Category: News

MARY Rice, owner of Babyzone store, from Ruan, Ennis and 66 years young, was crowned Breakfast with Hector’s ‘Granny Grand Prix Champion of 2012’, in Mondello Park, Kildare, on Sunday, November 18, with an impressive time of one minute and seven seconds.

Said Mary about the event, “It was the best day of my life. I’m still recovering. I wasn’t out to win. I was just out to do what I was told to do. Little did I think that I would be the winner.”

Mary was more surprised than anyone to be taking part in the contest, let alone winning the title, having no knowledge of the event until she found herself picking up the phone to Hector at work.

“I thought it was my son-in-law in England; he’s always playing tricks,” she chuckled. It was her daughter, Sheena, who nominated her for the competition. Sheena, who lives in Germany, listens to Hector’s show to avoid getting too homesick and happened to hear about the competition one morning.

Blessed with a family of eight children, and 11 grandchildren, Mary was not short of supporters on the day. Family and friends travelled from as far as Germany and Birmingham to cheer her on, donning printed t-shirts reading ‘Mary Mops for Grand Prix Title’.

In honour of her win, Mary was also presented with a voucher for a weekend away in The Radisson Hotel, Galway to enjoy with a few of her friends.

GARDAÍ found a man selling quantities of beer, cider, Guinness and whiskey from the boot of a car in Clarecastle, a court has heard.

Kevin Maughan (20), with an address at 42B Lissadyra, Ballygaddy Road, Tuam, Galway, is charged with handling stolen property at Clarehill, Clarecastle on October 5.

The case came before Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the case. He said it would be alleged that Gardaí found Mr. Maughan selling alcohol valued at € 539 from the boot of his car on the date in question. It is alleged that Mr Maughan had 72 cans of Bulmers, 72 cans of Budweiser, 48 cans of Carlsberg, 48 cans of Guinness, two bottles of Huzzar vodka, one bottle of Tequilla, one bottle of liqueur, two bottles of Powers whiskey and cigarettes valued at € 132. Judge Patrick Durcan said, “We’ve all heard of the mobile bank and the mobile library but this is the first time I’ve heard of the mobile shebeen.” Mr Maughan was not present in court. His solicitor Daragh Hassett handed in a medical certificate to the court. Judge Durcan said he did not accept the contents of the certificate. A bench warrant was issued for Mr Maughan’s arrest.

A GROUP of volounteers behind an animal shelter in Clare who feared closure earlier this month are planning to spend the night on the footsteps of Ennis Courthouse next month.

‘Out with the Dogs’ will see members of Paw Pourri and Bernese Mountain Dog Rescue leave their warm homes for the steps of Ennis Courthouse on December 16.

The aim of the sleep-out is to raise awareness and funds for the two charities.

According to Hillary Killowry of Bernese Mountain Dog Rescue, “Even in recessionary times, we have to be mindful of animal welfare. We want this night to highlight the plight of unwanted animals in Clare and the rescue and rehabilitation of Bernese Dogs.”

Hillary added, “If every home in Clare that has a pet gives us one can of food on that night, that will go a long way to alleviating the huge food bills that we are faced with.”

Paw Pourri Animal Rescue and Shelter rescues and re-homes abandoned dogs and cats. All animals remain with the centre until new homes can be found.

The shelter has launched a Christmas appeal aimed at attracting more donations, volunteers and much needed fosterers.

Earlier this month, the shelter said it was struggling to maintain its service because of a lack of volunteers and funds.

However, Catriona Lowry of Paw Pourri has stated that the local com- munity had responded well to the appeal.

The shelter is also seeking more volunteers to help keep the shop open, along with urgently needed fosterers to give a home to some of the animals at the shelter.

The amount of animals in Clare that need shelter and rescue continues to grow, according to Paw Pourri.

Their Christmas Wish List is made up of everything from dog and cat food as the weekly bill for feeding the animals runs into hundreds of euros.

People of Clare can get behind the ‘Out with the Dogs’ fundraiser by supporting those with official sponsorship cards. People can also drop by on the night and meet Molly, Clare’s famous Bernese Dog, whose sibling now resides in Arás an Uachtarán.

Molly works hard as a therapy dog with the elderly, children with autism and those with special needs in Clare.

People can also donate online on www.pawpourri.net

A 14-YEAR-old boy has appeared in court charged with offences in connection with an alleged violent incident at a primary school in Ennis.

The teenager was before Ennis District Court on Friday. He is charged with violent disorder at the Holy Family Primary School on March 20, 2012.

He is also charged with the production of a machete contrary to the firearms and offensive weapons act on the same date and location.

The court heard that jurisdiction of the case had previously been refused. Inspector Tom Kennedy requested an extension of time for the service of the book of evidence.

The teenager was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on December 19.

Another man charged in connection with the same incident is also due to appear in court on that date.

Conor Mahon (21), with an address at Ballaghboy Halting Site, Quin Road, Ennis, is alleged to have committed violent disorder at the Holy Family School, Station Road, Ennis on March 3.

He is also charged with unlawful production of an article contrary to the firearms and offensive weapons act at the same date and location.

Mr Mahon appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Inspector Kennedy said State were seeking an extension of time to allow for the service of the book of evidence.

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett said he would consent to December 19.

Mr Mahon was remanded on continuing bail to appear at Ennis District Court on December 19.

IARNRÓD Éireann has come in for fresh criticism over the length of time it has taken to create an online booking system for the Western Rail Corridor. At present, it is possible to view timetable information for services between Ennis and Galway but not to price a ticket or make an online purchase.

This was identified as one of the main areas for reform earlier this year and prompted Iarnród Éireann to commit to developing an online system. The delay in developing a system was described as “perplexing” by North-West MEP, Jim Higgins (FF), last week.

“I cannot understand how you can book most buses in the country on line, but not the train. I wonder if this was a train on the east coast, would a solution to the online booking problem have been found by now,” he said.

MEP Higgins was also critical of the time taken to travel on the Western Rail Corridor when compared to a car journey. “I’ve raised this issue before, and I will raise it again. To drive between Galway City and Limerick takes one hour and 25 minutes but on the train, it takes two hours and 15 minutes,” he said.

Iarnród Éireann confirmed last week that journey times between Limerick and Galway on the Western Rail Corridor will be reduced by as much as 15 minutes in the coming months.

Latest passenger numbers for the Western Rail Corridor show an increase of 6 per cent for the first nine months of 2012, the first positive passenger number trends since the service was established.

Meanwhile, the future of the proposed development of a new train station at Crusheen remains unclear. A final planning decision on the station was due in early November but no decision has yet been released.

MICHEÁL Martin used the occasion of his first Eamon de Valera Commemoration in Ennis as party leader to blast the Fine Gael/Labour coalition for ignoring the former Taoiseach, President and Clare TD’s pivotal role in the making of modern Ireland.

In his address to a small gathering of the Fianna Fáil faithful at the de Valera Monument in Ennis’ People’s Park, the Fianna Fáil leader rounded on the parties of government for failing to honour Mr de Valera 75 years after his crucial role in drafting Bunreacht na hÉireann in 1937

“This is the 75th anniversary of the adoption by the people of Bunreacht na hÉireann,” said Mr Martin, “and the constitution is rightly seen as primarily the result of Eamon de Valera’s determination that this country should have a modern republican constitution. It has been continuously in place longer than the written constitution of any other European state.

“It is a great pity that the coalition government refused to take any step whatsoever to acknowledge this anniversary.

“They have to begin to step outside of the non-partisan consensus on the past which I mentioned, and have shown an unwillingness to acknowledge the work of people of other parties at all stages in our recent history,” he added.

Continuing, Mr Martin told the Fianna Fáil gathering that it was Mr de Valera – who served as a Clare representative for 42 years between his famous East Clare by-election victory of 1917 through to 1959 – and Mr de Valera alone, whose leadership and statesmanship secured Ireland’s place in international affairs.

“The foundation of Ireland’s strong standing in the world is undoubtedly his leadership in those deeply troubled times,” said Mr Martin.

“Because of Eamon de Valera, we have a strong and democratic constitutional tradition as a country which is founded on nationalist ideals but is fully committed to the international community. He raised the standing of Ireland in the world and built a republican constitutional tradition of which we should be proud,” he added.

MORE than 200 women and their children could not be accommodated by Clare’s women’s refuge so far this year, as cuts to the budget and an increase in the number seeking refuge from domestic abuse increases.

Manager of Clare Haven Denise Dunne told The Clare People that since the cut to the statutory budget began in 2009, Clare Haven has managed to retain its essential services to the detriment of educational programmes.

However when the fifth consecutive cut to the budget comes next year, vital services will more than likely be affected, she warned.

As many as 208 women and 303 children fleeing from domestic abuse were unable to find accommodation at the centre this year, 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 was often difficult as most women’s refuges are working to full capacity.

The staff work hard to ensure that no woman is left on the street however, even though they are not able to directly accommodate them.

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 helped as many as 186 in total through its support visits, outreach programme and refuge centre.

It pains the staff however to have to turn away more than 200 families from the shelter, as the organisation struggles to keep vital services open for those women it helps.

CLARE Haven’s refuge service provides emergency accommodation to women and children experience violence in the home.

While staying in one of the organisation’s six units they receive oneto-one support, medical assistance, legal assistance including a court companion and financial direction including help accessing housing and social welfare payments.

Childcare services are also provided to help care for the children and liaise with the child’s school where necessary.

Clare Haven also provides support services that include a drop in centre in Ennis and outreach centres in Kilrush, Shannon, Scariff and Killaloe.

During these visits women meet privately with support workers.

“It is important to note that when a woman come to us we don’t tell her what to do. We outline her options.

“We will support them around what they want to do,” explained Ms Dunne. Often this support can take years, with many women returning to the services years after they first made contact.

Domestic abuse is not a straight forward issue with a straight forward solution, according to Clare Haven’s manager, and the support workers work with the woman at her own pace. The service also provides a 24hour helpline.

While 73 women and their children stayed in the refuge so far this year, it is not as high as other years, not because there are less cases of abuse but there are less follow on services.

Accessing homes for these women is proving particularly difficult in the last 12 months, so they have to stay longer in what should be temporary accommodation at Clare Haven.

This causes somewhat of a backlog in the refuge adding to Clare Haven’s problems.

“The volume of women needing support has increased so much in the last number of years,” said Ms Dunne. Yet the funding continues to be cut. Clare Haven has to fundraise every year to ensure its doors stay open, with the Clare 10K providing most of its charitable funds.

It also relies on one-off donations from the public and the donation of goods especially food, clothes, baby goods such as nappies, and underwear (new) to help the families survive until social welfare payments come through.

“That [donations] keeps us going,” said Denise, outlining how they have had to cut their school’s education programme and awareness programmes in the community.

“We’re left with the critical service. If they cut us any more, the board will have to look at cutting back services next year,” the manager warned.

“We are a critical service in this county. By cutting funding you are cutting the service.”

“16 Days of Action and Awareness on Violence against Women” begins on November 25 to December 10.

The purpose of this campaign is to raise awareness on the whole issue of violence against women.

A FORMER GAA coach who indecently assaulted two young boys in areas of Clare over a two-year period in the early 1980s will be sentenced next January.

James ‘Tony Lowry’ Maher (69), of Clonroadmore Beg, Ennis would drive the victims around Clare, buying chips, cigarettes and alcohol before performing sexual acts on them. Ennis Circuit Criminal Court heard yesterday that the abuse of one young boy began in 1982 when the accused was the manager of a hurling team.

One of his victims told the court that he was ‘scarred for life’ as a result of the abuse.

Mr Maher previously pleaded guilty to 14 counts of indecent assault in respect of this victim, committed in areas of Clare between January 1982 and July 1984.

Mr Maher, a founder member of the Banner GAA Club, would call to the boy’s house after going for drinks with his father.

A Banner GAA club spokesperson confirmed to The Clare People on Monday night that Mr Maher has not had any involvement with club ‘for well over twenty years’.

Detective Garda Beatrice Ryan of Ennis Garda Station told the court that the former Clare County Council employee would drive the boy home from training and matches.

Victims have told how they battled addictions and attempted suicide after the abuse they suffered at the hands of the Ennis man.

Detective Garda Beatrice Ryan read out the man’s victim impact statement in Ennis Circuit Criminal Court. The man stated, “It’s sad that I was always blaming myself and family for what this paedophile was doing to me.”

The man first met Mr Maher through his involvement with the Banner GAA Club. He stated, “At 15, I was hospitalised for drink and I tried to commit suicide.”

The man’s statement added that he tried to commit suicide for a second time aged eighteen.

Another victim of Mr Maher read his victim impact statement in court yesterday.

He told the court that he was 11 when Mr Maher first assaulted him. He said the incidents had a “horrific impact” on his life and that he would be scarred permanently as a result.. Judge Caroll Moran adjourned sentencing until January 14, 2013.

GLÓR’S continued survival as a centre of excellence for the performing arts in Clare is down to grant aid provided by cash-strapped local authorities in the county.

New figures released this week show that Glór wouldn’t be able to operate as a beacon for the performing arts, but for the grant aid given to it by both Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council.

The figures reveal that an addi- tional € 154,000 was given to Glór by Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council last year, so that historical financial losses could be addressed at the centre which first opened its doors 11 years ago this month.

This aid comes on top of the annual € 270,000 subsidy that the two local authorities provide between them to the state-of-the-art facility that can cater for up to 600 people.

Glór’s losses of € 112,103 last year were on top of the € 154,146 accumulated losses that were in place at the start of 2011.

The figures for 2011 show that Glor’s income last year decreased from € 1.16m to € 1m with its spend remaining static at € 1.164m.

The centre has received huge financially backing over the past 12 years, since it was announced as a flagship arts project for the county under Sí le de Valera’s watch as Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht from 1997 to 2002.

Only a few months before it opened, Minister de Valera stepped in to secure the future of the € 8.2m the centre after a short-fall of € 2.5m emerged in the project by securing the money through her departments Access Scheme.

That allocation now brought Minister de Valera’s total contribution to the project to € 5.7m.

Along with the € 5.7m allocated by the minister, the project also received € 1.9m from Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council, as well as € 635,000 in European Union funding.

Glór’s new director, Gemma Carcaterra, has said that the additional grant aid from the two local authorities was to deal with accumulated losses, with the centre projected to break-even for 2012.

“This is a significant achievement within the current climate when all arts organisations are facing considerable challenges,” she said.

“For the past number of years, the recession impacted on the organisation and continues to do so.

“This is a similar situation to the majority of arts organisation across the country and Glór is surviving well in comparison,” she added.