Category: News

THE meltdown of the Green Party as a force in Irish elected politics could be re-enforced in the coming days with the possible defection of sitting member of Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council, Cllr Brian Meaney, from the party. The Clare People has learned this week, that Cllr Meaney is sensationally on the cusp of cutting ties with the Green Party, with sources within the Clare County Council chamber revealing that the 47-year-old is pre- paring to join Fianna Fáil.

A source within Fianna Fáil in the Ennis electoral area that Cllr Meaney represents has revealed that he has applied for membership of the party and is in the final stages of severing ties with the Green Party. The Clare People

CLARE County Council says a contractor appointed to oversee the maintenance and operation of the M18 motorway will be responsible for dealing with illegal encampments along the route.

The Council has been urged to liaise with the National Roads Authority (NRA) to tackle the issue to “avoid a lacuna in the legislation whereby neither the local authority or the NRA may not be in a position to take offenders to court”.

The view was expressed by Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) in a motion submitted to the council’s April meeting.

Cllr Arkins stated that motorway exists where the acquisition of land exceeded the amount required, “has left opportunities for illegal parking”.

In a reply to Cllr Arkins’ motion, Anne Haugh, Director of Services, states;

“The NRA is taking over responsibility for maintenance and operation of the motorway network within the next two months.

“This means the N18/ M18 from Gort to the junction at the Radisson Hotel near Limerick and the N19 from Junction 9 on the M18 to the entrance to the airport and incorporates everything between the boundary fences.

“The NRA has confirmed that dealing with unauthorised parking within the motorway curtilage is among the responsibilities of the contractor to be appointed by them to implement their new role.”

Ms Haugh continues, “The 1993 Roads Act provides for a robust defence of the National Road Network against unauthorised parking or encampments in this regard the Section 69 of the act makes it an offence to place or retain a temporary dwelling on a national road, motorway, busway, protected road or any other prescribed road or prescribed class, sub class or type of road.

“An authorised person may remove the temporary dwelling from any of the road classes referred to in the previous sentence – bearing in mind that the definition of a “road” elsewhere in the same act effectively comprises everything between the boundary fences – note also that slip roads roundabouts etc associated with motorway junctions are deemed to be part of the existing motorway.

“An authorised person is defined as a person authorised in writing by Roads Authority for the purpose of Section 69 or alternatively a member of An Garda Síochana.”

Ms Haugh concludes with confirmation that, “Both the NRA and Galway County Council are being asked again to give priority to land related issues associated with the Gort / Crusheen motorway with a view to offloading whatever may be deemed to be surplus to requirements for the future.

“Both authorities are being made aware of councillor’s concerns in this regard in context of the foregoing.”

TWO peace activists, including a 78year-old woman, look likely to stand trail for an incident which took place at Shannon Airport last October.

Margaretta D’Arcy (78) and Niall Farrell (60), claim to have received letters from gardaí in Shannon last week stating that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is planning to press charges against them and that a summons would be issued at a future date.

The pair are accused of possible criminal damage and causing a security breach at airport on October 7 last. The pair gained access to the airport and disrupted a number of flights by holding anti-war placards on an airport runway for a number of minutes.

The protest was organised but the Galway Alliance Against War to mark the 11th anniversary of the war in Afghanistan. Since 2001, Shannon Airport has been an important logis- tics distribution point for American soldier and equipment heading to and from Afghanistan the Iraq.

A number of private jets used to carry out special rendition missions have also used the airport but it is unclear of any prisoners were on board while they were on Irish soil.

Margaretta D’Arcy is one of the leaders of the regular anti-war vigils which take place at the airport. She and her husband, the late Booker Prize nominated playwright John Arden, wrote performed a play based on the Ralahine Commune in Newmarket on Fergus in 2010.

“Our protest was part of an international week of action to oppose killer drones, which along with other deadly weaponry and troops are transported daily through Shannon’s Warport,” said Niall Farrell.

“Prosecuting us will not silence us, it will not prevent us from raising our voices in protesting against the death of Irish neutrality and this craven government’s role in the imperial wars of the 21st century.”

A MAN who wrote graffiti on a statue of Clare’s most famous politician was not entitled to express his views in such a manner, a court has heard.

Aidan Cahill (26) used a blue marker to write on a bronze statue of Eamon De Valera near the grounds of Ennis Courthouse on April 4 (2013).

Mr Cahill, with an address at 3 Glenview Close, Tulla, was found by gardaí in possession of a blue marker near the memorial to the former President of Ireland.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Mr Cahill pleaded guilty to graffiti of the monument, which is the property of Clare County Council.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that Mr Cahill had a number of previous convictions including for criminal damage and assault.

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client is “extremely sorry” for what he had done. She said Mr Cahill has since washed the graffiti from the statue. She said Mr Cahill had entered an early plea and admitted his responsibility. Ms Godfrey said it could be proffered that Mr Cahill is taking the “blame for some other blue markered villain” and their “blue shirted views.”

Judge Patrick Durcan said this was a monument of national significance to someone who played a significant role in the development of the Irish State. Judge Durcan said irrespective of whether or not Mr Cahill had views on Mr De Valera, he was not entitled to deface the statue.

Judge Durcan said he found it “absolutely reprehensible” that someone would use the statue as an “outlet for their rage.” He added; “This is an issue where someone very central to this country has been defamed.”

Noting Mr Cahill’s early guilty plea, Judge Durcan imposed a threemonth prison sentence. That sentence was suspended for 12 months on condition Mr Cahill be of good behaviour and refrain from entering the park that surrounds the De Valera monument.

TWO men that had been living rough on the streets of Ennis have secured temporary accommodation at a tourist hostel in Galway.

It emerged last week that Czech national Josef Pavelka (58) and his Polish friend Peter Baram (35) had spent a period of time living in public toilets in Ennis town centre.

The men’s living arrangements were disclosed in a report by the Probation Services at Ennis District Court where Mr Pavelka appeared on charges of public intoxication.

On viewing the report, Judge Patrick Durcan commented that it was a “scandal” that a person is “living in a toilet in a prosperous nation”.

Mr Pavelka’s solicitor Daragh Has- sett said that if it wasn’t for the help of the church, his client “would be dead”.

The court heard Mr Pavelka has chronic problems with alcohol. Ennis Town Council operates the Automated Public Conveniences (APC), more commonly known as superloos.

In a statement last week, the council said it “has no evidence of any parties using public toilets in Ennis as accommodation facilities”.

The statement continues, “Having checked with the Gardaí, a similar view has been expressed. Furthermore, the company contracted to maintain the public toilets says there is no evidence to suggest that the toilets are being used in such a manner.

The council says the toilets are “subject to an intense maintenance regime which involves a daily inspection by the said company”.

It continues, “The toilets are automated and the mechanism provides for a voice warning, an alarm activation and an automatic opening of the door after a 20 minute period. This includes an early morning inspection on at least five days each week. Ennis Town Council does not comment on individual housing circumstances, which are a personal matter. The relevant agencies and bodies have, however, been involved in addressing housing needs of the parties involved.”

Yesterday Pat Cahill, Manager of Laurel Lodge temporary accommodation centre where the men lived for two years, confirmed that Mr Pavelka and Mr Baram are now living on a temporary basis in Galway City. Mr Cahill said the men can stay in the hostel until May 7. He said the accommodation was secured following a multi-agency case conference.

Fr Tom Hogan, Ennis Parish administrator, said the men are “delighted to have a roof over their heads and a bed under them”. He said the men, who received meals from the St Vincent de Paul and the Church, “fell through cracks in the system”.

Fr Hogan said Mr Pavelka lived in public toilets for three weeks while Mr Baram lived there “on and off”.

Last Wednesday, Ennis District Court heard that Mr Pavelka was unable to take up an offer of re-patriation to the Czech Republic due to family issues. The court heard Mr Pavelka’s habitual residency has lapsed and as a result no state agencies can provide him with assistance.

A GARDA was kicked in the stomach and punched in the face during a “vicious and vile assault” at Ennis Garda Station last year, a court has heard.

Ennis Garda Claire McDermott also had clumps of hair ripped from her head when she was attacked by Ann Marie Molloy (24) on May 14 last.

Details of the assault were heard at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Ms Molloy, with an address at Bay 2 Ballaghboy, Quin Road, Ennis, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to Garda McDermott on May 14.

She also pleaded guilty to charges of provoking a breach of the peace and intoxication at Lifford Road on the same day.

The court heard that gardaí were called to Lifford Road after Ms Mol- loy was observed standing close to the River Fergus.

Inspector Tom Kennedy explained that Ms Molloy was arrested and brought back to Ennis Garda Station as she was intoxicated and behaving in an aggressive manner.

Sergeant Mark Murphy of Ennis Garda Station, said Ms Molloy calmed down initially after she was brought to the station. However, Mr Murphy added, Ms Molloy’s mood changed after she discovered she would be charged.

He said Ms Molloy kicked Garda McDermott in the stomach, punched her in the face and pulled out clumps of her hair.

Garda McDermott suffered a cut to her chin and bruising to her her eye.

Three gardaí were required to bring Ms Molloy unde control.

Sgt Murphy said, “Garda McDermott was clearly shaken by it.”

Ms Molloy also pleaded guilty to the theft of a wallet from a customer at an Ennis Cinema on February 12 (2013).

She also pleaded guilty to the theft of € 150 from the wallet of a member of staff at Supermac’s, O’Connell Street, Ennis on February 18 (2013).

Defence Solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client had a “difficult upbringing” and comes from a large family of six brothers and six sisters.

Ms Godfrey said her client suffers from health problems. She requested that the case be adjourned until to allow Ms Molloy engage with the Probation Services.

Judge Patrick Durcan said, “This was a vicious and vile assault.”

He said it was his view that a person who commits such an offence “deserves to be incarcerated for a lengthy period.”

However he said he was willing to adjourn the case to allow for a presentence report from the Probation Services. The case was adjourned until June 12. A MAN charged in connection with a public order incident on the Kilrush Road in Ennis has had his case adjourned until June. Anthony McDonagh (26) is charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at Maiville, Kilrush Road Ennis on February 28 (2013). Mr McDonagh, with an address at 37 Maiville, Kilrush Road, Ennis is also facing a charge of being intoxicated in a public place.

The case was adjourned until last Wednesday to allow for directions to issue from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the State has not received the directions. He said a counter allegation has been made in the case and this is currently the subject of investigation.

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said a complaint has been made to the Garda Ombudsman.

Insp Kennedy requested that the case be adjourned until June 5. Judge Patrick Durcan agreed to the adjournment, but said that the “DPP needs to get a move on.”

MORE Kilrush businesses will close under the new local government structure, that will see a new Clare County Council take over the responsibilities of Kilrush Town Council, its longest serving member has warned.

Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF) said, “When Clare County Council takes over we will see rates going up and more Kilrush businesses going to the wall unfortunately,” he said.

Kilrush businesses have shown a consistency when it comes to paying the rate in the last number of years.

A total of 76 per cent of commercial rates have been collected in the town for 2012, and the figure continues to rise as some cash strapped businesses have opted to pay the local tax in instalments.

At the end of 2012 more than € 221,000 was colleted in rates from businesses in the West Clare town, up € 5,000 on the previous year.

The most up to date figures also show that write offs were down from more than a € 107,000 at the end of 2011 to € 71,678.50 on December 31, 2012.

Kilrush Town Council accounts also show that business people in the town managed to pay a substantial amounts of the rates owing from 2012 during the first month of this year – almost € 28,000.

At the end of 2012 uncollected rates reached € 123,532.49, but this had dropped to € 95,744.51 by the end of January.

Describing commercial rates as “a crucial part of our funding”, town clerk John Corry said that Kilrush Town Council is making every effort to recover these outstanding payments, while being mindful of the economic climate.

He explained that the local authority had engaged various methods of payments with businesses, including payment by instalment.

“We are trying to be as flexible as we can,” he said.

“The outstanding balance for 2012 continues to reduce due to the instalment payment we have introduced,” he said.

At the end of 2011 the rate collection in Kilrush was also 76 per cent, making it the highest collection rate in the county.

A MAN alleged to have broken into a pub in Ennis allegedly used kegs of beer to force open the rear entrance, a court has heard

Michael Maughan (38) is charged with entering the Diamond Bar and Wilson’s Photographic Shop on O’Connell Street as a trespasser on March 22 (2013).

It is alleged that he stole cash of € 3700, 12 bottles of spirits valued at € 300, an iPod valued at € 200 and cash and cigarettes valued at € 1400 from the Diamond Bar.

Mr Maughan is alleged to have stolen an Apple iMac valued at € 800 and four Nikon cameras valued at € 400 from Wilson’s.

He is further charged with causing criminal damage to windows of four cars in Paddy Quinn’s car-park, lower market street, Ennis on the same night. Mr Maughan, with an address at 20 Stonecourt, Drumbiggle Road, Ennis, appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

The alleged facts of the alleged burglaries were outlined in court to allow Judge Patrick Durcan to consider jurisdiction.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the cases.

Insp Kennedy said it would be alleged that Mr Maughan gained access to the Diamond Bar using kegs of beer to force open a rear entrance. Insp Kennedy said it would be al- leged that the accused stole cash and goods from the Diamond Bar and a number of items from Wilson’s.

The court heard that none of the property has since been recovered. Judge Durcan said he would accept jurisdiction.

Defence solicitor William Cahir said the charges would be contested and that he required time for disclosure.

Bail was approved for Mr Maughan subject to conditions. The case was adjourned.

A TEENAGER felt afraid of a “Fagin” type character in Ennis when he committed a number of crimes in the town last year, a court has heard.

The 16 year-old pleaded guilty at Ennis District Court on Wednesday to multiple offences committed be tween July and December 2012.

The teenager was one of two people who stole a car from Castlewood Park, Ennis on July 31 (2012).

On August 31, the teenager was seen by gardaí driving the car.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that gardaí activated lights on the patrol car and indicated for the driver to stop.

Insp Kennedy said the car kept going before flipping and crashing just outside Ennis.

The court heard that the boy was thrown 15 feet from the car. He was transferred to hospital and his injuries later required him to wear a back brace for a period of six months.

The teenager pleaded guilty to trespassing on a farmhouse in Lemenagh, Kilfenora, on October 21 (2012) and theft of items from a house in the Lifford area of Ennis, also in October

He also pleaded guilty to his role in burglaries at houses in Westwood, Ennis, on dates unknown between December 25 and 26 and at Showgrounds View, Ennis, on dates unknown between December 26 and 27.

Defence solicitor John Casey said the boy had started hanging around with a bad crowd and had been in “freefall” when the burglaries occurred.

Mr Casey told the court there is a “Fagin” type figure in the background of some of these offences who his client is afraid of.

He said this person would give young people a lend of money or a “small bit of cannabis”.

Mr Casey explained, “No matter how much you try to pay it back, you can never pay it off. You work for it and you never get out of his debt.”

The court heard the boy had refused to identify the person to gardaí.

Mr Casey said his client is a “likeable young enough young lad”. He added, “Initially he was hanging out with the bad company but now he is the bad company.”

Judge Patrick Durcan said the teenager “gives the impression of being a lovely young lad” who had “fallen into bad, bad ways”.

He added, “I do not see a bad lad. I see a lad who is misled.” However he said a period in detention was required to “break the connection with bad company.”

The boy was remanded in detention for a full assessment.

SUPERVALU Retailers in Clare are calling on the county to get behind this year’s SuperValu TidyTowns competition.

Anthony Robinson, Queally’s SuperValu, Killaloe, Pat Haugh and Gerry Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick’s SuperValu, Ennistymon and Paul Queally, Queally’s SuperValu, Kilrush made the call as the competition officially kicked off for 2013. This year is the 22nd year of SuperValu involvement with TidyTowns and the second year of SuperValu’s title sponsorship. Last year there were 34 entries from County Clare with

Ennis winning the title of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town. Speaking at the launch Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu said;

“We are delighted to continue and build on our long term partnership with TidyTowns. Our retailers across the country pride themselves on being at the centre of the communities in which they live and trade. Throughout our 22 year association with TidyTowns, SuperValu has al- ways been passionate about doing everything we can to help our communities shine.

I would like to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of so many people across the country who have made this one of the longest running and most successful community initiatives in the world. I would encourage people to talk to their local SuperValu retailer or visit tidytowns.ie to find out more and realise the huge rewards in taking an active part in their own community.”

The closing date for receipt of entries for all of this year’s competitions is 23rd May 2013. Entry forms to the SuperValu TidyTowns competition can be obtained from the TidyTowns Unit in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government – Phone (071-9186744) or by visiting www.tidytowns.ie or www.supervalu.ie For entry to the Special Competitions please download your entry form at www.tidytowns.ie