Category: News

KILRUSH held its own in this year’s National Tidy Town’s competition as it retained the silver medal in Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town category.

The hard-working Tidy Towns committee received the prestigious award from the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Batt O’Keeffe TD, at a ceremony in Dublin Castle.

The west Clare capital scored 282 points this year, an increase of six on last year, to beat off competition from all over Ireland and claim the accolade.

Kilrush was also highly commended in the ‘County Award’ section.

The award marks the culmination of months of hard work by local volunteers and members of the Kilrush Tidy Town’s Committee to improve the appearance of Kilrush.

The Committee received the silver medal for the first time ever last year, having achieved a bronze medal in 2003 and again in 2004.

“Retaining the silver medal is a massive achievement for everybody involved,” said Kilrush Tidy Towns Committee Chairman, Murt Collins.

“Key to our progress in the Tidy Towns scheme has been the partnership approach that we adopted some years ago.

“There is a broad range of groups and organisations now involved in promoting and enhancing the appearance of the town, including the local Tidy Towns Committee, FAS schemes, outdoor and clerical staff from Kilrush Town Council, the local business sector, and the community of Kilrush.”

Mayor of Kilrush, Cllr Stephen O’Gorman said it was a great tribute to the local community for all the work they had done to improve the appearance of the town.

“The volunteers have toiled throughout the summer in various public areas to create and maintain flowerbeds, keeps streets tidy, cut grass and pick up litter.

“This award further enhances the status of Kilrush as a growing and prosperous town,” he said.

Kilrush Town Clerk Fiona Mooney believes taking part in the Tidy Towns competition has impacted positively on the appearance of the town.

“In recent years, Kilrush has been scoring consistently high in the areas of Overall Developmental Approach, The Built Environment, Landscaping, Wildlife and Natural Amenities, Litter Control, Tidiness, Residential Areas and General Impression.

“This improved appearance has been observed and commented upon by the many thousands of visitors to the town each summer.

“This can only have positive consequences for the town’s image and future growth.”

President of Kilrush Chamber of Commerce, Jack Kelly said, “This accolade will further enhance the town’s status as a growing business and tourist destination.”

Meanwhile, a village that is no stranger to success in the Tidy Town’s Competition – Mountshannon – was celebrating its bronze medal in the Tidiest Village category.

Newmarket-on-Fergus was also in party mode, having won the SuperValu Endeavour award.

The village received the award as it recorded the largest improvement in the county, increasing its points by 8.37 per cent.

WHEN the Revenue Commissioners transfer to Kilrush in November, the town will welcome 70 new civil servants and not 50, as originally planned.

Unlike many towns listed as locations for Government offices under decentralisation, Kilrush has proven popular among workers.

So popular a location is Kilrush for civil servants, it is believed the original 50 positions could be filled twice over.

The number of employees is now expected to reach 70, including part-time employees and job share workers.

The lease for the decentralisation offices has been signed, but the Office of Public Works is remaining tight-lipped as to its exact location.

Local knowledge suggests however that the relocating civil servants will share a building already occupied by Bill Pay in Cappa.

A third of the 50 Revenue Commissioners’ staff destined for the West Clare town are believed to be coming from Ennis, another third from Limerick and one-third from Dublin.

Welcoming the move, Kilrush Senator Brendan Daly (FF) said the new jobs would help in Kilrush’s rejuvenation.

The Cooraclare politician pointed to the renovation of old buidings, planting flowers and ongoing work to attract new businesses to the town.

He said the influx of civil servants would encourage further service industries to the west Clare capital, creating a vibrancy in the town.

While other towns across the country, including Shannon, have been struggling to encourage civil servants to relocate, Kilrush has never had a problem enticing Government staff.

ENNIS once again enhanced its reputation by landing one of the top prizes at the annual Tidy Towns competition.

At yesterday’s ceremony in Dublin Castle, Ennis was named Ireland’s tidiest large urban centre, a new category introduced for towns with a population of over 15,000. Ennis scored 288 points – nine more than last year’s total of 279.

Due to competition rules, Ennis were not in the running for the title of Ireland’s Tidiest Town as they had won last year. Ennis also won a gold medal in a category alongside Letterkenny, Kilkenny City and Malahide.

Speaking at the event, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment Mr Batt O’Keefe singled out Ennis for praise, saying it was a shining example to other large towns for the progress it had made over the years.

Judges were impressed with the wellkept entrance routes to the town, along with the standard of water features and the town’s sculpture trail.

This latest success is expected to generate significant economic benefits to the town. Mayor Joe Reidy (FF) said the win was a credit to the people of Ennis and, in particular, the efforts of staff of Ennis Town Council.

“This is a great achievement and to win in the new category was exceptional. It shows the hard work done by the committee. It is a credit to the people of Ennis especially the council staff. These people are out at 4.30 every morning, making sure the town is tidy. This really exceeded our expectation and hopefully we can build on this into the future.”

THE Irish Rural Dwellers Association has issued a “wake up call” to the current Government.

The lobby group, that has its headquarters in Kilbaha, has published a pre-election review of the Fianna Fail/Progressive Democrats contribution to planning in the country.

Entitled “Four Years Seeking Radical Change in Planning under a Fianna Fail – PD government”, the booklet criticises the role of An Taisce as well as planners’ qualifications.

“There is absolutely no point in either Fianna Fail or Progressive Democrat TDs knocking on rural doors promising radical changes in planning if they get re-elected because, if they don’t do it now when they have the power to do so, their credibility about the future is meaningless,” the book states.

When contacted by The Clare People, westClare based Jim Connolly, president of the organisation, said the group had no plans to run a candidate in the upcoming general election.

“We are a non-political group,” he said.

The IRDA is made up of leading academics in rural development, as well as rural bodies, opposition TDs and MEPs.

In this its latest document, the group has included an application form for new members.

It says its aim is to unite all rural dwellers and people of “goodwill towards rural Ireland”.

It aims to achieve this, “in the context of peaceful, multi-cultural co-existence in the common cause of ensuring, by legal and constitutional means, the growth and maintenance of the dispersed village, sraid bhaile or street village and the clachán, or clustered village.”

THE coroner’s court in Ennis last Wednesday returned an open verdict in the death of east Clare man, John Leonard.

Mr Leonard of Knockbeha, Caher drowned in the River Graney on June 12 last.

Mr Leonard had not returned from a fishing trip when his wife Margaret contacted gardaí. Mr Leonard’s body was found following an intensive search of the River Graney. His car had been spotted near the river by the search party.

In her verdict, County Coroner Isobel O’Dea, said that she would return an open verdict in the case. She said, “While there is no evidence how Mr Leonard entered the water, it is clear that he had no intention to commit suicide.

“Mr Leonard was found with his fishing rod in his hand. There was nothing suspicious about it. There is no evidence that he took his own life in any fashion.

She added, “It was a very warm day. He was wearing wellingtons at the time and he may not have known how deep he was going in the water and would have made it difficult to get out of the water.”

In his evidence, Dr Peter Fawl said that Mr Leonard died from asphyxia brought about by drowning. The coroner’s court was told that Mr Leonard was a married man and worked as a truck-driver.

In her deposition, John’s wife, Margaret said that the last time they spoke was 6.30pm the night before, when John said that he was fishing near a bridge at Caher.

At the inquest, Margaret was comforted by John’s brother, Paul who gave evidence on formally identifying John’s body.

A PROPOSED 82-berth marina and clubhouse at Killaloe Sailing Club have been refused because of the undesirable precedent it would set in the Lough Derg area.

In June, Killaloe Sailing Club lodged plans for the facility at Ogonnelloe on the shores of Lough Derg, but An Taisce expressed concerns over the development.

The National Trust stated that there was a risk that the southern end of Lough Derg would become overdeveloped with regard to the plans for the marina.

An Taisce also stated that public services in Killaloe were overstretched and any huge development would be premature. The proposed site is not close enough to necessary services, it was claimed.

In response to the club’s plan, and without seeking additional information from them, the council refused planning permission on five separate grounds.

The council ruled that granting permission would set a precedent for this type of development in isolated locations and detached from all settlements. The development, if permitted, would result in an adverse obstruction of a vulnerable landscape, resulting in a degradation of views from the scenic route outside of any settlements within a rural setting.

The council was stated dissatisfied, on the basis of the information submitted, that the proposed development would not result in the intrusion into the lake, a National Heritage Area and onto its shore. This would contribute to the erosion of the character of the lake shore, thereby seriously injuring the amenities of the area.

The council also ruled that the proposed marina development “would set an undesirable precedent for further similar developments at other rural locations outside settlements, which would, in themselves and cumulatively, be contrary to the preservation and enhancement of the amenities of Lough Derg and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area.”

Nor was the council satisfied that the proposed development would not result in a road traffic hazard and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area.

The applicants now have one month in which to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala.

THE Chief Executive of the Irish Water Safety Association (IWSA) has urged people to always wear a lifejacket during water pursuits.

John Leech made the call after an inquest in Ennis heard that a Limerick man drowned in Lough Derg.

He said that nine times out of 10, wearing a lifejacket will prevent a drowning taking place.

The dead man, 26-year old John Buckley, Ballyculhane, Glin, County Limerick, drowned on January 22 after his girlfriend, Lucinda Murphy (24) stood up to give him a hug, causing their canoe to capsize. They had only one lifejacket between them and it was decided before going into the water that she would wear the lifejacket.

In her deposition, Ms Murphy said, “I stood up to give John a hug and the boat toppled over. John and I both fell into the water. The water was very cold. John was not wearing a life-jacket.

Ms Murphy said that the two swam toward the canoe and tried to turn it over, but failed.

Ms Murphy said that she then inflated her lifejacket and took off her shoes.

She said that John saw a boy on the shore and called out to him and the boy went off to get help. Ms Murphy continued: “I started swimming towards the shore and John told me to keep swimming. I swallowed some water and started coughing.

“I called John and asked ‘are you okay’ and he did not reply. I turned around and I saw John’s hands out of the water. I knew that he was in trouble and I swam back to him and he kept pushing my hands away.

“He kept going under. I shouted to a man on the shore and he ran off. John then sank under the water and I waited for a few minutes and I tried to swim to the shore for help.”

Ms Murphy then said that she was rescued by a man called John with the help of a surf-board.

The Killaloe Search and Rescue Unit recovered Mr Buckley’s body from the river-bed at 8.55pm later that evening.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea told Wednesday’s Coronor’s Court that death by misadventure could occur where an unintended action brought about an unintended outcome.

A MAN who burgled an Ennis business has been jailed for four months.

Anthony Marshall (34), of Toormore, Ruan, pleaded guilty to entering Fitzpatrick’s business premises on the Tulla Road in Ennis, on June 15 last, and stealing household goods, worth €250.

Inspector Michael Gallagher told Ennis District Court that the defendant was driving a white van. He pulled into the back of Fitzpatrick’s and raided an outhouse.

The accused escaped through a field and the van was taken to Ennis Garda Station, for a technical examination.

Marshall went voluntarily to the Garda station the following day and the goods were recovered.

Inspector Gallagher said the accused was “well known to the courts,” and had several previous convictions, including convictions for possession of drugs and road traffic matters.

Defending solicitor, Una Moylan, said her client, who had not drank in 10 years, had had a few drinks on the night of the incident.

She said that the accused, a father-of-four, regretted the incident.

“His last larceny offence was in 1994. He has more or less stayed out of trouble since then,” said Ms Moylan.

Judge Joseph Mangan said he would impose a five month jail sentence. However he noted that the goods were recovered and reduced this to four months. He fixed recognisances in the event of an appeal.

THE father of a 22-year-old Clare man who died by suicide said that his son shot himself in “a moment of madness”.

“I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. The whole house is destroyed from what happened and we are even thinking of leaving this home where we have spent all our lives,” the man said, after the Clare Coroner’s Court recorded an open verdict in the death.

The Clare man heard a loud noise that he thought was the sound of a toilet seat banging down, shortly after his son came home from a night out. He discovered his dead son slumped against the door of the bathroom after forcing the door open.

“Our son was home at 12.30 and dead at 12.50. You question what happened all the time, but I remember the undertaker saying there is no point, because all the answers are gone with our son.”

The father told The Clare People that no note was left by his son. However, he believes that the apparent suicide was connected to a friend of his son who committed suicide three weeks beforehand.

“I believe that it was a copy-cat thing. It was a moment of madness and it gets harder to try to deal with it. We just can’t handle it. He came into the sitting room asking about CDs, but I believe that he was going to his brother’s room looking for shot-gun cartridges.

Paying tribute to his son, the father said, “He was a model son. He never caused us any bother.

“He was a bubbly young man and talking to friends he was out with on the night, they said that he was on top of the world. He was a brilliant boy, intelligent and brilliant at the work he did.”

The inquest heard how taxi-driver Dermot Walsh gave the man a fare from O’Connell Square in Ennis. Mr Walsh said that they had a general chat and the man appeared to be in good form.

After dropping the man off, Mr Walsh said that he was given a €2 tip on top of the fare by the man.

Pathologist Dr Peter Fawl said that the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Alcohol levels in the man’s blood were 302 milligrams per litre and urine tests show that alcohol levels were 226 milligrams per litre.

The legal limit for driving is 107 milligrams per litre in urine tests, while it is 80 milligrams per litre in blood tests.

County Coroner, Isobel O’Dea said that the 22-year-old died from a single shotgun to the head and gave an open verdict in the case.

She said, “I am mindful that we heard evidence that the man wasn’t suffering from depression and was in good form and there is insufficient evidence to record any other verdict.

“I am satisfied that there was no third party involvement and I sympathise with the man’s family for their very sad and tragic loss.”

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Moosajee Bhamjee said, “Family members or friends should not over-question themselves over a suicide. It can lead to people unnecessarily feeling guilty.

“Family members and friends can avail of counselling through Clare Links or be referred for counselling through their GP. One has to worry that when friends commit suicide. It influences behaviour and brings about copy-cat suicides. Also, excess levels of alcohol reduce self-control and people do things that they wouldn’t normally do.”

The contact number for Clare Samaritans is 1850 60 90 90.

A MAN who damaged three cars and assaulted two off-duty gardaí has been jailed for a year.

Mark McCarthy (20), of Millbrook House, Ennis, pleaded guilty to a number of charges, in relation to incidents at Woodquay, Ennis, on July 10 last year.

Inspector Michael Gallagher told Ennis District Court that the accused “made a nuisance of himself,” damaging three cars and assaulting two gardaí, who were off-duty at the time.

One of the gardaí was struck in the face and the other was kicked in the leg. The court was told that 10 days after this incident, the accused robbed an elderly woman at her home on the Turnpike Road in Ennis. He was jailed for four years at Ennis Circuit Court for that offence earlier this year.

Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client “went on a bit of a binge” at that time.

“He has received significant sentences for this week of madness,” she said.

Inspector Gallagher said the accused has several previous convictions, including convictions for burglary, public order and criminal damage.

Judge Joseph Mangan jailed McCarthy for six months, for one of the criminal damage charges. He jailed him for three months for each of the assaults. The sentences will commence at the end of the four year sentence he is currently serving.

The judge took into consideration the other matters and fixed recognisances in the event of an appeal.