The Clare People Archive

KILRUSH Town Council is to take the lead and spearhead a new marketing strategy for the entire West Clare catchment area – a plan of action that is set to be rolled out in the coming weeks and involving all media in the county.

The new blueprint to try and bring extra tourists into the Corca Baiscinn area was agreed upon by all councillors and member of the town council executive at the May monthly meeting of the local authority on Thursday night.

“This would be the first step,” said Cllr Ian Lynch in calling on town authority to launch a media marketing campaign ahead of the 2011 tourist season, by way of a notice of motion calling on the council to look beyond its town boundaries and into other West Clare areas.

Cllr Lynch motion said that “the council in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce would consider commencing a marketing campaign for the entire West Clare region by initiating a print and radio media campaign highlighting the wide variety of activities”.

He said the Kilrush Town Councilled plan would help tourism interests in West Clare “maximise from their events and build and straighten working relationships with all towns and villages”.

“It would build trust between communities,” added Cllr Lynch, “and it would be a great show of strength from the council that would be showing itself to be leading the way in promoting tourism in the area.”

FOCUSING ON the safety of walkers will form a key point in the road safety campaign in Clare over the coming months.

Clare County Council has put together a campaign as part of its role in the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety. The aim is that there will be no road deaths in the county by 2020.

There were four road deaths in Clare last year, compared with seven in 2009.

So far this year, there has been one road death in the county – 36year-old Limerick woman Aileen O’Brien died in a single-vehicle crash at Hurler’s Cross near Shannon earlier this month.

Clare County Council’s Road Safety Officer Barry Keating said that every effort is being made to ensure road safety is a priority.

“We are concentrating on pedestrians. We are giving out high visibility vests. Since last Wednesday, we have given out 200. We are trying to keep pedestrians safe. So far this year (nationally), there have been 71 fatalities; 19 of whom were pedestrians,” Mr Keating told The Clare People .

“High visibility makes drivers aware. We are all out walking so it is important especially in rural parts where you don’t have the infrastructure; you don’t have footpaths. It gives traffic the chance to slow down,” he added.

The council is focusing on educating children from their early years right through to adulthood, in their efforts to promote road safety.

“We are going into the schools on an ongoing basis. We are trying to encourage the children. Hopefully they will give the vests to their parents and they will wear them,” he said.

“We have been going to the preschools giving them talks and handing out the vests and also to primary and secondary schools,” he added.

“It is an apt time for Clare, given that we had our first fatality on the county’s roads last week. It is time to focus on this,” he said.

“We have ambitions to reduce our fatalities on Clare’s roads to zero by the end of the decade. We have reduced our numbers considerably.

“There were 93 road deaths on Clare’s roads in the last decade. In the last five years, that was reduced – to 41,” said Mr Keating.

As part of the council’s efforts to encourage children to get involved in promoting road safety, the school warden scheme is ongoing. As part of this scheme, young pupils play a role in assuming the role of wardens in the vicinity of their schools.

LOCAL authority housing tenants in Kilrush are not being forgotten about, the town council has claimed this week as it unveiled plans to have every council house in the West Clare capital fitted out with central heating.

And, as part of this new Kilrush Town Council blueprint, it’s envisaged that many houses that are boarded up and vacant will be refurbished and made available for families who are on the council housing list.

“This is a positive and good news story,” Kilrush Town Clerk John Corry said in outlining the authority housing plan of action. “Significant works are taking place and it is important to give an element of hope and assurance to people living in John Paul Estate that they’re not being forgotten about.

“Tenants have been paying rent and living in houses without central heating, but we are addressing that now and there is a lot of work taking place. The contract for refurbishing 11 houses in John Paul Estate has been signed.

“Those houses will be fitting out with central heating. We are doing a survey on the remaining houses without central heating and hope to be in a position to commence work on those houses in the third quarter or fourth quarter of this year. We are in the process of preparing tender documents on those remaining 21 houses, 20 of which are occupied,” he added. This refurbishment programme is also set to include an upgrading of council housing on Wilson’s Road, which have been vacant and boarded up for a number of years. “It has been suggested that they be brought back into housing stock,” re vealed Mr Corry. “We are planning to restore these houses to the housing list and contracts for the restoration of two of the houses have been awarded and three others are going to tender. “The remaining two will be surveyed by the end of the third or fourth quarter of the year, so the plan is to have all the houses refurbished and let to tenants on the housing list,” he added.

WEST Clare tourism is set to get a huge boost in the coming season as Kilrush Town Council spearheads an initiative that will see Knockerra Lake opened up to anglers once more after an interval of many years.

Details of a local authority plan of action for the 50-acre lake north east of Kilrush that comes under the council’s jurisdiction were unveiled at Thursday’s monthly meeting, which has opened up the prospect of the facility being open for use in time for the peak tourist period of July and August.

“It was used as a recreational facility for a long number of years, but hasn’t been in the last ten years,” revealed Kilrush Town Clerk John Corry, “and to open up the facility again has involved a process of engagement with anglers and landowners. It has been a long process, but there is now light at the end of the tunnel,” he added.

Knockerra Lake hasn’t been open to public use for ten years, but in recent years Kilrush Town Council has made moves to re-open the facility, setting aside money is its annual budget for fencing and signage, while also making the lake more accessible. The lake is also set to be restocked with fish.

“There has been negotiations with the landowners and we hope to see the restoration of facilities provided at Knockerra,” Mr Corry told town councillors. “We are now at an advanced stage of finalising a lease agreement between the Town Council, the West Clare Angling Association and landowners.

Mr Corry also revealed that as part of the process “a local committee involving Kilrush Town Council, representatives of the angling association and landowners will be put in place” to oversee the operation of the facility.

“We will be meeting all the parties over the coming weeks and for the June meeting of the council we will have a update on the situation.”

DINGLE business interests’ success in making the West Kerry town a haven for tourists on the back of the bay being home to one dolphin over the past 28 years contrasts sharply with West Clare’s failure to cash on the tourism potential of Shannon Estuary dolphins.

The May monthly meeting of Kilrush Town Council heard councillors bemoan the fact that West Clare is the poor relation to Dingle when it comes to dolphin-watching tourism.

“Dingle have one dolphin and they’ve managed to make a multimillion euro industry out of it over the years,” said Cllr Ian Lynch.

“The Shannon Estuary has a family of dolphins, but we don’t seem to be able to market this properly and we haven’t exploited the resource that we have.”

This has led to calls for the Gateway to Shannon Dolphins Committee to make renewed efforts to kickstart the dolphin-watching industry on the estuary.

This committee was established a number of years ago but last Thursday’s meeting heard that it has been inactive over the last number years.

“The committee is led by Paul Edson, with the help of Dr Simon Berrow [Irish Whale and Dolphin Group], but it hasn’t met for the last couple of years,” revealed town clerk, John Corry.

“There is huge potential for the Shannon dolphin project and it should be developed, because it’s something that’s unique to the estuary and we should do everything to market this,” said Cllr Tom Prendeville.

A MAN accused of the murder of a North Clare woman earlier this year has had his bail approved by the district court in Ennis.

Colm Deely (39), of School Road, Ballyvaughan, appeared in court on Friday in connection with the death of Deirdre McCarthy (43), whose body was found on Fanore beach on March 31 last.

Solicitor for Mr Deely, Ciara Macklin, told Ennis District Court on Friday that the High Court had previously approved bail for her client in April but that an issue regarding where Mr Deely was going to live remained outstanding.

She said this issue had now been resolved, the High Court order had been finalised and that an address for the accused had been agreed. She told Judge Joseph Mangan that while she would not be able to bring the order before the court until next week, she had received confirmation that the order had been approved at the High Court.

Insp Michael Gallagher said he too had received confirmation that the bail conditions had been amended.

Under the bail conditions, the accused must live with a relative at a stated address in Corofin, must observe a curfew and must sign on at Ennis Garda Station.

Mr Deely was also ordered to stay out of Corofin village and not to come within a 30km radius of Ballyvaughan village.

The High Court approved bail on condition of the accused’s own surety of € 1,000 and independent surety of € 21,000, with € 7,000 to be lodged.

Insp Gallagher said there was no objection from the Gardaí.

He requested an extension of time for the service of the book of evidence, which he said should be brought to Ennis District Court on July 8.

Insp Gallagher said that if there was any delay in the matter, Gardaí would contact Mr Deely’s legal team. Judge Mangan remanded the accused on bail to reappear before Ennis District Court on July 8. CHARGES have been brought against two young men arising out of an incident in Shannon earlier this year. The accused, aged 18 and 17, are charged with assault causing harm to one man and assault to another, at Finian Park, Shannon, on March 12, 2011. The 18-year-old is also charged with possession of a hurley at the same address on the same date, while the 17year-old is accused of possession of a hockey stick. He is also accused of intimidating through a text message, on March 14 last. Garda Roddy Burke told Shannon District Court on Thursday that he arrested the 17-year-old youth that morning. He was brought to Shannon Garda Station, where he was charged with four alleged offences. The court heard that he did not reply to the charges after caution. Detective Garda Stephen Ryan told the court that he arrested the 18-year-old in Ennis last Thursday morning. He said that when charged, he did not reply. HEROIN was found by Gardaí during a search of an apartment in Ennis last year, a court has heard. Donough Malone (44) with an address at Clare Road, Ennis, is charged with having drugs for sale or supply at a Mill House apartment, Mill Road, Ennis on February 11 (2010). Ennis District Court heard on Friday that when Gardaí entered the apartment on the Mill Road, they discovered two quantities of heroin. Insp Gallagher told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had recommended summary disposal of the matter. Judge Joseph Mangan accepted jurisdiction. He adjourned the matter until May 27 for either a plea or a date for a hearing.

A YOUNG Ennis man facing the activation of a prison sentence reacted to “cheap remarks” about the colour of his skin during a public order incident, a court has heard.

Derek Matha (19), with an address at Gort na hAbhna, Ennis, appeared before Ennis District Court on Friday. He was in court to face the potential activation of a suspended sentence handed down at Ennis District Court in February.

He was brought back before the court following his involvement in separate public order offences in Cork city in April.

Solicitor for Mr Matha, Daragh Hassett, told the court that a fight had broken out between his client and a group of men.

He said his client, who is originally from South Africa, had been referred to by the colour of his skin and had been called “the N-word a couple of times”.

Mr Hassett said that every time his client goes out he is subjected to racial abuse.

He said that Mr Matha, who has previous convictions for public offences, had been living in Ennis for a number of years and had never experienced problems with racism while attending school.

He said that his client had fully cooperated with Gardaí. He added that Mr Matha knows he should have walked away after he heard the “cheap remarks”. “He knows this is the end of the line”, he added.

Judge Joseph Mangan questioned if alcohol had been a factor in any of the incidents the accused had been involved in.

“Would it be the colour of his drink, rather than the colour of his skin that’s the problem?” he added.

Mr Hassett acknowledged that his client had been drinking in Cork on the night in question. Judge Mangan put the matter back until May 27 for further consideration. A 60-YEAR-OLD man has appeared at Ennis District Court accused of having drugs for sale or supply. John Joyce (60), of Watery Road, Ennis, appeared in court on Friday on charges relating to the possession of quantities of cannabis and amphetamine, with a combined value of € 988.22. Gardaí discovered the drugs during a search of a house at 1 Watery Road, Ennis on December 15, 2010. The court heard that Gardai also found € 3,000 during the search of the premises. In making an application for free legal aid, Mr Joyce was questioned by Insp Gallagher. After being asked how he had travelled to court that morning, Mr Joyce said he had driven there in his van. He said he had bought the van in 2008 but added that he couldn’t recall how much the van had cost.

Insp Gallagher said that by his own conservative estimate, the van was valued at around € 30,000.

Solicitor for the accused, Tara God frey, said the vehicle had not been listed as an asset by Mr Joyce as it was needed for family use.

She said her client had no other savings and assets.

Of the € 3,000 found by Gardaí, Mr Joyce said that € 2,000 belonged to him, while € 1,000 belonged to his wife.

He said he had got the money from selling “palettes in Limerick” and from the sale of his son’s pony. Mr Joyce told the court that both he and his wife had been saving the money for Christmas.

Judge Joseph Mangan refused the application for free legal aid, noting that Mr Joyce had not listed his van as an asset in the application.

He accepted jurisdiction and adjourned the matter until June 10 for either a plea or a date for hearing.

A MEMBER of Clare County Council has written to the Minister for the Environment, expressing concerns over the delayed completion of a housing estate in Shannon.

The letter was submitted to Phil Hogan by Independent Councillor Gerry Flynn in relation to the Cluain Airne housing development, which was brought to a standstill last year. At a meeting earlier this month, the Shannon Town Manager, Bernadette Kinsella said the council was not yet in a position to provide a date for completion of the 22-unit scheme.

The project got underway in June 2009 and it was initially envisaged that it would be completed within a year.

However, it was halted and those living in the immediate vicinity are demanding its resumption.

Town councillors expressed concern over the delay and took into account the residents’ frustrations.

Cllr Flynn said he was looking for answers to two questions:

“When is the start date and when is the finish date?”

Cllr Flynn told The Clare People that he has now submitted letters to both Phil Hogan and the Clare County Manager, Tom Coughlan.

“It’s like a saga at this stage,” said Cllr Flynn. He said he would like the circumstances surrounding the development to be outlined.

At the meeting, Ms Kinsella told councillors, “I share your total frustration.

“Without a doubt, it is a nuisance for the residents in the area. We have a significant level of expressions from people who are looking for a home.”

She said that the completion period from the time the work recommences until completion is 16 weeks, adding,

“But what I don’t have is a start date.” She said;

“There were delays in the retendering process. It had been our intention that we were expecting a nomination in January. The whole process is taking longer than anticipated.”

Cllr Flynn referred to the issue as a fiasco. Fine Gael Councillor Mary Brennan said that the people of Cluain Airne were “living their worst nightmare”.

DOONBEG will play host this weekend to fundraising efforts which are expected to realise € 50,000 towards educating children in Nepal.

The Clare branch of the international Indreni Children’s Charity will host a series of fundraising events over the weekend, which will culminate with a gala dinner and concert by the Chieftains on Saturday night.

A golf classic will take centre stage on Friday at the golf club, while a si- lent charity auction will run throughout the weekend and a raffle for a BMW will also take place.

Indreni provides a home and private education for 30 previously abandoned street children in Kathmandu, Nepal.

It was founded in 2006 by Ram Hari Khadka and commanded interest in Clare the following year when Keith Molony from Ennis encountered Mr Khadka.

He set up a branch in Clare and todate € 30,000 has been collected in the county for the organisation.

According to one of those involved in this weekend’s events, Pat Connellan, the aim is to raise € 50,000, which will go towards educating the children.

Pending the success of this weekend’s events, there are plans in place to run a similar event on an annual basis.

“Hopefully we will do it every year. This is the first time this has been done anywhere.

There has been good support from the people of Clare,” he said.

He explained the background to the Clare link with this organisation. “Keith met Ram Hari while trekking in Tibet in 2007. From that day on, Keith started funding it himself.

“A few more of us got involved last year. People are paying so much a month.

“We raised money and went over to Nepal in October. A group of us spent time with the children and helped out. It showed us where the money is going,” he added.

“It’s not a case like Chernobyl where the children are brought over here.

“The biggest thing is paying for their education because education is a long term solution to so many problems.

“The initial plan is to make enough money to build a school.

“This weekend we hope to clear € 50,000 and that will go towards sourcing the land,” he said.

For more information on the event, click on www.doonbeggolfclub.com or www.indreni.org.

THE courage of the brave crew of the Kilrush lifeboat was acknowledged at the weekend when the RNLI picked their station to receive a new lifeboat.

And a woman who deeply admired the bravery of lifeboat crews will now always be remembered in the Clare town after the new boat was named for her.

The Edith Louise Eastwick was blessed and launched for her maiden voyage at the weekend having been bought with money left by a Baroness in her will.

Baroness Majorie Von Schlippenbach passed away in April 2003 and left the money with the stipulation that the boat which her legacy bought would be named after her late mother.

As a child, the Baroness lived in Eastbourne, where her mother often told her the story of a lifeboat of the local RNLI, which had been funded by a friend. Whenever she saw the boat Mrs Eastwick would tell her daughter of the life-saving service which the lifeboat crews provided.

Accepting the Atlantic 85 lifeboat in Kilrush, Lifeboat Operations Manager John Lambe said, “We are extremely grateful to the Baroness for her gener- osity in funding our new lifeboat and to Tom MacSweeney for officially naming her. On behalf of our crew, station management and fundraisers here in Kilrush, I offer my sincere thanks. This lifeboat is the vessel that will carry our volunteer crew out to sea and on it they will save lives.”

Speaking to The Clare People , Pauline Dunleavy, Station Officer at Kilrush, said it is “a fantastic vote of confidence in the station here by the RNLI to give us this new boat. We’re just a small station but we’re absolutely thrilled to have the Edith Louise Eastwick.”

RNLI trustee John Coyle said that there is “not a day goes by without our volunteers risking their lives to save others. And let us not forget the sheer hard work and ability of our fundraisers. To raise essential funds in challenging times never ceases to amaze me.”

Maritime journalist Tom McSweeney performed the naming. He told the gathering that “working in the national media, I am aware that not every call for help [at sea] makes headlines but I know that each time a lifeboat launches the crew set out in the knowledge that they may have to use their training to deal with the most challenging of rescues.”