Category: News

FAMILY Carers throughout Ireland have participated in the second annual Caring for Carers Ireland poetry competition, the winners of which were announced at the Ennis Book Club Festival in County Clare during the weekend.

The nationwide poetry competition asked Family Carers to compose poems on the theme of ‘Springtime’, representing renewal and new life.

Noelle Dalton from Askeaton in County Limerick received first prize for her poem ‘Twilight’. Runners up included Gaia Charis from Castletownshend, County Cork, Tracy King Kinlan from Caherush, Quilty, County Clare, Terri O’Mahony from Ballinacurra Gardens, Limerick City, and Barbara Roche from Glenina, Ennis, County Clare.

Brigid Barron, Research and Program Manager with Caring for Carers Ireland, explained that the purpose of the competition is to highlight the significant contribution made by thousands of Family Carers to Irish society.

“Recognising the role of Family Carers in the home is crucial,” Ms. Barron said. “This form of care is the foundation of formal health and social care systems. Family Carers are a distinct group who provide care and also, very importantly, require care themselves.”

Ms. Barron continued: “Family carers spend a lot of time caring at home and that often gives them time for reflection. The poetry submissions received by Caring for Carers and our co-organisers, Clare County Library and the Ennis Book Club Festival, have been excellent, very touching and expressive.”

According to Helen Walsh, Clare County Librarian: “The library is delighted to have been able to support this initiative. Caring for Carers Ireland carries out invaluable work throughout the country and the County Library has a particular interest in socially inclusive events such as this.’

THE leading agency linked with the proposed public-private partnership takeover of Shannon Airport has heard the whole process to chart a new future for Clare’s international airport described as “a complete farce”.

Condemnation of the Booz and Company report into the future of the airport, which was commissioned by transport minister Leo Varadkar and published last Wednesday, has come at Clare County Council level.

Councillors and officials delivered a withering response at a specially convened meeting of the local authority’s Special Policy Committee on Enterprise and Tourism.

“The report before us is a complete farce,” blasted former Mayor of Clare, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind).

“They are treating us like mushrooms – keeping us in the dark and feeding us you know what,” said Cllr PJ Ryan, amid fears that the local authority might pull back from a commitment to embrace a takeover of the airport.

“What are they trying to keep back from us? Did they keep back stuff from us about the figures? Did they keep back from us how the DAA were milking Shannon over the years? What is the real story? We don’t really know,” added Cllr Ryan.

These fears have been backed up by Clare County Council Director of Service, Ger Dollard, who said “the biggest issue” was that “all financial data is effectively taken out of the report, which it makes it very difficult to make any type of assessment whatsover”.

A MEMBER of the Labour Party has branded the Government’s handling of household charge as an “absolute mess”.

Councillor Paul O’Shea also claimed it was “absurd” that the Fine Gael / Labour Government had not enlisted the help of An Post in allowing people to pay the charge.

He raised the matter in a motion submitted at yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council. Cllr O’Shea urged the council to provide information to the public on the charge and provide clarity on who is exempt from it.

According to national statistics, just over eight per cent of household- ers had paid a portion of the charge as of the end of February.

Cllr O’Shea said not enough information had been provided to people. “I think its an absolute mess the way this has been handled,” he said.

He urged the council to write to the Minster for Environment Heritage and Local Government, Phil Hogan, to highlight their concerns.

The Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind), described the charge as “badly thought out”. Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) said people should be allowed to pay € 2 a week off the cost of the charge. Cllr Peter Considine (FF) said the implementation of the charge had been “diabolically badly handled”. However he added that the “harsh reality is that it is now the law of the land”.

RE-ENERGISED and enthused ahead of the next local election, that is how the secretary of Clare’s Fianna Fáil Comhairle Dáil Cheantair Gerry Reidy described the party after its first Ard Fheis since the 2011 General Election.

Although Fianna Fáil may be reduced to just one TD in Clare, the lowest in the history of the state, the Banner county was once again painted as deValera country at this weekend’s Ard Fheis conference.

More than 140 members from around Clare travelled to the RDS in Dublin for the party’s annual gettogether.

Figures revealed from Fianna Fáil headquarters showed that Clare not only had the highest number of cumann registered nationally every year for the last three, but also brought the most money to the table.

From 2009 to 2011, Clare raised the most money in the national collection, collecting € 23, 594.26 in 2009, € 21,727.35 in 2010 and € 16, 536.02 in 2011. Financial support for the party dropped considerably in 2011 after the General Election, which saw its number of TDs, reduced to 19.

Clare, however, continued to contribute the largest amount, an achievement that was marked with an award to Mary O’Dwyer treasure of the Comhairle Dáil Cheantair.

The number of cumann registered in 2011, like the funding, dropped significantly to 70 in Clare.

Despite this low number, however, Clare still registered the largest number of cumann nationally.

There are 142 cumann or branches of Fianna Fáil in Clare but just 104 registered in 2009, and 121 in 2010 – but again the largest number in the country.

“The number of cumann registered in Clare for the past three years is a good indication of the health of the organisation,” said Mr Reidy.

The large number of registered cumann and the financial support from the county, coupled with the three Clare members on the national executive, makes the county very influential within the party, according to the Clare secretary.

He is also a constituency delegate and is therefore on the national executive, as are Deputy Timmy Dooley as vice-president and Garrett Greene as a member of the Committee of 20.

Mr Reidy was particularly enthusiastic about the number of young people who took part in this year’s ard f heis.

Younger members of the party, through Ógra Fianna Fáil, sought the majority of the motions for change in political life.

Among Clare Ógra Fianna Fáil’s many motions was one asking that the Ard Fheis calls on the Government to enact legislation banning all corporate donations to political parties.

Meanwhile, Marian Coughlan Flynn from Ennis was acknowledged at the weekend for selling the highest number of tickets in Munster for the party’s super draw, and co-ordinating the second largest sale nationally.

IF implemented, one of the options for the future operation and management structure to govern Shannon that has been put forward by the team of international consultants hired by the Government would mean little change for the airport.

That’s according to Booz and Company themselves, after the final report, which has been part-published by the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar, outlines that one of the two options favour by the consultants would not give Shannon its independence and instead place control of the airport’s destiny in the hands of a new holding company.

“State control of Shannon would be maintained, but would be given the status of an independent subsidiary within overall airport group,” says the Booz and Company blueprint.

“The independent airport board would set the strategic direction for the airport and appoint individual management teams with responsibility for developing tailored business plans and marketing strategies,” it adds.

Booz and Company also say that “if properly structured, the primary benefit of this approach is that it would provide the airport with enhanced autonomy at local level”, enabling Shannon “to develop policies and processes that will enhance airport competitiveness with their specific market”.

However, the downside to this option is that it amounts to a watered down version of the current status quo where Shannon is concerned. In theory, Shannon would be given equal status to Dublin and Cork, with all three airports being subsidiaries of a new Ireland Airports Corporation (IAC), but could still be the junior partner of the IAC because of having the smallest number of passengers.

That these pit-falls exist have been confirmed by Booz and Company’s admission that “a risk of this approach is that increased competitiveness of one airport could have a detrimental effect on another airport within the group by diverting traffic away from one or both of the other airports.

“The holding company may therefore choose to impose restrictions on the subsidiary boards to ensure a group-focused approach to financial risk management.

“This would undermine the key benefit of separation and lead to outcomes that are similar in reality to the current situation, but it would create a structure more suitable for future separation.

“Under this approach, there would also be some additional costs associated with creating extra governane at the national level, and through duplicating some management roles at the airport currently performed by the DAA,” Booz and Company add.

A MAN facing charges on alleged drugs possession has been granted bail.

Trevor Gargan (31) with an address at 179 Cregayn Street, Belfast, Antrim, Bt6 8NI, appeared at Ennis District Court last Tuesday.

According to court documents, it is alleged that Gargan was in possession of cannabis for the purposes of selling or otherwise supply to another at Ballymaconna, Barefield on Wednesday, February 22.

Gargan is also charged with the unlawful possession of a controlled drug, to wit, cannabis, at Ballymaconna, Barefield on Wednesday February 22.

Insp John Galvin told the court that the State had no objection to bail of € 10,000.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy fixed bail and ordered that the full amount be lodged. Solicitor John Casey said that € 10,000 had been lodged with the court.

Gargan was granted bail subject to a number of conditions.

The court ordered that he must reside at 3 Figile Manor, Clonbullogue, Co Offaly and sign on daily at Edenderry Garda Station.

Gargan was also ordered to surrender his passport and undertake not to apply for another passport. Insp Galvin said that the State were awaiting instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Judge McCarthy remanded the accused in custody with consent to bail to appear at Ennis District Court on April 4 for DPP’s directions.

FIANNA Fáil’s Timmy Dooley TD was elected to the position of vice president of the party at this weekend’s Ard Fheis.

The man from Tulla was all but assured the position when former minister Éamonn Ó Cuiv TD pulled out of the race following his resignation from the deputy leadership of Fianna Fáil and his withdrawl from the front bench.

Deputy Dooley is currently Fianna Fáil’s frontbench spokesperson on Transport, Tourism and Sport, and he also serves as a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht.

This is his second term as a TD for Clare and he previously served as a senator.

“The position of vice president will be a very challenging role but one which I am relishing. I will embrace the role and help in rebuilding the party and rejuvenating it across the country,” he said.

“Every member of the party will now have a say in the future of Fianna Fáil and it is vitally important that we reinstate the party back to being a strong and vibrant force in Irish politics. I would also like to congratulate Gareth on being elected to the Committee of 20.

“The positive atmosphere and the energy we saw this weekend is testament to the fact that Fianna Fáil has a strong and vital role to play in the future of Irish politics. I want to thank all of those from Dublin who attended the ard f heis and made their voices heard about the future of the party,” he added.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin TD said, “The positive atmosphere and the energy we saw this weekend is testament to the fact that Fianna Fáil has a strong and vital role to play in the future of Irish politics. I want to thank all of those from across County Clare who travelled up to the ard f heis and made their voices heard about the future of the party.”

THE creation of a new independent Shannon run by a holding company that’s fully separated from Dublin Airport Authority influence while still under State ownership is the best way forward for Clare’s international airport.

That’s the view of Booz and Company – the consultants hired by the Government to come up with a new roadmap to secure the future of the 75-year-old airport.

The consultants said that this model of governance “provides the best ap- proach to balancing the stakeholder objectives with the viable operation of the airport”.

In backing what’s termed “a concession model”, which would pave the way for the holding company to lease out the airport for up to 35 years, the consultants have warned that “the current state of affairs at Shannon has resulted in demand levels that are not sustainable for the airport”.

Continuing Booz and Company says “Shannon Airport is faced with a significant threat to its viability under current ownership arrangements and further separation from the DAA would offer greater opportunities for setting policies that encourage route development and traffic growth and for the development of niche business opportunities.

“Under this approach, the competition of the local authority holding entity could include Clare and Limerick county councils.

“The holding company could also include Shannon Development, as part of a move to integrate the airport with the nearby industrial land, as well as input from relevant commercial interests and public bodies.

“In addition, the local concession model is the preferred model of local stakeholders since it provides an opportunity for them to take greater involvement in the operation of the airport and in the development of the surrounding land.

Creating a separate entity at Shannon, if well managed, is unlikely to significantly affect the DAA’s relationship with its financiers,” the report adds.

However, Booz and Company have warned that “creating a viable airport business under separate ownership” at Shannon “requires the new airport operate to significantly improve financial performance and to be able to access sufficient funds to maintain and invest in the airport over a longer term”.

To ensure this, Booz and Company say “the Government may need to consider appropriate mechanisms for ongoing support”.

This, the consultants say, could be done by way of “integrating the airport with adjoining industrial developments (Shannon Free Zone, supported by the inclusion of Shannon Development in the new holding company structure) and appointing a concessionaire that is experienced in developing successful aero-industrial airport businesses, could better ensure sustainability of the airport and surrounding areas”.

A WOMAN “feared for her life” when she caused € 800 worth of damage to a car in Ennis, a court has heard.

At Ennis District Court on Tuesday, Caroline Nolan (38) with an address at 9 Gus Murphy’s Flats, Mill Road, Ennis and 5 Lios na Rí Oranmore, Co Galway pleaded guilty to charges of theft and criminal damage.

The court heard that Gardaí received a report on February 27 (2012) that both the front and rear windscreen had been damaged on the Mill Road, Ennis.

Solicitor John Casey explained that her client had believed that the car belonged to another person.

He said that on the night in question, Nolan had been chased by a person carrying a knife.

He said, “She thought the car belonged to him. She was in fear of her life”.

Garda Michael Daniels, who gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, acknowledged that the accused had feared for her life. He said the damage caused to the car amounted to € 812 euros.

Nolan also pleaded guilty to stealing a full keg of Tuborg Beer from Considine’s Bar, Parnell Street, Ennis on March 20 (2011). The keg was valued at € 110. The court heard that Gardaí found Nolan rolling the keg along the street.

Mr Casey said his client had been homeless at the time and could only sleep by drinking alcohol. “It was a foolish thing to do”, he added.

He said that drink was an escape for his client and that while she has made positive strides in addressing her problems, “she still battles with drink”.

He told the court that an involvement with the probation and welfare services would be of benefit to her. Mr Casey said Nolan, who is in receipt of social welfare, would need “considerable time” to pay back the cost of damage to the car. The court was told that the accused has two previous convictions including a fine imposed for cruelty to children.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy ordered the preparation of a report by the probation and welfare services. He remanded Nolan on continuing bail to appear again in court on May 2. He fixed bail at 200 euros.

HE MAY be just 37 years old but Clare’s newly elected member to Fianna Fáil’s national executive considers himself among the older members of a new-look Committee of Twenty.

Ennis man Garrett Greene was one of the 20 that were elected to the Ard Chomhairle at the Ard Fheis this weekend, which represents a huge change in the age demographic of the party.

Eight of those elected were in the 20 to 30 age group, with many more in their 30s.

This new blood has given Mr Greene great hope for a party that was decimated last year at the General Election.

In the run up to the hotly contested election, the former local election candidate travelled the length and breadth of the country campaigning.

“It was a great opportunity to listen. While it is important for a candidate to bring his message, it is also important to listen,” he said.

“At party meetings nationwide, I was struck by the pain and hurt felt by grassroots members at how neighbours, friends and communities that had lost trust in Fianna Fáil. We must regain that trust by once again becoming a party of values and vision, underpinned by sound and practical policy,” he said.

Mr Greene, who was elected to the Committee of Twenty on the first count, said he felt that the weekend’s Ard Fheis addressed a lot of those issues.

It was a weekend when the mem- bership reclaimed the party, be said.

He said he hopes the new members will help to build a party that is policy-driven and that will be better connected to the members.

The Committee of Twenty work on a voluntary basis with no expenses for the good of the membership, he said.

Asked if he now has plans for elected office, he said he would first have to wait to see what the Minister for Environment and Local Government, Phil Hogan, will decide about the shape of local authorities.

While he would like to contest an election again, this son of a former councillor said it would also depend on his personal circumstances at the time.

Having graduated with an honours law degree last year, Mr Greene is now taking time out to consider undertaking a PhD or studying to become a barrister at Kings Inn.

He also has a BA Public Administration from the University of Limerick.

The Ennis man currently works with a private management consultancy firm, having previously worked in the area of public administration with the Competition Authority and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

A member of Fianna Fáil since he was 15, he was a founding member of UL Ógra Con Colbert Cumann in 1993 and is currently vice chairperson of Clare CDC.