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IT WAS once Ireland’s largest horse fair but the fair in Kil rush will be lost if steps are not taken to retain the accompanying traders.

That was the message from Kilr ush Town Council on Thursday night, when it emerged that casual traders were struggling to make the € 200 annual casual trading fee.

“One of the biggest attractions of the horse fai r is the traders believe it or not.

“They are the ones that bring the people into town. I think the people of the town don’t realise what we have. It is something we should be marketing better,” said Cll r Liam O’Looney (FF).

“Kilr ush horse fair was the biggest horse fair in Ireland one time, there was no such a thing as Ballinasloe. I don’t think we will ever get back to those heady days,” he said.

“I think we are killing something. I think the regulation on the traders there at the moment is quite good. I think the quantity is sufficient but I can see them dying out very very fast if we don’t do something here.”

Town clerk John Corr y said that the council staff have been accepting the payment in four installments and during the November fai r, 30 of the 33 bays available were sold on the day.

Cllr Marian McMahon Jones (FG) said she was concerned that if the town council did not move to protect the horse fair now, it could go the way of the town council next year and be dissolved.

“It is only four days a year and it is something we should be nurturing and maintain because we are going to lose it,” she warned. M EA NW HI L E the Cooraclare Road sports facility in Kilrush came a step nearer to reality this week as it was announced that € 58,000 was provided for the development.

The funding will go towards phase one of the project – the development of artificial playing surface (Astro turf), floodlighting, security fencing and CCTV.

Kilrush town clerk John Corry told town councillors at Thursday night’s meeting that they “had been ready and waiting for the grant awarded”.

Tenders have already been sought for the project and members had also agreed on the work to be contained in phase one of the project that is expected to mirror Lees Road, Ennis.

Funding to a maximum of € 58,000 was available for the project from the Department of Sport and Irish Public Bodies with Clare County Council to contribute a further contribution in the form of a capital grant.

“It is as lot less than we were hoping for a number of years ago,” said Mr Corry, adding however that Kilrush Town Council had also ringfenced money for the project during the last number of years.

MEMBERS of the public are urged to be vigilant after Gardaí were informed of an unauthorized charity collection on Shannon last week.

Gardaí issued the warning after two teenage girls were seen carrying out an unauthorized collection on behalf of Youthreach Shannon, collecting for the Irish Cancer Society.

Shannon Youthreach are collecting for Limerick Marine search and rescue this year.

Crime prevention officer Sgt Joe Downey said that while bogus charity collections are not very common in Clare there can be an increase in such activity in the lead up to Christmas.

“You can see a bit more of these things before Christmas when people are feeling a bit more generous and they are inclined to give money without checking credentials. In this case there was a bit of legitimacy to it in that they had an old card. But it was for the Shannon Youthreach collection for 2012 for the Irish Cancer Society – Shannon Youthreach’s collection this year was for Limerick Marine Search and Rescue,” added Sgt Downey.

“People should check the details of people they are giving money to see if they are genuine. Otherwise it’s just another form of begging,” he added.

Ennis councillor Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) previously expressed concern about unauthorized charity collections.

He told a meeting of Ennis Town Council that there are doubts about the veracity of some collections taking place on the streets of Ennis. Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) told the meeting that the practice needs to be tightly monitored.

Meanwhile, teenagers have been warned that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in the town.

The warning comes ahead of a noalcohol teen disco for 14 to 17 year olds in Ennis on Friday, December 20. Gardaí have issued advice aimed at encouraging responsible behaviour.

“Teens are to be dropped and collected by parents/guardians. Those transporting by buses are to ensure that none of their passengers have consumed alcohol. There will be a Garda presence on the evening. Any teenager found to be misbehaving will be dealt with and parents/guardians will be contacted.”

THERE are no new Fianna Fáil faces on the West Clare ballot paper for next year’s local elections as five sitting county councillors were returned to contest the new Municipal District election.

Cllr Bill Chambers, Cllr Michael Hillery, Cllr Pat Keane, Cllr PJ Kelly and Cllr Richard Nagle will all be on the ticket come next summer following the party’s convention in the Armada Hotel in Spanish Point on Monday night. Councillors Nagle and Hillery were selected automatically following a directive from Fianna Fáil’s National Constituency Committee that two candidates were to come from the Ennistymon area.

The remaining six candidates from the Kilrush area, that included three sitting councillors as well as Kilrush town councillor Tom Prendeville, Michael O’Neill and Rita McInerney, went before the delegates for selection.

A decisive vote saw Cllr Kelly and Cllr Keane pass the quota in the first vote and their surplus brought fellow councillor Bill Chambers safely over the mark.

The five candidates will now go forward and represent the party in the eight seat West Clare Municipal Area elections.

The longest serving member of the council, Cllr Kelly, does not believe ‘the line up’ is complete as yet, believing another candidate will be added.

Total poll: 156. Quota: 40.

First vote: Bill Chambers 32; Pat Keane 50; PJ Kelly 51; Rita McInerney 1; Michael O’Neill 15; Tom Prendeville 7.

Second count (PJ Kelly surplus): B Chambers +6 (38); R McInerney +1 (2); M O’Neill +3 (18); T Prendeville +1 (8). (R McInerney and T Prendeville eliminated).

Third count (P Keane surplus); B Chambers + 6 (44); M O’Neill +1 (19).

THE last Kilrush Town Council meeting of the year was abandoned after it descended into chaos as the town manager walked out following a heated row with a council member.

It emerged during the course of the debate about a proposed lay-by for the Back Road to facilitate the drop off of children to school, that Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF) had been asked to apologise to a council exec utive engineer following February’s REMS meeting – a special meeting on traffic not open to the public.

The engineer has refused to attend any further meeting on the issue until he has been given an agreed apology.

“I know we had hard words with people and I regret many of the hard words I had and I apologise for it too, but I tell you this now, this is a bit of an insult and it is spoiling the spirit of Christmas for me a small bit,” said Cllr Prendeville on Thursday night, referring to the information and two draft designs of the lay-by provided by Ms Haugh.

Ms Haugh described the councillor’s comments as disingenuous and unfair. She pointed out that the maps were dated February 13 as agreed with the council, and not 10 months old. She added that numerous attempts were made to meet with the council on the issue since but a format could not be agreed due to unfinished business.

The manager was interrupted by Cllr Prendeville, “Why was that, can you tell the press why that was.”

Ms Haugh, “It was due to remarks made by Cllr Prendeville to a staff member present the meeting and further more…”

Cllr Prendeville interrupted her again, “and do you want to say what he said.”

“…And furthermore there was a commitment given by Cllr Prendeville to subsequently apologise to that officer at the subsequent REMS meeting.”

She said she understood the agreed apology was to be read into the minutes of the next meeting. Numerous meetings were scheduled on the issue, but were cancelled as the councillor failed to come back to say if he was agreeable to the wording of the apology to the engineer.

“No further mention was made of the Back Road or an alternative plans even though this work has been done since February until Cllr O’Looney (FF) put down his motion,” said Ms Haugh.

She asked Cllr Prendeville to acknowledge his part in the delay.

“I did at that particular meeting put forward a wording that was accepted and written into the minutes but you took it upon yourself manager, and I am going to blow this right open now, to actually send me an email suggesting the wording I would put. Listen I have studied. I have a lot more qualifications than you have and you are actually suggesting to me …” he said, his voice getting louder.

As the members interjected, Ms Haugh asked that he withdraw the last comment. “What qualifications have I got? How dare you,” she said.

“You were telling me what to say,” he replied.

“So continue councillor and I won’t be attending the next meeting you want to discuss this at either, how dare you.

“That’s what ye do. Ye get in a huff. You were suggesting to me the wording,” he shouted.

Ms Haugh apologised to the other council members and the mayor and left the meeting.

“And that is what your executive engineer did as well. He got in a huff as well and he walked out,” shouted Cllr Prendeville.

“Happy Christmas to all,” said Ms Haugh as she left the room.

As the meeting was abandoned Cllr O’Looney said his colleague should have withdrawn the comments, with Cllr McMahon Jones (FG) saying “You will be confronted with another apology now.”

ONE of the key reason cited for low passengers number on the Ennis to Galway section of the Western Rail Corridor has been removed following the introduction of online booking by Iarnród Éireann.

Nearly two years after the issue was first raised with the rail company – Clare passengers can now book their journey up to 60 days in advance and collect their ticket at the station.

The issue of problems with the booking system came to light in January of 2012 when a report into the railway indicated that as few as eight passengers were using the service on an average trip.

While these figures were bitterly disputed by rail campaigner such as West-on-Track, the issue of a lack of online booking was recognised by all concerned as a major problem.

Passengers numbers on the route have been growing on commuter routes such as Ennis/Limerick and Athenry/Galway and it is hoped that online booking may also help to pro- mote business from Ennis, Sixmilebridge and Gort.

“We know this is something which our customers and the wider community have been anxious to see provided for some time,” said a spokesperson from Iarnród Éireann.

“In particular, we’re pleased to be able to provide this in the run-up to Christmas, to give an opportunity to those who have not used the route previously to experience the service, and do their Christmas shopping and other activities without worrying about traffic congestion and parking charges. Our fares from € 5.99 each way for adults and € 2.99 each way for children are extremely competitive, giving big savings to families at a time of year when every cent counts.”

Meanwhile, Corofin company Corporate Catering Services won the contractors award at this year’s Iarnród Éireann Customer Services Awards. The North Clare company operate catering services on the Dublin to Belfast rail line.

The award was presented to Teresa Keenan and Joe Sloan on behalf of Corporate Catering Services.

A CASE where it is alleged a GAA fan ran onto a pitch during a Clare club football game and kicked a player in the head is to be heard in the Circuit Court.

After hearing an outline of the alleged assault, Judge Patrick Durcan refused jurisdiction at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Eamon Leahy (51) has been charged with assault causing harm of football player Richard Carmody (29) during a football match at Wolfe Tones camogie grounds on May 12.

The alleged assault is alleged to have occurred during a Division 6 Junior B football match between Wolfe Tones and Killimer.

Mr Leahy, with an address at Cronan Park, Shannon, appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the case in the district court on a plea of guilty only.

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett said he had reviewed evidence and written to the DPP. Mr Hassett said his client had indicated he would plead guilty on the basis that he struck the alleged injured party just once.

Mr Hassett said witnesses had given varying accounts of what happened on the day.

Insp Kennedy said it was acceptable to the State for the case to proceed on the basis Mr Leahy struck one blow.

Judge Patrick Durcan requested an outline of the alleged facts to allow him consider jurisdiction.

The court heard Mr Leahy’s son Daragh was playing corner forward for Wolfe Tones when an incident developed on the pitch.

Insp Kennedy explained Eamon Leahy left his position on the sideline when a skirmish involving a number of people developed on the pitch.

“The State will say Mr Leahy came in from the sideline and kicked Richard Carmody (Killimer) in the head on the ground.

“It was a severe kick,” he added.

After viewing a medical report of the injuries suffered by the alleged victim, Judge Durcan said, “This man was kicked into the face, into the teeth. He was kicked unconscious.”

Insp Kennedy said, “He [Carmody] was dizzy, when he tried to get back on his feet he collapsed and lost consciousness.”

After hearing the alleged facts, Judge Durcan refused jurisdiction. He extended time for the service of the book of evidence.

THERE is just one candidate to date declared to run in the local election from the largest urban area in West Clare.

Two of the town’s urban councillors have however indicated that they may join their colleague Cllr Marian McMahon Jones (FG) in the race as independent candidates.

Cllr Ian Lynch (FG), who was unsuccessful at his party’s convention last October said he would take time over Christmas to consider running as an Independent candidate in the Clare County Council election.

Meanwhile Tom Prendeville (FF) has not ruled out also going it alone next May if he is not added to the Fianna Fáil ticket, having also been unsuccessful at his party’s convention.

Cllr Lynch said, “I was disappointed that Fine Gael did not add me to the ticket but as the newest member it was always going to be tough to get the nomination through convention.”

Wishing Cllr McMahon well, who was added to the ticket last week, he said, “I’m getting an awful lot of contact from people disappointed I was not added and there has been considerable advice to run independent. I do feel there is a great hunger out there for a young candidate that will represent the entire West Clare area.

“At the end of the day my role is to represent the people. A lot of support is coming in for me and I believe I can represent the people and if the hunger for a young candidate is on the ground I will have to take all things into consideration,” he said.

The councillor also admitted that dividing the town vote between a lot of candidates is a concern, and could cost the urban area a representative.

Cllr Prendeville, who failed to be selected at the Fianna Fáil party convention said he was approached by a senior member of the party and asked if he wanted to be added to the ticket. He also has not ruled out run- ning independently.

Following the announcement of the successful candidates at last Monday night’s convention, he said he was disappointed not to have made the cut and added that the party had a serious problems in urban areas.

“Fianna Fáil has a problem; and has a big problem; has an organisational problem. For example within our town of Kilrush there is no registered members within five or six miles. I know we have two beside us but they are attached to another cumann up the road. We haven’t got the members.

“People aren’t coming forward so don’t be lulled into a false sense of security and say everything is ok,” he told delegates.

“We are in trouble, big big trouble in the urban areas and tonight does nothing to rectify that.”

“We effectively tonight sent out a message that we are a rural organisation in our constituency, and it is inconceivable to think that where we have the municipal capital of the new electoral area we won’t have a Fianna Fáil candidate,” he said.

Chariman of the Fianna Fáil convnetion Nial Collins TD asked the delegates had to ask themselves why there wasn’t a strong membership in Kilrush and rectify the situation for themselves.

CALL outs to Christmas fires in Clare fell last year again for the third consecutive year, and the county’s fire service is determined to continue that trend this festive season.

The Clare Fire Service reported that brigades throughout Clare were mobilised to 44 incidents during last Christmas.

The call-out figures for the period December 20, 2012, to January 3, 2013, were less than those recorded during the corresponding periods in 2009, 2010 and 2011 when the Fire Service was mobilised to 81, 64 and 48 incidents respectively.

The majority of emergency callouts were attended by Ennis Fire Brigade (20), followed by Shannon (13), Killaloe (3), Ennistymon (3), Scariff (2), Kilrush (2) and Kilkee (1).

Six of the call outs related to chimney fires, down 18 from the previous year, while firefighters also attended 10 road-based incidents, two agricultural building fires, two storage building fires, one house fire, one outdoor rubbish fire and 11 false alarm incidents.

The main causes of fire during the festive season are candles left unprotected, fairylights left on all night or improperly wired, Christmas trees falling over, open fires without fireguards, and decorations catching fire.

According to Adrian Kelly, Clare Chief Fire Officer, “Open fires are used for longer periods during the Christmas period as people spend a lot more time at home. Electrical items and extension leads are used more. Add in flammable decorations, candles and alcohol and it becomes apparent that the risks increase during the festive season.”

Mayor of Clare Cllr Joe Arkins has urged members of the public to familiarise themselves with the fire safety advice, which may be viewed on the Clare County Council website at www.clarecoco.ie.

“While Christmas is a time for celebration, it is important that the public remains alert to the fire dangers that exist at their homes. I encourage householders across County Clare to think about fire safety ahead of and during the Christmas period to avoid the risk of their Christmas being ruined.”

A SEARCH will continue today for a man who was swept into the sea off the North Clare coast at the weekend.

The man, believed to be a Latvian national in his 40s, was fishing with a friend near the lighthouse at Blackhead when he fell into the water. It is understood his friend went to get a life buoy but when he returned the man was no longer visible in the water.

The alarm was raised after gardaí at Tuam Garda Station contacted their colleagues in Ennistymon Garda Station. The Irish Coast Guard marine rescue coordination centre mounted a search operation at around 4.30pm on Sunday evening.

The Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard unit was alerted and mobilised while the Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter was also tasked. The RNLI lifeboat based at Inis Mór in the Aran Islands was also sent to assist in the search.

That search continued yesterday along a stretch of coastline from Fanore to Ballyvaughan.

The five-hour search, which involved the Doolin Irish Coast Guard unit, a search a rescue helicopter and some local boats, was stood down on Monday evening. It is thought the search will continue over the next five or six days. It is hoped that if sea conditions improve Navy Divers and divers from local sub-aqua clubs will be able to assist in the search.

A MAN, who was murdered while sleeping rough in the Phoenix Park in Dublin at the end of November, will be laid to rest in a family grave in Kildysart Cemetry today (Tuesday).

Gerard Donnelly will be buried along side his father after 11am Mass tomorrow.

The 36-year-old was found burned to death at Wellington Road, in the Phoenix Park, in the early hours of November 29 and it took Gardaí some time to identify the murder victim who grew up in Tallaght.

An only child, he has no remaining family in Dublin and so has been brought to West Clare to be laid to rest where his uncles and cousins still live.

His later father Flan was a native of Cranny and his mother is believed to be in hospital.

It is understood that the Gerard opted to live outdoors in the Phoenix Park on occasions as a “lifestyle” choice and was “not a typical homeless person”.

The father of one also had € 130,000 in a bank account following the sale of the family home five years ago.

Mr Donnelly’s remains reposed in Kildysart Church last night before his funeral Mass and burial today.

Ciaran Moran (27), who has an address at Camden Hall, Camden Street, Dublin, has been charged with his murder at Dublin District Court.

Two other people – a 20-year-old man and 17-year-old woman – were also arrested but both were later released without charge.