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CLARE will need to provide a thousand new homes over the next four years but there will be no need to build any new houses in Killaloe, Kilkee and Kilrush according to a national report issued by the Housing Agency.

Over the next four years it is projected that the Ennis area will need 534 new houses, Shannon 290, Sixmilebridge 139, Newmarket 55 and Ardnacrusha 44. The number for the other specified towns in the report, Killaloe, Kilrush and Kilkee is zero.

The report was commissioned nationally to assess future housing needs based on population and economic assumptions, with natural growth and migration also factored into the findings.

The Government advisory body on housing is predicting a rise in population in the Ennis area of 4 per cent over the next four years, (rising from 25,326 to 26,360). The report anticipates that the populations of Kilrush and Kilkee will fall slightly by around 1 per cent while Killaloe will actually record a very slight population increase of less than 1 per cent.

Sixmilebridge is expected to record the highest population growth over the coming years – by 2018 the Housing Agency estimates the town will have grown its population by 12 per cent to 2,866.

Shannon is also another town expected to expand considerably over the next few years, the population once again expected to top 10,000. It is currently 9,673. The news that Clare will need over a thousand new houses to be built over the coming four years suggests that the economic recovery is finally underway in the county. Nationally the pick up is centred on the east coast, with the counties of Longford and Leitrim returning a zero number for their entire housing requirements.

URBAN SUPPLEMENTS POPULATION IN

2011 CENSUS PROJECTED POPULATION 2018 MINIMUM HOUSING REQUIREMENT 2014-2018 ARDNACRUSHA (CASTLEBANK) 1,414 1,504 44 ENNIS TOWN AND ENVIRONS 25,360 26,326 534 KILKEE TOWN AND ENVIRONS 1,139 1,101 0 KILLALOE 1,292 1,367 0 KILRUSH AND ITS ENVIRONS 2,695 2,604 0 NEWMARKET ON FERGUS 1,773 1,849 55 SHANNON LEGAL TOWN 9,673 10,071 290 SIXMILEBRIDGE 2,507 2,866 139

CLARE’S 11 bathing areas have got the all clear for the summer season.

This is the first time in a number of years that all of Clare’s bathing areas have got top marks from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

According to the report on Bathing Water Quality each of the areas were deemed to be compliant with manda- tory water quality levels.

Bathing waters were classified into three categories, namely ‘Good’, ‘Sufficient’ and ‘Poor’. The classification system is based on the levels of E. Coli and intestinal enterococci detected in the bathing water during the 2013 bathing season.

All 11 bathing areas around Clare were adjudged to have ‘Good Water Quality’ having complied with EU Guide and Mandatory levels, includ- ing Ballyalla Lake (Ennis) which was deemed to only have ‘Sufficient Water Quality’ in 2012.

The other bathing water areas are White Strand (Milltown Malbay), Ballycuggeran (Lough Derg), Cappa Pier (Kilrush), Bishopsquarter, White Strand (Doonbeg), Kilkee, Spanish Point, Lahinch, Fanore and Mountshannon (Lough Derg).

According to Paul Moroney Senior Engineer, Clare County Council, “In particular, the Council is pleased that Ballyalla Lake had good results in 2013 and it is working to ensure that improved status is maintained this year and for the future.”

Of the 18 Local Authorities who have designated bathing areas, just six, including Clare, achieved ‘good’ water quality status for all of their identified bathing waters.

Dr Matthew Crowe, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Assessment, said, “Irish bathing waters continue to be among the best in northern Europe. By contrast to the 2012 bathing season, the warm dry conditions last year meant that many waters returned to their normal good quality. Our projections show that almost 90 per cent of Ireland’s designated bathing waters should meet the new ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ water quality standards which will come into force from this year.”

KILLALOE is the only local election constituency in the Republic of Ireland without a Sinn Fein candidate. The Sinn Fein party in Clare confirmed on Wednesday afternoon there would be no party nominee for the new electoral area of Killaloe, despite rumblings from head office that a name would be added.

At the close of nominations at noon on Saturday, there was no Sinn Fein candidate registered in this electoral area, the only one south of the border without a candidate from the party.

Mike McKee will contest the election in the Shannon area, Noeleen Moran in the West Clare area and Cathal O’Reilly in the Ennis area in Clare.

And while Sinn Fein has a constituency without a candidate, the new party Fís Nua is doubling up on constituencies by running one Clare man in two elections.

Former chairperson of the Green Party in Clare Damon Matthew Wise is to contest the Clare local election in Ennis for Fís Nua while also nominated to run as a European Election candidate for the party in the Dublin Area.

Asked about his decision to contest two elections so geographically apart he said he was running in Ennis to support his party colleague Vera Moloney.

“As you know I am a disability advocate and campaigner across the island of Ireland, and indeed had five different nominations [originally],” he said.

Fís Nua will now contest four seats in the Clare local elections – two in Ennis Mr Wise and Ms Moloney, one in Shannon – Karen Christine Wise and one in Killaloe – Niamh O’Brien.

“Fís Nua had five voting members in East Clare (Killaloe area) in November 2013, and has been joined by four members in Shannon, with a further 16 members having joined or moved from GPI/CG in East Clare (Killaloe), Shannon and Ennis – giving enough members for functioning local area groups for each,” said Mr Wise.

THE Church of Ireland on Bindon Street, Ennis, is the venue for a new live music experience coming to Clare.

“Switch” – a Clare Youth Service initiative aims to showcase old and new music talent from all over Ireland in unexpected locations around Clare. The group of volunteers involved promise a “unique live music experience” and is aimed at 18 – 25 year olds in the Clare area.

“Switch aims to give you a concert experience with a professional at- mosphere, and introduce you to your new favourite Irish artists” – Shane Killowry, volunteer EMP. Their first show this Friday, May 9, will present local alternative rock band “39 Shots”.

The group have been writing and performing together for over 6 years and have achieved a honed, unique and utterly fantastic original sound.

They will be joined by Ennis rap veteran Clerk 5 who will be showcasing his forthcoming EP which he recently recorded with music producer Deviant & Naive Ted.

Other acts will also perform on the night.

Switch is an alcohol and drug free event and offers an alternative Friday night experience for young people around Clare, the first event is Free but donations are welcome.

For further information check out the Ennis Music Projects Facebook page “ www.facebook.com/ennismusicproject

Doors open at 8.30PM this event is not to missed. This event is kindly supported by the Clare Youth Service, Phillip Walsh Audio Hire, Supermac’s and Suas Coffee House.

AMERICAN billionaire Donald Trump will arrive in Clare on Monday for a whistle stop tour of Doonbeg Trump International Golf Links.

The real estate tycoon purchased the Greg Norman designed golf links and five star hotel last February for an undisclosed sum.

While his sons and vice presidents of Trump International Donald Jnr and Eric Trump visited the west Clare resort to sign the purchase contracts, this will be Mr Trumps first visit to the course since he reportedly paid € 15 million for the 18-hole golf links, hotel and spa.

He is expected to arrive into Shannon Airport early on Monday morning and travel to Doonbeg where he will meet staff and examine the grounds.

He is then scheduled to leave Doonbeg on Tuesday, and travel on to visit his latest acquisition – Turnberry Re sort in Scotland.

Mr Trump is quoted as saying he has plans to develop the West Clare golf course to make it one of the best in the world.

“I have a lot of time and I have a lot of money and the best thing for Ireland is that you allow that great site to have one of the great courses of the world.

“And I have hired for that purpose, Martin Hawtree, to study it,” he said.

“Depending on the study, we may leave it and enhance it or go for an entirely new course.”

However a complete rebuild of the links course at Doonbeg could bring him into conflict with environmentalists over protected dunes and the microscopic snail- Vertigo angustior – that limited the original Greg Norman project. While an exact itinerary of Donald Trump’s visit to the Doonbeg Resort that now bears his name has not been revealed, it is thought he will walk most of the course during his brief time at the venue. It is not clear whether Mr Trump, a reputed scratch golfer, will play any of his Doonbeg course. Tue06May14

A LIMERICK man has appeared in court in Ennis charged with 32 offences relating to the alleged theft of car parts across four counties in the West and South.

The alleged thefts relate to the taking of catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters mainly from highpowered vehicles in Clare, Galway, Limerick and Kerry between January 24 and February 22, 2014.

It is alleged that criminal damage was caused to the vehicles when the parts were removed.

Darren O’Driscoll (20), with an address at Monaclino Halting Site, Ballysimon Road, Limerick, appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

He is charged with stealing of cata- lytic converters and causing criminal damage to cars at the Radisson Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick; Dromoland Castle Newmarket on Fergus; Bunratty Castle; on dates between January 24 and January 26.

He is further charged with theft of catalytic converters and criminal damage at Kenna Metal Eastpark, Shannon; Modular Automation Shannon – the location of four alleged offences: Ennis Golf Club; Dunnes Stores, Ennis; Dromoland Castle and West County Hotel, Ennis on dates between February 4 and February 9.

Mr O’Driscoll is facing six charges arising from the alleged theft of catalytic converters and criminal damage to three vehicles in the car park of Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), Ballybane, Galway, on dates between February 19 and February 20.

New charges relating to alleged thefts from vehicles in Kerry were brought against Mr O’Driscoll on Wednesday.

Detective Garda Emma Mullane of Tralee Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

She said Mr O’Driscoll made no reply to any of the charges after caution.

Mr O’Driscoll is charged with stealing catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters from vehicles in Farranfore Railway Station; Manor West Retail Park, Tralee, and thefts from two cars at Ballygarry House Hotel, Tralee, on dates between February 18 and 22.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the charges in the District Court. He outlined a summary of the alleged facts to allow Judge William Early to consider jurisdiction.

Insp Kennedy said it would be alleged Mr O’Driscoll used a battery powered saw to cut the catalytic converters from underneath the car.

Insp Kennedy said the purpose of the alleged thefts was to gain access to a valuable metal found in the converters and diesel filters.

Judge Early initially accepted jurisdiction but later changed his mind and refused it in all cases. He said he was doing so because of the cost of the damage to the car owners and the number of alleged thefts.

Judge Early adjourned the case to June and requested the DPP provide clarity on which jurisdiction the cases will be heard in.

Mr O’Driscoll was remanded on continuing bail.

A MAN arrested by gardaí following an alleged robbery in Ennis later allegedly smeared faeces in a cell at Ennis Garda Station, a court has heard.

It is alleged Michael Mongans (23) told a barman who had just left work that he would murder him if he did not give Mr Mongans money during the alleged robbery at around 5am on the morning of January 20, 2014.

Mr Mongans was later arrested by gardaí before allegedly causing € 600 worth of criminal damage to a cell at the Garda Station.

After hearing the alleged facts of the case at Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge William Early said he had no hesitation in refusing jurisdiction of a case where it is alleged someone was subject to robbery under threat of murder.

A book of evidence will now be prepared and the case will proceed in the Circuit Court.

Mr Mongans, with an address at Kilnasoolagh Park, Newmarket on Fergus, is charged with robbery of € 20 from a man at O’Halloran’s Lane, Ennis, on January 20.

He is further charged with causing criminal damage at Ennis Garda Station by spreading faeces, blood and urine throughout cell number one on the same date.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court the barman was leaving the Bar Code bar on Parnell Street after work on the morning in question.

He said the man was grabbed by Mr Mongans who was standing in a nearby laneway.

It is alleged Mr Mongans told the barman that he would get a beating if he did not give the accused money.

Insp Kennedy said it is alleged Mr Mongans also threatened to murder the alleged victim if he did not give him money.

The court heard the man retrieved € 20 from his pocket but Mr Mongans said this was not enough.

Insp Kennedy said the alleged victim managed to break free of Mr Mongans’ grip before running in the direction of a taxi rank in the Parnell Street car park. Insp Kennedy said Mr Mongans allegedly gave chase. Insp Kennedy said the barman was “fearful for his life”.

The court heard Mr Mongans was later arrested on Barrack Street. He was brought to Ennis Garda Station, where Insp Kennedy told the court, he allegedly defecated in a cell and smeared faeces on the walls.

Judge Early refused jurisdiction of both matters. Insp Kennedy said an extension of time would be required to prepare the book of evidence.

Mr Mongans was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on July 9.

A POLISH man charged following the alleged discovery of cannabis at Spancill Hill earlier this year has been sent forward for trial to the Circuit Criminal Court.

The charges relate to alleged offences at Kilvoydan, Spancill Hill, on January 21, 2014.

Krzyztof Sobolewski, with a former address at The Island, Kilvoydan Spancill Hill, is charged with unlawful possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis for sale or sup- ply.

It is alleged the accused had cannabis for sale or supply at a time when the market value of the controlled drugs amounted to € 13,000 or more.

Mr Sobolewski (37) is also charged with unlicensed cultivation of cannabis.

The book of evidence was served on the accused at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Pubic Prosecutions (DPP) had consented to the accused being returned for trial to the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on April 29.

Defence solicitor John Casey told the court a Polish translator would be required in the Circuit Court. Mr Casey also applied for the book of evidence to be translated into Polish.

His application was granted by Judge William Early.

Judge Early also approved a legal aid application going forward for Mr Casey, junior counsel and senior counsel, in view of the seriousness of the charge. Judge Early delivered the alibi warning and made the order returning the accused for trial.

A DRIVER was pulled from his car and allegedly threatened after four people jumped into his vehicle in Ennis last year.

It is alleged Declan Sherlock (19) unlawfully took control of the man’s car after he was ordered into the back seat, Ennis District Court heard on Wednesday.

Mr Sherlock, with an address at 41 Dromard, Lahinch Road, Ennis, is charged with unlawful use of a vehicle without the consent of the owner at Quin Road, Ennis, on August 19, 2013.

Details of the alleged offence were outlined to Judge William Early at Ennis District Court on Wednesday so he could consider the issue of jurisdiction, which court the case will proceed in.

Insp Tom Kennedy told the court the alleged victim was stopped at traffic lights outside Moloney’s Pub in Ennis. The court heard four people, including the accused, approached the car and jumped in.

The court heard the driver knew some of the people in the group. Insp Kennedy said Mr Sherlock asked the driver to go the Dromard housing estate.

He said that as a woman exited the vehicle at Dromard, the diver told everyone to get out.

Insp Kennedy said it would be alleged the driver was threatened and directed to drive to another area of Ennis in relation to what he called “drug activity”.

The court heard that when the car arrived at the location, a row occurred. The 18-year-old driver was pulled from the front seat and put in the back.

Insp Kennedy said it is alleged Mr Sherlock took control of the car before driving to other estates in Ennis.

Judge William Early said that having heard the alleged evidence this was not a minor offence fit to be tried summarily. He refused jurisdiction meaning the case will proceed to the Circuit Court.

Separately, Mr Sherlock is also charged with a burglary offence allegedly committed at Market Hardware, Quin Road, Ennis, March 31, 2013.

Outlining details of the alleged offence, Insp Kennedy said the intruder alarm was activated at the business at around 4am.

It is alleged gardaí discovered Mr Sherlock on the premises in posses- sion of a number of stolen items.

Insp Kennedy said it is alleged Mr Sherlock was holding a Stanley knife and a claw hammer.

Insp Kennedy said it is alleged the accused had the weapons to defend himself in case he was challenged.

After hearing the alleged facts, Mr Sherlock stood up in court and said, “This is a load of s***”.

Judge Early told the accused he had to hear the allegations to so if they are fit to be heard in the District Court.

He said he was satisfied this was not a minor offence fit to be tried summarily. He refused jurisdiction.

Mr Sherlock was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on May 7 for service of the book of evidence.

THREE teenagers charged in connection with the robbery of money from two men in the grounds of a school in Ennis last year are due to appear before the Circuit Criminal Court today.

Evan Toomey (18), with an address at Oak Park, Ennis; Shane McCarthy (18), with and address at Shalee Drive, Ennis; and Jordan Whelan (18), with an address at Dun na hInse, Ennis, are charged with robbery at the Colaiste Muire school at Harmony, Ennis on December 21, 2013. The charges relate to the robbery of money from two men.

Mr McCarthy and Mr Whelan are charged with the robbery of money from Alan Markham – a member of Clare’s All-Ireland winning hurling panel in 1997. Mr Whelan is further charged with assault causing harm to a man at Abbey Street.

Mr Toomey is charged with the robbery of € 100 from another man, Sean Hogan.

Books of evidence were served on all three accused at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court the Director of Public Prosecu- tions (DPP) had consented to the accused being sent forward for trial to the next sittings of the Circuit Criminal Court in Ennis on April 29. Mr McCarthy was sent forward on bail subject to conditions.

Defence solicitor for Mr Toomey, John Casey, told Judge Early he was reserving his position in relation to bail for the time being.

Mr Whelan was remanded on bail as set. Judge William Early approved legal aid for the men’s solicitors and a junior counsel in respect of each accused. He delivered the alibi warning and made orders returning all three men for trial.