Category: News

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.

A PUBLIC information evening on the controversial government initiative of septic tank inspections will take place at the Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ennis on December 2 at 8pm.

The Government is proposing that all 22,000 rural householders throughout Clare who have a septic tank will be required to have it registered and inspected regularly and replaced if not meeting the required standard.

The cost of upgrading or replacing a septic tank, together with carrying out work on a peculation area, could vary between € 5,000 and € 15,000.

Speaking in advance of the meeting, Local Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley said, “There is a lot of anger out there about the forthcoming septic tank inspections. I have had dozens of calls and queries to my office with regard to this issue.”

Deputy Dooley, who is organizing the meeting, added “These proposed inspections are coming at a time when many households are already under huge financial pressure. This is a further tax on rural living and creating a divide between urban and rural society.”

Deputy Dooley also said “that if these inspections are implemented then the Government should make a grant available to cover the cost of any upgrade, if required.

“That we all have a responsibility to protect water quality against pollution of any description. However, where there are instances of poor installation, management and discharge, the Government should assist in funding the upgrade of such works.”

TWO PEOPLE have been charged in connection with the seizure of drugs in Ennis.

Brian Greene (35), of Corrovorrin Avenue, Ennis, is charged with possession of heroin for sale or supply and possession of heroin at an address in Lifford, Ennis, on April 27, 2010.

He is also charged with cultivating plants of the genus cannabis at Corrovorrin Avenue, on the same date.

Garda Stephen Hession told the court that he arrested the defendant on October 28 last. When the three charges were put to him, he did not reply.

Free legal aid was granted to the accused’s solicitor Eugene O’Kelly.

The court was told that the DPP has directed that the accused be tried in the circuit court.

The case was adjourned until January for service of the book of evidence.

Another defendant also appeared in court on Friday in connection with alleged drugs offences.

Anett Hausmann is facing five charges in total. Ms Hausmann (34), with addresses at Gort Leamhán, Roslevan, Ennis, and Clare Vil- las, Clare Road, Ennis, is accused of possession of heroin for sale or supply and possession of heroin and cannabis resin at an address in Lifford, on April 27, 2010.

She is also charged with possession of heroin for sale or supply and possession of heroin in Ennis on November 4 last.

The court heard that the DPP has directed that her case be dealt with in the district court. Free legal aid was granted to Ms Hausmann.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy said he was consenting to summary disposal of her case in the district court. He adjourned the case until January.

DISCUSSION on plans to develop an independent all Irish secondary school in Ennis is likely to be shelved until 2014, a meeting has heard.

A proposal to develop a new independent Gaelcholáiste has been debated by Clare VEC. Gaelcholáiste an Chláir, which is currently located in the grounds of Ennis Community College, is set to benefit from a proposed new school building project.

However a proposal to delay further discussion on a proposed independent building was adopted at the November meeting of Clare VEC.

CEO George O’Callaghan told the meeting that if Clare VEC supported a proposal to develop an independent Gaelcholáiste, then the issue of school patronage would be up for competition.

He said the Department of Education and Skills had informed Clare VEC that the development of schools on new greenfield sites would initiate a competition for patronage.

Mr O’Callaghan said that it “would be in the best interest” of Clare VEC to pursue the building of the new schools extension in Ennis. He proposed that further discussion of the matter be proposed until after the extension is built. His proposal was formally seconded by the committee.

In October it was confirmed that Clare VEC will receive grant funding to carry out the works at Ennis Community College and St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe. Works will also be carried out at a school in Shannon.

A Department of Education report had predicted that enrolment at Ennis Community College would rise to 740 students in the near future, while enrolment at St Anne’s is expected to increase to 750.

There are currently 500 students enrolled at Ennis Community College. Mr O’Callaghan has previously said that the building would also alleviate pressure on Gaelcholáiste an Chláir, an Aonad that currently operates within Ennis Community College.

Clare VEC will receive a devolved grant for the projects – a 2813sq/m extension in Ennis and a 1800sq/m extension in Killaloe. Work on the Ennis project is expected to be completed by 2014.

The majority of respondents (69 per cent) to a survey conducted by Clare VEC agreed or strongly agreed that Gaelcholáiste an Chláir should move to its own campus.

The survey was carried out to assess demand for second level education through Irish in Clare.

The survey findings indicated that 88 per cent of the 854 respondents agreed or strongly agreed that Irish medium education should be available at second level.

28 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that Gaelcholáiste an Chláir should have independent status while remaining on the campus of Ennis Community College. 26 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that it should stay as it is.

The survey found that the school is estimated to grow from its current enrolment of 137 to 208 students in 2019, expanding to 242 in 2020.

A MAN who was dealing drugs to 10 people to feed his own habit got a wake up call when he was caught, a court has been told.

Gerry Downey (31), of Maiville, Kilrush Road, Ennis, was before Ennis District Court on Friday charged with possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply, at Government Buildings, Ennis, on March 17 last.

Inspector John Galvin told the court that the accused admitted to gardaí that the cannabis was “for distribution to other people”.

He said that the drug was valued at € 1,900.

Defending solicitor Stephen Nicholas said that his client had been in employment as a plasterer but had lost his job in the recession. He said that while he was unemployed, he lapsed into taking cannabis.

“Naivety is written all over this case,” he said.

“He admitted everything. He had hidden the stash in bushes in a housing estate.

“It was clearly visible in a field be- tween the Revenue Commissioners office and the rugby club,” said the solicitor.

“It was naive,” he said.

“He doesn’t have a car. The only thing he has is a bicycle. He admitted that he was dealing. There were 10 people in a circle to whom he was dealing. He was dealing to feed his own habit. This was probably a wake-up call for him,” said the solicitor.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy adjourned the case until January for preparation of a Probation report and sought urinalysis and toxicology reports.

THE make up of boards of management in a number of secondary schools across Clare could be altered under new proposals from the Department of Education and Skills.

Under the new Education and Training Bill (2011), which will see Clare VEC merge with Limerick City VEC and Limerick County VEC, any nominees must reside within the “locality of the Board of Management”.

CEO, George O’Callaghan told the November meeting of Clare VEC that it is Minster Ruairí Quinn’s view that VEC nominees would have to live in the parish where the school is located.

“The minister has very clear views on board members travelling from one side of the county to the other,” he said.

Clare VEC is involved in seven post primary schools – Ennis Community College, Ennistymon Vocational School, Kildysart Community College, Kilkee Community College, Killaloe Community College, Kilmihil Vocational School and Scariff Community College.

In a report on the new Education and Training Bill (2011), Mr O’Callaghan explained that “The main objectives of the bill relate to local delivery and co-ordination of education and training and provides for the establishment of new education and training boards.”

He told the meeting that the greater Limerick area had been designated as the headquarters for the new ETB.

Mr O’Callaghan also outlined the composition of the education and training boards (ETBs).

Each ETB Board will consist of 18 members comprised of: 10 people elected by the local authority or local authorities as appropriate in the proportions specified by the minister; two people nominated by each national association of parents; two people who are members of staff and elected by members of staff; four people nominated by bodies specified for this purpose by the minister having a special interest in or knowledge relating to education and training.

Mr O’Callaghan told the meeting that the VEC representative body, the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA), has recommended that 15 places be allocated for councillors to represent Clare, Limerick City and Limerick County.

Responding to a question from Committee Chairman, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind), Mr O’Callaghan said that discussions have taken place regarding the future arrangement of the IVEA.

Cllr Brennan was critical of the role of the IVEA, saying it had not done enough to represent the interest of Clare VEC. He said, “In my opinion, they sold us out.”

According to Mr O’Callaghan’s report, the Bill provides “for the recruitment, suspension and dismissal of staff”.

It also provides for the “transfer of former VEC staff to the ETB and/ or redeployment to another ETB or public service body”.

A MAN who served in Iraq with the British Army returned home to Clare with post traumatic stress, his solicitor has told a court.

Ross Culligan (24), of Church Drive, Clarecastle was accused of forging a prescription, and using a forged prescription at Holly’s Pharmacy, Ennis, on October 19 last.

Inspector John Galvin told Ennis District Court on Friday that staff at the pharmacy alerted gardaí that the accused had used a false prescription in an effort to obtain tablets.

He said that the accused fully cooperated with gardaí.

Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett said that his client had spent time in the British Army and had been to Iraq.

“He came back with post traumatic stress. He was not able to deal with coming home. He is now back in Ireland trying to get on with his life,” he added. “He is ashamed for what he did and it won’t happen again,” said the solicitor.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy adjourned the case until January for preparation of a Probation report.