Month: March 2013

THERE have been renewed calls for the development of a purpose-built all-weather soccer pitch in Ennis in light of Clare teams choosing to train and play in Limerick.

The prospect of installing a € 500,000 astro turf soccer pitch in the Lees Road Sports Complex was raised at yesterday’s monthly meeting of Ennis Town Council.

In a motion, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) urged the council to look at the “possibility of developing an all- weather full-size soccer pitch in the Lees Road Sports Complex.”

Cllr Guilfoyle, who is involved with second division side Ruan United, told the meeting that no soccer games were played at Lees Road between December 20, 2012 and February 3, 2013.

He said this represented a loss of income to the council.

Cllr Guilfoyle said the grass pitch directly across from the dressing rooms could be converted into an all weather surface.

He said, “There are maybe 10 soccer teams altogether using Lees Road. If we had an all weather pitch, we could have teams playing at night during the week with floodlights.”

The meeting heard that two soccer teams – Turnpike Rovers and Connolly Celtic – recently paid € 150 to play a friendly game on the University of Limerick’s all weather pitch.

The Clare soccer team conducted most of their Oscar Traynor Trophy preparations on pitches in UL and the Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT).

In his reply Town Clerk Leonard Cleary said the council has explored the possibility of developing new all weather facilities at Lees Road.

He stated, “Ennis Town Council has recently researched the cost of developing an all-weather full-size soccer pitch in the Lees Road Sports Complex.

“This research was based on demand from the public and customers for such a facility in the context of ongoing inclement weather. The cost is estimated to be in the excess of € 500,000.

“Due to financial constraints on the council it is not possible to fund this project from our own resources.

“However the council will pur- sue any grant fund available if announced.”

Mr Cleary told the meeting that the council had also contacted the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) regarding the matter.

Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) said that while he supported Cllr Guilfoyle’s motion, he would like to see it expanded to include all sports teams.

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said that a recent meeting of the Lees Road management committee had heard that it would cost an estimated € 10,000 to upgrade the current all-weather pitch to the required standards.

ENNIS Town Council is to spend € 459,200 on the 2013 roadworks programme.

The programme was presented to councillors at yesterday’s monthly meeting of Ennis Town Council.

In his report, Town Engineer Eamon O’Dea said the council will provide € 120,000 from its own resources towards the maintenance of roads in the town, “which is significantly lower than funding in 2012 of € 175,000”.

He continued, “The non-national roads grant from the Department of Transport is € 339,000 which is € 78,000 lower than 2012. In Clare County Council’s Grant allocation from the Department of Transport under low cost safety schemes funds have been allocated to the Corrovorrin / Tulla Road junction and traffic light replacement at Captain Mac’s Cross on the Clare Road.”

150 residents have signed a petition to build a roundabout at the entrance to the estates at Oakleigh Wood, Derrymore, Cappahard estates on the Tulla Road.

The group say that measures are needed to cope with increased traffic on the road.

Town manager Ger Dollard said he met yesterday with residents of Oakleigh Woods.

He said it is an objective of Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council to develop a roundabout in the area. He said a detailed design had already been prepared but issues remained regarding land acquisition in the area.

The meeting heard that it could cost upwards of € 250,000 to build the roundabout.

Mr Dollard said funding for the project is an issue and that it would be unfeasible for the council to spend half of its € 459,200 budget for 2013 in one area of Ennis.

Council engineers are due to meet with residents on Thursday.

Town engineer Eamon O’Dea said traffic surveys and preliminary de- sign work has already been carried out for a roundabout at Corrovorrin.

Under the 2013 programme, the council is proposing to upgrade / construct footpaths in Golf Links Road (€ 15,000), Lahinch Road (€ 10,000) and The Crescent / Shannon Park (€ 15,000).

Pedestrian Crossings are proposed for Ashline, Kilrush Road, Frances Street (Tesco / Aldi), Carmody Street at Drumbiggle Road, Clare Road at St Flannan’s College, Clonroadbeg at Eire Óg, Gort Road at Ashfield Park – at a combined cost of € 52,000.

Additional pedestrian barriers are proposed for Rice College / Christian Brothers and Holy Family School at a cost of € 7,200.

The council is to spend € 20,000 on the provision of line marking and € 15,000 on the replacement of road signs in compliance with An Bord Teanga.

In his report, Mr O’Dea stated, “A total of 6600 square metres of road were re-surfaced in 2012 including significant works at Lower Parnell Street, Station Road, Coote’s Cross, Kilrush Road and Lower Market Street carpark. Footpath replacement was carried out at the Crescent and Shannon Park and a new section of footpath provided at Gaurus. The adjustment to the pedestrian crossing at Kelly’s Corner is being completed from 2012 funds.”

GARDA resources in Clare are stretched to breaking point with Clare Chief Superintendent, John Kerin, warning of “serious implications” if fresh blood is not allowed to flow into the force soon. Garda numbers in Clare have been reduced by 48 over the past two years and, according to Chief Supt Kerin, a number of retirements and career breaks are due to take place in the coming months.

Chief Supt Kerin also warned that he may have to take matters into his own hands and close number of smaller stations later this year because of a lack of manpower. This comes following the release of statistics for 2012 which show that gardaí in Clare have been performing welldespite the cuts.

“Four more members are leaving over the next two months and a number of others are looking at career breaks later this year. There is a rush of gardaí leaving in the months ahead. We have lasted well so far [during the recruitment embargo] but I simply can’t sustain the level or service that we are providing without new members coming in,” he said.

“The areas that will suffer are opening hours in rural stations and charities fundraisers that gardaí currently assist. I hope it doesn’t come to this but I have to be frank. We have done well up to now but there will be a serious implication on services if this situation does not change. If I don’t start getting more manpower, it may not be the Government who makes the decision about closing more stations [in Clare], I may have to do it myself because of a shortage of manpower.”

Speaking at last nights meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC), former Mayor of Clare Pat Hayes (FF), called for an end to the recruitment embargo which has been in force for the last four years. “Maybe you can’t say it because of political reasons, but I can say it. There has to be a lifting of the embargo on recruitment for gardaí,” he said

Meanwhile, Chief Supt Kerin threatened to walk out of last night’s meeting if a motion of no confidence in Justice Minister Alan Shatter (FG) was allowed to be tabled.

The motion was suggested by Cllr Cathal Crowe (FG) but was ruled out-of-order by the chair of the JPC, Cllr Joe Arkins (FG).

As Cllr Crowe debated this ruling with Cllr Arkins, Garda Kerin intervened and threatened to walk out of the meeting if the motion was allowed to go forward.

FOURTEEN people will be employed after car firm Renault announced details of a new dealership in Ennis.

The Gort Road based Hogan Motors in Ennis will run the new Renault dealership.

The well-known car dealer has been in the business for over 37 years. Dealer principal Paul Hogan and his wife Mary will run the dealership which will employ 14 people. Renault Ireland’s latest dealership will retail Renault passenger and commercial vehicles and facilitate Renault after sales and servicing, and will service Clare and neighbouring counties.

Hogan Motors Renault is open for business and Renault Open Week until March 9. Duncan Minto, Managing Director, Renault Ireland said, “We are delighted to announce that Hogan Motors is on board as our new dealer in County Clare and look forward to working closely with Paul and Mary Hogan. The Hogan family have worked in the motor industry for over three decades so are well served to offer great customer service and assistance.”

Paul Hogan said, “We are delighted to be given the opportunity to represent Renault in County Clare. The Renault range delivers ‘desirability with affordability’ and this, we feel, is exactly what the motoring public are looking for right now. We look forward to welcoming all our customers new and old to our premises on the Gort Road, Ennis, for the Renault open week from March 4 to 9.”

THE mystery artists who spraypainted a large mural on the side of the Cliffs of Moher have been identified as members of a Paris-based art collective known as the Dirty EST.

A short film, depicting two people journeying through Ireland on a graffiti rampage, was released last Wednesday evening on file-sharing website Vimeo.

The video depicts one male and one female graffiti artist, named as Dirty Edoir and Mama respectively, as they journeyed from Dublin to Galway and onto Clare, completing graffiti along the way.

The video depicts a mural being completed by Dirty Edoir at an unidentified derelict site in Dublin, as well as on a railway bridge in Galway.

The largest section of the video, however, shows the couple travelling from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher where Dirty Edoir can be seen completing the controversial mural.

The video closes with a shot of the pair looking out over the Atlantic Ocean from the Lahinch Promenade.

After going live late on Wednesday evening, the video received a slew of negative comments through social media about the graffiti on the Cliffs of Moher.

The video was removed from the Vimeo website early on Thursday morning.

A number of attempts to contact members of the Dirty EST collective have failed. Indeed, the Paris-based group have taken both their Facebook and Vimeo accounts off-line over the weekend.

It now appears that the pair may have also entered the derelict Corrib Great Southern Hotel in Galway City during their rampage across Ireland.

The Cliffs of Moher also appeared on a French blog operated by Dirty Edoir and Mama, before it was removed over the weekend.

The blog, which is located at mexplo.blogspot.ie, also includes a series of pictures taken from inside the hotel. The images, which were posted by ‘Mama’ depict the interior of the hotel, including the emptied swimming pool and several images of rooms in a state of disrepair.

The hotel, which is located beside the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), is owned by Barrett’s Property Holdings, but has been empty for some time. GMIT had reportedly been interested in turning the former hotel into a cookery school but no firm plans have been announced to date.

Meanwhile, Limerick cleaners from Premier Industrial Cleaning and Maintenance successfully removed the graffiti from the Cliffs of Moher, in what has been dubbed as “comando cleaning”.

The group worked in harnasses above the 600-feet-high cliff for more then eight hours until the offending mural was removed.

“It is a shame that such vandalism has taken place on one of Ireland’s most famous tourist attractions. Severe penalties should be handed out through the courts for such actions. Onlookers who watched us from a distance were shocked that someone had taken such a risk to vandalise such a spot of beauty,” said Billy Marshall of the company.

“In my 21 years in business, this was the most daunting task we have had to carry out.”

A KILRUSH man in “dire need of help” to fight a heroin addiction has had his case adjourned until April.

Grave concern was expressed for the health of Anthony Sweeney (20) at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Friday.

Mr Sweeney was in court having pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary at Dysart, Kilrush on June 26 (2012).

The court heard that the accused and another man were seen searching a car outside a house in a rural are of West Clare.

The court heard a set of keys had been taken from the house.

The offenders fled on bikes to a wooded area after being disturbed and the gardaí were called.

Mr Sweeney, with an address at 13 Wood Road, Kilrush, was subsequently arrested and made admissions to gardaí.

Detective Garda Donal Corkery of Kilrush Garda Station gave evidence in the case.

The court heard Det Corkery has taken an active interest in the welfare of Mr Sweeney by regularly liaising with the Sweeney family.

He said the accused suffers from a chronic addiction to heroin. Det Corkery told the court he had “grave concerns” for the health and wellbeing of Mr Sweeney due to his drug addiction.

He said he would consent to an adjournment of the case on the basis that Mr Sweeney was remanded in custody.

Det Corkery said, “I believe he is in dire need of help in terms of his drug addiction and he won’t get it himself.”

The court heard Mr Sweeney’s family have been left “very, very drained” by the impact of drug abuse.

Counsel for Mr Sweeney, Mark Nicholas BL, told the court that heroin abuse is an “awful course to be afflicted with.”

Judge Gerard Keyes remarked that this was the third case that day he had dealt with where a lack of residential treatment places for drug users had emerged as an issue in sentencing.

Mr Nicholas said, “They (addicts) are a voiceless people who cannot march on the Dáil Éireann (to be heard).”

Judge Keyes said greater availability of drug treatment and rehabilitation facilities would save money for the State in the long term.

Judge Keyes said that if Mr Sweeney went back on the streets without access to appropriate services, “the chances of re-offending because of drug use would be high.”

Judge Keyes said that irrespective of there being no violence involved, he regarded Mr Sweeney’s offence as a serious one.

“People are entitled to reside safe in bed at night,” he added.

Sentencing was adjourned until April 16, pending involvement from the Probation Services. Mr Sweeney was remanded in custody.

A DUBLIN man who demanded money from a pregnant woman during a shop robbery in Ennis last January has been sentenced to 16 months in prison.

Joshua Brophy (23) had consumed cocaine and alcohol prior to stealing € 325 from Liddy’s Costcutter, Mill Road, Ennis, on January 12 (2012).

Mr Brophy, with an address at Flat 1397, South Circular Road, Rialto, Dublin, was sentenced at a sitting of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Friday.

The court heard the heavily pregnant woman believed the man used a knife like instrument when he de- manded the money from her.

No weapon was recovered and CCTV footage indicated that the man did not know the woman was pregnant, the court heard.

Judge Gerard Keyes said the incident had a traumatic effect on the woman who he said was extremely anxious for the welfare of her unborn child.

“This was a serious offence and one that had a very traumatic effect on the victim,” he added.

Judge Keyes said Mr Brophy had been under the influence of drugs and alcohol having partied all night in Ennis.

He said cocaine had given the accused the “courage” to commit the offence.

Mr Brophy has 86 previous convictions, the court heard.

Judge Keyes said he had been told that Mr Brophy had incurred a drug debt of € 36,000 at the time of the robbery.

He said the accused had offered his apologies to the victim.

The court heard Mr Brophy comes from a difficult family background. He had been homeless for a period as a teenager and become addicted to heroin aged 15.

Mr Brophy is currently clean of all substances and has requested a place in the Cuan Mhuire residential treatment centre.

Judge Keyes said he had been told the accused is very anxious to remain drug free and is eager to rehabilitate himself.

A letter of support from homeless campaigner, Fr Peter McVerry was handed into court.

Judge Keyes said he wanted treatment to be an aspect of the sentence imposed on Mr Brophy but that there are a lack of residential treatment places available.

He added, “Fr McVerry is doing what the State should be doing and that is what concerns me.”

Mr Brophy was sentenced to three years in prison, with the final 14 months suspended.

The sentence was backdated to February 5. A direction was also issued for Mr Brophy to come under the care of the Probation Services on release. T W O MEN charged with smashing up a van in an Ennis estate last year have had their cases adjourned until April. Dylan Dinan (20), with an address at 6Water Park Court, Ennis and MartinWard (25), with an address at 17 Main Street, Gort are charged with the criminal damage of the windscreen and bodywork of a van at Maiville, Ennis on October 11 (2012). Inspector TomKennedy told Ennis District Court onWednesday that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the case. He said it would be alleged that the accused went to Maiville at around 8.30pmand damaged the van belonging to a woman with a baseball bat. He said the cost of the damage has been estimated at €4767. Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction. Solicitor for Mr Dinan,Tara Godfrey, said she would be seeking disclosure fromthe State. Mr Ward was not present in court for proceedings. His solicitor, Daragh Hassett, told the court that his client had been advised by gardaí not to come to court because of the presence of certain individuals. Both men were remanded on bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on April 3. A MA N has appeared in court charged in connection with a public order incident on the Kilrush Road in Ennis last month. Anthony McDonagh (26) is charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at Maiville, Kilrush Road Ennis on February 28 (2013). Mr McDonagh, with an address at 37 Maiville, Kilrush Road, Ennis is also facing a charge of being intoxicated in a public place. Inspector TomKennedy said the matter is to be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Solicitor Tara Godfrey requested that the case be adjourned to April 10. Legal aid was approved for Ms Godfrey. A MA N allegedly found in possession of cannabis and ecstasy at an Ennis address has appeared in court. Sean Slattery (23), with an address at 39 Park Avenue, Clon Road, appeared at Ennis District Court onWednesday. He is charged with the unlawful possession of ecstasy and cannabis herb at 39 Park Avenue, Clon Road on February 17 (2013). He is further charged with having cannabis for sale or supply at the same location and same date. Inspector TomKennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had yet to issue directions in the case. He requested a two-week adjournment. Defence Solicitor Daragh Hassett consented to the adjournment on behalf of his client.The case was adjourned until March 13. T W O MEN

A TATTOO artist has received a six month suspended sentence for his role in an incident that saw a car set ablaze outside an unoccupied house in Ennis three years ago.

Siegfried Avenstrup (23) acted as lookout when the grey Suzuki car was damaged by fire at 6 St Anne’s Terrace, Clon Road, Ennis on December 9, 2009.

Mr Avenstrup, with former addresses at Lios an Cnoic, Barnaderg, Tuam, Galway and Laurel Lodge, Ennis, pleaded guilty last month to a charge of criminal damage.

A jury last month unanimously found Mr Avenstrup not guilty of a charge of damaging the house by arson.

He was one of three people who were on the premises when the incident occurred.

Garda Emmet Roche of Ennis Garda Station told the court that Mr Avenstrup and two others had come to the house with the intention of stealing the car.

When they discovered the car was incapable of being stolen, the court heard, a decision was made to set the car on fire.

There was no engine in the car, which was valued at € 500.

The court heard that Mr Avenstrup was part of the decision to set the car on fire.

The court heard that the car had been parked at the house to give the impression the premises was occupied as homeless people had been entering the house.

Garda Roche said the accused was subsequently arrested and made full admissions.

The court heard Mr Avesntrup is originally from South Africa and had lived in Sixmilebridge. He is currently leasing a tattoo parlour.

Counsel for Mr Avesntrup, Pat Whyms BL, said his client had not wanted any part in stealing the car.

He said his client acted as lookout while other people set fire to the car.

Mr Whyms said his client “strongly apologises” to the owner of the car that was damaged.

He added, “He greatly regrets his involvement in this activity on that night.”

Judge Gerard Keyes said Mr Avenstrup had shown a “complete lack of respect” to the owner’s property.

Judge Keyes said that while the accused was not involved in the burning of the car, he participated in an important aspect of the offence, that of lookout.

He said the law regards a person who acts as lookout to be as important as the person who burns the property.

He imposed a six-month sentence, suspending it for one year.

Mr Avenstrup was also ordered by the judge to pay compensation of € 200 to the car owner within six months.

FOUR people have been returned for trial for their alleged involvement in a public order disturbance at a roundabout in Ennis last year.

At Ennis District court on Wednesday, Books of Evidence were served on Bernard McDonagh Snr (45) Christopher McDonagh (38), Bernard McDonagh Jnr (22) and a 16year-old boy.

The four are facing charges arising out of an incident at the Maid of Erin Roundabout, Ennis on October 14 (2012).

Bernard McDonagh Jnr (22), with an address at 1 Ashline, Kilrush Road, Ennis is charged with possession of an article with intent to cause injury and the production of an article in the course of a dispute.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with possession of a hatchet with intent to cause injuries to John Doherty, Martin Doherty and Jimmy Doherty. He is also charged with the production of a hatchet.

Christopher McDonagh, with an address at 1 Davitt Terrace, Cloughleigh, Ennis and Childers Road, Ennis, is charged with production of an iron bar and possession of an iron bar with intent to cause injury to John Doherty, Martin Doherty and Jimmy Doherty.

All three accused are also facing a charge of violent disorder arising out of the same incident.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the State were seeking an amendment to the wording of the charge of violent disorder against all three accused.

Insp Kennedy said the State wanted to replace the names of individuals contained in the charges with the phrase, “two or more persons.”

Solicitor for Bernie McDonagh Jnr and the teenager, Daragh Hassett, consented to the change.

Solicitor for Christopher McDonagh, Tara Godfrey, said she had been instructed to object to the amendment. She said the amended charge represented a “fundamental change in the allegation” against her client.

Insp Kennedy disagreed, saying it did not alter the substantive matter of the violent disorder charge.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he agreed with Insp Kennedy. He approved the amendment.

Garda Irene O’Flynn gave evidence of having served the Books of Evidence on all three accused.

Curfew for Bernie McDonagh Jnr was extended to 11pm. Legal aid was approved for solicitor Shiofra Hassett and one junior counsel.

In respect of the teenager, legal aid was approved for solicitor Joseph Considine and one junior counsel.

Legal aid was approved for Ms Godfrey and one junior counsel in respect of Christopher McDonagh.

The Book of Evidence was also served on Bernie McDonagh Snr.

Mr McDonagh, with an address at 1 Ashline, Kilrush Road, Ennis is charged with the assault of John Doherty.

He also faces three charges of criminal damage and one charge of dangerous driving.

It is further alleged that Bernard McDonagh Snr drove a vehicle in a dangerous and reckless manner, which created substantial risk of death or serious harm to another.

Bail was approved for Mr McDonagh on condition that he reside at Nashes Boreen, Cork City and report daily to a garda station.

Legal aid was approved for Daragh Hassett and one junior counsel.

All four accused were returned for trial to the current sittings of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court.

A MOVE towards group transport for disabled people in County Clare may prove uneconomical in the future – as it would prevent disabled people from accessing employment and becoming tax-payers themselves.

That is is the opinion of a number of disabled Clare people who have been able to find work after accessing the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant.

One such person, Declan Considine from Kilmihil, believes he would never have been able to gain employment without the motorised Transport Grant.

“I did a course with NUI, Galway, and from that course I received a placement in the Civil Service. That placement was down in Clonakilty in Cork.

“I used the Motorised Transport Grant to help me to buy a car that would allow me to go to work every day. If there was no grant, there would have been no job for me,” he said.

“For the majority of people with disabilities, social welfare or a FÁS scheme is their only way of surviving.

“It would be virtually impossible for someone to purchase a car to get to education or work if it wasn’t for the help of this scheme. And without a car there is no chance of mov- ing on.”

Clare woman Anne Dunne says that group transport schemes – such as the one operated by the Disabled People of Clare (DPOC) – are not a sufficient solution to allow disabled people to live independent lives.

“Independence is a key issue for a person who is disabled. I had to go to the hospital last week. I booked transport with Disabled People of Clare (DPOC), who do a great job, two week ahead of time and they came back and asked me could I share a bus into Limerick that morning.

“The other person’s appointment was at a totally different time to mine – so what happens is that we are both in the hospital all day long, waiting hours for each other,” she said.

North Clare woman Anne Marie Flanaghan, says she would never have been able to find employment if it has not be for the schemes.

“I used to get the Mobility Grant and the Motorised Transport Grant and that helped me to get my first car.

“If it wasn’t for these grants I could not have gone to college and I wouldn’t have been able to get a job.

“Because I got this grant. I am independent today; I am working and paying taxes. I am now in a situation that I don’t need or qualify for the grant anymore and that is how it should be.”