Category: News

CASH strapped parents facing back to school bills of more than € 700 per child were being forced to turn to moneylenders and charities such as St Vincent de Paul in desperation.

The Clare Citizen Information Service surveyed stressed parents who sought their advice and assistance and discovered the cost of one second level student starting school in Clare had reached € 800.

“The € 200 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance was not taking the pressure off,” warned Clare Citizen’s Information Development Manager Paul Woulfe.

He raised concerns that the financial pressure is forcing people to turn to “legal and illegal moneylenders in desperation”, who charge exorbitant interest rates and in the case of illegal moneylenders can resort to threatening and abusive behaviour when collecting debt.

Parents were also finding some solace in organisations like St Vincent de Paul.

“It is easy to see how the costs add up. Shoes cost about € 250 because you need runners too, € 200 for school uniforms and tracksuit, books cost anything between € 200 and € 250 with miscellaneous classroom costs at least € 50.

“The volountary contribution to schools is usually between € 100 to € 125,” explained Mr Woulfe.

The Citizen Information development manager said many parents find themselves in debt at the start of the school year, especially the Back to School Footwear and Clothing Allowance and children’s allowance is reduced as costs increase. The cost of school tours and extra curricular activities or tuition can also be very high.

“Though not compulsory, such activities are often essential with re- gard to social an educational inclusion,” said Mr Woulfe.

He continued, “Children from lower income families are likely to benefit most and yet be most at risk of exclusion from costly extra curricular activities and supports. Additionally a child who has to opt out of school tours or outings is likely to experience social stigma.

“Evidence from MABS suggests that parents may opt to ensure that their children do continue to par- ticipate in extra curricular activities, school tours etc, but that this brings with it the risk of deepening household poverty, which carries with it not only health risks associated with food and fuel poverty but also the stress of household indebtedness and social exclusion of the parents and family within the broader community or socio-economic context.

“They have so many costs it is crippling and they face a great burden,” said Mr Woulfe.

MOVES to change the name of the Shannon Free Zone in an effort attract new international business has been sounded out by the former chief executive of Shannon Development, Kevin Thompstone.

Mr Thompstone, the current president of Shannon Chamber of Commerce, has suggested that a rebranding and name change could be the way forward for strengthening the region’s scope.

“Shannon Economic City or Shannon Economic Zone might better reinforce the concept that Shannon is not just a business park but a Special Economic Zone in Ireland offering a mix of airport, industrial, residential, commercial and green areas to facilitate economic activity,” Mr Thompstone told an audience of almost 300 business people at the Shannon Chamber of Commerce president’s lunch in Dromoland Castle on Thursday.

The keynote address was given by Barry O’Leary, IDA Ireland’s chief executive who highlighted Shannon’s potential as an international investment location.

“IDA is looking forward to working on behalf of Shannon and the wider region under a new structure. Our aim will be to support com- panies in the region, helping them transform their operations and also expand over time,” he said.

“IDA is pleased to place the full suite of IDA products, services and know-how at the disposal of companies, as part of a new drive to bolster the region into the future.”

While saddened to lose a part of Ireland’s economic development structure, Mr Thompstone acknowledged the imprint Shannon Development has made in the region but welcomed the fact that the focus is now back on growing Shannon just as it was when the story started back in 1960.

“With over 7,000 people employed in over 100 companies, generating over € 600 million annually for the local economy and € 3 billion in annual sales, 90 per cent of which are to export markets and, and with the highest concentration of North American companies in Ireland, outside Dublin, Shannon has a very solid base and a diverse sectoral spread of activities.

“Global names such as Intel, GE Lufthansa and Genworth sit comfortably with long-established businesses such as Element Six, SPS and Molex and with Irish names such as EI Electronics, Reagecon and Mincon. Shannon’s future is now about building on what it has and adding new types and levels of activities.”

CLARE motorists have received more penalty point each over the past two year than motorists from any other county in Ireland.

New figures released by the Department of Transport show that between January of 2011 and November of this year each Clare motorists received an average of 0.28 penalty points.

This means that motorist in Clare are more than twice as likely to receive penalty points as motorists in Donegal – who had the lowest level of penalty points.

After the Banner County, the counties with the worst records of penalty points were Longford, Kildare, Wicklow, Meath and Roscommon while the safest drivers were found to be in Donegal, Monaghan, Mayo, Kerry and North Tipperary.

The figures also revealed that the rate at which penalty points are being handed out to drivers in Clare is also increasing.

“It is a short period in trying to analyse a trend but what is key is the figures are going up, it is a cause of concern and it should galvanise us all into action,” said a spokesman for the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

“We need to ask ourselves, both individual drivers and state agencies, what we can do to reverse those trends. We should be mindful of using the roads at this time of year as we don’t want any further loss of life.”

A total of 684,974 penalty points have been handed out to motorists between January of 2011 and November of this year accounting to the Department of Transport.

More than 111,000 drivers dodged receiving penalty points over this period because they did not have a driving licence or failed to bring it to court when summoned to appear for offenses that require a mandatory court appearance.

Some 177 people have been killed so far this year, which is an increase of 25 on the same period in 2013.

A WOMAN who claims she has fallen into debt to moneylenders in Ennis has told a Judge she will have to pay the money back from her social welfare payments.

The woman, who is facing a possible 18 month prison sentence for a string of shoplifting offences, says she owes € 1,000 to a moneylender.

At Ennis District Court on Thursday, the 19-year-old woman told Judge Patrick Durcan the moneylender will be looking for her.

Asked by Judge Durcan how she would re-pay the money, the woman said, “I’ll have to give them money out of my dole.”

Her solicitor Tara Godfrey said, “I’ve done what I can to get her to make a statement but she won’t”.

Ms Godfrey said the woman fell into debt because of her cannabis addiction.

“This is not like AIB or the Bank of Ireland, the terms are quite severe. My client was afraid to be at liberty,” she added.

Earlier this year, the teenager admitted stealing € 1,300 worth of goods from Clare businesses in an 11-month shoplifting spree.

She pleaded guilty to 14 thefts from shops and pharmacies in Ennis and Clarecastle between November 2012 and September 2013.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the woman had committed a high number of thefts. “We’re at the sentencing stage and where to go next is a big deal. “I would be delighted to see her rehabilitate herself,” added Insp Kennedy.

The court heard the woman’s father and mother are both dead and her younger brother died when he was just three years old.

The woman was described in court as a “vulnerable person at the end of her tether, financially speaking”. The court heard she was a victim of neglect as a child.

After reading a Probation Report on the woman’s family history and apparent troubles with moneylend- ers, Judge Durcan said,

“In my time as a judge this is one of the saddest reports I have read.”

Judge Durcan told the woman she is facing between 15 and 18 months in prison.

He said if the woman shows a genuine willingness to engage with the Probation Services, he would put the matter off further.

Judge Durcan remanded the woman in custody, on consent, to appear again at Ennis District Court on January 8, 2014.

Earlier this month, gardaí launched a massive operation against suspected illegal money lending in Clare. Gardaí have urged anyone affected by money lending to contact them.

A SEARCH will continue today for a man who was swept into the sea off the North Clare coast at the weekend.

The man, believed to be a Latvian national in his 40s, was fishing with a friend near the lighthouse at Blackhead when he fell into the water. It is understood his friend went to get a life buoy but when he returned the man was no longer visible in the water.

The alarm was raised after gardaí at Tuam Garda Station contacted their colleagues in Ennistymon Garda Station. The Irish Coast Guard marine rescue coordination centre mounted a search operation at around 4.30pm on Sunday evening.

The Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard unit was alerted and mobilised while the Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter was also tasked. The RNLI lifeboat based at Inis Mór in the Aran Islands was also sent to assist in the search.

That search continued yesterday along a stretch of coastline from Fanore to Ballyvaughan.

The five-hour search, which involved the Doolin Irish Coast Guard unit, a search a rescue helicopter and some local boats, was stood down on Monday evening. It is thought the search will continue over the next five or six days. It is hoped that if sea conditions improve Navy Divers and divers from local sub-aqua clubs will be able to assist in the search.

A MAN, who was murdered while sleeping rough in the Phoenix Park in Dublin at the end of November, will be laid to rest in a family grave in Kildysart Cemetry today (Tuesday).

Gerard Donnelly will be buried along side his father after 11am Mass tomorrow.

The 36-year-old was found burned to death at Wellington Road, in the Phoenix Park, in the early hours of November 29 and it took Gardaí some time to identify the murder victim who grew up in Tallaght.

An only child, he has no remaining family in Dublin and so has been brought to West Clare to be laid to rest where his uncles and cousins still live.

His later father Flan was a native of Cranny and his mother is believed to be in hospital.

It is understood that the Gerard opted to live outdoors in the Phoenix Park on occasions as a “lifestyle” choice and was “not a typical homeless person”.

The father of one also had € 130,000 in a bank account following the sale of the family home five years ago.

Mr Donnelly’s remains reposed in Kildysart Church last night before his funeral Mass and burial today.

Ciaran Moran (27), who has an address at Camden Hall, Camden Street, Dublin, has been charged with his murder at Dublin District Court.

Two other people – a 20-year-old man and 17-year-old woman – were also arrested but both were later released without charge.

THE property market in Clare could be on the verge of a recovery with a number of Clare properties making far more than their reserve at auction last week.

Four Clare properties sold for a combined total of € 228,000 at last week’s Allstop Auction in Dublin, a full € 83,000 of 57.2 per cent above their reserve.

The best performing property was a three bedroom, end of terrace house in Bunratty which sold for was € 92,000. The property, which was located in the Castle Garden development, went on the market with a reserve of just € 30,000.

Another property to perform well was was an end of terrace, three bedroom house in Mountshannon. The Lakeside Close property went on the market with a reserve of of € 35,000 but went on to be sold for a total of € 46,000.

A site with planning permission for a two-story detached house at Knockanean in Ennis also exceeded its reserve at last weeks Allstop auction. The site, which measures approximately 0.25 hectares, went on the market with a € 50,000 researve but was eventually sold or € 60,000.

The only Clare property not to exceed its reserve was a two-bedroom apartment in Kilkee. The apartment, which is located in the Kilkee Bay Apartments development, went on the market with a € 30,000 reserve and was sold for the same price.

The auction attracted more than 1,000 bidders with a total of 144 properties offered for sale. This latest auction was by far the largest undertaken by Allstops with with € 25 million worth of property being sold – almost double the next largest Allstop auction in which € 13 million worth of property was sold.

Large properties sold at the auction include an 18-hole golf course at Woodlands Golf Course sold for € 650,000. The 127-acres property includes a pitch and putt course and practice area.

A CASE where it is alleged a GAA fan ran onto a pitch during a Clare club football game and kicked a player in the head is to be heard in the Circuit Court.

After hearing an outline of the alleged assault, Judge Patrick Durcan refused jurisdiction at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Eamon Leahy (51) has been charged with assault causing harm of football player Richard Carmody (29) during a football match at Wolfe Tones camogie grounds on May 12.

The alleged assault is alleged to have occurred during a Division 6 Junior B football match between Wolfe Tones and Killimer.

Mr Leahy, with an address at Cronan Park, Shannon, appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the case in the district court on a plea of guilty only.

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett said he had reviewed evidence and written to the DPP. Mr Hassett said his client had indicated he would plead guilty on the basis that he struck the alleged injured party just once.

Mr Hassett said witnesses had given varying accounts of what happened on the day.

Insp Kennedy said it was acceptable to the State for the case to proceed on the basis Mr Leahy struck one blow.

Judge Patrick Durcan requested an outline of the alleged facts to allow him consider jurisdiction.

The court heard Mr Leahy’s son Daragh was playing corner forward for Wolfe Tones when an incident developed on the pitch.

Insp Kennedy explained Eamon Leahy left his position on the sideline when a skirmish involving a number of people developed on the pitch.

“The State will say Mr Leahy came in from the sideline and kicked Richard Carmody (Killimer) in the head on the ground.

“It was a severe kick,” he added.

After viewing a medical report of the injuries suffered by the alleged victim, Judge Durcan said, “This man was kicked into the face, into the teeth. He was kicked unconscious.”

Insp Kennedy said, “He [Carmody] was dizzy, when he tried to get back on his feet he collapsed and lost consciousness.”

After hearing the alleged facts, Judge Durcan refused jurisdiction. He extended time for the service of the book of evidence.

INCREASED foot patrols will be among employed by gardaí this month to tackle the seasonal rise in shoplifting.

Details of the crime prevention measures were outlined at a meeting in Ennis last night between local gardaí and businesses.

The Ennis Chamber Garda Accord was established in 2003 to formalise meetings between the business community and the local Gardaí.

Members of the Garda Crime Prevention Unit and Business Liaison Team will be in attendance to give advice to businesses on how best to protect themselves, cash and premises in the busy Christmas period.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, crime prevention officer Joe Downey said businesses are encouraged to take appropriate security measures.

The businesses most at risk tend to be chemists, newsagents, off-licenses and fast food outlets.

He said appropriate measures helped to protect staff, reduce losses and avoid the risk of increased insurance premiums.

Practical security steps that can be taken include: not leaving large sums of cash in tills; training staff in security procedures; maintaining safe keys under dual control and varying the times when cash is transferred to the safe.

Sgt Downey said, “This time of year you can typically have a rise in shoplifting.

“These meetings are an opportunity to emphasize and remind businesses about having the right security features and settings in their businesses.”

CEO of Ennis Chamber, Rita McInerney said businesses are also concerned about levels of anti-social behaviour on the streets of Ennis.

“It’s not widespread but there has been a few instances in the last few weeks.

“The gardaí cannot act unless they are informed about what is happening by businesses.

“There is a lack of reporting of these things, and I can understand that as well.

“But that shows the value of the Garda Accord, these concerns can be raised by businesses as a group.”

Ms McInerney said businesses are also hoping to discuss the possibility of using Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) to deter offending among young people.

At Ennis District Court last week, Judge Patrick Durcan said that shoplifting offences and thefts are creating major problems for small businesses in Clare and promised the courts would tackle the issue.

A CLARE hat maker, whose began her career as a 12 year old knitting dolls of Brian Lohan, last week sold a hat to the worlds biggest fashion icon.

Margaret O’Connor, from Tubber in the middle of the Burren, says she want to help put Irish fashion designers on the map, after Lady Gaga choose one of her hats to wear to an event in London last week.

Margaret opened her millenery business in London just six months ago and is already the talk of the town after Lady Gaga wore her creation to a public appearance at the Isabella Blow Exhibition in London last week.

It was all a far cry from hand knitted dolls of Clare hurlers in red helmets.

“It all started off with hurling. When I was 12 years old I began making little Clare men and selling them in the wool shop in Ennis. I remember I used to make so many of Brian Lohan’s red helmets – I still see those dolls around the place when I come back to Clare,” said Margaret.

“I nearly had a stroke when I heard [about Lady Gaga], I was so happy. When you make something, it’s like your child and you are putting it out to the world and all you need is for one person to like it.

“I showed that piece [that Lady Gaga wore] to lots of people and they didn’t like it. I told them to trust me, that it was a statement but they didn’t get it. That’s why it was so brilliant when someone like Lady Gaga decided to wear it. It just showed that somebody gets it.”

Margaret studied at Cluain Mhuire in Galway before continuing her fashion education in Scotland, Edinburgh and South America. Last year she worked under the watchful eye of Irish milliner Philip Treacy and worked on a number a hats for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Following last week high profile experience with Lady Gaga, Marga- ret is hoping to help Irish fashioner designers to become better know in the UK and across Europe.

“I want people to hear about Irish designers. A lot of Irish designers are not breaking through and I want to help them break through. I think there is a lot of Irish talent going under the radar in Ireland. I don’t think there is a voice for Irish designers at the moment – the struggling artist is really struggling,” she said.