Category: News

THE war on crime is being won by the gardaí, or else the numbers of incidents of crime-related activity being reported to the force has decreased dramatically over the last 12 months.

These are the two contrasting scenarios that have emerged out of the publication of a Central Statistics Office report on crime figures in the county that give a detailed breakdown of offences/incidents reported and dealt with at 26 Garda stations around the county.

All because the CSO report carried out by the All-Island Research Observatory has shown that the county’s five primary towns, form the county capital of Ennis outwards to the main towns in West, North, South and East Clare have all shown a dramatic deccrease in the number of cases that were on the Garda books in 2011.

This drop is most pronounced in Ennis, the largest centre of Garda operations in Clare where the numbers of incidents under investigation by the force in 2011 plummetted by 14.4 per cent when compared with the previous year.

This slide has been mirrored in the West Clare capital of Kilrush, the second largest centre of population Shannon, the North Clare capital of Ennistymon and East Clare’s main town Killaloe.

In 2010 there were 2044 different crime related cases on the books of Ennis Garda station, but the drop of 294 to 1750 represents the biggest of any individual station in the county, a figure that has been brought about by a sharp decrease in a number of frontline crime activities such as drugs offences, assaults, weapons cases and burglaries.

There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that the Ennis’ problem drug has significantly increased over the last number of years, with Class A substances like heroin and cocaine freely available in the county capital, but the CSO figures have painted a different picture where drug activity in the town is concerned as it relates to cases that were under investigation by the local gardaí.

Drugs offences in Ennis decreased from 215 in 2010 to 139 in 2011, a trend that was mirrored in Shannon, Ennistymon, Kilrush and Killaloe.

Elsewhere in Ennis, assaults and harrassments dropped from 152 to 120, while burglary and related offences declined to 108 as against 147 for the previous year. Weapons offences in Ennis also saw a sharp decline in the number of incidents, from 46 to 20 over the space of 12 months.

Shannon also experienced a dramatic decline in the numbers of offences, with the statistics again showing up a big drop in the number of drugs related incidents over 12 months, dropping by over 50 per cent from 62 to 28 as overall figures for all crime in the airport town were down by 220 from 754 to 534. Theft related offences, public order issues and damage to property was also down considerably in Shannon.

The overall crime figures for Kilrush saw a drop from 448 to 357, in Killaloe from 317 to 270, while the number of incidents in Ennistymon dropped by just over 50 per cent from 146 to 72.

DEEP sea drilling at the Spanish Point oil and gas well will begin in September of next year, provided the Government gives a final green light for the project. Providence Resources have confirmed that work on creating an initial well, or “spud” work, is to start in the third quarter of next year, providing a rig is available to undertake the work and the Irish government gives its approval. The Spanish Point and Burren oil and gas wells are located in the Porcupine Basin, some 200 miles off the Clare coast. Tests have indicated a large deposit on oil and gas in the area with one early map estimating that the wells contain enough natural gas to meet Ireland’s entire gas need for more than 70 years. “We are delighted to confirm that the pre-drill activities for the Spanish Point appraisal well have commenced and that a spud date has been scheduled. Next year should prove to be pivotal in assessing the exploration and development potential of hydrocarbons in the Porcupine Basin, with drilling now planned at Spanish Point, as well as at the Dunquin exploration prospect to the south,” said Tony O’Reilly, Chief Executive of Providence Resources. “Similar to our recent success at Barryroe, we believe that the application of modern well completion technologies, driven by the state of the art 3D seismic data can unlock material value at Spanish Point. We look forward to finally returning to Spanish Point to turn the drill bit after a 30-year absence.” The deposits in the Porcupine Basic were discovered in 1981 but they were considered too removed at that time to be extracted. Providence Resources currently own a stake of the oil and gas in the basic alongside partners Sosina Exploration Ltd and Chrysaor E&P Ireland Ltd. The Department of Transport have confirmed that Chrysaor is due to commence vessel-based geotechnical and environmental survey work in the area this week.

THE engine sounds that echoed through Ennis at the weekend and were met with curiosity, speculation and, in some cases, annoyance, were the result of one of Ireland’s most popular motorsports among the under-25s.

The drifting competition took place on the grounds of the mart, with the sounds vibrating around the area.

Drifting, which originated in Japan and then grew in popularity in America and Europe, is a regulated motorsport that is judged on the driver’s control of the car rather than speed.

The sporting event in Ennis was organised by Driftfest, with 38 participants coming from all over the country, including Clare.

Owner of Driftfest, Robert Roshu, said the sport is not just popular among young people, but has also received the approval of the gardaí as it has encouraged young men to take their fast cars off the road and onto an organised track.

“A lot of these lads are building their own cars, some on a very small budget.

“They are taking their fast cars off the road and using them for drifting and getting small diesel vans to use every day,” he explained.

Mr Roshu said the sport is governed by strict health and safety rules, with cars checked before the event begins, and ambulances and the fire service are on stand by during the event.

The recession has impacted on this motor sport in the last year, however.

“I was disappointed that the crowd was way down yesterday (Sunday), but no one got hurt so that is the most important thing,” said Driftfast owner.

The economic downturn has also meant there are fewer drivers as many have emigrated, with more opting to double drive – buy one car between two and enter it in two separate competitions.

He also said he “was disappointed that some people found it loud”.

“It was my first time in Ennis and I hope the next time to have more to offer,” he said.

A PACKED passenger jet was forced to dump thousands of litres of aviation fuel over the North Atlantic and divert to Shannon Airport after a woman on board suffered a suspected heart attack.

Air Canada flight ACA-871 from Paris to Montreal in Canada was about 500 kilometres off the Irish west coast when the crew was forced to turn around and divert to the nearest suitable airport.

The Boeing 777-300 jet was carrying its maximum capacity of 350 passengers at the time. The flight had crossed over Ireland earlier at around 2pm and was about an hour into its oceanic crossing when the 55-year-old woman complained of chest pains.

Cabin crew members quickly tended to the patient and informed the flight crew of the incident. While staff administered oxygen to the woman, the captain contacted air traffic controllers, reporting a passenger was suffering a heart attack and that he wished to divert immediately.

The pilot declared a medical emergency and requested that medical services be available for the flights arrival. The crew had to dump thousands of litres of aviation fuel to ensure the aircraft touched down within safe landing weight limits.

Airport crash crews were placed on standby and took up designated positions alongside Shannon’s 3.2km long runway ahead of the flights arrival at 4.15pm.

Emergency vehicles raced down the runway after the jet and accompanied the plane to its parking position.

Fire crews checked to ensure the jet’s brakes had not overheated during the emergency landing.

A HSE cardiac ambulance and local doctor were standing by at the terminal building and medics quickly boarded the jet to assess the patient.

The woman was stabilised on board the aircraft before being re moved and taken by ambulance to the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick for treatment. It’s understood the woman had a previous cardiac history.

The pilot also reported a possible technical issue as a result of having to jettison fuel.

He requested that engineers also be available to meet the aircraft and investigate the issue.

FOR 10 years now, the posters for the Nell Galvin Festival have indicated the return of school for children around West Clare.

For adults, it has proven to be a recession-friendly festival and summer school that has brought the season to a positive close.

This year, the weekend events promise to be better than ever as the festival in honour of the Moyasta concertina-player celebrates its tenth anniversary.

This year, all of the music classes will be on site at Garihy’s Bar, as the publican has renovated the old shop to make way for new classrooms.

All classes are free, as are all the concerts and events, making it a purse-pleasing event for all visitors.

New committee secretary Tim Thompson said there would even be a free cup of tea and coffee and sand- wiches for those attending the festival beginning on Friday night.

The highlight of this year’s festival will be an outside stage, which was secured with some help from Leader.

“There will be music inside and outside at the same time, and if the weather is as good as promised, there will be a great atmosphere,” said Mr Thompson.

“There is also a huge line-up of music on Sunday night, with a major concert finale planned,” he added.

The secretary attributed the success of the festival to the many sponsors who have remained loyal over the decade. “We really have to thank the sponsors. In these tight times, they are still helping us out,” he said.

The festival is dedicated to Nell Galvin, who was born Ellen McCarthy in Ballydineen, Knocklough in 1887. In 1937, she became the first Clare woman to broadcast traditional Irish music on 2 RN, later to be called Radio Éireann.

During those years, she married Patrick Galvin from Moyasta and had three sons and two daughters. Nell and her late son Stephen later played as guests with the Kilfenora Céilí Band.

She played with some of the greats, including Willie Clancy, John Kelly, Dr Bill Loughnane, Mrs. Crotty and Sean Reid.

Ms Galvin died on September 5, 1961, aged 74 years.

THE cost of sending children to school has become too much for many Clare families, with large numbers turning to charities such as the St Vincent de Paul for help and record numbers applying for Government supports such as the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.

With the cost of kitting out a child for primary school now as high as € 700 for some families, anecdotal evidence indicated that money lenders have began door-stepping some houses, offering money to cover school expenses.

With primary schools also suffering budget cuts from central government, many parents have found themselves unable to pay voluntary contribution towards the operation of their children’s primary school.

Indeed, according to Clare teachers and former head of the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI), Bernie Ruane, in many schools only one in every five families are in a position to make a voluntary contribution.

Large delays have also been seen in the processing of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. According to Clare Citizens Information Services – parents from every walk of life are getting in contact with questions about the grant.

“Our main queries at the moment are concerning the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Grant and we are getting questions from all varieties of parents about this – but particularly from parents who have had a change of circumstance over the past year. We are getting a lot questions for Clare parents who have lost a job of who have changed from over payment to another over the last 12 months,” continued the spokesperson. Any parent who is in receipt of a social welfare payment is entitled to apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear grant.

BUSINESS people from the West Clare peninsula are now hoping that the Loophead Lighthouse will remain open until the end of September. The landmark has proven a popular tourist attraction so far this year, with more than 12,500 people visiting between May 18 and August 13.

The historic lighthouse is scheduled to close its doors to the public on September 3, the end of the official tourism season, but Clare County Councillor Gabriel Keating (FG) said the promise of fine weather is prompting a local call for it to remain open until the end of the month.

“The business people are hoping the stakeholders will come together and keep it open for another month with the impending fine weather,” said Cllr Keating.

“It is a huge success. Today (Tuesday) up to 60 visitors from New York are coming to the lighthouse – that will give you an idea of the interest. It has created up to 35 parttime and spin-off jobs and is worth € 1.3 million to the local economy,” he said.

The lighthouse is proving popular among all age groups. Up to Monday August 13, 9,691 adults and 2,870 children had visited the historic West Clare landmark.

Clare County Council, along with Shannon Development, Loop Head Tourism and the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL), opened the 19thcentury lighthouse to the public for the second successive summer season in May. It is estimated that the 11-week trial opening scheme in 2011 was worth approximately € 400,000 to the local economy.

LABASHEEDA is the safest place to live in Clare, at least according to the latest crime statistics revealed for 2011. The West Clare parish recorded only 5 incidences of criminal activity last year. There was one reported incidence of threat/intimidation, two burglaries, one of criminal damage to property and just a single drug offence for the entire 2011.

Carrigaholt is the next ‘quietest’ community with only ten crimes reported in 2011, although the West Clare outpost lost its garda presence due to cutbacks earlier this year.

As expected Ennis (1750) and Shannon (534) are the top two when it comes to criminal incidences, with Kilrush (357), Killaloe (270) and Kilkee (151) rounding out the top five. * For a full list of ever y one of the 27 a rea s in Cla re repor ting cr ime figures for 2011, see pages 16 & 17.

A CLAREMAN who holds a special and unfortunate place in the annals of the Easter Rising has finally been remembered through a special ceremony in Dublin that has honoured the nearly 600 policemen killed during the 1916-22 period. Tullycrine man Michael Lahiffe was singled out for special mention at the ceremony which took place in Glasnevin Cemetery on Saturday for the estimated 563 Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and Dublin Met- ropolitan Police (DMP) members killed in the 1916 rebellion and subsequent War of Independence.

Constable Lahiffe was a member of the DMP, having joined the force in 1910 aged 22 and was on duty at the entrance of St Stephen’s Green on Easter Monday, April 24.

When confronted by the Citizen Army, he was ordered to leave his post, but stood his ground and was shot three times and died from his injuries.

“He was an unarmed policeman, but was shot dead because he was doing his job,” said retired Garda, Gerry Lovett, who was one of the organisers of the wreath-laying ceremony along with other retired members of the Garda Siochána and Royal Ulster Constabulary.

“It is only right that Constable Lahiffe be remembered, because he was one of the first shot in 1916,” he added.

The ceremony came on the back of a local campaign in Clare mounted over a number of years by former detective sergeant, Michael Houlihan, who also hails from Tullycrine.

Growing up, Mr Houlihan knew Constable Lahiffe’s brother Tom and sister Nell, who lived in Tullycrine until their deaths in the early 1970s.

“They never talked about their brother,” revealed Mr Houlihan. “It just wasn’t something people talked about back then. A brother of Michael’s named John was in the RIC in Cork. There were eight of them in the family and they had a holding of about 30 acres in Tullycrine.

“It was only after they were all gone that I started gathering the information about what happened to Michael.

“A cousin of mine bought the house in which the Lahiffes were brought up and it was there we found bits and pieces,” he added.

These included a photograph of Constable Lahiffe in his police uniform, a postcard home to his mother proclaiming his love and a pledge to write again soon and a mass card.

Constable Lahiffe is the only person buried in the Dublin Metropolitan Police plot who has an individual headstone, on which reads the following inscription:

“Sacred to the memory of Constable Michael Lahiffe, who died on the 24th of April, 1916, from wounds received whilst gallantly doing his duty as a member of Dublin Metropolitan Police. Erected by his sorrowing parents, brothers and sisters and by the members of the Irish Police and Constabulary Recognition Fund.”

ONE of the diocese of Killaloe’s longest serving priests passed away at the weekend.

The retired Parish Priest of Tubber and Boston, Very Reverend Charles Navin died on Saturday at the Bons Secours Hospital, Galway, after a short illness.

He served as priest of the Killaloe Diocese for 69 years and was in his 94th year.

Born in March 1919, Fr. Navin was a native of Clarecastle.

He studied for the priesthood at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained in 1943.

He began his priestly ministry in the parish of Killanena/ Flagmount and later that same year was appointed to Whitegate.

After a period of illness, he was appointed to Scariff in 1950 and was then appointed curate in Ballywilliam, County Tipperary, in 1959.

In 1965, he became the curate in Sixmilebridge, before moving to Borrisokane, County Tipperary, in 1969.

In January 1973, he was appointed parish priest of the County Clare parish of Tubber and Boston, a position he held until his retirement in July 1995.

He continued to live in Tubber, the parish he had served for 22 years, until his death.

Fr Navin’s remains were returned to the Church of St Michael, Tubber, where they reposed from 3pm until 8pm yesterday (Monday).

Funeral Mass will be celebrated today (Tuesday), August 28 at 2.30 pm.

Fr Charlie will be laid to rest in the grounds of the Church of St Michael, Tubber, immediately after the Requiem Mass.