The Clare People Archive

DOOLIN residents are opposing plans to locate a park and ride facil- ity for the Cliffs of Moher in their AUN E:TSXon

The car park, with 120 spaces, is one of two which Atlantic Develop- ment proposes in order to service the cliffs with park and ride. The other is planned for Liscannor (see above).

Twenty Doolin residents, in their objection, state that “Doolin as a set- tlement suffers from being so spread out and lacking a strong central fo-

cae

It goes on, “The development of a facility such as this in Coogyulla, so far outside the village proper, will exacerbate this lack of focus and will result in a lost opportunity to the village. Located at Coogyulla, the development will draw the village further to this location as further de- velopments locate around the park and ride facility.”

The local residents argue that “no justification has been put forward for the selection of this site for the facil- ity. What makes it suitable and what

will the impact be on Doolin and its environs?

“There is no rural park and ride facility that we are aware of in the country that is of the nature and type that is now proposed and where the park and ride facility is not operated by the operator of the tourist facility for which the park and ride facility is to cater for.”

The residents also contend “that this development should include an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) given the nature and extent of the development and its context. The

location is being put forward without any assessment of its impact on the sustainable development of Doolin and its environs.”

The residents argue that an EIS should be lodged as the park and ride is part of the wide Cliffs of Moher tourist attraction and cannot be con- sidered in isolation but must be con- sidered in association with the park and ride facility at Liscannor

“The social and economic aspects of the location and scale of park and ride facilities should now be consid- ered in the context of Doolin and the

wider north Clare area.”

The objection also includes a let- ter that the council’s former Cliffs of Moher project leader, Ger Dol- lard, wrote to Lisdoonvarna Failte in 2006.

He said, “The implementation of the mobility management strategy will require wide consultation with the communities involved as well as a very practical assessment of the feasibility or otherwise of particular proposals.”

A decision is due on the application next month.

CLARE’S GPs believe that the death knell has already sounded, albeit very lowly and slowly, for acute serv- ices at Ennis General Hospital.

Following a meeting of some of the county’s most experienced general practitioners and hospital consult- ants, the medics issued a detailed statement, predicting the hospital’s death by a thousand cuts.

The doctors have no belief or con- fidence that 24-hour acute medical, surgical, accident and emergency and intensive care services would continue at Mid Western Regional

Hospital Ennis (MWRH-Ennis).

The meeting strongly maintained that should the hospital lose any fur- ther services, it would be impossible to continue as an acute hospital.

“All available evidence to date in- dicates that Government health strat- egy 1s to centralise all acute services in Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick (MWRH-Limerick) and its proposed co-located private hospital. Acute services now provided in En- nis and Nenagh will be withdrawn,” the statement issued by the Clare fac- ulty of the Irish College of General Practitioners stated.

The statement outlined how the

consultant staff of the hospital wrote to the health minister two years ago, stating that it was unsafe to continue practising without a CT scanner. The scanner has not been provided, and the collective opinion is that it will not now be installed.

“The persistent failure to address these concerns serves to illustrate the lack of interest and commitment which exists within HSE manage- ment to address the serious clinical concerns of senior medical staff,” the statement read. “Further evidence of the lack of interest in the develop- ment of services at MWRH-Ennis is indicated by the dereliction of HSE

management in replacing consultant staff who have resigned or retired.” During the past six years, the radi- ology department has been forced to operate using the services of a series of locum radiologists. The general physician who retired five years ago has not been replaced, and the med- ics have little hope that the general

surgeon who retired in January and the second surgeon to retire later this year will be replaced.

“The closure of 24-hour services will be gradual and final. The timeframe for this process is uncertain, but it will probably occur over the next four years, but possibly sooner,” the Clare Faculty of the ICGP predicted.

AT least five lives will be saved eve- ry year in Clare that would otherwise have been lost once the major trauma bypass protocol is implemented in May, according to the HSE.

The protocol, announced by HSE Network Manager, John Hennessy, means that between 15 and 25 pa- tients from Clare will be brought di- rectly to the Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick, bypassing Ennis.

Speaking in Ennis on Friday, Mr Hennessy said that the new standards for the management of trauma were set down some time ago by the Medi- cal Council.

“The recommendations are clear. Severely injured patients must be brought to a hospital that is specifi-

cally geared for it. In the case of the mid-west, that would be a regional trauma centre such as the regional hospital in Limerick.

“What we are proposing and pre- paring to implement in Clare has already been implemented in north sbi o)eoe- aan

Accident and emergency consult- ant, Mr Cathal O’Donnell, based in Limerick and Clare, said that out of every four patients that will be taken directly to Limerick, one will live that would have otherwise have died.

Approximately 20,000 patients a year attend the accident and emer- gency service.

“The driving force behind this is to try to save lives,” he said.

The major trauma bypass protocol

has been implemented in north Tip- perary for the past two months, with four patients in total taken directly to Limerick, bypassing Nenagh.

“Trauma care is changing, it 1s evolving, it is becoming more com- iene

“More complicated treatments, more expensive treatments, multi- disciplinary ways of treating people are being developed all the time, and the capacity to deliver that high level of care is best provided in a big cen- tre,’ said Mr O’ Donnell.

The decision to move patients di- rectly to Limerick will be the respon- sibility of the paramedics.

Advance paramedics have been Operating in the mid-west for three years, and six are expected to be based throughout the county by

May.

“Their up-skilling has led them to make more difficult decisions all the time, and more complex, but they have been well trained for that and, as medical director of the ambulance service, | support them,’ said Mr O’Donnell, “I am certainly very con- fident of advanced paramedics and paramedic staff to look after these patients very well.”

Mr Hennessy admitted, however, that staff were concerned about “re- source issues for their particular ar- eas” once the policy is implemented.

Chief Ambulance Officer, Pat Daly said he was happy with the situation but resources were always an issue.

“You never have enough resources. That has been a constant problem for the ambulance services. But what

resources are there I think are ad- equate,” he said.

The ambulance chief said that if ad- vance paramedics were not available in Clare during a major trauma, one could be requested from Limerick to meet the ambulance.

The air ambulance, being made available from the air corp, will be available to take patients from one hospital to another but not from the scene of an accident to hospital.

“T would imagine that the potential for more use of air ambulance will become a more significant reality in the future.

“It does represent a real opportu- nity to make use of new technology and get patients to the right place far quicker than traditional methods would,’ said Mr Hennessy.

GARDAI are conducting a major in- vestigation into alleged interference with bank cash point machines in County Clare, a judge was told last Neto)

On a day when a number of peo- ple were before the court on charges connected with the investigation, the Ennis District Court heard from Inspector Tom Kennedy that there is a “widespread investigation” into claims that ATMs were interfered with last month.

Among those charged in relation to the investigation into damage to ATMs were Mirren Gavrila of no fixed abode, Dublin and Cosmin Merla of Apartment 710, Two Mile Inn, Ennis Road in Limerick. They were before Judge Joseph Mangan accused of three counts each of criminal damage to ATMs, causing €1,100 worth of damage to each ma- abe slen

Garda John Corkery told the court

that it is alleged that the two dam- aged the card reader on the Bank of Ireland ATM in Kilrush on March 12 before travelling to Miltown Malbay, where it is alleged they damaged a second Bank of Ireland ATM.

The third charge relates to another Bank of Ireland ATM in Ennisty- mon, which the two are charged with damaging on the same day.

Judge Mangan declined jurisdic- tion and Inspector Kennedy asked for an adjournment to prepare a book of evidence in the matters.

The solicitor representing the two accused said they are Romanian and have been in Ireland for one month. Neither has previous convictions in Romania and there was a person in court who would be willing to put them up in the house which he is renting in Sallins, County Kildare, the court heard.

Judge Mangan remanded the two in custody to appear again in Kilrush District Court on April 23 for a Book of Evidence.

A JURY returned a verdict of acci- dental death in the case of a woman who died last year following a road traffic accident near Daragh.

76-year-old Mary McGuane died on September 23, 2007 after she was struck by a motorbike while out Weenies

The coroners court in Ennis heard last Wednesday that Garda Frank Ryan arrived on the scene of the ac- cident at approximately 12pm. Ms McGuane’s body was identified by her son-in-law, Michael Ryan and was removed to Ennis General Hos- pital shortly afterwards.

Pathologist Dr Elizabeth Mulcahy told the court that analysis of blood revealed no evidence of alcohol in Ms McGuane’s body.

Dr Mulcahy told the court that death was due to extensive injuries including transection of the spine consistent with the deceased being involved in a road traffic accident.

Advising the jury on their options, County Coroner Isobel O’Dea said, “*T put it to you that the only appropri- ate verdict is a verdict of accidental death. I extend my deep sympathy to Mary McGuane’s family and ex- tended family.”

The foreman of the jury said mem-

bers were all agreed on a verdict of accidental death.

On behalf of the Garda, Supt Gabri- el O’Gara extended his sympathy to Ms McGuane’s family.

CLARE FM = shareholders have called on the board to make a state- ment in relation to the collapsed sale of the station to Radio Kerry.

Their call coincides with confir- mation that the Diocese of Killaloe, which owns 2.5 per cent of the En- nis-based radio station, decided not to sell its shares to Radio Kerry.

Hundreds of shareholders across the county stood to make a small

windfall on the sale and one of those, Clare county councillor Christy Curtin, said yesterday that the board must make a statement to clarify the situation. He stood to make €2,000 from the sale of the shares.

“I didn’t buy shares as a speculator but because I believed that having a local station was a vital service.

“The board or management should now make a clear statement on what is happening at the company. It is right and proper that this should hap-

pen and remove the uncertainty,” he Sr AKOe

Former Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Frankie Neylon confessed yesterday that he had already spent his antici- pated share windfall – estimated to be around €4,000.

“I don’t know what the secrecy and the cloak and dagger stuff is about. We were told that the sale was due to be completed in March. That hasn’t happened and we have heard noth- ing since. The board should tell the

people and the shareholders what is Jaks} 0) olen 0 0 ba ycaua

Former Clare TD, Dr Mooajee Bhamjee was set to earn €3,000 from the windfall and he said that people expected the sale to go through and some of them would have made plans with the money that was expected. He said the board should release a statement to ease the concerns of the shareholders.

FOUR physiotherapy students from Clare will travel to Kathmandu in Nepal at the beginning of May to participate in voluntary work in two orphanages.

Orla Kelly (pictured right), Tommy Finucane, Cathal Lyons and Lonan Hughes are in their third year of study in the University of Limerick and will spend a month helping chil- dren with disabilities in the Disabled Newlife Centre orphanage and the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation or- ed etaverehtxen

Orla from Cree, Tommy from Meelick and Cathal from Kilrush have all completed work placements in pediatrics in Ennis, which has en- couraged their interest in this type of work. Orla, who currently plays for the Clare ladies football team, has expressed a strong interest in work- ing with children in the future.

Tommy and Cathal are currently

planning a research project as part of the course in the pediatrics area. Both are also keenly involved in GAA, with Cathal playing for Clare U-21 footballers and Tommy with Meelick in hurling and football.

Lonan, from Kilmaley, hasn’t had the opportunity to work in pediatrics and is interested in gaining some ex- perience in this area.

“T think it’s a great opportunity for us to learn and gain experience, but also to help these children by offer- ing our skills, bringing out money/ equipment and raising awareness of the orphanages,” he said.

The Disabled Newlife Centre pro- vides care and education for 30 chil- dren with physical disabilities who have been abandoned by their fami- lies. Their disabilities range from po- lio to severe burns.

The Muscular Dystrophy Founda- tion provides care to 106 children affected by muscular dystrophy and aims to raise awareness of the dis-

ease, and improve the care services for sufferers and support for the fam- ilies in Nepal.

If you would like to support the Students, donations can be made to any Ulster Bank branch into the ac- count number 10397924, sort code eel Lem 1ep

CLARE’S efforts to preserve the past for future generations have been given a major boost with the announcement that the fund for con- serving the county’s built heritage is to be increased by more than 20% this year.

Environment Minister John Gorm- ley has announced funding of €172,000 to Clare County Council under the 2008 Built Heritage Capi- tal Works Programme. This will be OTe mle leikore mm oy am se lommecel ous COUMUTN(eloMmLES Architectural Conservation Grants Scheme which supports the repair and conservation of buildings on the Record of Protected Structures.

The money is part of a funding package amounting to almost €25 Million to support built heritage projects in 2008. The provision rep- resents an increase of 42% nationally on the amount spent last year.

The Minister commented, “Invest-

ment in built heritage conservation is vital for the safeguarding of our architectural heritage, and the in- creased level of funding which I have secured this year underlines the Gov- ernment’s commitment in this area. | am confident the increased package of funding measures will encourage an integrated and multidisciplinary approach to built heritage conserva- tion as a whole.”

“The conservation of our historic buildings makes our towns and vil- lages more attractive to tourists and locals alike and can often act as a catalyst for further heritage projects in an area as it enhances local aware- ness in our built heritage”, said jun- ior Environment Minister and Clare TD Tony Killeen.

“Tam very happy to announce this funding for Clare County Council, an increase of over 20% on last year’s allocation. This allocation will sup- port the conservation of significant buildings all around Clare.”

TWO of snooker’s greatest legends go head-to-head in an exhibition match in Ennis on Saturday. Jimmy ‘Whirlwind’ White and Alex ‘Hur- ricane’ Higgins brew up a storm for charity at the West County Hotel. The event has been organised to help raise funds for the Niall Mel- lon Township Trust which was es- tablished in 2002 to provide homes to the impoverished communities in

the townships in South Africa. Three locals from Clarecastle will travel to South Africa later this year to assist in the ongoing work there.

Jimmy White, who has played in Ennis before, has won a total of 23 professional titles. He has also been runner-up six times in the World Championship. As an amateur, he won the 1979 English Amateur Championship and the 1980 World Amateur Championship.

Alex Higgins, from Belfast, was

twice World Champion and twice runner-up. One of the best-known faces in snooker for many years, Hig- gins was famous for his frequent ar- guments, both on and off the snooker table. One of the most serious of these clashes was when he head-butt- ed a tournament official at the UK championship in 1986.

Although the Niall Mellon Town- ship Trust has only been in existence for six years, it is the largest provider of low-cost homes in South Africa,

producing 20% of such houses in Cape Town and 15% in the Gauteng region. Since 2002, over 3000 volun- teers have travelled to work on their projects in South Africa.

Next November, three volunteers from Clarecastle – Fiona Donnellan, Emma Clancy and Amy McEnery – will head to Cape Town South Africa as part of a 2000 strong team to build houses in the Shanty towns.

This weekend’s event will be spon- sored by KECO construction and

the Shannon Masters Snooker Club. Tickets are €25 while VIP passes are available for €50 from the West County or by contacting Kevin on 086-3034043 or Fiona on 086- TOW ieee

VIP tickets will entitle holders to a champagne reception and to meet and greet the players before the match. There will also be an auction on the night for a chance to play a frame against either of the two. The event will begin at 8pm.

AN TAISCE has re-affirmed its op- position to the planned €10 million plan for an explosives factory on the Shannon Estuary.

A decision is expected in relation to the current plan in the next number of weeks. A previous planning ap- plication was refused by An Bord Pleanala.

It is now almost two years since Shannon Explosives submitted re- vised plans for an explosives factory at Cahercon pier in Kildysart. The company has already furnished the

council with substantial further 1n- formation. However, An Taisce, the Kildysart

Explosives Factory Opposition Group (KEFOG) and others oppose the project.

In a submission on the latest in- formation lodged by Shannon Ex- plosives, An Taisce’s Heritage Of- ficer, Ian Lumley states, ““We do not consider that the applicants have re- solved the key conflict posed by this development with the policy provi- sions of the West Clare Local Area Plan, 2003, including the specific ob- jectives for Kildysart to develop the

harbour area as a local amenity, tour- ism and leisure facility which will contribute to the tourism product.

‘No need has been identified for an additional explosives manufacturing facility in Ireland or no argument has been advanced that the capacity of the existing permitted manufactur- ing facility near Enfield in County Meath is not adequate to meet na- tional needs. . .

“We consider that the site because of its location sensitivity is, irrespec- tive of any proposal for an explosives factory, unsuitable for quarrying be- cause of its topography and relation

to this sensitive part of the Shannon Estuary. For this reason and in view of the unsuitability of the site on lo- cation grounds, we do not consider it necessary to comment on the other specific issues submitted by the ap- plicant, including the revised habitat and bat assessment. We recommend that this application be refused.”

In their objection, KEPOG state, “Development and day to day use of this land will be curtailed by the applicant. This is unacceptable. Pub- lic perception of the dangers of ex- plosives must be taken into account when considering the issue.