Category: News

OLDER Clare farmers are facing fresh banking difficulty this winter with the news that ACC Bank is to close all its branches and switch to online-only banking.

The bank, which lends primarily to farmers and small businesses, said in a statement that its agri-division will continue to be a regulated entity and will support its customers in the farming sector.

With the average age of a Clare farmer now 55, fears have been expressed that many of the county’s farmers may not be technologyminded enough to access their accounts and may be forced to transfer loans to other lenders and a higher interest rate.

While many Clare farmers look to have dodged a second successive winter fodder shortage following the longer than expected summer, many farmers could still find themselves in need to credit to purchase feed if we get a repeat of this year’s poor spring in 2014.

Clare ICMSA chairman Martin McMahon said the announcement will cause “huge difficulties” for older Clare farmers and will also increase rural isolation.

“This is another example of rural life being eroded away. A lot of Clare farmers, especially the older ones, just won’t be able to switch to online banking. When your age profile of farmers in Clare this is going to create a lot of difficulty,” said the O’Callaghan’s Mills farmer.

“It’s okay for the younger generation. But the older farmers will have no choice but to move their accounts if they can. If they have loans, their interests rates will certainly go up. Some farmers might not be able to transfer their loans to other banks and I’m not sure what they will do,” he said.

“Thankfully the worst of the fodder crisis may be behind us. But if we have another late summer next year then farmers will be looking for credit with banks to buy feed. Who knows how this change with ACC Bank will affect this,” the chairman added.

TWO men stole used cooking oil from a hotel in Ennis to use as fuel for their cars, a court has heard.

Lithuanian nationals Linas Mitkus (40) and Gedminuas Paskauskas (33) stole € 56 worth of used cooking oil from the rear of the Old Ground Hotel on April 18. Both men pleaded guilty at Ennis District Court on Wednesday to the theft of burnt oil the property of Frylite Ltd.

Inspector Michael Gallagher told the court a white van belonging to one of the men was captured on CCTV on the day. He said the men admitted the theft but told gardaí they thought it was waste oil.

The court heard Frylite Ltd, the company who supply cooking oil to the hotel, take away the used product oil to sell as biofuel.

Mr Mitkus, with an address at Tirellan Heights, Headford Road, Galway, and Mr Paskauskas, with an address Lana An Bhaile, Ballymore Lane, Craughwell, Galway, have no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett told the court his clients collect waste cooking oil as they have interest in recycling oil.

He said they took the oil for personal use and had brought € 56 compensation to court. The court heard both men have cars that run on biodegradable oil.

Judge Patrick Durcan said this was a serious offence and people do not have the right to enter private property and take goods.

“The hotel proprietor is entitled to believe that what is left there (premises) isn’t moved around and is protected,” he added.

He said the men’s early guilty pleas meant the State did not face any extra expense or burden. He said both men were non-nationals who had lived in Ireland for a long period and had clear records.

Both accused were ordered to pay € 200 to the court poor box. Judge Durcan said he did not want to criminalise the men.

A MAN
charged with the burgalry of a historic mansion in Killaloe has been further remanded in custody. Jeffrey Lee (41), with an address at Cosgrave Park, Moyross, Limerick, appeared before Ennis District Court onWednesday. He is charged with enteringTinarana House as a trespasser on dates between August 17 and September 24 and committing theft therein. Inspector Michael Gallagher sought to have the accused remanded in custody to November 6 to allowthe Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to issue directions. Defence solicitor Tara Godrey consented to the remand.Tinarana House is the home of Gary McNamara and his wife, Michelle. He is the son of Dolores McNamara, the Limerick woman who won €115min the Euromillions lottery drawin 2005.The mansion is located on 270 acres on the shores of Lough Derg.Tinarana was previously owned by Dr Paschal Carmody and his wife, Dr Frieda Carmody.

A 17- year
-old boy has been in court charged in connection with a large drugs seizure in Ennis last year.The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. He is charged with possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis for sale or supply in the Kilrush Road area of Ennis in March 2012. Inspector Michael Gallagher told the court the drugs have an estimated value of €12,800. He said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed trial on indictment and that a book of evidence will be prepared.The case was adjourned to November 13 for service of the book of evidence. A JUDGE has refused jurisdiction of a case where a man suffered a fractured jaw in an alleged assault at a fast food restaurant in Shannon earlier this year. At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Patrick Durcan said he made the decision, as the injuries are “very serious.” Details of the alleged assault at Supermacs were heard at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Josh Vincent (20), with an address at Finian Park, Shannon, is charged with assault causing harm in Shannon town centre on May 26. The case was adjourned previously for the production of a medical report on the alleged victim. Inspector Michael Gallagher told the court it would be alleged Mr Vincent was involved in a brief altercation with a man in a Shannon nightclub. He said the pair met again in Supermacs that night where it is alleged the accused punched the man in the head. The court heard the alleged victim suffered a fractured jaw and had four screws inserted into his gum as part of the treatment. Insp Gallagher said the man was left unconscious for 20 seconds following the alleged assault. After reading details of the medical report, Judge Durcan refused jurisdiction. Mr Vincent was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on November 13. A book of evidence is due to ready by that date.

MILLIONAIRE Clare farmer JJ McCabe has added to his growing property portfolio in the past week by buying one of the most famous stately homes in the county.

And, in making his latest purchase, the colourful Clarecastle man has stayed close to home in purchasing Carnelly House in his native parish, which dates from the mid 1700s and is just 1km from his farm.

“It was up for auction in Ganley’s of Dublin and I bought it,” he told The Clare People .

“I belong to one of the oldest families in Clarecastle and we have been farming there for over 200 years. Carnelly is one of the oldest houses, it was up for auction and I went for it,” he added.

Mr McCabe, who earlier this year bought the Kilkee Bay Hotel and Ashford Court Hotel in Ennis, paid € 600,000 for the period mansion and its adjoining 74 acres.

This purchase price represents an 80 per cent fall in eight years – before the height of the property boom, the house and adjoining lands was sold by the Gleeson family in 2005 to a Dublin-based consortium called the Master Group for € 3m.

Carnelly House was built between 1830 and 1840, having been designed by Clare-born architect Francis Bindon as a wedding present for his sister, Anna, who married George Stamer.

The house has nine bedrooms, a gate lodge, a walled garden, original two story outbuildings and a courtyard.

Up until 2005, the house, which is in very good condition, was owned by the Gleeson family, who operated it as an up-market bed and breakfast.

The largest room in the house is the drawing room of 17’ by 33’, which has ornate stuccoed ceilings and walls by the Francini brothers and an elaborate niche with Corinthian pillars: doors on either side lead to the house’s conservatory. Other rooms include a formal dining room, morning room, library with extensive bookshelves, and all the working rooms for the house like kitchen, utility and boiler room.

After its sale eight years ago, Clare County Council granted planning for an € 80m development being promoted by Master Group. This included the construction of a 64-bedroom two-story private nursing home, as well as therapy room, a chapel, security room and 135 residential units. The foundations for this development were laid, while the planning permission was renewed in July 2011 until April 2017.

A DECISION on bail for a 78 yearold man charged with rape and indecent assault is due to be made at Ennis District Court tomorrow.

The man is facing 24 counts of indecent assault and one count of rape contrary to the Offences Against The Person Act 1861. It is alleged the alleged offences were committed between 1971 and 1980 in areas of Clare.

The man is currently in custody on remand following a bail application at Ennis District Court Wednesday.

The court heard the man denies all charges and intends to contest the case fully. He was originally brought before the court on Thursday, October 10.

On Wednesday, defence solicitor John Casey told the court his client was applying for bail. Inspector Michael Gallagher said the State strongly objected to bail for the man, who was described in court as a Jehovah’s Witness.

Detective Garda Donal Corkery told the court gardaí objected to bail on a number of grounds including the seriousness of the charges and their belief the accused is a flight risk. The court heard the man has lived in a number of countries around the world. Det Corkery said he believed the accused would leave the jurisdiction if granted bail.

The accused’s wife told the court the couple intend to remain in Ireland for the duration of legal proceedings. The man told the court he has no reason to leave the country. “I’ve no intention of running. I’m going to face these charges,” he said.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he was reserving judgment on bail to tomorrow. The man was remanded in custody to appear again at Ennis District Court on Wednesday, October 23. Reporting restrictions have been placed on the case.

THREE members of the same family charged over a row that occurred in the grounds of Ennis Courthouse earlier this year will be sentenced next month.

Adjourning sentence at Ennis District Court last week, Judge Patrick Durcan said, “It’s just the gross lack of regard for law and order is what troubles me.”

His comments came as a solicitor admitted there were times this year when legal practitioners feared for their safety due to a spate of disturbances.

Details of a public order incident were heard at Ennis District Court on Wednesday where Michael Molloy (19) and sisters Laura Molloy (22) and Rose Mahon (23), all with addresses at Bay 2 Ballaghboy Halting Site, Quin Road, Ennis pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening and / or abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at Ennis Courthouse on June 19.

Laura Molloy and Rose Mahon also pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the directions of garda.

Inspector Michael Gallagher told the court the altercation developed when two groups of people met in the grounds of the Courthouse on a day of scheduled sitting of Ennis District Court.

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett said Michael Molloy was pursued into the courtroom by a woman who “read him chapter and verse.”

The court heard Laura Molloy then received a phone call from the woman who told her she wished to make peace. A large number of people then gathered outside the Courthouse where a dispute developed.

“Not only was there no peace talks but war had been embarked upon” explained Mr Hassett.

Mr Hassett said there had been a period in the first half of the year when the Courthouse had been the venue for a number of rows and dis turbances. However he told Judge Durcan there had been a significant improvement in recent months.

“There was a period in here, two months, where you would fear for your safety,” he added. Mr Hassett said his clients wished to apologise profusely to the gardaí and court. Judge Durcan said it is important that people can come into the court and not observe “wild west lawlessness”.

He said it was his job to ensure respect is maintained and given.

He said this was a most serious offence and he required time to consider sentence. The case was adjourned to November 6.

A BOOK of Evidence is due to be served next month on a 70 year-old man accused of rape.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, made his second appearance at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

He is charged with three counts of raping and two counts of sexual assaulting a male.

The alleged offences are alleged to have taken place on dates unknown between January 1999 and September 2000.

In September, the court heard that in response to one of the rape charges, the accused said;

“That’s totally untrue.

“That never happened or with anyone else.”

In response to another rape charge, he said; “Totally deny that one.”

In response to the third allegation of rape, the man said, “Totally deny that also.”

On Wednesday, defence solicitor John Casey told the court the State had indicated the book of evidence would be ready in two weeks.

Judge Patrick Durcan remanded the accused in custody to appear again at Ennis District Court on November 6.

Reporting restrictions have been placed on the case.

A FORMER air-hostess who repeatedly breached a protection order sought by her former boyfriend has been warned that the courts are not a crèche.

Siobhan Downes (34), with an address at Childer’s Road, Ennis appeared in Ennis District Court last week charged with breaching the order on October 3.

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

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

In court last month, Judge Patrick Durcan said that Ms Downes had been unable to get over her infatuation with the man resulting in the successive breaches.

He said he would not impose a custodial sentence on condition that Ms Downes attend for regular psychiatric treatment. On Wednesday, the court heard Ms Downes had spent the past 10 days in custody after being arrested for the latest alleged breach.

Defence solicitor Turlough Herbert asked Judge Durcan to reduce his client’s bail terms from a cash lodgment of € 2000 to € 1000.

Inspector Michael Gallagher opposed the application. “This is a very serious case. I’d be loathed to accede to that request”, he said.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he had sympathy for Ms Downes, noting she has a very serious psychiatric illness. He said the court has the greatest sympathy for Ms Downes but must also protect the injured party. The court heard the man has now left the jurisdiction.

Judge Durcan reduced the terms of the independent surety required for bail to € 1000. Ms Downes was remanded in custody with consent to bail to appear again in court tomorrow (October 23).

Judge Durcan warned that if Ms Downes breached the agreement again he would deal with the matter. “This court doesn’t run a crèche for middle aged people”, he added.

WHAT exactly happened behind the scenes of Clare’s thrilling All-Ireland senior hurling title win?

If you want to find out then you’re in luck, The Clare Hurling Supporters Club as part of their fundraising efforts for the upcoming team holiday, are releasing a behind the scenes DVD of their remarkable season.

The DVD, which will be available to buy in shops in November, features exclusive behind the scenes footage that includes peeks inside the Clare dressing room during championship matches, training sessions, team talks and players personal recollections of an incredible summer’s hurling.

The squad allowed a camera access to the dressing room, as well as team meetings and training sessions throughout the season and countless hours of footage are now being edited into ninety minutes of previously unseen history.

The hurlers are expected to travel for a team holiday towards the end of December and as part of the fundraising efforts for the All-Ireland champions, the supporters fund are releasing the historic DVD, an official team calendar, official Clare team Christmas cards and the official team photograph.

A MAN who told his neighbours he would burn them out of their house has been ordered to pay a contribution to charity.

Shane Constable (25) made the threat following a heated row with his neighbours in Dun n hInse, Ennis in May.

Last month Mr Constable, with an address at Dun na hInse, appeared in Ennis District Court charged with public intoxication and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour on May 9.

The court heard gardaí called to the estate to deal with a dispute between residents.

The court heard he was in one of the houses shouting at his neighbour.

Last month Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court Mr Constable shouted that he was “going to burn them out of the house.”

Gardaí arrested the accused to defuse the situation, the court heard.

Mr Constable’s solicitor, Tara Godfrey disputed her client made the threat to burn down the house.

Judge Patrick Durcan adjourned the case to hear garda evidence.

On Wednesday, Garda Colm Geary of Ennis Garda Station told the court Mr Constable did say he would burn down his neighbour’s house.

He said Mr Constable was very intoxicated and has since apologised for his behaviour. Ms Godfrey said her client was sorry for his behaviour.

She said he was a valued member of his local soccer club Lifford B and was considered a good tenant by his landlord.

Speaking in court, Mr Constable said, “I’m very sorry.”

Judge Patrick Durcan ordered him to pay € 200 to the court poor box.

He told Mr Constable he did not want to criminialise him but warned him not come before the court again.

The case was adjourned to November 13 for payment to poor box.

RYANAIR has been challenged to deliver on a promise to grow traffic out of Shannon Airport on the back of the Government decision to scrap the controversial travel tax in last Tuesday’s Budget.

The abolition of the tax, which was originally introduced by the Fianna Fáil-led government in 2009 and fixed at € 10 only to be scaled down to € 3 in subsequent years, was seen as a major stumbling block to Ryanair passenger growth out of Shannon.

Now, on the back of its abolition and Ryanair’s commitment to grow its traffic at its Irish airports by at least 1m passengers per annum from April 2014 has led to renewed hopes that Shannon can created into a lowcost hub for the budget airline.

To this end Shannon Airport executives, along with those from Dublin, Cork Kerry and Knock, were represented at meetings with Ryanair to make their pitch for enhance flights and destinations out of the airport.

“The repeal of the air travel tax helps restore Ireland’s competitiveness and attractiveness to overseas visitors from the UK and Continental Europe in particular,” says Ryanair’s Michael Cawley.

He said the meetings with airport executives were about exploring “where we can add new routes or additional frequencies on existing routes, and deliver at least 1m new passengers which will create over 1,000 new jobs as a direct result of the Government’s decision to scrap the visitor tax”.

The chief executive of Shannon Airport says the abolition of the tax represents “a very timely and proactive move by Government to support air travel as it effectively amounts to a stimulant for both our airline customers and the airport”.

“We have already begun, in this our first year as an independent airport, a recovery in passenger numbers at Shannon so this decision by Government will boost our chances of continuing in that vein and achieving the targets we have set over a five-year period as an independent entity.

“For international airports like Shannon, this initiative may help tip the balance in our favour when it comes to convincing airline customers to enhance existing and put on new services.

“We ultimately hope that this will increase our chances of growing passenger numbers and it will have a positive knock on effect for not just ourselves but for the wider business and tourism sectors in the region we serve,” he added.