Category: News

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.

CLARE’S rivers have been devastated by pollution over the last 15 years with nearly half of the county’s formally pristine waterways now polluted.

That is according to a survey released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week, which also calls for an investigation to be carried out to determine the exact cause of the rapid deterioration of the county’s waterways.

The survey has been criticised by the Clare branch of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) who say that the information is out of date and does not reflect the massive improvements made in water standards over the last five years.

According to the EPA survey, there were a total of 45 ‘high status’ or pristine river sites in Clare in 1998. This number declined to 32 in 2006, with a further decline to just 24 pristine sited in 2009. This represents a drop of more than 46 per cent in the number of high quality sites between 1998 and 2009.

Broadford, Lough Graney and Owengarney each currently boast three high status sites each with the rest of the pristine sites located throughout the East Clare water sys- tems and the rest of the county.

The Clare Chairman of the IFA, Andrew Dundas, yesterday described the EPA report as scaremongering and out of date.

“The EPA information does not take into account the massive amount of work that was done on farms building in recent years – especially in the years between 2006 and 2008 when 2.5 billion was spend on Irish farms,” he said.

“Farming is now a very highly regulated area and many of the changes suggested [by the EPA report] are already in place. We have had the introduction of the Nitrates Directive and farmers must now undertake a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) before they undertake any drainage work can take place.

“This is scaremongering and the information is just not up to date. The report also identifies rural septic tanks as a main concern and we all know that that issue is being changed dramatically.

“Farmers see themselves as the caretakers of the environment and it is in our interest to ensure that pollution does not become an issue in our water systems.” The Clare People contacted the EPA in relation to this story but no comment was available at the time of going to print.

AN ATTEMPT to rescue the three bottlenose dolphins who are trapped in shallow waters in Bunratty will be made later this week.

The dolphins, who are part of a school who normally live much farther down the Shannon Estuary, have been stranded in the fresh water areas for 10 days now, and could succumb to liver failure if they are not returned to salt water soon.

A rescue mission is likely to be conducted this Wednesday or Thursday, to coincide with low spring tide. The low tide will make it easier to catch the dolphins but it also increases the chances that the one or more of the animals might get beached in the shallow water.

According to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG), the dolphins currently appear relatively healthy. The animals have been creating quite a stir in Bunratty since they appeared on March 31, but there have also been reports of young people throwing stones and other missiles at them.

“In my opinion something will have to be tried this week. They are healthy at the moment but with the low tide coming on Wednesday, something will probably have to be tried,” said Simon Berrow of the IWDG.

“The longer this goes on the more stressed the animals will get. They are in fresh water and that is damaging their kidneys right now and it will also start to damage their skin as well.

“We have also heard reports of kids throwing stones at them when they get close to the shore and we would appeal to anyone who comes to visit the dolphins, not to engage in this sort of behavior.”

The dolphins were discovered on March 31, in murky water close to the old bridge over the Ratty River and Durty Nelly’s Pub.

The last time that dolphins became stranded in this area was in 1995, when Clare recorded one of its finest summers in recent memory. Some locals are hopeful that the return of the dolphins are a sign of a good summer ahead.

Hurling fans are also hopeful that the return of the dolphins to Bunratty may also be on omen suggesting a hurling season similar to what took place in 1995.

CLARE’S fire fighters fought back a fire within feet of a family home, and kept multiple outhouses and sheds from burning to the ground during a week of unprecedented numbers of “wild land fires”.

There were up to 50 fires in bog lands, forestry and open ground since last Wednesday, stretching the 77 personnel of the county’s fire service to capacity.

Some of the fires took up to eight hours to get under control.

Fire chief Adrian Kelly described the cause of the fires as “hand of man”, explaining, “It is very difficult to see how they started naturally.”

The weather was not condusive to fires starting on their own, with many starting during night hours, he told The Clare People .

Early estimations set the cost of the call outs at more than € 30,000.

There were as many as 30 call outs to gorse fires in Clare during the last weekend alone – 12 on Friday, six on Saturday and another half a dozen on Sunday.

Fire Brigades from Ennis, Shannon, Killaloe, Kilrush, Ennistymon, Kilkee and Scariff have attended fires this week in areas including Shannon, Doonass, Coore, Twomilegate, Ennis, Cahermurphy, Doonbeg, Ogonnelloe, Connolly, Doolin, Tulla, Portroe, Kilmaley, Whitegate, Ballycuggeran, Doora, Killaloe, Ballymacurtaun, Booltiagh and Crusheen. On Wednesday night, every available fire fighter in the county was deployed as a result of gorse and forestry fires.

During the week-long inferno people lost property and livelihoods in the form of burnt down forestry, to numerous blazes.

Angela Naughton, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer, warned that life and property were put at risk by the fires.

“The highest risk period for quickly spreading fires occurs between March and June, when ground vegetation is dead and dry following the winter period. Fires have spread quickly this week due to the dry vegetation, low humidity and strong easterly winds which fed the fires,” she said.

“We would like to remind landowners that it is an offence under the Wildlife Act to burn growing vegetation between March 1 and August 31 in any year, on any land not then cultivated. The sad fact is that if this simple rule was adhered to, many costly and dangerous wildfires would be avoided,” she added.

Landowners burning gorse, scrub, or vegetation must inform the Fire Service at least one day in advance on 999 providing details of the location, time and duration of burning. More and more people are doing this according to Mr Kelly.

The fire chief said that during the last week the fire service was “put to the pin of its collar with so many different fires going on at the same time”.

He said a huge amount of credit must go to the county’s dedicated fire fighters who save numerous properties. The county’s most senior fire service member also advised, “If people see anything suspicious in their area they should contact the Gardaí straight away.”

CLARE men are bearing the brunt of the recession in the Banner County, with a large difference in the number of men signing on the live register compared to women.

In 2006, the number of women signing on the live register in Clare was almost equal to the number of men. In January of that year 1,878 women (46.4 per cent) and 2,185 men (53.6 per cent) signed on in Clare.

Figures obtained by the Central Statistics Office show that both genders have been effected negatively by the recession – the increase in the number of Clare men signing-on over the last seven years is far higher than the number of women.

In January of 2013 there were 3,990 women signing on the live register in Clare, an increase of 112.46 per cent since 2006. In the same month there were 6,093 men signing on in the county – an increase of 178.85 per cent over the same period.

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) believe that this gender difference has been brought about as a result for job losses in the construction area. The CIF estimated that 8, 500 Clare construction jobs have been lost since 2006, with the majority of these jobs losses coming in male dominated trades.

“In 2006 and 2007 we estimate that there would have been around 10,000 people working in construction sector industry in Clare. It is very hard to get an exact figure at the moment but we would estimate that that is now down to around 2, 500 jobs,” said Conor O’Connell, local spokesperson for the CIF.

“We have been saying this for years; the decline in the construction industry is responsible for the lion’s share of people who are unemployed. Other sectors have been hit, but nothing like the hit that construction has taken.

“We are looking at a lost generation. Every week we are seeing people made redundant who probably won’t work again in the industry. There is no easy way of saying that, it is very difficult for people. It is very difficult to see an upturn.”

Patrick DEEGAN
Ballymacahill, Barefield, Ennis. Funeral mass on Tuesday inThe Church of the Immaculate Conception, Barefield at 11 o’clock followed by cremation in Ringaskiddy Crematorium, Cork. House private. May he rest in peace.

Patrick STAUNTON
Moymore, Lahinch and formerly of Lissatava, Hollymount Co Mayo. Peacefully at Cahercalla Community Hospice, Ennis. Funeral mass onTuesday at 12 o’clock at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Roundfort, with burial after in Roundfort cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Mary MALONEY, (née Healy)
of Circular Road Ennistymon. Unexpectedly. Laid to rest in Ennistymon (new) cemetery. May she rest in peace.

John MARRINAN
of Marine Parade, Kilkee. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Lisdeen Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Seán DOWNES
of CrossVillage and formerly of Tullig, Cross.At Ennis General Hospital. Laid to rest in Kilballyowen Cemetery, Cross. May he rest in peace.

John O’BRIEN
of Gortnalough, Firies, Co Kerry and formerly of Annagh, Miltown Malbay. Laid to rest in Kildimo Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Bernard PRIEST
of Steele’sTerrace and late of Fergus Park, Ennis. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Joan SUMMERLY, (née Magrath)
of 13 Brookville, Claureen, Lahinch Road, Ennis. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Nora COSTELLO, (née O’Connell)
of Derryard, Doonbeg. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Lisdeen Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Maree DUFFY
of 51 Cronin Gardens, Shannon. Laid to rest in Illaunamanagh Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to Irish Cancer Society. May she rest in peace.

Andrew (Andy) FAWL
of 94 Shalee Drive, Cloughleigh, Ennis. Laid to rest in Cashel Cemetery,Tipperary. May he rest in peace.

Maura FLAHERTY
of No.5 Hillcrest, Mullinary, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan and Kilrush. Late of Tullycrine, Kilrush, at Glencarron Nursing Home, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh. Laid to rest in Prospect Cemetery Glasnevin. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Carrickmacross Cancer Care. May she rest in peace.

Paddy NEYLON
of Roughan, Kilnaboy. In his 95th year. Laid to rest in Laughtagona Cemetery, Corofin. May he rest in peace.

Conor HARTY
of 2, Dun an Oir, Shannon. Late of 2 ,The Path, Garryowen, Limerick. Laid to rest in Illaunamangh Cemetery. Donations in lieu, if desired, toThe Motor Neurone Association. May he rest in peace.

Martin SHANNON
of Gortbavarna, Maurice’s Mills. In his 96th year. Laid to rest in Inagh Cemetery. May he rest in peace.