Category: News

THE affects of the building boom have been hammered home with the findings of the 2011 Census, which have revealed that there are now over 11,000 houses in the county with no one living in them.

The official 2011 Census returns which were published by the Central Statistics Office last Thursday revealed that there are now 42, 534 houses occupied in Clare, but that there are 11,782 unoccupied.

These figures mean that the va- cancy rate among houses and flats in the county is now running at nearly 21.2 per cent, 7.5 per cent higher than the national average of 14.7 per cent, with the western seaboard being the worst part of the county affected.

The county’s population increased by five per cent between 2006 and 2011, but despite the upward graph that gives the county the highest population it has had in over a century, there are more houses than ever vacant.

This can be directly attributed to the building boom that took place in the county – with one statistic emerging from the Census returns being that there are more vacant family homes in the county now than there are vacant holiday homes.

The numbers of vacant houses is 5,936, while there are a further 1,236 flats unoccupied, while the number of holiday homes in the county stands at 4,610.

The Census figures revealed that the number of new housing stock in Clare increased by 14 per cent in between the 2006 and 2011 censuses, which means that Clare house builds ran ahead of the national average of 13.3 per cent.

However, the breakdown of these figures have also revealed that this in housing numbers has contributed to a sharper increase in the number of vacant dwellings around the county.

A map of the county produced by the CSO shows that vacancy rates in west and north Clare are now run ning at over 25 per cent.

Only seven other counties have higher rates of vacant housing than in Clare, with Leitrim topping the league table with 30.4 per cent, while within Munster, Kerry on 26.5 per cent is the county with a higher rating than Clare.

PATIENTS at the region’s largest hospital are left without “privacy and dignity” while stretched nursing staff are finding it impossible to provide safe care to their patients.

The Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick is chronically overcrowded, according to its nursing staff, and last week their warnings were verified when the hospital cancelled all non-emergency surgical procedures on Thursday.

As many as 21 day-ward surgical procedures, two angiograms and two broncoscopies, as well as 45 outpatient appointments, were cancelled.

In the course of the day, the HSE appealed for patients not to attend the Emergency Department and to visit their general practitioner instead.

The health service said the cancellations were as a result of a sudden surge in emergency attendances at the hospital that saw some 36 patients on trolleys at the Emergency Department at 5.45pm the previous evening and an unprecedented demand for inpatient beds.

“Extra ward rounds took place during the day to release beds through discharging patients who could safely be sent home,” a spokesperson said.

“These are choices we do not make lightly. Every patient is important to us but, in the current situation, we have to make hard decisions. We very much regret the inevitable delay and inconvenience but dealing with the situation in the Emergency Department must take priority,” said Hospital CEO Ann Doherty.

Doctors were unable to ascribe any single explanation to the surge in the Emergency Department.

Meanwhile, the INMO trolley watch figures demonstrate the hospital endures chronic overcrowding in the Emergency Department, plus up to 50 additional patients on the corridors and in annexes of the hospital daily, awaiting a designated bed.

“Safe and proper care cannot be given to patients while they are placed in undesignated in-patient areas and while there is inadequate staffing to provide a safe level of care,” a spokesperson for the nurses union said.

Mary Fogarty, INMO Industrial Relations Officer said, “It is imperative that the HSE, together with the Special Delivery Unit, act immediately to address the current situation, and remove the very real risk of an adverse incident which currently exists in this region.”

Tessie HARTMAN nee Farrell
of Moore Street, Kilrush, at Regina House, Kilrush. Funeral mass onTuesday at 11 o’clock with burial after in All Saints Cemetery, Shanakyle. May she rest in peace.

Susan CABEY nee McGrath
of Cahermore, Kilmaley. Peacefully at Limerick. Wife of the late John. Funeral mass onTuesday at 11.30 with burial after in Kilmaley cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations, if desired, to Kilmaley Day Care Centre. May she rest in peace.

Sister Paul PILKINGTON
of Good Shepherd Convent, Pennywell Road, Limerick and late of Ahaga, Kilmihil. Peacefully in the loving care of the nurses and staff of Caherass Nursing Home. Sr, Paul, Good Shepherd Sisters. Deeply regretted by her sisters in Community, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, relatives and friends. Laid to rest in Mount St Oliver Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Nora CLANCY
of Kildysart. In her 92nd year. Laid to rest in Kilfidane Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Ann (Nancy) MULREADY (née Flynn)
of 25 ChurchView, Sixmilebridge. Laid to rest in Kileen Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Helen MOLONEY (née Duffy)
of Cullina. Laid to rest in Killofin Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

James (Jim) MANGAN
of AshView,Tulla Road, Roslevan, Ennis. Laid to rest in Doora. Donations, if desired, to your favourite charity. May he rest in peace.

Michael HOWLEY

A CZECH man who smashed a downstairs window as a woman watched television at home alone has received a five-month prison sentence.

At Ennis District Court on Friday, Michal Makula (36), with an address at 3 Churchview, Barefield, pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage.

The charge relates to an incident at Cloneyogan, Lahinch, on September 9, 2011.

Inspector Tom Kennedy explained that on the night in question, a 26year-old woman was watching television at home on her own. The court heard that at around 10.30pm she heard a car pull into the drive. A man she did not recognise then got out of the car and started banging on the window and front door of the house, the court heard.

Insp Kennedy told the court that the man then went to the back of the house and broke a window. The woman came downstairs where she saw the man who then left the scene.

Insp Kennedy said the total value of the damage was € 100. He told the court that the accused has 19 previous convictions. The court heard that Makula is currently serving a sentence for burglary and assault offences.

Solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that her client had committed the offence at a time when he and his young family were in “crisis” and were not in receipt of any social welfare payments. She said her client had become “desperate and wild” about how to provide for his children.

Ms Godfrey requested that sentencing be adjourned for two weeks to allow for payment of compensation to the injured party.

Judge Patrick Durcan noted that this incident had occurred as a young woman watched television in bed late at night. He said the house was in a rural part of the county. Judge Durcan said it was obvious, that by breaking the glass, Makula intended to gain access to the house. “I regard this as a very serious criminal damage charge,” he added.

Judge Durcan said the message must go out that people living in rural areas are entitled to the inviolability of their homes.

Noting Makula’s plea of guilty and family circumstances, he imposed a five-month sentence to be served consecutively to his current sentence. Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

A UNIQUE event has been organised by a group of Ennis teens to keep alive the spirit of one of their friends who lost her life to cancer.

The ‘C the Bright Side’ Masquerade Fundraiser will celebrate the positive outlook of the late Ciara Conroy while raising funds for the support group CanTeen Ireland.

The brave and inspiring 16-year-old passed away from cancer in 2010.

A young fashionista, Ciara kept a blog inspiring people to C the Bright Side.

When she was diagnosed with cancer, Ciara was supported by CanTeen, a nationwide support group for young people aged 12 to 25 years old who have or have had cancer.

CanTeen organise day and weekend outings throughout the year and provide a much needed supportive social network for teenage cancer patients and survivors.

A member of the organising committee said, “Ciara made many friends through CanTeen and this provided her with an unspoken support system that helped her flourish in times of difficulty and offered her strength.”

Now ten of her friends from Coláiste Mhuire and St Flannan’s College in Ennis have decided to raise awareness and support for this charity in memory of their good friend.

The masquerade fundraiser will take place on April 3, in the West County Hotel, Ennis.

The event will allow those attending to put their best dress or suit on, as it is a formal wear event. Those who don’t have their own masks can get some at the door on the night.

The event is strictly over 16s, with parents, teachers and older friends also invited to attend.

One of the organisers, Doria Orfali, who is Ciara’s cousin, said that there would be a bar sectioned off and available to the adults only on the night.

“Entertainment for both adults and young adults will be provided separately to ensure everyone will enjoy the evening,” she said.

Tickets for the event cost € 25 and are on sale at the Irish Music Shop and the West County Hotel reception.

Special guests and entertainment include popular and upcoming band Hermitage Green, talented singer Clodagh Lawler and Spin South West DJ Eoghain Fitz.

There will also be a casino table as part of the adult entertainment on the night.

Those planning the event are hoping for a night of colour, fashion, fun and laughter – a reflection of the courageous Ciara Conroy.

KILRUSH area councillors have voted to extend the parking time of O’Curry Street in Kilkee to two hours.

The councillors were supporting a proposal by their Kilkee Town Council colleagues that asked for longer parking hours on the street and from opposite the convent to the roundabout on the Carrigaholt Road to the eastern side of Circular Road.

Shoppers and diners can now park in both these areas for two hours, where previously they were restricted to just one. It was also suggested by the Kilkee public representatives that these restrictions apply only during June, July and August from 10am to 6pm, seven days a week.

While the town council can propose such changes for the town, the county council must support them before they can be ratified and become law.

Mayor of Kilkee Elaine Haugh Hayes (FG) addressed the meeting of Kilrush area councillors on Wednesday and told them that one hour parking was insufficient for visitors and customers.

She also raised concerns about residents who live in the area and have to move their cars every day, while the parking byelaws are in place.

Cllr Pat Keane (FF) asked “Where do they go with their cars during the day?”

Director of Services Nora Kaye told the meeting that the byelaws determine the residential permits and they are not currently accommodated.

“We will look into it,” she said.

Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) suggested that a list of residents who would require a permit be drawn up before the May meting of the council and the issue be addressed again.

MAKING the new Shannon Airport debt free is key to its future prosperity and growth, business interests in the region will tell Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar, this Friday when he will be the keynote speaker at a Chamber of Commerce lunch in the Oakwood Arms Hotel.

The meeting comes just as Minister Varadkar prepares to act on the Booz & Company consultants report, which put forward a number of proposal with which to create a new model for Clare’s international airport.

Now, business interests in Shannon have been urged to have their say with Minister Varadkar as D-Day for the airport fast approaches, with Chamber of Commerce president, Damian Gleeson, saying “opinions only turn into action when they are heard, and by the decision makers”.

“This is possibly the last opportunity for engagement on a very pertinent issue for the mid-west region before the final decision is made.

“Shannon Airport is a vital piece of infrastructure which supports the economic development of the midwest. Every viable option to sustaining its future must be assessed for its ability to generate meaningful economic activity for the region. As we have stated in the past, any new structure should not be overburdened with debt but supported by solid business and financial plans,” continues Mr Gleeson.

In a presentation to the Minister earlier this year, Shannon Chamber made the case that Shannon Airport should be separated from its current structure but remain under some other form of State protection / ownership to ensure its survival as a key piece of national infrastructure, for the mid-west in particular.

“We emphasised that the airport should be run with a commercially driven ethos – which in conjunction with no debt, adequate working capital and an improvement of its cost structure would eventually allow it to be self-sustaining,” says Mr Gleeson.

“Of the two options now recommended by Booz & Company, the scenario whereby Shannon moves to a local concession model giving a role to the local authorities in Clare and Limerick, to local commercial interests and to Shannon Development in a holding company, offers the most potential for Shannon’s future development. It places decision making for the airport’s future at a local level.

“As long as this proposed autonomous structure comes without debt, Shannon could look forward to a new future, whereby every avenue for its development could be examined for its innovativeness and its ability to add value, traffic and revenue to Shannon. Harnessing the support of all stakeholders in the mid-west would lead to energised thinking and a new impetus for taking the airport in a new direction.

“We hope that the Minister, in addressing attendees on Friday, will elaborate on the findings of the Booz & Company report and be forthright is his views on how he feels a very strategic piece of infrastructure, such as Shannon Airport, can be re-energised to make its rightful contribution to the national economy,” adds Mr Gleeson.

THERE is a lively readership in West Clare. That is how one county councillor put it when he learnt that the number of people using their local library service has increased.

The membership of the five branches serving west and mid Clare increased by 125 in 2011, but the number needing the internet service at the local library has decreased.

County librarian Helen Walsh said this may be due to more home usage as lines become faster and less costly.

There was a drop of 346 members of the Kilkee library in 2011 however, with the number of books issued dropping by 6,210. There is an explanation for the drop however from the county library offices.

“During this time Kilkee library dropped membership, issues and internet usage due to the building works associate with the new Cultúrlann Sweeney,” said Ms Walsh.

The largest number of new readers was recorded in the Kilrush library, with an increase of 74.

Miltown Malbay increased its membership by 47 in 2011 while Kildysart went from 311 members in 2010 to 315 members in 2011.

Kilmihil showed a decrease in its membership of 78.

The five libraries continue to provide services despite cuts to their budgets and staffing levels within Clare County Council.

Ms Walsh explained that all development at the libraries is on a phased basis over a five-year period and according to the priorities and objectives laid out in the Library Development Plan 2010 to 2014.

“All objectives are budget and staff dependent and there is a real challenge in maintaining present stand- ards whilst striving to improve services in the present climate. The book fund has decreased from € 279,600 in 2009 to € 257,160 in 2010 to € 217,160 in 2011 at a time when the county population is increasing,” she said.

“Demand for other formats of book provision, downloadable and foreign language, also results in a further stretch on an ever decreasing book budget. The non-replacement of staff retiring or availing of various kinds of leave entitlement puts further stresses on the services regarding maintaining opening hours. An audit of opening hours in all branches will be undertaken this year,” said the county librarian.

“It is imperative that we keep these services. What is good we hold,” said Cllr Christy Curtin (Ind).

“The statistics are telling us of a very lively readership in Clare, “ he said.

RYANAIR wanted to pay out just € 1 per passenger it brought into Shannon in return for maintaining a low-cost hub at Clare’s international airport, a leading travel agent has claimed ahead of this Friday’s visit to Shannon by Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar.

The claim was made by Tony Brazil of the Irish Travel Agents Association at an economic and policy meeting of Limerick City Council last week as he revealed how Shannon Airport chiefs refused to bow to Ryanair pressure on landing fees, despite the fact that the decision has resulted in a meltdown of traffic at the airport over the past four years.

“Ryanair did a deal with Shannon to land passengers for € 2 each when the norm was € 8 per passenger,” said Mr Brazil. “They landed 1.8m passengers when the deal was they should have landed two million. When the deal came up for renewal, they wanted this reduced to € 1, but they were only bringing in 400,000 passengers,” he added.

Ryanair spokesperson Stephen McNamara has said that the reason for the collapse of Shannon’s traffic of over 55 per cent from 3.6m passengers in 2007 to 1.6m last year was down to “the DAA’s refusal to extend Ryanair’s low cost base at Shannon, the Government travel tax and a 33 per cent increase in passenger fees at Shannon last November, even as the DAA’s traffic was collapsing”.

“It is the high DAA monopoly costs at Shannon Airport that have ‘driven out’ these lusted-after “foreign carriers” from Shannon and it is these same high costs that keep them out of Shannon.

“Maybe Shannon should start this process by addressing their high costs, facing up to the mistakes they have made and looking forward for a solution to the traffic collapse at Shannon, instead of backwards with the sole purpose of trying to blame others for their failure,” he added.

THREE people are due to appear in court in Ennis tomorrow in relation to their alleged roles in an incident at a primary school in the town last Tuesday.

Conor Mahon (21), Rose Mahon (22) and Laura Molloy (21) are charged with alleged offences arising out of an incident at the Holy Family Junior School, Station Road, Ennis on March 20.

All three appeared before Ennis District Court last Wednesday.

Conor Mahon, of Ballaghboy, Quin Road, Ennis, is charged with possession of a slash hook at the school contrary to the firearms and offensive weapons act and with engaging in threatening and, or, abusive behaviour.

Conor Mahon’s wife, Rose Mahon, a mother of two, also of Ballaghboy, Quin Road, Ennis, is charged with causing € 1, 500 worth of damage to the windows of a vehicle belonging to Thomas Sherlock on Station Road.

Her sister, Laura Molloy, of 21 An Pairc, Bruach na hAbhainn, Ennis, is also charged with causing € 1, 500 worth of damage to the windows of a vehicle belonging to Thomas Sherlock on Station Road.

Both sisters are also charged with provoking a breach of the peace.

Garda Trevor Shannon gave evi- dence of arrest, charge and caution in respect of Conor and Rose Mahon. Garda Bríd Troy gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in respect of Laura Molloy.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the State were objecting to bail for all three accused on a number of grounds.

Judge Patrick Durcan refused bail applications for Conor Mahon and Laura Molloy.

They were remanded in custody to appear at Ennis District Court on March 28.

He granted bail to Rose Mahon subject to a number of conditions. She was ordered not to have any direct or indirect contact with a named family; to stay away from the Holy Family School, environs, staff and students; stay away from certain housing estates in Ennis; reside at Ballaghboy, Quin Road, Ennis; observe a curfew from 9pm to 7am and to sign on twice weekly at Ennis Garda Station.

Judge Durcan remanded Rose Mahon on bail to appear in Ennis District Court on March 28.

A DOOLIN ferry owner charged with passenger “overloading” has been told to pay a contribution to the Royal Lifeboat National Institution (RNLI).

The charges were brought against Bill O’Brien of Lickeen, Kilfenora, by the Department of Transport at Ennis District Court on Friday.

Mr O’Brien, who has operated a ferry business in Doolin since 1970, was charged in relation to two passenger vessels in his ownership, ‘The Queen of Aran’ and ‘Tranquility’.

The charges state that in failing to comply with the conditions and re- quirements of the Merchant Shipping Act, the owner did cause the vessel to contain a number of passengers exceeding the maximum number as required.

Captain Neil Forde, a nautical surveyor with the Department of Transport, told the court that a colleague had observed “overloading” on ‘The Queen of Aran’ and ‘Tranquility’ on August 18, 2011.

Capt Forde explained that 101 people were on a ship that had a maximum capacity of 96. In the other incident, Capt Forde explained, 103 passengers boarded a ship with a maximum capacity of 93. The court was told that Mr O’Brien has no pre- vious convictions.

The court was told that Mr O’Brien and his crew operated a clicker system to record the number of passengers that board ships. Under questioning from solicitor John Callinan, Capt Forde agreed that the overloading occurred as result of a breakdown in the clicker system.

The court heard that the business has now moved to a position of issuing individual boarding cards rather than group boarding cards.

Capt Forde told the court that both boats had sufficient lifesaving equipment and lifeboats on board. He explained that one of the dangers of overloading was that, in the event of an emergency at sea, rescue crews might not take into account extra passengers.

Mr Callinan said Mr O’Brien had operated a “very significant” familyrun business in West Clare for over 40 years.

Judge Patrick Durcan said that overloading could lead to a “tremendous tragedy”. Noting Mr O’Brien’s guilty plea, his good record and his prescience along with that of his crew in court, Judge Durcan ordered him to pay a sum of € 1, 500 to the RNLI. He also ordered him to pay costs to the Department of Transport, bringing the total to € 1,855. No conviction was recorded against Mr O’Brien.