Category: News

THE Chairperson of the Lahinch Community Council has welcomed the closure of Lahinch Garda Station announced last week, saying the station was already “virtually closed”.

Local businessman Donogh O’Loghlin believes that the closure of Lahinch Garda Station will not have an effect on the safety of the local population. Mr O’Loghlin did say that a more flexible approach to Garda rostering in the local area, especially on weekends, could have a positive impact on the situation with anti-social behaviour in Lahinch.

“I am not really concerned by the closure of the station. It is a beautiful building but I think it has been more or less closed for years already,” he said.

“It should have been closed years ago really. The local people here don’t have any idea when there will be a garda present in the station or not, so what is the point of having it there? There are 30 guards stationed just two miles out the road in Ennistymon. That should be enough.”

Mr O’Loghlin did say that anti-social behaviour was a major problem in Lahinch, especially during the summer months, but also said that this could be better tackled by a reorganisation of Garda man-hours, rather than having a station in Lahinch.

“We have guards walking the streets in Lahinch on a Monday or a Tuesday, but we don’t see them when we need them at the weekends. It’s about having the right garda resources here at the right time,” he said.

“Being a guard in this part of Clare is like being at a holiday camp. I don’t know why there is not more manpower being used at the weekends, when all the problems with anti-social behaviour are taking place.”

FOUR people suspected of involvement in dissident republican activity arrested in Clare on Wednesday were released without charge.

Three men and one woman aged in their late 20s and 40s were arrested as part of a planned Garda search operation.

They are all detained under the pro- visions of Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939, at various stations in County Clare.

The search took place in premises in Ennis, Shannon, and East Clare.

It is understood items such as paramilitary style clothing and laptops were also recovered in the searches.

The four were released at various stages on Thursday from Garda Stations in Shannon, Ennis, Killaloe and Ennistymon.

Files are being prepared for the DPP.

SOURCES within Clare GAA have confirmed to The Clare People that a number of suspensions will be handed down this week as a result of the investigation into Minor A hurling final between Kilmaley and Clarecastle.

Both clubs are also expected to be fined as a result of the incidents that marred the second half of the final, played in Sixmilebridge back in October. Several mentors from both sides have recently been before a committee appointed by the GAA in Clare to examine the controversy.

The game made headlines when pictures of the incidents were featured on the front pages of a number of national newspapers, as well as going viral on Facebook and Twitter. Only two mentors were named in the referee’s report, Kilmaley’s Niall Romer and Clarecastle’s Tommy Howard.

AN Bórd Pleanála has determined that issues raised with it regarding a contentious wall across a contested right of way have been dealt with previously.

James McNulty had asked the planning appeals board if development works (between the period 20042008) from the end of the public road L61041 across Doonbeg Golf Course to the public beach at Doughmore Bay, Carrowmore, Doonbeg, including the closure obstruction of the established public right of way to Doughmore Beach and the movement and alteration to the natural line of the public vehicular right of way at this location was considered development.

In his submission, the Cree man said he requested a declaration on the question from Clare County Council but had received no declaration.

An Bórd Pleanála concluded that the question being asked had already been dealt with and adjudicated on previously. The report said, due to “the evidence of the site inspection by the Board’s Inspector, where no works are apparent, it is considered that the substance of the case have already been determined and any further question has not been clearly articulated to enable the formulation of a determination.

“In deciding not to request further clarity in the matter, the Board considered that the substantive matter regarding previous works have already been dealt with,” it concluded.

A decision was made in May 2010, to a previous submission on the issue by Mr McNulty along with Theresa McNamara of Ballykeelaun House, Parteen. They appealed against a decision by Clare County Council to grant subject to conditions permission to Doonbeg Golf Club Limited for a development comprising retention of a gravel path, a dry stone retaining wall along a section of boundary between the golf course property and a neighbouring property, and the alteration of ground levels over an area of 300 square metres on the golf course to the west of the dry stone retaining wall.

At the time, An Bórd Pleanála upheld the local authority’s decision regarding that gravel path but refused permission for the retention on the contentious “dry stone retaining wall”.

“It is policy of the planning authority, as set out in the West Clare Local Area Plan 2009, to protect public rights-of-way and to keep them free from obstruction. This policy is considered to be reasonable,” the board said in May last year.

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.

A TEENAGER has pleaded guilty to multiple charges of theft and criminal damage arising out of incidents at housing estates in Sixmilebridge in September.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Mark Burke (19), with an address at 26 Beechwood Grove, Sixmilebridge, admitted to the theft of Sat Nav systems from cars in O’Garney Heights and Oakwood and to the theft a wallet and portable CD player from cars in Oakwood and O’Garney Heights.

Mr Burke also pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage at Beechwood Grove and O’Garney Heights.

All of the charges relate to September 9.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the cases.

Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction.

The court heard that a resident observed Mr Burke interfering with cars at around 6am on the morning in question. Gardaí were called to the area.

Insp Kennedy said Mr Burke had forcibly entered two cars and opportunistically taken items from them. The court heard Mr Burke was found quite close to the area in a state of intoxication.

Insp Kennedy said the accused made admissions and was totally cooperative with gardaí. Mr Burke has no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Stiofán Fitzpatrick said his client

Had brought € 500 compensation to court.

He said Mr Burke had consumed 20 Xanex tablets and drank vodka on the nights.

He said the incident had caused great embarrassment to the family as some of the cars belonged to neighbours.

Mr Fitzpatrick said his client was “hugely remorseful.” “He spiraled out of control,” he added.

Insp Kennedy said Mr Burke would benefit from the intervention of the probation and welfare services.

Judge Patrick Durcan said, “The people of Sixmilebridge are entitled to go to bed at night without expecting a zombie filled with vodka and Xanex coming around interfering with their cars.”

He commended Mr Burke for the payment of compensation but he said the people of Sixmilebridge deserved better.

He adjourned the case until March 13, 2012 for a pre-sentence report from the probation and welfare services.

The State were granted liberty to re-enter the case at 24 hours notice.

A JUDGE has refused jurisdiction of a case involving a Barefield couple accused of harassment.

Judge Patrick Durcan made the decision at Ennis District Court on Wednesday having previously accepted jurisdiction of the case involving Martin McLoughlin (65) and Ann McLoughlin (62).

The couple, both with an address at Ballymaconna, Barefield, are both charged with harassment of two named people in Barefield.

It is alleged that Mr McLoughlin made a threat, which a man believed would be carried out to kill or cause serious harm at Cregard Barefield on March 19 (2011). He is also facing a similar charge relating to an alleged incident at Cregard Barefield on September 24 (2011). He is also facing two separate charges of harassment on dates unknown between January 2004 and March 2012.

It is alleged that Mr McLoughlin caused criminal damage to trees and shrubs at Barefield on September 24 (2011). Ms McLoughlin is charged with alleged harassment of a woman in the district court area of Ennis on dates between October 2006 and March 2012. Judge Durcan had adjourned the case for a week to allow him to consider an application from defence solicitor James Nash requesting disclosure of documents from the State.

He also said that he would re-consider the issue of jurisdiction as the case had been “troubling” him.

Mr Nash previously told the court that the letters between gardaí and the local authority could prejudice his clients. The court previously heard that the State were not at lib erty to disclose the contents of the letters. On Wednesday, Judge Durcan said he was making no order on Mr Nash’s application.

He said that having considered the nature of the charges, he did not deem the matters fit to be heard in the district court. The couple were remanded on continuing bail to appear at Ennis District Court on January 23, 2012 for service of the book of evidence.

A MAN convicted of multiple thefts from premises across Clare committed the “most appalling catalogue of criminal activity”, a court has heard.

Eugene Scorr (23) “broke the hearts” of gardaí trying to detect him, Ennis District Court was told on Tuesday.

Mr Scorr, with a previous address at 44 Mill House, Mill Road, Ennis, pleaded guilty to 39 separate sets of charges.

The offences related to thefts from premises across Clare, criminal damage and road traffic matters.

He was also convicted of endangerment in the townland of Monreal South, Ennistymon on December 17, 2011.

Mr Scorr contested the charge but was found guilty by Judge Patrick Durcan.

He pleaded guilty to the theft of € 15 from Rath Church, Corofin on October 15 (2011); € 25 from Kilmaley Church on September 25 (2011).

Mr Scorr admitted to thefts from a house in Kilmaley on March 25 (2012); Hazel Lane, Gort Road, Ennis on May 14 (2012); Larchill, Ennis on dates unknown between June 23 and June 26 (2012); a chainsaw from a house in Drumcliff on June 25 (2012) and at Cahercalla, Ennis on dates unknown between July 1 and August 30 (2012).

Mr Scorr pleaded guilty to theft from Ballyea GAA club on dates unknown between August 15 and September 1 (2012).

Garda Chris Healy of Ennistymon Garda Station told the court that he was in a garda van that followed a car Mr Scorr was driving on December 17, 2011.

He said gardaí eventually overtook Mr Scorr in the townland of Monreal South about three miles from Ennistymon on the road to Ennis.

Garda Healy got out of the van and walked back towards Mr Scorr.

He told the court that Mr Scorr drove the car on a section of the road between the grass margin and the van.

Garda Healy said he jumped back against the van to avoid being hit.

He added, “He drove past me and missed me by a couple of inches.”

Mr Scorr denied the charge, saying Garda Healy was standing beside the car when he drove off.

Mr Scorr told the court there was plenty of room for him to pass between the garda van and the grass margin.

After hearing the evidence, Judge Durcan said he had no doubt in his mind regarding the case.

He added, “I have not the slightest doubt that Eugene Scorr is guilty of the offence.”

The court heard Mr Scorr has 17 previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client and his partner were homeless at the time when many of these offences were committed.

She told the court that Mr Scorr, a former security man at Ennis General Hospital, was very sorry for taking money from the church.

Ms Godfrey said her client had endured a tough family upbringing.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said this was one of those rare occasions when he said he had “nothing good to say” about an accused man.

He said Mr Scorr had engaged in opportunistic thefts around Clare.

He added:

“He had the hearts of ourselves and the guards broken in trying to detect him.”

Judge Patrick Durcan said Mr Scorr had engaged “in the most appalling catalogue of criminal activity.”

He added, “An attack on a church building is a despicable type of offence.”

Noting Mr Scorr’s guilty plea and his partner’s pregnancy, Judge Durcan imposed sentences totaling 18 months.

Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

A MA N is t o s t a n d t r ia l fo r
allegedly assaulting another man with a glass in a Shannon nightclub. It is alleged that Ben Sheehy (26), with an address at 7 Dun Aras Hurler’s Cross, Shannon, assaulted another man causing him harm at the Shannon Knights on July 15, 2012. The case came before Ennis District Cour t on Tuesday. Inspector Tom Kennedy told the cour t that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summar y disposal of the case on a plea of guilty only. Insp Kennedy outlined the alleged facts of the case. He said it would be alleged that Mr Sheehy struck another man in the face with a pint glass. Insp Kennedy said the alleged victim received 15 stitches and suffered permanent scarring as a result of the alleged assault. Judge Patrick Durcan refused jurisdiction. Mr Sheehy was remanded on continuing bail to Januar y 23 to appear at Ennis District Cour t for ser vice of the book of evidence. An extension of time was also granted for the ser vice of the book of evidence . Legal aid was approved for solicitor Catríona Carmody.

A MA N a lle ge d t o h a ve s e r i
o u s ly assaulted another man in Clarecastle last December has been returned for trial. Ian Considine (25), with an address at 55 St Joseph’s Terrace, Clarecastle, appeared at Ennis District Cour t on Wednesday. It is alleged that Mr Considine did assault another man causing him harm at St Joseph’s Terrace, Clarecastle on December 27, 2011. He also charged with the production of a golf club on the same night at St Joseph’s Terrace, Clarecastle , contrar y to the firearms and offensive weapons act. Garda Irene O’Flynn of Ennis Garda Station gave evidence of ser ving the book of evidence on Mr Considine. Inspector Tom Kennedy told the cour t that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP had consented for the accused to be returned for trial to the next sitting of Ennis Circuit Criminal Cour t on Februar y 12, 2013. Legal aid was approved for solicitor Daragh Hassett.

A LIMERICK man who committed multiple thefts in Ennis to pay off drug debts has been sentenced to 11 months in prison.

Edward O’Sullivan (23), with an address at 68 (A) Abbeyville, Limerick Road, Ennis, appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

He pleaded guilty to the theft of a handbag from an unoccupied house on the Limerick Road, Ennis on August 9.

The court heard that Mr O’Sullivan was found by gardaí to in possession of a kitchen knife at the Topaz filling station on November 5.

He pleaded guilty to breaking the window of a car parked on Francis Street between 4.15pm and 4.30pm on November 9.

He also admitted to taking a handbag, and an Apple Ipod.

Mr O’Sullivan was found soon after by gardaí on Harmony Row in possession of the goods.

He told gardaí that he had bought the Ipod of a heroin addict for € 10. He later admitted the theft, the court heard.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that Detectives in Ennis were investigating a series of burglaries in the town.

As a result gardaí carried out a search of 68 (A) Abbeyville, Limerick Road, Ennis on November 19.

They found a number of items stolen from a car in the Shanballa area of the town. Mr O’Sullivan pleaded guilty to a charge of handling stolen property. The court heard that Gardaí stopped Mr O’Sullivan at High Street, Ennis on November 19.

Insp Kennedy said the accused was wearing an Armani leather jacket that had been taken during a burglary of a house in Claureen.

Other items including an Apple Ipod and an Ipod docking station, also taken from the house in Claureen, were also recovered.

The court heard that Mr Sullivan has numerous previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Ted McCarthy told the court that his client comes from an extremely dysfunctional family in Limerick.

He said Mr O’Sullivan’s father is serving a life sentence in prison.

Mr McCarthy said his client had been addicted to drink and drugs and had left Limerick over a drug debt.

He said Mr O’Sullivan had committed the offences to get money to pay off his debts and to buy more drugs.

In relation to the knife found on Mr O’Sullivan on November 5, Mr McCarthy said his client was in fear of the people he owed money to.

Judge Patrick Durcan said that while he noted Mr O’Sullivan’s pleas of guilty and his difficult family circumstances, these were offences of a “most serious nature.”

He said the court would “not tolerate people walking around Ennis with knives.” Judge Durcan said that in wearing the stolen Armani jacket around Ennis, Mr O’Sullivan had displayed “arrogance and gall.”

He imposed sentences totalling 11 months. Recognaces were fixed in the event of an appeal.

A LICENCE to begin exploratory fracking in West Clare could be granted within months, with no input from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or any of the planning authorities.

That is according to Clare Fracking Concerned, who believe that UK-based company Enegi Oil could begin fracking in Clare early next year, once the Minister for Energy, Pat Rabbitte (LAB), gives them the green light.

The company announced last week that their initial assessment of the Clare Basin showed it to be a “highly prospective project” while Enegi Oil CEO, Alan Minty, said he would ap- ply for an exploration licence in February of 2013.

Kilmaley resident and member of Clare Fracking Concerned, Sarah Akamine told The Clare People yesterday that the organisation has become complacent as they believed that the company would not go ahead with the project.

“This is very bad news for all of us. Many of us [in Clare Fracking Concerned] had been under the impression that the Clare Basin project was not commercially viable – and because of that I think we got complacent,” she said.

“I think that a lot of people assumed that this would focus on the very west of Clare, but Enegi’s statement indicated that they are looking at the whole Clare Basin – that means everything west or north of Ennis – which could affect a lot of people.”

Clare County Council voted earlier this year to change the County Development Plan to prohibit fracking. While this does not prohibit Minister Rabbitte from licensing a project in the Clare Basin, it does mean that the project must be referred to the EPA before it can begin.

However, according to Clare Fracking Concerned, the same rules do not currently apply for fracking exploration licences.

“Clare Basin is a highly prospective project and we are delighted to be involved at this early stage,” said Alan Minty last week.

“The whole acreage appears to be very prospective and we are particu- larly excited by the area at the centre of the existing seismic grid which we have defined as high grade.

“Whilst these results are very encouraging, further exploration work is required to identify specific areas of prospectivity and potential future drilling targets.

“We look forward to providing details of our planned work programme and development plan once we have been awarded an exploration licence.”

Fracking involves pumping large amount of water and other liquids deep underground to shatter layers of shale rock and release the natural gas inside for collection.

The process has been criticised for polluting ground water and even causing earthquakes. Th is we e k w ill st a y m ild b u t c o o l, t h e re a l c h ill is c o m in g n e xt we e k wit h fre e zin g t e m p e ra t u re s d u e .