Month: May 2007

THE line-up for this year’s Inishceal- tra Festival of the Arts is all but final- ised and it will provide entertainment for every taste and promises to attract hoards of visitors and business into the village.

Music, drama, poetry, film and even performance food are all on the bill this year for the festival, which kicks off on May 25 and runs until June 4 in the lakeside town.

One of the most novel evenings in the festival will be provided by the

Performance Dinner, which will be staged on May 29 in Liam’s Restau- rant in the village.

This will be a musical and theatri- cal performance by local artists and gardeners who will entertain their audience with the live preparation of a three-course meal. The audience is invited to bring an appetite.

International award-winning Irish group, Zrazy are the main line-up for Staurday, May 26, while fans of harp music will have a treat on Sun- day when the “Time of O’Carolan” concert will be held in St Caimen’s

church, starring harpist, Janey Har- bison.

May 30 is devoted to a poetry evening an on May 31, the local na- tional school is hosting a convention of European teachers.

There will be an art exhibition in the Aistear and the Fishbowl Youth Club will be presenting their short films.

There’s comedy with ‘Snatch Com- edy’ from Cork on June | and Kiul- dare poet, Mary O’Donnell will host a writers’ workshop on June 2.

A mini ‘eco-village’ is being set up in the Aistear and there will be fun

events, including a puppet show and lessons in making shadow puppets and kites.

Singing sessions trad and folk ses- sions, sean-nos dancing, adult art classes and even a festival walk are all on the programme.

One of the highlights of the event will be the outdoor concert and evening spectacular at the harbour, with Holy Island and the lake as a backdrop on Sunday, June 3.

The Lismorahaun singers and Daghda Dance are among the stars of these events.

A BOYKE girl who is afraid of fly- ing and heights has conquered both by jumping out of an airplane for a good cause.

18-year old Lorraine Lynch and three friends decided to take on the challenge of a 10,000 foot parachute drop to help the childrens’ charity, UNICEF.

And in doing so, the plucky psy- chology student raised €600 for the oon

“We saw leaflets for the jump one day and we decided we’d go for it,” said Lorraine, who made the drop along with three of her fellow stu- dents at Sligo college.

“IT wanted to do something for the charity and people were very sup- portive in helping me with sponsor- ship,” she said.

Jacko’s Pub in Scariff and publican Eamon Moloney helped by putting sponsorship cards out for Lorraine and her friends and family rallied round also.

Customers and _ colleagues at Shaney Macs shop, where Lorraine works, also helped out.

When the day came, she travelled to the aptly named Airfield parachute centre where she was teamed up with an experienced jump-buddy and then taken 10,000 feet aloft.

“I did get nervous just beforehand. When we were at one thousand feet,

I thought ‘this is it — this 1s as high as we have to go’. Then they told me we were climbing another 9,000 feet. My heart skipped a few beats all right.”

At the zenith of the flight, Lorraine said, she “didn’t have time to think about it — you’re at the door of the plane and the next thing you’re out. When we were up there, it was very peaceful above the clouds”.

After 30 seconds of free-fall at 120 mph, the parachute opened and Lor- raine had a leisurely seven minutes of floating towards the ground with a chance to enjoy the view.

“The people who jump with you and the photographers who jump at the same time are just amazing. The man who jumped with me has made

more than 3,000 jumps,” said Lor- een b alee

Describing the jump as “a really amazing experience’, newly initi- ated adrenalin junkie, Lorraine, says she now plans to do another charity jump, this time from the highest alti- tude available to non-qualified jump- ace

‘“l’m going to the States for the sum- mer and in San Diego, they have the highest jump in the world at 13,000 so myself and a friend are planning to do that one. I can’t wait to do it eee 0

A CLARECASTLE woman its seek- ing damages from the State and the Garda Commissioner over her al- leged false imprisonment at Ennis Garda Station five years ago.

The woman is also seeking dam- ages in respect of a Garda making an “unfounded” complaint to the Mid- Western Health Board over the care she provided for her then four year old daughter who was also detained at the station.

The woman’s partner was stopped at a Garda road checkpoint in Clare in August 2002. The woman and her daughter were also in the car.

The partner admits that he turned

his car in the direction of Limerick before he was stopped by a Garda patrol vehicle. The man _ refused to give the garda his address. The Garda found that the tax disc and the insurance disc were apparently out of date. The partner was physically restrained, arrested and brought to Ennis Garda Station.

The woman and her daughter were brought to Ennis Garda Station in a separate Garda vehicle. The man was processed at the station and then placed in a cell, while the woman and her daughter were placed in another room. Legal documents allege that although the woman wasn’t arrested, she was detained at Ennis Garda Sta- tion for a number of hours.

“Arising from the foregoing, the woman was improperly and unlaw- fully detained and falsely imprisoned by the Gardai.”

The affidavit lodged by the woman notes that the State denies that the woman was unlawfully arrested.

Two months later, the woman was contacted by a social worker from the Health Board, setting out that gardai had made contact with the health board outlining concerns they had regarding the woman’s care of her daughter.

In October, the Health Board in- terviewed members of the partner’s family, the woman’s doctor and teachers in her daughter’s school. They interviewed the woman and her

partner on a number of occasions.

The woman subsequently found out that the Garda who made the com- plaint was the Garda who stopped the car driven by her partner the pre- vious August.

The woman claims that the allega- tion made by the Garda was mali- cious and without foundation. She also claims that the allegation was an abuse of position.

The woman is seeking damages for the alleged breach of constitutional rights, damages for abuse or misuse of public position and damages for defamation.

The case is due to come before the civil sittings of Ennis Circuit Court today (Tuesday).

THE €36 million deal to restructure Shannon Airport looks set to be rati- fied with over 180 workers express- ing an interest in exiting the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA).

An airport source said that around 182 were exiting with still a small number to make up their mind.

Prior to the package being put on offer, the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) stated that 200 voluntary re- dundancies were needed in order for the Shannon deal to be viable.

While the SAA might not reach the 200 target, it is believed that the high number will be enough for the deal

to go through.

However, workers retiring at the airport are understood to be angry that their cut-price travel will be lost. Traditionally, workers at the SAA have been entitled to concession travel with Aer Lingus.

The Labour Relations Commission (LRC) agreement delivered to both sides in March makes no mention of the concession travel for people who retire.

It is understood that the matter is being referred back to the LRC for clarification.

“The encouraging take-up of the severance package is a tribute to the unions that have obtained an excel-

lent outcome for the workers who wish to avail of the package and those who will remain directly em- ployed by the Airport Authority.

Itis also a clear indication of LRC’s productive and professional input to the facilitation process,’ said junior Minister Tony Killeen.

‘In many of these cases, issues arise which may not have been foreseen or PUNE DBRSoxOn

“I am confident that the process is sufficiently robust to resolve any outstanding issues in a fashion fa- vourable to all parties involved.”

As part of the deal with the air- port’s 550 workers, the SAA is to exit completely from catering. In the

new revamped Shannon airport, in- ternational retail and catering organ- isation, HMS Host has secured the contract to operate five retail outlets at Shannon and they are expected to become operational this coming summer.

It is believed that the rates offered by the two catering firms that will provide ground catering and in-flight catering have disappointed workers.

Those workers with 24 years expe- rience or more who opt to leave the SAA will receive over €100,000, while the 350 who do remain are to receive a payment of €16,000.

The deal is expected to save the SAA €10 million per annum.

GARDAI are entitled to protection from the courts, according to a judge who spoke out after hearing that a garda was kicked to the ground in Kilkee. Judge Carroll Moran was speaking at Ennis Circuit Court yes- terday in the case of two men who as- saulted a garda.

Daniel Lyons (24), of Carrigaholt, pleaded guilty, while Thomas Shee- han (20), of Luislahahan, Kilkee, pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty by a jury in March.

Sergeant John Ryan told the court that there was a disturbance at Strand Line, Kilkee, on August 22, 2004. Garda John Reidy found himself on the ground, where he was kicked and punched.

He said that Mr Lyons punched Garda Reidy into the face, while Mr Sheehan then kicked the garda a couple of times. Mr Lyons’ barrister Mark Nicholas said the incident was “quite frightening for gardai”. He said his client saw his brother was being arrested and tried to intervene.

Mr Sheehan’s barrister Pat Whyms

said his client had a very good job as a sales executive. His employer told the court he was “certainly surprised” to hear of the young man’s involvement in the incident.

Judge Carroll Moran said, “This is a serious case where Garda Reidy was kicked when he was on the ground.

“Members of An Garda Siochana are entitled to expect some protection from the courts. Fortunately their job is not always dangerous but it some- times is. Society expects that they be given some protection,” said the piece reren

“It is pretty cowardly to kick some- one on the ground,” he said. He said the “disgraceful offence” should mer- it jail, but accepted both accused had kept out of trouble since the incident. ‘Punishment can take many forms. It would do more harm than good to im- pose a custodial sentence.”

He imposed a two-year jail term on Sheehan, substituted with 240 hours community service. He adjourned the case for two months, to ascertain if he would be found suitable for the work. He also adjourned sentencing Mr Ly- ons until then.

A YOUNG man had his ear bitten in a row on a Street in the early hours of the morning, a court has heard.

John Paul Keane (27), of Scan- lan Park, Castleconnell, Limerick, pleaded guilty to assault, arising out of an incident outside Molly’s bar, Ballina, Killaloe, in the early hours

of the morning in August 2005.

Sergeant Deborah Marsh told En- nis Circuit Court yesterday that the accused and another man, Niall Col- lins, were involved in a row. They were fighting on the ground.

“The accused was on top of the other man. He had the other man’s ear between his teeth and was biting down on it. There was blood gushing

from the ear,” she said.

She said she warned the accused to desist but he “continued with the as- ele

After he was arrested, the accused continued to be violent and lashed Oo) iar limee Heer N

The assault has “left a permanent scar down the centre of the ear’, she Said.

Counsel for the accused, Michael Collins, said that a large number of people were involved in various rows outside the bar.

He said the accused told gardai that he feared he was going to die as he was been kicked.

Judge Carroll Moran adjourned sentencing, to allow the injured par- ty to attend court.

ANTHONY Kelly felt “possessed” When he hit Liam Moloney to the head with an axe, then dragged his body out of the car, before cutting his throat from side to side.

The thought of killing his victim had entered his mind several times and as the two travelled from Ennis to Ruan, a feeling of “rage” came over him and voices told him “do it, elon ia

The trial was told that Mr Kelly

had owed Mr Moloney about €150 at the time.

Mr Moloney’s taxi was seen parked at the entrance to Port House, an un- occupied building, at around 8pm on the evening of February 11, 2005.

According to the prosecution, Mr Kelly opened the gates after he killed Mr Moloney and dragged the body 15 to 20 yards inside.

‘The pockets of the deceased had been turned out,’ said prosecution barrister Tom O’Connell SC.

Less than an hour later, Mr Kelly

entered Mr Moloney’s apartment on Barrack Street, Ennis, where he stole money. He later picked up a 14-year- old boy in Shannon, on arrangement with the boy’s mother, and drove to Waterville.

The following morning, the boy saw the accused throwing clothes he had been wearing the previous evening into a fire in the back garden of his house. That day, he threw the head of a hatchet and other items in the direction of a lake in Kerry.

‘He was purposefully seeking to

cover his tracks and dispose of things which might connect him with the killing,” said Mr O’Connell.

Initially, Mr Kelly denied any knowledge of the killing. He later ad- mitted involvement. He said he had been depressed and angry in the run- up to the incident. “I had been down in my house in Waterville and had nightmares for months,” he said.

He said that Liam Moloney had “pissed” him off and used to ring him, telling him sick jokes.

On the night in question, Mr Kelly

was carrying a knife and a small axe. In Ruan, he got in and out of the taxi a few times and Mr Moloney asked him what he was “up to”.

He reached into his bag and had his hand on the axe. He felt a burn- ing sensation and something said to him, “do it, do it”, and he struck him a number of times to the head.

“| felt like I was possessed. I used a knife to cut his throat and said *F*** You’. It was only when I was driving back to Kerry that there was pain in my heart,” he said.

LIAM Moloney suffered “pretty horrendous” injuries in a “planned and executed killing’, after he was “lured” to the countryside, the trial has heard.

Prosecution Set SKoyee] O’Connell told the jury last Wednes- day that the accused, Ruan native Anthony Kelly (54) with an address at Emlagh na Muck, Emlaghmore, Waterville, Kerry, intended to kill Mr Moloney (56).

Mr Kelly has pleaded not guilty to the murder of the separated father of four, at Portlecka, Ruan, Ennis, on February 11, 2005.

Mr Kelly has admitted unlawfully killing Mr Moloney, but claims he

was suffering from a mental disorder at the time and was of diminished responsibility.

Outlining the prosecution case to the jury, Mr O’Connell said, “I think you can infer from the injuries sus- tained by Liam Moloney that Antho- ny Kelly intended to kill him.”

“There were 17 major blows around the skull area…many fractures to the skull and face and the throat was cut from side to side,’ he said.

‘The motive which he had for kill- ing Mr Moloney was to enrich him- self…to steal money. He went to Mr Moloney’s flat after, but only got €500 to €600,” he said.

‘He (the deceased) was working on the evening of the killing. Anthony Kelly lured him to the place where

he killed him,” said Mr O’Connell. He said Mr Kelly “selected and

sharpened” his weapons in Water-

ville and then brought them to the

scene of the killing.

He said Mr Kelly had arranged to meet Mr Moloney at Considine’s pub in Barefield and Mr Moloney would drive him to Ruan.

After he had killed him, Mr Kelly took Mr Moloney’s cab and drove back to Barefield. He abandoned the cab there and it was found 24 hours Fitoe

He told the jury that Mr Kelly emi- erated to the US around 1970 and re- turned to Ireland in April 2001.

He worked in security in Shannon and moved to Waterville in 2003.

Liam Moloney, from Ennis, worked with Aer Lingus in Shannon after leaving school.

He retired in January 2002 and received a severance package of

€71,000. He then began working as a driver with Ennis Cabs.

Mr O’Connell said that Anthony Kelly told John Butler, a mutual friend, that he was to marry a Swed- ish woman in Stockholm in Decem- ber 2004. He had asked Mr Butler to be his best man and Mr Moloney to be his groomsman. The wedding was later cancelled and it was believed the story had been “fiction”, said Mr O’Connell.

At the outset of the trial, Mr Kelly pleaded guilty to six other charges, including robbing Mr Moloney and taking his car, on the same date. The trial is expected to conclude later WT Lete)

IN THE immediate aftermath of killing Liam Moloney, Anthony Kel- ly went to the victim’s apartment and stole €600, which he called “blood jee) eat aae

He told gardai that something in the back of his mind said, “Do it, do it, do it,’ and he just “struck out” and attacked his victim.

“The thought of hitting or hurting Liam Moloney came to me before that day,” he said.

He had been depressed and para- noid prior to the killing and there had been a build-up of anger inside him, during the week before it.

“For some time I’d felt very, very bad. Stuff was getting into my head. One of the people I was upset with was Liam. We used to talk on the phone. Sometimes he’d piss me off. He’d made racist jokes. I was broke at the time, living on very little,’ he PHO

On the night of the killing, he said a “feeling of rage” came over him.

‘IT had a feeling I never had before. I remember saying to myself, ‘What am I doing?’ When I got out of the car, I more or less tried to stop my- self and I couldn’t. There was a burn- ing sensation throughout my whole body,” he said.

“I felt possessed. I never hit any- one before in my life. It was like fire coming out of my eyes, fire coming

out of my head and I couldn’t stop,” | stemnceeB(Gm

He said his victim didn’t put up any resistance and there was blood “every place”.

He said that looking back, his be- haviour was like that of “some kind of an animal, if an animal would do such a thing .. . I was gone com- pletely wild. I couldn’t believe I’d be capable of something even remotely like that. It was like as if it wasn’t me. It was some creature. I was just totally taken over,” he said.

He later took €600 from a closet in Mr Moloney’s apartment.

“I said to myself ‘blood money’. I remember repeating it a thousand times to myself when I was alone. I was not gloating or anything,” he Sr ALGE

Detective Superintendent John Fit- Zpatrick told the trial that a knife, with an eight-inch blade, had been found in Mr Moloney’s tax1.

He said that two sources told gardai that the accused owed around €150 to the deceased.

The Garda obtained a search war- rant and carried out a search of the accused’s home in Kerry, on Febru- Maes

‘‘He mentioned to us he had a shot- gun in the bedroom. It appeared to me to be a double- barrelled sawn-off shotgun. In fact, it was a single bar- relled sawn-off shotgun,” he said.

He later told gardai he did not have

the gun with him in Ruan, on the night of the killing.

Mr Kelly was arrested for unlawful possession of the gun and was taken to Cahersiveen Garda Station.

“During the journey, he began to speak about the murder of Liam Moloney and the role he played in it. He said he was finding it very dilf- ficult to sleep. He was having night-

mares in relation to what happened,” said the garda.

THE first shots of the general elec- tion were fired in Clare yesterday as candidates faced tough questions from the county’s Traveller commu- nity.

The majority of Clare’s Dail hope- fuls were in St Joseph’s Travellers’ Training Centre yesterday for a ques- tion and answer session organised by local travellers’ groups.

Candidates sparred on the main local issues such as the Ennis General Hos- pital and the Ennis water supply. RTE presenter Rachael English chaired the debate. The discussion covered a broad range of issues affecting Trav- ellers’ lives, including education and training, mental health, accommoda- tion and youth issues.

Afterwards, Julianne McDonagh, a member of the Primary Health Care eroup, said politicians should return for a second meeting after the elec- tion. “It was very valuable to meet the candidates but I think it is just as beneficial if they were to come back after the election to see if anything has changed.”

As expected, the issue of Ennis

General Hospital loomed large in the discussion. “It is vital that every eroup fights against the Hanly re- port. Whoever is elected, we’re going to have to fight together,” said Green Party candidate Brian Meaney

Fine Gael candidate Madeleine Tay- lor Quinn (FG) said she was commit- ted to retaining acute services.

“T will do everything to ensure that a six-bed unit is retained. That is the

minimum the women of Clare are entitled to.”

Joe Carey (FG) said a new hospital should be built instead of upgrading the current facility.

“Not a sod has been turned or a brick laid. If the protection order was removed on the hospital it could be sold. That would help finance the construction of a new building.”

This was strongly opposed by Jun-

ior Minister Tony Killeen (FF).

“I could play that game and go along with the popular sentiment but I have been around long enough to know that isn’t going to happen. I know that the €40 million extension will go ahead next year”.

On the issue of the water supply in Ennis, Labour candidate Pascal Fit- zgerald said nothing had happened after four years.

‘This issue certainly is being treat- ed with urgency by my colleague. We have already put in place the tempo- rary treatment facility,” said Fianna Fail Senator Timmy Dooley.

On providing services for young people, Fine Gael candidate Tony Mulcahy said that a survey carried out in schools in Shannon showed that 70 to 80 per cent favoured a cof- fee shop or a drop-in centre.

“The problem with Ennis is you need six or seven of these facilities,” he said.