Category: News

IN A BLACK weekend on the county’s roads, an Ennis cyclist died tragically on Saturday night, while a rally driver is fighting for his life.

Rally driver Thomas White (37), from Ballagh, County Limerick, is understood to have lost control of his Toyota Starlet coming into a bend during stage five of the Clare Stages Rally, at Ayle, near Feakle, at around 2pm on Sunday.

The car smashed head on into a tree. Mr White’s co-driver escaped without injury.

Mr White, who is married with a 16-month-old child, was last night in a ‘critical’ condition in hospital in Limerick.

A spokesman for the rally organisers said they were “satisfied the safety plan was in place and working properly.”

A 60-year-old man became the eighth person to die on the county’s roads this year.

John Fitzgibbon, from Knockanoura, Tulla Road, Ennis, was walking across the road near St Joseph’s Hospital at Lifford Road with his bicycle, when he was struck by a taxi, at around 9pm on Saturday. He died instantly and the taxi driver did not sustain any injuries.

Mr Fitzgibbon, who was unmarried and lived with his sister Philomena, will be laid to rest today.

Originally from Ennis, he was one of a family of 10 and worked for many years as a farmer.

“He was an absolute gentleman. If you wanted help with anything, all you had to do was ask him. He was an honest decent fella,” said his neighbour and friend, Seán McMahon.

Only a few witnesses to the fatal accident have come forward and gardaí are seeking assistance.

“We need to know where exactly he was, what position on the road. Someone would have seen him prior to the accident,” said Inspector Kevin Moynihan.

“It was a sad, tragic weekend. A life has been lost. This brings us up to the same number of deaths as last year in the Clare Garda Division,” he added.

THE Taoiseach has urged the HSE and the National Hospitals Office to ensure that all necessary procedures are dealt with as speedily as possible so that further development of Ennis General Hospital is advanced.

He said he was standing by commitments about the hospital given to Peadar McNamara and the Hospital Development Committee last year.

“The truth of the matter is that this Government has, and will continue to, invest in the development of Ennis hospital. Our plans for a capital investment of almost €30 million to upgrade facilities at Ennis are progressing – admittedly slower than we would prefer,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Ahern told

that a decision to station 40 probationary gardaí to operate security at Shannon airport is an issue for the Garda Commissioner and senior Garda managers.

“When it comes to the deployment of gardaí, these issues are dealt with by the Garda Commissioner and senior Garda Managers. They are the experts and they use their expertise when it comes to the deployment of the resources they are provided,” he said.

“In relation to Shannon, the gardaí have stressed to me the comprehensive nature of the training programmes that their new police recruits are put through. They have also reassured me that all officers posted to duty in Shannon will be subject to supervision and instruction from experienced Garda managers in relation to their duties and what is expected of them. he said.

A GROUP of volunteers has created a free highspeed WiFi Internet network spanning Clare, Galway and Limerick.

This network, which has been created by the not-for-profit organisation IrishWAN, claims to allow people to use the Internet for free, except for the initial cost of setting up the system.

The company has created the system in response to what it describes as “the inability of local government and commercial wireless Internet operators to provide what is seen as basic infrastructure in the rest of Europe”.

The system works by using readily available and affordable license exempt equipment, such as recycled PCs, to create a series of wireless nodes that people can connect to.

Depending on the type of antenna being used by an individual, a connection can be made up to 10 miles away from the nearest node.

According to IrishWAN, the typical cost of setting up the system is between €200 to €300, and the user would own the equipment following this.

Once you are set up, the system has no running costs because the software used to make the connections is based on the Linux Open Source operating system.

The more people who connect to a network of this kind, the stronger and more reliable it becomes. The areas where people can access the network also increase as new members, especially those located a higher altitudes, join the system.

For more information on this new system check out www.irishwan.ie.

PLANS have been lodged with Clare County Council to construct a roadlink to the Ennis by-pass that would open almost 60 acres of land for commercial development on the outskirts of Ennis.

The move by Michael Lynch Ltd is the latest by developers in the scramble to exploit the commercial opportunities provided by the opening of lands by the €190 million by-pass.

Already, plans for two large-scale retail parks have been lodged. One of the options put forward for the lands near Clareabbey by Michael Lynch Ltd is for the development of a 42,000-capacity stadium.

The proposed development of a 1.5km-long single-carriageway is to connect the Clonroadmore industrial estate, where the headquarters of Michael Lynch Ltd is based, and the western relief route of the Ennis by-pass.

The road will open up lands for development at Clonroadmore, where the company propose to develop the stadium along with 8,000 sq metres, a 70-bed hotel, 650 sq metres of offices, 1,200 sq metres of a conference facility, 240 houses, 1,000 sq metres of gym, an all-weather pitch, a three to four acre public park around Clareabbey and park-and-ride facilities along with a train stop.

The second option put forward for the land is the development of 400 residential units, 25,000 sq metres of retail warehousing, a three to four acre public park around Clareabbey, park-and-ride facilities and a train stop.

The company states that the road will unlock development lands and will facilitate the orderly and controlled development of land in close proximity to the urban core of Ennis.

The proposed link road is to be located 30 metres from the national monument, the Clareabbey.

However, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) states that the site of the proposed route is “outside the area of highest archaeological potential”.

The EIS does acknowledge that “it is possible that archaeological deposits may be present within Area 2”.

As part of consultation for the EIS, An Taisce’s Heritage Officer, Ian Lumley stated that the “proximity of the proposed route to the ruin of the medieval Clareabbey and its impact on the physical and landscape is seriously problematic”.

Meanwhile, Green Party Councillor Brian Meaney said the abbey has been isolated and hidden away for years and he is doubtful that the road will “alter the integrity of the abbey.”

He believes the road will improve access to the historic site and reduce anti-social behaviour on the grounds.

A decision is due on the application later this year.

THE Government’s indecisiveness and ultimate U-turn during the past week on the enterprise role of Shannon Development in the Shannon Free Zone, has wasted potential enterprise creation for Clare.

That is the feeling being expressed by Clare Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen, following the revelation in last week’s edition of The Clare People that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Michael Martin, had decided not to implement his controversial plan to allow the IDA take over the foreign enterprise mandate in the Shannon Free Zone from the development agency.

However, the Minister informed Shannon Development that its indigenous industry mandate would move to Enterprise Ireland.

According to Deputy Breen, “the whole fiasco illustrates that there is no overall policy for employment creation and balanced regional development. The original decision was made in July 2005, amid widespread criticism. Now 15 months of potential enterprise-creation have been wasted with this Government shilly-shallying and there is a glaring gap on Minister Martin’s Web site where this new announcement should be,” said Deputy Breen.

“The original decision to strip Shannon Development of its enterprise creation functions was made under the cover of ‘an enhanced regional economic development role’ for the agency.

Minister Martin also stated that ‘Shannon Development supports this recommendation and it will be implemented as soon as practicable.’

“Not only has the recommendation not been implemented at all, but it has taken well over a year to arrive back at where we started,” he added.

AHEAD of its AGM next week, the Gort Chamber of Commerce has pledged to continue its work on social projects, community facilities and to creating new business and housing opportunities in the town.

In an extensive release, the Chairman of the Gort Chamber of Commerce, Adrian Feeney, yesterday outlined the chamber’s plans for the next 12 months, including a desire to play an active consultative role with the council in implementing the Town Development Plan and with related issues such as rezoning.

“Through the efforts of the chamber, in co-operation with other community groups, we can continue to thrive as a community,” commented Mr Feeney. “As we come to the end of another year in the chamber, I can take a proud look back at the work of fellow chamber members who gave generously of their time and energy throughout the year.”

Mr Feeney pointed to the enhancement of the Market Square, the summer street cleaning programme and the new street lighting scheme as some of the greatest achievements this year.

“Well over 10,000 cars pass through our streets on a daily basis,” continued Mr Feeney. “If we encourage and support civic pride, and show our town is a pleasant place to live, to work and to do business, we all reap the benefits.”

Other highlights for the chamber this year include the success of the Coole Park Project, the introduction of broadband in the town and the visit of Mary McAleese.

“The highlight of the year for me as Chairman was the visit of President McAleese,” continued Mr Feeney. “Her interest in the work of our many voluntary organisations was recognition of our achievements.”

In addition to this, the chamber set up a sub-committee to liaise with Galway County Council to discuss the usage of Lough Curta to serve future water needs of the community and a Certificate in Business Studies course to be run by GMIT in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Feeney also highlighted the work done by the chamber, in association with other groups, in addressing the second access junction from the N18, Crusheen dual carriageway to Gort.

The Gort Chamber of Commerce AGM will take place next Tuesday, September 26.

THE Ennis couple who received over €100,000 after withdrawing their objection to a housing development have failed in their attempt to prevent Clare County Council re-routing a road near their lands.

Earlier this year, the council announced its intention to re-route a planned road that would facilitate road-users accessing the Quin Road Business Park off the Ennis by-pass.

However, a number of local residents with property adjacent to the route voiced their opposition. They included Vincent and Anne Coffey, Clonroad, who in 2004 received over €100,000 and two free sites from Luxury Homes (Galway) Ltd after withdrawing their objection to a €20 million development at Doora.

Details of the payment emerged in a planning appeals report which stated that at no time did the Coffeys approach the developers with the intention of securing payment, gifts or other inducements.

Now, the County Manager’s report, summarising their views on the rerouting of the road, states that “the proposed route is in the Fergus flood plain and development will interfere with existing draining and encourage additional landfilling which will adversely impact on their land and that the proposal would be detrimental to flora and fauna habitats in the area”.

In response, the planner’s report recommended no change to the road. and stated that measures would be put in place to deal with the natural drainage of the area and ensure that adjoining lands are not at risk from flooding.”

Other to make a submission included locals Gerry and Breda Woods, who claimed no provision had been made for road linkages to lands to the west of the proposed route.

However, the planners have recommended no change and have pointed out that by re-routing the southern section of the road through the land zoned commercial, the earlier completion of this section will be facilitated and zoned lands opened up for development. At the council’s September meeting, councillors ratified the new route.

ENNIS Chamber of Commerce has said proposed large scale retail parks on the outskirts of Ennis will not have a draining effect on the town centre providing there is a balanced “retail-mix”.

In recent months, plans have been lodged with Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council for the development of a number of retail parks at locations on the outskirts of Ennis.

The most recent example was when plans were lodged by a Galway businessman for a series of commercial developments at a 48-acre site in Skehanagh, Clarecastle. Other similar developments have been mooted for locations on the Clare Road, Quin Road and Ballymaley.

The chamber says such developments are welcome, but according to chamber CEO Rita McInerney, it is important that the ‘retail-mix’ is appropriate to the type of development.

“We have committees appointed to review all of these applications and we will make our own submissions to the council.

“With these type of developments, the retail mix is very important.

“In many cases, ‘white goods’, which are bulky items such as furniture or appliances that require transportation, are usually sold in retail parks.

“Shops selling boutique goods, as is the case in Francis Street, should be sold in the town centre. We have got to get the mix right. Ennis is unique for shopping compared to many other large cities. This independence should be preserved and protected,” she said.

The chamber is concerned over the growing number of vacant commercial units in the town centre and say the cost of changing the use of a building is prohibitively high.

A GALWAY company has made a last-ditch bid to develop a sailing school in the New Quay area of north Clare.

Last month, Clare County Council refused planning permission to Redbank Leisure Ltd to develop the school. This followed the company being refused planning permission on three separate occasions for a visitor centre with learning facilities, on the same site.

The council refused permission after opposition to the latest plan from local residents.

However, Redbank Leisure has appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala. The company states, “The proposal was for the development of a sailing school on part of the site which is owned by Redbank Ltd.

“The proposal involves a small section of the site and it is envisaged that the activities of the fish farm would continue on the other part of the site. The reason the principles are proposing this development is that the main business, that is the fish farming, is in decline.”

They argue, “There is no dedicated sailing centre in all of north Clare. There are two in south Clare at Kilrush and at Killaloe. This centre would address this situation and provide a much needed facility to cater for a growing demand in activity tourism and also for the expanding local youthful population who, living as they do on the sea shore, should have the facilities to learn how to sail the sea and taste its boundless possibilities in a supervised environment.

“The applicant owns Redbank and its entire shellfish water site, so it would be in our interests that any risk posed to the water quality or the shellfish in the bay.

“To this end, we have employed environmental consultants and they have produced a comprehensive analysis and a proposal to deal with the issue of waste water treatment.

A decision is due on the appeal later this year.

CLARE lost a link with the nation’s celebrated past this weekend, with the death of one of the county’s oldest men, Clonlara native Lieutenant Colonel Sean Clancy, at the age of 105.

The centenarian, who stood with Michael Collins in Dublin Castle when the seat of British power was handed over to the Free State, celebrated his huge birthday in July.

Lt Col Clancy died in Dublin on Sunday, having made his final trip home to Clonlara last month.

Following the War of Independence, Sean Clancy attested for the National Army on May 22, 1922. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1923. He came under the command of the late Charles Haughey’s father, Johnny, as a member of the Fifth Battalion (infantry). Later he developed a friendship with the former Taoiseach’s brother, Fr Eoghan Haughey.

In 1922, he was present at the handover of Dublin Castle and just a few months later, marched in the State funeral of the assassinated Commander-in-Chief, General Collins.

Sean was a life-long Fine Gael supporter. A friend of the former Clare TD Frank Taylor (RIP), he continued the friendship with the late deputy’s daughter, General Election Candidate, Cllr Madeleine Taylor-Quinn, who described the retired soldier as an “intelligent and interesting conversationalist”.

“He was a man of high recognition and was held in high esteem by military personnel and by the Fine Gael party. After retiring from the party, he was of huge assisstance to Fine Gael leaders James Dillon and the former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrove,” she said, extending her sympathies to his family, including his nephew Michael Clancy in Clonlara.

Mourning the loss of the retired soldier, Fine Gael TD Pat Breen said it was a privilege to have made his acquaintance in recent years.

“He kept up with affairs, both nationally and in his native county, to the last. He was alert to the end and even knew who won the All-Ireland on Sunday,” he said.

The old soldier lived out his days in Newtown Park nursing home in Blackrock, Dublin. Lt Col Clancy was the oldest surviving person receiving a Military Service Pension for Service Rendered in the War of Independence, under the Military Service Pension Act 1924.

He was predeceased by his wife, Agnes Creagh from Castlebar, and is survived by his five children.

His remains will arrive at Donnybrook Church this evening at 7pm for requiem mass at 10am on Wednesday, followed by burial at Deansgrange Cemetery, Dublin.