Category: News

AMID the controversy about the controversial route of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road, Clare County Council has this week revealed that it is to publish a report outlining why it cuts straight through Clonlara and Parteen.

The Draft Constraints Report on the 10k road that will link Coonagh with the Parteen/Ardnacrusha area before crossing the Shannon to the University of Limerick will be issued on April 10.

The project is being led by Clare County Council, in conjunction with Limerick City Council and Limerick County Council, with project manager Tom Tiernan revealing that “the publication of a Constraints Study at this point in the consultation process is rare and is not in accordance with guidelines.

“In an effort to ensure residents and public representatives are fully engaged in the consultation process, however, the council has made the decision to release draft constraints information,” he added.

Meanwhile, an additional public consultation meeting in relation to the Limerick Northern Distributor Road goes ahead this Tuesday from 3pm until 8pm in the Raddison Hotel, Ennis Road. The meeting follows on from the decision to extend the closing date for submissions by a period of two months until May 11, 2012.

Information on the emerging Preferred Route Corridor for Phase 2 will be on display with Local Authority personnel and representatives of Roughan & O’Donovan Consulting Engineers available to answer questions. All comments received at the consultation will be recorded and members of the public will be able to make submissions to Clare County Council up to May 11, 2012.

Views expressed during the consultation exercise will be considered in the context of the emerging Preferred Route Corridor for the scheme. Design of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road (Phase 2) will progress based on the corridor to be confirmed following the public consultation process, leading to the publication of an Environmental Impact Statement and Compulsory Purchase Order in due course.

The Draft Constraints Report will be published on April 10 on www. clarecoco.ie, www.lcc.ie and www. limerickcoco.ie. It also will be on display in the Westbury Area Office, Aras Contae an Chláir, Limerick City Hall, Limerick County Hall and Limerick County Council’s Area Office in Annacotty.

THE committee responsible for Traveller accommodation is to recommend that Clare County Council not build any more Traveller accommodation units in the county.

The Chairman of the Council’s Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (TAAC) confirmed yesterday that the recommendation would go before next month’s meeting of the local authority.

Green Party councillor Brian Meaney told a meeting of councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area that the TAAC has proposed not to go ahead with the recommendations contained in the Traveller Accom- modation Plan.

Cllr James Breen (Ind) said the Council should not provide any more Traveller accommodation until all existing units are in use.

Responding to questions, Cllr Meaney said there are ongoing efforts to ensure “mandated attendance” by Travellers at meetings of the TAAC. The recommendation follows a report released last October that showed that the council spent € 20 million on Traveller accommodation over the past 10 years. The council has invested in 10 group housing schemes and one temporary site in the county that were put in place over three Traveller accommodation programmes since 2000.

The report showed that the council incurred high security costs on the Beechpark group scheme in Ennis, which was the subject of criminal damage and remains the subject of threat and intimidation since 2010.

The report states that a total of five units of accommodation had been destroyed by arson attack in the previous 22 months (Beechpark, Ashline, Ballymaley).

In a motion at yesterday’s meeting, Cllr Meaney called for members of the Traveller community living on an illegal encampment in Barefield to allow and elderly ill member of their community to take up housing allocated to her. The Barefield encampment is currently the subject of legal proceedings by Clare County Council.

ONGOING delays to the completion of a € 100,000 conservation job at the 13th century Ennis Franciscan Abbey have been branded a “disgrace”.

The Abbey has been closed to the public for three years to facilitate works carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW).

According to the OPW, the Abbey is expected to open in a limited way to the public in June.

A roof has been installed over the 18th century church in order to provide protection for the collection of carved features, which survive at Ennis Friary. The OPW also plans to improve visitor access at the site.

Authorities on medieval sculpture have highlighted the importance of the Friary’s unique collection, which contain a complete set of panels representing the 12 apostles and stages of the passion of Christ.

Since care of the Friary was vested in the Board of Works in the late 19th century, concern has been expressed about the vulnerability of the collection. However the duration of the works came in for strong criticism at yesterday’s meeting of councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area.

Fine Gael councillor Tony Mulqueen said the closure of the Abbey is hurting tourism in Ennis. He said, “The amount of tourists standing up outside is amazing and they can’t even take a photo. It’s a disgrace.”

He added, “The Franciscans seem to have built the Abbey faster than the OPW can put up a few slates.”

Cllr Mulqueen, whose father kept the keys to the Abbey at his nearby business during the 1960s for use by visitors, requested an update on the works at yesterday’s meeting.

In his response, senior executive engineer Eamon O’Dea, stated, “The project is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. We understand from contact with the OPW that there have been some delays in relation to the project at Ennis Friary. The discovery of a large number of burials where the floating foundations for glazing panels in the transcept were to be placed has resulted in a short delay.”

Mr O’Dea continued, “The intention is to open to the public in late June but in a limited way. The advantage is that the visitors will get to see the masons working and will see progress being made. The OPW is also looking at an extension to the season and some flexibility on charges.”

THE streets of Ennis should be closed to traffic at the weekend during the summer to encourage more people into the town.

That’s according to independent councillor James Breen, who put forward his proposal at yesterday’s meeting of councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area.

He called on Ennis Town Council to “completely pedestrianise the streets in Ennis for the month of June and July between 5pm to 10pm on Fridays and 5pm to 9pm on Saturdays and 11am to 6pm on Sunday”.

Cllr Breen said, “This would turn Ennis into a hive of activity that we’ve never seen before.”

In his response, town clerk Leonard Cleary, stated that the pedestrainisation of O’Connell Street and Abbey Street is an objective of the current Ennis and Environs Development Plan (2008-2014). He explained that a pilot pedestrianisation was introduced in 2010 “but was abandoned after a short period”.

“Ennis Town Council has since undertaken a series of pedestrainisation initiatives in selected streets/areas aimed at delivering a unique customer and visitor experience. Pilot pedestrianisation periods in Ennis were preceded by public consultation. These pedestrianisation initiatives have been designed to maximize the level of business generated for commercial rate payers in Ennis town,” he said.

Mr Cleary said the council had received positive feedback in relation to recent Christmas and St Patrick’s Day pedestrianisation pilots. “During the recent public listening process for developing an Ennis Hub Strategy (Ennis 2020) Visioning Process, Ennis Town Council has received a very strong indication that customers wish the council to continue to develop a permanent pedestrianisation experience. The matter will continue to be progressed with the elected members of Ennis Town Council who is statutory authority for the area.”

Cllr Tony Mulqueen (FG) said businesses had concerns over gangs of young people hanging around the streets at night. He said that some businesses had to close their doors on St Patrick’s Day because of kids using spray paint. “If you’re going to take cars off the streets, you need a visible Garda presence,” he added. Cllr Mulqueen said issues around parking for deliveries and collections also had to be addressed.

Town manager Ger Dollard told the meeting that pedestrainisation remains a target in the medium term for Ennis. He said work would first have to be completed on the inner relief road before the council could consider pedestrianisation of the town centre. Committee chairman Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) recommended that the proposal go forward to Ennis Town Council.

THERE have been calls for homes in Ennis to be provided with their GPS co-ordinates to avoid delays and confusion with the emergency services.

In a motion submitted to yesterday’s meeting of councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area, Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) stated, “In the absence of a digital post I request that assessment is undertaken of resources required and / or methodology available to every house in the Ennis West Area with their GPS coordinates.”

Cllr Meaney told the meeting that Ireland is one of the few developed countries that does not operate a digital postcode system.

He said that at time when calls to the emergency services pass through call centres, a digital postcode would lessen the chance of confusion on call outs.

Cllr Meaney explained that people handling the calls are not familiar with townlands and address in many rural areas.

Speaking from personal experi ence, Cllr James Breen (Ind) told the meeting that had ambulance services made it the home of his late brother in law on the main Ennis to Ennistymon road, then “it might have made a difference”.

In response to Cllr Meaney’s motion, Town Clerk Leonard Cleary stated, “There is merit in this proposal. However there are some challenges in responding to it in the current economic climate. At present Clare Local Authorities is experiencing the impact of 200 vacant staff positions and multi-million budget income reductions. The impact is greatest in the effort to sustain existing even at a tailored back level.”

Mr Cleary said the views of the Council could be conveyed to An Post “or other stakeholders who may be in a better position to contribute to the solution.”

Cllr Meaney added, “If a means could be found to do this on a resource neutral basis, it would certainly help.”

CLARE County Council has no plans to send its staff to doorsteps around the county demanding the household charge. According to a spokesperson for the local authority, there are no plans at present to send council staff to collect the controversial tax, as there has been no communication from the Department of Environment and Local Government. It is also unknown how many Clare people have paid or registered to pay the € 100. “There is no figure for the amount paid by the council, other than to say the vast majority of household charge payments made are done online or via the postal system,” the spokesperson said. However, the local authority is giving every chance to the majority of the county’s householders who have yet to pay to meet the March 31 deadline by opening the council offices – Aras Contae and Chláir on Saturday. All owners of residential property in Ireland are liable for the household charge on each residential property they own from January. This includes those properties that are liable for the € 200 charge on Non-Principal Private Residences (NPPR). Owners of Irish residential properties who live outside Ireland are also required to register for and pay the household charge. Householders have until Saturday to pay the € 100 charge, after which financial penalties apply on an increasing basis. The late payment fee to apply in the case of a household charge paid within six months of the due date is 10 per cent or € 10. Later than six months and not later than 12 months after the due date, it rises to 20 per cent of the amount due. With just five days to go, an estimated 1.2 million householders nationally have yet to pay.

AN EMERGING writer from Shannon was the toast of the Clare diaspora in New York and the families of victims of 9/11 after her play ‘Liberty’s Ladder’ hit the Broadway stage as part of the St Patrick’s festival weekend.

Kelly O’Keeffe and the cast of ‘Liberty’s Ladder’, which includes John Higgins, a brother of the President of Ireland, were honoured at a number of functions after the play was performed in the Stage Left Studio off Broadway and Rory Dolan’s in Yonkers.

The play, which commemorates 9/11 and Ireland’s links with America, was written by 31-year old O’Keeffe 10 years after her own brush with 9/11 – she was on her way for breakfast in the Windows of the World restaurant at the World Trade Centre when the first plane hit plane hit.

“It was a very special moment for the cast as they met family members directly impacted by 9/11 and the loss of so many people,” Kelly told The Clare People . “They were really moved by the play and thanked me and the cast for the moving tribute. Teresa Mullan, the mother of Michael Mullan, presented a memorial patch to us as a token of her appreciation.

“Rosaleen Tallon, sister of Sean Tallon, a firefighter lost in 9/11, invited us for dinner in Yonkers and we used Sean’s Ladder 10 firefighter helmet for the performances in New York. There were people in the audience who had been in America 55 years; others, like Denis Meehan, had travelled 150 miles from upstate New York.

“New York Irish DJ Tony Fallon, members of Clare County Council and the Mayor of Clare, Pat Hayes, who have supported the project from the start, paid tribute to all involved and made a moving tribute to family members of those lost in 9/11,” she added.

AMATEUR dramatics are alive and well in Clare, as groups from the county won out at the prestigious West Clare Drama Festival.

The Doonbeg Drama Group won the confined section on their home turf, while Corofin Dramatic Society was equally successful in the hotly contested open section.

As well as winning the overall confined section of the festival, Doonbeg also won three subcategories for its performance of Conor McPherson’s play ‘The Weir’.

Mark May won the best actor accolade for his performance as Jack, while his co-star Ken Blowers was announced as Best Supporting Actor when adjudicator Myles Purcell made his decision known.

The play’s producer Mary J Egan was also honoured on the night.

The Amphitheatre Company from Kilkee also did well at the Doonbeg festival.

The group came third in the confined section for its production ‘Agnes of God’.

Kilkee’s Emer Gleeson also won the best category award for her portrayal of Agnes in the play.

Schull Drama Group came second with its production ‘The Birthday Party’ and the group’s Joan Giller won Best Actress for her role as Meg.

As well as winning the open section for ‘The Subject was Roses’, Corofin Dramatic Society also secured the Best Producer award, when John Clancy was declared the Overall Winner.

The group’s Maura Clancy was also named Best Actress for her role as Nettie Cleary, with James Raleigh declared Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Timmy Cleary.

Last year’s All Ireland winners Kilmeen Drama Group came second in the open section for its production of ‘The Weir’.

While Nenagh Players came third in the category with their play ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’, it also succeeded in winning the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress awards.

Kevin Walshe won Best Actor for his Dr Jekyll while talented young actress Jenny Bracken won Best Supporting Actress for Elizabeth Jelkes.

The adjudicator Mr Purcell also awarded Doonbeg for producing the most entertaining play; Helen Aherne from Brideview Drama Group for the best comedy moment; and named Bridget Keaveney from Garrymore Drama Group as the most promising actor. Best Set went to Nenagh Players, as did Best Lighting Effect.

THE County Final of the Student Enterprise Awards supported by Clare County Enterprise Board was held in the West County Hotel, Ennis, on the March 8 last.

According to Sinéad Dixon of Clare County Enterprise Board, this year the county final has been a huge success with 260 students participating on 62 projects. The mentor visits provided by the County Enterprise Board for each team to work with a business consultant to help with their mini-company has also proven very beneficial to students getting their business plans completed. Sinéad said she was delighted to see so many innovative and good business ideas being showcased. Clare County Enterprise Board aims to foster and develop enterprise awareness among secondary school students and to use the experience of setting up and running an enterprise as the primary means of learning about self-employment as a career option – she said that speaking to some of the young entrepreneurs she was very impressed with the confidence, enthusiasm and business acumen displayed by the students. According to Sinead, participation in the Student Enterprise Awards Programme is a great learning opportunity for students as they gain invaluable, on the ground experience outside of the conventional classroom environment. The role of the teacher involved is also of great importance.

Clare County Enterprise Board sponsored all of the prizes at the event. The awards were adjudicated on by Seamus O’Sullivan and John Quinlivan, Business Consultants; Mary Rogers, Enterprise Ireland and Eoin Tynan O’Mahony, Manager of Plato Mid West. The first prize winners of the junior and senior categories will go on to represent Clare in the National Final of the Student Enterprise Awards, which takes place in Croke Park Dublin on April 18. For more information on the awards or on other services being offered by Clare County Enterprise Board contact Sinéad Dixon, Clare County Enterprise Board, Enterprise House, Mill Road, Ennis, by telephone at 065 6841922 or by email- ing sdixon@clareceb.ie. Winners on the day included: Junior Category Winner – First place went to Knot Me from St Anne’s, Killaloe; second place went to Green Lights from St Anne’s, Killaloe; and third went to Festive Fun, also from St Anne’s in Killaloe. Senior Category Winner First place was awarded to Inky Pinky from Colaiste Muire, Ennis; second to Rí Rá from Scariff Community College; third went to Vege Box from St Anne’s, Killaloe. The special award for Business Plan was awarded to Beatz, Colaiste Muire, Ennis, while the special award for Best Stand Presentation went to Fusion from St Joseph’s in Tulla. The special award for Innovative Concept was awarded to Communiflash, St. Patrick’s Comprehensive in Shannon. Teachers Draw went to Michele O’Sulluvan from St Joseph’s, Tulla.

A DREAM come true is how a Barefield pre-third level student described his experience of an all-expenses trip to Hong Kong last year.

In the meantime, Dan Hassett of Trinaderry was also awarded the President of Ireland’s bronze medal.

That accolade was achieved through a multi-activity programme which included community involvement working with inter-cultural youth groups, personal skills development with a voluntary network, physical recreation programme and an ad- venture journey which took him to the summit of Croagh Patrick and a 40km two-day cycle in Mayo also.

Dan was the first ever learner in the Youthreach Programme delivered by County Clare Vocational Education Committee in its Adult & Community Education Centre in Ennis to undertake a Gaisce award attempt.

Not alone is he now going for the silver level of the Gaisce awards but, by virtue of his exemplary success, the entire group of Youthreach learners in Ennis has begun to take part in the elementary level of the Gaisce adventure. Example is everything, it shows.

The Youthreach learners will, among other things, be out to match the achievements of students of St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart, who can boast a remarkable series of successes in Gaisce awards for several years.

Dan Hassett, son of Winnie and Brendan and sibling of five sisters and four brothers, put in for the trip to China after Eddie Keane, co-ordinator of the Ennis Youthreach Programme, indicated to his students that EIL Ireland was seeking four Youthreach applicants to join with an equal number from mainstream schools to sample what was on offer.

“My jaw dropped when I got a reply saying my essay application had been short-listed,” recalls Dan.

He will be forever grateful for the opportunity afforded by EIL Ireland, the learning organisation based in Cork. This is a not-for-profit body promoting relations through a range of cultural, educational and voluntary activities. Dan’s particular project is run in association with Hong Kong Commission on Youth.

“A truly life-changing experience I will never forget began on 9 August,” recalls Dan. “I had never seen a place like Hong Kong whose buildings are to close that all seem to be high-rise, apparently reaching the sky and going on for miles and million.”

Eddie Keane looks on Dan’s experience as a great honour for the Youthreach Programme and all associated with it in Ennis. Undoubtedly, he adds, it was a wonderful experience for someone never outside Ireland before. “Dan had to be admired for taking the challenge on board by virtue of the mentoring system in place in the Youthreach Programme,” he adds.