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Slight drop in victims of crime

THE number of people in the mid west who reported experiencing crime last year decreased from the figure in 2003, newly-published sta- tistics reveal.

Figures published by the Central Statistics Office last week show that 4.2 per cent of people in the mid west experienced crime last year, com- pared with 5.8 per cent in 2003.

Of those, 1.2 per cent of people liv- ing in the mid west were victims of theft where violence was used.

1.3 per cent were physically as-

saulted last year, down from 1.6 per cent three years earlier.

Almost two-thirds of people who were victims of theft involving vio- lence last year reported the matter to gardai (62.5 per cent).

This is a huge increase on the fig- ure of 48.8 per cent in 2003, but is a reduction on the figure of 71.4 per cent, in 1998.

The figures also show details of how safe people feel walking alone in their neighbourhoods, after dark. More than 70 per cent of residents in the mid-west, said they felt either safe or very safe. 24 per cent were

unsafe, while almost six per cent of people felt very unsafe.

The figures for last year are similar to those recorded in 2003.

92.8 per cent of those surveyed said they felt safe alone in their homes, after dark. This is a slight increase on the figure for 2003.

52.6 per cent of respondents said they felt crime was a very serious problem. 34.1 per cent said it was a serious problem, while 12.1 per cent said it was a fairly serious issue. Just 1.2 per cent of respondents in the re- gion said it was not a serious prob- aner

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Rapes not being reported

THE controversy surrounding the Mary Shannon rape case is poised to prevent other rape victims coming forward, according to the Rape Cri- sis Centre in the mid west.

Ms Shannon waived her right to an- onymity in March, after a three-year suspended term was handed to Ennis man Adam Keane (20), of Barnagee- ha, Darragh, Ennis.

He was found guilty by a 10-2 majority of the jury of raping Mary Shannon (33) at his trial, at the Cen- tral Criminal Court.

Ms Shannon was outraged by the sentence, the leniency of which is be- ing appealed by the Director of Pub-

lic Prosecutions.

Figures published by the Central Statistics Office last week showed that there was a huge decrease in the number of sexual offences reported during the first quarter of the year.

Nationally, the number of reported sexual offences dropped by 44.5 per cent, when compared with the same three-month period last year.

The co-ordinator of the Rape Cri- sis Centre in the mid west, Miriam Duffy said the “furore over the statu- tory rape case” last year is bound to have played a role in the huge de- crease.

SY eTomcr COMA OT-LMmy OND CoMmMeCoM\Y EDavane)oretoee non case was not likely to have had an impact on the figures for the first

quarter, it was likely to have an ef- fect on figures for the remainder of this year.

‘There has been a knock-on effect from the statutory rape case,” she Sr AKGe

“What happened with Mary Shan- non’s case…you would want to assess it again in six months,’ added Ms Duffy.

“A lot more training needs to be done with the gardai. We are con- cerned that this is a big reduction in the number of sexual offences re- ported,’ she added.

“There has not been any dramatic fall-off in incidents of rape reported to the Rape Crisis Centre,” she add- ed.

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Shannon rail-link setback

PLANS for a rail-link to Shannon have suffered a major setback with news that the early results of a fea- sibility study on the project are “ex- tremely poor”.

The Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen confirmed that “the analy- sis, figures and economic case in the original draft” were not good enough.

He said that “he did not go with it” because of the poor figures.

“A different set of requests and questions were sought and these have gone into the mix. The local author- ity is dealing with it at present. I ex- pect to receive the final report soon and it is hoped that it will be posi- tive,’ he added.

It is understood that the consultants involved in drawing up the feasibility study, MVA Consultants, estimated the cost of the rail-link at €700 mil- |bTeyee

Chairman of the Shannon Rail Partnership, Councillor Sean Hillery (FF), disputed the €700 million cost on the rail-spur yesterday and said that the partnership’s own costing put it at €240 million.

“We accept that a rail-spur to Sixmilebridge is not viable and the approach to take is a direct rail-link between Limerick and Shannon. This is not going to happen this year or next year and will depend on popu- lation increases. A rail-link between

Shannon and Limerick would attract a public-private partnership, whereas a link between Shannon and Sixmi- lebridge would not,” he said. Councillor Hillery added that he hoped the route for the rail-link would be frozen in anticipation of it being built in future years. Meanwhile, in a Dail debate on Shannon Airport, Deputy James Breen (Ind) asked Minister Cullen if he would provide Shannon with debt free status. The estimated debt of Shannon is believed to be around

€100 million.

Minister Cullen stated, “It is not an issue because Shannon does not have a debt. I am not bothered about it.”

Deputy Breen also asked Minister Cullen about the possibility of fur- ther investment in the airport.

“Absolutely. There is no question about it,” said the minister.

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Payback in Clare for ‘Open Skies’?

INDEPENDENT TD James Breen SEISMW se NW OLecO MO OFLU Slom @cOn/orusbestoIIMAY el suffer if Clare isn’t compensated for the Open Skies aviation deal, which was ratified in the Dail this week.

The Minister for Transport, Mar- tin Cullen, said that the Government would deliver an economic plan for Shannon to support the region.

But Deputy Breen said that Clare was long overdue a pay-off to make up for decades of neglect.

“IT guarantee the minister that if that payback is not announced in the near future, the Government will get its own payback in spades in the forthcoming election.

“The Minister has let Shannon and the mid west down and has sold us down the river.

“Shannon is the one airport for which Open Skies represents a major negative and the minister can only wash his hands of it.

“If he was serious with regard to securing the future of Shannon and the mid west, this fund and other packages would have been put in place before the Open Skies agree- ment was announced.”

He added, “The lack of proper

measures means that the Shannon area can expect a 30 per cent drop in trade. The shortening of the intro- ductory period leading into the start date of the Open Skies agreement confirms the apathy with which this administration views the mid west.

“In the immediate aftermath of the announcement of the agreement, Aer Lingus announced new routes to San Francisco, Orlando and Washington. Significantly, all of those routes will operate from Dublin Airport.

‘There is no doubt that this agree- ment will lead to a cherry-picking of routes by airlines.

‘Much was made of the establish- ment of customs and immigration clearance in Shannon and this was trumpeted as a jewel in the crown of SI erVeveCOye MAURO DKen

‘However, it now transpires that a similar station will operate out of Dublin Airport within a year. This is further proof of the minister’s con- tempt for the mid west.

Speaking on the issue, Pat Breen (FG) said, “The minister had a gold- en opportunity to announce the im- plementation of the tourism and de- velopment plan but failed to do so.

“We’ve had enough photo opportu- nities. We need action.”

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Kenny blasts Fianna Fail ‘incompetence’

TNS MRBI opinion poll which showed a five per cent surge in support for Fine Gael.

The findings also revealed the al- ternative coalition of Fine Gael and Labour to be in a strong position to win the forthcoming election.

According to the poll, Labour and Fine Gael have a combined 41 per cent share of the vote while Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats have a combined share of 37 per

Cone

Mr Kenny said he sensed the coun- try wanted a change and that mo- mentum was now very much with Opposition parties.

“The result of that poll is certainly very encouraging but its only reflec-

tive of other polls published in the last few weeks and they reflect a view of people around the country that they want change, that they are tired of this Government and that momentum is there and we are going to continue to build on that.”

According to Mr Kenny, the poll revealed the strides made by opposi- tion parties and revealed high levels of public dissatisfaction with the cur- rent Government.

However, he was quick to point out that the battles ahead would be

fought on multiple fronts. He admit- ted he was encouraged but that he wouldn’t be getting carried away.

“Well a few months ago you wouldn’t get any bet on the result of that particular poll. The point is that this is an election that takes place over 43 constituencies on any given day that takes into account person- alities, local issues and all of that. So that’s what my focus is on. While the poll itself 1s very encouraging. it’s only part of a trend that’s being reflected by the people which will decide the ultimate poll.”

He also fired a broadside at Taol- seach Bertie Ahern. Reacting to Fine Gael’s strong showing in the polls, Mr Ahern had warned the elector- ate to think twice before entrusting the reins of power to the alternative coalition.

In response Mr Kenny rounded on the Government’s performance over the previous ten years.

“Well, I won’t take lectures from Fianna Fail who have misspent the people’s money over the last ten years. This administrations is one whose hallmark is indecisiveness and incompetence on a vast scale and you can find it through every town and parish in County Clare,” said Mr aah

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Fine Gael focus on hospital remains

FINE Gael leader Enda Kenny says he is confident that the party’s con- troversial four-candidate strategy will see the party return a second deputy to the Dail.

During his visit to Clare last week, Mr Kenny echoed the belief ex- pressed by Fine Gael’s Director of Elections in Clare.

Speaking in these pages three weeks ago Paul _ Bugler commented that the key to Fine Gael’s strategy would be miaintain- ing and hold- ing the party’s internal trans-

ieee

Mr Kenny SF NCMR Meee CAN which

had provoked heated debate at the party’s County Convention, would prove successful. Commenting on the importance of the internal transfers Mr Kenny said, “They (transfers) will obviously be the key to it. But I expect the peo- ple and our supporters are going to make a real effort here to send back a second deputy with deputy Pat Breen. We have already encouraged our supporters to vote the full Fine

Gael ticket, thereafter to vote the Labour ticket and thereafter to pass their preference votes onto the Green Party, who share the same objective as ourselves as getting the Govern- ment out of office”

Mr Kenny also pledged his com- mitment to the retention of consult- ant delivered accident and emergency services at Ennis General Hospital.

He also outlined his opposition to the controversial Hanly report,

which is ex- pected to rec- ommend the downgrading of services at the hospital “We’ve committed to that. We’re opposed to the Hanly report were opposed to closing down small hospi- tals and services. We are committed to keeping accident and emergency services opening and to full-time consultant led services in Ennis.”

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Hackney driver murder trial continues

THE trial of a man accused of mur- dering Ennis hackney driver Liam Moloney will enter its fourth day at the Central Criminal Court today. Anthony Kelly, a 54-year-old na-

tive of Ruan, has denied murdering the father of four, at Portlecka, Ruan, on February 11, 2005.

He has admitted the killing, but claims he was of diminished re- sponsibility at the time. It is the prosecution case that the killing was

“planned and executed” and that the victim was lured to his death.

Mr Moloney was struck 17 times to the head and his throat was then cut from side to side. According to the prosecution, the motive was robbery and the accused went to his victim’s

flat in Ennis a short time after and stole cash.

The accused told gardai he felt “possessed” when he hit Mr Molo- ney, who he had met through a mutu- al friend some months beforehand.