Category: News

CLARE County Council has commenced a countywide survey of an estimated 31,000 domestic water connections in the county ahead of the Government’s introduction of water charges.

However a council official said the local authority staff would not require access to private property while conducting their assessment of water connections.

Carmel Greene, Water Services Department with Clare County Council, said, “The survey duration will be very short in most cases, and so the surveyor will not usually be outside a property for more than five minutes. If any person tries to gain access to a property or home claiming to be part of the water survey team, access should not be given and the gardaí should be contacted immediately.

“Surveyors will carry official County Council photo identification and will be able to present a supervisor’s telephone number for verification.”

The survey work is being carried out on behalf of Irish Water, which is set to take over responsibility for the delivery of water services from local authorities at the beginning of next year.

As part of this work, Clare County Council will be carrying out a visual examination of the connection between the public water mains and householder’s water system.

The council advised there would be no interruption to the water supply and no digging or excavation will be carried out. It also confirmed that homes that are connected to a private water supply or Group Water Supply schemes would not be surveyed.

“As a result of the decision by government to commence a project of meter installation in domestic premises, Clare County Council is carrying out a survey of domestic water connections, in order to gather information to support the installation of water meters for domestic consumers,” explained Ms Greene.

“The survey involves an employee of Clare County Council carrying out a visual examination of the service connection or stop-cock at each property on the public water network. This will determine, in advance, if your home is likely to be suitable for a meter to be installed and, if so, the degree of work required during the installation of the meter.

“The stopcocks are generally located under the footpath at the entrance to the driveway or gate of each home. Householders will be notified in advance by Irish Water of the installation of meters, which is estimated to commence in the coming months.”

THE case of three men alleged to have damaged a car parked outside Drumcliff graveyard has been adjourned to October for hearing.

The cases of the three men, Michael Doherty (51), with an address at 2 St Michael’s Park, Ballymaley, Ennis; James Galbraith (45), with an address at 1 St Michael’s Park, Gort Road, Ennis, and Patrick Doherty (34), with an address at Bay 2 St Michael’s Park, Ballymaley, were before Judge Durcan at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

All three are charged with the criminal damage of a car which was parked at Drumcliff on March 24th last.

It is alleged that the three men attacked the Ford Focus with weapons, breaking windows and damaging the bodywork.

The court previously heard that the female owner of the fled from the scene after the alleged incident occurred.

Solicitor for Patrick and Michael Doherty, Daragh Hassett, told the court that his client’s attendance from court had been excused on the day in question due to a family wedding.

Mr Hassett requested a date to have the case heard.

He said he expected the case to last around 90 minutes.

October 10 was subsequently fixed as hearing date for the case.

AN APPLICATION by the Ameri- can government that whistleblower Edward Snowden be arrested if the lands in Shannon en route to Cuba where he could be granted political asylum was turned down by the High Court on Monday. Judge Colm Mac Eochaidh said in his judgment that he was “compelled” to reject the application for an arrest warrant made by the US embassy to the Department of Foreign Affairs last Friday. Judge Mac Eochaidh said he was satisfied that the US request met a number of the conditions set out in the relevant act for him to grant the arrest warrant. However, the judge observed that the request did not state where the offences actually took place – a condition that must be met by such applications. “The question of where the offence took place is not a minor detail but is a matter which could have very serious consequences in any further stage that might be reached in an extradition process,” he wrote. “That is because if it is the case that the offences took place outside of the territory of the United States of America, the question will arise as to whether there is extraterritorial effect in respect of the US offences, but more importantly, whether the Irish equivalent offences have an extraterritorial effect or aspect to them. “There would need to be sufficient similarity between the two offences in order for there to be an extradition,” he added. Snowden is currently holed up in Moscow airport after applying for asylum in over 20 countries. Ireland is one of the countries considered for asylum by the 30 year old who worked as a consultant for the National Security Service. Tue9July13

SENTENCING has been adjourned in the case of an Ennis man found with cannabis with a street value of € 3900 hidden in a garden hedge.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, John Nihill (25) pleaded guilty to having cannabis for sale or supply at his then home address of 25 The Hawthorns, Limerick Road Ennis.

The court heard that gardaí discovered 15 separate deals along with a larger block of cannabis concealed in the hedge during a search of the premises on September 12 (2012).

Insp Tom Kennedy said the drugs had an estimated value of € 3929. He said Mr Nihill admitted having the drugs for sale or supply.

The father of one has no previous convictions for drugs offence but received a community service earlier this year order for assault causing harm.

Solicitor John Casey said his client had been a heavy user of cannabis at the time the offence was committed. He said Mr Nihill got into debt and it was suggested to him he could pay off this debt by selling drugs for another person.

The court heard the accused was sent to collect money for his “paymaster.”

“He feared for himself, for his partner and his house and those fears would’ve been genuine and realistic,” added Mr Casey.

The court heard the accused has since left Ennis, is fulfilling his community service requirements and has volunteered at the Bushypark treatment centre.

“He did this out of fear. The debt is still there. He didn’t benefit one iota from this,” Mr Casey said.

Judge Patrick Durcan adjourned sentencing for a brief period.

When the case resumed, Judge Durcan said he regarded this offence as being at the upper end of the scale.

He remanded Mr Nihill on continuing bail to appear again in court on September 18 for a pre-sentence probation report.

In recent weeks, Judge Durcan has directed that the Health Services Executive (HSE) be notified when convictions are recorded against parents of young children.

He asked Mr Casey if a report should be sought from the HSE in this case.

Mr Casey said his client is a devoted father and very much involved with his daughter. A report from the HSE was not sought.

Judge Durcan explained that the involvement of the probation services did not necessarily rule out the imposition of a prison sentence.

However he added that Mr Nihill struck him as “thoughtful, serious young man who has fallen into difficulties.”

A SECTION of the N85 main road between Ennis and Ennistymon has been the scene of eight car accidents over the last two months, a meeting has heard.

The National Roads Authority (NRA) has been urged to act to improve driver safety on a stretch of road between Fountain Cross and Ballyduff Landfill, which was described yesterday as an “accident black spot”.

In a motion tabled at a meeting of councillors in the Ennis West electoral area, councillor James Breen (Ind) called for accident black spot signs to be erected on the N85 between Fountain Cross and Ballyduff Landfill.

Cllr Breen told the meeting that eight cars had been involved in accidents on the stretch of road over the past two months. He said in one instance, a woman and her young child were lucky to walk away unharmed after their car came off the road.

Cllr Breen said there is a danger someone may lose their life on the road. He called for warning signs and crash barriers to be installed in the area.

In his reply, executive engineer Robert Burns stated that generally the erection of signage on the National Road network is a matter for the National Roads Authority.

He continued, “In this instance, the old accident back spot sign is no longer included in the suite of road signs set out in the traffic signs manual and can’t therefore be used. The NRA’s 2013 programme of Road Safety Schemes for National Roads does not include any projects on the N85.

“However, the council would liaise with the NRA with a view to determining whether sections of the N85, requiring remediation or improvement, would qualify under the 2014 programme for Road Safety Schemes for national roads.”

Mr Burns told the meeting that safety issues at this particular stretch of road have been repeatedly flagged to the NRA.

Cllr Tom McNamara agreed with Cllr Breen in stating that work is needed to improve safety at the location.

DIGITAL speed signs have helped to reduce car speeds on the Tulla Road over a two-year period, new figures show.

Analysis carried out by Clare County Council shows that the average speed of cars using the Tulla Road has fallen from 44km/h in 2011 to 42 km/h in January 2013.

In a motion tabled at the July meeting of councillors in the Ennis East electoral area, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) requested a report on the speed and change in volume of traffic on the Tulla Road since new speed measuring devices were installed.

In his reply, Robert Burns, Executive Engineer, explained that initial analysis of speed signs in July and August 2011 indicated that the average speed on the inbound and outbound lanes on the Tulla Road was 44 k/m/h with 85 per cent of the vehicles at or below 52km/h.

Mr Burns continued, “A detailed traffic count carried out by the road design officer over a 24-hour period in late January 2013 (at Fitzpatrick’s Supermarket) indicated that the average speed as 42 km/h with the 85th percentile speed at 49 km/h, representing a significant improvement on speeds recorded in July / August 2011. The legal speed limit at this location is 50 km/h.

“The date provided by the digital speed signs is currently been analysed and further information will be available when this latest round of analysis is complete.”

Cllr Flynn welcomed the reduction in speed. Cllr Pat Daly (FF) urged motorists to pay heed to the speed signs and drive safely. Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) questioned when the digital speed signs would be extended to other roads around Ennis.

Mr Burns said the signs will be installed on the Lahinch Road and any plans to extend the system are being kept under review.

Director of Service and Ennis town manager Ger Dollard said the cameras are put up in consultation with the Gardaí.

WORK on a new development plan for Ennis and its Environs is expected to come to a halt following the publication of new local government legislation.

Last week, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, published the Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Bill.

Speaking yesterday, Director of Service and Ennis town manager Ger Dollard said the new bill contains a provision to grant discretionary powers to local authorities facing abolition to extend the lifetime of the existing development plan and to cease any development plan reviews already commenced.

Ennis Town Council had begun the process of drawing up the Draft Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2014-2020.

Mr Dollard was speaking at the July meetings of councillors in the Ennis electoral areas.

Councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area committee heard calls for the development of a Green Plan for Ennis. The proposal was contained in a motion out forward by Cllr Brian Meaney (FF).

Cllr Meaney told the meeting that Ennis contains a number of unique, green spaces that could be better utlised to improve the town.

In his reply, senior executive planner Brian McCarthy stated, “The provision of a Green Infrastructure Plan in and around urban areas is now widely recognised as contributing importantly towards creating places where people want to live and work. Green infrastructure can contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, protection against flooding and erosion as well as enhancing the quality of life for residents of the areas and enhancing their awareness of the local environment.”

Mr McCarthy continued, “The natural heritage of Ennis and environs with its natural and semi-natural amenities is an important aspect to the quality of life of its citizens and tourists and is ideally placed for the development of a green infrastructure plan. A green infrastructure plan offers huge potential to enhance green spaces and biodiversity for the benefit of the people of Ennis to create and enhance attractive and accessible places for people to enjoy direct and regular contact with the natural environment.

“It is considered the development of a Green Infrastructure Plan for Ennis and Environs is ideally provided via the preperation of the Draft Ennis and and Environs Development Plan.”

THE announcement of visitor numbers and the confirmation of an estimated € 5m boost to local coffers was made at the launch of a Gathering Clare Festivals and Events booklet for July to December 2013.

The booklet is being made available at tourist offices, hotels, Council offices and Libraries throughout the County to promote the dozens of events scheduled to take place during the second half of the year.

Amongst some of the key events held during the first six months of 2013 was the Bunratty International Chess Festival, The Burren Tolkien Society Festival, Kilfenora Music Festival, International Junior Tour of Ireland, Festival of Finn, Russell Memorial Weekend, Whitegate May Bank Holiday Festival and the Gathering the Scattering Family History Conference, which were collectively attended by more than 1, 500 overseas visitors.

July and August will increase those numbers as a number of local festivals are due to take place. “We are delighted with the success of The Gathering which has brought huge economic benefits to communities across the County,” explained Monica Meehan, Gathering Clare coordi- nator.

“Communities in every corner of Clare have thoroughly embraced the Gathering initiative and we are glad to say that the quality of festivals and events is excellent. Recent visitor figures released by the CSO reflect the contribution made by the Gathering to the wider tourism sector.

“This is evidenced by the 10 per cent increase (404, 535 overall) in visitors to the Cliffs of Moher during the first six months of 2013 compared to the same period last year.

“Furthermore, almost a quarter of the 5750 people who have visited Loop Head Lighthouse between March and June have been from overseas,” Monica added.

CLARE Labour TD, Michael McNamara, has defended the actions of Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn (Lab), who last week reversed his decision to cut to the number of special needs resource teachers in primary school saying “his hands were tied” in deciding to introduce the cuts.

Despite more than 100 people turning out in Ennis last week to protest against cuts to education for children with special needs in Clare, the East Clare deputy said that Minister Quinn’s u-turn was “a good decision” and welcomed a promised review of special needs resources.

Five hundred new resource teaching posts will be created in September to cope with the increasing number of children with special needs entering the primary schools system.

There is, however, no allocation for extra special needs assistants (SNA) – with reports that some SNA’s in larger Clare schools are now assigned four students in dif- ferent classes at the same time.

“This is a good decision for special education.

“I am delighted that Ruairí Quinn has secured Cabinet agreement to release 500 additional teaching posts to schools in September,” said Deputy McNamara.

“Like the Minister, I regret if the parents of special needs children had gone through anguish as a result of last week’s announcement.

“To be fair to the Minister, his hands are tied by budgetary allocations.

“However, we will have to find a better way to manage these extremely sensitive situations.

“Coping with the alarming rise in the demand for special resource, teaching will cost money.

“I welcome the review which will be set up as to why the rise in demand for special needs resources is much greater than rise in school population.”

It has also emerged that the cost of providing the extra 500 special needs resource teachers may result in an increase in the overall student teacher ratio at certain primary schools.

A NORTH Clare group has called into question the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) used as part of the license application for a massive fish farm off the Clare coast.

The Galway Bay Protection Group, which was establish by a number concerned local last month, has expressed concerns over the EIS, which was compiled jointly using by the Irish Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) – the government agency who are themselves proposing the fish farm.

Galway Bay Protection Group member and local doctor, Fergus Glynn, said that a number of questions remain unanswered concerning the EIS.

“The master of the Marine Institute and the master of BIM is Simon Coveney [Minister for Agriculture] and Simon Coveney has publicly and privately backed this fish farm from the word go. We don’t feel that the people who have been tasked with completing this EIS have been allowed to do their job fully and independently,” said Dr Glynn.

“We have spoken to a number of experts about this and the conclusion that we have come to is that, not only are their questions about the real independence of this study, but also there is questions over the scientific rigor and the level of research done.”

A BIM spokesperson has rejected claims that the EIS not been completed to a high standard.

“The EIS was compiled by leading scientists; principally from the Marine Institute, some from BIM and other specialists from the private sector. As the applicant BIM had to take responsibility for the overall production of the EIS, as that is how the law concerning applications for aquaculture licencing is formulated in Ireland,” he said.

“The applicant must submit the EIS and the licencing authority then scrutinise it. BIM will not be issuing or managing the licensing. That function rests with the Aquaculture and Foreshore Management Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, that body is completely separate from BIM.”

A fundraising event for the group will take place this Sunday, July 7, at Greene’s Yard in Ballyvaughan from 4pm to 9pm.