Category: News

THE first standalone plan for Shannon that will be the new blueprint for the growth and development of Clare’s second largest town over the next six years was officially launched at a ceremony in Shannon Airport on Monday.

The Shannon Town & Environs Local Area Plan has been produced by Clare County Council and contains objectives to establish a strong and vibrant town centre, maximise the potential from Shannon’s location on the Estuary, increase the town’s tourism potential and establish Shannon as a low carbon town.

It also provides sufficient zoned land to cater for an increase in the current population of 9,673 to a target population of 11,972 by 2017.

Meanwhile, the plan has anticipated proposals for the development of an aviation services hub at Shannon airport by zoning a 2000-acre landbank around the airport.

The area covered by the plan includes the town of Shannon, Shannon International Airport, Shannon Free zone, Smithstown, Westpark and some adjoining hinterland, including Hurlers Cross.

The launch of the plan, which was an objective of the existing Clare County Development Plan, has been welcomed by the Mayors of Shannon and Clare.

Town Mayor Michael Fleming described the plan as a “unique blueprint” for the future economic and social development of the town and surrounding community, while Senior Planner at Clare County Council, Gordon Daly said “implementing this plan by working with all those who have an interest in Shannon is now the priority for the council”.

“While Shannon’s importance as an aviation hub and as a significant employment centre is recognised in its designation as one of nine Gateways along with Limerick in the National Spatial Strategy, the council is keen to stress that the plan is also one for the town itself and the people who live there. The council is particularly pleased that the final plan is the result of the high level of engagement received from the people of Shannon during the plan making process.”

“For the first time since the town was established during the 1960s, clear objectives to establish Shannon as a tourism destination in its own right have been set out,” he stated.

“Amongst the objectives is the development of an aviation museum at Shannon Airport, as well as improved aircraft viewing point. The aim is to build on existing facilities such as Atlantic Air Venture and Ballycasey Craft and Design Centre.

“The plan also identifies a site at Illaunagowan point on the Shannon estuary close to the centre of the town for a potential tourist/interpretative development associated with the Shannon Estuary,” he added.

THE implementation of the new Shannon Town & Environs Local Area Plan is the key to ensuring that the county’s second largest town can be allowed to develop properly over the next six years.

The new blueprint, which was unveiled officially on Monday after a consultation process with members of the public over the past 12 months, has identified a number of reasons why the Shannon area needed what is the first local plan for its development in its 50-year history.

Within the document, Clare County Council officials have pointed out that failure to implement the recommendation of putting the plan in place would have serious consequences for the Shannon Airport catchment area.

“There would not be a localised framework within which to regulate, aid and control development whether economic, social or environmental,” the draft plan claims.

“A lack of controlled development could lead to pressure on adequate service provisions and infrastructural facilities, thus affecting the natural environment in which the population lives leading to human health and quality of life issues.

“In the absence of the plan, the process for assessing the issues which affect all of the inhabitants within the plan area will go unchecked, resulting in deterioration in the environment and lack of critical capital expenditure in terms of targeted infrastructural development and employment opportunities. The predicted population increase will not be provided for by an adequate level of service provisions and the environmental consequences would be undesirable,” it adds.

The 2011 census returns showed that Shannon is the second largest town in Clare with a population of 9,673, but according to the draft plan for the town’s development a target population of nearly 12,000 has been set for the next census in 2017.

“The assigned target population must be taken into account when formulating objectives and policies,” the local area plan says.

“In the absence of the plan, core strategy and population targets; in frastructure, including services and housing provision would not be catered for accurately.

“Issues affecting the current population in addition to the population increase may not be realised and could result in deterioration of the environment and mismanaged resources,” the plan adds.

THE potential for Shannon to develop into a new international gateway and once again become the main driver of the economy in the mid-west region has been highlighted in the new blueprint for the development of the airport town and its hinterland for much of the next decade.

Shannon Town & Environs Local Area Plan contains a new roadmap for Shannon’s development up to 2018, by charting out the attainable goals as Clare’s international airport gains independence from the Dublin Airport Authority and the part that Clare County Council will have to play in kick-starting new developments.

The local plan has pledged “to facil- itate the development and expansion of Shannon” over the next number of years. “The Council are fully supportive of the continued need for Shannon Airport to maximise its strategic location in the region. The designation of a Strategic Development Area encompassing the Airport lands reinforces this commitmen,” the plan states.

And part of these expansion plans for the airport envisaged in the council blueprint include the development of “an international air freight cargo hub” and “the development of innovative initiatives that harness the potential of the airport including a residential flight school, global logistics centre for humanitarian aid, unmanned aerospace systems and a centre for space collaboration”.

The plan goes on to say, “Appro- priate potential uses for the Airport Zoned Lands include airport operational activities and uses complimentary to the operation of the airport, aircraft maintenance/cargo handling facilities, business park use, primarily related to airport servicing, management and maintenance activities, long-term aircraft maintenance, airfreight cargo handling facilities and other innovative initiatives’.

As part of paving the way for these ambitious plans for the airport, what has been termed a “core strategy” of the local area plan is to “ensure that sufficient lands are zoned at appropriate locations to meet all envisaged land use requirements of the area over the lifetime of the local area plan”.

The local area plan has also pledged “in collaboration with other agen- cies, to prepare a high level Strategic Plan, to identify key priority projects and developments capable of being accommodated at the Shannon Airport lands, Shannon Free Zone and Westpark”.

The draft goes on to highlight Shannon as “a key hub” both for national and international air travel, “a gateway to Ireland’s primary tourist locations” and “a driver” for county and region’s economic development.

“In this regard the plan will seek to ensure the growth and development of Shannon Airport and to harness its full potential, in line with national, regional and county development policy. The designation of a Strategic Development Area encompassing the airport lands reinforces this commitment,” it says.

‘Strategic Development Areas’ are areas identified within the plan area where specific planning and development objectives, land use policies and or master development plans have been identified for the future development of such designated area.

Commenting on the zoning of a 2,000-acre landbank adjacent to the airport for aviation sector use, Clare County Council Senior Planner, Gordon Daly said, “This new Plan further underlines the Council’s longstanding vision for the development and expansion of Shannon Airport.

“The Council is exercising leadership to achieve this vision through the zoning of lands which is a key requirement for the future expansion of services at the airport. In doing so, we have worked very closely with the airport authority and other agencies”.

A NEW era in policing County Clare, which includes the closure of eight Garda Stations and the downgrading of two Garda Divisions, has caused concerns for many communities across the county.

Those representing the elderly said those living alone in rural Ireland are particularly concerned at the loss of the “local garda”.

Last night, police chiefs were meeting with people in Inagh to allay fears and explain how the new system would work. Former Superintendent Frank Guthrie, who is now involved with the Inagh Housing Association said, “A lot of people, especially older people, favour the old-style policing and confiding in their local garda. They felt safe. The meeting is really to see how this will be dealt with,” he said of the “new concept in policing”.

The majority of the Clare stations to close are along the west coast and in rural East Clare, including Quin, Inagh, Lahinch, Broadford, Mountshannon, Doonbeg, Kilmihil and Labasheeda. Ennistymon and Killaloe District Garda Headquarters will be downgraded, and the administrative responsibility will come under the Ennis and Kilrush District Headquarters.

None of the stations to close were open 24 hours a day but six of the sta- tions had their own gardaí stationed there.

With the closure of the stations, the garda serving in Quin will now be reassigned to Ennis, the gardaí in Inagh and Lahinch will be stationed in Ennistymon, the Broadford garda will now be based in Ardnacrusha, Mountshannon in Killaloe and the Doonbeg garda will be working out of Kilrush Garda Station.

Labasheeda and Doonbeg stations were provided with a garda from Kilrush every weekday from 10am to 1pm and at the weekend from noon until 2pm. These stations will also close.

Many of the stations to close in Clare have served their communities since before the state was formed, with many RIC barracks in a previous life. Broadford was one such barracks and, up until 1993, the station had a sergeant and guard. In 1993, a staffing reduction removed the sergeant from the station

Local councillor Cathal Crowe (FF) described the closure of the station as “an attack on rural Ireland”.

“Broadford Garda Station serves a large area of East Clare and includes the communities of Kilmore, Truagh, Oatfield, Ballyquin, O’Callaghan’s Mills, Kilbane and, or course, Broadford village. The station currently operates on a part-time basis and roundthe-clock coverage for this area is given by gardaí stationed in Killaloe. The presence of Broadford Garda Station gives the people of East Clare a great sense of security. Elderly people in the locality have been very vocal in voicing their concerns for what the closure of the station could bring.”

Those supporting the Government have also raised concerns about the closure of the eight Clare Garda Stations.

Clare Labour Party National Executive Member Seamus Ryan called on the Government to rethink the course of action. “While the Commissioner is operating under the same financial constraints as so many people and the Government, it is short-sighted on the part of the force to abandon these facilities in favour of patrols and cover from other stations, some of which are up to 20km away and are themselves part-time and up to 25km to a 24-hour station for communities like Mountshannon.

TD Timmy Dooley (FF) described it as an “appalling attack” on communities across the county. “Clare has fared one of the worst in Minister Shatter’s hitlist. Within the next six months, Clare will have eight less garda stations and many of our communities will have lost their local station.”

PEOPLE living with disabilities in Clare have suffered more than other sectors and “have nothing left to give” in this week’s budget. That is according to local organiser for Enable Ireland, Margaret Burke, who believes that cuts to local authority budgets has made it very difficult for people using wheelchairs to get around Ennis and other towns in the county.

Ms Burke was speaking after an event in Ennis last week which saw a number of politicians taking to wheelchairs to experience, firsthand, the difficulties experienced by disabled people every day.

“They really want the people who represent them to know exactly what they are talking about. If someone hasn’t been in a wheelchair, it is not always that easy to represent them and to understand exactly where they are coming from,” she said.

“The biggest thing is that this event was organised by the service-users themselves. They are used to people being vocal for them, on their behalf, but this an event organised by the service-users themselves. That is a big step.

“It is empowering for them – it gives them more of a voice. It is beginning to unfold like that more and more in Clare. Our role is more and more to sit back and support them, and let them speak for themselves.”

According to Ms Burke, there is a lot of fear among disabled people in Clare ahead of this week’s budget.

“When you cut local budgets, it has a massive effect on people with disabilities. If Clare County Coun- cil don’t have the funding to fix the paths and fix the roads, then people in wheelchairs struggle every day. It is an massive obstacle to get into town [Ennis] every day. They need their busses, they need their transport,” she said.

“These people are on a disability allowance – they really don’t have much. They have everything to lose and nothing left to give. Everyone is hoping that there won’t be any further cuts. We have always been in a recession down in this part of the world.”

ONE out of every six houses located in a Clare ‘ghost estate’ is vacant. According to new figures released by the Department of the Environment, Clare has one of the highest rates of vacant properties in unfinished, or so-called ghost, estates of anywhere in the county.

In total, there are 346 vacant houses and 194 vacant apartments located in estates which have been classified as unfinished or ghost estates. These 540 vacant houses in unfinished estates equate to one out of every 80 houses in the county.

According to property website MyHome.ie, there are currently 1,280 properties for sale in the Clare. With a total of 540 vacant houses and apartments located in areas classified by the Department of the Environment as unfinished, it is likely that a sizeable proportion of the properties for sale in Clare are located in these areas.

The results of the National Housing Development Survey also revealed that a large number of unfinished developments still exist in the county.

The Department of the Environment officially classifies 72 locations in Clare as unfinished estates. Many of these estates are fully serviced and largely complete and have high numbers of occupancy.

Indeed, only 23 of these 72 estates were exempted from paying the household charge this year because of being classified as unfinished.

A number of buildings in the 72 estates are virtually complete but, for one reason or another, the developer or receiver has been unable to bring the properties to completion.

According to the survey, 22 houses in the Aisling Estate in Ennis and 20 in Acha Bhille have been classified as “near completed” but have no construction work currently ongoing.

Road infrastructure was a particular problem on developments in the county, with more than 600 properties deemed to have a basic road base, with no completed surfacing work.

A total of 132 properties in the Moyard estate in Shanballa, Ennis, were deemed to have road access, while 97 on the Tulla Road, Roslevan and 72 properties in Cregaun Na Hilla in Clarecastle were classified as having unfinished roads.

Of the 72 estates identified in the National Housing Development Survey, construction work was ongoing on only four projects – the Cluainin and Tullyglass Lowlands developments in Shannon, as well as the Cois Tra and Cregg Beach development in Lahinch. The survey also identified a number of Clare estates where lighting and completed footpaths were a major issue. The names used to describe these estates are presented as identified by the Department of the Environment in the National Housing Development Survey and may be known differently locally.

WITH just hours until the Government announces yet another ‘austerity’ budget, charities such as Clare Haven are bracing themselves for a year when they may have to cut services.

The women’s refuge for families who have been subjected to domestic violence and abuse has already had their statuary funds cut by as much as 10 per cent, and have been warned more cuts are on the way.

Since 2009, the statutory funding for the organisation has been cut by € 80,000.

Even with the level of statutory funding that was received in 2009, the organisation still had to fundraise in an attempt to meet the needs of women and children who were subjected to abuse in the home.

Clare Haven Manager, Denise Dunne explained, “Unfortunately, as well as cuts in statutory funding, since the recession it has become increasingly difficult to fundraise. We rely so much on the goodwill and generosity of the local community in County Clare, not only for monetary donations but also for donations in food, clothes, emergency supplies such as nappies, baby food and toiletries.

“Our volunteers are also an essential part of our service, including those who carry out church gate collections, help out with fundraising events, such as the Clare 10K, sort through donations and help out in the refuge,” she said.

“We have already been told to expect further cuts in 2013. This is why fundraising events such as the Clare 10K are such a lifeline for our organisation.

“We are hoping to make the Clare 10K the biggest and best so far and would encourage walkers and runners to help out their own local charities by taking part in this. All proceeds from the Clare 10K registration fees go directly to Clare Haven Services.”

During the first 10 months this year, as many as 208 women and 303 children fleeing from domestic abuse were unable to find accommodation at the centre, as all six units were full to capacity.

Ms Dunne explained that Clare Haven staff gave these families the numbers of other refuges around the country or helped them to locate one, but finding a place able to accept them was often difficult as most women’s refuges are working to full capacity.

As many as 73 women and their families, which included 109 children, have stayed in Clare Haven’s Refuge Centre this year.

While the service has also helped as many as 186 in total through its support visits, outreach programme and refuge centre.

A FORMER mayor of Shannon has called on Shannon Town Council authorities to outline to members of the local authority where over € 10,000 that has been put into a fund for the 2014 local elections has been diverted to.

Cllr Sean McLoughlin has made his comments ahead of the 2012 Shannon Town Council Budget meeting because the money put aside for the 2014 election won’t now be used for its intended purpose as the council is set to be abolished as part of the Government’s new blueprint for local government coming into effect in 2014.

“Every year we put away so much money for the local town election,” revealed Cllr McLoughlin.

“I am just wondering where is the money that was put in that pot, for a better word. I am wondering be- cause we won’t need to have a town election next time around, so the money that was put away won’t be used for the purpose it was put away for.

“I think there was roughly about € 3, 500 put aside each year since the 2009 election.

“The fact that it wasn’t taken out of this year’s budget drew my attention to it.

“I want to know where the three years of that money has gone,” added Cllr McLoughlin.

The Fine Gael representative has told The Clare People that money should now be ring-fenced for another project in the town.

“There was money put aside for the past three years.

“That’s over € 10,000, which is a lot of money.

“That money is just sitting there, money that could and should be put to use for something in Shannon,” he added.

A COMMERCIAL ferry operator has expressed an interest in operating a commuter ferry service connecting Ballyvaughan and Galway City.

Following a trial service held over the summer, the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop group have been trying to entice a ferry operator to take on the route on an ongoing basis. The group contacted a number of North Clare residents last week, asking them to register their interest in a new service to begin in the spring of 2013.

Depending on the response from the people in the area, a limited fulltime service could begin in February of next year.

“We have secured the interest of a private marine eco-tourism operator who is willing to provide a limited service that may be of interest from spring 2013,” said a statement from the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop group.

“However, we need to establish the minimum number of passengers this service is likely to attract in order to ensure it will be viable.”

The group are asking anyone interested to complete an online survey to detail their own interest in the service. The Clare People understands that the new ferry operators will sail the route twice a day, bringing commuters from Ballyvaughan to Galway City and home again each evening. This service will save those on board approximately two hours each day of a commute time, compared to making the same journey by car.

A trial ferry service on the Ballyvaughan to Galway City route took place earlier this year. The service received great interest locally and many sailings were completely booked out.

Despite the large customer interest, however, the trial service was suspended after just three days following issues with the boat provider.

This commercial beginning of the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop follows years of work by a small group of local people in Ballyvaughan.

More information on the service as it becomes available can be located on www.ballyvaughanbayhop.org.

A MAN who grew cannabis plants at his home in Crusheen to supplement his income has been ordered to make a contribution to charity.

John Nolan (35), with an address at Scalpnagoon, Ballinruan, Crusheen, appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Mr Nolan pleaded guilty cultivating cannabis plants contrary to the misuse of drugs act. The charge relates to the discovery of 15 cannabis plants at Scalpnagoon, Ballinruan, Crusheen on October 20 (2010).

The court heard that the plants had an estimated value of € 6000.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the case on a plea of guilty only. Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction of the case.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that gardai found 15 plants growing in an upstairs room. The court heard that Mr Nolan told gardaí that he grew the plants to supplement his income after he fell into financial difficulty.

Insp Kenendy said Mr Nolan has no previous convictions and was very cooperative and forthcoming with gardaí. Defence solicitor John Casey said his client had worked solidly as a stonemason until work “suddenly turned off” a number of years ago.

He said Mr Nolan had been a cannabis smoker. Mr Casey said his client was “mucking around on the internet” when he found out how to grow cannabis.

Mr Casey added, “He has stopped now. This has put intense pressure on him. He recently became a new father.”

Mr Casey said his client had offered an early plea and is keen to start afresh and end this part of his life.

Inspector Kennedy said he could not disagree with what Mr Casey said about Mr Nolan. He told the court that the plants would not have been fully developed at the time.

Judge Patrick Durcan said this was a “serious matter” as outlined by the view taken by the DPP that the case could only be dealt with in the district court on a guilty plea only.

He added, “This is a matter where a 12 month sentence could be imposed.” Noting the early guilty plea and the circumstances outlined by Mr Casey, Judge Durcan described Mr Nolan as someone who is “very unlikely to re-offend.”

He ordered him to pay € 500 to the court box. Judge Durcan said if this was done by April 10, 2013, he would strike out the charges against Mr Nolan.