Author: admin

Car break-in arrests

KEEPING crime patterns under re- view and creating a multi-faceted approach to tackling crime will be among the chief priorities for the Joint Policing Committee for the county.

The committee, which met for the first time yesterday, will consist of the county’s four TDs, council offi- cials, gardai, several councillors and community representatives.

‘The important thing is we keep under review the level and pattern of crime and anti-social behaviour and things like the misuse of alcohol and drugs,” said Cllr Joe Arkins, who is the chairman of the group.

‘Every corner of the county is rep- resented,’ he added.

He said that members of the public will be invited to some of the meet- ings, where they will be given the scope to express their views on issues of concern.

Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley said the forum would be “very useful. It will give gardai and politicians from across the county an opportunity to discuss issues of relevance to them. It has to be seen as a forum for devel- oping policy across the county.

“It is going to be a two-way proc- ess. Gardai and local people will work together towards a satisfactory outcome. Gardai need assistance in developing policy at a local level, for example with the county council to

develop speed limits in certain ar- eas,” said Deputy Dooley.

Fine Gael TD Joe Carey said he is hopeful the committee’s formation will be worthwhile.

“I’d be hopeful it would be opened up to the public. I think it will be a useful forum and will sort out issues in the county,” he said.

Cllr Pat Hayes (Fianna Fail) has been appointed vice-chairman of the committee. The other councillors on the committee are Bernard Han- rahan, Flan Garvey, Patrick Keane, Tony O’Brien, Cathal Crowe and

Pat McMahon (all Fianna Fail); Paul Murphy, Oliver Garry, John McIner- ney and Joe Cooney (all Fine Gael); Pascal Fitzgerald (Labour); Inde- pendent councillor Martin Lafferty and Brian Meaney (Green Party).

The current mayor of Clare, Cllr Madeleine Taylor-Quinn (FG) is also a member of the committee by virtue of being mayor.

County Manager Alec Fleming and Director of Services with the county council Tom Coughlan are also on the committee. The commu- nity members on the committee are

Stephen Walsh (East Clare Area Net- work) and Paul Gaughran and Rich- ard Cahill (Shannon Area Network).

The committee will meet every quarter and the next meeting will take place in July.

IRISH companies are operating in economic circumstances that have never been seen before, and facing severe challenges in terms of both securing their business and retain- ing jobs. Maintaining and growing exports is critical.

Enterprise Ireland is looking to mo- bilise all of its national and interna- tional resources and 1s working with clients to help them address two key priorities right now – securing the vi- ability of their business, and maxim- ising their potential for growth.

Enterprise Ireland is running a special series of business workshops throughout the country for exporting client companies to help them ad- dress three key areas that can have a real impact on their ability to weath- er the current harsh trading environ- ment:

NEW figures show that east Clare is the part of the county hardest hit by the recession.

Live register figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) yes- terday, show that there has been a 91 per cent rise in unemployment in the east Clare area.

Overall, between February of this year and February 2008, the numbers receiving welfare in the Tulla Social Welfare Office serving east Clare has increased from 610 to 1,168.

This compares to a 76 per cent in- crease across the county where the numbers on the live register have increased from 5,072 to 8,932 in the space of 12 months.

The figures from Ennis show there has been a 74 per cent increase go- ing from 2,946 in February 2008 to 5,136 in February 2009.

The figures for the north Clare area show that there was also a 74 per cent increase with the numbers on the live register increasing from 807 to 1,348.

The statistics relating to west Clare

show that the numbers in Kilrush on the live register increased from 709 to 1,216 — arise of 71 per cent.

Reacting to the figures yesterday, east Clare councillor, Cllr Colm W1- ley (FF) said, “These figures are of real concern and it is very serious. The indications are that it is going to get worse and I don’t know what exactly can be done about it at this stage.”

Cllr Wiley said that the companies located in east Clare, including Finsa and Olympus Diagnostica, “are hold- ing their own, but Finsa would be

vulnerable as it depends so much on the construction industry”.

Killaloe-based Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) also expressed his concern over the figures. He said, “East Clare is predominantly a tourist area and, in a world recession, they are the jobs most at threat.

“T would hope now that any tour- ism projects that are being proposed would be located in east Clare. | would also call on all the support agencies to provide assistance to any people considering start-up business- es in the area.”

A GROUP of five councillors are de- ciding the future of 25,000 people in Ennis, a local protest has heard.

Fine Gael councillor and local businessman Johnny Flynn hit out at a party colleague and four other En- nis councillors at yesterday’s march organised by the Ennis Forum.

He alleged that Tommy Brennan (Ind), Peter Considine (FF), Joe Rei- dy (FF), Mary Coote Ryan (FG) and Frankie Neylon (Ind), are controlling policies that are “anti business and anti-jobs”.

“T’m four and a half years over in that chamber. I’m sick to the teeth of listening to five people who are running this town,’ Cllr Flynn told protestors outside the offices of En- nis Town Council.

“A group of five people are deciding the future of 25,000 people. There are nine councillors, five of them hold power. They are Tommy Bren- nan, Frankie Neylon, Mary Coote Ryan, Joe Reidy and Peter Consid- ine. Those five people are deciding on policies for the last four and a half years of my experience in the cham- ber. Five people are voting and con- trolling the policies of this town.”

Cllr Flynn, a member of the Ennis

Forum, addressed representatives from 150 businesses.

Architect and Ennis Forum com- mittee member Michael Leahy told the crowd that the protest was taking place because “businesses in Ennis are tired of not being listened to”.

He said the forum was established in response to the perception that En- nis 1s “losing its status as a county town”.

Mr Leahy said increases in com- mercial rates put forward by the council in its 2009 budget were “un-

acceptable”.

THE county’s roads have claimed their first life of 2009, as a 35-year- old man was killed when his motor- bike collided with a ditch on the out- skirts of Ennis at the weekend.

Michael McInerney, a native of Caher in east Clare, was killed in a single vehicle accident, on the Kildysart road, just two miles from Ennis, shortly before lunchtime on Saturday.

He was pronounced dead at Ennis General Hospital at 1.55pm.

It is understood that the driver lost control of the vehicle, before hitting the ditch. He had been travelling to- wards Kildysart at the time of the crash.

Mr McInerney, a_ father-of-one, lived in the Cahercalla area of En- nis. He hailed from a much respected family in Caher.

A tradesman by profession, he had an extensive interest in motorbikes. He will be laid to rest tomorrow.

Mr McInerney was one of four peo- ple to loose their lives on the coun- try’s roads at the weekend.

Three people died in two separate road accidents in County Tipperary Oye LUN ACer-NA

ON Sunday, March 15, Kilrush will witness one of its biggest St Patrick’s Day Parades ever.

With more than 30 floats, 500 chil- dren dancing and a number of bands and musicians, organisers now have their fingers crossed for good weath- oe

The parade will take place two days before the patron saint of Ire- land’s allocated day, for a number of reasons.

Last year the parade was held on Sunday, which proved popular with families and visitors alike.

This year St Patrick’s Day falls close to the weekend, making Sun- day an ideal day for the festivities again in the west Clare capital.

Sunday will also accommodate floats and acts hoping to take part in the parade in Ennis, or people who wish to go to more than one or two local parades.

The Tulla Pipe Band is an exam- ple of such an act. On Sunday it will help lead the Kilrush parade, while making itself available to other Clare town’s on Tuesday, March 17.

Hell for Leather will also provide a special act to the proceedings in Kil- rush this year.

Celebrating its 25th year, the John Fennel-led dance school will march at the end of the parade. The 500 dancers will then perform in the town square for the awaiting crowd.

The St Patrick’s Day Parade will begin in Kilrush at 4pm. The theme this year is ‘Irish Legends’. Music will begin in the square from 3pm. For further information, please con- tact Vincent 086 0854834 or Karen 086 8091410.

Meanwhile, the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Miltown Malbay will take place on March 17.

This year’s theme is ‘Memorable Moments – Ireland from the ‘50s to

the Naughties’.

Registration for this popular parade is free or charge. Those taking part will assemble in the GAA car park at 2pm and the parade will start at P10

There will be nine prizes in total – first, second and third in the floats section, in the walking section and for the adjudicator’s prises.

Prizes for marks are allocated for each element of the float and group including colour and volume, theme, preparation, and entertainments.

The emphasis of this year’s parade is on participation and a great family day is guaranteed.

MARCUS Horan may be well know for his stylish playing, but now he’ll also be know for his stylish dress- oor

Marcus is one of the celebrities who will be strutting his stuff on the catwalk on March 23 to raise funds for Clonlara National School.

Clonlara Parents Association are organising a fashion show in the Lakeside Hotel, Killaloe and it promises to be a fun event using chil- dren from the school, Scoil Seanain Naofa, parents, local clubs and guest celebrities.

Joining Marcus on the catwalk will be Leanne Moore and Miss Curvette, Jill Dilmac.

“Everyone is rowing in – parents, teachers, pupils from each class from the tiny infants up,’ said Maeve McGill, chairwoman of the Associa- tion.

Dads are not being shy and they will be taking part too.

They will model a range of mens’ formal and casual clothing.

“Outside of the school, we asked well-known people who have a connection with the school,’ said Maeve.

Marcus Horan’s mother, Margaret, who used to teach in the school, will be modelling and Leanne’s brother is also a pupil there.

So far, there are 11 shops on-board to style the snappy dressers includ- ing Catwalk, Spirit, Lorabees, Fuschia Queen, Aimee’s, Rumples- tilskin, Kelckids, Heaton’s, Shaws, No Name, Whelan’s Pro-Golf and Mike O’Connells.

‘“We’ve had great support between the shops providing clothes and lo- cal businesses providing prizes for the raffle. People have got behind the show and been very supportive.”

Proceeds from the night will go to school funds.

Tickets are available from _ the school and from local committee members.

CLARE people from all over the county, and the country, gathered in Dublin’s City West at the week- end for the 72nd Fianna Fail Ard Witahe

One man with more than a passing interest in proceedings was former security garda to the late Taoiseach

Charles Haughey and Miltown Mal- bay man, Martin Vaughan.

The retired Garda is now the driver for Charles Haughey’s son and jun- ior Minister Sean Haughey.

A keen tug-of-war man and boxer, Mr Vaughan began working for the late Taoiseach in 1979, providing se- curity outside his family home.

During his long service, he got to

know the family well, later attend- ing family weddings and becoming a driver to a TD he knew since he was a Schoolboy.

The west Clare man also met his current boss’s grandfather, Sean Le- mass, while he was on duty during the official opening of the Tayto fac- tory in Coolock.

He recalled pleasant memories of

working for the Haughey family, particularly during Charles Haugh- ey’s time as Taoiseach.

“He was a friendly man. He would walk up and down the avenue talk- ing to us. You had to be on the ball though. A few people tried to come in, even the press,” he said with a smile.

The west Clare man is also well

known in tug-of-war circles in OE Iccr

He set up the first Comhairle team in Dublin, which won five All Ire- land Men’s titles.

He also coached the women’s team to 11 All Ireland Titles.

He was also the anchor on the garda team that won the world champion- ship in 1989.

ROWAN ‘Tree Hostel located in the heart of Ennis will open its doors on the March 17, following an extensive two year re-development project.

The work involved a major resto- ration of the 17th century Georgian building; including preservation of the original hand carved wooden staircase, entrance pillars and main fireplace. In addition, an extension featuring 28 purpose-built rooms with ensuite facilities has been built.

The original building overlooking the River Fergus is one of the oldest buildings in Ennis and is of histori- cal significance. Built around 1740 it was the County Club for the lords and gentry of the land and the Bull Hall was used for lavish balls and occasions. In the 1940s it was used by the military as barracks. It then became the Club House Hotel and most recently operated as the Abbey Tourist Hostel.

Under the management of experi- enced hostellers, Brian O’Neill and Marianne Maurer, the hostel has a capacity for 140. With a variety of rooms including double, twin and multi-bedded dorms sleeping up to 14, Rowan Tree will appeal to both groups and individuals.

Guest facilities are brand new and include a fully equipped self-cater- ing kitchen, coffee shop, outdoor pa- tio, recreational lounges, television

and free WIFI and Internet access.

A licensed café bar on the premises will provide a relaxed setting for so- cialising and meeting guests.

“We are excited to be reopening a hostel in Ennis with all new modern facilities’, says Brian O’ Neill, Man- aging Director of Rowan Tree Hos- tel. “There is a real need for quality budget accommodation in Ennis and we are filling that gap by providing a friendly hostel that will appeal to a wide range of people including;

international backpackers, groups, families and the younger business person. Additionally, we will be cre- ating up to 20 jobs for people in the local area.”

Welcoming the new venture, Siob- han King, Shannon Development Tourism Officer for County Clare said, “Shannon Development is de- lighted to see the reopening of this much needed hostel accommoda- tion in Ennis, the gateway to County Clare. The new hostel will comple-

ment the existing variety of accom- modation in the county”

Beds start at €16 per night and include a free light breakfast. For more information visit www.row- antreehostel.ie.