The Clare People Archive

A MAN who “elaborately” concealed four bars of cannabis resin under the seat of his car has been jailed for 18 months.

Fintan Shanagher (39), of Kilna- soolagh Park, Newmarket-on-Fer- gus, was “merely delivering” the drugs, valued at almost €7,000, when he was caught by Clare gardai last year.

He pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis resin for sale or supply.

Detective Garda Seamus McMa- hon told Ennis Circuit Court yes- terday that the accused was stopped and searched at the Carrigoran inter- change on May 5 2006.

He said a kilo of cannabis resin was found in the car and was “extremely well concealed,’ underneath the rear seat of the car.

Shanagher told gardai he had hand-

ed over €2,000 cash in Limerick for Some MUESaCE

The money was not his own, it was belonging to three people who had pooled together and Shanagher didn’t have any financial stake in it.

‘He was merely delivering the bars. They were to be handed over in Quin village the following day because it was ‘out of the way’,” said the garda.

Defending barrister Michael Fitz- gibbon said “at all stages he was car-

rying these drugs for third parties.”

‘He very foolishly got involved in the wrong sort of people.

He is not part of a drug ring or a eroup of people involved in moving era bneacmr-uOlUb ALOE

“He got involved on this one occa- sion rather foolishly and got caught,” he said.

Judge Carroll Moran said the mat- ter was “most serious.”

“The drugs were very elaborately

concealed in the car. It shows a level of premeditation.

Couriers of drugs, while they are at a much lower level than those deal- ing the drugs, are an essential cog in the business,’ he said.

He took into account the fact that Shanagher had pleaded guilty and imposed a two-year jail term.

He reduced this to 18 months, be- cause of the accused’s previous good record.

A MAN threatened to rape relatives of a garda, then exposed himself and urinated all over the floor in the pub- lic area of a Garda station.

Joseph Gannon (46), a native of Dublin and with an address in Sta- tion Court, Ennis, was jailed for four months, when he appeared on charges of assaulting two gardai and public order offences.

Garda Cathal O’Sullivan told Ennis District Court on Friday that the ac- cused arrived at Ennis Garda Station at lam on January 22 last.

‘He was intoxicated and was shout- ing in the public office. He said he

wished to make a statement,” said the garda.

The garda told the accused he was too intoxicated. Gannon then started banging on the hatch and was direct- ed to leave the area. “He said, “I’ll get every female in your family and I’ll rape them’. He exposed his penis and began to urinate all over the floor. He stripped naked and grabbed his geni- tals and said, “Do you like this’,” said the garda.

‘He threatened to kill me and Garda Ryan,’ added Gda O’Sullivan.

Some hours later, two gardai went to Gannon’s cell, to release him. He was lying naked on the floor and made a lunge at the gardai.

The court was told that Gannon had a number of previous convictions in Dublin, including two of a sexual na- UN Ken

He was jailed for 12 years for a rape offence, at Dublin Circuit Court, in 1988, while he received a three year sentence at the same court for anoth- er rape offence, also in 1988.

However, defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client, who was born in North Inner City Dublin, would maintain he has only one con- viction for an offence of a sexual na- ture. She said the “‘alleged rape mat- ter – for which he spent nine years in jail – absorbed much of his life” and was the subject of the Court of Crim-

inal Appeal and the Supreme Court.

‘He believes the rape conviction was a miscarriage of justice. My client has never once stopped main- taining his innocence. He spent nine years in prison for a crime he says he did not commit… The file is still open, she said.

Referring to the charges before the court, she said, “He can’t believe he had it in him to say what is alleged. He doesn’t believe he said them.”

‘He sees his visit to the Garda sta- tion as acry for help.

‘He had come to the end of his tether.

‘He was in crisis, in a very serious way, She said.

A KILRUSH man who “fabricated a tissue of lies” to cover for having thrashed two cars has been sent to jail for a week while a judge decides on his sentence.

Martin Walsh (49) of 20 Island View had denied causing almost €4,000 worth of damage to two cars belonging to Mary O’Brien and her partner, Anthony Shannon at 22 O’Gorman Street, Kilrush, on No- vember 28, 2005.

Ennis Circuit Court heard that Mary O’Brien was roused from bed by her sister in the early hours of the morn- ing on that date and she looked out

the window and saw “Martin Walsh with what looked like a baseball bat. I saw him strike the back window of my partner’s car and smash it”.

O’Brien told the court that her own car had already been damaged.

When challenged by the defence barrister, Lorcan Connolly on her statement to the gardai, O’Brien agreed that she had not said in that statement that she saw the accused actually breaking the window of her partner’s car.

Garda Michael Ryan told the court that he went to Walsh’s home after speaking to the injured parties and found him “sitting on the ground in a coal shed in the back yard.”

The court heard that glass shards found on the accused’s clothing matched the glass in one of the car windows.

Walsh denied having anything to do with the damage to the two cars and the court also heard alibi evidence from his sister, Margaret Reilly, that he was nowhere near the scene of the damage.

Walsh told the court he was in the shed because he had a row earlier with his partner and she was not al- lowing him back in the house. “She threw me and my dinner out – the shed is the doghouse. I’m there fairly often’, he said.

After a jury found Walsh guilty

on two counts of criminal damage, Judge Sean O Donnabhain said he could give him no credit in the mat- ter and refused a defence plea that he be allowed organise compensation before sentencing.

After hearing that Walsh had re- ceived some compensation after be- ing seriously assaulted, the Judge said that he had experienced “some restorative justice but he has dragged these people through the court and or NN Tere Mm daosne mere Dace

‘He has fabricated a tissue of les,” the judge added.

He adjourned final sentencing and remanded Walsh in custody until July 5.

STAFF who are arriving first day on the job without experience are demanding minimum wage, causing headaches for employers, according to the Ennis Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber says there is confu- sion about who is entitled to the new minimum wage of €8.65 which was introduced by new Labour Affairs Minister Billy Kelliher last week.

“It’s important to note that the min- imum wage applies to people over 18 years of age with experience in their field,” said chamber CEO, Rita Weal tious

“People who are coming straight from school with no experience can- not be paid the minimum because there is a cost involved with training them,’ she said.

While the increases had _ been agreed as part of a national plan, the CEO said that businesses would hope that once the level had been reached, further increases would not come as quickly on each other again.

The increase to the National Mini- mum Wage is the second this year. The first increase to took effect on January 1, last. Overall it is the sixth increase to the national minimum wage since it was first introduced in

April 2000.

Ms McInerney said that the increas- ing cost of paying wages was one of a number of mounting expenses which were putting businesses under pres- sure.

“With the review of valuations on property in Ennis coming up, we re- ally need to examine the costs. If a business improves its premises, it’s caught for higher rates. The cost of renting a premises in Ennis is also something which needs to be looked ale

“We are concerned with the number of empty premises in the town. It’s not good for business or for the 1m- age of the town.”

Introducing the new wage, the minister said that the increase would “clearly benefit low paid workers in society, in particular part-time and younger workers”.

Anybody seeking information on the increase in the national mini- mum wage can telephone the Em- ployment Rights Information Unit at Ol 6313131, 1890 201 615 Co-call if outside the O1 area) or visit the web- site www.entemp.!e.

THE number of people living in Clare who have a third level degree has risen by almost one third in the last five years.

The figures were revealed in latest results from the 2006 Census which show that the number of people in Clare with a third level degree or higher has risen dramatically by 30 per cent since 2002.

This means that 16 per cent of all adults in the county have at least a primary degree, which is the same as the national average.

“Tt is really encouraging to see that Clare is retaining its well educated and increasing the knowledge base of the region,’ says Western Devel- opment Commission (WDC) Chief Executive, Gillian Buckley.

“Attracting and retaining well edu- cated people is the key to the west’s future in the knowledge economy. We know from the population trends and our LookWest.ie campaign that well qualified people want to stay in, or return to, Clare. The latest Census results confirm this,” she added.

The Census information also showed that the numbers in mana- gerial and professional jobs in the county have risen by 13 per cent while those categorised as unskilled

have fallen by 18 per cent.

“At the WDC we have set it as a priority to make prospective employ- ers aware of the skills pool available in the region. The next phase of our LookWest.ie campaign will specifi- cally target businesses to highlight the numbers of skilled and educated people who want to live and work in the west,” said Ms Buckley.

Commenting on the Census results regarding internet access, Ms Buck- ley continued, “It’s clear that Clare fares badly in terms of broadband. Just under 30 per cent of those with internet access had a broadband con- nection compared with the national average of 43 per cent. Widespread affordable, high-speed internet ac- cess 1s critical to Clare’s future in the knowledge economy and must be a national priority.”

Figures also revealed that 85 per cent of households in Clare have at least one car compared to the nation- al average of 80 per cent.

Ms Buckley said that this “points to the need to continue to invest in road infrastructure across the county but also underlines the importance of public transport provision, particu- JENe Weve meceyeebeslll(osmpKeleiKonwe

The 2006 Census was conducted across Clare and nationwide on April PRM MES Misr:

FUNDING shortfalls have turned parts of Ennis into’ educational blackspots, according to Ennis West Partners Ltd.

According to CSO figures quoted in a letter by Ennis West to Ennis Town Council, 26 per cent of the people living in the Ennis West area of Cloughleigh, Drumbiggle and Hermitage have only had access to primary education or no formal edu- cation at all. This compares with 21 per cent for all of Clare and 22 per cent nationally. Nineteen per cent of those living in the same area have no third level qualification, compared to 24 per cent in Clare and 26 per cent nationally.

According to the letter “the future outlook can be considered to be neg- ative when one takes into account the prediction of the joint FAS/ESRI outlook 2004 that 60 per cent of the net new jobs created by the economy in 2010 and onwards will require a third level qualification.”

The organisation has claimed that a particular incidence of educational disadvantage has developed in the west of Ennis.

The organisation says inadequate and insecure funding has meant there has not been enough money to provide for the numbers of students

requiring assistance.

Ennis West Partners works with secondary schools in the town to proved educational support program- mnes for disadvantaged students.

Ennis West is currently assisting 350 students through study skills courses and assisted homework clubs in co-operation with schools.

The body is now applying to Ennis Town Council and local businesses for funding after Government fund- ing was withheld pending review of the service.

The letter states, ““We hope that you will be able to help us in this regard as we have an urgent need to raise the €12,000 necessary for the 2007 – 2008 school year. We have a strong belief that this work provides practi- cal assistance for our young people and that ultimately the whole town lores ees nL RS

Speaking at last night’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, mayor of En- nis Tommy Brennan said Ennis West must show the council its accounts.

He said, “We should look for a bal- ance sheet before we discuss this. The last time we asked all we got was a glossy brochure. Before we discuss this we have to find out why the De- jOx-NaBOOCs) OM Orc KCLULMmoy-(@) qu aeDeCeND Tome

Ennis West board member, Cllr Joe Reidy (FF) said the department was reviewing the scheme.

A LEADING economist has told an Ennis seminar on the property mar- ket that the current slowdown in the Irish housing market is very desir- able.

Speaking at the What Next seminar hosted by Propertyplus in Ennis at the weekend, chief economist with Friends First, Jim Power said, ““The slowdown is very desirable because the house price inflation of recent years could not and should not be

sustained for any longer, as it would then start to become seriously dan- gerous.”

Figures released on Friday show that property prices have dropped by 2.1 per cent this year.

Mr Power said, “My own belief over the next five years is that we will see annual house price inflation at around three per cent per annum. That represents a soft landing in the Irish housing market.

“I believe that it is the most likely and the most desirable scenario, be-

cause another couple of years of dou- ble digit growth of house price infla- tion would have definitely created a bubble that, in my view, would then be burst.”

Mr Power anticipates that there will be 80,000 house completions in Ire- land this year, down from 93,000 last year.

He said that this year “over the next five years, you are looking at growth at 3-3.5 per cent per annum.

“We are entering a more mod- ern economic growth environment

— that’s normal, that is the real world. Over the last 10 years, we have been involved in a huge level of catch-up, now caught up and we are now start- ing to settle down.

“Over the next five years, we are moving back to about 60,000 house completions. That represents a de- cline of over 30,000 completions. That is the reality and I feel that it is a very desirable reality because the number of housing completions had to come back.

“Otherwise, if you have another

three years of 90,000 plus housing completions, you are left with a ser1- ous bubble situation.”

Ennis auctioneer, Philip O’Reilly who organised the event at the Tem- ple Gate Hotel told the audience that the issue of having to pay stamp duty “is quite a scandal”.

He said, “For a couple purchasing a €600,000 home, they must pay a further €35,000. That is basically a net year’s salary. People have been passive about this in the past but not anymore.”

A FEAST of traditional music, song and dance will kick off this week when Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann beings a Series of seisiun all over the county.

Seisiun 1s a music trail through all four Provinces of Ireland where the visitor can join with local traditional musicians, singers, dancers and sto- rytellers for an evening of native en- tertainment. In the seven years since its highly successful re-introduc- tion in 2000, Seisiun has gone from

strength to strength and continues to entertain and delight audiences both visitors and locals alike.

In Clare there are four venues of- fering plenty of traditional enter- tainment most nights of the week throughout July and August.

In Ennis, on Tuesday and Satur- day nights, Cois na hAbhana will be the venue for music and dance. Teach Cheoil in Ennistymon will host events on Monday nights start- ing July 16, while Teach Cheoil in Corofin will run events on Thursday nights. On Wednesday nights Teach

Cheoil in Kilrush will be the venue for a lively seisiun.

For further information on seisiun in Ennis contact Frank Whelan on 086— §260300 or email ceoltrad@eircom. net. For information on events in En- nistymon telephone John Moloney on 065—7071467. In Kilrush telephone Siobhan Curran on 065—9052821 and for Comhaltas venues in Corofin contact Peggy Liddy on 065-6837762 or 065—6837676. Alternatively, you can go online for information on all the venues around Clare and nation- ally at http://comhaltas.ie/events.

CLARE County Council has de- clared that it has a number of serious concerns in relation to €15 million plans for a park and ride facility to serve the Cliffs of Moher.

The plan by the Mermaid Partner- ship has attracted a wave of objec- tions across the north Clare coastal village of Liscannor.

The planning application is seeking to construct the park and ride facility

with a retail and residential element which will consist of three buildings, 359 car-parking spaces and 10 bus- parking facilities.

The Mermaid Partnership is also seeking to construct 47 apartments in three storey blocks around a shared public square. The proposal also includes retail space units of 5,000 Square metres on two floors and smaller retail spaces off the public space totalling 1,322 square metres.

However, in a letter to the appli-

cants the council has stated that it is not favourably disposed to granting planning permission for the applica- tion as it currently stands.

The council’s concern relates to the piecemeal nature of the development of lands, the excessive floor space proposed, over-development of the site, scale and design of the proposed buildings, overlooking and overbear- ing adjacent private residences and DREN U BLOMNT-BKCLR YAS SSE

The council states, “The land on

which the development is proposed forms part of wider lands that are zoned for the purpose of a park n ride facility to serve the Cliffs of Moher.

The council also states that it, “has serious concerns that the proposed development by reason of its scale and building height will result in overlooking, overbearing and po- tential overshadowing to adjacent routes.”

It also has serious concerns in rela- tion to the retail element of the pro-

posed development.

Similarly the council has expressed concerns over the excessive density and scale of the proposal in a small AUN E Texon

As a result the council has request- ed the developer to provide for a de- velopment of a much reduced scale and of a design and layout which has regard to the context of the local ver- nacular of the adjacent village.

A decision is due on the application later this year.

that it would be the end of this month, at least, before it opens.

“It will be late July at the earliest before the Limerick Road to Lahi- nch Road part of the scheme is com- plete.

“IT gave the date for completion of the works at the June meeting in good faith, based on the programme presented to the council. All we can do is express disappointment and continue to encourage the contrac- Ko)

In his written response at the June meeting, Mr Carey stated that the current completion date for the Whole of the works “is around the end of August”.

But he confirmed yesterday that the date has been revised to “well into

Yee] tos 00 lelo) mae

The eastern part of the by pass was opened last January diverting thou- sands of vehicles from Ennis each day.

However, without the final two phases of the scheme yet to open, En- nis is continuing to experience traffic snarl-ups with the thousands of cars going to west and north Clare each day.

Mr Carey said that the priority in constructing the final phases of the scheme was completing the rounda- bouts.

“This work is inevitably complex as it involves a high level of under- ground services, including Bord Gais, water and sewerage. It is a ted1- ous process.”

Mr Carey said that the council was quite happy with the work that had been completed by the contractor, GAMA Construction. He said, “It 1s a good project. It isn’t a quality issue, it is a timing issue.

“They (GAMA Construction) know the conditions and we know the con- ditions of the contract.”

The 97-page contract for the Ennis by pass project seen by