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THE daughter of controversial revolutionary figure Che Guevara was in West Clare this weekend to attend the Che do Bheatha festival in Kilkee and pay a visit to the Loop Head Lighthouse.

Aleida Guevara March, a doctor based in Havana, was one of the guests of honour at the three-day long Che do Bheatha festival which was held to mark the 51st anniversary of Che Guevara’s visit to Kilkee in September of 1961.

Celebrations to mark Guevara’s connections to Clare and Galway have come in for heavy criticism in America – where he is seen as a murderous dictator by some high profile politicians.

Dr March was also one of the final guests to visit the 19th century Loophead Lighthouse before it was closed for the winter. Figures released today show that 17,423 people visited the lighthouse during the opening period up to Sunday, September 30.

Preliminary estimates indicate that 71 per cent of the total visitor figure was represented by domestic visitors, of which approximately 50 per cent were holidaymakers and 35 per cent were day trippers, with local visitors accounting for the remainder. Overseas visitors accounted for 29 per cent of the total figure.

It is estimated that the 18-week opening period was worth approximately € 650,000 to the local economy.

“It was an honour to have accompanied Dr Guevara and the Cuban ambassador, Teresita Trujillo, on their visit to the lighthouse which they both enjoyed immensely. Dr Guevara was very impressed with the new ex- hibition and particularly enjoyed the tour of the tower and the superb views from the top,” said Cillian Murphy, Chairman of Loop Head Tourism.

“The closure of the lighthouse brings to an end another great season which saw huge benefits to the local tourism operators. The figures reflect a high concentration of family business and this is the marketplace Loop Head Tourism is keen to be targeting and produce growth in the industry into the future. This in turn will make the whole community on the peninsula more sustainable in the long term. Once again, this project shows the benefits of local community and statutory agencies working in partnership.”

Ruairi Deane of Shannon Development said that Loophead Lighthouse was an effort to establish an anchor visitor attraction in West Clare with strong overseas appeal.

“Loop Head Lighthouse is now a wonderful success story that highlights what true partnership between state agencies and community bodies can achieve,” he said.

THE number of Clare homes that have registered their septic tanks has doubled over the past week as the deadline for the reduced € 5 registration charged passed on Friday.

According to figures obtained from the Local Government Management Agency yesterday, a total of 7,603 septic tanks have now been registered in Clare. This is an increase of more than 100 per cent, 3,534 of which had been registered in the county on the same day last week.

In addition to the 7,603 online registrations, the Local Government Management Agency found that there are an estimated 70,000 registration forms which have been processed at local authority offices around the country and have yet to be added to the current figure.

When processed, these registrations could bump up the numbers signed in Clare by more than 2,000 and bring overall registration close to the 10,000 mark.

It is still unclear exactly how many septic tanks currently exist in Clare. Last year, the former Director of Services, David Timlin, put the number at close to 19,000. However, more recent research has estimated that there could be as many as 31,000 septic tanks in the county, with 11,700 in the River Fergus catchment area, 8,400 in the West and North Clare area, 7,600 in the Lough Derg area and 3,400 in South Clare.

The registration fee for the septic tanks had been set at € 5 by the Minister for Environment, Phil Hogan (FG), until last Friday, September 28. Anyone who wises to register their septic tank from now on will have to pay € 50 and homeowners could also face a fine of € 5,000 if they fail to register their tank before February 1, 2013.

Clare currently has one of the highest registration rates in the country with only Wexford, Galway, Meath and Mayo reporting more registered septic tanks.

A DEAL to purchase Tinarana House in East Clare looks set to be complete before the end of the month as three separate offers have been made for the property.

The property, which was bought for an estimated € 14 million less than a decade ago, is likely to be sold for € 2 million.

The property is being sold by GVM Auctioneers in Limerick, who yesterday confirmed that a deal was imminent.

“We have had a lot of interest in the property and a lot of viewings. At the moment, we are looking at three different offers which I would describe as being substantial,” said Tom Crosse of GVM.

“While I can’t give any more detail about the offers, I can say that they are in the region of the € 2 million guide price. Things are moving quickly and we would expect a deal to be finalised before the end of the month.”

Located in Ogonnelloe, Tinarana House boasts 16 bedrooms and 222 acres of grassland and woodland.

Plans had been approved by Clare County Council to convert the property into a major tourism, sports and leisure centre but planning permission for a € 100 million development at the site were turned down by An Bord Pleanála.

One of the reasons for overturning the local authority planning permission was that it was in an area designated as visually vulnerable in the 2005. The latest version of the Clare County Development Plan sites the development of a tourism facility at Tinerana House as one of its desired outcomes.

Meanwhile, the Merriman Hotel in Kinvara was purchased last week for an undisclosed fee, understood to be in the region of € 400,000. The 32bedroom hotel was due to go up for auction on Saturday but an agreement was reached before the auction could take place.

Auctioneer for the sale, Colm O’Donnellan could not give any detail of the final sale price of the property but did confirm that the property was sold as a going concern and will be relaunched as a hotel.

AN Ennis teenager found to have been selling cannabis to his friends was fortunate to have been caught by the gardaí, a court has heard.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Anthony McNamara (18), with an address at 14 Sean Dun, Tulla Road, Ennis pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and having the drug for sale or supply on February 13 (2012).

The court heard that members of the Clare divisional drugs squad found cannabis valued at € 940 during a search, under warrant, of 14 Sean Dún, Tulla Road, Ennis on February 13. The court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the matter.

Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction. Inspector Michael Gallagher explained that quantities of cannabis were found in tinfoil wraps and small plastic bags.

Insp Gallagher said the accused admitted selling the cannabis. He said gardaí accepted that this was the first time Mr McNamara had engaged in drug dealing.

Defence solicitor Joe Chambers told the court that his client had sold the drugs to his friends and not “Joe Public”. He said Mr McNamara was rarely paid by his friends.

Mr Chambers added, “This was a tight knit matter in which he was the mule.” Mr McNamara had never come to garda attention before this incident, the court heard.

Mr Chambers said his client was fortunate to have been caught so early. He added, “There was a certain innocence to what he was about.”

Mr Chambers told the court that Mr McNamara no longer smokes cannabis.

“He needed a sharp reminder of what he is doing is wrong”, he said. Insp Gallagher said Mr McNamara “wouldn’t be a typical drug dealer.”

Judge Patrick Durcan ordered that Mr McNamara engage with the Probation services. He adjourned the case until November 14.

GARDAÍ have launched an investigation after a man was stabbed at his home in Shannon.

The serious assault occurred at around 6.30am on Sunday morning in Cluain Airne, Shannon.

The occupier of the house opened his front door and was then stabbed in the stomach by a man who was standing outside. The man then fled the scene.

The injured man called the emergency services and was treated at the scene before being taken to Limerick Regional Hospital for treatment but his condition isn’t believed to be life threatening.

Gardaí have released details of the person they believe is responsible for the attack. He is described as being 5’8” in height and approximately 2021 years of age. He was wearing a navy jacket with an Eircom logo on the back.

Gardaí say he may have had a black eye. The injured man is currently recovering in hospital.

Gardaí in Shannon are appealing for anyone with information on the incident or anyone who may have seen anything to contact them.

A MAN who damaged an ambulance and insulted paramedics near Ennis General Hospital has received a suspended six-month prison sentence.

Paul Daly (50) was convicted of a breach of the peace and two counts of criminal damage in April.

The charges relate to an incident that occurred near Ennis General Hospital on Sandfield Road in Ennis on October 23 (2011). Mr Daly contested the charges.

The court previously heard that Mr Daly, with an address at 41 Sandfield Centre, Ennis kicked and banged an ambulance and another vehicle belonging to the Health Services Executive (HSE).

Medical personnel gave evidence of Mr Daly behaving in an aggressive manner towards a paramedic.

The disturbances occurred as emergency services responded to an urgent call of a person who was lying on Sandfield Road.

Mr Daly previously told the court that he had been frustrated by noise levels generated from construction work that had been ongoing at the hospital at the time.

A total of € 1100 worth of damage was caused to the HSE jeep while € 500 euros of damage was caused to the ambulance in the incident.

A report from the Probation Services was handed into Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett described Mr Daly as a “complex individual” who had problems with alcohol. Mr Hassett said he had concerns over his client’s mental health. He added, “I think this man needs assistance.”

Mr Hassett told the court that Mr Daly has not been in any further trouble since the incident.

During proceedings, Mr Daly attempted to address Judge Patrick Durcan directly, at one point saying, “You call people in here to justify their actions and you don’t justify yours. It’s a two way street.”

Mr Hassett said that Mr Daly, who is originally from Dublin, holds “certain views”.

He added, “I don’t think he’s suitable for prison.”

Judge Durcan imposed a fine of € 250 and two consecutive three month prison sentences.

By virtue of Mr Daly’s circumstances and Mr Hassett’s comments on his behalf, Judge Durcan said he was suspending the sentences for a period of 12 months.

ENNIS Courthouse was witness to some chaotic scenes last week as fighting broke out on several occasions in the foyer of the building as cases were being heard inside the courtroom.

An eyewitness described the scenes as “something out of the wild west” as people attacked each other as court cases were being heard just yards away on the other side of the courtroom door.

The noise and screaming from the incidents required the court to be stopped as gardaí rushed outside to intervene.

The court was interrupted on three separate occasions as a result and 29 gardaí were forced to deal with con- frontations between various families in the foyer of the courthouse. Three people appeared in court on Tuesday charged in connection with the events. Insp Kennedy told the court subsequently that there were indications that more people could be charged in connection with the disturbances.

Judge Patrick Durcan said the business of the court had been greatly disturbed on Tuesday.

He said, “Twenty nine members of the gardaí on three occasions had to leave at speed and stop a melee that was audibly evident.”

He added; “This kind of behaviour around courthouses will not be tolerated.”

A SHANNON student has been told to be on his best behaviour over the coming months or face a “lengthy stretch” behind bars.

Mark Hayes (23), with an address at 106 Aidan Park, Shannon, received the warning at Ennis District Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

The court heard that Mr Hayes was involved in an altercation near Supermacs in Shannon town centre on November 21 (2011).

Inspector Michael Gallagher told the court that Mr Hayes called another man a “poof” and grunted at him in an aggressive manner.

Solicitor Daragh Hassett told the court that Mr Hayes and his brother had been set upon by another group of people.

He said Mr Hayes appreciates that the attendance of the gardaí on the night prevented the situation from getting worse.

Mr Hassett told the court that Mr Hayes is a full time student and has been accepted at Limerick Institute of Technology.

He said his client had endured a difficult upbringing.

The court heard that Mr Hayes has previous convictions for public order offences and violent disorder.

Judge Patrick Durcan said, “Your client in terms of previous convic- tions deserves a lengthy stretch.”

However, he said that Mr Hayes also deserved a chance to show he can “mend his ways.”

Judge Durcan adjourned the case until November 14 for review.

He ordered that a full report regarding Mr Hayes’ attendance and progress be provided on that date by his school.

Addressing Mr Hayes, Judge Durcan said;

“When you leave this court, buy a mirror, look at yourself and ponder where you are going.

“Its up to you whether you want to go to prison.”

Judge Durcan said the report should issue from the school after November 7.

A Kilrush man has been sentenced to five months in prison for offences committed on the premises of a shop in the West Clare town earlier this year.

Patrick Hall (26), with an address at 3 Chapel Street, Kilrush, appeared before Ennis District Court on Tuesday.

Mr Hall pleaded guilty charges of theft, trespassing and criminal damage.

The charges arose out of an incident at Patrick Burke Menswear in Kilrush on March 26.

After hearing a brief outline of the facts of the case, Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction.

Garda Conor Flaherty of Kilrush Garda Station told the court that gardaí responded to a call of a man on the roof of Patrick Burke Menswear.

Garda Flaherty said that he observed Mr Hall damaging an air con- ditioning unit.

He said the accused took a copper pipe from the unit. Mr Hall was arrested but gave no explanation for taking the pipe.

The court heard that € 200 worth of damage was caused.

No compensation has been paid. Inspector Tom Kennedy said Mr Hall has 43 previous convictions.

Solicitor William Cahir said his client has suffered from serious alcohol and drug problems.

He said Mr Hall is a “gentlemen who is easily led.”

Mr Cahir said that Mr Hall is apologetic for his “mindless beahviour.”

Inspector Kennedy said Mr Hall’s activity had “caused an awful lot of difficulty” to gardaí in Kilrush.

Judge Durcan imposed a five-month sentence for criminal damage and a three-month concurrent sentence. The sentence was made retrospec tive to July.

ENNIS bid farewell on Saturday to one of the town’s best-known fishermen and nature guides.

Jimmy Allard, who lived in Beechpark, passed away suddenly last week. He was a three-time All-Ireland flyfishing champion and international Gold winner and a former member of the Munster Team Championship winning team. In 1976, he finished third in the World Championships.

His exploits were the subject of BBC and RTE documentaries. After working in England, Jimmy returned to Ireland in the sixties and got a job driving for Roadstone.

He lived for a time in Newmarketon-Fergus before settling in Ennis.

Mr Allard captained his country in the home internationals, beating Scotland in 1990 in Lough Owel, just outside Mullingar.

He was the first person to introduce ducks and geese to the River Fergus in 1990 and served as chairman of the Clare Regional Game Council.

In 2011, Mr Allard advocated converting a stretch of land between Beechpark and the One Mile Inn into a wildlife sanctuary. He also brought tourists fishing on lakes around Clare, the American actress Connie Francis and the former Governor of California, Ed Brown, being among Mr Allard’s more famous guests.

In an interview with The Clare People in 2007, Mr Allard recalled his love of fishing and the great outdoors.

“I got into the flyfishing back to Ennis in the ‘60s. I had an idea about starting up a club. I used to go down to Stonehall – there was an old man from England I used to know. He showed me how to make casts and flies.

“I started entering competitions here in Ennis. I did pretty well, won the odd competition and got a few prizes. I went to the Munster championships and I qualified for the National and the first time I was in that in 1974, I won it. It was the first time anyone from Clare won it. I made the Irish team after that. I won a couple of the big competitions on the Corrib,” he said.

Mr Allard will be sadly missed by his wife Cauch, children Tyrone, Kevin, Seamus, George and Cait extended family and friends.