This article is from page 2 of the 2006-10-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
GARDAÍ are treating as suspicious
a fire that destroyed the community
hall in Drumgeely, Shannon, on Fri-
day morning.
The blaze at the disused hall broke
out shortly before 9am and despite
efforts by two fire units to salvage the
building, it was totally destroyed.
While gardaí are awaiting the re-
sults of forensics’ findings, they be-
lieve the fire was started malicious-
ly.
“We believe it was deliberate and
we are following certain lines of en-
quiry in relation to it. We have not
yet established the cause of the fire,”
said a Garda spokesman. SHE also expressed anger that he was not punished for absconding and said he had been rewarded for it.
Ms Mahoney said that the threeyear ordeal since the girls’ deaths had left her angry with the legal system.
“It has been three years of frustration. We are angry too that as families of victims, we don’t have a voice. That someone can do this to your family and create this much havoc and the sentence is three years, says to you ‘what was the value of your child’s life?’”
The court was told last Thursday that Naughton didn’t have the social skills to face the families to say sorry and instead apologised to the families
This was the second time the build-
ing was damaged by fire – in August
2001 the annex was burnt but, most
of the hall remained intact.
Friday’s fire has marked the end of
a long and sometimes controversial
history of the building. It has been in
private ownership since 1992 when it
was sold by Shannon Development.
It had steadily fallen into decay un-
til renovations were undertaken over
the past three months.
Locals were concerned that the
hall – which was located between the
blocks of flats and the houses nearby
– had not been used in recent years
and they are now saddened that it has
been lost to the community.
Chairperson of the Drumgeely Resthrough his counsel.
Ms Mahoney said, “I don’t believe youth? Why aren’t his parents or the he is sincere. There is no remorse. We Western Health Board answerable?” are told he had no social skills, but he had plenty of social skills to buy a car the case was very hard to explain to and get two girls into a car who didn’t her other children. want to get into it.
“How much social skill do you need it is hard passing it everyday where to say ‘I’m sorry?’ He could’ve had she should be now sitting the Leaving access to us anytime over the three Certificate. Lorna’s class will be havyears. ing their debs this year and she won’t
“I have an intolerance of him. It be there. would be easier if he had shown remorse, because nobody goes out to do would she be like now? Would she something like that. still be the tomboy she always was or
“There are penalties for people who would she have refined. I know one sell alcohol and cigarettes to people thing that would never have changed under 18, but what about people who and that is her love of animals.” sell cars to minors? Are they not liable for prosecution? idents Association, Beatrice Keville, said the fire marked “another episode in a very long, sad saga. It has been going on for so long now.
“It was originally a hall where everything in Shannon happened, but that changed 14 or 15 years ago,” she said.
Local resident Derek Barrett said Drumgeely residents were sorry to have lost the hall.
“Drumgeely hall was the first thing that was built for the community in Shannon. It was a notable entity. It was a church for some people, others went there to set dance or to discos, while some people played tennis or badminton there. I had my First Communion after-tea there. That was all “Who was responsible for this Ms Mahoney said the outcome of “We live near the local school and “You wonder, three years on, what Shannon had at the time. It was the town centre at one point in time. It is such a shame that it is gone,” said Mr Barrett.
Work on clearing the site got underway yesterday (Monday). Mr Barrett said locals now wanted the area to be cleaned up and made safe.
Local Councillor Tony Mulcahy (FG) has called for the site to be converted into a play area for children.
“It certainly was an eyesore. It would be best for all if it was covered over and grass put in its place now,” he said.