The Clare People Archive

A MAN who committed a series of offences on Holy Thursday that included the theft of two Jack Russel terriers has paid compensation of € 1700 to victims of his crimes.

William Donovan (20) appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday having previously pleaded guilty to a number of offences committed in North Clare on March 28.

Mr Donovan, with an address at 54 Clancy Park, Ennis admitted stealing two tan and white terriers worth € 200 from 18 Ardnaculla, Ennistymon on March 28. The dogs were returned to their owner.

He stole an alloy wheel at Station Road, Lahinch. He also entered a building on Station Road, Lahinch as a trespasser.

Mr Donovan admitted damaging the front window of Kenny’s Pub, Lahinch, causing € 1000 worth of damage.

Mr Donovan broke a window at the Claremont Hotel causing € 125 worth of damage.

The court was also told that the accused smashed the window of a silver Toyota Avensis before attempting to hotwire the car.

The court heard Mr Donovan then broke the windscreen of another car, belonging to the mother of the previous car owner, causing € 400 worth of damage.

Gardaí stopped Mr Donovan around 40 yards from where he stole the alloy wheel.

The court heard the accused’s car had only three wheels as it appeared a tyre may have blown out.

The court heard that gardaí were able to trace Mr Donovan’s movements on the day by following the tracks made by the three wheel car.

On Wednesday, solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that Mr Donovan’s family had gathered € 1700 for compensation to injured parties.

Of the series of incidents on Holy Thursday, Ms Godfrey said;

“There was a lot of prescription drugs taken and he lost the proverbial run of himself.”

However Ms Godfrey added that Mr Donovan is a “completely different person” from the one who appeared in court in March.

She told the court that her client is committed to entering a residential treatment programme.

Addressing Mr Donovan, Judge Patrick Durcan said; “You’re a young man and there is no reason why you can’t face up to challenges in life.”

Judge Durcan placed Mr Donovan on a probation bond for nine months. He ordered him to abide by all directions of the Probation Services.

A MOTHER has spoken of the “nightmare” she endured when she was sexually assaulted by a man in her home two years ago.

The woman says her life was a “complete” daze following the assault that occurred in mid-Clare in December 2011.

The man assaulted the woman as she slept in bed with her then partner following a night out.

In he victim impact statement read out at Ennis Circuit Court last week, the woman recalled feeling “terrified” at the time of the assault.

She said she does not remember her daughter’s first Christmas, adding that such a special occasion was “stolen” from her because of the assault.

She said the incident has had major impact on her life.

The mother of one said she suffers from “night terrors” and frequent “panic attacks.”

She explained that she checks several times to make sure all doors and windows are locked at night.

She added, “I am a nervous wreck, a victim. This is not who I want to be. This is not who I was.”

“One person’s evil action can change an innocent person’s life forever,” she said.

The woman thanked her family and counsellor for the support provided. The court heard she has not returned to work since the assault.

A 32-year-old Polish man pleaded guilty to sexual assault at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court in September.

Last week the court heard the man entered the bed and twice digitally penetrated the woman.

Detective Sergeant Kevin O’Hagan told the court that the woman was scared the man would become aggressive so she woke up her partner discreetly.

The woman ran out of the house and rang the gardaí, the court heard.

The court heard the man has five previous convictions, none for sexual offences.

Defense Counsel Elaine Houlihan told the court that her client had a lot to drink on the night and has restrained from drinking alcohol since.

Ms Houlihan said the man is “extremely remorseful” for what happened.

She added, “He has accepted responsibility for this monumental misjudgment of error.”

Judge Caroll Moran said, “This is a serious case, a difficult case.”

He adjourned sentencing until June 24. Reporting restrictions were place on the case.

ALMOST 80 per cent of Clare householders have paid the household charge. Householders have until today (Tuesday) to ensure their registration for the property tax is in the post and appropriately post marked.

It is possible to register on line before May 28.

While it is unknown how many Clare properties have been registered it has been revealed that 79.5 per cent of property owners in Clare are compliant with last year’s household charge.

Homeowners in County Clare who have not yet registered their property for the Household Charge, as opposed to the property tax, are being reminded that the charge can be paid up to June 30. As of May 1, a total of 36,400 residential property owners in Clare have registered their property for the Household Charge, equating to a compliance rate of 79.5 per cent compared to the national compliance rate of 74% (1,198,091 households).

Residential property owners are also being reminded that they will be required to demonstrate compliance with the Household Charge legislation when selling a property; non-compliance will complicate the conveyancing process.

Meanwhile those with a second property have added property bills before the end of next month.

Clare County Council has reminded property owners affected by the Non-Principal Private Residence (NPPR) scheme that the deadline for payment of the € 200 charge for 2013 is June 30. The annual charge applies to any residential property in which the owner does not reside as their normal place of residence.

It also applies to vacant residential property and properties where the owners live abroad. NPPR property owners are liable for the charge in 2013 in addition to the half-year Local Property Tax.

Seamus Halpin, Senior Executive Officer, Finance Department of Clare County Council, said; “The NPPR Charge, which was introduced under the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 set an annual charge of € 200 per residence, with a significant late payment fee. A € 20 late payment fee will apply in respect of each month or part of a month per each annual charge during which the charge remains unpaid. Anyone who has not registered and is liable to the NPPR charge has already accrued significant late payment fees on their property.”

A GREATER focus on environmentally-friendly water-based activities at Ballyalla Lake could create opportunities for employment around Ennis, a meeting has heard.

Rowing clubs and businesses involved in water sports were among those to address a public meeting called to discuss issues concerning the future of Ballyalla Lake.

Ennis-based businessman John Dillane said anything that provides employment for young people in Ennis must be encouraged.

He said, “We’re coming into a time of the year where students are going to be looking for summer jobs and there are very few out there…A lot of things could be done around Ballyalla to generate summer employment.

Mr Dillane, a former President of Ennis Chamber, added, “It is extremely important that we do something that will create jobs for young people in the town.”

Alan Coote of Clare Kayak Hire told the meeting that there is demand for a water sports centre near Ennis.

He explained, “At the minute everything seems to be up around Lahinch. There is nothing in the town. I see people doing kayak trips in Corofin, Inchiquinn but I really think there is a need in Ennis for a water sports centre.”

Mr Coote, who runs kayak and stand up paddleboat classes, said any increased activity would not impact on the wildlife in the area.

He said, “There would be no motors, no pollution. The noise would be minimal for wildlife and people around the area. I think there is an opportunity to create jobs. In Ennis it could be all year around with the schools. There are around 5,000 school kids in Ennis. I talked to a good few people who said they have to factor in the cost of travelling for school trips. They would rather there was something in the town.

“Everything I’m talking about doing is going to be real eco-friendly. There isn’t going to be any noise pollution. We won’t be going in around where the birds are,” added Mr Coote.

Síle Ní Dheargáin is the co-founder of the popular Clarecastle-based Fergus Rowers Club

Ms Ní Dheargáin said access to Ballyalla has been hugely beneficial for the club.

She said, “Every Saturday we have Ballyalla Lake taken over from 11am to 3pm in the day. We have the two boats going constantly. We have one senior rower out on the boat, training them in. It’s a really safe environment; there are no currents. In Clarecastle there is a tidal aspect so you need that bit more experience to bring in boats when the tide is going out.”

Ms Ní Dheargáin said Ballyalla could be improved from a water sports perspective by the addition of secure storage space for boats and other facilities such as handrails and a pontoon.

THE scope of any plans to develop or enhance the recreational and leisure potential of Ballyalla Lake would be limited by the legal designation of the area, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has warned.

Seamus Hassett, NPWS District Conservation Officer, told a public meeting that consent is required in order for certain activity to take place on the lake.

He said the recently established Ballyalla Working Group would have to bear in mind the legal designation of the site.

The area is subject to three levels of protection, the meeting heard.

Ballyalla is a wildlife sanctuary, a special area of conservation and a special protection area.

The area is a habitat for around 2,000 to 3,000 birds.

David Lyons of the NPWS told the meeting that there has been a decrease in the numbers of some birds at the lake.

Mr Hassett said the lake’s legal designations does not prohibit activity on the lake. However he said any proposals to increase activity would have to go through a “screening” process.

John Murphy of Birdwatch Ireland said there are many issues around the lake that are disrupting the bird population.

He described any proposal to select Ballyalla, as Ennis’ flagship lakeside amenity as “crazy”.

He suggested that Lough Girroga would be a more suitable location for water-based activities.

Mr Murphy warned against development around Ballyalla that would upset the “distinct wildlife of the area”.

Clare Fine Gael TD, Deputy Joe Carey told the meeting that Ballyalla Lake needs to be utlished more by people in Ennis.

He added, “Obviously there are sensibilities around development. But there is no reason why it can’t be developed in a sensitive way.”

Cllr Tony Mulqueen (FG) said he believes that the lake has been “overused” in recent years. He said Ballyalla should be preserved and any plans for water sport activities confined to waterways between Clarecastle and Ennis.

A RESIDENT has described what he called the “neglect” of Ballyalla Lake over the past 30 years as “an absolute disgrace”.

Noel O’Driscoll who has lived across from Ballyalla Lake for 33 years, was speaking at public meeting in Ennis last week.

Mr O’Driscoll said the area has been blighted by the illegal dumping of waste.

He said he has seen all types of waste dumped around the lake. Mr O’Driscoll said numerous promises had been made during election cam- paigns but nothing had ever been done to solve problems at Ballyalla.

He added, “It has been an absolute disgrace the way this amenity has been neglected.”

Around 47 people attended the meeting at the Auburn Lodge Hotel, which heard a number of proposals for Ballyalla including unlocking the lake’s Blue Flag potential.

13 people expressed an interest in joining a working group.

A majority of people present also voted in favour of pursuing Blue Flag status and protecting the area’s unique biodiversity status.

The meeting was called by local councilor Johnny Flynn (FG).

Cllr Flynn told the meeting that Blue Flag status would be accompanied by byelaws that could prevent the use of speedboats and jet-skis, an issue that arose as a point of concern for some contributors at the meeting.

At the May meeting of Ennis Town Council, Cllr Flynn is calling on Ennis Town Council to draft byelaws that would allow for Gandelow boat journeys on the River Fergus, from Knox’s Bridge, to Steele’s Rock to the Post Office Field.

A Gandelow is a boat that had been used on the River Shannon and Fergus Estuary.

Cllr Flynn said the initiative would seek to promote Ennis as the midwest’s premier romance town.

Brian O’Neill, Chairman of Promote Ennis, said Ennis would benefit from having a top class environmentally friendly waterside amenity in close proximity to the town.

He said, “The benefits are simple. It would be more likely for tourist to come to Ennis, to stay for longer to spend more money, which in turn would create more employment. It could be a major employer for the town of Ennis.”

He added, “With the motorway you can now be in Dublin in two-hours. For this reason it’s now feasible for tourists to go to the Cliffs of Moher and back without spending € 1 in Clare. The Wild Atlantic is fantastic for towns and villages in the west of Ireland but it is giving them another reason to bypass Ennis. We need to give people as many reasons to divert into town.”

He said, “There is something missing. From my own conversations with tourists; they are looking for something else to do. Whether it’s a couple or a group of friends. Lees Road is a fantastic amenity but it is mainly a sports amenity. But there is a demand for activity-based tourism, surfing kayaking rock-climbing. There is a demand and the demand is growing.”

GARDAÍ were forced to intervene when members of two Ennis famillies were allegedly involved in an confrontation at Ennis Courthouse on Wednesday.

The alleged incident took place just inside the door of the courthouse shortly before 10.30am. As many as three men were allegedly involved in the incident.

Sittings of Ennis District Court and the Family Law Court meant a large number of people were in the Courthouse at the time. One man required hospital treatment as a result of the alleged assault he occurred.

Two men were arrested, with one appearing before the District Court that afternoon.

Edward McDonagh (33), with an address at 18 Davitt Terrace, Cloughleigh, is charged with assault and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the accused appeared before the court following a “fracas” that developed outside the courtroom.

He said the State strongly opposed bail for Mr McDonagh. He said he did not think the conduct that is alleged in a public place could be condoned. “Its happening too often,” he added. Insp Kennedy said it would be alleged that the incident stemmed from a “violent feud” that developed in the town over the last 12 months.

He said the State opposed bail because the “public interest demanded something be done.”

Insp Kennedy added, “How much more are going to have to take, short of them coming into the courtroom and attacking all and sundry, if they can’t restrain themselves from disrespecting this courthouse.”

Defence solicitor Fiona Hehir told the court that her client will say he was spat at and provoked. Detective Garda John Casey, who gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, said he accepted there may have been an element of provocation.

Judge Durcan said he shared some of Insp Kennedy’s concerns. He said he heard some of the “consternation” outside the courtroom.

Judge Durcan ruled that no issues arose under the Bail Act. He remanded Mr McDonagh in custody with conset to bail. A surety was later approved for the accused and he was released on bail.

Judge Durcan ordered the case be listed for hearing tomorrow (Wednesday).

He said, “I’m not going to have people coming in and treating this Courthouse and the public the way he allegedly did.”

BIDS from all over the world have already been made for a priceless piece of JRR Tolkien memorabilia, which will go under the hammer as part of the first ever Burren Tolkien Festival this month.

A signed copy of ‘Tree of Leaf’ will be auctioned for charity in Lisdoonvarna next Thursday, May 16. The book is the first run of the first edition of the book and was personally given to Lisdoonvarna resident Jeremy Prince, when he was a student of Tolkien’s at Oxford.

The silent auction will be managed by Scéal Eile bookshop in Ennis and will form the finale of the Tolkien Festival.

A number of digital bids have already been received from international collectors and bids will be accepted through email or in person until 3pm on May 16. No detail of the bids will be made public during the auction and the largest bid will receive the priceless copy.

“People are already bidding by email and people will be able to bid in the room on the day,” said Pat Hynes of Scéal Eile.

“The book is special because we know Tolkien has handled it. He took it off his book shelf and handed it to Jeremy Prince 50 years ago. But it is also facsimile signed – so we know that it came from the very first print run, which is always the most valuable.”

The book has been fully restored by Scéal Eile in preparation for the auction.

“The book will be on display during the festival so people can come and have a look at it. We have had a lot of interest in the book already but I would imaging they will be a rush in the days before the auction,” said Eibhleann Ni Ghríofa of Scéal Eile.

“We should know soon after the deadline who will get the book; everything should be sorted out in 15 or 20 minutes. There are a few events due to take place after the auction close so it should be a great finale for the festival.”

Anyone who wishes to register to make a bid in silent auction can do so at a cost of € 50 at www.scealeilebooks.ie.

UNMANNED flying drones could be used by gardaí to combat mobile crime gangs, an Ennis councillor has suggested.

Fine Gael councillor Johnny Flynn said the small, unmanned aircraft could form part of a Pilot Policing Technology (PPT) scheme to assist gardaí.

Cllr Flynn is calling on the Minister for Justice to start an initial phase of the scheme which he says would “assist the war on crime by putting in place immediately a scheme to fund mobile CCTV and other tech- nologies for Ennis Gardaí to combat anti-social behaviour and in housing estates”.

Details of the scheme are contained in a motion submitted by Cllr Flynn to today’s meeting of Ennis Town Council.

Cllr Flynn explained, “This funding mechanism scheme could be modelled along the lines of a similar one that is currently in place under the responsibility of the Minister of Environment.”

Cllr Flynn states that the scheme was used by the council to fund the purchase of mobile CCTV equipment to deal more effectively with fly tipping and other forms of illegal dumping.

He says that mobile CCTV systems should be positioned by the gardaí, for periods as long as is necessary, on streets and estates in Ennis affected by anti-social behaviour.

He adds, “This scheme should also consider the use of unmanned flying drones as a resource for Gardaí in its battle with mobile criminals and other anti-social elements in society.”

Drone aircraft have been used most recently by the United States army for surveillance and armed missions in parts of the Middle East and Africa. The motion is due to be discussed at today’s meeting of Ennis Town Council. Meanwhile, the quality of life in Ennis’ estates is also due to be discussed at the meeting.

Fianna Fáil councillor Brian Meaney is urging the council to consider developing a Neighbour Investment Plan for some estates in Ennis.

In a motion, Cllr Meaney said the plan could aid estates “improve their performance across a range of quality of life indicators, which in come cases are below regional and national averages”.

Deputy Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) is calling on the council to “apply to become one of the pilot towns in Retail Excellence Ireland’s National Town and City Project.”

ENNIS Town Council has warned that dog owners who do not clean up after their animals who foul in public areas will be fined and prosecuted under the Litter Pollution Act.

Environmental wardens will be renewing efforts to combat dog fouling around the town by actively targeting blackspot areas over the coming weeks, the local authority said.

The public are also being encouraged to report, in confidence, to Ennis Town Council any offences they see being committed.

“Dog fouling is an issue that has been on top of people’s mind as the worst form of litter and has been one of the top issues of complaint from members of the public in recent times,” explained environmental warden Gerry Murphy.

Mr Murphy noted that dog owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets in public areas but some are ignoring their responsibilities. He added that dog waste is not only a nuisance but can carry diseases which can be harmful to humans.

He continued, “The council is keen to promote the message that allowing your dog to foul in a public area and then not picking it up is simply unacceptable. Failing to clean up after your dog is the same as littering and is an offence under the Litter Pollution Acts. If you do not clean up after your dog you could face an on the spot fine of € 150 or up to a maximum fine of € 3,000 in court for each offence.”

“In January 2012, Ennis Town Council launched Personal Poop Scoop Dispensers which are available free of charge to dog owners from Ennis Town Council offices and the Dog Pound on the Gort Road in Ennis.

“These dispensers, which fit directly on to a dog lead so dog owners will not forget to bring them with them, are being made available so as to help dog owners to meet their civic duty not to cause a mess when exercising their pets,” Mr Murphy concluded.

To report littering contact Ennis Town Council’s Environment Section at 065 6828040. For further information contact www.ennistowncouncil.ie.