Category: News

CLARE Labour TD Michael McNamara is to intervene in the ongoing difficulty surrounding Blakes Corner in Ennistymon and force the publication of a report on the controvertial site commissioned by Clare County Council earlier this year.

The Southgate Report was commissioned by Clare County Council earlier this year but, despite the protests of some councillors in the north Clare area, it was decided not to publish the finding of the report earlier this year.

Deputy McNamara yesterday con- firmed that he will make contact with the Minister of the Environment, Phil Hogan (FG), and ask him to put pressure on Clare County Council to publish the report.

“Clare County Council has spent € 15,000 on a report on Blakes Corner and have decided not to publish this report. I find that hard to believe,” said Deputy McNamara.

“Clearly these two buildings cannot continue to stand in their current form if Ennistymon and Lahinch are going to continue to prosper. I would call on the local councillors to stop sticking their head in the sand and deal with this situation – that is what they were elected to do.”

The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan (FG), last week announced that plans to demolish and rebuild the historic buildings at Blakes Corner was “contrary to the thrust” of the 2000 Planning Act and would “require strong justification” before it could take place.

This announcement was welcomed by the Save Ennistymon’s Heritage group who said that they welcomed the ministers intervention.

“We urge Clare County Council to examine with Save Ennistymon’s Heritage the various options to help the occasional traffic chaos in Ennistymon,” said Denis Vaughan of the Save Ennistymon’s Heritage Group. It is unlikely that the report will be published at the next north Clare area meeting, which takes place in Ennistymon next Monday.

“The report was ready for the last area meeting and it was decided that it wouldn’t be released into the public domain until the planning process commences – we’re working towards this at present but the planning process won’t commence this side of Christmas,” said Tom Tiernan, Senior Engineer with Clare County Council.

PLANS TO centralise courts services to Ennis have been described as “disgraceful”.

Court sittings across the county will experience significant changes in the new year if proposals to centralise the service are adopted.

Under the changes, most of the hearings will be centralised to Ennis. While Kilrush cases will continue to be heard in the West Clare town, cases from North Clare are to be moved to Ennis. Killaloe courts currently sit in Ennis as a temporary measure while a new venue for the East Clare courts is being sought. Shannon cases have been heard in Ennis for the past few years.

North Clare sittings were held in Kilrush Courthouse during the past few years but the latest changes mean that any prospects of court sittings in Ennistymon are not likely, at least in the short-term.

Lahinch businessman Donogh O’Loughlin has expressed concern at the latest proposals.

“I think it is disgraceful. It is a loss of business for some people, the local restaurants and hotels. Also it is going to be more expensive for gardaí to go to Ennis and sit all day in a court and it might be heard and it might not be heard,” he said.

“It is another thing gone from the towns in the county. It is a pity. Ennistymon badly needs activity,” he said.

Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway said that courts should not be centralised to Ennis as other towns should also play a role in the administration of justice.

“I don’t agree with the centralisation of the courts service. I believe that courts in a community play an important role. People shouldn’t have to be discommoded and spend an entire day in court for something that could take 10 minutes,” he said.

“From a humanitarian point of view I don’t think it is fair. A court taking place in a town or a community is a deterrent. I’m not saying, ‘Hang them and flog them’, but if they see gardaí or a judge walking into court it does create some deterrent,” said Senator Conway.

“We are in the economic climate where we can’t justify things we did before.

“In Ennistymon I do appreciate that there won’t be a new courthouse built but there is adequate space to have a court in Ennistymon on the first Wednesday of every month. From a business point of view it brings people around. We can’t have everything happening in Ennis,” he said.

SPORTING and musical ent husiasts who shone during the past year were last night honoured by Shannon Town Counci l, through thei r annual Liosta na Laochra scheme.

Ever y year, t he council awards people who have represented t he town with distinction during the previous 12 months and a wide variety of personalities were represented this year.

Ciara O’Loughl in, of Shannon Flyers Special Olympics club, who won silver medals in the shot putt and relay at t he World Special Olympic Games in Athens dur ing the summer, was awarded.

Gearóid McMahon, of Shannon Athletics Club, was honoured for his achievements during t he past year. He won a gold medal with Clare in the national cross count r y championships (under 11) and silver in the national communit y games finals (under 13 wal k).

Declan O’Rourke of Wolfe Tones, who was a member of the Clare team t hat won the All-Ireland intermediate hurling championship earlier this year, was also on the list of recipients.

Cara Ní Chai rba, who won t he under 12 har p competition at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉi reann, was awarded, as was John Cawley, who won t he Irish Open Masters singles title in handball. Another handball player, John Ki rby, who won the All-Ireland r ugby Masters single and double titles, was awarded.

Three members of the Shannon Kickboxing Club, were awarded, having excelled during the past year. They were Josh Vincent, David Ryan and Leona O’Shea. Josh won an Irish light heavyweight championship, at the age of 17; David won both senior and junior Irish feather weight championships, while Leona won a double under 17 national junior championship title.

Members of the t rampoline club were also among those honoured. Shannen Miniter, Alex Russell, Dar ragh Moane, Louise Ryan and Callum Miniter were all rewarded for thei r heroics during the year.

Shannon came first in Midlands, Dublin, South and Munster Opens and is the cur rent All-Ireland gi rls inter mediate champion. Alex won silver at t he Al l-Ireland champions, while Dar ragh took home gold from the same event. Louise won a silver medal at the All-Irelands, while Callum came four th in his section of t he All-Irelands and was par t of the sout h-west region team which came t hi rd in the Grand Pri x final.

The other groups honoured last night i ncluded the Shannon Musical Societ y front of house commit tee, which won a national award this year; Rachel McIntyre of the musical society and Jayme O’Sullivan, a medal wi nner in t he world Ir ish dancing championships.

WORK on the start of the € 12.8m second section of the Ennis Flood Relief Scheme is li kely to be delayed for a number of months after problems emerged in the tendering process.

The scheme will see improvements to river walls and other flood defenses on the river Fergus from Bank Place to Doora Bridge. Phase one of the scheme, which was com- pleted two years ago, is credited with preventing floods in large areas of the town centre.

However, the OPW has informed Ennis Town Council that the tendering process for phase two of the scheme has been terminated with immediate effect.

Councillors were informed of the development at the yesterday’s monthly council meeting.

Cll r Mar y Howard (FG) had requested a progress report from the council on phase two of the Ennis drainage scheme.

In his response, town clerk Leonard Clear y stated that the council has been in ongoing discussion with the OPW regarding the progress of the scheme. He explained that this included a briefing by OPW personnel for the elected members in recent months.

He continued, “The Office of Public Works has today advised that due to the withdrawal of certain tender- ers and issues that have arisen in relation to the tendering process, it has been decided to terminate with immediate effect the Ennis lower scheme tender competition. Letters have been issued to the eight prequalified tenderers notifying them of the termination. This competition will be re-tendered immediately.”

He added, “The council has also been advised by the OPW that Minister (Brian) Hayes would li ke to assure the people of Ennis that this scheme has been included in the OPW budget for next year. The council will continue to work with the OPW to ensure that this important scheme can be commenced at the earliest possible date.”

Town manager Ger Dollard described the termination of the tendering process as “unfortunate”. He said the council are quite satisfied that the OPW will proceed with the project.

A CLAREMAN has risen through the ranks of Irish education to become chairman of the umbrella body that governs the country’s Institutes of Technology – not once but on three occasions.

Inagh man and former Mayor of Clare Flan Garvey was unanimously elected as chairman at a meeting in Dublin on Wednesday and in graduating to this prestigious position has pledged to play his part in spearheading the campaign for university status within the 14 institutes of technology around the country.

“It’s a great honour to be elected to this position,” Mr Garvey told The Clare People this week, “and to be the unanimous choice having being proposed by chairman of Limerick IT, John Clifford and seconded by chairman of Sligo IT and former European Commissioner, Ray McSharry is great.”

Mr Garvey, a former school principal of Gortbofarna and Inagh national schools, is the first person to have been appointed to the chair of the governing body on three consecutive occasions.

He is also a former chairman of Clare Vocational Education Committee, was a member of Clare County Council from 1985 until his retirement from politics at the 2009 local elections, serving as Mayor of Clare in 2006/07.

“It’s been a landmark year,” said Mr Garvey on Thursday after being elected chairman. “In March I published a book on the history of Inagh-Kilnamona and then in the weekend just gone there was the 23rd Clare Tourist Council conference and managing the Inagh camogie team that won the All-Ireland title,” he added.

Earlier in the month, Mr Garvey was honoured in the town of Clare Valley, South Australia, which has been twinned with Clare County Council over the past 25 years. In celebration of Mr Garvey’s role in cultivating that twinning arrangement, a tree was planted and a plaque unveiled in his honour in Clare’s main recreation centre that’s called Ennis Park.

THE importance of fire safety awareness has been emphasized as new figures show that Clare County Fire and Rescue Service were mobilised to 110 incidents last Christmas.

They included 65 fires while Ennis Fire Brigade alone attended 52 incidents during the same period. The figures are contained in a report prepared chief fire officer Adrian Kelly.

Mr Kelly was responding to a motion tabled by councillor Brian Meaney (GP) at yesterday’s monthly meeting of Ennis Town Council.

Cllr Meaney stated “that this council request all homeowners to welcome this motion and want to emphasise the necessity of fire safety awareness in the home, not just during the Christmas period but throughout the year”.

Mr Kelly stated between December 2010 and January 2011 there were 18 fatalities in fires throughout the country.

He continued, “Fire alarms were either not present or working in the majority of cases. In Clare alone we had two fatalities in that period. Many more people have been injured while there were a large number of properties damaged by fire. This magnitude of fire deaths serves as stark reminder to us all of the importance of installing working smoke detectors and the need to have an escape plan should it be necessary to escape.”

He stated, “During the Christmas period, people spend a lot more time at home, open fires are used for longer periods, electrical items and extension leads are used more. Add in flammable decorations, candles and alcohol and it becomes apparent that the risks increase during the festive season.”

Mr Kelly added, “The main causes of fire during the festive season are candles left unprotected, fairy lights left on all night or improperly wired, Christmas trees falling over, open fires without fireguards and decorations catching fire.”

He continued, “Last year, Clare County Fire and Rescue Service were mobilised to 110 incidents including 65 fires during the Christmas period. Ennis Fire Brigade alone attended 52 incidents in this period.”

Mr Kelly explained that there are a number of practical safety steps households can take. They include installing a smoke alarm and check ing it weekly, keeping candles away from curtins, never leaving candles unattended and visiting elderly neighbours.

He added, “And finally, the fire service hopes that Santa rates Ennis as the best town in Ireland for clean chimneys this year.”

AN ENNIS business has been recognized for its innovative approach to the promotion of the Irish language. Last week the Rowan Tree Hostel and Restaurant were named the winners of the 2011 Gradam Gaeilge an Chláir award.

At an awards ceremony in Glór on Thursday evening, proprietor Brian O’Neill was presented with a specially commissioned plaque by Seán Ó Ceallaigh, Cathaoirleach of An Clár as Gaeilge Teo, the language promotion group who organise the award scheme. The scheme, now in its fifth year, is specifically directed at companies and organisations in the commercial sector who do most to promote the use of Irish both internally and externally.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, An tUas, Ó Ceallaigh praised the Rowan Tree for the innovative way they had increased the visibility of Irish, not alone on the outside of the premises, but extensively inside throughout the bar and restaurant. Furthermore, the menus were all available bi-lingually and there was, according to the adjudicators, an Irish ethos permeating the entire premises.

“We are delighted with the way the link between the Irish language and the tourist business has been achieved. This gives a complete cultural experience to the visitor and more importantly to tourists from overseas, particularly through the weekly classes on an introduction to Irish Culture which were held weekly during the Summer season.” he said.

“This is a prime example of what can be achieved with good will and imagination, and the result is to be highly complimented.”

Accepting the award, Brian O’Neill said that he was honoured that the Rowan Tree had been selected for the award. “Irish culture has always been at the heart of our business and we aim to develop it further. Chomh maith le sin anois, beidh an Ghaeilge le feiceáil agus le chloisteáil sa Bhrú Chrann Chaorthainn,” he said.

COUNCILLORS in Ennis have voted against a proposal that would call on the Government to provide mandatory equality training for all local representatives.

A majority of councillors present at yesterday’s monthly meeting of Ennis Town Council voted 4-3 against the proposal.

In a motion, Cllr Paul O’Shea proposed that the council extend their sympathy to the family of Moses Ayanwole, a Nigerian taxi driver killed in Dublin last month.

Cllr O’Shea also called on the council to request that Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan legislate immediately for mandatory training in equality anti-discrimination and racism for all local elected representatives throughout the State.

While all councillors present offered their sympathies to Mr Ayanwole’s family, a dispute arose over Cllr O’Shea’s proposal for all members to undergo mandatory training.

Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) told the meeting that he was dissenting from the proposal. He said he had been an elected representative for all people in the Ennis area for the past 32 years and had treated all constituents with equality and fairness. “I don’t believe you need training for good manners,” he said.

In reference to controversial remarks made by the former Fine Gael Mayor of Nass, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said Darren Scully had raised issues that needed to be discussed. Supporting Cllr O’Shea’s proposal, Cllr Flynn said training would allow him to express his views in an appropriate and more inclusive fashion.

Cllr O’Shea said councillors are entitled to express their opinions “but how we express them is important”. He said he was hopeful that politicians in the “hometown of Muhammad Ali” would support his proposal.

Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) said people in Ennis had always welcomed people to the town, adding there had been an old saying that “The stranger will flourish and the native will perish”. Cllr Neylon claimed that people in Ennis and around Clare have been discriminated against by non-nationals. He told the meeting that he had no problem working with people from the 26 different nationalities that lived in Ennis.

“I’ve met people of all nationalities that appreciate the work we have done”, he added.

Cllr Mary Coote Ryan (FG) said counillors did not need training to be respect other people. “We just need to be respectful. You either have it or you don’t.”

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) said he opposed the pro- posal on the basis that it could present legal difficulties for the council in the future.

Cllr O’Shea challenged his fellow councillors by asking them if they were fully up to date on recent equality legislation.

“I’ve done my job to the best of my ability for 32 years and I don’t need no course,” responded Cllr Brennan.

A vote was taken on the proposal for mandatory training.

Councillors Brennan, Coote Ryan, Neylon and Guilfoyle voted against it. Councillors O’Shea, Howard and Flynn voted for it. Councillors Brian Meaney (GP) and Peter Considine (FF) were unable to attend the meeting.

A CHRISTMAS video that sees the people of Ennis come to the rescue of Santa Claus has become an internet hit with almost 10,000 views so far.

Ennis Town – Share the Feeling sees Santa Claus turn to Ennis ‘The friendliest town in Ireland’ to help him after all of his elves fall sick on Christmas Eve.

Directed by local man Gavin Gallagher, the 2min 54sec video was shot in locations around the town and features a number of well-known politicians and businesspeople. To watch the video simply log onto Youtube and type in ‘Ennis Share the Feeling’.

The video is the brainchild of the Ennis Development Forum and Ennis Chamber and is part of a Christmas Shop Local campaign, which has been entered for RTE’s The Business Show competition.

9,375 people have so far watched the video on the video sharing website Vimeo with a further 1,000 people viewing on You Tube.

The video was shot on the streets of Ennis during last Tuesday and Wednesday night. A cast of hundreds joined the production and despite the weather, all persevered with patience as the various scenes were shot, all over the town. A viewing of the impressive short film reveals plenty of ‘extras’ who took part in the shoot and even the local gardaí joined in, closing off Abbey and O’Connell streets to allowing filming take place.

“It was a wonderful idea and a positive event for all the people involved,” commented Gearoid Mannion of Tom Mannion Travel, who donned his own ‘Christmas jumper’ for the video. “Anything that generates goodwill and business for the town right now must be supported, this shows just what we can achieve when we pull together. The Youtube clip is fantastic and I’d urge everyone in Clare to watch it,” he added.

Businesses have donated over € 8,000 to the project including thousands of euros worth of giveaways to customers. The prizes will be distributed through another part of the initiative – the Ennis Street Radio which will play Christmas and upbeat music on the streets of Ennis for a full week before Christmas. The project is also part funded by Ennis Town Council in a partnership with the businesses.

The video’s release coincides with Ennis Town Council’s to suspend parking charges during Christmas.

Free parking will be applicable to the town’s 759 off-street and 783 on- street public car parking spaces up to 12pm daily from this Saturday, December 3, 2011, to January 7, 2012, inclusive.

Ennis Chamber of Commerce president John Dillane said the free parking initiative represents a proactive coming together of the town council and the local business community.

He explained, “The key focus of the parking scheme is on promoting what the customer wants as opposed to what serves Ennis Town Council and the traders best. Providing a high quality and value for money shopping experience is central to the initiative. It should also be noted that every euro spent locally remains in the community and helps to sustain existing and create new employment within the retail sector and elsewhere.”

Ennis town manager Ger Dollard noted that the provision of free parking, in conjunction with the annual street pedestrianisation initiative, is designed to accommodate visitors to Ennis, increase footfall on the streets of the town and boost consumer spending.

“Ennis Town Council is appealing to those working in Ennis to ensure, where possible, that public car parking spaces in the core town centre area are left vacant for shoppers,” stated Mr Dollard.

A BROAD range of curricular experiences are provided at a primary school in East Clare, which has been praised by inspectors from the Department of Education.

A whole school evaluation report carried out at Boher National School, Ballina, Killaloe, was very complimentary of staff at the school.

There are currently 108 pupils in the school, where there are four mainstream classes and a class for pupils with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs). The evaluation focused on the quality of teaching and learning in English, Irish, Mathematics and Social, Personal, and Health Education (SPHE).

A number of strengths were identified at the school, including the “commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism of the teachers”.

“The principal provides dedicated leadership to the school and ensures that a focus is firmly maintained on teaching, learning and the welfare of pupils. Pupils are provided with a broad range of curricular experiences in a positive and affirming atmosphere,” stated the inspectors’ report.

“The overall standards of attainment, particularly in literacy, are very good. The meaningful inclusion of pupils with special educational needs in the full life of the school is a notable feature of practice,” added the inspectors. “The pupils interact with adults and with their peers in a highly positive fashion. The school enjoys considerable support from the board of management, the parents and the community.”

According to the evaluation, classrooms are well resourced with suitable teaching aids and the buildings and grounds are well maintained. “However, at the pre-inspection meeting, the board referred to the challenges it has experienced in acquiring permanent classrooms.”

The current deployment of staff affords teachers opportunities to gain experience at different class levels and in various settings. “It is advised that this good practice be formalised and agreed at board level,” stated the inspectors.

The quality of classroom planning is regarded as “generally good”, with a clear focus on specific learning objectives described as “good practice”.

The report pointed to a number of recommendations that could be adopted by management at the school. It suggested that the school should review its assessment policy and clarify whole-school approaches in this area.

“The school should review and consolidate the individualised planning process and the school’s policy on autistic spectrum disorders. In managing the school, the board needs to review its practices in regard to decision making and, in particular, its practices around the recording of decisions made,” it added.