Category: News

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 .

SHANNON business is set to relocate to Ennis next Monday as hardpressed rate-payers in the airport town take their fight for survival and a better deal from Clare County Council to the December monthly meeting of the local authority.

Business people from Shannon, led by their three-person team of Skycourt manager Pat Kelly and business owners Eoin Hoctor of McLoughney’s newsagents in the town centre and Maurice Lynch of Lynch Transport, will bring the town’s plea for help to the floor of the local authority meeting that takes place in Shannon Airport.

The trio are set to make a presentation to local authority leaders in the hope of sparking what would be a ground-breaking policy shift by Clare County Council, whereby the commercial rates burden placed on business people would be significantly reduced.

Speaking to The Clare People ahead of the gathering, Pat Kelly said “this is about businesses in Shannon being able to survive” and called on the 32-member council led by Mayor of Clare Pat Daly, County Manager Tom Coughlan and other executive members to “play their part in help- ing business fight the recession”.

“It’s the first time in a long time that business representatives will be making a special presentation in the council chamber and we’re doing it because things have to change,” continued Mr Kelly.

“This is about businesses in Shannon surviving. The council and the councillors make the budget every year and we are just making the point to them that over the past five years every business has had to adjust to survive.

“Every business has had to cut their overheads – any business that hasn’t, hasn’t survived. There have been cuts in everything, but the one thing that hasn’t been cut is commercial rates. We are saying to the local authority – you are a business, we are a business, we have cut our overheads, you have to cut your overheads in order for us to survive.

“The rates have remained the same over the past four or five years, but businesses have had turnover reductions of 30, 40 and 50 per cent. Skycourt have cut our service charge costs by 25 per cent, we’ve cut our rents, but the one thing that hasn’t been cut is the rates. That’s the biggest deterrent for Skycourt to be able to rent units,” he added.

This decision by Shannon business people to make a direct plea for help from Clare’s premier decision-making body comes on the back of a series of public meetings that have taken place in the town, where disgruntled rate-payers aired their grievances over the county council’s failure to budge when it comes to reducing rates.

The latest meeting took place on Monday night when the finishing touches to the plan of campaign for next Monday’s council meeting were put in place, while as part of the process of seeking redress from the council on rates as seen a delegation of rate-payers meet with County Manager Tom Coughlan and Clare’s six Oireachtas members.

NEWCO, the working name for the new organisation to manage Shannon Airport and its 2000-acre landbank, will become the engine for growth the mid-west region, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Richard Bruton has declared. In hailing the new departure for Shannon, Minister Bruton said that the “ambitious” plans for the new independent Shannon Airport structure can be delivered upon thanks to the goodwill of the people in the mid-west.

“Keeping the status quo is not an option,” he revealed, “and we have now created a real opportunity for exciting development.

“It is a very good day for the Shannon region. We are creating a new engine for regional development and it is being built from structures that unfortunately for different reasons were running into extreme difficulties,” added Minister Bruton.

The minister paid tribute to Shannon Development’s record over the past 50 years, but revealed that it was time for change because “the funding model that supported them for so many years has been severely damaged by the property crash”.

“We now have to create new structures that will carry on that work (of Shannon Development).

“I believe that we have in the business plan development and the merged entity, NEWCO, the opportunity to start a new chapter in regional development for Shannon.

“By restructuring the enterprise agencies in the Shannon region we can ensure that indigenous and multinational industry already in the region or considering locating there have access to a comprehensive range of supports.

“By merging a strong independent Shannon Airport with the extensive property holdings, experience and expertise of Shannon Development we will create a strong new State company which will work with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland on developing an International Aviation Services Centre in the region.

“The implementation of these decisions represents a new start for enterprise and jobs in the Shannon region,” added Minister Bruton.

Shannon Passenger
Numbers 2007- 2012 2007 3.62m 2008 3.16m 2009 2.79m 2010 1.75m 2011 1.62m 2012 1.5m

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.

, said he regarded the Mid West Business magazine as a rival for advertising revenue to The Cla re People . He said, “There was a fundamental breakdown in the office and he (Mr Collison) was the root cause of it.” Mr Moloney said there had been an “acrimonious relationship” between he, the shareholders and Mr Collison. Mr Moloney said he had never seen the agreement entered into between the company and the NUJ. He told the court that the paper had gone though a difficult period but that circulation is now growing. Judge Patrick Durcan said it was his view that Mr Collison was not in breach of the agreement. Judge Durcan added that he could not see how the reputation of the paper had been damaged when circulation had gone up in the context of Mr Collison leaving. He described Mr O’Rourke as “obviously a talented man” but someone who may have been “naive”. He said that in engaging Mr O’Rourke, Mr Collison’s behaviour was “despicable and manipulative”. He described Mr Moloney’s evidence as “honest, professional and refreshing”. Judge Durcan awarded Mr Collison € 4,700 but said he was making no order for costs “by virtue of his (Mr Collison’s) behaviour”. Judge Durcan dismissed the counter claim, making no order for costs.

A JUDGE has said he will reflect on his decision to accept jurisdiction of a case involving a Barefield couple charged with harassment.

Martin McLoughlin (65) and Ann McLoughlin (62) both appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

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 Cregard, 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.

Defence solicitor James Nash told the court that he had a problem had arisen in the discovery process.

He said the State are refusing to hand over correspondence between Gardaí and a local authority. Mr Nash urged Judge Patrick Durcan to dismiss the case on the basis of discovery being refused.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the State are not at liberty to disclose letters between the local authority and the alleged injured parties. Mr Nash said his clients could be “prejudiced” by the correspondence.

“I’m entitled to see it,” he added. Insp Kennedy said a court order would be required for the State to disclose correspondence.

He described the case as “very involved” and said the issues dated back to 2006.

Judge Durcan adjourned the case to tomorrow.

He said that while had accepted jurisdiction of the matter; the case had been “troubling” him.

He said he would reflect on his original decision. “My mind is open on it,” he added.

THE Bishop of Killaloe has been asked to intervene after a “septic relationship” developed between some parents and the principal of a small West Clare primary school. Dr Kieran O’Reilly has been asked to mediate on issues at Labasheeda National School, details of which were aired at Kilrush District Court on Tuesday.

Martin Tubridy (55), with an address at Quarry Vale, Mounthshannon, Labasheeda, was found guilty of assault causing harm to Liam Woulfe at the school on December 9, 2011. Mr Tubridy, a father of two, denied the charge.

The court heard that Mr Tubridy punched Mr Woulfe in the face after complaining about the treatment of his son. The court heard that some parents had withdrawn their children from the school because of alleged disputes with Mr Woulfe.

Judge Patrick Durcan said this was a case where there were “no winners”. He said, “I want to say how saddened I am to see such divisions in Labasheeda over a septic relationship between the two parties.” He said he found the entire episode “distressing” and warned that the dispute threatens the future of the school and the local community. Judge Durcan added, “I know this kind of thing can sound the deathknell for a school and the deathknell for a school is a deathknell for the local community.”

Mr Woulfe, who has been principal of the school for 17 years, said Mr Tu- bridy drove to the school after hours on the date in question. The court heard that Mr Woulfe had been talking to another parent in a classroom at the time. Mr Woulfe said he went out to Mr Tubridy and asked if he could come back to meet him again. He said Mr Tubridy told him he had put his son outside of the classroom and that he (Mr Woulfe) had been “at him all week”.

Mr Woulfe said, “He struck me and hit me in the face.” He added,“I recoiled back into the classroom. I was obviously shocked and dazed.”

The court heard that Mr Woulfe suffered a swollen nose, black eye and a broken tooth as a result of the assault. His injuries were disputed by defence solicitor Patrick Moylan who said they had not been noted in a dental report handed into court. Mr Moylan said Mr Woulfe had exaggerated the extent of his injuries.

Mr Moylan said in court that parents had withdrawn their children because it had been alleged that Mr Woulfe had behaved in an “aggressive” manner towards them.

The court also heard that Mr Tubridy’s wife made a complaint to the of- fice of the Bishop of Killaloe.

Mr Woulfe admitted issues had arisen in his dealings with the Tubridys. He described their behaviour in a previous meeting as “aggressive and over the top”. He said that 2011 had been a “difficult year” at the school.In his evidence, Mr Tubridy denied this and said it was Mr Woulfe who behaved in an aggressive fashion. Mr Woulfe denied Mr Tubridy’s version of events.

Parent Caroline O’Shea, who was in the school at the time, told the court she saw the assault. Mr Tubridy said she could not have seen what happened as the glass on the classroom door is opaque. He claimed Mr Woulfe grabbed him by the back of the neck and he reacted by pushing him away. He told the court that he drove to the school to meet Mr Woulfe because his son was very upset.

Judge Patrick Durcan said there had been “bad blood” between the parties. He said he did not accept Mr Tubridy’s version of events, describing it as “improbable.” Judge Durcan said he accepted Mr Woulfe’s and Ms O’Shea’s evidence. He adjourned the case for just over an hour to allow for discussions between the parties.

On the resumption of the case, Supt Gerard Wall told the court that Mr Tubridy had offered a “full and unconditional” apology to Mr Woulfe.

Judge Durcan said he accepted a proposal to invite Dr O’Reilly to mediate on the matter. He adjourned the case until April 9, 2013 and ordered Mr Tubridy to pay € 400 compensation to Mr Woulfe and Ms O’Shea.

GARDAÍ in Ennis have admitted they were “extremely concerned” when a convicted sex offender who failed to inform them of a change in his address fell of their “radar” last month.

The 40-year-old man pleaded guilty at Ennis District Court on Wednesday to a charge of failing to inform gardaí of a change in his address.

It was alleged that the man, on dates unknown between September 29 (2012) and October 10 (2012), within the jurisdiction of the State being a person to whom part two of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 applied, did fail to notify the gardaí of his home address on the relevant date as required by the provisions of the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

Detective Garda John Casey told the court that as a result of the man’s previous conviction he was required to inform gardaí of any change in his address.

Det. Casey said he learned the man had moved from his previous address in Clarecastle but had failed to inform gardaí of his new place of residence.

Defence solicitor John Casey told the court that his client had lived rough in the Mill Road area of Ennis after his previous accommodation no longer became available to him in Clrecastle.

He said the man did not have the necessary money to get new accommodation but has since secured a new address.

Mr Casey said his client is in very poor health and had no family or friends to turn to.

He added, “This was a breach of very serious and onerous condition.”

Det. Casey said it came as a “great surprise” to him that the man had been living in the Park on the Mill Road.

He said, “When he went of my radar, I was extremely concerned.”

“It goes without saying that people subject to the register are closely monitored,” he added.

Det. Casey told the court that he is now satisfied that the man has a new address

Judge Patrick Durcan said, “This is a very serious case and people are obliged to comply with the directions of a garda.”

Judge Durcan imposed a twomonth prison sentence, suspending it for two years.

He said he was imposing such a sentence “because of the seriousness of the matter.”