The Clare People Archive

has learned that the centre in Ennis offered 223 hours’ counselling to rape or sexual assault victims last year. This grew from 173 hours during the previous year.

Rape Crisis Midwest, which caters for victims in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary, advised 209 new clients in 2006. 172 of those were women and 37 men. It offered 2,355 hours of counselling sessions in 2006 in

the mid-west area which was a sig- nificant increase on the figure for the previous year.

Nationally, the Rape Crisis Net- work gave counselling to more than 1,600 people last year.

The mid-west centre says the number of male victims of sexual abuse now presenting is steadily in- creasing.

Co-ordinator Miriam Duffy said victims should report abuse as early as possible.

“The earlier they can get on to us, the better for themselves, as it will be less negative for them as they get on with their lives,” she said.

She said two in five women and

one in five men in the mid-west will experience sexual violence at some stage of their lives.

“One-third of the population of the Midwest will experience sexual violence in their lifetime,’ said Ms Duffy.

She said there is no fixed time set aside for counselling sessions. Some victims just attend once, while oth- ers receive counselling for up to a year.

“We are usually a bit busier around Christmas and if there is publicity about an incident,’ she added.

“We are starting to get men who are recent survivors of sexual abuse, le. that it happened in their adult-

hood,” she added.

“The profile of people coming to us is changing. We are getting more in the mid-range, between the ages of 24 and 39. Previously our clients were older and younger than that age bracket,” she said.

Ms Duffy also said that more vol- unteers were required, in order that the service could continue to progress and offer advice and counselling to all victims who came forward. The service 1S currently under pressure for resources.

“It has fallen off so we expect that our figures will show a reduction in hours’ counselling for this year,’ said Ms Duffy.

AN BORD Pleanala has been told that there is not much point in zon- ing land and then refusing to allow permission for its development on the basis that it is a rural area.

Last month, Clare County Council refused planning permission to Tho- mas Sexton for eight holiday homes at Quilty.

An appeal lodged on behalf of ar- chitect, Michael Leahy, states: “The facility as proposed will provide year

round employment in terms of care- taking, maintenance and repairs. In addition to the summer period, facil- TLS MLU(C OAR Nalshom-VRoM Ro) IICoLOMBODKOlerca bank holidays and for Christmas “Mr Thomas Sexton 1s a local man from the parish. He is anxious to es- tablish a small business in his parish which will provide employment and will also be make a contribution to the economic and social life of the area, it is difficult to understand why his application should be refused. “The proposal is compatible with

the development plan, with the built form of the area and with the zoning objectives for the land on which it is located.

‘The council appear to want to treat the site as an unzoned piece of land in a rural area, which contradicts their own plan. There are no amenity or infrastructure reasons for refusing permission for this development.

“The proposal is located on zoned land and to suggest that the proposal would ‘significantly exceed the den- sity appropriate to the zoning of the

site’ 1s not justified.

“The density proposed of slightly more than four to the acre could not be regarded as excessive.

“We cannot see that it could be ar- cued that the development would de- tract from the rural character of the area or would in any way injure the amenities of the area. The proposal has been designed to be compatible with other developments close by in Caherrush including the much larger holiday homes development to the west of the site. We cannot see the

council’s justification for saying that the proposal would detract from the rural character of the area

“We consider the development ap- propriate to the rural tourism infra- structure of the area. The proposal is located in an area zoned for ‘other settlement land’ and is compatible with that zoning. .. The proposal sat- isfies a need for tourism accommo- dation in the area and will facilitate economic growth in the area.”

A decision is due on the application Tama ert

KILRUSH area councillors have re- neged on a written commitment and voted to extinguish a right of way close to the multi-million-euro golf club in Doonbeg. Last February, the seven members of the Kilrush area agreed to defer consideration of the proposed extinguishment of the Pub- lic Right of Way pending the out- come of the Judicial Review of the enforcement action by Clare County Council against the golf club.

On Friday last, however, four of the seven councillors voted to com- mence procedures under the Roads Act to extinguish the right of way.

Councillors Patrick Keane (FF), Christy Curtin (Ind), Bill Chambers (FF) and Oliver Garry (FG) voted in favour of the proposal while Cllrs Tom Prenderville (FF), PJ Kelly (FF) and Madeleine Taylor Quinn (FG) voted against.

During the meeting, which was at- tended by Clare County Council’s solicitor and had representatives of

Doonbeg Golf Club’s legal team in the public gallery, the councillors agreed to begin proceedings which, if they come to fruition, will see the extinguishment of 120 metres of the right of way over part of the public road at Caherfeenick, Cree.

The extinguishment will only take place when certain criteria are met by the golf club. These include the provision of a car park constructed to council specifications and the trans- fer of afurther half-acre for more car park spaces to be transferred into the

ownership of the local authority.

A new “turntable at the new termi- nal point” on the Caherfeenick road to council specification must also be constructed and bollards installed.

“A clear legal grant of a pedestrian right of way to be given by Doonbeg Golf Club to Clare County Council from the turntable” at the end of the road to the beach is another part of the controversial proposal, as is “a clear legal grant of a vehicular right of way for emergency vehicles”’.

The final criteria to be met by the

golf club states that the council is to be “indemnified against any claim on the Doonbeg Golf Club property.

During the meeting, allegations were made that the original public notice and accompanying maps con- cerning the right of way published last January differed from the pro- posal before the members on Friday.

The proposal must now go back on public display for submissions from the public, and will also require the final seal of approval from the coun- cil if it is to go ahead.

CLARE county councillors have called for strict regulations prevent- ing county planners from using their personal opinions or “whims” to de- cide the planning issues to be intro- duced.

As part of a motion put forward at last night’s planning-dominated meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Michael Kelly (FF) called for set criteria to be followed in relation to one-off housing in the county.

“Some planners have decided that a house should be to their own de- sire and not to the desire of the peo- ple who live in the house. Planners come and planners go and they make different decisions. But people can get stuck with houses that they don’t want,’ said Cllr Kelly.

“Planning permission for houses in rural areas has gotten to be a very complicated process. There are so many different conditions that a per- son wishing to build a house must go through and all of these are at a cost to the person themselves.

“I am here to raise this issue and will continue to raise the issue as

long as I am here. We don’t want ag- gravation. We just want to put for- ward this issue.”

Seconding the motion, Cllr PJ Kelly

(FF) called for clarity to be brought into the planning system relating to one-off housing.

“Different planners have different

emphases. I’d even go as far as to say whims. This whole idea of having one rule for Mick and one rule for Pat cannot carry on,’ said Cllr Kelly.

“All we are asking for is an agreed methodology and agreed conditions. We need to get some sort of clarity to this situation. This is as much for the planners’ benefit as for our own.”

Meanwhile, in a separate motion put forward by Cllr Tom Prenderville (FF), it was called for a distinct sec- tion of the County Development Plan to be set up to focus on the develop- ment of rural development.

“I have noticed in our policy that we pay an awful lot of attention to the cuckoo and the corncrake and historical buildings but not an awful lot of attention to people,” said Cllr Prenderville.

“There is a glaring need to put in place a development strategy in County Clare. We need to show a positive approach towards rural de- velopment and tackle it as a separate and very important issue.”

THERE will be no searches for prisoners on US planes at Shannon Airport despite the Government’s own watchdog recommending such AYeL nO) Oe

The Government has rejected the recommendation of the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) on the need to search planes which land at Shannon if they are suspected of be- ing involved in the transport of pris- oners to torture centres.

The IHRC is a statutory body which

monitors Ireland’s compliance with human rights legislation. After mak- ing a study of the claims concerning Shannon being used to facilitate ex- traordinary rendition, 1t recommend- ed that the Government introduce an effective and independent inspection regime as a matter of urgency.

Although there have been no re- corded incidents of rendition in Irish territories, planes used for the practice have stopped in Shannon, according to a report from the Euro- pean Parliament.

The IHRC undertook a review of

domestic and international laws on foot of claims that planes used to transport prisoners for torture had stopped over in Shannon for refuel- ling.

The IHRC produced a hard-hitting report on foot of their review which warned the Government that it faces the “appalling vista” of being sued by tortured terror suspects transport- ed through Ireland.

The IHRC said that Government should consider a dedicated Garda sub-station at Shannon to allow peo- ple to complain if they suspect that a

plane is being used to transport pris- oners.

But Foreign Affairs Minister Der- mot Ahern claimed the IHRC was more willing “to give credence to a self-appointed activist group” than to the categoric assurances of the democratically elected Government of the US.

Anti-war campaigner and former army officer, Edward Horgan said that several planes identified by the EU report as being implicated in the transport of prisoners for torture continue to land at Shannon.

THE tragic death of Sylvia Roche Kelly marked a “dark and sad” time for the people of Cratloe, Sixmileb- ridge and Coonagh, her funeral mass heard last Wednesday.

Up to 500 mourners attended Syl- via’s funeral at the Little Church in Sixmilebridge. Mourners packed into the small church while hundreds of others braved the wintry winds to pray silently outside.

Fr Liam Enright, who was one of seven priests who _ concelebrated the Mass, said Sylvia’s death had “shocked and saddened” everybody. She had socialised in Limerick to celebrate her 33rd birthday, but, sad- ly, never made it home.

“It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t seem fair. Her great work is cut short. We are left with a terrible sense of loss. We are plunged into darkness,” said Fr Enright, who is parish priest

of Cratloe.

‘Tragic death, which is almost al- ways sudden, is like a blackout. One minute the sunis shining. Next minute it is dark night. Without the slight- est warning or the slightest chance to prepare ourselves we are plunged

into an impenetrable darkness. In the Space of a minute our whole world is turned upside down. Nothing can prepare us for something like this or Save us from its devastating effects,” added the priest.

“Naturally we ask, why did it hap-

pen? There is a tendency to say, ‘It’s the will of God’. Let us be perfectly clear: God did not want this tragedy to happen. There is only one thing we can do. Just as when a black- out occurs we rush for a light, any light, even that of a humble candle so now we rush to the only light that can penetrate this awful darkness, namely the light of Christ,” said Fr Syavwrcaelm

“Christ too died at the young age of 33,” he said.

Fr Enright said the entire commu- nity should be thankful for Sylvia’s life, for her helpful way and for her love for her family.

“We must not dwell too much on the manner of her death. It is better to give thanks to God for her life and commend her to God in death,” said Fr Enright.

YOU could have heard a pin drop as Sylvia Roche Kelly’s husband, Lor- can, read out a poem in her memory.

As mourners fought back the tears, Lorcan Roche Kelly walked up to the pulpit and addressed the gathering at the end of her funeral mass.

His voice shaking, he read out a poem in Sylvia’s honour. Some of the

words were ‘For I have loved you’ – a tribute to the woman he loved.

Moments later, Lorcan held the couple’s five-year-old daughter, Ais- ling, in his arms as he walked with the cortege behind the coffin as it made its way to Killeen cemetery nearby.

Sylvia, nee Bourke, hailed from Coonagh in Limerick and had lived with her husband and two children,

Shane and Aisling, at Ballintlea be- tween Cratloe and Sixmilebridge.

On moving to that area she had im- mersed herself into the local com- munity.

She ran an art gallery, The Miller EVA (ClAABUI MODOC 0Nl slo ulccoMmmeteL ON mB Kor cently. She had closed the premises but continued to run art classes and had planned to re-open a gallery. She recently advertised her adult evening

and children’s Saturday pottery classes due to commence in January.

She had also worked part-time in the Woodcross bar and restaurant.

Locals in Sixmilebridge fondly re- membered Sylvia as someone who was always willing to lend a hand in activities in the area.

Her passing has left a void not only in the lives of her family, but also in the local community.

A MAN who admitted possession of stolen lead has been handed a six- month jail term.

However, he will not serve time if he behaves himself for two years.

Bernie Mongan (19) of Clancy Park, Ennis, pleaded guilty to han- dling stolen property between June 29 and July 2 last.

Garda Michelle Holian told Ennis District Court on Friday that a build- ing site in Ennis was broken into and

lead, valued at €2,000, was taken. Mongan was arrested and ques- tioned at Ennis Garda Station. He admitted being in possession of some of the goods. All of the prop- erty was recovered. Defending so- licitor Daragh Hassett said his client

had purchased the rolls of lead on the side of the road in Ballyalla and told gardai what he had paid for it.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy imposed a six-month jail term, suspended on condition that Mongan be of good behaviour for two years.

A POLISH man who was attacked in a Shovel row in Ennis two months ago was “beaten to an inch of his life’ a court has been told.

Piotr Baran (30) was one of two Polish nationals attacked during a fracas on Parnell Street, in October. He sustained serious head injuries in the incident.

Baran, of no fixed abode, appeared before Ennis District Court on Friday charged with public order offences arising from a different incident.

Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett CP NCGM ODISMOMBLoJ SIMTK UAYcLOMNDOM DRolE-DOLOmCO)n the past two-and-a-half years and has very little English.

He noted that his client has an al- cohol problem but is currently not drinking.

“Up to recently you’d walk down town and he’d be begging. He now has accommodation with a friend and a job in Dublin,” said Mr Has- sett.

The court heard Baran had a number of previous convictions.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy said, “I don’t think probation is appropriate. He’s an alcoholic.”

Mr Hassett replied, “He’s doing something about his drinking. This man was viciously assaulted on the street to an inch of his life two months ago.

“It’s a matter for the DPP. He has given up drink.”

A probation officer told the court that residential treatment was not an option because of the language dif- ECON Lone

Judge McCarthy replied, “Resi- dence in prison 1s an option.”

“T will place him on probation for six months.

“If he starts drinking again, he will be brought back before the court,” he added.

He asked what steps the accused has taken to learn English and was told he has enrolled in English class- oe

THE search is continuing today for a Whitegate man who went missing after a night out with pals in Killa- loe.

James Burke has been missing since Sunday, December 9 when he failed to get into either of two taxis which were taken by the group of friends to get home.

The 23 year-old was last seen walking near the bridge on Sunday evening. Gardai have appealed to people with holiday homes in the Killaloe area to check them in case the missing man may be in one of the elt one

Meanwhile, almost 100 locals have joined the Killaloe coastguard unit, the Irish Coastguard helicopter, the Mountshannon search and rescue unit and gardai in the shore and lake search for the missing man.

It is feared that the Ballinruan man may have slipped into the water as he

headed home from Killaloe.

The alarm was raised when he failed to return home, contact his parents or arrive for work on Mon- day morning.

A spokesperson for the coastguard said the search started in the area around the bridge where he was last seen and spread out along the shore- bb aten

“We are hopeful that he didn’t fall into the river but we have to suspect that he did until we know otherwise. It is possible that he is safe and sound and staying somewhere. If that’s the case then we would appeal to him to make contact and let us know he is all right,” the spokesman said.

The search, which continued through the weekend, had to be called off as darkness fell last night and was resumed at first light today.

Meanwhile, a man who died after falling into the River Fergus last week has been laid to rest.

The body of 21-year-old Dermot

Molloy, was recovered last Wednes- day by divers at a section of the river to the rear of Aldi.

The search was initiated in the early hours of the previous Sunday morn- ing after a body was seen moving in the river behind the Abbey Street car park in the town.

An initial rescue attempt, made shortly after Mr Molloy entered the water, had to be aborted because of the treacherous water conditions at the time.

Ennis gardai co-ordinated the huge search operation, which involved members of the Garda Water Unit, Doolin Coastguard, Ennis Sub Aqua Club, Burren Sub Aqua Club, Kilkee Sub Aqua Club, Clare Civil Defence and the Coastguard helicopter.