Category: News

THE Clare All-Ireland Hurling win continues to have a profound affects on the psyche of the county and may even lead to a new baby boom a leading psychiatrist has predicted.

With this in mind it is anticipated there will be a lot of Clare babies born in June and July of 2014!

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Moosajee Bhamjee said that following the 1995 win there was an increase in the number of babies born in the county, and now wonders if 2014 will see an increase in the number of infants in saffron and blue baby-grows.

The Ennis-based psychiatrist is confident that the win has had a huge impact on the mental health of the county and he even draws on the winning experience to help his patients. The psychiatrist has even suggested using the team as an example while talking to patients in therapy sessions.

Dr Bhamjee made particular reference to the equalising point by Domhnall O’Donovan in the first All Ireland to ensure a draw and a replay.

“You can use it in therapy to have a never give up approach.

“It can be used as an example for people. You know we can sometimes give in too easy, in life we get fed up and things like that, but now we can turn round and say;

‘Remember O’Donovan’s point and the team never gave up’,” he said.

GUSTS of up to 130 kilometres per hour forced the closure of the Cliffs of Moher Visitors Experience this Saturday as management deemed that it was unsafe for staff and tourists to visit the 700-foot-tall cliffs.

Hurricane force winds lashed the Clare coast on Saturday afternoon, with staff beginning the process of evacuating the world famous tourist attraction from 3pm. The facility was completely evacuated at 4.30pm and remained closed until Sunday morning – when weather conditions had improved dramatically.

This is just the sixth time in the last seven years that bad weather forced the closure of the Cliffs of Moher. The attraction has seen a marked increase in tourism number in 2013 and could be posed to break the one million tourism mark for the first time since 2007.

While the average wind speed recorded at the Cliffs was a 70 kilometers per hour or gale force winds, gusts of between 110 and 130 kilometres per hour were recorded, which qualify as storm or hurricane force winds.

“At 9.15am on Saturday morning Met Eireann issued an Orange weather warning predicting winds with mean speeds of 70 kilometres per hour with gusts of between 110 and 130 kilometres per hour,” said Cliffs of Moher director Katherine Webster yesterday.

“Warning signs were erected at the Cliffs, warning visitors to proceed with caution as conditions were hazardous. Around lunchtime conditions deteriorated rapidly and new signs were put up warning visitors not to proceed as conditions were too dangerous to visit the Cliffs.

“Soon after 3pm in worsening conditions the manager on duty took the decision to close the centre and assist visitors who were still onsite to leave the site safely. AA Roadwatch was advised and booked groups were also notified. “The last staff left site at approximately 4.45pm on Saturday. On Sunday, conditions had improved and the visitor centre opened as normal at 9am.”

Management at the cliffs employ a flag system to warm visitors of danger. A white flag signaling dangerous weather is is flown when winds in excess of 30 km per hour are recorded.

When winds of more than 50 kilometres per hour are recorded visitors are advised not to venture onto the cliff walks. Winds of more than 100 kilometres per hours trigger the cliffs “Red Protocol” which entails the evacuation all staff and visitors.

THE number of people signing on the live register in Clare fell again in October – and now stands at its lowest level in almost five years.

Despite this good news Clare business leaders have warned that a number of leading employers in the county are still in “survival mode” and any shock to the economy could have a drastic impact on local jobs.

The total number of people signing on the live register in Clare last month was 8,947, a drop of 36 on September and the lowest on record since February of 2009. The register showed a sizable drop in the Ennis area, with Kilrush and Tulla also showing a reduction.

There were, however, 53 more people signing on in the Ennistymon area or a 4 per cent increase when compared to September 2013. This increase in understood to be as a result of the end of the tourism season, which has seen in best year in North Clare since the start of the recession.

Rita McInerney, CEO of Ennis Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the reduction but said that the emphasis should be on the number of people in employment and not the live register.

She also warned that a number of Clare businesses were still struggling to survive and that the prospect of widespread job losses could not yet be ruled out. “Businesses are in survival mode at the moment. just to survive is the new ‘doing well’ for businesses. Everyone is surviving on the edge,” she said.

“There are some green shoots but this is a dangerous time for businesses. Until we manage to get back on our feet – now is not the time for anything that increases the cost of doing business.

“We welcome the live register reduction but there should be more of an emphasis on the employment figure itself, rather than the live register. The live register is effected by people going back to college and people emigrating.”

The Ennis Chamber has warned that the upcoming harmonisation of rates between Ennis and Clare County Council could push businesses in the county town over the edge.

“The cost of doing business is difficult right now, especially in Ennis. Rates is a major issue and I know a lot of businesses in Ennis would not be able to survive a rate increase when Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council merge next year.”

THE cases of two people charged with illegally entering the runway of Shannon Airport have been adjourned to next month.

It is alleged peace activists Niall Farrell (60) and Margaretta Darcy (79) on October 7 (2012) and September 1 (2013) interfered with the proper use of Shannon Airport by going on the runway without permission.

The alleged offences are contrary to the Air Navigation and Transport Act.

Earlier this month Mr Farrell, with an address at Ballynacloghy, Maree, Galway, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Ms Darcy, with an address at St Bridget’s Place, Woodquay, Galway, has also pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Their cases were listed at Ennis District Court on Wednesday to fix a date for hearing.

The cases were further adjourned after it emerged in court that Ms Darcy is in hospital receiving treatment.

Mr Farrell, who wore an orange Guantanamo Bay style prison jumpsuit, handed in a letter from the Galway Hospital to the court confirming Ms Darcy’s absence.

In a previous hearing related to the case Judge Durcan issued a warning that he would not tolerate his court being used as a platform for press conferences or political purposes. As well as Guantanamo style jumpsuits, activists have appeared in court wearing ‘Obama facemasks.’

Inspector Tom Kennedy said he had been notified Ms Darcy was in hospital.

“I have no reason to doubt that,” he added. Judge Patrick Durcan adjourned the cases to November 6.

AN Ennis woman has been told she will be sent to jail if she makes any more enquiries about her ex-boyfriend.

Judge Patrick Durcan issued the warning to Siobhan Downes (34) at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Ms Downes, with an address at Childer’s Road, Ennis, is alleged to have breached the terms of her bail conditions.

The former air-hostess was granted bail earlier this month at Ennis District Court after being charged with breaching a protection order on October 3 by allegedly going to her former boyfriend’s home.

Last month, Ms Downes avoided a jail sentence after pleading guilty to six separate breaches of a protection order originally imposed by the court in February.

At the time, the court heard Ms Downes’ former partner secured the order after the breakdown of the couple’s relationship.

The court heard Ms Downes had been unable to get over her infatuation with her former boyfriend resulting in the successive breaches.

On Wednesday, Garda Margaret Leahy of Ennistymon Garda Station told the court it is alleged Ms Downes approached a woman at work on October 21.

It is alleged Ms Downes asked the woman if her daughter is still going out with the accused’s ex-boyfriend.

Garda Leahy told the court:

“She’s making enquiries about the injured party and who he is going out with and that would be a concern.”

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court this represented a breach of the order.

“I find it nothing short of astonishing that we are here today discussing another alleged breach,” Inspector Kennedy said.

Defence solicitor Turlough Herbert said the enquiries did not represent a breach of his client’s bail terms.

Mr Herbert said Ms Downes has numerous appointments and it is critical she attends them.

Judge Durcan told Mr Herbert, “If your client wants her freedom today, I want a sworn undertaking.”

Ms Downes gave a sworn undertaking she would not make contact with the injured party and not make enquiries of him.

“If there is any breach of the word or spirit of the bail conditions, I will revoke that bail,” added Judge Durcan.

Judge Durcan also apologized to Ms Downes for a remark he made previously where he told her the courts are not a “crèche for middleaged people.”

He told the 34-year-old she does not fall into that age category.

Ms Downes was remanded on bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on December 4

A LIMERICK man has received a 12-month prison sentence for his role in a spate of burglaries in Shannon earlier this year.

Joseph Mulcahy (21) broke into six homes in the Shannon area between January 11 and March 24 stealing items including cash and jewellery, while ransacking homes.

Mr Mulcahy pleaded guilty to burglaries at Tullyvarraga, Tullyglass Hill, Inis Sioda, Tullyglass Crescent and Dun na Óir, at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

The court heard Mr Mulcahy, with an address at Riverview, Ballyhahill, Limerick, was visiting friends in Shannon when he and a group of others broke into and ransacked the houses.

Detective Garda Andrew Hayes of Shannon Garda Station told the court that in many instances the houses burgled belonged to elderly and retired people.

Jewellery valued at € 5800 was stolen from one house.

In another case, a retired couple re- turned home to find their savings of € 3200 had been stolen.

Mr Mulcahy told gardaí he was not involved in that theft.

The accused also pleaded guilty to two public order offences at Topaz petrol station, Shannon on September 20 (2012).

The man’s solicitor said his client, a father of one, was dependent on alcohol and drugs when the offences were committed.

He said Mr Mulcahy’s early plea obviated the need for a detailed forensic investigation into the spate of Shannon crime scenes.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he felt sorry for Mr Mulcahy, as his difficulties had affected his life.

He said he had sympathies for the victims who had their homes violated.

“I absolutely detest this type of carry on”, Judge Durcan added.

He imposed sentences totaling 12 months.

“The message must go out that anybody who breaks into a house will face lengthy sentences,” Judge Durcan said.

A WEST Clare farmer facing animal cruelty charges has been ordered to remove electric fences from his land and provide adequate feed to cattle after the Department of Agriculture expressed concern for the animals’ welfare.

Patrick Shannon (59) was ordered to comply with all directions of the Department of Agriculture after details of a recent inspection of his farm at Carnaculla, Kilrush were heard at Ennis District Court on Tuesday.

Supt Seamus Nolan of Kilrush Garda Station said while he did not want to prejudice the case against the accused, the court should hear from the Department as gardaí had ongoing concerns.

Veterinary Inspector Vincent Lambert told the court he found cattle confined behind electric fences on bare ground with no supplementary feed, when he visited the farm on Friday, October 18.

Mr Lambert said some cattle were on their knees trying to eat grass outside the fence.

The court heard in some cases the animals’ water trough was left outside the electric fence.

Mr Shannon, with an address at Carnaculla, Kilrush, has between 75 and 77 bovine dry and dairy stock, the court heard.

Mr Lambert said the Department had concerns for the animal’s welfare.

He requested Mr Shannon provide his stock with continuous access to food, water and shelter.

He said the Department was also seeking the removal of all electric fences from the land.

Solicitor for Mr Shannon, John Casey, said these terms were acceptable to his client.

Judge Patrick Durcan granted liberty to the Department of Agriculture liberty to inspect the farm at 24 hours notice.

“I want these fences removed today”, added Judge Durcan. Mr Shannon told the court he would remove the fences.

Judge Durcan told Supt Seamus Nolan the charges could be re-entered in any court on any day of the week, if the directions are not complied with.

Mr Shannon appeared in court charged with cruelly, ill-treating animals by failing to provide adequate feed, water and shelter to bovines on his lands and farmyard at Carnaculla, Kilrush on three dates – November 1 (2012); November 2 (2012) and December 11 (2012).

The alleged offences are contrary to the Protection of Animals Act as amended.

Judge Patrick Durcan said while he totally abhors cruelty to animals, Mr Shannon remains an innocent man.

The case was adjourned to November 12 to Kilrush District Court.

FIFTY five years after Aer Lingus first launched its transatlantic service from Shannon, 87 jobs are to be axed at Clare’s international airport. The refusal of cabin staff based in Shanon to fly new transatlantic routes using smaller planes with lower staffing levels has been held up by Aer Lingus management as the reason for the axe falling on the jobs.

The airline wrote to staff explaining that the base is no longer viable after failing to reach agreement with the Impact union, but there will be no reduction to the Shannon schedule or fleet.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Aer Lingus confirmed that it was entering into a 30-day consultation period with union representatives to explore the options which may be available for the affected staff.

The announcement came on the same day that Ryanair announced eight new routes out of Shannon beginning next year that will boost its passenger numbers by 300,000 from its current level of 450,000 to 750,00.

It is understood Aer Lingus staff will be offered the options of redeployment to Dublin or Cork, voluntary severance, or possibly redundancy.

Last July, Aer Lingus announced it was increasing its transatlantic services from Shannon and was leasing planes from ASL Aviation/Air Contractors Limited.

Serving Aer Lingus pilots agreed to fly the new smaller planes, but the cabin crew union Impact said it would not operate the flights with the four-member staff complement sought by the company.

Aer Lingus warned unions in recent weeks that if they did not accept the new staffing levels, they would instruct ACL to recruit the staff themselves and operate the services, which commence in January.

The company had said that if the new staffing levels were accepted, they would create 40 jobs.

Impact has condemned the move and described it as an act of “wanton destruction” on the livelihoods of loyal workers.

The union said its members will fight the decision and said the action of Aer Lingus management was entirely unnecessary.

It said cabin crew are balloting for industrial action, with the ballot due to be completed on October 30. In a memo to staff, Aer Lingus chief executive Christoph Mueller said that it was not a commercially viable option to retain a single short-haul crew base in Shannon.

LOCAL representatives are blaming companies in Shannon for causing the foul smell which has been present in the town for the last four weeks. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which have been testing in Shannon for the last three weeks, briefed local representatives last Wednesday and concluded that the Shannon sewage treatment and local sewage system was the source of the odour. The sewage plant, which will cost in excess of € 20 million to upgrade, services local residences as well as a number of large businesses in the Shannon area. A number of local representatives, including Fine Gael councillor Sean McLoughlin, believe that the run off from some local businesses may be to blame. “The Shannon treatment plant is similar to treatment plants in towns of a similar size all around Ireland and they don’t have a problem like this smell,” he told The Clare People yesterday. “The EPA are saying that the treat ment plant is not up to scratch, but what a number of us are questioning is the different materials which are going into the treatment system. The people of Shannon produce as much waste as the people any where else in the country so you have to look at the common denominator, which is the industries in Shannon.” Cllr McLoughlin said that the smell has been like receiving as “punch in the nose” each morning. “The smell has been very bad in Shannon for the past four weeks but it has been an ongoing problem for a long time. People describe in in different ways but to me it is like a very intense sulfur smell. I walked out of my house one morning last week and it was like getting a punch in the nose,” he said. “It will cost a lot of money to upgrade the treatment plant but something has to be done. The people of Shannon cannot continue to live with this smell.” The Environmental Protection Agency were called into investigate the odour in early October. The agency have concluded that while the smell is of public annoyance, it does not at present poise any immediate threat to people’s well being.

HALLOWEEN bonfires should not be seen as a novel way of disposing of waste, and Clare’s local authorities have warned that unauthorized bonfires are illegal.

Clare County Fire and Rescue Service said that last year it attended 10 bonfires at a cost of € 11,826 to the taxpayer.

Substantial costs are incurred each Halloween in responding to bonfirerelated incidents, as well as cleaning up after bonfires have taken place.

In the run up to this Halloween, Clare Local Authorities incorporating Clare County Council, Ennis Town Council, Kilrush Town Council, Kilkee Town Council and Shan- non Town Council are urging members of the public not to supply any waste material to persons who do not hold a valid waste collection permit.

The Environment Section of Clare County Council has warned that uncontrolled burning of waste, particularly in bonfires, is illegal under the Air Pollution Act, 1987, and The Waste Management Act, 1996, as amended.

A spokesperson said the burning of waste also releases toxic pollutants into the air which are known to be damaging to public health and the environment.

Anne Haugh, Director of Services, Clare County Council, appealed to the public to work with council staff during the forthcoming festivities.

“I wish to remind the public that there are significant risks arising from bonfires, including the illegal nature of the activity, the adverse effects on the local community and the negative impact on the general environment.”

“Bonfires are an illegal, dangerous and costly tradition,” added Adrian Kelly, Clare Chief Fire Officer.

“Bonfires are often built close to houses and other property presenting risks to personal safety and property. Halloween is one the busiest times of the year for the fire services and responding to bonfire call outs creates a strain on existing resources. I would like people to be aware of the fire safety hazards that arise from illegal bonfires, where the burning of highly combustible materials may lead to serious injuries or death,” ex- plained the fire chief.

Meanwhile, the Fire Service is also advising members of public not to buy, use or supply fireworks.

Mr Kelly noted that illegal fireworks may be manufactured without safety standards and can cause serious damage to users, particularly children.

“Parents should monitor their children and ensure they do not play with fireworks. Throughout the country, every year children end up tragically injured and often scarred for life, after using illegal fireworks.

“In the period before and during Halloween, Clare County Fire and Rescue Service will be assisted by an Garda Síochána to closely monitor the situation around the county,” Mr Kelly said.