The Clare People Archive

JOHN Vaughan Auctioneers, En- nistymon, have a lovely three bed- room bungalow on their books, guiding at €385,000. The house is set in a mature, spacious site off the Ennistymon/Lahinch Road, within

a mile of Lahinch beach, golf links and all other amenities in the resort, while also being close to the vibrant town of Ennistymon.

This house has large sash windows and is a bright house with beautiful timber floors in each of the three bedrooms and in the sitting room.

The accommodation comprises a kitchen, dining room with an open fire, sitting room with open fire, three bedrooms, and a family bathroom. The attic is floored and can be ac- cessed via a Stira stairs. The attic of- fers good conversion potential. For full details contact 065 7071477.

A 37-YEAR-OLD German man was dead in his Ennis apartment for a fortnight before his body was discov- ered, an inquest heard last week.

Christian Sonntag’s body was found in a one-bed apartment on O’Connell Street, on July 12, 2005. He had not been seen for over two weeks.

Ennis Coroner’s Court heard last week that Mr Sonntag had not col- lected his mail since June 24.

Jens Gottloeber, another German national, said he had worked with Mr Sonntag in Shannon.

He said Mr Sonntag had asked him to give his “sick papers” to his boss, as he had been ill.

He said he knew Mr Sonntag had been in hospital and he last saw him in the Diamond pub, three weeks be- fore his body was found.

He had tried to phone him a number of times in the interim, but could not get through.

William Justin said he last saw his friend Mr Sonntag in the Diamond pub, on June 24.

Detective Garda Brendan Rouine told Ennis Coroner’s Court that he saw the body on a bed in the apart- ment on July 12.

“The body was in a state of semi- decomposition and had obviously been there for a period of time,” he

said. He said there had been no sign of “anything untoward” in the apart- ment.

State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy carried out a post mortem examination on the body on July 13, 2005. She said there was “advanced decomposition of the body”, which suggested he had been dead for up to two weeks.

‘There were no marks or injuries to the head or body and his death was not related to trauma,” she said.

Professor Cassidy noted that Mr Sonntag’s heart was grossly enlarged and that this could cause sudden col- lapse and death at any time. At the time of death, he was intoxicated by alcohol and had also been taking amphetamines, which could cause the heart to beat irregularly. She concluded that his death was princi- pally due to the enlarged heart, with alcohol and amphetamines possible contributory factors.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea suggested than an open verdict be brought in and the jury agreed.

“It is a very sad situation for some- one to die in such circumstances,” said Ms O’Dea.

Inspector Tom Kennedy – said, “Quite a bit of thorough investigat- ing went into the case and there were communications between gardai and his family in Germany at the time.”

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.

O’DOLAN & Partners, Ennis, have taken on a very attractive four bed- room detached house on a one acre site, with distant sea views, guiding at €350,000.

Located close to the church in Doo- lin, this cosy home is within easy access of some breathtaking scen- ery, beaches and the famous craic in Doolin. Itis also within easy reach of Lisdoonvarna.

Given that it occupies a one-acre site, the selling agents point out that there may be potential for further de- velopment.

The accommodation is laid out over two floors. On the ground floor

there’s the kitchen/dining room, the sitting room, which has a solid fuel stove, fitted units and the all impor- tant sea views.

There are two bedrooms on this level, both with fitted wardrobes. There’s also a shower room on the ground floor.

Upstairs, there are two further bed- rooms, both with wooden flooring and one with fitted wardrobes. The family bathroom is located on this level.

The extensive, well-maintained grounds include a patio area, with distant sea views.

For full details contact 065 6844395.

SHERRY FitzGerald Hussey Mad- den, Ennistymon, have a limited number of semi-detached properties left in the latest phase of the Cuirt Merriman development, priced at €240,000. These houses are beau- tifully designed and represent great value for money.

Only minutes walk from the town centre, these properties have the add-

ed bonus of being just 1.5 miles from Lahinch beach and golf course.

The properties have three bed- rooms, with the master bedroom, en- suite. They also have large gardens. The selling agent assures that “the highest level of construction and fin- ish is guaranteed with PC sum allow- ances of €4,200 per house.”

Finishes include wooden floors in the living room and all bedrooms, and the houses will be painted ex-

ternally plus the ceilings and wood work are painted.

The first phase of this development sold from plans and despite hiccups in the property market, the quick sale of all but these two remaining units of the 28 units in Phase 2, attests to the popularity of this development and the popularity of Ennistymon as a location.

For full details contact 065 7072833.

CLARE farmer and Chairperson of ICMSA’s Beef and Cattle Commit- tee Martin McMahon, last week said that there is no basis for the down- ward pressure on beef prices over the last few weeks and that prices should be rising to bridge the gap that ex- ists between Irish prices and prices in other EU markets.

According to McMahon, farm- ers who are selling cattle this week are losing money, particularly in the context of the significantly higher feed costs relative to 12 months ago.

He said that the prices farmers are receiving are not adequate to com- pensate for these additional costs and prices need to rise to reflect that reality.

“Irish beef prices are still 23c/kg below prices in England, 1lc/kg be- low Northern Ireland prices and 25c/ kg below French prices with this rep- resenting a massive gap equivalent to up to €80 per head,” said the Beef and Cattle Committee Chairperson.

‘There is an ongoing and growing deficit in EU beef markets and it is now well past the time that the meat plants closed this gap and returned

improved prices to farmers.

“The gap that exists is simply not warranted given developments in the EU beef markets in the past number of years. The latest attempt this week to cut beef prices is very short-sight- ed and can only serve to undermine the future of the Irish beef sector.

“There had to be a realisation, in all quarters, that the future of the beef industry itself 1s what is at stake and if the sector is to develop further then prices will have to increase to a realistic level.”

Meanwhile, the IFA’s National Livestock Committee Chairman,

John Bryan, last week accused the factories of managing and manipu- lating cattle numbers and prices.

“The factories’ latest move this week, to cut prices, was a real kick in the teeth to winter finishers who have endured losses of in excess of €100 per head this winter,’ he said.

“At a time when prices were ris- ing in our main market in the UK, it was a scandal that Irish factories were attempting to cut prices. It is an even bigger scandal that some facto- ries were importing cattle and telling their farmer clients that they must cut the price.”

WITH the arrival of the good weath- er, the urge to get out in the field and get some work under the belt is erowing all the time. It is appropriate then, at this time of increased activi- ty, to remind farmers, and especially young farmers, of the importance of insuring their safety while working and operating machinery.

With this in mind, the FRS Net- work Training Services, in conjunc- tion with Teagasc and IFA Skills Net, will hold a one-day training course in Ennis on Friday, May 11 and in Limerick on Wednesday, May 9.

The training courses, which are en- titled “Young Agricultural Drivers’ Safety and Skills Awareness’, were

launched last week by the Minister for Labour Affairs and Clare Gener- al Election candidate, Tony Killeen.

The majority of young agricultural drivers are allowed on the public roads with just a basic provisional licence, without any formal safety awareness training. These drivers carry a huge responsibility for public safety while on the road.

‘They are responsible for being in control of very large modern tractors with large implements attached, such as Silage trailers laden with anything up to 20 tonnes of grass, and it’s all rush, rush, rush and long hours dur- ing the busy harvest or sowing time,’ said a spokesperson from the FRS.

“Unfortunately, this all adds up toa very serious accident waiting to hap-

pen and, in order to minimise this possibility, FRS along with Teagasc and IFA Skills Net have joined forc- es to put on the courses in the two fo) tonal she

“If there is a good uptake this year, we see the idea being rolled out na- tionwide next year.”

Each course has been designed and will be delivered by experienced tu- tor Val O’Connor and there will also be experienced drivers available on the day to deliver invaluable practi- cal driving instruction.

The courses are designed to create safety awareness for all agricultural drivers, be they silage workers, hay- making contractors or tillage work- ae

Items covered will include law, work

equipment, use on the road and dan- gers in the yard, tractor maintenance, checking trailers, lights and tyres and driving and tipping trailers.

More information can be got by contacting the FRS Network Train- ing Services in Limerick on 063 y1Uelelon

THE MURDER of elderly farmer Jack Daly sent shockwaves through- out the quiet village of Belharbour, four years ago.

The 83-year-old was lying in his bed shortly before 7am on April 30, 2003, when he was attacked by his nephew.

John McInerney had been anxious the previous night and feared that the devil had been trying to get in to the family home, at Abbey West, Bel- harbour. His obsession with the devil ultimately cost his uncle his life. He believed the devil was in his defence- less uncle.

MclInerney’s mother Kathleen was worried about his behaviour in the hours leading up to the murder.

He had been admitted to Our La-

dy’s Psychiatric Hospital on March 18, 2003, after he had disappeared from his home and spent a night at Corcomroe Abbey.

A neighbour, Gerard Kerin, later found him there, standing on an altar and carrying a fork in his hand. He claimed he was trying to ward off the devil, who was taking over the altar.

He spent a month at Our Lady’s and was discharged in mid-April. On the night of April 29, he began to talk Vole) Ulm a slome (oa EB

Kathleen, who was 83 at the time, knew that something was not right the following morning when she heard her son going in to her broth- er’s room.

She was terrified and ran from the house. She later heard Jack saying, “I killed Jack”.

McInerney was arrested a short

time later and was questioned at En- nistymon Garda Station throughout the day.

He was charged with murder at a special sitting of Tulla District Court later that night. He pleaded guilty but insane to murder, at the Central Criminal Court in November 2004.

Medical experts for both the pros-

ecution and defence agreed that he was suffering from schizophrenia at the time. The jury returned a verdict of guilty but insane, without leaving the jury box. Mr Justice Paul Carney ordered his detention at the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum.

The inquest into the death has taken four years to be heard and in some way brings to a conclusion a very sorry chapter for the Daly and McInerney families, and for the peo- ple of the close-knit community of Belharbour.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea and Garda Inspector Tom Kennedy paid tribute to the wonderful neighbours of the Daly and McInerney families during this “traumatic” time.

A FEAKLE man died after he fell awkwardly from his bicycle as he cycled home after a night out, Ennis Coroner’s Court has heard.

The body of Sean Tobin (41), of Gurrane, Feakle, was found at Fur- nacetown, on the main Feakle to Scariff road, at around 2am on April 17, 2006.

An inquest last Thursday heard from witness Mary McGuinness. She was on her way home from Feakle when she noticed something

on the road, just lOO yards from Pep- per’s pub.

She saw a body lying partially on the grass margin and there was a bi- cycle between the man’s legs.

Garda Pat McGrath of Mountshan- non said he attended the scene of the accident. He recognised the cyclist as Sean Tobin, a factory worker, who lived just a half-mile away.

Garda McGrath said there were two lamps on the bicycle, none of which were turned on.

He said there was no damage to the bicycle, but the front wheels and

handlebars had been turned a full Rol Oe (fea terene

State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy said Mr Tobin had been half- way home, when he fell off his bicy- cle and was lying “awkwardly”.

She said there had been “no evi- dence of a road traffic accident”.

It appeared that Mr Tobin may have hit a stone, which would have top- pled him from the bicycle.

‘He was acutely intoxicated by al- cohol. His co-ordination would have been poor. He would have been un- steady,’ she said.

The post mortem examination showed Mr ‘Tobin had _ sustained mainly “trivial” injuries, consistent with a fall.

“Although the injuries were trivial, the position in which he landed would have left him susceptible to asphyxia, due to lack of oxygen,” she said.

She said that death was due to as- phyxia, which was due to the awk- ward way he fell, combined with acute alcohol intoxication.

The jury returned a verdict of acci- dental death, on the recommendation of Coroner Isobel O’Dea.

CLARE’S Fianna Fail general elec- tion candidates have rowed in with their support behind the Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, after last week’s launch of the party’s new agriculture policy.

The new policy documents, which are called “The Next Steps Forward for Farming Communities’, were re- leased to the public last week and re- ceived a warm welcome from Clare Senator Brendan Daly and Minister Tony Killeen.

“The plan, launched by my Fianna Fail colleague, Agriculture Muinis- ter Mary Coughlan, sets out details of proposals covering all aspects

of farming and the food industry,’ commented Senator Daly.

“Fianna Fail believes that farming requires further sustained support at a time of great change. We’re com- mitted to ensuring that farmers’ in- terests remain a core priority for the next government.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen, described the publication as responsive to the needs and concerns of the Irish farming community.

“All farmers face the challenge of reducing the cost of inputs while striving to have high-quality market- able products, which will attract a premium price. Food producers face challenges from South America and

Australia, which can only be met by producing quality food that is attrac- tive to the consumer,” he said.

“The EU and World Trade poli- cies will change during the next five years. The Irish Government has set out its stall regarding how it will pro actively influence these changes. I am confident that the successes en- joyed by Irish food exporters, with the help of Bord Bia over the last five years, will be acted upon by the cur- rent farmer-friendly Government,” he added.

Senator Daly also used the publica- tion to take a stab at the agricultural policy adopted by other parties.

‘The Taoiseach was the only party leader to mention farmers in an Ard

Fheis speech this year,” he said.

‘“Labour’s recent comments on their hill-walking legislation showed that the alternative government doesn’t believe farmers should be consulted on matters that directly affect them.

“Our plan outlines a range of com- mitments, including support for the development of higher-value prod- ucts with more secure markets, the extension of country-of-origin la- belling, a strong position on EU and WTO negotiations and the improve- ment of a range of schemes designed to give farmers the freedom to farm as they decide.”

The policy in full can be viewed on www.thenextsteps.ie/farmingcom- munities.