Category: News

THE ACTIONS of unknown thieves who stole a set of toddler swings from the Crusheen playground have been described as “despicable” by the local community.

The Crusheen Playground Committee believe that the swings, which were taken at some time between Tuesday evening, May 20, and Thursday evening, May 24, were deliberately targeted by criminals – rather than as a random act of criminality.

Sean Nihill of the playground committee says people in the area are devastated, not by the value of the items stolen, but that anyone would steal from children in a premeditated and planned way.

“They screwed out both the infant swings.

“There was no damage done to the swings and they would have needed specialist equipment to do it.

“It is our opinion that it was a premeditated thing, they would have gone there to do it. It’s despicable,” he told The Clare People. “Two members of the playground committee were there when I arrived on the scene and we reported it to the gardaí and they say they will look into it.

“It’s not the value of the crime and what was stolen, it’s the impact of it. What kind of person would steal from children like this?

“What happens now when parents come to the playground with their toddlers? How do they explain to their children that some bad man stole their swing?

“How do you do that? It’s a big loss to the community, especially to children arriving to find swings missing,” he added.

The playground, which was officially opened in November of 2012 after years of local campaigning and fundraising, attracts larger crowds of children from Crusheen as well as from the wider area – with families travelling to the facility from east Clare and south Galway.

The playground is surrounded on each side with a small, four foot high, wall and there is currently no way of locking and completely securing the playground at night.

The local playground committee is appealing to whoever took the swings to return them as soon as possible.

Gardaí in Ennis are also investigating the incident.

GARDAÍ in Clare are urging car owners to exercise greater vigilance when leaving their cars unattended.

The advice comes following a spate of breaks-ins to vehicles in East Clare and Ennis earlier this month.

A Toshiba laptop was stolen from a car that was parked in the Erasmus car park on College Road in Ennis on Saturday May 17. The break in occurred between 8.20pm and 2.30pm.

A red Mazda 323 hatchback (98-C2395) was stolen from the back of a house in Linnane’s Terrace in the Kilrush road area of Ennis between 5pm on May 20 and 8pm on May 22. Gardaí have issued the warning ahead of Crime Prevention Day on Thursday, May 29.

“Our primary aim is to raise awareness within our communities on methods that can easily be adopted to prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime and to promote community safety” explained Crime Prevention Officer, Joe Downey.

He continued, “Statistically speaking € 220 is the average value of property stolen from vehicles in the past twelve months, apart from the added hassle of getting a broken window replaced and a possible insurance claim. Criminals make a decision to steal from a vehicle based on a judgment of: what goods they are likely to get; how quickly can they carry out their task; the likelihood of being caught”.

Sgt Downey said vehicle owners need to be extra vigilant when leaving their vehicles unattended even outside their home.

The following advice is recommended; do not leave property visible from the outside; when not in your car always lock it, even outside your home or in the driveway; park in a well lit area during darkness and at other times in busy areas where it can be seen or in a CCTV monitored area; report any suspicious activity immediately to the gardaí.

A TOTAL of € 435,868.80 is to be paid out to councillors who will not be returning to Clare County Council next week.

The eleven Clare county councillors who have left the council, either through retirement or losing their seats, can expect a retirment gratuity payment up to a maximum of € 61,112.12.

Dual councillors, those sitting on both a town and county council, will only receive a gratuity payment from the county council, although some may be entitled to a payment for time served on the town council prior to joining the county council.

Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind), who annouced her retirement from the council prior to the local election, will receive the maximum payment of € 61,112.20 for 35 years service.

Councillors that have served on the council since May 2000, are entitled to a percentatge of their annual sal- ary for every year served since then.

An ex-gratia payment is also added on to this payment for every consecutive year served prior to 2000, up to a maximum of 20 years.

All councillors must also be over 50 years of age to collect their windfall.

For Mayor of Clare Joe Arkins (FG), and councillors Brian Meaney (FF), Tony Mulqueen (FG), Pascal Fitzgerald (Labour), Sean McLoughlin (FG), Oliver Garry (FG), Sean McLoughlin (FG) and Pat Keane (FF), the payment is expected to go some way towards easing the disapointment of losing their seats at the weekend.

Cllr Arkins is expected to receive € 47,541.43; Cllrs Meaney, Fitzgerald and Garry can expect € 33,448; while Cllr Keane will receive € 53,255.27; Cllr Mulqueen € 16,724 and Cllr McLoughlin € 8,362. Meanwhile Cllr Sonny Scanlon (FG) and Tommy Brennan (Ind), who will also retire from the council, are to receive € 57,540.75 each, and Michael Kelly (FF) is to get € 33,448. TODAY Day will st a rt ple a sa n t a n d h e a t u p t o 17c bu t c h a n c e o f a fte rn o o n sh o we rs.

THE school’s Green Flag initiative reached a significant milestone this week when the 100th school in the county was given the environmental award.

Four Clare primary and secondary schools were awarded Green Flags for the first time bringing the number of local schools now holding the international award for environmental action to the century mark.

Run by An Taisce, in partnership with local authorities throughout Ireland, the Green Schools award scheme is an international environmental education programme and management system that acknowledges long-term, whole school action for the environment.

St Patrick’s Comprehensive School in Shannon; Coore NS, Kilkishen NS and Scoil Mhuire in Meelick were presented with their very first Green Flag at a special An Taisce Green Schools Awards ceremony in the Radisson Hotel in Galway.

A further 32 schools successfully renewed their Green Flags following work on new themes including energy, water, travel, biodiversity and global citizenship litter/waste.

The schools include Clondrinagh NS; Úlla Beag Preshool, Killaloe; Doolin NS; Scoil Mhainchín, Ennistymon; Ennis Educate Together NS; St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart; St Senan’s Primary School, Kilrush; Lakyle NS, Whitegate; Moyasta National School; Gaelscoil Iosef Naofa, Moy; St Clare’s School, Ennis; Annagh NS; St Mary’s National School, Feakle; St Enda’s National School, Lisdoonvarna; Scoil na Mainistreach, Quin; Moveen NS; St Colman’s NS, New Quay; Kilmurry NS; St Aidan’s NS, Shannon; Tubber NS; Bridgetown NS; Clohanes NS; Colaiste Muire, Ennis; Knockanean NS; Mol an Óige NS, Ennistymon; Ogonnelloe NS; Stonehall NS; Sixmilebridge NS; Flagmount NS; St Flannan’s NS, Inagh; St Joseph’s NS, Miltown Malbay and Rockmount NS.

Mayor of Clare, Joe Arkins said, “The Green Schools programme continues to be a phenomenal success in Clare with 100 schools now flying the Green Flag. It is estimated that this amounts to a significant cost savings of € 135, 505 for Clare schools. Comhgairdeas do na scoileanna sin ar bronnadh a gcuid Brat Glas.”

Joan Tarmey, Environmental Awareness Officer, noted that Clare’s Green Flag schools have shown significant savings in generating less waste, and reducing energy as well as water consumption.

“While water conservation has never been more topical, one primary school, Clohanes NS, is leading the way and has been just awarded regional winners of the ‘Water School of the Year’ in the southern region. Sponsored by Irish Water, this is the first time such awards have been run. They achieved a 74 per cent reduction in the average litres used per student per day through introducing measures such as urinal sensors, push taps, water experiments, table quizzes, poems, posters and water saving tips.”

THE cheapest farm in Ireland has gone on sale in the Burren – with a large number of bidders expected to show an interested in purchasing a house, farm buildings and a 166 acre farm for just € 250,000.

The farm, which is located at Glencolumbkille in Carron, has being brought to the market by Colm Farrell Auctioneers, at an asking price of just over € 1, 500 per acre. This is in marked contrast to the average price per acre of land received for farms in Clare last year which was in excess of € 6,500.

Indeed, according to figures obtained from the ‘Irish Farmers Journal’, last year’s average price in Clare was more than 20 per cent below the average for 2012, which was just over € 8,500 per acre.

The sales agents describe the property as having “some of the best views of natural landscape in the world” and have also stressed that the € 250,000 is a minimum price, and the property could be sold for a lot more.

“The lands are of mixed quality ranging from grazing land to rock outcrop and water supply is from natural sources only. The residence is in need of major refurbishment but because of its existence, it provides one with permission to reside in one of the most desirable locations in the world of natural scenic landscape,” said a spokesperson.

“The farm also has some farm buildings with livestock handling facilities. One has to visit this farm of beauty to appreciate what it really is and what it has to offer in this wonderful part of the world.”

The property is located around three miles from Carron and about 10 minutes from Kinvara.

After a lull of a number of years, farm land has begun to be bought and sold again in recent months. Indeed, there was almost 3 per cent more land sold in Clare in 2013 compared to the 12 months of 2012.

THE Department of Education has granted approval for a new hall and an additional car park at St Joseph’s Secondar y School, Spanish Point.

The project is in addition to the new autism unit, which is expected to be completed later this year.

The two-room unit will be situated on the seaside of the secondary school.

Al ready teachers from the second- ar y school have under taken specialised training so that they can assist students from the unit who wish to under take some or all classes in the mainstream school.

The specialised autism unit will be staffed with exper t teachers and other staff, while the students who wish to can also avail of mainstream education.

As well as Depar tment of Education funding to build the unit, the school has also been supported by a number of local fundraisers to help stock the unit with state of the ar t equipment and props when it opens.

The car park and hall is a new addition to the campus.

Labour TD Michael McNamara said the approval of the hall will provide a facility for all who live in Spanish Point and its environs.

“This is excellent news. It is just two years ago since I first ar ranged a meeting with Principal Mary Crawford and Ruai rí Quinn. The project was delayed because of issues which arose in relation to the loss of rights of way to/from the school and the resultant need to provide additional car parking. These issues have now been resolved and the preparator y work can commence.

“This means the work of selecting the design team and building contractor can begin. Subject to a successful planning application, it is expected the new autism unit could be completed in time for the first intake of students in September 2015,” said Deputy McNamara.

GIRL power is back in Clare County Council. The historically male dominated local authority has trebled its number of female councillors, from one to three, in this election.

Leading the charge was independent candidate Ann Norton, who was first woman elected to Clare County Council over the weekend.

“It’s good to have a female voice in the council.

“After Patricia [Patricia McCarthy (Ind)] announced that she was retir- ing, a lot of people were worried that there mightn’t be a lot of women on Clare County Council.

“Different people give different reasons why there aren’t more women running for election, but at the end of the day I don’t see it being any different whether you are male or female,” she said.

“I’m a mother of three children. I have plenty of energy and will give time and energy to Clare County Council, the same as I put into the Clare Crusaders Clinic and into my family.”

Norton, who was elected on the 18th count of a marathon Ennis count at the West County Hotel credits her transfer friendliness as one of the reasons why she was elected.

“I’m absolutely delighted, thrilled. I wasn’t expecting this at all. I knew it was going to be tough; 27 candidates was a lot in the Ennis area.

“I think, from yesterday, when the count came in, my number were quite high.

“The question was whether I’d get the transfers.

“It’s all very new to me but it worked. Being transfer friendly worked,” she said.

NEWLY elected councillor Mary Howard (FG) has promised that the dynamics of Clare County Council will “change completely” following an influx of new female candidates to the local authority.

Speaking after her election to Clare County Council on Sunday afternoon, Howard praised all the Clare women who put themselves forward for this local election.

“It’s great to see that we have great quality women candidates in Clare. They are hard working, they are clever and they have the passion and drive.

“The dynamic is going to change completely now [because of the women candidates],” she said.

The Ennis-based councillor, who was one of three Fine Gael councillors returned in the Ennis area, has credited an “old fashioned” approach to politics for her success at this election.

“It’s been a long few months, it’s been a hard battle and a big big area for us to cover, for all of us. I canvassed the old fashioned way, one foot in front of the other.

“We started in the bitter cold last winter and we finished up this week. Thank God it worked out the way I wanted it. I love my job and I have a great passion for where I live and I love what I do,” she said.

“When I got elected five years ago [to Ennis Town Council], there was such a transition in my life, a lot going on. So I decided that I would do it [politics] full time, to the best of my abilities.

“I decided that it would be a career choice for me. I have loved every minute of it.”

Mary BUGLER
, Ogonolloe, Clare. Funeral Mass in St Molua’s Church, Ogonnelloe, today (Tuesday) at 12 noon followed by burial in Ogonnelloe cemetry. Donations if desired to Raheen Community Hospital. May she rest in peace.

Seán CULLINAN
, Cornmarket Street, Ennis/North Circular Road, former HSE Dublin and Oxmanstown, North Circular Road, Dublin 7 and late of Cornmarket Street, Ennis. Funeral Mass in Ennis Cathedral today (Tuesday) at 11 am. Burial afterwards in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Michael CLOHESSY
,Tullabrack, Kilrush. Peacefully at University Hospital Limerick. Laid to rest in Breassa Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Peggy CUGGERAN (née McMAHON)
, Stewart Street, Kilrush. Funeral arriving at St. Senan’s Church, Kilrush, this morning (Tuesday) for 11amMass, burial afterwards in All Saints Cemetery, Shanakyle. May she rest in peace.

Tom GUINEY
, Doolough, Connolly. Laid to rest in Coore. May he rest in peace.

Bridget HEHIR
, Boloughra, Cranny. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Cranny. May she rest in peace.

Sr Maria Goretti MCGRATH
, Convent of Mercy, Nenagh/Spanish Point, formerly of Garrykennedy, Portroe, at McAuley House, Limerick. Laid to rest in St Mary’s Convent Cemetery, Nenagh. May she rest in peace.

Michael Joseph QUINN
, Leopardstown/Inch, Laid to rest in Shanganagh Cemetery, Foxrock. May he rest in peace.

Johanna FITZGERALD (née Holohan)
, Toovahera, Lisdoonvarna. Laid to rest in Kilmoon cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Gerry LINNANE
, Stack’sVillas,Tralee, formerly of Newquay. Laid to rest in NewRath Cemetery, Tralee. May he rest in peace.

Nancy O’GRADY (née Duggan)
, Cahercanivan, Kilmihil. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Reilig Nua, Kilmihil. May she rest in peace.

Mary CASEY
, Deerpark, Doora, Ennis and formerly of Kings Road, Kildysart. Laid to rest in Kildysart Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Sr Mary CLANCY
, Daughters of the Cross, Beech Park Convent, Dublin/Ennis. Laid to rest in Deans Grange Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to Blackrock Hospice. May she rest in peace.

Francis Glen FOY
, Killeen, Corofin. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Tom KEANE
, Birmingham, England and formerly of Clonfadda, Killaloe. Laid to rest in Bridgetown Church Grounds. Donations, if desired, to Milford Hospice. May he rest in peace.

Mary KEARINS
, Sutton/Sixmilebridge. Suddenly at Marymount Care Centre,Westmanstown. Laid to rest in St Fintan’s Cemetery, Sutton. May she rest in peace.

WHAT are three votes between neighbours? Well, a lot when there is a Clare County Council seat at stake.

That was the reality that faced Fine Gael’s Ger O’Halloran when his neighbour, friend and political foe Clare Colleran Molloy from Fianna Fáil came from behind in the very last count to take the last seat in the Ennis Electoral Area.

On the 19th count there were five candidates remaining to take the last four seats.

O’Halloran was ahead of Colleran Molloy by 11 votes and positioned to take the seat.

However, Ann Norton, who was elected in the 18th count, still had a surplus to divide among the candidates and this brought in Colleran Molloy ahead of O’Halloran.

Norton’s transfer ensured the woman from Quin was ahead of her neighbour by three votes.

Following a mammoth count of the election area with the most candidates in the country, a recount was called.

Hours later both candidates were called to meet with returning officer Michael McNamara, as the crowd watched on.

He informed them that after the recount there was now five votes be- tween them and Ms Colleran Molloy was deemed elected.

There was devastation among O’Halloran’s supporters, and jubilation from those that lived just a few miles away.

A giant of a man, Ger O’Halloran, battled to keep his own emotions in check as he consoled family, friends and supporters.

“We were both from the Quin area and the association between the O’Hallorans and the Collerans goes back generations,” he told the media, describing Clare as “a very wonderful political foe”.

“But I want our families association to continue. You couldn’t make it up,” he said.

“My transfers as it all unfolded were very disappointing. At times I needed to open a little gap to feel more comfortable, but I could feel this dripping away from me. It never ran away from me. It drifted away from me. And ultimately it came down to the one last transfer of votes.

“You just couldn’t make this up as I said. How it has unfolded has added to the drama here in over the last two days,” he added, summing up the political spectacle.

While Mr O’Halloran said it was too soon to say for definite if he would contest another election, his wife Ciara and supporters were quick to say, he would be ready in five years time.

WHEN Clare Colleran Molloy FF and Mary Howard FG were elected to Clare County Council on the 20th and final Ennis count it brought to three the number of women that would serve on the next local authority.

The female complement on the new 28-seat council is still only 10 per cent of the overall council membership, but it is also a 200 per cent increase in female representation at county level.

It was feared that when Cllr Patrica McCarthy (Ind), the only woman on the current council, announced her retirement there would be a shortage of female candidate willing to come forward.

While there will be no female representation on the Killaloe, Shannon and West Clare Municipal Areas, Ennis will now have three.

Clare Colleran Molloy was the last of the three – which includes Ann Norton (Ind) – to be elected and the dark horse among the three.

Her election she admitted was a surprise even to herself.

“I am so thrilled first and foremost as a first time candidate that I got that vote of confidence from so many people and obviously it is reflective of all the hard work I put in along with my husband Tony. We started knocking on doors on February 6 and we had such a good team of not only family and friends but also good cumann Fianna Fáil support,” she said.

“I did not expect to be standing here today,” she said minutes after she was declared elected.

The woman from Quin explained that after hours of nervous energy on Saturday, she had resigned herself to the fact that she would not get the seat by the Sunday. Hours later she was elected.

The new councillor elect has already got a “baptism of fire” in the world of politics following a flow of comments on a public online forum caused her distress ahead of the election.

The barrister said she was currently having that issue dealt with and is looking forward to her new political career.