The Clare People Archive

AN BORD Pleanala has given Par- teen GAA club permission to extend its club facilities, despite concerns of a board inspector that the develop- ment could prove dangerous for local children.

Clare County Council approved the club’s plan last year. Subsequently, the inspector advised that the de- velopment would generate extra car traffic which would pose a risk to lo- cal children.

The inspector’s advice came after residents from Westbury appealed Clare County Council’s ruling.

Video evidence of congestion near the site, which residents submitted with their objection, contributed to the inspector’s decision.

“The local residents are obviously concerned with the impact of this

extra car traffic on their amenity and own freedom of movement,” the in- spector stated.

“It is evident that road safety and especially the safety of children is uppermost in their minds. It 1s not so much the objective degree of danger to children that is at issue here.

“Even the reasonable apprehen- sion of danger and the consequential degree to which children’s freedom to play unsupervised out of doors is constrained is a material consid- eration and one which must be taken into account in any proper planning assessment of the merits of the devel- opment.

“T conclude on the second main is- sue that the proposed development would create a degree of danger and disturbance, as perceived by local residents.”

However, the board over-ruled the

inspection stating that the proposal would not seriously injure the ameni- ties of the area or of property in the vicinity.

The board stated, “In deciding not to accept the inspector’s recom- mendation to refuse permission, the board concurred with the planning authority’s conclusion that the pro- posed facilities are complementary to the existing established use of the site as a Sports/recreation facility and would contribute to its continuing development and beneficial value to HeComyraCOCormmeevec vee LeUID IR VAM

Furthermore, having particular re- gard to the nature and scale of the additional facilities proposed, the board considered that the vehicular traffic movements likely to be gener- ated would not significantly alter the existing intensity of usage of roads in the vicinity.

can confirm that Ennis Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club, which occupies a prestigious and valuable site overlooking the River Fergus, has been approached by a developer, with a view to buy.

Niall Kelly, Chairman of Ennis Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club, which is located off the Mill Road, Stressed, ““We don’t have a ‘for sale’ sign on our club, but we are open to approaches and will listen.”

However, while confirming the ap- proach and subsequent meetings with an unnamed developer he added, ‘No decision has been made. We had a conversation and we listened and reported back to the club’s manage- ment and trustees.”

At the club’s 2007 AGM, a decision was taken to establish a development sub-committee.

According to Niall Kelly, “We see ourselves as wanting to provide qual- ity facilities for our members and as such we have developed a programme of phased improvements.”

Asked if those improvements could

involve the sale of the club in favour of a green field site elsewhere in town, plus a cash deal, much like that struck by the GAA with Cusack Park, Niall said, “We haven’t ruled any- thing out, or anything in, at present. We are happy where we are. We have a very contented membership and a great level of volunteerism.

“Our main objective is to ensure an environment that is as comfort- able as possible for our membership. We have given ourselves a year to progress the options that are there, and we intend to explore all op- aloe

He re-iterated, ““We are not closed to listening to people, we are open to suggestions, but as said we don’t have a ‘for sale’ sign on our club.”

Ennis Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club currently has over 400 mem- bers and facilities include five state- of-the-art, all-weather, floodlit tennis courts with full-length international size run-back, plus two sprung cham- pionship badminton courts, a bar and lounge area, ladies and gents chang- ing rooms with full shower facilities and ample car parking spaces.

The club, which sits on a scenic riv- erside site, was established in 1893.

AIR passengers at Shannon Airport breathed a sigh of relief yesterday as they dodged industrial action on two fronts.

As late as Sunday evening passen- gers faced disruption involving both Aer Lingus and air traffic control- Suse

Just yesterday air traffic controllers called off a planned 24-hour strike for Thursday.

The strike would have affected flights into and out of all Irish air- ports including Shannon, and all flights through Irish air space.

The dispute erupted over claims by

air traffic controllers that they were short staffed.

Their employers – the Irish Aviation Authority – maintained, however, that the industrial action related to claims for an increase in payment for overtime.

The air traffic controllers called off the industrial action yesterday (Mon- day) following talks at the Labour Coliian

The workers have also suspended their official overtime ban that was due to take effect from tomorrow.

Meanwhile threats of industrial ac- tion at Aer Lingus yesterday (Mon- day) was averted at the eleventh hour as management and the union SIPTU

reached agreement on a package of cost cutting reforms and work prac- tices. Following almost 34 hours of continuous talks Aer Lingus Chief Executive Dermot Mannion said, “We have agreement on the imple- mentation of productivity and cost cutting measures with SIPTU and we await the outcome of their inter- nal ballot process. Nothing will be implemented until the ballot 1s com- pleted.”

SIPTU National Industrial Secre- tary Gerry McCormack said agree- ment had been reached subject to a ballot of members.

“We accept there has been genuine commitment by both sides to reach

an agreement and the process has protected SIPTU members’ interests and also prevented disruption to Aer Lingus passengers,” he said.

Aer Lingus had threatened to sus- pend staff if they failed to cooperate with new work practices it planned to introduce yesterday morning without union agreement.

SIPTU will spend the next week consulting with members to explain the deal to them. It 1s expected the consultation process and the ballot will take two weeks. It 1s believed that €7.5million of the cost saving package will be generated in Dub- lin, with around €2.5 million being saved on the Shannon operation.

THE proposed master plan for Shan- non lacks coherence, is flawed and does not cater for the completion of the town’s shopping mall at Sky- Sous

That’s according to management at SkyCourt, which has made a submis- sion on the proposed development to Clare County Council.

SkyCourt says that if the master plan is not amended, it could become redundant as a planning tool to guide developers, local authorities and the public.

The submission suggests that an integrated approach has not been taken in the preparation of the plan. It says that the master plan needs to acknowledge that SkyCourt repre- sents the existing core retail area of S)ervepeKeyee

The plan mainly focuses on lands which are located across the road from the town centre. SkyCourt says that these lands cannot be developed in isolation from the existing core of Shannon town.

SkyCourt says that there is still available land within the SkyCourt zone to accommodate further retail

floorspace. It argues that these lands should be prioritised for convenience and comparison shopping until they are exhausted, in order to consolidate development adjacent to the existing retail core area of Shannon Town – qi Golan

“SkyCourt is a phased redevelop- ment and it is not yet a completed project. The submission is concerned that the focus on completion of that sector should not be lost in the prep- aration of the master plan,” said a statement issued by SkyCourt man- agement.

SkyCourt’s submission also rejects the master plan proposal for a large retail anchor unit on the site across the road.

‘In the short to medium term this store can be accommodated within the existing SkyCourt area. The submission argues that this store is not required in the proposed loca- tion and should therefore be deleted from the framework plan,” added the Statement.

SkyCourt says it is pressing ahead with plans. Planning applications will be lodged within the next week for a larger Dunnes Stores and a Tes- co anchor store.

THE Department of Education has dashed the hopes of over 250 fami- lies around Ennis this week by re- fusing to confirm whether Barefield National School has been given the approval to begin work on its long- awaited extension.

The school first put in a bid for funding in 2000 and for the past eight years both management and local families, under the guidance of the Building for the Future com- mittee, initiated fundraising events

which helped raise €31,500 – the re- quired local contribution.

In 2002, John Carr, the General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation agreed that the “school accommodation was se- riously substandard”’.

The department agreed to the ex- tension. Almost €250,000 has al- ready been spent planning the build- ing, which would include eight class rooms, a library, a general purpose room, five special education rooms, improved heating system, staff fa- cilities and playground.

When Minister Mary MHanafin made her selection in 2005, Barefield topped the list of approved primary schools. The Minister stated that “These projects have been identi- fied as priority projects in areas where demand for school places are increasing or current facilities are deemed inadequate to cater for exist- ing needs.”

“It is vitally important that children and teaching staff in our schools have facilities which are suitable to their growing needs,” she said.

But according to the Barefield

Parent’s Council, with some classes housing up to 36 pupils, the needs of their children are not being met – and they will do everything in their power to ensure that the munister does not renege on her intention of including their school in the 2008 School Building Programme to be announced at Easter.

“The school cannot cope in its present form. We have done the plan- ning; the project should be funded as agreed,” said Maeve O’Regan, chair- person of the council.

Timmy Dooley TD (FF) visited the

school yesterday and agreed that re- development should get underway as soon as possible.

‘The current site at Barefield is ab- solutely inadequate for its needs and I will be putting a strong case forward to the department to try to expedite the development process,” he said.

Minister Tony Killeen has also vowed to lend his voice to the cam- Oe ea ne

“T will bring these concerns to the education minister and try to ensure that the project gets included in the Easter announcement,” he said.

AMBULANCE personnel across the county have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action, if a staffing cri- sis within the service is not resolved.

It is estimated that more than 20 new personnel are required to bring employee numbers up to a quota ca- pable of delivering a proper and safe 24-hour service to the county.

SIPTU ambulance service employ- ees across the country are also dis- eruntled with the HSE which signed contracts with three private compa- nies.

When asked this week if the HSE Mid West had signed a contract with a private operator to do out of hours or overtime emergency work in Clare, a spokesperson said, “Private operators will be used if necessary to maintain life-saving services in accordance with the National Ambu- lance Service policy.”

Meanwhile, the HSE has apolo- gised to the three west Clare moth- ers left without ambulance cover to get them safely to hospital to deliver their babies.

Speaking on behalf of the Min- ister for Health, Minister of State Pat “The Cope’ Gallagher said that it was regrettable that the mothers

Should have suffered undue distress, particularly as the birth of a child should take place in a safe, secure environment.

“Tl have been advised that while, thankfully, such incidents are rare, the HSE will examine the circum- stances which culminated in the un- fortunate events.”

“The HSE apologises unreservedly to the three mothers. Both the min- ister and myself hope that the events leading up to the birth of these babies have not taken from the joy which the birth of a child brings to parents,” he said.

Minister Gallagher was respond- ing to the issues raised by Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen during a debate on ambulance services.

The deputy was referring to young Kilrush mums Mary O’Gorman, who gave birth on the family couch; Anna Jenkins, who was taken to hospital in Limerick by her father when an ambulance failed to arrive one hour after it was called; and mother of three Patricia Keane who gave birth on the side of the road in the family car.

He said that while all three babies were delivered safely, inadequate ambulance cover in the county was putting lives at risk.

A MAN who operated the main broadcast site for a Limerick City pi- rate radio station at his County Clare home has appeared in court in con- nection with the illegal activity.

John McNamara (30), of Ballycar South, Ardnacrusha faced six charg- es under the Broadcasting and Wire- less Telegraphy Act 1988. However five of the counts were withdrawn by the Commission for Communi- cations Regulation (ComReg) after the accused pleaded guilty to one Oe aero

Tom Hurley, who works as an In-

spector with ComReg’s Compliance Unit, gave evidence of carrying out a raid, with the assistance of gardai, at the premises at Ballycar South, Ar- ehatleuels ere

Mr Hurley said that he had been in the area carrying out monitoring and on the basis of that monitoring, sought a search warrant and visited Mr McNamara’s premises.

Mr Hurley said that when he ar- rived at the property, it was unoccu- pied but that he observed an antenna on the side of a barn. He said that a few minutes after he had arrived at the address, Mr McNamara turned up and confirmed he was the owner

of the property.

During a search of the barn, a pow- er amplifier and FM transmitter were located and dismantled. The court heard that the transmitter was broad- casting the studio output of Limerick City based pirate radio station Radio Limerick One (RLO).

In response to questioning by coun- sel for ComReg, Philip Rahn BL, Mr Hurley confirmed that the output of RLO’s studio was sent by cable to Mr McNamara’s property from where it was broadcast to the public on 105.2 naKeeeed aes A

Judge Aeneas McCarthy expressed concern that such transmissions

could interfere with air traffic con- trol but was assured that “there was no interference with air traffic con- trol, emergency services or other l- censed broadcasters”.

Counsel for the accused, Lorcan Connolly BL said Mr McNamara had never been in any sort of trouble before and had no previous convic- tions.

Judge McCarthy said, “The defend- ant has pleaded guilty to the offence but despite my reservations about the danger of interference with air traf- fic control and communications with aircraft, in this case I will apply the probation act.”

THREE former football stars have highlighted a reluctance to play inter- county football on the behalf of some players as part of the reason for Clare football’s current low standing.

Odran O’Dwyer, Frankie Griffin and Aidan Moloney each pointed to a lack of commitment from players who should be making the current panel as a central element to the de- cline in recent years.

“It seems to me at the moment that a lot of players in Clare just don’t enjoy it and that’s why they’re not playing for the county,” said Griffin. “Maybe there’s too much involved — too much commitment.

“There are probably some better players out there, but some won’t commit themselves to it. Getting 30 good fellas committed to the thing 1s the problem.

“I don’t think we have that at the moment and there’s no easy solution

to Clare’s problems,’ added Griffin.

Moloney echoed his former Clare teammate’s words, saying he began his inter-county career during a pe- riod when Clare football was also at a low ebb.

‘“There’s no doubt that it’s a big commitment for players and when fellas don’t see a lot of success it’s hard to swallow. But in our time eve- ryone really wanted to play and we didn’t have much success for a lot of years either.

“There were a lot of dark days as well but we were always proud to wear the jersey and there was never a question of considering giving it hone O’Dwyer broadened the debate, saying Clare not only needs added commitment across the county, but also investment in the right places.

“If you take Tyrone as an example, they’ve 15 county coaches whereas we only have one football coach in Clare. That’s just not good enough.

People might say they get extra grant money from the British government, but why can’t Clare increase the number of coaches in the county? Something has to be done and invest- pneKo emp MA’s LED

“These days players have houses and mortgages — things we wouldn’t have had — so maybe they’d have oth- er priorities. But you have to ques- tion the attitude if players don’t want to play for Clare,’ added the former Compromise Rules International.

A NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS man, who admitted assaulting a garda, has been handed a suspended jail term.

Adam Mulqueen (25), of Kilna- soolagh Park, Newmarket-on -Fer- gus pleaded guilty to assaulting Garda Cathal Nolan and to resisting arrest outside the library on October 31, 2007.

Garda Nolan told Ennis District Court that as gardai were in the process of arresting two people, the

accused arrived with a can of Bulm- ers in his hand.

“When he saw that his younger brother was one of those being ar- rested, he became very agitated,” Ger MN e) Ei er- bee

“I became concerned for my col- league’s safety. I thought that he (the accused) would throw the can at him so I put out my hand to keep him back.”

Gda Nolan said there was a scuffle between himself and Mulqueen as he tried to restrain him. The pair fell to the ground and Gda Nolan injured

his elbow.

The court was told Mulqueen then calmed down but soon afterwards, Gda Nolan again became concerned for his colleague’s safety. At this point, Gda Nolan attempted to arrest Mulqueen. The pair again fell to the ground, as the garda tried to hand- LUND ME WatomrLerel UEorOn

Mulqueen lashed out and struck Gda Nolan on the cheek with the ort

The garda sustained a cut to his cheek which later required three stitches and was off work for over

two weeks as a result.

Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett suggested to Gda Nolan that “things were a bit frantic on the night with bonfires out of control”. Mr Has- sett suggested that the garda was “dismissive” of his client and that at first Mr Mulqueen was not agitated but was trying to talk to the gardai. Garda Nolan said the accused was “drunk and very aggressive”.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy imposed a four month sentence for the assault charge, suspended on condition he be of good behaviour for two years.

A VULNERABLE drug addict from Killaloe has had to wait five months for an appointment with a residential addiction treatment centre, his solici- tor has claimed.

The revelation came as a garda told a court that residential treatment was “the only hope” for the young man, who has no support at home.

Detective Garda John Mulvihill made the comment in the case of Ger- ard O’Connor (19), of Chapel Street, Killaloe, who appeared in court on a string of burglary charges.

Judge Joseph Mangan read a proba- tion report on the accused and said it was “up and down… more down dereDemel ome

Detective Garda Mulvhill said there were concerns that O’Connor was not obeying his bail conditions.

“As late as last Saturday night, at 12.41am, I observed him on Killaloe bridge. He had a lot of drink taken,” said the garda.

He said that a short time later, at 3.10am, he spotted O’Connor at Main Street, Killaloe.

“I called his name. He took flight,” |aTemncrsnCGe

He said the accused had been as- sisted by the State, the Probation Services and the courts, but that his problems persisted.

‘He was in residential care and walked out. It’s my honest opinion

an outpatient situation won’t work. Inpatient is the only hope. There are no supports at home. It’s not all his own fault,” said the garda.

Defending solicitor Daragh Has- sett said his client had been living in Limerick at one stage and had been in a relationship.

Det Gda Mulvihill replied, “That relationship was good while it lasted. He has had a difficult upbringing.”

“After Christmas he went back on the narcotics again. It is only when things are about to come to court he realises he has to knuckle down,” said the garda.

Mr Hassett said, “It would be in everyone’s interest if he gets the care he needs.”

Gda Mulvihill said, “Prison is not the solution for him. Residential treatment is the only hope.”

The solicitor said, “Whilst he is making the best efforts possible, he is very vulnerable. There is no sup- port at home.”

He pointed out that “at the height of his difficulty, he was breaking into places and robbing. That has stopped but the drug problem hasn’t.”

Det Gda Mulvhill said _ that O’Connor told gardai he was afraid he would get “worse drugs” in jail than he would while out on bail.

Mr Hassett asked for a short ad- journment, to explore the possibil- ity of getting a place in a residential course for his client.

“It took five months to get an ap- pointment with Aislinn (residential addiction treatment centre). That’s just an appointment. That’s not his fault,’ he said.

Judge Mangan said, “I take your point but he can’t absolve himself completely.”

He imposed a two-year detention sentence at St Patrick’s Institutions and fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.