse.” TODAY A ve ry we t a ft e rn o o n in sto re , te m p s a t 16c b u t h e avy sh o we rs.

A HOME-MADE knife was discovered in the entrance at Ennis Courthouse following a number of scuffles that broke out on Wednesday.

Gardaí are investigating altercations which flared up between members of two families who were present in the courthouse on the day.

A fight between younger members of both families developed at the entrance at around 11am.

The courthouse was busy with sittings of Ennis District Court and the High Court underway.

People standing in the lobby area initially thought the parties were “messing about” but the incident turned serious when a male teenager was knocked to the floor and struck a number of times.

There was a large number of gardaí present inside the district court positioned between the families who were sat at opposite sides of the courtroom.

Men from either side traded verbal insults. At one point, Judge Patrick Durcan said he would adjourn court business if peace was not kept in the courtroom.

Judge Durcan said law and order was not being maintained in the courtroom and said decent citizens who had business in court were being subjected to “vile behaviour”.

Order was restored both inside and outside the courtroom. A number of people were arrested.

The knife was discovered on the floor just inside the front door at around 11.30am.

It is described as home-made, with two short blades sitting on a handle wrapped in red tape.

Gardaí are investigating the incident and are studying CCTV footage taken from cameras in the Courthouse.

The two Ennis families suspected of being involved in the fracas have been engaged in a dispute for much of the past 12 months.

This is the first violent incident to occur in Ennis Courthouse in recent months.

The building was the scene of a spate of similar fights and altercations throughout 2012 and 2013.

Last October Ennis-based solicitor Daragh Hassett told the court there were times during the year when legal practitioners feared for their safety such was the frequency of fights at the time.

CLARE County Council returned a surplus of almost € 650,000 last year, out of a total expenditure for the local authority of more than € 104 million.

According to the unaudited Annual Financial Statement for 2013 released by the council, the local authority ended the year with a € 643,00 surplus on a total revenue expenditure of € 104.4million.

Speaking at the launch of the statement, County Manager Tom Coughlan said that the council had made great progress in reducing its debt levels in recent years.

“Over the term of this council, the cumulative operating debit balance, which stood at € 1.77 million at the start of 2009 has been reduced to € 1.08 million at the end of 2013. This reduction in the cumulative deficit in a period of reduced fund- ing and uncertain economic circumstances is a positive development to be welcomed,” he said.

The accounts also show that that the local authority billed a total of € 36.1 million in commercial rates in 2013, which represents 35 per cent of the council’s total revenue expenditure in the year. The council collected € 35.8m in rates in the year and the total amount of rates outstanding at the end of 2013 is lower than the balance outstanding at the end of 2012.

“Customer balances are being actively pursued through engagement with customers in agreeing payment plans or through legal action, where necessary,” continued Mr Coughlan

“It is a difficult time for many businesses and the council tries to balance this reality with the need to maximise its collections to deliver services as planned at budget time to the people of County Clare.

“The council is committed to adopting a practical approach in terms of facilitating rate payers in their payment arrangements when possible.”

Clare County Council has also increased income over budget in the year, in particular from the Non Principal Private Residence (NPPR) charge. Income from the Non Principal Private Residence charge (NPPR) was € 2.2 million for the year. The income was greater than budget by € 0.7 million mainly due to a significant amount of income from penalties for late payment.

A NUMBER of North Clare tourism developments, which appeared to have fallen victim of the recession, could be kick-started in the months ahead following a raft of planning application lodged with Clare County Council over the past week.

Lazarus Investment Limited have lodged four separate application in the past week which could create hundreds of construction jobs and scores of permanent permission if they go ahead.

Each of the application involve an extension of the planning duration of projects originally proposed by the Atlantis Development Company.

Indeed, according to documents obtained from the Company Registration Office (CRO), local businessman John Declan Flanagan, with a company address at ‘The Mermaid’ in Liscannor, is the director of both Lazarus Investment Limited and the Atlantis Development Company.

The first application could see a major redevelopment of two of North Clare’s most iconic pubs – Egan’s and McHugh’s in Liscannor. The application for extension, which was the first made by Lazarus in April of this year, could see major alterations to existing structures located between the pubs.

It involves the demolition of a storage area and toilets at the back of Joseph McHugh’s and a storage buildings at the back of Egan’s and the extension of McHugh including a new storage area, lounge, toilets and an open smoking area. The development will also see the construction of a seven bedroom hostel, five apartments and four commercial units.

The second application involved outline permission for the development a supermarket, crèche, medical centre and a chemist. The site, which is located at Killilagh in Doolin, will also include the construction of five houses.

The third application involved the construction of 11 houses at Teergonean in Doolin. The original planning permission, which was for two three-bedroom houses as well as nine two-bedroom self catering units, was granted planning permission by Clare County Council in 2008.

The fourth application will see the construction of a park and ride facility connecting Liscannor with the Cliffs of Moher.

Separate decision on the retention of the planning permissions will be made on various dates from June of this year.

THERE were celebrations at Ennis College of Further Education on Friday as over 100 QQI Level 5 Certificates were presented to graduates across a range of courses.

The college is part of the Ennis Community College campus, which has a long tradition of Post Leaving Certificate and Further Education in Clare. The certificates related to courses in Legal Studies, Business Studies, Childcare, Special Needs Care, Nursing Studies, Community & Health Services, Office Administration/Medical Secretary and, for the first time, Health Science, Physiology & Sport.

Friday’s presentations were made by Ms Catherine O’Sullivan, FETAC External Authenticator, who congratulated the group and highlighted the currency of their awards for further education and in the workplace.

Mr John Cooke, Principal of En- nis Community College, praised the class for their dedication and hard work. He highlighted the fact that QQI qualifications open the door to third level for many students as they are accepted by the CAO as part of the Higher Education Links Scheme.

“These courses offer a wide range of employment opportunities and many of this year’s graduates have already secured employment in offices, crèches, nursing homes and sports facilities,” he added.

He also announced two new programmes which will begin in September: Level 6 Early Childhood Care and Education will enable learners to take on a supervisory role in an Early Childhood Education setting; Level 6 Business delves into business management and will offer a strong foundation for anyone wishing to take on a responsible role in business or pursue further studies at third level. These new programmes have been introduced as follow-on training from Level 5 courses.