The Clare People Archive

BUSHY Park treatment centre in Ennis has confirmed that there has been a 40% increase 1n 18 to 25 year olds presenting for treatment in the past year.

“The challenge for us two years ago or eighteen months ago was to actually fill capacity at Bushy Park, but in the last year, we are at full capacity and have had an extensive waiting list,” said the cen- tre’s Director, Margaret Nash.

In response to the growing numbers presenting themselves for the intensive four-week long treatment programme, Ms Nash confirmed that a planning ap- plication is to be lodged early in the New Year by Bushy Park that will increase the centre’s capacity by 40%.

The €2 million plan is to also include sport and recreation facilities for the residents, along with additional meeting

rooms.

The planned expansion will increase the centre’s current residential capacity from 13 to 18 in 2007.

Ms Nash said that those aged 18 to 25 presenting for treatment came from a va- riety of social backgrounds.

“Some of them are going to college, have jobs, doing apprenticeships; they come from all social classes. It was in- evitably going to happen and is part of the economic boom, as drink is still rela- tively cheap and they are the age-group with the most disposable income.

“There 1s a fixation in Ireland, where parents are very happy saying ‘my child drinks, but he doesn’t do drugs’, but al- cohol is still the most destructive of oa bream

Ms Nash confirmed that the numbers presenting with alcohol addiction alone have dropped in recent years.

‘There are less and less people present- ing with straight alcohol addiction and that is a trend that is going to continue where you have more and more present- ing with cross-addictions.

‘For example, you would have a lot of women cross-addicted to alcohol and prescription drugs and the numbers pre- senting with straight alcohol addiction is at 60%.”

Ms Nash said that cocaine is the most popular illicit drug among people com- ing for treatment. Cannabis is also popu- lar, while both Ecstasy, which is being bought for €4, and heroin are on the in- crease.

More women are also presenting for treatment, according to Ms Nash.

“Traditionally, the gender breakdown was /0-30% in favour of men, now it is more 60-40% and Bushy Park has been heading that way in the last six months.

Those admitted to Bushy Park centre on the outskirts of Ennis are subjected to a rigorous course of treatment over a four- week period.

According to the centre’s Director, Margaret Nash, treatment centres such as Bushy Park have a 75% success rate. Open since 1991, the centre has treated 1,800 people to date for addiction prob- lems, with the vast majority of those ad- dicted to alcohol.

Ms Nash said that, in a typical day at Bushy Park, “The residents would rise at 7.30 and have breakfast. Medita- tion would go from 9am to 9.45am and group therapy would take place from 10 am to 11.30am. Between 11.30 am and 12.30pm, residents would meet with counsellors or do their own writing and

from 12.30 to 1.30, lunch takes place. Residents then have book reading at 2pm, such as the AA book, more coun- selling from 2.30 to 4 and group therapy from 4 to Spm’.

The centre is funded through Clare- care, but apart from support from the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Probation and Welfare Service, it is self- financing.

A four-week course of treatment at Bushy Park costs €4,200 and medical insurance through BUPA and the VHI covers the costs.

“We don’t turn anyone away because of lack of finance,” said Ms Nash.

Twenty people are employed at the cen- tre, including five full-time counsellors and two part-time ones. Ms Nash said that the ratio of resident to counsellor is three to one, which she said is quite low.

Ms Nash expressed frustration at the lack of opportunities to source Govern- ment funding: “The Government talks about problems associated with alcohol, but there are no sources of funding for Bushy Park to get at.”

Bushy Park is to launch a fund-raising drive for their €2m expansion.

‘For a lot of people who come here, it is a turning point in their lives and there would be a lot of goodwill towards us and I would be hoping that we would be able to tap into that.”

Meanwhile, all proceeds from a con- cert at University Concert Hall, Limerick on Friday, December 2 featuring Finbarr Furey, Mickey Dunne and Mick Hanley are to go to Bushy Park, and 20% of all proceeds from an exhibition featuring prominent Irish artists, opening at Tho- mas Street, Limerick on December 10.

PLANS for a €50 million retail park on the out- skirts of Ennis are facing opposition from An Taisce and local residents, although Ennis Cham- ber of Commerce 1s 1n support.

Next Friday, Ennis Town Council is due to make a decision on contentious plans by Michael Lynch Ltd for a retail park adjacent to the Limerick-Gal- way road.

According to the Environmental Impact State- ment (EIS) lodged with the planning application at the end of last year, the development will provide 250 jobs when operational, while 150 people will be employed during construction.

The 15,000 square metre development is to comprise a retail superstore and seven retail ware- house units. A retail impact assessment concluded that “the development will not adversely affect the viability and vitality of Ennis town centre or the local economy”.

However, An Taisce has expressed “serious con- cerns with regard to environmental sustainability”, while RGDATA, which represents independent traders, has urged the council to refuse planning permission to avoid any potential damage.

Director, Tara Buckley, has told the council, ‘The development is divorced from the town cen- tre and it is inappropriate for town centre retail activities. It would result in the removal of vital and essential convenience floorspace from the town centre”.

And residents from Clare Road, Tobarteascain, Carraig Dubh, Connolly Villas, Abbey Court and Abbey Ville have grouped together to lodge an ob- jection to the proposal.

In their most recent submission, drafted by plan- ning consultant, Brendan McGrath, they claim that “no additional information has been submitted or design amendment proposed that adequately ad- dress the serious shortcominings of this develop- ment proposal”.

Residents also claim that the proposal does not comply with the Ennis and Environs Development

Plan 2003 and will cause a traffic hazard.

They further claim that the development would seriously affect the amenity of adjacent residential Auer

“In our view, the development proposal is so different from that proposed in the Ennis and En- virons Development that it represents a material contravention of the plan,” they state.

INDUSTRY heads and business moguls are visiting the county without the knowledge of the Clare County Council executive.

According to yesterday’s meeting of the council’s strategic policy committee on plan- ning and economic development, officials are not being informed of visits to the county of possible investors.

Should they be made aware of such visits, they could make representations on behalf of the county, the members of the SPC argued.

The IDA also came under attack for its in- ability to meet the council executive on mat- ters of industry for the county.

A senior member of the council executive, acting Director of Services Liam Conneally, revealed that the council “found it difficult to get an audience and then be listened to.”

Within the last number of years the county manager’s function has been extended to al- low him become the prime driver of tourism and commercial interests in the county.

The current county manager, Alex Fleming has been credited by many with securing the Coca Cola plant in Mayo during his tenure NKR

Members of the SPC described it as a “dis- grace’ that the IDA and other bodies were “unable” to meet with him on at least two oc- casions.

Ennis County Councillor Peter Considine

said it was worrying, and he proposed writing to the Minister for Enterprise to ask him to “instruct he IDA to make himself or herself available to the executive of the council.”

Chairman of the SPC Cllr Richard Nagel told the meeting “There is a perception out there that, because of the Shannon Industrial Zone, that Clare is doing quiet well.”

He said any suggestions that attempts be made to get industry to the smaller towns was ignored but said it was important to at least get industry to the county town as a start.

Cllr Considine that the “glib answers” sug- gesting that Ennis and such areas are too near the BMW area can no longer be accepted.

“Tt is critical that the County Manager and executive have input,” he added.

Meanwhile the first meeting of the forum for all tourist groups to encourage tourism in the county will take place on December 9.

Members of the SPC warned that this would only work if all sides get involved.

Funding for the work of the forum was dis- cussed with hotelier John Madden suggesting that the council look at the rates as a means of supporting the work.

Mayor Pat Keane felt that the rates “always seem to be a target.”

He suggested that as a lot of tax rates had been given to holiday homes in the last number of years, and the increase in tourism would benefit the owners, that this area be tar- geted instead.

VANDALS and thugs who are causing late- night distress to residents in Kilrush council estates face eviction and exclusion if their anti-social behaviour continues.

Kilrush Town Council responded to ongoing problems in the town’s estates yesterday by launching the Tenancy Management Policy, including Combating Anti-Social behaviour. Ongoing problems in areas such as John Paul Estate, where people are leaving their homes in fear of vandalism and shootings, are to be addressed through the new policy.

A spokesperson said, ““While Kilrush Town Council recognises that the great majority of tenants and residents of council housing are aware of their obligations, a small number are involved in behaviour that causes their neigh- bours difficulty. Sanctions such as eviction or exclusion orders are available and the council is committed to using them.

County manager, Alec Fleming advised that the new policy sets out positive response pro- cedures for the management of tenancy and estate issues in the council’s housing stock. It encourages the establishment of residents’ as- sociations and aims to support them, and take measures against anti-social behaviour. The council has also vowed to record every com- plaint and respond within five working days. Town clerk, Fiona Mooney, stressed the confi- dentiality of the complaints procedure.

‘Kilrush Town Council is aware of the need for confidentiality, so this policy includes a confidential complaints system,” she said. “Senior staff will investigate all complaints and appropriate action will be taken where

breaches of tenancy are evident.”

The town council has also developed a two page brochure, “Together we can make it work’, incorporating a confidential com- plaints form. The Gardai and council will work together in the implementation of the complaints procedure. A series of open in-

formation sessions will be hosted by Kilrush Town Council and the Garda Superintendent to disseminate the procedures.

Meanwhile, John Paul Estate will feature in a

y

‘There is no doubt that the car-park is necessary as the current situation can be dangerous and inconven- ient. The challenge will be to ensure it doesn’t dis-

turb the unique character of the site, where its beauty is its remoteness”.

Clare Tourist Council spokesman, Paddy Maher, said, “The site is so special that it has to be managed properly, but a carpark is absolutely needed because of the dangerous situation of people coming out of buses on the roadside and clambering over walls. I believe that they have also chosen the correct site as it is a greenfield site and doesn’t interfere with the karst landscape”.

Currently, a herd of eco-friendly Government cat- tle is grazing the site in order to improve conserva- tion, as recommended in a management plan.

Dr Lynch has already confirmed that the cattle grazing “has had a very significant impact on the ecology of the site”.

The excavation of the site in 1986 was prompted by one of the slabs of limestone pavement that made up the dolmen being cracked, necessitating its re- placement by a nearby slab of pavement.

Full-time rangers are now employed by the Gov- ernment at the site, after it purchased the dolmen, along with 16 acres of land, in 2002 from a local levutloe

Those wishing to make submissions on the council plan have until December 16.

THREE Limerick men who came to the atten- tion of the gardai while on a stag party in Lahi- nch last week do not plan to return to the seaside town, their solicitors told a court.

Seamus Corbett, of Garryspillane, Knock- long, and Oliver Hayes and Billy Lynch, both of Knocklong, were all convicted of an offence un- der the Public Order Act, on November 13, last, at Main Street, Lahinch.

Sgt Brian Howard told Lisdoonvarna District Court the three defendants were members of a Stag party.

He said Hayes was extremely drunk and abu-

sive, and told gardai “f*** off for yourselves”. He resisted arrest, fell on the ground and refused to get up.

Sgt Howard said Lynch was extremely drunk and very loud. He got into the patrol car and re- fused to get out. When he eventually got out of the car, he thumped the back of it with his fist.

Gda Denis Curtin said Corbett got into an altercation with Lynch, as Hayes was being ar- rested.

Corbett’s solicitor, Jim Finnegan said his cli- ent, a 33-year-old carpenter, had never been in trouble before and does not drink regularly. Mr Finnegan, who also represented Hayes (30), said his client was very drunk, and when asked to go

home was incapable of complying with the in- structions. Eugene O’Kelly, solicitor for Lynch (35), said his client very much regretted the of- fence, which was completely out of character.

Judge Joseph Mangan asked how frequently did the three visit Lahinch and was assured that none plan to return there.

He remanded them on continuing bail, for a professional report re. substance and alcohol abuse to be carried out and presented to the court next January.

“It might be a good idea if they bring a sub- stantial sum of money the next day, and not for the usual purposes people bring money to Lis- doonvarna,” said the judge.

NORTH Clare County Councillor, Flan Garvey, (FF) has spoken out against the decision to grant preferential treatment to groups living closest to the controversial Ballyduff Beg waste manage- ment facility when the second round of commu- nity funding is allocated.

Councillor Garvey’s comments come in the wake of a decision made by the local Liaison Committee, ratified at the October 10 meeting of Clare County Council, to allow groups living in the Ballyduff area favourable status when the €55,440 in funding is distributed.

The decision was made on the foot of allega- tions of “obnoxious smells” emitted by the Bal- lyduff Beg facility which are causing discomfort to those in the area. Applications for the second round of funding for sustainable community- based environmental initiatives in Inagh, Kil- namona and Cloonanaha were requested last week.

“If the people around the edge of the dump have a problem then that is a different issue (from the funding) and they should bring their grievances to the County Council separately,” said Cllr Garvey. “It was made clear from the word go that this is a community environmental project and any group or organisation in the par- ish who fulfils the terms as set out is entitled to apply for a share of the €55,000.”

Responding to these comments the Chair- person of the Community Liaison Committee, Councillor Joe Arkins, stressed that funding is only being made available to organisations

rather than individuals and said that it was “un- fortunate” that Cllr Garvey had not attended the meeting when the matter was discussed.

‘As chairperson of the liaison committee it is my responsibility to bring the decision of the majority of the community to the council,” said Cllr Arkins. “It was the decision of the meeting that the next tranche of funding would favour the projects of those who have been adversely effected by the landfill. It 1s up to them to decide

how the funding is to be dispersed and they have done that.”

The local community receives €1.27 for every ton of waste disposed of at the Ballyduff Beg landfill. Since its opening in September of 2002 some 150,000 tonnes of waste have been dis- posed of at the site. It is predicted that the landfill has a capacity of close to 900,000 tonnes which represents more than €1 million of funding be- ing made available to the local community.

BROADFORD farmer and Vice-Chair- man of the ICMSA beef committee Martin McMahon was in Birmingham this week to represent the organisation in a unique Farmers For Action (FFA) summit meet- ing.

Mr McMahon, who was joined by the IC- MSA’s dairy committee chairman Domin- ic Cronin, joined with leaders from farm- ing organisations representing farmers on both sides of the Irish Sea to ward that fur- ther actions are planned to highlight the erowing plight of farmers.

The FFA organised a three day strike for its organisations members earlier this month. The purpose of the summit was to co-ordinate efforts in the wake of the strike by farmers on both sides of the Irish Sea to secure fair prices for their produce from the so-called retail giants.

Along with the ICMSA, the National Sheep Association (NSA), the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), the Northern Ireland Agri- cultural Producers’ Association (NIAPA), and the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’

Association (ICSA) were in attendance. “There was unanimous agreement on a course of further action to drive home the message that farmers are not receiving a fair share of the retail price for key prod- ucts such as dairy, beef and lamb,” said FFA leader David Hanly.

“One thing that has become clear is that consumers want farmers to get a fair share; in fact, one pole showed that 78 per cent of consumers would be willing to pay more.” He added that there 1s a commitment from all the organisations to co-operate further, and more protests and activities are being looked at. In the meantime, he challenged the retail giants to publicly accept that farmers are not getting a fair deal and to do something about it immediately. Speaking after the meeting Dominic Cronin said the ICMSA was absolutely de- termined to focus attention on farm prices, and he repeated the demand made by ICM – SA for legislation to govern the minimum price retailers can pay farmers. Mr Cronin said ICMSA was willing and able to build alliances with any other organisations ded- icated to protecting farm income.

CLARE County Council has been warned that policing rates of pay or conditions of employment on the new Ennis bypass, is not its role.

This was one of a raft of cau- tions from County Solicitor, Michael Houlihan to members in a “secret” document circulated at the local authority’s May meet- neta

The contents of the document have until now been confidential, because of a vote by councillors that the press be excluded from the meeting. But, The Clare Peo- ple can now reveal those contents, despite Mr Houlihan warning that the information is legally privi- leged.

In his letter, Mr Houlihan warned the council, “You know how important the Ennis bypass is to the council and the region. We must do nothing that endan- gers the contract.

‘There are statutory authorities charged with policing rates of pay and conditions of all employees. It would be foolhardy for the coun- cil to jeopardise its relationship with the contractor at this vital stage of the development.

‘The council is not a competent authority to police rates of pay or terms and conditions of employ- ment, and should be careful not to assume this role either now or in the future.”

Mr Houlihan continued, “There is nothing to prevent GAMA from contracting with its employees for the payment of wages in a manner different to our standard practice, provided the wages are not lower than those established for the in- dustry where the work is carried out.”

Mr Houlihan warned of serious potential consequences, in terms of cost, of a breach in the con- tractual relationship between the council and contractor.

“Alternatively, this may trigger a potential action from a disap- pointed tenderer who may take the view that GAMA may have an unfair advantage, and this may expose the council unwittingly to a claim for damages of a very se- rious nature,’ he wrote.

“T deem it vital that there is no publicity emanating from man- agement or members of the coun- cil which could interfere with the contractual relationships that cur- rently exist.

“IT emphasise that this advise is given not to inhibit or muzzle the comments that you choose to make, but merely to preserve the legal status of both the council and contractor and its existing re- lationship in the light of the cur- rent difficulties.

“T would also like to empha- sise my personal concern that all workers employed in contracts with the council are properly treated.”