Category: News

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.

SIGNIFICANT staff turnover has impacted on the teaching of English at St Joseph’s Community College in Kilkee. That is according to an inspection carried out by inspectors from the Department of Education at the school, where enrolment stands at 194.

The inspectors found that teaching was “generally good and learning ranged from adequate to good in the lessons observed” during the inspection in May of this year.

“High expectations are promoted by the placement of students into mixed-ability classes in first and second year and by the organisation of co-curricular activities to develop students’ subject-specific skills and interests,” stated the report.

“Due to a number of factors, significant staff turnover has and continues to be an issue in the English department, impacting on subject department planning and implementation and on the learning of some junior cycle students,” noted the inspectors.

The report found that a good quality of teaching was observed in lessons, which was facilitated by teacher preparation, knowledge of the subject, well-managed lessons and good rapport with students.

It recommended that lessons should incorporate greater emphasis on sharing learning outcomes with students at the outset and on organising more varied active learning opportunities.

“A greater range of resources should be used to enhance learning, including graphic organisers, audio recordings, and props. No ICT was used in classes because of the absence of fixed equipment and of the reported unreliability of satellite coverage for the school. Senior management is working with Co Clare Vocational Education Committee (VEC) to overcome these deficiencies,” stated the inspectors. “Homework was being set and monitored and some good written feedback being given in the sample of copies reviewed. The valuable practice of sharing criteria for the assessment of substantial pieces of writing with senior cycle students should be extended to junior cycle students.”

A number of recommendations were suggested by the inspectors. These include that a base room for English be established and that timetable provision for first and fourth year English should be increased and allocated lessons should be spread over the maximum possible number of days per week.

“Existing termly schemes of work should be reshaped after discussions are held on the key learning outcomes and skills to be developed in each year of study. New assessment practices that link to those agreed learning outcomes should also be established,” added the report.

THE ELDERLY living in isolated parts of the county are being warned that a scam is in operation, after a woman in her 80s was targeted in North Clare.

The woman, who lives in the Kilfenora area, was visited by a group of men last week. They looked for scrap and when she told them that none was available, they offered to take away rubbish, at a cost of € 10 for two bags. They took bags of rubbish and offered a receipt. The rubbish was later found dumped in Waterford. Gardaí are warning that the actions are not legitimate and say that gangs are taking rubbish and dumping it illegally on the side of the road or on lands. Personal documents found in the rubbish establish that this has taken place.

“It is a scam. People should not give rubbish to unauthorised people. They tend to target country houses. It could be a once-off but we want to alert people,” said the Crime Prevention Officer in the Clare Garda Division, Sergeant Joe Downey.

“It’s just an excuse for them to legitimise their presence. They could be surveying the house for a further crime,” he added.

Meanwhile, gardaí are investigating an incident in which a gate on lands at Monmore, Kilrush, was cut into three pieces, over the weekend. The incident happened between 4.30pm on Saturday and 11am on Sunday.

The theft of a van from an address at Bealcragga, Connolly, is being investigated by gardaí in Ennis. The white Toyota Hiace was stolen between 10am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday.

Gardaí across the county are investigating a number of burglaries over the past week.

In one incident, four drums of cable were stolen from the Eircom building on Drumbiggle Road in Ennis, between 6pm last Tuesday and 8am the following morning. The premises was broken into possibly through the boundary railings of Ennis National School.

In Clarecastle, a house on the Lissane Road was targeted when thieves gained entry through the back door between 3am and 8am last Monday. Both the house and a car parked outside were targeted. A ladies handbag, which contained a small sum of money, was taken from the home, while a radio sat nav, car mats, an iPod and Oakley sunglasses were taken from the car.

Anyone with information on any of those crimes should contact their local garda station or Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100.