Category: News

AN Ennis man whom a court was told suffers from alcoholism has been ordered to engage with the probation services.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Darren Maughan (21), with an address at 20 Stonecourt, Drumbiggle, Ennis, pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Inspector Michael Gallagher told the court that gardaí were called to a disturbance at Abbey Street on September 9 (2012).

He said Mr Maughan was involved in a fight with another man.

The court heard that when asked by gardaí to stop fighting, Mr Maughan told them to f*** off.

Insp Gallagher told the court that Mr Maughan has 22 previous convictions.

Defence solicitor William Cahir said his client is unable to control his problem with alcohol. He said; “He was entirely responsible for what happened in the night.”

“He has a huge problem with alcoholism. He appreciates this problem but he cannot control it”, Mr Cahir added.

Judge Patrick Durcan said that Mr Maughan has “no respect for law and order.” He adjourned the case for a week for a report from the probation services.

Judge Durcan said he was considering imposing a 100-hour community service order, in lieu of two months in prison.

He explained that he made the decision because he did not see why the State should have to pay € 1700 a week to keep Mr Maughan in prison. The case was adjourned until September 26.

THE last Saturday in January has emerged as the new D-Day for hopes of traditional music enthusiasts in Clare to bring Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to Ennis in 2014, which – if successful – would bridge a 37-year gap to when the event was last held in the county. The Clare People has learned that Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann chiefs have brought forward the date for the Ard Comhairle of the organisation to make a decision on where the 2014 showpiece of the traditional music year takes place.

Traditionally the decision is made every September, but the decision to put what Comhaltas chiefs called “the special application” of Derry to host the Fleadh for the first time to a vote last January is set to be continued for the second succesive year.

“This is a good thing,” said a spokesperson for Clare Comhaltas, “because if the Ennis bid is successful, it will give a longer lead-in time to organising what is a huge undertaking to stage this international event.”

And key figures within the county organisation of Comhaltas are hopeful that Clare’s role in helping bring the 2013 Fleadh to Derry will result in a successful Ennis bid. Last January, this view was aired by Michéal Ó Riabhaigh of the Abbey Branch of Comhaltas, which is spearheading the campaign to bring the Fleadh to Clare, when he defended the decision to withdraw Ennis’ bid in favour of Derry.

“The decision we took to withdraw our bid was a risk worth taking and a gesture worth making. I would hope that the sacrifice that we made this time around will be appreciated when Ennis bids for the Fleadh in 2014,” he said.

Last September, Ennis narrowly lost out to Cavan on being host town for the 2012 Fleadh. In a three-way contest involving Ennis, Cavan and Sligo, Cavan won the right to host the festival for the third successive year on a 14-13 vote.

Ennis, Sligo and Derry were the three competing centres to host the 2013 Fleadh until the surprise move by the Abbey Branch of Comhaltas to withdraw the bid bring the festival to Ennis for the first time since 1977.

Now Ennis is set to go head-tohead with Sligo, with Drogheda also mooted as a possible late entry into the contest. The Ennis application is backed by the strength of traditional music in the county as showcased in the recent Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Cavan where the county won 134 medals in 42 categories. This was higher than any other county. 30/09/2012

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.

AN IRAQ war veteran who admitted forging a doctor’s prescription has been warned that he faces up to five months in prison.

Ross Culligan (25), with an address at 41 Church Drive, Clarecastle, pleaded guilty to forging a prescription contrary to the misuse of drugs act on dates unknown between February 14 and February 22 (2012) at 41 Church Drive, Clarecastle.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday Mr Culligan also pleaded guilty to using the forged prescription at Mary Jo Duffy’s Pharmacy, Tesco, Ennis on February 22.

He also pleaded guilty to an offence under the firearms act at Ennis Garda Station on February 23.

Inspector John Galvin told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed summary disposal of the case.

Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction of the matter. Insp Galvin told the court that staff at the pharmacy alerted gardaí after Mr Culligan attempted to use the prescription. The accused was subsequently found in possession of a .22 calibre bullet by gardaí. Insp Galvin said there was “no hint that he had it for any sinister reason.”

He said Mr Galvin told gardaí that the bullet had come from his foster father’s house.

Insp Galvin said that when confronted by gardai, Mr Culligan was “forthright, honourable” and admitted having the prescription.

The court heard that the offences were committed one month after Mr Culligan had been placed on probation. Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett told the court that his client had been diagnosed with a psychiatric illness as a child.

He said after working as a tradesman, Mr. Culligan joined the British Army. The court heard that the accused served with the Irish Guards in Iraq.

Mr Hassett said, “He saw all the things that people shouldn’t really ever have to see.”

Mr Culligan was discharged from the army after four years for medical reasons, the court heard.

Mr Hassett said his client had been prescribed medication for panic and anxiety.

Judge Durcan noted that Mr Culligan had committed the offence while on a nine-month probation order.

He said, “The man has problems, certainly, but pharmacies have problems with people like your client.”

Mr Hassett said his client is liaising with the probation services and is “staying out of trouble.”

Judge Durcan said, “I have considered the issue of a community order and I am of the view that it is not a suitable case for community work….. It is out as far as I am concerned.”

Judge Durcan said that he “had in mind” a five-month prison sentence. He ordered the preparation of a presentence report from the probation services.

The case was adjourned until October 24.

CLARE farmers will be allowed to be buried on their own property in the future, provided Clare County Council gives the burial the thumbs up. The Department of the Environment have confirmed they there is no longer any statutory legislation preventing a Clare landowner being laid to rest on their own land. However, each home burial will have to receive official permission from Clare County Council before a burial can legally take place. Kilnamona farmer Cllr James Breen (Ind) says he now intends to apply to Clare County Council for permission to be buried on his farm when he passes away.

“I’m delighted with the news from the department and I can’t see any reason now why a local authority should not allow a farmer or his family to be buried on his own land if that is what they wish. I think that this is something that a lot of people will opt for in the future,” said Cllr Breen.

“It is a wish of my own – I want to be buried on my own land when I go to my eternal reward. You see farmers who love their land and the next thing they die and they have to go maybe 20 or 30 miles away to be buried. If they could, I think a lot of them would want to be buried on their own land. I can’t see the floodgates opening up but I think if anyone wants to be buried on their own land they they should now be allowed.”

In an official letter from the Department of the Environment to Clare County Council, it was confirmed that once environmental matters such as water contamination were taken care of, the department had no objection to Clare County Council granting approval for home burials to take place.

“I’ve no intention of dying just yet but when the time comes I will be getting buried on my farm. I have 40 acres in Kilnamona and I have identified one field where I would like to be laid to rest. It is entirely up to the rest of my family then if they would like to join me there after that,” continued Cllr Breen.

“There is nothing more sacred than a mans own land. The birds, the bees, the foxes, the wildlife will run wild over it. It is a sacred place.”

AN ADDICTION treatment service has confirmed that a Kilrush man is on a waiting list for one of their treatment centres.

Cuan Mhuire had been ordered by a district court judge to supply a letter confirming that Martin Burke (30) had applied for a place on their residential treatment course at Bruree.

Mr Burke, with an address at 4 St Senan’s Terrace, Kilrush, has pleaded guilty to handling stolen property at John Street, Kilrush, on June 25.

Mr Burke has also admitted to damaging the side of a car at Convent Road, Kilrush, and stealing a handbag valued on April 29, 2012.

The accused also pleaded guilty to smashing a window of the Central Pharmacy on May 5.

Mr Burke also pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place on the same night.

In June, Judge Durcan ordered that Mr Burke enter a treatment centre to deal with his alcohol and drug addiction problems.

Defence solicitor Fiona Hehir told the court that Cuan Mhuire had confirmed that there are 30 people ahead of her client on a waiting list for Bruree House.

She said it could be “some time” before Mr Burke is admitted. Judge Durcan remanded Mr Burke on continuing bail to appear in court again on November 14.

He also ordered that an up to date letter be provided on that date.

THE battle to prevent fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, taking place in Clare is back on following “extremely encouraging” results released by UK-based Enegi Oil last week. Preliminary studies carried out in the Doonbeg area have revealed the West Clare Basin has a higher degree of oil and gas than had been previously thought.

Share prices for Enegi Oil rose sharply following the release of the Doonbeg test results while a second company, Tamboran Resources, is now also understood to be looking at the possibility of fracking in the Clare Basin.

This has prompted an angry response from local anti-fracking campaigners who hosted a protests against fracking on Lahinch beach last week. Members of Clare Fracking Concerned, the West Clare Surf Club and members of the public came together to spell out their views to the Minister for Energy, Pat Rabbitte (LAB) and Enegi Oil last week.

“If fracking was to be allowed, it would threaten not only our drinking water but also the sheer beauty of West Clare. From Doonbeg to the Cliffs of Moher and beyond could be effected. Why risk any threat to all the natural beauty that already exists in Clare,” said Róisín Ní Gháirbhith of Clare Fracking Concerned.

“It would be detrimental to our environment but also and most important- ly our tourism industry. Who wants to visit Clare and see a big concrete slab the size of a football pitch every two kilometres all over the western part of the county? It could turn Clare into the ugliest county in Ireland instead of the most beautiful.”

Earlier this year, Clare County Council voted to change the County Development Plan to ban fracking from taking place in Clare.

The decision is largely meaningless, however, as the Minister for Energy, and not Clare County Council, is the planning authority for any large- scale energy projects such as the one proposed for the Clare Basin. The Clare People contacted Enegi Oil in relation to this article but no response was received at the time of going to press.

In a statement released by the company last week, chief executive Alan Minty said the latest results “strengthen our belief in the potential of the Clare Basin”.

CLARE organic food producers were recognised as being the very best in Ireland over the weekend with the Burren Smokehouse and St Tola’s goats cheese stealing the show at the National Organic Awards.

The Burren Smokehouse won the award for Ireland’s Best Organic Prepared Food for their smoked Irish salmon, while Inagh Farmhouse Cheese won second place and a “highly commended award” in the Organic Dairy Products section for St Tola Organic Goat Cheese Log.

Siobhán Ní Ghairbhith of Inagh Farmhouse Cheese was overjoyed with this year’s showing.

“We thrilled to receive this award. The Organic Dairy section is a growing market in Ireland with more and more excellent products becoming available to customers in supermarkets and online,” she said.

“There is a great deal more competition so we are delighted that we have held our own this year. It’s a great boost for all the team back in Inagh and reflects that hard work and high standards of the whole company.

“It is great that organic products are getting the recognition that they deserve and we thank Bord Bia for supporting organics in such trying economic times.”

The judging panel chaired by Ennis organic expert, Dr Oliver Moore, who was impressed by Clare’s strong showing in the competition.

“There was a real emphasis on hon- est, very good quality, affordable foods – foods for everyone and for everyday,” he said.

“What also heartened the judges was how some companies were clearly listening to feedback and improving their packaging as well as their product ranges, year on year.”