The Clare People Archive

THE east Clare economy is to receive a massive boost with a health farm resort, formerly jointly owned by Paschal Carmody, to be transformed into a multi-million euro mixed use integrated tourism, recreational and commercial development.

For a number of years, the former doctor and his wife, Dr Frieda Car- mody, operated a health farm at Ti- narana House on the shores of Lough Derg at Islandcosgry, Ogonnelloe.

However, the couple sold their property in summer 2006 in a multi- million euro deal to a Limerick city investor and businessman for an un-

disclosed sum.

Tinarana House resort and spa is set on almost 300 acres near Killa- loe. Last week, the new owners of the prestigious property, Tinarana Ltd., published a planning notice outlining the scale of the proposal for Tinarana House and the lands.

The biggest single investment in the east Clare economy in a number of years, the planning application involves the extension of the exist- ing commercial operation and refur- bishment of Tinarana House, which is a protected structure to include an apart-hotel comprising of 30 two bedroom accommodation suites.

The refurbishment of ‘Tinarana

House will also include multi-pur- pose banqueting, a function/confer- ence facilities and a spa and wellness oon anes

The development is to also include the provision of 155 two bed short term accommodation units and a 18 hole championship golf course that will include a clubhouse, restaurant and bar facilities within the proposed extension of Tinarana House.

The proposal also includes the de- velopment of an equestrian holiday centre comprising of indoor and out- door equestrian areas that includes 20 horse stables.

The plan coincides with Clare County Council putting in place a

number of economic stimuli to aid the east Clare economy.

Earlier this year, the council stated that the construction of a new €30 million bridge across the River Shannon south of Killaloe would commence in two years.

The provision of the long antici- pated bridge will see the end of the traffic gridlock in the heritage towns of Killaloe and Ballina.

The council is also progressing a €2million amenity scheme for the Ballycuggeran area adjoining Lough Derg. It has revealed that provision has been made in the 2008 budget for the preparation of a Lough Derg Marina Tourism Plan.”

A 29-year-old man charged in con- nection with an alleged arson attack at a house in Ennis last year has been remanded on continuing bail.

Stephen McGuire with an address at Pine Grove, Ennis, faces one count of arson arising out of an incident on October 18 last.

In court last Friday, Inspector Tom Kennedy informed Judge Joseph Mangan that a file on the matter was still with the Director of Public Pros- ecutions and that the State was seek- ing a further adjournment.

Solicitor for the accused Tara God- frey applied to the court to have the matter marked “peremptory against

the State” if the book of evidence was not available at the next hear- ing. This means that the judge could strike out the charge if the State fails to lodge the book of evidence by that CF Ken

Ms Godfrey asked the court to be mindful that her client had already appeared in court seven times in re- FIR (oye com satom eer litem

Inspector Kennedy said gardai were still awaiting forensic reports and results of tests carried out at the scene and said such reports could take time to be completed.

Judge Joseph Mangan adjourned it until March and said he would mark the matter peremptory against the SIF Kee

A MAN caught urinating in a door- way in Ennis told gardai his name was ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’ follow- ing his arrest, a court has heard.

Aidan O’Connell (24) of Consid- ine Road, Cloughleigh, Ennis was arrested at 12.l5am on January 23 last, after a Garda patrol observed him urinating in a doorway in Ennis town centre.

Garda Ian Kenefick told Ennis Dis- trict Court that the accused was very intoxicated and had to be assisted by gardai. He was taken to Ennis Garda Station where he was asked for his name. Garda Kenefick said after the

third time of asking, the accused re- plied, “Baa Baa Black Sheep”.

Gardai later established the man’s identity after finding a credit union card in his pocket.

Mr O’Connell is charged with be- ing intoxicated in public and with failing or refusing to give his name and address when asked.

Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client had no memory of the incident and wanted to apologise to gardai. Ms Godfrey said her client was “a young man who has lost his way and was in a “rut.”

Judge Joseph Mangan adjourned the matter, for preparation of a pro- bation report.

A GALWAY man has appeared in court, charged with dangerous driv- ing causing the death of Ennis busi- nessman Howard Flannery last year.

Michael Dillon (37) from Puirin, Inverin, County Galway, appeared before Ennis District Court on Fri- day in connection with a road acci- dent at Ballysallagh West, Newmar- ket-on-Fergus, on June 3, 2007.

Mr Flannery (39), of Cahercalla Road, Ennis, died after he was struck by a vehicle while he was cycling along the Newmarket-on-Fergus

bypass near Carrigoran on the after- noon of Sunday, June 3, last year.

Mr Flannery, who was in training for a triathlon due to take place later that month, had been cycling with a companion on the hard shoulder When the collision took place. Mr Flannery died at the scene while his friend escaped injury.

Mr Flannery was well known in business and sporting circles and was a former boxing champion. He had run several marathons and in 2005 established The Clare Crusad- ers charity which has raised over €150,000 for cerebral palsy since its

inception.

In court on Friday, solicitor for the accused Vincent Shields applied for free legal aid for his client. He said Mr Dillon was not working at Kole

Judge Joseph Mangan granted the application approving Mr Shields as solicitor as well as a junior and sen- OMe LUN To) B

Judge Mangan sent the accused forward for trial to the next sitting of Ennis Circuit Court. Mr Dillon was released on his own bail of €2,000.

A YOUNG motorist who a garda saw ‘executing sharp turns’ in a Kilkee carpark has been convicted of care- less driving.

Brendan Behan (20), a trainee me- chanic, of Donoughboy, Kilkee, was charged, arising out of an incident on the evening of June 3, 2007.

Garda Gary Laide told Kilkee Dis- trict Court last Tuesday that Behan was “executing sharp turns” in the East End carpark at Dough, Kilkee.

“There was lots of gravel being thrown up and he was braking heav-

ily. There were lots of cars parked in the carpark and children walking. It was dangerous,’ he said.

He accepted there were “no wheel- ies’ but added “there were sharp athe knee

Defending solicitor Joe Chambers said his client would say “there was no risk to anybody. There was grav- el moved but it wasn’t in a reckless manner.”

Judge Joseph Mangan asked how long did the incident last and was told by the garda “no more than 30 seconds.”

He imposed a fine of €1,000.

A WEST Clare solicitor has said a decision by a judge to forfeit a de- fendant’s bail should be challenged in the High Court.

The comment was made in the case of a 19-year-old Limerick man charged in connection with a road traffic accident in Kilkee on June 30, 2007.

When the case was called at Kilkee

District Court last Tuesday, solicitor Gearoid Williams said he was acting as agent for Limerick solicitor Ted McCarthy who could not attend as he was in Limerick Circuit Court at the same time. He sought an adjourn- ment.

Judge Joseph Mangan remarked, “This is the fourth adjournment. Does Mr McCarthy have any assist- “0 wae

Mr Williams said he did not know,

adding that Mr McCarthy is “nor- mally very organised”.

The judge told him the case was preemptory against the defendant, who was not in court.

He said he was forfeiting the bail and issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the accused.

The solicitor pointed out that the accused had been in court on every other occasion and had contacted the gardai last Monday – the day before

the court sitting.

Mr Williams said, “I think that matter should be challenged in the High Court.

“If I (accused) am not here and you are forfeiting the bail, you are not giving me the opportunity to say why I’m not here. Failure to appear could be caused by anything.”

Judge Mangan replied, “That’s a very interesting argument. The High Court might be interested in hearing

it.”

Mr Williams said it was “Mr Mc- Carthy’s call.”

“If you are up for having no light on your bike, would you take the same view if the court fined you in your absence?” asked the judge.

The solicitor replied, “The question of forfeiture of your bail does not arise unless an application is made.”

Judge Mangan said, “It’s for the Four Courts.”

ALLEGATIONS that a war was threatened between locals in Kilmi- hil and Polish people living in the vil- lage were heard in court last week.

The suggestion that a local man pledged to start up a war between the Irish and the Polish was made at Kil- kee District Court on Tuesday.

The revelations came in the case of Robert Jernokow (22), formerly of Church Street, Kilmihil, who plead- ed guilty to possession of a knife and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, at Main Street, Kilmihil, on August 13, 2006.

Garda Paddy Coughlan told Kilkee District Court that Jernokow was in-

volved in an altercation with locals from Kilmihil, at 3.20am.

“In a pub earlier, a dispute arose over a game of pool. They decided to take matters into their own hands,” said the garda.

He said that the accused held “the sharp side” of a knife to the throat of a local man, for five seconds.

Garda Coughlan said the accused told gardai he had previously carried out a job on a house nearby and knew there was a knife in the front garden of the house.

“He didn’t have the knife in the pub. He acquired it after the initial row, he said.

Defending solicitor Eugene O’Kelly said there had been an incident be-

tween Polish individuals and a local family in Kilmhil previously.

Garda Coughlan said that while he was aware there had been a previous incident, it had not been reported to gardai.

Mr O’Kelly said that his client and a number of other Polish men rented a house and a local family resented this. The solicitor said his client would allege that a member of the lo- cal family threatened to kill “all the Polish in the house”’.

Mr O’Kelly said the accused would say that the door of the house had been kicked in. In July 2006, he said a member of the local family had said he was “going to kill us and start a war between the Polish and

the Irish.”

Mr O’Kelly said his client came to Ireland to work in July 2006.

He said he was living in the house in Kilmihil just one week when the windows were broken and the door was kicked in. He said he had been intimidated twice by a local man.

He said his client heard that another Polish man had been hit by a local man and he “snapped.”

‘He knew the knife had been in the garden he had been working on. He got the knife and produced it and said he wanted no further trouble. It was a very foolish thing to do. He didn’t have the experience to go to gardai. He felt if he gave a stern, strict warn- ing to people that would be the end

of it,’ he said.

‘He couldn’t stand the intimidation in Kilmihil any longer so he moved to Limerick. He has no wish to return to Kilmihil,’ said the solicitor.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that gardai made enquiries of the Polish police, who said that Jer- nakow was known to them in relation to several thefts, breaking and enter- ing, punishable threats, damaging property, forgery of a document and causing bodily injury.

Judge Mangan jailed him for six months for the knife offence and six weeks for the public order matter, both sentences to run concurrently. He fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.

A DECISION by a motorist to over- take on acontinuous white line would have led to a fatality were it not for the vigilance of another driver who pulled in to create space.

That was the view expressed by a garda, during evidence in a court case in Kilkee last week.

Darren Grant (22), of Marian Es- tate, Kilkee, pleaded guilty to dan- gerous driving, at Lisdeen, Kilkee, on August 7, 2007.

Garda Charlie Killeen told Kilkee District Court that he came on the scene on the night in question.

He said that Grant, who was travel- ling in the direction of Kilkee, was overtaking a car on a continuous white line. The car he was overtak- ing managed to manoeuvre.

“It happened on a hill crest where the road was veering to the left, on a continuous white line,’ said Gda Ona

‘Had the other car not been able to manoeuvre, we would have been

dealing with a head on collision and we would probably be dealing with a fatality,’ said the garda.

Defending solicitor Eugene O’ Kelly said his client was an inexperienced driver. He said he “misjudged” the speed at which the car in front of him was travelling. He was afraid he was going to hit the rear of that car and “took the chance of overtaking,” said Mr O’Kelly.

He said as he commenced the ma- noeuvre, the other car came around the bend in the opposite direction.

He accepted that there could have been “a very Serious accident” were it not for the ability of the car in front of Grant’s car to pull in and create space.

“TV’d ask you not to deal with this case on what might have happened. There were no fatalities. ’’d ask you to deal with it on the basis of how he was driving,’ said the solicitor.

Judge Joseph Mangan disqualified Grant from driving for a year and fined him €1,000. He fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.

that the council

was surprised that a blockage of this

size could result in such a problem with the water supply.

He said the weather also played a

part in the water problems.

The age of the system also made it more vulnerable, with Mr Tiernan admitting that the council expected the new water system to be in place lea IO

The new, permanent system, 1s ex- pected to be up and running in Feb- ruary next year.

“The supply is more vulnerable be- cause it does not have a fully fledged multi stage treatment process,” said Mr Tiernan.

While the most recent tests of the supply show that traces of the E-coli are no longer present, residents of En- nis, Clarecastle, Barefield, Crusheen and surrounding areas are warned to continue boiling the water which is to be consumed.

A number of clear water tests must be recorded to the satisfaction of the HSE before the boil notice is lifted.

Residents are advised to boil all water for human consumption, in- cluding food preparation and brush- bOTeaa Kore ee

CLARE’S county manager has ad- mitted that Clare County Council will “have to up our game consider- ably” if it 1s to reach the targets set for it in the first report on the Provi- sion and Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland, 2006 – 2007.

Alec Fleming said that while the re- port was favourable in many respects the council has a lot of improvement works to carry out.

He said that the three areas re- quiring improvement included the upgrading of the county’s treatment plants, the operation and mainte- nance of the water schemes and the

monitoring of the water sources.

All of this will require more staff and money; money the manager said he does not have.

Clare County Council, like other local authorities, no longer receive 100 per cent of the capital fund- ing required for such projects. This means that the council must find €80 million from its own coffers.

While such money is collectable through levies, the county manager fears that such funding will be dif- ficult to find.

“IT welcome the report. It brings out issues. They are serious issues and they have to be addressed urgently and quickly,” he said.

Published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the report gives an overall favourable report to the drinking water in Clare, while highlighting a few serious concerns.

The EPA was particularly con- cerned with the low level of compli- ance with the trihalomethanes stand- ard at 88 per cent.

Trihalomethanes remains on the surface of the water when it is treat- ed only with disinfection rather than UI Kouce

Supplies in Ennis, Ennistymon, West Clare New and West Clare Old reported concentrations that were unacceptably high.

The standards for trihalomethanes

are tightening later this year, making this a number one concern.

Compliance with the indicator par- amedic values was above the nation- al average in water supplies in Clare, but there was a notable improvement required in the iron concentration in the water.

Water supplies in Clare were fully compliant with 23 of the 26 chemi- cal standards, with just one failure to meet fluoride standard and two fail- ures to meet lead standards recorded. Compliance with water regulations for the county were above national average at 98.2 per cent although concerns were expressed about the Ennis town supply.

For the report the EPA analysed 529 check and 54 audit samples dur- ihnteaA 0) Oley

Although private group’ water schemes in Clare were generally of a higher quality than those in the ma- jority of local authorities, the report found that there was still a number of quality deficient schemes dur- ing 2006 whether three or the 11 schemes monitored contaminated. Two of these were also contaminated during 2005. Compliance with the coliform bacteria parametric value in private group water schemes re- mained problematic and dropped from 63 per cent compliance in 2005 to 58 per cent in 2006.