Month: May 2013

A RESIDENT has described what he called the “neglect” of Ballyalla Lake over the past 30 years as “an absolute disgrace”.

Noel O’Driscoll who has lived across from Ballyalla Lake for 33 years, was speaking at public meeting in Ennis last week.

Mr O’Driscoll said the area has been blighted by the illegal dumping of waste.

He said he has seen all types of waste dumped around the lake. Mr O’Driscoll said numerous promises had been made during election cam- paigns but nothing had ever been done to solve problems at Ballyalla.

He added, “It has been an absolute disgrace the way this amenity has been neglected.”

Around 47 people attended the meeting at the Auburn Lodge Hotel, which heard a number of proposals for Ballyalla including unlocking the lake’s Blue Flag potential.

13 people expressed an interest in joining a working group.

A majority of people present also voted in favour of pursuing Blue Flag status and protecting the area’s unique biodiversity status.

The meeting was called by local councilor Johnny Flynn (FG).

Cllr Flynn told the meeting that Blue Flag status would be accompanied by byelaws that could prevent the use of speedboats and jet-skis, an issue that arose as a point of concern for some contributors at the meeting.

At the May meeting of Ennis Town Council, Cllr Flynn is calling on Ennis Town Council to draft byelaws that would allow for Gandelow boat journeys on the River Fergus, from Knox’s Bridge, to Steele’s Rock to the Post Office Field.

A Gandelow is a boat that had been used on the River Shannon and Fergus Estuary.

Cllr Flynn said the initiative would seek to promote Ennis as the midwest’s premier romance town.

Brian O’Neill, Chairman of Promote Ennis, said Ennis would benefit from having a top class environmentally friendly waterside amenity in close proximity to the town.

He said, “The benefits are simple. It would be more likely for tourist to come to Ennis, to stay for longer to spend more money, which in turn would create more employment. It could be a major employer for the town of Ennis.”

He added, “With the motorway you can now be in Dublin in two-hours. For this reason it’s now feasible for tourists to go to the Cliffs of Moher and back without spending € 1 in Clare. The Wild Atlantic is fantastic for towns and villages in the west of Ireland but it is giving them another reason to bypass Ennis. We need to give people as many reasons to divert into town.”

He said, “There is something missing. From my own conversations with tourists; they are looking for something else to do. Whether it’s a couple or a group of friends. Lees Road is a fantastic amenity but it is mainly a sports amenity. But there is a demand for activity-based tourism, surfing kayaking rock-climbing. There is a demand and the demand is growing.”

GARDAÍ were forced to intervene when members of two Ennis famillies were allegedly involved in an confrontation at Ennis Courthouse on Wednesday.

The alleged incident took place just inside the door of the courthouse shortly before 10.30am. As many as three men were allegedly involved in the incident.

Sittings of Ennis District Court and the Family Law Court meant a large number of people were in the Courthouse at the time. One man required hospital treatment as a result of the alleged assault he occurred.

Two men were arrested, with one appearing before the District Court that afternoon.

Edward McDonagh (33), with an address at 18 Davitt Terrace, Cloughleigh, is charged with assault and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the accused appeared before the court following a “fracas” that developed outside the courtroom.

He said the State strongly opposed bail for Mr McDonagh. He said he did not think the conduct that is alleged in a public place could be condoned. “Its happening too often,” he added. Insp Kennedy said it would be alleged that the incident stemmed from a “violent feud” that developed in the town over the last 12 months.

He said the State opposed bail because the “public interest demanded something be done.”

Insp Kennedy added, “How much more are going to have to take, short of them coming into the courtroom and attacking all and sundry, if they can’t restrain themselves from disrespecting this courthouse.”

Defence solicitor Fiona Hehir told the court that her client will say he was spat at and provoked. Detective Garda John Casey, who gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, said he accepted there may have been an element of provocation.

Judge Durcan said he shared some of Insp Kennedy’s concerns. He said he heard some of the “consternation” outside the courtroom.

Judge Durcan ruled that no issues arose under the Bail Act. He remanded Mr McDonagh in custody with conset to bail. A surety was later approved for the accused and he was released on bail.

Judge Durcan ordered the case be listed for hearing tomorrow (Wednesday).

He said, “I’m not going to have people coming in and treating this Courthouse and the public the way he allegedly did.”

BIDS from all over the world have already been made for a priceless piece of JRR Tolkien memorabilia, which will go under the hammer as part of the first ever Burren Tolkien Festival this month.

A signed copy of ‘Tree of Leaf’ will be auctioned for charity in Lisdoonvarna next Thursday, May 16. The book is the first run of the first edition of the book and was personally given to Lisdoonvarna resident Jeremy Prince, when he was a student of Tolkien’s at Oxford.

The silent auction will be managed by Scéal Eile bookshop in Ennis and will form the finale of the Tolkien Festival.

A number of digital bids have already been received from international collectors and bids will be accepted through email or in person until 3pm on May 16. No detail of the bids will be made public during the auction and the largest bid will receive the priceless copy.

“People are already bidding by email and people will be able to bid in the room on the day,” said Pat Hynes of Scéal Eile.

“The book is special because we know Tolkien has handled it. He took it off his book shelf and handed it to Jeremy Prince 50 years ago. But it is also facsimile signed – so we know that it came from the very first print run, which is always the most valuable.”

The book has been fully restored by Scéal Eile in preparation for the auction.

“The book will be on display during the festival so people can come and have a look at it. We have had a lot of interest in the book already but I would imaging they will be a rush in the days before the auction,” said Eibhleann Ni Ghríofa of Scéal Eile.

“We should know soon after the deadline who will get the book; everything should be sorted out in 15 or 20 minutes. There are a few events due to take place after the auction close so it should be a great finale for the festival.”

Anyone who wishes to register to make a bid in silent auction can do so at a cost of € 50 at www.scealeilebooks.ie.

UNMANNED flying drones could be used by gardaí to combat mobile crime gangs, an Ennis councillor has suggested.

Fine Gael councillor Johnny Flynn said the small, unmanned aircraft could form part of a Pilot Policing Technology (PPT) scheme to assist gardaí.

Cllr Flynn is calling on the Minister for Justice to start an initial phase of the scheme which he says would “assist the war on crime by putting in place immediately a scheme to fund mobile CCTV and other tech- nologies for Ennis Gardaí to combat anti-social behaviour and in housing estates”.

Details of the scheme are contained in a motion submitted by Cllr Flynn to today’s meeting of Ennis Town Council.

Cllr Flynn explained, “This funding mechanism scheme could be modelled along the lines of a similar one that is currently in place under the responsibility of the Minister of Environment.”

Cllr Flynn states that the scheme was used by the council to fund the purchase of mobile CCTV equipment to deal more effectively with fly tipping and other forms of illegal dumping.

He says that mobile CCTV systems should be positioned by the gardaí, for periods as long as is necessary, on streets and estates in Ennis affected by anti-social behaviour.

He adds, “This scheme should also consider the use of unmanned flying drones as a resource for Gardaí in its battle with mobile criminals and other anti-social elements in society.”

Drone aircraft have been used most recently by the United States army for surveillance and armed missions in parts of the Middle East and Africa. The motion is due to be discussed at today’s meeting of Ennis Town Council. Meanwhile, the quality of life in Ennis’ estates is also due to be discussed at the meeting.

Fianna Fáil councillor Brian Meaney is urging the council to consider developing a Neighbour Investment Plan for some estates in Ennis.

In a motion, Cllr Meaney said the plan could aid estates “improve their performance across a range of quality of life indicators, which in come cases are below regional and national averages”.

Deputy Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) is calling on the council to “apply to become one of the pilot towns in Retail Excellence Ireland’s National Town and City Project.”

ENNIS Town Council has warned that dog owners who do not clean up after their animals who foul in public areas will be fined and prosecuted under the Litter Pollution Act.

Environmental wardens will be renewing efforts to combat dog fouling around the town by actively targeting blackspot areas over the coming weeks, the local authority said.

The public are also being encouraged to report, in confidence, to Ennis Town Council any offences they see being committed.

“Dog fouling is an issue that has been on top of people’s mind as the worst form of litter and has been one of the top issues of complaint from members of the public in recent times,” explained environmental warden Gerry Murphy.

Mr Murphy noted that dog owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets in public areas but some are ignoring their responsibilities. He added that dog waste is not only a nuisance but can carry diseases which can be harmful to humans.

He continued, “The council is keen to promote the message that allowing your dog to foul in a public area and then not picking it up is simply unacceptable. Failing to clean up after your dog is the same as littering and is an offence under the Litter Pollution Acts. If you do not clean up after your dog you could face an on the spot fine of € 150 or up to a maximum fine of € 3,000 in court for each offence.”

“In January 2012, Ennis Town Council launched Personal Poop Scoop Dispensers which are available free of charge to dog owners from Ennis Town Council offices and the Dog Pound on the Gort Road in Ennis.

“These dispensers, which fit directly on to a dog lead so dog owners will not forget to bring them with them, are being made available so as to help dog owners to meet their civic duty not to cause a mess when exercising their pets,” Mr Murphy concluded.

To report littering contact Ennis Town Council’s Environment Section at 065 6828040. For further information contact www.ennistowncouncil.ie.

GONDOLA type boats and greater use of the Rover Fergus could see Ennis become Ireland’s answer Venice. That’s according to one local councillor who wants to see Clare become the romance capital of the mid-west.

Ennis councillor Johnny Flynn (FG) is urging Ennis Town Council to draft new byelaws that would al low gondola boat journeys through the town centre.

Speaking earlier this month, Cllr Flynn explained that gondolas are boats that were traditional to the River Shannon and Fergus Estuary.

He said, “These were common to the River Fergus and what I would want to see is Ennis become Ireland’s answer to Venice.”

Cllr Flynn’s proposals are due to be discussed at today’s monthly meeting of Ennis Town Council.

In a motion, Cllr Flynn states that Clare needs to develop a unique selling point to capitalize on the Wild Atlantic Way tourism initiative.

He says that the town’s waterways could be utilized more. According to Cllr Flynn boat tours could run from Knox’s Bridge to Steele’s Rock.

He states, “In order for Ennis and Clare to benefit in terms of jobs etc from the development and the promotion of the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ tourist trail from Donegal to West Cork there is a need to develop a Unique Selling Point, a USP, for the county and its capital town to attract stayovers in the county. Clare is home to the month-long world famous Matchmaking Festival at Lisdoonvarna.

“Ennis due to foundation on an island and its history of flooded streets has been known over the decades as ‘Ireland’s Venice’.”

Cllr Flynn states that the council should seek to build “on Lisdoonvarna’s world renowned matchmaking reputation by promoting Clare and Ennis town as the premier romance county and town destinations along the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ by immediately drafting byelaws to permit and regulate: (a) horse drawn journeys in jarveys in and around the town centre; (b) gondola boat journeys on the Fergus River from Knox’s Bridge to Steele’s Rock to Post Office Field. Steele’s Rock is so called as result of Tom Steele famously serenading across the Fergus the woman of his dreams living on the opposite riverbank.”

A BALLYVAUGHAN grandmother who says she was ‘butchered’ by doctors when giving birth to her first son in 1965, is appealing to the Health Service Executive (HSE) to locate records of the birth.

Elizabeth “Ellen” Moore says that she has wanted to die on a number of occasions over the past 48 years following her symphysiotomy – which has left her in near constant pain and completely incontinent.

This procedure, which involved breaking a woman’s pelvic bone during labour, was conducted without her knowledge or permission in September of 1965.

Mrs Moore has recently obtained all her medical records from the HSE under Freedom of Information – but records of the birth of her first son and the controvertial symphysiotomy have been lost.

Ellen, who has five grown up children now living in Shannon and East Clare, says she wants the records so she can finally explain to her children why their mother was the way she was.

“My family are so supportive – they always have been. Sometimes I just curl up on the bed and hope that the pain will go away. It is difficult, [but] I had to get up every morning. I had five children, I had to keep going,” she said.

“There were time when I wanted to die, I wanted to get into bed and never get out of it – after I’d had an accident down the town of something.

“Nobody can give me back the years of my life. I should have had a good life, I should have been able to go places and do things – but I’ve been tied to pain. I think if I felt sorry for myself, I’d start to crack up.”