Category: News

CONSTRUCTION work on a new € 4.2 million Cystic Fibrosis Unit will begin in the new year after a historic fundraising effort by parents in Clare, Tipperary and Limerick.

The sod for the new facility was due to be turned in September of this year but work on the facility has now been delayed until the new year. Despite this however, the TLC4CF group are confident that progress will be made on the new facility early in 2012.

The group have also just launched a new fund-raising cook book which they are hoping can raise as much as € 100,000 to help to fund the completion of the unit and the machinery needed to fill it.

“The sod turning has not taken place yet unfortunately but we are confident that that will take place early in the new year. We are confident of that,” said Corofin mother and member of TLC4CF Marcella Clancy.

“This is the second Food 4 Thought cook book that we are released for TLC4CF. The first book was released two years ago and it was compiled by Breda O’Shaughnessy from Adare who is a great chef.

“The first book was a great success with more then € 100,000 being raised between Clare, Tipperary and Limerick from its sale. We will see how this one goes now – a lot of people were asking for a second version of the book to be launched.

“The book has all new recipes in it and while some of the recipes might be a little bit advanced they are presented in a way that anybody could do them. It does through the whole lot, from starters to soups, main courses to deserts. It is the kind of thing that would make a lovely Christmas present and it’s not too expensive at just € 10.

“We would also like to like to wish a happy Christmas to everyone in Clare and beyond who have supported TLC4CF in the past, their support is greatly appreciated by everyone in the Clare Branch of Cystic Fibrosis and everyone involved with TLC4CF.”

When completed, the new facility will be the only dedicated facility for people over the age of 16 who have Cystic Fibrosis in the west of Ireland. The facility, which will be built on the grounds of Limerick Regional Hospital, will be built entirely with money raised by TLC4CF and while the HSE has committed to staffing the facility. Food 4 Thought is available at Mary Kelly’s news agents in Ennis, O’Mahoney’s Bookshop in Ennis, Donnellan’s Centra Service Station in Ennis and the Spar Supermarket in Corofin.

A JUDGE has described a man involved in a row in front of a child as a “blackguard”.

Judge Angela Ní Chondúin made the comment after hearing that there was background to the incident.

Michael Owsiak (24), who is originally from Poland and with an address at Kincora Park, Ennis, was charged with assault causing harm to Marek Walendziuk, at Kincora Park, Ennis, on October 16 last.

Ennis District Court heard on Friday that the accused punched the other man in the face. As a result, the victim sustained a broken nose.

The court was told that accused did not have any previous convictions.

Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett said that the victim of the assault was the defendant’s girlfriend’s former partner.

He said there were issues in relation to a young child.

He said that the injured party had been “at him verbally and physically” and his client lashed out with one punch.

“Certainly he was geed up by the other party,” said the solicitor.

Judge Ní Chondúin commented that this was a “great example in front of a child”.

Mr Hassett submitted that it was not a “straight cut case of a one man punch with no context”.

Judge Ní Chondúin said, “It’s shocking bad behaviour in front of a child. You don’t take the law into your own hands.”

She said she would normally order that money be paid to an injured party, but added, “but I am not going to enrich a blackguard particularly where there is a child involved.”

She ordered that € 400 be paid to the court poor box, adding, if the money is paid, she will strike out the charge. She adjourned the case until later this week.

THE Vandeleur Garden in Kilrush has the potential to be transformed into the new flagship tourist product for west Clare and become the county’s rival to Muckross House in Kil- larney. This new vision for Kilrush’s historic visitor attraction was unveiled at a meeting of Kilrush Town Council that took place in the Vandeleur demesne on Thursday night as county architect, Ruth Hurley, revealed plans to develop a major museum on the site. The interpretative centre-type project is set to be developed over the next two years as agencies such as Coillte, Shannon Development, Clare County Council, Kilrush Town Council, Kilrush Amenity Trust and the West Clare Economic Task Force throw their weight behind ambitious plans for the old landlord estate. The ruin of Kilrush House, the seat of the Vandeleur famil that was responsible for building Kilrush, was knocked by Clare County Council in 1973, but now the authority is to spearhead new development in the courtyard area of the estate on the back on a successful application for Leader funding. “There is an opportunity for something new here,” said Ms Hurley. “We want open up the courtyard into the centre and into a museum, so there is element of enticing people into the Vandeleur facilities. “The whole idea behind this is to get funding from Leader, with a view construction beginning in 2013. It’s about taking baby steps towards a bigger picture. A lot of places started like that. Muckross House started like that, so it’s about taking smalls steps. “The built environment is there. The heritage is there. It’s about giv- ing it a new freshness and enticing people in. With the support of everyone around the table and with the support of the people of Kilrush, hopefully we can push this forward,” Ms Hurley added.

“An initial meeting was held with Leader, just to see what their reaction was to the whole concept,” revealed Kilrush Town Manager, Nora Kaye. “Leader were very receptive to the whole visitor experience.

“There is a matching funding requirement should we be successful with Leader.

We will keep this project on a priority list, to ensure that we have a place in the queue for applications,” she added.

“I don’t see why it can’t become a reality,” said Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF). “There is massive potential here and I don’t think we have realised the true potential of the Vandeleur Walled Garden – from the historical perspective as well as modifying and adapted to modern demands,” he said. “The Vandeleur Garden is a gem,” said Cllr Liam Williams (FG), who is also a member of Kilrush Amenity Trust. “This is huge for west Clare,” he added.

PLANS to develop a new library in Ennis will be put on hold until after 2014, a meeting of Clare County Council has heard.

The council has been told that funding will not be approved until the preparation of a new library development programme.

In March, the council sought expressions of interest for the provision of a new library building. Two preferred sites emerged from the process.

Bernadette Kinsella, Director of Services Housing, Social and Cultural, told yesterday’s meeting of Clare County Council that the authority had not been contacted by the developers seeking to build a five-hectare retail park on the Clare Road about the offer of a new library building.

Michael Lynch Ltd have stated that they will hand over a library “free of charge” to Ennis Town Council as part of the proposed development.

Ms Kinsella was responding to a question from Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) who, along with fellow Fine Gael councillor Tony Mulqueen, tabled a motion requesting information on plans for a new County Library Headquarters.

In her reply, Ms Kinsella confirmed, “Sixteen expressions of interest were received by the specified date. A preliminary site suitability assessment was then undertaken by an in house panel external to the directorate, and each site was assessed and ranked having regard to the criteria.”

She continued, “From this process, five sites were identified as worthy of further exploration based in order of ranking.

“The owners of these sites were then requested to provide additional information for the purpose of the council undertaking a second stage site suitability assessment.”

She explained, “At the conclusion of this process, two preferred sites emerged.

“The owners of these sites were then invited to preliminary discussions which took place in July.”

During the process, the council engaged in consultations with An Comhairle Leabharlann, representatives of which visited both sites and expressed support for the council’s proposal.

Ms Kinsella explained that, in the course of discussions, the funding application, which must be site specific, would not be considered until a new library development programme is prepared.

“This is unlikely to occur before 2014 at the earliest. In light of this updated funding situation, it was decided to defer further engagement with the owners of the preferred sites protem. They have been advised accordingly.”

Ms Kinsella said the objective to develop a new library and ancillary remains a priority for the council.

“As funding streams are identified or re-opened these sites together with any suitable sites in the ownership of the council, can be reconsidered.”

She added that “necessary infrastructural works” will now be carried out at the De Valera library “to ensure a reasonable standard is maintained in the short term to medium term”.

FIRST it stood at 9.43 per cent among general staff and was held up as the worst in Ireland – now it’s worse again as the percentage stands at 12 per cent among key frontline nursing staff.

These are the absenteeism rates at Ennis General Hospital, which have come under sharp focus again in the last week following the publication of the Health Services Executive ‘Heathstat Report’ for September.

“The issue is receiving maximum attention,” a HSE statement released to the The Clare People this Monday says. “The assistance of the Human Resources department has now been sought to assist the hospital in any additional actions required,” it adds.

According to the Healthstat figures, absenteeism rates among its 133 nurses during September were running at 12 per cent, a figure that is 8.5 per cent ahead of the target national absenteeism rate of 3.5 per cent.

These alarming figures come only three months after Minister for Health, James Reilly, pledged to put measures in place to tackle the problem at the hospital when it was revealed that absenteeism levels were running at 9.43 per cent, almost double the average for HSE hospitals around the country that stood at 4.85 per cent.

“We are putting in place a new initiative around this,” vowed Minister Reilly. “I’m not at liberty to say what it is just yet. In the next couple of weeks, I’ll be able to announce it,” he added.

In September, it was revealed in Ennis that every day an average of 22 staff were missing from the hospital’s daily workforce of 238, a rate of absenteeism that impacts on the day-to-day operation of the facility, resulting in the HSE having to employ temporary outside staff to cover for sick workers.

And a breakdown of these figures has revealed that the rate of absenteeism is worst among general support staff when it’s running at a staggering 18 per cent.

Now the Healthstat figures show that, of Ennis General Hospital’s 133 nurses, 16 were absent from work on each day in the month of September.

“The hospital accepts that the absenteeism rate is high but all elements of the HSE’s Managing Attendance Policy are being carried out,” the HSE statement says. “These include referrals to occupational health, return-to-work interviews, certification of absences etc. While the hospital’s percentages appear high currently, the amount of ‘uncertified’ sick leave is very low.

“Where uncertified sick leave is low, the hospital is viewed to have achieved an improved performance in managing attendance as the majority of sick leave is certified by medical practitioners. A recent review by management shows that a number of people are absent with long-term serious illness,” the statement adds.

CONCERNS over the road network in the vicinity of a proposed wind farm in West Clare – which would be the biggest of its kind in the midwest if it gets the green light – have been raised.

A planning application has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála for the development of a 45-turbine win farm at Shragh, Doonbeg.

The application has been lodged by Clare Coastal Wind Power, which says it would create a huge tourism boost for the area. While Clare County Council planners say it would help to achieve the council’s target for renewables, they have expressed concerns in relation to the scale of the project.

The application is the largest ever lodged for a wind farm in the midwest and would have the capacity to provide energy to more than 70,000 homes.

The application did not go before the county council and instead was lodged with An Bord Pleanála. This was because the application was deemed to have met the criteria for a strategic infrastructure case and therefore should go before the Board.

The company behind the project has held an information meeting in Doonbeg which was attended by more than 100 people.

Its representatives have also met with local business and community groups.

At a meeting of Clare County Council yesterday, Councillor Oliver Garry (Fine Gael) said it was a “topical” issue in West Clare.

“Already in West Clare we have two wind farms. They are producing 32 mega watts and there is planning permission for another 100 mega watts of electricity. We have a target of 250 mega watts by 2020,” he said.

He asked what provisions are made for the local roads area and said that the network “seems pretty poor”.

County Manger Tom Coughlan said that the council cannot direct An Bord Pleanála to add conditions but can refer to conditions.

Fianna Fáil Councillor PJ Kelly said that while “beggars can’t be choosers”, they should be listened to and said that potential road damage should be considered.

Independent Councillor Christy Curtin asked, “Has there been experience of other such projects under this legislation? Has there been experience?”

Fine Gael Councillor Joe Arkins said, “A windfarm of this size is more suitable for an area that is zoned strategic. . . Should we not be making that point stronger in the submission?”

“There has to be a limit to the amount of wind turbines you see when you look out the front, the back and the two sides of your house,” he said.

Concerns raised by the planners and councillors will be included in the submission on the application to an Bord Pleanála.

RIVER levels in Ennis are being monitored twice a day in Ennis as authorities remain vigilant of flooding.

Records from Met Eireann show that the total accumulated rainfall recorded in County Clare from January 1 to November 30 stood at 872.2mm, more than the 845.1mm recorded during the entire of 2010.

In a statement, Clare County council says this December is also expected to see the mean rainfall total for the month being exceeded with further heavy rain forecast.

Ennis Town Manager Dollard said that river levels around Ennis are monitored twice a day and that the council would continue to monitor water levels throughout the winter period.

He stated, “Our experiences from severe flooding in Ennis, and East and North Clare in late 2009 have taught us that being prepared in advance is key to effectively managing flooding when it does occur.

As well as reviewing information contained on the council website, I would urge members of the public to visit www.flooding.ie to familiarise themselves with the range of actions that can be taken in advance of, during and after flooding events.”

Mr Dollard was speaking as Clare County Council launched an online advice and information guide to raise awareness of the importance of preparing for severe weather during winter.

The ‘Be Winter-Ready’ guide has been published on the council website, www.clarecoco.ie.

Work on flood prevention measures is currently underway at a number of locations around Ennis. Pipeline work has been completed on the Lough Girroga Flood Relief Scheme while additional site investigation works are due to start at Fioruisce on the Gort Road.

According to the council, the Watery Road/Elm Park Flood relief scheme will be placed on e-tenders. A temporary pumping system for the storm drain has been put in place at the Watery Road to cater for high river levels until permanent works are in place.

The council says it is monitoring the Fergus and Claureen river lev- els.

The planning process for the St Flannans, Toberteascain – Ballybeg Lake flood relief works has been delayed due to a requirement to carry out specialised works.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael TD Pat Breen has said that the Government remains committed to the construction of phase two of the Ennis Main Drainage Scheme.

Last week it was announced that the Office of Public Works (OPW) had terminated the tendering process with immediate effect.

Deputy Breen stated that Minster for State with responsibility for the OPW, Brian Hayes, is committed to funding the € 12.8m scheme, as previously outlined in the 2012 capital works programme.

ANGLING tourism can only be properly kick-started in Clare if the Inland Fisheries Board spearheads an anti-poaching campaign in the county’s rivers and lakes that have been decimated of its fish stocks.

The December meeting of Clare County Council heard councillors from all parties back a motion from West Clare councillor Gabriel Keating (FG) calling on the Inland Fisheries Board to act.

“I have been told that Doonbeg River will not open until there is an increase in Salmon stocks,” said Cllr Keating.

He continued, “But the problem with the river has always been poaching. While you have anglers on the river, the opportunities for poaching are restricted. If anglers are not there, it is open season for poachers,” he added.

“Before the closure, anglers and bailiffs were on the same side of the fence. But now bailiffs are falling foul of anglers as they are threatening on-the-spot fines on any anglers they catch fishing for salmon.

“This naturally angers anglers as they feel there are doing far less damage than what is being done on a large scale by poachers.

“The ideal situation would be that anglers and bailiffs would work together,” he added.

COMMUNICATION from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in relation to the presence of unsavoury odours in the Smithstown area of Shannon has been criticised.

In a letter to the Shannon Town Clerk, Liam O’Connor, the EPA stated that it has been working with Clare County Council in relation to the issue. It stated that complaints were received in August and September and that several site and odour surveys were carried out in Smithstown and its environs.

“It is apparent that the odours in the Shannon town area are from multiple sources. All possible sources of odours at EPA licensed facilities have been and continue to be investigated and corrective and preventative actions implemented when necessary,” stated the EPA. “Other possible odour sources continue to be investigated by Clare County Council. The agency will continue to work with its licensees in Shannon to ensure they are not the cause of offsite nuisance odours,” it added, in its letter.

However, members of Shannon Town Council have expressed concern with the letter and have called for a meeting with the EPA. “That’s a disgraceful letter,” said Independent Councillor Gerry Flynn, at a meeting of the council last Tuesday. “I think it is high time that we call the EPA out of the tall grass. . . I propose we summon a representative of the EPA to a meeting to explain themselves,” he said.

Councillor Patricia McCarthy (Independent) said, “Reports went in. They did monitoring. We haven’t been told the outcome. The problem is they are self-monitoring,” she added. “They judge their performance from going into court and getting a conviction,” she said, adding that it takes a few years for this process to conclude. “It is a certain form of contempt for the public,” she said.

Fine Gael Councillor Seán McLoughlin said, “We want results, not that they got complaints. What was the actual result of the monitoring and what action are they going to take now?” he asked.

Sinn Féin Councillor Cathy McCafferty said, “It is a real concern for everyone. Whatever way the wind blows, the smell comes. We want to know what means and methods they are going to use to fix it.”

Labour Councillor Greg Duff said, “They have to have a more independent way of looking at things.” He said that “a high number of people” in Shannon get cancer which he said is down to a “combination of factors”. He said that real answers must be provided in relation to the odour issue.

Councillor Tony McMahon (Labour) said the odour issue has a significant impact on the “health of the community”. Fine Gael Councillor Vincent Coleman said that the letter “doesn’t relay new information. It doesn’t give solutions”. He said that people are “very nervous” in relation to the odour issue. “They don’t know what they are inhaling,” he said.

THE backers of a proposed fivehectare retail development on the outskirts of Ennis say it will have a “limited” impact on existing businesses in Ennis.

Michael Lynch Ltd are seeking planning permission for a large development on the Clare Road/Tobertascain, which it is claimed will create 300 construction jobs.

A retail impact assessment prepared by DPP on behalf of Michael lynch Ltd states that the projected retail turnover for the proposal is estimated to be of the order of € 46.4m.

It states, “In terms of convenience retail floorspace, it is likely that the proposed development will compete with existing Tesco and Aldi, both on Francis Street; Dunnes Stores on O’Connell Street; and Lidl which is located on the Gort Road.”

The report adds “There may be a small amount of diversion from other convenience outlets in the Ennis area but this would be limited. Aside from the big-name operators, most other existing provision is smallscale, local walk-in trade.”

The report was prepared as part of a response to a further information request from Ennis Town Council.

It states that the “proposed development at the Limerick Road, Ennis, consists of an urban development including a mix of retail and office use. The development represents one district centre format of which none currently exists in Ennis despite its status as; hub town….county town for Clare and a recognised need for additional floor space in Ennis in the Mid West Retail Strategy”.

Of the potential impact on town centre businesses, the authors state, “The assessment of retail impact or cumulative retail impact of the proposed development on Ennis Town Centre found that, whilst there would be a small diversion of trade to the proposed foodstore, this would be cushioned by capacity in the retail market and the retention of both Dunnes and Tesco in the town centre and limited competition with the higher-end comparison and specialist retail offer in Ennis town centre.”

The report, continues, “If permitted, the proposed development will contribute to the retail offer of the town and stem retail expenditure leakage to other urban centres.”

The report outlines the retail characteristics of the proposed development. It states that the proposal provides for a total gross retail floorspace of 7,834sqm; the hypermarket provides 3,000sqm net convenience floorspace and 2,411 sqm net comparison floorspace. The ancillary units provide for 481sqm gross retail floorspace.

The report continues, “It is envisaged that the majority of these (retail units and kiosks) would be used for services, restaurants and café and community uses as envisaged by the development plan and the RPG in light of the proposal’s district centre format. For the purposes of calculating retail impact, therefore, we are mainly concerned with the net retail figures for the proposed foodstore.

“However, in the interest of robustness, we estimate that approximately half of the additional floorspace (totaling 520m2) will be given over to small convenience and / or comparison uses and have factored in 130m2 space each to account for these potential occupiers.”

Citing figures from the 2010 retail strategy for the mid-west region, the report states, “The figures would sug- gest that there remains substantial capacity for another large foodstore in town in addition to this proposal and that the residual comparison would be more than sufficient to cater for further substantial higher order comparison floorspace in or close to the town centre on sites such as PS1.

“These results are not surprising when one considers the relative lack of growth in the town’s retail offer over the past 10 years and indeed the lack of any substantive pipeline development as illustrated by the MidWest Retail Strategy Review 2009.”

The authors state that they have received correspondence from Tesco Ireland that confirmed their intention to remain in the Ennis Shopping Centre.

“The letter also points out their own business view of much greater potential in the existing retail market space.”