The Clare People Archive

THE Rape Crisis Centre in the mid- west has said it is only fair that con- victed rapist Adam Keane will serve time in jail. Its co-ordinator, Miriam Duffy, asked, however, what role the media played in the judge’s decision to lift the suspension of his three- year sentence.

“We are delighted that the judge imposed a sentence. The question 1s, would he have done that without all the furore in the press?” she asked.

“We are delighted for Mary and her family. The fact that she had the cour- age to go public with it has helped

all the rape crisis centres. There is a need for consistency in sentencing,’ added Ms Duffy.

“She has so widely publicised the inconsistencies in the sentencing by going public. She has done an amount for the rape and sexual abuse agendas in Ireland,” she said.

She said the Rape Crisis Network would continue to fight for sentenc- ing guidelines in rape and sexual of- fence cases.

“Without a doubt, the fact that she has had the courage to stand up and highlight it will hopefully lead to more work being done on this. It will hopefully have moved it up the

Justice department’s agenda. We ap- plaud her courage,” she said.

She pointed out that Keane had not gone to jail for raping the victim, but for “contempt of court.”

Earlier this month, the Rape Crisis Centre warned that this particular case may lead to a reduction in the number of rape victims coming for- ward. Figures published by the CSO showed that the number of reported sexual offences dropped by 44.5 per cent during the first quarter, when compared with the same three-month period last year.

Ms Duffy said that last Friday’s court ruling might encourage vic-

tims to come forward.

“IT would hope it would encourage people to report more. The March sentence (suspended) would have had a hugely negative impact. Now that the people see it changed, they may have more hope,” she said.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael Council- lor and general election candidate Madeleine Taylor-Quinn (FG) has welcomed last Friday’s decision.

“Some attempt was made for justice to be seen to be done,” she said.

She said that the victim had gone through a huge amount of suffering, pain and trauma throughout her or- Ol F

MARY Shannon was delighted that her attacker was ordered to serve his three-year jail term last week. She believes she did the right thing by going public last March.

The 33-year-old was in the Central Criminal Court to hear Mr Justice Paul Carney activate the suspended sentence, on Friday afternoon.

“When I went public, I really did

not know I was doing the right thing. But if I did not do it, nobody would have known and I would have been another rape statistic,” said the moth- er-of-three.

She believes that Adam Keane would be still free, if she had not gone public and she now hopes her ordeal will help change the way rape cases are handled.

“I hope the new government com- ing in will start to deal with the issue

properly and put in place clear guide- lines for judges,” she said.

“I do think when I went public I took control again. Him going to jail was not even as important as me do- ing that,” said Ms Shannon.

The court hearing was the latest step in a high-profiled saga involving Ms Shannon.

She waived her right to anonymity in the wake of Adam Keane being handed a three-year suspended term,

in March.

She spoke out publicly and her family, relatives and friends rallied around her, offering support. She be- lieves that speaking out has helped to put the rape behind her.

She was pleased that the DPP de- cided to appeal the leniency of the sentence.

The DPP’s appeal is due to be men- tioned at the Court of Criminal Ap- peal next week.

BROWNIES from Kilmurry Ibrick- ane parish joined in the effort to keep Clare tidy recently when they picked up litter all over the town of Mullagh.

The group of 22 girls and four par- ents from the local group got the idea from ongoing clean-up efforts by An Taisce and the Green Flag initiative at local schools.

Group Leader Margaret Cunning- ham said that the Brownies hope to

continue their anti-litter efforts on an ongoing basis.

“The kids get a badge for environ- mental awareness and that covers composting and recycling too so we decided to have a rubbish clean-up in the local community. The kids loved it. They have fantastic enthu- siasm and I think that they definitely have more respect themselves after- wards.’

She added that the sight of children aged from six to eleven cleaning up should also encourage the county

council and Fas to keep streets and green areas in good condition.

Learning about the environment is just one of the activities undertaken by the Brownies when they meet eve- ry Monday evening in Mullagh Hall from September to May.

“We cover First Aid, sowing flow- ers and seeds and other general top- ics. We also raised €480 for the National Children’s Hospital with a pancake night recently. We have lots of fun and games.”

The Mullagh branch is enjoying a

revival after a big fall off in attend- ance nearly spelled the end of the Brownies.

“We have 26 girls at the moment so the Brownies has never been this big. It really helps that the kids from dif- ferent schools and areas get to know each other before they go to second- ary school. It would be brilliant if there was a local branch of the Girl Guides so that they could continue on up to 16. They’d love that,” said Ms Cunningham.

KILRUSH Farmers’ Market is hoping to prove that the egg came before the chicken in attracting local producers and customers to the weekly collec- tion of stalls every Thursday to 2pm.

Fresh eggs (organic of course) are just one of the products available at the market along with seasonal veg- etables, flowers, plants, seedlings, jams, dairy products, baked goods and local crafts.

Michael Gleeson, market organiser and rural development officer with community initiative EIRI Corca Baiscinn, said that “without a market

and a demand” farmers are less likely to produce goods for sale.

“We just decided that we could cre- ate a new outlet for farm produce and started making enquiries. Location 1s a key thing and we are blessed to have the market square in Kilrush. It gives farmers somewhere to sell and the cost to them is low. It started with six stalls and last summer we had more than 15 stalls at peak times. For the most part, people tend to be sold out at the end of a day which is quite good.”

He added that by reducing the scale and cutting out the middle man, farm- ers can really benefit from the mar- oe

“The main thing is that they’re sell- ing direct so the producer gets 100 per cent of the retail value. Most people who sold to restaurants or suppliers before still do that but now they can use the market to get good prices and profits on a local level.”

Mr Gleeson does not think that the arrival of large supermarkets in west Clare has affected local schemes like the farmers’ market.

“It doesn’t apply too much because the market supplies different prod- ucts. The goods here are about quality rather than quantity. There are super- markets, like Supervalu in Clonakilty in Cork, that network with local pro-

ducers to get something different but no-one is unduly worried because it’s a separate market.”

The market is no spring chicken- it has been running from April to De- cember every year since 2003.

An annual membership costs €20 and €8 is paid for a stall every week. The costs are deliberately low to en- courage new producers and stalls.

Mr Gleeson said that everyone in- volved is pleased with the success of the project.

“It has grown gradually. The prod- ucts are good value and quality and the people care about what they’re do- rhea

LITTLE feet in Miltown Malbay will take on a big charity feat on May 22 when kids from Forever Friends Pre-school do a sponsored toddle in aid of Barnardos.

The Danone Big Toddle for Bar- nardos will kick off at 9.30am when the 18 three- and four-year-old par- ticipants will take off on their half mile journey from St Joseph’s Na- tional School.

This is the fourth year that the pre-

school has taken on the Olympian task but according to owner, Kate Looney, if they decide not to run be- fore they can walk the mini-athletes can take to their buggies.

“All the kids have great fun and it is areally exciting event for them be- cause it breaks from the normal rou- tine. We invite the parents to come along and they can bring extra kids if they like. As far as I know we are the only place locally taking part.”

Proving that charity can begin at a young age, Kate said that sponsor-

ship cards were filling up fast.

“We sent a little one home this week with a sponsorship card and it came back full the next day. That’s €135 straight away. We normally raise around €/00-<€800. We try to aim for the previous year plus a little extra,” she added. ‘We do the shoe box appeal as well at Christmas. The children can do something for other children and that makes the cause real for them.” Forever Friends, open for four years at St Joseph’s, will hold its first sum- mer camp for three to six year olds for a week this July. If any créche, playgroup, montessori or family wants to take the baton from Forever Friends, information on the Big Tod- dle is available on www.barnardos.ie or O1 7080442.

MONEY raised by the west Clare Mini-Marathon was recently distrib- uted to grateful charities including €25,000 to the Regina House Pallia- tive Care Unit at a recent ceremony.

Friends of Regina House, a newly formed group, was presented with the cheque in Keane’s in Carrigaholt at the end of April while other local cancer causes also benefitted from the €160,000 raised by the annual event.

Friends of Ennistymon Hospital received €25,000 while other funds will pay for cancer patients travel- ling for treatment, pilgrimage trips for patients, palliative aids for home

use, professional counselling for pa- tients and their families, the Night Nurse service and the national Life- line Ambulance Service.

This year over 700 participants braved the January cold to contest the race and parish priest Father Donagh O’Meara said that the event was invaluable to cancer sufferers and their loved ones.

“Cancer care 1s a fantastic cause because so many people are suffer- ing. This money means that patients from west Clare can stay in west GET eweleetomnder- bem om selon (onteademcomnsle hospital in Ennis or Limerick or to Milford Hospice. It 1s a great thing to have facilities locally so people can benefit and have visitors,’ he said.

Fr O’Meara added that the mini- marathon meant that funds will go towards getting an extra palliative care bed each for Regina House and Ennistymon Hospital, boosting the number of beds to three in both je eNerene

All of the money, over €1 million over nine years, stays in the area and is distributed between organisations and local individuals.

The idea for the event, held on the last Sunday in January, originally came from Willie and Mary Mc- Grath.

The McGraths are now on the trus- tees committee which distributes the mini-marathon proceeds with Fr O’Meara as vice-chairman and other

local people including Michael No- ete

“It all started with the McGraths because they wanted to do something for cancer patients in the area and it has just grown and grown since then. It is our major fundraiser of the year while different community groups do smaller things. It is always a won- derful day and to get that amount of money in one go is fantastic. Local people are brilliant,” Fr O’Meara said.

The next Kilkee parish fundraiser will be on May 26 with a Greyhound Night in Limerick to raise money for an astroturf pitch and playground.

IS it just me or is it starting to get crowded in here? Greek officials were in Clare last week to dot the I’s and cross the T’s for the twinning of the town with Shimatari in Greece.

Ennistymon is already twinned with the Pozzo Leone in Italy and this second twinning, or ‘tripleting’, takes place as a result of the Italians’ relationship with Shimatari as well as through the work of Clare County Council, Clare Tourism Council and Project Ennistymon.

A group from Shimatari, including the town’s mayor Evagelos Georgiou

with his wife Stella, were in Clare this week visiting the sites and get- ting to know the local people. Aside from Ennistymon, the group also visited the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren as well as parts of west and east Clare.

“Twinning encourages co-opera- tion between these old cultures. It also encourages people to visit areas of the world that they would not have known about otherwise,” said Mayor of Clare, Flan Garvey.

“Another big part of the programme is to encourage students to take part in the exchanges and visit other coun- tries. Twinning here in Clare has al-

ways had a good track record and we have always succeeded through our schools.”

Shimatari is a seaside town some 60 miles south of Athens, with a popu- lation of 8,500 people. The twinning could lead to more visits and ex- changes between the two towns.

A group of schoolchildren from Shimatari have already visited En- nistymon and the Vocational School is looking at making the return jour- ney in the future.

A delegation from Ennistymon will travel to Shimatari later this year, Where the final formal declaration will be signed.

‘It also makes people aware of plac- es that they never would have heard of before. It helps tourism grow and develop back and forth. It’s a great opportunity for us to show off what we have to offer,” continued Flan.

“It is of great benefit to the local tourism economy. When these peo- ple visit here, they spend money on food, drink and accommodation. It is an ongoing thing and something that will continue to grow as the years go on.

“Signing up to the twinning just copperfastens the programme and ensures that it will continue long into som RU IRUD Rome

CHILDREN, teachers and parents connected with Mol an Ojige, En- nistymon’s new Steiner School, gath- ered in Lahinch on Friday in an at- tempt to spell out exactly what they need from the Department of Educa- nee

Some 7/0 people helped form a giant human chain on the sand of Lahinch beach spelling out the letters SOS, Support Our School.

The school, which is located be- side Data Display in Ennistymon, has been attempting to gain official recognition from the Department of Education for the past two years.

“All of the children and the parents, teachers and friends of the school gathered on the strand at Lahinch beach to form a human chain spell- ing out SOS, support our school,’ said Roisin Ni Ghairbhith.

“We feel that now is a critical time

for our school. We received a posi- tive recommendation and approval from the New Schools Advisory Committee. Minister Hanafin then said that under the circumstances she would allow more time to get a new patron for the school and so we did. We received the new school advisory committee’s seal of approval two weeks ago So now we are waiting for approval of our new Patron to secure recognition from the Department of Education.”

Mol an Oige succeeded in obtain- ing a new patron in the last couple of weeks. Lifeways Ireland have agreed to act as patron for the school following indications from the New School Advisory Committee that the VEC would not be suitable patrons. Lifeways Ireland is a Clare-based pre-school and education specialist. The registered charity and Limited Company contains a wealth of edu- cational experience including lectur-

ers from Mary Immaculate College in Limerick and a number of primary – and second-level teachers.

“We want politicians to raise our school as an issue in the run up to the election. We want people to support the school by raising it as an issue When politicians call to the door- steps. We need and deserve to get departmental recognition this year,” continued Roisin.

“Department recognition would be a huge help for the school. We would get state funding to help pay the staff, we would be able to apply for grants, we would not have to raise all the money for the running of the school by ourselves and most important we would not have to charge any fees, nominal and all as the existing ones are. Every school has to raise money but it would be a huge benefit to get some help from the department. We have always wanted our children to attend a recognised school within the

Department of Education. That was always our aim.

“We have done absolutely every- thing that has been asked of us. We are really hopeful that we will get recognition from the department sooner rather than later.”

Sharon Shannon will appear in a fundraising concert for Mol an Oige on June 7 at the Falls Hotel in En- nistymon. Tickets, at a cost of €25, are available form the Falls Hotel, Daly’s Bar and Unglerts Bakery in Ennistymon, the Celtic T-shirt shop in Lahinch, Custy’s music shop and Record Rack in Ennis.

All proceeds go to the school.

THE Burren is proving to be a happy home for the most unusual of resi- dents. Not native to Ireland, and ex- tremely rare in most of the country, the Slow Worm, or Anguis Fraglis, has taken up residence in the lime- stone and rock of the Eastern Burren.

Despite its name and appearance, the Slow Worm is neither snake nor worm. It is, in fact, a legless lizard and was introduced to Ireland some- DUOC DOM UNM ER MOONRETA YA

One such lizard was discovered by a group of locals last week and brought to fascinate the children of Carron National School before being

released into the wild.

“IT was walking down the road with a cow when | came upon the Slow Worm. They like to lie out on the rocks and on the stones and soak up the sun. This is possibly why he was lying out on the road, he was soak- ing up the sun,” said local man Wil- lie O’Reilly who found the unusual reptile.

“We came across another one a couple of years ago in and around the same area. They are not natural to Ireland but were introduced from abroad at some stage in the past. For some reason, they seem to like the area around the east of the Burren.

The Slow Worm is native to main-

land Europe and is usually found in grassy areas and woodlands. It is unknown how the lizards came to Ireland and why they have a strange fascination with the Burren.

“If they get caught by a bird, they can let off their tail and escape. The bird can still feel the tail in their mouth so they don’t come after the Slow Worm. Their tail can then grow back. This one had more of a stump rather than a tail so it looks like he had to shed his tail recently enough,’ continued Willie.

The Slow Worm, discovered in the Burren, was just eight inches long but they can grow to as long as 18 inches. After being given a tour of

Carron National School, the lizard was released back into the wild in a townland know as Glencolumbkille, beside where he was discovered.

Although they are often mistaken for snakes, these Slow Worms have small eyes with eyelids that blink and a notched tongue rather than a forked tongue.

A fully-grown adult can live to about 30 years in the wild and up to 54 years in captivity.

AN exhibition of vibrant paintings by Irish artist, John Hughes will be on exhibition at the Ennis Art Gal- OMAN Woe ©

Born in 1973 in Kildare Town, John left Ireland 10 years ago to live in Spain. The move had a major im- pact on his art.

John explains, “My palette changed from greens, blues and tones of grey to encompass the rich reds, yellows and purples of Spain.”

SERMON Str molBeCnNmPNNELeCo eer! by El Bosch, Breugel, El Greco, Van

De Weyden and Goya.

“My experience of life and constant gallery visits have served to mould me. I enjoy painting nature and peo- ple. Although I feel I’ve taken notes from so many artists that I could eas- ily fill the page with their names.

“T went to Stillorgan art founda- tion course for one year and that was great in that I met other people but I always knew that I wanted to paint. I know what I want so I wasn’t at- tracted any further down that road.”

John continues, “I loved how the tree trunks become stills or support- ing struts in the paintings, they help

to contain blocks of colour and lend a certain order and security to the works. I enjoy the bursts of colour and flares of colour that Spain has to offer, they seem so unreal.”

Up to 50 works or art will be on public display in the Ennis Art Gal- lery with prices ranging from €300 to €4,000. The Ennis Art Gallery is situated in the centre of Ennis and exhibits quality contemporary Irish art by established and emerging art- ists.

The gallery is on two floors-the eround floor exhibits work from var- ious Irish artists and the first floor

holds a mix of solo and group shows throughout the year.

Artists currently exhibiting in the gallery include Brian Ballard, John Brobbel, Gerard Casey, Sean Cotter, Clare Cryan, Jack Donovan, Lesley Fennell, Michael Gemmell, Trevor Geoghegan, Carol Hodder, Amy Hoedemakers, Patricia Jorgensen, Gavin Lavelle, Paddy Lennon, Bob Lynn, John Morris, John Nolan, Sen- an O’Brien, Yanny Petters, JP Roon- ey, Annie Robinson, Rose Stapleton, Ger Sweeney, Carol Ann Waldron, Manus Walsh and Kenneth Webb.