Category: News

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 .

TWO sisters charged offences allegedly committed outside an Ennis primary school are expected to be sentenced in January.

Rose Mahon (22) and Laura Molloy (21) are charged in relation to an incident at the Holy Family School, Station Road on March 20. Rose Mahon, with an address at Bay 3 Ballaghboy, Quin Road, Ennis, is alleged to have caused € 1500 worth of damage to a car. Laura Molloy, with an address at Bay 3 Ballaghboy Halting Site, Quin Road, Ennis, is alleged to have provoked a breach of the peace. Defence solicitor for both accused, Daragh Hassett, told the court that the cases are remaining in the district court. He said his clients would not be contesting the charges.

Mr Hassett said he was requesting an adjournment of the cases to allow him to prepare detailed pleas in mitigation in respect of his clients.

Judge Patrick Durcan noted guilty pleas in respect of both accused. He remanded both women on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on January 9 for sentence.

A NEW community group that has been established in Broadford has pledged to fight the decision by An Post to close the local post office overnight without giving any advance notice to any of its customers.

This campaign cranked to life at a public meeting in the village on Thursday night last that saw the formation of the Broadford Post Office Action Group that as a first step has demanded a meeting with An Post officials.

“People want their post office back,” the action group chairman PJ Mason told The Clare People . “This post office has been in Broadford for as long as there have been rural post offices in Ireland.

“We want an urgent meeting with An Post about this. An issue arose a couple of weeks ago, which we are not privy to. Suddenly when people turned up for their pensions and welfare a few weeks ago the office was closed and they were directed to go to Tulla.

“That’s a big problem for some people, who haven’t got transport. Tulla is about ten miles from Broadford, while some people would be 20 miles away from Tulla. It’s not good enough that they should have to go all the way to Tulla,” added Mr Mason.

The public meeting was attended by over 150 people, among them officers and members of all the local organisations including, the ICMSA, IFA, local hurling and camogie clubs, ICA Guilds, the local development association, community alert groups, gun clubs, parents groups, as well as members of the boards of management of the local schools.

Local councillors present were Michael Begley (Ind), Joe Cooney (FG), Cathal Crowe (FF) and Pat Hayes (FF), while Martin O’Loghlen represented Deputy Timmy Dooley (FF).

“The post office serves a large population in a wide catchment area that includes all of the parish of Broadford, an area of Bridgetown, O’Callaghan’s Mills and Bodyke,” revealed Mr Mason, who was elected chairman of the action group on the night.

“The closure of the post office has caused people severe hardship and disruption, as the Christmas period and beyond rapidly approaches. Some people have been unable to get to Tulla, others have had to get the assistance of neighbours and friends to get them to there. We want our post office re-opened as quickly as possible,” he added.

A MAN has appeared in court charged with drugs and firearms offences in North Clare two years ago.

Sean McNamara (21), with an address at Doonogan, Mullagh, appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

It is alleged that on October 16, 2010, Mr McNamara possessed a 12-gauge double barrel shotgun. It is alleged that he did not have the shotgun for a lawful purpose.

Mr McNamara is also charged with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Doonogan, Mullagh on October 16.

Detective Garda Stephen Hession of Ennis Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He said Mr McNamara gave no reply to charge after caution.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed trial on indictment.

The case was adjourned until January 9, 2013 for the service of the Book of Evidence.

THE possibility of a hurley shortage has been averted, at least for now, as Coillte have agreed to bring forward the harvesting of 40,000 hurley planks to meet the demand of manufacturers.

The state sponsored company agreed to a mass felling of ash on Friday after fears that Irish hurley manufacturers would run out of wood in the new year as a result of regulations brought in to prevent the spread of ash die-back disease or Chalara fraxineaposes.

The news will come as a relief to Clare’s hurley manufacturers – who between them produce around 25 per cent of the 360,000 hurleys made in Ireland each year.

The commitment from Coillte should provide hurley makers with an extra four to six weeks of raw material.

If the import restriction are not lifted at that stage, and no further new Irish ash supply has be located, hurley shortages could still be in place by the middle of next year.

“Coillte is very keen to play its part in helping the hurley manufacturing industry in Ireland cope with the current supply challenge. We are already harvesting ash in one of our forests in County Westmeath and have identified a number of other locations where we will harvest material in the coming months,” said Gerard Murphy of Coillte.

“We have committed to supplying 40,000 ash planks to the hurley making industry in the coming months to ensure the ongoing survival of this important part of our social and sporting heritage.”

The issue was also discussed in the Dáil last week with Clare TD, Michael McNamara (Lab).

“One hurley maker in Clare employs six people and makes between 60,000 to 70,000 hurleys per year. There are several other hurley makers across County Clare from Tuamgraney, Ogonnelloe, Broadford, Kilmurry, Kilkishen and Tubber,” he said.

Ash die-back disease has now be confirmed in Galway, Tipperary, Meath, Leitrim and a number of locations in Northern Ireland. The disease has devastated ash forests in central Europe and is very difficult to contain.

Ireland currently imports more than 10 per cent of all the ash used in the country but current targets suggest that it will become self-sufficient for ash by 2020.

A WEST Clare man has been ordered to return home to live with his mother after pleading guilty to a number of theft and trespass offences in Ennis.

Noel Garry (19), with an address at Apartment 173, Parnell Street appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

The court heard that Mr Garry was one of three people who took a car that had been left running in the market in Ennis on August 10.

The court heard that the car was brought to the Moyross area of Limerick and burnt out.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that € 1500 worth of damage was caused to the car and no compensation had been paid to the injured party.

Mr Garry also admitted to being one of two people who broke the window of the Tunstar shop at Parnell Street on the hours between August 26-27. A number of mobile phones and phone covers were stolen in the incident.

Mr Garry pleaded guilty to being one of two people who entered the 7 Days Shop, Cabey’s Lane, Ennis between September 5-6.

Insp Kennedy told the court that the premises serves as a Western Union money transfer shop.

He said that on the night in question € 675 was stolen from an envelope. He said the accused received a small amount of money.

Insp Kennedy told the court that Mr Garry co-operated fully with gardaí.

“He wasn’t the ringleader but he is easily led” he added.

Defence solicitor Fiona Hehir told the court that her client was 18 when he embarked on a “crime spree.”

She said Mr Garry had fallen in with a bad crowd in Ennis and that his mother is “extremely worried” about him.

Ms Hehir said Mr Garry had been involved in drugs and crime and that his behaviour must be “nipped in the bud.”

She told the court she had been instructed to enter an early guilty plea by her client.

Ms Hehir added, “He was in Castlerea prison for a week and he did not like it.”

Judge Patrick Durcan said was considering imposing a 10-month sentence.

He adjourned the case until January 23 for a report from the probation and welfare services. He also ordered Mr Garry to return home to live with his mother in Kilrush.

“Mr Garry, you have to wake up,” he added.

Mr Garry was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on January 23.