The Clare People Archive

A FORMER St Flannan’s College teacher, who was last week named as the Irish Secondary School Teacher of Year, has spoken out against the Government’s treatment of young teachers.

Newly-crowned teacher of the year, Evelyn O’Connor, has been contracted on a year-to-year basis since she left St Flannan’s in 2010. She believes that the Government is failing young teachers and students by the way they are managing the cutbacks in the education budget.

Currently, in Clare, one in every four Clare-based teachers are on temporary contracts from the Department of Education.

“Ultimately, this is very bad for students. I am worried about myself and my students. Continuity is so important in education. If a student has a teacher that they work well with, they need to know that that teacher will be there the next year and the year after that,” said Evelyn.

“The Government are pretending that they haven’t cut the student/teacher ratio but that is just not true.”

According to Evelyn, the popular preconceptions held by the majority about teachers are not true.

“I think the perception is different from the reality. The Government are trying to turn teaching into a part-time job and they are avoiding, whenever they can, giving any teacher a full-time jobs now. Instead, they issue teachers with fixed-term contracts with so few hours a week that they can never hope to be made permanent.

“These teachers then have to look for other jobs just to make ends meet and a lot just end up leaving the profession. Students ask me more and more, ‘Will we have you next year Miss?’, and I don’t know what to tell them. Because I don’t know.”

Evelyn also hit out against redeployment in the education system, which she says has created an atmosphere within staff rooms where teachers are afraid to speak up for fear of being redeployed by the management.

EAST Clare County Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald made history on Friday when he was the first Labour councillor to be elected to office in County Clare.

The man from Westbury was named deputy mayor at the end of Clare County Council’s AGM.

In a heart felt speech, the new deputy mayor paid tribute to his daughter Joyce who he said was the one who encouraged him to run for public office.

“It is a hard game and we are in hard times,” he said.

Among his colleagues in the council chamber Cllr Fitzgerald was recognised as the man who fought off Limerick’s attempt to take over lands in Westbury, Meelick and East Clare. “It was not just me at the bridge who told Limerick ‘no’,” he said.

“We don’t just recognise parties we recognise people,” he said of Clare County Council.

Cllr Fitzgerald said the biggest issue facing the council during the next political year was Shannon Airport.

He said it was essential to the future of the county.

The East Clare councillor was nominated to the position by Independent county councillor and former mayor

Cllr Patricia McCa

rthy. She said she was

happy to nominated

him as he was from

an “isolated part of

County Clare” that

is very much part of

the county. She said it was

also appropriate for

a Labour council

lor to hold office

in Clare County

Council for the first

time this year – the

year of the party’s

centenary.

Cllr Christy Curtin (Ind), who like Cllr McCarthy is also a former member of the Labour Party seconded Cllr Fitzgerald to the position of deputy mayor declaring he had the qualities and experience necessary to hold such a position.

A MAN was rescued off a tiny island just off the Doolin coast in the early hours of Saturday morning after spending the night camping on the rocky, uninhabited mound. The man, who lives in the North Clare area, spent the night on Crab Island before he was spotted by the Doolin Harbour Master who contacted the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coast Guard to assisted the man back to the mainland.

Concerns were raised over the man’s safety as weather conditions in the area at the time were described as “extreme”. The local unit of the coast guard managed to reach the man and ferried him and his equipment back to the mainland. The man had used a small kayak to reach the island in calmer waters on Friday evening.

Crab Island is a designated bird sanctuary and members of the public are not allowed to disturb the birds nesting on it. The island also has a long and often tragic maritime history.

In July of 1983, eight young men, including three brothers, drowned while swimming nearby when a strong current caught the men by surprise and dragged them out to sea. Crab Island is also the site where a German spy came ashore during World War 1. The man, who came ashore on an April evening in 1918, surrendered to locals because he believed that he had landed on the mainland and had destroyed his boat.

“We were on out way to provide cover for the Volvo Ocean Race in Galway when we got the call from the harbour master. We sailed to Crab Island and spoke to the man and we had to call out a smaller ves sel to get close enough to the island to bring him ashore,” said Mattie Shannon of the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coast Guard. “The sea was rough but the man was not in any immediate danger. We had to make three journeys back and forth to the mainland to ferry the man and al of his equipment back from the island.”

Meanwhile, on Friday, the Doolin Coast Guard unit was tasked to assist in the search for a number of walkers who had become separated from their companion near Blackhead in Fanore. The walkers had descended back onto the Green Road track but had come down on the steeper side and had suddenly lost contact with each other in the heavy mist. The walkers were found safely and reunited with their companions.

AN estimated 28,000 Clare households can expect unwelcome mail this week as the Local Government Management Agency begins writing to home-owners that still have not paid the contentious household charge.

According to the agency, as many as 27,762 Clare households registered for the charge last month, 354 of which received waivers.

However, the CSO’s preliminary figures puts the number of houses in Clare at more than 55,800.

Not all of those who have not paid will get letters immediately, as an example will be made of just a percentage.

Chair of the Household Charge Project Board, Jackie Maguire said the first batch of homeowners who have not yet paid the charge has been taken from a sample set “following an initial data comparison between the Household Charge database and other databases as set out in the Act”.

Meanwhile, householders with a septic tank will be asked to pay up again within the next three months.

From now until September 26, owners of domestic wastewater treatment systems are required to register their systems with Clare County Council.

A once-off registration fee will apply, starting at € 5.

After September 26, however, the free will increase to € 50. Owners will then need to renew their registration every five years, at no cost.

Homeowners can register online at www.protectourwater.ie, in person at any local authority office in the county or by post to Protect our Water, PO Box 12204, Dublin 7.

Inspections of septic tanks will by carried out by the EPA from next year. Householders have been warned however that all inspectors will carry identification and should not be allowed on to any property without it.

Meanwhile the Chairman of ICMSA’s Farm Services and Environment Committee, Pat Rohan, said that the Minister for the Environment must now ensure that provisions are put in place to assist rural-dwellers that may have to incur significant costs in upgrading their sewerage systems.

He said a properly funded grant scheme must be introduced for rural dwellers to ensure compliance with the new regulations.

RESIDENTS of a housing estate in Ennis have outlined their strong feelings at the anti-social behaviour of just one family in their estate, writing to councillors to list a litany of complaints that include intimadation, theft, noise, fighting and certain female family members using a back garden ‘as a toilet’.

The letter, which stunned many listeners at an Ennis Town Council meeting yesterday, claimed that two other families were forced to move from the estate as a result of the antisocial behaviour.

It also alleged that pubic urination on the estate’s footpaths and gardens is commonplace, while bad language is also an everyday occurence.

Sections of the letter were read out to councillors at the meeting.

The letter, which has been seen by The Clare People, states;

“A Brazilian family has moved out of the estate as a direct result of continuous noise, intimidation and the theft of their flicker scooter bike. Another lady and her children have moved also because of intimidation.” The letter highlights incidents of “continuous fighting”, “disgraceful bad language”, drunken verbal abuse and public urination.

It also states that parents no longer feel it is safe for them to allow their children to play outside their own homes.

As a result of the intimidation the letter writes states that residents in the estate keep clinds and curtains closed throughout the day. It also alleges that alcohol is being openly consumed during daylight hours in the estate, leading to instances of loud, verbal abuse directed at neighbours.

Residents’ associations recently met with councillors over the anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) told the meeting that he wants legislation to make landlords more accountable. He says the Health Services Executive (HSE) should be instructed to view any tenancy agreement prior to sanctioning a rent subsidy. He said some members of the Traveller community are causing “major concern” in Ennis. He claimed that, in some instances, residents are “afraid to call the guards because they will be identified”. He said, “I’ve had people crying in front of me because they are so afraid. People are living in fear and something has to be done.”

Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) said the situation in Ennis has “deteriorated”. He said, “They fight in our streets, our banks. They are taking on society.”

The council is to seek a meeting with the HSE and the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter.

According to Town Clerk, Leonard Cleary, “The community (residents and landlords) have a key stakehold in addressing the issues raised.”

The Ennis housing estate at the centre of the latest allegations is not one previously associated with such instances of anti-social behaviour.

AT LEAST five people have been injured in a spate of dog attacks in the county during the last 10 days.

Two teenagers were hospitalised following two of the incidents. The first, a 16-year-old girl from Inagh, was taken to hospital in Galway after she was attacked by the family’s pet husky. Meanwhile, a teenage boy from the Tulla area received chest wounds from a Golden Labrador while he was out cycling his bike. He was also taken to hospital for treatment. The county’s dog warden Frankie Coote has since taken charge of both dogs. Mr Coote is disturbed by the number of growing attacks in the county and fears a dog in Clare will eventually kill someone.

“It might sound alarmist but I think we are facing a child or person being killed in this county by a dog,” he said. The dog warden was himself a victim of an attack on Friday last. He explained that while the dogs looked friendly, one animal jumped at his throat. Due to his training Mr Coote escaped the attack with minor bruising to his throat and neck.

IT MAY look suspicious when a group of strangers meet up in car parks and at bus stops around the county to hand over packages and large goods, but the new phenomena is a lot more innocent than it first appears.

These people have met through a Facebook page that gives away used good for free.

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” explained Ennis woman Tina Whelan, the brainchild behind the operation.

The Facebook page “Clare free to a good home” allows people advertise items that they no longer require and want to give away for free.

Everything from a three piece to a bicycle, phone to a playhouse, and even some wedding dresses have been given away.

With over 1,500 friends Ms Whelan set up the closed page as the original “open” page was too difficult to police.

“People were messing and causing offence so we closed the first page after 50 to 60 days and then set up the closed page that people have to ‘like’ to access,” she explained.

There are now rules associated with the page, such as the amount of items any one person can claim. People are only allowed to claim one item a day from the 50 to 60 items a week that are posted.

There remains a few minor arguments from time to time, Ms Whelan admits, but nothing too serious that the administrators can’t manage.

People also ask for items they may need from the other members.

Last week one man asked for old fertiliser bags so he could go to the bog and fill his turf.

Within hours he had four to five offers.

“Another girl came on looking for a wedding dress and someone gave her their dress which was worth over € 2,000,” said Ms Whelan.

“In the first week one girl came on looking for a mannequin. I thought she will never get that, but she had three to four offers.

“It has just taken off. I am absolutely stunned at the reaction. People tell me they are now addicted to the page,” she added.

Since the page was launched last week more than 2,000 items have been given away.

“Children’s clothes are the biggest draw,” said Ms Whelan.

And as children finish up at school this week, the woman behind “Clare free to a good home” has set up a new page where parents can offer school uniforms, books and other materials to other parents.

“I am encouraging people to swap on this page so everyone benefits,” she said. Clare School/Book Uniform Swap has already had a lot of hits and a number of followers.

And while “giving stuff away” may be at the core of Ms Whelan’s first two pages she has set up a third that allows employers advertise jobs in Ennis.

“Ennis regular jobs for regular people” contains what she describes as “ordinary jobs that don’t require degrees or qualifications”.

THE opportunity for Shannon Airport to strengthen its place in the global business aviation sector will be explored at a major conference attended by key international players at Dromoland Castle this week.

The second annual Irish Business Aviation Convention, hosted jointly by Shannon Airport and Shannon Development, on Wednesday and Thursday, will hear a number of leading figures discuss not just Shannon’s emerging role in the sector but also a range of opportunities and challenges facing the industry globally.

Among those speaking at the event will be Transport Minister Leo Varadkar, who will give a key note address on ‘Irish Aviation: Challenges and Opportunities’.

“The aviation industry presents enormous opportunities for Shannon, and for Ireland, in terms of job creation and economic growth. As we face into a crucial period for the Shannon’s future, the airport’s longstanding expertise in the aviation gives it a vital head-start,” said Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar.

“This conference is ideal opportunity to tease out options for the aviation sector in Shannon, and for Ireland as a whole,” he added.

Shannon Airport director Mary Considine said that the conference is a timely opportunity to showcase Shannon’s potential to become a key player in the global aviation industry in the years ahead.

“Last year’s inaugural event was widely applauded by the industry, with the presence of representatives from the biggest operators in the business being a real vote of confidence in relation to our global reputation in this industry,” said Ms Considine.

“This year’s event will build on that, with an even stronger line-up of national and international speakers set to give insights into this very significant and exciting aviation sector. Shannon already has an excellent international reputation for delivering a top quality service to operators of business (private and corporate) jets. It is regularly used by some of the world’s highest net worth individuals and corporate entities. Last year, in a challenging year, we had over 4,500 business jet movements in and out of the airport, a slight increase on 2010. Our plan now is to build on this and broaden Shannon’s role as a potential business aviation hub.”

“This is Ireland’s only business aviation convention and the fact that it is being held in Shannon is testament to our rich aviation history,” said Shannon Development Chief Executive Dr Vincent Cunanne.

Among the other guest speakers are CEO of Avolon, Ennis nativeDomhnal Slattery, aviation consultant Brendan McQuaid and former NASA astronaut and space shuttle commander Bill Readdy.

AN ENNIS teacher has made history by becoming the first woman to be named as principal of St Flannan’s College. Carmel Honan, who grew up in College View directly opposite St Flannan’s, is also thought be the first ever female principal of a diocesan college in Ireland.

A former student of Holy Family National School and Coláiste Mhuire in Ennis, Ms Honan has worked at St Flannan’s since 1990, teaching English and History.

The Ennis native said she is “deeply honoured” to have been named principal of one of the country’s largest secondary schools.

She added, “I have been really fortunate to work at what I love doing, which is teaching. I am going to miss the classroom.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge. I suppose I am excited about the challenge ahead.”

She replaces retiring principal Colm McDonagh, who became the first lay person to be appointed principal of the college.

Ms Honan said, “I certainly want to pay tribute to Colm. He was an inspiring colleague and an inspiring principal. He is a person of tremendous vision.”

She said she regards the appointment as “huge privilege”.

Ms Honan continued, “It’s a challenging role to ensure in the present climate that we cater for all of our diverse community.

“I grew up across the road from the school and I never once dreamed I’d be principal.

“I’ve always been happy at St Flannan’s because St Flannan’s is a place that was always concerned about people and motivating students.”

The history of the school dates back to 1846. It currently caters for over 1,200 students.

GARDAÍ are investigating an incidence of cattle rustling in East Clare with a Quin farmer losing almost € 5,000 worth of livestock in a nighttime raid last week. Three mature animals were taken from the farm of Anthony Flannery in the Knappogue area of Quin last week, with a further five animals managing to escape capture.

This is the third instance of cattle rustling to take place in Clare in recent month, sparking fears among farmers that an organised gang may have been responsible. The animals were taken from a locked field on June 13 last, between 2am and 4am.

According to the Clare chairperson of the IFA, Andrew Dundas, farmers are becoming more and more fearful that their animals will be stolen.

“The animals were stolen from a field with a locked gate, so they had to cut through the lock to gain access. The animals were herded into a holding pen in the field and five of the animals managed to knock the wall of the pen and break out,” said Andrew.

“The farmer is very distressed after this. These people came prepared to do this job. They certainly had transport and were organised.”

The stolen cattle were each one and a half-year-old limousins which could have reached between € 1,100 and € 1,500 at the mart. These animals will not be able to be sold at any mart in Ireland with their current tags and it is likely that the criminals will try to use tags taken from dead farm animals, who have not be disposed of legally.

“People are scared, I have been talking to the milk truck driver and he tells me that gates are locked that never used to be locked. There was a major theft in Bridgetown in March with 13 animals stolen from inside a shed,” continued Andrew.

“I also heard of a large number of calves stolen from out of a shed over in West Clare, so it is all over the county. We would appeal to anyone who may have heard something on that night to get in contact with the guards. These animals can be traced. If we can locate them, even with their tags taken off, we can trace the DNA and confirm that they are the right animals.”