Category: News

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.

A MARRIED couple have received jail sentences after being found in possession of a stolen table at their home in Ennis last year, following a lengthy hearing during which the judge described one of the defendant’s evidence as a ‘cock and bull story’.

Martin Joyce (22) and Annie Joyce (22), both with addresses at 113 Dun na hInse, Ennis were found guilty of handling stolen property at Ennis District Court on Tuesday.

The couple, who were each sentenced to five months in prison, had denied the charge of handling stolen property at their home on June 4, 2012.

The court heard Mr Joyce has 33 previous convictions and Ms Joyce has 60 previous convictions, mainly for road traffic offences.

In passing sentence, Judge Patrick Durcan said those in receipt of stolen property often commit a more serious crime than those who steal goods.”

He added, “The message must go out that there is no incentive to carry out behaviour of this type.”

Sarah Conway of Home Gallery Interiors, Kilrush Road, Ennis gave evidence that a three legged table went missing from the store in May 16, 2012.

The court heard that Martin and Annie Joyce later admitted to being in the premises on May 16.

A garda search of their car and home at Dun na hInse, carried out on May 16, did not uncover the missing table. The couple were not charged with the theft of the table.

The court heard that gardaí called to the couple’s home on June 4, 2012 on a separate matter.

Garda Colin Egan, of Ennis Garda Station, told the court that he noticed a table similar to the one reported stolen from Home Gallery Interiors in May.

He said that when he asked the couple where they had got the table, Martin Joyce became aggressive, picked up the table and threatened to smash it.

Garda Egan added, “They didn’t tell me where they got it, how much they paid for it. They wouldn’t tell me anything about it.”

Ms Conway said that when the table was returned to the shop by gardaí, the marble top had been replaced by glass.

Ms Joyce denied that the table had been stolen, saying that it had been a present from her mother.

Judge Patrick Durcan refused an application from Defence Solici tor Tara Godfrey to have the charge against her clients struck out.

Judge Durcan said, “I am compelled to absolutely accept the evidence of Garda Egan which was quite clear.

He added, “I am compelled that the story outlined by Annie Joyce is a total cock and bull story.”

Judge Durcan said the couple were guilty of the offence.

Ms Godfrey told the court that Mr Joyce, who is currently on remand awaiting sentence for witness intimidation, is participating in a pilot programme from the Department of Justice aimed at negotiating peace with feuding Traveller families in the Midlands.

She said her client had previously suffered from a drugs problem and that his “upbringing had been one of extreme cruelty and violence.”

Ms Godfrey added, “As parents of three children they are horrified to find themselves in this situation.”

Judge Durcan said that for many businesses crimes of this nature are a “tipping point.”

He said the accused’s record of previous convictions weighed “heavily” on him.

He imposed sentences of five months each. Recogances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

OFFICIAL records show that four times more people from Clare died by suicide than on the county’s roads last year, and those working in the field of suicide prevention say the number in reality is much higher.

Yesterday (Monday) there were seven cases of suspected suicide listed for the coroner’s court relating to deaths last year.

Preliminary figures from the CSO suggest that there were eight deaths by suicide in 2011, but local Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention Bernie Carroll maintains that when the preliminary figures are finalised they will be higher.

She also pointed to the number of undetermined deaths recorded every year, including drowning and gun shot wounds, many of which are thought to be people taking their own lives.

“A number of road traffic accidents in Ireland are considered to be suicide but that is difficult to prove so it is returned as an undetermined death,” she said.

Suicide is the leading cause of death in men aged 15- to 34 years in Ireland, accounting for a quarter of all deaths in this age group.

The rate of suicide in Clare is aver- aged at 13 per 100,000 of the population, making it the 10th highest county in Ireland for deaths of this nature. And while young men remain the most likely to die by suicide, the number is increasing across the age demographic.

“Information coming from the CSO would suggest we could expect a rise in suicide for young women,” warned Ms Carroll.

On average there are 500 suicides in Ireland every year, but when the figure includes undetermined deaths that number is as high as 600.

As many as 1.5 per cent of all deaths are thought to be suicide.

As well as dealing with cases of suicide, emergency services in Clare dealt with 16 attempted suicides in the Ennis district, four times more than death by suicide, last year.

Ireland has had the highest increase in suicide. The number of people dying by suicide in Ireland began to rise significantly in the 1970s and peaked in 1998. As many as 80 percent of those that die from suicide in Ireland every year are men.

Ms Carroll explained that the break down is best explained by the methods each gender is more likely to use when taking their own lives.

The majority of male suicides in Ireland were by hanging, while women were more likely to overdose on drugs giving emergency services time to save them.

Ms Carroll also works to make people aware of intentional self-harm.

While the country has a National Register for “self harm” the majority of people who hurt themselves do not present for any medical assistance.

“It is important to note that not everybody who engages in self harm wants to die. Roughly 600,000 people engage in self harm but the majority do not seek help as it is very much secret.”

While more women that men self harmed in the past, latest studies show that the number of men selfharming has increased.

THE number of older people in the county dying by suicide has increased and is likely to increase further.

That is according to the HSE’s Suicide Prevention programme, which is now targeting this group for special consideration.

HSE teams in Clare and throughout the mid-west have begun working with groups and organisations that work specifically with older people, educating them on suicide prevention and informing them where help can be found.

Figures show that while young men remain the highest group at risk from death by suicide, there is also an increase in the number of people taking their own lives after the age of 60 years old.

Bernie Carroll, Resource Officer for Prevention of Suicide in the mid west region, said that as the population continues to get older this will become even more of an issue and so the HSE is moving now to educate the relevant groups.

It is also providing education in schools and in the community.

The stigma attached to this type of death however has meant that public information evenings have been left empty as people fear being seen asking about the topic explained Ms Carroll.

“There is a lot of fear and hysteria in a community after a death by suicide. The difference between suicide and other deaths is the intensity of the emotions because we don’t know why any one person took their own life,” she said.

Early intervention and preventative measures is the best way forward according to the expert.

She explained that as many as 80 per cent of people who took their own live, looked for help at some point. A further 80 per cent had alcohol or drugs in their system at time of death.

THERE is immediate help for people with suicidal intentions, thoughts or people who may have attempted to take their own lives 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Clare.

According to the HSE this service is provided out of hours through the region’s accident and emergency service as a liaison mental health nurse liaises between the emergency service and the mental health serv ices.

Bernie Carroll, Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention, said the nurse is available from 4pm to 3am through A&E at the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick.

In Ennis however as the A&E is no longer available 24 hours a day, the liaison nurse is available from 4pm until 8pm through the A&E department.

The nurse can then be contacted through the out of hours GP service – Shannondoc after 8pm.

Ms Carroll said that even outside of these hours people should present to the hospitals and the psychiatrist on call will see them.

The liaison nurse or psychiatrist will then assess the patient and the most appropriate course of action for the individual is taken.

Ms Carroll added that if anyone is worried about their mental health however, the best person to call is their local GP.

The GP will then treat the patient or refer him or her to the mental health services.

As well as seeking help through the GP or the accident and emergency services, there are direct counselling options – either privately or through voluntary organisations such as Pieta House, Life Suicide Prevention Helpline, Console, Living Links, Samaritans and Red Ribbon Project.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

FORMER Clare psychiatric nurse and chairman of the HSE West Forum Committee Tom McNamara has raised concerns 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.

The liaison mental health nurse is appointed in the area’s three hospitals, including Ennis, to assess people presenting with mental health issues between 4pm and 3am and at weekends.

Cllr McNamara said that these ex- perienced nurses are also familiar with the case of many patients of the mental health service who may call out of hours, and this experience plays a vital role.

“The crisis nurse [liaison nurse] would know some patents straight away and would be able to access them there and then. If the nurse is not available an ambulance may have to be sent out unnecessarily to bring the patient in,” he said.

“The system works well when the nurse is there. He or she then puts the information into the system, and the day hospital the patient attends knows the following morning that there had been an issue the night before,” he said.

“At a time when suicide is so prevalent it is disappointing that the HSE is taking out crisis nurses to fill in vacancies within the system.”

The former nurse said that while he was disappointed that the “crisis nurse” was often moved on to the hospital floor leaving the position vacant, he encouraged anyone concerned about their mental health to ring the hospitals or Shannondoc if it is out of hours, as there is still help available through the psychiatric services.

“I would encourage people to call and that there is help out there and there is a way out of it [feeling of depression],” he added.

OVER € 31,000 was donated through the Court Services in Clare last year to local groups in the community, healthcare and volountary sector. The funds were handed out to 28 groups as part of the 2012 court poorbox payout.

Instead of imposing a conviction, a district court judge can order that the defendant donate a sum to a charity nominated by the judge.

The St Vincent de Paul and Bushypark treatment centre were among the main beneficiaries of poorbox orders made by Judge Patrick Du- rcan last year. The SVP in Ennis and Kilrush received payments of € 5,000 and € 3,000 respectively.

The St Vincent de Paul operates 14 teams throughout the county, providing support and assistance to harpressed individuals and families. SVP’s ‘Carefully Chosen Fashions’ shop is located at 84, Parnell St. Ennis. The Clare SVP administrative office is located overhead the shop.

The shop is staffed by volunteers and provides training for FÁS and Community Employment (CE) scheme participants.

BushyPark Treatment Centre for people addicted to alcohol, drugs and gambling received € 2,000

The Ennis office of Rape Crisis Midwest and TLC 4 Cystic Fibrosis each received € 1000.

The full list of recipients and the amounts received are listed below: Glebe House Kilrush (€ 500); Kilkee Marine Rescue (€ 500); Regina House Kilrush (€ 500); Rape Crisis Midwest, Ennis office (€ 1000); Breakthrough Cancer Research, Cork (€ 1000); Tipperary Limerick Clare for Cystic Fibrosis (TLC4CF) (€ 1000); Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (€ 1000); Foroige Youth Scariff (€ 1000); AMEN (€ 500); Aisling Group International (€ 500); Killaloe / Ballina Community and Family Resource Centre (€ 500); Clare Crusaders (€ 500); Clarecare (€ 1000); Bushy Park Treatment Centre (€ 2000); Cahercalla Hospice (€ 2000); The Samaritans (€ 1000); St Vincent de Paul, Ennis (€ 5000); St Vincent de Paul, Kilrush (€ 3000); Poor Clare Sisters, Ennis (€ 1000), Garda Suíochana Benevolent Trust Fund (€ 2000); Solicitors Benevolent Trust Fund (€ 2000); Clare Haven (€ 500); Alzeimher’s Society, Clare Branch (€ 500); Doolin Search and Rescue (€ 500); Killaloe/Ballina Search and Rescue (€ 500); St Joseph’s Training Centre (€ 500); Home Share Clare (€ 500); St Caimins Search and Rescue, Mountshannon (€ 500)

ALMOST four in every 10 children born in Clare are born to unmarried parents.

Figures released for the first quarter of 2012 show that there were 430 children born to Clare mothers in the first three months of last year. Of these parents 292 were born to married women with 138 born to unmarried women.

It is likely however, that many of the Clare children born to unmarried mothers are still raised in two-parent families. According to Central Statistic Office figures, a total of 77 babies born to unmarried Clare mothers over this period register an unmarried father living at the same address.

According to lone parent organisation One Family, a variety of different family structures has now become normal and accepted in Clare. New research carried out by the organisation also shows that the biggest issue arising from lone parenting is financial, and not the development and socialisation of the child.

“One in eight children in Ireland are now in a one-parent family so it is becoming much more normal. I think the real pressure on one parent families is very much an economic pressure,” said Stuart Duffin from One Family.

“From a child development point of view, it doesn’t really have an impact. A single parent can give as much attention to a family as a two-parent family and often times the parent in a one-parent family can even be more focussed on their children than a two-parent family.

“We are also seeing other types of families appearing in Clare. We see a lot more shared parenting relationships where people have split up in a friendly way and they can have a different type of relationship with their children than what we might have seen in the past.”

One Family works to provide information to one-parent families in Clare and also has a lot of information for lone parents, shared parents and lone parents who wish to introduce a new parent into a family situation. For more information visit www.onefamily.ie.

A RESOLUTION to the ongoing dispute over Blake’s Corner in Ennistymon could be more than five years away, following a decision from the National Roads Authority (NRA) not to fund an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed development in its 2013 allocation of funding last week.

Early last year, Clare County Council requested that the NRA allocate money for the completion of an EIS. This followed threats from a local heritage group who said they would appeal the project to An mBord Pleanála if an EIS was not completed.

Following the decision by the NRA not to include the EIS, the funding allocation last week now looks likely that it will be 2014, at the earliest, before funding for the EIS is made available.

Once funding is made available, it will take up to a year for consultants to be selected and a statement to be prepared. This statement will then be referred back to the NRA for approval. Only then can funding be sought to create a new junction in Ennistymon.

The issue came to light at yesterday’s Ennistymon area meeting of Clare County Council when a proposal to construct a pedestrian crossing on the Ennistymon bridge was turned down.

“We are now back in limbo about a pedestrian crossing on the bridge in Ennistymon. It is totally unacceptable that we are going to have to wait for a decision on Blake’s Corner before getting this situation resolved,” said Cllr Richard Nagle (FF).

“We all know, if we are all realistic and tell the the truth, we are not going to get a resolution to Blake’s Corner until 2015 at the very earliest.”

Council engineer, Stephen Lahiffe confirmed that funding for the EIS was not made available by the NRA last week. He also confirmed that senior county engineer Tom Tiernan is to make fresh enquiries to the NRA about securing funding for the EIS. This further delay is likely to add at least another year to progressing work on Blake’s Corner, which could now be more than five years away.

It was also revealed at yesterday’s meeting that local company Data Display, who employ more than 100 people in Ennistymon, have to bring all deliveries to the factory at 4am – because of the junction at Blake’s Corner.

“A woman was hurt at the spot last year and was injured. We are hearing this, day in and day out, from people. The truck drivers going to Data Display have to come at 4am in the morning with their deliveries,” said Cllr Bill Slattery. “Can the brains at Clare County Council not come together and come up with some temporary resolution for this, until the Blake’s Corner issue is resolved?” See page 62 for more from the Ennistymon Area Meeting.