Category: News

ELDERLY people are terrified in their own homes this Halloween while it is expected that Clare County Council faces a clean-up bill of up to € 50,000 from the night’s activities.

While the majority of people enjoy the fun and festivities of the season, Clare Fire Chief Adrian Kelly said he has come across numerous examples of older people being forced to stay in their home, all the time fearing it will catch fire.

“We literally had old people in tears last year because they were afraid to go out and they were afraid in their homes because they could see burning embers coming towards their houses and they were afraid their homes would catch fire. The fires often go on late into the night and create other anti-social problems, he added.” A spokesperson for Clare County Council put the conservative cost of Halloween at € 50,000. The estimate takes into account the cost of fire servwice call-outs, removal and disposal of stockpiled material, removal and disposal of burnt material, and clean-up and restoration after the night.

A MAN described by senior gardaí as one of the most “prolific burglars” in Clare has been expelled from the country.

Chief Supt John Kerin said that the number of thefts locally have de- creased by 10 per cent since the man was arrested.

He was a non-national living in the county and as such gardaí were able to petition to have him excluded from the country.

“This is something we intend to use more of in the future,” said Supt Kerin.

According to the Central Statistic Office, burglary and related offences had decreased by 3 per cent so far this year when compared to the same time last year.

Likewise robbery, extortion and hijacking were also down by 8 per cent, while theft and related offences stayed the same at 780.

A closer look at the figures reveal that theft from the person has increased by 220 per cent from five incidence in 2011, to 16 cases in 2012.

Superintendent Kerin said the majority of these incidents were in the Ennis area and mostly took place in supermarkets.

People who are doing a large grocery shop often leave their handbags or purses in the trolley and discover when they go to the check out that the purse has been robbed from the bag, the superintendent explained.

The number of car and vehicle thefts also increased during the first nine months of the year from 113 to 130 and theft from shops went up by 25 incidents when compared to the first nine months of last year.

General burglary was down 3 per cent however although aggravated burglary had increased by three incidents to five.

Robbery from premises was up from two cases to five also, while robbery from the person had decreased by one third.

Other thefts had decreased by 10 per cent.

Chief Supt Kerin said that the Gardaí have a detection rate of 65 per cent when it comes to these crimes, a figures that is considered high when compared nationally.

“While one crime is one too many, when compared to other Garda figures around the country we have managed to reduce the number of overall crime,” he said.

THREE people charged in connection with a disturbance at the Maid of Erin roundabout in Ennis last weekend are due to make their third court appearance tomorrow.

Bernard McDonagh (45) and Christopher McDonagh (38) and a 16-yearold boy are alleged to have committed a number of offences arising out of the incident at a roundabout on October 14.

All three appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Bernard McDonagh, 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 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, Clough- leigh, Ennis, is charged with producing an iron 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 com- mit an assault.

The court heard that all three accused were previously refused bail at Kilrush District Court.

Inspector Tom Kennedy requested an adjournment in all three cases for directions to issue from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Bernard and Christopher McDonagh were remanded in custody to appear again at Ennis District Court on October 24. The teenager was remanded in detention to Oberstown Detention Centre.

A JUDGE has rejected a suggestion that charges against an Ennis man accused of having heroin for sale or supply should be struck out.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy was speaking at Ennis District Court on Wednesday where he granted an extension of time for the service of the book of evidence on David Joyce (23).

Mr Joyce, with an address at 85 Dun Na hInse, is charged with unlawful possession of diamorphine at 90 Dun Na hInse, Ennis on May 30 (2012).

Mr Joyce is also charged with having diamorphine for purposes of sale or supply at the same location and date.

New charges of cannabis possession and having cannabis for sale or supply at the same location and date have now been brought against Mr Joyce.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed that all charges would be proceeding on trial on indictment. He requested that the case be adjourned until November 7 for service of the book of evidence.

Defence Solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that she was not consenting to a further adjournment.

She said the State had been informed in September of the DPP’s directions in relation to the heroin charges.

She said 42 days had elapsed between her client’s first appearance in court and his latest court appearance.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said there had been “significant operational issues” in the case.

He said the gardaí had now received clarity as regards the cannabis charges.

He said all the charges would be going forward as part one book of evidence.

Pointing to ongoing delays in the State’s case, Ms Godfrey suggested that the original charges against her client should be struck out.

“There was something happening in the background that we didn’t know about”, she added.

Judge McCarthy said he was satisfied by the explanation given by the State.

He extended time for service of the book of evidence.

Mr Joyce was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on November 7.

TWO sisters have appeared in court charged with offences arising from an incident at a primary school in Ennis earlier this year.

Rose Mahon (22) and Laura Molloy (21) are charged in relation to the disturbance 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 pro- voked a breach of the peace.

Legal aid was approved for solicitor Daragh Hassett.

He told the court that he would be seeking disclosure from the State. Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the cases on pleas of guilty only.

Previous charges brought against Ms Mahon and Ms Molloy arising out of the same incident were struck out in June following delays in DPP’s directions. Both accused were remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on November 21.

A MOTHER of two convicted of a public order offence “flipped out” after her father was seriously injured during an incident at a roundabout in Ennis last weekend.

Angela Delaney (21) was fined € 300 at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Ms Delaney with an address at Bay 10 Carrow Browne Halting Site, Galway, pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace may be occasioned.

The charge related to a disturbance at the Maid of Erin, Ennis on October 14. Ms Delaney has no previous convictions. Defence solicitor John Casey said his client “flipped out” after her father received serious injuries. He added, “When she saw what was happening, she joined in.”

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the overall incident at the Maid of Erin was a serious matter.

He said the State had “some understanding” of Ms Delaney’s behaviour on the evening. Insp Kennedy said her father had been “very, very seriously injured.”

He said that while Ms Delaney was not involved directly in the feud, her public order offence was at the higher end of the scale. Judge Aeneas McCarthy imposed a € 300 fine.

A STORE in Ennis was held up by two men, one armed with a knife, on Saturday night last. The two men entered XL Stores in the Market in Ennis at around 8pm. One of them men threatened a staff member with a knife, demanding money while a second man stood at the door as a lookout.

Both men then escaped on foot with a sum of money taken from the cash register.

Shortly after the robbery gardaí on foot patrol noticed two men behaving suspiciously and gave chase. Following the chase one of the men was subsequently apprehended while the second man got away.

Gardaí arrested the man who was apprehended and he was teken into custody and will shortly appear in Limerick District Court.

The second man is still at large and gardaí in Ennis are appealing for help in tracking him down.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious around the Market area of Ennis on Saturday night around 8pm are requested to contact gardai in Ennis on 065-6848100. No-one was injured during the robbery.

* MEANWHILE there were a series of burglaries on Clare over the past week and gardaí are urging members of the public to be vigilant where stolen goods in particular might be offered for sale.

A bar and restaurant in Bunratty was broken into in the early hours of Monday morning.

Thieves entered the premises through a rear windown and disabled the alarm before removing a safe from the building. A silver or grey coloured vehicle was seen near the area.

Between 2.30am and 3am, also on Monday morning there was a breakin at the leisure centre in Tullyvaragga, with the rear door forced open to gain entry. A small amount of cash was taken, gardaí in Shannon are investigating both incidents which may be related.

In East Clare gardaí are investigating a number of criminal incidents over the course of the past week.

The home of an elderly woman was burgled and ransacked in Killaloe on Friday night last between 7.20pm and 10.55pm.

In Bodyke oil was stolen from a tank at a home in Ballydonaghane sometime between Tuesday and Saturday of last week.

Two strimmers and some batteries were stolen from a recycling centre in Scariff on Monday night last at around 8.20pm.

Four barrells of Guinness were stolen from two pubs last Tuesday, one from a pub on Tulla’s Main Street and three stolen from outside a pub in Kilkishen.

In West Clare gardai are looking into a number of thefts. In Ennistymon a house in Lavereen was broken into last Friday afternoon, thieves gaining access through the front door.

Items stolen included a red Honda power washer, Makita 9 inch and 6 inch angle grinders as well as deisel from a tank.

In Kilrush’s Vandeleur Woods a car was broken into last Friday night and a purse with cash in it was taken, along with an iPod and iPhone.

A 52 inch black Panasonic TV was stoeln from a house in Ballinagun, Cree during a burgalry that took place in the early hours of last Saturday morning.

Gardaí are also investigating damage to two headstones, which were vandalised in the New Shanakyle Graveyard in Kilrush over last weekend.

Last week there was a tractor stolen in Monreagh, Tubber.

The Massey Ferguson 165 was red and white in colour and brackets for the front loader were attached to this tractor. A W OMA N accused of stealing €400 froma primary school in Ennis is due to appear in court again tomorrow. Eva Makulova (32) with an address at 3Ardlea Close, Ennis is charged with entering Carrig Donn, Ennis on October 7 (2012) and taking the €2810. Ms Makulova has also been charged with the theft of €400 fromthe Holy Family Primary School on September 7 (2012). She is also charged the theft of perfume fromCassidy’s Pharmacy, O’Connell Street, Ennis on September 2 and 3. Garda BrídTroy gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution at Ennis District Court on Friday. Gardaí objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences as one of the reasons. Solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client would be willing to abide by strict bail conditions. Judge Patrick Durcan refused bail. He remanded Ms Makulova in custody with consent to bail subject to the accused’s own bond of €1500 and an independent surety of €5000. Judge Durcan adjourned the case until October 24 for directions fromthe Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Inspector Michael Gallagher told the court that DPP’s directions may not be ready by Wednesday. Judge Durcan said,“If bail is not taken up I would be conscious that the DPP’s directions are to be dealt with expeditiously.” A MA N has appeared in court charged with criminal damage at and Ennis estate earlier this month. Dylan Dinan (20), with an address at 6Water Park Court, Ennis is charged with damaging the windscreen and bodywork of a van at Maiville on October 11. Mr Dinan appeared at Ennis District Court onWednesday.The court heard that he gave no reply to charge after caution. Inspector TomKennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had not yet issued directions. He said the incident at Maiville was part of a “wider situation” in Ennis. He told the court that further people may face charges in relation to the incident. Judge Aeneas McCarthy approved bail subject to a number of conditions. Mr Dinan was ordered to stay away froma named family and area of Ennis. He was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on November 21 for DPP’s directions.

THE North Clare coast could be about to become the new centre for organic salmon in Europe, following plans to construct Ireland’s largest organic fish farm off the Burren coast.

The Irish Fisheries Board, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), plans to create two identical farms, located side by side about five miles north-west of Doolin, directly west of Fanore.

The farms could create more than 500 jobs, with 350 people employed directly on the farms, 150 in support industries and a number of other possible spin-offs in the North Clare economy.

According to BIM, the farms have been designed to operate at the highest environmental standards and specification, which is how their farmed salmon can be classified as organic.

While conventional farms allow for about 95 per cent water to 5 per cent fish, the farm operator will be required to maintain a ratio of 99 per cent water to 1 per cent fish.

According to Donal Maguire of BIM, the farm could begin spawning in autumn of next year or the spring of 2014.

“There are two times of the year when it is suitable for salmon to spawn – in November or in March. All going well, we are aiming to have this up and running for November of next year but, failing that, I think that March of 2014 is a very makeable deadline,” he said.

“We are looking for companies who could take on the operation of the fish farm. There are Irish companies who would have the capability to take this on, as well as international operators. So we will have to wait and see how the tender process goes.”

BIM are about to begin a period of public consultation for the project. After the consultation period, they will forward their final recommendation to the Department of Agriculture for approval.

Once approved, the contract to build and operate the centre will have to go to tender before any work can begin.

There is already some local opposition to the project, with one North Clare local, who asked not to be identified, saying that there are many potential downsides to such a large-scale fish farm.

“There are a lot of issues still to be resolved and there is growing opposition to the project, both in North Clare and on the Aran Islands,” he told The Clare People yesterday.

“It is difficult to see how a farm that big would not have a negative effect on the water in Galway Bay and on the local crab and lobster stock.” DON’T FORGET: Th e c lo c ks g o b a c k a n h o u r t h is we e ke n d , a t 2a m o n Su n d a y m o rn in g t o b e e xa c t !

ACADEMICS, students and oil companies from all over the world have begun to travel to the Clare coast to get an up-close glimpse of Clare’s rare “sand volcanoes”.

A large number of these rare volcanoes, which were formed more than 300 million years ago, have been preserved along the Clare coastline but are incredible rare elsewhere in the world.

The sand volcanoes are created when large amounts of sand and mud are released in a short space of time, such as at the mouth of a large river.

When a large amount of material is deposited, water can become trapped between layers of sediment.

Eventually this water is forced upwards, bringing with it sand and mud which flows to the surface and deposits material in a cone shape, similar to a volcano.

These structures are sometimes turned to stone when large amounts of pressure are applied to them and, in very rare instances, they can become exposed again.

The Clare coast from Doolin down to Loop Head has one of the highest instances of preserved sand volcanoes in the world.

“People in the geology community have been aware of these in Clare for a while, especially people in the oil companies who come here to study them and how they might impact on oil exploration,” said Dr Eamon Doyle of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark.

“There is only a number of these in Clare but they are quite rare worldwide. These things are still forming in different places in the world, like the Mississippi Delta, but to get them preserved like this is very rare.

“There is a stretch from Doolin right down to Loop Head where they are at a number of different locations. They formed when Clare was much further south – close to the equator – and the Clare coast would have been very far underwater.

“Since then, we have been moving slowly north and there has been an uplift as well as a certain amount of erosion. “It is this rare set of circumstances which has made and preserved these sand volcanoes in Clare.” Groups come from all over the world to view the sand volcanoes. Dr Doyle visited a number of sand volcanoes along the Clare coast with two of Ireland’s leading experts on the subject, Professor Pat Shannon and Peter Houghton from UCD, last week.

NEXT Monday will be a day to remember for a group of over 100 runners drawn from throughout the county who will take to the starting line of the Dublin City Marathon under the Clare Crusaders banner.

The athletes, who range in age from their 20s to their 60s, will be taking part in the gruelling 26-miles and 385-yard test as a fundraising exercise for the Clare Crusaders Clinic which was established by the late Howard Flannery.

This year will see the biggest ever number of Crusaders to take part in the marathon after local organis- ers set a target of having over 100 people clad in the distinctive orange Crusaders garb for the Bank Holiday Monday event which will have over 10,000 participants.

“We knew from the start that we wanted to bring in a lot of new people to the event this year,” says Ronan O’Reilly who, along with Siobhán O’Reilly, assumed responsibility for organising this year’s Clare Crusaders team.

“David Ghilardi came up with the idea of 100 people to take part in the marathon and we knew we had to go for it. Our motto became ‘Think Big, Believe Big, Act Big and the Results will be Big.’

“And it worked. The whole 100 drive gathered a life of its own. More and more people started showing up for the Saturday morning training sessions. We got calls from all over. The more people that joined, the more that wanted to join,” adds McMahon.

The 100 drive means that the Clare Crusaders group will be one of the largest taking part in what will be the 32nd annual Dublin City Marathon.

“How will we feel in Dublin, seeing 100-plus people in orange on the steps of Buswells Hotel for a photograph before the races, all willing to put it on the line for a great cause?” says McMahon.

“I think overwhelmed is the right word.”