Category: News

A MAN has appeared in court charged with assaulting a garda in North Clare earlier this year.

Paddy Harty (40), with a former address at Lisheen Park, Partrickswell, Limerick, appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

It is alleged that Mr Harty assaulted Garda David Keneally at Roughan, Kilnaboy on February 8 (2013).

He is further charged with possession of two stolen handbags at Roughan, Kilnaboy, on February 8 (2013). The court heard that a charge of illegal trespass was withdrawn against the accused.

Sgt Siobhan Redpath of Ennistymon Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in respect of the assault charge.

The court heard that in response to charge after caution, Mr Harty said, “I was drunk guard. I apologise. I didn’t mean to do it.”

Evidence of arrest, charge and caution in respect of the second charge was given by Garda David Keneally of Ennistymon Garda Station.

Garda Keneally told the court that in reply to charge after caution, Mr Harty said, “I did not know those handbags were stolen. The car was open all day and I was drinking. There was another man with me.”

The court heard that the DPP directs summary disposal of the cases. Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction.

A legal aid application from solicitor Fiona Hehir was approved. Mr Harty, who is described as of no fixed abode, was remanded on bail to appear again in court on July 28.

MULTIPLE cases involving members of two different Traveller families are due to be heard at a special sitting of Ennis District Court in July.

Allegations of assault and criminal damage in areas of Ennis and Clarecastle allegedly involving members of the McDonagh and O’Donoghue families have been adjourned to July 1. Seven men charged in connection with the incidents alleged to have occurred over a nine month period appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Darren McDonagh (20), Simon McDonagh Jnr (18) and Patrick McDonagh (32), all with addresses at 7 Aonach an Chláir, Clarecastle and Edward McDonagh (33), with an address at 18 Davitt Terrace, Cloughleigh are alleged to have caused € 1000 damage to a Ford Mondeo car at An tSean Dún, Tulla Road, Ennis on March 2 (2013).

Edward McDonagh (33) and Simon McDonagh Snr (38), with an address at 7 Aonach an Chláir, Clarecastle are both charged with criminal damage.

It is alleged both men threw stones through windows at Clarehill, Clarecastle on October 29 (2012).

The cases of three men involved in an alleged assault at Ennis Courthouse on May 1 (2013) have also been adjourned to July 1.

Simon McDonagh Jnr (18) and Edward McDonagh (33) are both charged with assaulting Shane O’Donoghue. Both men are also charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. Shane O’Donoghue (18), with an address at an unofficial halting site, Cragroe, Tulla, is charged with assault of Edward McDonagh.

He is further charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

Alan O’Donoghue (20), with an address at 18, Old Forge, Tulla and Shane O’Donoghue (18) face a charge of criminal damage arising out of an alleged incident at 18 Davitt Terrace, Ennis on September 22 (2012).

It is alleged that Shane O’Donoghue and Alan O’Donoghue did without lawful excuse damage a motorcar.

Shane and Alan O’Donoghue are also alleged to have damaged a Silver Ford Focus at 7 Aonach an Chláir, Clarecastle on March 2 (2013).

Shane O’Donoghue is charged with breaking the front windows of 7 Aonach an Chláir and damaging a Ford Focus car on October 26 (2012).

He is also charged with criminal damage at 18 Davitt Terrace, Cloughleigh, Ennis on March 2 (2013).

Shane O’Donoghue is further charged with unlawful possession of a slash-hook at 7 Aonach an Chláir, Clarecastle on March 2 (2013). All cases are due to be contested.

All accused appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Judge Patrick Durcan said if an application is made to vacate the hearing date he will refix matters to July 18. Judge Durcan added, “I am reluctant to move around the hearing date.”

A BOUNCER who broke the jaw of a West Clare man outside a pub in Ennis has had the charge against him dismissed.

Colin O’Donoghue (33) denied the charge of assault causing harm to Diarmaid Kelly (23) at Yolo Bar, Abbey Street in the early hours of March 11, 2012.

CCTV footage of the incident shown at Ennis District Court on Wednesday showed Mr O’Donoghue punching Mr Kelly in the face.

Mr O’Donoghue told the court that he lashed out because he feared for his life. Mr Kelly, the court heard, had earlier been ejected from the premises.

The court heard that after a 10minute period during which Mr Kelly demanded to be let back into the pub, he told Mr O’Donoghue;

“I’ve got something in my pocket for you. I’m going to cut your throat.”

Mr O’Donoghue, with an address at 19 Waterside, Cappahard, Ennis told the court that Mr Kelly was very drunk, kept cursing at him and banged his hand on the door behind the Mr O’Donoghue’s head.

Giving evidence, Mr O’Donoghue said, “I thought he had a knife or blade in his pocket. I wasn’t waiting to find out.”

The court heard that Mr Kelly contacted gardaí on March 14 to say that he “thought” he had been assaulted. He said he had received text messages from friends to say he had been assaulted.

Security officer Declan Flynn was working with Mr O’Donoghue on the night.

He told the court that Mr Kelly was very loud, aggressive and intoxicated. He said he heard Mr Kelly making the threat to cut Mr O’Donoghue’s throat.

After the punch was thrown, Mr Flynn attended to Mr Kelly.

He said he brought him a glass of iced water. He said Mr Kelly got back on his feet and walked away with a friend.

Mr Flynn added, “He seemed dazed and confused. I asked him if he needed an ambulance and he said he didn’t.”

Under cross-examination from defence solicitor John Casey, Mr Flynn said Mr O’Donoghue had a “non-aggressive” stance and kept his hands by his side while Mr Kelly demanded to be let in.

Mr O’Donoghue told gardaí that hit Mr Kelly to protect himself.

Staff from the nearby Queens nightclub and Front Bar gave evidence that Mr Kelly had earlier been ejected from the premises for being a nuisance and “squaring up to people.”

Mr O’Donoghue apologised for the injuries suffered by Mr Kelly. He claimed that Mr Kelly told him he would “get him and the pub.”

Mr O’Donoghue said Mr Kelly has passed the pub on several occasions since the incident, “making gun gestures.”

Under cross examination from Inspector Tom Kennedy, Mr O’Donoghue said he had never been assaulted in 14 years working as a doorman.

He added, “At the time I thought my life was in danger and I struck him.” Solicitor John Casey said his client “reacted in full defence of himself.”

He added; “This wasn’t a concentrated assault.

“It was one punch.”

Judge Aingeal Ní Chonduin dismissed the charge of assault against Mr O’Donoghue.

Mr Kelly, with an address at 6 Kilrush Road, Cooraclare, was convicted of provoking a breach of the peace arising out of the same incident. He denied the charge.

He has no previous convictions. Mr Kelly was ordered to pay € 300 to the court poor box within two months. Judge Ní Chonduin said;

“He was the author of his own misfortune, very clearly.”

A NUMBER of events are planned in Clare to celebrate Africa Day, which takes place On May 25.

‘A Taste of Africa’ will take place in Clare County Council foyer, New Road, Ennis, from 12.30pm to 12.30pm on Wednesday, May 22, to mark Africa Day.

This community event will share some aspects of the rich heritage of various African countries and will create an opportunity for both African and non African Clare residents to enjoy some time together on this special occasion.

The event will include food tasting with explanations of the origins and recipes of the dishes and a display of African traditional attire. The mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Daly, will also be in attendence.

Africa Day this year marks 50 years of the African Union and Afri- can Independence. It provides an opportunity for all Africans, including those who have made Ireland their home and non Africans to celebrate Africa, its people and their potential at a time of great opportunity for the continent.

The 50th anniversary of the African Union is an occasion to underline the change in the general narrative on Africa from despair and hopelessness to the potential of inclusive economic growth and the building of democratic institutions.

Abiodun Ladigbolu of the Association of Nigerians in County Clare (ANCC) said, “The ANCC, Clare Immigrant Support Centre, Ghanian Irish Friendship Society and Moroccan Irish Friendship Association are delighted to be working in cooperation with Clare County Council in bringing a Taste of Africa to Ennis on Wednesday. We hope we will be joined by many people on the day.”

Throughout Clare events are being organised in schools and libraries to mark Africa Day.

Africa Day on May 25 marks the 50th anniversary of Africa Day and African unity. Events are happening throughout Clare and Ireland until May 26.

The events include a showcase of African writers at Clare libraries; activities at Clare Youth Service and A Flavour of Africa experience at Little Hippies Childcare Centre.

THE DATA Protection Commissioner has written to a Clare school demanding that it turn off CCTV cameras in operation in a classroom in the school.

The school installed the CCTV system recently and within days of installation a complaint was received by the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC). Within the complaint it is alleged that the school in question installed the CCTV cameras in classrooms without consulting parents of children in the school.

In a letter sent by the DPC to the Chairperson of the Board of Management of the school, which has been seen by The Clare People , the officer stated the DPC “will not tolerate the use of CCTV cameras in the classroom”. The letter stated that an investigation of the complaint is underway.

The school have been given two weeks to respond to the letter, which lists four areas of concern, one of which is why the cameras were installed. The letter does not identify the complainant who brought the matter to the attention of the DPC.

DORIS Akujobi’s face shines with pride when she talks about her children.

Eldest son Victor recently graduated from Dublin City University with an honours degree in Biomedical Science. Doris smiles as she tells how Victor now works in the nutrition sector in Dublin. It’s no surprise to Doris or her husband Anselem that their 22-year-old son pursued a career in science. The former Ennis Community College student represented Ireland at the Junior Science Olympiad in Brazil. Like her brother, Jennifer Akujobi (23) has a talent for science. She holds a degree in chemical science and medicinal chemistry.

“They are very good, I thank God for them,” says Doris.

Anselem, Doris and their seven children – Victor, Jennifer, Chris, Alex, Sandra, Stephanie and Michael – have made a happy life for themselves since first coming to Ennis from Nigeria in 2002. The weather was of course a shock but the family soon settled into their new life.

Doris speaks warmly of her children’s time at Scoil Chriost Rí and Ennis Community College.

She says, “We have been so lucky with the schools and our friends. Life is good. It is calm. It is quite compared to Dublin. Dublin is crowded.”

Anselem worked in the Dell factory in Limerick for five years up to 2009. He now works as a taxi driver. “It’s very quite,” he says, “There is no nice job but it is better than staying idle,” he adds with a wry smile. Doris has worked with the Brothers of Charity since 2008. Last year she graduated from the Open Training College with a qualification in social care with disability. The family were granted citizenship in 2003 after a two-year wait. This was an important step for Doris and Anselem. The family are proud to call themselves Irish citizens. Doris says, “We have been responsible for ourselves. We always wanted to set a good example for our children. When the mother and father are working it sets a good example for the children.” It does sadden Doris though that some people retain a negative perception of African immigrants. She explains, “Sometime I am in the shopping centre with a big trolley of food for my family and people are looking at me. They see you and they kind of give you a second look. They don’t know who you are. They don’t know you are working. They don’t see that we pay tax, work hard. We are doing something to contribute to the country.” Like many Irish parents, Anselem and Doris have seen their children move abroad to look for work. Doris says, “All Irish children, when they finish school, should be able to stay in the country and get work. Every day I pray for the country.”

KILRUSH Town Council’s finances are the healthiest in years and its soon to be disbanded council is determined to have all of the money spent on local projects before it is absorbed “ and lost” within a newly amalgamated county council.

According to the Financial Statement for last year, and published this week, there was an overall net surplus of € 19, 535 at the end of 2012, and € 200,000 transferred to specially marked projects.

This is no small feat considering that at the end of 2007, there was a cumulative deficit of € 187,000 in the council’s revenue account.

According to Town Clerk John Corry the savings were achieved by cuts to expenditure in different sectors including payroll, and despite cuts to the Local Government Fund and grants from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.

At Thursday night’s meeting of the town council it was agreed to set aside € 150,000 of the € 200,000 transferred to special projects to the proposed Cooraclare Road Sports Development with the remaining € 50,000 to go towards that Vande leur Walled Garden Capital Works Project.

The council is currently awaiting grant-funding approval from central government for the sport’s development before the project can go through. Grant funding has been refused for the project on two successive years, leading to the mayor Cllr Mairead O’Brien (Ind) having some reservations about setting aside such a large sum.

She pointed out that if the project does not get a sports grant this year, it will be put on the shelf and the money set-aside by the town council absorbed by the larger council.

“Can we set a date to say if it is not achieved can we say it will be used for astro turf pitch?” she asked.

It was agreed that if funding was not provided in the next round of sport capital grants, the funding would be transferred to another project. It was also agreed to tender for the astro turf pitch so that the council could move quickly to have this project carried out quickly, if the sport development did not get the green light.

Meanwhile the council finances were further boosted by local businesses compliance with paying commercial rates. At 76 per cent compliance for the third year in a row this is the highest return to any of Clare’s three rate setting councils, including the county council. Mr Corry said that every effort would be made to collect all outstanding rates.

“We are being as flexible as we can with rate payers, and going down the legal route is a last resort,” he said.

Development contributions were down again this year to € 2,153 from an all time high in 2007 of € 273,096.

SPORT has given plenty of joy to the Twumasi family since they moved from Ghana to Ennis 10 years ago. Brother Nicholas and William are talented GAA players with Eire Óg and Clarecastle respectively. Both have also excelled at athletics and on the soccer field. Last year 17-year-old Nicholas was part of the Avenue United team that reached the semi-finals of the under 17 National Cup. He is on the cusp of winning a Premier Division title with the Ennis club’s junior side. Nicholas dreams of playing at higher level, maybe in England or Scotland. Soccer is his favourite sport. But while sport has given Nicholas great days and memories, it has also introduced him to some of life’s uglier attitudes. Racism never encroached on the Twumasi family’s life except on the sports field. Nicholas explains, “I experienced it a lot. It got me in trouble a few times. It only stopped two years ago. I was surprised because we are all playing sports just for the fun of it. There is no need to do any of that when I haven’t done anything to you. I just lose it when things like that happen. It was players and people on the sideline.”

Dad Kwame says he too was surprised when insults were hurled at his son. He says, “They called him names when they played football. It is a game. You have to close your ears and not listen to them.”

Nicholas says he only ever experienced racism on the sports field. He explains, “That was the most difficult part, when you are playing sport and someone keeps racially abusing you. We reported it a few times but the referee would say there is nothing he could do if he didn’t hear it. With Avenue we reported it a few times and we were told there is noting we can do about it if the ref did not hear it.”

He adds, “The last time it happened, a guy started abusing me straight in front of the ref. It has died down since last year. It’s a lot easier now.”

The family moved to Ennis in 2002. After a 10-year wait, they secured citizenship last year. Kwame, a selfemployed former Dell worker, and his wife Comfort have five children and one foster child. Kwame says the family were welcomed to Ennis and enjoy their life in Ireland.

Citizenship, he says, has made it easier for the family to travel. Nicholas hope to study in England after completing his Leaving Cert. For him, citizenship didn’t come soon enough.

He says, “I couldn’t go through to ‘Football’s Next Star’ (football talent show) with Celtic because I didn’t have Irish citizenship!”

KILRUSH Town Council will be levied with a local property tax of approximately € 4,000 this year, a figure that will double next year.

It is as yet unclear however if this tax will be paid by the council or passed on to tenants with a rent increase.

The Kil rush local authority was a total housing stock of 185 units, and other properties including the town hall.

According to Liam O’Connor, Senior Staff Officer, Housing Social and Cultural Services, the details on how the council will pay the local property tax is limited at present.

He said that local authorities are still awaiting guidance from the Revenue as to how the registration of council houses will take place.

“All local authority property is to be valued on valuation band 1 (€ 0 – € 100,000). Properties for tenants with special needs are exempt from the tax. Local authorities will have to remit payment of the local property tax by year end,” he said.

“Cer tain issues have to be clarified such as are long-term voids liable for tax, and will local authorities recoup the charge from tenants. For further years local authorities will have to make a provision in their budgets for the payment of the LPT,” he added.

Kil rush town manager and director of Services Anne Haugh estimated that the payment this year will come to € 4,000, half of the annual property tax valuation.

A MEETING will take place in Ennis on Thursday night aimed at helping families affected by the growing problem of drug abuse.

The Mid-West Regional Drugs Task Force, together with members of the community from around Clare, is hosting a Substance Misuse Services Information day on Thursday, May 23, from 11am to 2pm at the Temple Gate Hotel. Fr Peter McVerry, from the McVerry Trust, will speak at the event.

Mary Leahy, Clare Community Forum, says; “If you want to know more, please come along to the Temple Gate Hotel.

“You may not be aware of what is available and this is an opportunity to have a cup of tea and see what services are here in our community, for our community. It’s not an area that many of us feel very comfortable about, so we want to encourage people to come along to this informal event.”

Those involved from the community came together after completing the FETAC 5 component certificate in Community Addiction Studies, hosted by Ennis Community College and supported by Clare VEC and the MWRDTF.

Pat Talty, of the organising group said;

“The course focused my interest in wanting to do something further, at a local level.

Together we decided that a starting point for this was to hold an information event, to inform ourselves and the people of Clare of the services available to us, our families and our community when substance use becomes problematic.”

Since last year, a number of new services have started in the mid-west region.

This includes the Community Substance Misuse Team (CSMT), which assists young people, families and communities develop effective and supportive coping strategies to deal with substance misuse issues.

Clare Youth Services, Bushypark House and the Health Services Executive Drug & Alcohol Service, CSMT and Limerick Youth Service recently responded to a clear need, and established a youth support group.

This group provides help to young people aged 14 to 18 years who are affected by a close family members drinking or drug use. Further information on all groups will be available on the day.