The Clare People Archive

A WOMAN was hospitalised after bring struck by Dusty the Doolin Dolphin in the water off Doolin Pier on Friday.

The woman, who is from Westport in Mayo, was struck in the abdomen and legs by the Dolphin – who has made Doolin it’s home for the past two years.

The woman received medical at- tention at the scheme and was transferred to hospital in Galway – but her injuries were not understood to be serious.

A number of reports of swimmers interfering with the dolphin have been reported in recent times. The woman was assisted by members of the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coastguard, who have warned people not to get close to the Dusty.

“However it happened the dolphin hit her with her tail and she had lower abdomen pain. We tended her while she was waiting for the ambulance,” said Matty Shannon of the Doolin Coastguard.

“She [the dolphin] is a wild animal – people have to be careful. She enjoys the noises and vibrations of the boats and just because she swims in that area, does not give people the liberty to catch her and touch her. And that’s what’s happening.

“People seem to think that they can just catch her fin or catch her tail and when the dolphin gets frustrated then she is bound to strike back a little bit. She is perfectly fine and calm if people just give her her own room and space.

“Just like any wild animal tempers can vary. Just because one dolphin allows people to swim with them doesn’t mean that you can do it with all dolphins. People need to be aware that she is wild and she needs her space. If people want to see her that can see her from the top of the pier. People need to be responsible for themselves.”

The Doolin-based lifeguards were flying the red flag – signifying danger – at the time of the incident. It is now policy for the lifeguards to fly the red flag any time the dolphin enters the area.

A video taken last year showing Dusty getting angry with swimmers can be viewed on youtube at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=AAMFBvpPQ4.

AN OPEN verdict was recorded in the inquest into the death of Thomas Keane, Kilclogher, Cross in West Clare at yesterday sitting of the Ennis Coroners Court. Mr Keane (45), was discovered by his wife Ursula and his brother in law Brendan in his car, roughly two miles from his house, on February 7, 2013. Coroner Isobel O’Dea ruled that death was the result of acute cardiac arrest as a result of carbon monoxide inhalation. ENNIS Coroners Court heard yesterday that the death of Tina Doyle, from Ivy Hill, Gort Road in Ennis was the result of cardio-respiratory failure with a drugs overdose as a secondary cause. Mrs Doyle, born on April, 23, 1968, was discovered at her home by Garda Donagh Walsh from Ennis Garda Station on Janu- ary, 11, 2013, after being contacted by Mrs Doyle’s landlord. Coroner Isobel O’Dea recorded an open verdict in the inquest. AN OPEN verdict was recorded in the inquest of Barbara Glover, born July 31, 1964, at yesterday’s sitting of Ennis Coroners Court. The court heard that Mrs Glover was discovered by her husband, Sean Peter Glover, at their former home in Mountshannon on February 25, 2013. Coroner Isobel O’Dea ruled that Mrs Glover’s death was the result of asphyxiation with ligatures on the neck given as the secondary cause. THE DEATH of Niall Quinn of Cooraclare, Kilrush, was the result of asphyxiation, Ennis Coroners Court heard yesterday. Mr Quinn (55), was discovered by his wife Gretta Quinn in a shed at their farm on the morning of February 19, 2013. Coroner Isobel O’Dea recorded an open verdict in relation to the death. A VERDICT of death by misadventure was recorded in the inquest of Frank (Frankie) O’Connor at Ennis Coroners Court yesterday. The court heard that Mr O’Connor, born on June 4, 1969, was at a friend’s house at Clancy Park in Ennis, in the early hours of January 19, 2013, when he full unconscious. Coroner Isobel O’Dea ruled that Mr O’Connor’s death was the result of the combined effects of drugs and alcohol. A SMALL amount of prescription drugs combined was found to have caused the death of Ennis man Mark Travers in January of this year. Ennis Coroners Court heard yesterday that Mr Travers was discovered by his friend and employer, Leo Mannion, at his Ennis home on January 7 of this year. Mr Travers, born on March, 20, 1975, was found to have died from acute cardiac failure. Coroner Isobel O’Dea recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.

CLARE farmers could be forced to begin using winter fodder, just harvested over the past few weeks, as the drought has brought grass growth in the county to a virtual standstill.

Clare farmers, especially in shallow soil in the North and West of the county, have been unable to fertilise land following the first cut of hay or silage. This, coupled with drought conditions experienced over the past two weeks, has created a situation where fresh grass for livestock is running out – and few farmers have been able to generate enough grass for a second cut of silage.

With thunder storms expected in some areas in the coming days, there is also the prospect that farmland in the county may become flooded, while other areas may remain in drought.

According to Martin McMahon of the ICMSA, Clare farmers desperately need a number of days of moderate rain to return the grass to growth.

“Grass has already started to burn in many parts of the county and this does not bode well for the rest of the year. If we don’t get some grass growth soon farmers will have to start giving out the fodder they have just saved – which is bound to create another big fodder shortage this winter,” he said.

“There is definitely going to a problem with grass. Fertiliser wont go into the ground at this stage so there is no point in spreading it. The chances of a second cut of silage on most Clare farms is not there at the moment. This mean that there will be less grass for cattle after the second cut is eventually made this year – which will put even more pressure on fodder.

“We need to get three or four inches of rain over a few days and then for the weather to clear again. If we get that then we have a good chance of saving enough fodder this year. If we don’t get that then farmers will be in trouble fro fodder again this year.”

THE heat wave and drought of the last two weeks looks let to give way to thunderstorms and flash flooding in parts of the county later this week.

A thunderstorm warning has been issues for Clare and a number of counties in Connaught – with downpours likely to lead to localised flash flooding when and if they strike. With top soil compacted as a result of 17 rain-free days and extreme temperatures, any large downpour will run straight off the land – creating flash flooding in local areas.

While rivers across the county are currently at some of their lowest levels in recent history, a sudden over- load of rain and debris could block storm drains and prevent an extreme surge of rain water from reaching rivers.

The River Fergus was yesterday recorded at its lowest level since 1995 and the River Inagh in Ennistymon has run completely dry – leaving the towns famous cascades silent.

Clare officially entered drought condition on Saturday, July 20, following 15 days without rain. Clare County Council are appealed to consumers to restrict their use of water to essential purposes following a huge increase in demand for water since the dry spell began.

“Conservation is being urged not because of a shortage of rainfall but due to the surge in demand for water,” said senior engineer, Paul Mo- roney.

“This becomes a problem where demand exceeds the amount of water being produced by the county’s public water supplies. Every reduction, no matter how small, will contribute to maintaining supplies and your cooperation is appreciated.”

While Clare County Council have not introduced a hose-pipe ban, as was introduced by Galway County Council and Tipperary North County Council, they have urged customers to conserve and avoid washing cars, leaving taps running and watering lawns.

A NUMBER of gorse fires broke out across the county over the weekend as drought condition once calling the county’s fire services into action.

Fire-fighters were called out on Saturday night to deal with a large gorse fire near the Hand Cross in Miltown Malbay.

The fire, which was situated close to a major blaze which destroyed acres of land earlier this year, was quickly brought under control.

The Clare County Fire and Rescue Service was also called to a minor grass fire on the N18 near Ballymorris over the weekend. This fire was also brought under control quickly.

The number of gorse and forest fires taking place during the recent drought has been reduced greatly as a result of the early wet start to the year. Many forest and scrub areas, which is previous years would have been susceptible to fire, have been saved so far this year because of a larger than normal growth of green vegetation earlier in the year.

Clare chief fire officer Adrian Kelly has called on the public to be vigilant and keep a close eye on vegetation in the weeks ahead.

“As the current spell of weather is conducive to forest, bog and gorse fires, we would like to remind landowners that it is an offence under the Wildlife Act to burn growing vegetation between March 1 and August 31 in any year, on any land not then cultivated. The sad fact is that if this simple rule was adhered to, many costly and dangerous wildfires would be avoided,” he said.

Landowners burning gorse, scrub, or vegetation must inform the Fire Service at least one day in advance and provide details of the location, time and duration of burning. Landowners burning within 1 mile of woodland must notify the local Garda Station and woodland owner in writing at least 7 days in advance.

HUNDREDS of Clare cars are set to be forced off the roads indefinitely later this year as a change to the procedure for taxing cars could make driving a car too expensive.

That is according to Clare based community group Dealing With Debt – who believe that the proposed changed will force poorer motorist off the road indefinitely.

Under the new scheme motorists will have to declare their vehicle off the road in advance in order to avoid being penalised and having to back tax their vehicles, even if the vehicle is not being driven.

“According to the Government the new motor tax bill was introduced to deal with non-compliant motor tax payers. [Minister for State] Fergus O’ Dowd’s comments on this, in which he describes the motor tax evasion loophole, shows the lack of reality on this issue,” said DWD chairperson, Joe Corbett.

“The sad reality is that the majority of these people cannot afford the extremely high levels of motor tax especially on older vehicles. People that can afford newer Eco Friendly vehicles can avail of the relatively low taxation bands available, however less well-off people with older and larger vehicles are penalised for not being able to afford such vehicles.”

Mr Corbett says that this new system will create a situation where poorer motorists are forced to subsidise richer motorists.

“They are further penalised in the limited payment methods available – as taxing on a three month basis is more expensive than on a 12 month and no direct debit or similar methods of payment are available under the new motor tax legislation,” he said.

“The lack of public transport especially in rural areas makes a car a necessity therefore a more realistic and affordable motor tax scheme is required.

“The bill doesn’t seem to take into account everyday problems such as NCT failures, illness and such matters which are impossible to have prior knowledge of.”

FORMER Killaloe doctor Paschal Carmody believes lives could have been saved if he was allowed to continue to provide treatment to cancer sufferers.

The 65 year old was struck off the medical register in 2004 but secured a Supreme Court judgment that allows him to practice biological medicene.

Speaking on Wednesday after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) withdrew outstanding charges against him, Mr Carmody said his greatest regret was not being allowed to continue to care for his patients.

“The great regret I had is that I had 150 patients at that time, long term survivors, five years plus. When I was stopped, and it wasn’t just photo-dynamic therapy, it was all treatments, the duty of care was stopped for these patients.”

He claimed that lives were lost as a result of the decision to halt the treatment. “I do believe lives were lost. I have no doubt, I saw myself people who were maintaining very well, treatments two or three times a year. That was taken from them.

“In effect, each person was on treatment that is not available through any other source. I was the only doctor at the time providing treatments like that, photodynamic therapy. They stopped all that. People died over the years and one has to suspect it was through the withdrawal of that treatment for that illness.

“These are issues I have deep concerns with, a lot more than what I had to go through myself,” he added.

Mr Carmody said the Irish health system is going to have to take a more holistic approach to the treatment and care of patients.

He said, “We did attempt to bring in other modalities of treatment that could influence the welfare of sick people. It wasn’t for any other purpose but to enhance their wellbeing and to prolong life. If you went beyond that, that was marvelous. Sometimes we did. We had patients that survived and are alive today. They are still alive today 20 years later. These are the issues that kept us going through these dark times.”

He added, “I would still believe that the future is in this type of approach, a much wider approach as opposed to one treatment for one disease. I would say there is one disease but many approaches.”

Mr Carmody also indicated he may mount a legal challenge to the Irish Medical Council’s decision to take away his medical license.

Mr Carmody described the alle- gation that he had offered patients a cure for cancer as “outrageous”. He said, “That was contemptuous. That was the most vile add-on to the charges imaginable. No doctor or no intelligent person would say, ‘I can cure you of cancer’.”

A FORMER Clare doctor has said an expensive nine-year legal process against him has had a “catastrophic” effect on his life.

Paschal Carmody (65) walked free from Clare Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday after he was cleared of the outstanding charges against him.

It had been alleged that Mr Carmody obtained € 14,300 through falsely pretending that he could cure the cancer of the late JJ Gallagher of Kingswood, Mullingar, County Westmeath.

Counsel for the State, Stephen Coughlan, told the court that Mr Carmody would be relieved to hear that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had decided to enter a nolleprosequi in the outstanding charges against him.

Defence Counsel Lorcan Connolly BL said that concluded all matters against Mr Carmody.

The decision comes seven months after Judge Raymond Fullam directed that Mr Carmody be found not guilty on all nine charges of obtaining money from families of Wexford schoolboy Conor O’Sullivan (15) and Kilkenny man John Sheridan (57).

The charges related to the period 2001-2002 at the East Clinic in Killaloe.

Speaking to reporters after the brief hearing, Mr Carmody, with an address at Ballycuggeran, Killaloe, said the last nine years had been “stressful and expensive”.

He said, “It has been catastrophic. There’s no point in saying it hasn’t been catastrophic. It has been. Okay, I’m a strong man and I can carry it, but it was continuous. It was going on and on. It went on far too long. I will face a trial. I will face any charge and I can take my beating if I’m wrong. But to be taken through the courts three times on evidence that Judge Fullam said was so weak it would be dangerous to progress. I knew that from beginning but why or who or what motive was behind or who was behind it, I don’t know. There was some force behind it that wasn’t motivated by the right circumstances”

Mr Carmody also revealed that he had spent between two and three million euros legal fees since the process began.

Asked if the end of the prosecutions against him had restored his reputation, Mr Carmody said, “It will have to. I’m totally vindicated. I spent over 100 days in court in total. There was no conviction against me. There were 46 charges originally. Not one charge was proven so therefore I feel I am totally vindicated. My work was not in any way wrong. I feel I can now move forward and get on with my life.”

LABOUR TD Michael McNamara has admitted it was not an accident and that he agreed with the opposition’s amendment to the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013, when he voted for it during the early hours of Thursday morning.

He said however that voting for the amendment on fatal foetal abnormalities was a mistake as it could have resulted in loopholes in the bill resulting in it falling, but not because he disagrees with the opposition’s proposal.

On reflection he maintains that he should not have voted for the amendment and it was a mistake due to its timing.

The Clare TD caused uproar during the late night, early morning sitting of the Dáil, when he voted against his own party whip on the amendment on the controversial bill just before proceedings were adjourned at 5am.

“At that time, I didn’t have time to appreciate the potential legal consequences of the decision if it had resulted in a change to the legislation. While the Bill as passed would, in my opinion, almost certainly be found to be Constitutional if referred to the Supreme Court under Article 26, the Constitutionality of a clause including fatal foetal abnormalities would be slightly less certain and under Article 26 an entire Bill is upheld or struck down. Therefore, to conclude the amendment would have been a mistake. Therefore, I realised my vote was a mistake,” he said.

“The government has said it is prevented by the Constitution from legislating for fatal foetal abnormalities. Yet it told the European Court of Human Rights in 2006, it would be Constitutional,” he said referring to the argument the Government made in the D versus Ireland case at the European Court of Human Rights in September 2005.

Miss D claimed her human rights were violated because of the lack of abortion services here. Her baby had been diagnosed with foetal abnormalities so severe it could not live outside the womb. The case was dismissed after the court ruled that the aggrieved individual had not brought an action before the Irish courts, therefore failing to exhaust all domestic avenues open to her.

“I want to see the issue addressed but accepted that would not be part of this bill and I voted with the Government as further amendments on the controversial abortion legislation were debated on Thursday evening, night and into Friday morning,” said Deputy McNamara.

Bernadette DEEGAN
, Ballymacahill, Barefield, Laid to rest in the Ireland Crematorium. May she rest in peace.

Kevin CARR
, 26 Clonbealy, Newport,Tipperary / Shannon. RequiemMass onTuesday at 11.30amat Newport Church, burial afterwards in Rockvale Cemetery Newport. May he rest in peace.

Teresa CARTER
, 30 McHughVillas, Ennis. Laid to rest in Romford Cemetery, Hollymount, Claremorris, Co Mayo. May she rest in peace.

Vera KELLY (née Hassett)
Ashview Court, Sixmilebridge/Ennis. Formerly of Drumbiggle Road, Ennis. Requiemmass on Tuesday at 11amat Sixmilebridge Church, followed by burial in Killeen Cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations, in lieu, if desired, to Milford Hospice. May she rest in peace.

Sean GARRAHY
, 53 College Green, Ennis. Formerly of Carnane Cross, Doolin. Peacefully at home. Laid to rest in the Holy Rosary Cemetery Doolin. Donations if desired to Doolin rescue or Milford Hospice. May he rest in peace.

John (Jack) MCMAHON
, Killenaugh, Carrigaholt. Peacefully at Regina House, Kilrush Laid to rest in Kilballyowen Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Helen O’SULLIVAN (née Moloney)
, MeadowCourt, Naas, Kildare / Ennis.After a long illness. Helen will be sadly missed by her loving husband Denis, daughters Muireann and Caoimhe, mother-in-lawMary, sisters Mary, Teresa, Brid, Evelyn and Catherine, brothers Christy, Frankie, Paddy, Joe and Sean, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended family and friends. (Sister of the lateWillie, Martin and Michael, Flannan’sTerrace, Ennis.) Funeral Mass onTuesday after 10amMass at the Church of the Irish Martyrs, Naas to St Corban’s Cemetery, Dublin Road, Naas. May she rest in peace.

Patrick (Pat) DOWNES,
SteelesTerrace Ennis and Castle Park, Kilmihil. Laid to rest in Kilmihil. May he rest in peace.

Marion MACKENNA (née McHALE
), Drogheda/ Clare. Peacefully, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. Laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Darragh CURLEY,
Waterdale, Ballybroughan, Cratloe. Laid to rest in Craughan Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Christina O’NEILL (née Kelly)
, Ballyline, Crusheen, Peacefully. Laid to rest in Kilawinna Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to Cahercalla Community Hospital. May she rest in peace.

Judith MCGANN
, Green Island Lodge, Ballyvaughan. Laid to rest in Ballyvaughan. Donations if desired in lieu to Milford Care centre. May she rest in peace.

MICHAEL McNamara (Lab) is not the first Clare TD to vote with the opposition while in Government.

Fellow east Clareman and Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley mistakenly voted with the opposition when his party was in Government, when he accidentally pressed the voting button of an absent TD.

The seat beside Deputy Dooley was vacant at the time “he pressed the wrong button”.

Deputy Dooley said that he informed the clerk of the Dáil of the mistake as he had made straight away and that he intended voting with his Fianna Fáil party and against the Government at the time.

TDs have been known to regularly press the wrong button, but have 60 seconds to rectify it and usually do so.

Meanwhile all four Clare TDs voted for the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013, with the exception of Deputy McNamara “mistakenly” voting for one opposition amendment.

Fine Gael deputies Pat Breen and Joe Carey voted as directed by the party whip in favour of the controversial legislation.

Deputy Dooley was not governed by his party whip as Fianna Fáil allowed for a free vote of conscience.

The Clare deputy voted for the bill.