Category: News

THE only Garda station to close in Clare this year is Carrigaholt in the West of the county, but the Garda chief has predicted further closures in the coming years.

Chief Superintendent John Kerins told the members of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) that there will be at least 41 less members on the force in Clare at the end of February than the end of March last year.

He said that there was a wrong perception however that the Kilrush district was worst affected.

Three members of the force have retired in Kilrush in the last year, with one more likely before the end of February at which time a change to civil service pensions will be introduced.

As a result of the drop in personnel and the ever-tightening Garda budget Carrigaholt will lose its Garda station this year. The West Clare station is to close in the next two to three months the chief superintendent con firmed. The area will continued to be patrolled by gardaí from Kilrush and Kilkee.

Meanwhile the chief superintendent, in conjunction with the local su- perintendent, Gerry Wall, are planning to reassign gardaí from Kilrush to the smaller sub-stations in the area on a part time basis.

The stations, such as Labasheeda and Doonbeg, will be manned by these gardaí at advertised hours a few days a week.

Chief Supt Kerins reassured members of the JPC that he did not believe the policing service would be affected.

“We are confident that we can do it. It is a challenge but there is no choice. We are faced now with what we have got.”

Community representative on the JPC Pat Gaughran raised concerns about having small rural stations open for just a few hours a week.

“Having a station open for a few hours a few days a week is like having the A and E open nine to five,” he said.

Supt Kerins told Mr Gaughran that currently the maximum number of people calling to those stations on a daily basis is three.

“It is not necessary to open Garda stations as much as previously. The need does not exist with mobile phones available and other technology,” he said.

“We cannot continue with the serv- ice we had in the 1920s. I would much rather see a garda out in the patrol car, at a check point or on foot patrol rather that sitting in a Garda station,” said Chief Supt Kerins.

“The value of neighbourhood watch and community alert cannot be over stated,” added Supt Wall.

It was not all bad news, with the Garda Commission confirming last week that he has earmarked three new patrol cars for the county.

With the fleet reduced in the last number of months however, the gardaí in Clare are hoping that number will be increased again in February.

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.

A WOMAN has received a suspended sentence for her role in an altercation in Ennis town centre on New Year’s Day.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Rose McDonagh (29) with an address at 31 Childers Road, Ennis, pleaded guilty to a section six public order offence.

Insp Tom Kennedy told the court that the accused became involved in a fight with another woman on Abbey Street, Ennis at 2.30am, January 1.

The court heard that McDonagh has 24 previous convictions. Solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client had been on a night out with a friend. She explained that while McDonagh was waiting for a taxi, another car pulled up.

Ms Godfrey said the women in the car were female relations of a man who previously beat her client up. She said the assault was so serious that the man is now in prison.

Ms Godfrey added, “She pulled her hair and she pulled her hair back. It was a very wrong thing to happen.”

Judge Aeneas McCarthy sentenced McDonagh to three months in prison. He suspended the sentence on condition that she be of good behaviour for a period of two years.

CLARE County Council has invited the HSE and HIQA to come before the members in chamber to answer numerous questions relating to the health and safety of the area’s hospitals.

At this month’s adjourned meeting of the council, two independent councillors – Cllr Patricia McCarthy and Cllr James Breen – raised concerns about the number of bugs, infections and viruses in the Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick, and the affect of these outbreaks on the public.

At this month’s meeting of the council, Cllr McCarthy queried how many times visitors were denied access to the Mid West Regional Hospital Limerick due to the presence of an infection especially during 2010 and 2011.

The Shannon councillor also wanted to know how these figures compared to hospitals in other regions.

Cllr Breen, a prominent health advocate for years, called on the two health bodies – the HSE and HIQA – to publish the hygiene audits that were carried out on all hospitals and nursing homes in the mid-west, and to publish the number of people affected by hospital superbugs in 2011.

The Kilnamona councillor, who was victim to a superbug in the past, was also critical of his own recent experience within the public hospital service.

He raised concerns about hygiene and safety at the Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick and other hospitals in the mid-west region.

He described how during one night he spent at the Limerick hospital he was forced to clean the toilet himself it was so dirty. He was equally revolted by the state of the shower, he said.

“While I was there, I had to go from unit three to unit four and it was like an obstacle course,” he said.

The concerned councillor described how he had to find his way around food carts, beds and wheelchairs left on the corridors.

He raised concerns as to the difficulties such obstacles would pose in the case of an emergency at the hospital.

All members of the council agreed to write to the HSE and HIQA to invite them to address them on such issues.

ONE-HUNDRED people were still in a pub 25 minutes after closing time during a music festival in Sixmilebridge last year, a court has heard.

The detail emerged during a case at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Alan O’Callaghan, licencee of the Pump House, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, was charged with permitting entertainment to be provided contrary to the intoxicating liquor act.

Garda Sandra Hartigan told the court that she went to the premises at 23.55 August 21 (2011). She said that the door of the pub was open. She said 100 people were inside while a band was also playing. Garda Hartigan said closing time on the night was 23.30. She said that when she spoke to O’Callaghan (Rosroe, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge), he told her that he was aware of the time. Insp Tom Kennedy said there had been complaints from residents on the night.

Solicitor Stiofán Fitzpatrick told the court that the premises was a familyrun pub. He said it had been the first night of a local harvest festival. He explained that all money raised through the festival was for local community projects. Mr Fitzpatrick said his client should have obtained an extension. He said O’Callaghan had made efforts to clear the pub. “It was a unique occasion,” added Mr Fitzpatrick.

Mr Fitzpatrick described the pub as the “hub of the local community”. He said, “He accepts his responsibility. He holds his hand up.”

Judge Aeneas McCarthy said that if O’Callaghan wanted to get people off the premises, then the first thing he should have done was stop the band playing. He fined O’Callaghan € 300.

UNFINISHED housing estates existing in limbo somewhere between a bust or absentee developer and a cashstrapped county council are causing many problems for residents.

Clare County Councillor Michael Hillery (FF) raised the plight of such homeowners at the January adjourned meeting of the council.

There may be light at the end of the tunnel for these people, however, as they can apply to the council to take over the estate, if the majority of the homeowners are in agreement.

Cllr Hillery explained that many Clare people are living in estates where the developer is broke or, in some cases, has left the estate unfin- ished. As a result, these estates have not been taken over by the council.

During the council meeting, he asked if Clare County Council was legally obliged to take charge of estates when requested to do so by a majority of owners under Section 180 of the Planning Act 2000 and Section 2 of the Roads Act 1993.

It emerged that, in many cases, the council are obliged to get involved. Even in cases where the developer is now in NAMA, the residents can still apply to the council. The council, in turn, can then take over the estate, recouping the cost from NAMA.

In cases where the builder has just not completed the estate, the majority of the residents can apply to the council to have the estate taken over, and the council can then move against that developer.

The head of the Planning, Land Use and Transportation Department, Nora Kaye, explained that the council was obliged to take over housing estates under three circumstances.

“Where a development has been completed to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority, the authority must, where requested, as soon as may be, initiate the procedures under section 11 of the Roads Act 1993,” the director of services explained.

When a development has not been completed to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority, and enforcement proceedings have not been commenced within seven years of the expiration of the permission, the Planning Authority must, where requested by the majority of owners of the houses involved, also begin proceedings to take over the estate.

In this instance, the council may apply any security given for the satisfactory completion of the development in question.

Where a development has not been completed to the satisfaction of the council and either enforcement proceedings have been commenced or the Planning Authority considers that enforcement proceedings would achieve nothing, it is at the discretion of the Planning Authority to take the development in charge where requested by the majority of the owners of the houses in question. Again, in this instance, the Planning Authority may apply any security given for the satisfactory completion of the development in question.

Ms Kaye reminded the councillors, however, that each application has to be considered individually. She said there were also issues in relation to resources.

“Until the estate is complete and taken in charge, it is the developer’s responsibility. Many developers are not in business and it is very complicated dealing with the banks and dealing with NAMA,” she added.

Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) said that Clare has one of the biggest housing estates in the country in its jurisdiction. “One of the biggest challenges for this council is the Westbury Estate, which has 1,000 houses with one entrance, and it still has not been taken over,” he said. “Many of these houses were built over 20 years ago.”