The Clare People Archive

that the former Church of Ireland building will eventually be promoted as one of the area’s many tourist attractions.

“Because it looks such a fantastic building and due to its association SLAC MM A SCoM A BOLO CoLUDMmBECDOODURVam- DELO MMU STe associated history it will probably become a tourist attraction. We hope to do something about the history

and put it in the building so visitors can see it when they walk around. The tea rooms are there for people to relax afterwards,’ he said.

The outside of the building has retained its authentic look while an estimated €1 million has brought it back to its former glory.

A stage has also been built, with a seating capacity of 130.

The building had been unoccupied for decades and gone into ruin, be- fore a Kilrush Development group – KCDL took it over from the Church of Ireland.

The group had visions for a com- munity but ran out of money after the roof and stonework was completed.

The group approached Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, and with the

blessing of the Church of Ireland the promoter of Irish music and dance took it over and developed it as one of its teach cheoil.

There were just fragments of the original three stained glass windows in place one year ago, but they have now been restored to their original glory with one having pride of place okoaVb NCO M Wa Cow SLAC: IXen

Mr Whelan described the acoustics of the building as “spot on”.

“It is ideal for concerts and seisiun. Musicians will love to use it,’ he Sr HLG

Teach Cheoil Chill Rois will serve as an outreach centre from Cois na hAbhna, the Comhaltas Regional Resource Centre in Ennis.

Classes will begin there in Septem-

ber with “Seisiun” tomorrow evening (Wednesday).

“The primary focus of the teach cheoil will be to promote Comhaltas and related activities. We also hope to encourage the communities to use the facility and resources,’ said Mr We ated een ee

Comhaltas plans to have the build- ing open for inquiries on a daily ba- sis, and eventually have daily activi- ties at the centre.

The grounds of the teach cheoil have been separated from the grave- yard by a railing and a separate en- trance put in place.

TWELVE members of the Clare branch of the Irish Red Cross are making final preparations ahead of their participation in the biggest first aid event to be held anywhere in the world this year.

Members have been put on high alert ahead of the FACE Internation- al First Aid Competition, which will take place in Ireland for the very first time at the University of Limerick this Saturday, July 7.

More than one thousand people from 26 countries right across Eu- rope will travel to Ireland for the competition. As hosts, the Irish Red Cross members are prevented from taking part in the competition itself, but will have the greater task of man- aging the safety of the competitors as they take on the designed scenarios.

The competitors will face more than a dozen specially constructed disaster scenarios which will each use the latest of special effects tech- nology to make the situation as real- istic as possible.

According to John Costin of the Clare Red Cross, the members will never have faced a more demand- ing event in their time with the Red

Siveie

“IT got involved in the Irish Red Cross because after I joined FAS as an instructor, I was on the Limerick Road a lot and that Limerick Road was next only to the Belfast Road for accidents and I found I was coming across a lot of accident but I could do nothing,” he said.

“It’s a big challenge to us in the Irish Red Cross to organise this event because we are just volunteers organ- ising the event in our spare time and keeping all our other local services going as well,” he continued.

“But most importantly it’s a great chance for our young members and for young people who want to know more about the Red Cross to get involved because it’s going to be a huge event, as big as the Special Ol- ympics.”’

John joined the Red Cross in 1980 and has used his skills in a number of voluntary organisations over the dec- ades including the Civil Defense. On Saturday he will take charge of the of the count centre where the scores of all the competitors will be tallied.

Admission for the public is free and their will be a regular free shut- tle buses from Limerick City Centre to UL all day.

LOCALS in south-east Clare have voiced their opposition against re- newed plans by a local businessman to construct a helipad on a farm near Clonlara.

Last year, residents secured vic- tory in their opposition against well- known local businessman, Peter Stritch to construct a helicopter land- ing pad at Clonlara.

In a submission lodged with the council, Mr Stritch’s consultants state that “the landing pad will be solely for the landing of a “Bell 206 Jetanger’ helicopter which is the property of Alpine helicopters, one of Mr Stritch’s businesses.

“The landing area will not be used commercially and will solely be for Mr Stritch and his family business and leisure trips and can be regarded as associated or ancillary use of the house to the north of the application.

“The noise is comparable to that generated by heavy machinery and farm vehicles…

“As the nearest dwelling is 240 me- tres from the proposed landing area, the noise levels would be significant- ly less. The noise levels during the periods when helicopter activities take place on site will increase above the EPA daytime noise control level.

However, the activities shall be in-

termittent in nature, with a take-off and landing time of 10 minutes at the site and we would not deem the noise to be a nuisance.

However, local resident, Dr David Beckett stated, “I must object to this development on the grounds of noise, disturbance, smell, safety issues and loss of amenity.

‘Peter Stritch has been operating a commercial helicopter company un- der the name of Alpine helicopters from this farm, without permission, for over three years.

“Many different helicopters have used the site and I understand that it has served as a helicopter stop-over. They fly in all directions, all year round and seven days a week.

“A large concrete base already exists nearby on which I have seen three helicopters at any one time and beside it is a large shed, which has been used to store the helicopters.

“The request for a new helicopter would suggest an increase in heli- copter business activity.

‘There is a nearby airfield at Coon- agh and beyond that at Shannon air- port. the location of a helipad on a farm with houses nearby does not seem logical. it is alongside a gallop for horses so the safety of horses and of riders is at stake.

A decision is due on the application later this year.

DEMONSTRATING that no matter is too small to be subject of a Dail question, Fine Gael’s Pat Breen has sought parliamentary time to ask the Minister for Health about a hearing ZNlen

In one of a number of Dail questions tabled since the return of the new Dail, Deputy Breen asked the Min- ister for Health and Children when an unnamed Clare person would be facilitated with a hearing aid and if she would make a statement on the matter.

However, in response, Munister Harney said that “the deputy’s ques-

tion relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive un- der the Health Act 2004”.

She added, “Accordingly, my de- partment has requested the Parlia- mentary Affairs Division of the ex- ecutive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply 1s- sued directly to the deputy.”

Other subjects that have been the focus of Deputy Breen’s represen- tations in the past week include the reason an appointment for surgery for a Clare person was cancelled; when a person would be facilitated with toilet facilities and when a per-

son would be facilitated with an ap- pointment for cataract surgery. Earlier this year Deputy Breen was the subject of controversy when he ta- bled a Dail question in relation to the early release of the convicted child rapist, Joe Nugent, while he also ta- bled a parliamentary question on the release of murderer, Chris Cooney. In response to Deputy Breen ta- bling the question on the hearing aid, outgoing deputy mayor of Clare, Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) stated, “It costs the taxpayer €250 for PQs to be an- swered and when you consider that you can buy a hearing aid for €25, this appears not be the most efficient use of the privilege that goes with

Dail membership.

“There may be an element of lazy representation to this type of ques- tion that is unsatisfactory, but per- haps Deputy Breen had no choice to bring this matter to the attention of the Dail as efforts to have this ad- dressed through the parliamentary affairs section of the Health Service Executive (HSE) may have been un- successful.”

Deputy Breen failed to respond to questions emailed to him yesterday.

Last year it emerged that Deputy Breen had asked the most parlia- mentary questions of the four Clare TDs in the 29th Dail. He asked 1,989

mOks

A 23-Y EAR old Clarecastle man has been charged in connection with an alleged knife attack on a man in En- nis last week.

It is alleged that the accused, Alan Kerins, burgled a mobile phone shop and acquired a knife there. Accord- ing to the State, he then robbed a man at knifepoint, at Ardlea, on the Lim- erick Road, shortly after midnight.

Kerins, of Church Drive, Clarecas- tle, is accused of assaulting James Fenton causing him harm, at Limer- ick Road, Ennis, in the early hours of last Wednesday, June 27.

He also faces a charge of entering

RD Mobile Phones on O’Connell Street, Ennis, as a trespasser.

He is accused of handling a stolen wallet containing €90 cash and bank cards, handling four stolen mobile phones, a bluetooth headset and a display phone also on the same date.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told En- nis District Court on Thursday that it would be alleged the accused broke into the phone shop and took a number of phones and a Stanley any 8 Ker

“Then, just off the Limerick Road, Mr Fenton was walking on Ardlea Road when he was suddenly ac- costed from behind by Mr Kerins. Mr Kerins pulled a Stanley knife and

demanded that he produce his wal- let. In the course of the struggle, Mr Fenton was knocked to the ground. He had no choice but to hand over the wallet, which contained €90,” | stemncreB(em

The injured man sustained a knife injury to the abdomen which wasn’t “very serious.” He also received inju- ries to the back of the head and arm.

“The State will be seeking a remand in custody because of the seriousness of the charges and the weight of ev1- dence the State will be advancing in relation to proving those charges,” he SrHIGE

‘There is concern 1n relation to his (Kerins’s) behaviour,’ he added.

He said that Kerins had previously failed to answer bail on several oc- casions.

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey ap- plied for bail, “on very stringent con- ditions.”

She said her client would be taking ‘‘a certain course” in relation to some OME AA oMO ERE MoKe

Judge Joseph Mangan said he was declining jurisdiction on all four charges and ordered that a book of evidence be prepared for the Circuit Colitan

He adjourned the case until later this week and ordered the State to in- form the court on the adjourned date when the book will be ready.

The other six days of the week how- ever the Shannon based councillor IS dedicated to the community, with the belief that the community is an ex- tension of family and knowing what

concerns a family helps understand the plight of a community.

It was while caring for her young family that Patricia first became in- terested in the world of politics.

Having given up her job to be at home, Patricia laughs as she remem- bers her attempt at being a house- BE Kon

““T hate house work,” she said. Like many families in the 1970s she was looking at the pay cheque and the amount of taxes being paid every Neto) e

She continuously brought the issue up with her late husband, Denis, who eventually called her bluff.

‘He told me to do something about it,” she laughed, “So I did.”

The young mother got involved

with the Labour Party. She believed it was her natural political home. Fianna Fail was in government for 16 years and it was associated with a lot of the poverty and hardship of the time.

‘I never considered Fine Gael,” she SrHKOe

In 1977 the outspoken party mem- ber argued that the party should run a candidate in the General Election. When no one else stood up to the mark, the young woman did it her- self.

Although not elected to Dail Eire- ann she was elected to Clare County Council in 1979.

She chuckles as she remembers how she brought her youngest son for his six-week check up, before spend-

ing the afternoon on the hustings.

This was a mother looking for change.

It is her family, in-laws and beloved late husband Denis that she credits with keeping her feet firmly on the eround and her life of politics on the road.

Despite coming from the Convent of Mercy, Kilrush, the school that produced the county’s first two fe- male councillors, Patricia had no in- tentions of engaging in a life of poli- tics in those formative years.

After leaving school she worked in DeBeers and moved to Shannon when she married the late Denis McCarthy. Her eyes light up as she mentions Shannon and her beloved husband.

While admitting home is where her family is and acknowledging that the first two Clare towns will always be part of her life, she said Shannon in- stantly felt like home.

‘When I moved to Shannon I had a sense of place, a sense of town and a sense of freedom. We were Settling in with other young families,” she said.

As the new mayor talks of her de- parted husband her tenses change between present and past.

For her he is never far away, and the advice and support he gave her throughout their marriage echoes near her still.

“We were very lucky,” she said, “and I realise not everyone was that lucky.”

99

THE new mayor of Clare was quick to put her mark on her term in office, as she vowed to tackle one of the most contentious issues facing Clare Soliiia Seale

Just minutes after she made history by becoming the first woman elected to the chair of the local authority, the straight talking politician told the members that she would like to see the planning issue in the county re- solved.

‘At the start of the council in 2004, we promised an audit of planning. I would like to see that being carried out by an independent academic, who would give us a report in a set period of time.

“It we continue to have that frac- tious issue over the council for the coming year we will do untold dam- age to the council.

“IT would ask everyone to take a deep breath, stand back from plan- ning and see if we can sort plan- ny b ayo

As one of just two female members in Clare County Council, Councillor McCarthy is well aware of the chal- lenges facing women in politics hav- ing been first elected to the council When she was the mother of three boys under six.

‘Women make up 50 per cent of the population and the council chamber should reflect society. I would ask women to look at politics as a ca-

reer,’ she said.

The newly elected mayor was also conscious of the need for a secure future at Shannon Airport and told

her fellow colleagues “it beholds us all to recognise the sacrifices of the employees.”

In front of a packed public gal-

lery, which included her three sons and her father John O’Connell, Cllr McCarthy was nominated as the first citizen of Clare by fellow Independ- ent councillor Martin Lafferty.

In his nomination Cllr Lafferty paid tribute to the councillors deep involvement in community affairs, and named just some of her political achievements including being one of the first women elected to the coun- cil, first female chair of SPC, her service to the health board and other political authorities.

He described her as a good con- tributor to the council and “sharp on Cle oy rome

Seconding her nomination Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) said, “I think the pinnacle of her career in local gov- ernment is here today.”

The first female mayor of Clare in the 107 years of the council was elected unopposed and with the support of all the councillors in the chamber.

In congratulating his replacement, outgoing mayor Cllr Flan Garvey quipped, “I will go down in history as the first mayor of Clare to kiss the incoming mayor.”

FAMILIAR faces will occupy the top spots in Ennis Town Council for the next 12 months following last Thursday’s AGM.

As expected veteran Independ- ent councillor Tommy Brennan was elected Mayor of Ennis.

Alongside him, filling the role, as Deputy Mayor is another experi- enced campaigner, Fianna Fail coun- cilor Peter Considine.

Proposed by fellow Independ- ent councillor Frankie Neylon, Cllr Brennan saw off a rival mayoral bid

from another Independent, Taiwoo Matthew.

The Nigerian born councillor was nominated by Fine Gael councillor Johnny Flynn.

However when it came to the crunch, Cllr Matthew found himself outflanked. A vote of the nine mem- ber council resulted in a 6-2 victory in favor of Cllr Brennan.

Green Party Councillor Donal O’Bearra abstained from the voting process. Cllr Peter Considine (FF); Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind); Cllr Mary Coote Ryan (FG); Cllr Frankie Neylon (ind) Cllr Tom Glynn (FF)

and Cllr Joe Reidy (FF) voted for Cllr Brennan.

Cllr Coote Ryan’s party colleague Johnny Flynn and Cllr Matthew vot- ed for CUr Matthew.

Accepting the chain of office, Cllr Brennan commiserated with Cllr Matthew, saying his time would fey nates

He said, “I’d like to thank the peo- ple of Ennis who have elected me to the council 28 years ago and all those who supported me. Cllr Mat- thew, there will be other days. I was elected 22 years before I became Mayor of Clare”.

Cllr Matthew’s hopes of a consola- tion prize in the form of the Deputy Mayor position were then dashed when that position was conferred on Cllr Considine. Cllr O’Bearra nomi- nated Cllr Matthew while departing Mayor Cllr Joe Reidy proposed Cllr Considine. Three votes – Cllr Mat- thew, Cllr O’Bearra and Cllr Flynn – were cast in favor of Cllr Matthew with the remaining six going towards Cllr Considine.

Cllr Considne said, “It is unfortu- nate there are clashes like this in the council but in the fullness of time everyone will achieve the position of

Mayor. I was in the council 16 years before I got there”.

Earlier, Cllr Matthew had called for a change of mindset in the Council. He stated newer members should be given the chance to take up office.

He said, “Experience doesn’t come to everybody without them first get- ting a shot. Everyone in this chamber is competent enough to be a Mayor or Deputy Mayor, everyone elected has the ability. In the spirit of fair- ness we have to have a second look at how we do things”’.

THREE men who were intercepted by gardai on their way to commit a armed robbery on a bookie’s in East Clare have each been jailed for three years.

Cathal O’Neill (40), of Upper Lim- erick Street, Limerick, John Mur- phy (47), of Ballina, Killaloe, and

Michael Gerard Heelan (47), of Bo- herbue, Mallow, Cork, admitted pos- Session of an imitation firearm, with intent to commit robbery, at Drum- line, Newmarket-on-Fergus, on June 24, 2005.

Murphy also pleaded guilty to pos- session of a sawn-off shotgun, five shotgun cartridges and a _ pepper spray canister.

Ennis Circuit Court was told that gardai received intelligence that an armed crime was about to be car- ried out in East Clare. Armed gardai from the ERU, who were on duty in the area, stopped a hiace van. The three men, who were travelling in the van, were arrested and charged.

Heelan was driving the vehicle while the other two defendants were

in the back.

A bag in the van contained a sawn- off shotgun and pistol, the latter which was incapable of firing. Also found were 100 cable ties, black ba- laclavas, wire cutters and acon saw.

At Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, Judge Carroll Moran said by plead- ing guilty, all three accused acknowl- edged they had done wrong. “These

men were in possession of a gun and ammunition. They were intending to commit a serious crime and in the course of it were going to use cables, balaclavas and other matters and tie up innocent persons in the shop.”

He said if they had pleaded not guilty but been convicted by a jury, he would have imposed sentences of SIX years.

A MAN who indecently assaulted three of his granddaughters in Clare- castle when they were aged between six and 12, has been jailed for five years.

Kenneth Barnes (73), a widower, of 42 Church Drive, Clarecastle, plead- ed guilty to 46 counts on indecent assault, at his home, between 1988 and 1993.

Barnes, a native of the UK, has lived in Clarecastle for several years

Judge Carroll Moran said the case was “bad” and said Barnes’ three victims had their “innocence and childhood robbed” by a man in a po- sition of trust – a grandfather.

Barnes’ victims – Rebecca Barnes (25), Jennifer Ward (25) and Caro- line Ward (23) – yesterday waived their right to anonymity, at Ennis Circuit Court.

Although the young women did not give evidence, their Victim Impact Statements were read out in court. They pointed out that they were left

with feelings of “shame and guilt,” due to his behaviour.

Jennifer Ward recalled her grand- father telling her he had a secret he wanted to tell her. He would get close and then indecently touch her. She was abused on a weekly basis for four years, starting when she was 1D.

The abuse on Caroline Ward also started when she was six and con- tinued until she was 12. She recalled him indecently touching her inside and outside her clothes.

Rebecca Barnes suffered abuse at the hands of her grandfather, between the ages of 7 and 11, mainly in the sitting room of his house. The court was told that one of the victim’s par- ents did not make a formal complaint about the abuse initially, in the hope that “time would heal all.”

Barnes’ barrister Michael Fitzgib- bon said his client had “been ostra- cised by the community in Clare- castle”, adding that Barnes is now in “chronic” ill health.

Judge Carroll Moran said, “It re-

ally is appalling to take away the in- nocence of a child at such a young one

“The abuse was so persistent and so dreadful in its details, I’ve no al- ternative but to impose a prison sen- tence,’ he said.

He jailed him for five years and suspended the final two years, be- cause he had pleaded guilty. He said Barnes was to have no contact with children under the age of 15, unless supervised and no contact with his victims, unless they agree.