The Clare People Archive

A DOZEN teenagers from west Clare with a keen interest in agri- culture took part in a tractor skills course last week.

As the sun heated the grounds of Kilrush mart the tractor enthusiasts – all males – learned how to use the VU OO MONT-Le UDI MYACT NK Ns

Their reasons for taking part in the course were various.

For Kevin Fennell from Fadragh, Kilkee the prospect of a life farming is one that appeals to him. Already familiar with farming life he could drive a tractor, but the course en- sured he had the necessary skills to look after the huge vehicle and drive it safely.

For fellow Kilkee teen Finbarr O’Gorman learning to drive a tractor properly will help him with his sum- mer job, as he takes up employment with a farming contractor, putting out slurry and cutting silage.

As most of the teens taking part were under 16, the daylong course concentrated on the use of tractors and machinery within the farm and did not include road usage.

A teenager is permitted drive a tractor on a farm from the age of 14, but must be 16 before they can be insured to take the vehicle on to the road.

The course agenda included safety checks before starting, setting up a good driving position, safe driving, hitching the tractor to other imple-

ments, operating trailed machinery from the tractor, checking the terrain and practical driving skills.

Each participant drove the trac- tor with trailer, provided by local agriculture and fencing contractor Damien Haugh, around a specified fe aston

They also took part in basic first aid training where each participant learned skills with particular atten- tion to common farm accidents such as cuts and bleeding, electrocution ANNO MEAN OK

Each participant received a certifi- cate of achievement.

The dangers associated with farm- ing have been well documented, in particular, the dangers of the farm- yard to young children and teenag-

ers. An average of 20 deaths and over 3,000 accidents are reported on farms each year. According to the Health and Safety Authority one in five deaths, which occur on Irish farms, involves children. Almost half of these deaths involve tractors and other types of machinery.

It was in response to these statistics that the Safe Tractor Driving Skills course was Set up by the Farm Fam- ily Support Service and Farm Relief Services, just before young farmers get their summer holidays and begin their summer work.

THE Kilrush Family Resource Cen- tre Dyslexia Support Project has gone from strength to strength in the last three years.

The impact the project has on the lives of children from the west has now been recognised as it has been short listed as one of the local de- serving children’s projects in the Bet- ter Ireland Programme which could earn it as much as €10,000 with the support of the public.

The Dyslexia Support Project was founded three years ago, a pilot project brought about as a result of collaboration between West Clare Dyslexia Support Group and Kilrush Family Resource Centre.

The project offers affordable tui- tion to dyslexic children and young

people.

It provides all materials needed for each of the sessions and offers an individual child centred approach to learning. The project also provides support for parents in their quest for equal access to education for their Nh Ker

Prior to the dyslexia project being formed children from the west of the county were very restricted in the extra educational support theory received. While they received some tuition in schools, parents had to travel to Ennis, Limerick and Shan- non every week for further classes for their children.

Should they win the text competi- tion for a €10,000 award from AIB Kilrush through the Better Ireland Programme the money will go to- wards the purchase of a content/

ability appropriate reading scheme, workshops in local schools, support sessions for older dyslexic young people and the printing of a user friendly booklet providing relevant information for dyslexic children and young people.

The branch will award €10,000 to the local project that tops the poll in a public text vote over a four-week period until June 6.

Anyone in the local community can simply text KILRUSH and B to 53099 to vote.

If the project does not top the poll it will still benefit from the texts. Each text vote costs 60 cent and proceeds generated by the text voting for the Dyslexia Support Project will be do- nated to the project.

Sue Moore, the project tutor, said “We are delighted to be in the run-

ning for this award from AIB Kil- rush through the Better Ireland Pro- gramme. We are a small group, and therefore, really need the local com- munity to pull out all the stops to vote for us. Winning €10,000 would allow us to continue and extend the work we do for the children of our local community so please ask ab- solutely everyone you know in the area to get texting to ensure we top the poll.”

There are three groups from west Clare vying for the €10,000 prize. Next week we will feature one of the other two.

THE four-day count down to the first ever all-singing, all-dancing West Clare’s Got Talent show has begun.

A total of 20 acts have been select- ed for the night’s final from an audi- tion earlier this month.

Acts include everything from sing- ing to dancing, comedy to drama sketches, gymnastics, hip-hop danc- ing, magic tricks and juggling.

The night’s entertainment will be- gin at 7pm sharp, on May 17, at the Kilrush Community Centre.

The mystery fifth judge on the night has also been announced as Ger Rush from the Kilrush Commu- nity College.

Mr Rush will join TG4 Coun- try and Western star Sonia Carrig, primary school teacher and singer Linda Clohessy-O’Gorman, Hell for Leather’s John Fennell and hip-hop instructor Nelly Gilligan.

Another award has also been add- ed to the line-up, the Adjudicators’ Award sponsored by Cooraclare’s Bernie Tubridy.

The winner on the night will walk

away with the perpetual shield spon- sored by Hartman’s Jewellers in Kil- rush. The jewellers will also sponsor a €50 voucher as a prize.

There will also be medals for sec- ond and third prizes on the night as well as vouchers provided by Holly- wood Hits and Tranquility.

By taking part in this competition Kilrush children and teenagers are being encouraged to help other chil- dren while displaying their talents, as all proceeds for the night will go towards the ISPCA.

The brainchild of Kilrush woman

Teresa Carrig, the talent show will see children from 10 to 18 years of age take to the stage to showcase their talents.

The event is being supported by the whole community with local busi- nesses all providing spot prizes for the night.

It is hoped that Saturday’s show is the first of many that will be repeated every year.

“It is very much community driven and it is great to see all the commu- nity involved in something like this,” said Ms Carrig.

CLARECASTLE man JJ McCabe, who scooped €18 million in a mas- sive land deal three years ago, has settled a court action with a farmer over a disputed piece of land.

In proceedings brought before En- nis Circuit Court, Stephen Moloney of Skehanagh, Clarecastle was seek- ing to have a 2001 deal between Mr McCabe and Lord Inchiquin Conor O’Brien concerning around nine acres of land adjacent declared void.

Mr Moloney also named Lord In- chiquin as a co-defendant in the pro- ceedings and in his claim to court, Mr Moloney said that Lord Inchiquin conveyed the previously unregistered lands to Mr McCabe in January 22, AUOF

The land is naturally divided by a deep trench filled with water and on one side is land reclaimed by Mr Mc- Cabe and farmed by his family for many years.

The other side consists of bogland and according to Mr Moloney has been occupied for over 50 years by Mr Moloney and his late father.

The claim goes on: “At no time dur- ing the period of occupation and use of land by Mr Moloney and his late father, has any other person, includ-

ing Mr McCabe or Lord Inchiquin occupied or used the land for any purpose. Mr Moloney and his late father have regularly grazed cattle on the land and have burned off scrub- type growth which appears annually on the surface on the bog.”

The claim contended that aris-

ing from the occupation and use of the land, Mr Moloney’s late father acquired title to the lands and this passed onto Mr Moloney.

Mr Moloney claimed that Lord In- chiquin was the owner of the disput- ed piece of land on January 22, 2001 that allowed him to sell the lands to

Mr McCabe.

Mr Moloney, JJ McCabe and Lord Inchiquin were present in court last Wednesday and the case was ex- pected to last the day. However, the legal teams thrashed out a deal by lunchtime.

In the settlement, it stated that the

court make a declaration that Mr Moloney is entitled to be registered as the full owner of a 4.655 acre site and Mr McCabe is entitled absolute- ly to the other 4.655 acre site which is currently registered in his name.

The settlement added that Mr Mc- Cabe “is entitled to the €35,000 IFA goodwill payment to the sum of €150,000 held on joint deposit, together with pro-rata interest. The balance monies and interest be spilt 50-50 between the parties”.

The settlement also stated that Mr Moloney shall within 28 days re- move the double gates erected on the public right of way specified on an accompanying map and shall at his own expense erect a 90 metre perma- nent fence.

The settlement added: “Mr Molo- ney and Mr McCabe undertake not to interfere with each other in their use and enjoyment of their respective lands.”

The settlement also stated that Mr McCabe shall deal with Lord Inchi- quin’s costs and expenses and the proceedings against Lord Inchiquin be struck out, while Mr Moloney and Mr McCabe will pay their own oO Ee

TWO Ennis newsagents were fined by a judge for serving cigarettes to an underage boy.

Patrick Meehan of Meehan’s shop and Gerard Connellan of The Abbey Newsagency – both in Abbey Street – were prosecuted in separate cases by the Health Service Authority af- ter they each sold a pack of twenty Benson and Hedges to a fifteen-year

old boy.

The Ennis District court heard that the boy – the son of a HSE inspec- tor – was sent into both shops to buy the cigarettes on October 26, 2007 as part of a HSE compliance check.

Judge Joseph Mangan heard evi- dence from a HSE inspector that she stood to one side in both shops and witnessed the boy being served with- out being asked for any proof of age.

Both newsagents admitted the of-

fences. Defence solicitor for Patrick Meehan said in his client’s defence that at the time, the shop was packed with school children and he was alone, trying to serve while keeping an eye on what was going on in the ENO ee

Stephen Nicholas for Meehan said the boy who was sent to buy the ciga- rettes could easily have been older.

‘The boy who came to the counter and asked for cigarettes 1s two inches

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“He looked old enough. My client made a judgement call that he was old enough. He refuses at least ten people a week because they are too young in his shop.”

Judge Mangan fined Meehan €100 but refused to award the costs of the HSE prosecution against him.

Defence for Gerard Connellan told the court that he was away from the premises for a very short period and

it was a young assistant who served the under-age boy with cigarettes.

“Despite the fact that he clearly instructs his staff about this, and al- though he works long hours, he hap- pened to be away at the bank at the time.

“The assistant ended her employ- ment with him immediately”.

Judge Mangan also fined Connellan €100 and did not award costs against him.

A FATHER had to be removed from a courtroom as he repeatedly inter- rupted, after his teenage son and daughter were remanded in custody for breaching their curfews.

The two are charged with an of- fence under the Public Order Act, arising out of an incident in Shannon on March 13.

When they appeared in court in April, both were granted bail, in- cluding that they abide by a curfew, of 8pm to 8am.

However, Shannon District Court heard last week that the duo were seen out in public in the Drumgeely area of the town at 11.30pm on April 26. The boy told the court he was “very sorry” for breaching his bail conditions and said it would not hap-

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However, Inspector Michael Gal- lagher asked him where he was when gardai called to him at 10pm on May 5. He said he was walking his dog.

His sister also apologised for breaching her curfew on April 26. She was also asked where she was when gardai called at 10pm on May 5 and said she was at a friend’s house, watching a DVD. Inspector Gallagh-

er said he was seeking to have the two remanded in custody for a week.

Defending solicitor Caitriona Car- mody said both of her clients would undertake to abide by stricter re- gimes. “Perhaps you can remand them overnight. It will teach them a lesson,” she said.

However, Judge Joseph Mangan agreed to Inspector Gallagher’s re- quest and remanded the boy to St

Patrick’s Institution and the girl to Oberstown.

The defendants’ father then entered the courtroom, asking, “Can I say something?” Judge Mangan warned him he would be removed if he con- tinued to interrupt the court.

Moments later the man was taken from the court by gardai, amid pro- tests of “All I want to do is talk to my daughter.”

THE owner of land on which 450 trees were uprooted did not realise her responsibility for the trees, a court has been told.

Sarah McInerney (36), of Clohan- more, Cree, appeared before En- nistymon District Court, arising out of an inspection a year-and-half ago.

A forester with the Department of Agriculture and Food, Inspector Kevin Keary told Ennistymon Dis- trict Court that he had inspected a 0.9 hectare site on October 13, 2006.

He said that the site had been plant- ed in 1994 and a significant quantity of trees had been uprooted.

“It was impossible to count them without the aid of a JCB,” he said.

The court was told that an agree- ment was reached that the amount of trees was 450.

Defending solicitor Michael Ryan said his client had gone to her solici- tor when she was purchasing the land and there had been a “miscommuni- cation.”

Mr Kevin Keary accepted that Ms McInerney had no knowledge of any

legal obligations regarding those aKoxe

Mr Ryan said that “a portion of the trees had already been cut down when she purchased.”

He said his client, an Irish-Amert- can, moved to Ireland in 2003 and bought the property the following year.

“She never wanted the trees. She

felt as she wasn’t getting a grant, she had no responsibility for the trees. It wasn’t malicious. It was a genuine mistake,” he said.

He said that the department will be re-issuing a replanting order. His cli- ent would face the expense of this, along with clearing the area.

Judge Joseph Mangan fined her ol Op

A 17-YEAR-OLD WHO broke into a house and school in Shannon whilst on a cocktail of drugs and alcohol has been handed a six-month deten- tion term. However, the boy will not serve time if he is found suitable for community service.

The boy pleaded guilty to several charges, including burglary, theft and criminal damage, in Shannon.

He admitted criminal damage and theft at St John’s national school and damaging a glass window of a house at Drumgeely Hill, on December 22 last.

He also pleaded guilty to stealing a jumper from a woman’s clothes line, on January 2 last.

Garda David Laing told the court that a number of burglaries were car- ried out in the Drumgeely area of Shannon on December 22.

The first of these was St John’s School, where the accused broke a window at the back and entered the building with another youth. A class- room was ransacked, items were thrown across the floor but nothing was taken.

The boy then went to a house at Drumgeely Hill, along with three others. A hatchet was used to break

a garden shed door.

The accused then moved to another house at Drumgeely Hill, where a hatchet was used to break glass. A lamp, goldfish bowl and plasma tel- evision were taken.

He was disturbed by the occupants, after they arrived home from a shop- ping trip. In that house, he stole a one dollar bill from the Central Bank in Trinidad and Tobago and a small dagger. He was later arrested and gardai found the one dollar bill and dagger on his property.

“The day he committed the bur- glaries he was under the influence of drink, possibly drugs,’ said the

garda.

Three other juveniles who were in- volved with him that afternoon were dealt with under the juvenile liaison programme, which deals with young offenders by cautioning them.

Defending solicitor Caitriona Car- mody said her client had a “dysfunc- tional” upbringing.

“He was drinking on the night of the break-in to the school and house. He was on a cocktail of drugs and al- cohol. His life was a mess. He took the jumper to wear,’ she said.

A social worker with the Health Service Executive, who has worked with the boy, said he was “a polite and

well-mannered young man. He wants to make something of his life.”

The boy told the court he started taking ecstacy when he was about 15 years of age. Initially he did not take the drug regularly, but he did “get more into it” as time progressed.

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a six-month detention sentence in St Patrick’s Institution, but said he would substitute it with 240 hours community service, if the boy is suit- able for it.

He said he wants the boy to be screened for drugs and wants to see compensation addressed. He ad- journed the case until next month.

A LAHINCH hotel has been fined €3,000 for breaching legislation re- lating to the employment of two 15- year-old boys.

Before Ennistymon District Court was Ashdale Industries, trading as The Shamrock Inn, Main Street, La- hinch. A plea of guilty was entered in the case of 40 summonses.

A number of the summonses relat- ed to the hours worked by the boys. One had worked for seven consecu- tive days, during which he should have had a rest period minimum of two days.

Other summonses related to the employment of a child between the hours of 8pm and 8am which was not permissible under the Employment ae

The company also admitted to fail- ing to display the Protection of Young Persons Act on the premises.

Caroline Hayes, an inspector with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said she visited the premises in July 2007.

‘Breaches were found in relation to two of the employees. A child under- 16 wasn’t given the minimum rest period,” she said.

On several occasions the boys worked until the early hours of the

morning.

Defending solicitor Sharon Cahir said the two boys were working in the bar, where they were collecting glasses and restocking small bottles of minerals behind the bar.

“My client is aware of the impor- tance of the legislation. These young adults were 15-and-a-half years old. The parents were aware of the hours they were working in the hotel. It was five and six hour shifts,” said Ms Cahir.

“The notice is displayed in the area now, for current staff to see,’ she nee

“This Act was enacted over 12 years ago. Ireland was a very differ- ent place in terms of young people working. My client does not employ young people,” she said.

The court was told the maximum fine on each summons was €1,904. Ms Cahir asked the court to take a number of the summonses into ac- count.

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed fines of €500 on six of the summons- es and took the others into considera- tion. He also ordered the company to pay €550 costs.

AN additional 18 charges have been brought by the State, as part of an in- vestigation into alleged damage to a Bank of Ireland pass machine. Romanian nationals Pavel Cirpaci (29), of Carrig Court, Fortunes- town Lane, Tallaght, Dublin 24, and Gabriela Lupo (20), of Stewart House, Dublin 1, had nine charges

each brought against them in court last week.

They were both charged with un- lawfully withdrawing money – to- talling €4,860 – from nine Bank of Ireland accounts at New Street, Kil- larney, on February 11 last.

The amounts allegedly taken from the accounts range from €220 and a L0eR

Both were previously charged with

damaging a Bank of Ireland ATM at SkyCourt, Shannon, on February 12 last. At a previous court hearing into the matter, Judge Joseph Man- gan declined jurisdiction of the case and it was adjourned for preparation of the Book of Evidence for the Cir- cuit Court.

Shannon District Court heard last Thursday that the new charges were included in the Book of Evidence.

Both were returned for trial. The defendants’ barrister Michael Hour1- gan applied for bail for Mr Cirpaci, who was in custody.

‘He has a wife and child here. He has lived here for the past six years. It’s his entitlement to bail,’ said the barrister.

However, Judge Joseph Mangan re- fused the application. Ms Lupo was remanded on continuing bail.