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REPRESENTATIVES from Ireland’s largest provider of addiction treatment services may be forced to appear before Ennis District Court to explain why a Kilrush man has not been admitted to one of it’’s centres.

Cuan Mhuire Bruree, County Limerick have been ordered to send a letter to the court confirming that Martin Burke (30) has applied for a place at the centre.

The order was made by Judge Patrick Durcan at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. He said that if a letter were not forthcoming, he would issue a witness summons to Cuan Mhuire.

Mr Burke (30), with an address at 4 St Senan’s Terrace, Kilrush, previously pleaded guilty to handling stolen property at John Street Kilrush on June 25.

The court previously heard that Mr Burke was found by gardaí rolling a wheelie bin containing a keg of Budweiser down a street in Kilrush. Mr Burke has also admitted to charges of criminal damage, theft and public order.

The court previously heard that on April 29 (2012) the accused damaged the side of a car at Convent Road, Kilrush and then stole a handbag valued at € 20.

The other offences were committed on May 5 (2012) when the accused smashed a window of the Central Pharmacy causing an estimated 200 euros worth of damage.

Mr Burke also pleaded guilty to be ing intoxicated in a public place on the same night. Mr Burke has 82 previous convictions.

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

He had also previously requested a letter from a doctor recommending that Mr Burke enter a residential treatment programme.

On Wednesday, solicitor Fiona Hehir said her client is still on a waiting list for Cuan Mhuire.

She told the court that Mr Burke is clean of drugs but may have to wait another month before gaining a place in Bruree.

She explained that Bruree does not accept doctor’s letters as a form of recommendation.

Ms Hehir said Mr Burke had been in near daily contact with the centre.

Judge Durcan ordered that a letter be sent from Cuan Mhuire confirming that Mr Burke had applied for a place in Bruree.

THE enduring success story that is Ennis’ involvement with the National Tidy Towns competition is all down to the spirit of partnership in the county capital that producing consistently impressive results in the competition, year in year out.

That was the verdict delivered Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Peter Considine at the Helix on Monday as the county town was named the country’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre for the fourth time in seven years.

Since winning the overall national title in 2005 – only Clare’s second outright victory and first since Mountshannon on 1981 in the 54year history of the event – Ennis has won the Tidiest Large Urban Centre in 2006, 2007, 2009 and now 2012.

In hailing this latest achievement, Mayor Considine said Ennis’ award successes could not have been accomplished without the support of community groups, schools, residents associations, businesses and State agencies, in partnership with Ennis Town Council.

“This competition provides members of the local community with the opportunity to showcase their pride in their respective towns and villages,” he told The Clare People on Monday.

“The year-round work that has been put in by the Tidy Towns Committee and wider community has reaped dividends. It is evident from Ennis’ outstanding success in this year’s competition that the spirit of volunteerism and pride of place is very much alive in the county capital,” added Mayor Considine.

“These award successes mark the culmination of months of hard work by local volunteers and members of the Ennis Tidy Towns Committee to improve the appearance of the town and its environs,” said the chairperson of the Ennis Tidy Towns Committtee, Áine Purcell.

“The volunteers toiled throughout the summer months in various public areas to create and maintain flowerbeds, keeps streets tidy, cut grass and pick up litter. Retaining the Gold Medal also is a massive achievement for everybody concerned in Ennis,” she added.

Ennis town clerk Leonard Cleary noted that the Tidy Towns awards are the result of a collaborative effort by the local community and the business sector in Ennis.

“Despite the huge volume of people that live in and visit Ennis, this large town has successfully managed to retain its unique heritage charm and tidy appearance,” Mr Cleary said.

“This has been achieved through the combined efforts of residents and the business community, in conjunction with various regional and Government bodies, to enhance the town’s appearance,” he added.

MAKING sense of the “Personal Insolvency Bill” and how it will impact on “ordinary people” will be central to a public seminar being organised by Clare MABS and Citizens Information Service.

The seminar will take place tomorrow (Wednesday) in the Temple Gate Hotel Ennis from 9.45am.

The new personal insolvency regime including the reform of bankruptcy law will, in addition to providing new legal remedies, provide a significant incentive for financial institutions to develop and implement realistic agreements to resolve debt issues with their customers.

Legal rights group FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) gave a mixed reaction during the weekend to the Government’s launch of a new independent financial advice scheme for distressed mortgage holders, saying it raised many questions.

The scheme, launched by Social Protection Minister Joan Burton on Thursday, will allow mortgage holders in arrears to receive a free consultation with an accountant, paid for by the banks, on their situation. However, FLAC, expressed serious concerns about how the scheme will operate.

FLAC senior policy researcher Paul Joyce, who will adress the seminar in Ennis, said, “While FLAC welcomes any and all measures that will assist people in mortgage crisis, this scheme contains many holes from our perspective. If this scheme is meant to be implementing the Keane Report’s 2011 recommendations, it certainly falls far short of what was recommended back then.

“Where is the initial team of 100 advisors with financial, accounting and legal skills that would liaise with MABS?”

The new arrangement was launched as part of the three-point Mortgage Arrears Information and Advice Service, itself part of the Government’s four-pronged ‘Action Plan on Mortgage Debt’. However, FLAC said the action plan as revealed to date lacks coherence and transparency.

Paul Woulfe, Manager with the Citizens Information Centre in Clare, said, “The Mortgage Arrears Information Helpline, which has been operational since July, provides general mortgage arrears information and guidance to mortgage holders in particular those borrowers who are in arrears or pre-arrears on their residential property. The helpline also refers calls to other services such as the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, free legal aid centres and other relevant services. The helpline number is 0761 07 4050, Monday to Friday 9.30am-5pm.”

Other contributors include Dennis Corbett, Co-ordinator with Clare MABS, who will outline the role of the organisation in managing the Debt Relief Orders and David Williams, JW Williams and Co, who will outline The UK Experience and Personal Insolvency Arrangements. The seminar is free and is open to everyone. To register call 0761 075260 or email ennis@citinfo.ie.

KILRUSH has been put forward as the location for a National Famine Commemoration Ceremony in 2013.

The announcement was made by Director of Service Ger Dollard who said Kilrush had been selected by an expert panel.

Mr Dollard made the comments after a group of West Clare councillors proposed that Kilrush’s Famine history be recognised as part of events for the Gathering tourism initiative.

The motion was put forward by councillors Bill Chambers (FF), Pat Keane (FF), Oliver Garry (FG) and Gabriel Keating (FG) at yesterday’s meeting of Clare County Council.

The motion called on the council to nominate Kilrush as the location for the National Famine Commemoration Ceremony 2013 “as the case for Kilrush was exceptionally strong given the severe impact of the famine on the area”.

According to the three councillors, “a very strong group has been established to promote such an event”.

Cllr Chambers told the meeting that Kilrush, along with Westport and Skibereen was one of the worst areas hit by death, disease and evictions during the Famine.

Cllr Pat Keane said Kilrush had suffered hugely during the Famine and deserved to be commemorated during the Gathering events in 2013.

Cllr Oliver Garry said Kilrush met all the criteria in terms of logistics for the Gathering.

In his reply, Mr Dollard said the council had placed a public advertisement inviting submissions or observations in relation to locations within Clare where the National Famine Commemoration could be held. He said the council had received three submissions. He added, “Each County Council has been asked to submit only one proposal for each county. It will be a matter then for the National Famine Commemoration Committee to determine which location will host the 2013 National Famine Commemoration.

AN Ennis woman is helping to raise awareness of the painful spinal condition scoliosis.

Eileen Farrell’s life turned upside down when she was diagnosed with the condition.

Eileen (48) first became aware of the condition after going to the swimming pool to partake in a session of water aerobics.

She says, “I was really shocked by what had happened at the pool. Normally I feel flexible and healthy after a session, but that day I was in agony before I even did anything”

Ignoring the discomfort, Eileen went to work the next day and, by the end of the day, Eileen had decided that she had to visit her GP.

When Eileen visited her GP a few days later, he diagnosed scoliosis and advised her of the different methods of treatment that were available to her.

Scoliosis affects more than four per cent of the population and, if left untreated, it can lead to fatal heart and lung problems.

The condition involves both adults and children but progresses more rapidly during the teenage years.

Spinal surgery is an extreme process that involves the insertion of two metal rods into the back, on either side of the spine, before the spine is fused back together.

Following the appointment with her GP, Eileen started to search the internet for an alternative method to treat her condition.

Eileen was eventually treated at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic in London.

She explains, “The initial consultation was very important to my overall treatment. I was educated by the consultant, who put my mind at rest. I was so relieved at the end of my consultation and I enrolled onto a course of treatment the very same day.”

Eileen began her course at the start of the following month.

By the end of the second week, her pain levels had reduced.

She added, “I was so happy when I was given my before-treatment and after-treatment scans. I looked like a different person. I was really pleased with myself for making it happen. My pain has gone and I look more upright; I have even grown a few centimetres as well.

“But most importantly I am back in the pool and hopefully not making too much of a splash.”

GARDAÍ will take to the roads of Clare on Saturday for the 29th annual Clare Garda Cycle, details of which have been announced.

This year’s event is being held in aid of Pieta House, a nationwide service that provides a treatment programme for people who have suicidal ideation or who participate in self-harming behaviours. This year’s cycle also coincides with National Suicide Awareness Week, which runs from September 10 to 17.

The 116km cycle will commence at 9am from Ennis Garda Station on September 15. From there, riders will pass through Corofin, Carron, Ballyvaughan, Lisdoonvarna, Cliffs of Moher, Liscannor, Lahinch, Ennistymon, Inagh and back to Ennis.

There will be some delays to traffic and motorists are asked to be extra careful along the route of the cycle.

Garda Declan Keavey said delays will be kept to a minimum and all support is greatly appreciated on the day.

Tom McEvoy of Pieta House in Clare said the organisation are delighted to have the support of the gardaí. “They have come across Pieta House in their work in the community and we are thankful that they have considered supporting us in this way. We’re having collections in the town and villages that the cycle will go through. We’re going to have a collection in Ennis on Saturday September 15.”

Of the 358 people that visited Pieta House in Mungret, Limerick in 2011, 38 came from Clare. Tom says that the support of local communities is vital to Pieta House in the absence of government support.

He explains, “To date the Government have not stood behind what they said they would do for us, which is unfortunate. We are really living in hope that we will get support. But we’re not standing still waiting for government support. We’re developing our own niche in fundraising. This Darkness into Light charity walk has really been taken on by the community to help us try to eliminate as much as possible, people dying from suicide. That is our endeavor.”

IT IS that time of year again – children are back at school, good intentioned individuals are joining gyms and the members of Clare County Council are discussing hedges.

Cllr Oliver Garry (FG) admitted that the issue arrives every year, as it still has to be resolved completely.

The West Clare councillor said that at previous meetings it was proposed to contact farming organisations and forestry groups to try and progress matters in this area.

“Could the Director of Services report to the members of the progress that’s being made, as this is a serious road safety matter all over the county?” he asked.

Under Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993, landowners and occupiers are responsible for trees and hedgerows on or inside their boundaries adjacent to public roads, and Clare County Council are the authority with the responsibility to ensure that public roads are kept free of obstructions which include overgrown hedgerows and verges.

There remains a grey area around issues of removed corners, hedges originating inside a boundary wall and growing on to the public are and roads with stone walls as margins.

Director of Services Ann Haugh confirmed, “Discussions have been held with the Irish Farmers Association and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association regarding the need for cooperation from landowners in terms of their responsibility.

“While landowners do have some concerns, the discussions were constructive and a response is presently awaited from both organisations. This response is expected within the next couple of weeks,” she said.

“We are hoping that the two organisations will come on board with the council and the gardaí in a public relations strategy with a view to being in a position to work constructively with landowners in the public interest.

“Equally I would hope that the debate pursuant to this of motion would generate constructive publicity to assist in persuading landowners to work in co-operation with the council and the gardaí on the matter.”

Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) raised some concerns that some of the letters sent out to landowners “seems quiet threatening”. He said they were not responsible for a hedge that grows over their wall.

Cllr Tom McInerney said very little progress has been made on the issue to date.

“I think it is very unfair to hold farmer responsible for hedges growing outside their walls.”

He questioned the fairness of people in rural Ireland paying the same charges as people in urban Ireland, who have footpaths outside their homes, and are then expected to cut hedges.

DEVELOPING the quays in County Clare would not only give a boost to local communities and provide a public amenity to locals but it would also help drive local tourism.

That is according to Green Party councillor Brian Meaney who proposed, “a plan for the development of underutilized quays in Clare be commenced by Clare County Coun- cil in partnership with other relevant groups”. The development should include the use of the quays as a public amenity he said.

Cllr Meaney told last evening’s meeting of Clare County Council that each area of Clare has a quay be it on lakes or the Atlantic Ocean.

Supporting the motion, Cllr Oliver Garry (FG) said that any such project should also look at the islands including the seven in the estuary.

In her reply, Director of Services Ann Haugh said the council does not have funding for a plan to cover “the many quay facilities which exist around the county’s coastline”.

“Where funding opportunities become available to facilitate improvement of quay facilities in the county they are pursued. Where it is considered through local knowledge or otherwise that there are development opportunities in relation to particular quays, these can be notified to us and we will consider same,” she said.

MOTORISTS and residents are “giving out stink” about ongoing roadworks in Spancillhill, a meeting has heard.

In a motion tabled at a meeting of councillors in the Ennis East Electoral Area, Cllr Sonny Scanlan (FG) asked when the “Spancilhill Road will be completed and re-opened as it causing a lot of anger and inconvenience to the residents”.

Cllr Scanlan told the meeting that he had received numerous complaints from people on the area “giving out stink about how long it is taking to finish the road”.

He said people are also giving out about the council. Senior engineer Tom Tiernan admitted that the “inconvenience that has been caused is regrettable”. He explained, “A number of issues have combined to create this situation – drainage management complexities, rock removal, the gradual erosion in a number of available staff and the incapacity to replace them etc. The objective at present is to restore two-way traffic in four to six weeks from now and to have completed the project by the end of this year.”

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said he too had received a high number of complaints about the length of the works. He said the road is one of the main arteries into Ennis and that the delay in completing the road “paints the council in a bad light”.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) said the delays are very unfair on motorists coming from East Clare.

Committee chairman Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) also urged the council to do what it can to expedite the project.

THE emergency services at Ennis General Hospital are to face further downgrading, more than three years after it lost its 24-hour accident and emergency unit.

A date has not yet been set, but the HSE confirmed to The Clare People that the Local Emergency Centre (the former A&E) would be replaced with a Local Injuries Unit.

Once these changes are implemented, all patients with emergency cardiology or medical problems will no longer be treated at Ennis General Hospital but will be taken directly to the Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick.

According to a spokesperson for the HSE, “The Local Emergency Centre will become a Local Injuries Unit focusing on the care of adults and children over five with injuries such as broken bones, soft tissue injuries and wounds.”

Clare representative on the HSE West Forum, Tom McNamara said this news was in complete conflict with what he was told last week.