Category: News

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.

IN ITS last ever meeting on Thursday night, the nine members of Kilrush Town Council merely tied up loose ends before paying tribute to the 129-year history of the local authority and reiterating their belief that the town council would be reinstated.

Signing off on its financial accounts which will be amalgamated with the Clare County Council budget from June 1, the members also agreed to past one unanimous motion calling on “on the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to establish a commission to bring forward recommendations on meaningful reform of local government at town council level that will eventually lead to the restoration of democratic structures at town council level in the near future”.

In his final mayoral address, the man who will be recorded as the last ever mayor of Kilrush, Paul Moroney (Ind) led tributes to the council staff for their dedication to Kilrush town through the years.

“It is a sad day for all of us,” he told the past members, staff and families who had gathered in Kilrush Court House, “but as I said at he outset we have chosen to celebrate the achievements of the council rather than wallow in regret and tearful recrimination.”

Cllr Ian Lynch (Ind) likened the proceedings to the “wake of a good friend”, while Cllr Mairead O’Brien (Ind) said she would have fond memories of her term on the council.

Meanwhile Cllr Liam Williams (FG) spoke of the short sightedness of the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan for his decision to dissolve all town councils,. “I hope people will continue to get involved in other projects now to keep the town thriving,” he said.

Cllr Marian McMahon Jones (FG), Cllr Tom Clyne (FF) and Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF) also regretted the passing of the council while Cllr Christy O’Malley (FF) remained hopeful for the future of the town with the words, “I trust our successors will progress our work further.”

For Cllr Liam O’Looney (FF) the end of the council was also the end of a family tradition.

“It was a tradition that went before me,” he said remembering his father William who served on Kilrush Town Council before him, and lamented that fact his daughter and two sons could not follow in his footsteps.

A 22-YEAR-OLD man has received a suspended sentence for his role in a violent burglary at an apartment in Ennis last summer.

Darren Maughan (22) was one of two people who broke into 15 Sandfield Mews between 12.30 and 12.45am on July 23, 2013. He assaulted Declan O’Dea who was asleep in bed at the time.

Mr O’Dea, in a state of fear, jumped from a first floor window to escape Mr Maughan, breaking his ankle when he hit the ground, Ennis Circuit Criminal Court heard yesterday. In March, Mr Maughan, with an address at Stonecourt, Drumbiggle, Ennis, pleaded guilty to entering the apartment as a trespasser and committing an arrestable offence therein, assault causing harm to Declan O’Dea.

Yesterday the court heard Mr Maughan was on bail at the time for another assault he committed in Drumbiggle Drive, on January 20, 2013, to which he also pleaded guilty.

Judge Carroll Moran yesterday gave Mr Maughan an immediate two-year prison sentence for the assault at Drumbiggle and imposed a two year suspended sentence for the offence at Sandfield Mews.

Giving evidence in respect of the burglary at 15 Sandfield Mews, Detective Inspector John Galvin (Ennis Garda Station) told the court Mr Maughan and a companion broke into the apartment after failing to gain entry.

The court heard Mr Maughan went into Mr O’Dea’s room and started to beat him “viciously” around the head. Det Insp Galvin said the victim was so fearful he jumped from the first floor window. The court heard Mr O’Dea broke his ankle and lay in bushes for a period of between 90 minutes and two hours when gardaí were called to the scene.

The court heard both parties had consumed a number of bottles of vodka earlier in the day. Det Insp Galvin agreed with prosecuting counsel Stephen Coughlan’s view that Mr Maughan had consumed a “vast” amount of alcohol.

“Intoxicated beyond comprehension is the best way I could describe it,” added Det Insp Galvin.

The court heard that between 2009 and 2014 Mr Maughan received 53 convictions for offences including assault, public order and criminal damage.

Det Insp Galvin agreed with defence counsel Lorcan Connolly’s assessment that all of Mr Maughan’s past offences arose from problems with drink.

Counsel said, “He’s not a bad lad, save and except when he’s the drink on board.” Mr Connolly said his client wished to apologise for his offence. Counsel said his client had pleaded guilty at an early stage and is undergoing a number of educational programmes in prison.

In the witness box, Mr Maughan Judge Moran “I’m stopping drinking for life when I get out. I want to change my life around.”

Judge Moran said the accused has “clearly a propensity for violence when he is drunk” and has an “appalling record”.

He imposed the two year sentence for assault at Drumbiggle but agreed to suspend a consecutive two year sentence for the offence at Sandfield on condition Mr Maughan abstain from drink and be of good behaviour for five years.

THREE people endured a terrifying ordeal when their car was set upon by an armed gang of teenagers in Ennis earlier this month.

Gardaí are investigating the incident, which occurred on Friday, May 2, in the Showgrounds Road area of Ennis.

Gardaí were called to the scene af- ter receiving a call of a violent disturbance at Showground’s Court on Drumbiggle Court.

The incident is thought to have occurred sometime between 11pm and midnight on the date in question.

It is believed a car parked in the area was set upon by a gang of around seven or eight teenagers.

Bottles of beer were taken from the boot of the car. The driver of the car is also believed to have been struck in the face with a bottle. The keys of the car along with a small sum of cash were also taken. The Clare People understands that one of the young males suspected of being involved in the attack was carrying a kitchen knife.

The three males who were in the car at the time were said to be “terrified” during the ordeal. One Garda source described the attack on the car and it’s occupants as “vicious”.

Gardaí have launched an investigation into the matter. At least one teenager has been arrested and questioned in relation to the incident. He was subsequently released without charge. It is thought that all those suspected of being involved are under the age of 18.

Investigations into the matter are continuing and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Mary CARROLL (née Cronin)
, 72 Rossbracken, Shannon. Laid to rest in St Mary’s Church Grounds, Rathkeale. May she rest in peace.

Bernadette (Etta) JONES (née Mc
Namara)

TAOISEACH and Fine Gael Party leader Enda Kenny said this week that Fine Gael would not increase the Local Property Tax if elected to local government.

In a whistle-stop visit to the Banner County just a week after polls indicate a swing towards independent candidates and people’s dissatis- faction with the introduction of the LPT, Mr Kenny admitted that being in Government was not an easy position.

But as the Mayo man kissed babies, high fived teenagers and shook hands with pensioners it quickly became apparent that he was not about to run into the hostility he was met with an hour earlier in Limerick.

Instead, supported by the party faithful, a two person anti-abortion protest outside the Temple Gate all but went unnoticed, while the mother of a disabled child who lost her medical card had her say in a peaceful manner.

Among those waiting to meet the leader of the country was Noel O’Driscoll, originally from O’Callaghans Mills, whose late father became secretary of the local Fine Gael branch in 1922 and was there until he died 56 years later.

Mr O’Driscoll showed the Taoiseach an original Land League membership card owned by his great grandfather.

Flanked by MEP Sean Kelly, local election candidates and the county’s two Fine Gael TDs – Pat Breen and Joe Carey – Mr Kenny was remaining coy on how he believes his 16 local election candidates will fare in Clare come May 23.

“Far be for it me to guess what the good people of Clare are going to do when they go to the polls but I will say this for our party we offer a very strong team of candidates.”

“Whoever the people elect for the county council elections they need to understand that these candidates and these councillors are being given responsibility that has never been handed out before to councillors. They are going to have to make decisions about the expenditure for property charges. The Fine Gael candidates will not be voting to increase them, they will be reducing them where possible. They will have to make decisions about rates and about property charges and development plans for their own areas,” he added.

“It is not about electing people to sound off at council meetings. It is a case of electing people to make decisions, the authority being displaced down to the councils.”

THE nephew of President Michael D Higgins, Donal Higgins, will contest the Clare County Council election for the Labour Party.

The Government party added the Ballycar man to the ticket at the 11th hour, registering him at 11am on Saturday morning, just 60 minutes before the deadline.

“It was as late as Wednesday that I decided, but it was something a I had been thinking about for a long time,” Mr Higgins told The Clare People .

He said he had been approached to run in the Shannon region a number of months ago but did not want to go up against his friend and party colleague Tony McMahon.

“Pascal [Fitzgerald] was also coming into that area so it was well covered. Then Michael McNamara [Clare TD] approached me to run in the Killaloe area. I had a good think about it with my wife and I decided to go for it,” he said.

Mr Higgins, a father of two young children, admits it will be a balanc- ing act to include the council in his life, but he knows from experience this is something he is good at.

During the last six years he has studied for his Science Technology degree in the University of Limerick, while also holding down a full time job at Zimmer, Shannon and caring for his family.

Mr Higgins was one of the workers who lost their jobs when Dell in Limerick closed, but after a year of unemployment and internship in Zimmer saw him eventually secure a full time job at night.

His degree course finishes this month, just in time for the council elections and a possible career on the local government body.

The 35 year-old grew up in the family farm in Ballycar, Newmarket on Fergus, and attended the local school followed by St Caimin’s College in Shannon.

He is married to Michelle and they have two little boys under the age of four.

He is the son of Maureen and John Higgins, the brother of the President of Ireland.

THOSE wishing to have a say in the make up of the new look Clare County Council and the European Elections have until this evening (Tuesday) to register.

The local elections are open to everyone over the age of 18 years old.

A total of 69 people from Clare have already registered to be candidates in the Clare local elections.

The closing date for candidate nominations was last Saturday.

During the last local and European elections in 2009, 63.86 per cent or 56,687 of County Clare’s 88,769 voters turned out to vote.

Clare County Council is reminding voters that the closing date and time for inclusion on the Supplementary Register for the Local and European Elections is 5pm today, May 6.

While you do not have to be an Irish citizen to vote in the local elec- tions; you must be over 18 years of age and you must live in the local electoral area.

Application forms for the supplementary register can be downloaded from www.checktheregister.ie or can be obtained from Áras Contae and Chláir and at Clare County Council Local Area Offices.

The Local Authority has also set up a Freephone Number 1800 245426 to assist people with their queries.

“The Local and European Elections will take place on Friday, May 23 and people who are eligible to vote, but who have not yet registered, have an opportunity between now and May 6 to apply to be included on the Supplementary Register which allows them to vote at the forthcoming elections,” said a council spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Clare County Council confirmed that the Count Centre for both elections will be Treacy’s West County Hotel on the Limerick Road in Ennis.

Ben O’DONNELL,
Gowerhass, Cooraclare, Late of Clonmel, Glasnevin and Met Eireann. Funeral Mass in Corpus Christi Church, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9, onTuesday (May 6th) at 1pm. Cremation afterwards in Glasnevin Crematorium at 3pm. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired to ABI Kilrush or The IWA Ennis.

Mary GUINAN (née King),
Kildysart, Reposing in Stafford’s Funeral Home, North Strand fromTuesday with removal to St. Francis Xavier Church, Gardiner Street, Dublin arriving for 5pm. Funeral mass onWednesday at 9.45amwith burial thereafter in Fingal Cemetery.

John FEENEY
, Stockport, Manchester and St MichaelsVillas, Ennis, Ashes laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery.

AMERICAN billionaire Donald Trump will arrive in Clare on Monday for a whistle stop tour of Doonbeg Trump International Golf Links.

The real estate tycoon purchased the Greg Norman designed golf links and five star hotel last February for an undisclosed sum.

While his sons and vice presidents of Trump International Donald Jnr and Eric Trump visited the west Clare resort to sign the purchase contracts, this will be Mr Trumps first visit to the course since he reportedly paid € 15 million for the 18-hole golf links, hotel and spa.

He is expected to arrive into Shannon Airport early on Monday morning and travel to Doonbeg where he will meet staff and examine the grounds.

He is then scheduled to leave Doonbeg on Tuesday, and travel on to visit his latest acquisition – Turnberry Re sort in Scotland.

Mr Trump is quoted as saying he has plans to develop the West Clare golf course to make it one of the best in the world.

“I have a lot of time and I have a lot of money and the best thing for Ireland is that you allow that great site to have one of the great courses of the world.

“And I have hired for that purpose, Martin Hawtree, to study it,” he said.

“Depending on the study, we may leave it and enhance it or go for an entirely new course.”

However a complete rebuild of the links course at Doonbeg could bring him into conflict with environmentalists over protected dunes and the microscopic snail- Vertigo angustior – that limited the original Greg Norman project. While an exact itinerary of Donald Trump’s visit to the Doonbeg Resort that now bears his name has not been revealed, it is thought he will walk most of the course during his brief time at the venue. It is not clear whether Mr Trump, a reputed scratch golfer, will play any of his Doonbeg course. Tue06May14

CLARE is bracing itself for a marathon count following the local election on May 23, as the largest number of candidates in the country have reg- istered to contest the Ennis electoral area, with 27 people putting their names forward to contest eight seats. A total of 69 candidates declared as the deadline for local election nominations closed. Independent candidates are in the majority in Clare with a total of 19 non-party candidates registered. Fianna Fáil is running the largest number of party political candidates with 18, while Fine Gael will run 16. The Labour Party has nominated five candidates, Sinn Fein just three and new party Fís Nua is to run four candidates. The Anti Austerity Alliance will run two candidates in Shannon. The count will once again take place in Treacy’s West County Hotel.

KILLALOE is the only local election constituency in the Republic of Ireland without a Sinn Fein candidate. The Sinn Fein party in Clare confirmed on Wednesday afternoon there would be no party nominee for the new electoral area of Killaloe, despite rumblings from head office that a name would be added.

At the close of nominations at noon on Saturday, there was no Sinn Fein candidate registered in this electoral area, the only one south of the border without a candidate from the party.

Mike McKee will contest the election in the Shannon area, Noeleen Moran in the West Clare area and Cathal O’Reilly in the Ennis area in Clare.

And while Sinn Fein has a constituency without a candidate, the new party Fís Nua is doubling up on constituencies by running one Clare man in two elections.

Former chairperson of the Green Party in Clare Damon Matthew Wise is to contest the Clare local election in Ennis for Fís Nua while also nominated to run as a European Election candidate for the party in the Dublin Area.

Asked about his decision to contest two elections so geographically apart he said he was running in Ennis to support his party colleague Vera Moloney.

“As you know I am a disability advocate and campaigner across the island of Ireland, and indeed had five different nominations [originally],” he said.

Fís Nua will now contest four seats in the Clare local elections – two in Ennis Mr Wise and Ms Moloney, one in Shannon – Karen Christine Wise and one in Killaloe – Niamh O’Brien.

“Fís Nua had five voting members in East Clare (Killaloe area) in November 2013, and has been joined by four members in Shannon, with a further 16 members having joined or moved from GPI/CG in East Clare (Killaloe), Shannon and Ennis – giving enough members for functioning local area groups for each,” said Mr Wise.