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JOHN Vaughan Auctioneers, En- nistymon, have a lovely three bed- room bungalow on their books, guiding at €385,000. The house is set in a mature, spacious site off the Ennistymon/Lahinch Road, within

a mile of Lahinch beach, golf links and all other amenities in the resort, while also being close to the vibrant town of Ennistymon.

This house has large sash windows and is a bright house with beautiful timber floors in each of the three bedrooms and in the sitting room.

The accommodation comprises a kitchen, dining room with an open fire, sitting room with open fire, three bedrooms, and a family bathroom. The attic is floored and can be ac- cessed via a Stira stairs. The attic of- fers good conversion potential. For full details contact 065 7071477.

ANTHONY Kelly felt “possessed” When he hit Liam Moloney to the head with an axe, then dragged his body out of the car, before cutting his throat from side to side.

The thought of killing his victim had entered his mind several times and as the two travelled from Ennis to Ruan, a feeling of “rage” came over him and voices told him “do it, elon ia

The trial was told that Mr Kelly

had owed Mr Moloney about €150 at the time.

Mr Moloney’s taxi was seen parked at the entrance to Port House, an un- occupied building, at around 8pm on the evening of February 11, 2005.

According to the prosecution, Mr Kelly opened the gates after he killed Mr Moloney and dragged the body 15 to 20 yards inside.

‘The pockets of the deceased had been turned out,’ said prosecution barrister Tom O’Connell SC.

Less than an hour later, Mr Kelly

entered Mr Moloney’s apartment on Barrack Street, Ennis, where he stole money. He later picked up a 14-year- old boy in Shannon, on arrangement with the boy’s mother, and drove to Waterville.

The following morning, the boy saw the accused throwing clothes he had been wearing the previous evening into a fire in the back garden of his house. That day, he threw the head of a hatchet and other items in the direction of a lake in Kerry.

‘He was purposefully seeking to

cover his tracks and dispose of things which might connect him with the killing,” said Mr O’Connell.

Initially, Mr Kelly denied any knowledge of the killing. He later ad- mitted involvement. He said he had been depressed and angry in the run- up to the incident. “I had been down in my house in Waterville and had nightmares for months,” he said.

He said that Liam Moloney had “pissed” him off and used to ring him, telling him sick jokes.

On the night in question, Mr Kelly

was carrying a knife and a small axe. In Ruan, he got in and out of the taxi a few times and Mr Moloney asked him what he was “up to”.

He reached into his bag and had his hand on the axe. He felt a burn- ing sensation and something said to him, “do it, do it”, and he struck him a number of times to the head.

“| felt like I was possessed. I used a knife to cut his throat and said *F*** You’. It was only when I was driving back to Kerry that there was pain in my heart,” he said.

which has been compiled by Gerald Kennedy to mark the 40th anniver- sary of the club.

Superstars of Irish football such as Ronnie Whelan and Packie Bon- nar were in north Clare earlier this month to help mark the historic day for the club.

“We started off about five years ago with the idea of putting this book together. An awful lot of work

was done back then in gathering old match reports, photos and any kind of memorabilia together. As the 40th anniversary began to come closer, we decided that we really should get moving and put the book together,’ said Gerry Kennedy.

“We didn’t realise how much work would be involved in doing it. The collection is fairly comprehensive, but there were one or two things that were difficult to find. I remember taking some photographs myself in the early days but the quality was so poor in those days that not a lot of them survived. Older photographs were one of the hardest things to

track down.

“We were getting lots of bits and pieces all the time and while there was some few things that we weren’t able to include, I’m not sure we could have made it any bigger or more comprehensive. We were lucky in the early days that soccer was treated as a bit of a novelty sport and, because of that, it got a lot of coverage in the media at that time.”

The books track the evolution of the club since its foundation at New- town United in 1967 up until its latest incarnation as Corofin Harps.

“We have got great feedback from old members of the club. It brings

back great memories for them. But equally for the young people, they get to look back and see where the club has come from and how it has developed into what it is today,” con- tinued Gerry.

“In fact, there is really something in the book for anyone who has an interest in sport in Clare. The club has had a lot of ups and downs over the years and it has not always been smooth sailing.”

The book is available at a cost of €15 from O’Callaghan’s Newsa- gents in Corofin. Alternatively, you can contact Gerry Kennedy at 086 3478050 for more details.

ERA Leyden Auctioneers, Lahinch, has just taken on a four bedroom de- tached bungalow with sunroom and attached garage, at Poulawillin, Mil- town Malbay, with an asking price of €317,500.

This property occupies a half acre site and is situated on the Mullagh Road, only l1km from the centre of Miltown Malbay and all of its ameni- ties. The house enjoys sea views and is less than two miles from Spanish Point Beach.

The bungalow extends to 1,570 sq ft of floor space, plus the attached

garage offers scope for conversion to additional living space, if required.

This property has the added benefit of a recent extension to the rear to include a bright, spacious sun room and kitchen cum dining room over- looking the rolling countryside and the coastline.

Other features include a second reception room, double glazed win- dows, oil fired central heating, stone feature facade to the front of the property and tarmacadam driveway. And the grounds have been neatly maintained

For full details contact 065 7081088.

A YOUNG man had his ear bitten in a row on a Street in the early hours of the morning, a court has heard.

John Paul Keane (27), of Scan- lan Park, Castleconnell, Limerick, pleaded guilty to assault, arising out of an incident outside Molly’s bar, Ballina, Killaloe, in the early hours

of the morning in August 2005.

Sergeant Deborah Marsh told En- nis Circuit Court yesterday that the accused and another man, Niall Col- lins, were involved in a row. They were fighting on the ground.

“The accused was on top of the other man. He had the other man’s ear between his teeth and was biting down on it. There was blood gushing

from the ear,” she said.

She said she warned the accused to desist but he “continued with the as- ele

After he was arrested, the accused continued to be violent and lashed Oo) iar limee Heer N

The assault has “left a permanent scar down the centre of the ear’, she Said.

Counsel for the accused, Michael Collins, said that a large number of people were involved in various rows outside the bar.

He said the accused told gardai that he feared he was going to die as he was been kicked.

Judge Carroll Moran adjourned sentencing, to allow the injured par- ty to attend court.

THE Kilrush Parish Finance Com- mittee is hoping to tee off the next stage in fundraising for the refur- bishment of St Senan’s Church with a golf classic on May 4.

It 1s hoped that the tournament, which will be held at Kilrush Golf Club, will raise £10,000 towards the massive €5.2 million renovation of the church.

Pat Shannon, chairman of the fi- nance committee, listed out the extensive work that must be done before the church is finished in late Summer.

“A new roof is needed, the stained glass windows have been removed for repair and storm glazing and

the stone around the Rose Window has been re-cut. New central heat- ing is needed, the altar has been re- positioned and there is a new front entrance, boiler house and toilet fa- cilities. It is a complete upgrade,” he Sr AKOe

Mr Shannon added that the project has been several years in the making with a two year planning delay and appeals to An Bord Pleanala slowing down the building but not the fund- enh b Ores

He said that the continuing local contribution to the project has been excellent.

“We have raised nearly €2 million in the last few years. The house to house collections and general appeal raised €200,000 alone. We have a

parish draw and lotto as well. Dif- ferent organisations in the parish have also had their own money-rais- ing activities. We got some private donations and bequests in wills too. There has been a big drive in the lo- cal community.”

The committee has borrowed the remaining €3 million and has ap- pealed to the Government for fund- ing to make up the shortfall.

“We applied to the Department of the Environment for grants. We met with the Taoiseach and Ministers Cowen and O Cuiv. We already re- ceived verbal support from them but as yet there has been no financial as- sistance,’ he added.

Parish services have been held in the community hall since Septem-

ber, but Mr Shannon said that the church’s structure already shows an rboah ey en{er0 slo 01

‘The interior has dried out tremen- dously. From what we’ve seen so far St Senan’s will be one of the finest church buildings in the diocese, if not in the country.”

It costs €500 to enter a team in the golf classic and anyone interested can contact Denis Nagle on 065 9051138. Donations can also be sent to Father Michael Sheedy, The Paro- chial House, Toler Street in Kilrush.

CLARE fire services have advised people carrying out controlled burn- ing to always notify the service.

This follows a spate of gorse fires in the county, including ones which occurred in the Connolly-Lissycasey area.

Fire services were called out to at- tend two gorse fires in the area on April 19. Five units of the Fire Bri- gade — two from Ennis, two from Ennistymon and one from Kilrush — were called to the scene.

A large area of open ground was on fire but was brought under control by the fire brigade, who were assisted by members of Coullte along with a number of local volunteers. The long spell of dry weather meant the fire spread quickly and this, combined with changing wind directions, made working conditions extremely dif- ficult.

“If people are carrying out con- trolled burning, then it should be in a controlled manner and the Fire Control Centre (999/112) should be notified with the details,” said Tom Burke, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer, adding that just a few items could be burnt.

“While Coillte personnel and our- selves generally work in groups, both to be more effective and also for safety, especially during dusk hours,

members of the public that assist may yao lms KO) UCOdWAB OBESE

“If members of the public and land- owners are assisting Coillte and the fire service, they should be accom- panying these personnel at all times to ensure proper co-ordination of re- sources to deal with these incidents,” he said.

Meanwhile, environmentalists are counting the costs of more than 20 bog fires that broke out in Gort and Surrounding areas last week. The fires, which fire services described as the most serious in memory, are be- lieved to have been started by land- owners burning gorse on their land.

The worst of the fires took place in Peterswell, between Gort and Loughrea, with every available unit from Gort, Loughrea, Portumna, Athenry and Tuam called in to battle the blaze.

Ecologists are this week begin- ning to assess the level of damage sustained by the bogland areas as a result of the fire. Depending on the severity of the blaze, fire can have a mixed effect on a bogland habitat.

A sustained heavy blaze can cause irreversible damage to the living peat layer of a bog, essentially destroying the entire bog ecosystem.

However, a less serious fire can ac- tually promote new growth on bog land and prevent trees from encroach- ing and taking over bog areas.

GARDAI are entitled to protection from the courts, according to a judge who spoke out after hearing that a garda was kicked to the ground in Kilkee. Judge Carroll Moran was speaking at Ennis Circuit Court yes- terday in the case of two men who as- saulted a garda.

Daniel Lyons (24), of Carrigaholt, pleaded guilty, while Thomas Shee- han (20), of Luislahahan, Kilkee, pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty by a jury in March.

Sergeant John Ryan told the court that there was a disturbance at Strand Line, Kilkee, on August 22, 2004. Garda John Reidy found himself on the ground, where he was kicked and punched.

He said that Mr Lyons punched Garda Reidy into the face, while Mr Sheehan then kicked the garda a couple of times. Mr Lyons’ barrister Mark Nicholas said the incident was “quite frightening for gardai”. He said his client saw his brother was being arrested and tried to intervene.

Mr Sheehan’s barrister Pat Whyms

said his client had a very good job as a sales executive. His employer told the court he was “certainly surprised” to hear of the young man’s involvement in the incident.

Judge Carroll Moran said, “This is a serious case where Garda Reidy was kicked when he was on the ground.

“Members of An Garda Siochana are entitled to expect some protection from the courts. Fortunately their job is not always dangerous but it some- times is. Society expects that they be given some protection,” said the piece reren

“It is pretty cowardly to kick some- one on the ground,” he said. He said the “disgraceful offence” should mer- it jail, but accepted both accused had kept out of trouble since the incident. ‘Punishment can take many forms. It would do more harm than good to im- pose a custodial sentence.”

He imposed a two-year jail term on Sheehan, substituted with 240 hours community service. He adjourned the case for two months, to ascertain if he would be found suitable for the work. He also adjourned sentencing Mr Ly- ons until then.

in the Quilty Tavern at 9pm on May 5 will go towards a commemorative weekend for the last week in Sep-

tember.

PJ, who plays and tours with Séa- mus Shannon, said that the heroic rescue of the crew of French ship Leon XIII in October 1907 had in- spired generations.

“In a huge storm, the ship got stuck in a reef off the coast of Quilty and all rescue attempts failed. So the fishermen of Quilty had a go at it and they rescued them. It was the talk of the world and people came from everywhere to see and meet

them. Money donated at the time was later used to build the Star of the Sea Church.”

He added that reaction to the song, which has been played on Clare FM and is on sale locally and in Ennis, has been very positive.

“I did a lot of research when I wrote the song last January and it tells the proper story of what happened. It was very much a local job and we re- corded it in Malbay Studios. People seem to like it anyway. The launch

will have well-known guests like Kitty Hayes and David Culligan and maybe a surprise or two.”

PJ, originally from Mullagh, said that plans for the commemoration weekend and possibly a dedicatory plaque have not been finalised but there is already some interest in the event.

“Lots of the ancestors of the fish- ermen are still around. We are even expecting people to come home from abroad for it,” he said.

A CLARE motorcyclist is threat- ening to take the county council to court over what he describes as “wil- fully dangerous roadworks”.

Mountshannon resident Ciaran Ma- cAodh came close to serious injury at the weekend when his motorbike skidded out of control after he drove across gravel which had been thrown up on the road surface from road- works on the opposite side.

The accident happened at Cloon- tymweenagh on the road between Scariff and Mountshannon.

“I saw the roadwork warning signs and slowed right down but the gravel dressing that the council put on the other side where the works are go- ing on wasn’t rolled into the road. Cars driving over it threw up stones, which went all over the road on the side I was driving. There was noth- ing for the bike to grip on — it was just sliding,” he said.

MacAodh was thrown from his bike and the bike went spiralling away.

He was treated in the accident and emergency department for injuries to his wrist and said that he was still unsure what damage was done to the bike.

“There was a car coming in the other direction and it was just as well that I wasn’t going any faster because

I could have ended up under that car. This happens all the time with road- works. The council never considers what happens to a bike when it hits loose gravel.

“Cars can cope but not bikes. I’m sick of it and I’m going to court this time,’ he added.

A spokesman for Clare County Council’s roadworks section said that surface dressings like this were “always rolled”’.

He added that there was “always signs imposing a temporary speed limit and warning about roadworks. Nowadays, health and safety issues are all important and every precau- tion is taken to warn motorists and prevent accidents”.

A spokesman for the Tulla area of- fice of the local authority confirmed that the work at Cloontymweenagh are part of a major roadworks pro- gramme, which will be ongoing in the favourable weather conditions.

The spokesman said that the council tooks certain measures when putting down the temporary surface.

The procedure was a “normal part of the construction process.

“The stones are there to form a base for the final surface. There’s not much can be done, aS some stones are thrown up by car wheels as the temporary surface is driven on,’ he explained.