Category: News

THE consultation process between State agencies and the public on the blueprint for the development of the Shannon Estuary will be kick-started in Kilrush next week.

The people of Clare have been urged to have their say in the major strategic plan for the future development and management of marinerelated industry on the estuary by attending the public consultation that will take place in Kilrush Town Council on Monday next between 4.30pm and 8.30pm.

“I encourage the people of Clare to attend the upcoming event,” said Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Daly.

“This is an ideal opportunity for people to voice their views on how best to manage this important resource. I believe that the people of Clare have a key role to play in the management of the Shannon Estuary to ensuring that future development takes place in a coherent and sustainable manner. I hope that many new opportunities will be afforded to the people of Clare, and the wider region, as a result of this plan,” he added.

The Draft Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary was launched last month by Jan O’Sullivan, TD, Minister of State for Housing & Planning and has been commissioned by a multi-agency steering group comprising Clare County Council as lead authority, Kerry County Council, Limerick City and County Councils, Shannon Development and Shannon Foynes Port Company.

The land and marine-based plan, the first of its type to be developed in Ireland, indentifies a number of strategic sites along the Estuary for future possible development in the areas of industry, tourism, energy, fishing and aquaculture and marinerelated industry.

The plan will be on display until February 15 to give the public an opportunity to view the proposals and put forward their opinions to the appointed project consultants, RPS Consulting Engineers.

On completion later this year, it is anticipated that the SIFP will be incorporated, by means of Variation, into the relevant County and City Development Plans.

AN Ennis man convicted of harassment has been ordered not to have any contact with his ex-partner.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, William Keane (39), was told by a judge not to beset, approach, or contact the woman in any way.

Mr Keane, with an address at 1 The Hawthorns, Limerick Road, Ennis, pleaded guilty to harassing the woman at her home in Ennis. The incidents occurred over a 12-month period on dates unknown between October 1 (2011) and September 1 (2012).

Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction of the case after hearing an outline of the facts.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the woman reported the incidents to gardaí in April.

She said that after the relationship ended, Mr Keane delivered a letter to her home.

She said on other occasions in March (2012) and June (2012), the accused was seen walking around the house and looking in the windows.

Mr Keane was also seen standing in a lane opposite the house. The court heard that the woman installed CCTV cameras at the house.

Insp Kennedy said the woman felt in fear and reported Mr Keane’s behaviour to gardaí.

He said the activity had ceased since gardaí had become involved.

The court heard that Mr Keane, a former Dell worker, started the relationship with the woman after the end of his marriage.

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett said that while his client’s behaviour falls into the lower level of harassment offences, Mr Keane had made a “complete nuisance of himself”.

The court heard Mr Keane told gardaí that he did not know why he kept calling to the house.

Mr Hassett said that after the relationship broke down, Mr Keane got accommodation near the woman’s home. He said that his client had been drinking at the time he engaged in the behaviour.

Mr Hassett said the letter delivered to the woman’s home had been an invitation to meet for coffee.

Mr Hassett told the court that Mr Keane has since changed his lifestyle, is seeing a counsellor and has taken up jogging.

Insp Kennedy said the he accepted that Mr Keane’s behaviour was at the lower end of harassment offences. Mr Keane, who has no previous convictions, faced a possible € 1900 fine or 12 months in prison.

Judge Patrick Durcan said cases of this nature are very distressing for the person concerned.

He said Mr Keane had engaged in a persistent level of harassment over a one-year period. “This is very serious,” he added. He said the court has full sympathy with the injured party.

Judge Durcan said he was satisfied that Mr Keane is not a criminal and he did not want to give him a criminal record.

He said the court acknowledged Mr Keane is making efforts to get over his difficulties.

He ordered Mr Keane to pay € 500 to the court poor box. Judge Durcan also ordered the accused not to beset, approach or contact the injured party or be in any place where the injured party might be expected to be. Mr Keane apologised for his actions.

Judge Durcan adjourned the case to March 6. Addressing Mr Keane, he said, “I wish you well and commend you on your approach.”

A LITHUANIAN man who stole a laptop from a garage in Sixmilebridge has been fined € 250.

Deivydas Zigeus (35) took the HP laptop valued at € 500 from O’Malley Auto Marine, Cappa, Sixmilebridge on July 24 (2012).

Mr Zigeus, with an address at 133 Crann Nua, Portarlington, Laois, pleaded guilty to the charge of theft at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the case.

After hearing an outline of the facts, Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction.

The court heard that Mr Zigeus and a friend went to the premises to have repairs carried out to a car. Insp Kennedy said that after a staff member worked on the engine, he noticed the laptop was missing.

The man suspected the two men and rang Shannon gardaí.

Gardaí called to the business and the laptop was discovered concealed in the rear foot-well of the car.

The property was returned undamaged.

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett said his client, a former construction worker, was drunk when he committed the theft.

Mr Hassett added, “It seemed a good idea at the time. It was quite a sneaky thing to do.”

The court heard Mr Zigeus is a married father who has lived in Ireland for eight years. He has no previous convictions.

Mr Hassett said his client had been in custody for a number of days prior to his court appearance and had not liked the experience of being in prison.

Judge Durcan said Mr Zigeus used an opportunity to involve himself in a crime.

He imposed a fine of € 250.

Judge Durcan said the court abhors such crimes, which he added have become all too prevalent in Clare. AN Ennis man who admitted striking his wife with a child’s scooter has received a prison sentence. At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Thady Joyce (43), with an address at 114 Dun na hInse, Ennis, admitted to contravening a court imposed safety order, contrary to the domestic violence act. The court previously heard that Mr Joyce replied “I’m guilty” to charge after caution.”

“I want to go into custody with no intention of applying for bail,” he added.

Judge Patrick Durcan said that had been the first occasion that he had placed an accused person in custody on the application of the accused. Mr Joyce also declined the offer of legal representation and represented himself during proceedings. Inspector Tom Kennedy outlined details of the offence, which occurred on January 10. The court heard Mr Joyce smashed a number of picture frames, Waterford Crystal lamps and a flatscreen television in the house. Insp Kennedy said the accused also struck his wife with a child’s scooter.

The court heard Mr Joyce has 38 previous convictions, mainly for driving, drugs and public order offences. Insp Kennedy said the accused had no convictions under the domestic violence act. Asked by the judge if he wanted to say anything, Mr Joyce declined before adding, “I want you to sentence me and get it over with.” Judge Durcan imposed a 14-day prison sentence, backdating his order to January 11.

AN ENNIS man who paid for a tumble dryer and a holiday to Wales using a credit card that did not belong to him has been fined € 500.

James Galbraith (45), with an address at 1 Lissaniska, Claureen, Ennis, appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. He pleaded guilty to two charges of deception arising out of purchases made at two businesses in the town on May 29 (2012).

The court heard that on the day in question Mr Galbraith purchased a tumble dryer from an electrical appliance store in Ennis.

Inspector Tom Kennedy explained that the item was paid for using a credit card that did not belong to Mr Galbraith.

He explained that Mr Galbraith’s friend gave the credit card details over the phone to the shop in order to complete the transaction.

On the same day, Mr Galbraith entered a travel agency in Ennis and purchased a mobile home holiday in Pembrookshire, Wales costing € 946.

The court heard that the transaction was again completed by Mr Galbraith’s friend phoning in the credit card details to the shop.

Insp Kennedy said there was no link between the accused and the owner of the card. He said the card owner reported the matter to gardaí and Mr Galbraith was subsequently tracked down.

The court heard that Mr Galbraith has one previous conviction for a public order offence. Defence solicitor John Casey said his client had been owed money by his friend who is living in England. He said there was some difficulty with the repayment of the money so the friend told Mr Galbraith he could purchase goods using the credit card.

Mr Casey said his client was “totally unaware” there was anything wrong with the credit card. He said there had been no element of subterfuge and that the businesses involved knew who Mr Galbraith was and where he lived.

“Mr Galbraith never had a hope in hell of ever getting away with this”, Mr Casey added.

Mr Casey said his client had brought compensation of € 1300 to court to repay the injured party.

Asked by Judge Patrick Durcan if he believed there was a “certain innocence” on the accused’s part, Insp Kennedy said he could not accept that version of events.

He said that investigators working on similar deception cases had told him that such offences are “usually joint enterprises.”

Insp Kennedy said he would have “misgivings” about people who said they are innocent in such cases.

Judge Durcan said that while he accepted what Mr Casey said on his client’s behalf, he did not accept that Mr Galbraith was “totally innocent”.

He added, “This type of conduct was foolish in the extreme and reckless.”

Judge Durcan imposed fines of € 250 in respect of each charge.

CLARE’S four town councils will meet in Ennis on Monday to begin their fight for survival.

With an estimated 16 months left before they are to be dissolved in favour of local municipal councils made up of members of a smaller Clare County Council, some believe the members have left it all a little too late.

The councils have been issued with forms and formats from their governing body, the AMAI, outlining how best to present their individual cases for survival to the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, the minister also responsible for announcing their demise.

Kilrush Town Councillor Paul Moroney (Ind) said he was not expecting a lot from the process, as input from the councillors prior to the announcement was all but ignored by central Government.

Cllr Marian McMahon Jones (FG) said town councillors had not come out fighting but they had to do something, even now.

“If we adopt the attitude of we can do nothing, then nothing will happen,” she said.

Kilrush Town Council is already researching and compiling a list of all that it has achieved in its 128year history, in its bid to the minister.

“I have trawled through archives both here [Kilrush Town Council] and in Clare County Council and in the Clare Local Studies Centre in Ennis.

“There are some very interesting snippets available from the land league, post famines and the Vandeleurs, right up to the present day,” explained Kilrush Town Clerk, John Corry.

All four councils – that is, Ennis, Kilrush, Shannon and Kilkee – will meet on Monday night, January 21, to further compile a county-wide argument to hang on to its four town councils.

DOUBLE yellow lines outside a Kilrush primary school are one road marking too many for one member of the local council, who has vowed to quit the council in four weeks if they are not removed.

Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF) said that he would leave Kilrush Town Council if parts of the line were not removed to allow parents to park when they pick up and drop off their children to St Senan’s Primary School.

He believes that the council executive has crossed a line by not remov- ing the offending lines on the direction of the elected council members last September.

At Thursday’s meeting of the council, Cllr Prendeville asked why the lines had not already been removed.

“This is becoming farcical. Parents are being forced to park illegally. If it is not carried out, I will resign from the council in the next four weeks,” said the father of the council.

“It is making a farce of what is happening in this town council.

“Is there another school in Ireland where there are double-yellow lines for 300 yards either side of the school?” he asked.

Cllr Marian McMahon Jones (FG) said there was no need for an emergency roads and traffic meeting on the lines as suggested by the town clerk, as the issue had already been decided.

“We have already agreed that there is a strip on either side of the pedestrian crossing where the double yellow lines can be removed,” she said.

Cllr Liam O’Looney (FF) added that legally under the Road Act the council could remove some of the yellow line.

“There should be minimum room for three spaces above and two spac- es below,” he said.

“My recollection of it was that the town engineer would go back and look at it,” Town Clerk John Corry told the councillors.

The councillors, however, expect the lines to be removed by the February meeting or they will be down their longest servicing member.

In the meantime, Cllr Prendeville has called for an amnesty for people parking on the double yellow lines outside the school.

“If anyone has a parking issue on that part of the road, they should be written off because a member of this council did not carry our instructions,” he said.

CLARE County Council has been urged to consider modifying roundabouts in the Barefield area to prevent cars from being deliberately driven through them.

Flowerpots and other items on a roundabout near the M18 motorway were damaged during incidents of vandalism last July, with members of the Barefield Tidy Towns committee blaming the activities of boy racers.

Yesterday’s meeting of councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area heard that the deliberate driving of cars through the roundabout is a source of “significant frustration” to the local community.

Councillor Brian Meaney (GP) made the comments as he tabled a motion calling for measures to be “provided for to hinder access onto the roundabouts in Barefield village”.

Cllr Meaney told the meeting that cars are being driven late at night through the roundabout. He said the local community in Barefield had devoted a lot of resources into the upgrade and maintenance of the roundabouts.

Senior executive engineer for the Ennis Electoral Area, Eamon O’Dea, said it was important that all incidents be reported to the Gardaí.

He stated, “The council recognises the excellent work that is being carried out by the Tidy Towns and community groups in Barefield village. It is impracticable and unsafe to put measures in place to hinder access onto the centre of roundabouts, however it is important to report all non emergency intrusions onto the roundabouts and green areas to the gardaí as there are issues regarding pedestrian safety and incorrect use of a motor vehicle.”

Cllr Meaney said that while he would be happy to allow time for the gardaí to deal with the matter, it may be necessary for the council to install some sort of barricade.

CLARE County Council has acknowledged that there are still “major problems” with a sewerage plant in Quin.

It emerged yesterday that the council could not proceed with a planned € 800,000 upgrade of the Quin Gardens plant in 2012 due to a lack of funding.

In a report, the council stated that while € 130,000 was spent on improving some priority features of the plant, issues remained with capacity.

The issue was due to come before a meeting of councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area yesterday. Quin councillor, Sonny Scanlan (FG), tabled a motion requesting an up to date position from the council on the sewerage system in Quin Gardens.

The project consists of the upgrading of the existing wastewater treatment plant including the provision of additional underground tanks and associated site works to increase capacity from 740 population equivalent (pe) to 1400 pe at Quin Gardens, Quin.

In his reply, Sean Ward, Senior Engineer, stated that it was not possible during 2012 to commence a full upgrade of the Quin wastewater treatment plant due to the non-availability of funding.

He continued, “However in August and September of 2012, Clare County Council applied to the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government’s rural water section for approval to divert Quin an amount approximately € 130,000 of our small schemes allocation which could not be spent at its original intended destination because of design issues. We succeeded in our application, and have spent this money on a number of the highest priority items of improvement at the existing plant – including screening, improved aeration and sludge tank. These works will be incorporated in any larger upgrade which we may be able to do in the future i.e. the money spent in 2012 won’t go to waste if we do the bigger job.”

Mr Ward added, “Already we are seeing an improvement in effluent results and a reduction in the costs of sludge management and are confident that odour problems will also be alleviated. We cannot however guarantee that the works done to date will solve all problems in the Quin sewerage system. These works do not add significantly to the spare capacity of the plant to cater for any future developments and there are still major problems of infiltration of stormwater and/or groundwater into the sewers. Furthermore when we receive a wastewater discharge license from the Environmental Protections Agency, we may have to comply with stringent conditions which the works done to date cannot in themselves achieve.

“Therefore we still intend to carry out a major upgrade if funding becomes available, and the works done to date can be regarded as an important advance element of such an upgrade,” he stated.

According to the council report, the proposed development will serve the needs of Quin village and its environs into the future. The report stated that Quin village will have a population of 789 persons by 2017.

IRISH Rail has been urged to improve accessibility at Ennis Rail Station after claims that passengers are sometimes forced to cross platforms through the doors of two stopped trains.

Irish Rail yesterday denied the claim that was made at yesterday’s meeting of councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area.

In a motion tabled at the meeting, Councillor Brian Meaney (GP) called on the committee to request Irish Rail provide seating and shelter on the Galway platform at Ennis Station. He said the absence of seating and shelter on the Galway platform is causing difficulty to elderly and disabled passengers. He said the new footbridge is still not accessible to disabled people.

Cllr Meaney added, “It is still quite frustrating to see elderly people moving across the footbridge and having nowhere to sit apart from the plinth of the Old Victorian footbridge.”

He called on the committee to write to Irish Rail to highlight these concerns.

Cllr James Breen (Ind) asked if Irish Rail is in compliance with Irish and European law on disability.

Cllr Breen said that as someone who has to use a crutch, he would have great difficulty catching a train on the Galway platform.

Cllr Meaney told the meeting that he had heard instances where passengers who are unable to use the footbridge are brought through the trains that are stopped side by side on the tracks.

He said in other circumstances, trains are switch tracks in order to collect passengers.

Councillors said this was not a satisfactory situation for passengers. They agreed to write to Irish Rail.

Cllr Meaney added that much of the recent criticism of the number of passengers using the Galway line was “unwarranted”.

Speaking yesterday, a spokesperson for Irish Rail denied that passengers are transferred across platforms through stopped trains.

She said, “We would never have a situation where passengers are brought through from train to train. As far as we are aware that has never happened in Ennis. There are situations where we bring trains into the other platform.”

The spokeswoman acknowledged there are issues around access for disabled people at the station.

PROMOTING Scattery Island as a heritage and tourist attraction, while informing people of its rich and varied history, is the main aim of the newly formed Scattery Island Tourist Group.

The dedicated group is rooted in a VEC course and grew to include local business people and the farming community, as well as receiving support from the Head of the History Department at the University of Limerick, Dr Bernadette Whelan.

Rita McCarthy of the Scattery Island Tourist Group said the organisation has four main objectives.

Firstly, the group want to make the island’s terrain more accessible. Local farmer and member of the group, Thomas Burke explained that the island has become overgrown in parts and work is especially needed around the Battery. He said the group are proposing to build a path or roadway all the way to the Battery that would pass through the vacated village, and open up these areas for tourists.

The historical and tourism group has already begun talks with the OPW, the state body responsible for the island and have outlined their hopes for the historical site.

Improving access on to the island has also become a priority for the group. Making the history and heritage of Scattery Island available to everyone is something it is also working on. The members are preparing a written history of the island going back long before St Senan and up to the present day.

The final aim for the group is to promote the island locally, nationally and internationally and to encourage people to visit this unique and unspoilt part of West Clare.

Ms McCarthy explained that the island will be of great interest to those with an interest in various histories, including early Christian history, military history and maritime history. The island will also play a central role for The Gathering, as the group believe this is an ideal opportunity to bring the eyes of the Diaspora firmly onto the historical attraction.

Group member Nicki Power has dtarted work on a database of ancestors of those who once called Scattery Island home, so they can be invited to a special Gathering weekend. From July 12 to 14, ex-pats, locals and visitors will be welcomed to the island. A reenactment and a photography exhibition are being organised to showcase memories from the past. Visitors will also be able to take part in a historical tour of the island and watch the currach races from the island to the mainland.

Dr Whelan, who is working with the group to develop the island’s history, described Scattery as “a microcosm of Irish history”.

“You have a very valuable asset that has not been desecrated or interrupted,” she said.