Category: News

AN ASSORTMENT of drugs were seized in the county over the weekend, as gardaí said that the allocation of additional resources would help tackle drug dealing.

A third garda has been added to the Divisional Drugs Squad on a full-time basis. One member of the force has also been made available, temporarily, while another is expected to be added within weeks.

A planned search of a residence in Kilfenora early on Saturday morning resulted in the seizure of €2,000 worth of drugs. This included nine mature cannabis plants and more than 100 unidentified tablets, which have to be sent for analysis. A man in his 40s was interviewed and a file is being prepared for the DPP.

Separately, a swoop on a house in the Rossbracken area of Shannon on Saturday evening resulted in cocaine with a street value of €4,000 been seized. A man in his 40s was arrested and detained overnight at the local Garda station. He was released without charge on Sunday and a file is being prepared for the DPP.

Meanwhile, a small quantity of heroin was seized in Corofin and a small amount of cannabis was seized in Ennistymon, both on Saturday.

“We are committed to targeting known individuals involved in drugs. A huge amount of people are using cocaine. Cannabis resin is still the big one,” said the Head of the Clare Garda Divisional Drugs Unit, Sergeant John Brennan, who welcomed the increase in resources, to tackle drugs.

“We certainly welcome this. Any increase in manpower is a major benefit,” he added.

PLANS have been lodged by the St Vincent de Paul to convert a former B&B on the Clare Road in Ennis into a hostel for the homeless.

The cost of purchasing Laurel Lodge and refurbishing the home to allow it accommodate 13 men is €2.1 million.

The need for a hostel was identified as far back as 1998 when SVP carried out a survey that showed that over the course of one year, over 200 presented themselves to the Ennis Cathedral presbytery as homeless. Since then, two people have died sleeping rough in Ennis.

The latest statistics from Clare County Council show that there are 16 homeless people being permanently accommodated in hotels or B&Bs, while four people are sleeping rough in Ennis with B&Bs not even an option.

According to the Clare Homeless Forum the numbers of persons accessing the homeless unit and seeking accommodation rose from 267 in 2003 to 544 in 2004. Some 490 people accessed the services of the homeless unit in 2005.

Chair of the Council’s Special Policy Committee for Housing, Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) told The Clare People that he expected the first occupants of the hostel to be in place early in the New Year.

In a statement submitted with the planning application, St Vincent de Paul confirmed that the project would provide emergency accommodation for 13 men and the hostel would act as a centre of care, support, information and advice to those experiencing homelessness. SVP also lay out a number of approaches to ensure that the hostel’s residents don’t have a disruptive impact on the neighbours in the Clare Road area.

THE solicitor for a man accused of assaulting a 60-year-old in Kilrush has strenuously opposed his client being held in custody and has called for the ‘charade’ to end.

Martin O’Brien (25), of St Senan’s Terrace, Kilrush, is charged with assaulting Paddy Kelleher, causing him harm, at Crawford Street, Kilrush, on July 18 last.

Bail had been refused in the District Court and a bail application in the High Court last month was also unsuccessful.

Judge Joseph Mangan refused bail in the District Court on July 31, and said that intimidation of a “most serious, most sinister and most massive” nature had taken place.

He said he was left “without a scintilla of a doubt” that various witnesses have been subjected to intimidation.

He made the ruling after gardaí said they would not tolerate a ruling by one particular family in Kilrush.

Gardaí alleged at that time that Mr Kelleher was being “bullied” into pulling out of the case and that the course of justice was being perverted.

This was after Mr Kelleher, of Crawford Street, Kilrush, said the “wrong man” was in court and that he wanted the case dropped. “I am just nervous about it. That’s it. I don’t want no hassle,” he said.

The accused appeared in court, in custody, last Friday. Inspector Michael Gallagher said he was seeking to have him further remanded in custody.

“A file has gone to the DPP today. It is up to the DPP then,” said Inspector Gallagher.

Defending solicitor Pat Enright said he was opposing that application.

“This is his seventh appearance. He has been in custody since July 27 last,” he said.

He said it was the defendant’s belief that the alleged injured party had withdrawn his statement.

“He is innocent until proved guilty. He is serving time for a case we believe won’t go ahead,” said Mr Enright.

“This charade must end sooner rather than later. I don’t see why a file was not sent to the DPP before now,” he said.

Judge Joseph Mangan remanded the accused in custody, to appear again in court later this month.

PLANS for a €35 million housing development located in close proximity to Ennis Golf Club have been withdrawn.

Earlier this year, developer, Joe McNamara was refused planning permission by An Bord Pleanala to build 159 homes on Golk Links Road.

Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council granted planning permission to Mr McNamara, however the decision was appealed by local residents who claimed that “the established integrity of the golf course would be seriously undermined by the proposed development and its future viability would be uncertain”.

In response to the Board’s decision, Mr McNamara lodged revised plans for a 148 unit development and a decision was expected in the next number of days.

The proposal faced dogged resistance from local objectors, Caroline and Bobby Stack and Eugene and Bernadette Carey, while John Madden of Glencairn House, Hermitage, also voiced his opposition.

In their objection, the Stacks and the Careys stated: “The proposed housing, because of its proximity to the existing golf course, would give rise to mutual conflicts and injury to both the amenities of the golf course users and of any residential properties that would adjoin it.”

In his objection, John Madden stated: “ There has been no detailed and meaningful hydrological study with regard to the flooding impacts of the proposal.”

It is open for Mr McNamara to reapply for a new scheme – in a report to Bord Pleanala by one of its inspectors into the development, it was stated that the scheme “is broadly acceptable in principle”.

FIANNA Fáil may claim to be fit and healthy in Clare, but one wonders about the benefit of an injection of new blue blood suggested by its leader this week.

When answering questions about how difficult it was to encourage young people into the party, the Taoiseach said, “In people like Timmy Dooley, Cathal Crowe and Joe Carey, it is clear that we have young and eager people within our Party.”

It what could have been described as a Freudian slip, or even wishful thinking, but more likely a typo, the Taoiseach described how the future of the party was strong and secure in its young people, including “Joe Carey”, member of the well-known Fine Gael dynasty.

But the young Fine Gaeler was last night adamant that he was still a member of the party his father served as TD, and would be running for them in the next election.

Such an acquisition as Carey would indeed have been new blood for Fianna Fáil.

However, the Taoiseach maintained that the party was not having difficulties locating young eager candidates to march with the soldiers of destiny.

“Absolutely not, that couldn’t be further from the truth. I believe that the Fianna Fáil ticket here in Clare has a superb balance between experience and youth. Fianna Fáil in Clare has a very vibrant organisation and we are gifted with some fine young politicians for the future,” he said.

“Ógra Fianna Fáil in Clare is also one of the most active nationwide. Indeed, last year’s Ógra conference held in Ennis last February, and organised by the local Clare Ógra organisation, was hugely successful. They have also revived the De Valera Commemoration at which I was privileged to address last September. So I believe that youth and vitality are not something which Fianna Fáil are in any way lacking in county Clare.”

The Fianna Fail leader was also adamant that experience was important in any Government.

“It is important in politics that experience is not underestimated. Knowledge of the intricacies of the political system can be vital.”

“In Brendan Daly, Clare has a politician with this in abundance. I think it is also worth noting that Brendan will not be the only candidate contesting the next election in their 60s and that is good for Clare.”

Senator Daly will be joined on the hustings by Junior Minister Tony Killeen and Senator Timmy Dooley.

TWO people have appeared in court in connection with separate seizures of cigarettes by customs officers at Shannon Airport last year.

Sviatlana Usovich (32), of 149 St Brigid’s Grove, Killester, Dublin 5 and who is originally from Belarus, was convicted of evasion of a duty of excise on 14,000 cigarettes, with intent to defraud the State of such duty, on July 18, 2005. The value of the cigarettes was more than €4,000.

Paul Francis Yore (43), of Commons, Dromiskin, Dundalk, Co Louth, was convicted of evasion of a duty of excise, on 20,400 cigarettes, on November 3, 2005. The cigarettes were valued at over €6,000.

State Solicitor for Clare, Martin Linnane, told Shannon District Court last Thursday that Usovich was stopped coming into Shannon from Belarus. She was carrying 14,000 cigarettes and said they were for her own use. Her solicitor said she had come to Ireland six years ago and had since been deserted by her husband.

“She evaded the opportunity on her return. It was a stupid act. She put herself on the line for her children. All her cigarettes were taken by Customs. She has made a net loss,” said the solicitor.

Mr Linnane said Yore arrived into Shannon with 20,400 cigarettes and said he was “only trying to make a few bob”.

His solicitor, Tara Godfrey, said her client had arrived in from Lanzarote and has a problem with alcohol. “He was staggering so much he could hardly carry his suitcase. The decision wasn’t made in a sobering, reasonable moment,” said the solicitor.

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed fines of €1,900 on both accused, mitigated to €950.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has this week described Clare junior minister Tony Killeen (right) as ministerial material.

In an interview with The Clare People the Taoiseach said, “Since his promotion to Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen has shown a great ability to solve complex problems and address issues of importance in the workplace.

“Tony has shown his capability as a minister, and I look forward to working with him up until the next election and beyond it.”

The Fianna Fail leader would not say, however, how many Fianna Fáil seats would have to be secured in the next election for a Clare minister to be appointed.

“There is no doubt that we want to regain the seat we lost here in 2002. Clare has always had a proud Fianna Fáil representation, and in the next election we will be going all out to take three seats,” he said.

With the departure of Minister for State Síle deValera from the political scene next summer, the Taoiseach said it was important Fianna Fáil put together a strong team to contest the next election.

“Brendan Daly has resolutely defended the interests of Clare people for many years, and I am confident that next summer he will return to the Dáil to continue his good work for the Clare people. Timmy Dooley completes our team. He brings energy and drive, ensures that issues which matter to the people of Clare are made priority and resolved,” said the Government leader.

He said the current Fianna Fáil representation of two Ministers of State and two senators meant that Clare retained a powerful voice in Dublin.

“After the next election, I am confident that Clare can again have three FF TDs who represent the county in the Dáil and in Government Departments,” added Mr Ahern.

“Fianna Fáil are proud of our record of delivery in Clare. Working with the people of Clare, we have made good progress across a wide spectrum of issues. Now we want to build on this progress,” he said.

THE case of a man who is accused of exposing himself in front of schoolchildren in Shannon has been adjourned for the 17th time.

The 29-year-old is accused of three charges of indecency, arising out of two alleged incidents outside schools in Shannon and another at a housing estate.

It is alleged he exposed himself in front of primary school students at St Senan’s national school, Shannon, in June 2004.

He is alleged to have exposed himself in front of a nine-year-old girl, at Dún an Óir, Shannon, in June 2005.

He is also accused of exposing himself to a female, at St Tola’s national school in September 2005.

At a court sitting in July, strict bail conditions were imposed.

On that occasion, Judge Joseph Mangan ruled that the accused be confined to his home when he was not working. If he was to leave his home, he must do so with a named member of his family.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court last Thursday that the accused had honoured these bail conditions.

Judge Mangan stated that one summons had come to court 15 times and that the case was before the court on 17 occasions in total.

The accused’s solicitor Gearóid Howard sought a change in the bail conditions, which would allow him to leave his home with either a named family member or a named family friend. This was not opposed.

The accused will appear in court again next month.

A SMALL group of Fianna Fáil literary sleuths are to embark upon a €2,600 expedition later this week to celebrate the work of an obscure writer.

Clare County Council has given the goahead for Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF), Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) and Cllr Bill Chambers (FF) to set out on the 400 round mile trip to Omagh for the fifth annual Benedict Kiely weekend.

It is costing the taxpayer €867 to fund each councillor’s attendance but at a recent meeting, it was agreed that the three councillors would make the trip.

The weekend away for the councillors marks the unofficial end of the 2006 summer school season, which has cost the taxpayer almost €25,000 to send councillors to various Summer schools around the country.

The most popular summer school for councillors this year was the MacGill Summer School at Glenties in County Donegal where it cost the taxpayer €9,135 to send seven councillors – six of them from Fianna Fáil.

Those that were given the go-ahead to travel to Glenties included Cllr Peter Considine, Cllr Patrick Keane, Cllr Patrick McMahon, Cllr Bernard Hanrahan, Cllr Cathal Crowe, Cllr Tom Prendeville and the only non-Fianna Fail councillor, Cllr Martin Lafferty (Ind).

The figures show that €2,514 was spent on sending two councillors to the William Carelton Summer School, €2,102 was spent on sending two councillors to the General Humbert Summer School, while €3,996 was spent on sending four councillors to a planning seminar.

One of the regular attendees of the summer schools, Cllr Tom Prendeville said: “I find that Summer Schools are very enlightening where you are able to hear talks from people on the social and economic changes affecting Ireland. I believe that there should be a greater attendance by councillors at these conferences and it would allow councillors acquaint themselves with visionary voices that you hear at these events.”

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) said: “A number of these conferences can be beneficial, but in terms of the Benedict Kiely weekend, I don’t believe that any benefit can be accrued either to myself in the role I perform, or to any of my constituents.”

THE mother of a toddler who died from a rare bowel condition says she does not blame anyone for the tragic death and is struggling to cope with the devastation.

Shannon Canny, a twin daughter of Sharon and Michael Canny, of Plunkett Drive, Kilkishen, died in hospital just 36 hours after she suffered her initial excruciating pain at home on January 6, 2005.

She was two years and two months at the time.

Shannon had suffered from constipation since she was born. However, her parents later learned that she had an undiagnosed condition, known as volvulous, which meant her bowel had become twisted, restricting blood supply. Her final journey of pain was recalled at Dublin City Coroner’s Court last week.