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A LEADING consultant psychiatrist has hit out at the lack of forensic psy- chiatric services available outside of Dublin.

Clare-based psychiatrist Dr John O’Mahony made the comments in court on Friday, as he gave evidence in the case of one of his clients.

He told Ennis District Court that there was a “paucity of places in Ire- land” for those requesting the serv- ices of a consultant psychiatrist.

He spoke out in the wake of the rev-

elation last month that two people in Clare had waited for six months for appointments with a forensic psy- chiatrist.

“The HSE for all its promises of change, this country sadly is deficient in facilities for the condition this man sadly suffers from,” he said.

‘The forensic mental health service is sadly deficient in this country…in- adequately funded. If you live outside the Pale, there is little in terms of an adequate forensic mental service.

“T’ve a very clear idea of what this man needs. I know where it can be

got but the HSE has chosen not to provide this outside Dublin.

“West of the Shannon there’s no fo- rensic mental service,’ he said.

He said that forensic psychiatrist Dr Ananth Pullela had provided a serv- ice in Limerick up until recently, but that was a “one-man and not a mean- ingful service”.

David Mulcaire, of St Senan’s Road, Ennis was re-appearing in court on theft charges. He has been in court on several occasions on the charges and is currently an inpatient at Ennis General Hospital.

Previously the court heard that Mul- caire suffered a serious brain trauma in 1999, when he was hit in the head with a concrete block.

Two psychiatrists gave conflicting evidence on that occasion on whether he was fit to plead. He had pleaded with the court not to send him to the Central Mental Hospital in Dun- drum.

Dr O’Mahony said on Friday that the issue centered on “fitness to plead” and said Mulcaire required “an intense level of care’’.

He said he had discussions with

Nationwide Health Resources prior to the court sitting that morning.

“They are willing to do an assess- ment of Mr Mulcaire next week.”

He pointed out that a specialist was to travel from the UK to carry out an assessment on Mr Mulcaire this Neto) e

Judge Joseph Mangan said that Mulcaire had “departed from the criminal sphere to the psychiatric sphere”.

He adjourned the case until the end of March, remanding Mulcaire on continuing bail.

CARERS from Clare will finally get an opportunity to outline their re- quirements to the most senior person in the Health Service Executive.

The Chief Executive Officer of the HSE, Professor Brendan Drumm, will address the Caring for Carers Ireland 17th Annual Respite Break and Conference this March in the Clare Inn.

Professor Drumm, who has reiter- ated his commitment to community care and supporting people in the home since he was appointed CEO,

will hear the realities facing the country’s 161,000 carers.

The outcome of this year’s confer- ence, entitled “The Future of Long term Care in the Community: How to meet the needs of the Family Carer”, will be significant in the composi- tion of the National Carers’ Strategy 2008 to 2016.

Also addressing the gathering will be Laverne McGuiness, the HSE’s National Director for Primary Com- munity and Continuing Care, Marian Harkin MEP, Brigid Barron, Founder President, Eurocarers; Helen Kelly, Chairperson of Caring for Carers,

Clare and Mary McMahon, the chief executive of Caring for Carers, Ire- land.

Caring for Carers was originally formed in Clare. It has since expand- ed to an all Ireland and European body, giving a voice to those often to busy and stressed to speak up for themselves.

Attendance at the conference on March 7 to 9 will include more than 500 Family Carers drawn from Car- ing for Carers Ireland national net- work of 90 Carers Groups through- out Ireland.

“Family Carers experience high

levels of stress and financial difficul- ties. Many express fears around their abilities to continue to provide care,” a spokesperson for the organisation said.

This conference will provide an opportunity for carers to report their need for services and support to sus- tain caring in the home into the fu- ture. The outcomes will be reported to the interdepartmental working eroup, which is tasked to develop a National Strategy for Family Carers aligned with *““Towards 2016”, which will set out the Government’s vision in relation to all family carers.

AMBULANCE personnel across the county have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action, if a staffing cri- sis within the service is not resolved.

It is estimated that more than 20 new personnel are required to bring employee numbers up to a quota ca- pable of delivering a proper and safe 24-hour service to the county.

SIPTU ambulance service employ- ees across the country are also dis- eruntled with the HSE which signed contracts with three private compa- nies.

When asked this week if the HSE Mid West had signed a contract with a private operator to do out of hours or overtime emergency work in Clare, a spokesperson said, “Private operators will be used if necessary to maintain life-saving services in accordance with the National Ambu- lance Service policy.”

Meanwhile, the HSE has apolo- gised to the three west Clare moth- ers left without ambulance cover to get them safely to hospital to deliver their babies.

Speaking on behalf of the Min- ister for Health, Minister of State Pat “The Cope’ Gallagher said that it was regrettable that the mothers

Should have suffered undue distress, particularly as the birth of a child should take place in a safe, secure environment.

“Tl have been advised that while, thankfully, such incidents are rare, the HSE will examine the circum- stances which culminated in the un- fortunate events.”

“The HSE apologises unreservedly to the three mothers. Both the min- ister and myself hope that the events leading up to the birth of these babies have not taken from the joy which the birth of a child brings to parents,” he said.

Minister Gallagher was respond- ing to the issues raised by Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen during a debate on ambulance services.

The deputy was referring to young Kilrush mums Mary O’Gorman, who gave birth on the family couch; Anna Jenkins, who was taken to hospital in Limerick by her father when an ambulance failed to arrive one hour after it was called; and mother of three Patricia Keane who gave birth on the side of the road in the family car.

He said that while all three babies were delivered safely, inadequate ambulance cover in the county was putting lives at risk.

AN ASSESSMENT of needs to identify the extent of the demand for step down housing is to be carried out in Shannon.

This has emerged, in the wake of calls for a suitable site for this type of housing in the town.

Councillor Gerry Flynn (Independ- ent) made the call, saying it was nec- essary, to cater for older people who may wish to downsize their proper- ties to smaller, more manageable USDA

In reply to this motion, at a Shan- non area meeting last week, Senior Executive Officer in housing, Nora Kaye said that a proposal for six step

down houses has been submitted.

It is part of a larger application, of 54 affordable houses, a new access road and ancillary services at Tul- lyglass Lower, south of the Cluain Airne housing estate.

“These six step down houses are bungalows, comprising four semi- detached and two detached and have small back gardens for easy mainte- nance,” said Ms Kaye.

However this development is be- ing opposed by residents of Cluain Airne, who are concerned about the number of houses proposed. A deci- sion on this application is imminent.

Ms Kaye added, “An assessment of needs to identify the extent of the demand for step down housing

would be required and I have spoken with the Department of the Environ- ment, Heritage and Local Govern- ment regarding such approach. The department will provide additional information when the assessment is complete, as there is no national step down housing scheme.”

Councillor Flynn said that his pro- posal affects several people.

“A considerable amount of peo- ple in Shannon live alone in two- storey houses. They want to live in their own community, close to their families and friends but require step down housing,’ said Cllr Flynn.

“The maintenance costs would be very low as the houses are much smaller. It would give people accom-

modation suitable to their needs. It would also free up a lot of houses for the next generation,” he said.

He said that Clare County Council should “specifically put aside a site” for such a scheme.

“Small-type chalet housing would be built and sold to people who would like to buy them. They could, in turn, sell their houses and make second-hand houses available, which are needed,” he added.

Fine Gael Councillor Tony Mulcahy supported calls for such a scheme.

“It’s an absolute need. A lot of peo- ple in their 70s and 80s live in hous- es where they can’t go up the stairs, while we have very few bungalows, which we need,” he said.

SCORES of young Clare adults with Down Syndrome are being denied the chance to fulfil their potential because of the lack of sheltered ac- commodation in the county. According to the Clare Branch of Downs Syndrome Ireland, the pos- sibility for young Clare people to avail of sheltered accommodation is severely limited, with only respite accommodation available.

Pat Hannon is from Sixmilebridge and his 21 year old daughter Orla would avail of sheltered accommo- dation if some were available.

“Orla is older now and we are think- ing about sheltered accommodation but there is little or no sheltered ac- commodation in Clare,” he said.

“It’s next to impossible to get any sheltered accommodation for adults in Clare. The only way you might get it is if you simply were not able to cope at home. But regarding some-

one having a choice to live in shel- tered accommodation, it 1s non-ex- istent.”

According to Margaret Dixon, Sec- retary of the Clare Branch of Downs Syndrome Ireland, there are many Clare people in the same position as Orla.

‘There are a lot of adults in Clare who are in and around Orla’s age who would jump at the chance at sheltered accommodation,” she said.

“IT would say that we would have a

least 20 young people ready to take up houses tomorrow if it was avail- able.”

Orla is currently living at home and training for work with the National Learning Network in Limerick. The work options available to Clare peo- ple with Downs Syndrome will be curtailed in May when the Shan- non Community Workshop will be closed, with the loss of 27 supported employment positions.

“I’d love to live in a house with a few different people. I’d miss living at home but it would be really great to be able to live in a house,” said Orla.

“Tm now in training in Limerick, so I can get a job. I’d like to get a job in a book shop. I had a job once before working in the library in Lim- erick. I’m really looking forward to getting a job and having some money of my own.”

Finding employment locally for someone with Downs Syndrome can be difficult.

“Work is very difficult, it’s not easy to get someone to take on someone with Downs Syndrome,” continued Orla’s father Pat.

“The National Learning Network in Limerick helps a lot, they have helped Orla get placement in jobs Where she can get some experience. But it’s not easy to find.”

THE Department of Education has dashed the hopes of over 250 fami- lies around Ennis this week by re- fusing to confirm whether Barefield National School has been given the approval to begin work on its long- awaited extension.

The school first put in a bid for funding in 2000 and for the past eight years both management and local families, under the guidance of the Building for the Future com- mittee, initiated fundraising events

which helped raise €31,500 – the re- quired local contribution.

In 2002, John Carr, the General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation agreed that the “school accommodation was se- riously substandard”’.

The department agreed to the ex- tension. Almost €250,000 has al- ready been spent planning the build- ing, which would include eight class rooms, a library, a general purpose room, five special education rooms, improved heating system, staff fa- cilities and playground.

When Minister Mary MHanafin made her selection in 2005, Barefield topped the list of approved primary schools. The Minister stated that “These projects have been identi- fied as priority projects in areas where demand for school places are increasing or current facilities are deemed inadequate to cater for exist- ing needs.”

“It is vitally important that children and teaching staff in our schools have facilities which are suitable to their growing needs,” she said.

But according to the Barefield

Parent’s Council, with some classes housing up to 36 pupils, the needs of their children are not being met – and they will do everything in their power to ensure that the munister does not renege on her intention of including their school in the 2008 School Building Programme to be announced at Easter.

“The school cannot cope in its present form. We have done the plan- ning; the project should be funded as agreed,” said Maeve O’Regan, chair- person of the council.

Timmy Dooley TD (FF) visited the

school yesterday and agreed that re- development should get underway as soon as possible.

‘The current site at Barefield is ab- solutely inadequate for its needs and I will be putting a strong case forward to the department to try to expedite the development process,” he said.

Minister Tony Killeen has also vowed to lend his voice to the cam- Oe ea ne

“T will bring these concerns to the education minister and try to ensure that the project gets included in the Easter announcement,” he said.

YOUNG people interested in setting up youth clubs will receive support and guidance from the newly-ap- pointed youth club development worker in the Shannon region.

Pat Kerr has recently taken up the post, where he will work alongside youth worker Cathal Dillon, in the Shannon youth office at Rineanna MVETAWA

The

24-year-old’s appointment

came, after youth organisations in the region pointed to the need for ad- ditional support.

Mr Kerr, who hails from Belfast, has no shortage of experience in the area of youth work, having worked for short periods in both America and South Africa.

He will specifically work with the Drumgeely youth club, while he will also offer support to those interested in setting up or developing youth clubs in the Shannon region.

“IT will provide basic training around personal development, com- munication and leadership,’ he said.

“My job will also be to help with those who are looking to establish clubs, like Newmarket-on-Fergus, and to help with the running of other clubs,” said Mr Kerr.

“From what I see the job will fol- low on from the standards set up by Cathal (Dillon),” he said.

Mr Dillon was previously the only full-time worker in the Shannon of-

fice and this new post will see the number of hours available to young people in the area doubled.

“IT am working solely in Shannon, while Pat’s job will have two aspects – to work with new clubs and out and about as club development worker for the region,” said Mr Dillon.

OF THE 125,000 people living in dire poverty in the townships of Port Elizabeth, 60 per cent of them are being helped by a mission started under a tree by one Little Company of Mary nun from Clare.

Missionvale works through joined up thinking, with care workers go- ing out to visit the sick and picking up on other needs, like food or help with claiming a pension and bringing those cases to the food kitchens and the social worker.

In turn the social worker can alert the caregivers that a client of theirs is ill.

Each day, 750 families get a half a loaf and soup at the feeding station

and a further 1,250 families get a food parcel every week.

The clinic on site refers at least 60 new cases each day to Sr Ethel for help with other needs.

Families ‘adopted’ by Sr Ethel have their children’s school transport costs and fees paid as all schools charge fees in South Africa. The family is given two sets of clothing twice a year from clothing donations to Mis- sionvale.

Sr Ethel’s team also ensures that households headed by children where parents have died of AIDS, are fed, get to continue their schooling and are taught basic cooking and house- keeping skills.

The young adults who head these homes in turn help with the centre’s

programme for orphans and vulner- able children. (OVC)

More that 170 children are attend- ing the pre-primary school at any given time and 500 children are giv- en what may be their only meal every day by the OVC.

A total of 74 people have work in the centre’s gardens, craft and car- pentry centres as well as the school, caring and feeding programmes.

Running costs for the centre are €150,000 a year – a pittance in Irish terms but a stunning amount in a country where factory workers earn SOOM: (cle) @

Donations for Missionvale can be sent to Ethel Normoyle Account No: 40354101 Sort Code: 985680 Ulster Bank, Ennis.

THE proposed master plan for Shan- non lacks coherence, is flawed and does not cater for the completion of the town’s shopping mall at Sky- Sous

That’s according to management at SkyCourt, which has made a submis- sion on the proposed development to Clare County Council.

SkyCourt says that if the master plan is not amended, it could become redundant as a planning tool to guide developers, local authorities and the public.

The submission suggests that an integrated approach has not been taken in the preparation of the plan. It says that the master plan needs to acknowledge that SkyCourt repre- sents the existing core retail area of S)ervepeKeyee

The plan mainly focuses on lands which are located across the road from the town centre. SkyCourt says that these lands cannot be developed in isolation from the existing core of Shannon town.

SkyCourt says that there is still available land within the SkyCourt zone to accommodate further retail

floorspace. It argues that these lands should be prioritised for convenience and comparison shopping until they are exhausted, in order to consolidate development adjacent to the existing retail core area of Shannon Town – qi Golan

“SkyCourt is a phased redevelop- ment and it is not yet a completed project. The submission is concerned that the focus on completion of that sector should not be lost in the prep- aration of the master plan,” said a statement issued by SkyCourt man- agement.

SkyCourt’s submission also rejects the master plan proposal for a large retail anchor unit on the site across the road.

‘In the short to medium term this store can be accommodated within the existing SkyCourt area. The submission argues that this store is not required in the proposed loca- tion and should therefore be deleted from the framework plan,” added the Statement.

SkyCourt says it is pressing ahead with plans. Planning applications will be lodged within the next week for a larger Dunnes Stores and a Tes- co anchor store.

THE wider community in Shannon is, for the first time, being invited to attend an Arts and Heritage Festi- val, which is taking place at a local school next week.

St Patrick’s Comprehensive School will run its fourth annual festival on Monday and Tuesday (March 3 and ae

Viewed as one of the highlights of the school year, the event is antici- pated by staff and students.

It will range a wide variety of events and activities, which young people can engage in. This year’s itinerary includes copperwork, rap dancing, pottery, drumming, creative writing,

kickboxing, computer programming and film making.

The events will not be confined to indoors as there will also be an envi- ronmental walk, rock climbing and dolphin watching, over the two days.

Journalist Nell Mc Cafferty and environmentalist Dick Warner will once again return to the school for the festival and their contributions, in particular, should attract members of the wider community in Shannon.

Deputy principal Anne Lucey said the festival will be, once again, var- ere

‘The emphasis is on arts and her- itage, with guests from all walks of life, be it writers, artists, musicians or computer programmers,” said Ms

Biren

“Students will be able to get a feel for what it is like to be working in creative areas,’ she added.

She said the decision was taken this year, for the first time, to invite members of the community to attend the event.

“We decided this year to invite the adults. If the adults want to come in to a talk, we can facilitate that, if they ring the school in advance and book a place,’ she said.

“The adults would relate quite well to Nell McCafferty,” she added.

Students enjoyed the event over the past few years and this year should be no different, said Ms Lucey.

“We suspend the normal timetable

for the two days. The event is a great experience for everyone. We used to present a musical, but we felt that, with a musical you would have the top 10 stars. What about the other children?” she pointed out.

“We wanted to do something where every single person is involved,’ she added.

Not only do well-known guests at- tend the festival, but former pupils also turn out, to lend tips on their expertise in various areas.

Anyone interested in attending the school’s Arts and Heritage Festival next month should contact the school on 061 361428.

The cost for those who wish to at- tend is €5.