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A FORMER social care worker from Kildare who fraudently claimed € 7000 from an Ennis based healthcare company has been ordered to make a contribution to charity.

Adrian Sexton (33), with an address at 13 Shrowlands, Athy, Kildare, pleaded guilty at Ennis District Court on Wednesday to 46 charges of deception.

The court heard that “financial desperation” drove the former horse trainer to steal from his employer. Mr Sexton fought back tears as details of the case were heard in court.

Detective Garda William Delaney of Ennis Garda Station said Mr Sexton worked as a social worker for TTM Healthcare, Ballymaley Busi- ness Park.

The court heard that Mr Sexton submitted fraudulent timesheets that exaggerated the amount owed to him for work he said he carried out at children’s care units in New Ross, Newbridge and Drumcondra.

The offences dated from September 19 (2011) to January 2 (2012).

The amounts claimed for ranged in size from € 8 to € 500. The court heard that Mr Sexton repaid all the money owed to the company.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the Director of Pubic Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the case on a plea of guilty only. Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction.

Detective Delaney told the court that the fraud came to light when TTM Healthcare were informed by the care centres in question that the work had not been carried out. He said Mr Sexton cooperated fully with the garda investigation.

He has no previous convictions.

Solicitor Daragh Hassett told the court that Mr Sexton previously worked as a horse trainer near the Curragh.

He said the father-of-four was under extreme financial pressure at the time.

The court heard he volounteers with a number of organisations including Cuan Mhuire and Chernobyl Ireland. He also works with his local GAA club.

Mr Sexton has since lost his job with TTM Healthcare. Mr Hassett said;

“It is the height of stupidity, not matter what pressure he was under.”

Insp Kennedy said Mr Sexton was “clearly remorseful” for his actions. He described the offences as “completely out of character.”

The court heard that the Sexton family are moving to Australia to seek work.

Judge Patrick Durcan said these were serious offences “that happened systematically over a period of time.”

Noting the accused’s guilty plea, total co-operation and his repayment of the money, Judge Durcan ordered Mr Sexton to pay € 1000 to the court poor box by December 30.

He said the charges would be struck out if the payment is made by that date.

A MAN has appeared in court charged with violent disorder at a primary school in Ennis earlier this year. Conor Mahon (21), with an address at Ballaghboy Halting Site, Quin Road Ennis, is alleged to have committed violent disorder at the Holy Family School, Station Road, Ennis on March 3.

He is also charged with unlawful production of an article contrary to the firearms and offensive weapons act at the same date and location.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Inspector Tom Kennedy said the matter would be proceeding on trial on indictment.

Charges previously brought against Mr Mahon arising out of the same incident were struck out by a Judge in June

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett told the court that this was the State’s “second bite of cherry” in respect of charges against his client.

Insp Kennedy explained that the charges were struck out following delays in obtaining directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

He said matters have progressed since then. Insp Kennedy told the court that the book of evidence would be served within 42 days.

Responding to Mr Hassett’s concerns, Judge Patrick Durcan said, “If the book of evidence is not served within 42 days, the wind is very much at your back.”

Mr Mahon was remanded on continuing bail to appear at Ennis District Court on November 14.

THE number of planning applications in Clare has fallen by almost one third in a year.

According to Clare County Council, 577 valid planning applications were submitted so far this year.

The majority of these were for new homes or housing estates. A total of 207 such applications was made.

Domestic extensions and garages are also proving popular, with 115 applications.

Agricultural developments accounted for 34 applications, with 82 applications for retention also received. Nine applications received by the planning authority were for outline planning permissions.

The remaining 130 applications were made up of changes of use, extensions to schools, wind turbines, entrances, graveyard extensions, and change of design.

The fourth National Housing Construction Index complied and issued by Link2Plans maintains there is a continued drop in housing construction activity throughout the county.

The National Housing Construction Index measures every submitted Planning Application and Planning Commencement.

The team of researchers at www. link2plans.com have examined every housing construction planning application and planning commencement from January through to August 2012, in the production of the National Housing Construction Index.

The Index gives a direct comparison with the exact same period in 2011.

The Link2Plans research demonstrates that from January to August 2012, 231 planning applications were submitted in Clare. This compares to 341 in 2011 resulting in a drop of 32 per cent, ranking it the county with the third largest drop.

There was also an 18 per cent decrease in the number of Commencement Notices issued in Clare from 186 down to 152.

This volume examines the number of planning permission applications for residential projects from January to August, showing a significant variation regionally when looking at planning applications activity per head of population.

According to Managing Director of Link2Plans, Danny O’Shea, “Once again, the National Housing Construction Index has shown huge variations throughout the country. In the first eight months of the year, across the country, a total of 9,197 individual projects applied for planning permission which is down from 10,953 or a fall of 16 per cent compared with 2011. In terms of project commencements, nationally there was a 10 per cent fall from 4215 in 2011 to 3782 in 2012.”

GARDAÍ in Kilrush have carried out more than 500 drug searches in the town of Kilrush so far this year, an average of 13 searches a week.

The 507 searches far exceed the number usually carried out by a Garda station of the size of Kilrush but, according to Superintendent Gerry Wall, this is an indication of how serious the local gardaí are taking the drug issue in the town.

The searches included buildings and searches of the person.

The local gardaí have also arrested two for selling and supplying drugs locally.

Drug dealers that are known to have pushed drugs in the West Clare town have also been arrested in different jurisdictions and await trial. Supt Wall reassured people that many of those who had been selling drugs in the town are before the courts in Clare and other parts of the county.

“They are all under pressure and will stay under pressure,” he said.

The superintendent was addressing questions during the Public Joint Policing Committee meeting which was held in the town last week and boasted a larger than usual attendance from members of the public.

The number of people arrested for possession of drugs up to the value of € 300 has fallen to 14 during the first nine months of this year from 29 in 2010, those attending the meeting heard.

A MAN has received a prison sentence after pleading guilty to a burglary at the Kilmaley Inn earlier this year.

Jamie Brohan (29), with an address at 142 Hermitage, Ennis, received sentences totaling 10 months at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Mr Brohan pleaded guilty to entering the Kilmaley Inn as a trespasser and committing an arrestable offence, the theft of a Samsung cash register valued at € 1200. The register contained € 15. The incident oc- curred on February 13.

Mr Brohan also pleaded guilty to stealing protein drinks valued at € 46 from Rochford’s Pharmacy, Kilrush Road, Ennis on February 23.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed summary disposal of the case. Jurisdiction was accepted in both matters.

The court heard that Mr Brohan entered the Kilmaley Inn through the rear of the premises at around 3am in the morning.

Detective Garda William Delaney told the court that the accused was subsequently found in possession of the register.

The court heard that Mr Brohan co-operated fully with gardaí and the property was recovered in full working order.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the accused has 58 previous convictions.

The court heard that Mr Brohan had previously received a five month suspended sentence for possession of a claw hammer and flick knife at Lasting Impressions hairdressers, Chapel Lane, Ennis between July 28 and 29, 2011.

Solicitor Daragh Hassett told the court that his client had developed an unfortunate addiction to heroin at an early age.

Mr Hassett said his client had received treatment for his addiction but had lapsed back in drug use during the time of the offences.

Mr Hassett added, “He’s still a young man.

“He’s not without hope.”

Judge Patrick Durcan described the break in at the Kilmaley Inn as an “extremely serious matter.”

He activated the five month suspended sentence imposed for the offence at Lasting Impressions.

He imposed a four-month sentence for the burglary at the Kilmaley Inn and one month for the theft at Rochfords Pharmacy.

Both sentences are to run consecutively to the previous five-month sentence.

Judge Durcan said assaults on businesses are “assaults on the fabric of the community.”

He said the message must go out that criminals are “going to face the highest level of penalties within the circumstances that we can impose.”

Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

A WEST Clare publican accused of assaulting a customer at his home on a Sunday morning during the Willie Clancy Festival has had the charges against him dismissed

Unemployed bricklayer Kieran Flynn (35) alleged Sean Malone (52) showed up at his home on July 3 (2011), punched him around the head and pulled off his underwear during a 10-minute assault.

Mr Malone, with an address at The Lane Miltown Malbay, pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault causing harm.

The court heard that Mr Flynn had been on a 13-hour drinking session the previous day.

Mr Flynn, who admitted being very drunk, ended the day in Malone’s Bar where an altercation developed between he and Mr Malone’s partner Fiona White.

The court heard that Mr Flynn was thrown out of the bar.

Pointing to a lack of medical evidence, Judge Patrick Durcan dismissed the charges.

He said, “There has to be a doubt in mind and there is. I accordingly dismiss the charge.”

Judge Durcan said he had no reason “not to believe” Mr Flynn’s evidence. However he said this was a case where there was a conflict between the evidence of a drunk man and sober man.

Judge Durcan said that if a man had been “thrashed” in the manner described by Mr Flynn you would expect that medical evidence would have been produced to support that claim.

Over the course of three hours and 35 minutes, the court heard evidence from 11 witnesses including three other publicans in Miltown Malbay.

Mr Flynn alleged that Mr Malone had been “crying with temper” during the alleged altercation, adding that Mr Malone told him that he had insulted his parents on the night previous.

Mr Flynn’s partner, Cora Griffin (26), said he had a “bruised hand and buttocks” when she saw him.

His sister, Annette Cotter, said her brother was “lying on the floor naked from the waist down.”

She claimed there was blood spat- tered on the walls and that her brother was in agony.

A number of defence witnesses said Mr Flynn had been heard in Miltown on the previous day talking about a fight he had been in with another man.

Publicans Martin Flynn (Flynn’s Bar) Gerard Clancy (Clancy’s Bar) said Mr Flynn had been in their bars in the early afternoon on July 2. They said he had blood and scrapes on his knuckles.

Mr Clancy said he advised Mr Flynn to go home and sleep it off. He added, “He’s not awkward. He’s a lovely lad.”

Staff at Malone’s Bar also gave evidence that Mr Flynn was in a “very irritable mood” on July 2.

Ms White said Mr Flynn verbally abused her in Malone’s Bar and pushed her.

Mr Malone told the court that he asked Mr Flynn to leave his premises on July 2 because he was “beyond control.”

Mr Malone said he called to Mr Flynn’s the next morning because he was concerned for his well being. Insp Tom Kennedy said Mr Malone and other witnesses had attempted to “discredit” Mr Flynn.

This was rejected by the witnesses and Judge Durcan who said he did not “quibble” with the evidence given by the publicans.

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett said evidence had been given that Mr Flynn had spoken of being in a fight with another man on July 2.

He said there were “large doubts and inconsistencies in the State’s case.” Judge Durcan dismissed the charges.

A TRAVELLER feud that has spilled onto the streets of Ennis on two separate occasions over the last week has been branded “absolutely disgraceful” by Chief Superintendent of the Clare Garda Division, John Kerin.

Seven people have been arrested in total in connection with violent disturbances that broke out at Ennis Cathedral, Maiville housing estate and the Maid of Eireann roundabout between Thursday and Sunday.

Charges have so far been brought against three people. Gardaí expect to make more arrests in the coming days. Armed members of the Garda Regional Response Unit have also been on patrol in Ennis over the last five days.

The latest incident occurred Sunday at the Maid of Eireann roundabout when members of the rival famillies clashed at around 6pm.

Gardaí on routine patrol came upon the incident and were backed up by units from Ennis Garda Station. Weapons including Stanley knives, pick-axe handles, slash hooks and a baseball and iron bars were all among weapons seized this past week alone. A garda was hospitalised after receiving whiplash injuries when the car he was sitting in was rammed by another vehicle.

A number of vehicles were damaged and an area near the roundabout was closed to traffic for three hours. Two women have been charged with public order offences and are due to appear in Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Three men also arrested on Sunday had their periods of detention extended at Ennis Garda Station yesterday.

Gardaí believe the incident is linked to a violent altercation that occurred during a wedding at Ennis Cathedral on Thursday afternoon.

UNMANNED killer drones, such as the one which killed 16 people in Pakistan last week, could be being transported through Shannon Air- port every day, according to Shannonwatch. The anti-war group published a new book on Sunday detailing the number of US military and chartered flights which have travelled through Shannon Airport over the last 10 years. The group claim that, despite promises made in the programme for government, the Irish Government is still allowing international and Irish law to be broken in the airport. The book also highlight the lack of inspections at the airport. “There has been a lack of political will to do this for many years. But we also know that with the new programme for government, a commitment has been given to ensure that international law is respected in Irish Airports,” said John Lannon of Shannonwatch. “By putting this into the programme for government in the first place it was an admission that international law was not being respected in the first place. But it also showed a willingness to change that, but we have seen absolutely nothing from them in this regard to date. This booklet is a timely reminder to the Government about this. “There is a growing amount of disillusionment with them [the Labour Party]. Many of their current TDs would have been out of the front line of the campaign against the torture flights and the military use of Shannon. It is disappointing that they seem to have become suddenly less vocal as soon as they entered government. “I think the next two years will tell a lot about whether Labour in particular meant what they said while in opposition before the last election. “I think it will come as a surprise to a lot of people the number of national and international laws that have been broken in Shannon. At the moment we don’t know what is coming through and nobody is checking. There could be drones coming through Shannon Airport every day and we just have no way of knowing.”

A MAN who stole waste metal from a hospital in Ennis committed a “despicable” offence, a court has heard.

Gerard McDonagh (30) with an address at 36 Dromard, Lahinch Road, Ennis, pleaded guilty to the theft of old radiators from the grounds of Cahercalla Community Hospital and Hospice on May 3 (2012).

He also pleaded guilty to taking waste metal from the same location on May 7. The hospital was undergoing renovation works at the time.

The court previously heard that the father of four sold the radiators to a scrap metal dealer in Galway for € 200.

The matter came before Ennis District Court for sentencing on Wednesday.

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client knew the items were waste “but should’ve known better.” She added;

“He had no business being in the curtilage of the hospital.”

Ms Godfrey asked the court not to impose a custodial sentence.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he had to balance the accused’s guilty plea against the “despicable nature of these offences.”

He said Mr McDonagh “knew exactly what he was about.”

“I do not accept he came across these materials innocently,” Judge Durcan added.

The court heard that Mr McDonagh had previously received a suspended sentence at Galway Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Durcan imposed sentences totaling four months to run consecutively to the sentence imposed at Galway Circuit Criminal Court. Recogances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

After sentence was passed, Ms Godfrey told the court that she had been informed by her client that he had gone to Cahercalla to visit his sick aunt. A 56-YEAR-old man drank too much after being unlucky in love at the annual Matchmaking festival, a court has heard. Michael McDonagh, with an address at 14 Parnell Street, Summerhill, Ennis, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place during this year’s Matchmaking festival in Lisdoonvarna. Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that Mr McDonagh was found “laid out” on Main Street, Lisdoonvarna. He was subsequently brought back to Ennistymon Garda Station. Solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that her client had “rather optimistically made his way to the Matchmaking festival in Lisdoonvarna.” She said Mr McDonagh’s attempts to meet a partner were unsuccessful, after which “he had a drink followed by another drink.” She added, “The air just hit him and when the air hit him, he slid to the ground.” She said Mr McDonagh is very embarrassed by his behaviour. Judge Patrick Durcan fined Mr McDonagh € 100 and gave him three months to pay. Mr McDonagh was also warned about his behaviour at next year’s festival.

A NEW initiative designed to help teenagers who have been affected by addiction has been established in Ennis. A new Youth Support Programme has been established by the Bushypark Treatment Centre which aims to break the cycle of addiction in some Clare families.

The programme is aimed at teenager between the ages of 14 and 18 years who have been effected by the addictions of others in their families – whether it be parents, siblings or grandparents.

“We are hoping to break the cycle of addiction which runs in some families. Kids do imitate parents behavior – they learn secrecy, they learn to be embarrassed and ashamed at a very young age and they don’t ever get a space to share their own feelings,” said Margaret Nash of Bushypark.

“What we want to do is to help them create coping mechanisms for when they are presented with diffi- cult times in their own life so they don’t just turn to alcohol and drugs themselves when they are faced with a problem.”

The development of self esteem is seen as a key part of new programme offered by Bushypark. “Everyone is faced with a difficult time at one time or another in their life and we would hope that this programme could give people the coping skills and the self esteem needed to get through these situations,” continued Margaret.

“Personal development is really key. We need to give young people the tools to get through difficult situations without turning to drugs or alcohol.”

The service is offered by Bushypark with the help of Clare Youth Services, Clare Alcohol and Drugs Services (SLÁINTE) and the Community Substances and Misuse Team. Bushypark is a service of Clarecare.

Anyone interested in learning more about this or any programme at Bushypark should contact 065 6840944 or visit www.bushypark.ie.