The Clare People Archive

THE Government’s indecisiveness and ultimate U-turn during the past week on the enterprise role of Shannon Development in the Shannon Free Zone, has wasted potential enterprise creation for Clare.

That is the feeling being expressed by Clare Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen, following the revelation in last week’s edition of The Clare People that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Michael Martin, had decided not to implement his controversial plan to allow the IDA take over the foreign enterprise mandate in the Shannon Free Zone from the development agency.

However, the Minister informed Shannon Development that its indigenous industry mandate would move to Enterprise Ireland.

According to Deputy Breen, “the whole fiasco illustrates that there is no overall policy for employment creation and balanced regional development. The original decision was made in July 2005, amid widespread criticism. Now 15 months of potential enterprise-creation have been wasted with this Government shilly-shallying and there is a glaring gap on Minister Martin’s Web site where this new announcement should be,” said Deputy Breen.

“The original decision to strip Shannon Development of its enterprise creation functions was made under the cover of ‘an enhanced regional economic development role’ for the agency.

Minister Martin also stated that ‘Shannon Development supports this recommendation and it will be implemented as soon as practicable.’

“Not only has the recommendation not been implemented at all, but it has taken well over a year to arrive back at where we started,” he added.

THE Taoiseach has urged the HSE and the National Hospitals Office to ensure that all necessary procedures are dealt with as speedily as possible so that further development of Ennis General Hospital is advanced.

He said he was standing by commitments about the hospital given to Peadar McNamara and the Hospital Development Committee last year.

“The truth of the matter is that this Government has, and will continue to, invest in the development of Ennis hospital. Our plans for a capital investment of almost €30 million to upgrade facilities at Ennis are progressing – admittedly slower than we would prefer,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Ahern told

that a decision to station 40 probationary gardaí to operate security at Shannon airport is an issue for the Garda Commissioner and senior Garda managers.

“When it comes to the deployment of gardaí, these issues are dealt with by the Garda Commissioner and senior Garda Managers. They are the experts and they use their expertise when it comes to the deployment of the resources they are provided,” he said.

“In relation to Shannon, the gardaí have stressed to me the comprehensive nature of the training programmes that their new police recruits are put through. They have also reassured me that all officers posted to duty in Shannon will be subject to supervision and instruction from experienced Garda managers in relation to their duties and what is expected of them. he said.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has this week described Clare junior minister Tony Killeen (right) as ministerial material.

In an interview with The Clare People the Taoiseach said, “Since his promotion to Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen has shown a great ability to solve complex problems and address issues of importance in the workplace.

“Tony has shown his capability as a minister, and I look forward to working with him up until the next election and beyond it.”

The Fianna Fail leader would not say, however, how many Fianna Fáil seats would have to be secured in the next election for a Clare minister to be appointed.

“There is no doubt that we want to regain the seat we lost here in 2002. Clare has always had a proud Fianna Fáil representation, and in the next election we will be going all out to take three seats,” he said.

With the departure of Minister for State Síle deValera from the political scene next summer, the Taoiseach said it was important Fianna Fáil put together a strong team to contest the next election.

“Brendan Daly has resolutely defended the interests of Clare people for many years, and I am confident that next summer he will return to the Dáil to continue his good work for the Clare people. Timmy Dooley completes our team. He brings energy and drive, ensures that issues which matter to the people of Clare are made priority and resolved,” said the Government leader.

He said the current Fianna Fáil representation of two Ministers of State and two senators meant that Clare retained a powerful voice in Dublin.

“After the next election, I am confident that Clare can again have three FF TDs who represent the county in the Dáil and in Government Departments,” added Mr Ahern.

“Fianna Fáil are proud of our record of delivery in Clare. Working with the people of Clare, we have made good progress across a wide spectrum of issues. Now we want to build on this progress,” he said.

FIANNA Fáil may claim to be fit and healthy in Clare, but one wonders about the benefit of an injection of new blue blood suggested by its leader this week.

When answering questions about how difficult it was to encourage young people into the party, the Taoiseach said, “In people like Timmy Dooley, Cathal Crowe and Joe Carey, it is clear that we have young and eager people within our Party.”

It what could have been described as a Freudian slip, or even wishful thinking, but more likely a typo, the Taoiseach described how the future of the party was strong and secure in its young people, including “Joe Carey”, member of the well-known Fine Gael dynasty.

But the young Fine Gaeler was last night adamant that he was still a member of the party his father served as TD, and would be running for them in the next election.

Such an acquisition as Carey would indeed have been new blood for Fianna Fáil.

However, the Taoiseach maintained that the party was not having difficulties locating young eager candidates to march with the soldiers of destiny.

“Absolutely not, that couldn’t be further from the truth. I believe that the Fianna Fáil ticket here in Clare has a superb balance between experience and youth. Fianna Fáil in Clare has a very vibrant organisation and we are gifted with some fine young politicians for the future,” he said.

“Ógra Fianna Fáil in Clare is also one of the most active nationwide. Indeed, last year’s Ógra conference held in Ennis last February, and organised by the local Clare Ógra organisation, was hugely successful. They have also revived the De Valera Commemoration at which I was privileged to address last September. So I believe that youth and vitality are not something which Fianna Fáil are in any way lacking in county Clare.”

The Fianna Fail leader was also adamant that experience was important in any Government.

“It is important in politics that experience is not underestimated. Knowledge of the intricacies of the political system can be vital.”

“In Brendan Daly, Clare has a politician with this in abundance. I think it is also worth noting that Brendan will not be the only candidate contesting the next election in their 60s and that is good for Clare.”

Senator Daly will be joined on the hustings by Junior Minister Tony Killeen and Senator Timmy Dooley.

THE solicitor for a man accused of assaulting a 60-year-old in Kilrush has strenuously opposed his client being held in custody and has called for the ‘charade’ to end.

Martin O’Brien (25), of St Senan’s Terrace, Kilrush, is charged with assaulting Paddy Kelleher, causing him harm, at Crawford Street, Kilrush, on July 18 last.

Bail had been refused in the District Court and a bail application in the High Court last month was also unsuccessful.

Judge Joseph Mangan refused bail in the District Court on July 31, and said that intimidation of a “most serious, most sinister and most massive” nature had taken place.

He said he was left “without a scintilla of a doubt” that various witnesses have been subjected to intimidation.

He made the ruling after gardaí said they would not tolerate a ruling by one particular family in Kilrush.

Gardaí alleged at that time that Mr Kelleher was being “bullied” into pulling out of the case and that the course of justice was being perverted.

This was after Mr Kelleher, of Crawford Street, Kilrush, said the “wrong man” was in court and that he wanted the case dropped. “I am just nervous about it. That’s it. I don’t want no hassle,” he said.

The accused appeared in court, in custody, last Friday. Inspector Michael Gallagher said he was seeking to have him further remanded in custody.

“A file has gone to the DPP today. It is up to the DPP then,” said Inspector Gallagher.

Defending solicitor Pat Enright said he was opposing that application.

“This is his seventh appearance. He has been in custody since July 27 last,” he said.

He said it was the defendant’s belief that the alleged injured party had withdrawn his statement.

“He is innocent until proved guilty. He is serving time for a case we believe won’t go ahead,” said Mr Enright.

“This charade must end sooner rather than later. I don’t see why a file was not sent to the DPP before now,” he said.

Judge Joseph Mangan remanded the accused in custody, to appear again in court later this month.

AN ASSORTMENT of drugs were seized in the county over the weekend, as gardaí said that the allocation of additional resources would help tackle drug dealing.

A third garda has been added to the Divisional Drugs Squad on a full-time basis. One member of the force has also been made available, temporarily, while another is expected to be added within weeks.

A planned search of a residence in Kilfenora early on Saturday morning resulted in the seizure of €2,000 worth of drugs. This included nine mature cannabis plants and more than 100 unidentified tablets, which have to be sent for analysis. A man in his 40s was interviewed and a file is being prepared for the DPP.

Separately, a swoop on a house in the Rossbracken area of Shannon on Saturday evening resulted in cocaine with a street value of €4,000 been seized. A man in his 40s was arrested and detained overnight at the local Garda station. He was released without charge on Sunday and a file is being prepared for the DPP.

Meanwhile, a small quantity of heroin was seized in Corofin and a small amount of cannabis was seized in Ennistymon, both on Saturday.

“We are committed to targeting known individuals involved in drugs. A huge amount of people are using cocaine. Cannabis resin is still the big one,” said the Head of the Clare Garda Divisional Drugs Unit, Sergeant John Brennan, who welcomed the increase in resources, to tackle drugs.

“We certainly welcome this. Any increase in manpower is a major benefit,” he added.

TWO rare historical maps of County Clare dating from the 17th and 18th centuries have been digitised for the first time and made available online. The Grand Jury and Petty’s Down Survey Maps, which precede the first Ordinance Survey Maps of 1842, have provided historians with some of the lost information from the destroyed parish and barony maps. Clare County Library has described the maps as ‘unique’ and said that the advent of digital mapping has helped to preserve and create a newfound interest in local history.

Commissioned by the Grand Jury of County Clare in 1779 and completed by Henry Pelham in 1787, the Grand Jury Maps feature roads, rivers, townlands lakes and large houses on a scale of 1.5 inches to the mile. The Grand Jury was the most important local body in rural Ireland during the late 18th Century and early 19th Century and was empowered to raise money by means of county rates. Its responsibilities included the construction and repair of roads and bridges and the upkeep of local institutions.

The Petty’s Down Survey Maps of County Clare (1658-59), meanwhile, provide unique information on the baronies of Corcomroe, Moyarta and Bunratty and is widely regarded as a precursor to the first printed atlas of Ireland (c1685). The map, now freely available on www.clarelibrary.ie, preserves some of the lost information from the destroyed parish and barony maps. “These new additions now join the 1842 (6 inch) Ordnance Survey Maps, giving users of the site a unique key to the county,” said Noel Crowley, County Librarian.

“The aim of this extensive online collection of maps is to support personal and academic users in their learning, teaching and research of historical issues relating to Clare. With so much material now being published on the internet in either un-reviewed form or on a pay-per-view basis, Clare County Library has opted to promote the study of local history by publishing these priceless resources for their historical value in one place and free of charge. The digitising of these rare maps also reduces the threat of them being damaged in the future”, Mr Crowley added.

Clare County Library’s website has recorded over two million hits since it first went live in 1998. Recent additions include Churches with Round Towers in Northern Clare by T.J. Westrop; New Literature of County Clare; Standing Stones; Ecclesiastical Remains; Windmills & Tumuli – Clare monuments; and Census Search Forms 1841 and 1851.

SEVERAL terrified children were forced to flee indoors over the weekend as fireworks and bangers exploded in housing estates in Ennis.

Although Halloween is over a month away, gardaí in Ennis received several complaints about bangers on Saturday and Sunday.

Gardaí are warning people who distribute or explode fireworks that they will face prosecution. They are urging parents to take action, in an effort to prevent injury.

Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Joe Downey said, “We are warning people that explosives are illegal. You should never throw them at anybody, through doors or at animals. They drive dogs crazy. We are reminding those who are found with fireworks they will be confiscated and people will face prosecution.

“There seems to be a significant amount of them around. People who sell them are driven by greed to make handy money. They are easily got in the North and sold down here,” he said.

He is urging people who become aware of the availability of fireworks or bangers to contact their local Garda station.

Last October, a young girl was taken to hospital with severe burns to her face, after she was hit by a lighted firework, outside St Flannan’s College. The incident occurred when groups of students were waiting to be collected after school. The firework hit the girl on her jacket collar and her face was burnt as a result.

While gardaí said it was not believed to be malicious, it typified the dangers of fireworks and the damage they could potentially cause.

THE number of people arrested on suspicion of drink driving is threatening to spiral out of control – there has been a 70 per cent increase so far this year, when compared with last year.

A massive 333 people have been arrested for the alleged offence, up to yesterday (Monday) which compares with 196 during the same period last year.

Fourteen drivers were arrested over the weekend – eight in the Ennis/Shannon area, four in north Clare and one each in east Clare and west Clare.

The head of the Clare Garda Division Traffic Corps, Inspector Kevin Moynihan says despite repeated warnings, the message is not being taken on board.

“Quite a few people are being breath tested at mandatory checkpoints, but people are still trying it. They can be stopped anywhere at any checkpoint and we are warning people they are likely to be caught,” he said.

He is warning people travelling to work after drinking the night before to bear in mind mandatory checkpoints can be set up anywhere.

He said the crackdown on drink drivers will continue throughout the winter months and those caught will be prosecuted. He is urging people to obey the rules of the road.

“With the long winter nights coming in, people should take care on the roads,” added Inspector Moynihan.

CRUCIAL talks aimed at averting strike action at Shannon Aerospace will take place today.

The development came after the Labour Court clarified a recommendation it made in relation to the dispute last July.

SIPTU and management at the aircraft maintenance company, which employs 800 staff, have agreed to meet today following several rounds of talks last week.

Shannon Aerospace maintains that it requires cost offsets to enable it to pay the last two phases of the national agreement, Sustain-

ing Progress. An independent assessor exam ined these issues and reported last January that “the company is entitled to and needs off-setting costs”.

On July 6 last, the Labour Court recommended that the parties should enter into discussions “and take a balanced approach towards agreeing cost offsetting measures in return for payment of the increases due under Sustaining Progress”. While the company accepted that recommendation, SIPTU rejected it.

On Friday, the Labour Court stated that payments under Sustaining Progress should be disposed of before talks on ways of offsetting cost could take place.

According to the Labour Court, “The company has indicated it has other issues which need to be addressed in terms of its cost structure and its viability going forward. The Labour Court is of the view that once payment of the Sustaining Progress has been disposed of and agreed, these issues should be addressed as part of Labour Relations Commission facilitated talks. The court continues to be available to the parties in these circumstances.”

SIPTU has welcomed the clarification stating that it would be “happy to enter talks with the company on the basis of the Labour Court clarification.”

A fortnight ago, the almost 800 workers at the aircraft maintenance company were placed on protective notice. Strike notice issued to the company remains in place.

Shannon councillor, Geraldine Lambert (FF) said she was pleased that both sides were engaging in talks.

“As far as I’m aware there is goodwill on the part of the workers I have spoken to and a willingness to look at a possible solution so I would hope that management would reciprocate.”