Category: News

GARDA plans aimed at curbing crime in Ennis town centre over the Christmas period will be unveiled at a meeting on Monday night.

The annual Christmas Business Watch meeting will take place at Ennis Garda Station on Monday, December 16, 6.15pm-7pm.

All businesses are invited to attend the meeting. The Ennis Chamber Garda Accord was established in 2003 to formalise meetings between the business community and the local Gardaí.

Members of the Garda Crime Prevention Unit and Business Liaison Team will be in attendance to give advice to businesses on how best to protect themselves, cash and premises in the busy Christmas period. The Gardaí will also answer any question from the business community in relation to security issues throughout the year.

Businesses will also hear first-hand Ennis Gardaí’s activities in relation to Beat-on-the-Street and about conditions for Pedestrianisation in the Christmas Shopping Period. Ennis’s Purple Flag Award will also be discussed as to how the town can ensure the retention of this accolade in 2014.

The meeting comes after businesses in the Market raised concerns over “aggressive behaviour” of some groups of young people in the area.

Ennis councilor, Johnny Flynn (FG) said the concerns were highlighted at a recent meeting with representatives of businesses in the Market.

He stated, “During the meeting the majority expressed serious concerns for themselves, their staff and customers as a result of aggressive behaviour of groups of young people

He continued, “The businesses claim that it is the same group that are causing damage to both business and negatively impact on the public perception of safety whilst shopping or strolling through their business area.

“The ability of businesses to pay rates, other local government costs, etc, they say, are directly related to the ability to trade successfully in a safe and attractive area. They believe that all the good work of both the Council and both in promoting and managing Ennis can be undone by this small sector of society”.

According to Cllr Flynn, some business owners “have witnessed tourists and locals leaving their street at haste when some hassle between the youths and or various families ‘kicks off’.”

Onlookers in Kilrush were staggered early on Tuesday morning when local gardaí assisted by Criminal Assets Bureau, Regional Support Unit, and Special Detective Units from Galway, the National Criminal Intelligence Unit as well as officials from Revenue, Social Welfare and Clare County Council staged a series of raids on properties in Kilrush. A number of premises were searchged and a total of eleven people were arrested following the searches. Those arrested were later released without charge and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. The garda operation had commenced at 7am on the Tuesday, traditionally Children’s Allowance Day in Kilrush.

According to locals in Kilrush, gardaí will find it very difficult to convince people to testify in any cases brought before the courts as a result of this operation.

“There is no doubt about it,” said The Clare People source in Kilrush, “but they won’t get anyone in Kilrush to testify against these people. Even the people who were beaten up and the person who got his hand broken by moneylenders won’t testify. It just won’t happen.”

The investigation, which has been ongoing for several months, centres around complaints received from various individuals and is focused on those suspected of being engaged in unlicensed money lending.

IT was a case of lucky 13 for the people of Shannon on Thursday night last – the number who were honoured by Shannon Town Council as part of its annual Liosta na Laochra civic awards initiative that took place in Sean Lemass Library.

Broadcasters, journalists, athletes, kick-boxers and All-Ireland under 21 and senior winning hurler Aaron Cunningham were among those presented with awards by Mayor of Shannon Greg Duff.

Each year Shannon Town Council honours residents from the community who have achieved national or international recognition or have achieved their national/international recognition with a club, society or organisation operating within the functional area of Shannon Town Council.

The award winners were broadcasters/journalists Valerie Sweeney, Aisling O’Loughlin, Rachel English and Orla Walsh; All-Ireland winning athletes from Shannon Athletic Club; Geariod McMahon, Colin Curran, Dylan O’Brien and Seamus McMahon; medal winners at the World Kickboxing Championships and members of Shannon Kickboxing Club in Leona O’Shea, David Ryan, Caimin Murphy and Darren McNamara as wll as Aaron Cunningham.

The Mayor of Shannon noted that “the awards winners have brought great pride to the Shannon community through their achievements by their achievements in their chosen sports and professional careers”.

On the night civic honours were also awarded to Clare Civil Defence and EI Electronics. Clare Civil Defence were awarded a civic honour in recognition of their ongoing voluntary work on behalf of the communities in Clare including Shannon.

“The assistance of the Civil Defence in the organisation of the St. Patricks Day parade each year is much appreciated,” said Mayor Duff, while he also praised “the tireless voluntary work of the civil defence over the last number of years, especially during the severe weather incidences that have effected Ireland”.

EI Electronics celebrated their 50th year in business earlier this year. The company manufacture detector alarms from their facility in Shannon, a landmark that was honoured by the town council in recognition of “the much needed employment the company brought to local people” but they also because of the company’s generous sponsorship of community organisations and events.

A JUDGE has said he does not accept an Ennis woman accused of breaching a protection order taken out by her ex-boyfriend suffers from a “serious psychiatric problem”.

Rather Judge Patrick Durcan said he believes Siobhan Downes (34) acted out of a “bold determination to pursue” the alleged victim.

Judge Durcan was speaking at Ennis District Court on Wednesday where Ms Downes appeared charged with breaching a protection order on October 3 by allegedly going to her former boyfriend’s home.

Ms Downes previously avoided a jail sentence after pleading guilty in September to six separate breaches of a protection order originally imposed by the court in February. At the time Ms Downes agreed to be admitted for psychiatric treatment.

The court heard Ms Downes’ former partner secured the order after the breakdown of the couple’s relationship.

In October Judge Durcan warned Ms Downes as to her future behaviour and ordered her to give a sworn undertaking that she would not make contact with the alleged injured party or make enquiries of him.

On Wednesday, Judge Durcan said he was “not happy” with a report prepared by the Probation Services

Addressing the former airhostess, Judge Durcan said; “I do not believe you are cooperating with the Probation Services. I believe there is an element of foxing as far as you are concerned.”

Judge Durcan said he did not accept there is a “serious psychiatric problem” as far as Ms Downes is concerned.

“I believe there is a bold determination on your part to pursue the victim”, he added.

Defence solicitor Turlough Herbert told the court that a psychiatrist’s report is still awaited for his client.

Judge Durcan warned the accused that if she did not comply 100% with the requirements of the Probation Services he would finalise matters with a prison sentence.

He said that a time of limited resources, State agencies could not afford to waste time trying to work with people who fail to engage with services and attend appointments.

“You’d want to shake up and wake up or I’ll wake you up”, he said.

Judge Durcan remanded Ms Downes on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on February 5, 2014 when he said the case would be finalized.

He granted liberty to the State to re-enter the cases should Ms Downes breach conditions of her bail. “The codding has to stop”, he added.

THE DEVELOPMENT of a new road layout at Blakes Corner in Ennistymon is back on track – with An Bord Pleanála agreeing to fund an Environmental Impact Statement [EIS] into the development.

Progress on the development has been virtually stalled since October 2011 – when the Save Ennistymon’s Heritage group indicated its intention to refer planning permission for the project to An mBord Pleanála – should Clare County Council and the National Roads Authority [NRA] go ahead with planning without first completing an EIS.

This tactic had previously been used by objectors to a new pier in Doolin to delay progress on that development. Clare County Council has made a number of unsuccessful requests that funding be made available by the NRA over the past two years.

A council spokesperson confirmed yesterday that NRA funding will be made available next year to complete the EIS. “Clare County Council has received confirmation from the NRA that the required funding will be provided during 2014 to enable the Council, in conjunction with the NRA, to proceed with the EIS in relation to resolving traffic issues at Blakes Corner, Ennistymon. Work on this EIS will begin once this funding has been received,” said a council spokesperson.

The news comes on the foot of cor respondence between Lahinch Councillor Bill Slattery (FG) and Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar, earlier this year.

“This matter has dragged on for a considerable time and no progress is being made on the issue. The lack of progress has been very frustrating,” he said. “We are now getting the money that we need for the EIS.

“This means that we can proceed right away with procurement of consultants to do this work and make a submission to An Bord Pleanála. I also received an assurance from Tom Tiernan [Senior Engineer with Clare County Council], that the steps leading down to Blakes Corner will be back-filled soon. This will make the situation there much safer.”

Once the EIS is completed Clare County Council/NRA will be in a position to go ahead with planning permission for the junction. This plan could see the front of Blakes and Linnanes building demolished and rebuilt on a site a number of metres back from the junction.

A WOMAN found by gardaí to be driving without insurance on nine separate occasions in areas of North and West Clare last year has received a suspended 12 month prison sentence.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, mother of two Caitriona Kennedy (26) was warned the sentence would be activated if she re-offended.

Ms Kennedy, with a former address at Spanish Cove, Spanish Point, Miltown Malbay, had pleaded guilty to driving without insurance on nine occasions in Miltown Malbay and Lahinch between September 21 and November 16, 2012.

The case was adjourned to allow for reports from the Probation Services and the Health Services Executive (HSE).

Defence solicitor Fiona Hehir told the court her client has not come to garda attention since the offences were committed.

Ms Hehir said her client, who is now living in Newcastle West, had been investigated by the HSE who “found nothing”. “She is a good mother”, added Ms Hehir.

Ms Hehir continued, “She knows she will not be behind the wheel of a car for a long time. She’s not someone I think will re-offend. The penny has dropped.”

The court heard Ms Kennedy now uses public transport to visit family in Clare.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he wanted to hear from the gardaí who stopped Ms Kennedy.

Garda John Reidy of the Clare Garda Division Traffic Corp said, “On the first time I met her, there was a child standing between the seats. It was reckless.”

Garda Brian O’Callaghan said in his interaction with Ms Kennedy, she showed “total disregard” for the traffic laws.

Judge Patrick Durcan said that while the accused has not been in trouble since last November, he could impose prison sentences totaling 18 months.

Judge Durcan imposed sentences totaling 12 months and disqualified Ms Kennedy from holding a driver’s license for eight years.

He suspended the sentences on condition Ms Kennedy enter into a bond to be of good behaviour. A JUDGE has said he needs to see a medical report before deciding whether to accept jurisdiction of a case where it is alleged a man assaulted a woman in the Tulla Road area of Ennis last month. The 28-year-old man appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday, charged with assault causing harm to a woman in the Tulla Road area of Ennis on November 16. The case was adjourned to allow for directions to issue from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court the DPP had consented to summary disposal of the case. He said the alleged incident was regarded as being at the lower end of Section 3 assaults. Insp Kennedy said it was his understanding the alleged victim was not hospitalised. However Judge Durcan said he had some knowledge of the case and he required medical evidence before making a decision on jurisdiction. Judge Durcan also acceded to a request from the State to amend the accused’s bail conditions. Judge Durcan said the State had been granted liberty to re-enter the case as part of the accusued’s bail conditions. He said he wanted the case to be carefully monitored. The court heard both parties are affected by severe learning difficulties. Judge Durcan said the question of whether he should preside over any hearing the case would also have to be

addressed. A GALWAY man has been told he can look forward to a “few weeks walking and cycling” after losing his driver’s license for illegally parking in a disabled parking space.

At Ennis District Court on Friday, Kevin Maughan (21), with an address at Coole Haven, Gort, Co Galway, received a € 100 fine and was disqualified from holding a driver’s license for two months. This was after the court heard Mr Maughan parked illegally in a disabled parking bay at Lifford, Ennis on May 22, 2013. Mr Maughan was initially fined but says he did not receive the fine notice because he was serving a prison sentence at the time.

Asked by Judge Patrick Durcan to explain his behaviour on the day, Mr Maughan said, “It was busy on the day. I was in a bit of rush. I’m really sorry.”

The court heard the father of two is currently serving a prison sentence. Urging the court to be lenient, defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client had been extremely upfront in his attitude to the charge.

Judge Patrick Durcan said Mr Maughan had “shown a complete lack of thought.” Imposing a nominal € 100 fine, Judge Durcan said he was aware Mr Maughan was a father of two young children and that Christmas was approaching. He also disqualified Mr Maughan from holding a driver’s license for a period of two months. “When he comes out of prison, he’ll have a few weeks walking and cycling before he’s authorised to drive again,” he added.

SHANNON suffered a major jobs blow last week when it was revealed that one of the longest serving companies in the Free Zone will close its manufacutring facility in 2014.

On Thursday it was announced through a public relations firm in Dublin that Kraus and Naimer would shut down the manufacturing arm of its operation in the industial estate early in the new year. “Production at the facility, which supplies electrical switchgear, will cease at the end of January 2014,” a statement issued by through FleishmanHilliard revealed.

The announcement was made to the total workforce of 63 by senior management from the company’s parent group in Austria.

The employees were told that “the closure is due to the business sus- taining losses for the last number of years, which have been driven by the impact of weak customer demand due to the global recession.

“The decision follows previous efforts to restructure the facility and a move recently to enter short working time arrangements,” the statement continued.

“It is with deep regret we have had to make this decision which has been made due to ongoing and unsustainable losses incurred at the Shannon

facility,” said Ted Naimer, Global President at Kraus and Naimer.

“We will be entering into a process with staff over coming days in relation to an orderly winding down of the facility, and thank them sincerely for the contribution they have made to the company,” he added

Kraus and Naimer established its facility, which is involved in the manufacture of a variety of electrical switches for industry, in Shannon in 1973.

SIPTU, which had been in talks with the company about strategies to maintain its operation in Shannon, said workers are shocked and angered to learn of the company’s decision to end production.

The union says further talks are due to take place at the company next week.

It will explore all avenues open to maintaining employment and if necessary trying to secure the best redundancy deals possible.

A NORTH Clare man has been ordered fix the defects in his car after a court heard it made the same loud noise as a jet plane.

At Ennis District Court on Friday, Fiachra Roche (21), with an address at Rinamona, Kilnaboy, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle which was not fitted with an exhaust silencer or other device suitable and sufficient for reducing to a reasonable level, the noise caused by the escape of exhaust gases from the engine.

The offence is contrary to the Road Traffic (construction equipment and use of vehicle regulations) Act 1963 as amended

Garda Rosaleen O’Connor of Ennis Garda Station told the court she stopped Mr Roche’s car on the Limerick Road in Ennis on April 23, 2013.

She said the car did not have a silencer fitted to the exhaust which the court heard emitted a decibel level of 115.

Asked by Judge Patrick Durcan to explain further how loud the noise was, Garda O’Connor said it was equivalent to the sound made by a jet flyover at 1100 feet.

Defence solicitor Angela Byrne said her client was “extremely surprised” to learn his car was responsible for such a loud noise.

Ms Byrne said her client had not yet fitted a silencer due to the cost but intended doing so in the coming weeks.

Judge Durcan said it appeared there was “jet flying around Clare.”

He said he was putting the case off to next week to allow Mr Roche time to remedy the defects with his car. Addressing Mr Roche, Judge Durcan said;

“You have to get your finger out of your mouth, I want action.”

He described the offence as ‘very irritating behaviour”.

“I’m not going to have this young lad zooming around County Clare, waking the graveyards, waking the dead”, he added. Judge Durcan said the car would go through an “NCT outside the court next week.”

He told Mr Roche that if the defects are not remedied he would have to “save money for a bicycle or a pair of runners.”

The case was adjourned to Ennis District Court to December 12.

THE BOOK of evidence has been served on a man charged in connection with an alleged stabbing in Shannon last year.

Darren Lindsay (22), with an address at Cronan Grove, Shannon, appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

The accused is charged with assault causing harm to a man at Cluain Airne, Shannon on September 30 (2012).

Inspector Tom Kennedy applied for an amendment to be made to the charge sheet concerning the location where the alleged offence is alleged to have taken place.

Defence solicitor Oonagh Moylan objected to the amendment, saying it changed the nature of the charge.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he was overruling Ms Moylan’s objection and granting the amendment.

Garda Irene O’Flynn of Ennis Garda Station gave evidence of serving the book of evidence on solicitor Oonagh Moylan for her client Darren Lindsay.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) consented to the accused being returned for trial to the next sessions of the Circuit Criminal Court.

Legal aid was approved for Ms Moylan and one junior counsel. Judge Durcan delivered the alibi warning to the accused and made the order returning the man for trial.

IT WAS a weekend of star gazing in West Clare as Stereophonics front man Kelly Jones married long time love Jakki Healy in a ceremony at St Senan’s Church Kilrush, followed by reception at the five star Lodge in Doonbeg.

International stars from the world of music, film and television travelled to the bride’s ancestral home of County Clare to celebrate her marriage to the Welsh singer.

Ms Healy’s mother hailed from Kilshanny, while her father is an Ennistymon native, with the illustrator growing up in London.

On Saturday crowds gathered out- side St Senan’s Church to wish the couple well and spot the numerous celebrities in attendance.

Among the well known faces causing excitement for the crowd were Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and The Jam’s Paul Weller.

“I was only a few feet away from Ronnie Wood, although I wasn’t sure if it was him or Rod Stewart at first, I always get them mixed up,” said one excited local woman.

“They were all really nice, waving and smiling,” said another bystander referring to guests that included members of Stereophonics, Notting Hill star Rhys Ifans, actress Anna Friel, Wayne Rooney’s wife Coleen, actor Dougray Scott, his wife actress Claire Forlani and television present- er Amanda Byram.

The guests were bussed to the Lodge Doonbeg for a five star reception, but the party didn’t stop there with many of the guests making a weekend of it in West Clare.

A post wedding party was held in Tubridy’s Bar and Restaurant in Doonbeg on Sunday with family and close friends, including many famous faces enjoying food, drink and local music provided by Patrick Roche.

Kelly Jones also took to the stage at the popular Doonbeg watering hole to sing Dakota and a special rendition of “My Girl” to his new wife.

Again the couple and their guests happily posed for photos with staff and local people as the celebrations continued into the evening.