Category: News

A SUMMIT-LIKE meeting involving elected representatives, the gardaí and the HSE is to take place in Ennis in the wake of a demand from Ennis Town Council that benefit payments being given to perpetrators of antisocial behaviour be cut off as a matter of urgency.

The Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Peter Considine (FF), has been mandated by the nine-member Ennis Town Council authority to convene the meeting as a matter of urgency amid claims that anti-social behaviour in a number of housing estates in Ennis has got out of hand.

The matter was raised at the February monthly meeting of the town authority on Monday during a debate on the publication of the Estate Management Annual Report 2012.

This report revealed that the number of complaints made about anti-social behaviour dropped from 75 in 2011 to 44 in 2012. However, amid claims that people are afraid to report incidents of anti-social behaviour for fear of reprisals, the council are backing a proposal that the HSE be taken to task for “rewarding” anti-social behaviour.

“We have a very irresponsible HSE, where money is being given to tenants who are causing difficulty,” claimed former Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind).

“The HSE have to take something from this report. They can no longer be giving money out to anyone – they are giving money to people who are causing major difficulties inside in private estates. Someone has to take this on board.

“People are in major difficulties in trying to pay their mortgages and there is somebody living next door who is being subsidised by the health board making their lives very difficult. We are all aware of them.

“The health board have to be taken to task – it can’t continue to be supporting people who are anti-social, in rewarding people who are anti-social,” added Cllr Guilfoyle.

These words were echoed by Cllr Paul O’Shea (Ind), who said that “some of what’s going on in estates in Ennis is of national concern.

“The days are gone for discussing this anymore. We need some action on this. You, as mayor of this town, need to be calling a meeting with the HSE and the chief superintendent of the gardaí and with elected members to see how we can go forward.”

This meeting is set to be organised in the coming weeks.

THE fight against crime in Ennis has seen members of the local town council to give their backing to a proposal that aims to give an amnesty to everyone who hands over “offensive weapons” to the gardaí without fear of prosecution.

The call received the unanimous backing of members of Ennis Town Council on Monday and is now set to be taken to the floor of annual general meeting of the Clare Joint Policing Committee (JPC) that’s set to take place in the coming weeks.

Independent councillor Paul O’Shea, who is also chairman of the Ennis JPC, tabled the motion before the February meeting of the council. He called on the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, to introduce a knife amnesty by providing secure bins to be placed at the public reception area of Ennis Garda Station where people could hand in their weapons. Continuing, he said the bins should also be placed in churches, supermarkets, schools and youth clubs.

“The amnesty should include offensive weapons such as flick knives, butterfly knives, swords and machetes,” said Cllr O’Shea.

“As late as last October we had an incident outside the Cathedral. Caches of weapons have discovered by gardaí year on year in our town. I think it is quite serious, and this gives people an opportunity to surrender their weapons,” he added

In calling for the amnesty to be introduced, Cllr O’Shea warned that the closure of garda stations in Clare could prompt a surge in people holding weapons to protect their properties and their person.

“With eight garda stations closing in Clare – and I believe there will be further closures – there is huge concern out there about future policing,” he said.

“People are going to be driven to have weapons to protect their properties,” he added.

“There mightn’t be too many weapons brought down to the barracks,” warned Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind). “I’d be inclined to keep a pick-axe to protect my property,” he added.

THE brother of a man whose body was concealed for 19 days in an Ennis apartment yesterday strongly critcised a decision to impose a suspended sentence on a man convicted of making a false statement to gardaí.

Ian Hassett, whose brother Frank Hassett went missing in June 2011, described the verdict handed down to Bernard Flaherty as a “fucking joke” after it was heard in Ennis Circuit Criminal Court.

Bernard Flaherty (38), with an address at 3 Lifford Lodge, had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of making a false statement to gardaí on June 24 , 2011.

Last December the Court heard how Mr Flaherty wrapped the body of Frank Hassett in plastic and placed him in the shower after he died in Mr Flaherty’s apartment at 3 Lifford Lodge sometime between the hours of June 14 and 15, 2011.

A post morten, the court heard, did not establish a cause of death.

Mr Hassett (25) had been reported missing to gardaí in Ennis by his family on June 20, 2011.

Imposing a three-year suspended sentence, Judge Carroll Moran said he had never come across a sentence like it in his 15 years as judge.

Judge Moran said, “This is a most unusual case, this was extraordinary behaviour from the accused, indicative of a highly dysfunctional attitude rather than a criminal propensity.”

Immediately after the verdict was heard, Ian Hassett, who was standing in court, said, “This is a fucking joke.” Mr Hassett left the court after speaking.

Judge Moran responding by asking who made the statement. He added, “I wish people who said that would come up here and do my job, send people to prison and see how easy it is.”

The court heard how Mr Hassett’s disappearance sparked a major garda investigation in Ennis.

Gardaí interviewed 40 people and took 17 statements. Up to 14 gardaí were involved in the search while 50 hours of CCTV footage were viewed. In total, the court heard, 837 hours of Garda time were spent on the investigation.

Members of the Hassett family and local civil defence volounteers also conducted numerous searches of the River Fergus. Judge Moran said, “This was a major police operation.”

Gardaí called to Mr Flaherty’s apartment on June 24.

He requested that the interview take place at the Garda station. Summing up the case, Judge Moran said Mr Flaherty told gardaí he last saw Mr Hassett at 8.10pm outside MT Pocket’s Pub, Lifford, on June 14.

The court heard that gardaí found no evidence to corroborate the accused’s version of events. Gardaí revisited 3 Lifford Lodge on July 3. At this point, the court heard, Mr Flaherty started to cry and told gardaí that Mr Hassett’s body had been in his apartment for 19 days. Dental records and a tattoo on his body were used to identify Mr Hassett.

Mr Flaherty told gardaí that Mr Hassett called to his house on the night of June 14 looking for some place to stay.

The court heard they took anti-depressant and anti-anxiety prescribed medication and smoked cannabis.

The court heard Mr Flaherty said he went to the post office the next morning. He told gardaí when he returned home, he found the deceased “blue and cold”.

He brought Mr Hassett to the shower and tried to revive him with hot water, the court heard. When this failed, the court heard, Mr Flaherty wrapped the body in plastic and left him the shower.

Counsel for Mr Flaherty, Michael Collins BL, said the accused had led a chaotic lifestyle.

A report from a consultant psychiatrist handed into court stated that Mr Flaherty does not suffer from a psychological disorder but that his problems stem from a long-standing poly-substance abuse and dependence. Judge Moran offered his sympathies to the Hassett family.

He said, “They had to suffer the trauma of losing him (Frank Hassett) and subsequently what happened afterwards.”

Judge Moran added, “They were robbed of an opportunity to say goodbye to him.”

Judge Moran said the facts in the case were unique.

He said the wasting of a police time was an aggravating factor in the case. He imposed a three year suspended sentence. Tue05February13

HUNDREDS of Clare people living in rural areas have paid out up to € 1,000 for percolation tests that they didn’t need, according to a North Clare civil engineer.

Kilfenora engineer Michael Duffy has succeeded in a judicial review against the panel system operated by Sligo County Council and 14 other local authorities in Ireland, including Clare.

As part of the review, which was heard before Justice Paul Cooke on January 21 last, Mr Duffy argued that the panel system was an illegal system while also arguing that there was no requirement under planning law for a percolation test to be carried out as part of the planning process.

Since 2004, Clare County Council has operated a panel system which requires members of the public to pay between € 600 and € 1,000 for a percolation test to be carried out by an engineer on a panel chosen by the local authority itself.

“Waste water treatment is a very important issue for everybody. I think that now [following the judgement] it is up to the Minister for the Environment to state in the planning acts and the associated legislation what the requirement is regarding who can carry out this type of work,” said Mr Duffy.

“Regarding the need for the tests in the first place, I said to the judge that all that was required under the legislation is a soil sample and a plan – so if someone presents themselves at Clare County Council with a brochure and a bucket of dirt, that is all that is needed to meet the legal criteria.

“All engineers have professional indemnity insurance. If a professional engineer certifies that he or she has assessed the site and has come up with a system where the waste water can be treated according to the regulation then that should be enough for any planning authority.

“If it turns out that that system has not been installed correctly then that engineer’s insurance should cover the situation. Then a system would develop where people could choose the best engineers and avoid the worst one, in the same way that they would while choosing a garage for their car.”

While this judgement refers specifically to Sligo County Council, it is also expected to have repercussions on the panel system in all local authorities who use it. Mr Duffy has written to the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan (FG), informing him of the judgement and its possible implications.

A spokesperson from Clare County Council told The Clare People yesterday that they are waiting for direction from the Department of the Environment and cannot comment on the implications of the judgement at this time.

“The Council has become aware of this case in recent days and that a judgement has recently been given by the High Court. The judgement applies to Sligo County Council. We understand that Sligo County Council is referring the judgement for consideration at national level,” said the spokesperson.

“Clare County Council along with all other local authorities await the outcomes in this regard which will apply to all local authorities. We are also awaiting a copy of the actual judgement to see what matters have been dealt with and to ascertain. Any appropriate advice will also be obtained from the County Solicitor as the need arises.”

PRESSURE is mounting on Iarnród Éireann to deliver a “dramatic improvement” in passenger numbers on the Ennis to Galway section of the Western Rail Corridor or they could face the consequences, including a possible reduction of services on the line. This was the thinly veiled threat made by the Minister for Public and Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly (FG), last Thursday when he expressed his concerns over the future of the € 100 million project.

The Ennis to Galway section of the line has so far failed to capture the type of passenger numbers seen on the Ennis to Limerick services and is now understood to be under threat as future cuts to services are announced by the rail provider.

A small increase in passenger num- bers has been recorded in recent months and it is hoped that further improvements expected on the line in the months ahead may boost passenger numbers further.

These improvements include the creation of new stations at Crusheen and Oranmore, as well as the introduction of online booking and special online fares.

Speaking last Thursday, Minister Kelly said that the costs associated with the service meant that there was a clear need to improve passenger numbers. He also expressed his hope that the new commercial plan currently being drawn up by Iarnród Éireann would encourage people to use the service more.

Minister Kelly said that it would not be his choice to close any rail lines, but there were “concerns” about the usage of a number of passenger lines on the network.

A PERSON living in Clare is 10 times more likely to die by suicide than on our county roads, yet preventing death by suicide seems to be way down the Government’s list of priorities when it comes to funding.

There is just one resource officer for suicide prevention in the midwest region – looking after three counties including Clare.

This professional with a vast wealth of experience is described by HSE area manager Bernard Gloster as “one of the HSE’s most valuable resources”.

However those dealing with people at risk of suicide on a daily basis say more resources are needed.

Concerns have already been raised that the psychiatric nurse specialising in assessing patients out of hours is often redeployed due to staffing issues in other areas of the mid-west region’s hospitals.

Now Pieta House say that not only should that specialist nurse not be redeployed, but more are needed.

As the recession eats more into public funding, figures suggest that there are also more people at risk of suicide, as life gets significantly more difficult.

The Samaritans in Clare receive more than 40 calls in confidence every day from people in crisis.

The organisation, which receives no Government funding and is manned by up to 100 volunteers in Clare, also met in confidence with 295 people face to face last year.

The newly-appointed director of the local branch said that the numbers of calls have increased significantly since the recession.

“Everyone is different. Some peo- ple are very anxious, distressed, lonely, in financial difficulties or have relationship problems,” she said.

Pieta House – the suicide and selfharm crisis centre – receives just 15 per cent funding from the Government.

Tom McEvoy, Funding and Advocacy Department, for the organisation in the mid-west said that the charity is being strongly supported by the community, an indication of how much the service is needed.

Pieta House is to open four more houses in the coming year, bring- ing the number of houses to nine. However more needs to be done at national level to tackle the issue, according to former psychiatric nurse and member of the HSE West Health Forum Cllr Tom McNamara.

“We are going to have to take it on the same way as we tackled the road deaths.

“There are more people loosing their lives through suicide than ever died through the road deaths,” he said. The councillor said that an organisation similar to the Road Safety Authority needs to me employed to deal with the issue.

A NEW Clare group, designed to help the parents of children with special needs, is helping vulnerable Clare families to come together and fight for their children’s rights.

The Clare Special Needs Parents Support Group was formed by Catherine Bourke in August of last year and already has more than 80 registered members.

Catherine, who is also a member of the DCA Warriors – a nationwide group that focuses solely on protecting families who have access to the Domiciliary Care Allowance – says that the success of the group shows how much of a need there really was for the group in the first place.

“It’s a place where parents can come if they have issues, if they need advice or if they just need to clear their head if they are having a bad day.

“It is a safe environment for parents to meet up.

“Everyone is vetted so everyone can feel comfortable sharing their own situation. It has been an amazing success so far,” said Catherine.

“The page is always there on Facebook and we have our coffee mornings.

“It gives parents of children with special needs a place to mix but it also gives the children a place to mix.

“The children don’t often establish friendships very well so this is an opportunity for them to get together.

“It can be a scary prospect for parents of newly-diagnosed children and something like this can really allow them to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Catherine is also member of the DCA Warriors, a group that has been fighting to retain Domiciliary Care Allowance for parents of children with special needs in Ireland.

“The system is no longer fair for the DCA allowance.

“You basically have to go out and prove absolutely that your child is in need, far and above the needs of other children.

“You can have a child with a full diagnosis but you still have to fight to receive your DCA,” continued Catherine.

“If you don’t receive your DCA, you also lose your Carers Allowance. So this is a massive threat hanging over a lot of familes. T

“hey [the Department of Social Protection] have taken DCA away from so many parents – but [that] doesn’t take away the disability.”

To find out more about either group, search for “Clare Special Needs Parents Support Group” or “DCA Warriors” on Facebook.

A MINUTE’S silence was observed in the headquarters of Clare County Council yesterday in memory of murdered Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. Members of the Clare Joint Policing Committee agreed to adjourn their planned meeting as a mark of respect to the Dundalk based garda who was shot dead in a raid on a Credit Union in Louth on Friday night.

Members expressed sympathy with the family of Mr Donohoe, whose wife, Caroline Deloughrey, is from Kilkee. Senior officers from the Clare Garda Division yesterday spoke of the shock that is being felt throughout the force. Superintendent Derek Smart, who served in Limerick when Det Gda Jerry McCabe was shot dead outside Adare Post Office in 1996, said it is a very “trying and sad time for the Garda organisation”.

He added, “We are confident that with the help and support of the community, on which we thrive, we will bring this matter to a conclusion.”

Inspector John Galvin of Ennis Garda Station said it had been heartwarming to see the outpouring of support from communities across the country. He added, “It is extremely well appreciated. We’re all grieving and we’re hurt. We’re all one big family in the Garda Suíochana and we know the person behind the uniform.”

JPC Chairman, Councillor Joe Arkins (FG) said the killing of Adrian Donohoe was a sad day for gardaí and society in general.

Extending his sympathy to the Donohoe family, Labour TD Deputy Michael McNamara said every effort would be made to bring those responsible for this “savage act” to justice.

Fianna Fáíl TD, Deputy Timmy Dooley, said the communities of Louth and West Clare had lost a brave member of the force. He added, “This brings into sharp focus the kind of threats that gardaí face.”

Fine Gael TD, Deputy Joe Carey said the murder had “shocked the nation”. Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway described it as a “horrific tragedy”.

Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) said, “This is an attack on basic democracy. This was a man protecting the savings of ordinary people.” Cllr Oliver Garry (FG) said, “This is a cowardly and despicable act and I hope the people responsible are brought to justice.”

Cllr Bill Chambers (FF) said, “This was a despicable act committed against a man out doing a duty for the State.” Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) said Det Gda Donohoe’s “cold-blooded killing has shaken the nation and it shows the dangers gardaí encounter.”

WITH Valentine’s Day just weeks away, Clare women have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fulfil their partners’ childhood dreams by buying them their very own working fire engine.

Shannon Airport last week placed two working fire engines on the market – a 4×4 Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV) and an 8×8 Foam Crash Truck (FCT). Both vehicles are made by the now defunked Irish company Timoney and have seen active duty in the airport over the last 27 years.

While the vehicles are likely to attract a lot of interest in the business sector, according to Shannon Airport’s Chief Fire Officer, Pat O’Brien, much of the interest is likely to come from private individuals and collec- tors.

“The RIV was designed to be first on the scene for all airport incidents. It has V6 turbo-charged diesel engine which is still in excellent working condition,” said Pat.

“The FCT is a bigger truck and has a V8 turbo charged engine. It is designed to carry 2,000 gallons of water and has a foam capacity of around 800 litres. Both of these vehicles would have been at the very top of the range when they were commissioned in the 1980. They have been out of active service for around two years now but are still in great condition. Their engines have been very well maintained.”

While no asking price has been given for the vehicles, interest is believed to be high, with enquiries being received from Ireland and the UK.

“With something like this, I would expect there to be a big interest from collectors and people who want to restore the vehicles. There is also a large commercial interest in vehicles like this. They are sometimes used in quarries or recycling plants to help keep down the dust,” continued Pat.

“Even to be broken up, the component parts do have a lot of value. It would be a shame to see them broken up though. You don’t get many miles per gallon but Timoney is no longer in operation and these vehicles are something special.”

Anyone hoping to own their very own fire truck can call Shannon Airport on 061 712622 and make a bid.

A WEST Clare man has received a six-month prison sentence after he was convicted of handling a number of stolen items including telescopes and a butter churn.

In sentencing Francis Talty, Judge Patrick Durcan said that while the 23-year-old had not stolen the property, he had benefitted from the goods being taken.

Mr Talty, with an address at Clohen Beg, Cree, pleaded guilty to handling stolen property at Clohen Beg, Cree on October 5 (2012).

The court heard that the items – one brass telescope; one blue telescope; wooden clock radio; wooden pram and doll; one brass horn; weather clock; Hi Fi system; gas lamp; microwave and a butter churn – were stolen from a holiday home in North Clare between August 30 and November 2 (2012). Mr Talty was not charged with the original theft.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that gardaí discovered the items when they visited Mr Talty’s home on a different matter on October 5. Mr Talty subsequently told gardaí that the items were stolen but that he did not steal them. Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett described Mr Talty as a bright student who had considered studying law in college. He said Mr Talty had become involved in drugs and had developed an addiction.

Mr Hassett told the court that Mr Talty has stopped taking drugs and is “very embarrassed” by his actions.

He said the “extraordinary list” of household items found in the house would have been of little value to his client.

Insp Kennedy disputed this, saying the property had value. He said Mr Talty, who has previous convictions, has a “very bad record.”

Judge Durcan said Mr Talty, unlike many who come before the court, had had opportunities in his life.

He said the accused comes from a part of Clare where thefts have become frequent.

He said that while Mr Talty seemed remorseful and intelligent, “he had committed a very serious crime.”

He imposed a six-month prison sentence. Recogances were fixed in the event of an appeal. Mr Talty also pleaded guilty to committing criminal damage at a house on Flag Road, Miltown Malbay on January 1 (2013). Judge Durcan took the offence into consideration when passing sentence.