Month: September 2007

CRATLOE man Joe O’Gorman, a farmer and father of five, was pre- sented with the Stephen Donnel- lan Memorial Cup and a cheque for €100 by last year’s winner, Stephen Hickey, at the Clare Shout Festival in Kilkishen on Saturday night.

It was second time lucky for Joe, who now lives in Kilkishen. Last year — the first year of the compe- tition — he was pipped at the final whistle. On Saturday night, he was deemed by the adjudicators to have a shout that was nearest to the genuine and unique ancient Clare Shout.

Again this year the championship was keenly contested, with over 30 competitors lining up on the main street in Kilkishen to take part.

Former national teacher, Mary Mc- Grath-Fahy of Knappogue, Quin, was the first-prize winner at the Clare Shout photo competition. Her picture, ‘Childhood Memories of Cullaun Lake’, was one of over 30 photographs entered for the competition. She was presented with a Galway Crystal tro- phy donated for the event by festival

secretary Joe Meaney.

Second prize went to Seamus O’Donoghue of Ballycasey Road, Shannon, who is a member of Shan- non Camera Club, the only camera club in Clare.

The winner of the third prize was Denis O’Rourke of Clarina, County Limerick, and the children’s section was won by 13-year-old Eryk Prajs, from Poland, who is a pupil at Kilk- ishen National School.

ENNIS Chamber said that feedback from businesses in the town to Satur- day’s car-free day have been “largely positive”’.

The chamber conducted a foot- fall survey on Saturday and will be conducting another one in the near future to see whether the absence

of cars encouraged or discouraged people from coming into town to go SyaTo)ayoyberee

While the results of that survey are still to come in, Rita McInerney, Chamber CEO, said they had also conducted their own survey among members and, with one-fifth of busi- ness having responded already, the feeling is a positive one.

“Not all of the replies are in yet but most were positive and _ busi- nesses also felt that the good weather helped.

‘There were some reports of busi- ness slackening off somewhat in the afternoon.”

McInerney said that the chamber is “looking forward” to being involved in discussions on how pedestrianisa-

tion should work going forward.

With another car-free day being planned for Fashion Week in October and the possibility of car-free days for Christmas shopping, McInerney said that it was felt that Saturday was a good day of the week to try out the concept.

Future days would benefit, chamber members felt, from more advance

publicity and perhaps maps in the local media and notices to illustrate possible traffic movements.

“A map is worth a thousand words and a lot of people didn’t realise that some restrictions on traffic move- ments were lifted on Saturday to allow traffic to flow. Those are the kind of things people need to know for these events.”

THE west Clare members of Clare County Council have agreed to read and consider the terms of a “Grant of Easement” of a right of way in Cree on to Doughmore Beach.

Under the agreement a right of way on to the beach will be handed over to Doonbeg Golf Club Limited in exchange to alternative access to the leer eee

In addressing the Kilrush Area Committee Senior Engineer Donal Buckley said that he has been ad- vised that a high court judicial re- view will have “nothing to do with the right of way”’.

Under the proposal, which must get the approval of the elected members of the council, the right of way over part of the public road at Caherfeen- ick, Cree will be extinguished for 120 metres.

The extinguishment will only take place when criteria are met by the golf club according to Mr Buckley.

Among the commitments is the provision of a car park of 35 spaces constructed to Clare County Coun- cil’s specifications and supervised by the local authority’s staff.

An area of land including the car park and a further estimated .6 acres for 35 more car park spaces must also be transfered into the ownership

of Clare County Council.

A new “turn table at the new termi- nal point” on the Caherfeenick road to Clare County Council’s specifica- tion in size and standard must also be constructed and bollards installed.

“A clear legal grant of a pedestrian right of way to be given by Doonbeg Golf Club to Clare County Council from the turn table” at the end of the road to the beach is another part if the controversial proposal.

A document circulated to the coun- cillors also points to “a clear legal erant of a vehicular right of way for emergency vehicles” to be given by the golf club to Clare County Coun- cil and this right of way to be three

metres wide.

The final criteria to be met by the golf club states that Clare County Council is to be “indemnified against any claim on the Doonbeg Golf Club property by Doonbeg golf Club.”

The west Clare members of the council said that they would like time to study the documentation and to explore the feeling of the people of Caherfeenick on the issue.

‘Are the people of the Caherfeenick Road happy with the bollards there?” asked Cllr Oliver Garry (FG).

Cllr Madeleine Taylor Quinn said the council must ensure legal rights of the people. “The legal certainty is absolute,” she said.

PEOPLE will be hurt if immediate action isn’t taken to tackle a number of incidents of sea erosion along the north Clare coast.

That was the message which emerged from yesterday’s meeting of the local area authority in Ennisty- mon where a number of non-related incidents of dangerous erosion were mentioned.

Ennistymon Cllr Martin Conway (FG), said that it was only a matter of time before a serious injury took place on the Lahinch Promenade be- cause of years of erosion have caused a protective railing to become dan-

gerously brittle.

“The bars in Lahinch are ready to collapse at any time. Someone is going to be hurt out there sooner or later if something is not done. It is re- ally very dangerous at the moment,” Sr HK6 Os Dba oye a ch VA

“I know that there are major works set to take place in Lahinch later this year and early next year, but this situ- ation needs to be tackled now before something happens.”

Fears have been raised that a sec- tion of railing, which runs from the O’Looney’s Pub at the foot of the prom in a southerly direction, in un- stable and could break or collapse.

The area is used by many local

young people and tourists for skate- boarding and and as a walkway.

“IT went walking along the prome- nade on Saturday and three different sets of people met me and mentioned the problem of the railing to me,” continued Cllr Conway.

“IT think that the bars should be re- placed with a solid block wall which would be safer and easier to main- eb

Meanwhile, Cllr Richard Nagle (FF), called for action to be taken to prevent a stretch of the R-478 road near Liscannor from being washed away due to coastal erosion.

“I appreciate that the local author- ity needs to get money from the De-

partment of the Marine but there is a piece on this road where the coastal erosion 1s coming right on to the road and it need something as a matter of urgency,’ said Cllr Nagle.

Responding to the request, Senior Engineer, Donie Buckley said that Clare County Council had made nine submissions to the Department of the Marine for funding in cases where coastal erosion were becom- ing a major but none had been suc- cessful.

These submission for coastal pro- tection totalled €1.885 million, and included a requested allocation of €375,000 for works on the R478 road.

A WOMAN who picked up a kitchen knife after she refused to leave an Ennis apartment has been jailed for emaelereidetcy

Caitriona O’Shea (25), of O’ Malley Park, Southill, Limerick, was con- victed of producing a black-handled knife with serrated edges, in the course of a dispute, on August 12

last.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said that an incident arose in an apartment at O’Halloran’s Lane, Ennis.

“In the course of the dispute she produced a knife,” he said.

Defending solicitor | Eugene O’Kelly said the accused was a guest in the apartment when the in- cident arose.

“She tells me when she was 12,

she was orphaned. Her father was stabbed to death. Her mother was knocked down by a car,’ said Mr O’ Kelly.

“She went to this house to seek help. The occupants contacted gardai because she refused to leave. She picked up a kitchen knife,” he said.

He said the accused subsequently threw herself into the River Fergus and was rescued by gardai.

He said his client was a “very trou- bled young lady.”

The accused has a string of previ- ous convictions, including for theft PNOOMeubesuber-Dmer-Dast-texor

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a nine-month jail term, for the knife of- fence and an additional four months for failing to appear in court.

He fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.

A MAN whois accused of raping and threatening to kill a woman in west Clare earlier this month is to apply for bail in the High Court next week.

The 42-year-old accused is facing eight charges arising out of an inci- dent at a house in west Clare, on Sep- tember 9 last.

He is accused of three counts of rape, possession of a shotgun, false imprisonment and threat to kill, as- sault causing harm and burglary.

When he initially appeared in court earlier this month, bail was refused and he has been in custody since then. On that occasion, the court was told the DPP has directed that the case be dealt with on indictment.

At Lisdoonvarna district court last Wednesday, his solicitor Eugene O’Kelly said he intends to apply for bail in the High Court.

“We have not been in a position to agree conditions to allow him get bail. We will apply to the High

Court,” said Mr Kelly. Superintendent Gabriel O’Gara sought to remand the accused in cus- tody until later this month. The case was adjourned until a later date, when the accused will re- appear in court.

GARDAI have expressed concern that “more and more” people are found in possession of implements – after a man claimed he found a knife and picked it up as he thought it would “come in handy” in his toolbox.

Dublin native Ben Sheehy (20), of Clancy Park, Ennis, was convicted of possession of a knife at Dalcassian Park, Ennis, at 2.30am on August 22 last.

Garda Dominic Regan told En- nis district court on Friday that the accused was seen stumbling from side to side on the street anda knife – used for cutting paper – was found on him.

Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client – an apprentice aircraft mechanic – found the knife.

“He thought it would come in handy. He was going to put it in his toolbox,” she said.

The knife was produced in court and Judge Joseph Mangan said, “You would need more than that if you were confronting the German army.’ Inspector Tom Kennedy re- plied, “This was 2.30 in the morning. We’re finding people more and more in possession of such articles.

“It’s a very different situation when you are here on a Friday afternoon in a different atmosphere, but finding people with these things at 2.30 in the morning is a very different mat- ome

Judge Mangan jailed Sheehy for a month and suspended it on condition that he keep the peace for one year.

He was also convicted of a public order offence and fined €500.

ALLEGATIONS that an axe, alumi- num paint roller and sweeping brush were produced in a dispute between neighbours were made in court last ete

Before Ennis district court were Al- bert Mounsey (46), of 19 Oakwood Drive, Watery Road, Ennis and Hugh Dunne (56), of 17 Oakwood Drive, who denied assaulting each other last March.

Mr Mounsey pleaded guilty to dam- aging three windows on Mr Dunne’s home, on August 14 last.

Hugh Dunne told the court he had wheelbarrows of sand left over after he had completed his patio and he offered them to his neighbour Albert Mounsey.

“IT asked Albert Mounsey would he take it away. He said he would. He seemed to be on a high. He was shouting. I asked him to stop shout- ing. He shut the door in temper and came out the front door with the han- dle of an aluminum paint roller. As I was going into my house, he hit me on the back with the handle of the Steel roller,’ said Mr Dunne.

He said he saw Mr Mounsey out- side his door, with an axe in his hand, sLeSmrOnoherie

Mr Dunne told the court he had been harassed by Mr Mounsey.

“I was afraid of my life to go near him. I’m still afraid of what he would do. He is unpredictable,’ said Mr Dunne.

Mr Mounsey’s solicitor William Cahir replied, “You can’t expect the court to believe you are scared of your life of him and you are helping him fill a wheelbarrow.”

Mr Cahir said the allegation about the axe was not true.

Mr Mounsey told the court that Hugh Dunne arrived at his house with a yard brush in his hand.

“He stuck the brush into my back and said, “You are nothing but a b****rd and all your family are b****rds’, That put me into a rage and I got an extension pole. I did not touch the man. I did not assault him,” he said.

Mr Dunne’s solicitor Stephen Ni- cholas said to Mr Mounsey, in cross- examination, “You became agitated and you hit him with the roller.’ Mr Mounsey denied this.

Mr Nicholas said, “Since the date of this incident in March, every sin- gle day, you abuse Mr Dunne.”

Mr Mounsey replied, “I don’t abuse him. He abuses me.”

Judge Joseph Mangan dismissed the assault charge against Mr Dunne,

but convicted Mr Mounsey.

The judge asked Mr Mounsey to undertake to stay away from Mr Dunne and he did this.

The judge imposed a one-month jail term, and suspended it on con-

dition that he honour his undertak- ing to stay away from Mr Dunne. He fined him €100 for the criminal damage charge.

A FORMER hotel employee who Stole almost €8,000 from his boss was doing well paying back the money, until he broke out and started drinking.

Last January, Brian McNamara, of Main Street, Whitegate, pleaded culty to stealing €7,/775 from The

Central Hotel, Main Street, Miltown Malbay, between September 5 and September 8, 2005.

He took the money to feed his gam- bling and alcohol addictions and no longer works at the hotel.

The case was adjourned, to allow for compensation to be paid. Lis- doonvarna district court heard last week €3,140 was paid back, but

€4,630 was still outstanding.

Defending solicitor Eugene O’ Kelly said that the accused has been on bail for a year and a half.

During the first 12 months, he had not been drinking.

“Unfortunately six months ago, he went back drinking. He was not using the money he was earning on anything other than drink,” said the

solicitor.

‘For 12 months he was good, but for the last six months he was bad. He was back drinking and no money was paid in compensation,” said Mr O’ Kelly.

He said he was asking for “one final chance on very strict conditions.”

“He knows he will never get that chance again,” he added.

Judge Joseph Mangan said he would grant bail to the accused, on Ley aTe NL aCey shy

He is to sign on daily at a garda sta- tion and reside at a stated address in Galway.

He was remanded in custody with consent to bail, to reappear in court this week.

THIS Wednesday, the Mol an Oige primary school in Ennistymon take their fight for Department of Edu- cation recognition to Dublin where they will engage in a protest as the Dail reconvenes.

Parents and pupils will make the trip to Dublin in a bid to keep the 1s- sue at the front of the mind of Minis- ter for Education, Mary Hanafin.

“We’re simply trying to highlight the plight in terms of our application to open a new multi-denominational primary school in Ennistymon,” ex- plained Mol an Oige spokeswoman, Mary Fahy.

“We intend to give a letter to our Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, to remind him of the public commitment he made to our school during his elec- tion campaign when visiting Kilrush earlier this year.

“With all the recent media attention on two new multi-denominational schools in the Dublin area, we as a parent group are asking that the Min- ister for Education grant children in rural areas the same right to choice in education.”

Two years ago, the group began an application process to open a multi- denominational school implementing the National School Curriculum us- ing the Steiner model of education.

But because of a lack of commit- ment from the Department of Educa- tion to recognise the school, parents of those attending the school have had to organise educational matters.

“Despite having met all the crite- ria and complied with the process laid out by the Department of Edu- cation and despite having received two positive recommendations from the New Schools Advisory Commit- tee, we still await an answer from the minister.”

Minister for State Tony Killeen says he has been in regular contact with the Minister for Education about the issue.

“T’ve tried to establish exactly what is required of Mol an Ojge for the school to be officially recognised by her department,” he told