Category: News

A WOMAN’S nightmare of seeing her husband plunge to his death while performing a circus act with her, was recalled last week.

The inquest into the death of Vitaly Kharapavitski (26), a Berarussian trapeze artist who died while performing with the Russian Royal Circus in Scariff, heard that he had been performing with his wife Sasha, when he fell some 20 feet to his death.

Vitaly and Sasha had been suspended on a cage attacked to a cable and hoist, when the accident happened at the GAA field in Scariff, on August 28 last.

Ennis Coroner’s Court heard a deposition from Vitaly’s wife Sasha, who accompanied him in the act. She said he put up the equipment that evening, with his assistant. “My husband is very careful and makes sure everything is safe,” she said.

The equipment in which they were performing should be changed every five years and had been changed three years ago.

“I was in a harness, suspended underneath. He was in the cage. He was leaning out of the cage. Suddenly I fell to the ground. I did not hear anything, or see anything,” she explained. She heard someone saying he had no pulse. “I knew he was dead,” she said.

Eddie Moloney, who was one of 300 people at the circus, recalled in his deposition, the steel cable either snapping or coming loose. The cradle fell 15 – 20 feet, bringing the couple with it.

“His head crushed under the steel cradle and some of his limbs had been trapped inside it,” he recalled.

Patrick Doyle, who was close to where the accident happened, said it appeared to him that the man threw his wife clear, saving her life in the process.

Ringmistress Michelle Courtney said the act had been rehearsed an hour before the show and “all went well.”

“They are normally very meticulous in everything they do and if there is any doubt, they wouldn’t have performed,” she said.

Dr James O’Driscoll, who carried out a post-mortem examination on Mr Kharapavitski’s body, said death was due to cardiac respiratory failure, associated with the fracture of his skull into multiple small pieces.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea said it appeared that Mr Kharapavitski “pushed his wife out of the way and her injuries were less severe.”

She said the Health and Safety Authority had carried out an inspection on the circus, where the equipment for the act was set up.

The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

A VISIT to his native Wexford proved a fortunate journey for Willie Carr from Dun Aras, Hurlers Cross, Shannon when he purchased the national lottery ticket that got him entry on to last Saturday night’s television gameshow.

Willie, who is originally from Castlebridge in Co. Wexford, won prizes to the value of over €25,000 on the popular RTE programme hosted by Derek Mooney .

He has been living in Shannon for the past six years and is attached to the army transport corps at Sarsfield Barracks in Limerick. Married to Lorraine, who is a native of Shannon, they have an eight- month-old baby daughter, Leah.

He is interested in all sports and played hurling up until last year. He shared in the excitement of the local Wolfe Tones county championship win and is also a big fan of the Wexford county side.

Photograph shows Willie being presented with his winning cheque by Gerry O’Donoghue, National Lottery Security Manager as Derek Mooney gives the thumbs up.

A LITTLE known Shannon-based aircraft engine leasing firm employing just 16 people recorded a net profit of $46.7 million last year.

According to accounts filed to the Companies Office by Shannon Engine Support Ltd (SES), the company increased its net profit by 30 per cent on the $35.7 million net profit enjoyed in 2004.

SES, located in the Shannon Free Zone, employed just 16 people during 2005. Staff received on average a salary of $112,500 with the overall salary payout being $1.8 million.

The accounts show that of the 16 staff, seven work in customer support, four in marketing, two in finance and three in administration.

With the $46 million profit, the company now has accumulated profits of $185 million.

Turnover increased from $86 million in 2004 to $100 million last year. The largest proportion of the company’s business is carried out in Europe where last year it recorded sales of $46.7 million. This compares to sales of $26 million in Asia Pacific and $17.4 million in the US.

In relation to ‘Other Reserves’, the accounts state that the company has capital contributions totaling $308 million.

According to a statement attached to the accounts, SES had a successful year.

It goes on: “Demand for the company’s products as measured by the utilisation level of its portfolio of aircraft engines has been very strong throughout 2005 and is expected to remain at similar levels for the foreseeable future.

“The principle risk that the business faces is a downturn in the global aviation industry, in particular a slowdown in global passenger traffic as a result of an economic slowdown or an external shock.

“It is expected that the business will continue to develop and that the company is well positioned to benefit from any challenge in the aviation industry.”

The accounts confirmed that the company did not pay a dividend in 2005.

THE Environmental Protection Agency has said that issues relating to the pumping of raw sewage into the River Fergus in Ennis should be resolved as soon as possible.

The EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement has been in contact with Clare County Council about sewage treatment problems in Ennis following last week’s Town Council admission to The Clare People that it had been dumping raw sewage into the town’s river from its pump station at Francis Street.

The council said it was forced to take the drastic action because old technology at the pumping station couldn’t cope with the town’s population growth

The facility at Francis Street is operating beyond its capacity and during heavy rainfall it automatically pumps raw sewage in to the River Fergus at the rear of several home just 100 metres away.

The EPA said it was “following up on the issue to ensure that the waste water collection system meets the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations.

“These regulations require local authorities to have collecting systems in place for urban waste water from population centres over certain sizes.”

The environment agency said however that it “notes the commitment made by the council to carry out upgrade works and would like to see this issue resolved as soon as possible. The EPA will continue to monitor the situation.”

Last week, Ennis Town Engineer Tom Tiernan admitted to The Clare People that the council had “serious problems with the pump station at Francis Street”.

“The technology there was acceptable 25 or 30 years ago but unfortunately it no longer is.

“We are not going to pretend that this is a satisfactory situation but we have not been made aware of any safety or health risk associated with it and we have explained the situation in detail to anyone who has raised it with us,” he said.

“This is not an acceptable situation but we have no alternative. There are plans for a major upgrade of the pump house at Francis Street in the Ennis/Clarecastle drainage scheme but until that has been approved and completed, this is the alternative we are left with.

“The next step is to apply to the Department to appoint consultants to commence the design stage of the project,” he said.

THE DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has appealed the leniency of a three year sentence handed down to a 19-year old for the dangerous driving causing death of two Kilkee girls.

At Ennis Circuit Court last month, David Naughton (19) was jailed for three years after he pleaded guilty to the dangerous driving causing death of two girls, Stacey Haugh (16) and Lorna Mahoney on October 17, 2003.

Imposing sentence, Judge Con Murphy said that Naughton was on a campaign of dangerous driving on the night in question.

Naughton was 15 at the time and bought the green 1984 Opel Kadette that he crashed for €60 on the day of the accident.

Mother of Lorna, Geraldine Mahoney yesterday welcomed the DPP decision to appeal the sentence to the Court of Criminal Appeal.

She said, “I’m relieved that an appeal has been lodged. The bottom line is that three years is not long enough for two lives lost.”

Mrs Mahoney said that Naughton had “shown no remorse and did everything in his power to avoid being caught”.

Mrs Mahoney formally requested the DPP to appeal the leniency of sentence earlier this month through her solicitor, Eugene O’Kelly.

In the letter, Mr O’Kelly stated, “Our client feels strongly that she and her family have been let down by the continued inept handling of the case by the State.

Focusing on Naughton’s extradition warrant which prevented Judge Murphy considering imposing a sentence higher than five years, Mr O’Kelly asked, “Why was the Extradition Warrant incorrect and who was responsible for ensuring its accuracy? This error had the most significant impact on the length of the sentence imposed and was wholly within the Prosecution’s control.

“Our client would like the Court of Criminal Appeal to review whether or not Mr. Justice Murphy had the jurisdiction to depart from the terms of the Extradition Warrant and, therefore, commence his sentencing procedure with the correct maximum sentence under Irish law.

The letter continued, “Mr. Naughton had done everything in his power to avoid prosecution for this offence including failing to appear while on bail for the first time.

“His attempts to avoid prosecution added considerably to my client, and her family’s, distress and eroded their faith in the legal system . . .”

IT took Norma more than 30 years to leave the man who beat her, tried to strangle her, threw dishes at her, blamed her for every disaster in his life and controlled all her finances while convincing the world that she was mad and he was a saint.

But she did it.

About eight years ago, when she found an escape route, Norma turned the key in the door, got into a taxi and travelled to Ennis to the bed and breakfast she had secretly booked.

For the next few weeks, nobody knew where she was, as she struggled to pull a life back together for herself.

The couple were married for two years when he first became violent towards Norma. “We were working abroad when we heard the family property was to go to another family member and not to him. He turned on me and blamed me.”

Other incidents which ended in blame for Norma included accidents which were of his own making. “It didn’t matter what happened – I was to blame.”

Norma endured beatings, threats, emotional and mental abuse. She lived in fear after he tried to strangle her. The beatings stopped when he was threatened by a family member, but the mental abuse got worse. She spent several years struggling with depression. Her health suffered and she had numerous operations.

During this time, Norma sought help from professionals. Some of these people didn’t believe her – one professional took her husband’s side when he had threatened to have her instituitionalised. Another threatened to have her children taken away from her. “He had everyone fooled,” she said.

Norma’s health and well-being deteriorated until, one day, an opportunity arose for Norma to finally leave her abuser. Norma is now living in her own home and works part-time.

“What I would say to women who are living in that situation is that you need to detach emotionally and try to stay positive.

“I kept going back, trying to fix things, but I was just letting myself in for more rough treatment. I finally realized that I had to start saving myself, rather than fix something that could never be. There is wonderful support available from Clare Haven Services and this, together with my deep faith, has sustained me through it all. I have now found peace and happiness.”

A CEREMONY to remember the 125 women who have died violent deaths since 1996 is being held in Ennis next week. According to figures produced by Women’s Aid, 80 of these victims were killed in their own homes.

The ceremony will be held on Tuesday November 28 in the Ennis Town Council Chambers in Drumbiggle from 11am – 1.30pm and is open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

“We encourage as many people as possible to attend to show their support to ending violence against women,” a spokeswoman for organisers, Clare Haven Services said.

The ceremony is part of the 16 Days of Action, an international campaign focussing on violence against women running from November 25 – International Day Against Violence Against Women – to December 10, which is International Human Rights Day.

“These days are used symbolically to emphasise that violence against women is a violation of human rights,” the spokeswoman said.

This is the sixteenth year of this global campaign, which is supported annually in Ireland by women’s support services, community groups, and other campaigning bodies.

The ceremony will begin with the lighting of candles to remember the murdered women. SONAS women’s choir will perform.

The remembrance will be followed by the formal launch of Clare Haven’s information leaflet in nine different languages. This event has been organised with the assistance of Clare Women’s Network, the Irish Refugee Council and Ennis CDP and funded by the Deptartment of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Any groups wishing to attend the candle lighting ceremony or display stands should contact Clare Haven Services on 065-6891764.

Clare Haven Service provides information and support to women and children who experience domestic abuse. Between January and September of this year, the service provided refuge accommodation for 118 women and 96 children. They provide information and support at their drop-in centre in Ennis and at three outreach clinics in the county – Shannon, Kilrush and Scarriff.

This year, they have provided 282 support visits at their drop-in centre, 49 of which related to new clients. A total of 84 new help line calls were received and a further 571 phone calls were dealt with.

The service provides 24-hour confidential support to women living with physical, emotional, financial and sexual abuse. Clare Haven Services’ Helpline number is 065-6822435.

A CAMPAIGN calling for the relaxation of planning restrictions around Shannon Airport is to be taken directly to the Department of Transport amid claims that civil servants are discriminating against people wishing to build homes in their local area.

Shannon electoral area councillor Pat McMahon (FF) launched a broadside against Department of Transport officials at this Monday’s monthly meeting of Clare County Council.

“There is wholesale discrimination because people are being prevented from building houses on the back of claims that they are in red zones around the airport,” said Cllr McMahon.

“This doesn’t stand up because refusing planning permission in the townland of Ballycalla in needless. There is a cluster of houses there already and refusing permission for more houses is wrong.

“It’s near a cross runway that hasn’t been used in 18 years and has grass growing on it,” he added.

Councillor McMahon said that the guidelines for red zones were outdated.

“The criteria being used is wrong – just look at other airports, some of the biggest in the world like Heathrow, JFK and O’Hare Airport. Their red zones are not as prohibitive as you have in Shannon.

“I have consistently asked why but never got a proper answer. I’m demanding it now.”

Councillor Madeleine Taylor Quinn (FG) rowed in behind Councillor McMahon and proposed that a Department of Transport official be summoned to address a meeting of the council. This was unanimously adopted.

THE prospect of a new, state-of-the-art library for Ennis is one step closer with the identification of a possible site, Ennis Town Councillors have been told.

But the plan will have to be moved on quickly, the members were warned.

Council officials told the meeting that the plans to build a new library had met with a positive response from the national library body and from the Department of the Environment.

But they are aware that capital funding for library building projects “may not be available in the future so we must move this on.”

The site that has been identified is in County Council ownership and fronts on to Bank Place, taking in one-third of an acre of the Post Office Field.

Options for carrying out the development are that the County Council could undertake it from start to finish, or a joint project could be developed between Ennis Town Council and the local authority, as happened in the Lees Road.

The old library building would be sold to help fund the new project, which Town Manager Tom Coughlan said, would “not be repeated for the next 150 years so we need a state-of-the art facility.”

The part of the current library building that is listed would remain in public ownership, he said.

Before work can go ahead, Town Council members were told, the site would have to be re-zoned and the process of design and tender gone through.

ONE of the two victims of convicted paedophile Joseph Nugent has instituted High Court proceedings to secure damages as a result of the crimes perpetrated upon him.

The case – which was launched in June 2001 – is due to be heard on February 13 on the High Court personal injuries list.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has rejected claims by Deputy Pat Breen (FG) that Minister Michael McDowell was to blame for identifying Nugent’s victims.

The victim taking the legal action against the child rapist is now in his 30s.

Nugent (74) of Drumellihy, Cree was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment at Kilrush Circuit Court in November 2004 on one count of buggery and one count of indecent assault against the man who is taking the proceedings.

The man said that he was first assaulted by Nugent aged eight and the abuse continued until he was 15.

The man said that Nugent has never apologised.

He said, “There has been no apology. He doesn’t feel sorry for what he did. I will never forgive that paedophile for what he did.”

The man said that he was upset at reports that Nugent had transferred the land that he farmed out of his name.

The man said, “There should have been a move made to freeze his assets.”

He said, “I’m also very mad that there has been no compensation as there are still legal and psychiatric costs and it is wrong that I would have to pay that and I won’t be paying it.”

The man said that the outstanding bills amounted to around €8,000. He asked, “Why should I pay it?”

Meanwhile, the Dept of Justice has rejected Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen’s claim that the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, answered the Dáil question on Nugent “in unusual and extensive detail about the case which clearly identified those involved”.

Last week, Deputy Breen blamed the Tánaiste and sections of the media for causing the controversy that followed his tabling of a Dáil question enquiring into the early release of Nugent.

However, a spokesman for the Department of Justice said, “The Department of Justice rejects any assertion that Deputy Breen’s Parliamentary Question was not answered in the normal way.

He said, “Deputy Breen asked the Tánaiste when a prisoner (with details supplied) would be eligible for early release and if he would make a statement on the matter.

“Where a Deputy requests a statement on a case, and to ensure that the Deputy asking the question is fully aware of the facts behind the case, it is normal practice for information relating to the conviction, sentence and nature of offence to be given by the Tánaiste in replies to such Parliamentary Questions.”