The Clare People Archive

US AMBASSADOR to Ireland, James Kenny made a nationwide appeal at the weekend to allow the Poor Clare nuns in Ennis to see the AllIreland hurling final.

Ambassador Kenny made a private visit to the Poor Clares on Francis Street last week and he told RTE radio at the weekend, “The nuns are very, very special people and remind me what Ireland is about.

“They knew who I was because one of the treats in life they do get is to watch the news and see what is going on in the world and, secondly, on All-Ireland final day, they are allowed to listen to the match.

“But the nuns got very perturbed because the GAA changed the starting time from 3.30pm to 4pm and they have to leave and go into prayers before half-time. They are very upset because they want to be able to listen to the All-Ireland final.

“They wanted me to relay this to the GAA and I said I would. These are wonderful, wonderful people that are praying for everyone around Ireland. “

Sunday’s final, however, started at the traditional time of 3.30pm – allowing the Poor Clares to enjoy the entire game.

The Abbess of the enclosed order, Sister Bernadine, told The Clare People that the nuns jokingly asked Mr Kenny during his visit to raise the issue, as the nuns’ rosary starts at 5pm every day.

“We said it as a bit of fun and we didn’t take it too seriously. There were only a few of us who wanted to see the match. We have some nuns from Cork and they didn’t wish to see it and we were able to tell them the result.”

Sister Bernadine said that Mr Kenny, “is a lovely person. It was a private visit”.

There are 17 Poor Clares based in Ennis and they come from various parts of Ireland. Their monastery was founded on October 7, 1958 with Joseph Rodgers, the then Bishop of Killaloe, laying the foundation stone in 1957.

THE promoters of plans to commemorate Richard Harris in Kilkee are ready to flout the planning laws by erecting a statue to the Hollywood actor in the west Clare resort.

Last month, Clare County Council granted planning permission for plans to celebrate the late Hollywood actor in Kilkee, in spite of opposition from local residents.

Plans have been drawn up with one Hollywood star due in Kilkee on September 30 to unveil the statue.

But the project has already suffered a setback with local resident, Maureen McMahon, yesterday appealing the decision to An Bord Pleanála.

The statue was to be erected in the Wellington Square area, depicting Harris playing racquet ball. The actor won a racquet ball competition four times in a row in the west Clare resort, where he used spend much of his summer holidays.

However, Project Director Manuel di Lucia said that the statue will now be erected on private property on a temporary basis on Kilkee’s Cliff Walk over the well-known Pollock Holes.

Mr di Lucia said that he was not concerned about any planning issues that may arise until An Bord Pleanála deliver its decision on the appeal.

“The statue will be there until an Bord Pleanála gives planning permission for the statue at Wellington Square”, he said.

Mr di Lucia confirmed that “a major Hollywood star” will be in attendance for the unveiling at the end of September.

“We are very disappointed that the appeal has been lodged. I’m absolutely gutted. It should go up on Wellington Square because it was near there that Richard played racquet ball. I can’t understand why anyone would appeal and one woman is scuppering the arrangements for the whole town.”

He said that the organising committee would not be negotiating with Ms McMahon over her appeal.

Speaking to The Clare People yesterday from Kilkee, Maureen McMahon said, “I have no objection to the Richard Harris statue, but I do object to where it is being put as it is a residential area.”

In her initial objection , Ms McMahon said, “The proposed statue is 20 yards from my house. I do not want a statue or anything like it erected in front of my home. It would interfere with my view and attract crowds of people who may be undesirable.”

Mr di Lucia confirmed that over €35,000 of the €42,000 budget for the project has now been raised with former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds contributing €1,000.

The twice-Oscar nominated actor and star of Gladiator and The Field has strong associations with Kilkee and his three sons have confirmed that they will contribute €21,000 to the project and will be present for the unveiling of the statue by local sculptor, Seamus Connolly.

A CLARE architect has told An Bord Pleanala that a proposed housing development in Kilnaboy will provide the area with a badly needed increase of population.

Michael Leahy said in his appeal on behalf of developers David Henry and Eamon Cahill, that the 19 houses they want to build will give people the opportunity to live immediately adjacent to Kilnaboy’s church and school.

Clare County Council refused planning permission for the development on a number of grounds, including inadequate water supply, potential impact on groundwater, design and traffic.

But the appeal states that, “The provision of housing will underpin this community and secure its survival into the future. The development is being done in a way which is attractive, which will ensure the integration of the housing into the village and which will form a landmark development for small housing schemes being located within small village communities for the future.

“Kilnaboy has always had a very strong sense of community and dating back to medieval times, the crossroads at Kilnaboy was of significance.

“It is essential that the sense of community of such villages be reinforced.

“The public are entitled to expect that the village of Kilnaboy will be allowed to develop in accordance with proper planning.

“Mr Cahill and Mr Henry are both from the local area and would like to become involved in this development proposal which would strengthen the character of the village of Kilnaboy.

“However, instead of facilitating development in accordance with the provisions of a democratically voted upon Development Plan, the planning officials seem to be going out of their way to seek reasons for prohibiting development which is zoned for residential development.

On refusing permission due to the design of the homes, Mr Leahy says: “It is quite an astonishing reason for refusal, suggesting as it does that the proposal would by virtue of its design, fail to integrate and respect the existing character of the surrounding area.

“It has been the intention of this office right from the beginning, in consultation with the council, to devise a scheme which would create a small village square facing directly towards the school and the church. Mr Leahy said the reasons for refusal also represented a failure in implementation of coherent policy as expressed through the Development Plan.

CLARE County Council has been criticised for its refusal to grant planning permission to a family wishing to build a one-off home near Lemanagh Castle in the Burren.

Joseph O’ Connor had hoped to build a home for his partner and three children. The family currently live in local authority accommodation in Ennistymon.

Mr O’ Connor’s appeal against the refusal states that, “the decision of the council is inconsistent with recent decisions at this location.

“Two other applications were deemed by the council to be in accordance with the policies of the County Development Plan and would not seriously injure the amenities of the area.

“As both of these developments are on sites either side of the current application, and one within the identified boundary of the archaeological complex, I suggest that this application satisfies the same criteria.”

Earlier this year, a plan for a separate one-off home was heading for a refusal, but north Clare councillor, Cllr Richard Nagle (FF) requested Senior Executive Planner, Brian McCarthy to visit the site in question.

Mr McCarthy visited the site and consulted with Senior Planner, Liam Conneally. Subsequently, the council ignored the advice of the area planner and the council’s conservation officer and gave the go-ahead for the home.

An Taisce appealed the decision, claiming that there was a lack of transparency in permitting the home – a claim the council rejected.

Clare County Council subsequently refused planning permission to Mr O’ Connor.

He contends in his appeal, “that the reasons for refusal as stated in the decision to refuse planning permission for this development are without substance and can be refuted.

“It is also my contention that the proposed development is fully in accordance with the policy of Clare County Council as outlined in the Clare County Development Plan and North Clare Local Area Plan.

“The assessment of the application failed to give sufficient weight to the fact that the applicant is a local rural worker.”

Mr O’ Connor returned home from England with his parents in 1988. His appeal states that he is a parttime farmer on the family landholding and a community employment participant in Carron where he works part-time as a stonemason.

His intention is to assume responsibility for the operation of the family landholding from his widowed mother.

A decision is due on the application later this year.

CLARE has almost three times more dogs ending up in the pound than the national average. And a Clare councillor wants the local authority to have a homeless dogs section on their website, to give them a better chance of survival.

According to nationwide statistics, the national average is seven dogs per thousand population going to the pound. In comparison, Clare has 18 dogs per thousand population.

“I acknowledge the good work of the dog warden, Frankie Coote, who, despite the large numbers of dogs going to the pound, is successful in finding homes for nearly a quarter of them but a comparison of the local authorities around us show us in a very poor light,” said Councillor Brian Meaney.

Cllr Meaney says he would like research to show which breeds are hardest to rehome.

“The official figures should clearly show what breeds or cross-breeds are being destroyed. I think that Clare County Council can play a positive role in this. Clare County Council has displayed leadership by introducing measures like the beach bye-laws and are pro-active in the issuing of fines, like the 42 that were issued in 2004, compared to counties like Kilkenny with no fines issued.”

The councillor said he intends “to request the Environment SPC to draft policy which would establish a section of the council website showing the dogs that had been left in the pound each day, greatly improving the chances of reuniting them with owners or finding new homes,” Cllr Meaney said.

A NEW approach to muscle rehabilitation has been unveiled at the Ennis Leisure Complex.

An exercise machine specially designed for people with limited mobility was installed yesterday on a three-month trial basis at the complex.

The exercise/physical therapy unit, known as MOTOmed Therapy, can be used by people in wheelchairs and until now had only a limited availability. Ennis is the only facility of its kind to have access to the machine designed by Lyncare Ltd, a company specialising in the distribution of rehabilitation products.

Ennis was chosen after an initiative spearheaded by two members of the Clare branch of Multiple Sclerosis, Ireland.

Having seen the benefits of the MOTOmed in the University of Limerick, Anne Dunne and Enda O’Gara, with assistance from local Green Party councillor Brian Meaney, lobbied to bring the service to Ennis.

Speaking at the launch, Enda O’Gara and Anne Dunne said the exercise equipment provides an essential service to people dealing with a loss or partial loss of mobility and co-ordination due to an accident, stroke or conditions like MS and Spinabifida.

Mr O’Gara thanked the initiative shown by Ennis Town Council, Clare County Council and Lyncare Ltd. in making the specialised exercise equipment available for the three month trial.

“It is up to the people who are in need of this exercise machine to show that there is a demand for it, as its usage over the three-month trial will determine if monies will be made available to purchase this and perhaps other units,” he said.

Ennis Leisure Complex Manager, Jackie Coote, said that as it was a public facility, the complex had to be accessible and usable to as many people as possible and this was another way this was being achieved. There are two hoists for wheelchair users at the pool and four wheelchair-accessible machines already in the gym. The latest equipment should make it easier for people with disability to access a very worthwhile physical therapy and exercise in a way that is no different from any of the other exercise regimes at the complex.”

Lyncare Sales & Marketing Director, Andrea Lynch, said the system being provided at the Ennis complex included training for all the staff so it can be adapted to suit a range of clients with various conditions.

It is hoped the machine will be installed on a permanent basis once the trail elapses.

A MAN who damaged three cars and assaulted two off-duty gardaí has been jailed for a year.

Mark McCarthy (20), of Millbrook House, Ennis, pleaded guilty to a number of charges, in relation to incidents at Woodquay, Ennis, on July 10 last year.

Inspector Michael Gallagher told Ennis District Court that the accused “made a nuisance of himself,” damaging three cars and assaulting two gardaí, who were off-duty at the time.

One of the gardaí was struck in the face and the other was kicked in the leg. The court was told that 10 days after this incident, the accused robbed an elderly woman at her home on the Turnpike Road in Ennis. He was jailed for four years at Ennis Circuit Court for that offence earlier this year.

Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client “went on a bit of a binge” at that time.

“He has received significant sentences for this week of madness,” she said.

Inspector Gallagher said the accused has several previous convictions, including convictions for burglary, public order and criminal damage.

Judge Joseph Mangan jailed McCarthy for six months, for one of the criminal damage charges. He jailed him for three months for each of the assaults. The sentences will commence at the end of the four year sentence he is currently serving.

The judge took into consideration the other matters and fixed recognisances in the event of an appeal.

A MAN who burgled an Ennis business has been jailed for four months.

Anthony Marshall (34), of Toormore, Ruan, pleaded guilty to entering Fitzpatrick’s business premises on the Tulla Road in Ennis, on June 15 last, and stealing household goods, worth €250.

Inspector Michael Gallagher told Ennis District Court that the defendant was driving a white van. He pulled into the back of Fitzpatrick’s and raided an outhouse.

The accused escaped through a field and the van was taken to Ennis Garda Station, for a technical examination.

Marshall went voluntarily to the Garda station the following day and the goods were recovered.

Inspector Gallagher said the accused was “well known to the courts,” and had several previous convictions, including convictions for possession of drugs and road traffic matters.

Defending solicitor, Una Moylan, said her client, who had not drank in 10 years, had had a few drinks on the night of the incident.

She said that the accused, a father-of-four, regretted the incident.

“His last larceny offence was in 1994. He has more or less stayed out of trouble since then,” said Ms Moylan.

Judge Joseph Mangan said he would impose a five month jail sentence. However he noted that the goods were recovered and reduced this to four months. He fixed recognisances in the event of an appeal.

A PROPOSED 82-berth marina and clubhouse at Killaloe Sailing Club have been refused because of the undesirable precedent it would set in the Lough Derg area.

In June, Killaloe Sailing Club lodged plans for the facility at Ogonnelloe on the shores of Lough Derg, but An Taisce expressed concerns over the development.

The National Trust stated that there was a risk that the southern end of Lough Derg would become overdeveloped with regard to the plans for the marina.

An Taisce also stated that public services in Killaloe were overstretched and any huge development would be premature. The proposed site is not close enough to necessary services, it was claimed.

In response to the club’s plan, and without seeking additional information from them, the council refused planning permission on five separate grounds.

The council ruled that granting permission would set a precedent for this type of development in isolated locations and detached from all settlements. The development, if permitted, would result in an adverse obstruction of a vulnerable landscape, resulting in a degradation of views from the scenic route outside of any settlements within a rural setting.

The council was stated dissatisfied, on the basis of the information submitted, that the proposed development would not result in the intrusion into the lake, a National Heritage Area and onto its shore. This would contribute to the erosion of the character of the lake shore, thereby seriously injuring the amenities of the area.

The council also ruled that the proposed marina development “would set an undesirable precedent for further similar developments at other rural locations outside settlements, which would, in themselves and cumulatively, be contrary to the preservation and enhancement of the amenities of Lough Derg and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area.”

Nor was the council satisfied that the proposed development would not result in a road traffic hazard and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area.

The applicants now have one month in which to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala.

THE Irish Rural Dwellers Association has issued a “wake up call” to the current Government.

The lobby group, that has its headquarters in Kilbaha, has published a pre-election review of the Fianna Fail/Progressive Democrats contribution to planning in the country.

Entitled “Four Years Seeking Radical Change in Planning under a Fianna Fail – PD government”, the booklet criticises the role of An Taisce as well as planners’ qualifications.

“There is absolutely no point in either Fianna Fail or Progressive Democrat TDs knocking on rural doors promising radical changes in planning if they get re-elected because, if they don’t do it now when they have the power to do so, their credibility about the future is meaningless,” the book states.

When contacted by The Clare People, westClare based Jim Connolly, president of the organisation, said the group had no plans to run a candidate in the upcoming general election.

“We are a non-political group,” he said.

The IRDA is made up of leading academics in rural development, as well as rural bodies, opposition TDs and MEPs.

In this its latest document, the group has included an application form for new members.

It says its aim is to unite all rural dwellers and people of “goodwill towards rural Ireland”.

It aims to achieve this, “in the context of peaceful, multi-cultural co-existence in the common cause of ensuring, by legal and constitutional means, the growth and maintenance of the dispersed village, sraid bhaile or street village and the clachán, or clustered village.”