Category: News

CLARE is one of the top five best performing counties in Ireland in terms of reducing roads deaths, with fatalities on our county’s roads down by 80 per cent in the last five years.

A publication by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) shows a 79 per cent reduction in road deaths in Clare during the Government Road Safety Strategy 2007 to 2012, when compared to the period of the previous strategy from 2004 to 2006.

The national average is just 57 per cent, suggesting that Clare has some of the safest driving conditions in the country.

Road deaths in Clare fell from 12 in 2007 to two in 2012.

The report, ‘2007 to 2012 Road Traffic Deaths By User Type And County’, shows that, since 2007, 22 drivers, five motorcyclists and cyclists and seven pedestrians have been killed on roads in the county.

Last year, two people died on roads in Clare.

Noel Brett, Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority said, “The reduction in road deaths in Clare shows just what can be achieved when communities come together and say enough is enough, we don’t want any more people dying on our roads. All it takes to make a difference is for one person to say, I’m going to change my behaviour on the roads so that I can keep myself and others safe when we’re out on the roads.

“So, on behalf of the RSA, I would like to thank each and every person in Clare for the contribution you have made to keeping roads in your county safe. It is the efforts made by each and every one of you that has helped make Clare one of the top five best performing counties in Ireland in terms of reducing roads deaths.”

He also paid tribute to An Garda Síochána, emergency services personnel and the local authorities for their work in reducing the death toll on Clare’s roads.

“If we all redouble our efforts in 2013, there is no reason why we can’t make Ireland’s roads the safest in the world,” said Mr Brett.

As many as 162 people died on Irish roads in 2012, 24 fewer fatalities than the previous year when 186 people died and 51 fewer than 2010 when 212 people died on the nation’s roads.

THE position of Chief Executive Officer of the new entity that will run Shannon Airport has been advertised nationally.

The appointment process will be handled by Merc Partners, a renowned executive search recruitment company based in Dublin.

The job description offered in the national newspapers highlighted the fact that the CEO of Shannon will be just that, having a wider remit beyond the operation of the airport.

The new role of CEO will include managing a broad property portfolio, much of which will be inherited from Shanon Development Company as well as being responsible for the establishment of a global aviation cluster.

This is in reference to the stated aims of the plan for Shannon encompassing the rejuvenation of the aviation industry reputation and base, which was once a mainstay for the airport and the Free Zone.

The position did not specify a salary but the successful candidate can expect annual renumeration in the six figure range.

The advertisement for the job states “remuneration will be within the guidelines set for Irish public enterprises”.

That stipulation can be widely interpreted, with some Irish Public Enterprise CEOs like those in the ESB, DAA, Bord Gais, Bord na Móna and An Post, to name but five, all commanding salaries and perks worth above € 250k per annum. A ceiling of € 250k was put on CEO salaries with State owned commercial entities in 2011.

This new post of Chief Executive could be considered to be at the higher end of the public enterprise scale, the CEO’s responsibilities being publicly seen as wide ranging and vital to the economy of the region. The new person at the helm will also have a fairly visible public profile.

The job spec highlighted the need for experience, stating that the role ‘requires an experienced and inspirational leader of exceptional calibre with aviation experience’.

The new CEO will report to the board charged with running the new Shannon entity, chaired by Clare native Rose Hynes. The position was advertised in The Sunda y Times last week as well as online.

Rose Hynes appeared before an Oireachtas Committee on Trans- port last Wednesday and outlined ambitious plans to increase passenger traffic at the airport as well as creating up to 3, 500 new jobs over the coming years through expansion and development of Shannon as an international centre of excellence in the aviation industry.

The new CEO will be expected to play a leading role in driving that aviation expansion.

While it is to be assumed there will be candidates applying for the position who already have a connection to the airport and Shannon Development Company, potential applicants currently based outside of Ireland are also expected to be in the frame.

“The role of CEO in such a new venture is seen as a very attractive one within the industry and there will definitely be foreign interest in it,” an insider told The Cla r e People .

The appointment process will not be concluded for a number of weeks and it could be as late as April or May before the successful candidate is officially named.

The New Co as Shannon Airport is currently described as, does not officially become fully automonous until July of this year.

CLARE’S most senior garda has said policing will not suffer in the county, provided there are no further cuts to garda numbers. Eight garda stations in Quin, Inagh, Lahinch, Broadford, Mountshannon, Doonbeg, Kilmihil and Labasheeda will close at the end of the month prompting concern in some quarters about the effect on rural areas of the county.

Senior gardaí have met with communities in recent weeks, while last week a majority of members of Clare County Council voted in favour of a motion calling on the Minister for Justice to reverse the closures.

Councillors also agreed on a motion from the Chairman of the Clare Joint Policing Committee, Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) that said in the event of any station closures, all additional resources be allocated to mobile garda patrols.

A total of 48 gardai have left the Clare division since March 2010, including two superintendents and one detective inspector. No superintendent has been appointed to replace Supt Peter Duff who left his post in Ennis to return to Dublin last July. Crime levels have fallen in Clare by 33 per cent since 2008 but, speaking last week, Chief Superintendent John Kerin warned that the force in Clare would struggle to cope with any further reductions in resources.

He said, “We’ll play with the hand we’re dealt. I’m confident (we can continue to provide effective policing to rural areas), providing we don’t lose any more resources. We’re stretched.”

A reduction in the opening hours of district garda stations has also been proposed. Mr Kerin said it is possible that stations in Killaloe and Ennistymon could close between the hours of 9pm and 7am.

He explained, “The reality is that these stations have very few calls after 9pm. There are cases where guards are not being deployed to the full benefit of the communities they serve. It’s far more beneficial to the community to have guards doing checkpoints and other duties than being deskbound.”

Mr Kerin said that as 999 emergency calls are routinely directed to Ennis first, before being diverted to the relevant areas, there would be no delay in service in the event of station hours being scaled back.

The issue of station closures was to be discussed at yesterday’s meeting of the Clare Joint Policing Committee (JPC). That meeting was adjourned as a mark of respect to Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. The meeting will now take place on March 4.

A WOMAN who sent threatening text messages to her ex-boyfriend has been advised by a judge to “grow up”.

Marcella Considine (38), with an address at 2 Delacey Park, Shannon, appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday, charged with offences contrary to the Postal and Telecommunications Act.

She pleaded guilty to sending, by means of telecommunications, a message that was grossly offensive, obscene or of menacing character, to a man living at an Ennis address.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the accused sent two messages to her former boyfriend on February 12 (2012) and May 23 (2012).

He explained that, in the first message, Ms Considine said she would tell everyone the man was scum.

He told the court that the accused also wrote, “I’ll fucking stab you.”

Insp Kennedy said that in the sec- ond text message, Ms Considine stated, “I’ll kill you with a knife. If you send this message to the guards, I know a lot of people in Ennis.”

He said Ms Considine has no previous convictions. Solicitor for the accused, John Casey, told the court that there was “absolutely no truth to the threats.”

He said the couple’s long-term relationship had ended. He said his client had been “very upset” with the man at the time she sent the texts.

He said Ms Considine had never acted on what she said in the text messages. Mr Casey said his client was “very apologetic”.

“This appearance in court is a lesson to her,” he added.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he was not impressed by Ms Considine’s actions.

He adjourned the case until January 2014, granting the State liberty to re-enter the case.

Addressing Ms Considine, Judge Durcan said, “You’d want to grow up.”

MANY mourners from Kilkee are expected to travel to Dundalk today (Tuesday) and tomorrow to support the popular Deloughrey family during the funeral of murdered Garda Adrian Donohoe.

The brave Garda detective was married to Caroline Deloughrey, a fellow Garda who came from a family that served the State as members of the force, and assisted the local community through volunteer organisations and life-saving bodies.

Gda Donohoe was shot in cold blood on Friday night last as he escorted a cash collection to a raid on a credit union in Lordship in Dundalk, just miles from where he lived with Caroline and their two young children, Amy and Niall.

His horrific death in the line of duty shocked the nation at the weekend, but resonated even more deeply in the seaside town that he and his family visited regularly, staying with Caroline’s parents Stephen (Stevie) and Bridie.

Neighbours of the Deloughrey family remember fondly the man described as “a gentle giant, a very nice person, very confident, honest, reliable and hard-working”, who had married the love of his life in their local church. The devoted dad was often seen on the beach playing with his young family, supporting his bother-in-law Derek when he togged out for St Senan’s or having a quiet drink with his fatherin-law in O’Mara’s or Marrinan’s.

“Stevie and Bridie would be well known by everyone here. We are just devastated for their daughter Caroline,” said one neighbour.

Another neighbour added, “Caroline is a lovely lady. Everyone here is heartbroken for her.”

The family is well known in the area including Caroline’s three brothers, Derek, John and Kieran. Derek is a garda sergeant based in Limerick and Kieran has been credited with saving many lives through his years of work with Kilkee Marine Rescue Service.

The Deloughrey family have spent the weekend comforting Caroline and her two children, and now the people of Kilkee, including members of the Church choir who sing with Bridie and members of the local rescue service, will travel to show their support for the popular family.

Clare people wishing to sympathise with Gda Donohoe’s family, friends and colleagues can do so by signing a book of condolences at Ennis Garda Station, where Caroline’s sister-in-law is serving as a Garda.

THE five North Clare members of Clare County Council are to seek a meeting with Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan (FG) to get him to officially nail his colours to the mast concerning the funding impasse with sewage treatment facility at Doolin.

Councillors at yesterday’s Ennistymon Area Meeting of Clare County Council accused Minister Hogan of muddying the waters concerning the scheme. Under the Department of the Environment’s new criteria for sew- erage funding, smaller projects such as Doolin are excluded.

However, following a meeting between Minister Hogan and a deputation from Doolin, the indication was given that Clare County Council had not made an application for funding.

Cllr Richard Nagle (FF) requested a copy of all correspondence between Clare County Council and the Department of the Environment concerning the Doolin scheme.

In a letter from Minister Hogan’s private secretary, dated November 19 last, the minister invited Clare County Council to make an allocation but failed to answer specific questions about the department’s own criteria, which effectively excluded Doolin from receiving funding.

“Ultimately what this comes down to, under the present waste water programme, [is that] small towns like Doolin cannot be included. The delay in the sewerage scheme in Doolin has delayed the provision of basic infrastructure like footpaths, lighting and pedestrian crossings,” said Cllr Nagle.

“They are not included in the investment programme and if you are not there, how can you get the funding? You have to wonder why Hogan gave false hope to people.

“It is extremely regrettable that we are getting this game of ducks and drakes being played where civil servants are saying one thing in one paragraph or a letter and another thing in another paragraph.

“People have being given the impression that funding is being provided – but nothing is happening. It is totally unacceptable and people are being left in limbo.”

Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) read details of a correspondence between himself and Fine Gael officials into the minutes of the meeting. The emails, which were dated December 8, 2012, outlined the contraction of Minister Hogan’s comments to the Doolin deputation and the current criteria for sewerage projects.

Lahinch councillor Billy Slattery (FG) suggested that the councillors request a meeting with the minister and get him to clarify the situation once and for all.

“A deputation did go and met Phil Hogan and he did give a positive indication to that deputation. If this goes into 2014, the new water body will be responsible for this; Clare County Council will not have any role to play. Is that why Minister Hogan is kicking this can down the road?” he said

FISHING groups opposed to the construction of a large fish farm off the Clare coast say that they will mobilise 5,000 protesters to picket a commercial fishing expo due to take place in Galway in March.

The Irish Skippers’ Expo is a large commercial fishing expo, featuring up to 130 stands from local and international maritime and fishing industries. The event is being sponsored by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), who are currently applying to the Department of Agriculture for a licence to construct the fish farm.

More than 100 delegates from anglers and environmental groups attended a meeting last week and decided to target the second day of the Irish Skippers’ Expo, Saturday March 2, for the protest. An umbrella group called Galway Bay Against Salmon Cages or GBASC, has been formed to coordinate the mass protest.

The BIM project, which is planned for five miles off the Fanore coast, would produce up to 15,000 tonnes of organic grade farm salmon a year or effectively double Ireland’s farm salmon output.

BIM claim than as many as 500 local jobs could be created through the project, with 350 jobs coming directly through the operation and maintenance of the farm and a further 150 jobs through support industries locally.

The projects has come in for some criticism with government agency Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) coming out against it, disputing BIM’s figures for job creation and the amount of pollution which will be produced.

GBASC spokesperson, Michael Canney, last week claimed that the salmon farm would produce more waste than the entire population of Clare – or 150,000 people.

BIM CEO, Jason Whooley said the € 60 million project presents a major market opportunity for Ireland and said that people’s fears were real but unfounded.

“Organic salmon farming means there is 99 per cent water and one per cent salmon in the enclosure – very low stocking densities, which will further minimise any potential impact on the receiving environment,” he said. “It is time now to move forward together to seize this huge opportunity for Ireland before it slips from our grasp.”

RESIDENTS of a Spanish Point housing estate have been “left in limbo” with a dysfunctional sewage system which has contributed to Spanish Point beach losing its blue flag.

That is according to councillors at yesterday’s Ennistymon Area Meeting of Clare County Council, with local Cllr Michael Hillery (FF) requesting that Clare County Council take the WestPart development in charge.

“The council have paid a private contractor to remove sewerage from this estate on at least four occasions over the last 18 months. This treatment plant is not working properly and is a health hazard in the area,” said Cllr Hillery.

“It is also very close to Spanish Point beach which, unfortunately, does not have a Blue Flag at the moment.

“Unfortunately, the bond which was put in place for this estate has elapsed. So there is no longer a bond in place to pay for this situation to be resolved.

“It states that Clare County Council cannot use funding or the lack of funding as an excuse not to take an estate in charge.

“The cost to Clare County Council of de-sludging this treatment plant is going to be more and more as this goes on.

“We would ask that Clare County Council take on this estate and al- low the residents to live a life that is reasonable and acceptable in this day and age.”

Responding to the motion, a council spokesperson confirmed that an application to take the estate in charge is currently being considered.

The spokesperson also confirmed that legal action under the Water Pollution Act is listed for hearing in the District Court on February 22.

“This is also an estate where the people living there do have to pay the household charge. That is a very big issue for the people in this estate,” said Cllr Hillery.

“A number of estates around the country have been exempted – but this one hasn’t. That is an issue for the residents.

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.”