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CLARE’S largest hospital was left with dangerously low levels of water as a result of reduced pressure in the water mains in the Ennis area.

Ennis fire brigade had to be mobi- lised to help provide water for En- nis General Hospital yesterday. The fire service is expected to remain on standby over the next few days in case their assistance is again required.

Ennis Town Council had to shut off water in parts of Ennis in an effort to divert water to the hospital so that the fire service could pump water to the high level tanks. Ennis General Hos- pital’s main water tanks are located on the roof of the building. Because of problems with water pressure in the town water was not reaching the tanks in adequate amounts.

The hospital confirmed that pa- tients were not affected by the water problems. A spokesman added that the fire service had to be called in to help ensure that the hospitals water tanks are kept full.

Clare County Council confirmed last night that water use restrictions applying to over 30,000 customers in Ennis and its environs had been lifted.

A council spokesman said that as a result of recent intensive rainfall, the quality of raw water entering the Ennis water supply source at Drum- cliffe deteriorated significantly to a

point where its treatment could not be accommodated in the quantities required to respond to demand from Loy eb Ne Ece

Following consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Health Service Execu- tive (HSE), the council decided to partially bypass the filtration system with a view to increasing the quan- tity of water that could be dispatched to consumers.

The spokesman said that the move was designed to replenish the storage levels in reservoirs, restore supply to all consumers and ensure that criti- cal areas such as hospitals and fire service had an adequate volume of supply.

“In reaching this decision, the Council, EPA and HSE are conscious that some of the water being supplied to consumers is unfiltered at the mo- ment. However, all three parties are satisfied that any risk from a public health point of view can be kept to a minimum by full implementation of the partial boil notice to vulnerable groups, which remains in place,’ said county engineer, Tom Tiernan.

“Although bypassing some water around the water filtration system in- troduces the potential risk of crypt- osporidium to vulnerable groups, the need to maintain a critical volume of water supply for personal hygiene is a higher priority for public health.” he said.

AN 8l-year-old man lost his life after he suffered a suspected heart attack at the wheel of his car in En- nis last October, an inquest into his death has heard.

William Ryan, of Highfield Park, Ennis, was involved in a two-vehicle accident at Highfield Road, Ennis, shortly before 8am on October 15, 2007.

He and two others were taken to Ennis General Hospital, following the accident. Mr Ryan, a retired civil servant, was later pronounced dead in hospital.

Ennis Coroner’s Court heard from Garda Barry O’Grady who attended

the scene of the accident. He said that road conditions were wet and dull at the time.

The inquest was told that Mr Ry- an’s car veered off the road and then collided head on with a van, on a straight stretch of road.

Consultant pathologist Dr James O’Driscoll carried out an autopsy on the body of Mr Ryan. He said it ap- peared that he had suffered a heart attack, which caused his car to go out of control and hit a van, at Highfield I Xey- Tes

He said that death was due to acute cardiac failure, associated with coro- nary atheroma.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea recorded death due to natural causes.

THE photodynamic treatment given to six cancer patients was inappro- priate, according to the Prosecution.

Presenting the State’s case to the jury at the outset, Senior Counsel Denis Vaughan-Buckley said, “It’s the Prosecution’s case that there will be ample evidence that the accused is guilty of all counts.”

“It’s the State’s case that the patients were all suffering from terminal can- cer when they went to the East Clin- ic. They all subsequently died. The medical director of that clinic was the accused, Mr Carmody,” he told Ennis Circuit Court.

“The photodynamic treatment that was given to patients suffering from deep-rooted cancer was inappropri- ate,” he added.

He said that each of the 25 charges is “a separate trial in reality.”

Paschal Carmody (60), of Bally- cuggaran, Killaloe, County Clare, has pleaded not guilty to 25 charges of deception – relating to six cancer patients and their relatives – between September 2001 and October 2002.

It is alleged that he defrauded six cancer patients and their relatives of more than €80,000. According to the State, he falsely pretended the patients’ cancer would be cured by photodynamic therapy.

Mr Vaughan-Buckley gave an out- line of the details surrounding the cancer suffered by each of the six OTOL

He warned the jury, “this is a case where you couldn’t but be human and have sympathy for all the patients who died and all their next of kin

and relatives, likewise Mr Carmody, who is on trial on very serious charg- es. But you don’t decide the case on sympathy. You decide the case on the evidence before you.”

He said that seven of the charges re- late to Conor O’Sullivan from Gorey, who died just weeks short of his 16th birthday, on November 13, 2002.

He said that Conor’s parents, Derek and Christina, paid more than €9,000 to the clinic, after being told in May of that year that the boy had just six months to live.

Conor received photodynamic treatment at the clinic in July 2002, oLUUON (LOM LPR MONONOKE Ke

Another patient, John James Gal- lagher, from Mullingar, County Westmeath, died from cancer of the liver on September 6, 2002.

He said it will be alleged Dr Car-

mody described photodynamic treat- ment to him as “magic”, in January 2002, and referred to chemotherapy as “barbaric.”

Another patient, John Sheridan (58), from Kells, County Kilkenny, died on November 2, 2002, having been diagnosed with cancer of the liver the previous year.

“Dr Carmody told them (his fam- ily) John was a strong man and was suitable for photodynamic _ treat- ment,” said Counsel.

The treatment was carried out and Mr Sheridan believed Dr Carmody would cure him. However, he died at home.

A fourth patient, Mary O’Connor, moved home from Surrey to her na- tive County Cork, having been diag- nosed with lung cancer in February PAU OPA

Her photodynamic treatment com- menced on March 12, 2002, but she died on May 6.

Another woman, Josephine Dur- kan, of Beechgrove, Lucan, County Dublin, was diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2000. Her husband Kieran was told by her doctor in Feb- ruary 2002 that she had only weeks to live. She went to the East Clinic in Killaloe in March, where she re- ceived photodynamic treatment, but died on April 22, 2002.

Karen Kurvink from Holland, was diagnosed with breast cancer in Au- gust 2002 and received photodynam- ic treatment at East Clinic that Octo- ber, but died the following May.

The trial, before Judge Rory Mc- Cabe and a jury of nine men and three women, 1s expected to last four weeks.

THE backers of a new private mem- bers club for Ennis with a 24 hour chauffeur and concierge service say it will be “ultra exclusive” with a heavily vetted membership.

Earlier this year, Ennis-based build- er Jack McCarthy lodged plans with Ennis Town Council for a change of use at the former Central Buildings in Ennis Abbey Street car-park to a private members club. The newly renovated “Library” pub shares the location.

Last month, the council put the Mc- Carthy plan for the third floor of the

building on hold demanding addi- tional details on the plan.

Now, further information lodged with the plan architect Michael Leahy, on behalf of Mr McCarthy, has said that it is his client’s intention “to re-create a country club tranquil- lity within the confines of an urban SelB DOTS

Mr Leahy denied that alcohol would be sold at the venue:

“My client aims to promote an al- ternative to the perilous drinking ‘culture’. In-house pursuits are geared away from alcoholic consumption.”

He also denied that the club would be rented for parties stating, instead,

Wer-LmmUOCoMYoJOIRUD Rom S00 MOlommar-DIMEUOLB ele exclusive members only club with heavily vetted membership”.

He added that his client aimed to provide a private environment for the purpose of business and social net- Le) ee bee

“Tt will provide as a business out- post for the corporate traveller while providing an unthreatening environ- ment in which to socialise.

“The club will facilitate 24 hour teleconferencing, wi-fi and clerical Services; a 24 chauffeur and con- clerge service; chess backgammon and games area; humidor; heated smoking.”

Mr Leahy said that the proposal would be “a very select club which will not give rise to any noise or nui- Crh eeme

He said that the external appearance of the building would not change and therefore there would be no adverse effects to the area which is of special architectural and historical interest.

Mr McCarthy is part of McCarthy Brothers, which has built hundreds of houses in Clare in recent years. A private members club already exists in a building opposite Ennis Com- munity College.

A decision is due on the application JET mssbimeeleniaee

CLARE’S new mayor has promised that the people’s voice would be heard.

In her mayoral address, Clare’s first citizen Councillor Madeleine Taylor- Quinn (FG) said, “Clare is a unique county full of character and history, its people are resourceful and spirit- ed. In electing us to this council they expect their voices to be heard, and their concerns represented.

“The people of Clare deserve and are entitled to openness and transpar- ency in the process. We, the elected members, are the policy makers for this county, and are accountable to the people,” she said.

The Fine Gael mayor said that the councillors and staff had the com- mon interest of serving the commu- nity and as such mutual respect and courtesy between councillors and employees was essential.

“Within this council there is no place, nor no space for an “us” and “them” mentality — we are all in it to- gether for the good of County Clare,” she told fellow councillors and staff.

The impending recession was also at the forefront of her mind, as the new mayor took office.

“Undoubtedly, challenges lay ahead due to the changing economic climate, and we will have to adjust to such changes, but also recognise that this county was well served in far more difficult times in the past. Those most in need must be first

assisted, and national funding will have to be secured to ensure that this becomes reality,” she said.

“Substantial discrepancies exist

within the county in relation to basic infrastructure such as waste water treatment systems, equipping villag- es throughout this county with prop-

er infrastructure 1s essential if there is to be balanced county develop- ment. Population changes within the county reflect financial investment

patterns, many which are directed from central government. People of Clare must be supported to live in their local villages, and not be forced into larger towns because of the lack of infrastructure.”

Mayor Taylor-Quinn outlined the critical role of tourism to the local economy, the need for a proper road infrastructure and hospital and the need to advance the needs of Shan- non Airport.

“We need to be innovative in our promotion strategy of the county — this could involve inviting promoters or high profile individuals into Clare to turn the international spotlight on the county, so that it can be seen as a truly desirable top class destination,” she said.

“The coming year will be chal- lenging for all of us. Recent bound- ary changes have affected all of us to a greater or lesser degree, but I’m Sure in time most will come to ac- cept these changes as a slight incon- venience. | am confident that we can all work well together for the people of Clare, and I look forward to your help and co-operation for the coming year,’ she told her fellow council- Kove

AT half-time in this Cusack Cup final, some of those watching the game on the bank beside the stand retreated towards the dressing rooms to take shelter from the squall. It was there they heard Kilmurry Ibrickane manager Micheal McDermott give vent to his fury.

The louder he roared, the more pro- nounced his Cavan accent became — he didn’t quite invoke the spirit of John Joe or ‘Big’ Tom O’Reilly, PJ Duke or Peter Donohue, but such was the power of his invective that Kilmurry Ibrickane — from captain Martin McMahon down to the very last man out of the dressing room — had a mean look about them in the on the resumption. In between the expletives, McDermott had roared: ‘How badly do you want it lads.” He got his answer as Kilmurry stormed back into contention in the second half, taking the game in extra-time before edging home by two points.

“It was a tremendously exciting game if you were neutral, but quite stressful on the line, especially as the game went into extra-time,” said McDermott afterwards. “We got that

bit of luck in the end, Doonbeg could have won in normal time, but things just went our way in the end and it’s great to win.

“We started very well, something we were determined to do because in recent games we have been slow to start. But we went out of it in the centre-field and the diamond around that area as Frank O’Dea came more and more into the game.

‘In the second half we played much more direct ball into the forward line. Mark McCarthy won some cru- cial ball for us and had a great game in what is his first year on the senior team. He really shone through for us, which was a reward for the effort he has put in 1n training.

“We couldn’t start Johnny Daly, while Noel Downes hadn’t trained for two weeks and Michael Hogan had a hamstring problem. Declan Callinan, Even Talty and Mark Kil- leen were out of the backs, so we had to readjust our team a lot.

“It showed the strength of our panel. Darren Hickey came in for his first game in seven weeks, Vinny Talty came in and did a job. It was a great boost to win it, especially the way in which we stood up physically

to the challenge and that’s why we came out on top.”

The victory was Kilmurry Ibrick- ane’s 18th of the season so far — they won nine on the way to winning the O’Gorman Cup and another nine in the Cusack Cup. Six wins at most and the championship will be theirs.

And, it’s the championship that McDermott and everyone in the barony of Ibrickane is demanding. “The league is over with now — it was great to win it, but the focus has always been the championship,’ said McDermott.

“Our first game is against Kilkee and that is vital. Kilmurry Ibrickane’s record against Kilkee isn’t a good one, so we have to get that monkey off our back. That’s the only game we re thinking of now,’ he added.

A CANCER patient had to be flown by helicopter from Cork to visit Pas- chal Carmody’s clinic in Killaloe, as she was too ill to travel by road.

Noel O’Connor told the trial on Thursday that his sister Mary (46) had lived in Surrey with her two daughters, in 2002.

He said that she was diagnosed with a serious tumor in her chest, in February 2002. Her family then relo- cated her and her daughters to Cork.

Mr O’Connor said a general prac- titioner in Cork referred him to Pas- chal Carmody, to help his sister.

‘He (Mr Carmody) indicated there was a particular treatment he could administer, that could be of help to

my sister. He indicated it was photo- dynamic,” he said.

He said that they travelled by heli- copter to Killaloe in March, two or three weeks after the initial contact was made. “She travelled by helicop- ter from Farren. Mary was unable to travel any distance by car. She was too ull,” he said.

He said he paid £2,000 to Gaelic Helicopters and the helicopter landed in the GAA pitch in Killaloe, from where Mary was driven the 300-yard distance to the clinic.

Mary returned to the clinic the fol- lowing day for photodynamic treat- ment.

‘“‘He was very positive about the treatment. I got the impression the treatment could be of benefit to

Mary,” said Mr O’Connor.

He said he personally felt very posi- tive and Mary was “extremely happy that something was being done for her.’ Mr O’Connor paid €7,500 for the treatment that day.

He said he had expected “several follow-ups but there was no follow- up at that time.”

After they returned to Cork, his sister’s condition “quite rapidly di- simproved.” Within four days, she was moved to Marymount Hospice in Cork, and died on May 6, 2002.

Under cross-examination by Pat Marrinan, SC, representing Mr Carmody, Mr O’Connor said, “We would have done whatever needed to be done, photodynamic treatment or chemo, or whatever.”

Mr Marrinan said his client was “somewhat taken aback when a helicopter arrived in the local GAA pitch.”

Mr O’Connor said he had indicated that he would have to fly his sister there, because she was so ill. How- ever Mr Marrinan said his client was adamant he hadn’t been aware of this and was surprised when the helicop- ter arrived.

“He also takes serious issue with what happened at the clinic. He saw your sister and saw that she was very unwell. He spoke to you and said this treatment wasn’t suitable for your sister, she was so unwell,” said Mr Marrinan.

Mr O’Connor replied, “No, that’s untrue. I don’t remember any indi-

cation that she wasn’t going to be treated.”

Mr Marrinan put it to the witness that he had gone to “extraordinary” lengths to transport his sister to Kil- laloe and was “insistent” that she be treated, but he denied this.

“All I was trying to do was save my sister. All I was interested in doing was saving her life,” he said.

Mr Marrinan told the court that Dr Porter, who administered the treat- ment, was no longer in the jurisdic- tion. “He has left the country,” he revealed.

Mr Marrinan asked the witness did Mr Carmody promise him that his sister would be cured. He replied, “He never said that she would be cured. There were no guarantees.”

MINISTER for the Environemnt and Local Government John Gorm- ley (GP) has admitted that the new electoral boundaries in the county have put his own Green Party county councillor at a disadvantage. Speaking in Clare during the week the minister said, “I know on the

ground here in Clare my own coun- cillor Brian Meaney feels that his area has been cut in half. That is putting him at a disadvantage.

“Nevertheless I do know he is up to the challenge and he is recognised for his hard work on the ground, and I am sure that will be taken into ac- count by the voters when they come to vote in June,” he said.

The Green Party minister was re- acting to criticism of the new elec- toral boundaries proposed by the boundary commission.

The new boundaries have been crit- icised for their urban bias.

In Clare the division of the county town into Ennis East and Ennis West has been described as “ridiculous” by councillors.

The new division runs up O’Connell Street and many other major streets.

The minister said, however, that he would not interfere in the drawing of the boundary lines.

“This is an independent commis- sion and you just have to go back to the boundary redrawing for the general election where there was dis- appointment in some quarters,” he said.

“These are difficult for the politi- cians to deal with and I am sure the people in the area find it an incon- venience, but they have arrived at their conclusion independently, I am the minister, but I cannot interfere in those decisions nor would it be prop- er to do so,” he added.

“You tend to get mixed feedback generally even in my own party there are some councillors that are quiet glum and feel they have been disad- vantaged through the redrawing of boundaries and others have got an extra seat.

“It 1s very much a mixed bag,” he SrnGe

He said that the terms of reference for drawing up the boundaries did not change much from the last time they were drawn.

WEST Clare councillor Bill Cham- bers (FF) has been elected deputy mayor of Clare for the second time in a row.

The Cooraclare man has held on to the position for the coming year and is the only man in Clare to have dep- utised for two lady mayors. He was elected unopposed after being nom1- nated by PJ Kelly, seconded by Pat Daly and supported by Joe Arkins.

With 23 years in Clare County Council he is more than up to the challenge of the coming year and is already looking forward to going on the hustings next year.

Cllr Chambers was first elected to the council in 1985, and during the same year he began serving on the Mid Western Health Board.

When the health boards were dis- banded, the Fianna Fail councillor was elected to the HSE Forum West.

The change between the two sys- tems was very significant for the councillor. “In the HSE forum you have no power. You cannot make any decisions, just recommendations,’ he said.

The health services have always been a priority for the Cooraclare councillor, as he maintains that the future of Ennis General Hospital is one of his political priorities.

“T would like to see the €39 mil- lion spent on it very soon, they say it is ring fenced but I would like to see it in use,” he said.

With one year left in the lifetime of this council, Cllr Chambers said he would like to see work begun in the sewerage schemes in Cooraclare, Carrigaholt and Labasheeda. “They have been waiting so long, it is time it was done,” he said.

Cllr Chamber said he is looking forward to the year as deputy may- or, having enjoyed last year. “I like meeting people,” he said.

THE Christian Brothers have an- nounced that they will hand over trusteeship of their four remaining Clare schools to a specially formed lay trust from September.

Edmund Rice Schools Trust was established last week and will be charged with continuing on the edu- cational ethos of the Christian Broth- ers into the future.

The trust will have some role to play in the administration of the Ennisty- mon CBS Secondary School, the En- nistymon CBS Primary School (now amalgamated with the Ennistymon Convent), Rice College in Ennis and Ennis CBS.

Nationally the trust will take over from the Christian Brothers in 96 schools representing some 35,000 Students and more than 2,700 teach- ers nationwide.

The trust is being registered in the names of its members and directors, comprising a group of respected in- dividuals including former President of the European Parliament Pat Cox, The Honourable Mr Justice Peter Kelly (Chairperson) and Dr Daniel O’ Hare, Founding President of Dub- Tre O a Oko RIAs

While the Christian Brothers have appointed this list of members and directors, the appointment of all fu- ture members and directors will rest with the new trust company.

‘The announcement marks the be-

ginning of an exciting new chapter for both the Christian Brothers and for education in Ireland of which our schools form an integral part,’ said Brother Kevin Mullan.

“We wish to express our apprecia- tion and thanks to the members and directors who, on a voluntary basis, are taking on the important role of trustees into the future. Their gener- osity and spirit of service to Catholic education is most encouraging at this time of transition in the mission of the Congregation of Christian Broth- ers in Ireland.”

The Department of Education and Science and the Teachers’ Unions have been made aware of the estab- lishment of the trust, which has giv- en a commitment to working with all stakeholders.

“The establishment of the trust company will ensure a continuity of a tradition generated over two cen- turies by the Christian Brothers. As trustees we are extremely conscious not only of the tangible value of the network of schools but equally of the invaluable educational ethos estab- lished by Blessed Edmund Rice that has been entrusted to us,” said Pat Diggins, Chairperson of Directors of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust.

“We will be working in conjunc- tion with the Christian Brother Trustees and with all of the relevant stakeholders within our educational environment to ensure a smooth transition.”