Category: News

ENGINEERS in Ennis may request that the speed limit be reduced in the town centre to ensure greater pedestrian safety.

Senior executive engineer Eamon O’Dea said yesterday that he may consult with gardaí over the speed limit. It comes after concerns were raised over the layout of pedestrian crossings.

Cllr Tony Mulqueen (FG) said elderly people are having difficulty crossing the street. At yesterday’s meeting of councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area, he called on the council to restore the pedestrian crossings at O’Connell Square. Mr O’Dea told the meeting that the council had been forced to alter the crossings to comply with the latest traffic signs rules.

Mr O’Dea stated, “The crossings are uncontrolled crossings and the road markings comply with the latest traffic signs manual. The provision of lines across the road at a pedestrian crossing can only be provided at controlled pedestrian crossings in accordance with the traffic signs manual.”

He continued, “Therefore a set of amber pedestrian lights would have to be provided at each crossing point which would both be very confusing to the drivers and would detract from the centre of the town. Ennis Town Council consulted with the road safety engineer of the NRA before the present markings were put in place.”

Mr O’Dea told the meeting that he is “not totally happy” with the current layout at the Square. He said one possible solution would be to request that gardaí consider reducing the speed limit in the town centre.

He said slight alterations could be made to the current layout but that a system of numerous lighted crossings would confuse drivers and detract from the visual amenity of the town.

Town Manager Ger Dollard said the council accepts there is an issue with the current layout.

The meeting also heard calls for pedestrianisation to be introduced on a trial basis in May, June and July. Cllr James Breen (Ind) called for the system to be put in place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during summer 2013.

He told the meeting that pedestrianisation had the potential to revitalise the town.

Mr Dollard said it remains the objective of the council to pedestrianise the town centre.

He said a bid to achieve Purple Flag status for the town’s nighttime economy and the opening of the inner relief road could boost plans for pedestrianisation.

“It’s [pedestrianisation] considered a matter of when it’s achieved and not if it is achieved,” added Mr Dollard.

A LARGE number of parish priests in the Killaloe Diocese have given their backing to a revolutionary new document which calls for an end to clerical celibacy, the ordination of female priests a radical change to how the diocese is operated.

The diocese has just published its first report of a series of “cluster” meeting involving more than 700 priests and lay people in Clare and Tipperary.

The process, which was set in mo- tion by Bishop Kieran O’Reilly, has resulted in the creation of a new blueprint for the future of the diocese – as envisioned by local parish priests and lay people and not by The Vatican.

The process started in October of 2011 with two large open meeting one involving the parish priests of the Killaloe Diocese, the other involving representative of the lay community. These meeting led to the creation of 12 “cluster” groups in different areas across the diocese where priests and lay people have been regularly meeting for months.

This process has been directed by Bishop O’Reilly, Fr John Kelly, Fr Pat Malone, Fr Donagh O’Meara and Sr Clare Slattery alongside lay members Leonard Cleary, Sean Conlan, Michael Geaney, Maureen Kelly and Marie O’Connell-Quinn.

A report into the clusters operations to date was published on the Killaloe Diocese earlier this month. Of the 12 clusters who took part in the report, 11 indicated that allowing priests to marry, ordaining women into ministries, creating a new role of lay people in the church and fostering appreciation for local priests were priority issues.

Nine of the clusters cited the ordination of women as an important issue, with three citing the promotion of vocation and two raising the issue of priests from abroad coming to the diocese to preach.

The report also found that a crisis of faith among young people, a disconnect with the church itself and the development of the clusters system to be important issues in the diocese.

“One of the most striking impressions from these conversations is that many people feel a strong affinity and connection, a sense of iden- tity and belonging with their local parish community, despite feelings of disconnect with the institutional Church,” said the report.

“However, it is also true that hurt or anger with stances or decisions taken by the institutional Church impacts negatively at local parish level and leads to people walking away.

“It is clear that these are days of immense change. There are new needs to be met and new challenges are set before us. These conversations set out the reality of these challenges.”

The report can be read in full at www.killaloediocese.ie.

OFFICIALS at Clare County Council remain confident that major flood relief works to protect homes and businesses in the south of Ennis will get the approval of An Bord Pleannála.

The Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme will see works carried out in Ballybeg and St Flannan’s College areas of the town.

A bank of the River Fergus from Doora Bridge to Clarecastle will also be strengthened as part of the works.

Councillors in the Ennis Electoral Area were given a progress report on the project yesterday.

Senior Engineer Tom Tiernan told the meetings that the council had submitted an Environmental Impact Survey (EIS) to An Bord Pleannála. He said a number of statutory bodies, including the Railway Safety Commission, had made submissions on the project.

He told the meeting that an issue had arisen regarding the cost of the embankment works.

Asked about a timeframe for the works, Mr Tiernan said the council hoped to receive a decision from An Board Pleannála in January.

He said that depending on the length of the tender process, work on the project could be complete by 2014.

The project forms part of a series of flood relief works to be carried out on a phased basis in Ennis.

Phase one of the € 26 million Ennis Flood Relief Scheme, which involved works at Parnell Street and Mill Road, is credited with preventing floods in large areas of the town centre during November 2009.

Phase two will see improvements to river walls and other flood defenses on the Fergus from Bank Place to Doora Bridge. The work will include the construction of new structural embankments, preformed reinforced concrete walls and three storm water pumping stations.

Mr Tiernan said the tender process is nearing completion and that 2014 is a “realistic target for completion at this stage”.

THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is expected to issue directions later this month in the case of four people charged in connection with a disturbance at a roundabout in Ennis last month.

Bernard McDonagh (45), 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 producing an iron bar while about to commit an assault.

He also charged with 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 production of a hatchet while about to commit an assault.

Bernard McDonagh Jnr (22), with an address at 1 Ashline Kilrush Road, Ennis, is charged with possession of an article with intent to cause injury and the production of an article in the course of a dispute.

He is also charged with assault causing harm.

The four people appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the State are awaiting directions from the DPP. He requested the matters be adjourned for another two weeks.

He said the State is working to “expedite” the cases, which he described as “not easily moved on.”

Defence solicitor for all accused, Daragh Hassett, consented to the adjournment.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy adjourned the case for two weeks to allow for DPP’s directions. All four people were ordered to appear again in court on November 21.

KILRUSH Town Council will not be missed until it is gone.

That was the message from the members of the council at its November meeting, the first since the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan signed the council’s death warrant last month.

The town councillors felt that the loss of the council would leave a gaping hole in access to services and local people’s direct involvement in the development of the town, a fact that will not be recognised locally until it is too late.

Father of the council Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF) proposed that the members meet with the councillors from the other three town councils whose time is also up according to the Government.

Former mayor of the town, Ian Lynch (FG) believes it is time to go to the people to see what they feel about the loss of the 126-year-old council by organising a survey or questionnaire.

Cllr Liam Williams (FG) said he was disappointed “especially as a long time member of the Fine Gael party to think local democracy has been damaged. I can’t see the town being better off because of it.”

Fellow Fine Gael councillor Marian McMahon Jones said she was equally disappointed and said the loss of the council will have a detrimental affect on local rates and parking costs.

Cllr Tom Clyne (Ind) feared that any move to change things now was too little too late.

“I think we are waiting until the horse has bolted, we should have done something sooner. We knew it was coming down the line,” he said.

Cllr Prendeville even went as far as to compare the political situation to Germany in 1934, saying people were disillusioned with party poli- tics.

“If there was a vote in the morning to get rid or the Dáil there would be 100 per cent turn out to get rid of it. That is just how people are feeling.

“We could get rid of two of our four TDs in the morning and save a quarter of a million euro. We have a Sen- ate that Enda Kenny promised to get rid of but will we get the turkeys to vote for Christmas?” he asked.

“We have a great council going now, maybe the Senate will go next and then maybe the Dáil next and then we are in a 1939 situation.”

Mayor of Kilrush Mairead O’Brien (Ind) concluded with “this is a community blow. It is a blow for the community but I am not sure the community knows it yet.”

The councillors resolved to meet with other town councillors in the county to organise a protest or a way of highlighting their joint concerns.

A MAN told gardaí that he had no memory of stealing a woman’s handbag from a pub in Ennis a court has heard.

Norman Hogan (50), with an address at 40 Fergus Park, Ennis stole the handbag from Lucas’ Bar, Parnell, Street, Ennis on July 8 (2011).

He pleaded guilty to the theft at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the accused “opportunistically” took the bag from the pub. The bag contained a digital camera, a mobile phone and € 60. Insp Kennedy said Mr Hogan removed the contents before discarding the bag.

CCTV was used to identify Mr Hogan who later told gardai that he had very little memory of the incident. The contents of the bag were not recovered.

Defence solicitor Siobhan McMahon said her client had a serious addiction to alcohol.

She said this particular type of offence was the “not the norm for Mr Hogan.”

She told the court that Mr Hogan was with his partner on the night and may have picked up the handbag thinking it was hers.

Ms McMahon added, “He cannot recall the situation. He was drinking vodka straight.”

She said Mr Hogan is now taking steps to deal with his alcoholism. Ms McMahon added, “I would urge you to give him this last chance.”

Mr Hogan also pleaded guilty to the theft of groceries valued at € 38 from Tescos in Ennis on July 27 (2012).

Judge Aeneas McCarthy imposed a nine month suspended sentence in respect of the theft of the lady’s handbag.

He imposed a three-month consecutive suspended sentence in respect of the Tesco’s theft. He also ordered Mr Hogan to be of good behaviour for a period of two years.

Judge McCarthy warned Mr Hogan that any further offence would not be tolerated by the court.

Addressing Ms McMahon, the judge said, “Advise your client of the consequences of coming back before me.”

CLARE County Council could be stuck with a bill for more than € 15,000 for sending out 33,000 warning letter – some of which were addressed to dead people. A spokesperson from the local authority confirmed to The Cla re People yesterday that the cost of sending out the warning letter would be significant but he could not comment on whether the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), will be reimbursing them for the cost of postage and stationary.

While the latest figures from the LGMA reveal that 30 per cent of homeowners in Clare, approximately 16, 500 people, have not yet paid their household charge. Despite this, the LGMA instructed Clare County Council to issue 33,000 warning let- ter last week and provided them with a database of addresses to use.

“€ 15,000 is the approximate cost associated with issuing the letters and Clare County Council is unable to comment on whether this cost can be recouped or not at this point or in the future,” said a council spokesperson yesterday.

This follow criticism of the letter by Clare TD, Michael McNamara (LAB) in Dáil Éireann last week as well as reports of letter being sent to hundreds of people who have already paid the household charge and a number of deceased people.

“It is very disconcerting for people who have paid to see equal services still being provided to those who haven’t paid, but it is even more disconcerting for those who have paid it to receive letters asking them to provide proof of having paid it to the very local authority where they brought their cheques,” he Deputy McNamara.

According to Clare County Council, they were simply carrying out instruction as ordered by the LGMA.

“Clare County Council issued letters to householders in Clare on foot of a request from the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). The letters issued are based on a database compiled by the LGMA. The LGMA has carried out a comparison between the data on the Property Registration Agency database, and those that have registered and paid, or obtained a waiver, in relation to the Household Charge,” said the spokesperson.

Clare County Council have already been docked € 250,000 by the Department of the Environment due to the level of non-payment.

FIVE people have appeared in court charged in connection with a public order incident in a Shannon housing estate earlier this year.

Daniel Larkin (21), Jake Egan (20), Shane O’Connor (21), David Aherne (20) and John Cahill (21) are all charged with offences arising out of an incident at Cluian Alainn, Estate Shannon on January 1.

Mr Larkin, with an address at Mount Ivers Sixmilebridge, is charged with violent disorder; Mr Egan, with an address at 53 Aidan Park, Shannon, is charged with violent disorder; Mr O’Connor, with an address at 37 Ballycaseymore, Shannon, is charged with violent disorder; Mr Aherne, with an address at Riverview, Ballysheen, Sixmilebridge, is charged with trespass and provoking a breach of the peace; Mr Cahill, with an ad- dress at 32 Cluian Driochead, Sixmilebridge, is charged with trespass.

All five appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Inspector Tom Kennedy said directions had not been received from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

He said an extensive file has been prepared in respect of the cases. Judge Aeneas McCarthy adjourned the cases until January 9 for DPP’s directions.

A CLARE elected representative and his wife who registered and paid the controversial household charge before the first deadline, were this week issued with not one but two reminder letters to pay the charge and a late payment fine.

Kilrush town councillor Tom Prendeville (FF) said that he has a receipt to show that he paid the € 100 charge.

Yet despite his compliance with the law he received a letter in the last week stating he was now over due the payment.

His wife also received a similar letter sent to the same address, demanding the “outstanding” charge be paid.

An angered Cllr Prendeville said he was not going to ring the lo-call number highlighted in the letter to advise the Local Government Man- agement Agency (LGMA) of its mistake.

“I paid € 100 for household charge. I paid for services and I’m being denied services because others have not paid,” he said.

Among those who received reminder letters on the household charge were a dead man and a dead woman from West Clare, as well as numerous people that had already paid.

Among the 33,000 letters issued by Clare County Council on behalf of the LGMA a number of them went to people who are deceased.

Councillor Prendeville said one West Clare woman was particularly upset as a reminder letter was sent to her late husband, using a name that he was not known by on any documentation except the register of electors.

The councillor raised concerns that the register was being used as a method of identifying people, a method he described as “illegal”.

A JUDGE has refused jurisdiction of a case involving an alleged assault in Lahinch on New Year’s Eve.

Paul Matthews (21), with an address at Mullagh Road, Miltown Malbay, is charged with assault causing harm at the Claremont Hotel, Main Street, Lahinch on December 12 (2011).

Details of the alleged assault were heard at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the case.

He said it would be alleged that Mr Matthews punched another man in the face, breaking a bone in his nose. Insp Kennedy said the alleged incident appeared to be “at the higher end” of assault cases. He said the alleged victim had surgery for his injuries. After hearing a summary of the alleged facts, Judge Aeneas McCarthy said he did not deem the case fit to be tried summarily. He refused jurisdiction of the case. He adjourned the case for the service of the book of evidence.