Month: July 2006

THE 13-member traveller family that moved onto the Ennis residence of the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, without his permission have moved off his property.

The move by the Molloy family to alternative accommodation at Clare County Council’s 16-bay emergency halting site outside Ennis came as gardaí confirmed yesterday that two formal complaints were received over the presence of the Molloys from residents living at the Bishop’s Court estate.

Speaking to The Clare People , Dr Walsh said yesterday that he was aware of at least one formal complaint to the Garda during the stay of the Molloys.

The family moved on to the Bishop’s Westbourne property in May while Dr Walsh was away and defied his request to move off the property.

Dr Walsh said, “I’m glad that the family has got somewhere. I like to do what I can, but obviously, my neighbours have rights too. A previous traveller family stayed on the grounds here for one and a half years and I didn’t receive any complaint.”

He added, “I’m happy that the council can provide for the family. It is a serious issue as there are 11 children there.”

The family’s two caravans are now in situ at the council’s emergency halting site on the Quin Road outside Ennis.

A spokesman at Ennis Garda Station said that two complaints were received from Bishop’s Court residents on July 7 and 9.

He said, “One complaint related to young lads scaling the walls of private properties, while the second related to a fire being lit in the grounds of the bishop’s and smoke blowing into the back gardens of the Bishop’s Court residences causing smoke damage to clothes.”

Dr Walsh confirmed he met with residents of Bishop’s Court over concerns they had on the difficulties been caused by the Molloys.

The Molloys had stayed at the Bishop’s residence for a number of months in the late 1990s and set up camp last May after returning from the UK.

The family moved to the UK after abandoning a council home they purchased through the Shared Ownership Scheme. The house remains unoccupied. The family did not want to return to the home as they believed they would get no peace there.

GARDAÍ have appealed to a court to impose strict bail conditions on a man who allegedly exposed himself in front of schoolgirls in Shannon.

The 29-year-old Shannon man is accused of three charges of indecency, arising out of two alleged incidents outside schools in Shannon and another at a housing estate.

It is alleged he exposed himself in front of primary school students at St Senan’s national school, Shannon, on June 24, 2004. He is also alleged to have exposed himself in front of a nine-year-old girl, at Dún an Óir, Shannon, on June 21, 2005.

A third charge relates to an alleged incident at St Tola’s national school, Shannon, on September 13, 2005, when it is a alleged he exposed himself to a female person.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told Shannon District Court that gardaí in Shannon were concerned about the accused’s ongoing behaviour.

“Unfortunately the incidents have been happening during the day,” he said.

Judge Joseph Mangan asked whether incidents occur recently.

The inspector said there were recent complaints, and gardaí in Shannon felt the accused was not taking the matter seriously enough.

Defending solicitor Gearóid Howard pointed out that there were no charges in relation to recent incidents before the court.

Sergeant-in-charge of Shannon Garda Station, Sgt Dermot O’Connor said, “There is a concern with the defendant’s behaviour in Shannon at the moment. There are two incidents under investigation . . . similar to what is before the court.

“We would be dealing with daylight hours and alcohol is not a factor,” added Sgt O’Connor.

Mr Howard said his client “needs treatment and he needs it badly.”

He said various reports which were compiled – including psychiatrist and psychological reports and a report from the Grenada Institute for sex offenders – suggested that the accused was not a candidate for jail.

Inspector Kennedy said the accused tended to “hang around Shannon Town Centre. We are looking to have him confined from that.”

Judge Joseph Mangan remanded the accused on bail, on a number of conditions. These included that he not loiter alone in Shannon Town Centre and that he be confined to his home, when not working. If he was to leave his home, he must do so with a named member of his family.

He adjourned the case until later this year.

IN RESPONSE to a growing number of collisions involving surfers in the water, Clare County Council is to erect signage displaying a ‘safecross-code’ for surfers at a number of Clare’s beaches.

With surfing becoming increasingly popular, the council’s Water Safety Officer, Liam Griffin confirmed that the council would be putting in place the signage at Clare’s Blue Flag beaches, Lahinch and Fanore.

Mr Griffin said, “There have been a couple on incidents lately of surfers colliding with each other in the water with one incident occurring where one surfer suffered a bad foot injury.

“A number of surfers wouldn’t have a clue on what to do in the water. It is a wonderful sport, but it can be dangerous for beach users if a surfer doesn’t know the basics.

“It is becoming more and more common for lifeguards to rescue surfers as some of them are very poor swimmers.”

Tom Buckley of the Lahinch Surf Shop and the West Coast Surf Club first called on the council to erect such signage three years ago.

He said, “There is a need to erect a ‘safe cross code’ at the surfing beaches.

“With each board that we sell, we also provide safety instructions for surfers on the water.

“We would be delighted to see the signage erected.”

Ennis surfer Brian Nevin was injured at Lahinch in a collision last Tuesday, needing hospital treatment and seven stitches to a bad gash on his left foot.

He told The Clare People , “Mine was a small injury, but I feel that it is only a matter of time before somebody is seriously injured and even killed in the water.”

“Not wanting to sound dramatic but surfboards can weigh up to 10kg in weight and conceivably reach speeds of 15km and 20km per hour. This can definitely cause serious injury.

“From my experience some water users are just not paying any heed to other water users.

“I don’t know why this is, maybe people are just not educated in the ways of safe water use.

Describing the incident, Mr Nevin said, “I had travelled about three or four metres when I noticed another surfer getting to his feet.

“I shouted to him that I ‘was on it’ but he either didn’t care or didn’t hear.

“The top of his board collided with my foot and he fell off, I continued along the wave but noticed blood on my board so I got out of the water.”

RESIDENTS in the New Quay area are once again bidding to block plans for a sailing school and accommodation on the shores of Galway Bay.

Redbank Leisture Ltd., have applied to develop the school after Clare County Council refused on three occasions to grant it permission to build a visitor centre with multi-learning facilities and accommodation for 14 bedrooms.

Now, in their latest effort to utilize the land, the Galway-based company has lodged plans for a sailing school and eight-two bedroom units at Cartron, New Quay.

However, more than a dozen local residents, led by John Mulcahy have lodged an objection against the proposal.

“This is a very unsafe location for a sailing school in view of the speed/ force of inflow/outflow of water between Aughinish inlet and Galway bay,” they state in their application.

“The speed of flow has been measured up to four knots and with winds against the tide, this bay becomes very choppy and could be quite dangerous for young people learning to sail. The development does not take account of the ecological disruption and damage which will, potentially, be caused by excavations necessary for this project, especially, the concrete boat slip and channel to this slipway.

“We query the need for all the housing outlined on the foreshore for a sailing school. The site is located in an area of visually vulnerable landscape and all the proposed new building would interfere with views from the coast road to the sea.

“The proposed sewage facilities for up to 50 people represents an unacceptable environmental and health threat to the current pristine environment of the estuary and to the economically important shellfish sector.

“We consider the ‘proposed sailing centre’ is essentially a housing development with a potential sailing centre attached – the Service Block if desired can easily be converted to other purposes.

In a separate submission, An Taisce state: “This application is in an area, which is unique, and highly vulnerable, therefore we feel that an Environmental Impact Assessment is required especially as there is already another tourist project, which has been approved on this coastline, and the affect of both should be considered under the Strategic Environmental Directive scheme to which Ireland has signed.”

A decision is due on the application next month.

AS MANY as 180 people throughout Clare have been forced to move out of their homes because of fire safety issues in apartments.

Since February of this year, 66 apartments in the county have been vacated by their residents due to various fire safety issues identified as a result of inspections undertaken by the Clare Fire Services.

A serious outbreak of fire highlighted safety issues in one block of apartments that remains unoccupied, while other issues came to light as a result of individual complaints.

Acting Chief Fire Officer Denis O’Connell warned that a fire in an apartment at ground level could have serious implications for residents living higher in the building.

“It is important that escape routes are kept clear and that all persons are alerted to a fire situation as soon as possible,” he said.

“The owners of apartments have a responsibility to provide a safe premises that is well managed,” he added.

The Clare Fire Services have encountered a number of breaches of the fire safety requirements during the last few months.

Among the main breaches were regular doors on flats rather than the specified self-closing fire doors.

Main stairways were not protected, as they were not well-constructed and clear of obstructions, or storage.

Apartment buildings should be provided with a well-maintained automatic fire detection and alarm system, according to the fire service, which claims that this regulation is also ignored from time to time.

All electronic fixtures and fittings within the building should be wellmaintained, including the emergency lighting system, and all safety systems and escape routes should be well maintained and records should be kept of all fire safety management on the premises, according to Mr O’Connell.

The acting fire chief also reminded appartment owners that breaches of Fire Safety on premises could lead to a prosecution under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003.

HOUSEHOLDERS in Clare are being warned to be aware of the dangers of using home heaters, after an inquest heard that a man died at his Shannon home from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Gary Murphy (45), of 18 Elm House, Drumgeely, died in his sleep at his Shannon apartment in January, after a gas fire was left on.

Ennis Coroner’s Court heard last week that Gary did not turn up for lunch at his parents’ home, on January 31 last.

His parents Joseph and Angela then travelled to his apartment, after 2pm. They noticed the gas fire was on and his son was in bed. “It was as if he was asleep, but I knew he was dead,” said Mr Murphy.

Garda Brian McCarthy said he arrived at the deceased’s home at 3.10pm where he met his parents.

As he entered the apartment, he could get a slight smell of fumes. He said a gas fire was on in the kitchen/ sitting room area of the apartment.

He went into the bedroom where he could see a male, aged approximately 40, in bed.

“It appeared as if the deceased went to bed the night before and did not get up,” said the garda.

Coroner Dr Curran carried out a post-mortem examination on the deceased’s body, at Limerick Regional Hospital, on February 1.

She said a carbon monoxide examination was carried out and showed a saturation of 59 per cent.

“That is a lethal measurement,” said Dr Curran.

She said in her opinion the cause of death was asphyxia, secondary to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea said: “I am satisfied there is nothing to indicate any intention by Mr Murphy to take his own life. The most appropriate verdict is an open verdict.”

Clare’s Acting Chief Fire Officer Denis O’Connell said precautions must be taken, in an effort to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

These include placing portable heaters away from furniture and curtains and making sure there is adequate ventilation where heaters are used.

“Never move gas, oil, or electric heaters when in use and have fuelburning household heating equipment, including fireplaces and furnaces, checked every year before the cold weather sets in,” said Mr O’Connell.

“Possible reasons for carbon monoxide poisoning include faulty, or damaged heating appliances, blocked chimneys or flues, poor installation of heating appliances and indoor use of a barbecue grill or outdoor heater,” he said.

“TINDER BOX” conditions have resulted in more grass and forest fires during the first five months of this year than all of last year.

The Clare fire services were called to as many as 52 grass and forest fires in the months to the end of May, almost twice as many as during the same period in 2005.

Clare’s chief fire officer Adrian Kelly associated the rise in the number of fires with the weather.

The fire chief explained that the long dry spell had been the cause of a lot of the fires.

The lack of greenery also made it difficult to contain fires, he said.

While some of the large fires might have resulted from people leaving smaller fires unattended, a carelessly discarded cigarette butt on dry terrain or broken glass left in the countryside also resulted in blazes breaking out in Clare.

The Clare fire services have been called to 94 fires up to July 21 last.

There were just 49 such fires in all of 2005.

In 2004, there were 90 fires during the 12 months, while there were as many as 164 the previous year.

While Chief Kelly recognised the role the dry weather played in the varying number of fires, he said there were a number of ways people could prevent the fires starting.

“When in the country, people should be aware of their surroundings at all times and consider the habitat at all times,” he said.

He warned visitors to the countryside not to throw cigarette butts, or leave broken glass in fields.

The current weather makes for tinder box conditions, he warned. Burning is prohibited between April 15 and August 31 each year.

Clare County Council’s Fire Authority issues an appeal to landowners every year to contact the fire brigade before carrying out any burning.

Burning should be started early in the day with a fire break of at least 50 feet (16 metres) made at the outside of the area to be burned.

People should check the weather forecast and not burn in exceptionally dry conditions where strengthening or variable winds are likely.

The guidelines state that fire should be burnt against the direction of the wind and that no one should carry out the operation alone.

“Remember that strong fire creates its own wind currents so don’t allow it to burn too fast,” the council warns.

A LEADING consultant psychiatrist yesterday expressed his concern over the continuing admission of Clare children into a locked adult psychiatric unit in Limerick.

Dr Moosajee Bhamjee has predicted that it might be ten years before a dedicated child unit is in place.

He was speaking after the Irish Mental Health Commission recommended that children under the age of 16 be no longer admitted to Unit 5B at Limerick’s Midwestern Regional Hospital.

The recommendation of the Irish Mental Health Commission is the sixth year in succession that the annual mental health report for the government has urged against children being sent there.

As far back as 2002, the then Inspector of Mental Hospitals, Dr Dermot Walsh said that the admission of children into the unit was “a totally unacceptable situation and created problems both for the children and the staff”.

At the time, the Mid-Western Health Board confirmed that an outline brief for a new child and adolescent unit had been drawn up, though it warned that there might be insuf ficient funding for the project under the current National Development Plan.

Over a two year period, before alternative accommodation was identified last summer, Unit 5B accommodated a young autistic teenage Clare boy.

A spokeswoman for the HSE said yesterday, “there are currently no inpatients under 16 in the unit. A total of 7 patients under 16 years of age were admitted during 2005 and year to date 2006 there have been 6 patients admitted.

“In the interest of patient confidentiality, the HSE is not in a position to provide details on medical condition of these patients. “Pending the provision of dedicated facilities, patients under 16 years of age who require emergency acute treatment will continue to be admitted to Acute Unit 5B, with care arrangements appropriate to their needs.

A dedicated unit for children and adolescents is planned and the design team has been appointed to progress this development.”

However, according to Dr Bhamjee, “Talk around a new unit has been going around for years, but nothing has happened. It reflects very poorly on the mechanisms in place for progressing projects.

“Currently, there are 22 places for child and adolescents in child psychiatric units in the country. The recommendation is that there be 156 places in places so we are very long way off.”

Dr Bhamjee said that as an interim measure, a temporary unit should be established in the vacant Coovagh House in Limerick.

CLARE’S deputy mayor has landed himself in hot water with Iarnrod Éireann for staging an “unsafe” photocall on the railway line in Ennis.

Brian Meaney’s publicity bid has been condemned by Iarnród Éireann as “grossly irresponsible”.

The Green Party councillor had his photo taken on a specially constructed “loco-cycle”, which he intended taking along the line north of Ennis, in a campaign to get government funding for the proposed Western Rail Corridor.

But Iarnród Éireann have condemned him for trespassing on the railway line and setting a bad example for young people.

“Trespass can kill, or maim and has done so many times in the past.

“It is the families and friends of the victims and our staff and not Cllr Meaney that have had to deal with such horrific incidents, so perhaps it is easier for him to disregard these concerns in his pursuit of publicity,” said Barry Kenny, the company’s manager of corporate communications.

“No young person seeing this ridiculous publicity stunt will differentiate between a line that is used, or disused and his actions appear to legitimise trespass of a similar nature amongst the more impressionable.”

Mr Kenny said that Cllr Meaney was “guilty, at the very least, of gross irresponsibility”.

Earlier this month, Cllr Meaney applied to Iarnród Éireann to travel north to Claremorris on the loco-cycle to highlight the need for the government to provide €74 million to allow works commence on the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor, the Ennis to Athenry line.

Mr Kenny said the company’s principal concern was not that there could have been track inspection or maintenance vehicles operating on a dormant line, like where Cllr Meaney had his photo taken, but the appalling example set by a public representative trespassing on a railway line.

Responding to the claims, Cllr Meaney said it was Iarnród Éireann who were irresponsble for allowing the line north of Ennis to deteriorate to its current condition.

“Mr Kenny mentioned the possibility of an inspection train.

“In fact, nothing can travel from the north into Ennis due to damage on the line at Ballyduff Bridge and there is no inspection train between the level crossing we were on and Limerick.

“I don’t encourage anyone to go on a railway line.

“I acknowlege that I trespassed on a disused line and if Iarnród Éireann wish to complain to the Gardaí, I would welcome it as an opportunity to highlight the company’s neglect of the line”, he said.

OLD firm hurling – to bluebloods there’s nothing like it and this orbit awaits the hurling world on August 13 when Clare and Kilkenny go stroke for stroke for a place in the All-Ireland final.

It will be Clare’s seventh semi-final since the breakthrough year of 1995 and Kilkenny will be appearing at this stage of the All-Ireland race for the tenth successive year.

A clash of titans then, not that the bookies are holding out much chance of Clare scoring a first championship victory over Kilkenny since the 1997 All-Ireland semi-final.

Despite beating Wexford by 1-27 to 1-15 in Sunday’s quarter-final, Clare are 8/1 for All-Ireland glory, while Kilkenny are 5/4. A lopsided clash of titans then, but Clare wouldn’t have it any other way.

They’re lurking in the long grass.