Category: News

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.

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.

CLARE County Council is to write to the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter (FG) seeking that the eight Clare Garda stations earmarked for closure be retained in community use.

It was confirmed last month that Garda stations in Quin, Inagh, Lahinch, Broadford, Mountshannon, Doonbeg, Kilmihil and Labasheeda are to be closed early in 2013.

At last night’s January meeting of Clare County Council, Lahinchbased Cllr Bill Slattery (FG) raised concerns over what might happen to those Garda stations when they are closed.

“I would like these buildings to be retained for community use. We have no community centre in Lahinch, no place for meetings to take place or for young people and different groups to gather. But we have a fine building here and a fine site at the Lahinch Garda Station. I would really hope that these buildings be retained for community use and not sold off to developers or other people,” said Cllr Slattery.

The motion was seconded by Miltown Malbay Cllr Michael Hillery (FF), who said that the proposal should go forward only if attempts to retain the buildings as Garda stations fail.

“If these Garda stations are to be closed, then I feel that they should be retained for community use. I know for a fact that there has been a lot of investment in Garda stations in places like Lahinch and other areas in recent years and that investment should not be lost,” said Cllr Hillery.

Other councillors also suggested that the Garda buildings could be used for other purposes such as community art galleries or for promoting tourism.

“I think they could be used for tourism-related purposes such as a hostel perhaps,” said Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG).

“They certainly should not be left there or boarded up to rot away.”

RURAL-dwellers in Clare have the second highest rate of registration for septic tanks, despite fears that many households in the north and west of the county will be unfairly targeted for inspections.

According to the latest figures released by the Department of the Environment, 14,521 households in Clare have officially registered their septic tank. With an estimated 19,769 domestic septic tanks in the county, this amounts to a compliance rate in excess of 73 per cent.

This is the second highest compliance rate in the country, with only rural dwellers in Kerry having a higher percentage. Clare’s 73 per cent compliance is also far in excess of the national average which currently lies just above 60 per cent.

This is despite concerns that many rural-dwellers in Clare will be targeted for extra inspection by the Department of the Environment. With large numbers of houses in Clare situated in karst on limestone landscape, they are likely to be deemed as high-risk locations by the Depart- ment of the Environment. This could result in houses in these section of West and North Clare being targeted for extra inspections once the registration period is complete.

Under the 2012 legislation, homeowners who have a septic tank or other domestic waste-water treatment system need to register their system before February 1, 2013. Systems which are not registered before that date will be at increased risk of inspection.

The 73 per cent registration rate in Clare is well ahead of neighbouring authorities such as Galway County Council (50 per cent), Limerick County Council (57 per cent) and North Tipperary County Council 64 per cent.

A number of grants have been introduced to allowed septic tank owners to upgrade their systems. The grants cover up to 80 per cent of the cost for those earning up to € 50,000 to a maximum of € 4,000 and a 50 per cent grant for those earning between € 50,001 and € 75,000 up to € 2, 500.

If the remaining 5,000 Clare properties do not register their properties before the February 1 deadline, they will not be eligible to apply for the grant.

CLOSURES or a reduction in opening hours of district Garda stations has emerged as a serious concern for rural communities in Clare, a meeting has heard.

At yesterday’s meeting of Clare County Council, councillors were divided over the impact on communities of the closure of eight local Garda stations.

Stations in Quin, Inagh, Lahinch, Broadford, Mountshannon, Doon beg, Kilmihil and Labasheeda will close as part of budget cuts.

Despite strong opposition from Fine Gael members, a motion tabled by three Fianna Fáíl councillors Bill Chambers, Pat Keane and Cathal Crowe, requesting the Council to call on the Minister for Justice to reverse the decision to close the sta- tions – was voted through by 18 votes to 10.

Opening the debate, Cllr Chambers said the closure “represents another nail in the coffin of rural Ireland”.

He added, “The very core of what rural Ireland is and represents is being eroded by a government that seems to have turned its back on its grass roots.”

Cllr Crowe said the closure of the Broadford Garda Station would only save the Exchequer € 5,000 per annum. He said Government Oireachtas members should give their political and financial justification for the closures in the Council Chamber.

Cllr Gerry Flynn (Ind) said stations give rural communities a sense of comfort and security. He added, “This Government stands for closing down rural Ireland.”

Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) said a form of “rural decommissioning” is taking place, calling for a major re-activation of the community alert scheme.

However the closures were defended by Fine Gael members who said Gardaí would now be freed up for mobile patrols.

Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) said he had been given assurances by Chief Supt of the Clare Garda Division, John Kerin, that policing in rural areas would not suffer.

Of greater concern, Cllr Cooney argued, was a proposed reduction in opening hours of Killaloe Garda Station.

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said crime levels had fallen in Ennis and that the county compares favourably to Limerick and Galway. He said in light of reduced crime levels, he could not support the motion.

Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) said she would rather see gardaí on the beat than spending a few hours a day in a station.

Cllr Christy Curtin (Ind) said the closures represented “devastation” for West Clare.

Cllr Pat Burke (FG) told the meeting that while the closures are regrettable, people in Mountshannon are not concerned. He said the area would be well served by community gardaí and a re-invigorated community alert service.

Cllr Burke said Chief Supt Kerin had said gardaí would be willing to hold clinics with communities concerned about crime.

Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) said communities would be better served by mobile Garda patrols, adding, “Crimes don’t happen in Garda stations.”

Cllr Richard Nagle (FF) said the closures are serious; adding that only two stations – Kilrush and Ennistymon – would cover an area from Loop Head to the Galway border.

He said, “There will be continued retirement with no recruitment. The idea that you can keep stretching resources is not realistic.”

Cllr Cathal Crowe claimed later that Fine Gael councillors were engaged in “more flanking and shielding of Minister (for Justice) Alan Shatter than you would see in Thomond Park.”

He added, “You’re here to either shield your Minister or represent your communities. I know why I’m here.”

This drew a strong response from Cllr Joe Cooney who said he had never shielded any Minister. “I’ll stand up for the people of Clare and I always will,” he said.

Councillors also agreed on a motion from Cllr Joe Arkins that said in the event of any station closures, any additional resources be allocated to mobile patrols.

A DECISION to grant permission to plans to develop outdoor café facilities aimed at boosting “activity” and “vibrancy” in Ennis town centre have been appealed to an An Bord Plennála.

The Ennis-based Duesbury Limited sought planning permission for the incorporation of one car parking space at O’Connell Street, Ennis, to provide extended pavement area to allow provision of an outdoor seating area adjacent to Poet’s Corner/Town Hall, along with provision of fascia signage and surround to existing central door-way and incorporation of existing Poet’s Corner porch with main bar area. That part of the Old Ground Hotel is classified as a protected structure.

In granting planning permission, the Council ruled that the applicant shall obtain the appropriate the consent of the Road Authority to the alteration of the public footpath and roadway.

The Council ruled that the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Under the conditions of the planning permission, the proposed paving shall match the existing pavement on O’Connell Street.

In a report submitted on the proposed development, the Director of Service and Ennis Town Manager, Ger Dollard, noted there had been no objection from the Fire Department or the Conservation Officer.

He stated, “I would concur with the planner’s report that the principle of outdoor seating is considered acceptable and would improve the vibrancy and character of the street.

“This is the type of activity that the Planning Authority would wish to encourage to increase activity and vibrancy on the main thoroughfare in Ennis.”

The decision has been appealed to An Bord Pleánnala by Ennis businessman Oliver Moylan, who also filed an objection to the proposed development.

In his submission, Mr Moylan states that it is not for a public authority to grant public space for a private enterprise.

Mr Moylan, who owns the Ennis Cash Company, says Woolworths were refused permission to build on two feet of the O’Connell monument in 1960. The submission states that the removal of two parking spaces would result in an estimated loss of € 800,000 to the Council in one year, based on calculations carried out in a previous parking survey.

He states that the development would create “enormous danger” to pedestrians and motorists. Mr Moylan argues that Ennis is already well served by cafés, pointing out that 15 such businesses are located between the Old Ground Hotel and Hughes and Hughes bookstore.

He added, “As there are 200 wet days in Ennis every year, canopies and heating will have to be put in due course. What an obstruction to passing traffic.”