The Clare People Archive

CLARE County Council has been accused of gerrymandering – result- ing in thousands of people in the Miltown Malbay area being disen- franchised. The claim was made at last night’s Ennistymon meeting of Clare County Council, following a motion from Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) calling for the local authority to have a permanent focus in the town.

‘IT know the programme of area of- fices that was agreed by the council has now been completed. We need to look beyond that and especially at the case of Miltown Malbay,” he said.

“The people of Miltown Malbay feel that they have been bypassed by Clare County Council. They have lost their electorial area and they feel

that they have lost all their standing.

“We need to have some sort of presence in the town, if not full-time then at least some of the time. Clare County Council needs to have a pres- ence there. I’m asking the director to provide feasability of providing some sort of a service in the town.”

Cllr Martin Lafferty (IND) claims that Miltown Malbay has been un- der-represented for almost a decade.

“T believe that they were gerry- mandered and very badly gerryman- dered,” he said. “We are waiting for this famous independent commis- sion to report. I don’t believe that there was ever an independent com- mission. The people of Miltown have not yet realised they received a real shot back in 1999. With one swoop of a pen, it was gone.”

AFTER decades of unsuccessful campaigning, progress has _ finally been made on the provision of a sew- erage facility in Doolin.

Clare County Council yesterday announced that they have purchased a site on which they now intend to build a sewerage treatment plant.

“IT am delighted that progress has been made on this issue. The fund- ing for this project has been avail- able for a long time and we have hit stumbling blocks going back over the foreshore licence.

“IT would now call on the council to make movements on the planning of this as soon as possible,” said Cllr Richard Nagle (FF).

‘People in Doolin have been look-

ing for footpaths and public lighting over the last number of years and all of that has been held up because of the sewerage.

“Hopefully now that situation can be pushed forward.”

The focus will now turn to central government to make extra funding available for the project.

“IT know one business person in the area who has to spent thousands and thousands of euro shiping waste away from Doolin.

“As it stands at the moment, the price per unit for non-commercial developments is prohibitate,” said Cllr Martin Lafferty (IND).

Cllr Lafferty continued on to say, “The way I see it, the funding from central government will have to be increased.”

to clarify that the hospital did not receive any donations from 2003 to 2007, or if it simply did not record donations, a HSE spokesperson said the hospital had no record of any do- nations made during that time.

“But this does not rule out the pos- sibility of somebody coming in to

buy a box of chocolates for patients in a particular ward.”

Chairman of the Ennis General Hospital Development Committee, Ciaran O’Dea said that “despite the expected flippancy and condescen- sion evident from the HSE response”, the survey carried out under the Free- dom of Information Act poses more questions.

“If there have been no donations, it indicates the distrust that people feel with the HSE or a dissatisfaction with the level of service and resourc- es provided under the HSE. The issue may also point to a belief and dissat- isfaction with the over-distribution of funds to administration as opposed

to front-line staff and services. Both these possibilities are a result of the removal and lack of answerability of the HSE to the electorate,” he said.

‘A second possibility is that unre- corded donations have been made to support the hospital. This scenario beggars belief given the massive in- crease in expenditure on administra- tion. It is time to ask if the HSE is ‘value for money’ and to test whether they cost more than they benefit the people of County Clare and beyond,” the committee chairman added.

It remains unclear whether any do- nations have been made to the hospi- tal since 2003.

In the past, the people of Clare fun-

draised for a mammography unit for the hospital, which was later replaced by the health board and eventually closed by the HSE in favour of the centre of excellence in Limerick.

The Mid-Western Hospitals De- velopment Trust also agreed to pro- vide €600,000 to purchase the much needed CAT scanner, although the HSE has not yet taken the trust up on its proposal. The machine is estimat- ed to cost just over €400,000.

In February 2007, Deputy Pat Breen (FG) was told in a parliamen- tary question that €550,000 per an- num revenue funding has been pro- vided for running the CT service at the hospital.

BUILDING started on only two houses in Clare last month as further evidence of a local housing slump.

The drive to build new homes has fallen away with Ennis-based auc- tioneer, Philip O’Reilly stating that there are 200 newly built homes in the Ennis area still remaining to be sold.

He said that the latest figures from the Department of the Environment came as no surprise, considering the amount of houses that remain un- sold.

According to department statistics, only two new house guarantee reg- istrations were made in Clare last month and this compares to the fig- ure of 41 for the corresponding pe- riod last year.

This was the second lowest in the country with only Longford hav- ing less where no new houses com- neo Neere FO aNO eee

There has been an 80 per cent drop in the number of new house registra- tions over the first four months of the year.

To the end of April, there have been only 79 new house registrations and

this compares to 398 for the corre- sponding period in 2007.

The April figures show there was an increase in house completions on March but the overall figure for the first four months are down signifi- cantly on last year.

There were 128 house completions in Clare last month, representing a 36 per cent increase on the 94 house completions in the county in March, although this was down on the 192 house completions for the corre- sponding month in 2007.

Statistics for the year to date show that 474 houses were completed –

compared with 748 for the first four months last year – a drop of 36 per cent.

Warning that the impact of the credit crunch has been underestimat- ed, Mr O’Reilly said that on a weekly basis, the lack of funding available for loans in the banks is diminish- ing and his advice to anyone who has got loan approval is to avail of it, be- cause it 1s getting harder day by day to secure approval.

“If a person needs a home, now is probably the time to buy before the mortgage market dries up further,” he said.

CLARE County Council could net up to €300,000 at public auction next month for the site of a dilapi- dated toilet block in Lahinch with ‘uninterrupted sea views’.

The local authority is behind the sale of what Costelloe Estate Agents describe as a “stunning seaside de- velopment opportunity”.

The small site measures 290 sq me- tres with 23 metres of frontage on to the prom and, according to Cos- telloes, it is zoned ‘other settlement land’ and ideal for mixed residential or commercial scheme.

The proposal to put the toilet block site up for sale was first mooted in July 2006 but delays in obtaining title prevented the council from pro- ceeding until now.

According to local councillor Mar- tin Conway, the time it has taken to secure title will cost the council.

“We are now experiencing a down- turn in the property market and the council has missed the boat in re- ceiving anything up to €400,000 for the site because of the delay. Now the price should be something between €250,000 and €300,000.”

The proceeds from the sale are to go towards the development of Lahi- nch prom and Cllr Conway said he would “cautiously welcome” the pro- posed sale.

“There has been foot-dragging on the redevelopment of the prom and

that is completely unacceptable. It was first talked about in spring 2006, but little has happened on the ground since.

“Lahinch is the poor relation in Clare when it comes to investment. There has been a lot of take from La- hinch, but no giving back.”

A council spokeswoman said there was “absolutely no fault on the coun- cil’s part” in not securing title before now. It is understood the process related to first registration and this generally takes longer than a normal transfer of title.

Work on the resort’s new €234,000 lifeguard station is expected to be complete by early July, while con- sultation continues with 10 local

groups in relation to the redevelop- ment of the prom which includes a new services building as well as improvements in traffic management and car parking.

However, the spokeswoman was unable to state how much the scheme will cost, although she predicted that some elements of the redevelopment will be in place for the 2009 summer season.

The public auction in relation to the toilet site takes place at 3pm at The Old Ground Hotel on June 20.

Last year, the council collected almost €200,000 in parking fees at Lahinch.

THE Equality Authority has rejected a complaint by Travellers over not getting served lunch at the Auburn Lodge hotel in Ennis.

The dispute concerned a complaint by Patrick O’Reilly, Patrick Moloney, Mary Moloney, Kathleen Stokes, Christopher Stokes and two minors that they were discriminated against, contrary to the Equal Status Act by the staff of the Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ennis, on the grounds of their mem- bership of the Traveller community.

They claimed they were discrimi- nated against in not being provided with a meal when they called to the Hotel at 6pm on Friday, April 18, 2003.

The hotel claimed that discrimina- tion was not a factor, that the day in question was Good Friday and that they had closed their carvery after lunch when the chef had finished his Sausam

Given the length of time before the case was due to go to hearing, a letter was sent to the complainants’ solicitors in October 2007 seeking confirmation that they still wished to pursue their complaint and were available to attend a hearing in Ennis over the coming months.

Confirmation was _ subsequently received and the complainants indi- cated that they would be available to attend the hearing.

On January 7, 2008 both parties were informed that the hearing would be held on February 20 and were asked for details of those who would be attending. Both parties were also expressly told that the tribunal could not entertain requests to postpone a hearing save in exceptional cir- cumstances and that requests of that nature must be submitted in writing in good time for the attention of the Director.

The complainants failed to attend the hearing and the respondents made the argument that the only appropriate course of action for the Equality Officer to take was to dis- miss the complaints.

The tribunal officer ruled that the onus was on the complainants to es- tablish a prima facie case and it was essential that evidence was provided in the presence of the respondents to give them the opportunity to chal- lenge any allegations made against ntoONF

As the complainants did not attend, they failed to establish a prima facie case and the tribunal ruled in favour of the respondents.

GARDAL are investigating the possi- bility that a fire that extensively dam- aged a house 1n Ennis at the weekend is linked to a Traveller feud.

The fire broke out at a house in Shalee Drive, Cloughleigh, on Satur- day night. Emergency services were called to the scene at 11.20pm and brought the blaze under control after some time.

No-one was injured in the incident and gardai say that no-one was in the house at the time.

Gardai have confirmed that the cause of the fire is being investigated and are appealing for any possible witnesses to come forward.

A garda spokesman has confirmed that one theory being pursued 1s that the incident is part of ongoing feud in the town.

Over the past few weeks, gardai have voiced concerns that ‘innocent’ members of the public may become embroiled in the feud between two ie Deebe bony

Senior gardai have also expressed fears that the feud would escalate further and are actively monitor- ing the situation, following a recent flare-up.

Five members of three families are currently before the courts on charges relating to several incidents around Ennis earlier this month.

The blaze occurred just days after the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh appealed for those involved in the ongoing feud to desist.

In an interview with

CLARE Fianna Fail TD, Timmy Dooley has performed a u-turn on the loss of Clare’s mammography service, claiming that travelling for the service to Limerick and Galway is now the best outcome for Clare (eyenles tb

In his maiden speech to the Dail last July, Deputy Dooley said he was deeply unhappy over the decision to end the mammography service at NKR eroloeye

“The genesis of this service was

based on the efforts of a local group of women who raised funds to put the equipment in place. Without con- sultation, however, the HSE proposes to end the service. This shows a great lack of understanding of the volun- tary sector and an arrogance on the part of the HSE.

“The HSE has not put forward a credible service plan to cater for the women of Clare in Limerick and Cre Ne

“They have done nothing to pro- vide reassurances that a centre of ex- cellence will be established and this

adds to the suffering of people who are already in very vulnerable situ- ations.”

But speaking on the same issue in the Dail last week, Deputy Dooley said he had sympathy with people in areas that are losing cancer services.

“When I first learned that Ennis General Hospital would lose its mam- mography services, I was deeply con- cerned but when I sought the advice of clinicians and consultants, it was clear that the best outcome from the patients’ point of view was to travel to either Limerick or Galway.

‘The reason is that enough patients were not using the service in Ennis to keep the skill levels of those uti- lising the equipment up to speed or to keep the system or the machinery calibrated.”

Speaking last year, Professor Ra- jnish Gupta, HSE Mid-West Director of Cancer Care Services, said, “The decision to discontinue mammogra- phy in Ennis is driven by the need to provide the best possible clinical practice.

“The time came to bite the bullet. Centres where less than 1,000 mam-

mograms are being done in a year do not provide the volume of work necessary for the maintenance of the required level of professional skills,” he added.

Consultant radiologist, Dr Paul Hession said “The benefits of this change are that the people of Clare can be assured that the service is in line with international best practice and subject to all the checks and bal- ances that ensure such a unit fulfils its remit. A standalone unit in Ennis would not have these benefits and protections.”

BUSINESSES on the Tulla Road may seek compensation from En- nis Town Council once construction work in the area is complete.

The May meeting of Ennis Town Council also heard that Tulla Road residents are living in a “Checkpoint Oita BCoMME AY Lom IAUE- LB CONTE

Speaking last Wednesday, Inde- pendent councillor Frankie Neylon said, “Businesses on the Tulla Road weren’t identified as being open. Pat Fitzpatrick has had to lay off staff. Pat Quinn’s business is down 80 per cent. When the bridge is complete, either the council or CIE will have to look at providing compensation for these businesses.”

CUlr Johnny Flynn (FG) said frus- tration in the area was mounting.

“We have taken an absolute ham- mering over this. East of the bridge, it’s a bit like Checkpoint Charlie. It’s bad for business.”

Cllr Tom Glynn (FF) said some businesses faced closure. “Could the work be done at night? We see it being done in America, Dublin, even back in west Clare. We have a

stretch of 50 metres – surely it could be done.”

He continued, “Some _ businesses are talking about going down the legal route. Can we consult now and can we try to help out young business people who are surely at risk?”

The Tulla road will remain closed until June 2 to allow for the raising of the Corrovorrin bridge and the upgrading of the foul sewer infra- structure. For the subsequent 25 days from June 3 to June 27, a single-lane closure will apply daily between 10am and 4pm.

New working arrangements were expected to come into effect over the weekend. Town Engineer Tom Tiernan stated work on a roundabout at the entrance to the Roslevan shop- ping centre should be “substantially completed” by June 2.

Mr Tiernan said that 72 signs had been erected in Ennis, alerting driv- ers to the closure. He added, “Ideally it would be great to have focused activity, over 24 hours. There are procurement procedures that need to be overcome. It might have been easier had a local contractor been in- volved.”

IN an effort to catch up on the air- miles clocked up by their colleagues in Clare County Council, members of Ennis Town Council are packing their bags to travel to Hungary at the weekend.

Leading the charge is Town Mayor Tommy Brennan (Ind) and he ex- plained yesterday that the trip is at the invitation of the Mayor of Erzsé- betvaros, which 1s a district in Buda- pest.

According to Cllr Brennan, the trip

is part of a twinning initiative by Erzsébetvaros.

The district of Budapest is no stranger to twinning with other towns and is already twinned with Sveti Vlas, Bulgaria; Po’ega, Croatia; Nevers, France; Stavroupoli, Thessa- loniki, Greece; Siedlce, Poland.

According to Cllr Brennan, Erzsé- betvaros is paying the accommo- dation bill for the Town Council group over the bank holiday week- end, while Ennis Town Clerk, Eddie Power confirmed yesterday that the trip is costing the Council €7,000

and funds have been provided in the 2008 budget to cover the costs.

Those travelling to Hungary include four other councillors, Cllr Mary Coote-Ryan (FG), Cllr Taiwo Mat- thew (Ind), Cllr Tom Glynn (FF) and Cllr Donal O’Beara (Green) along with Town Manager, Tom Coughlan; Town Clerk, Eddie Power and Senior Staff Officer, Liam O’Connor.

One councillor who will not be trav- elling is Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) who said yesterday: “Unless it 1s demon- strated to me that there is a benefit for the local community, I won’t go.”

He said that at the moment, re- sources are scarce with 900 people on the housing list.

“T have no problem with officials going to learn from others or the mayor representing the town, but I am focused on local priorities and I believe that the solutions to our own problems can be solved from within our own area.”

According to Eddie Power, the in1- tial contact came through the Hun- garian Embassy in Dublin and the visit will allow an opportunity for both Districts to exchange informa-

tion and to learn from each other’s experience and culture.

Noted for his singing ability, Cllr Brennan said if called upon, he will sing a song for his hosts.

“We are honoured and privileged that the District of Erzsébetvaros in Budapest has identified Ennis as a possible twinning partner. We are indeed pleased to accept the Mayor’s kind invitation to visit his district and look forward to exploring the twinning potential and the possibil- ity of developing links between our respective areas’, he said.