Category: News

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.

TWENTY full-time and part-time jobs will be provided when a Roslevan pub re-opens on Friday.

The Grove bar and restaurant opens under new management on December 2.

New manager Donagh Vaughan has been working in the pub trade in Clare for more than 20 years.

Despite the tough economic conditions, Donagh is looking forward to the challenge.

He said, “It is a good time to be opening, November is gone and we’re just getting into Christmas. We want to provide a good local pub to the local area.”

He added, “Roslevan is a massive area. And we want to try and serve it. It’s a spot that always had a good local pub.”

Donagh said the business would provide 10 full-time and 10 part-time jobs.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be available at The Grove.

“Food is a very important part of the pub business now,” Donagh said.

There will also be a strong emphasis on screening live sport.

“We want to give people a good service – good value and good customer service.”

Donagh added, “We’re hoping to get a lot of repeat business, a lot of families. It’s important that you get to know people’s names and get to know the people who are living in the area.

“It’s very much available for parties and we cater for large groups of up to 25 people. We’re here to help people. It will be a very hands-on approach.”

Donagh and the staff are looking forward to opening night.

“We want to let the locals see the renovations. We think it will be a big change for them. We want to see what they think and we’ll roll on from there,” he said.

A CLARE garda who risked her life to rescue a woman from the water at Cappa Pier in Kilrush has received national recognition.

Garda Margaret Purcell dived into the water and rescued the woman in her 60s – at St Patrick’s Day 2003. The woman was lying face down in the water and a young local woman, Ann Marie Histon, was attempting to rescue her.

On arrival there, Garda Purcell quickly jumped into the water and she and Ann Marie managed to successfully bring the woman to safety.

At a function in Farmleigh House on Friday, Garda Purcell was presented with a bronze medal and certificate of recognition, by the Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett, as part of a Deeds of Bravery Council initiative which recognises deeds of bravery.

Gda Purcell, who is originally from Glenamaddy and was raised in Ennis, told The Clare People she was delighted to receive the award. “I was only 10 days into my duty in Kilrush at the time. I didn’t even know where Cappa Pier was,” she said.

A colleague, Gda Denis O’Herlihy informed her that a call had come in for garda assistance. Gda O’Herlihy drove out and the recovery plan swiftly sprung into action.

“You don’t forget it. It was a fabu- lous sunny day. I started taking off layers. Denis turned to look for a lifebuoy, but I was gone. I had a background in swimming and as a lifeguard and diving. I swam out to her. Ann Marie and myself started swim- ming towards the pier. Denis threw out a lifebuoy. We tried to keep her airway clear. The wall was high. We had to try and get up. We then lifted the woman onto the boat,” recalled Gda Purcell. “We put her into the recovery position and she was taken to hospital,” she said. The woman made a full recovery. Gda Purcell says it was part of her work. “When you are called to a scene, you have to do something and not stand by. I knew I had Denis on shore . . . I do remember afterwards waking up and reliving it, the jump and the shock of the cold. “It was horrendously cold. It would take your breath away. It was approximately 12 feet high. I had to jump that distance. She was between 50 and 75 feet out, but conditions were good. We were able to see her pretty much straight away,” she said. Ann Marie was honoured with a similar award in 2007. “It was my decision to go in but it was a joint recovery. The whole thing did go on a good while. It wasn’t over in a blink,” she said. Margaret is currently based at Ennis Garda Station and is one of two juvenile liaison officers in the Clare Garda Division. Chief Superintendent John Kerin paid tribute to Gda Purcell, saying, “There are very, very few people who get these awards. It takes exceptional bravery. She risked her life for the life of another.”

AN “open and honest” discussion about the issues surrounding suicide will take place at the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon on Thursday, December 1.

The Mental Health Forum on depression in rural Ireland will be addressed by Minister of State With Responsibility For Mental Health, Older People, Equality And Disabil- ity, Kathleen Lynch.

Other speakers on the night will include Dan Neville, President of the Association of Suicidology; Billy O’Connell GP, local doctor and community activist; and Dr Moosajee Bhamjee, Clare Psychiatrist.

According to organiser Ally Carr, “This evening is a public event open to all. The goal is to eradicate the stigma, which quite sadly is still prevalent with mental ollness.

“Our preoccupation historically with institutions as a nation has not helped and is still somewhat resonant. With changing cultural and community patterns in rural Ireland, we as citizens must address this epidemic.”

Ms Carr said figures show that the number of people affected by depression in Clare is one of the highest in Ireland.

“Speak to anyone in mental health and they will tell you that we are very high up there,” she said.

The north Clare woman said exact Clare figures are hard to obtain due to issues with “recording and reporting of suicide” She added, “A lot of it is that people won’t come out and admit that they have a problem.”

Ms Carr continued, “We must empower ourselves to deal with this illness. Merely referring to the medical profession alone in secrecy will not make this problem go away.

“We must show solidarity and acceptance to those suffering in our community. I would urge all citizens of Clare to come and support this evening. It will be educational, supportive and, most of all, it will offer hope.”

Members of the Samaritans, Aware and Shine will be present to provide information about their services. The talk gets underway at 7.30pm.

THE Clare Womens’ Network, in association with the Ennis Access Programme, released 75 balloons at a function in Ennis on Friday, to highlight domestic abuse.

The balloons were released as part of the Womens’ Network’s efforts to mark the 16 Days initiative highlighting violence against women. Friday was UN Day Opposing Violence Against Women and was the first of the 16 day campaign. This was the third year that the group organised a similar initiative to mark the annual event.

“We always find some way to highlight the 16 Days of action against violence against women,” said Elaine Dalton of the Clare Womens’ Network. “We always feel it is very important to highlight violence against women. It is on the increase in the downturn,” she said.

The Network will – in conjunction with the county library – also host an exhibition highlighting the plight of Iranian women who have lost their lives or been incarcerated. The exhibition will take place in the county library from December 3 to 17.

The learners on the Ennis Access Programme have created a handmade patchwork quilt which is to be raffled to raise funds to support Clare Haven, which provides a vital service for those suffering from do- mestic violence in the community.

The fabrics used are natural fabrics and recycled materials. The quilt is constructed in the form of patchwork and applique in rainbow colours with a black background. The rainbow colours signify hope and the hearts and doves symbolise love and peace.

The learners had taken part in several workshops which were funded by the HSE, which had highlighted the increasing numbers of women suffering from domestic violence locally, nationally and internationally.

The learners on the programme have expressed the wish to stand in solidarity with abused women in County Clare and across Ireland and with organisations who are providing vital support and care to victims of domestic violence.

As part of the 16 Days campaign, a candlelit ceremony will be held at the friary in Ennis on Thursday at 7.30pm. Candles will be lit in memory of each victim. Sixteen community leaders – including a member of a sporting organisation, a garda and a community volunteer – will each bring a candle to the altar representing each of the 16 years since the initiative was established.

“It sends out a really strong message that each of their organisations are opposing violence,” said services manager with Clare Haven, Denise Dunne.

LEGAL proceedings are being considered following the death of a tree surgeon who was electrocuted near Hurler’s Cross last May, an inquest has heard. Christopher Lysaght (27) from Finnerstown, Adare, Co Limerick, was electrocuted when equipment he was operating came into contact with overhead cables at Clonmoney West near Shannon.

An inquest into his death found yesterday that Mr Lysaght’s death was consistent with electrocution.

At Clare County Coroner’s Court, County Coroner Isobel O’Dea said that she understood that the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) would make an application to have the inquest adjourned.

“Proceedings are being contemplated into the circumstances of Chris’ death,” she added.

Ms O’Dea formally opened the inquest and heard evidence of identification and the medical cause of death. She said that because proceedings are being contemplated, “We need to be cognisant of it.”

The inquest was attended by Mr Lysaght’s parents and a representative from the HSA. Anne Fitzgerald, the deceased’s mother, said she identified her son to gardaí at Limerick County Morgue on May 19 (2010).

Garda Kevina Kenny said she attended Hurler’s Cross, Sixmilebridge after receiving a report that a man had been electrocuted. She said that when she arrived, two men were administering CPR to Mr Lysaght. She said Dr Peter Flynn pronounced death at 12.30. A post mortem found that death was consistent with electrocution.

Ms O’Dea adjourned the inquest for mention until June 11 (2012). She offered her sympathy to the Lysaght faimily on their loss. Supt Gerry Wall offered condolences on behalf of the gardaí.

A KILLIMER woman is the brainchild behind a groundbreaking initiative that will see Ireland’s first illustrated book for baby sign language – a phenomenon that’s now taking off in Ireland.

Miriam Devitt, who has been granted aided to the tune of € 6,500 by the Clare Local Development Company, will launch her SuperHands book in Dublin on December 10.

Based on a concept that originated in the US in 1986 with Dr Joseph Garcia, baby sign language has become an international phenomenon allowing parents to communicate at a whole new level with their infants before they have learned to talk.

Ms Devitt launched her initiative in west Clare in 2009 and, since then, hundreds of parents and their babies have taken part in SuperHands classes, learning this new method of communicating with their babies.

“This is a very exciting time for infant communication in Ireland,” says Devitt. “The feedback from my classes in Clare and Limerick has been so great that I was keen to expand as quickly as possible.

“Now parents all over the country can experience the joys of signing with their babies.”

This board book introduces parents and their children to the first 40 signs they will need to communicate with each other. From food and drink to fun toy and animal signs, this book will get the mums and dads of Ireland communicating with their infants before they can even talk.

“Using simple gestures, babies and their parents embark on an entirely new journey of interaction with each other and, more importantly, have fun together,” says Ms Devitt.

“Thanks to SuperHands’ baby sign language dictionary, parents and babies can learn to sign with each other from the comfort of their own homes while using ISL, Irish Sign Language, the language of our local deaf community.

“Baby sign language can reduce a baby’s frustration, enhance confidence, increase the parent-child bond, accelerate speech and reduce temper tantrums. Above all, however, it’s about spending enjoyable, quality time with your baby,” she adds.

To find out more about Superhands, Miriam’s baby sign classes in Clare or where to find the book, visit www. superhands.ie or call Miriam directly on 086 8223165.

AN ITALIAN journalist whose body was found in Liscannor earlier this year was identified through DNA analysis, an inquest into his death heard yesterday.

The body of Paola Pisano (44), who lived in Galway, was found at Clahane, Liscannor, on March 24 last.

Ms Pisano was working for an Italian magazine while living in Ireland.

Superintendent Colm O’Sullivan told the inquest that the body was not initially identified when it was discovered. Five days later, gardaí in Galway received a report of a missing person and Mr Pisano was later positively identified through DNA.

Mr Pisano’s housemate Peter Istenes recalled, in a deposition that was read out at the inquest, that Mr Pisano moved into the house late last summer. He said that the last time he saw him in the house was March 6. On that date, he heard him on the phone in his room and he said it sounded like he was organising a meeting.

Patrick Jordan, another housemate, recalled Mr Pisano as a “quiet man”. He said that on February 14 he left for a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher. He lost his personal belongings, including his passport and mobile phone. He slept in bushes overnight and the following day he phoned Mr Jordan and asked him to buy a bus ticket for his return to Galway. He said he had no money to pay for rent but Mr Jordan, whose parents owned the house where they lived, told him not to worry.

Zac Blasi, from Liscannor, told the inquest that he was out walking at Clahane Beach in Liscannor on March 24 last. He saw what he thought was a dead seal washed up on the rocks. On moving closer, he realised that it was a human body. He notified gardaí, who in turn contacted the Deputy State Pathologist Dr Khalid Jaber. Dr Jaber later carried out a post mortem examination at Limerick Regional Hospital. He concluded that death was due to multiple bodily injuries and drowning, consistent with a fall from a height into the sea.

At yesterday’s inquest, Mr Pisano’s brother Roberto praised the “professionalism and humanity” of the authorities in their efforts to establish the cause of death.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea said, given that there were no eye witnesses, “We don’t know if he fell in, we don’t know if the wind blew him in or if he was peering over the edge”.

“I am satisfied there is no criminality involved in Mr Pisano’s death. There is absolutely no evidence that Paola had any intention of taking his own life,” she said.

She recorded an open verdict and praised Doolin Coastguard, gardaí and all involved in the case.

GARDAÍ are investigating the theft of two kayaks from the seaside resort of Lahinch.

The kayaks were stolen from a trailer that was parked in the layby on the Miltown Malbay Road between 4am and 1pm last Sunday. One is described as red in colour with ‘Diesel 65’ written on it, while the other is green in colour with the word ‘Allstar’ inscribed.

A car that was parked outside The Honk bar in Newmarket-on-Fergus was stolen between 11.30pm and midnight on Saturday. The 08 registered Open Zafira was parked outside the premises when it was taken.

A car parked at Cluainin, Shannon, was vandalised overnight on Saturday when car windows were smashed.

Gardaí in west Clare are investigating the theft of bags of timber blocks from a yard of a house on Moore Street, Kilrush, at around 2.40am last Wednesday. The thief was disturbed and fled the scene. Loose blocks were found in a field adjoining the house.

Gardaí in east Clare are appealing for information after a new mains fencer was stolen from a pumphouse on lands at Kilnoe, Bodyke, between 10am last Tuesday and 12 noon on Saturday.

A quad bike was the target in Kilmaley between teatime on Thursday and teatime on Friday. The red and black bike was stolen from a shed in a wood at Letteragh.

The number plates from a Blue Ford Mondeo car were stolen from outside a house on the Tulla Road in Ennis in the early hours of Thursday. The incident occurred at around 2.30am.

In Ballina, a pub was broken into after thieves forced open a side door between 5.30am and 6am yesterday (Monday) morning. A small amount of money was taken in the break-in.

A house in Lifford, Ennis, was broken into between 7am and 9.50am last Tuesday. The culprits broke through the back door and ransacked the house, taking an assortment of jewellery, a digital camera, US dollars in $50 and $20 denominations.

Anyone with information on any of the crimes is asked to contact their local garda station or Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100.

ELDERLY people in the Lahinch area are living in fear and are terrified as a result of intimidation and anti-social behaviour from local teenagers. That is the view of a community activist, who has prompted the re-establishment of a neighbourhood watch scheme in the area.

Tomsie O’Sullivan told The Clare People that several senior citizens in the Lahinch area are antagonised by gangs of youths.

In recent months, several community alert and neighbourhood watch schemes have been set up across the county. Community alerts are mainly focused on towns, while neighbourhood watch programmes feature in more sparsely populated rural areas where many of the residents have little contact with others.

One of the newer neighbourhood watch groups to be established is in Lahinch. Tomsie O’Sullivan, who is involved in forming the group, said community safety is a priority.

“The bottom line for it all is hoping to get people visiting each other and for neighbours to trust each other,” he said.

He said that educating young people is an essential part of the programme. “We are hoping to visit schools in time and make young people aware of what is happening in the neighbourhoods. Young people who are mischievous need to realise the effect their actions have on the eld- erly.”

He said that he went about setting up the programme, because, “I see too much going on. There is a lot of petty crime. There is a lot of pilfering. There is fear in elderly people. There is genuine fear there. Young people are taking advantage of this.

“Around the village elderly are fearful. It starts with playfulness. Then someone steals something from a shop and are aggressive with anyone they meet. There are elements creating havoc. Young people from 14 to 17 are pelting stones at windows and breaking them and antagonising the elderly. The gardaí have been to parents and have advised them and this helps and some people have turned around but others continue. If they are prosecuted, it could affect their careers if they want to go overseas,” he said.

He said he is aware of two rural homes that were broken into recently while the owners were attending funerals and said this leaves people in fear. “The main fear is people calling that they don’t know. Security lights are important for them,” said Tomsie.

The group intends to buy panic alarms for residents living in the area, at a cost of around € 400 each. Funding will be provided to cover most of the cost.