Month: October 2013

A LIMERICK man has received a 12-month prison sentence for his role in a spate of burglaries in Shannon earlier this year.

Joseph Mulcahy (21) broke into six homes in the Shannon area between January 11 and March 24 stealing items including cash and jewellery, while ransacking homes.

Mr Mulcahy pleaded guilty to burglaries at Tullyvarraga, Tullyglass Hill, Inis Sioda, Tullyglass Crescent and Dun na Óir, at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

The court heard Mr Mulcahy, with an address at Riverview, Ballyhahill, Limerick, was visiting friends in Shannon when he and a group of others broke into and ransacked the houses.

Detective Garda Andrew Hayes of Shannon Garda Station told the court that in many instances the houses burgled belonged to elderly and retired people.

Jewellery valued at € 5800 was stolen from one house.

In another case, a retired couple re- turned home to find their savings of € 3200 had been stolen.

Mr Mulcahy told gardaí he was not involved in that theft.

The accused also pleaded guilty to two public order offences at Topaz petrol station, Shannon on September 20 (2012).

The man’s solicitor said his client, a father of one, was dependent on alcohol and drugs when the offences were committed.

He said Mr Mulcahy’s early plea obviated the need for a detailed forensic investigation into the spate of Shannon crime scenes.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he felt sorry for Mr Mulcahy, as his difficulties had affected his life.

He said he had sympathies for the victims who had their homes violated.

“I absolutely detest this type of carry on”, Judge Durcan added.

He imposed sentences totaling 12 months.

“The message must go out that anybody who breaks into a house will face lengthy sentences,” Judge Durcan said.

AN Ennis woman has been told she will be sent to jail if she makes any more enquiries about her ex-boyfriend.

Judge Patrick Durcan issued the warning to Siobhan Downes (34) at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Ms Downes, with an address at Childer’s Road, Ennis, is alleged to have breached the terms of her bail conditions.

The former air-hostess was granted bail earlier this month at Ennis District Court after being charged with breaching a protection order on October 3 by allegedly going to her former boyfriend’s home.

Last month, Ms Downes avoided a jail sentence after pleading guilty to six separate breaches of a protection order originally imposed by the court in February.

At the time, the court heard Ms Downes’ former partner secured the order after the breakdown of the couple’s relationship.

The court heard Ms Downes had been unable to get over her infatuation with her former boyfriend resulting in the successive breaches.

On Wednesday, Garda Margaret Leahy of Ennistymon Garda Station told the court it is alleged Ms Downes approached a woman at work on October 21.

It is alleged Ms Downes asked the woman if her daughter is still going out with the accused’s ex-boyfriend.

Garda Leahy told the court:

“She’s making enquiries about the injured party and who he is going out with and that would be a concern.”

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court this represented a breach of the order.

“I find it nothing short of astonishing that we are here today discussing another alleged breach,” Inspector Kennedy said.

Defence solicitor Turlough Herbert said the enquiries did not represent a breach of his client’s bail terms.

Mr Herbert said Ms Downes has numerous appointments and it is critical she attends them.

Judge Durcan told Mr Herbert, “If your client wants her freedom today, I want a sworn undertaking.”

Ms Downes gave a sworn undertaking she would not make contact with the injured party and not make enquiries of him.

“If there is any breach of the word or spirit of the bail conditions, I will revoke that bail,” added Judge Durcan.

Judge Durcan also apologized to Ms Downes for a remark he made previously where he told her the courts are not a “crèche for middleaged people.”

He told the 34-year-old she does not fall into that age category.

Ms Downes was remanded on bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on December 4

THE cases of two people charged with illegally entering the runway of Shannon Airport have been adjourned to next month.

It is alleged peace activists Niall Farrell (60) and Margaretta Darcy (79) on October 7 (2012) and September 1 (2013) interfered with the proper use of Shannon Airport by going on the runway without permission.

The alleged offences are contrary to the Air Navigation and Transport Act.

Earlier this month Mr Farrell, with an address at Ballynacloghy, Maree, Galway, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Ms Darcy, with an address at St Bridget’s Place, Woodquay, Galway, has also pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Their cases were listed at Ennis District Court on Wednesday to fix a date for hearing.

The cases were further adjourned after it emerged in court that Ms Darcy is in hospital receiving treatment.

Mr Farrell, who wore an orange Guantanamo Bay style prison jumpsuit, handed in a letter from the Galway Hospital to the court confirming Ms Darcy’s absence.

In a previous hearing related to the case Judge Durcan issued a warning that he would not tolerate his court being used as a platform for press conferences or political purposes. As well as Guantanamo style jumpsuits, activists have appeared in court wearing ‘Obama facemasks.’

Inspector Tom Kennedy said he had been notified Ms Darcy was in hospital.

“I have no reason to doubt that,” he added. Judge Patrick Durcan adjourned the cases to November 6.

THE proposal to build a primary retail park on the grounds of the former Ennis National School site has met with more objections.

Local residents to the site on the Kilrush road have already raised concerns a potential shopping park would have on traffic and parking and now a potential local election candidate said he also objects to such a development.

Eoin Neylon is a member of the Fianna Fáil National Executive and possible candidate for Ennis in the next local election.

This week he said he would oppose the development describing it as “short-sighted, unsustainable development”.

“Already in Ennis we see vacant retail space on almost every street in the town centre. The short-term job boost during the construction phase of any proposed retail outlet would be counter-balanced in job loses in the retail sector in the heart of the town and would ultimately lead to stagnation in the development of our high streets. This exact series of events has played out in several towns across the country over the past 15 years and we should not aim to add Ennis to that list,” he said.

He said the business owners in the town centre are being given very little support whilst being asked to pay “a massive price on the road to recovery”.

“The last thing they now need is a white elephant retail development in the town which would be the death knell for many shops. What these shops need is financial certainty going forward and a commitment from incoming councillors after the May elections that the rates will not be increased. If the bureaucratic boot is taken off their neck, and the uncertainty removed, some of these businesses will have the space to thrive and could in fact increase their staffing levels, which would be a further boost to the local economy.”

He suggested the site be used to provide a car park for the town.

“What shoppers need is a greater number of parking spaces to shop in the town centre and this site may be ideal for this purpose. There’s also a need for a more central people’s park where people can go and sit out when looking for a break. The good weather this summer highlighted the lack of such a facility and either the Ennis National School site or the Post Office field could be very useful in this regard,” he said.

Ennis Town Council has already had discussions with landowners so “a master plan can be prepared for its development with the objective of completing the planning process at an early stage to ensure that the redevelopment of the site as a primary retail area can be progressed immediately on the relocation”.

Ennis Parish is among the bodies that have shown its support for a project and even suggested extending the town boundary to take in the Kilrush Road site.

A BURREN based political artist staged a public art demonstration in Ennistymon last week which she hopes will help end the process of fluoridation of water in Ireland.

Doolin-based artist Marianne Slevin staged the public art event outside the Ennistymon Library, which involved arranging a number of leaves with messages on them concerning the process of water fluoridation.

The issue of fluoridation of Irish water has become contentions in recent months with a bill to end the practice due to come before Dáil Éireann later this year.

“It is certainly a political activity. I think art can be very transformative, and sometimes issues that can be difficult to talk about or can cause conflict are best approached from an artistic medium,” said Marianne.

“I think this is a way that people can hear about an issue and approach it in own way. People can come to the subject in their own way. I mean, I hate confrontation, I’d do anything to avoid confrontation, so this a way of talking about an issue without forcing my views on them.

“I had brought leaves with some writing on them with me, and after that I started to improvise. I set myself up outside the library and built a place to work there. When I was finished I just walked away and let people discover the leaves and the messages themselves.”

Marianne has also been interacting with people on the streets Ennis and Ennistymon in recent week asking people to pretend that they are asleep or hypnotized. Marianne’s husband, professional photographer James Slevin, then takes picture of the scene which will become part of a future exhibition.

“We talk about it [water fluoridation] if people are interested to talk about it, or we just take pictures with them if that is what they are comfortable with. Later we do hope to have an exhibition of this when it is finished,” continued Marianne.

Marianne and James operate the Secret Gallery in Doolin. The gallery, which is located in their own home, is open to members of the public who happen to find it.

TOURISM and business interests from along the western corridor from Limerick as far as Galway hailed the announced of eight new Ryanair routes out of Shannon to begin in 2014 as a huge boost to the west of Ireland.

The four chambers of commerce along the Atlantic Technology Corridor – Ennis, Limerick, Galway and Shannon – have said the new routes that will operational in April 2014 represent a huge shot in the arm to nearly 1,500 business in the catchment area. “The increased frequency to Lon don Stansted and the additional destinations offered to Central and Eastern Europe will greatly benefit the 1,355 businesses which form the membership of the four Chambers, and the 45,700 people employed by them,” they said. “Shannon Airport is the critical gateway to west and eastbound business and tourist traffic, which feeds the growth of so many businesses in this part of the west of Ireland. The four Chambers therefore regard Shannon as the airport for business in their sphere of influence. “Ryanair has demonstrated its be- lief in and commitment to Shannon; the onus is now on all stakeholders along the west coast to ensure that economical load levels are attained. Full aircraft demonstrate demand, and increased demand will lead to additional capacity being delivered in the future.”

Meanwhile, the Clare Tourism Forum has said the Ryanair expansion will help to sustain thousands of jobs in the local tourism and hospitality sector.

“The provision of direct services to French and German destinations in particular is a significant moment,” said forum chairperson Donnagh Gregson, “not only for Shannon Air port but tourism in this region as it will enable operators here to capitalise on the recent growth we have seen in the number of continental tourists visiting the county.

“Furthermore, this announcement will help to sustain existing jobs and create new opportunities for development amongst tourism operators in the wider region.

Ms Gregson confirmed that the Forum would now begin to refocus its marketing efforts to ensure that the new markets being opened up by Ryanair are targeted in the coming months. “Our members are particularly de lighted with the addition of services to Paris, Nice, Berlin and Munich which are key markets for the local tourism sector. “The commencement of these new routes in April 2014 will complement a comprehensive schedule of transatlantic services next year, which bodes well for tourism in County Clare and the west of Ireland. We are committed to supporting Shannon Airport by promoting all of these routes as well as playing our part in attracting additional routes and airline operators to the airport in the coming months and years,” she added.

INDEPENDENCE has been the key in sparking a huge upturn in the fortunes of Shannon Airport over the past year, with the freedom of being allowed to chart its own future ensuring that it is “first out of the blocks” when it comes to attracting new business.

That was the message sounded out by airport chairperson Rose Hynes and chief executive Neil Pakey on Thursday last as Ryanair announced details of its 2014 operation that will see budget airling operate 18 routes out of Shannon.

“It demonstrates the benefits of Shannon being an independent airport,” said Neil Pakey. “The focus on route development is evident, and decisions are being made decisively and speedily.

“The new routes will increase both inbound and outbound footfall and revenue to the airport and the region; Irish leisure travellers will benefit from greater destination choice, while the business traveller, particularly at sub-supply level, can access new markets in Central and Eastern Europe,” he added.

“I thought that Shannon had the potential to do this all along,” said Rose Hynes.

“We said it in the Task Force Report. We are doing exactly what we said we would be doing; we said we would deal with passengers as a priority and we are doing that.

“We are doing exactly everything we said we’d do and we are doing it on time as I see it. We were in recovery mode, but we are now in growth mode as I see it. We have stablised the airport and are now in growth.

“We are first out of the blocks to avail of Ryanair’s response to the Government. This is a major boost to the passenger numbers in Shannon, but not alone that it is also a major boost to business and tourism interests in the region,” she added.

“The airport is now free to set its own price and its own business plan and that’s hugely important,” said Michael Cawley.

“We pulled back from Shannon before because Dublin changed the rules. Dublin increased our price by seven and a half times.

“I don’t expect that type of interference again. This is an independent board. Ryanair is in the business of growing airline passengers and we want to do it. Shannon’s destiny is in the hands of people locally and that is critically important. It wasn’t in the previous time,” he added.

“We have a very good relationship with Ryanair and we intend to develop that,” continued Rose Hynes. “We intend to collaborate with all the stakeholders in the region. This brings to 18 the number of Ryanair destinations from Shannon – that’s significant. We want to collaborate with our stakeholders to make those routes a success,” she added.

RYANAIR has set a target of bringing one million new passengers into Shannon as it gears up to reach 2007 levels when its traffic numbers through Clare’s international airport reached a record 1.9m.

This vision and commitment of the low-cost airline for Shannon was sounded out at the airport on Thursday by deputy chief executive Michael Cawley, at the announcement of eight new Ryanair flights out of Shannon that will commence in April 2014.

“My ambition for Shannon,” said Mr Cawley, “we talked about one million passengers. I wouldn’t lessen that in any way. We can move on. 300,000 is a very good start – this is a very significant step, almost doubling our business,” he added.

In 2011, Ryanair pledged to grow traffic numbers in Shannon by one million, provided it secured the same incentive deal that was being afforded to Aer Lingus by the Dublin Airport Authority at Dublin Airport.

Now the commitment of delivering 300,000 new passengers to Shannon as early as 2014 comes on the back of the announcement of new routes to Berlin, Munich, Krakow, Paris, Nice Fuerteventura, Warsaw and Faro as well as increased frequency on the Stansted route.

“I think we have to walk before we run. I would characterise the announcement as running fairly fast,” said Mr Cawley. “As the economy grows from a very low level, we would see great opportunity as well as putting new spots on the map. It provides us with a platform. “Once these can be bedded down and successful we can grow more. We take one step at a time. That is critical in our business too. We bed down what we have and we move on. This is a very big step,” he added. The Ryanair deputy chief refused to disclose the terms of the new deal, but said “Shannon wouldn’t be doing it if it wasn’t good for them, Ryanair wouldn’t be doing it if it wasn’t good for us. All we want is Shannon to be competitive and they have been competitive on this issue and we have a very good understanding. We have met on the middle on that – the tax has been a critical ingredient in making it happen. We are committed for a good number of years under this deal – so is the airport. “We have 30m more passengers that we want to allocate to airports over the next six/seven years – we want to be with people we can ring up and say ‘are the terms the same as the last time’, ‘can we extend it further’. “I would be very disappointed, now that the shackles of the Travel Tax are removed, that Shannon doesn’t participate, at least pro-rata or possibly more so, in that 30m expansion. We are here to stay, we are here to grow,” he added.

MILLIONAIRE Clare farmer JJ McCabe has added to his growing property portfolio in the past week by buying one of the most famous stately homes in the county.

And, in making his latest purchase, the colourful Clarecastle man has stayed close to home in purchasing Carnelly House in his native parish, which dates from the mid 1700s and is just 1km from his farm.

“It was up for auction in Ganley’s of Dublin and I bought it,” he told The Clare People .

“I belong to one of the oldest families in Clarecastle and we have been farming there for over 200 years. Carnelly is one of the oldest houses, it was up for auction and I went for it,” he added.

Mr McCabe, who earlier this year bought the Kilkee Bay Hotel and Ashford Court Hotel in Ennis, paid € 600,000 for the period mansion and its adjoining 74 acres.

This purchase price represents an 80 per cent fall in eight years – before the height of the property boom, the house and adjoining lands was sold by the Gleeson family in 2005 to a Dublin-based consortium called the Master Group for € 3m.

Carnelly House was built between 1830 and 1840, having been designed by Clare-born architect Francis Bindon as a wedding present for his sister, Anna, who married George Stamer.

The house has nine bedrooms, a gate lodge, a walled garden, original two story outbuildings and a courtyard.

Up until 2005, the house, which is in very good condition, was owned by the Gleeson family, who operated it as an up-market bed and breakfast.

The largest room in the house is the drawing room of 17’ by 33’, which has ornate stuccoed ceilings and walls by the Francini brothers and an elaborate niche with Corinthian pillars: doors on either side lead to the house’s conservatory. Other rooms include a formal dining room, morning room, library with extensive bookshelves, and all the working rooms for the house like kitchen, utility and boiler room.

After its sale eight years ago, Clare County Council granted planning for an € 80m development being promoted by Master Group. This included the construction of a 64-bedroom two-story private nursing home, as well as therapy room, a chapel, security room and 135 residential units. The foundations for this development were laid, while the planning permission was renewed in July 2011 until April 2017.

TRADE unions representing staff at Shannon Airport and Shannon Development have raised concerns about the future viability of the newly independent Shannon Airport.

Speaking at the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications Debate on the Shannon Aviation Services and Miscellaneous Provision Bill 2013, Owen Reidy of SIPTU said, “We have serious reservations and concerns about this prospect actually flying and working because we believe that ultimately, the success of this project is based primarily on planned growth on the airport site and on passenger numbers.”

He maintained that the projected numbers of the business plan for the airport does not stand up to the scrutiny of an appraisal by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. He said the projected or planned growth from 1.39 million passengers in November 2012 to 2.5 million passengers by 2021 were based on assumptions that do not stand up to scrutiny in the current economic climate.

“We are concerned that if this does not work, the overall project may suffer and fail, notwithstanding the fact that we wish it well. Should that arise, we would be concerned about any implications for the workers concerned in both entities,” he said.

During the same discussion Neil Pakey, Chief Executive Officer of the Shannon Airport Authority, received support for his call to extend the borrowing facility limit for the group to € 100 million.

This, he claimed, would allow the Shannon group to deliver on the recommendations of the task force and to ensure it can be as competitive as its European peer group airport companies.

“As any such borrowings would be subject to business cases and ministerial consent, we should not have a more restrictive limit than our competitors, be they private or public operators,” he said referring to previous operators he worked for who borrow and invest in their airports.

Chair of the meeting Clare TD Timmy Dooley said the committee would forward the recommendation to the Minister.

Clare County Manager Tom Coughlan reiterated the need for an extended borrowing limit.

“For the group to carry out its functions as envisaged, and one hopes there will be wider functions than those envisaged at present, it must be in a position to finance itself and it must be empowered to raise the necessary capital and finance to achieve its objectives,” he said.

Mr Pakey also proposed the renaming of the new look SFADCo to Shannon Enterprise.