The Clare People Archive

A KILMIHIL publican who sexually assaulted a woman in her twenties in the toilets of his pub has been jailed for two years.

John Carey (52), a separated father-of-four, of Church Street, Kilmihil, was found guilty by a jury at the end of a two-day trial, at Ennis Circuit Court last week. He had denied two charges of sexual assault, one in March or April, 2001, and the other in May of that year.

The injured party said she went into the bathroom of the pub at around 1am. The accused entered the toilet, put his hand down her top and started feeling her breasts.

She returned to the pub in May 2001 to attend a birthday party. Asked why she went back there after what had happened previously, she said, “I didn’t think he would do it a second time.”

On that occasion she said he followed her into the toilet again, and “started feeling” her.

She said the accused threatened her not to open her mouth. However defence Counsel Micheál Ó Sé said, “This is the first we have heard of that.”

Mr Ó Sé asked the jury why the woman would return to the pub, if something had happened on the first occasion. He said there were “severe gaps and significant inconsistencies” to the allegations.

Sergeant John Ryan told the court the accused was a well-known publican in Kilmihil for a number of years.

He said he no longer runs the pub – which is now closed – and worked as a machine driver on the Ennis bypass.

The court heard details of the victim impact statement. It stated that the victim had spoken about committing suicide and had lost confidence in herself, as a result of Carey’s actions.

She said that Carey was a “powerful man” in his area and she was afraid, while the incidents made her feel sick and would always remain with her.

She said she felt that the accused was “laughing and sniggering” at her, while she gave evidence in the trial. Mr Ó Sé responded by saying, “That is not the impression I had from him.”

The barrister said his client would be known as “a drinking man” who was a “very good customer of his own premises.”

Judge Con Murphy said the accused was “very invasive to this lady.”

He said the offences were committed in the ladies toilets, which was a sanctum for ladies.

“This man was a man of substance in Kilmihil, looking after his children, but now his life and reputation are effectively ruined,” he said.

He jailed him for two years and placed Carey on the sex offenders register for five years.

A MAJOR search of the Cratloe Woods was carried out on Sunday evening, after an eight-year-old boy went missing while out walking with his family.

The boy, from Limerick city, was out walking with his mother and brother, when he became separated from them at around 6pm.

The alarm was immediately raised by the boy’s distraught mother and gardaí were called in from Shannon, Sixmilebridge and Ennis, while the Garda Dog Unit was deployed from Henry Street in Limerick.

The Shannon-based Irish Coastguard helicopter was brought to the scene and the searched continued for over two-and-a-half hours. There was huge relief when the boy went to a house some distance from where he disappeared, after he managed to make his way out of the woods.

The householder had seen the helicopter in the distance and telephoned gardaí. The boy was then reunited with his family, shortly before 9pm.

Dozens of local people assisted in the search, along with 20 gardai from the various stations.

Shannon gardaí co-ordinated the operation. Sergeant Dermot O’Connor said everyone was relieved it turned out to be a success.

“Thankfully it was a success story and the boy was located uninjured. When we became aware that he had been separated from his family, we immediately commenced a search of the woods. We consulted with the last people who had seen the boy,” said Sgt O’Connor.

“We became concerned due to the terrain in the area and as darkness loomed, we deemed it necessary to call in the assistance of the Garda Dog Unit and the Air Support helicopter,” he added.

He paid tribute to the assistance provided by the Coastguard helicopter and the local people who offered assistance in the search.

“The main thing was to get in the support services,” he said.

STUDENTS who don’t mind getting down and dirty will be able to clean up this summer, with 700 temporary jobs on offer. Tipperary-based Ryan’s Cleaning Event Specialists, one of Ireland’s largest cleaning company’s are set to employ a staggering 700 temporary staff, mostly students during for the peak season from May to October.

Ryan’s hold the waste management responsibility for Ireland’s largest events, including music festivals and concerts, sporting events, exhibitions and private functions. The Oxegen Festival, Galway Races, Slane Castle and Electric Picnic are on their clean-up list this summer.

With the rise in concern for waste management in Ireland bringing business rolling in, Ryan’s Cleaning Event Specialists have also secured events in the UK, including the V Festival.

MD, Pat Ryan, said, “The summer period is our peak season. We expect to exceed our previous year’s employment levels this year. Our work suits students in Clare as it coincides with their college break.”

Ryan’s are responsible for the maintenance of each particular venue before, during and after each event.

Call 0504 51083 or email ryanscleanup@eircom.net for further information.

FIANNA Fáil Senator Brendan Daly has attacked what he has described as the “red tape” holding up the €30 million development plan for Ennis General Hospital.

The senator told a Seanad debate on the issue that there had been “a merry-go-round of discussions for the past two years with hospital, departmental and executive officials. The people of Clare want to see the hospital’s development begin as soon as possible,” he said.

Last week, Senator Daly appeared alongside the chairman of the Ennis General Hospital Development Committee, Peadar McNamara, at the May meeting of Kilrush Town Council to highlight the issue.

Four months previously, Senator Daly dismissed as a “publicity gimmick”, a move by the Hospital Development Committee to nail eight questions to the door of Health Service Executive (HSE) offices in Limerick, on the future of the A and E in Ennis.

In the Seanad last week, Senator Daly said it was over a year since a high-powered delegation, which included Clare politicians representatives of the Ennis General Hospital development committee, attended a meeting with the Tánaiste in Dublin, to emphasise how important it was to press ahead with the hospital’s development. But the deficiencies continued at the hospital, including security.

“In recent times, there has been an escalation in the aggressive attitude of patients at its accident and emergency department. They attend the department in an aggressive mood brought about through the over-indulgence in alcohol and, sometimes, drugs,” he said.

“The hospital has had to employ security personnel to keep law and order there at the weekends. On several occasions, the gardaí have had to be called to restore law and order in the department.

“This is unacceptable. No member can expect nursing and medical personnel to put up with such behaviour. Any solution to deal with this will be welcomed,” he added.

A MAJOR conference to take the pulse of the Irish Health Care system will take place in Ennis next week

The three day conference entitled “Who Owns Irish Health Care” will be held at the Auburn Lodge from May 18 – 20. It is being organised by members of the Ennis General Hospital Committee to examine issues surrounding the public and private control of the Irish Health Services.

One of the main topics up for discussion will be the growing effect private hospitals are having on the public healthcare system, and who are the people and organisations charged with providing health services in Ireland.

According to organisers the conference will examine whether the emergence of a “for profit” health sector will enhance or threaten the public health system

A wide range of speakers from across a range of disciplines and professions are expected to attend. These include Christine O’Malley, Chair of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) and Dr James Sheehan, Director of the Galway and Blackrock Clinics. Dr Willie Walsh, Bishop of the Diocese of Killaloe is also expected to attend.

Peadar McNamara, Chairman of the Ennis General Hospital Committee says the conference will provide an essential overview of the state of the Irish Health sector.

“We are seeking an objective view on what contribution the public and private services should be making to the health of the nation. The purpose of this conference is to open debate and to hear the voices of all those concerned. It is vital that those involved in planning services should be engaged in this debate. In particular local authority members from all over the country are invited to attend. This will be a very valuable opportunity to discuss the changing role of local politicians in health care planning.

Any funds generated by the conference will go towards the work of the Ennis General Hospital Development Committee and all are welcome to attend.

ENNIS General Hospital’s consultants and the county’s GPs and psychiatrists are to present a united front on Health Service Executive (HSE) proposals to review acute services at Ennis General and in the Mid-West.

Arising from a meeting last week in Ennis amongst the three groups, Ennis Hospital consultant, John O’Dea confirmed to The Clare People yesterday that the three are to make a joint submission to the external review of the acute hospital services in Ennis.

He said, “Everyone is concerned that the issues that we raised two years ago have not been addressed, including the real safety issues at the hospital. The GPs and psychiatrists shared our frustration and there is no confidence that the many promises made for the future development of the hospital are going to happen.”

Dr O’Dea said that the three groups would produce a joint submission “as it was decided that the only way we can influence the future development of the hospital is in a joint, cohesive submission”.

West-clare based GP, Dr Tom Nolan said, “The ultimate decision on Ennis General Hospital is a political one. Professor Brendan Drumm said that the Hanly Report is the only show in town, but alternatives have been put forward by the consultants at Ennis General and the Bradley report.

“We don’t know what else Prof Drumm needs and we view with some suspicion the use to which this new independent review will be put. Is it a means of getting the politicians off the hook, that it might be a get out of jail report for the politicians?”

Dr O’Dea said that the attendance at the meeting was very good and that the GPs support the notion of Ennis remaining as a general rather than becoming a local hospital as defined in the Hanly report.

PERMANENT drinking-up time is on the cards for many ‘locals’, with 43 pubs in Clare closing in just one year. And that number is expected to quadruple over the next few years, vintners have warned.

A Clare Vintners’ Federation representative says the future looks grim for the small pubs which have traditionally been an intrinsic part of many communities.

National figures show that 597 pubs closed nationwide between 2004 and 2005, 43 of these in Clare.

Clare Vinters’ Association spokesman, Michael McNamara from Scariff, said that this number “is just the tip of the iceberg. In the next few years, we are expecting that number to quadruple.”

And small rural pubs are being worst hit. The Scariff publican said, “Go into any rural village and you’ll see family names over pubs that are closed.”

The Vintners Federation are predicting that, of the 5,800 pubs outside Dublin, there will be just 3,000 left in five to seven years time.

Rising charges, increasing taxation, lack of public transport to avoid a drink-driving prosecution and the smoking ban are all contributing to the downfall of the local pub, the vintners say.

“Local authorities seem to pluck new charges out of the sky and we haven’t been allowed under law to provide any kind of comfort outside for our smoking customers,” McNamara said.

“People come to the pub to sit and chat — now they have to go outside and, on top of that, stand in the cold and rain.”

Heavy taxation is making the Irish pub a dearer place to drink, he added.

“If you go to the Canaries, you can buy a bottle of Jameson for €12 — here, the tax alone on a bottle is that much.”

And McNamara warned that the decline of the pub will change the fabric of rural society.

“Pubs have been in the forefront in the tourism trade and the pub has been the focus for everything from community meetings to games of cards. That’s all changing,” he said.

THE sin-bin awaits Clare County Councillors whose mobiles ring during meetings.

Mayor of Clare, Pat Keating (FF), says he’ll order councillors to leave the Council Chamber for 10 minutes each time their phones interrupt meetings.

They’ll also have to fork out a fine of €2 for each offence, with the money going to charity.

“The use of mobile phones at council meetings shows a lack of respect for what is going on in the Chamber,” said Mayor Keane.

“Meetings have been disrupted by mobile phone usage and it is the same councillors using the mobile again and again. Initially, the sin-bin initiative will be implemented and we will see how it goes. If councillors disrupt meetings, I will request them to leave the council chamber for 10 minutes.

“I understand that councillors must have their phones switched on to take calls from people, but all I am asking is that councillors have their phone on silent or vibrate.”

Cllr Colm Wiley (FF), an outspoken critic of mobile usage in the Chamber, lashed out at those who put the importance of their calls before the importance of the meetings.

“It is a disgrace that councillors cannot behave themselves. And you have members of the public watching from the public gallery. What must they think?” he asked.

Cllr Wiley said that there was a procession of the same councillors walking out of meeting taking calls on their mobile phones.

“With all the sounds going off, it is like the philharmonic orchestra playing. I’m tempted to ask Cllr Kelly beside me, ‘may I have the next dance?’, with all the music going on.”

But Cllr Wiley said that there was no need for the Mayor to be put in place a sin-bin.

“All that is required is for a sign to be placed on the door of the meeting, ‘please switch off mobile phones’,” he said.

Cllr Wiley said that the usage of mobile phones “is very insulting” to the business of the council.

“It delays meetings. Councillors come back in from taking their call and want to go over ground that has already been covered.”

THE Labour Relations Commission (LRC) has imposed a news “black-out” on talks aimed at overcoming the impasse on the €30 million survival plan for Shannon Airport.

The talks commenced earlier this month with a Labour Court recommendation urging the parties to conclude the talks within a two-month period. Talks on restructuring commenced last summer, but were marred by accusation on both sides on the level of engagement. Before the LRC talks commenced earlier this month, no discussions had taken place on the substantive issues over the past nine months.

Fine Gael deputy Pat Breen said yesterday, “Obviously, if the LRC has imposed a blackout, they obviously mean business and we hope that all sides can produce a resolution beneficial to the future of Shannon.”

Shannon-based councillor Patricia McCarthy said, “Megaphone negotiations can have a negative effect and, on such a sensitive issue, I think it is advisable that a black-out has been put in place to avoid expectations being played-up or down. I believe, however, that there is a need to advise staff on how the talks are progressing.”

Both sides were observing the blackout and have declined to give any detail on progress.

Throughout the talks process, SIPTU has outlined its opposition to plans by the DAA to cut the workforce of 520 through 200 voluntary redundancies by outsourcing a number of areas of work at Shannon.

As part of the survival plan, the DAA is offering sums of up to €10,000 for the workers that remain. The voluntary redundancy package gives staff with over 24 years’ experience a €100,000 pay-off, and entitles workers to their company pensions at 55.

The DAA’s director for change, John Horgan, has previously expressed confidence that if the proposals were put to the workers at Shannon, a majority would vote in favour of the deal. Both the DAA and SIPTU declined to comment ahead of today’s talks.

GARDAI in Clare were busiest in January, June and July of last year and note that their resources are most stretched during holiday periods. Chief Superintendent Liam Quinn said the increase in non-headline crime, by 31 per cent, is linked to alcohol.

“It is linked to the increased availability of money and the increased consumption of alcohol. The highest number of incidents occur during holiday time. These are very low in November and May, while the peak time for incidents would be January, June and July. January is linked with New Year’s Day,” he said, adding that a large percentage of incidents coincide with the closure of pubs and nightclubs.

Two pubs in Clare were closed last year for serving alcohol to underage people, while eight have been closed in the courts, over the years, under the Liquor Licensing laws.

The increases in the number of burglaries in Clare is a worry for gardai. There was a huge rise in the number of thefts from shops last year — 221, which is an increase by more than a third. Thefts from unattended vehicles fell by 15 per cent, to 187.

There were three burglaries in which firearms were used (aggravated burglaries) last year, while there were 317 burglaries last year, an increase of five per cent on the figure for 2004. Car break-ins has been particularly prevalent so far this year, and this is being targeted by gardai.

“We have been tracking this carefully. We have identified a number of people who we believe are responsible and are closely monitoring that. We are involved in a major operation across the western seaboard to counteract that,” said Chief Supt Quinn.

“You have groups from outside coming in to Ennis at night and they are hitting 10 to 12 cars at a time.”

There were two incidents of homicide last year and charges were brought in relation to both, which are pending before the courts. Incidents of rape and sexual assault decreased significantly. There were 192 drug seizures last year. 179 people were prosecuted for drugs offences last year, the majority of who were men aged 21 and over. There were 25 cases of breaches of domestic violence last year, 17 of which were for barring order breaches.

There were 4,784 road traffic proceedings initiated last year, which is an increase from 3,634 in 2004.