Month: July 2006

ENNIS General Hospital’s long- awaited upgrade is facing a multimillion euro shortfall that could set the project back significantly.

Sources close to the Department of Health have told The Clare People that as much as €16 million will be required to fit out the state-of-theart extension, while further money will have to be found to cover the increase in building costs since the project was first announced.

Questions have now emerged as to who will pay the multi-million euro bill.

€20.8 million has been allocated to the project by the Department of Health, but it has since emerged that this will not cover equipment, or the extra staff required as a result of the upgrade. Recent regulations on hygiene and disease control have also added to the spiralling cost.

Similar projects around the country have shown that the huge tab will more than likely have to be picked up by the HSE.

The project, which was due to go to planning in mid-summer, has already been delayed and could be delayed even further if the funding issue cannot be resolved.

The design for the first phase of the hospital redevelopment has been with the financial director of the HSE in Naas for almost two months.

A meeting has been scheduled between the local hospital network and the financial department of the HSE to discuss this latest difficulty.

While refusing to comment on the agenda for the meeting, a spokesperson for the HSE said there was a number of issues to be ironed out.

Clare’s junior minister Tony Killeen said that he was aware that there were “concerns at senior level of the HSE at the cost implications of fitting out the new building, particularly in light of the modernisation which would be required.”

“It is in everybody’s interest that the building be kitted out to the highest possible standard and that it be available on completion.”

He said he had spoken with the Tánaiste on the matter and “she undertook to pursue the matter”.

THE Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh said yesterday that the diocese was a long way from not having enough priests to perform the sacraments and say Masses.

Figures released by the diocese last week show that there are currently 23 priests of the diocese that are over 75, and there are 45 priests between the age of 55 and 75.

In all, there are 126 diocesan priests with 100 of those involved in full-time parish ministry.

“At the moment, the age profile is getting higher all the time, while the numbers in the seminary not sufficient to replace those priests – that is the reality that we have to face, but we are still a long way from the situation where there won’t be enough masses for people.

“There are sufficient priests to carry out all the tasks, but more and more we are inviting lay people in responsibility.”

Dr Walsh said that team ministry of Imeall Boirne, where there were a number of priests working across a number of parishes on the fringe of the Burren, was working very well.

“It has been received very well by the people there and I would hope that it would take place elsewhere. We don’t have a timescale in place and I’m not putting it down as the only model for the way forward.”

Dr Walsh pointed out that priests from the west Clare area met every Thursday for prayer and reflection.

“The whole pattern of life in rural areas has changed over 40 years and with the whole thing of priests working on their own, it is very important that they don’t become isolated, because it is very easy for that to happen.”

Dr Walsh said that he quite satisfied with the current morale of priests.

“There is no doubt about it, the Church has taken a battering in recent years and there is not doubt that many priests are saddened by scandal and the revelation of scandals.

“Nationally, priests have taken a battering, sometimes fair and sometimes very unfair. But people at local level, people have never been so supportive.”

A SURVEY conducted by Macra Na Feirme last weekend has shown that a large percentage of people in Ireland believe that people in Ireland are less likely to speak to their neighbours than they were in the past.

The survey, which was conducted from a random selection of 300 people, found that 73 per cent believe that neighbourliness is on the decline. The survey revealed that 36 per cent of Irish people did not have any contact with their neighbours while 70 per cent said that they had rarely or never been inside a neighbours house.

“It depends on the area that you are talking about,” said the Macra’s Chairman in Clare, Joe Carrick. “It’s definitely more of a problem in urban areas of the county with people tending to know their neighbours better in the country.”

However, of the 194 people who said they did not know their neighbours very well, 62 per cent commented that they would like to get to know them better.

“It does have a negative impact on society,” said Macra’s Clare Secretary, Deirdre Samson.

“It is a society based problem rather than an individual one. Initiatives like this will help to draw attention to it, but people need to be more aware of it.

“You can bring a horse to water, but you cant make them drink.”

PEOPLE in rural areas of Clare are suffering because of the lack of facilities and an aging population who are becoming increasingly isolated.

That is the opinion being set out by the new Irish Centre for Social Gerontology (ICSG), which was officially opened in NUI, Galway last week. The new €3 million centre is the first of its kind in the country and will be advising policy makers as to how to prepare rural areas for an increasingly aging and isolated population.

“One third of the population is over 65 in the western region and parts of Clare, especially towards the west of the county, would fit into this category,” said Aine Ní Léime, Chief Researcher at the ICSG. “The main problem in these areas is the closing down of infrastructure, like the post-offices. The problem is getting worse as young people continue to move to towards urban areas.”

The centre will conduct a number of surveys and study and track the impact of aging on a national scale, as well as taking particular rural areas for special study. In addition to rural ageing they will also be producing advice documents on the financial impact on ageing and the technological impact of aging.

“Clare’s urban areas are fairly well served, but areas to the west of the county where there isn’t an urban centre are suffering,” continued Ms Ní Léime.

“We need to strengthen community links and enable them to make provisions to combat things like isolation and the lack of transport.

“Another major problem in these areas is the lack of carers available with many people who would traditionally have traditionally fulfilled this role now part of the labour market.”

One possible solution put forward by the centre is that the mandatory retirement age should be scrapped so that men and women could work for as long as they wished.

“We want to make plans for the future for the people of these areas because on the whole, rural areas are very disadvantaged compared to urban areas,” continued Ms Ní Léime.

“Rural aging is one of our main areas of research and this will be very important for different areas of country.”

A JUDGE has stated that the theft of a mobile phone is a “serious matter”.

Judge Joseph Mangan made the remark while jailing for two weeks, Alan Kerin (22), of Church Drive Clarecastle.

He admitted stealing a mobile phone, valued at €250, from a takeaway on October 18, 2005.

Ennis District Court heard that the accused went into the chipshop, put his hand over the counter and took the phone.

Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client had been before the court earlier this year, in connection with a number of offences between May and November 2005.

On that occasion a 20-month sentence was imposed, after her client pleaded guilty to a string of offences.

“There was an effort to have all the offences brought before you together en block.

“We would ask you to consider taking this summons into consideration with the other summonses,” said Ms Godfrey.

Judge Joseph Mangan replied, “In normal circumstances, I would have every sympathy with what you are saying.

“A man who pleads guilty is entitled to credit. However the theft of a mobile phone is such a serious matter in my view, I cannot fully accede to your request.”

He added that he would go “some way” to meet the request and imposed a two-week jail term on the accused.

AN AMERICAN born businessman who the US authorities had hoped to extradite from Clare back to Arizona, has sold his home near Newmarket on Fergus and left Ireland.

Late last year, the US Government commenced proceedings against Joseph Patrick Smith Jr, who allegedly operated a multi-million euro aircraft parts fraud from a premises in the Shannon Industrial Estate. The US authorities allege that used aircraft parts were refurbished and sold as new original manufacturers’ equipment, or unused government surplus. Smith has a previous conviction for a similar offence in the US prior to moving his company to Shannon in the 90’s.

In October 2000, gardaí assisted the FBI when they raided the Smith aerospace factory in Shannon. His former home at Urlanmore near Newmarket on Fergus was sold earlier this year. It is believed that he and his wife left the country following news reports late last year that the US authorities were seeking his extradition and that his two sons had been convicted for their part in the scam.

Joseph Patrick Smith (III), aged 43, and Thomas Edward Smith, 39, both of whom lived in Ennis for several years, have already been sentenced to five years probation each in a U.S. court for their part in the scam. Efforts to extradite Smith senior from Ireland were delayed because of a legal problem with warrants issued in Dublin. He is now believed to be living in France.

A YOUNG Shannon woman, charged last week with the attempted murder of her husband and three children last September, will re-appear in court on Thursday.

Agnes O’Shaughnessy (27), of 12 Purcell Park, Shannon, appeared before Shannon District Court last Thursday, charged with the attempted murder of her husband George O’Shaughnessy, her twin boys Lee and Evan Hickey (both 7) and her daughter Sophie O’Shaughnessy (3), contrary to common law, last September.

The four were rescued by gardaí from the family home in Purcell Park, early on the morning of September 25 and taken to hospital, where they were treated for smoke inhalation. The blaze was brought under control by units from Shannon fire brigade.

Detective Garda Stephen Ryan gave evidence of arresting the accused at her home at 9.25am last Thursday.

She was taken to Shannon Garda Station where she was charged, and made no reply to the charges.

An application for free legal aid, made by the accused’s solicitor Aideen Pendred, was granted.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the accused had been assigned free legal aid, under other charges which were already in the system and he did not object to the application.

“Bail doesn’t arise in this case. Because of the seriousness of the charges, bail cannot be granted in this court,” said the inspector.

Judge Joseph Mangan granted a request by Inspector Kennedy to have the accused remanded in custody, to appear before Shannon District Court this Thursday.

At a previous sitting of the District Court last September, Ms O’Shaughnessy was charged with committing arson, without lawful excuse, contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act.

She was also charged with intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct, to wit committing arson, which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another contrary to Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, at Purcell Park, Shannon, on September 25 last.

On that occasion she was granted bail, on a number of conditions, including that she would reside with her sister Angela, while access to her children would be supervised by the Health Board and she would attend for psychiatric assessment.

In December, her bail conditions were changed, to allow access to her children be supervised by family members, while she also agreed to live with her mother in Shannon.

A MAN who attempted to steal one car, stole another, and crashed it into three other cars, has been jailed and banned from driving.

Frank Hassett (20), of Drumbiggle Road, Ennis, pleaded guilty to a number of offences arising out of the incident, at Madden’s Terrace, Clarecastle, on October 2, 2005.

The accused also pleaded guilty to a number of public order charges in Ennis, on three separate dates earlier this year.

Ennis District Court was told by an officer from the Probation Service that a community service order of 120 hours – in lieu of six months detention – had been imposed on the accused in July 2004, but that he had not done the work.

Referring to the car theft, Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that gardaí were alerted to an incident at Clarecastle, on October 2.

They went to the scene, where they found a car crashed into a telegraph pole, across from the school.

“A male was walking up the road from the car, acting in a suspicious manner,” said the inspector.

“Another car was interfered with . . . the ignition was pulled out. Mr Hassett attempted to steal it. He attempted to steal one car, stole another and crashed into three cars,” he added.

He said that more than €3,700 damage was caused to the car that the accused attempted to steal, while damage totalling more than €2,000 was caused to the three cars which the stolen car hit.

Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett said his client had an alcohol problem.

“He drinks at home and goes out late at night. He doesn’t really have any social interaction. He goes berserk when he has too much drink taken . . . He gets involved in brawls on the street,” said the solicitor.

The solicitor said his client was prepared to stay in custody at the moment, in the hope that he would get the care that he needed.

“I would ask you to give him some light at the end of the tunnel in relation to getting out and getting treatment,” added Mr Hassett.

Judge Joseph Mangan confirmed the six month term, for failing to carry out community service.

He imposed a six month term, concurrent, for the offence in Clarecastle in October, and banned him from driving for three years.

He imposed two separate twomonth terms, for public order offences, bringing the total sentence to 10 months. He fixed recognisances in the event of an appeal.

THERE was good news for businesses in Clare this week with figures released by Bank of Ireland showing that 130 new startup enterprises were established in the county in the first 6 months of this year.

This ranks Clare as the twelfth most suc cessful county in the Republic in terms of new business start-ups, with Dublin the most successful location. More than 3,500 new businesses were established in the capital in the first half of 2006 with Cork in second place, at 700 new companies.

The new figures have been welcomed by the CEO of the Ennis Chamber of Commerce, Rita McInerney, who pointed to a loosening up in the attitudes of the banks as one of the key factors for the increase in start-up businesses.

“It is good news and it reflects the range of packages that banks have on offer these days,” said Ms McInerney. “There is so much more competition is the banking sector these days and this is a great help for start up businesses.

“Something like 97 per cent of businesses in Ireland are small businesses and the first place that these people go to for capital is to the bank,” continued Ms McInerney. “These businesses are not going to relocate and will stand the test of time in Ireland.”

Galway and Limerick featured highly on the list with 507 and 360 new businesses established respectively. This placed them as the third and fifth most successful counties for generating new business opportunities.

Nationally there has been in excess of 10,000 new Irish businesses set up since January of this year. The construction and civil engineering sector is the most popular area for business start ups with a total of 1,288 being set up.

Real estate and property management companies accounted for 654 and 637 company formations respectively.

“It is great for Ireland that there is continued activity in the start up market driven by continued consumer demand, economic growth and high levels of entrepreneurship throughout the country,” said Dermot Nolan, Head of Business Marketing, Bank of Ireland.

“Some new business owners are planning to use part or all of their SSIA savings to get their business off the ground, which will also boost growth in this segment.”

THE spiraling rate of road deaths is a national emergency, according to the Bishop of Killaloe, who says young sports stars in Clare should get behind a campaign to encourage people to drive safely.

Dr Willie Walsh, who issued an appeal on road safety to parishioners in the Diocese over the weekend, said speed limits should be cut by 10 miles per hour. He was speaking amid growing concern at the increased level of road deaths. A total of 225 people have been killed on the nation’s roads so far this year.

“If 8 to 10 people were killed in the criminal world over a weekend, we would be declaring a national emergency. I would call it a national emergency. We must consider very serious steps to prevent this. All of us have to change our attitudes,” he said, adding that more highly visible speed checks must be set up in the county.

He said that the two major factors involved in road carnage were speed and alcohol and everybody must take responsibility to curb the crisis.

“Both of those factors are interlinked. If someone has alcohol in the system, he or she is less aware of the dangers of speed. There is some responsibility with publicans, but it is very difficult for publicans as they do not know who is going to drive from the pub,” said Dr Walsh.

“There is an enormous difference between 55mph and 65mph, in terms of safety. We are at such a crisis stage, we should be considering seriously a reduction in the speed limit over a five-year period, until our infrastructure is improved. It would make an enormous difference,” he said.

“People are becoming more wealthy, with the Celtic Tiger, but this has made us more aggressive and arrogant on the road. Travelling around in a tin box at 60 mph is a dangerous operation. If things go wrong, it can be quite a lethal weapon,” he said.

He said the practice of allowing provisional drivers to get behind the wheel without having passed the driving test must be addressed, given the huge number of young people being killed on the roads.

He described as “rubbish” calls for Road Safety Authority supremo Gay Byrne to resign over the issue.

“Blaming Gay Byrne is shirking our own responsibility and blaming someone else. Younger icons, who are identifiable, might be used, and they might have a better chance of influencing younger people – in Clare somebody like Jamesie O’Connor or Anthony Daly,” he said.