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A MAN who placed stone boulders across the main Ennis to Kilmaley road has been told his actions could have resulted in someone being killed.

The warning came at Ennis District Court on Wednesday at the sentencing of Eoin Kerin (28) who placed the boulders on the Kilmaley Road on November 23 (2011) after a night of drinking.

Last October, Mr Kerin, with an address at Beechpark, Ennis pleaded guilty to charges of criminal damage and intentionally placing a dangerous obstruction upon a road.

A van was damaged when it hit the rocks on the night. The case had been adjourned on a number of occasions and Mr Kerin appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Outlining the facts of the case to Judge Patrick Durcan, Inspector Tom Kennedy said the van driver could not avoid the boulders. Gardaí were called and the boulders were cleared from the road.

However Insp Kennedy told the court the rocks and boulders were put back on the road within 15 minutes. Mr Kerin was spotted in a field near the road. He admitted the offences to gardaí.

“What he did was absolutely hugely dangerous”, said Insp Kennedy.

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that her client had paid compensation to the injured party. She said there is a low risk of Mr Kerin re-offending.

Ms Godfrey urged the court to adjourn the case for a long period.

Judge Patrick Durcan said someone could have been killed as a result of what Mr Kerin did.

“It is a case that troubles me. It is a serious matter”, he added.

Judge Durcan adjourned the case for a brief period to consider sentence.

When the case resumed, Judge Durcan imposed a fine of € 500.

He said, “I have to convict your client. I have to bear in mind that somebody could’ve been killed. It’s a terrible thing to do.”

Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

SHANNON Chamber of Commerce has received a big boost this week following the news that its chief executive has been appointed to the board of Chambers Ireland.

Helen Downes was ratified in the post at the Chambers Ireland AGM, held in Dublin last Wednesday, with her appointment announced on Friday last by Shannon Chamber president, Kevin Thompstone.

Congratulating Ms Downes on her appointment, Mr Thompstone said, “It’s a great honour for Shannon Chamber via Helen Downes to have input at board level in a national organisation. Helen’s nomination by the Chambers Ireland CEO Forum for a position on the board, and her existing representation as a member of Chambers Ireland Human Resources Policy Council, is both indicative of the high esteem in which she is held within the organisation, and her ability to make a valuable contribution to strategic considerations.

“Membership of Chambers Ireland board gives Shannon Chamber a forum to make representation on behalf of members and to input their views and commentary on national policy issues being considered by Chambers Ireland for presentation to government and key stakeholders. It will ensure that Shannon’s voice is heard at another key national level.”

About Helen Downes: Chief Executive of Shannon Chamber 2008, Helen Downes has spearheaded many new chamber initiatives to promote and encourage business growth and economic development in the Shannon area. These initiatives, which have also led to increased chamber membership, include a number of EU-focused seminars, a chamber HR forum, a CEO forum, a Business Watch scheme, and linkages with national and international business organisations in both the public and private sectors.

Shannon Chamber currently has over 250 member-companies drawn from a wide cross-section of business sectors that employ approximately 7, 500 people in the Shannon hinterland. Helen is responsible for representing their interests to key influencers and stakeholders, achieved through voicing membership concerns on issues that affect or impede enterprise development at local, regional and national levels

Ms Downes is also an active member of Chambers Ireland’s Human Resources Policy Council.

THE number of commercial flights in and out of Shannon ai r por t so far this year are up on the same period last year, however the ai r por t has the lowest number of daily flights when compared to Dublin and Cork.

According to the Irish Aviation Authority’s latest repor t, the cumulative number of flights from January to September through t he Shannon ter mi nal has increased by 5. 5 per cent when compared to the same period i n 2012.

While that proves positive for t he local newly independent ai r por t, t he average number of daily flights are still slightly less than its nearest competitor in Cork.

Cork increased its flight numbers in and out of the ai r por t by just 5.2 per cent, slightly less than Shannon, but it maintains an average daily movement of 62 flights.

Shannon is just slightly behind wit h 60 daily movements.

Dublin, which has 88 per cent of the t raffic of the three ai r por ts, also showed an increase of 6.6 per cent of flights in and out of the ai r por t wit h an average of 498 daily movements.

Total flights in Irish ai rspace increased by 0. 8 per cent when compared to September 2012, with the busiest day being September 6, with 1, 557 flights in Irish ai rspace.

IAA CEO, Eamonn Brennan said, “This sust ained growth is ver y en- couraging news for Dublin Ai r por t and t he wider economy. September was also a good month for Shannon, up 5. 5 per cent year-on-year. There is some way to go to catch up wit h previous levels during the peak years but 2013 is a step in t he right di rection.”

On a cumulative basis, commercial ter minal t raffic for Dublin, Cork and Shannon ai r por ts for Januar y to September 2013 was up by 2.7 per cent, compared to the same period in 2012.

A NORTH Clare parish priest is offering to conduct “downsized” weddings for couples who have been putting off taking the plunge because of the recession.

Lisdoonvarna priest, Father Conor Cunningham has offered to open up traditional Sunday mass for weddings and has also offered his services free of charge if couples decide to partake in a private church ceremony involving the bride, groom and their witnesses. The offer comes as marriage rates continue to drop in many parts of the country. According to Fr Cunningham, financial difficulties brought about by the recession should not prevent willing couples from getting married.

“I have noticed, and other priest friends of mine too, that some couples are putting off their sacramental marriage because they think a wedding day has to be an expensive occasion. It doesn’t have to be,” he said.

“If any couple in our parish wants to get married in Christ, money and the economic climate definitely should not be factors in their decision. Why not get married at any of our regular parish Sunday masses with your friends, family and neighbours around you and supporting you in prayer?

“Parishioners would be thrilled and privileged to be present. Or even in a quiet liturgy with Jesus, the priest and your two witnesses on any day that suits? I would be privileged to facilitate such weddings anytime, and it would be totally free of cost and pressure.”

Sunday marriages are prohibited in many diocese as the church authorities feel that priests, who could say mass five or six times on a given Sunday, should not be put under pressure to conduct weddings as well.

Fr Cunningham’s idea to combine traditional Sunday mass with weddings ceremonies has been well received in North Clare. While no Sunday marriages have yet been scheduled, a number of couples have recently renewed their vows on a Sunday, as part of the regular mass schedule.

Mary GRIFFIN
, John Street, Kilrush. Laid to rest in NewShanakyle Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Nancy QUINN
, 158 Finian Park, Shannon. Funeral Mass today (Tuesday) at 1pmin St Peter and Paul’s Church in Shannon. Burial afterwards in Illaunamanagh Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Maura MCNAMARA (née O’Brien)
. Ballinclea Heights, Killiney, Dublin, North Clare. Laid to rest in Holy Rosary Cemetery in Doolin. Donations to Alzheimers society if desired. May she rest in peace.

Michael (Mick) DALY
, 6WolfeToneTerrace, Roxboro Road, Limerick/ Clonlara. Late of Yardfield, Clonlara. Laid to rest in the Bridgetown Church Grounds. Donations, if desired, to the Alzheimer’s Association of Ireland. May he rest in peace.

Martin CASEY
, Chapel Drive, Kilrush. Laid to rest in the NewShanakyle Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

John GALLERY
, Parliament Street, Ennistymon. Laid to rest in the Old Cemetery, Ennistymon. May he rest in peace.

Edmund MARSHALL SR
, 44 Abbey St, Ennis. Memorial Mass was held in Ennis Cathedral on Friday last. May he rest in peace.

Maura MCDONAGH
, MeadowCourt, Clonroad, Ennis. Late of Marian Avenue. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Brian MCMAHON
, Caherminane, Kilfenora/ San Francisco. Died tragically in San Francisco following an accident. Laid to rest in Noughaval cemetery. Donations if desired to the Clare Crusaders. May he rest in peace.

Gerry GARVEY
, Roslevan, Ennis. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Clooney Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Fergus BARRON
, Clonskeagh/ Ennis. Formerly of Bord na Mona and former President of the Irish Amateur Swimming Association. Peacefully at St Vincent’s University Hospital. Laid to rest in Shanganagh Cemetery. Donations in lieu to MS Ireland. May he rest in peace.

Marty KEANE
, Benedin, Lissycasey. Laid to rest in Lissycasey. Donations if desired to Cahercalla Hospice. May he rest in peace.

Eileen MC MAHON (née Carey)
, Lough South, Doolin. Laid to rest in the Holy Rosary Cemetery, Doolin. May she rest in peace.

Peter John KELLY
, 74 Rossbracken, Shannon. Laid to rest in Lemenagh Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Padraigh MARKHAM
, Boloughra, Lissycasey. Suddenly. Laid to rest in Kilmihil. May he rest in peace.

Martin MC DONNELL
, NewYork and late of Moyhill, Maurices Mills. Laid to rest in Rath Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

John O’DWYER
, Rinneville, Carrigaholt. Peacefully at Milford Hospice. Laid to rest in Kilballyowen Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

JAIL terms have been handed down to three men involved in a major public order disturbance in the centre of Ennis last year.

Passing sentence at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court last week, Judge Gerard Keys said, “A message must go out from this court that this constant feuding must stop.”

He was speaking as Bernie McDonagh Snr (46) (Ashline, Kilrush Road, Ennis and Nashes Boreen Cork), his son Bernie McDonagh Jnr (21) (Ashline, Kilrush Road, Ennis and Nashes Boreen, Cork City) and brother Christopher McDonagh (38) (Childer’s Road, Cloughleigh) all received prison sentences for their involvement in an incident at the Maid of Erin roundabout on October 14, 2012.

Father of 10 Bernie McDonagh Snr drove at speed the wrong way around a roundabout, nine times, in pursuit of a Hiace carrying members of the Doherty family.

He rammed three vehicles including a garda before eventually being restrained using pepper spray. A young child was in Mr McDonagh’s car at the time.

The court heard Mr McDonagh was the victim of a brutal assault in 2010 when he lost his finger after being attacked with a machete after pick- ing up his children from school. The court heard the incident at the Maid of Erin was sparked by a violent altercation at a wedding in Ennis days earlier.

In a victim impact statement, a female garda described how she suffered severe psychological trauma following the violent incident.

“It was my belief that I was going to be seriously or fatally injured,” she added.

Judge Keys said the men acted as if they were “above the law” on the night.

Sentencing Mr McDonagh to a total of four years in prison, Judge Keys said the accused displayed a “total disregard for law and order”.

“You conduct on this occasion can only be described as outrageous,” he added.

His son Bernie McDonagh Jnr (21) also received sentences totalling four years.

He arrived with two others to the Maid of Erin and “savagely attacked” victim John Doherty with a Stanley knife.

Mr Doherty was slashed repeatedly in the back and neck. “I felt like my time was up. I prayed to God for strength,” said Mr Doherty in his victim impact report.

The McDonaghs were ordered not to have any future contact with the Dohertys.

Father of six Christopher McDon- agh received a 16-month sentence for the production of an iron bar and violent disorder.

The court heard gardaí were surprised at Christopher McDonagh’s involvement. He was described in court as a devoted family man who had never bee in serious trouble before.

A 17 year-old who produced a hatchet was ordered to remain under the supervision of the Probation Services. His case was adjourned to 2014.

During that incident, Garda Martin O’Brien, a former League of Ireland referee, was used as a human shield between the boy and the person he approached.

A FATHER of 10 whose reckless behaviour sparked a violent disturbance at a roundabout in Ennis last year has claimed he is ready to make peace.

Bernie McDonagh Snr (46) has said he bears no ill feeling to the Doherty family after tensions between the former friends and neighbours spilled onto the streets of Ennis last October.

Mr McDonagh, with addresses at Ashline, Ennis, and Nashes Boreen, Cork City, told gardaí, “I’ve no illfeeling towards the Dohertys but they’d want to sort themselves out.”

Earlier this month Ennis Circuit Criminal Court heard Mr McDonagh told gardaí that he would be willing to sit down and talk with the Dohertys.

“Peace is the only way forward,” said Mr McDonagh, who is related to the Doherty family through mar- riage.

Bernie McDonagh Snr last week received a four-year prison sentence for his role in the incident at the Maid of Erin roundabout on October 14, 2012. He pleaded guilty to driving recklessly against the flow of traffic in a manner likely to cause harm. He also pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage.

Mr McDonagh Snr drove his car the wrong way around a roundabout nine times in pursuit of a Hiace van containing members of the Doherty family.

His son Bernie McDonagh Jnr (21), with address at Ashline, Ennis, and Nashes Boreen, Cork City, also received sentences totalling four years at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday.

Father of one Bernie McDonagh Jnr, with an address at Nashes Boreen, Cork, pleaded guilty to the production of a Stanley knife during the course of a dispute; violent disorder and assault causing harm to John Doherty.

Olympic boxer Kieran Joyce gave evidence on Bernie McDonagh Jnr’s behalf earlier this month. Mr Joyce, who competed for Ireland at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, told the court Bernie Jnr was a “very respectful young fella” and talented boxer. He said Mr McDonagh Jnr coached kids at the Sunnyside boxing club in Cork City and had hopes of competing at the next Olympic games.

MEMBERS of Ennis Town Council have backed a call for the use of Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) to deal with the behaviour of what was described last week as a “small group of untouchables”.

ASBOs were introduced in Britain in 1998. They were designed to correct minor incidents that would not ordinarily warrant criminal prosecution.

In a motion tabled at the October meeting of Ennis Town Council, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said the council should recommend a “planned pilot scheme of greater usage of Anti Social Beahviour Orders (ASBO) for the Ennis town centre area by the Gardai and Court Services”.

He said the orders could be implemented against criminal and public order offenders.

“Following a half year review, if the pilot is successful, the scheme would be extended to other areas to deal with scourge of this behaviour by a perceived small group of untouchables,” added Cllr Flynn.

Cllr Flynn told the meeting Ennis has a very low crime rate in comparison to towns like Killarney.

However he said the behaviour of a small group of people is putting the reputation of the town at risk.

“I think this would be the start of a campaign of no messing in Ennis,” he added.

Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) said attempts to deal with anti-social behaviour had not been helped by repeated cuts to Garda budgets and the closure of stations around the county.

“My sympathy does go out to the gardaí. They are doing their very best,” he added.

Cllr Guilfoyle told the meeting there had been a number of disturbances in Ennis Courthouse over the past year.

He also spoke about an incident that occurred on the Kilrush Road in August when a man in his 20s was brutally assaulted while on his way home at night.

Chairman of the Ennis Joint Policing Committee (JPC) Cllr Paul O’Shea (Ind) said he would support the use of ASBOs in Ennis.

He said, “There is a lot of fear among the community because of this small group of untouchables.”

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) told the meeting the gardai are doing the best they can with limited resources. “I would urge anyone that has any kind of problem to ring the confidential line to the Garda,” he added.

In response to Cllr Flynn’s motion, town clerk Leonard Cleary said it would be referred to the Joint Policing Committee. “Ennis Town Council is working with the gardaí on an ongoing basis in relation to the specific current items raised in this motion,” added Mr Cleary.

LAHINCH is in mourning today following the sad and sudden passing of one of the great figures in Irish surfing, Tom Buckley.

Tom, who along with his wife Rosemary founded of Ireland’s first surf shop in Lahinch in 1989, passed away over the weekend while on a boating holiday in Greece. Along with establishing Ireland’s first surf shop, Tom was a key member of the Lahinch-based West Coast Surf Club and encouraged thousands of young people to take up the sport over the last 25 years.

Known affectionately as ‘the Bear’ or sometimes ‘Buckaroo’, Tom’s first experience of surfing in Lahinch came as a wind-surfer in 1988 when he accidentally caught a wave.

“It was pure fluke that I happened to get everything right. I just happened to arrive in on the surf in Lahinch, in the right direction and at the right part of the wave. It was a great rush. A really great rush and I was hooked. Simple as that,” he told The Clare People in an article published in 2007.

“The sail wasn’t doing anything, it was just pure wave power that was taking me along. To be honest, it was a long, long time afterwards before I managed to get a surf board to do the same thing.

“People started surfing in Lahinch from around 1970. It would have been mostly Limerick people really and the lifeguards were always into surfing. But as for who was the first, I’m not sure. I personally know of at least three people who are completely convinced that they are the first people ever to surf Lahinch.

“In those days, before there were lessons, we had to teach ourselves. We used to watch a lot of videos – that was about all the lessons that we had. We would see someone in a video doing something new, and we’d try it ourselves the next day and probably end up in the water. It was a tough way to learn. We used to just go out there and pray, try this, try that. It was all trial and error.”

Tom is survived by his wife Rosemary and their grown up children Eileesh and Thomas. His remains will be flown home to Ireland later today (Tuesday), or Wednesday with the funeral expected to take place over the weekend.

THE members and supporters of the County Clare PB&S Association of New York City have much to celebrate at their annual ball this year.

Not only is it marking the 125th anniversary of the organisation, it is also celebrating Clare’s All Ireland Senior and Under 21 Hurling win with special guests former All Ireland winning manager Ger Loughnane and current All Ireland winning manager Davy Fitzgerald.

Since the Clare Association was founded in New York in 1888, its officers, members and friends have joined together each year to celebrate their Clare heritage and remind themselves of the purpose and goals of the association.

This year on Saturday, November 9, at Riverside Church in New York City, Sixmilebridge and Kilkee natives will be honoured as Claremen of the Year.

Association President Catherine Hogan said, “In a year where we celebrate our past, we honour our future. We are extremely pleased to announce our Claremen of the Year for 2013 are Kevin Grady and Tony Nolan.

“Kevin, a native of Sixmilebridge, County Clare, is a resident manager in Manhattan; and Tony, a native of Kilkee, is president of Allcom Electric Inc. Both these young men are relative newcomers to the association but have from the very start lent their support to many an association undertaking.

“They take great pride in their native county and are already proud members of the association, willing to lend a hand to any cause they are asked. We see them doing great things for the future of the association. We are proud to claim them as our own, and add the names of two great Claremen, Kevin Grady and Tony Nolan, to our honour roll this year,” she said.

Ger Loughnane will be returning as Master of Ceremonies for this year’s event.

Partial proceeds of this year’s event will be donated to two charities Share a Dream Foundation, County Limerick, and YWCA Special Needs Programs, White Plains, New York.

A LIMERICK man has appeared in court charged in connection with a burglary of Tinarana House in Killaloe earlier this year. Jeffrey Lee (41), with an address at Cosgrave Park, Moyross, Limerick, was brought before Ennis District Court on Thursday. He is charged with entering Tinarana House as a trespasser on dates between August 17 and September 24 and committing theft therein. Detective Garda Bernard Casey gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He told the court Mr Lee made no reply to charge after caution. Inspector John O’Sullivan sought to have the accused remanded in custody with consent to bail. He said bail would be subject to a number of conditions; Mr Lee must reside at Cosgrave Park, Moyross, stay out of County Clare and Ballina, County Tipperary, and observe a curfew between 11pm and 7am. Mr Lee must also provide his own bond of € 100 and an independent surety of € 1,000. Judge Patrick Durcan remanded Mr Lee in custody with consent to bail to appear against at Ennis District Court on October 16. Legal aid was approved for defence solicitor Tara Godfrey. The property is the home of Gary McNamara and his wife, Michelle. He is the son of Dolores McNamara, the Limerick woman who won € 115m in the Euromillions lottery draw in 2005. The period mansion is located on 270 acres on the shores of Lough Derg. Tinarana was previously owned by Dr Paschal Carmody and his wife, Dr Frieda Carmody. Dr Carmody was acquitted in Ennis Circuit Criminal Court earlier this year of the final remaining charges relating to obtaining money by deception from the families of terminally ill cancer patients.