Category: News

THE number of flights coming into Shannon Airport continues to drop, despite a general turnaround in the fortunes of Irish airports. According to new figures released by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), an average of just 55 commercial daily flight movements took place at Shannon Airport during the month of Septem- ber. This figure represents a reduction of 7.3 per cent on the same month in 2011. This comes in the context of a mini-revival in the airport sector in Ireland generally in recent months, with both Dublin and Cork airports showing positive figures in the late summer and early autumn. Trends nationally over the last three months have shown a dramatic turnaround, with Dublin Airport largely responsible for this. Indeed, figures for Dublin Airport in September show a 5.5 per cent increase compared to the same month in 2011. Cork Airport has also recorded some gains in recent months, while Shannon Airport has recorded ongoing reductions every month this year. While the IAA figures represent the number of flights coming through Shannon Airport and not the number of passengers, it is not good news for the Clare airport, especially with Knock Airport moving closer to passing it out as Ireland’s third biggest airport. The Mayo airport has opened a number of new routes in recent months, including regular flights to Barcelona, Frankfurt, Milan and Paris. The numbers travelling through Knock Airport grew by more than 10 per cent last year to around 700,000 people. While the exact timetable for the decoupling of Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority has not been finalised, it is now a possibility that Shannon Airport may begin its time as a standalone airport as Ireland’s fourth most used airport, and not its third.

THE Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton (Lab) was in Ennis on Friday to see the formation of a new organisation that will give a voice to those in receipt of social protection payments.

The Labour Minister even addressed the inaugural meeting of the Alliance of Social Protection Recipients at the Temple Gate Hotel.

The Alliance was formed to give “a voice and a platform to people in Clare who avail of social protection payments and services.”

However, the organisation formed in Clare has ambitions far beyond the county boundaries.

The new Alliance asked the minister to set up consultative groups in each region that will have more than 60 per cent of its membership made up of welfare recipients. Supported by Citizens Information Centres, these groups should meet quarterly and report directly in October to the Minister on their findings, the group maintans.

There are over 10,000 people on the live register in Clare and thousands more on 50 different types of welfare payments across a wide spectrum from children’s allowance to the old age pension.

Dermot Hayes, Chair of the Alliance of Social Protection Recipients, said that many of the rates have been cut in the last four years for vari- ous reasons or the rules have been changed for qualification.

“Welfare recipients have come under a harsh spot light in the last few years. One of the solutions to the big crisis proposed by various wellheeled pundits in the media is that the state pays far too much in welfare,” he said.

As an example, he referred to the former head of the University of Limerick Dr Edward Walsh whose various radio interviews suggest that welfare in Ireland is too generous. “Dr Walsh should remember that his retirement salary is generous and supported by the tax payer,” added Dermot Hayes.

“Fuel and food increases of 7 per cent are causing great hardship and should be a stark warming to Government. We will have to re-examine the tax shelters that have developed over the last 15 years that allow the very wealthy to pay only nominal tax while enjoying the fruits of government spending on roads, water and other services,” he said.

AS MANY as 500 jobs could be created off the North Clare coast over the next 12 months through the construction of Ireland largest ever organic fish farm.

The farm, which will located around five miles north/west of Doolin, is being put forward by the Irish Fisheries Board, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), who are currently aiming to begin spawning at the farm in the Autumn of next year.

According to BIM, the project will create 350 jobs directly through the operation and maintenance of the farm and a further 150 jobs through support industries locally. BIM are about to open a period of public consultation in relation to the development and will send a final application for a licence to government after that.

“This is a very real project and something that we are hoping to be able to put in place quite soon,” said Donal Maguire, Head of the Aquaculture Development Division at BIM.

“We would expect that the benefits of this project would be felt from Doolin north, all the way up the Clare coast.

“This is a very exciting project for fisheries in Clare and indeed for the whole West of Ireland.”

Ahead of the opening of public consultation, some opposition to the project has already been voiced – both in North Clare and the Aran Islands.

One North Clare fisherman, who asked not to be identified, said that there were fears that the fish farm could cause pollution and impact on the existing fishing in the area.

CARERS in Clare continue to face obstacles when applying for carers allowance, and that is before any budget has announced.

In the last number of weeks, one carer reported that when she applied for the € 204 carers allowance to look after her mother at home, she was refused. Instead, she was offered a € 730 nursing home subvention.

Asked if this flies in the face of Government policy, Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton said that the process is in a transitional phase.

“We are spending a lot more money on carers and we are giving carers allowance to a lot more people, including the half-way carers allowance, so we have managed to ringfence the budget to increase the number of people receiving it. That is in recognition…of the job the carers do and how vital that is, not just for the person they are caring for but indeed for the whole community,” she said.

“We have been changing the IT systems in the department in relation to all the applications for things like car ers, disability and domiciliary care allowance. And, basically, what we are doing is developing better and faster IT systems. While we are doing that, we have to have the old system and the new system running parallel so there have been some delays but certainly we are now getting into the backlog. The time it is taking has come down significantly. The fresher applications have not been facing anything like that,” she told The Clare People .

The National Carers Strategy, published earlier this year, promised to recognise, empower and support family carers. However, the Carers Association said Ireland’s 187,000 family carers are now facing cuts to home help hours, home care packages and vital support services.

In the 2006 census, 4,507 carers were recorded in Clare. Six years on, the number is likely to be significantly higher. According to the Carers Association, many people don’t recognise themselves as carers when it comes to the census as they believe they are “just looking after a family member”.

“We are calling on Government to stop praising carers with words, while punishing them with cuts. It’s time to turn rhetoric into reality,” said Catherine Cox, spokesperson for The Carers Association.

“Carers across the country are very fearful of what this budget will bring, with further threats of cuts to household benefits packages, free travel for carers and services for young adults with disabilities on reaching 18. All of these, against a backdrop of suspension of housing adaptation grants and increases in the costs of care in the home, are pushing many carers over the edge,” she said.

TWO FEUDING Ennis families are giving the county town a bad reputation it does not deserve according to Clare’s senior member of An Garda siochana.

At Monday night’s meeting of the joint policing committeee in Kildysart Chief Supt John Kerins described as ‘appalling’ disturbances by feuding families in the town within the last forthnight but said the gardai were determined to get on top of the issue.

To date eight people have been arrested in connection to incidents at the Maid of Erin roundabout last Sunday night week during which a garda was injured.

The Chief Supt said that more arrests would be made in the coming weeks in connection to anti-social behaviour outside the Cathedral in Ennis following a recent wedding.

Crime statistics for the county so far this year show that most crimes figures are remaining steady or decreasing with the exception of weapons and explosive offences which had increased by 32 per cent.

This figure is in the main due to the Traveller fueds according to the Chief Superintendent.

Mayor of Clare Pat Daly told the same meeting these poeple have to be stopped:

“They are gurriers. I don’t the law is strong enough, I think it is time to get them out of the town of Ennis and locked up forever,” he said.

The garda chief agreed that the incidents reflect poorly on Ennis’s reputation despite the statistics proving otherwise:

“This gives the town a bad reputation it does not deserve.

“The statistics show that it is one of the most peaceful towns of its size in Ireland,” he told the public meeting.

Cllr Joe Cooney relayed how a person moved to Ennis from East Clare and bought a house.

Due to anti-social behaviour on the housing estate that person was forced to move back to East Clare, rent a house and continue to pay a mortage for a house he could no longer live in.

“ It is not good enough,” he said.

Chief Super Kerins assured Cllr Cooney that gardai would be issuing asbos (anti-social behavioural orders) to the culprits in the coming weeks and the issue would be brought before the courts.

He explained however that it was difficult for the gardai to deal with the issue as they cannot lawfully enter a private house unless a crime is being committed.

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.

TWO men alleged to have been found with cannabis estimated to be worth € 13,000 have been sent forward for trial. Bryan Byrne (32) and Eoghan Phayer (35) both appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Mr Byrne, with an address at 28 Hillcroft Close, Dublin Road, Limerick and Mr Phayer, with an address at Hill Road, Bunratty, Clare, are facing charges under the misuse of drugs act. It is alleged that on April 7 (2011) at Aharinaghmore, Kilmore, Clare they possessed cannabis for sale or supply and at the time the market value of the controlled drug amounted to € 13,000 or more.

They are also charged with having cannabis for sale or supply and cultivation of cannabis at the same location on the same date.

The case was adjourned until last Wednesday to allow Judge Patrick Durcan to consider the matter of jurisdiction. Defence solicitors for both accused had raised concerns over jurisdiction and the manner in which the charges were brought against their clients. Judge Durcan accepted jurisdiction. He said, “I am satisfied that I can make an order returning both men for a trial sitting in Ennis.”

Solicitor for Mr Byrne Oonagh Moylan said the State had brought charges against her client last Wednesday without notice.

She said, “The defendant has not been afforded fair procedure.” Ms Moylan said the State had not given any reason why charges were originally brought in Limerick and then later in Clare.

Judge Durcan said he was dealing with the case on the basis that the charge sheets were properly brought before him. Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented for both accused to be returned for trial to the current sittings of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court.

Detective Garda Alan Kelly gave evidence of having served the book of evidence on both accused. Legal aid was approved for a solicitor, a junior counsel and a senior counsel in respect of each man. Judge Durcan made the orders returning both men for trial. A 67 YEAR old man has appeared in court for allegedly indecently assaulting a young boy in Clare.

The 10 charges date from January 1979 to May 1981 and were allegedly committed in Clare. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Detective Seargent Michael Moloney of Ennis Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

He told the court that the accused made no reply to each of the 10 charges. Inspector Tom Kennedy said the matter would be proceeding on indictment.

The case was adjourned until November 14 for service of the book of evidence. Judge Patrick Durcan imposed reporting restrictions.