Category: News

THE Lisdoonvarna Spa Well has been reopened for the first time in nearly four years, with members of the public now free to enter the historic premises and take some of its famous mineral waters.

The well, officially re-opened last week, will be staffed by paid employees from Monday to Friday with members of the newly reconstituted board of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte volunteers to staff the premises at the weekends.

The famous mineral water already helps to attract around 10,000 German tourists to the Spa town each year and it is hoped that the reopening of the Spa Well could increase that number dramatically.

A fund was also launched last week to begin raising the estimated € 1.3 million needed to redevelop and reopen the famous sulfur baths, which once made Lisdoonvarna one of Europe’s premier spa destinations.

These changes follow a change in the management structure of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte in January with a large number of new people taking up positions on the board of management.

A public meeting will take place in Lisdoonvarna this Wednesday, when members of pubic are invited to hear updates on the recent progress of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte and comment on the future direction of the company.

“The Victorian pump-house is reopened so people can go in and take the water. People come from all over the world to take the water and now people can come in for free and take the waters,” said Paddy Dunne of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte.

“The wells themselves is a longer term project. We launched the Spa Wells Restoration Fund on Monday and that went great. We raised € 1,500 in a few hours. We have a long way to go. Hopefully if we can raise a good amount the Government might be able to come in with matching funding.

A public meeting will take place this Wednesday, May 14, at the Pavillion Theatre from 8pm.

“The meeting is about updating members of the community about the developments and to share ideas about how things might proceed in the future,” continued Paddy.

“We want to keep this process as open and transparent as possible and to involve as many people as possible. We are still looking for people with a background in tourism or finances to get involved with the board of management.”

THE number of people signing on the live register in Clare fell to it lowest level in more than five years last month, with just 8,739 people signing-on across the county.

Indeed, if the current year-on-year trend remains the same, the number of people signing on in Clare will return to its all time lowest level, as seen at the height of the Celtic Tiger in 2007, in just six years.

The figure for April, which have just been released by the Central Statistic Office (CSO), represent a market decrease both on the figures for March of this year and when compared to April of 2013.

The revival seems to be concentrated on Ennis, with the rate of decrease in the county town outstripping all other areas of the county.

The CSO figures represent a yearon-year decrease of 8.3 per cent, from 9,533 in April of 2013 to 8,739 last month. Should this trend continue, the number of people signing on the live register will drop to levels similar to those recorded at the height of Celtic Tiger by April of 2020.

The current number of people signing on the live register is the lowest monthly figure since January of 2009, when 8,484 people were singing on.

The regional breakdown of these figures indicted that Ennis has been driving the recovery in recent month. Between January of 2009 and last month, Ennis is the only area to record a drop, of just 0.2 per cent.

When these two months are compared on a regional basis, Ennistymon shows an increase of 57 people or 4.2 per cent; Kilrush show an increase of 100 people or 8.5 per cent; and Tulla shows an increase of 110 people, or 9.9 per cent.

While it is still unclear how must of this reduction has been driven by job growth and how much has been driven by emigration and Government back-to-work schemes, it is though that a resurgence in tourism industry in Clare is helping to drive employment.

Figures released by Shannon Airport yesterday reveal a year-on-year 140 per cent increase in passenger numbers flying to Shannon from continental Europe. These figures represent the airports largest year-on-year increase in more than a decade.

A TEAM from Coláiste Muire secondary school in Ennis has been named the Young Social Innovators of the Year for 2014.

They scooped the top prize at the prestigious competition for their project – ‘Beware of IT’, which aims to educate young people about the increasing dangers associated with internet usage.

It was one of over 400 youth-led social innovation projects undertaken this year in over 200 second level schools and youth organisations throughout Ireland.

Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, Co-Founder, Young Social Innovators, and Anne O’Leary, CEO Vodafone Ireland, presented the winning team with their award at a special ceremony in Dublin following the 13th Young Social Innovators Annual Showcase, which was supported by the Vodafone Ireland Foundation.

The prize for the Coláiste Muire included € 1,500 to develop their project.

The Young Social Innovators Showcase and Awards were attended by over 4,500 young people. Congratulating the team from Coláiste Muire and all the participants in this year’s YSI Social Innovation Programme, Sr Stan said “Today we’ve witnessed thousands of young people who are completely engaged in society and prepared to play an active role in resolving some of our most pressing social issues. Social innovation champions youth led, experiential learning. It’s ‘hands on’ active citizenship. Civic engagement should always be a core part of youth development and education. It’s learning for life and work but fundamentally it is learning about how you connect to the people around you.”

Over 6,000 young people partici- pated in Young Social Innovators’ project-based Social Innovation Action programme this year undertaking projects aimed at finding and implementing solutions to the social issues that concern them.

IN ITS last ever meeting on Thursday night, the nine members of Kilrush Town Council merely tied up loose ends before paying tribute to the 129-year history of the local authority and reiterating their belief that the town council would be reinstated.

Signing off on its financial accounts which will be amalgamated with the Clare County Council budget from June 1, the members also agreed to past one unanimous motion calling on “on the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to establish a commission to bring forward recommendations on meaningful reform of local government at town council level that will eventually lead to the restoration of democratic structures at town council level in the near future”.

In his final mayoral address, the man who will be recorded as the last ever mayor of Kilrush, Paul Moroney (Ind) led tributes to the council staff for their dedication to Kilrush town through the years.

“It is a sad day for all of us,” he told the past members, staff and families who had gathered in Kilrush Court House, “but as I said at he outset we have chosen to celebrate the achievements of the council rather than wallow in regret and tearful recrimination.”

Cllr Ian Lynch (Ind) likened the proceedings to the “wake of a good friend”, while Cllr Mairead O’Brien (Ind) said she would have fond memories of her term on the council.

Meanwhile Cllr Liam Williams (FG) spoke of the short sightedness of the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan for his decision to dissolve all town councils,. “I hope people will continue to get involved in other projects now to keep the town thriving,” he said.

Cllr Marian McMahon Jones (FG), Cllr Tom Clyne (FF) and Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF) also regretted the passing of the council while Cllr Christy O’Malley (FF) remained hopeful for the future of the town with the words, “I trust our successors will progress our work further.”

For Cllr Liam O’Looney (FF) the end of the council was also the end of a family tradition.

“It was a tradition that went before me,” he said remembering his father William who served on Kilrush Town Council before him, and lamented that fact his daughter and two sons could not follow in his footsteps.

A 22-YEAR-OLD man has received a suspended sentence for his role in a violent burglary at an apartment in Ennis last summer.

Darren Maughan (22) was one of two people who broke into 15 Sandfield Mews between 12.30 and 12.45am on July 23, 2013. He assaulted Declan O’Dea who was asleep in bed at the time.

Mr O’Dea, in a state of fear, jumped from a first floor window to escape Mr Maughan, breaking his ankle when he hit the ground, Ennis Circuit Criminal Court heard yesterday. In March, Mr Maughan, with an address at Stonecourt, Drumbiggle, Ennis, pleaded guilty to entering the apartment as a trespasser and committing an arrestable offence therein, assault causing harm to Declan O’Dea.

Yesterday the court heard Mr Maughan was on bail at the time for another assault he committed in Drumbiggle Drive, on January 20, 2013, to which he also pleaded guilty.

Judge Carroll Moran yesterday gave Mr Maughan an immediate two-year prison sentence for the assault at Drumbiggle and imposed a two year suspended sentence for the offence at Sandfield Mews.

Giving evidence in respect of the burglary at 15 Sandfield Mews, Detective Inspector John Galvin (Ennis Garda Station) told the court Mr Maughan and a companion broke into the apartment after failing to gain entry.

The court heard Mr Maughan went into Mr O’Dea’s room and started to beat him “viciously” around the head. Det Insp Galvin said the victim was so fearful he jumped from the first floor window. The court heard Mr O’Dea broke his ankle and lay in bushes for a period of between 90 minutes and two hours when gardaí were called to the scene.

The court heard both parties had consumed a number of bottles of vodka earlier in the day. Det Insp Galvin agreed with prosecuting counsel Stephen Coughlan’s view that Mr Maughan had consumed a “vast” amount of alcohol.

“Intoxicated beyond comprehension is the best way I could describe it,” added Det Insp Galvin.

The court heard that between 2009 and 2014 Mr Maughan received 53 convictions for offences including assault, public order and criminal damage.

Det Insp Galvin agreed with defence counsel Lorcan Connolly’s assessment that all of Mr Maughan’s past offences arose from problems with drink.

Counsel said, “He’s not a bad lad, save and except when he’s the drink on board.” Mr Connolly said his client wished to apologise for his offence. Counsel said his client had pleaded guilty at an early stage and is undergoing a number of educational programmes in prison.

In the witness box, Mr Maughan Judge Moran “I’m stopping drinking for life when I get out. I want to change my life around.”

Judge Moran said the accused has “clearly a propensity for violence when he is drunk” and has an “appalling record”.

He imposed the two year sentence for assault at Drumbiggle but agreed to suspend a consecutive two year sentence for the offence at Sandfield on condition Mr Maughan abstain from drink and be of good behaviour for five years.

FOUR men involved in a violent confrontation at family home in Shannon two years ago “behaved like a lynch mob from the days of Wild West”, a Judge has said.

Judge Gerald Keys told Daniel Larkin, Jake Egan, Shane O’Connor and Gearoid Condron that it was patently clear they were “fueled by alcohol” and out of control when they arrived for a planned confrontation at the Murphy household in the early hours of January 1, 2012.

All four received two year suspended sentences and were ordered to pay compensation to the victims. The judge also told the men that they should apologise to their parents immediately after the hearing for the grief they had caused them.

Grandfather Michael Murphy (45) suffered cuts to his face, lip and knee during the incident at the Cluain Alainn estate in Shannon at around 4.30am

Mr Murphy and his then 19-yearold son Kieran had to run a “gauntlet” of kicks and punches during the ordeal, the court heard.

Four people appeared before Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Friday to be sentenced having pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Schoolmates Daniel Larkin (22), from Mount Ivers, Sixmilebridge, Jake Egan (22), from Aidan Park, Shannon, Shane O’Connor (23), from Ballycasey Manor, Shannon and Gearoid Condron (22) from Drumline, Newmarket on Fergus, were among a large gang of people that traveled in cars from Shannon and Ennis to the quiet residential area near Hurler’s Cross.

Mr Murphy, his wife, son, daughter and young granddaughter were in the house at the time.

Details of the incident were first heard at the Circuit Court in March. At the time Garda Colm Moriarty told the court that at one point a person, not one of the four men before the court, threatened to burn down the house.

When Mr Murphy Snr pleaded that there was a young child in the house, the reply from the person was “F*** the kids”.

Garda Moriarty said Daniel Larkin organised people to go to the Murphy home to confront Kieran Murphy.

He said Mr Larkin alleged that he had been “jumped” by Kieran Murphy in Shannon at around 1.30am that night.

Judge Keys adjourned sentencing to allow the men time to pay compensation to he victim.

He ordered each man to pay Mr Murphy € 2000. Counsel for Mr Larkin, Michael Collins said his client had the money in court.

Counsel for Jake Egan, Lorcan Connolly, said his client had € 250 in court but had set up a standing order to pay Mr Murphy € 50 a week.

Defence Counsel Elaine Houlihan said her client Gearoid Condron had brought € 2000 to court.

Counsel for Shane O’Connor, Pat Whyms, said his client would pay a sum of € 50 a week when he begins employment in June.

All four men expressed remorse through their barristers for their actions on the night.

Judge Keys said all four men were equally responsible for their “very, very wrongful acts”.

Addressing the accused, Judge Keys said, “You behaved like a lynch mob from the days of the Wild West”.

He told them they had taken the law into their own hands because of some perceived slight.

Judge Keys said behaviour of this kind would not be tolerated by the court.

He said the court is frequently being forced to deal with violent cases that arise from a “macho type of attitude”.

Judge Keys told the accused that despite the opportunities afforded to them by their backgrounds and education, they had behaved in an “appalling” manner.

He said it was clear alcohol had an effect them and he urged them to moderate or abstain completely from drink.

Noting the men’s good previous records, Judge Keys imposed a twoyear sentence on each accused.

He suspended the sentences on condition each man pay compensation within two years; refrain from contact with the Murphy family and not be found intoxicated in public places or licensed premises.

Addressing the four men as they stood with heads bowed in the dock, Judge Keys said, “When you leave this courthouse, the first thing you should do is apologise to your par ents for the grief you have caused.”

A MAN caught with € 3000 worth of heroin for sale or supply in Ennis and who gardaí believe to be of a “high risk” of re-offending walked free from court last week after his case was adjourned to 2015.

Father of four David Joyce (24) was seen in possession of a glass jar of heroin after walking unawares into a garda search of a derelict property in the Dun na hInse housing estate in Ennis on May 30, 2012.

At Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Friday, Judge Gerald Keys agreed to adjourn finalisation of the case to January 2015 to allow the accused continue treatment for depression.

This was after being told by Defence Counsel Pat Whyms, that the death of Mr Joyce’s father last summer in distressing circumstances was “extremely disturbing” for the accused.

Counsel said his client was hospitalised last year after an attempt to take his own life.

He said Mr Joyce is on medication for depression and is seeing a counsellor.

Mr Whyms said his client would benefit from an involvement with the Probation Services.

Judge Keys asked Detective Garda Dominic Regan about the risk of Mr Joyce re-offending.

“There is a very high risk of re-offending” replied Det Regan.

The court heard Mr Joyce has 11 previous convictions, including for public order and road traffic offences and one for assault causing harm. Judge Keys said he would adjourn the case to January 2015.

He said, “If there is an opportunity to rehabilitate anybody, irrespective of the crime committed, I will give them that opportunity”.

“This is an opportunity for the accused to avail of a programme which I would hope would finally keep him out of trouble”.

Judge Keys said his approach to the case might “surprise” some people but he reiterated his view that opportunities for rehabilitation would be granted to criminals if such opportunities existed.

However the Judge warned Mr Joyce, who is unemployed, he would go to jail for at least a year if he offended in the intervening period.

“If the wool is being pulled over my eyes by this accused, he will go to jail”, he said.

Mr Joyce, with an address at 85 Dun ha hInse, pleaded guilty to having diamorphine, more commonly known as heroin, for sale or supply at 90 Dun Na hInse on May 30, 2012. He also pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis valued at € 63.

THE nephew of President Michael D Higgins, Donal Higgins, will contest the Clare County Council election for the Labour Party.

The Government party added the Ballycar man to the ticket at the 11th hour, registering him at 11am on Saturday morning, just 60 minutes before the deadline.

“It was as late as Wednesday that I decided, but it was something a I had been thinking about for a long time,” Mr Higgins told The Clare People .

He said he had been approached to run in the Shannon region a number of months ago but did not want to go up against his friend and party colleague Tony McMahon.

“Pascal [Fitzgerald] was also coming into that area so it was well covered. Then Michael McNamara [Clare TD] approached me to run in the Killaloe area. I had a good think about it with my wife and I decided to go for it,” he said.

Mr Higgins, a father of two young children, admits it will be a balanc- ing act to include the council in his life, but he knows from experience this is something he is good at.

During the last six years he has studied for his Science Technology degree in the University of Limerick, while also holding down a full time job at Zimmer, Shannon and caring for his family.

Mr Higgins was one of the workers who lost their jobs when Dell in Limerick closed, but after a year of unemployment and internship in Zimmer saw him eventually secure a full time job at night.

His degree course finishes this month, just in time for the council elections and a possible career on the local government body.

The 35 year-old grew up in the family farm in Ballycar, Newmarket on Fergus, and attended the local school followed by St Caimin’s College in Shannon.

He is married to Michelle and they have two little boys under the age of four.

He is the son of Maureen and John Higgins, the brother of the President of Ireland.

THOSE wishing to have a say in the make up of the new look Clare County Council and the European Elections have until this evening (Tuesday) to register.

The local elections are open to everyone over the age of 18 years old.

A total of 69 people from Clare have already registered to be candidates in the Clare local elections.

The closing date for candidate nominations was last Saturday.

During the last local and European elections in 2009, 63.86 per cent or 56,687 of County Clare’s 88,769 voters turned out to vote.

Clare County Council is reminding voters that the closing date and time for inclusion on the Supplementary Register for the Local and European Elections is 5pm today, May 6.

While you do not have to be an Irish citizen to vote in the local elec- tions; you must be over 18 years of age and you must live in the local electoral area.

Application forms for the supplementary register can be downloaded from www.checktheregister.ie or can be obtained from Áras Contae and Chláir and at Clare County Council Local Area Offices.

The Local Authority has also set up a Freephone Number 1800 245426 to assist people with their queries.

“The Local and European Elections will take place on Friday, May 23 and people who are eligible to vote, but who have not yet registered, have an opportunity between now and May 6 to apply to be included on the Supplementary Register which allows them to vote at the forthcoming elections,” said a council spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Clare County Council confirmed that the Count Centre for both elections will be Treacy’s West County Hotel on the Limerick Road in Ennis.

Ben O’DONNELL,
Gowerhass, Cooraclare, Late of Clonmel, Glasnevin and Met Eireann. Funeral Mass in Corpus Christi Church, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9, onTuesday (May 6th) at 1pm. Cremation afterwards in Glasnevin Crematorium at 3pm. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired to ABI Kilrush or The IWA Ennis.

Mary GUINAN (née King),
Kildysart, Reposing in Stafford’s Funeral Home, North Strand fromTuesday with removal to St. Francis Xavier Church, Gardiner Street, Dublin arriving for 5pm. Funeral mass onWednesday at 9.45amwith burial thereafter in Fingal Cemetery.

John FEENEY
, Stockport, Manchester and St MichaelsVillas, Ennis, Ashes laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery.

AMERICAN billionaire Donald Trump will arrive in Clare on Monday for a whistle stop tour of Doonbeg Trump International Golf Links.

The real estate tycoon purchased the Greg Norman designed golf links and five star hotel last February for an undisclosed sum.

While his sons and vice presidents of Trump International Donald Jnr and Eric Trump visited the west Clare resort to sign the purchase contracts, this will be Mr Trumps first visit to the course since he reportedly paid € 15 million for the 18-hole golf links, hotel and spa.

He is expected to arrive into Shannon Airport early on Monday morning and travel to Doonbeg where he will meet staff and examine the grounds.

He is then scheduled to leave Doonbeg on Tuesday, and travel on to visit his latest acquisition – Turnberry Re sort in Scotland.

Mr Trump is quoted as saying he has plans to develop the West Clare golf course to make it one of the best in the world.

“I have a lot of time and I have a lot of money and the best thing for Ireland is that you allow that great site to have one of the great courses of the world.

“And I have hired for that purpose, Martin Hawtree, to study it,” he said.

“Depending on the study, we may leave it and enhance it or go for an entirely new course.”

However a complete rebuild of the links course at Doonbeg could bring him into conflict with environmentalists over protected dunes and the microscopic snail- Vertigo angustior – that limited the original Greg Norman project. While an exact itinerary of Donald Trump’s visit to the Doonbeg Resort that now bears his name has not been revealed, it is thought he will walk most of the course during his brief time at the venue. It is not clear whether Mr Trump, a reputed scratch golfer, will play any of his Doonbeg course. Tue06May14