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MEMBERS of Clare’s immigrant community have hit back at claims from a local councillor that non-nationals are responsible for the majority of discrimination in the county.

Independent councillor Frankie Neylon said last week that “about 60 per cent” of discrimination is carried out by non-nationals.

Cllr Neylon was speaking at the December meeting of Ennis Town Council, where members voted against a proposal that would call on the Government to provide mandatory equality training for all local representatives.

However the Clare Intercultural Network have criticised the comments, describing them as “disappointing”. In a statement, CIN Coordinator Alphonse Basogomba said, “When he refers to racism, Councillor Neylon claims 60 pe rcent of racism in Ennis is caused by non-national residents themselves. The CIN would like to make the point that all individuals have a nationality and should be addressed as non-Irish nationals instead of non-national.

“We are also unclear where the figure of 60 per cent came from but if Councillor Neylon believes this is factual and based on researched evidence, this indicates there is a clear and urgent problem which needs to be addressed and he as a public representative should welcome all tools which will enable him and his colleagues to deal with this effectively and efficiently before someone gets seriously hurt or injured.”

He continued, “It would appear that Councillor Neylon not only rejected the training which might assist in developing a strategy for change but did not propose an alternative measure to assist with the stark statistics he has referred to.”

Cllr Neylon said that he had no problem working with people from the 26 different nationalities who live in Ennis. He told last Monday’s meeting that Ennis had always welcomed people of different nationalities.

Mr Basogomba stated, “It is unclear as to why Councillor Neylon believed the training would assist him to deal with only 26 nationalities and not all members of the town, including Irish nationals.

“The Equality Legislation comprises of the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004; the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004; the National Disability Authority Act 1999. Is Councillor Neylon suggesting he doesn’t need training in any of the above areas?”

Mr Basogomba stated, “At CIN, we believe it is unfortunate that a vote needed to be taken at all on this motion, as it should be mandatory for public representatives to ensure they are aware and trained in all relevant legislation.

“This training and knowledge are legislative instruments, which assist elected representatives to fully represent their constituents.”

Orla Ni Eilí, coordinator of the Clare Immigrant Support Centre said, “It is disappointing and we hope this is the last time we hear that from our public representatives”.

THE newly refurbished Moore Street should be given special designation by the Department of the Environment as a pilot project capable of kick-starting new life into the economy of the west Clare capital.

That’s according to members of Kilrush Town Council, who on Thursday backed a move to approach Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, seeking ‘special status’ for the street as the refurbishment works are finally completed ahead of this Saturday’s party to mark what has been hailed as “the rebirth of Moore Street”.

The refurbishment works were due to be completed on Friday last, but have been delayed by a week due to the scale of the work involved and the recent inclement weather.

“It’s all systems go,” Kilrush Town Clerk John Corry told last Thursday night’s monthly meeting of the local authority.

“It is a very significant job and they have made substantial progress. Kerbs are being installed at the moment and the contractor is on site this Monday commencing the tarmacadam works.

“There will be a lot of progress made within a couple of days and the contractor is envisaging completion by the 16th or 17th of December. A temporary order for the closing of the road from the 10th December through to the 23rd of September appeared in the paper. It won’t be required for that length of time,” Mr Corry added.

“We needed to get it done and there was never going to be a right time to do it. The contractors are out there morning, noon and night and they are giving it socks to have it ready,” said Mayor of Kilrush, Cllr Ian Lynch.

The call for a special incentive scheme for new traders was proposed by Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF), who said “we have to go one step further now.

“It’s one thing to rejuvenate the street itself and get the road done, but there are still a lot of vacant premises on Moore Street. I do believe that this Council, in its wisdom, should make an application to the Minister for the Environment, so that we can use Moore Street as a pilot project and get it designated so as to new people into those vacant premises and bring life back to the street.

“What has been done has been tremendous but we need to go that little bit further. It would really put the icing on the cake – there has to be a concession, whether it’s rates or whatever for people who go in there.

“People who own the properties have to be prepared to offer pepper corn rents. It is a very exciting time for Moore Street,” added the former town mayor.

THERE is now “light at the end of the tunnel” for residents of John Paul Estate in Kilrush – the town’s biggest council estate that’s now in the final stages of a major refurbishment overhaul costing over € 1.5m.

These positive vibes for residents in Kilrush Town Council’s biggest property was sounded out as details of the final two phases of the redevelopment programme was revealed to members of the local authority by Town Clerk, John Corry.

“It is certainly positive times for John Paul Estate,” said Mr Corry. “We fought hard for three or four years after the completion of the first phase in 2008. There were a lot of dark days, for both ourselves and people who were residing there and for a time there was no light at the end of the tunnel, but thankfully we have got there. A lot done, more to do is the motto, but we are well on our way,” he added.

The latest and final piece of the John Paul Estate jigsaw will see the refurbishment of 21 houses, after work on 11 houses on the estate and anotehr seven on Wilson’s Road was completed last month.

“The 21 houses are mainly in Sycamore Drive, but on is on Elm Drive,” revealed Mr Corry, “and the contract has been agreed and has been entered into with the contractor L&M Keating. The contract sum is worth € 790,000, which is a significant contract. It has been broken down into two phases.

“Phase one is the refurbishment of 11 houses, which has already commenced and works are well advanced of four of the houses, four bungalows that will completed by February.

“We have to do the 21 houses over two phases because of the significant works that are involved it’s required that the houses be vacated. We had to break into two phases, so as to have enough temporary accommodation. It’s envisaged that the 21 houses will be fully complete by the end of April.

“It’s significant work when you consider what’s already been done. There are a total of 18 houses that have already been refurbished and when you add these 21 houses, it is a significant investment on the part of Kilrush Town Council.

“We were delighted with the quality of workmanship. From the point of view of the tenants who have been residing there longterm, it has certainly given them renewed hope,” added Mr Corry.

In praising the council’s housing strategy, Mayor of Kilrush, Cllr Ian Lynch said “the real work begins now, because we need to build a community back there. We have to manage it and try to get people interested into managing it themselves”.

THE Vandeleur Garden in Kilrush has the potential to be transformed into the new flagship tourist product for west Clare and become the county’s rival to Muckross House in Kil- larney. This new vision for Kilrush’s historic visitor attraction was unveiled at a meeting of Kilrush Town Council that took place in the Vandeleur demesne on Thursday night as county architect, Ruth Hurley, revealed plans to develop a major museum on the site. The interpretative centre-type project is set to be developed over the next two years as agencies such as Coillte, Shannon Development, Clare County Council, Kilrush Town Council, Kilrush Amenity Trust and the West Clare Economic Task Force throw their weight behind ambitious plans for the old landlord estate. The ruin of Kilrush House, the seat of the Vandeleur famil that was responsible for building Kilrush, was knocked by Clare County Council in 1973, but now the authority is to spearhead new development in the courtyard area of the estate on the back on a successful application for Leader funding. “There is an opportunity for something new here,” said Ms Hurley. “We want open up the courtyard into the centre and into a museum, so there is element of enticing people into the Vandeleur facilities. “The whole idea behind this is to get funding from Leader, with a view construction beginning in 2013. It’s about taking baby steps towards a bigger picture. A lot of places started like that. Muckross House started like that, so it’s about taking smalls steps. “The built environment is there. The heritage is there. It’s about giv- ing it a new freshness and enticing people in. With the support of everyone around the table and with the support of the people of Kilrush, hopefully we can push this forward,” Ms Hurley added.

“An initial meeting was held with Leader, just to see what their reaction was to the whole concept,” revealed Kilrush Town Manager, Nora Kaye. “Leader were very receptive to the whole visitor experience.

“There is a matching funding requirement should we be successful with Leader.

We will keep this project on a priority list, to ensure that we have a place in the queue for applications,” she added.

“I don’t see why it can’t become a reality,” said Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF). “There is massive potential here and I don’t think we have realised the true potential of the Vandeleur Walled Garden – from the historical perspective as well as modifying and adapted to modern demands,” he said. “The Vandeleur Garden is a gem,” said Cllr Liam Williams (FG), who is also a member of Kilrush Amenity Trust. “This is huge for west Clare,” he added.

CLARE Labour TD Michael McNamara is to intervene in the ongoing difficulty surrounding Blakes Corner in Ennistymon and force the publication of a report on the controvertial site commissioned by Clare County Council earlier this year.

The Southgate Report was commissioned by Clare County Council earlier this year but, despite the protests of some councillors in the north Clare area, it was decided not to publish the finding of the report earlier this year.

Deputy McNamara yesterday con- firmed that he will make contact with the Minister of the Environment, Phil Hogan (FG), and ask him to put pressure on Clare County Council to publish the report.

“Clare County Council has spent € 15,000 on a report on Blakes Corner and have decided not to publish this report. I find that hard to believe,” said Deputy McNamara.

“Clearly these two buildings cannot continue to stand in their current form if Ennistymon and Lahinch are going to continue to prosper. I would call on the local councillors to stop sticking their head in the sand and deal with this situation – that is what they were elected to do.”

The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan (FG), last week announced that plans to demolish and rebuild the historic buildings at Blakes Corner was “contrary to the thrust” of the 2000 Planning Act and would “require strong justification” before it could take place.

This announcement was welcomed by the Save Ennistymon’s Heritage group who said that they welcomed the ministers intervention.

“We urge Clare County Council to examine with Save Ennistymon’s Heritage the various options to help the occasional traffic chaos in Ennistymon,” said Denis Vaughan of the Save Ennistymon’s Heritage Group. It is unlikely that the report will be published at the next north Clare area meeting, which takes place in Ennistymon next Monday.

“The report was ready for the last area meeting and it was decided that it wouldn’t be released into the public domain until the planning process commences – we’re working towards this at present but the planning process won’t commence this side of Christmas,” said Tom Tiernan, Senior Engineer with Clare County Council.

A CLAREMAN has risen through the ranks of Irish education to become chairman of the umbrella body that governs the country’s Institutes of Technology – not once but on three occasions.

Inagh man and former Mayor of Clare Flan Garvey was unanimously elected as chairman at a meeting in Dublin on Wednesday and in graduating to this prestigious position has pledged to play his part in spearheading the campaign for university status within the 14 institutes of technology around the country.

“It’s a great honour to be elected to this position,” Mr Garvey told The Clare People this week, “and to be the unanimous choice having being proposed by chairman of Limerick IT, John Clifford and seconded by chairman of Sligo IT and former European Commissioner, Ray McSharry is great.”

Mr Garvey, a former school principal of Gortbofarna and Inagh national schools, is the first person to have been appointed to the chair of the governing body on three consecutive occasions.

He is also a former chairman of Clare Vocational Education Committee, was a member of Clare County Council from 1985 until his retirement from politics at the 2009 local elections, serving as Mayor of Clare in 2006/07.

“It’s been a landmark year,” said Mr Garvey on Thursday after being elected chairman. “In March I published a book on the history of Inagh-Kilnamona and then in the weekend just gone there was the 23rd Clare Tourist Council conference and managing the Inagh camogie team that won the All-Ireland title,” he added.

Earlier in the month, Mr Garvey was honoured in the town of Clare Valley, South Australia, which has been twinned with Clare County Council over the past 25 years. In celebration of Mr Garvey’s role in cultivating that twinning arrangement, a tree was planted and a plaque unveiled in his honour in Clare’s main recreation centre that’s called Ennis Park.

AN ENNIS business has been recognized for its innovative approach to the promotion of the Irish language. Last week the Rowan Tree Hostel and Restaurant were named the winners of the 2011 Gradam Gaeilge an Chláir award.

At an awards ceremony in Glór on Thursday evening, proprietor Brian O’Neill was presented with a specially commissioned plaque by Seán Ó Ceallaigh, Cathaoirleach of An Clár as Gaeilge Teo, the language promotion group who organise the award scheme. The scheme, now in its fifth year, is specifically directed at companies and organisations in the commercial sector who do most to promote the use of Irish both internally and externally.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, An tUas, Ó Ceallaigh praised the Rowan Tree for the innovative way they had increased the visibility of Irish, not alone on the outside of the premises, but extensively inside throughout the bar and restaurant. Furthermore, the menus were all available bi-lingually and there was, according to the adjudicators, an Irish ethos permeating the entire premises.

“We are delighted with the way the link between the Irish language and the tourist business has been achieved. This gives a complete cultural experience to the visitor and more importantly to tourists from overseas, particularly through the weekly classes on an introduction to Irish Culture which were held weekly during the Summer season.” he said.

“This is a prime example of what can be achieved with good will and imagination, and the result is to be highly complimented.”

Accepting the award, Brian O’Neill said that he was honoured that the Rowan Tree had been selected for the award. “Irish culture has always been at the heart of our business and we aim to develop it further. Chomh maith le sin anois, beidh an Ghaeilge le feiceáil agus le chloisteáil sa Bhrú Chrann Chaorthainn,” he said.

SPORTING and musical ent husiasts who shone during the past year were last night honoured by Shannon Town Counci l, through thei r annual Liosta na Laochra scheme.

Ever y year, t he council awards people who have represented t he town with distinction during the previous 12 months and a wide variety of personalities were represented this year.

Ciara O’Loughl in, of Shannon Flyers Special Olympics club, who won silver medals in the shot putt and relay at t he World Special Olympic Games in Athens dur ing the summer, was awarded.

Gearóid McMahon, of Shannon Athletics Club, was honoured for his achievements during t he past year. He won a gold medal with Clare in the national cross count r y championships (under 11) and silver in the national communit y games finals (under 13 wal k).

Declan O’Rourke of Wolfe Tones, who was a member of the Clare team t hat won the All-Ireland intermediate hurling championship earlier this year, was also on the list of recipients.

Cara Ní Chai rba, who won t he under 12 har p competition at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉi reann, was awarded, as was John Cawley, who won t he Irish Open Masters singles title in handball. Another handball player, John Ki rby, who won the All-Ireland r ugby Masters single and double titles, was awarded.

Three members of the Shannon Kickboxing Club, were awarded, having excelled during the past year. They were Josh Vincent, David Ryan and Leona O’Shea. Josh won an Irish light heavyweight championship, at the age of 17; David won both senior and junior Irish feather weight championships, while Leona won a double under 17 national junior championship title.

Members of the t rampoline club were also among those honoured. Shannen Miniter, Alex Russell, Dar ragh Moane, Louise Ryan and Callum Miniter were all rewarded for thei r heroics during the year.

Shannon came first in Midlands, Dublin, South and Munster Opens and is the cur rent All-Ireland gi rls inter mediate champion. Alex won silver at t he Al l-Ireland champions, while Dar ragh took home gold from the same event. Louise won a silver medal at the All-Irelands, while Callum came four th in his section of t he All-Irelands and was par t of the sout h-west region team which came t hi rd in the Grand Pri x final.

The other groups honoured last night i ncluded the Shannon Musical Societ y front of house commit tee, which won a national award this year; Rachel McIntyre of the musical society and Jayme O’Sullivan, a medal wi nner in t he world Ir ish dancing championships.

A 94-YEAR-OLD woman who lived to be a “great age” died as a result of natural causes, an inquest into her death has found.

Margaret O’Gorman, a retired hotel worker from Newport, Co Tipperary, had been a resident of the Lakes Nursing Home when fire broke out there on August 20 (2010).

County Coroner Isobel O’Dea found that Ms O’Gorman died from natural causes. She said there was nothing to indicate that she had died from smoke inhalation or anything to do with the fire.

Clare Coroners Court heard last week that Ms O’Gorman had been unwell for some time. She received medical attention onsite. The inquest heard that Ms O’Gorman’s niece, Peggy Ryan, later identified the body of her aunt to Gardaí.

Garda Trevor Shannon said that Ms O’Gorman had resided in room 40 which was opposite from room 50 where the fire had inflamed.

Dr Michael Curtis carried out the post mortem. His report was read out in court by State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy.

She said there had been no significant injuries and that Ms O’Gorman was well cared for. Dr Cassidy’s report stated that there was “no evidence that she died from fire”. The report stated that Ms O’Gorman’s death was a “natural death”. He found that death was due to a heart attack.

Ms O’Dea extended her sympathy to Ms O’Gorman’s family. “I hope it is some comfort to you that she died from natural causes.” Ms Ryan said her aunt had lived to a “great age”.

THE death of a 14-month-old baby boy in a car seat in Spanish Point last year was due to sudden unexpected death in infancy, an inquest has heard.

Clare County Coroner Isobel O’Dea said she was satisfied that Nathan Ryan died from natural causes.

Hyperthermia was cited as a risk or contributory factor to the infant’s death at the inquest at Clare Coroner’s Court in Ennis last week.

Nathan had been on holidays with his foster parents Liam and Fiona Doheny at Spanish Point caravan park on July 29 (2010). He had been in the full time care of the couple from Toureen, Ballysimon, Limerick since January 2010.

Miltown Malbay based GP, Dr Billy O’Connell told the inquest that he had been requested to go to Spanish Point to attend to a child that was unable to breath.

The child was then brought to a medical centre on the Spanish Point where adrenaline was administered and de-fibrillation was attempted. Paramedics also attended the centre and Dr O’Connell stated that Nathan was pronounced dead at 16.50pm.

Fiona Doheny told the inquest that she was a Montessori teacher and a foster parent with the Health Services Executive. She said that on July 29, Nathan ate breakfast. She explained that she put him into a car seat in the family car at 1pm. She said she was going to bring Nathan for a drive, as he had been unsettled.

She said Nathan fell asleep as she sat “about 10 feet” away from the car. Ms Doheny said she left a car door open and checked on Nathan “about three times”. She said that when she checked on him again at 4pm, “he wasn’t right”. “I called Liam twice and screamed,” she added. Ms Doheny said they called the emergency services and Martin Downes, a family friend living nearby and first aider for 25 years.

Liam Doheny stated that he got a pint of cold water and tried to pat Nathan down. He said Dr O’Connell and Mr Downes arrived quickly to the scene.

“Martin Downes was a great help and everyone that helped us on the day was brilliant,” he said.

Ms Doheny’s mother, Maureen Burke, described Nathan as a “delicate child”. She said he cried a lot but not because he was not cared for. She said her daughter kept going over to the car to check on Nathan.

“It wasn’t out of neglect. Nathan was well taken care of by my daughter Fiona,” she stated.

State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy concluded that a young child had been found dead in the back of a car on a warm day.

She told the inquest that Nathan appeared to be well cared for and there was no evidence of any specific disease or trauma.

She said Gardaí had carried out experiments in an attempt to re-create conditions in the car on the day in question. She said the temperature in the car would have risen but not to lethal levels. Dr Cassidy said Nathan had not been exposed to lethal temperatures.

She said death was due to sudden unexpected death in infancy with hyperthermia a contributory or risk factor.

Offering her sympathy to the Nathan’s family, Ms O’Dea said it “is a very sad situation when a young child passes away”. She said “great efforts had been made to revive Nathan”.