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A LIMERICK man, who stole a television and games console from a hotel in Lahinch and then promptly returned them, has been ordered to make a contribution to the court poor box.

Christopher Murphy (41) was told by a judge that he had engaged in “bizarre” behaviour in the seaside town last year.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday Mr Murphy, with an address at 2 Sheelin Drive, Caherdavin, Limerick, pleaded guilty to stealing a Black Phillips flat screen TV valued at € 500 and a Nintendo Wii valued at € 200 from the West Coast Lodge, Lahinch, on November 26, 2011.

Inspector John Galvin said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the case. Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction.

Insp Galvin told the court that the manager of the hotel contacted gardaí alleging that the accused had taken the television and games console from the hotel. The court heard that Mr Murphy had checked into the hotel under the name John Ryan.

Insp Galvin said Mr Murphy drove back to the hotel a few hours later and returned the property.

Mr Murphy admitted to gardaí that he had taken the property.

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett said his client had been staying in the hotel with his partner.

He said Mr Murphy didn’t know why he stole the items.

“It was a spur of the moment thing,” he added.

Mr Hassett told the court that Mr Murphy had become involved in a “show of bravado” with another guest, after which he drove of with the television and the Wii.

Inspector John Galvin described the sequence of events as “very unusual”. Judge Patrick Durcan said, “This was bizarre behaviour.” He ordered Mr Murphy to pay € 250 to the court poor box. The case was adjourned to October 24.

A MAN and a woman charged with the neglect and ill treatment of seven children have been returned for trial.

The two appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. In separate charges, it is alleged that the man and woman did willfully assault, ill-treat, neglect, abandon a child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to the child’s health or seriously affect their well being, contrary to Section 256 of the Children’s Act.

The woman is facing eight charges of neglect. The man is facing six charges of neglect and two charges of sexual assault.

The alleged offences took place on dates unknown between March 2001 and July 2010. The charges relate to seven children.

The man and woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, both have addresses in Clare. Inspector John Galvin requested an amend- ment concerning the wording of two charge sheets in relation to the man.

Defence solicitor John Casey consented to the amendments. Garda Irene O’Flynn of Ennis Garda Station gave evidence of having served the books of evidence on both co-accused.

Insp Galvin said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented for both persons to be returned for trial to the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on October 16.

Legal aid was granted for Mr Casey, one junior counsel and one senior counsel. Mr Casey said, “They are very serious charges.”

Mr Casey requested a change in his client’s bail conditions to allow him to meet two of his sons.

Insp Galvin said he had “reservations considering the nature of the charges.”

Judge Durcan refused the application. The man was remanded on continuing bail, on the same terms heretofore, to appear at the next sitting of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court.

Solicitor for the woman, Tara Godfrey, requested that the court impose reporting restrictions. Judge Durcan said reporting restrictions had previously been imposed.

He said the restrictions would continue to apply. Legal aid was approved for Ms Godfrey and one junior counsel.

The woman was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court.

A DRIVE to revitalise vacant buildings in Clare has stalled due a lack of interest from landlords, a meeting has heard. Co-ordinated by Ennis Town Council, Clare County Council and Ennis Chamber of Commerce, the Ennis Access to Spaces Initiative (EASI) aims to revitalise Ennis town centre by facilitating the use of unoccupied spaces for commercial, creative and community use. The scheme was launched in May. However a meeting yesterday heard that plans to implement similar schemes around the county have yet to take off. Majella MacNamara of Clare County Council’s Economic and Planning Development Section was speaking at a meeting of the Council’s Community, Enterprise, Tourism and Emergency Strategic Policy Committee (SPC). The issue arose during a presentation on the council’s Economic Development Strategy Action Plan. Ms MacNamara explained that it is one of the council’s objectives to develop Clare’s towns and villages. She said the main aims are the improvement of business works, infrastructure, signage, occupancy and business. The council is also investigating pilot schemes for improving retail activity in town centres. She explained that while there has been strong interest from the artistic community, “landlords have been slow to come forward”. The strategy outlines the council’s attempts to generate income from landbanks and to identify key strategic development sites in the county. The meeting heard that the council is also hoping to use Clare people living abroad to act as ambassadors for the county. High profile individuals are being sought to promote the interests of Clare to a wider international audience. Ms MacNamara told the meeting that the ambassadors could be living in any part of the world.

A DISTRICT court judge ordered the governor of Limerick Prison to appear before him to explain why a West Clare prisoner was not receiving treatment for drug addiction while serving his sentence.

Michael Sweeney, 15 Wood Road, Kilrush, was charged prior to Tuesday’s hearing of Kilrush District Court with stealing a mountain bike in April. The defendant, who is currently serving a three-year sentence, with 18 months suspended, for han- dling stolen goods, pleaded guilty to the charge.

In evidence to the court, Detective Garda Downes said that a red and white 24-gear mountain bike worth € 1,100 was stolen from a shed in Kilrush on April 13.

On April 17, gardaí repossessed the bike from a man who told them he purchased it from Mr Sweeney.

Mr Sweeney admitted to gardaí that he had the bike.

The court heard that the 24-yearold accused had a drug problem and it was the drugs that led him to theft.

“There is no treatment for drugs in prison but he will get it when he gets out,” his solicitor said.

When questioned by Judge Patrick Durkin, the prison officer accompanying Mr Sweeney said there was treatment available in Limerick Prison but Mr Sweeney was not receiving any. He did not know why.

The judge refused a report on the matter from the probation service.

“This country is struggling and gasping for breath because of reports and meetings,” he said.

He requested that the governor of Limerick Prison or a representative attend Ennis District Court the following day to explain why Mr Sweeney was not receiving treatment. “It is a complete travesty,” said Judge Durkin. “Once the matter is explained we can sentence.”

Assistant Governor Mark Kennedy appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Mr Kenendy told the court that Mr Sweeney had been seen by a medical team on his arrival at the prison. He said that on a scale of 1 to 12, Mr Sweeney had scored 3 for the amount of opiate in his body.

He said this was “very low”, similar to the amount of codeine found in a Nurofen tablet. Mr Kennedy said, “He wasn’t a chronic user of it (heroin).” He said Mr Sweeney would be receiving treatment for his addiction from Merchant’s Quay this week.

Defence solicitor Fiona Hehir said her client does need help at this stage of his life. Judge Durcan imposed a three-month prison sentence to run concurrent to his current sentence.

Judge Durcan wished Mr Sweeney the best of luck in fighting his addiction.

CLARE farmers will be allowed to be buried on their own property in the future, provided Clare County Council gives the burial the thumbs up. The Department of the Environment have confirmed they there is no longer any statutory legislation preventing a Clare landowner being laid to rest on their own land. However, each home burial will have to receive official permission from Clare County Council before a burial can legally take place. Kilnamona farmer Cllr James Breen (Ind) says he now intends to apply to Clare County Council for permission to be buried on his farm when he passes away.

“I’m delighted with the news from the department and I can’t see any reason now why a local authority should not allow a farmer or his family to be buried on his own land if that is what they wish. I think that this is something that a lot of people will opt for in the future,” said Cllr Breen.

“It is a wish of my own – I want to be buried on my own land when I go to my eternal reward. You see farmers who love their land and the next thing they die and they have to go maybe 20 or 30 miles away to be buried. If they could, I think a lot of them would want to be buried on their own land. I can’t see the floodgates opening up but I think if anyone wants to be buried on their own land they they should now be allowed.”

In an official letter from the Department of the Environment to Clare County Council, it was confirmed that once environmental matters such as water contamination were taken care of, the department had no objection to Clare County Council granting approval for home burials to take place.

“I’ve no intention of dying just yet but when the time comes I will be getting buried on my farm. I have 40 acres in Kilnamona and I have identified one field where I would like to be laid to rest. It is entirely up to the rest of my family then if they would like to join me there after that,” continued Cllr Breen.

“There is nothing more sacred than a mans own land. The birds, the bees, the foxes, the wildlife will run wild over it. It is a sacred place.”

AN ADDICTION treatment service has confirmed that a Kilrush man is on a waiting list for one of their treatment centres.

Cuan Mhuire had been ordered by a district court judge to supply a letter confirming that Martin Burke (30) had applied for a place on their residential treatment course at Bruree.

Mr Burke, with an address at 4 St Senan’s Terrace, Kilrush, has pleaded guilty to handling stolen property at John Street, Kilrush, on June 25.

Mr Burke has also admitted to damaging the side of a car at Convent Road, Kilrush, and stealing a handbag valued on April 29, 2012.

The accused also pleaded guilty to smashing a window of the Central Pharmacy on May 5.

Mr Burke also pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place on the same night.

In June, Judge Durcan ordered that Mr Burke enter a treatment centre to deal with his alcohol and drug addiction problems.

Defence solicitor Fiona Hehir told the court that Cuan Mhuire had confirmed that there are 30 people ahead of her client on a waiting list for Bruree House.

She said it could be “some time” before Mr Burke is admitted. Judge Durcan remanded Mr Burke on continuing bail to appear in court again on November 14.

He also ordered that an up to date letter be provided on that date.

A DISTRICT court judge showed his determination to have his court run efficiently and on time on Tuesday last when he issued up to eight bench warrants for people missing from the body of the court when their case was called.

Judge Patrick Durkin was also annoyed when one defendant who was resident in Limerick Prison was not taken to Kilrush in time for the 10.30am start.

“I don’t see why I should drive a considerable distance, up to three hours, and members of the Gardaí can’t be here on time,” he said.

Superintendent Gerry Wall reminded the judge that it was the prison service that was responsible for getting the prisoner to court on time in this case.

Those responsible for their own appearance were also chastised for their lethargic attitude.

One defendant was not present when the registrar called his name as he had according to his solicitor Patrick Moylan, “gone to sign on this morning”.

“Mr Moylan, I am hearing of fellas who are never in court when they are called but were there before and there after.

“If you are not at the station when the train comes you miss the train,” remarked Judge Durkin as the second bench warrant was issued.

A bench warrant was then issued for a defendant who was believed to be in the restroom at the time her case was called.

“There is no point being in the lavatory in the station when the train leaves,” said the judge.

Within 20 minutes of the court sitting four bench warrants were issued.

By lunch time the figure had more than doubled.

It later emerged that one of the defendants had gone home for a cup of tea.

Supt Wall told the court he agreed with the actions taken.

“I am in total support of what is going on his morning. We have to get some order,” he said.

In the afternoon four of the defendants came before the judge to explain their absence and had their bench warrants vacated.

CLARE organic food producers were recognised as being the very best in Ireland over the weekend with the Burren Smokehouse and St Tola’s goats cheese stealing the show at the National Organic Awards.

The Burren Smokehouse won the award for Ireland’s Best Organic Prepared Food for their smoked Irish salmon, while Inagh Farmhouse Cheese won second place and a “highly commended award” in the Organic Dairy Products section for St Tola Organic Goat Cheese Log.

Siobhán Ní Ghairbhith of Inagh Farmhouse Cheese was overjoyed with this year’s showing.

“We thrilled to receive this award. The Organic Dairy section is a growing market in Ireland with more and more excellent products becoming available to customers in supermarkets and online,” she said.

“There is a great deal more competition so we are delighted that we have held our own this year. It’s a great boost for all the team back in Inagh and reflects that hard work and high standards of the whole company.

“It is great that organic products are getting the recognition that they deserve and we thank Bord Bia for supporting organics in such trying economic times.”

The judging panel chaired by Ennis organic expert, Dr Oliver Moore, who was impressed by Clare’s strong showing in the competition.

“There was a real emphasis on hon- est, very good quality, affordable foods – foods for everyone and for everyday,” he said.

“What also heartened the judges was how some companies were clearly listening to feedback and improving their packaging as well as their product ranges, year on year.”

MORE sittings of Kilrush District Court are to be held to deal with the growing number of criminal cases coming before it.

Lengthening criminal lists have seen courts sit late into the evening and on at least one occasion as late as 8.50pm. District Court Judge Patrick Durkin said, “Two registrars have been brought out here (to Kilrush) due to the level of criminal cases.

“We are actively working to get you more (court) days,” he told the Garda Superintendent and officers of the court present.

“You don’t have enough court time here. We are looking at getting more time.”

He recalled how one night he left Kilrush court at 8.50pm and by the time he had driven as far as Ennis he was “cross eyed”.

He said it was difficult to be fresh for another sitting in just over 12 hours time.

Judge Durkin said he had also observed Inspector Tom Kennedy in Ennis having to deal with a heavy caseload, often prosecuting three days of court in a row.

He said, you cannot expect to go home late and then spend another two hours preparing for cases the following day.

Extra judges are already scheduled to come to the Clare jurisdiction for four days in October to allow for extra sittings, and to allow for longer cases to be heard, he explained.

The court services are also working to extend the court sitting days in Kilrush and Ennis on a more permanent basis, taking into account the number of courts that have been moved recently to Ennis.

A 79-YEAR-OLD farmer was confused when he drove the wrong way up the dual carriageway near Bunratty earlier this year, a court has heard.

Stephen Costelloe had been driving to Shannon Airport to meet his son when the incident occurred on the N18 at Bunratty on January 27, 2012. At Ennis District Court on Wednes- day, Mr Costelloe, with an address at Busherstown, Moneygall, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of careless driving.

Garda Barry Doherty of Shannon Garda Station told the court that Mr Costelloe drove in the wrong direction after becoming “confused”. The court heard that the incident occurred at around 6.50pm.

Defence solicitor Tom Stamp said his client had been “very confused” on the night.

He said Mr Costelloe was very “lucky” not to have been involved in an accident.

Garda Doherty told the court that he had seen “numerous” incidents where drivers had travelled the wrong direction on the dual carriageway and motorway.

Noting Mr Costelloe’s good record, Judge Patrick Durcan ordered him to pay € 250 to the court poor box by January 9, 2013. No conviction was recorded against Mr Costelloe.

Judge Durcan said that there is an onus on drivers to drive responsibly.

However Judge Durcan added that if the fine was not paid by January, then Mr Costelloe would be convicted of careless driving.

Addressing Mr Costelloe, Judge Durcan said, “I understand completely what happened. I wish you a safe journey home.”