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A MAN who illegally parked in a disabled parking space at Ennis Courthouse has been disqualified from driving for three months.

At Ennis District Court on Friday, father of five Luan Heta, with an address at Park Avenue, Ennis, was also fined € 300 by Judge Patrick Durcan who has imposed stiff penalties on drivers convicted of such offences in recent months.

Mr Heta pleaded guilty to parking in a disabled person parking bay at Ennis Courthouse, Lifford Road, Ennis on March 26, 2014.

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett told the court his client had business in the Courthouse on the day but could not get a parking spot. Mr Hassett said the court was particularly busy on the day in question.

He said Mr Heta forgot to pay the fixed charge penalty notice because of family difficulties he was experiencing at the time.

“He is very, very sorry,” Mr Hassett said.

Mr Hassett said he was aware this was a serious offence that the court has a particular view on. Asking the court not to disqualify his client from driving, Mr Hassett said his client has young children in school and any disqualification order would impose a hardship on the family.

Garda Liza McDonagh told the court that Mr Heta has eight previous convictions including for breach of the peace, assault and assault causing harm. Judge Patrick Durcan said that in his experience Ennis Courthouse is unique in the amount of parking spaces available for drivers.

Judge Durcan also noted that Mr Heta is a man with a “very violent history”.

In response, Mr Hassett acknowledged there was a time when Mr Heta “used to raise his fists regularly in this town” but he has matured with age.

Judge Durcan imposed a € 300 fine and by way of ancillary order, disqualified Mr Heta from driving for three months. Mr Hassett said he had been instructed by his client to appeal the decision.

Judge Durcan fixed recognisances at Mr Heta’s own bond of ˙€ 300 and an independent surety to be approved by the court of € 600.

KILRUSH has been named Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town in this year’s SuperValu National TidyTowns competition.

After seven years of receiving gold medals the town took the ultimate prize in its category and was one of just four towns that could have won the competition outright.

Kilrush was marked against strict adjudication criteria and beat off stiff competition from scores of other small towns throughout Ireland.

Other competition winners included Kilkenny City (Tidiest Large Urban Centre and overall winner), Clonegal, Carlow (Tidiest Village) and Westport, Mayo (Tidiest Large Town).

Speaking following ceremony at The Helix, Mayor of Clare Councillor John Crowe (FG) said the award success was a tribute to the local community in Kilrush and the work they had carried out to improve the appearance of the town.

“Key to Kilrush’s progress in the TidyTowns competition has been the partnership approach that it been adopted locally. There is a broad range of groups and organisations now involved in promoting and enhancing the appearance of the town including the local TidyTowns Committee, TUS scheme participants, staff from Clare County Council, the local business sector, and the people of the town and surrounding areas.”

“I would like to particularly acknowledge Kilrush TidyTowns Committee which has worked tirelessly and selflessly to improve the appearance of Kilrush. The volunteers have toiled throughout the year in various public areas to create and maintain flowerbeds, keeps streets tidy, cut grass and pick up litter. This award further enhances the status of Kilrush as a growing and prosperous town and as an attractive visitor destination,” the Cathaoirleach stated.

Kilrush received 316 points out of a maximum of 450, just four points less than the overall winner and four points ahead of Ennis which is a prevous overall winner.

In its report to Kilrush TidyTowns Committee, the Tidy Towns adjudicators said, “We have to say that our visit to Kilrush will be remembered as one of the highlights in our experience of adjudication over the years. This is because Kilrush itself is a lovely town, and most importantly its people have obviously appreciated that, have striven to retain its character, and continue to improve and move forward in many ways. We consider that you have all the enthusiasm to progress further, based on a solid achievement to date, and we look forward to following your progress in future years.”

There was further success for Clare today when Ennis joined Kilrush in being awarded a Gold Medal.

Meanwhile, Mountshannon received a Silver Medal with Ballynacally, Kilkee and Tuamgraney securing Bronze Medals. Kilrush, Mountshannon and Ennis picked up County Awards, Newmarket-onFergus won the Midwest Endeavour Award, and Ennis was named the overall winner of the Gum Litter Taskforce Award for Large Towns.

Tom Coughlan, Chief Executive of Clare County Council said Clare’s performance in the TidyTowns competition is particularly significant considering the extremely high standards set by the TidyTowns adjudication panel this year.

“TidyTowns helps to improve the visual appearance of Clare towns and villages, while it also acts as a springboard for local communities and the business sector to promote their local areas as a visitor destination. Clare County Council, through its support for Clare participants in the competition and through the funding allocated under the Public Area Enhancement Scheme, is delighted to see that the standards achieved were extremely high this year which is a tribute to everyone involved.”

THE late Jim White has been recalled as a “dynamic and generous man” who made an “immense” contribution to the tourism industry in Clare.

The former Fine Gael TD and businessman passed away aged 76 last Tuesday. Originally from Donegal, he has a long association with the hotel industry in Clare.

He purchased the Hydro Hotel in Lisdoonvarna in the mid-seventies, which laid the foundations for what is now known as White’s Hotel Group, comprising the King Thomond, the Burren Castle Hotel and the Imperial Hotel. The Group also runs hotels in Donegal and Kerry.

Chairman of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte Ltd, Paddy Dunne, said Mr White was an “extremely popular and wellrespected man who will be greatly missed both at home in Donegal and here in North Clare”.

He continued, “Since the 1970s Jim’s contribution to the promotion of tourism in Lisdoonvarna has been immense. The White family’s investment in the town created, and continues to create, much needed employment in the local area. Indeed from the moment Jim arrived in Lisdoonvarna, following the purchase of the Hydro Hotel and the Moher Inn, which is now the Burren Castle Hotel, he employed locals. Initially during the renovation of the hotels he employed local trades people and then subsequently hotel staff.

“There are not many families in Lisdoonvarna who haven’t had at least one member employed at one of the White’s hotels. Jim was a dynamic and generous man who will be remembered fondly, particularly in September when the hotels are full and Lisdoonvarna really comes alive to the sounds of music and dancing,” Mr Dunne said. “Lisdoonvarna Fáilte would like to extend their sympathies to Jim’s family, in particular to his son, Marcus, who is a great supporter of Lisdoonvarna.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny also paid tribute to Mr White, “a man of enormous positivity and generosity with huge credibility in the area of tourism and business”.

Mr Kenny continued, “In particular, his hard work led to an increase in tourism – spend in the north west of Ireland. He was a man of enormous popularity in Donegal and the North West in general and even managed to head the poll against Neill Blaney in a general election.”

Mr Kenny added, “I would like to extend on my own behalf and on behalf of the Fine Gael party my sincere condolences to all his family, especially his children Caroline, Bettina, Marcus, Sinead, James Jr, Megan and Mitchell. I called to see him only last Sunday in the Mater hospital where I met and spoke with his family as Jim approached his last days.”

THE majority of teenage girls in Clare are now availing of the cervical cancer vaccination programme introduced in 2010.

A total of 88.9 per cent of first year students in Clare secondary schools have received the three vaccines as part of the human papillomavirus vaccination (HPV) programme, which ensures Clare is well above the HSE target of 80 per cent up take.

Overall, the figures show that 680 girls received the vaccine doses in the 2012/2013 academic year.

The vaccine protects against seven out of 10 cervical cancers, so health expert maintain that it is still important for girls to have regular smear tests when they are adults.

Critics of the vaccine programme maintain that it does not go far enough as it only targets 50 per cent of the population, even though the sexually transmitted infection that can lead to cervical cancer affects 80 per cent of the population both male and female.

As well as contributing to cervical cancer, HPV also contributes to rare cancers such as penile cancer and anal cancer in men.

Meanwhile 42,000 girls have benefited from the vaccine nationwide last year.

Labour TD Michael McNamara said he was glad the vaccine has been so well received in the county.

“It goes a long way towards ensuring our young girls are effectively immunised against the causes of cervical cancer.

“While we don’t have any com- prehensive data in Ireland yet as to the effectiveness of the HPV programme, we do know that in Denmark, where it has been widely used since 2007, there has been a 50 per cent reduction in pre-cancers, which are required to develop cervical cancer,” he said.

The 2014/2015 HPV programme will see the number of doses reduced from three to two doses, as new data has shown that two doses are just as effective as three. In addition, a Meningococcal C (Men C) booster is being introduced this year for first year boys and girls. The booster is recommended because immunity from the vaccine routinely given to babies can wane over time, so this provides additional protection.

As many as 250 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, and 80 women die from the disease.

THE community of Ballyea was plunged into mourning last week following the death of father of five Gerard O’Connell.

Mr O’Connell died following a farm accident in Ballyea last week.

Just before 10pm on Wednesday night, Gardaí and emergency services were called to a farm in Ballyea where the 57 year old was fatally injured in an incident, believed to have involved a tractor and trailer.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, which was sealed off.

The Health and Safety Authority were informed of the incident and an investigation commenced when a HSA inspector visited the site on Thursday.

It is understood the deceased was loading cattle into the trailer at around 7pm when the accident occurred.

His body was later discovered at the scene by a family member.

One local described Mr O’Connell as an “absolute gentleman”.

“It’s an awful thing to happen. He was a lovely man, a hard worker and an absolute gentleman.”

Mr O’Connell’s son Gearóid is a member of the Clare U21 hurling side that will play in the All-Ireland final against Wexford on Saturday. Another son, Paddy, is also well known club hurler and footballer.

The tragedy is the second to take place on a farm in Clare in a fortnight.

On August 20, a 38-year-old single man died while he was fitting a wheel to a vehicle near his home in Liscannor.

The chairman of the Clare IFA, Andrew Dundas, expressed his condolences to the O’Connell family on their tragic loss.

“This was certainly a very sad case,” he said.

Mr Dundas said farm safety has been at the top of the IFA’s agenda in recent months.

Mr Dundas said it is important farm families get together and compile a safety audit of their farm and farm practices to identify areas that may be of concern.

Mr Dundas said the association is also concerned by the growing number of farmers who are working longer hours in order to earn a living.

“Certainly that is something that we are hearing again and again. People feel that they have to work longer and longer. Very few people can make a living directly from farming so you find people are working a lot longer,” he explained.

CLARE county councillors cannot vote to reduce the Local Property Tax (LPT) until after a budget report is prepared and brought before them.

Council officials have just two weeks to complete a draft budget that previously took two months.

Delayed direction on its expenditure from central government and a requirement by Revenue to know its decision by the end of the month has put the council under sever pressure.

Council CEO Tom Coughlan said the final decision on increasing or decreasing the property tax will remain with the council members.

Former mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) said that people “need to be aware that our property tax will be leaving the county.

“There is a feeling that Clare has a surplus and we can now give money back. The reality is the people of Clare are going to subsidise the people of other cities and counties. If we reduce it by 15 per cent what are the implications?” he asked.

Cllr Richard Nagle (FF) said that the reduction might just be between € 30 to € 40 per household but that is significant in many homes.

“€ 50 to € 100 is a lot to people out there because they just do not have it,” he told last evening’s meeting of the council.

Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) asked that the county manager instruct the county solicitor to challenge the breakdown of the taxation in the courts.

EVER wanted to own a bank, or the bank building to be more accurate? Well now you can – in the town of Kilrush.

The AIB bank on Frances Street in Kilrush is to go under the hammer on September 16 as part of the Allsop Space sale.

A spokesperson from Allied Irish Banks PLC confirmed to

A LOCAL man who advocates for one of the country’s largest suicide prevention services has paid tribute to the generosity of Clare people.

Tom McEvoy said support given by people in the Banner County is a key reason why Pieta House has been able to expand its services in the West and throughout Ireland.

“Clare people are unbelievable at supporting Pieta,” he said.

Mr McEvoy continued, “We had a great darts night there recently in the Grove Bar in Roslevan, run by Kieran Reidy. I’d like to publicly thank him very much for doing that for his huge efforts. It was huge success. There was nearly € 2,300 raised. For Pieta, that will go straight into therapeutic hours in Limerick. They are helping fellow Clare people down the line.”

Mr McEvoy said the support shown by Clare people to helping Pieta House provide support and coun seling to services to vulnerable people.

“The vision for Pieta is that we are looking to have a Pieta House within 100km of every person in the country. We opened four new centres last year: Roscrea, Cork, Galway, Tuam and Castleisland,” he said.

“That opened a huge part of the country to Pieta. What we are after now is to cover the North West, Donegal. We’re actually calling to people up there. I’m doing a lot of work up there. We’re also talking actively in Waterford where those areas are devoid of any help that we can offer. We’re planning to have those centres up and running. They are fantastic goals and achievable because of the community following we have.”

Mr McEvoy was speaking as new figures show a 44 per cent rise in the number of Clare people that sought help from the Pieta House centre in Limerick during the first six months of 2014, compared to the same period last year. He said greater awareness of suicide and the issues around is enabling more and more people to come forward to seek help for their problems.

“That can be down to people’s confidence and confidentiality. There can be a sense of pride as well; sometimes they wish to remain anonymous in the area where they come. We’re obviously trying to lift the stigma of suicide. Hopefully in time to come people will attend from the localities along with the surrounding areas,” he said.

Pieta House provides a professional, one-to-one therapeutic service for those who are experiencing suicidal ideation or engaging in self-harm.

PLANS to construct a massive € 5 million graveyard and crematorium in Ennis have risen from the ashes with developers, Fenloe Property Development, appealing a decision made by Clare County Council last July to An mBord Pleanála.

The developers have lodged an appeal with the national planning authority which, if successful, could see the creation of a 4,000 plot large graveyard, as well as a crematorium just outside of Ennis.

The site, which is located at Ballaghfadda between Ennis and Clarecastle, is currently zoned residential and a material contravention of the Clare County Development Plan was required in order for the planning to go ahead through the normal planning process.

However, a planning application for the facility was already at an advanced stage when the matter went before the July meeting of Clare County Council, and the CEO of Clare County Council, Tom Coughlan, stated before the debate that planing would almost certainly be granted if the councillors had voted for the re-zoning.

A number of issues were raised in relation to the proposed Clarecastle site including the potential for pollution reaching the local water system, the traffic management of the site and a previous planning application for 250 houses on the site.

A number of procedural issues were also raised in relation to the proposal, including the proposal being advertised in the national and not the local media – with some claiming that more locals would would have made submissions on the proposal if it had been advertised locally.

The matter was put to a vote with 11 councillors voting to grant the material contravention and 15 voting against it.

The planned crematorium would see the construction of a a gated entrance, car park, chapel, offices, store, crematorium unit and furnace, memorial gardens and a large cemetery. The case is due to be decided by December of this year.

IT HAS been billed in the national media as the Irish celebrity wedding of the year, but the people of Kilrush were not allowed into their own church during the cermony.

One hundred plus people gathered in Kilrush to see Xposé presenter and former model Glinda Gilson marry Rob McNaughton on Saturday afternoon.

The group of onlookers were just as interested in the guests as they were the blushing bride.

While there was excitement as the celebrity guests gathered, some local people were annoyed that they were not permitted to enter their own parish church by private security guards during the wedding.

Two men wearing black suits and earpieces were on hand to stop photographers and locals stepping inside the gates.

However those gathered made the most of the celeb spotting.

A firm favourite among a group of women that gathered outside St Senan’s Church in Kilrush was X-Factor judge Louis Walsh.

The Mayo man posed happily with his west Clare fans ahead of the nuptials of the 33-year-old television presenter to her partner of three years, Dublin businessman Mr McNaughton.

Wearing an ivory € 10,000 Vera Wang dress with a sweetheartshaped bodice and layers of silk, Ms Gilson was 36 minutes late for the ceremony.

The local crowd were happy enough to wait however spotting celebrities such as Boyzone member and actor Keith Duffy and his wife Lisa, actor Liam Cunningham, models Alison Canavan and Gail Kaneswaran, model and actress Vivienne Connolly, TV presenter Louise Loughman, and celebrity chef Dylan McGrath arriving at the church.

The Xposé presenter finally arrived and posed for photographs inside a car before stepping out to cheers and whistles

The happy couple and guests later travelled to Donald Trump’s Doonbeg resort for their reception.

Ms Gilson is not the first celebrity to be married in Clare in recent times.

Last December, Sterephonics lead singer Kelly Jones wed MTV Journalist Jakki Healy in the same church and also held their reception at Doonbeg.

Meanwhile, in August 2009, Andrea Corr married Brett Desmond in Miltown Malbay. They also had their reception in Doonbeg.