Category: News

ISSUES such as stress, depression and rural isolation were on the agenda of the Clare IFA meeting which took place in Ennis last week. Despite the largely positive economic news for many of the county’s farmers in recent years, the local farming community is still in the high risk category when it comes to a number of mental health issues.

With a large increase in the number of people emigrating over the past three years, rural isolation, especially in underpopulated sections of North and West Clare, is a major problem for the Clare farming community at present.

The IFA’s National Chairperson of the Farm Family Committee, Margaret Healy, spoke at the meeting and informed the Clare farmers of the IFA’s recent involvement in the See Change programme. See Change aims to create a situation where every person in Ireland can be open and positive about their own and others’ mental health. The primary focus of the programme is on young men and on the farming community, said the Farm Family Chairperson.

The IFA have just published as new booklet for members entitled ‘Let’s Talk Dealing with Stress’ and Margaret encouraged all Clare farm families to read the booklet and seek help and support as soon as possible if they themselves, a family member or a neighbour is in need.

A large emphasis was also placed on farm safety with County Chairman, Michael Lynch, encouraging all Clare farm families to make farm safety a priority for 2012 farming season.

The meeting was also addressed by IFA Economist, Rowena Dwyer, who told the meeting that, in the medium term, commodity prices are expected to remain firm due to increasing global demand, with many positive opportunities for Irish food producers into the future.

However, Dwyer stressed that mac- ro-economic uncertainty will lead to price volatility in the long term and Irish farmers could be exposed to income fluctuation. The IFA are lobbying to secure measures in the review of CAP that will lessen the severity of price volatility for farmers the meeting was informed.

On the public finances, there is continued pressure on funding for farm schemes and farm investment programmes with a government deficit projected to be in excess of € 13.5 billion in 2012. The IFA are continuing to highlight the necessity for farm schemes as stimulus to increase exports and underpin employment in rural Ireland.

AT LEAST 12 school principals are to leave their posts in Clare over the coming weeks, along with well over 30 teachers, as the primary school secto r in the county struggles to cope with the volume of retirements.

A special investigation carried out by The Clare People last week has revealed that more than 1,000 years of collective teaching experience is to be lost to the schools of Clare at a stroke in February, as a host of teachers call time on their teaching careers ahead of the February 29 pension deadline as set out in the Croke Park agreement. The Clare People last week contacted each of the county’s 145 primary schools in an effort to establish the scale of the retirements. More than 100 schools responded to the survey, with schools in North Clare, the Shannon area and Ennis the worst hit by the retirements. Primary schools in one area of North Clare will see a massive principal turnover, with Michael O’Connor (Moy), Kevin Glynn (Lahinch), Declan Kelleher (Corofin) and John Hehir (Lisdoonvarna) all retiring. John Reynolds (Liscannor) will be retiring at the beginning of this school year and Michael Canavan (Ballyvaughan) took up a position at a Galway school earlier this year.

Former Clare hurling manager, Ger Loughnane, is also to retire from his principal’s role at St Aidan’s in Shannon, while two other principals in the area will also retire.

Meanwhile as worried teachers gathered at the West County Hotel Ennis on Monday to discuss the impending loss of mainstream positions in rural schools across the county, it was accepted that the two one teacher schools in Clare are about to be a thing of the past.

The educators are instead fighting to sustaining adequate number of teachers in schools with less than 86 pupils.

General Secretary of the INTO Sheila Nunan said the proposals had caused unnecessary fear and anxiety in rural Ireland because they lack any overall plan or proposal for sustainable small schools.

Clare INTO Executive and Mullagh NS principal Sean McMahon said; “It is particularly difficult to accept for rural communities and small schools to absorb these amazing changes at this point and time considering we just paid € 1.25 billion to a failed bank and those that control it.”

EXPECTANT mothers in Clare remain concerned about the health of their unborn babies this week, as HSE management and health care professionals disagree about safety at the Limerick Maternity Hospital.

A senior consultant at the Mid Western Maternity Hospital warns that mothers and their newborn babies may die due to an impending staffing crisis for which the HSE is not prepared.

The HSE argues, however, that it has a contingency plan in place.

Consultant Obstetrician Dr Gerry Burke said that as many as 47 mid- wives will take early retirement next month to secure pensions, leaving the hospital seriously short staffed.

There are currently just over 200 midwives working at the busy hospital, and it has been struggling with the large increase in births over the past five years, according to Dr Burke.

“No plans to deal with the shortfall have been presented by the HSE or the Department of Health. The shortfall of over 20 per cent of midwifery staff will diminish the quality of maternity care these women and babies receive,” said Dr Burke.

The hospital provides care to more than 6,000 women and about 5,200 newborn infants every year in the mid-west region, including County Clare.

The HSE maintain a contingency plan has been put in place, but are not forthcoming with the details of that plan.

“Contingency plans are being developed to cover any gaps that may arise in staffing as a result of midwives retiring at the end of February. It is not possible at present to say exactly how many will be leaving at the end of the grace period as staff still have a chance to change their minds,” the HSE spokesperson said.

“Many of these contingency plans are at an advanced stage.

“There are long-term plans for building a new maternity hospital on the campus of the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle. In the interim, over € 3 million has been spent upgrading facilities at the Ennis Road hospital including the neonatal department, new theatre, three labour wards and admissions unit,” she added.

Meanwhile, nurses and midwives at the Maternity Hospital in Galway will meet today (Tuesday) to discuss staffing issues there.

While it is understood that the shortage of midwives in Galway may not be as serious as in Limerick following the expected retirements in February, there are concerns about the loss of specialist nurses, such as those in the neo-natal department.

A MAN has been convicted of the burglary of Ennis Golf Club last year.

Paul Daly (22) with an address at 13B Considine Road, Ennis, pleaded guilty to charges of burglary, theft and handling a stolen prescription pad at Ennis District Court last week.

Insp John Galvin told the court that gardaí found the accused on the premises of Ennis Golf Club on February 20, 2011, after they responded to a burglary call.

He said that on November 4, 2011, Daly was observed on CCTV getting into a parked car outside the Snack Shack at Abbey Street car park. He was approached by gardaí who not- ed that he was wearing gloves, the court heard.

On November 14, 2011, the court heard, gardaí received a call that a prescription pad had been stolen and given back to the Family Medical Centre in Ennis.

Insp Galvin said the accused was identified and subsequently arrested.

Solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client found the prescription pad, made use of it and returned it to the doctor who then telephoned the gardaí.

In relation to the incident outside the Snack Shack, Ms Godfrey said the owner had been in the back of the premises getting ready to open. She said the van was open and her client entered it looking for a roll because he was hungry. She said it wasn’t his intention to steal the car.

In relation to the burglary at Ennis Golf Club, Ms Godfrey said that while her client had been on the premises when the gardaí arrived, “he certainly did not make away with anything”. Ms Godfrey said all of these offences were committed in the “context of a serious drug addiction”. She said her client had commenced a methadone programme and is getting on well with it.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy convicted Daly on the burglary charge and sentenced him to eight months in prison, taking into account his guilty plea. He imposed a further two-month sentence to be served consecutive to the previous sentence.

Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

A MAN has pleaded guilty to the possession of 13 cannabis plants at a house in Newmarket on Fergus last June.

Gardaí discovered the drugs during a search of Miller Boys Cottage, Snugboro, Newmarket on Fergus, on June 4 last.

Ian Cullinan (31) with an address at 27 Glensheen Road, Gort Road, Ennis, appeared at Ennis District Court in relation to the charge of possession of a controlled drug, cannabis.

Insp John Galvin told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the matter on a plea of guilty.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy said the direction had effectively tied his hand in terms of trying the case in the District Court. He said the case was now a matter of sentencing, adding that he did not have the “jurisdiction to refuse jurisdiction”.

Insp Galvin said the accused admitted to gardaí that the drugs were his during the search. He said the cannabis had been valued at € 5,200. He said the accused was very co-operative with gardaí. Insp Galvin said gardaí were quite satisfied that the drugs were not intended for re-sale.

He added, “My colleagues accept it was not for sale on the open market.”

Solicitor Joe Moloney told the court that has client had immediately put his hands up and accepted he was wrong. He said his client was a single man from a “very well respected family”. He added, “The fact that he is here in court will bring it home to him that this is not acceptable in modern society.”

Judge McCarthy remanded the man on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on March 21. He ordered the preparation of a probation and welfare report to include urine analysis.

MEMBERS of Clare County Council have rejected claims that new septic tank laws will have no impact on homes in urban areas.

Critics of the new water services Bill have claimed that it will unfairly target rural areas by imposing high upgrade costs while urban dwellers will not be penalised. However at a special meeting of the council called to debate the new Water Services Bill, councillors rejected the suggestion that it would create a divide between rural and urban communities.

Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) said that the highest density of septic tanks occurred around urban areas such as Ennis (east and west) and Kilrush. “It’s not simply a rural/urban issue,” he added.

Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) said that the new legislation would affect both rural and urban areas. She said homeowners are “genuinely scared” by some of the comments being made on the issue. She said that the view has been out forward that most of the septic tanks in the county would fail inspection. She said this was not the case.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) said communities in small villages could struggle to upgrade sep- tic tanks because of a lack of space. Cllr Pat Keane (FF) said a simple solution could be found if the Government agreed to pay homeowners to upgrade their wastewater systems. Members agreed to pass three motions calling for the Government grant scheme to be put in place to assist with the upgrading of septic tanks. A motion proposed by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) and seconded by Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) also stated that “time allocated to householders to upgrade their septic tank systems should reflect evidence from on the ground inspections needed to quantify cost, risk of pollution, appropriate grant aid etc.”

CLARE County Council is preparing to introduce new by-laws which will prevent surfers from parking and surfing on large section of Lahinch Promenade and Lahinch beach.

This was revealed at yesterday’s North Clare Area Meeting of Clare County Council when it was also revealed that the local authority has received more than € 1 million from the Lahinch area over the past three years, including from the prom car park, parking fines, and proceeds from the sale of the old public toilets in the village.

Senior Executive Engineer at the Ennistymon Area Office, Stephen Lahiffe, said that by-laws would be introduced next month to restrict the areas where surfers could park and surf shops could operate.

“Clare County Council have parking by-laws prepared and ready to go. This will make a surfing-specific location in Lahinch where all surfers can congregate and sell their wears,” he said.

“There is currently an issue surrounding some land that is needed for the development but we would certainly hope that this will be in place for the summer.”

This news was revealed after comments from Cllr Bill Slattery (FG) who said that surfers in Lahinch needed to be controlled.

“We welcome the surfers in Lahinch and we realise that their needs need to be looked after. But there is no control on the prom in Lahinch. There are vans everywhere. There should be an area designated on the promenade where the surfers can park and even an area of the water that they can use,” he said.

Councillors at yesterday’s meeting were angered by the progress being made on the council’s Lahinch Masterplan, with Cllr Slattery accusing Clare County Council of going back on its word to ensure that the money made from the Lahinch Prom was invested into the village.

“I was born and reared in Lahinch and, in my opinion, the prom in Lahinch has gone back about 20 years in recent times,” he said

“The railing along the prom has gotten into an incredibly dangerous condition and should never have been let get into the condition that it is now in.

“The cliffs on the Miltown Malbay side of the beach collapsed about 12 years ago and these have not been taken away. There is no public toilet on the prom anymore; the surface and the lining of the car park is in very bad condition and floods all the time.

“There is only one person on duty there and that is the traffic warden who is making all the money. There is no one picking up litter or doing anything else for the place.

“Lahinch car park is probably the second highest revenue centre in Clare. Clare County Council need to put back in the money that has been taken out of Lahinch over the years. Where has this money gone?”

Mr Lahiffe said that a contractor will soon be appointed to fix the railing on the promenade but admitted that, following the economic downturn, it “has become impossible to achieve what we had wanted” from the Lahinch Prom Masterplan.

The local authority also came in for criticism for spending € 94,000 on consultant reports for the prom.

“We have paid € 94,000 for consultants and if that money had just been given to the local area office, I’m sure we would have gotten better value for money out of it,” said Cllr Richard Nagle (FF).

THE people of Clare have been urged to engage in a period of “civil disobedience” in protest at new septic tank laws and the household charge.

The call was made Independent councillor James Breen who said people should bring the country to “standstill”.

Cllr Breen was speaking at a special meeting of Clare County Council held to debate new legislation that will require homeowners to register their septic tanks for a € 50 fee.

Cllr Breen was strongly critical of the new Water Services (Amendment) Bill. He said that instead of forcing new fees on hard-pressed homeowners, the Government should look instead at abolishing town councils and the Seanád. He also called for a reduction in the amount of councillors sitting on local authorities. “I am speaking against myself on this,” he said.

Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) said that while there was a need for a proper and effective water supply in the country, the manner in which the new legislation is being imposed on rural dwellers “is entirely unfair”.

He added, “Rural Ireland needs to be as equal as urban Ireland and the Government hasn’t shown that.”

Cllr Michael Kelly (FF) said rural homeowners have already paid for water services through planning regulations. He said there remained a lot of unanswered questions in relation to the inspection process, standards and the role of inspectors.

He continued, “It will affect the pockets of thousands of country people. We will discuss no more important motion for a long time.”

Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) acknowledged the concerns of rural communities but said the Minister for the Environment was determined to introduce the legislation in a “step by step” basis.

Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) said there had been a lot of “scaremongering” on the issue.

He added, “It’s essential there is grant aid.” Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) said the legislation is being “rushed through”.

CLARE County Council is to examine the historic remains of the O’Brien family at St Bridget’s Well, including the family vault which contains the remains of Cornelius O’Brien, the man who built O’Brien’s tower at the Cliffs of Moher.

The O’Brien family vault, which is located in the St Bridget’s Well cemetery, and the famous monument dedicated to the family, have suffered severe damage in recent years, with the monument now badly in eed of repair and in danger of collapsing.

“This is of real historic importance. Part of the ancient heritage of Clare is located in these structures and they are rapidly deteriorating,” said Cllr Richard Nagle (FF).

“Cornelius O’Brien was the man who built the tower at the Cliffs of Moher and this monument dates back to 1854.

“All of the spire of that monument has now cracked and it is only a matter of time before this monument is going to collapse.

“The same thing applies to the vault in the cemetery, which is where all the family has been buried. There is nothing to prevent people from going over the railing and into the vault.

“Both of these are listed structures and regarded as structures of historical importance.

“We need to contact the Heritage Officer and get them to make contact with the OPW quickly and seek resources for this work and seek their assistance.”

Meanwhile, Lahinch-based Cllr Bill Slattery (FG) has asked Clare County Council to examine the prospect of using some of the local authority’s own land in Liscannor to create a place where the Lahinch RNLI can store and launch their boat from.

Currently, the rescue service has to launch their boat from Lahinch and can face major delays, especially at times of high tourist numbers at Lahinch.

“I know that Clare County Council have property in Liscannor but we are using Lahinch for water rescue at the moment.

“Surveys have been done that show that it would be far easier and quicker to launch boats in Liscannor. I believe that the council have land on the dock in Liscannor.

“Maybe we could use this, or buy more land beside it if needed,” he said.

These comments were supported by Ennistymon-based Cllr Richard Nagle (FF), who said that a proper facility would have to be put in place in Liscannor.

“I would support the provision of facilities in Liscannor but I would certainly not support some sort of container being put in place. Not on the main route to the Cliffs of Moher, at a scenic spot that the local people enjoy.

“This would have to be a proper building,” he said.

AN ON-FARM slaughter scheme, which is available in major beef-producing counties such as Meath and Kildare, would save Clare farmers thousands of euro and stop viable beef going straight to the knackers yard.

According to Clare County Councillor Paul Murphy (FG), Clare farmers with injured animals are being penalised on the double, as on-farm slaughtering is not available to farmers with cattle with minor injuries.

The Clarecastle councillor said that animals with a broken bone, who have not “fallen”, are being refused by abattoirs when taken there by the farmer for slaughter.

“These mildly hurt animals are being turned away from the abattoir and the animals have to be put down and the meat disposed of,” he told members at the January adjourned meeting of the council.

The farmer is then at a financial loss on the double, he explained. Firstly, he has the loss of the value of the animal, and then has to pay a hefty sum to have its remains disposed of.

He called on the agriculture minister to review the efficiency of the onfarm slaughtering services scheme, particularly where an animal with a broken limb, but who is otherwise healthy, can still be transported humanely to the abattoir rather than that animal be classified as a fallen animal.

Cllr Pat Burke (FG) told the members that there is a farm slaughter scheme in place, where the animal is shot and bled out on the farm.

He raised concerns that the meat can be damaged when dragged into the trailer during such a process, however, and suggested that the ideal scenario would be to see these animals slaughtered in an abattoir.

The farm slaughter scheme does not seem to be available in Clare.

Cllr Michael Kelly (FF) said, “During a recession, it is unfortunate that the farmer is left with a loss of up to € 1,000 to € 1, 500.

“Bringing the animal to the factory would be less destructive for everyone,” he said.

Ennis councillor Tommy Brennan (Ind) raised concerns about the safety of meat from an animal with a minor injury, which was slaughtered on a farm.

“Would this go in for public con- sumption and who would decide if it is safe for human consumption?” he asked.

“I think where possible it would be safer to transport the animal to the abattoir.

“For the on-site process, there would be a vet to say if it was safe for animal consumption,” answered Cllr Joe Arkins (FG).

Supporting the motion, the mayor, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF), said that the council was asking for a change in policy to allow animals with minor injuries to be brought to the abattoir as soon as possible rather than to the knackers yard.