Category: News

TRIBUTES have been paid to the late Ita O’Shea (nee Ryan) a founder member of the Ennis Musical Society who passed away last week.

Ms O’Shea was born in Queen Street, Clonmel, Tipperary in July 1920. She moved to Clare in 1952 after husband Murt O’Shea, a radio officer, secured work in the county.

The couple married in 1944 and had three children.

A talented musician who played organ and piano, Ms O’Shea was a cofounder of the Ennis Musical Society in 1953. She was heavily involved with the Ennis Friary and Cathedral choirs and was also the organist in the Ennis Cathedral for many years.

In 2000 she was the recipient of the prestigious Benemerenti award in recognition of her decades of service to church and community life in Ennis.

Her husband Murt passed away suddenly in 1989. Ms O’Shea’s sister Maureen lives in Dungarvan, Co Waterford.

Ms O’Shea was a grandmother to four grandchildren and had one great grandchild.

Ennis Parish administrator, Fr Tom Hogan yesterday described her as a “lovely woman”.

“She was a genuinely lovely woman. She had real gift for communicating with people. She was delighted when she received the award in 2000 and it was thoroughly well merited”.

Ms O’Shea lived at Dún Mhuire, Clon Road Ennis but was a resident for the last three years of her life at Cahercalla Community Hospital.

In a statement, the committee and members of Ennis Musical Society said they were “saddened to learn of the recent passing of their President and long time member, Ita O’Shea”.

They added, “Ita – through her love of all things musical – gave tremendous service to the Society and the wider community in Ennis. She was a role model to all members and was held in fondness by all who now mourn her passing. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sí.”

THREE of the county’s four town councils will hold their last ever monthly meeting today (Tuesday), with Kilrush bringing down the curtain on this soon to be extinct form of Government on Thursday.

The first authority to call time on its existence will be Ennis Town Council with its afternoon meeting today. Over 172 years of local government history will come to an end when the nine members of the council meet for the final time to discuss town business.

A number of items are up for discussion on the agenda including a planning report on a long awaited roundabout on the Tulla Road neat the Oakeligh Wood housing estate.

Councillors will discuss a right of way issue at the St Michael’s estate. Debate will also focus on a proposed one-way system in the Lifford Road area of town. A report on commercial rates is also due to be presented to councillors. Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Mary Coote Ryan (FG) will preside over the meeting. Later that evening both Shannon and Kilkee Town Council will also meet for the last time.

In Shannon the nine councillors will meet for the last time in the authorities 32-year history at 6.30pm.

While it is business as usual with the agenda, the councillors will also move to ensure the € 111,000 in the council budget is ringfensed for local projects. In Kilkee from 7pm the councillors will meet to hear an address from the mayor Paddy Collins and to view one last time on the finances of the council.

Meanwhile the last ever-monthly town council meeting in the county will be held in Kilrush on Thursday evening in the courthouse.

The nine councillors will show an element of defiance when they table just one joint motion calling “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.

The councillors previously voted to move the historic meeting from the Town Hall as the first ever Kilrush Town Council meeting was held in the courthouse.

For more than 170 years town councils have worked as the local authority of their town, but as of June 1 that responsibility will fall to Clare County Council and its 28 new councillors.

ENNIS Town Council is to recommend the introduction of a new oneway system to alleviate traffic congestion outside a school in the town.

In January, the council put forward the proposal to solve traffic and “poor parking behaviour at certain times of the day” at CBS Primary School and Rice College.

The council recently introduced railings to prevent motorists parking on footpaths and to provide some protection for young pedestrians outside the schools.

Under proposed amendments to the town’s parking byelaws, the council proposed a new layout for Dr Daly Road between CBS Primary School and St Joseph’s Hospital.

A report on new system is due to be discussed at today’s meeting of Ennis Town Council.

It is understood the council has recommended the introduction of a oneway system running north from New Road to Lifford Road.

It is part of what the council sees as a longer term plan to address traffic issues in the area.

It is understood a number of residents have objected to the proposal.

In a report to the council’s January meeting, Town Clerk Leonard Cleary stated, “this will involve consideration of a one way system of traffic flow along this road and parking at the Fair Green side of the road, rather than outside resident’s gateways/boundary walls.”

He continued, “Local residents on the road would benefit from improved management of parking outside their gateways and receive a resident’s permit, if needed. However, the proposed one way system will require that amendments be made to the traffic management plan.”

Councillor Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) yesterday urged the council to listen to the concerns of residents. “They are the people who will be most affected by it. I think we should be listening to them. I think these issues could be solved by the use of double yellow lines,” he said.

ELEVEN additional County Clare schools have been approved funding under the Summer Works Scheme 2014.

Nine Primary and two Secondary schools have successfully secured grants to undertake small scale works following a second round of funding under the scheme. The schools were not originally included in a list of nine other Clare schools, announced by the Department of Education and Skills in March.

The annual scheme covers school projects such as electrical and mechanical works, roof replacements and repairs, window replacement, toilet upgrades, structural improvements and access works.

Clare Senator. Tony Mulcahy (FG) commented, “I am delighted to see that this year’s Summer Works Scheme will benefit a total of 16 primary schools and 4 post-primary schools across County Clare. The investment will also create muchneeded jobs in the local construction sector. I now urge schools to ensure that they get best value for money on prices for jobs in the more competi- tive construction market.”

The additional Clare schools allocated funds as part of a national programme which sees € 35 million invested in a further 386 schools, include St Conaires NS, Shannon (Toilets); and St Flannan’s College, St Anne’s Community College, SN Mhuire, Rineen NS, Annagh NS, SN Mhuire Miliuc, SN Cuan, St Aidans Ns, Sn Realt Na Mara and Coore N.S. (Roof Works).

Primary Schools List (announced in March): Cratloe NS, Scariff Central NS, (Electrical), Killaloe Boys NS, Cooraclare BNS, Scoil Mhichil Cahermurphy, Connolly NS and Kilnaboy NS (Mechanical). PostPrimary Schools List (announced in March): Ennis Community College (Gas) and St Michael’s Community College Kilmihil (Electrical).

A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy was still being treated in hospital last night after being rescued from the sea of North Clare on Sunday night.

The alert was raised at around 9.15pm when a report was received of a boy in the sea of Blackhead Lighthouse near Fanore.

The boy was in the area at the time with his father and another man.

It was unclear yesterday how the boy came to be in the water.

The child was taken from the water by crew aboard a rescue boat from Doolin Coast Guard.

The Shannon based search and rescue helicopter was also dispatched to the scene.

The boy, who was unconscious at the time of the rescue, was winched aboard the helicopter and flown to University College Hospital, Galway.

A Galway RNLI lifeboat and a unit from Kilkee Coast Guard were also in the area having earlier been conducting a training exercise near the Cliffs of Moher.

The boy was accompanied to hospital by his father.

It is though the family are originally from Eastern Europe and are not living in Clare.

A BOOK of evidence has been served on a man accused of causing over € 13,000 worth of damage to a house in Ennis almost two years ago.

Bernie Mongan (26) is charged in connection with an incident that occurred at the Dun Na hInse housing estate in 2012.

Mr Mongan, with addresses at Dun Na hInse, Ennis, and Leim An Bhradáin, Gort Road, Ennis, is charged with criminal damage.

It is alleged he caused € 13,580 worth of damage to the walls, windows and structure of a house in Dun na hInse, Ennis on June 29, 2012.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed the case proceed to trial on indictment meaning it will be heard in the circuit court.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented to the accused being returned for trial to the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on April 29.

Garda Irene O’Flynn of Ennis Garda Station gave evidence of serving the book of evidence on the accused. Judge William Early delivered the alibi warning and made the order returning the accused for trial on bail. He granted legal aid going forward for defence solicitor Tara Godfrey and one junior counsel.

Mr Mongan is due to appear before the Circuit Court in Ennis tomorrow.

A LIMERICK man has appeared in court in Ennis charged with 32 offences relating to the alleged theft of car parts across four counties in the West and South.

The alleged thefts relate to the taking of catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters mainly from highpowered vehicles in Clare, Galway, Limerick and Kerry between January 24 and February 22, 2014.

It is alleged that criminal damage was caused to the vehicles when the parts were removed.

Darren O’Driscoll (20), with an address at Monaclino Halting Site, Ballysimon Road, Limerick, appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

He is charged with stealing of cata- lytic converters and causing criminal damage to cars at the Radisson Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick; Dromoland Castle Newmarket on Fergus; Bunratty Castle; on dates between January 24 and January 26.

He is further charged with theft of catalytic converters and criminal damage at Kenna Metal Eastpark, Shannon; Modular Automation Shannon – the location of four alleged offences: Ennis Golf Club; Dunnes Stores, Ennis; Dromoland Castle and West County Hotel, Ennis on dates between February 4 and February 9.

Mr O’Driscoll is facing six charges arising from the alleged theft of catalytic converters and criminal damage to three vehicles in the car park of Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), Ballybane, Galway, on dates between February 19 and February 20.

New charges relating to alleged thefts from vehicles in Kerry were brought against Mr O’Driscoll on Wednesday.

Detective Garda Emma Mullane of Tralee Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

She said Mr O’Driscoll made no reply to any of the charges after caution.

Mr O’Driscoll is charged with stealing catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters from vehicles in Farranfore Railway Station; Manor West Retail Park, Tralee, and thefts from two cars at Ballygarry House Hotel, Tralee, on dates between February 18 and 22.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the charges in the District Court. He outlined a summary of the alleged facts to allow Judge William Early to consider jurisdiction.

Insp Kennedy said it would be alleged Mr O’Driscoll used a battery powered saw to cut the catalytic converters from underneath the car.

Insp Kennedy said the purpose of the alleged thefts was to gain access to a valuable metal found in the converters and diesel filters.

Judge Early initially accepted jurisdiction but later changed his mind and refused it in all cases. He said he was doing so because of the cost of the damage to the car owners and the number of alleged thefts.

Judge Early adjourned the case to June and requested the DPP provide clarity on which jurisdiction the cases will be heard in.

Mr O’Driscoll was remanded on continuing bail.

A DRIVER was pulled from his car and allegedly threatened after four people jumped into his vehicle in Ennis last year.

It is alleged Declan Sherlock (19) unlawfully took control of the man’s car after he was ordered into the back seat, Ennis District Court heard on Wednesday.

Mr Sherlock, with an address at 41 Dromard, Lahinch Road, Ennis, is charged with unlawful use of a vehicle without the consent of the owner at Quin Road, Ennis, on August 19, 2013.

Details of the alleged offence were outlined to Judge William Early at Ennis District Court on Wednesday so he could consider the issue of jurisdiction, which court the case will proceed in.

Insp Tom Kennedy told the court the alleged victim was stopped at traffic lights outside Moloney’s Pub in Ennis. The court heard four people, including the accused, approached the car and jumped in.

The court heard the driver knew some of the people in the group. Insp Kennedy said Mr Sherlock asked the driver to go the Dromard housing estate.

He said that as a woman exited the vehicle at Dromard, the diver told everyone to get out.

Insp Kennedy said it would be alleged the driver was threatened and directed to drive to another area of Ennis in relation to what he called “drug activity”.

The court heard that when the car arrived at the location, a row occurred. The 18-year-old driver was pulled from the front seat and put in the back.

Insp Kennedy said it is alleged Mr Sherlock took control of the car before driving to other estates in Ennis.

Judge William Early said that having heard the alleged evidence this was not a minor offence fit to be tried summarily. He refused jurisdiction meaning the case will proceed to the Circuit Court.

Separately, Mr Sherlock is also charged with a burglary offence allegedly committed at Market Hardware, Quin Road, Ennis, March 31, 2013.

Outlining details of the alleged offence, Insp Kennedy said the intruder alarm was activated at the business at around 4am.

It is alleged gardaí discovered Mr Sherlock on the premises in posses- sion of a number of stolen items.

Insp Kennedy said it is alleged Mr Sherlock was holding a Stanley knife and a claw hammer.

Insp Kennedy said it is alleged the accused had the weapons to defend himself in case he was challenged.

After hearing the alleged facts, Mr Sherlock stood up in court and said, “This is a load of s***”.

Judge Early told the accused he had to hear the allegations to so if they are fit to be heard in the District Court.

He said he was satisfied this was not a minor offence fit to be tried summarily. He refused jurisdiction.

Mr Sherlock was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on May 7 for service of the book of evidence.

A MAN arrested by gardaí following an alleged robbery in Ennis later allegedly smeared faeces in a cell at Ennis Garda Station, a court has heard.

It is alleged Michael Mongans (23) told a barman who had just left work that he would murder him if he did not give Mr Mongans money during the alleged robbery at around 5am on the morning of January 20, 2014.

Mr Mongans was later arrested by gardaí before allegedly causing € 600 worth of criminal damage to a cell at the Garda Station.

After hearing the alleged facts of the case at Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge William Early said he had no hesitation in refusing jurisdiction of a case where it is alleged someone was subject to robbery under threat of murder.

A book of evidence will now be prepared and the case will proceed in the Circuit Court.

Mr Mongans, with an address at Kilnasoolagh Park, Newmarket on Fergus, is charged with robbery of € 20 from a man at O’Halloran’s Lane, Ennis, on January 20.

He is further charged with causing criminal damage at Ennis Garda Station by spreading faeces, blood and urine throughout cell number one on the same date.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court the barman was leaving the Bar Code bar on Parnell Street after work on the morning in question.

He said the man was grabbed by Mr Mongans who was standing in a nearby laneway.

It is alleged Mr Mongans told the barman that he would get a beating if he did not give the accused money.

Insp Kennedy said it is alleged Mr Mongans also threatened to murder the alleged victim if he did not give him money.

The court heard the man retrieved € 20 from his pocket but Mr Mongans said this was not enough.

Insp Kennedy said the alleged victim managed to break free of Mr Mongans’ grip before running in the direction of a taxi rank in the Parnell Street car park. Insp Kennedy said Mr Mongans allegedly gave chase. Insp Kennedy said the barman was “fearful for his life”.

The court heard Mr Mongans was later arrested on Barrack Street. He was brought to Ennis Garda Station, where Insp Kennedy told the court, he allegedly defecated in a cell and smeared faeces on the walls.

Judge Early refused jurisdiction of both matters. Insp Kennedy said an extension of time would be required to prepare the book of evidence.

Mr Mongans was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on July 9.

THREE teenagers charged in connection with the robbery of money from two men in the grounds of a school in Ennis last year are due to appear before the Circuit Criminal Court today.

Evan Toomey (18), with an address at Oak Park, Ennis; Shane McCarthy (18), with and address at Shalee Drive, Ennis; and Jordan Whelan (18), with an address at Dun na hInse, Ennis, are charged with robbery at the Colaiste Muire school at Harmony, Ennis on December 21, 2013. The charges relate to the robbery of money from two men.

Mr McCarthy and Mr Whelan are charged with the robbery of money from Alan Markham – a member of Clare’s All-Ireland winning hurling panel in 1997. Mr Whelan is further charged with assault causing harm to a man at Abbey Street.

Mr Toomey is charged with the robbery of € 100 from another man, Sean Hogan.

Books of evidence were served on all three accused at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court the Director of Public Prosecu- tions (DPP) had consented to the accused being sent forward for trial to the next sittings of the Circuit Criminal Court in Ennis on April 29. Mr McCarthy was sent forward on bail subject to conditions.

Defence solicitor for Mr Toomey, John Casey, told Judge Early he was reserving his position in relation to bail for the time being.

Mr Whelan was remanded on bail as set. Judge William Early approved legal aid for the men’s solicitors and a junior counsel in respect of each accused. He delivered the alibi warning and made orders returning all three men for trial.