The Clare People Archive

NORTH Clare businessman Marcus White will fly to Moscow next month to sign a deal that could bring tens of thousands of new visitors to Clare, through Shannon Airport, this year.

White and his father, James White, met with the head of Russian company Pegus Tours in Asia last week and have arranged a second meeting in the Russian capital for April 8 when, it is hoped, contracts can be signed.

Pegus Tours are one of the world’s largest tour operators and currently bring more than 100,000 Russian tourist on package holidays to Thailand each year. It is hoped that this contract could open the door for tens of thousands of Russians to visit Lisdoonvarna each year on wellness holiday tours.

An estimated € 5 million was generated in North Clare last year as a result of the 6,000 German tourists who visited Lisdoonvarna as part of the Whites’ seven-day wellness trip to Clare operated with Trend Tours. It was confirmed last week that 16,000 German tourists had already booked to come to Ireland with Trend Tours for 2012, with a large portion of them coming to North Clare.

“We met a major tour operator in Asia last week and he already brings several hundred thousand Russians into Thailand each winter for sun holidays. We met the owner personally and we have another meeting for April 8 when, hopefully, we can sign contracts to bring Russians into Shannon or Dublin Airport,” said Marcus.

“Russia and China are the markets to go after at the moment. We always go after bulk business and, if we can get this Russian charter into Shannon Airport, then I think that everyone in the area will be very happy.

“This is something that we are do- ing completely off our own bat, without the help of any state agencies. We got the Germans in ourselves, myself and my father, and we now want to get the Russians into North Clare and to go after China after that. This has been done with absolutely no help from anyone else.

“If this starts off, we hope that everyone involved in the tourism business will come in and get behind it.”

James White, who is a former Fine Gael TD for Donegal, will meet with the Minister for Tourism, Jimmy Deenihan (FG), in the coming weeks to discuss speeding up the visa system for Russians visiting Ireland.

AS MANY as 1,222 people have retired from the HSE West since last September, but the HSE said it will employ more than 100 “essential” staff to cover some of the loss.

The health service area, which includes County Clare, has lost 680 people mostly front line staff to the Early Retirement Scheme since the beginning of the year.

In the former Mid Western Health Board area, made up of Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary, almost 300 staff had retired just one week before the cut-off mark of February 29. The majority of these staff – 205 – retired from the community sector, an area of health care that has been championed by the HSE as the way forward.

As many as 124 members of personnel retired from the Mid Western Hospital Group which includes Ennis General Hospital.

Four members of the ambulance service in the mid-west retired, with four more gone from corporate services.

At last week’s meeting of the HSE West regional forum, Clare member Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) asked if management had any idea of how the retirements would impact on services.

“Where are we going to have a staffing shortfall?” he asked.

Assistant National Director of HR Francis Rogers said that a robust contingency plans were in place to meet the shortfall.

Regional Director of Operations HSE West John Hennessy said the HSE “would be backfilling 123 post, particularly in midwifery, neonatal services and intensive care”.

SENIOR staff at the Maternity Hospital Limerick are hopeful that the looming staffing crisis will be averted as the HSE promises to fill 16. 5 midwifery positions vacated by recent retirements.

Consultant obstetrician Gerry Burke said he and his colleagues are “delighted that the 16. 5 WTE mid wives are going to be replaced, but he said that for the hospital to operate as safely as possible, the nine additional midwives lost to retirement before the scheme and through death must also be replaced.

“We also need a sensible flexible attitude when it comes to maternity leave,” he said.

There are currently 31 midwives absent due to maternity leave, and seven due to long-term illness.

As the majority of staff in the hospital are females, many in their thirties, Dr Burke said maternity leave is inevitable and the HSE must be flexible when dealing with the issues.

“I do not think it is a safe way to practice to have to rely on locums,” he said.

He said he was now satisfied that the local HSE management understood the issues and it was a work in progress.

Last week the HSE announces that it would be filling 123 essential posts in the HSE West in the area of midwifery, neonatal care and intensive care.

Dr Burke said he hopes to see the new appointments in place in the next two months.

“The matter is now being taking seriously from the Minister down. They are working hard to try to make it right,” he said, adding he was particularly grateful to Clare Deputy Joe Carey (FG) who had taken a lot of interest in the matter.

Deputy Carey, whose young family availed of the hospital’s services in the last few weeks, said that maternity-staffing levels must be maintained, regardless of any current recruitment embargoes.

“I welcome the fact that HSE management has put a plan in place to provide for the full replacement of the 16. 5 WTEs that will leave at the end of the month. I note that Dr Burke and others have expressed their satisfaction with this approach, and that once this matter is resolved, that management will also examine solutions to the other 31 absent staff members.”

A FORMER primary school teacher used a suitcase lined with tinfoil in an attempt to steal goods from a supermarket in Ennis, a court has heard. Security staff at Dunnes Stores called gardaí after Mao Kimbadi was caught in possession of the suitcase on December 4 (2011).

Ennis District Court was told that the suitcase had been lined with tinfoil in an attempt to avoid the detection of security devices in the store.

On Tuesday, Kimbadi (39), with an address 12 Linnane’s Terrace, Kilrush Road, Ennis, pleaded guilty to having the suitcase with the intention that it could be used in the course of or in connection with a theft.

Kimbadi, whom the court heard was previously a primary school teacher in the Democratic Republic (DR) of the Congo, also pleaded guilty to charges of theft and handling stolen property.

Insp John Galvin told the court that two men were seen breaking into cars in the College Green area of Ennis on November 13 (2011).

He said when gardai arrived they found Kimbadi and another man outside 86 College Green in possession of a gold pocket watch and 50 US dollars that had been taken from a car. Insp Galvin said gardaí were making enquires at Ennis National school on November 14 (2011) when they noticed two men acting suspiciously in the bushes backing onto Linnane’s Terrace on Kilrush Road.

When gardaí approached the area they discovered a Packard Bell computer monitor, a Compaq hard drive and keyboard, a Sony Playstation 2 and controls, 30 Playstation 2 games and a black bomber jacket with the Audi insignia.

Insp Galvin told the court that Kimbadi admitted to gardai that he knew the goods had been stolen.

Kimbadi was also charged with stealing a bottle of Cercutti 1881 Perfume from Boots Chemist on December 10 (2011).

Solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client, a father of two, moved to Ennis from DR Congo 10 years ago to seek political asylum. She said he worked in a number of jobs including as a chef’s assistant before becoming unemployed when the recession hit two years ago.

Ms Godfrey said the loss of his job coupled with a period of homelessness saw her client engage in heroin use and “petty theft”. She asked the court that if her client was sent to prison a requirement to receive residential treatment should be included as part the sentence.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy imposed consecutive sentences totalling 14 months. He backdated all sentences to January 11, 2012.

A WOMAN “feared for her life” when she caused € 800 worth of damage to a car in Ennis, a court has heard.

At Ennis District Court on Tuesday, Caroline Nolan (38) with an address at 9 Gus Murphy’s Flats, Mill Road, Ennis and 5 Lios na Rí Oranmore, Co Galway pleaded guilty to charges of theft and criminal damage.

The court heard that Gardaí received a report on February 27 (2012) that both the front and rear windscreen had been damaged on the Mill Road, Ennis.

Solicitor John Casey explained that her client had believed that the car belonged to another person.

He said that on the night in question, Nolan had been chased by a person carrying a knife.

He said, “She thought the car belonged to him. She was in fear of her life”.

Garda Michael Daniels, who gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, acknowledged that the accused had feared for her life. He said the damage caused to the car amounted to € 812 euros.

Nolan also pleaded guilty to stealing a full keg of Tuborg Beer from Considine’s Bar, Parnell Street, Ennis on March 20 (2011). The keg was valued at € 110. The court heard that Gardaí found Nolan rolling the keg along the street.

Mr Casey said his client had been homeless at the time and could only sleep by drinking alcohol. “It was a foolish thing to do”, he added.

He said that drink was an escape for his client and that while she has made positive strides in addressing her problems, “she still battles with drink”.

He told the court that an involvement with the probation and welfare services would be of benefit to her. Mr Casey said Nolan, who is in receipt of social welfare, would need “considerable time” to pay back the cost of damage to the car. The court was told that the accused has two previous convictions including a fine imposed for cruelty to children.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy ordered the preparation of a report by the probation and welfare services. He remanded Nolan on continuing bail to appear again in court on May 2. He fixed bail at 200 euros.

A MAN facing charges on alleged drugs possession has been granted bail.

Trevor Gargan (31) with an address at 179 Cregayn Street, Belfast, Antrim, Bt6 8NI, appeared at Ennis District Court last Tuesday.

According to court documents, it is alleged that Gargan was in possession of cannabis for the purposes of selling or otherwise supply to another at Ballymaconna, Barefield on Wednesday, February 22.

Gargan is also charged with the unlawful possession of a controlled drug, to wit, cannabis, at Ballymaconna, Barefield on Wednesday February 22.

Insp John Galvin told the court that the State had no objection to bail of € 10,000.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy fixed bail and ordered that the full amount be lodged. Solicitor John Casey said that € 10,000 had been lodged with the court.

Gargan was granted bail subject to a number of conditions.

The court ordered that he must reside at 3 Figile Manor, Clonbullogue, Co Offaly and sign on daily at Edenderry Garda Station.

Gargan was also ordered to surrender his passport and undertake not to apply for another passport. Insp Galvin said that the State were awaiting instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Judge McCarthy remanded the accused in custody with consent to bail to appear at Ennis District Court on April 4 for DPP’s directions.

A MEMBER of the Labour Party has branded the Government’s handling of household charge as an “absolute mess”.

Councillor Paul O’Shea also claimed it was “absurd” that the Fine Gael / Labour Government had not enlisted the help of An Post in allowing people to pay the charge.

He raised the matter in a motion submitted at yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council. Cllr O’Shea urged the council to provide information to the public on the charge and provide clarity on who is exempt from it.

According to national statistics, just over eight per cent of household- ers had paid a portion of the charge as of the end of February.

Cllr O’Shea said not enough information had been provided to people. “I think its an absolute mess the way this has been handled,” he said.

He urged the council to write to the Minster for Environment Heritage and Local Government, Phil Hogan, to highlight their concerns.

The Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind), described the charge as “badly thought out”. Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) said people should be allowed to pay € 2 a week off the cost of the charge. Cllr Peter Considine (FF) said the implementation of the charge had been “diabolically badly handled”. However he added that the “harsh reality is that it is now the law of the land”.

A WALL of fame celebrating local musicians should be erected in Ennis, a meeting has heard.

The suggestion was put forward by Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) following a motion submitted by Cllr Mary Howard (FG) at yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council.

Cllr Howard called on the council to erect name plaques to recognise the role of contributors to the musical life of Ennis.

She said unsung heroes such as Micho Ball and Flan McMahon had made enormous contributions to cultural life in Ennis.

Cllr Neylon suggested that a wall bearing the names of musicians could be constructed in the grounds of Waterpark House. Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) told the meeting that an area along the new inner relief road near Madden’s Furniture, formerly Paddy Cons Hall, would be a suitable site.

However Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) cautioned against the proposal. He said the council would be opening a “hornet’s nest” if it started listing the names of local musicians. He told the meeting that there would be a danger that someone could be left out.

Town manager Ger Dollard acknowledged the risk of leaving someone out from the process.

Cllr Brennan recalled the popularity of the bands and singers that used to perform in Paddy Con’s Hall and other venues in the sixties and seventies.

“The first singing pub in Ennis was McEvoys. I’d say all the groups in town sang in McEvoys.”

Town Clerk Leonard Cleary said the contribution to of musicians has promoted by groups such as Clare Tourism Forum, Promote Ennis and Shannon Development.

A STATE-OF-THE-ART dementia unit, which was refurbished two years ago by the HSE at a cost of almost quarter of a million euro, remains closed to the county’s 1,300 Alzheimer’s patients.

While HSE management said it is committed to the opening of the unit, staffing issues mean the unit on the grounds of St Joseph’s Hospital, Ennis, is likely to remain closed for the near future.

Alzheimer’s and dementia are a growing issue within the Clare health services.

Between January and October last year, there were 303 Alzheimer’s patients being care for by the older people’s psychiatric team in the county.

However, there are a further 380 new patients referred to the service but still not seen.

The 15-bed specialised unit in St Joseph’s was designed to provide 13 residential beds to seriously ill patients, as well as two respite care beds.

These patients are currently being cared for at Cappahard Lodge, Ennis, while the unopened Alzheimer’s unit at St Joseph’s is being used as a temporary home for patients displaced due to essential fire and safety upgrades at the hospital.

Bernard Gloster, Area Manager Mid West PCCC, said, “It is expected that these (fire and safety) works will be completed by June 30, 2012 and, following the final transfer of the older persons back to the units in St Joseph’s Hospital, unit 5 (the new Alzheimer’s unit) will be available to the Mental Health Services.”

The health manager admits, however, that staffing the unit will pose difficulties.

“It will be a challenge for the Mental Health Services to staff this specific dementia unit from within the reduced staffing resource available to the service following the retirement of a substantial number of nurses from the service.

“However, management of the Clare Mental Health Service will endeavour to reorganise its service delivery to enable this dementia unit to be utilised for dementia patients,” he said.

Meanwhile, the HSE plans to remove all patients from Gort Glas to other units within the mental health services and in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland (ASI) build a dementia-specific day centre and the Psychiatry of Old Age Outpatient Service on the site.

“The project is on the HSE Capital Plan for 2012. Currently, the design and costings are being examined and decisions are pending to ensure that the project progresses within the funding resources available to the ASI and the HSE,” said Mr Gloster.

Clare representative on the HSE West Forum, Cllr Tom McNamara (FF) expressed his fears that the release of staff from the closure of Gort Glass and the downgrading of the HSE facility at Dalganish, Shannon, will not be sufficient to open the Alzheimer’s unit in Ennis.

“The opening of the residential and day-care service has to be a priority,” he said.

PATIENTS and visitors to the Mid West Regional hospitals in Ennis and Limerick will have to leave the hospital campuses and walk to the roadside if they plan to light up.

From May 1, all hospitals in the midwest, including the maternity hospital, will become smoke-free, following in the footsteps of other HSE West hospitals.

Sister hospitals in Galway have been smoke-free for more than two weeks, although not everyone is a fan of the new regulations that must be imposed in all Irish hospitals by 2015.

Chairman of the HSE West, Pádraig Conneely (FG) asked if the HSE had gone a step too far by banning smoking on all hospital campuses.

“Is it not a far walk all the way down to the road?” he asked, referring to the tree-lined avenue of Merlin Park Hospital, Galway, where last week’s meeting of the HSE West took place.

The Galway councillor also raised unease at the sight of patients in their pyjamas and dressing gowns standing on the side of the main road, out- side the walls of the University College Hospital, Galway.

He asked who would be responsible if a passing car knocked one of these patients down.

The HSE West chairman also raised concerns about policing the new ban. “How are you going to stop people outside accident and emergency in an inebriated state who are smoking, or a person dealing with a tragedy who wants to go outside to smoke,” he said.

Clare representative to the HSE West Forum, Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) said he agreed with the policy, but raised concerns about hospitals like the Mid Western Regional Hospital Ennis, which has a psychiatric unit. “It is more than a dependency for people with psychiatric problems,’ he said.

He asked if the HSE now plans to extend the practice of allowing unhealthy behaviour on campus, by ceasing to sell sugary foods in its hospital shops, given the rise in typetwo diabetes.

Fellow Clare representative Cllr Tony Mulqueen (FG) asked about the size of the hospital campus and was told it was a 150-acre site.

“If there were 1,5000 acres, would you have the same rules? Where does it stop?” he asked.

Regional Director of Operations HSE West John Hennessy said it was “somewhat of an anomaly if we have banned cigarettes in pubs and public places and allow them on hospital grounds. I just can’t see us going back on an inevitable move.”

Tony Canavan, General Manager, Galway Primary Community and Continuing Care (PCCC), HSE West, added that “in a small number of cases, patients will be allowed to smoke in consultation with their doctor.”