Category: News

CLARE patients destined to attend the Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick can prepare for a winter of even more bed closures, cut backs and staff shortages as the HSE battles to maintain the hospital budget.

The hospital in Dooradoyle, which now caters for seriously ill patients from Clare and Nenagh, has a budget over-run of € 14 million from the first seven months of this year.

The HSE was remaining silent on the affects this over-run will have on services, but those close to the hospital warned of “more of the usual end of year cuts”.

The latest Health Service Executive performance report, dated the end of July, pointed to an 18.4 per cent overspend for the Limerick hospital compared to a 1.5 per cent over-spend for Ennis General Hospital, the equivalent of € 162,000.

The publication of the report came the morning after the vote of no confidence in the Minister for Health James Reilly.

During the course of the debate, Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Timmy Dooley questioned what he described as “his litany of broken promises to Clare”.

“Two years ago, the Minister and Taoiseach, who was then leader of the opposition, visited County Clare and made firm commitments regarding the delivery of health services in the county,” said Deputy Dooley.

“The Taoiseach talked about the retention of medical and cardiac services at Ennis General Hospital but, in recent weeks, the HSE has admitted that they will not be maintained. The best the Minister has been able to do is provide two local Fine Gael TDs with a firm letter saying no decision has yet been taken, while our Labour Party constituency colleague has said he is aware that the medical services the Taoiseach promised would be retained will be taken from Ennis General Hospital and the cardiac services that have been part of the service delivery mix will also be taken.”

A REPORT that found litter problems at a secondary school in Ennis has been criticized as “ridiculous”. Ennis Community College received a Grade C in the latest report from Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL).

According to the report, “A wide variety of litter was present at this site, particularly over the stone wall. As well as being littered the overall impression was of a poorly maintained environment. It is quite unu- sual to have schools score so poorly in the IBAL Anti-Litter survey.”

The IBAL report was raised at the September meeting of Clare VEC by committee chairman, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind).

CEO George O’Callaghan said he understood that the survey was conducted at a time when works, including tree felling, were underway at the college. Cllr Peter Considine (FF) described IBAL’s remarks on the school as “ridiculous comment”.

Committee members Michael Cor- ley said there was a lot of disappointment that the school had been mentioned in the IBAL report.

Clare VEC is to write to Ennis Town Council about the report.

IBAL also identified a litter problem at Ennis bus and rail station.

Staff at the school were shocked at the report’s findings. Speaking at the time, school principal John Cooke said he would like to know when the inspectors visited the school and the criteria used by An Táisce.

He added, “Generally the school is kept very well and litter free, as much as is possible. The students don’t litter. In the school we train and educate them not to litter…As for the litter problem, I can’t understand where they are coming from.”

Ennis has held onto its ‘Clean to European Norms’ status in the IBAL survey, despite dropping 15 places to 31st, among 42 towns surveyed.

There were just five top ranking sites out of a total of ten surveyed in Ennis – combined with two seriously littered sites, this puts Ennis in the bottom third of the towns / cities surveyed.

Speaking last month following the release of the survey, town manager Ger Dollard admitted that Ennis Town Council are often “baffled” by IBAL’s findings. He said that Ennis is regarded as a clean town.

Last month Ennis was named Ireland’s tidiest large urban centre at the annual Tidy Town awards. It’s the fourth time that Ennis has scooped the prize, having won the award in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

FÁILTE Ireland has been urged to remove the word ‘traveller’ from material for a new € 2 million tourism initiative.

The tourism body has launched a new drive aimed a bringing more tourists to the west of Ireland.

‘The Wild Atlantic Way’ aims to increase tourist numbers and mobility through a renewed emphasis on visual and historical amenities.

However a Clare councillor is urging Fáilte Ireland to remove the word, ‘traveller’, from any reports or material associated with the Wild Atlantic Way.

Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) said yesterday that by leaving the word in, Fáilte Ireland was issuing an “open invitation” for anyone to abuse the route.

Cllr Brennan was speaking at a meeting of Clare County Council’s Community, Enterprise, Tourism and Emergency Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) where members were given details of the new tourism drive.

Cllr Brennan’s comments came during a discussion on the lack of facilities for tourists with camper vans.

Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) described the absence of camper van facilities as a “very distinct gap” in Clare’s tourist offering.

He added, “Not alone are we not servicing it, we are actually deterring it.”

Committee Chairman Richard Nagle (FF) said Clare had suffered during summer months from illegal encampments along the county’s roads.

He said the council and gardaí had expended huge resources and time on trying to deal with problems arising from illegal encampments.

He said a change of legislation is urgently needed to deal with the issue.

Cllr Nagle added, “It creates a hugely negative impression of the tourism product on offer. We have brought it to the attention of our Oireachtas members and nothing has happened.”

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) proposed that all local authorities in the west of Ireland put pressure on the Government to bring in new leg- islation.

Director of Service Ger Dollard said it would be useful to carry out an audit of existing camper van facilities.

He said there could be opportunities for the private sector to further develop facilities in Clare.

Senior planner Gordon Daly told the meeting that the council recognized that there is a gap in the market for camper van tourism.

He added, “It’s up to the private sector to develop. If people have ideas they should come to us. We would be very happy to talk with them.”

A DRIVE to revitalise vacant buildings in Clare has stalled due a lack of interest from landlords, a meeting has heard. Co-ordinated by Ennis Town Council, Clare County Council and Ennis Chamber of Commerce, the Ennis Access to Spaces Initiative (EASI) aims to revitalise Ennis town centre by facilitating the use of unoccupied spaces for commercial, creative and community use. The scheme was launched in May. However a meeting yesterday heard that plans to implement similar schemes around the county have yet to take off. Majella MacNamara of Clare County Council’s Economic and Planning Development Section was speaking at a meeting of the Council’s Community, Enterprise, Tourism and Emergency Strategic Policy Committee (SPC). The issue arose during a presentation on the council’s Economic Development Strategy Action Plan. Ms MacNamara explained that it is one of the council’s objectives to develop Clare’s towns and villages. She said the main aims are the improvement of business works, infrastructure, signage, occupancy and business. The council is also investigating pilot schemes for improving retail activity in town centres. She explained that while there has been strong interest from the artistic community, “landlords have been slow to come forward”. The strategy outlines the council’s attempts to generate income from landbanks and to identify key strategic development sites in the county. The meeting heard that the council is also hoping to use Clare people living abroad to act as ambassadors for the county. High profile individuals are being sought to promote the interests of Clare to a wider international audience. Ms MacNamara told the meeting that the ambassadors could be living in any part of the world.

A MAN and a woman charged with the neglect and ill treatment of seven children have been returned for trial.

The two appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. In separate charges, it is alleged that the man and woman did willfully assault, ill-treat, neglect, abandon a child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to the child’s health or seriously affect their well being, contrary to Section 256 of the Children’s Act.

The woman is facing eight charges of neglect. The man is facing six charges of neglect and two charges of sexual assault.

The alleged offences took place on dates unknown between March 2001 and July 2010. The charges relate to seven children.

The man and woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, both have addresses in Clare. Inspector John Galvin requested an amend- ment concerning the wording of two charge sheets in relation to the man.

Defence solicitor John Casey consented to the amendments. Garda Irene O’Flynn of Ennis Garda Station gave evidence of having served the books of evidence on both co-accused.

Insp Galvin said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented for both persons to be returned for trial to the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on October 16.

Legal aid was granted for Mr Casey, one junior counsel and one senior counsel. Mr Casey said, “They are very serious charges.”

Mr Casey requested a change in his client’s bail conditions to allow him to meet two of his sons.

Insp Galvin said he had “reservations considering the nature of the charges.”

Judge Durcan refused the application. The man was remanded on continuing bail, on the same terms heretofore, to appear at the next sitting of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court.

Solicitor for the woman, Tara Godfrey, requested that the court impose reporting restrictions. Judge Durcan said reporting restrictions had previously been imposed.

He said the restrictions would continue to apply. Legal aid was approved for Ms Godfrey and one junior counsel.

The woman was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court.

A LIMERICK man, who stole a television and games console from a hotel in Lahinch and then promptly returned them, has been ordered to make a contribution to the court poor box.

Christopher Murphy (41) was told by a judge that he had engaged in “bizarre” behaviour in the seaside town last year.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday Mr Murphy, with an address at 2 Sheelin Drive, Caherdavin, Limerick, pleaded guilty to stealing a Black Phillips flat screen TV valued at € 500 and a Nintendo Wii valued at € 200 from the West Coast Lodge, Lahinch, on November 26, 2011.

Inspector John Galvin said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the case. Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction.

Insp Galvin told the court that the manager of the hotel contacted gardaí alleging that the accused had taken the television and games console from the hotel. The court heard that Mr Murphy had checked into the hotel under the name John Ryan.

Insp Galvin said Mr Murphy drove back to the hotel a few hours later and returned the property.

Mr Murphy admitted to gardaí that he had taken the property.

Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett said his client had been staying in the hotel with his partner.

He said Mr Murphy didn’t know why he stole the items.

“It was a spur of the moment thing,” he added.

Mr Hassett told the court that Mr Murphy had become involved in a “show of bravado” with another guest, after which he drove of with the television and the Wii.

Inspector John Galvin described the sequence of events as “very unusual”. Judge Patrick Durcan said, “This was bizarre behaviour.” He ordered Mr Murphy to pay € 250 to the court poor box. The case was adjourned to October 24.

A 79-YEAR-OLD farmer was confused when he drove the wrong way up the dual carriageway near Bunratty earlier this year, a court has heard.

Stephen Costelloe had been driving to Shannon Airport to meet his son when the incident occurred on the N18 at Bunratty on January 27, 2012. At Ennis District Court on Wednes- day, Mr Costelloe, with an address at Busherstown, Moneygall, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of careless driving.

Garda Barry Doherty of Shannon Garda Station told the court that Mr Costelloe drove in the wrong direction after becoming “confused”. The court heard that the incident occurred at around 6.50pm.

Defence solicitor Tom Stamp said his client had been “very confused” on the night.

He said Mr Costelloe was very “lucky” not to have been involved in an accident.

Garda Doherty told the court that he had seen “numerous” incidents where drivers had travelled the wrong direction on the dual carriageway and motorway.

Noting Mr Costelloe’s good record, Judge Patrick Durcan ordered him to pay € 250 to the court poor box by January 9, 2013. No conviction was recorded against Mr Costelloe.

Judge Durcan said that there is an onus on drivers to drive responsibly.

However Judge Durcan added that if the fine was not paid by January, then Mr Costelloe would be convicted of careless driving.

Addressing Mr Costelloe, Judge Durcan said, “I understand completely what happened. I wish you a safe journey home.”

A MAN charged with a spate of crimes in the Kilmihil area has been ordered to appear before the December sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Thomas Farrell, 30 Riverdale Green, Clondalkin appeared before Kilrush District Court accused of taking a van and crashing it, and on another date taking power tools during a burglary.

Detective Garda Ollie Downes told the court that at 5pm on July 6, a white Berlingo can belonging to Kevin Callahan was taken from outside his workshop.

“Later we got a report that it was crashed about one mile from the village,” the detective said.

The van valued at € 5,500 was subsequently declared a write-off.

“Mr Callahan said he left the keys on the pier outside the workshop on Quay Street. Mr Farrell was subsequently arrested and admitted seeing and taking the keys and taking the van,” said Det Downes.

The court also heard that during a burglary at a private resident at Lackin, Kilmihil, between July 27 and July 28 a number of items were take including a number of named power tools. On July 28 Gardaí stopped a bus at Ballismore, and found the stolen goods on board.

Mr Farrell told Gardaí that he found the goods in a pile in the front garden, the court heard.

Judge Patrick Durkin remanded Mr Farrell on continuing bail to appear before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on December 18.

As he granted bail he said he was taking into account that Mr Farrell came from Dublin to Kilrush for the court hearing.

The defendant has six previous convictions including road traffic, public order and an assault conviction going back to 2000.

A 22-YEAR-OLD Kilrush man was fined € 500 for breach of the peace after he became irate with gardaí when they stopped him on his pedal bike.

Sean McMahon, 1 Burton Street, Kilrush, was not in court when the case due for hearing was called.

Garda O’Callaghan gave evidence that at 1.20am on Friday, May 25, 2012, he stopped the defendant who was on his pushbike.

“He became very irate from the outset,” said the garda adding that it was “apparent he was highly intoxicated.”

When the garda and his colleague told him he would be arrested “he lashed out with hands, feet and head”.

Garda O’Callaghan said the defendant was then arrested in Burton Street and restrained on the way to the garda station.

“He wasn’t remanded for a while due to his level of violence,” said the garda stationed in Kilrush.

Solicitor for Mr McMahon, Hazel Hehir, asked the garda if her client was on his way home when he was stopped.

“I believe so,” replied the Garda.

“He was peacefully on the way home when you stopped him and questioned him,” she said.

She said her client was 22 years of age and lived alone. She added that he became frustrated on the night in question.

“He is going to England soon to get away from Kilrush and people he hangs around with,” she added.

Judge Patrick Durkin dismissed the section 4 intoxication charges against Mr McMahon, but fined him € 500 for using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

He gave him three months to pay with 10 days default.

The judge said he took into account that he had no previous convictions but also had to consider that he did not turn up in court.

He issued a bench warrant on other matters pending against Mr McMahon.

During the afternoon sitting of Kilrush District Court Mr McMahon appeared before Judge Durkin. He told the judge he had left the court to go home for a cup of tea.

The bench warrant was vacated.

AN Ennis woman who was convicted of soliciting a man to murder her then partner would like to return to live in her native town again.

However, Sharon Collins is not planning on moving back to Ennis anytime soon. She was released from the Dochas women’s prison centre last Monday. Ms Collins is on temporary release and will not be on full release until her sentence ends in December.

The 48-year-old was jailed for six years in November 2008 after a jury found her guilty of soliciting a man to murder her partner, PJ Howard, and his two sons, Robert and Niall Howard, on August 15, 2006.

Her co-accused, Essam Eid, was also jailed for six years for demanding money with menace and handling stolen property.

Her solicitor, Patrick Moylan of O’Kelly Moylan Solicitors, said Ms Collins would like to return to live in Ennis again but is worried about the impact of media intrusion on her family.

He said, “She would like to return to the town. She has always been supported by her family and friends and that support has continued. However, she knows that the level of media attention her moving back to Ennis would bring on her family and friends would be unfair.”

The former administrative worker with Clare VEC has continued to maintain her innocence. Under the terms of her release, Ms Collins is not permitted to engage with or speak to the media until her full release in September.

She is currently working on two books that will focus on her experiences since 2006. Mr Moylan explained, “She is writing two books. One will be about the case and one will about her life inside prison.”

Neighbours are said to be unhappy with the level of media interest in the area. It is understood that a reporter from a Dublin tabloid was chased from a garden near the home of a relative of Ms Collins last week.