Category: News

TRADERS’ representatives have welcomed plans by Ennis Town Council to make safe the derelict McParlands building on Parnell Street.

Last week, Town Manager Ger Dollard revealed that the council intends to demolish and reconstruct a section of the building, which is deemed unsafe. Scaffolding was erected around the building two years ago. McParlands is home to a rare 16th century triple diamond Jacobean chimney and is believed to have been the oldest home in Ennis.

In a report on the matter, Mr Dollard said the council has been “extremely concerned regarding the McParlands property. He said works undertaken to date by the council had been done to render the building safe. He said, “It is clear however that the building has been deteriorating and the shortterm measures put in place do not render the structure safe on a long term basis.”

He added, “The council has taken detailed professional advice and inputs have also been made by the National Monuments Service regarding the conservation of the property.”

It has been estimated that the cost of conserving the privately-owned property will cost the council around € 170,000. Mr Dollard said last week that work on the building must be completed by the end of November in order for the council to fully avail of an € 85,000 grant from the Department of the Environment.

Speaking yesterday, Noreen Twomey Walsh of the Parnell Street Trader’s Association said businesses in the area are happy that the issue is finally being resolved. She explained, “We feel as traders that it gives a very un-sightly appearance to the street. We didn’t want to see it [scaffolding] there for that long. We’d be delighted to see it resolved. Any solution will be welcomed. We did know that there was a problem with funding.”

She added, “What concerned us as traders was that when people looked down the street and saw a building site, they wouldn’t come down. It was preventing some people from going down the street.”

Ms Twomey Walsh also acknowledged that the presence of scaffolding on one of the town centre’s main street also represented a serious health and safety issue.

NEW figures show that since 2009 Clare County Council has issued 201 statutory notices instructing the removal of temporary dwellings from unauthorised encampments around the county. The figures, contained in a new report on Traveller accommodation in Clare, come as communities express frustration with Traveller encampments in areas of Ennis and Barefield.

11 caravans were parked between Barefield village and a section of road leading onto the M18 on Thursday. A spokesman for local residents said there had been a build of rubbish in the area over the past week. “We’ve been absolutely pestered. We don’t deserve that. We’re trying to keep the village tidy. We heard from the council that they got something like 45 calls about this. It seems that there is one law for Travellers and one law for the rest of us.”

According to the spokesman, temporary dwellings can be removed from the side of the road under the local government sanitary services act; the planning and development act and the road traffic act.

Councillors also expressed concern over developments at Barefield at yesterday’s meeting of Clare County Council. Cllr James Breen (Ind) said action needed to be taken to prevent caravans parking at the side of the road.

The meeting also heard that resi- dents of Fioruisce on the Gort Road in Ennis are concerned after four caravans moved into the area over the past month. Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said children are at risk by dogs and speeding cars while an area of the housing estate was being used as a “toilet”. Cllr Brennan said it was time for the council to act and to get rid of the caravans.

According to a report prepared by Bernadette Kinsella, Director of Housing, Social and Cultural Services, 201 statutory notices instructing the removal of temporary dwellings from unauthorised encampments were issued in the past two years.

The report explains, “In most cases, the occupiers of the temporary dwellings were previously accommodated by this council or another housing authority and/or they have refused offers of accommodation. There are currently five unauthorised roadside encampments being addressed.”

In relation to the existing legislation, the report states, “In the course of implementing the legislative framework on unauthorised encampments the council has identified some weaknesses in the provisions which need to be addressed. These issues were recently highlighted to the Clare Oireachtas members and have also been referred by the council to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government with a view to securing a review and revision of the roads and housing legislative provisions.”

CLARE has emerged as the county to lose out in a government costcutting plan that has seen Minister for Education Ruáiri Quinn implement a radical restructuring of the Vocational Education Committees around the country.

On Tuesday, Minister Quinn announced that the county’s VEC headquarters at Station Road in Ennis is to close as part of merger of VECs in Clare, Limerick City and County.

As part of this new blueprint for the administration of vocational education around the country, which was first mooted by the Fianna Fáil/ Greens coalition, Limerick City has been chosen as the new headquarters for the mid-west.

The slashing cuts across the sector are being achieved through the amalgamation of existing VECs bringing the total number from 33 to 16.

Hopes were high a sub-office of the VEC would be maintained in the county capital, but Minister Quinn has confirmed that this would not be the case.

This decision has been made, despite local Fine Gael TD Pat Breen claiming that “the retention of a sub-office in Ennis would be costneutral because the Department of Education owns the building in Ennis”.

Concluding he said that “County Clare always seems to be the poor relation when decisions on regional services are being made. We have already lost our accident and emergency service and our Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food office to Limerick and now we are about to lose our VEC office.”

Minister of State Ciaran Cannon, said that “the main purpose of the VEC rationalisation is to bring about greater efficiencies” and in that regard he said that “the optimum headquarters location for the new merged VEC is within the greater city of Limerick area”.

However, Minister Cannon agreed that in the short-term a sub-office in Ennis will be maintained in order to facilitate an “orderly merger”.

GARDAÍ say an investigation is ongoing into the armed robbery of the Bank of Ireland in Kilkee on Thursday afternoon and say that several people were involved in the incident.

Two men arrested in connection with the incident were released without charge on Saturday night. The two, aged 26 and 31 – who are from west Clare – were arrested in the Doonbeg area on Thursday night, just hours after the incident which took place shortly after 2pm.

During the incident, one man stood at the door of the bank carrying a sawn-off shotgun while another as- sailant threatened staff with a knife.

More than € 8, 500 in cash – including some £2,000 in sterling – was stolen by the gang. No shots were fired and nobody was injured. There was one customer in the bank at the time.

The two arrived at the bank on a high-powered motorbike and travelled along the side of the O’Curry Street premises before entering the building. They made their getaway on the same vehicle.

Members of the Regional Armed Support Unit – which is based in Galway – were called in to assist gardaí in the investigation and gardaí say every effort will be made to solve the crime.

Gardaí have recovered most of the cash stolen, along with a motorcyle and helmets but have not yet located the weapons.

“A file will be sent to the DPP in relation to this,” said a senior garda spokesman. “We believe that there were a number of people involved in planning and implementing this. Our investigations are continuing.

“We have made very substantial progress in it. We are appealing for members of the public who were in the area before, during and after this incident to contact us,” he added.

“We have video footage. One of the men was wearing a green jacket. There might have been a rugby world cup logo on it, and he had white gloves. “The other had a grey jacket and black woollen gloves,” he said.

Gardaí say that the incident is isolated in that it is “completely unrelated” from recent incidents in which burglaries have been carried out in east Clare and Ennis.

The head of the Clare Garda Division Chief Superintendent John Kerin praised gardaí involved in the investigation of this crime.

“I am very pleased with the very proactive and professional response by gardaí, who were assisted by the Divisional and Regional Units,” said Chief Supt Kerin.

IN ECHOING the famous words of WT Cosgrave at the opening of the Shannon Scheme in 1929 when he said “our most famous river will harnessed to the service of the nation”, Clare County Manager Tom Coughlan has said that the Shannon Estuary has a key part to play in Ireland’s economic recovery.

He made his comments this week when announcing the commencement of public consultation on an innovative new Strategic Plan for the Shannon Estuary.

“This is a very exciting initiative for the Shannon Estuary and for the counties of Clare, Limerick and Ker ry as for the first time we are developing a single Strategic Plan for the whole Shannon Estuary including the lands immediately adjacent to the estuary,” Mr Coughlan said.

“It will identify the nature and location of future development on the estuary and allow us harness its potential to a greater degree. I would encourage interested parties to make a submission,” the county manager, who is chairman of the steering group overseeing the plan, added.

The Shannon Estuary is the largest estuary in Ireland with some 500km2 of navigable water running from Kerry Head and Loop Head as far as Limerick City.

The estuary with its sheltered character is Ireland’s premier deepwater port, routinely catering for ships up to 200,000 deadweight tonnage, with key ports at Limerick and Foynes. The estuary supports a variety of economic uses but is also rich in natural resources, wildlife and ecosystems.

“The aim of the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) is to identify the nature and location of future development, economic growth and employment that can be sustainably accommodated within the Shannon Estuary,” said senior Clare County Council planner Gordon Daly.

“Such developments may include, but are not limited to: port functions, shipment, aquaculture/mariculture, fisheries, tourism, leisure, industry, energy generation, fuel storage, aviation, transportation and agriculture,” he added.

However, as the estuary is home to a number of environmentally sensitive sites, Mr Daly has cautioned that new blueprint for the estuary “will also aspire to achieving a careful balance between promoting development, and protection and conservation of this natural resource”.

The strategy is being funded by the local authorities in addition to Shannon Foynes Port Company and Shannon Development. Shannon Foynes Port Company is responsible for all maritime activities and port management on the estuary and is currently in the process of preparing a master plan for the Port of Foynes and Limerick Docks which will input into the preparation of the SIFP.

In addition to the local authori- ties and Shannon Development and Shannon Foynes Port Company the steering group comprises of representatives from the Mid West Regional Authority, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, Shannon Airport, Clare/Limerick Energy Agency, OPW, National Parks & Wildlife Service, National Monuments Service, OPW, Shannon River Basin District Project, Marine Institute and the Environmental Protection Agency.

A Public Notice has been published to encourage stakeholders, interested parties and the general public to get involved and to bring forward proposals and ideas which will help shape the production of the SIFP.

FOLLOWING on the launch of a government initiative called the ‘The Gathering’ to bring over 300,000 tourists to Ireland in 2013, a West Clare councillor has launched his own plan boost tourist numbers into the county.

At Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Gabriel Keating said his plan “to fly UK tourists for free into Shannon Airport with Aer Lingus on a pilot basis during off peak periods” would represent “a massive off-season boost for Clare tourism”.

Cllr Keating’s plan is that March 19, 2012, to April 16, 2012, and again from September 17, 2012, to October 15, 2012, visitors from the UK would be able to avail of free flights on Aer Lingus routes into Shannon Airport.

“The introduction of this scheme,” Cllr Keating said “would provide a much needed off season boost for our hotels, B&Bs, car rental industry, restaurants, pubs and tourism provider’s right across the county.

“Given the success that the reduction in the VAT rate has had in our hospitality sectors and the genuine efforts by our tourism providers to provide value for money, this initia- tive would play a significant part in extending our present summer season well into October. And of course, it would also help to boost passenger numbers at Aer Lingus and Shannon Airport.

“The success of this scheme could be achieved by undertaking a major promotion in supermarkets in the UK i.e Tesco, Lidl, Aldi and Sainsbury’s etc. What I am proposing is that a similar scheme be introduced in their UK chains,” he added.

The one stipulation for UK visitors planning to avail of these free flights would be that they would have to spend a minimum of four nights in Ireland.

“What I am proposing is that we start thinking outside of the box when it comes to tourism promotion and in this regard Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Shannon Development should support this proposal and introduce a pilot scheme in conjunction with Aer Lingus,” continued Cllr Keating.

“It is time for change in the way we sell our country abroad and in the manner in which we disperse our marketing funds so that we maximise the benefits for our local tourism sector and revive passenger traffic at Shannon Airport,” he added.

MANAGEMENT at SkyCourt in Shannon say they are disappointed that one of its anchor tenants closed its doors “out of the blue” last week, after just six months in operation.

Discount store Buy Lo opened in March with the creation of seven jobs. After enjoying brisk trade in the initial weeks, business subsequently declined, which led to the decision to close last Tuesday.

The manager of SkyCourt, Pat Kelly, told The Clare People that the decision came “out of the blue” and said he was in “complete shock” at the announcement.

“We are very disappointed with it because we put a lot of effort into getting Buy Lo into Shannon,” he said. “I was extremely disappointed to hear of their decision. It has come as a great shock not just to myself but to all the traders in the centre.”

He said that despite difficult times in the retail sector, he is hopeful that the unit can be filled.

“We have been on to a number of operators. It is early days yet. We would be hopeful of getting somebody,” he said.

He said that the number of customers shopping at SkyCourt has fallen by about five per cent this year, but the spend is “down a good bit”.

“We are going to be doing our best to get another operator. It’s a fine store, fully kitted out. We did a lot of work in the unit before they moved in,” said Mr Kelly. The work includ- ed the provision of a new entrance and additional parking at the back.

“The fact that we have Dunnes and Lidl doing very similar to what Buy Lo were doing, maybe there was too much of a crossover,” said Mr Kelly.

“Ideally we are looking for something in the clothes line. We would love to get a replacement for it. We need to check the market and see who is looking to expand,” he added.

In a statement, BuyLo said it regretted that it had to make the decision to close.

BuyLo Store Manager, Sean Leo said the decision has been taken for commercial reasons. “We very much regret today’s decision which is a very difficult one for all of us working here at BuyLo in Shannon,” said Mr Leo, on Tuesday.

“The retail industry is being exposed to particularly challenging trading conditions at present and, unfortunately, our store has fallen victim to these difficulties. I would like to take this opportunity to pay special tribute to our seven staff members who have all worked extremely hard since the store opened earlier this year,” he added.

CLAIMS that the cost of parking charges is “crippling” businesses in Ennis have been rejected by the Ennis Town Manager.

Ger Dollard was speaking at a debate on parking at yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council.

The discussion was prompted by a motion tabled by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) who called on the council to “urgently review public car parking usage” in Ennis.

Mr Dollard said a review of car parking in Ennis commenced in autumn 2010 and resulted in the introduction of the 2011 on-street payand-display and car park byelaws on March 21.

He said the 2008 Ennis Car Parking Study had made a number of recommendations. In a report, Mr Dollard stated that the council had implemented seven short term measures aimed at improving parking in Ennis, including: discouraging long-stay parking within 100m of Abbey Street; re-designation of 39 long-stay spaces in Friars Walk for use as short-stay parking only; and reviewing the use of Bindon Street and the extension of two-hour-maximum stay zone to Market Place and Friars Walk.

Mr Dollard stated that supply currently exceeds demand at the Friars Walk car-park.

Reacting to a comment from Cllr Paul O’Shea (Lab) that “car parking is crippling businesses”, Mr Dollard said, “I wouldn’t accept the suggestion that the price of car parking is crippling business in Ennis”.

Mr Dollard said the debate on parking in Ennis had initially focused on the shortage of spaces but had now shifted to cost.

He said that just three sources of funding are available to local authorities: government funding, commercial rates and parking charges. He added, “If all of your income streams are under pressure, you are limited about what you can do.”

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind), dismissed the impact parking charges are having on local businesses. He said that the cost of shopping in Ennis is expensive, adding, “I don’t think Ennis is a cheap place”. Cllr Guilfoyle said the “doom and gloom (in Ennis) is blamed on car parking charges in the town”.

Cllr Flynn said he put forward the motion to stimulate debate on parking. He said businesses are down 50 per cent to 60 per cent on their Saturday trade.

Cllr Peter Considine requested that a report comparing parking charges in Ennis with 10 other similar sized towns be provided to councilors in advance of their annual budget estimates meeting. Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) claimed people are boycotting the Friars Walk car park.

BUSINESSES in Ennis have turned up the heat on local councillors by calling on them to vote against proposed changes in retail policy that could facilitate the development of a new “district centre” on the outskirts of the town.

Dozens of business owners have expressed concern over a proposed variation to the Ennis and Environs Development Plan, which would allow for the development of a new district centre at a site at the junction of Limerick Road and Tobertascáin Road. Planning permission is being sought at the five-hectare site for the development of a major retail centre.

The proposed variation will be voted on by members of Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council.

At a meeting to discuss Ennis Chamber’s submission on the proposed variation, speakers appealed to councillors to vote against including a new district centre in the plan.

The Chairman of the O’Connell Street Traders Association said it was the view of businesses on the town’s main street that it would be “too risky” to allow the proposed development to proceed. Gearoid Mannion told the meeting that the “town centre is practically on its knees”.

He said councillors should do whatever they can to oppose proposed changes in planning policy. Those views were echoed by Noreen Twomey Walsh of the Parnell Street Traders Association.

Another businesswoman Gwen Culligan (County Boutique) said that if councillors in Ennis “really care about the town of Ennis, they should re-think this proposal”.

John O’Connor (O’Connors Bakery) said that Limerick City centre is “dying” because of retail parks. He warned that the same would happen in Ennis if a similar policy were pursued. He said it is incumbent on councillors to oppose the proposed changes.

Councillor Frankie Neylon (Ind) said elected representatives have “no hand, act or part” in planning decisions. He said the planning application at Tobertascáin is separate from the preparation of the Ennis and Environs Development Plan.

Cllr Neylon said there had been numerous objections when Dunnes Stores proposed to set up in the town centre. “It was going to close the centre of Ennis. It did the opposite. It built up,” he said.

In relation to the proposed development at Tobertascáin, Cllr Neylon said it was important to look at the “bigger picture”, adding that Ennis had lost shoppers to shopping developments in Ennistymon, Kilrush, Limerick and Galway. Cllr Neylon said he would welcome job creation in any part of Ennis.

Describing a proposal to develop a large shopping centre at Tobertascáin Road as a “monstrosity”, Cllr Paul O’Shea (Lab) said he would vote against changing the zoning provision at the site.

A DANGEROUS and organised armed criminal gang has been targeting homes in Ennis and East Clare over the past two weeks, resulting in a large increase in the number of recent house break-ins in the county.

The gang, which were described as being not afraid to ‘take on a group of gardaí’, is operating in a co-ordinated fashion across three jurisdictions and are the subject of a major garda investigation.

Speaking at a public meeting of the Joint Policing Committee in Sixmilebridge last night, Clare Garda Chief Superintendent John Kerin said that the gardaí are monitoring the group and soon hope to be able to make a major breakthrough in their investigations.

“We have had an upsurge in burglaries in Ennis and East Clare in the last two weeks and 90 per cent of these burglaries are being undertaken by one criminal gang.

“We know who they are, we know the cars that they are using and there is an extensive investigation taking place across three jurisdictions in relation to this group,” said Chief Supt Kerin.

“They are very serious criminals. They are an organised group of serious criminals and they wont be afraid to take on a group of guards.”

It was also confirmed at last night’s meeting that gardaí in Clare have been in contact with the Armed Response Unit in relation to policing the gang.

Meanwhile, Gardaí have promised that there won’t be a repeat of last Halloween when residents were “trapped in the homes” in parts of Sixmilebridge.

The town was the sight of serious anti-social behaviour last year when a campaign to “Come to Sixmilebridge for a Riot” was started on Facebook.

Supt Kerin committed to increasing garda activity in the town over the Halloween period and to investigating any illegal activity in the Cappa Lodge area.