The Clare People Archive

A MOTHER of two passed heroin to her partner in Killaloe Courthouse in an “act of desperation”, a court has heard.

Eileen Fitzgerald (29) was observed passing a gramme of heroin and cannabis valued at € 167 to her partner who was in custody at Killaloe District Court on May 1 (2012).

Details of the offence were heard at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Ms Fitzgerald, with an address at Williamstown Lodge, Fedamore, Limerick, pleaded to guilty to drug possession.

Garda John Jenks of Killaloe Garda Station told the court that Ms Fitzgerald said she had been “under pressure” to pass the drugs.

He said Ms Fitzgerald’s partner told gadaí that he asked her to bring the drugs to court.

Ms Fitzgerald also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of heroin at Cnoc Cluain, Ballina on June 23 (2012).

The court heard that gardaí found four wraps of heroin valued at € 220 in the house.

Garda Jenks told the court that Ms Fitzgerald would give the drugs to people who called to the house. She has 17 previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Jenny Fitzgibbon told the court that her client’s heroin addiction increased after her partner went into custody last year. She said Ms Fitzgerald is taking methadone and is on a waiting list for a detox programme.

Ms Fitzgibbon said passing the drugs was an “act of desperation” on her client’s behalf.

She said Ms Fitzgerald was “foolish and disrespectful” to commit such an offence in court.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said it was “debatable” whether or not prison would be the best environment for the accused.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he must balance between helping people and ensuring the system of law and order is maintained and protected. He adjourned sentencing for a brief period.

When the case resumed, Judge Durcan said he had considered imposing a lengthy sentence. He said he was concerned that Ms Fitzgerald is a young mother who had a serious drug addiction. He adjourned the case to September 4 for a pre-sentence report from the probation services. Judge Durcan granted liberty to the State to re-enter the case.

SUPPORTERS of a proposal to scrap parking charges in Ennis on Saturdays have been challenged to identify the € 90,000 cuts in local authority spending required to implement the policy.

Ennis Town Council says free parking would have to be accompa nied by a major reduction in services like street cleaning and recreational facilities to make up for the shortfall in income.

The Council estimates that it would lose € 90,000 in six months under the proposal tabled by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) at it’s June meeting.

Town Manager Ger Dollard described as “irresponsible” any income-reducing proposal brought before the Council that doesn’t include a corresponding cut to spending.

Cllr Flynn proposed that Ennis Town Council follow the example of Nenagh “in it’s initiative to stimulate the local economy by allowing free car-parking for customers/visitors in public car parks on Saturdays for a trial six month period under the current byelaws as special occasions/ events.”

Cllr Flynn told the meeting that he did not think the cut would have a significant impact on the Council’s finances.

Cllr Mary Howard seconded the motion, saying that free parking could first be done on a trial basis.

“The town has gone quiet,” she added. Cllr Paul O’Shea (Lab) said it was time the Council tried something new in relation to parking in Ennis. In response, Town Clerk Leonard Cleary said the Council had piloted a number of parking initiatives in Ennis.

He told the meeting that the Council had undertaken a “detailed examination of income from car-parking.”

He continued, “In 2012 parking income was € 1,088,475.

The proposal in the notice of motion for free parking on Saturdays for six months could result in losses of € 90,000 approx. based on 2012.

“As the Budget for 2013 is now adopted, it is open to elected members to make submissions for expenditure reductions or income generation measures that can bridge the shortfall of € 90,000 approximately that would arise from the proposal in a 2014 budget context.”

He added that “essentially, elected members need to decide what services would not be delivered by the Council.”

Mr Cleary warned that “very hard choices” would have to be made on street cleaning, public lights, estate management and recreational facilities, if the policy is introduced.

Cllr Meaney said Nenagh’s problems stemmed from a decision to develop an out of town retail centre. Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) said the management of car-parks is crucial to the town.

He added, “Its not the car-parking that’s the problem. It’s what is in the town.”

Town Manager Ger Dollard said that if the motion passed, the Council executive would not implement it until the services to be cut were identified.

Deputy Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) described the motion as a “pointless exercise”, pending the outcome Council’s budget estimates meeting.

Cllr Flynn said he disagreed with Cllr Brennan’s assessment, saying the matter could be addressed before then.

Councillors voted unanimously to consider Cllr Flynn’s motion at their Budget 2014 meeting.

THE cost to the Fire Services of dealing with malicious fires in Ennis soared to € 183,631 over a three year period, new figures show.

There were a total of 147 likely malicious fires in Ennis between 2009 and 2012. The details were revealed at the June meeting of Ennis Town Council.

Councillor Paul O’Shea (Ind) requested that the Council provide data on the number of malicious fires caused in Ennis between 2009-2012 and the cost to the taxpayer of responding to calls from the fire service.

Details are contained in a letter from Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly to Town Manager Ger Dollard.

The Fire Services attended 20 malicious fires in 2012; 24 in 2011; a whopping 57 in 2010 and 46 in 2009.

Mr Kelly states that the fire service incident commander will record what his/her opinion is the ‘most likely source of ignition’ at the time of the incident.

He added, “However the investigation into the cause of fires is not a function of the Fire Services; rather it is a matter for An Garda Suíochana.”

Mr Kelly states that the majority of the incidents were either bonfires; vehicle fires; rubbish and unoccupied derelict buildings. The figures do not take into account the outcome of any investigation by An Garda Suíochana.

The cost to the Fire Services of attending malicious fire incidents in Ennis ran to € 21,992.02 in 2012.

Cllr O’Shea described the figures as ‘unacceptable’. He said, “What are we doing as a Council to deter this waste of taxpayers money?”

Town Manager Ger Dollard said these incidents are always a “cause for concern” to the Fire Services. He said the fire services have engaged in a number of awareness campaigns in recent years.

Mr Dollard told the meeting that the gardaí have been involved in investigating a number of these malicious fires.

THREE men allegedly smashed up a car parked outside Drumcliffe graveyard while a religious service was underway, a court has heard.

Michael Doherty (51), with an address at 2 St Michael’s Park, Ballymaley, Ennis; James Galbraith (45), with an address at 1 St Michael’s Park, Gort Road, Ennis, and Patrick Doherty (34), with an address at Bay 2 St Michael’s Park, Ballymaley, all appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

All three are charged with the criminal damage of a car at Drumcliffe on March 24.

Inspector Tom Kennedy outlined the alleged facts of the case to allow Judge Patrick Durcan to consider jurisdiction.

He said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed summary disposal of the cases.

Insp Kennedy said a woman was attending a mass at the graveyard on the day in question. The court heard the woman returned to her car at around 3pm. Insp Kennedy said it would be alleged that the woman observed the three accused arrive at the scene in separate vehicles.

He told the court that it would be alleged that the three men attacked the Ford Focus with weapons, breaking windows and damaging the bodywork.

The court heard that the woman fled from carpark back into the graveyard.

Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction. Defence solicitor for the Doherty’s, Daragh Hassett told the court that he had only just received statements in the case.

Mr Galbraith is represented by solicitor John Casey. Judge Durcan adjourned all cases to July 3 for a plea or a date.

THE HSE reported it repaired an open gully adjacent to a disabled parking space at a health clinic after a man fell and hurt his ankle two weeks ago.

Tom Clifford from Killaloe was attending the clinic on Bindon Street, Ennis with his wife who is a wheelchair user when the incident happened. Mr Clifford, who is also co chair of the Mid West regional Hospital Limerick Hospital Patient Forum described how he parked in the disabled space and went around to the back of the car to retrieve his wife’s wheelchair from the boot.

“There was a part of the ground which I thought was just covered in leaves, but when I stood on it I discovered it was covering a hole as I fell,” explained Mr Clifford who hurt his ankle in the incident.

He said he then went into the HSE clinic with his wife and reported the incident.

“I was told by staff that they were aware of the issue,” he said.

On leaving the clinic Mr Clifford moved the car forward of the parking space before attempting to put the wheelchair back in the boot.

He slipped again, this time on depressions in the parking space and hurt his hip.

“I have a sprained ankle and my hip is very sore and I have lost two nights sleep,” Mr Clifford said.

He told the Clare People that he was not going to sue the HSE over the incident but believed it needed to be rectified as soon as possible.

“If a disabled person with some mobility had driven into that space and fell while attempting to get their wheelchair, they would not have been able to get themselves back up. They would be left there for a long time because they would be hidden from public view behind the car,” added Mr Clifford who also works in the disability sector.

In response to a query from The Clare People a HSE spokesperson said, “Remedial action has been taken to cover the gulley/drainage area and to improve the general surface of the parking space area” following an investigation of the condition of the parking space.

“The above incident was reported by telephone on May 27, 2013 to the HSE offices. We were advised that a man had slipped into a drainage area that was covered with leaves and hurt his ankle when parked in the Disabled Parking Space at Ennis Health Centre while attending an appointment with his wife. He requested attention to the problem to avoid a further incident of this nature,” she said. She added that no previous incident of this nature had been reported.

“Existing Ramp Access into the Health Centre is currently under review and an upgrade design scheme will be developed over the next few months,” she concluded.

MAYOR of Clare Cllr Pat Daly (FF) appealed to the business community and fellow Local Authority mayors in the West of Ireland to support Shannon Airport’s position as the Region’s ‘transatlantic airport’.

The appeal was part of the swan song by Ennisman Pat Daly as he prepares to step down as mayor of the county next week.

Under a cross party agreement within the council, Fine Gael Councillor Joe Arkins is expected to take the chair next week and the council winds down to a local election next year.

During his final speech in the chair last evening Cllr Daly said, “the onus is on the people of Clare and beyond to support the airport and ensure its growth into the future.”

Mayor Daly confirmed he would be writing to the Mayors of the Local Authorities in the West of Ireland urging them to actively support and promote Shannon Airport as the Region’s transatlantic airport.

He also issued an appeal to businesses in County Clare and surrounding areas, particularly those which engage in business outside Ireland and those in the tourism sector, to include a direct link or reference to the Shannon Airport website from their websites, email accounts and letterheads.

“The separation of Shannon Airport from the DAA has provided added impetus in relation to efforts to source new business. While attending the launch of United Airline’s summer service between Shannon and Chicago last Friday, I noticed a distinct change in atmosphere at the airport which can only be attributed to an operation that has a restored sense of confidence and purpose.”

CLARECASTLE based Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (ABI) has been named the overall national winner of the Ulster Bank Achievers Awards’ Social Enterprise category.

Judges described ABI as an organisation that positively impacts the community, generating an outcome with a long-term benefit.

Driven by social innovation and structured as a business model, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland provides community based neuro-rehabilitation services to those who have acquired a brain injury.

ABI Irelands residential assisted living service, and community ABI service, is based in Clarecastle, providing personalised quality rehabilitation and support following a brain injury.

Founded in 2000, in direct response to a personal need for an acquired brain injury service for her brother Peter Bradley, CEO Barbara O’ Connell, her husband Maurice and members of the Bradley family set up Ac- quired Brain Injury Ireland; ensuring people with a brain injury could live a meaningful life at home in their community.

Ms O’Connell who received the award on behalf of the organisation said;

“This award is a huge honour for Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.

“I accepted it humbly as recognition for the inspiring personal achievements of the people who access our services, and also in acknowledgement of the dedication and commitment of all ABI Ireland staff who work continually to advocate on behalf of our service users every day.”

“People with ABI often look normal, but can have hidden problems which mean they cannot resume their previous lives.

“We tailor our services around the individual and their family to support them through the journey of rebuilding a meaningful life for themselves.

“Believing there is a better way, is the passion behind any successful social enterprise.

“At ABI Ireland we have seen the remarkable impact and long term benefits that can be achieved through neuro-rehabilitation; for us that’s our return on investment,” said Ms O’ Connell.

Approximately 13,000 people acquire a head injury in Ireland each year.

The severity of brain damage can vary with the type of brain injury.

With the support of the HSE, ABI Ireland has grown to provide a wide range of supports and services to people with ABI nationwide.

It has 235 staff and over 40 services throughout Ireland.

A CROWDED field is developing within Fianna Fáil as competition between would be candidates intensifies ahead of next year’s local elections in the Ennis electoral area. The Cla re People has learned that as many as 11 people are keen to put their name forward for the candidate selection process at the party’s convention later this year.

Three current Fianna Fáíl councillors – Mayor of Clare Pat Daly, Tom McNamara and the former Green Party councillor Brian Meaney – are expected to seek the party nomination.

It is not known yet whether or not current Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Peter Considine (FF) will seek to stand for election in 2014.

Thereafter a number of other potential candidates with strong Fianna Fáil connections are also understood to be keen on having their name on the ballot paper next year.

Former Mayor of Ennis and member of Ennis Town Council, Joe Reidy, former member of Clare County Council, Bernard Hanrahan and Garrett Greene, a former local election candidate are among the established Fianna Fáíl names seeking the backing of party at the convention.

Eoin Neylon, a member of the Fianna Fáil national executive and former garda seargent and All-Ireland winning Clare Intermediate hurling manager Kevin Kennedy are also strongly rumoured to be interested in putting themselves forward for the party selection process.

A senior party source says Fianna Fáíl is actively headhunting a high profile female candidate ahead of the introduction of a quota system in the next general election.

Fianna Fáíl has not yet decided whether to field four or five candidates in Ennis.

The party is considering the implications of the revised local election boundaries which were published earlier this month and a decision on the number of candidates is not expected to be taken until the party convention which is expected to take place later this summer.

The source said that competition within the party is expected to be fierce. He explained, “Its crazy at the moment. There are a lot of names out there.

“There are only going to four or five positions available so it’s going to be a right bottleneck with so many outgoing councillors as well. There seems to be the most competition for places in Ennis”.

The eventual candidates will battle for eight seats in the Ennis area.

HOPES are high that a breakthrough could soon be on the way in one of Clare’s longest running unsolved murders. Ennistymon woman Emer O’Loughlin lost her life in a mobile home in Tubber in April 8, 2005.

A number of attempts have been made over the years to track down the chief suspect, John Griffin, with Interpol releasing a photograph and a description for John Griffin in early 2011.

Despite a number of leads and suspected sightings of Mr Griffin in Europe, the official search has gone cold in recent years. This has prompted the family of Emer O’Loughlin to launch a new online campaign which they hope could uncover information about the tragic killing.

A new group entitled ‘Justice for Emer O’Loughlin’ was set up on Facebook last week and has already received almost 600 followers.

The reward poster for Mr Griffin, which was shared on the site, has been viewed by more than 15,000 people in the last seven days – with residents living in mainland Europe asked to be particularly vigilant.

It has also been confirmed that the case of Emer O’Loughlin will feature in the first episode of a new RTÉ series entitled “Cracking Crime” later this summer.

The first episode, which will be broadcast on RTÉ 1 on Tuesday, July 23, will include interviews conducted with the O’Loughlin family at the eight anniversary of Emer’s death this April.

Emer was killed on April 8, 2003. She was studying art in Galway at the time and would have been in college that day had it not been for funeral of Pope John Paul II.

Her body was found in the burnedout neighbouring mobile home and was only identified following DNA testing.

The chief suspect in the case, John Griffin, was tracked to the Aran Island where Gardaí believe he tried to fake his own suicide before he fled the country.

For more on the new group visit www.facebook.com/JusticeForEmer.

UNEMPLOYMENT and social inequality is feeding a rise in mental health problems and drug abuse, according to the chairman of the Mid West Regional Drugs Task Force.

Mick Lacey was speaking at a meeting of drug support services in Ennis last month.

He said that the recession and austerity are indirectly leading to a “huge rise in suicide”.

Mr Lacey explained, “National statistics for suicide are not out yet but anecdotally there seems to be a huge rise in suicide, indirectly as a result of austerity. There has also been a rise in drugs issues and mental health issues right across the board. Social inequality, unemployment all contribute to this problem.”

He added, “There is a certain amount of people irrespective of our social and economic system who will get addicted. They are pre-disposed to it. But social inequality, marginalisation, unemployment and austerity have contributed to people who would normally not develop mental health or alcohol problems, being affected. We’re seeing a lot of that. People from right across the board.”

Mr Lacey said despite a near 4 per cent cut in funding, the task force has not reduced services.

He said, “We’ve something like € 1.4 million and we didn’t have to cut back services. We streamlined the services. We were able to set up community substance misuse team (CSMT), which we are very proud of because it takes a multi-dimensional approach. It’s not just about pathologising the addiction. We’re looking at the young person, relationships in the community, employment issues and identifying underlying mental health issues also.”

Mr Lacey also warned of a rise in the number of people using benzodiazepines.

He said, “Benzo use is huge at the moment. Benzo use and pharmaceuticals are being used right across the board.

“Not just with teenagers but we’re finding it a problem with young women and older women. Where as heroin you can treat it with methadone, with benzos it takes six months to get out of your system. You can be going through withdrawls for six weeks because of the half life of the drugs.”