The Clare People Archive

IN A hammer blow to Shannon Air- port’s plans to prosper with the ending of the Shannon stop-over, the Minis- ter for Transport, Noel Dempsey has dismissed the proposed €53 million package for the region as ‘illegal’. With the Open Skies regime set to be introduced from April next, re- gional hopes were being pinned on a €53 million economic and tourism plan to counteract any negative im- pacts on the transatlantic market. Prior to the general election, former A BecTely ced mm\YODON Co AVE DUOSO mm GREUE (on promised ‘a very big package’ for

Shannon.

However, in the Dail last Thursday, current Transport Minister, Noel Dempsey said that the proposed €53 million package “is illegal and we would not get away with it. The €44 million sought in market support is equivalent to the entire Tourism Ire- land budget”.

Minister Dempsey said that the €53 million proposal “was basically a request for €44 million in market support and €9 million in route sup- port for Shannon. I have explained on many occasions that it cannot be done because it is against EU state aid rules to provide any money for a

scheme of that nature.”

Minister Dempsey also stated that the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has invested about €100 million in Shannon Airport in the past four or five years. He said, “Shannon Air- port Authority wants independence and provided we can come up with a plan, it should get it. It must stand on its own two feet subsequently. There will be an open, competitive environ- ment and restrictive practices of any nature will have to end.”

He added, “The timing of airport restructuring will depend on the crea- tion of the appropriate conditions that will ensure the financial sustainabil-

ity of each of the three State airports. The restructuring process will require coordinated strategies to achieve the operational and financial readiness of each airport.”

In response, Deputy Joe Carey said, ‘These statements represent, even by this Government’s ambivalent stand- ards, a disgraceful u-turn on pre-elec- tion promises.

“In terms of the €100 million spend on Shannon that the minister points to, only 12 months ago Pat Shanahan described the physical look of Shan- non as ‘tatty’ and ‘scruffy’. It begs the question, where did the €100 million cov ae

THE Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey has confirmed that he has held no discussions with his British Government counterpart to establish a subsidized service on the Shannon- Je (edevKey se celvicorn

The subsidy, known as a ‘public service obligation’ is seen by many observers as a last chance to secure the Shannon-Heathrow route.

However, Minister Dempsey told Fine Gael deputy, Dan Neville, “I have had no discussions to date with my UK counterpart concerning the establishment of a PSO on the Shan-

non-Heathrow route because such discussions would be premature.

“Ireland already has an air serv- ices Public Service Obligation (PSO) scheme in operation. The scheme provides for the subvention of air services from Dublin to Kerry, Gal- way, Knock, Sligo, Donegal and Derry.”

He added, ““The relevant EU Coun- cil Regulation allows a Member State to establish a PSO route in respect of scheduled air services to an airport serving a peripheral or development region in its territory, where such air services are considered vital for the economic development of the regions

concerned and where air carriers are not prepared to provide them on a commercial basis.

‘My department has recently writ- ten to the EU Commission with a view to exploring what the options if any exist for facilitating the provi- sion of air services to meet the con- nectivity requirements of the west of Ireland in a liberalised, competitive aviation market.

“My officials have requested an early meeting with the commission on the matter. Following that meet- ing, my department will be in a po- sition to advise me on appropriate contacts with the British authorities.

With regard to not being informed of the Aer Lingus decision to trans- fer Heathrow slots from Shannon to Belfast, this has been fully dealt with following the report of the Secretary General of my department into the matter.”

In response to a question from Dep- uty Pat Breen on the provision of the US customs and border protection facility at Shannon, Minister Demp- sey said, “The operation of these fa- cilities would be subject to an inter- governmental treaty to be concluded between the two countries and the advice I have received is that this would require new legislation.”

SPECULATION is growing that the proposed creation of a Marine Res- cue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) in Ennis will be put on hold because of increased local pressure in both Valentia and Malin Head.

Ennis had been considered the fa- voured location for the creation of the new station, to coincide with the phasing out of facilities at Malin Head and Valentia, with Cork and Galway also in the mix.

Last week Ceann Comhairle and Kerry South TD, John O’ Donoghue spoke out against the move. In an

open letter addressed to his Fianna Fail colleague, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey, O’Donoghue stated that closing the Valentia centre would not improve service and would have a devastating effect on the locality.

With a similar movement already in operation in Malin Head, Minister Dempsey in coming under increased pressure, both from within and out- side of Fianna Fail, to reverse the decision. This could mean the end to a possible Marine Rescue Co-ordi- nation Centre (MRCC) in Ennis and as many as 50 jobs that would have come with it.

The Minister for Transport is to

meet with representatives of both groups later this week to discuss the ongoing situation.

He has already given a verbal com- mitment that no jobs will be lost as a result of restructuring work which takes place within the Marine Res- cue Service.

Minister Dempsey’s decision to faze out Valentia and Malin Head represents a u-turn in Government policy, as in 2002 the then Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Dermot Ahern, gave commitments to the future of both centres and also funded a mas- sive upgrade of facilities.

SERIOUS concerns have been ex- pressed by Clare County Council over a €20 million housing devel- opment in the village of Crusheen, which has seen rapid growth in re- MND Salen

Earlier this year, Keco Construc- tion Ltd lodged plans to construct 86 Ceyeaten weet Ovabeve sorte

In a submission, the Crusheen and Ballinruan Development Associa- tion stated that it was “particularly concerned with the proposed density of the development, which at 16 units per acre 1S way in excess of existing housing density.”

The submission continued, “We believe that allowing such a density in what is essentially a small rural village will destroy the character which we have endeavoured to create throughout our local plan.”

Keco is planning to purchase the Danny Dillon-owned lands subject to securing planning permission.

However, the council has put the plan on hold stating that it has “seri- ous concerns in relation to the pro- posal”’.

The council state, “This is not ac- ceptable. You are invited to submit a masterplan for remainder of the

zoned lands which show how the pro- posed development and future poten- tial development will integrate.”

The council add, “Having regard to the zoning of the lands as ‘other settlement lands’ and the predomi- nantly rural context of the village of Crusheen, the council considers that the density and scale of the proposed development is excessive and not in keeping with the established charac- ter of the village.

“You are invited to submit your proposals to overcome the concerns of the council.

The council also admits to hav- ing “serious concerns regarding the layout of the proposed development which is predominantly linear in na- ture and does not have regard to the rural village of Crusheen.

“You should note that the council is not favourably disposed towards the proposed development as it is considered piecemeal development with no linkages to the zoned lands in the vicinity of the site or to the vil- lage of Crusheen and this request for further information should in no way be interpreted as being indicative of a favourable outcome to the applica- nto) n a

A decision is due on the application next year.

KNOCKANEAN National School is looking for help in identifying past pupils from this photograph taken sometime during the 1930s. The photograph features all pupils of the school at the time, as well as their eres ace

“Tt would be a great help if we could find out the names of even a few of the pupils in the photograph.

“We could then go to the old role books to work out the exact year it was taken and the names of the other pupils in the photograph.” says

school principal, Pat McNamara.

‘This picture was taken outside the old school building which is now a bat sanctuary and is visible from the new Ennis bypass.”

The photograph is included in the Knockanean 2008 school calendar, which also features photographs of all pupils in the years 1956 and PAU

If you can identify any of the pupils in this photograph, or if you would like to obtain a copy of the photo cal- endar, you can contact Knockanean National School by phoning 065 6840088.

CLARE County Council is bracing itself for a fire-fighters strike and has drawn up a contingency plan in case personnel in Ennis go ahead with the threatened action.

The Labour Relations Commission has already intervened in the dispute which could still see fire-fighters at the county’s busiest fire station go on strike before Christmas. Both sides met at LRC convened conciliation talks last Thursday but the meeting broke up without resolution.

The council was issued with strike notice last week by SIPTU, follow- ing claims that the local authority has breached agreements and refused to agree to the appointment of an arbi- trator to resolve long-standing issues.

SIPTU’s Clare County and Health Service Branch Organiser, Tony Kenny said, ““We have issued notice of official industrial action regarding our members of the Retained Fire Service in Ennis. We believe that in recent dealings, Clare County Coun- cil have breached agreements in spirit and content, transgressed the line of natural justice and put undue pressure on our members.”

Clare County Council’s Director of Services, Mr Ger Dollard said, the threat of action remains in place and formal notice is being taken ser1- ously.

“We are proceeding with contin- gency plans which will be in place

in the event of industrial action aris- ing. We have also sought engagement from SIPTU in relation to essential

cover which is a requirement under the LRC – Disputes Procedures for Essential Services.”

“The council participated in over two and a half hours of discussions on Thursday last, facilitated by the

LRC. On Friday, the council received notification from SIPTU indicating that the notice for industrial action would not now expire until Decem- ber 18,’ Mr Dollard added,

Ennis fire station, the largest and busiest in Clare, is a part-time serv- ice which responded to 570 calls last year alone in a catchment area with a population of 60,000 people. SIPTU also believes that the issue of provid- ing ‘day manning’ or making Ennis a full-time service also needs to be looked at.

At any one time, nine of the sta- tion’s 15 part-time personnel are on call, which only leaves six positions free for all staff to share for time-off, holidays, sick leave, course leave and special time. That complement has recently been reduced to 13, with one person on leave and another relieved of duty because he has not yet passed his truck-driving test.

Both sides are expected to meet again in the coming days under the auspices of the LRC and SIPTU spokesman, Tony Kenny also con- firmed that at the request of the LRC, the union has agreed to extend the expiry date for industrial action until December 18.

ENNIS is to get a new bridge across the River Fergus if ambitious new plans by a Galway company are to lpTom usr NER oren

This follows Briarlane Develop- ment Ltd lodging plans for a major extension to the Abbey Hostel near the town’s Club Bridge.

As part of the proposal, the com- pany is seeking permission to erect a footbridge across the River Fergus

to link the development to the Abbey Street carpark.

The developers are proposing a 120-bunkbed extension to the exist- ing hostel building in a four-floor extension which will include res- taurant, internet café and a wine bar with all ancillary services.

The latest application by Briarlane follows An Bord Pleanala refusing the company planning permission for a contentious plan promising to transform the Ennis skyline and

provide a €25 million riverside erate

Earlier this year, Ennis Town Coun- cil gave the go-ahead for the ambi- tious project in spite of warnings from Conservation Officer, Risteard UaCronin that the plan “has the po- tential to do irreparable damage to a very attractive and uniquely ancient oo) TAIAYAN Kenya tae

This was endorsed last September by the appeals board which ruled that the proposal would seriously in-

jure the visual amenities of the area and the character of the architectural heritage area.

The development involved a six- storey building opposite the Abbey Street car-park, as well as a 30-bed- room hotel, 58 apartments and a pedestrian bridge across the River Fergus.

The board also ruled that the pro- posed apartments in one of the apartment blocks would result in poor quality accommodation and

would seriously injure the residential amenities of future occupants and of property in the vicinity.

The new planning application marks the latest attempt by the Gal- way based company to develop the site.

Plans were first lodged to develop the entire site in 2004. This follows a previous application for develop- ment of the site being turned down by the council and An Bord Pleanala new lOey

A SHANNON man who was found with a haul of cannabis resin in the boot of his car on the M50 in Dub- lin last year, has been jailed for 10 years.

Ernest Murphy (39) of Inis Ealga, Shannon, was caught with two bales containing 460 ‘nine-ounce bars’ of the drug in the boot of his car on the M50 at Ballymun. The drugs were valued at €815,000 and were des- tined for the Limerick market.

He had just picked up the haul from aman who arrived in a van at a near- by petrol station. The man advised Murphy it would be to his own ben- efit not to ask what was in the bales.

Murphy, who has worked as a bod- yguard for so-called ‘celebrities and dignitaries’, pleaded guilty to pos- session of the cannabis resin for sale or supply on March 4, 2006.

Judge Patricia Ryan at Dublin Cir- cuit Criminal Court suspended the final three years of the sentence hav- ing taken into account Murphy’s co- operation with the investigation and garda evidence that he was acting as a courier rather than a drug dealer.

She also accepted that a psycholo- gist report before the court indicated he was at a low risk of re-offending.

Detective Garda John Fitzgerald told the court that Murphy’s vehicle SE TOMm olocHOMMIDIC(OUMIIU ACUI DIGomEA-NEKOE

gardai were given a description of the car, its registration details and an indication of where it was going to be.

Murphy later told gardai he had received a phonecall earlier that day and was told to meet “a fella” at Port-

laoise. On arrival there, he was told to drive to Dublin and while en route he got other phonecalls which di- rected him to a petrol station on the Dublin-Belfast road.

Det Gda Fitzgerald said that when Murphy arrived there a van pulled in

and a man loaded the drugs into the boot of his car.

Murphy admitted to gardai that he suspected it was drugs but he didn’t know what type. “Your man wasn’t saying much,” he said.

Murphy had no previous convic-

tions and said he didn’t get paid for transporting the drugs.

Defence counsel Conor Devally said Murphy was “very far removed from those involved” and that as far as the hierarchy in drug operations went he was “as low as you can go”. “He was acourier,”’ said Det Gda Fit- zgerald.

Det Gda Fitzgerald agreed that Murphy was of the belief that the drugs were destined for Limerick. He said it would be “not too far off the mark” to describe Murphy as be- ing a vulnerable man who was easily ere

Mr Devally said Murphy had mar- ried at a very young age and his wife left him six years later to form ‘a permanent relationship” with his older brother. He was then effective- ly estranged from his two daughters but had since got back in contact wets aetss0eF

Mr Devally said he was “very re- morseful for finding himself as a cog in a very significant event” and added that he got sucked into some- thing that he should never have got into but he didn’t back out of it when he should have.

A DEFENDANT asked a judge to hand him a sentence after spending four months in custody for what he claimed was the offence of taking a bottle of wine.

David Mulcaire, 31 St Senan’s Road, Ennis, told Ennis District court “you wouldn’t give it to a dog – the four months I mean, not the wine.”

The accused is in custody having been arrested on a number of counts relating to theft.

Previously, Judge Joseph Mangan had heard testimony from two psy- chiatrists on whether Mulcaire was mentally fit to enter a plea to the charges.

On his appearance in court of Fri- day, he asked the judge to allow him go home for Christmas to look af- ter his father. ““He’s never spent the Christmas on his own,’ Mulcaire told the judge.

The psychiatrists had a direct clash of opinion about whether Mulcaire knew what he was doing when he al- legedly committed the offences.

His own doctor said Mulcaire suf- fered a serious brain trauma in 1999, when he was hit in the head with a concrete block. He said it was his opinion that Mulcaire would not be fit to plead.

The psychiatrist who has been treating Mulcaire for Frontal Lobe Syndrome for two years said his “frontal lobe on the left-hand side of his head is wasted… this causes disturbances in mood, disturbances

in will, disturbances in understand- ing and changes in understanding of societal norms”’.

Another consultant psychiatrist, who interviewed Mulcaire on two occasions, said he felt Mulcaire was fit to plead.

He agreed that Mulcaire had a per-

sonality disorder “but his attention span when I spoke to him was rea- sonable except that he repeatedly be- came distracted by attractive nurses and tried to draw them into conver- renee ae

Judge Mangan told Mulcaire he would remand him to the last sitting

of the court before Christmas and make a decision then as to whether he could be released.

“Well, can you not just give me a sentence now then? I’ve already been in for four months,” Mulcaire said.

SINCE its foundation in 1957, En- nistymon Vocational School, the town and the country have experi- enced much change but, for all of that, the school has continued to provide a much-needed and valuable education to many of the people of

the locality. That was the overview of Clare Vocational Education Commit-

tee’s chief executive officer, George O’Callaghan, as he took part in a 50th anniversary function in the Falls Hotel last week.

Former and present staff and pupils, with a host of others involved with the school, filled the banqueting room of the hotel for a night of celebration, nostalgia and a fresh look into educa- tion in Ireland as it stands today.

A multi-sectional exhibition of pho- tographs and other memorabilia of the school’s 50 years drew great at- tention in the function room through- out the evening.

Idols of the occasion were the two Surviving members of the original teaching staff, Norma Christie (nee Boland), now living in Edinburgh in her native Scotland, first teacher of home economics in Ennistymon, and Mamie Egan (nee Smyth), teacher of commerce subjects, now living in Ferbane, County Offaly.

O’Callaghan began by congratu- lating all present pupils, past pupils, parents, principal Enda Byrt and all teachers present and past, and a host of others associated with the school down through the years, embracing caretakers, secretaries and other sup- port staff.

He reminded the guests that in its mission statement, the school

firstly recognises the individual- ity of each student and through the comprehensive nature of its curricu- lum combined with the professional competence, initiative and caring of its staff, seeks to maximise each individual’s academic, practical and social talents in a safe and support- ive environment, to prepare them to cope with life after school, where they may better contribute to family, community and society in a positive per-peb Alea

Change was with them all the time and challenged them to rise to the

occasion when needed. The school continued to face the challenge of the future with vision and courage. The proposed new community school, of which the vocational school will be an integral part, offered the opportu- nity of new directions. The quality of teaching and learning that is so much part of the vocational school would be a significant building block in the community school.

Cllr Flan Garvey, as chairman of the school’s board of management, formally welcomed the guests to celebrate the wonderful past of the

school which had been achieved by outstanding principals, teaching and support staffs. It was a great pleasure for him to chair the board of man- agement of such an academy, he said, more so even than being chairman of the governing body of Tralee Insti- tute of Technology or vice-president of the Irish Vocational Education Association, the administrative body for county and city vocational educa- tion committees.

He continued by saying that the worth of vocational education was still not fully appreciated in Ireland,

nor what it had brought about for the country. For instance, the Celtic Ti- ger would not have emerged were it not for the business and profession- al men and women who had come through the vocational system armed with a practical and business back- eround that enabled them to succeed magnificently and provide example for others.

Enda Byrt had a special welcome for Norma Christie and Mamie Egan and informed the guests that another first teacher, Joe McCaw, who was called from this life earlier in the year, had been insisting, once the an- niversary began to be planned, that he had to be at the main celebratory function.

Announcing the publication next spring of a school history, he invited as many past students and staff as possible to contribute. They could do so in a variety of small but 1m- portant ways, such as how they trav- elled to school, life in the school, what they did at lunchtime, involve- ment in sport or any other activities, fond memories of favourite teachers, school trips, what they did for recrea- tion in those times, what things cost at the time and so on.

Kevin Duggan, Corofin, of the class of 1969, rolled back the years as he recalled memories of his time in the school and spoke with great emotion of the wonderful teachers it was his privilege to have and how their ex- ample and advice stood him in such good stead throughout later life.