Category: News

MANAGEMENT at SkyCourt in Shannon have moved to rubbish speculation that one of the anchor tenants at the shopping centre was on the cusp of closing up shop after many years.

It was confirmed on Monday that “contrary to the expected negative outcome” Xtra-vision is to remain trading from its current location at SkyCourt in the town.

Since its announced closure earlier this year, Xtra-vision has been ‘trialtrading’ at SkyCourt and, thanks to the loyalty and support of Shannon shoppers, the level of spend at the SkyCourt outlet has sufficiently convinced the new owners that the Shannon outlet has potential.

“This is a most welcome boost for SkyCourt. It would have been a devastating blow to lose Xtra-vision as an anchor tenant,” said SkyCourt manager Pat Kelly.

“We knew that the Shannon store has always traded well and that’s why the landlord worked closely with the new owners throughout the receivership process to convince them of this fact.

“We are delighted that our efforts have been fruitful and look forward to seeing a new vibrancy and exciting developments at the Shannon store, which is now undergoing a refit to recommence trading.

“The Shannon community have to be commended for their support during the past few months and Senator Tony Mulcahy has to be singled out for his tireless campaigning to keep Xtra-vision Shannon open. With Christmas fast approaching, Xtra-vision will remain a favourite shopping stop for Christmas gifts and vouchers.”

Welcoming the news, Senator Tony Mulcahy added, “The decision by Xtra-vision to remain at Shannon demonstrates the value of shopping local. Even during the scale-down period, Shannon consumers stuck with a local outlet as opposed to moving elsewhere. All SkyCourt shops need this level of local support.

“New stores will only decide to locate at SkyCourt if they can be assured of trade. We may all have a wish list of shops we’d like to see at SkyCourt but the reality is, no amount of promotion will convince them to do so if there isn’t sufficient footfall,” he added.

THE hundred thousand welcomes the 30,000 plus crowd gave to the victorious Clare team when they arrived back in Ennis with the Liam McCarthy Cup, was worth an estimated € 1 million to businesses in one evening alone.

It would appear that the Clare fans heeded the words of Clare hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald when he told them to forget the recession for a while, during the official homecoming at Tim Smythe Park (Fairgreen) in Ennis.

According to the CEO of Ennis Chamber of Commerce, Rita McInerney, the Sunday night homecom- ing was hugely beneficial, as people from all over the county converged in Ennis.

A conservative estimate of the money spent on the evening is approximately € 1 million said the business people’s representative.

“People had to spend money on petrol to come to Ennis, more spent it on food and drink when they were here and there was all the jerseys, flags and bunting that was purchased,” said Ms McInerney.

She estimated spending at an average of € 30 per person.

“That includes people who spent € 5 for a coffee and a snack to those that spent € 150 and stayed out until 5 in the morning,” she explained.

The build up to the All Ireland and the replay was not as profitable however, as people saved for the trip to Croke Park, she explained.

“People had to budget for the All Ireland and couldn’t spend in the run up to the game, but it was worth it because we were in an All Ireland. The businesses were happy to take in on the chin. It was such a great honour to be in the All Ireland,” she said.

“Obviously there was going to be a pull back on spending because people don’t have money, but on that night they came out in support.”

She added that the media focus on the county as a result of the team’s success was also hugely beneficial to the county.

“You couldn’t buy publicity like that,” she said.

“And the Liam McCarthy Cup is going to be here for a year so there will be plenty more celebrations I am sure.”

AS MANY as 30 people from Clare are taking a case against the company behind the faulty De Puy ASR hip replacement implanted in more than 3, 500 Irish patients between 2003 and 2010.

The legal firm behind the suite understands there are 170 more Clare people affected by the faulty implant and have advised them that it is not too late join the civil action.

De Puy ordered a recall of the medical device in 2010.

In a case against the company in Los Angeles, it was alleged that a Belfast surgeon emailed De Puy engineer Graham Isaac in May 2006 outlining his concerns about the device.

The New York Times also published revelations that one type of the defective devices were marketed in Europe after the US food and drug administration rejected their sale in America in 2009.

Now personal injuries law firm Peter McDonnell and Associates is holding an information meeting for Irish patients affected by the De Puy Hip Recall of 2010 on Monday week, October 21, in The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis.

Mr McDonnell, said whilst many of the 3, 500 public and private patients throughout Ireland who received the defective De Puy ASR Hip Resurfacing System – typically used in younger, more active patients – and the ASR XL Acetabular System, have already set the litigation process in motion, the vast majority of those who have been adversely affected are under the incorrect impression that the deadline, known as the Statute of Limitations, has already passed.

“Many patients whom I have spoken with throughout Ireland are under the impression that it is too late for them to submit a claim against De Puy. This, however, is not the case,” he said.

Of the 3, 516 Irish patients who received the implants, about 400 have had them replaced.

RELATIONS rapidly deteriorated over a four-day period last October following a violent row at a wedding in Ennis Cathedral.

There followed a serious incident of criminal housing estate in the town centre on October 11 and an eruption of violence at the Maid of Erin three days later.

On Thursday Det John Casey of Ennis Garda Station said that while there has been no issues in the months since, gardaí believe the potential for violence remains if both sides encountered each other again.

He said a heavy Garda presence had been required anytime family members appeared in court.

The warning came as four people – Bernie McDonagh Snr (46), Christopher McDonagh (39), Bernie McDonagh Jnr (21) and a 17-year-old boy – appeared at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday. All four have pleaded guilty to offences at the Maid of Erin on October 14 (2012).

Father of 10, Bernie McDonagh Snr, with an address at Nashes Boreen, Cork, drove a car the wrong way around the roundabout, nine times, while in pursuit of a Hiace van carrying members of the Doherty family.

He pleaded guilty to driving recklessly against the flow of traffic in a manner likely to cause harm.

He also pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage.

Father of six Christopher McDonagh, with an address at Childers Road, Cloughleigh, has pleaded guilty to the production of an iron bar during the course of a dispute.

Bernie McDonagh Jnr, with an address at Nashes Boreen, Cork, pleaded guilty to the production of a Stanley knife during the course of a dispute.

The now 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty to the production of a hatchet during the course of a dispute.

All three also pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Judge Gerard Keys said feuding of this kind “is going on and on”. “It beggars belief that this goes on,” he added.

The judge was told last week that the relationship between the families has not improved and that “tensions remain very high”.

“There are garda concerns for the potential for violent incidents,” said Detective Garda John Casey at a sitting of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday.

The warning came it as emerged that a State witness wore a stab proof vest to a sitting of Ennis District Court earlier this month at a case arising from the dispute between the families.

The families, who are connected through marriage, previously lived as neighbours and friends in the Ashline area of Ennis.

A JUDGE has said he will halt legal payments to solicitors from November onwards if clients fail to show up in court.

Judge Patrick Durcan told a sitting of Ennis District Court on Wednesday that from November 1 onwards he will start making orders for the non-payment of legal aid if accused persons fail to attend court dates.

Judge Durcan signalled his intent to halt some legal aid payments in September when he was critical of the high number of people not turning up in court.

On Wednesday Judge Durcan said the day is gone where Ireland can afford to fund people who show “total disregard” to institutions who are there to serve them.

His comments came as he issued a bench warrant for a man who had failed to show up for his case.

He told defence solicitor Tara Godfrey that this was the second occa- sion he had issued a bench warrant for the accused.

Ms Godfrey said it was unfair for practitioners to be penalised for their client’s absence. She said that by not paying solicitors, the court “effectively says our work is worthless”.

She told Judge Durcan she could not understand where he was coming from on the matter.

Judge Durcan said he was unhappy with the tone of Ms Godfrey’s comments, adding that he was willing to discuss his decision with a solicitor’s representative.

Judge Durcan added that the payments would only be withheld in situations where clients failed to show up. He said solicitors would still receive the initial assignment payment.

For a first court date solicitors can receive a maximum payment of up to € 201 for the first two cases in respect of one defendant, € 120.88 in relation to each subsequent case and € 50.39 for each subsequent hearing days.

CLARE’S most senior local authority has been shortlisted for a national engineer’s award.

Clare County Council is in the running for Engineers Ireland Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Employer of the Year Award.

The council, which has a long and successful record of CPD, has been short listed for its achievements in using in-house expertise, local knowledge and innovation to develop the Clare County Flood Forecasting System (CCFFS).

The unique system has proven highly successful and is being replicated by a number of organisations throughout the country.

Dublin City Council, Dromone Engineering Limited, global healthcare company Abbott Ireland and PM Group are among other lead- ing organisations shortlisted for the awards.

Commenting on the shortlist, Engineers Ireland director general and chartered engineer John Power said, “Every year we are hugely impressed by the quality of entries and the organisations’ commitment to CPD, this year is no different. The shortlist reflects companies that have demonstrated how the strategic use of CPD enables tangible business transformation, helping to establish Ireland as a centre of excellence for engineering.

“I would like to congratulate Clare County Council for reaching the shortlist and encourage them to continue investing in professional development.”

The winners will be announced this Wednesday, October 2, at the Engineers Ireland CPD Symposium and Awards in the Clyde Court Hotel in Dublin.

THE students of Gaelcholáiste an Chláir have proven to be top of the class and leading the way for other students, especially those sitting the Leaving Certificate.

A radio project, which the students were involved in, has not just been broadcast on national radio but is also shortlisted for the annual national radio awards.

‘Scrúdú Béil na hArdteiste’ was produced by Conn Ó Muíneacháin at his studio in Ballynacally, with the help of student teacher Áine Pyne from Ennis. The stars of the show were the transition year students of Gaelcholáiste an Chláir who took part in mock interviews based on the “sraith pictiúr” section of the Leaving Certificate oral test.

The series of four programmes was commisioned by RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta, who broadcast it twice in the lead-up to the oral exams in April. RTÉ subsequently nominated the series for the PPI Radio Awards, and it was announced in the shortlist last month.

Mr Ó Muíneacháin paid tribute to the staff and students of Gaelcholáiste an Chláir. “It was essential that the programme would have student voices,” he said, “and vital that they had a high standard of Irish. The Gaelcholáiste students deserve great credit for the success of the programme.”

The five students from transition year who took part in the series included Conal Ó hAiniféin, Sally Ní Mheadhra, Nicole Ní Chathasaigh, Áine Mhaoir and Alex Maguidhir under the guidance of teachers Íde Bhreathnach and Orla Ní Dhonncha.

THE Burren has two new world champions and a host of new medalists following a brilliant performance by the Gort Taekwon-do club at the World Championships in England.

The club, which attracts members from all over North Clare and South Galway, sent seven athletes to take part in this year’s world championship, with all club members coming home with a medal.

The medals haul included two high performing families with father and son, John and Darragh Murphy, winning seven medals between them and mother and son, Gina and Cathal Casey, winning a medal each.

“This was out first ever World Championship as a club and every- one came home with something. It was an amazing performance club. It was a great performance over there. It was like a dream, everything went really really well for the club,” said Lisa Connolly of the Gort Taekwondo, who was also an international referee for this year’s competition.

“I was there as an international referee, which means that I ran a ring for three days, 12 hours a day. I was the centre referee so I was a challenge. You have to be very focussed when you are refereeing these matches – especially if you are going it for 10 or 12 hours every day.”

The leading medal winner was Darragh Murphy, who was awarded four golds and two silvers, followed by Cathal Casey who claimed one gold medal. There were silvers for David Neilan, David Joyce and Gina Casey while John Murphy and black belt John Flanaghan, taking a bronze.

Two on the club’s medalists are also in training to take part in the Kickboxing World Championships in Greece later this year.

“Cathal and Darragh are both training for the Kichboxing World Championships, which take place next month. Cathal is already a World Champion after winning in Florida last year so we are very hopeful,” continued Lisa.

CLARE’S legal community extended a warm welcome to its newest member at Ennis District Courthouse last month.

Dundalk native Angela Byrne recently started work with Clare law firm Loughnane and Co. Solicitors. She previously worked as a solicitor in the Dundalk offices of Sean T O’Reilly and Company.

Ms Byrne was officially introduced at a recent sitting of Ennis District Court. Welcoming Ms Byrne to court on behalf of the Clare Law Society, solicitor Stephen Nicholas said Ms Byrne had worked in general law practice for nine years.

He said Ms Byrne is an experienced legal practitioner who would be warmly welcomed to Clare. Inspector Michael Gallagher welcomed Ms Byrne to Clare on behalf of the Gardaí. He wished her all the best on her career in Clare.

Judge Patrick Durcan told Ms Byrne that they shared something in common in that they are both law- yers who do not hail from the Banner County.

Referring to the drawn All-Ireland final between Clare and Cork earlier this month, Judge Durcan remarked, “The people of County Clare often surprise, as people in Cork will know, in the last minute!”

He told Ms Byrne she worked for an office of practitioners that is “highly regarded and respected both professionally and personally”.

“I wish you all the best with your current practice here in Clare,” he added.

Ms Byrne said, “I thank you all for your very kind words and I look forward very much to working with you.”

Loughnane & Co Solicitors is a long-established law firm with offices in Ennis and Scariff. The firms also have consultation rooms in Galway City and serve clients nationwide. The firm was established by Billy Loughnane in 1980.

CLARE County Council is working to remove a planning law which requires all building projects at Shannon Airport to be first lodged with an Bord Pleanála – no matter how small the project.

Under current planning legislation, the national planning authority must assess every development at the airport to see if it qualifies as a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID).

However, as the vast majority of development are too small to gain SID status, this requirement is effec- tively slowing the planning process by adding an unnecessary layer.

“If somebody wants to build a chicken coop at Shannon Airport, it has to go to an Bord Pleanála first to be determined if it is strategic infrastructure,” said Director of Service for Clare County Council, Ger Dollard.

“In most cases they [an Bord Pleanála] say that it is not as SID and it reverts back to the normal planning process. What people would prefer is that development that are clearly not of strategic important should go into the normal planning process.

“By going to the board and then having to come back to Clare County Council actually lengthens the planning process. In fairness to them [an Bord Pleanála] they have agreed to deal with submission after 21 days and they have stuck to that so far.”

A review of this planning law was recommended in the report of the task force into the future of Shannon Airport.

Under the current law all airports with passengers great than two million people per year must submit every development to an Bord Pleanála. While Shannon Airport has just 1.4 million passengers last year, the national planning board have included them in the SID process as they deem that Shannon has the potential to exceed two million passengers per year.

“Our optimum goal would be that any development at Shannon Airport would not be seen as a SID and would come to us. That may not happen but I think that something could be done regarding the minor development,” continued Mr Dollard.

“We are working with the airport on a number of issues and I think that everyone is working very well together. There is a serious intent there collectively to get the airport to grow in tourism terms and economic terms and in any other way that we can. Everyone is really up for achieving that.”