Category: News

AN alleged attack by two teenagers on a family vehicle on a main street last month formed part of a “wider dispute” between two Ennis based families, a court has heard.

Three people were in the car when it was allegedly attacked by two males allegedly carrying hurleys on O’Connell Street on April 10.

Two teenagers have been charged in connection with the incident.

They appeared before Ennis District Court and Ennis Children’s Court on Wednesday. They are charged with public order and weapon’s offences.

James Keenan (18), with an address at Childer’s Road Cloughleigh is charged with having a hockey stick intended to unlawfully intimidate or incapacitate a person or otherwise cause criminal damage to a vehicle.

He is also charged with criminal damage of the car owned by a woman and engaging in behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

A 15-year-old boy is also charged with criminal damage and engaging in behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace arising from the alleged incident at O’Connell Street.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is further charged with having a hurley intended to cause injury, incapacitate, intimidate a person or otherwise cause criminal damage to the windscreen, bonnet and side of a car while three occupants were on board.

On Wednesday, Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the cases in the district court.

He outlined the alleged facts of the case to allow Judge Patrick Durcan consider whether to accept jurisdiction of the matter in the district or transfer it to the circuit court.

Insp Kennedy said it is alleged both accused were carrying hurleys when they set upon the vehicle owned by Kathleen Doherty.

He said damage costing 4000 euros was caused during the alleged attack. Insp Kennedy said it is alleged the incident is part of a wider dispute between the families.

Judge Patrick Durcan refused jurisdiction, meaning it will now proceed in the circuit court.

Defence solicitor said he consented to the cases being adjourned to September 10 for service of the books of evidence. Both accused were remanded on continuing bail.

WATER safety officer Liam Griffin has retired from Clare County Council after more than four decades service.

Last summer the Ennis man led the campaign for people to stay safe in Clare waters during one of the warm- est spell in almost a decade.

As well as over seeing water safety in the county’s public bathing areas, Mr Griffin was also charged with responsibility for the Civil Defence.

The proud Eire Óg man joined Clare County Council on July 16, 1973, as an assistant civil defence officer.

He served in this role until 1996, when he was appointed Civil Defence Officer and Water Safety Development Officer.

Retiring “a few years early” to make the most of his retirement years, Mr Griffin said he was looking forward to the freedom of not being governed by the clock and the freedom to travel more, even at short notice.

First on his itinerary is a trip to America with his wife Marie at the end of the year.

“I have been most places in the world except America, so the trip is planned,” he said.

He is also looking forward to spending time with his family – daughters Sinead and Eimear, son John and his fiancé Jenny, and son-in-law Aidan – as well as his grandchildren, the fourth of which is due to make their way into the world any day.

Asked if he will miss the job, the father of three said, “I have made a huge amount of friends and friendships through the years, but those will be friends for life.”

The Mayor Joe Arkins (FG) and county manager Tom Coughlan led tributes to Liam for his outstanding work in the area of civil defence and water safety over 41 years.

A CAR enthusiast who punched a business sign and verbally abused gardaí after his vehicle was seized in Ennis has escaped a prison sentence.

Shane O’Sullivan (23) was instead ordered to carry out 75 hours of community service in lieu of six weeks in prison.

At Ennis District Court on Tuesday, Judge Patrick Durcan said Mr O’Sullivan behaved in a “contemptible manner” towards members of the force after being stopped on the Quin Road on May 17, 2013.

The seizure occurred minutes after another car was taken by gardaí from Mr O’Sullivan who had been driving in an enclosed area of an industrial estate.

Garda Liza McDonagh told the court she stopped Mr O’Sullivan’s vehicle on the Quin Road at around 22.54pm because it was in very poor order.

A Garda PSV report subsequently found the car to be defective with problems including three bald tyres and no audible warning device.

Garda McDonagh said that after informing Mr O’Sullivan she was seizing his car, he replied “This is my f*****g car”.

After punching a nearby sign, Mr O’Sullivan told Garda McDonagh and her colleague to go “f*** themselves”, the court heard.

Mr O’Sullivan, with an address at Rockmount Cross, Kilrush Road, Ennis, pleaded guilty to charges of driving a dangerously defective vehicle and engaging in behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

His solicitor told the court his client’s behaviour was more in frustration with himself after having two cars seized within a matter of minutes.

The solicitor said his client initially bought the defective car to sell it. He said the vehicle had been booked in for its National Car Test (NCT).

The court heard Mr O’Sullivan comes from a well-known family in the motor trade and intends studying mechanical engineering.

His solicitor said Mr O’Sullivan “behaved outrageously” and subsequently apologised to gardaí.

Judge Durcan asked Garda McDonagh if the apology was genuine. Judge Durcan said that going by Garda McDonagh’s response, Mr O’Sullivan’s had given a “mealy mouthed apology”. Garda McDonagh agreed he had.

The court heard the accused has two previous convictions for road traffic offences and has not come to garda attention since the incident.

Judge Durcan said he regarded this as a “serious offence”. He said Mr O’Sullivan used “foul and filthy language” to gardaí who had just seized his “rattletrap”.

He imposed a € 300 fine and ordered Mr O’Sullivan to complete 75 hours community service in lieu of six weeks in prison.

“Hopefully working for the community he will realise he has to keep his temper under control”. The Judge said.

Judge Durcan said he was also disqualifying Mr O’Sullivan from holding a driver’s license for three months, by way of ancillary order.

However after noting the pleas submitted in mitigation and Mr O’Sullivan’s intentions to work in the motor trade, Judge Durcan vacated the order and did not disqualify him from driving.

SINN Fein remain confident as early indications suggest it could secure its first Clare County Council seat in living memory, when the electorate go to the polls on Friday.

With national polls showing voters favouring Independent and Sinn Féin candidates, those canvassing in Clare said the party is looking strong.

Independent candidates have also reported that people on the doorsteps are indicating support for non-parties and the Government opposition party. Despite being in Government, Fine Gael remains optimistic although cautious, while Fianna Fáil are getting a less hostile reception than the last time they went on the hustings.

Meanwhile Labour is reportedly hopeful but taking nothing for granted. Director of Elections for Fine Gael Edmund Jennings said that while candidates are getting a good reaction on the door, there is a fear that there could be a surprise when the votes are counted.

“There could be a swing against the Government and we are very mindful of that, but we are not getting it on the doors,” he said.

“Most of our candidates are sitting county councillors and those that are not are very strong. When you speak to the individual candidates they are quietly confident,” he added.

Sinn Féin in Clare has a pep in its step as it canvasses the doors believing there is a real chance of returning a county councillor to the chamber for the first time in almost 90 years, with Shannon and Ennis polling strong for the party.

Finbarr MacGabhann, Director of Elections for Sinn Féin in Clare told The Clare People the party was very encouraged by the reception on the doorstep.

“There is a lot of anger at the Government and previous government, and we would be confident of taking a seat.

Director of Elections for Fianna Fáil Gerry Reidy said that reception on the doorsteps for the party’s candidates is much better that the last local elections in 2009 and general election in 2011.

“There is very good engagement. It was visibly hostile the last time,” he said.

“Our fear is visible apathy. We are not too confident of a large turn out.”

Labour TD Michael McNamara said that while the party is confident it is taking nothing for granted. The party is particularly hopeful of taking a seat in Ennis area.

A CLARE man has appeared in court charged with sexually assaulting a girl in the county just over a year ago.

The alleged offences are alleged to have occurred at a named address in South Clare.

The 39-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with five counts of sexual assault of the female on dates unknown between December 1, 2012 and January 2, 2013.

The alleged offences are contrary to section two of the criminal law rape amendment act as amended by section 37 of the sex offender’s act 2001. A schedule of the evidence of arrest, charge and caution of the accused was handed into court by Insp Tom Kennedy.

Defence solicitor Oonagh Moylan made an application for legal aid. However she said this was not a normal application.

She said her client is a factory worker but has debts of € 17,000.

Ms Moylan said the case could require the services of both junior counsel and senior counsel.

She said the legal aid application was an appropriate one given the serious nature of the charges her client is facing. She said her client had filled out a statement of means.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the State had no objection to legal aid.

He said the case would proceed on a book of evidence to a higher court and that senior counsel may ultimately be engaged.

Judge Durcan granted legal aid.

He also imposed reporting restrictions. Judge Durcan ordered that the name of the accused, the alleged victim and the location of the alleged offences not be published.

He said the media could say the accused is from Clare and could also refer to the general geographical area where the offences are alleged to have occurred. THE case of three people charged following an altercation outside a pub in the Parnell Street area of Ennis last year is due to be heard on October. Solicitors for Kevin Cooper (52), Terry Sherlock (26) and Martin Sherlock (27) told Ennis District Court on Wednesday that a date for hearing would be required. The case, which involves allegations of assault and public order offences, is expected to take three hours to hear. Mr Cooper, with an address at Drumcairnmore, Loughville, Ennis is facing a charge of assault causing harm arising out of an alleged incident near Barcode Bar on March 31, 2013. Martin Sherlock, with an address at Clancy Park, Ennis, is charged with assaulting Mr Cooper arising out of the same circumstances. It is also alleged Martin Sherlock engaged in threatening, abusive and or insulting behaviour at Parnell Street on March 31. Another man Terry Sherlock with an address at Westbourne Watery Road, Ennis is charged with assaulting Mr Cooper at Parnell Street, Ennis on March 31. On Wednesday, solicitor for Mr Cooper, Stephen Nicholas told the court the case involves lengthy CCTV footage. Inspector Tom Kennedy said seven witnesses may be called to give evidence. The court heard the case could take three hours to hear. Judge Patrick Durcan set October 28 as the date for hearing.

ONE of the biggest primary schools in the county is set to go Gallic this week as it plays host to a group of students from the south of France as part of a ground-breaking exchange programme.

The students from the town of Bressuire, which is half-way between Nantes and Potiers at the lower end of the Loire Valley, will be spending a week at Ennis CBS primary school.

The project is being overseen by Ennis CBS teachers Anne Ó Béarra and Colm Daveron, with the relationship between the two schools having been fostered a number of years ago while she lived and worked in Bressuire.

“What happened was that when I was living in France the school there approached me to know if I could get my Irish school involved in the Caminus Project in June 2010,” she reveals.

“The Caminus is a project between six countries that concluded in June 2012, but afterwards we maintained contact with this school and as a result there are 28 students and four teachers coming over. They’re going to integrate into the classes during the week,” she adds.

The cultural exchange is the second one undertaken by Ennis CBS in recent years, while it is hoped that as part of this latest venture that students from the school will undertake a visit to Bressuire next year.

“The idea of it is to continue to foster the link between the two towns,” says Ms Ó Bearra.

“They students arrived in Ennis on Monday evening, are attending the school from this Tuesday and while they’re here they’ll be doing their bit for Clare tourism and are going to be brought on a walking tour around Ennis where the history of Ennis will be explained as well going to places like the Cliffs of Moher and the Ailwee Caves.

A LIMERICK man said he caused noise and disturbance in Ennis Courthouse yesterday because he only got potato wedges and chicken nuggets for lunch instead of a snack box.

Eddie O’Sullivan (25) was in custody awaiting sentence for stealing money and a bus pass from a disabled man in Ennis last August.

Shouting and banging could be heard from the cell area below the courtroom where Circuit Criminal Court sat on Monday.

When Mr O’Sullivan was called for arraignment a prison officer told Judge Carroll Moran that Mr O’Sullivan was naked. Judge Moran asked that the accused be brought into the courtroom to inform him how he intended to plead to the charge.

Mr O’Sullivan subsequently appeared wearing just boxer shorts and a pair of socks. “I know I’m not dressed appropriately, I’m sorry,” Mr O’Sullivan told Judge Moran.

Mr O’Sullivan, with addresses at Parkview Apartments, Limerick and, John Street Limerick, pleaded guilty to theft of wallet, cash, bank cards and bus pass from a 50-year-old partially paralysed man at Newbridge Road, Ennis, on August 31, 2013.

Mr O’Sullivan represented himself having dismissed his legal team last week. Judge Moran told Mr O’Sullivan his case would be dealt with later in the day.

“Put on some clothes Mr O’Sullivan, you’ll feel more comfortable,” he said.

Mr O’Sullivan reappeared in court some hours later wearing a white striped hoodie; black t-shirt, jeans and runners.

Garda Cyril Paige of Ennis Garda Station said the victim, who walks with the aid of a walking stick, had stopped to rest near the Club Bridge. He said Mr O’Sullivan approached the man, distracted him and stole the items.

A passing motorist witnessed the theft. Gardaí were alerted and Mr O’Sullivan was arrested at the nearby Ennis Swimming Pool.

The court heard the accused has 121 previous convictions. Prosecuting counsel Stephen Coughlan told the court Mr O’Sullivan was on bail when he committed the offence.

Mr O’Sullivan told Judge Moran he had suffered the loss of a number of family members including the recent death in Limerick of his aunt.

Asked by Judge Moran why he had made such a racket earlier in the day, Mr O’Sullivan said he had received wedges and three chicken nuggets while other people in custody got snack boxes. He pleaded with Judge Moran not to impose a consecutive prison sentence. Noting that the accused will spend the next 18 months in prison serving another sentence, Judge Moran adjourned the case to September for a probation and psychiatric report.

THE Lisdoonvarna Spa Well has been reopened for the first time in nearly four years, with members of the public now free to enter the historic premises and take some of its famous mineral waters.

The well, officially re-opened last week, will be staffed by paid employees from Monday to Friday with members of the newly reconstituted board of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte volunteers to staff the premises at the weekends.

The famous mineral water already helps to attract around 10,000 German tourists to the Spa town each year and it is hoped that the reopening of the Spa Well could increase that number dramatically.

A fund was also launched last week to begin raising the estimated € 1.3 million needed to redevelop and reopen the famous sulfur baths, which once made Lisdoonvarna one of Europe’s premier spa destinations.

These changes follow a change in the management structure of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte in January with a large number of new people taking up positions on the board of management.

A public meeting will take place in Lisdoonvarna this Wednesday, when members of pubic are invited to hear updates on the recent progress of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte and comment on the future direction of the company.

“The Victorian pump-house is reopened so people can go in and take the water. People come from all over the world to take the water and now people can come in for free and take the waters,” said Paddy Dunne of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte.

“The wells themselves is a longer term project. We launched the Spa Wells Restoration Fund on Monday and that went great. We raised € 1,500 in a few hours. We have a long way to go. Hopefully if we can raise a good amount the Government might be able to come in with matching funding.

A public meeting will take place this Wednesday, May 14, at the Pavillion Theatre from 8pm.

“The meeting is about updating members of the community about the developments and to share ideas about how things might proceed in the future,” continued Paddy.

“We want to keep this process as open and transparent as possible and to involve as many people as possible. We are still looking for people with a background in tourism or finances to get involved with the board of management.”

THE number of people signing on the live register in Clare fell to it lowest level in more than five years last month, with just 8,739 people signing-on across the county.

Indeed, if the current year-on-year trend remains the same, the number of people signing on in Clare will return to its all time lowest level, as seen at the height of the Celtic Tiger in 2007, in just six years.

The figure for April, which have just been released by the Central Statistic Office (CSO), represent a market decrease both on the figures for March of this year and when compared to April of 2013.

The revival seems to be concentrated on Ennis, with the rate of decrease in the county town outstripping all other areas of the county.

The CSO figures represent a yearon-year decrease of 8.3 per cent, from 9,533 in April of 2013 to 8,739 last month. Should this trend continue, the number of people signing on the live register will drop to levels similar to those recorded at the height of Celtic Tiger by April of 2020.

The current number of people signing on the live register is the lowest monthly figure since January of 2009, when 8,484 people were singing on.

The regional breakdown of these figures indicted that Ennis has been driving the recovery in recent month. Between January of 2009 and last month, Ennis is the only area to record a drop, of just 0.2 per cent.

When these two months are compared on a regional basis, Ennistymon shows an increase of 57 people or 4.2 per cent; Kilrush show an increase of 100 people or 8.5 per cent; and Tulla shows an increase of 110 people, or 9.9 per cent.

While it is still unclear how must of this reduction has been driven by job growth and how much has been driven by emigration and Government back-to-work schemes, it is though that a resurgence in tourism industry in Clare is helping to drive employment.

Figures released by Shannon Airport yesterday reveal a year-on-year 140 per cent increase in passenger numbers flying to Shannon from continental Europe. These figures represent the airports largest year-on-year increase in more than a decade.

A TEAM from Coláiste Muire secondary school in Ennis has been named the Young Social Innovators of the Year for 2014.

They scooped the top prize at the prestigious competition for their project – ‘Beware of IT’, which aims to educate young people about the increasing dangers associated with internet usage.

It was one of over 400 youth-led social innovation projects undertaken this year in over 200 second level schools and youth organisations throughout Ireland.

Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, Co-Founder, Young Social Innovators, and Anne O’Leary, CEO Vodafone Ireland, presented the winning team with their award at a special ceremony in Dublin following the 13th Young Social Innovators Annual Showcase, which was supported by the Vodafone Ireland Foundation.

The prize for the Coláiste Muire included € 1,500 to develop their project.

The Young Social Innovators Showcase and Awards were attended by over 4,500 young people. Congratulating the team from Coláiste Muire and all the participants in this year’s YSI Social Innovation Programme, Sr Stan said “Today we’ve witnessed thousands of young people who are completely engaged in society and prepared to play an active role in resolving some of our most pressing social issues. Social innovation champions youth led, experiential learning. It’s ‘hands on’ active citizenship. Civic engagement should always be a core part of youth development and education. It’s learning for life and work but fundamentally it is learning about how you connect to the people around you.”

Over 6,000 young people partici- pated in Young Social Innovators’ project-based Social Innovation Action programme this year undertaking projects aimed at finding and implementing solutions to the social issues that concern them.