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TWO youths, are, between them, fac- ing 51 charges in relation to a spate of crime in east Clare and south Galway that culminated in a major search involving two dozen gardai.

One of the two 1s facing 25 charges and the other is charged with 26 al- leged offences, arising out of a series of incidents last Thursday week, April 30.

Among the charges being brought include unauthorised taking of cars in Cratloe and Gort; thefts in Sixmi- lebridge; criminal damage in Sixmi- lebridge, Quin and Gort; handling stolen property in Cratloe; trespass in Meelick and burglary in Quin.

Ennis District Court heard on Fri- day that the 17-year-old youth re- plied, “Nothing to say to any of the charges,” after he was cautioned.

His co-accused, aged 15, replied to nine of the charges, including, “I didn’t damage no door,’ “No, I didn’t burn no car,” “No, I didn’t take any car,’ and “No, why are you giving me charges when I wasn’t even caught with anything?” He did not make any reply to the other charges.

Solicitor Tara Godfrey, who repre- sented the 17-year-old, said she un- derstood the State was in a position

to deal with the case in the district court and her client “may take a cer- tain course”.

Ted McCarthy, solicitor for the 15- year-old boy, said his client was con- testing the matters.

Garda Michael McGreal outlined details of the allegations. He said it would be alleged that a car was sto- len in Limerick and driven to Gort, where the first car was burnt and an- other one stolen. That car was then driven to Quin. He said it would be alleged that the accused burgled a shop in Quin and stole another vehi- cle in the village. He said they then travelled to Sixmilebridge, where power tools were stolen from a build- ing site. A chemist’s shop was bro- ken into in Sixmilebridge and money was Stolen.

‘They drove through a garda check- point and abandoned the vehicle and travelled on foot,” he said.

He said the 17-year-old youth was arrested in Meelick some time lat- er, after an extensive search lasting more than three hours.

After hearing details of the allega- tions, Judge Joseph Mangan declined jurisdiction in the cases of both ac- cused, who are from Limerick.

Inspector Michael Gallagher said gardai were objecting to bail for the

duo. Referring to the 17-year-old, Gda McGreal said he was on station bail from Limerick when these al- leged offences were committed. He said that a large amount of serious charges have been brought against the accused, who, he said, failed to appear in court in Limerick on one occasion in 2005.

“There was an extensive search car- ried out and a considerable distance was travelled by the accused, who was attempting to evade justice,” he SP AKOE

“A lot of Garda members were involved. The area had to be sur- rounded. It took some hours, over a 10-mile distance,” he said.

In objecting to bail for the 15-year- old, Garda Sean O Murcht said this was based on the seriousness of the charges, allied to the nature of evi- dence against the accused.

‘Before his arrest he fled the scene and drove a stolen van at two gardai,” he said.

The search, he added, involved eight patrol cars, two patrol vans and the regional support unit from Lim- erick. Up to 25 gardai were involved and the incident crossed between two Garda divisions.

In seeking bail for her client, Ms Godfrey said it was likely that it

would take two or three months to complete the book of evidence. However, Judge Joseph Mangan re- fused bail for the two and remanded them in custody until later this week.

The 15-year-old has been remanded to St Michael’s Institution and the 17-year-old has been remanded to St Patrick’s Institution.

“EFFECTIVELY all we are being promised is more of the same but Il do it a bit better.”

This 1s how Clare’s only candidate in the Ireland North West European Election appraised the other candi- dates in the field.

Scariff man Michael McNamara, is critical of the lack of ideas and debate surrounding the European elections, the economy and the local elections.

The barrister and farmer, admits he is coming to the European race a little late and has a huge challenge to overcome as an Independent can- didate, but is determined to open up the debate on Europe, Ireland’s place in Europe and the future of Govern- ment in Ireland.

Asked why he has put his name forward in the three-seat constitu- ency, which is made up of counties from every province in Ireland, Mr McNamara said, “Because I have to. I believe there is complete disil- lusionment in Ireland with National politics. A change in Government will not change that but a change in

governance.

‘There is a danger because of disil- lusionment people will reject the Eu- ropean Project as a protest. I believe that is why a lot of people voted No to the Lisbon Treaty.

“The problem with European law is not how it is made in Europe but how it is applied in Ireland.”

He gave the example of the contro- versial water and nitrates directives.

Mr McNamara said that Irish farm- ers are being forced to spread slurry in waterlogged fields before October Ry

In Northern Ireland, the British government secured derogation, so farmers have until January | to com- OC Kom CUM EAL ©

Both sets of farmers are working on the same island and in the same climate, yet the Irish Government failed farmers south of the border in this regard, he maintains.

Mr McNamara also believes in strengthening the local authorities, but maintains we do not need as many councillors or councils as we presently have in Ireland.

The Clare man began his cam- paigning last weekend.

AN out-of-control 17-year-old boy who is ‘running wild’ around En- nis went berserk and threatened to smash up his mother’s home last Fri- day morning, a court has heard.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, 1s ac- cused of public order offences and a theft matter, arising from two sepa- rate incidents last week.

He was on bail at the time, having been charged with a public order of- fence last month.

Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client was pleading guilty

to the public order charges.

Inspector Michael Gallagher told Ennis District Court on Friday that gardai had responded to a call at the boy’s home at lam that morning.

He said that the boy’s mother was distraught and shocked after the ac- cused went berserk and threatened to smash up their home. She had col- lected him from town at 12.30am. When the boy became aware that the gardai were being called, he fled. He initially could not be lo- cated, but later returned home and screamed and roared. He was taken to the Garda station, where his ag- gression continued.

Ms Godfrey said that there have been on-and-off difficulties with her client over the past two years.

‘They have reached crisis point in the last six months. His mother has indicated that she cannot allow the situation to continue in that regard. She would be suggesting that he would have to leave the home,’ she SrHTOR

Inspector Gallagher said that while the boy has no previous convictions, he was dealt with under the juvenile liaison programme in the past.

In court last month, Inspector Gal- lagher described the public order offence, with which the boy was

charged on that occasion, as one of the worst such matters he had come across.

On that occasion, the boy was granted bail, with strict conditions, including that he abide by a curfew. ‘He hasn’t abided by the curfew. I genuinely feel sorry for his mother,” said Inspector Gallagher last Fri- day.

“The young fella is just running wild around town. He’s out of con- trol,” he added.

Ms Godfrey accepted that this couldn’t be denied.

The boy told the court that he was drunk when he committed the of-

fences last Friday morning. It was unacceptable to do it to my mother,” he said.

Asked by Judge Joseph Mangan does he take drugs, he said, “Some- times I smoke weed and hash.”

He was asked did he blame alco- hol for what had happened and said, “It’s the drink, but it’s half myself as well.”

Judge Mangan remanded the boy in custody to St Patrick’s Institution for a week and ordered that a Proba- tion report be carried out.

Free legal aid was granted, after the boy’s mother told the court she was unable to meet his legal fees.

FIANNA Fail added its second can- didate to the Ireland North West ticket at the 11th hour amid much disquiet from the Pascal Mooney camp.

Just hours before the close of nomi- nations, Minister for State and Don- egal South West TD Pat “the Cope” Gallagher (FF) declared as a candi- date after weeks of speculation.

He joined former senator Mooney on the ticket, vacated by sitting MEP Sean O Neachtain.

The Galway-based MEP and Mooney were selected to represent the party, but O Neachtain later withdrew his name citing ill health.

Fianna Fail failed to find a candi- date in the southern half of the vast constituency of Ireland North West,

and yesterday announced former MEP and junior Minister Gallagher as the second candidate.

The news was not welcomed in the Mooney camp, as supporters be- lieved that both men would be look- ing for votes in the north.

Announcing his candidature Min- ister Gallagher said, “We must maximise funding opportunities from Europe which is supporting Irish economic recovery through a number of different positive initia- UAVore

“Now more than ever, Ireland needs to elect people who will be able to work in Europe on a range of different policy issues that will sup- port Irish economic recovery.

“The European Union is to the forefront in helping Ireland to pull out of economic recession.”

The junior minister served in the European Parliament before be- tween 1994 and 2002.

He said that both himself and Mr Mooney must work together to win back the Fianna Fail seat in Ireland oye fenie

The former senator, 1s an award- winning broadcaster and journalist and a native of Drumshanbo, Coun- ty Leitrim.

Mr Mooney said he will fight to protect the farming and fishing in- dustry and push for better job crea- tion and tourism through EU sup- port. He said he will also fight to protect Ireland’s cultural, linguistic and national diversities within the European Union and for increased financial support for Irish small and medium-size enterprises.

The former senator has served on

a number of European bodies in- cluding the Council of Europe and the WEU Parliamentary Assembly. He presented several reports to the Council of Europe including ‘Wom- en’s Participation in Elections’ and ‘Europe’s response to Humanitarian Disasters’ in association with the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

He is co-author of “Women in Parliament’, now the benchmark publication acknowledging the role played by Irish women in the politi- cal process since the foundation of Some EI Koe

Mr Mooney was the first Irishman to be elected chairman of the Coun- cil of Europe Human Rights Com- mittee and has also served on the Joint House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Forum on Europe.

SIX men have pleaded guilty to af- fray, arising out of an incident in the Cloughleigh area of Ennis.

The six, who are members of two families, admitted the offence, at Ennis Circuit Court last Tuesday, re- lating to an incident in Cloughleigh, on October 11, 2007.

The accused are Christy Mongans Senior, Christy Mongans Junior and Jim Mongans, all of Shalee Drive, Ennis; Michael and Thomas Molloy,

of Gordon Drive, Ennis and John Molloy, of Clarehill, Clarecastle.

Counsel for the State, Stephen Coughlan, BL, told the court that the case “is part and parcel of an ongoing difficulty between various families in and around the town of Ennis”’.

He asked for an adjournment of the sentencing until next month. He said that one of the two families, the Mongans, has since moved to Cork and “there is no danger of events re- curring”.

Judge Donagh McDonagh said he

would adjourn the case if the status in place remained “and neither the twain shall meet at any time”.

“If any of you see the other coming in you direction, you turn around the other way,” warned the judge to the SPN te

Mr Coughlan informed the judge that peace has broken out and he re- plied, “I want to ensure peace con- tinues.”

THE legislation implementing the changes announced in the sup- plementary budget published last Thursday included an extension to the deadlines for tourism projects in the Shannon Region which was not included in Finance Minister Brian

Lenihan’s budget speech last month.

The Shannon Corridor Scheme was introduced in 2007 to provide tax re- lief for expenditure on certain tour- ism facilities in the Mid-Shannon area. Projects had to be submitted for approval by May 31 and had to have a planning application submit- orem ae elo OF

The May 31 deadline has been pushed out to May 31, 2010. In addi- tion, the time frame in which the ex- penditure must be incurred has been extended to May 31, 2013.

The scheme, designed to act as an incentive for both new development and refurbishment of tourism infra- structure in Clare, Galway, Tipperary,

Offaly, Westmeath and Roscommon, applies to tourism buildings such as facilities for watersports, boat rental and inland cruising, health spas, equestrian and other facilities.

Jackie Masterson, Taxation Partner with Russell Brennan Keane said that while they had met with a number of parties interested in the scheme, the deadline was proving prohibitive in the current climate and the one year extension was very welcome.

“Successful applicants have the op- tion of claiming the tax allowances themselves as a means of reducing their own tax bill annually or can use the incentive as a means of financing their project. “However difficulties in attracting investors will still re- main a challenge’, she said.

The Clare district electoral divi- sions that qualify under the scheme include Ayle, Ballynahinch, Boher- glass, Caherhurley, Cappaghabaun, Carrowbaun, Cloonusker, Coolreagh, Corlea, Derrynagittagh, Drummaan, Fahymore, Feakle, Inishcaltra North, Inishcaltra South, Killaloe, Kullo- kennedy, Killuran, Kilseily, Lack- areagh, Loughea, Mountshannon, O’Briensbridge, Ogonnelloe and Scarriff.

A DEFENDANT accused of rob- bing a man of his bus pass has been refused bail, after gardai lodged an objection.

James Liddy (34), of New Houses, Clarecastle, is accused of robbing a man of a mobile phone and wallet, which contained €90 and a bus pass, at Station Road, Ennis, on November 20 last.

Ennis District Court was told on Friday that it would be alleged the accused and two others robbed the jnerenee

Judge Joseph Mangan deaclined jurisdiction of the case in the district court. It will be heard in the circuit court.

Inspector Michael Gallagher said the State was objecting to bail, based on the seriousness of the charge and the possibility that the accused may interfere with witnesses.

Judge Mangan remanded him in custody to appear in court later this week.

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MINISTER for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley has described as “un- acceptable” problems encountered with the commissioning of the €8 million Ennis water treatment plant.

A boil notice, in place on the town’s water supply since July 2005, was last week extended for a further three months after it was discovered that the treatment plant cannot sup- ply enough water for homes in the Ennis area.

The quality of water produced by the plant did meet required Euro- pean standards however problems with supply, resulting from periods of heavy rainfall, emerged during the commissioning period.

As a result the 56-day commission- ing period is to recommence with an interim treatment plant still being used to treat water.

Speaking in Ennis on Friday, Min- ister Gormley said, “We’ve had fail- ures. In my own backyard we’ve had a sewage treatment plant, which was on the basis of a public private part- nership, which failed, it was a bit of a

debacle. If you’re saying, is it accept- able? Then no, it’s not acceptable”.

He continued, “We have to get these things right. We have to ensure that infrastructure projects come in on budget and are actually a service for the local people. The most im- portant thing in all of this is to retain our focus on what is best for the local community.”

Mr Gormley said that there were no problems with quality of the Ennis water supply and that local authori- ties had to be sure before they com- missioned the treatment plant for full WD OSLoMENos

He said, “The plant is being com- missioned at the moment. We have to ensure that there are no further false Cra the

“We have to ensure that we are absolutely certain that the drinking water quality is up to scratch. We’re sure that is the case but we’re just, I suppose, employing the pre-caution- ary principle to make sure that we’re absolutely sure. So that investment is a good investment and people have the very best drinking water qual- ity when that commissioning phase is done.”

SHANNON Town Councillor Mike McKee has announced that he is to retire from politics, bringing to an end a career spanning more than 20 years.

The Independent councillor made his intentions clear last week, follow- ing months of speculation on whether he was to seek re-election to the town council.

Mr McKee, a former Sinn Féin councillor, was first elected to the

council in 1985 and has served as a councillor for the 24 years since WeloOe

Mr McKee was the first mayor of Shannon Town Council, which re- placed the town commission in 2001. He fondly recalls this honour.

“T was privileged to be cathao- irleach of the commissioners at the time and subsequently became the first mayor of Shannon in 2002, an honour I will never forget,’ he said.

Among the fond memories he has taken from the council include the

development of the playground and the extension of the town bounda- ries.

“We all worked together as a team for the good of the people of Shannon ad the success of the building of the Tir na nOg playground, the instal- lation of badly needed bus shelters, the extension of the town boundaries and the estate and road name plates, to name but a few, are testament to that unity,” he said.