Category: News

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.

THE DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is expected to issue directions in January in respect of four people charged in connection with an alleged public order incident at a roundabout in Ennis.

Bernard McDonagh (45) and Christopher McDonagh (38), Bernard McDonagh Jnr (22) and a 16-year-old boy are alleged to have committed a number of offences arising out of the incident at the Maid of Erin on October 14.

Bernard McDonagh (45), with an address at 1 Ashline, Kilrush Road, Ennis is charged with the assault of John Doherty. He also faces three charges of criminal damage and one charge of dangerous driving.

It is further alleged that Bernard McDonagh (45) drove a vehicle in a dangerous and reckless manner, which created substantial risk of death or serious harm to another.

Christopher McDonagh, with an address at 1 Davitt Terrace, Cloughleigh, Ennis, is charged with production of an iron bar and possession of an iron bar with intent to cause injury to John Doherty, Martin Doherty and Jimmy Doherty.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with possession of a hatchet with intent to cause injuries to John Doherty, Martin Doherty and Jimmy Doherty.

He is also charged with the produc- tion of a hatchet.

Bernard McDonagh Jnr (22) is charged with possession of an article with intent to cause injury and the production of an article in the course of a dispute.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Inspector Tom Kennedy said DPP’s directions are expected in January. All four people were remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on January 13, 2013.

CLARE tourism will be damaged internationally, while both private and State-run tourism operators will be the big losers if Clare County Council gives the green light for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to develop car park facilities near Mullaghmore.

This claim is a major plank of the Burren Action Group (BAG) submis- sion to the planning authority, opposing the controversial NPWS application, that has been secured by The Clare People this week.

In a hard-hitting submission, BAG says that the car park proposal “makes no consideration of tourism practice in the area and does not appear to inform itself as to the policies of other statutory agencies or of the objectives of the County Development Plan”.

According to the BAG submission, permission for the car park facility would “endanger the reputation of the Burren” and “poses a risk to investments of other tourism operators” throughout North Clare.

“Substantial inter-agency efforts helped secure Geopark status for the Burren and efforts are ongoing to achieve a UNESCO World Heritage Site listing,” says the BAG submission.

“Smaller operators have undertaken international marketing activities through the Burren Ecotourism Network and have developed an accreditation scheme for green tourism that has been adopted as the Irish standard and has been approved by Fáilte Ireland.

“News of the existence of a statemanaged facility that is operating contrary to the precautionary and sustainability principles will harm the area’s reputation and the international perception that it is a prime ecotourism destination.

“The application runs counter to the objectives and principles of ecotourism, is contrary to the objectives of the County Development Plan and will endanger the tourism investments of both private and statutory tourism providers.

“It is not compatible with the area’s reputation for ecotourism and thus poses a threat to tourism operators in the wider Burren,” the submission to the Clare County Council planners adds.

GARDAÍ are to continue to investigate the circumstances of an alleged nightclub assault in Ennis, a court has heard.

The investigation relates to a North Clare woman who is alleged to have assaulted another person with a glass at the Queens nightclub, Ennis.

Nora McCormack (23), with an address at Glanquin, Kilnaboy, is charged with assault causing harm at the Queens on May 13, 2012.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), had directed summary disposal of the case.

Insp Kennedy told the court that the alleged injured party would allege that she was struck by a small glass allegedly thrown by Ms Mc- Cormack.

Insp Kennedy said the person had to receive four stitches for the wound.

Solicitor John Casey said his client was prepared to take a certain course of action based on a version of events.

However he said no CCTV was available of the alleged incident. Mr Casey told the court that CCTV would back up his client’s version of events.

Mr Casey told the court that CCTV was a requirement for all pubs and nightclubs.

He added, “I find constantly when I look for CCTV, unless it is the Garda system, there is never CCTV footage.”He said his client did not agree with the version of events outlined by the alleged injured party.

Mr Casey said his client had never been in court before and had come back from America to deal with the case.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said he would be anxious to look into the matter of CCTV.

Judge Patrick Durcan adjourned the case until Friday to allow for disclosure matters to be resolved and for him to consider the jurisdiction.

He also requested further details of the injuries to the alleged injured party. On Friday, Mr Casey told the court that gardaí are continuing to investigate the case.

He requested that the matter be adjourned until January.

Insp Kennedy said the person had not suffered any permanent scarring.

Judge Durcan said he “reluctantly” accepted jurisdiction. He adjourned the case for mention until January 23, 2013.

AN TAISCE has recommended that the proposal by the National Parks and Wildlife Service to build a carpark at Mullaghmore be withdrawn, because it’s “premature” ahead of the implementation of a Burren Management Plan and because it could “lead to future demand for expansion” of visitor facilities at the site.

The environmental watchdog made its comments in a submission to Clare County Council planners on Thursday last and in it the NPWS has been advised to withdraw its controversial application pending proper public consultation and the publication of the Burren Management Plan.

“Any consideration of new car parking provision should be undertaken only as part of the current 2011-2018 Management Plan for the National Park and surrounding area,” says An Taisce spokesperson Ian Lumley.

“The current Management Plan does not make any provision for a car park at this site.

“If parking provision is deemed desirable in or near the core area of the National Park, a careful site selection evaluation is required identifying a number of site options and considering site suitability on a number of criteria. State ownership is not sufficient grounds to justify location selection of this site,” he adds.

The National Trust for Ireland has also echoed the Burren Action Group (BAG) fears that provision of car park facilities could signal further development. “A further concern is that any car park provision made will lead to future demand for expansion and ancillary services including toilets,” says Mr Lumley. “This is an additional reason why the site suitability of any car park provision needs to be properly considered in the first place. We recommend that this application be withdrawn and that any proposal be put forward after appropriate public and stakeholder consultation on the updating of the Management Plan for the National Park and provision of a Management Plan for candidate Special Area of Conservation designated area.

“Any car parking provision needs to be based on an overall visitor accommodation strategy, and any site proposed needs to be based on a selection process examining a wider number of location options, than those currently considered,” he adds.

TWO men charged with damaging a house in Ennis are due to appear again in court next month.

Michael Molloy (19), with an address at 2 Ballymaley Halting Site, Ennis and Patrick McCarthy (19), with an address at 2 Ballaghboy, Quin Road, Ennis are both charged with committing criminal damage at Westbourne Court, Watery Road, Ennis on October 28.

It is alleged that both accused did without lawful excuse damage two car windows, two glass door panels and a 51” flat screen TV and glass stand intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property in question would be damaged.

Both cases came before Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

In respect of Mr McCarthy, Inspec- tor Tom Kennedy said directions are still being awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said she would consent for the matter to be adjourned to December 5.

The court heard that DPP’s directions are also being sought in respect of Mr Molloy.

He was remanded on continuing bail to appear again in court on December 19.