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ELDERLY Clare people waiting for local authority housing aid will die before they reach the top of the wait- ing list.

That is the opinion of north Clare councillor Joe Arkins (FG) who de- scribed the announced €1 million cuts in housing aid for the elderly and disabled as an insult to the most vulnerable people in society.

Last year, the Department of the Environment allocated €2.7 million towards elderly and disabled housing in Clare.

This allocation was enough to tack- le roughly half of the people on the waiting list in the county.

The department announced last week that this figure would be slashed to €1.7 million in 2009.

“This allocation is virtually half the funding which was received in

previous years. The €2.7 million fell short of what was required, and only completed half of the works on the waiting lists,” said Cllr Arkins.

“Taking into account the backlog from previous years, the current al- location wouldn’t even scratch the surface of the problem. Older peo- ple were on a waiting list for these grants and some would die before they get the approval to commence the works.

“The elderly people of Clare feel let down yet again by this Government. Elderly and disabled people who need to have bathroom facilities con- verted, need to have this work done immediately and cannot wait until the recession ends or the banks are bailed out.”

The funding covers the Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme, Mobil- ity Aids Scheme and Housing Adap- tation Grants.

PRISON officers wore protective clothing as they accompanied a pris- oner to court in Ennis who had as- saulted three officers a week earlier.

Three of the five officers who ac- companied Daniel Darcy to court wore special protective gear.

Mr Darcy (30), of Tannery Wharf, Rathangan, Kildare, is accused of assaulting Bernadette Phiri, at Tully- varraga, Shannon, on June 13, 2008. He is also charged with stealing a jeep at Ballymore Road, Naas, Co

Kildare, on June 12.

At Ennis District Court last Thurs- day, defence solicitor Chris Lynch said he has been advised that his cli- ent was seen at the Central Mental Jeo U Mer Vel MNDIMBNoM Los) e

He requested that a report on this assessment be made available to the court.

“T am asking that every effort be made for an expeditious report with regards to fitness to plead,” he said.

He said he was also asking that the accused receive all treatment that he requires, in the intervening period.

Judge Joseph Mangan directed that the accused be assessed and treated psychiatrically and remanded him in custody to Cork prison.

He will re-appear in court later this week.

The court heard a week earlier that three prison officers were attacked by Mr Darcy outside the courtroom.

The three were hospitalised after one sustained a broken arm, another UUECEO- ZU KIMTITUOM ar TICm MONT KCB Kom ceived head and shoulder injuries.

Mr Darcy became irate in the courtroom and lashed out at the of-

ficers as he was being taken out into the hallway.

Several prison officers and gardai tried to control Darcy – who was handcuffed – as he lashed out both physically and verbally outside the courtroom and later in the holding I ele ances ace

Prison officer Melissa Kiely later told the court that the prisoner had become “extremely volatile” while being escorted from the courtroom by three prison staff.

She said that one of the staff was bitten twice, another sustained an

arm injury, while another received a wrist injury, when Darcy resisted be- ing removed from the courtroom.

She said she had contacted the pris- on chief officer Pat Desmond, who instructed that the prisoner be held Mss Ie

A specially trained control restraint team was dispatched to the court- house and transported him back to the jail.

‘He has a well-documented psychi- atric history and is currently receiv- ing treatment at Limerick Prison,” She said, on that occasion.

AN ENNIS man’s problem with his sister landed him in trouble with the law, a court has heard.

Michael Molloy (38), of 6 St En- da’s Park, Beechpark, Ennis, pleaded guilty to a number of charges arising out of incidents on separate dates.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told Ennis District Court that on January 4 last, the accused was shouting and roaring and kicking at a door of a house, as he had an issue with a sister of his.

On another occasion, he was quite difficult and was arrested as a result of his behaviour. Inspector Kennedy

said that a lot of difficulties arose from alcohol.

On another date, he stole two cases of Budweiser from Dunnes Stores, but these were recovered.

Defending solicitor William Cahir said that his client loses control of him- self when he has consumed alcohol. ‘In the past, he attended with a parish priest and took a pledge,” he said.

The court heard the accused’s issues with his sister have been resolved.

The case was adjourned for prepa- ration of a probation report. “Mr Molloy, you can thank your solicitor J am giving you a chance on this oc- casion,’ said Judge Eamon O’Brien.

With four weeks to Clare’s crucial Opening championship appearance, the county’s preparations appeared to suffer a significant setback in the last week as injuries to Jonathon Clancy and Gerry O’Grady made their avail- ability for the Munster semi-final clash with either Cork or Tipperary ime Co)v lo)

Clancy sustained a broken fin- ger last week during training with his club, Clarecastle, ahead of the first round tie against Tubber while O’Grady had to be withdrawn af- ter only six minutes in Crusheen’s Group | match with Corofin in Kil- lanena on Sunday after injuring his foot.

Initially, it was rumoured that de- fender O’Grady had broken a bone in his foot but it 1s now thought that the injury is not as bad as first sus- pected.

With the countdown to the Munster championship well underway, man- ager Mike McNamara is hopeful that both players will recover in time to

take their places in the side.

‘Jonathon broke his finger so hope- fully he will be back in harness in three to four weeks which might be cutting it tight, but that would appear to be the prognosis for now.

“With Gerry O’Grady, we are still awaiting the final report but again af- ter the initial reaction, there is now certainly hope that he will take part in the June 21st match.

Wa 0) er: SBMA AEE LMA WE DODLBE-DUR YANO ICE pected so of course, anything less than that would have to give us hope. To lose either of those players would be a horrific loss as both of them are part and parcel of the plans to launch an assault on the Munster champion-

Jah] one

With more club action scheduled for a fortnight’s time, McNamara says he hopes there will be no further injuries to his squad.

‘As well as the second round of championship matches in two weeks, we also have a series of challenges matches which may take their toll as

well – but we have to go all guns blazing now.

“We must re-address where we stand and we must put ourselves in a

rightful position for June 21. If we can remain injury free for the next couple of weeks, then I can see no reason why we won’t finish the job that we started last year.”

Kilkee tourism take a running jump

CLARE’S only candidate in the Eu- ropean Election Michael McNamara has called for all counties to be al- lowed elect its own local mayor.

The Independent candidate, who believes an overhaul of local govern- ment is long over due has asked can those in the provinces not be trusted to elect the heads of their local gov- Simone ate ome

“While the announcement of a di- rectly elected mayor for Dublin 1s positive for Dublin, one has to won- der why it wasn’t extended beyond the pale, where it is most needed in light of the centralisation of power in this country’, he said. “It does not change the fact that on June 5 coun- cillors will be elected in Clare.” Yet, all executive power is in the hands of the County Manager who is ap- pointed from Dublin. Is this local democracy?” he asked.

Con (onmsslomanunleUbelcans(OUse-DUMBDOMNele counties local authorities, difficult decisions will have to be made in the months and years after the upcoming election. Indeed they are already be- ing made as we see from news from the Roads Section. There decisions must be made by democratically elected representatives who have to answer to the electorate for their de- C1Sions.”’

“There is general agreement on the need for greater accountability in government but at the moment it remains just a slogan to glibly throw out. Accountability has to begin somewhere. All politics is local, the say. So it has to begin locally,’ he Sr nLe

“In the time spent campaigning throughout the constituency, since my late entry to the race, one issue has stood out in the vast and var- ied constituency. That is a sense of increasing alienation from govern- ment, including local government, by citizens and community groups. This growing chasm is very worrying and needs to be bridged,” he added.

‘Perhaps, the answer is less local government with greater power and a more regional approach. I think that the people of Clare feel a strong affinity with Munster. Indeed the re- cent Clare FM poll where the major- ity felt that the voters of Clare are not adequately represented in being part of the North and West European Par- liament Constituency is noteworthy in this regard.”

TUBBER’S Derek O’Connor reached another landmark in his remarkable Point-to-Point career in Fermanagh last Friday when becoming the first ever jockey to ride 100 winners in a season.

O’Connor, who has been in the form of his life this season reached this century landmark at the En- niskillen Point-to-Point at Necarne When he guided Greenandredpar- son past the post in first place in a maiden race.

“It was great to reach the 100 win- ners,’ O’Connor told

THE picturesque twin towns of Kil- laloe and Ballina are getting ready to look their best ahead of the Fashion Weekend, which takes place from May 22-25.

In the inaugural hosting of what will be an annual event, the Killaloe- Ballina Fashion Week will showcase the sister towns as ideal shopping destinations.

Event organizers Ruth Vaughan, Lorraine Hassett and Grainne Cum- mins explained the aim of the fash- ion week is to showcase Killaloe and Ballina as “one-stop shopping and pampering destinations”’.

Ruth Vaughan explained, “This is a really special place and that’s very much recognised by the population explosion here over recent years, with so many people wanting to live

in and visit Killaloe-Ballina.”

“We are happy to say that not alone are we able to satisfy local fashion needs but so many people from out- side the towns are also now flocking here and availing of what’s on offer,” commented Lorraine Hassett.

Grainne Cummins said, “We just felt that considering we now have so much for people to come here and enjoy, not least in the fashion stakes, it was time to put structure around this by showcasing it all properly so that we maximise the potential of the eda oh

The Fashion Weekend will see participating businesses offering 1n- store promotions, discounts, beauty consultations and free draws, while there will also be face-painting for children (on Friday afternoon from 3- Spm). Participating businesses will display their involvement with

purple and pink balloons outside their premises.

Friday night will also play host to the Fashion and Fun event at The Lakeside Hotel, Killaloe. The evening, which will be built around a fashion show, commences with a champagne and canapés reception, with ladies getting the opportunity to visit the many stands.

Models from the Hilary Thompson Model Agency will display clothing and footwear from local boutiques. There will be prizes for best shoes – sponsored by Rockin Reptile – and also for the best dressed lady.

Ladies will also be treated to wine and finger food during the fashion show, followed by entertainment by Atomic Chicken. Tickets are €30, with raffle proceeds to Killaloe Playground. Champagne has been sponsored by Super Valu, the “Diva’

cocktails by The Lakeside Hotel and wines for the night are kindly spon- sored by Heaney’s Costcutter, Goos- ers Bar and Restaurant and Wines Direct.

Participating business in the Fash- ion Weekend are Lorbees Boutique, Cerise Shoe Boutique, Spirit, Kel – C – Kidz, Forme, Hotspot, Sweetie P’s, The Beauty Boutique, Greene Room, Fine Rags, Shoes 2 Choose, ML’s Hair Studio, Joanne’s Fashion House, Catwalk, Collins Pharmacy and Country Chic.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the event can contact organ- ising committee members Ruth Vaughan of Cerise Shoe Boutique on O61 374384 or 087 9386622; Lor- raine Hassett of Lorbees Boutique on 061 622966 or 087 8513867; or Grainne Commins of Kel – C – Kidz on 061 374429.

Bishop looks at controlling Communion expense

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