Category: News

A CIRCUIT COURT judge has decided not to re-activate a suspended sentence in the case of an Ennis man accused of driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Thomas Molloy (20), with an address at 12 Gordon Drive, Cloughleigh, Ennis, appeared before Ennis Circuit Court yesterday in relation to a section 99 application for an order revoking an order suspending a sentence of imprisonment.

The application arose out of a charge of driving while under the influence of alcohol. A Garda told the court that Mr Molloy was twice over the legal limit when he was caught in Dublin.

The court was told that Mr Molloy appeared before Dublin Metropolitan District Court under the Road Traffic Act in relation to the incident.

The court was told that on June 8, 2009, that Mr Molloy, and three other people, pleaded guilty to affray. He received a three year suspended sentence at the time.

Counsel for Mr Molloy said his cli- ent had pleaded guilty to the charge and had co-operated perfectly with Gardaí. Referring to the charge of affray, Counsel for Molloy said he had pleaded guilty to the charge and paid compensation of € 2,000.

He added that a “considerable period” of time had elapsed between the charge of affray and the charge or driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Judge Carroll Moran said that there was no other aggravating factor other than Mr Molloy being over the limit.

He said that driving while the twice the legal limit was a serious matter it did not require the reactivation of a suspended sentence. Judge Moran referred the matter back to the Dublin District Court.

A CLARE practical joker, who posed as a businessman in an effort to convince the public that his friend was about to open a sex shop in Ennis, says he will attempt an even bigger hoax later this year, if he can come up with a suitable idea.

N i n e t e e n – y e a r old Ballyea student Michael Gavin created a fake email address, business phone number and online persona for his friend in an effort to convince the public that this friend was about to open a sex shop on O’Connell Street in Ennis.

The Clareman, who is an Economics and Finance student at the University of Limerick, posted a notice on the Clare section of boards.ie, claiming that the sex shop was to open in Ennis on St Patrick’s Day.

When contacted by journalists, Mr Gavin pretended to be a businessman and claimed to be about to open the sex shop despite the objections of the “Joe Duffy brigade”.

Speaking to The Clare People yesterday Mr Gavin said that the sex shop hoax was not even the biggest practical jokes he had pulled off recently.

“I wouldn’t say that this is my biggest hoax ever but it’s definitely up there in my top 10. I’m not planning anything specifically in the future but if I get a good enough idea I wouldn’t

rule it out in future,”

he said. “I have played

pranks like this in

the past but if I was

to talk about them

in the newspaper I

would probably get

myself into a bit off

trouble,” he added. According to Mr

Gavin, he was a

quiet and shy stu

dent and only began to plan practical jokes and seek public attention in recent years.

“In school I wasn’t a big joker, I was always very focussed on my studies and had too much respect for the teachers and the other student’s to disrupt their work,” he said.

“To be honest I haven’t a clue where I got my idea from. I knew if I put something controversial but believable [up on boards.ie] there would have been a good chance that a journalist would be looking around and find it.”

A TOTAL of 491 students from Clare have entered paintings in this year’s 57th Texaco Children’s Art Competition, the winners of which will be revealed next month.

In excess of 30,000 entries were received with students from each of the 32 counties taking part.

Judging of entries is currently taking place and winners will be announced in early-April. This will be followed by the prize-giving ceremony which takes place in May.

Pictured admiring three of the en- tries received from Clare are competition coordinator Annemarie Barnes (left) and competition adjudicator and well-known artist Dr Denise Ferran. Ms Barnes is holding a work entitled ‘In The Wild’ by 15-year-old Ryan Fleming from Ennis, a pupil at St John Bosco, Kildysart. Dr Ferran is holding a work entitled ‘Our Beautiful Coast’ by 16-year-old Michelle Clancy from Kilrush, a pupil at Kilrush Community School and another entitled ‘Beautiful Butterflies’ by 14-year-old Ashling McCann from Cranny, Kilrush, also a pupil at St John Bosco, Kildysart.

THE elected members of Clare County Council yesterday went against the expressed wishes of County Manager, Tom Coughlan, by adopting the new East Clare Local Area Plan including a resolution to zone an area for the possible future development of a marina in Killaloe.

Following more then two hours of heated debate and detailed legal advice, the elected members of the local authority voted by 19 votes to four in favour of passing the revised plan, with four councillors abstaining from the vote.

It now remains to be seen whether the county manager will decided to use his executive function to over rule the decision of the elected members.

“The overriding concern as far as I am concerned in tourism development. The history of this development and this debate is very important. This is like a test case for all of this new regulation which has been passed down to us. These issues are appropriate to everyone – a similar situation could arise down in Loop Head or up in the Burren,” said Cllr Pat Hayes (FF).

“I think that if we can develop a marina in Killaloe then I feel that that is in the overriding public interest of the people of Clare.”

The final decision was arrived at by the elected members following a series of proposals and counter proposals which led to a number of loud shouting matches across council chambers and the meeting being adjourned on two separate occasion.

The first difficulty arose when expressed some concerns about the discussion being conducted in public and asked for a legal opinion on whether some details of the plan should be discussed in camera.

This prompted angry scenes in the council chambers with Shannon cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) eventually proposing and winning a vote to have the matter discussed in from of the media and the assemble public.

However, the meeting descended into chaos when a second proposal, calling for a 10 minute recess to allow for councillors to contemplate the plan was also voted on and passed by the councilors.

The Mayor of Clare, Christy Curtin (IND) ruled that the two motions were not in conflict and councillors could both have a ten minute break to “contemplate” the motion before discussing the motion in council chambers.

This prompted an angry outburst between Cllrs Gerry Flynn and Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) when the Shannon council alluded to the type of discussion which may have taken place during the 10 minute break.

At the request of Mayor Christy Curtin, Cllr Flynn eventually withdrew the remarks.

CONSTRUCTION WORK on the multi-million euro pier in Doolin could get underway before the beginning of the summer following last nights decision by Clare County Council to grant Part Eight planning permission to the controversial development.

Following a protracted planning procedure, councillors at last nights meeting of the local authority voted unanimously to grant planning permission to the long awaited development, despite objections from a number of local and national surf organisers.

More than 30 members of the local Doolin community packed the offices of Clare County Council yesterday to hear the matter being debated. Each of the Doolin locals held up signs which read “Support Doolin Pier” as the planning permission was being discussed.

Speaking after the Part Eight planing permission had been granted, County Engineer Tom Tiernan said that tender process for the development will be started in weeks with the construction work not likely to be finished until 2012.

The original planning permission for the pier came before last Decembers meeting of Clare County Council but a decision on this was deferred by County Manager, Tom Coughlan, to allow for more public consultation to take place.

In total more than 30 individual planning submission were put forward in relation to the project with a number of other submission coming from organisation from all over the country.

Speaking before the planning permission was granted, Ennistymon based councillor Richard Nagle, said that the pier had the potential to generate hundreds of jobs for the people of north Clare.

“I would like to propose that we proceed immediately with this project – it is imperative that we go ahead with this without delay. We have spent months considering this, it has already been delayed.

“There are several interests groups in Doolin pier and all of those interests much be taken into account,” he said.

“We now must take a once in lifetime opportunity to enhance the tourism life of North Clare.

“This has the potential to make Doolin the main departure and arrival point to the Aran Islands and to create a huge amount of jobs in the north Clare area and in the wider community.”

Councillor Johnny Flynn (FG) said that his concerns about the safety of the surf access at the pier and the integrity of local surfing waves had been addressed during the planning process.

“I would have had very serious concerns about the damage that this might have had on the surfing product in the area but I am now satisfied that the consultation and wave monitoring which has been carried out by Clare County Council,” Councillor Flynn said.

A 61-YEAR-OLD woman from North Clare died after falling down the stairs at home, an inquest into her death has heard.

The body of Patricia ‘Patty’ McDevitt was discovered at her home in Boherbue, Doolin, on September 21, 2010.

At Clare County Coroner’s Court in Ennis last Wednesday, a woman who had rented a room from Ms McDevitt for two years recalled coming from work at the Doolin Activity Lodge on the day in question.

In her deposition, the woman said she had seen Ms McDevitt playing with her three dogs when she came home at 6pm.

She said that Ms McDevitt had “seemed to drink a lot” over the past year but on this occasion she could not say if she had been drinking.

The woman left the house and when she came back she saw Ms McDevitt lying at the bottom of the stairs.

The woman said that both she and her boyfriend had been concerned about Ms McDevitt and had raised their concerns with another woman two months earlier.

The inquest also heard from Garda Deirdre Scanlon who said that Ms McDevitt was prononced dead at the scene by a local doctor. The deceased’s body was identified by Garda Andrew Monaghan to Dr Peter Fawl at the Mid Western Region- al Hospital, Limerick, on September 22, 2010.

Dr Fawl told the inquest that Ms McDevitt died from acute head injuries consistent with having fallen down stairs.

Clare County Coroner Isobel O’Dea returned a narrative verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

THE LAHINCH based West Coast Surf Club (WCSC) has described Clare County Council’s decision not to consult with either the Irish Surf Association or the WCSC before submitting the revised plan for Doolin Pier as both “shortsighted” and “regrettable”.

Next Monday, March 21, councillors at Clare County Council will vote whether to grant the local authorities Part 8 planning application for the development of Doolin Pier. A decision of the matter was deferred by the councillors in December to allow for more public consultation and since them more than 30 submission have been made on the proposed development.

Surfers fear the development of the pier will effect the waves generated off Crab Island just beside the proposed pier.

“We request that the revised proposals are not accepted and that Clare County Council revert to the 2002 proposal to extend the existing pier to ensure that the wave environ- ment in the area is maintained,” said Cliodhna Fawl in a submission on behalf of the West Coast Surf Club.

“We again take the opportunity to suggest, as we did during a meeting with Clare County Council, their consulting engineers, the WCSC and the ISA in November of 2010, that the option of locating the pier further north in the bay, above the larger public car part be revisited. “This is the closest area in the deep water channel to the deep water channel and is likely to have the least impact on the Doolin wave environ- ment.” In the sane submission the WCSC also raised safety concerns for surfers accessing the water should the new pier be development and a positive negative impact on tourism. “Apart from the damage that the proposed work will undoubtedly do to the world famous wave environment, the design poses a serious and significant health andww safety threat to the surfers accessing the waves at Doolin Point and Crab Island,” she says. “Surf tourism is a highly important and valuable income stream for west Clare, throughout the year, and to proceed with the proposed works without any assessment of the impact on these waves or without any input from surfers sends the wrong message not only outside of Clare but also outside of Ireland.”

DOOLIN will become the main ferry port transporting an estimated 70,000 tourists to the Aran Islands each year should the planned Doolin Pier Development get the go ahead.

That is the opinion of a group representing local tourist interests, ferry operators, the Doolin Community Harbour Co-op and the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coastguard who met in Doolin last week.

At present less than 10 per cent of the estimated 70,000 people who visit Aran travel through Doolin. According to the Doolin groups, the development of the new pier could attract more than half of these tourists to north Clare, with research also showing that 68 per cent of the people who visit the Islands from Doolin would stay at least one night in Clare.

The pier is being opposed by local surfers who believe that it will damage the famous surfing wave at Crab Island just off Doolin Pier.

According to Niall O’Dwyer of Doolin Tourism, the local people are depending on the pier to kick-start the tourism trade in Doolin and in the entire county.

“We are relying on this pier development to turn the tide for tourism in Doolin. It means we can bring large group to the pier all through the year which will give massive sustainability to the businesses lately,” he said.

“This will mean a lot to the people of the whole county. Coaches go to Galway at the moment to access the Aran Island but in reality it would be much easier for them to leave from here. More than 90 per cent of the traffic to the Aran Island goes through Galway but massive amount of that would go from Doolin if this pier is developed.”

More than 91 per cent of the entire population of Inis Oírr have signed a petition submitted to Clare County Council in favour of the pier development.

“The people of Inis Oírr have a close association with north Clare going back generations, not just in Doolin but also in Ballyvaughan and New Quay. This pier has enormous potential to reform those bonds which were formed over generations,” said ferry operator Eugene Garrihy.

“We are firmly of the belief that Clare can promote itself as a tourist location on its own if we secure this development but we must provide a better service for the people who come here.”

According to Mr Garrihy, this development is needed to prevent the emigration of the young people from the area and the eventual destruction of the old traditions in Doolin.

“I grew up in Doolin. I remember holding my mother’s hand when eight of my siblings emigrated to America and to England. I have a sister in New York who emigrated the day I was born, she is still there. I remember the tears and the suffering and the pain and all of that is happening again,” he continued.

“We have an opportunity now to do something that will create sustainable employment in the long term. We believe a good compromise has been reached and we just want to get on with it now.”

OVERCROWDING at the existing pier in Doolin is becoming an increasing safety hazard, both for tourists and water users according to the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coastguard, who use the pier to launch their rescue crafts.

The existing pier is also believed to be too close in the shore-line, meaning that in the case of an emergency a docking boat would not have time to stop before it washes up on the rocks off the pier.

“When the new pier will be built all of the commercial traffic will be able to work off the new pier which will leave the existing pier and slipway for the use of the coastguard and leisure users – so it will take a huge amount of traffic off the existing pier and make things much safer for those using it,” said Mattie Shannon of the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coastguard.

“The coastguard would be very concerned about the amount of traffic that is currently operating off the pier as it now stands – not just for our own sake but also for the safety of the tens of thousands of tourists who will be using the pier during the summer months. It would be much better from a safety position if the new pier was allowed to go ahead.”

According to Niall Hughes of the Doolin Community Harbour Co-op, there is a large market from leisure craft owners, scuba diving and other sea uses to access the pier at Doolin.

“The existing harbour is too shallow and it dries out at low tide and the situation now is that there are so many people coming in and out at high tide that the pier gets overwhelmed.

“The pier is far too small for the needs of the community. It has gotten to the stage now that it is nearly all commercial boats coming in now and there is no room for leisure boats – but there is a big demand for leisure boats,” he said.

“There is a huge demand from scuba clubs, families, people who go fishing – to use the pier from a leisure point of view.

“If we have this deep water pier it means that the commercial boats can have safe access at all stages during the tide and the old pier can be used solely for leisure based activities. This is down to safety, there is just not enough space for everyone who wants to use the pier.”

THE owner of a new erotic sex shop has vowed to defy the “Joe Duffy brigade” when he opens his premises on O’Connell Street on St Patrick’s Day.

Businessman Pat Glynn will officially open the Erotica shop this Thursday and has signed a one year lease on the premises which was occupied by Moran’s until 2006 and most recently by the Two Euro Shop.

Speaking to The Clare People yesterday, Mr Glynn said that his shop was not a brothel and nothing illegal would be allowed to take place on the premises.

“People have questioned my decision to open an adult shop in the current age where internet porn is free and easily accessible, however Ennis has a huge population of people over 35 that have difficulty using the internet and after looking at the success of adult shops in places like Cork and Waterford I decided to take the leap of faith and face the backlash of the Joe Duffy brigade,” he told The Clare People .

“The shop will be selling a range of sex toys, magazines, DVDs, erotic chocolates, lubricants, sex games and other fun items. For the people that think it will promote illegal activities I can assure them that we will not be promoting anything of the sort.

“There is a difference between an adult store and a brothel. Sex is no longer something to be ashamed about and I do feel the minority that do have a problem with it clearly think we’re involved in illegal activities.”

Mr Glynn did admit that the location on O’Connell street “may be controversial” but said that the shop will be strictly over 18’s and efforts will be made to tone down the shop during daylight hours.

“We will do our best to keep the shop out of the public eye until after 8pm – we will have the blinds pulled and the pink neon light switched off until this time,” he said.

The head of the O’Connell’s Street Traders Association, Gearoid Mannion, has welcomed the new business, saying as long as nothing illegal is taking place, most local traders would welcome the adult shop.

“They will be paying rates the same as all the rest of us so, once it’s all legal, why should anyone have a problem with it. It’s up to the public now to vote with their feet after that and decide if it is going to be success,” he said.