Category: Uncategorized

A CLARECASTLE woman its seek- ing damages from the State and the Garda Commissioner over her al- leged false imprisonment at Ennis Garda Station five years ago.

The woman is also seeking dam- ages in respect of a Garda making an “unfounded” complaint to the Mid- Western Health Board over the care she provided for her then four year old daughter who was also detained at the station.

The woman’s partner was stopped at a Garda road checkpoint in Clare in August 2002. The woman and her daughter were also in the car.

The partner admits that he turned

his car in the direction of Limerick before he was stopped by a Garda patrol vehicle. The man _ refused to give the garda his address. The Garda found that the tax disc and the insurance disc were apparently out of date. The partner was physically restrained, arrested and brought to Ennis Garda Station.

The woman and her daughter were brought to Ennis Garda Station in a separate Garda vehicle. The man was processed at the station and then placed in a cell, while the woman and her daughter were placed in another room. Legal documents allege that although the woman wasn’t arrested, she was detained at Ennis Garda Sta- tion for a number of hours.

“Arising from the foregoing, the woman was improperly and unlaw- fully detained and falsely imprisoned by the Gardai.”

The affidavit lodged by the woman notes that the State denies that the woman was unlawfully arrested.

Two months later, the woman was contacted by a social worker from the Health Board, setting out that gardai had made contact with the health board outlining concerns they had regarding the woman’s care of her daughter.

In October, the Health Board in- terviewed members of the partner’s family, the woman’s doctor and teachers in her daughter’s school. They interviewed the woman and her

partner on a number of occasions.

The woman subsequently found out that the Garda who made the com- plaint was the Garda who stopped the car driven by her partner the pre- vious August.

The woman claims that the allega- tion made by the Garda was mali- cious and without foundation. She also claims that the allegation was an abuse of position.

The woman is seeking damages for the alleged breach of constitutional rights, damages for abuse or misuse of public position and damages for defamation.

The case is due to come before the civil sittings of Ennis Circuit Court today (Tuesday).

A KILKEE woman will lead four cyclists on the long Bothar from Stillorgan to Clare on May 5 in sup- port of the third world development ZIXeBLOas

Ann Power said that she decided to do something for charity and a “coast to coast” cycle jumped out at her even though she was a not a regu- lar cyclist.

“I’m from Kilkee so I thought I would see if I could cycle the 180 miles down and I asked a few peo- ple if they would be interested. The

others would have a bit more experi- ence. One of them was in a club and has cycled a good bit. I started train- ing in October especially for this.”

Ann, a nurse who has lived in Dub- lin for 13 years, outlined the team’s eruelling training regime.

“It has been very tough. I had to buy a new bike and everything. I work Monday to Friday and I get up every Sunday at 8am to train. We’ve gone as far as Naas a few times on the old N7 road. I watch the signs and when you see the kilometres going down it is a great incentive. It keeps you go- ing,” she said.

The self-confessed amateurs – Ann’s husband Mick Vine and col- leagues Theresa McEvoy and Im- elda Redmond – will cycle as far as Nenagh on the day before continuing to Kilkee on May 6. Ann said that the support from family and col- leagues has been brilliant.

“My parents and everyone down in Clare think it’s a great thing we’re doing. Lots of people are amazed by it because they reckon it will be quite tough with the winds coming from the west. How it goes will de- pend on the weather. That will be a huge factor.”

“We will definitely finish it, no mat- ter what. I would never do something like this if 1t wasn’t a challenge. You just have to get motivated. But I am looking forward to hanging up my bike for a few weeks and staying in on Sundays.

‘“Bothar is a great charity and very hands on. We haven’t counted up what we’ve raised so far but there was no target so anything will be a bonus,” she added.

If you would like to support the coast to coast cycle, donations can be made to Bank of Ireland account number 65862912, sort code 901335.

A BOYKE girl who is afraid of fly- ing and heights has conquered both by jumping out of an airplane for a good cause.

18-year old Lorraine Lynch and three friends decided to take on the challenge of a 10,000 foot parachute drop to help the childrens’ charity, UNICEF.

And in doing so, the plucky psy- chology student raised €600 for the oon

“We saw leaflets for the jump one day and we decided we’d go for it,” said Lorraine, who made the drop along with three of her fellow stu- dents at Sligo college.

“IT wanted to do something for the charity and people were very sup- portive in helping me with sponsor- ship,” she said.

Jacko’s Pub in Scariff and publican Eamon Moloney helped by putting sponsorship cards out for Lorraine and her friends and family rallied round also.

Customers and _ colleagues at Shaney Macs shop, where Lorraine works, also helped out.

When the day came, she travelled to the aptly named Airfield parachute centre where she was teamed up with an experienced jump-buddy and then taken 10,000 feet aloft.

“I did get nervous just beforehand. When we were at one thousand feet,

I thought ‘this is it — this 1s as high as we have to go’. Then they told me we were climbing another 9,000 feet. My heart skipped a few beats all right.”

At the zenith of the flight, Lorraine said, she “didn’t have time to think about it — you’re at the door of the plane and the next thing you’re out. When we were up there, it was very peaceful above the clouds”.

After 30 seconds of free-fall at 120 mph, the parachute opened and Lor- raine had a leisurely seven minutes of floating towards the ground with a chance to enjoy the view.

“The people who jump with you and the photographers who jump at the same time are just amazing. The man who jumped with me has made

more than 3,000 jumps,” said Lor- een b alee

Describing the jump as “a really amazing experience’, newly initi- ated adrenalin junkie, Lorraine, says she now plans to do another charity jump, this time from the highest alti- tude available to non-qualified jump- ace

‘“l’m going to the States for the sum- mer and in San Diego, they have the highest jump in the world at 13,000 so myself and a friend are planning to do that one. I can’t wait to do it eee 0

CLARE Heritage Office, in associa- tion with the Notice Nature campaign and the Clare Biodiversity Group, held the first ever Clare biodiversity seminar at Clare Museum last week.

The event features discussions on a range of issues from designated sites in Clare, native trees and hedgerows, and biodiversity at a local and na- tional level.

Newly-appointed Clare Biodiver- sity Officer, John Murphy opened the seminar with an introduction to biodiversity in the county.

Following that, renowned ecologist Janice Fuller addressed those in at- tendance about ‘Buds of the Banner: A Guide to Growing Native Trees

and Shrubs in Clare’, which was recently published by Clare County Council in conjunction with Rural Resource Development.

The seminar also featured Lorraine Fitzgerald of the Notice Nature cam- paign and David Lyons, Acting Dis- trict Conservation Officer (ADCO) and ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), who will provide a presentation on the various designated biodiversity sites in Clare.

“This biodiversity event aims to outline the unique combination of wild places, beautiful scenery and all life forms that make Clare a unique county that is enriched with biodiversity,’ said Clare Biodiversity Officer, John Murphy.

“Biodiversity provides us with a ereat variety of products and serv- eLearn

“It gives us food, fuel, medicines, building materials and our beautiful countryside, landscapes and ocean. It also helps to purify our air and wa- ter, and to stabilise our soil.

“It provides for tourism and rec- reational activities, walking, cy- cling, angling, boating and bird- and whale-watching. The conservation of biodiversity is life enhancing and is of economic, cultural social and health value.”

Clare became the first county in Ireland to produce a local biodiver- sity action plan when the Clare Bio- diversity Action Plan was launched in May 2006.

Clare 1s also the first county to have a local biological records centre and has been acknowledged as the lead- ing example for biodiversity protec- tion and promotion.

“The interest in biodiversity issues has been growing steadily in County Clare over the last number of years. This is particularly evident in the amount of individuals and commu- nity groups now actively engaged in its protection and promotion,’ said Tomas Mac Conmara, the acting heritage officer with Clare County Council.

The seminar provides an oppor- tunity to discuss biodiversity on a broad level and also to disseminate awareness about issues concerning biodiversity in the county.”

THE trial of a man accused of mur- dering Ennis hackney driver Liam Moloney will enter its fourth day at the Central Criminal Court today. Anthony Kelly, a 54-year-old na-

tive of Ruan, has denied murdering the father of four, at Portlecka, Ruan, on February 11, 2005.

He has admitted the killing, but claims he was of diminished re- sponsibility at the time. It is the prosecution case that the killing was

“planned and executed” and that the victim was lured to his death.

Mr Moloney was struck 17 times to the head and his throat was then cut from side to side. According to the prosecution, the motive was robbery and the accused went to his victim’s

flat in Ennis a short time after and stole cash.

The accused told gardai he felt “possessed” when he hit Mr Molo- ney, who he had met through a mutu- al friend some months beforehand.

THE line-up for this year’s Inishceal- tra Festival of the Arts is all but final- ised and it will provide entertainment for every taste and promises to attract hoards of visitors and business into the village.

Music, drama, poetry, film and even performance food are all on the bill this year for the festival, which kicks off on May 25 and runs until June 4 in the lakeside town.

One of the most novel evenings in the festival will be provided by the

Performance Dinner, which will be staged on May 29 in Liam’s Restau- rant in the village.

This will be a musical and theatri- cal performance by local artists and gardeners who will entertain their audience with the live preparation of a three-course meal. The audience is invited to bring an appetite.

International award-winning Irish group, Zrazy are the main line-up for Staurday, May 26, while fans of harp music will have a treat on Sun- day when the “Time of O’Carolan” concert will be held in St Caimen’s

church, starring harpist, Janey Har- bison.

May 30 is devoted to a poetry evening an on May 31, the local na- tional school is hosting a convention of European teachers.

There will be an art exhibition in the Aistear and the Fishbowl Youth Club will be presenting their short films.

There’s comedy with ‘Snatch Com- edy’ from Cork on June | and Kiul- dare poet, Mary O’Donnell will host a writers’ workshop on June 2.

A mini ‘eco-village’ is being set up in the Aistear and there will be fun

events, including a puppet show and lessons in making shadow puppets and kites.

Singing sessions trad and folk ses- sions, sean-nos dancing, adult art classes and even a festival walk are all on the programme.

One of the highlights of the event will be the outdoor concert and evening spectacular at the harbour, with Holy Island and the lake as a backdrop on Sunday, June 3.

The Lismorahaun singers and Daghda Dance are among the stars of these events.

CLARE’S Fianna Fail general elec- tion candidates have rowed in with their support behind the Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, after last week’s launch of the party’s new agriculture policy.

The new policy documents, which are called “The Next Steps Forward for Farming Communities’, were re- leased to the public last week and re- ceived a warm welcome from Clare Senator Brendan Daly and Minister Tony Killeen.

“The plan, launched by my Fianna Fail colleague, Agriculture Muinis- ter Mary Coughlan, sets out details of proposals covering all aspects

of farming and the food industry,’ commented Senator Daly.

“Fianna Fail believes that farming requires further sustained support at a time of great change. We’re com- mitted to ensuring that farmers’ in- terests remain a core priority for the next government.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen, described the publication as responsive to the needs and concerns of the Irish farming community.

“All farmers face the challenge of reducing the cost of inputs while striving to have high-quality market- able products, which will attract a premium price. Food producers face challenges from South America and

Australia, which can only be met by producing quality food that is attrac- tive to the consumer,” he said.

“The EU and World Trade poli- cies will change during the next five years. The Irish Government has set out its stall regarding how it will pro actively influence these changes. I am confident that the successes en- joyed by Irish food exporters, with the help of Bord Bia over the last five years, will be acted upon by the cur- rent farmer-friendly Government,” he added.

Senator Daly also used the publica- tion to take a stab at the agricultural policy adopted by other parties.

‘The Taoiseach was the only party leader to mention farmers in an Ard

Fheis speech this year,” he said.

‘“Labour’s recent comments on their hill-walking legislation showed that the alternative government doesn’t believe farmers should be consulted on matters that directly affect them.

“Our plan outlines a range of com- mitments, including support for the development of higher-value prod- ucts with more secure markets, the extension of country-of-origin la- belling, a strong position on EU and WTO negotiations and the improve- ment of a range of schemes designed to give farmers the freedom to farm as they decide.”

The policy in full can be viewed on www.thenextsteps.ie/farmingcom- munities.

FINE Gael leader Enda Kenny says he is confident that the party’s con- troversial four-candidate strategy will see the party return a second deputy to the Dail.

During his visit to Clare last week, Mr Kenny echoed the belief ex- pressed by Fine Gael’s Director of Elections in Clare.

Speaking in these pages three weeks ago Paul _ Bugler commented that the key to Fine Gael’s strategy would be miaintain- ing and hold- ing the party’s internal trans-

ieee

Mr Kenny SF NCMR Meee CAN which

had provoked heated debate at the party’s County Convention, would prove successful. Commenting on the importance of the internal transfers Mr Kenny said, “They (transfers) will obviously be the key to it. But I expect the peo- ple and our supporters are going to make a real effort here to send back a second deputy with deputy Pat Breen. We have already encouraged our supporters to vote the full Fine

Gael ticket, thereafter to vote the Labour ticket and thereafter to pass their preference votes onto the Green Party, who share the same objective as ourselves as getting the Govern- ment out of office”

Mr Kenny also pledged his com- mitment to the retention of consult- ant delivered accident and emergency services at Ennis General Hospital.

He also outlined his opposition to the controversial Hanly report,

which is ex- pected to rec- ommend the downgrading of services at the hospital “We’ve committed to that. We’re opposed to the Hanly report were opposed to closing down small hospi- tals and services. We are committed to keeping accident and emergency services opening and to full-time consultant led services in Ennis.”

THIS week sees the culmination of a long road strew with paperwork for a north east Clare group and their little Od tNaxone

Minister Brian Lenihan will be the VIP on Friday at the official opening of the Lough Graney Kids Corner community creche, childcare and af- ter-schools facility.

The facility was purpose built after sucessfully securing a building grant of €1 million and a further €94,000 for equipment.

“We started several years back in the national school, where we had a playschool in a spare room,” said Kathleen McNamara, Secretary of the childcare committee.

“We applied for and got a staffing erant, which meant we were able to expand to pre-school and after school care. That grant was a major cog in the wheel. It gave us the opening to keep going forward.”

What followed was “a mountain of paperwork”, said Kathleen. “We had forms everywhere. It was never ending but when you see the benefit to the community today, it was well worth it.”

Now the facility operates out of a state-of-the art purpose built home at the back of the school, with fifty children being catered for.

The structure is child-friendly, tim- ber framed with underfloor heating and wood floors for little feet.

“We don’t just sit around keeping an eye on them. We are very activ- ity oriented. While we do homework with the children, we also have peo- ple come in to do activities like gym- nastics and crafts. We do a cookery class for children which is very pop- ular. There are lots of things like that that parents just don’t get time to do with the children anymore.”

And the youngsters are not the only ones who benefit from the new build- ing. There are regular community classes in the activity room such as (0yeeF

“When older people come here for a class, they get to mix with the chil- dren,” said Kathleen.

The staff even offer a summer camp and a birthday party facility, where children can celebrate their big day without parents having the hassel of having to bring gangs of children to their homes or drive their own miles to a party.

Built by a local builder, to a design

by architect, Peter Sheils, the child- care centre will soon have it’s own website and open days are planned for new parents and their children. Welcoming the official opening, lo-

cal councillor Pat Hayes said the fa- cility is “a really valuable part of the infrastructure of the area and a re- source for the entire north east Clare area. We can be justifiably proud to

have an important facility like this”.

A FEAKLE man died after he fell awkwardly from his bicycle as he cycled home after a night out, Ennis Coroner’s Court has heard.

The body of Sean Tobin (41), of Gurrane, Feakle, was found at Fur- nacetown, on the main Feakle to Scariff road, at around 2am on April 17, 2006.

An inquest last Thursday heard from witness Mary McGuinness. She was on her way home from Feakle when she noticed something

on the road, just lOO yards from Pep- per’s pub.

She saw a body lying partially on the grass margin and there was a bi- cycle between the man’s legs.

Garda Pat McGrath of Mountshan- non said he attended the scene of the accident. He recognised the cyclist as Sean Tobin, a factory worker, who lived just a half-mile away.

Garda McGrath said there were two lamps on the bicycle, none of which were turned on.

He said there was no damage to the bicycle, but the front wheels and

handlebars had been turned a full Rol Oe (fea terene

State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy said Mr Tobin had been half- way home, when he fell off his bicy- cle and was lying “awkwardly”.

She said there had been “no evi- dence of a road traffic accident”.

It appeared that Mr Tobin may have hit a stone, which would have top- pled him from the bicycle.

‘He was acutely intoxicated by al- cohol. His co-ordination would have been poor. He would have been un- steady,’ she said.

The post mortem examination showed Mr ‘Tobin had _ sustained mainly “trivial” injuries, consistent with a fall.

“Although the injuries were trivial, the position in which he landed would have left him susceptible to asphyxia, due to lack of oxygen,” she said.

She said that death was due to as- phyxia, which was due to the awk- ward way he fell, combined with acute alcohol intoxication.

The jury returned a verdict of acci- dental death, on the recommendation of Coroner Isobel O’Dea.