Category: Uncategorized

THE latest figures from the 2006 Census show that areas that have enjoyed substantial holiday home de- velopments have suffered decreases in population.

The populations of Lahinch, Lis- cannor and Killaloe have declined since the 2002 census.

According to the figures, the popula- tion of Lahinch has dropped by three per cent, Liscannor has dropped by 34 per cent and Killaloe has dropped

by 12 per cent.

Cllr Martin Conway (FG) said that the census figures confirmed that the exorbitant price of property on Clare’s coastal resorts was making it impossible for young people to re- main in their homeplace and driving them out of the villages.

“As aresult, you have a drop in pop- ulation and the social consequences are that it will be difficult long-term to fill local schools and local football teams,” he said.

Cllr Conway said that it was “quite

ironic that while you have a drop of population in these areas, the house building for holiday homes that has been going on has been colossal.

‘The prices for property have spi- ralled out of all proportion and way beyond the means of locals.

‘The census also reflects the puni- tive planning regime in place where there 1s a two-tier system operating.”

He added that local people were chilefly affected by the ongoing house price rises.

“It 1s difficult for sons and daugh-

ters of local people to secure plan- ning, yet an out-of-town solicitor or accountant can write a cheque for 500,000 to buy a holiday home.

“*T believe that there should be a tax placed on holiday homes so that these areas can be provided with adequate facilities and money ringfenced for facilities such as playgrounds as these homes are vacant for 10 months of the year.”

The census also showed that En- nistymon suffered a drop in popula- tion of eight per cent. Kilrush suf-

fered a population loss of 1.6 per cent, while Kilkee’s population in- creased by 5.2 per cent.

The greatest leap in population was enjoyed along the corridor linking Ennis to Shannon.

Population around Ennis increased by 27 per cent, while that in Shan- non’s environs increased by 22 per ne

The population of Sixmilebrige increased by 25 per cent, Ennis in- creased by seven per cent and Shan- non increased by three per cent.

THE Diocese of Killaloe “has no 1m- mediate plans” to sell the lands oc- cupied by the Ennis residence of the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh.

A spokesman for the diocese said yesterday, “There are no immediate plans to sell Westbourne or the lands here. It is the Bishop’s residence and also accommodates the diocesan of- fice.”

The spokesman said that if the St Flannan’s (Killaloe) Diocesan Trust didn’t explore the possibilities with the land owned by the diocese, its members could be held in breach.

Last week, it emerged that the trust was seeking to have the eight acres of prime development land at Bishop Walsh’s Westbourne residence re-

zoned for mixed-use development to allow residential, commercial and retail activities take place at the site.

The surprise move would greatly increase the value of the lands and raise the prospects of shops and busi- nesses being developed on the site.

‘There are very onerous responsi- bilities attached to acting on behalf of the trust and I’m sure if these possi- bilities weren’t explored, there would be questions down the road from the Commission of Bequests and Dona- tions,” the spokesman added.

The planner’s response to the Church request pointed out that the site is an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) and that the residence, Westbourne House, is a protected Habel Abb Ken

The spokesman also confirmed that

the trust made a submission in rela- tion to all diocesan property in the greater Ennis area.

“Zoning of land has only come into force in recent years and we are ex- ploring what zonings should apply,’ he said.

The request to rezone lands at Dr Walsh’s residence is one of a series of applications by the Diocesan Trust in the Ennis area.

The trust also lobbied the council to rezone lands at Station Road in Ennis, the Maria Assumpta Hall, a scout hall and some space near the St Peter and Paul Cathedral.

The review of the Ennis and Envi- rons Development Plan is due to be discussed by members of Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council at their May meetings.

A GROUP of people living in a housing estate in Shannon have ac- cused their local Residents Associa- tion of failing to be democratic and has asked the town council to refuse to make grants available to it.

In a letter addressed to Shannon Town Council and signed by 21 Cro- nan residents, it 1s claimed that the Cronan Residents Association 1s not representative and does not hold public meetings.

Those who signed the letter stated that several people living in Cronan have endeavoured to join the com- mittee, but have been refused entry. They say that they have called for an AGM, on several occasions, but this

request was not granted.

“We would feel Cronan deserves a residents committee that engages with the issues in our area 1n a posi- tive manner,’ stated the letter.

“We can only assume that the com- mittee does not want other residents to have a say in their area,’ added the letter.

The letter also stated that the group has not produced financial state- ments. “It is not our aim to allege financial impropriety, but we believe that a Residents Association com- mittee should be seen to operate in an open and honest manner in all matters,’ it stated.

“We request that you refuse this committee, of the Cronan Residents Association, further funds or grants

until this committee submits a fi- nancial report to an Annual General Meeting of an open and accountable Cronan Residents Association,’ it added.

Following receipt of the letter, Shannon Town Clerk Tomas Mac Cormaic wrote to the Chairman of the Residents Association, Jim Duffy.

He has asked him to furnish the council with minutes of the AGM, showing that the officers have been democratically elected. He has also requested a financial statement which has been adopted by the members.

“It would also be helpful if the council could be informed of the method used to notify residents of the time and place of the general

meeting and if the council could be given a list of the members showing that the association is representative of the majority of residents in the Cronan estates,” said the town clerk, in the letter.

The Chairman of the Residents As- sociation Jim Duffy told

Wel Sree lia acwreuon oes (CoeKEo.¢olou ce enced its busiest week in many years with each of Clare’s seven fire sta- tions responding to a series of gorse, bog and forest fires over a wide area.

To the week ending April 20, fire crews responded to more than 30 gorse and forest fires across Clare spending. They spent almost 60 hours tackling the blazes over hun- dreds of acres.

The weekend rain brought a wel- come respite, helping to bring many

fires under control and extinguishing others. Fire crews hope continuing rain will prevent fires from restarting although it is feared that the worst of the gorse fire season 1s yet to come.

Units of the brigade from different stations were called to some of the fires.

The most severe took up to seven hours to bring under control. Less threatening fires were allowed burn out. The fires were at Kilmaley, Whitegate, Mountshannon, Kilfeno- ra, Broadford, Doonbeg and Mo- yasta.

Clare County Fire Service was un- able to confirm the actual causes of the fires in Clare.

It is thought that in some cases lo- cal farmers began to burn off gorse on their lands and these fires got out of control. However, the hot weath- er probably caused the majority of NB Kee

The fire authority has warned that burning of gorse on lands is prohib- ited between March | and August 31 each year. According to Clare Coun- ty Fire Service Chief Officer Adrian Kelly, “Landowners have a special

responsibility to preserve the coun- tryside, its landscape and its wildlife. They should take reasonable precau- tions to ensure that uncontrolled fires do not occur on their property be- tween March and September.”

Clare County Council’s fire author- ity has laid down very strict guide- lines. “Where farmers are burning scrub/vegetation, they must in all cases inform the fire service at least one day before burning, giving the location, time and duration of burn- ing,’ Chief Kelly said.

Speaking about the public involve-

ment in assisting to fight fires on lands, Adrian Kelly said, “While Coillte personnel and ourselves gen- erally work in groups, both to be more effective and also for safety es- pecially during dusk hours, members of the public that assist may not do deh

“They must also be co-ordinated. If members of the public/landown- ers are assisting Coillte/Fire Service, they should accompany these per- sonnel at all times to ensure proper co-ordination of resources to deal with these incidents.”

GARDAI have refused to comment on an allegation that a Liscannor man has been “punched, kicked and beaten” by members of the force on numerous occasions over the last six eaeyelaetsy

Niall Harnett, of Clare Shell to Sea, claimed to have been the vic-

tim of harassment by members of the Gardai since October 2006.

Mr Harnett, who has an address in St Bridget’s Well, is one of a number of Clare people currently protesting against the construction of a Shell pipeline in Bellanaboy, Mayo.

“IT have done nothing wrong, nor ever been accused of any offense of law at Bellanaboy. I have been

punched, kicked and beaten by gardai. I’ve been forcibly searched on the street against my will and I have had personal property stolen and destroyed by gardai.”

Mr Harnett was arrested, but later released uncharged, following an altercation with gardai last Monday, April 16.

“IT have also been under constant

surveillance by gardai who film me constantly and refuse to give legal reasons for this.

“T asked them to stop filming and they refused. I informed them that I would be taking immediate action to protect my fundamental human and constitutional rights by physically di- recting their video camera away from myself. As a result, I was arrested.”

A Garda spokesman declined to comment on the specifics of the case but said, “Within reason, we would always explain what we are doing but not always.

“I have no first-hand experience of the situation up there but, from what I can see, everyone already seems to filming everyone else anyway,” he SP ALGe

A RESIDENTS Association in Shannon is proposing that a skat- ing rink, bowling alley, cinema and community centre be built in the Oyaee

Members of the Cronan Residents Association are calling for politi- cians to support their plan, which, they say will benefit the young people of the town, who they ar- gue, currently have few pastime

options.

Chairman of the Residents group, Jim Duffy says the young people of Shannon have nowhere to socialise, and this must be addressed.

“We met Tony Killeen (junior minister) and we put forward a list of issues. We felt that he, as a min- ister Should address this,” he said.

He said that residents are hopeful of meeting Minister Killeen again over the next fortnight, to again ad- dress the issue.

“These are facilities that most towns have. Where do the 14 – 18 year olds in Shannon go? They have nowhere to go,” he said.

“It would be tremendous if we get two out of the four facilities,’ he rn em

“Let’s start planning it. The job of politicians is to pursue it. We need to get the land and money. There is plenty of land in Shannon. The GSCeh orm sbeelesel mm KM COVUBDOTSMRU NMEA elos Roms Km: lot of money in Ireland. Why not

give it to Shannon? We would in- tend to meet all politicians on this issue,’ said Mr Duffy.

He said that while locals in his housing estate, Cronan, are happy with progress made on issues relat- ing to footpaths, lights and litter bins, one other outstanding issue is causing huge concern.

“We also want answers relating to the availability of the ambulance in Shannon. It still isn’t here,’ said Mr Duffy.

THE Department of the Environ- ment has raised concerns about fur- ther development on a floodplain on the outskirts of Ennis. Department officials were reacting to a planning application to Clare County Council by Gareth Kelly.

Mr Kelly has applied for plan- ning permission for a water supply scheme to facilitate the develop- ment of lands at Bunnow, Doora, Skehanagh and Clareabbey.

Officials say that major develop- ment in this low-lying coastal flood- plain area is likely to require up- graded flood defences in the future.

According to the department, this will raise the likelihood of addition- al negative impacts on the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and on sensitive species and wetland sys- tems in the area.

Mr Kelly has applied to have a total of 150 acres of land rezoned from low density housing to resi-

dential, commercial and to remove the flood risk designation.

In response, the council has stated that there is no identified need for additional zoning for development to meet the needs of the plan.

The Department of the Environ- ment has called for a detailed ex- amination of the Kelly application, through the drawing up an Environ- mental Impact Statement (EIS).

“The proposed development is located in and near Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conser- vation (SAC) and on its own and in combination with other plans and projects in the area is likely to have significant negative impacts on the SAC and its conservation objec- tives, including a range of species protected under Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive.

“Significant impacts on the SAC and on Annex II species, including otter, salmon, Lesser Horseshoe Bat and Marsh Fritillary are likely as a result of habitat loss, fragmentation

and degradation, including as a re- sult of changes 1n hydrology and wa- ter quality and a result of increased noise, light and disturbance.

“The proposed development be- cause of its nature, size and location and its association with other major developments in this area — pro- posed, permitted and under con- struction — is likely to have a signifi- cant impact on the environment.”

It goes on, “The site and associat- ed proposed development lands are low-lying and are known to flood extensively.

“A hydrological assessment and flood risk assessment will be re- quired to assess the likely cumula- tive impacts on the hydrology of the area and the need to redevelop or upgrade the flood defence work and the tidal barrage at Clarecastle in the future.”

Officials warn that “the flood risk assessment should be based on ex- treme flood events taking climate and sea level changes into account.”

AN 11-YEAR boy failed in his des- perate efforts to revive his four-year- old brother after finding him hang- ing by his hood from a toilet window at their primary school in east Clare last year.

At an inquest in Ennis last Tuesday into the death of junior infant, Karl Fox, a jury was told that his then 11- year-old brother, Gavin, climbed on top of a friend’s bicycle and lifted Karl from the window and on to the ground on March 14, 2006 at Feakle National School.

According to evidence from Garda Vivian Cahalane, “Gavin tried to wake up Karl, but failed to do so.”

Garda Cahalane said Gavin re- membered that “Karl was cold at that stage’. The inquest was told that Gavin put Karl over his shoulder and went onto the public road outside the school to get help.

Local | woman,

Mary Rose

Loughnane was bringing her daugh- ter from dance class and saw Gavin in a very distressed state and he called out “Help Miss’.

Ms Loughnane said that she no- ticed that Karl’s lips were blue and that he was unconscious. She drove the two home and on arriving at the Fox home, the boys’ mother, Linda came out “to take Karl from Gavin’s shoulder and tried to wake him by shaking him. She then became dis- tressed as he wasn’t responding.”

In her deposition, Linda said, “Karl was limp in my arms and I noticed that his lips were blue.”

She then ran to a neighbour’s house with Karl in her arms.

At the house, a student nurse at- tempted to revive Karl before an ambulance arrived to take the boy to Ennis General Hospital. How- ever, Karl was pronounced dead at 6.20pm.

The inquest was told that Gavin was at hurling training after school between 3pm and 4pm and had seen Karl playing around the field at 3.30pm.

Gavin returned home after train-

ing but Karl was not there and their mother Linda asked Gavin to return to find Karl “because I remember looking at my watch and thinking it was too late for Karl to be out”.

Feakle National School teacher, Marie Clune took hurling training on the day and in her statement said she remembered seeing Karl at around 4.05pm walking by himself in the school yard. She was asked to lock up the school as principal, Ted Har- rington had to go to the local bank.

She called out a couple of times to make sure that there was no one left in the school building before she locked up.

She said, “I didn’t get any response so I proceeded to close the door and lock it. When I drove away from the school, I was happy that there was nobody left on the school grounds.”

Garda John Cunningham – said when later examining the scene with Mr Harrington, “we visited the boys’ toilet and the window Karl had got

caught on was in the middle above the sinks”.

Garda Cunningham said that they also found a yellow infant’s chair and a brown chair also 1n the toilet under a window that was barred.

Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Michael Curtis said he found three very faint discontinuous bruises on Karl’s neck that were consistent with the application of a broad ligature, such as clothing. He concluded that the cause of death was accidental hanging.

County Coroner, Isobel O’Dea said Karl’s death was very tragic and very sad for his parents, his siblings, his school and the wider Feakle commu- nity. She said ‘accidental hanging’ was the appropriate verdict and after deliberating for a short time, the jury returned that verdict.

SECONDARY school students in Shannon have benefited from the de- livery of a personal and social devel- opment programme, which has been offered by the local youth service.

Youth workers Cathal Dillon and Thomas O’Hara have linked in with students at both St Caimin’s and St Patrick’s Comprehensive School in the town, in offering the pro- eramme.

The twelve-week programme 1s Open to non-examination year stu- dents, and runs for an hour, once a week.

In all, 20 young people from Shan- non will complete the programme,

which deals with topics including family, friends, authority, loneliness and communication.

The programme offers young peo- ple opportunities to discuss and ex- plore issues, that are important to them. It is carefully designed to assist the young people in their personal and social development, by discuss- ing topics of importance to them such as relationships, friendship and trust. This also helps them to enhance their communication skills and build their self-confidence.

On completion of the programme, the young people will receive certifi- cates at an assembly where parents are invited to go along and experi- ence a taste of the programme for

themselves and see the presentations designed by each group also.

Youth worker Cathal Dillon said the group is working well together and everyone is enjoying the pro- eramme.

“The group work together bound by a contract which they come up with with the tutor at the beginning. They share their experiences and thoughts on the topics at their own level. There is no pressure put on people. Over the weeks the group gel together and trust and friendship is built up and com- munication improves. This allows the eroup to feel comfortable and speak freely about topics such as friendship and loneliness, towards the end of the program. The group also get the op-

portunity to question two visitors to the group. The first visitor 1s a youth worker and the second someone who works with people who may be lone- ly. This gives them an opportunity to enhance their communication skills and see how they react to meeting new people,’ he said.

“The whole thing is enjoyable and interesting. I’ve got to know some of the people from my school much better. One thing I think everyone thinks is how the exercises put per- sonal life into a different perspective, which can be very informing. I think everyone enjoys it and I’m definitely glad I chose to try it,” said student Garry McKee, who is taking part in the project.

AN application has been lodged with Clare County Council to rezone al- most 100 acres at Barefield for hous- ing, commercial and community use.

The application for rezoning has been made by Benster Ltd and is one of the 168 submissions made to Clare County Council in relation to the review of the Ennis and Environs Development Plan.

However, 1n response to the propos-

al, the Council’s Planning Depart- ment has stated, “There is no iden- tified need to zone additional land residential to meet the future needs of the plan period”.

Separately, an application has been made by Crystal Partners to zone land at Gaurus outside Ennis for a local centre and rezone land from limited residential land or ‘other set- tlement land’ to residential.

The planner’s report states, ““The proposal for a local centre is within a larger site zoned residential, located

south of the Knockanean Road, in the eastern Residential Development Area.

“There are two local centres zoned in this area, one at Roslevan one kilometre to the north west, which is partly developed and one south of the Tulla Road approximately 400 metres to the north, which is not de- veloped.

“In reviewing the plan, account will be taken of the ability of the area to absorb a third local centre, the dis- tance between the local centres and

future population growth.”

As part of its plan for the area, Crystal Partners are in negotiation with Doora Barefield parish and in an update to parishioners state, “Crystal Partners developed land and own Roslevan shopping centre and also have development land at Gaurus.

“On these lands, they have offered to provide a site for a 16-teacher school, a pre-school facility and a hurling pitch as part of their develop- ment proposals for the area — this is subject to planning permission being

granted.”

The update continues that the de- velopers “will continue negotiations with our development group in re- lation to the provision of a church, community hall, children’s play- ground and all weather pitches on the Fahy Hall lands in exchange for part of our lands in this area.”

Discussion on the submissions is to take place between members of En- nis Town Council and Clare County Council in the first two weeks of May.