The Clare People Archive

RELATIONS rapidly deteriorated over a four-day period last October following a violent row at a wedding in Ennis Cathedral.

There followed a serious incident of criminal housing estate in the town centre on October 11 and an eruption of violence at the Maid of Erin three days later.

On Thursday Det John Casey of Ennis Garda Station said that while there has been no issues in the months since, gardaí believe the potential for violence remains if both sides encountered each other again.

He said a heavy Garda presence had been required anytime family members appeared in court.

The warning came as four people – Bernie McDonagh Snr (46), Christopher McDonagh (39), Bernie McDonagh Jnr (21) and a 17-year-old boy – appeared at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday. All four have pleaded guilty to offences at the Maid of Erin on October 14 (2012).

Father of 10, Bernie McDonagh Snr, with an address at Nashes Boreen, Cork, drove a car the wrong way around the roundabout, nine times, while in pursuit of a Hiace van carrying members of the Doherty family.

He pleaded guilty to driving recklessly against the flow of traffic in a manner likely to cause harm.

He also pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage.

Father of six Christopher McDonagh, with an address at Childers Road, Cloughleigh, has pleaded guilty to the production of an iron bar during the course of a dispute.

Bernie McDonagh Jnr, with an address at Nashes Boreen, Cork, pleaded guilty to the production of a Stanley knife during the course of a dispute.

The now 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty to the production of a hatchet during the course of a dispute.

All three also pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Judge Gerard Keys said feuding of this kind “is going on and on”. “It beggars belief that this goes on,” he added.

The judge was told last week that the relationship between the families has not improved and that “tensions remain very high”.

“There are garda concerns for the potential for violent incidents,” said Detective Garda John Casey at a sitting of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday.

The warning came it as emerged that a State witness wore a stab proof vest to a sitting of Ennis District Court earlier this month at a case arising from the dispute between the families.

The families, who are connected through marriage, previously lived as neighbours and friends in the Ashline area of Ennis.

AS MANY as 30 people from Clare are taking a case against the company behind the faulty De Puy ASR hip replacement implanted in more than 3, 500 Irish patients between 2003 and 2010.

The legal firm behind the suite understands there are 170 more Clare people affected by the faulty implant and have advised them that it is not too late join the civil action.

De Puy ordered a recall of the medical device in 2010.

In a case against the company in Los Angeles, it was alleged that a Belfast surgeon emailed De Puy engineer Graham Isaac in May 2006 outlining his concerns about the device.

The New York Times also published revelations that one type of the defective devices were marketed in Europe after the US food and drug administration rejected their sale in America in 2009.

Now personal injuries law firm Peter McDonnell and Associates is holding an information meeting for Irish patients affected by the De Puy Hip Recall of 2010 on Monday week, October 21, in The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis.

Mr McDonnell, said whilst many of the 3, 500 public and private patients throughout Ireland who received the defective De Puy ASR Hip Resurfacing System – typically used in younger, more active patients – and the ASR XL Acetabular System, have already set the litigation process in motion, the vast majority of those who have been adversely affected are under the incorrect impression that the deadline, known as the Statute of Limitations, has already passed.

“Many patients whom I have spoken with throughout Ireland are under the impression that it is too late for them to submit a claim against De Puy. This, however, is not the case,” he said.

Of the 3, 516 Irish patients who received the implants, about 400 have had them replaced.

MANAGEMENT at SkyCourt in Shannon have moved to rubbish speculation that one of the anchor tenants at the shopping centre was on the cusp of closing up shop after many years.

It was confirmed on Monday that “contrary to the expected negative outcome” Xtra-vision is to remain trading from its current location at SkyCourt in the town.

Since its announced closure earlier this year, Xtra-vision has been ‘trialtrading’ at SkyCourt and, thanks to the loyalty and support of Shannon shoppers, the level of spend at the SkyCourt outlet has sufficiently convinced the new owners that the Shannon outlet has potential.

“This is a most welcome boost for SkyCourt. It would have been a devastating blow to lose Xtra-vision as an anchor tenant,” said SkyCourt manager Pat Kelly.

“We knew that the Shannon store has always traded well and that’s why the landlord worked closely with the new owners throughout the receivership process to convince them of this fact.

“We are delighted that our efforts have been fruitful and look forward to seeing a new vibrancy and exciting developments at the Shannon store, which is now undergoing a refit to recommence trading.

“The Shannon community have to be commended for their support during the past few months and Senator Tony Mulcahy has to be singled out for his tireless campaigning to keep Xtra-vision Shannon open. With Christmas fast approaching, Xtra-vision will remain a favourite shopping stop for Christmas gifts and vouchers.”

Welcoming the news, Senator Tony Mulcahy added, “The decision by Xtra-vision to remain at Shannon demonstrates the value of shopping local. Even during the scale-down period, Shannon consumers stuck with a local outlet as opposed to moving elsewhere. All SkyCourt shops need this level of local support.

“New stores will only decide to locate at SkyCourt if they can be assured of trade. We may all have a wish list of shops we’d like to see at SkyCourt but the reality is, no amount of promotion will convince them to do so if there isn’t sufficient footfall,” he added.

“THE RECESSION can go to hell.”

Those were Davy Fitzgerald’s words at the Clare hurlers homecoming in Ennis the night after our historic All-Ireland victory and already his words are proving prophetic. Early estimates suggest those memorable celebrations were worth € 1m to the local economy alone.

Planning for the team has now turned to the holiday, the details of which will be finalised in the coming weeks.

As part of the fundraising for the holiday there will shortly be an official team photograph going on general sale, along with an official team calendar.

These are not on sale yet and the Clare Hurling Supporters Club have asked members of the public to be wary of pirated versions of pictures or calendars on sale, as none of the proceeds of this merchandise will be going to the hurlers holiday fund.

Chairman of the Clare Hurling Supporters Club PJ Kelly told The Clare People on Monday that the fundraising for the player’s holiday fund will be stepped up in the coming weeks:

“Of course the players and management deserve a holiday for all their incredible achievements and the sacrifices they made this year. We would ask the Clare public to get behind the team as we try to raise money for that trip.

“With this in mind we will be making an official team photograph with the Liam McCarthy Cup available for sale shortly. It will sit perfectly beside the pictures of the 1995 and 1997 All-Ireland winning squads,” said PJ.

GARDAÍ remain extremely concerned that tensions between two Traveller families in Ennis could result in more violence as it emerged that witnesses are wearing protective vests to court.

The fear was expressed ahead of the expected sentencing in Ennis today of four people involved in a violent public order disturbance at the Maid of Erin roundabout last October.

A Circuit Court judge was told last week that the relationship between the families has not improved and that “tensions remain very high”.

“There are garda concerns for the potential for violent incidents,” said Detective Garda John Casey at a sitting of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday. The court was told that the two families previously lived as neighbours and friends in the Ashline area of Ennis.

MEMBERS of Clare’s Nigerian community will gather in Ennis this week for events to celebrate the African country’s Independence Day.

The Association of Nigerian Community in Clare (ANCC) has planned a series of activities in Ennis that include football, a party with dancing, singing, fashion and Nigerian food.

A number of events including a fashion parade and a children’s awards ceremony are planned for Ennis CBS.

It is 53 years since the first Independence Day.

The association has invited the Mayor of Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council, Bishop of Killaloe, Garda Superintendent in Clare and other guests to grace the occasion.

The ANCC was first set up in Clare in 2007. One of the prime objectives of the Association of Nigerian community in Clare is to foster closer working relationships within all communities in Clare and also with the Nigerian embassy in Dublin. It exists as an advocate and to suppor t the welfare needs of Nigerians as well as to progress integration and to be valued, valuable residents of Clare.

“We are delighted to be celebrating Nigerian Independence here in Ennis which is home to many of us now, these events will give us an opportunity to showcase and share our culture and rich heritage from food music, fashion and dance as well as the history of Nigeria,” said ANCC President Francis Okeyebulor.

The father of five who was elected president of the ANCC in August said the association is also planning a number of charity events.

He adds, “As an organisation we want to help Nigerian people who are in Clare. We believe that integration to the Irish way of life is very important. We thing it is integral that people integrate with their local communities. We want to help Nigerian people who maybe in difficulty. The association had been dormant for a few years but we have a good committee in place now. We have resuscitated it and we hope the association can play a role in helping people in Clare.”

A NORTH Clare poet and writer has just won one of Ireland’s most prestigious short story competition for a story on Ireland in the recession.

Mary O’Donoghue saw off competition from more than 300 writers from all over Ireland to claim the Legends of the Fall short story competition.

He story, which is entitled ‘The Sweet Forbearance in the Streets’, tells the sport of a middle-aged woman whose husband has died and whose son has emigrated to Australia.

“It means a great deal to have been selected by writers whose work I deeply admire, Eilís Ní Dhuibhne, Donal Ryan and Fintan O’Toole. I wrote this story from a distance, so I’m especially honoured to be included in a series of writers responding to my home country’s thoroughgoing hardship and malaise,” she said

Miss O’Donoghue was born in Kilreedy in North Clare in 1975 but emigrated to America in 2001 and now lives in Boston. She teaches creative writing and literature in Babson Col- lege, Massachusetts, but returns to Ireland regularly to visit her family.

Her first book of poetry, ‘Tulle’, was published by Liscannor-based publishing company Salmon Poetry. She has since published a second collection of poetry, ‘entitled Among These Winters’, while her first novel, ‘Before the House Burns’, was pub- lished by Lilliput Press in 2011.

She has also won a number of awards including the Salmon Poetry Prize, a Hennessey New Irish Writing Award and two artist fellowships from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

A POLISH man who verbally abused children after drinking on the day of the All-Ireland hurling final behaved in a “contemptible” fashion, a court has heard.

Pawel Faldowski (26), an unemployed panel beater, roared abuse at members of the public and gardaí in Ennis town centre on September 8, Ennis District Court heard on Wednesday.

Mr Faldowski, with an address at Barrack Close, Ennis, pleaded guilty to engaging in offensive and abusive conduct having been ordered to desist by gardaí.

He also pleaded guilty to a second public order charge of being intoxicated to such an extent so as to be a danger to himself or to others.

Inspector Michael Gallagher said Mr Faldowski was falling in front of cars and being abusive to the public on Abbey Street on the night of the drawn hurling match between Clare and Cork.

The court heard he has 15 previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Angela Byrne told the court her client had been drinking all day and has very little recollection of events.

She said Mr Faldowski’s previous convictions all relate to drink.

Ms Byrne said he has taken steps to address his alcohol abuse.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he found the accused’s behaviour “contemptible”.

He imposed a fine of € 250. CLARE County Council has been fined € 5000 for breaching a licence by allowing odours escape from its landfill. At Ennis Circuit Court last week, Judge Gerald Keyes imposed the fine on Clare County Council after it pleaded guilty to the offence at its Inagh landfill on August 22, 2007. The council had initially pleaded not guilty to the offence before a jury on Monday with the case due to commence Tuesday and last two weeks. However the Counsel for the Council, Hugh Hartnett SC, told the court on Wednesday that his client would be pleading guilty to one count.

TWO Galway men involved in a row at a stag party in Lahinch earlier this year have been told to be more careful when they are out.

Martin Frehill (31) and Kevin Kilkenny (42), both with addresses at Kill, Kiltormer, Ballinasloe, Galway, appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Mr Frehill pleaded guilty to provoking a breach of the peace and failing to comply with the direction of a garda.

Mr Kilkenny (42) pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the direction of a garda.

The charges relate to an incident at The Promenade, Lahinch, on July 6.

Inspector Michael Gallagher told the court that gardai were called to deal with an incident at O’Looney’s pub.

The court heard Mr Frehill verbally abused and pushed one garda, calling him a “f***ing p**** and a f***ing b*****x”.

Insp Gallagher said Mr Kilkenny then intervened and refused to leave the scene when directed to do so by a garda.

Neither man has any previous convictions.

Eight people in total were charged in connection with the incident.

The court heard that a number of the men have since returned to work in Australia.

Bench warrants were issued for their arrest when they failed to show up in court in July.

Defence solicitor John Casey told the court that a younger member of the group became involved in a row when he was refused entry to the pub.

Mr Casey said his clients had spent the day drinking.

He said they never behaved like that before and rang gardaí the next day to apologise.

Judge Patrick Durcan said the men were welcome to attend stag parties in Clare but were not entitled to abuse gardaí and members of the public.

“If you’re involved in a stag weekend again, be more careful,” he added.

Judge Durcan ordered both men to pay € 250 to the court poor box.

A CONVICTED rapist who failed to tell gardaí in Ennis he had moved address last month has received a suspended sentence.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Patrick Durcan warned the man that if he again failed to comply with his obligations under the Sex Offender’s Act, he would go to jail.

The 41-year-old man pleaded guilty to failing to notify gardaí of a change in his Ennis address in September, as required under the Sex Offenders’ Act (2001).

This is the second time in 12 months the man has committed such an offence.

Last September he spent three weeks living rough near the River Fergus after leaving rented accommodation.

At the time gardaí admitted they were extremely concerned when the man fell of their radar. He subsequently received a two-month prison sentence that was suspended for two years.

On Wednesday, Detective Garda John Casey of Ennis Garda Station, told the court the man was convicted in April 2005 of the sexual assault of a male and rape contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990.

The man moved to Clare in 2010 whereupon gardaí explained to him that he was required to tell them of any change in his living arrangements.

Defence solicitor John Casey told the court his client was between accommodation at the time.

He said the man slept in a garden shed at the rear of his former house while his new accommodation was being renovated.

Mr Casey said that if his client was sent to prison he would lose his accommodation, possessions and go back to “square one”.

“For someone like him to get permanent accommodation would be very difficult”, he added.

Judge Patrick Durcan said the accused is “someone who has fallen to the bottom of the barrel, very considerably.”

However Judge Durcan added, “It is incumbent on the defendant to comply strongly with obligations imposed on him by statute.”

Noting that the man had spent the past week in prison having been remanded in custody, Judge Durcan imposed a four-month sentence, suspended for two years.

He also decided not to activate the suspended sentence handed down last November.

Warning the accused as to his future behaviour Judge Durcan added, “If non-compliance is proven, I will put you into prison.”