The Clare People Archive

THE Senior Citizens Club in Shan- non are doing their own bit for Tel- ethon, on Friday week.

People In Need will be the benefi- ciary of a coffee morning and bring- and-buy sale, organised by the club.

The event is scheduled to take place at the clubhouse at 9 Purcell Park, on national Telethon day, Friday, Octo- ber 26, and the people of Shannon are being asked to turn up and sup- port the fundraising.

“We were looking for people to subscribe to the coffee morning. Come along and have a cup of coffee and a chat,” said Tess Barry, of the Senior Citizens Club.

“It is by no means an old peoples’ club. We need the support of the community,’ she added.

The club was set up in 1979 and over the years has done much to help the ageing population in Shannon.

Mr Barry and Tom Moore were the founding members of the organisa- none

“Years ago, People in Need gave us funding of €200. It was our first funding ever and we were delighted with it,’ said Ms Barry.

The club welcomes every penny in funding it is offered. It costs €40,000 to run the club every year. Most of the budget is spent on meals- on-wheels, while the club’s members enjoy various activities, including aqua aerobics, bingo and art every week.

“The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been very good to us, as

have the industrialists and the town council,” she added.

Members of the club have had a busy few weeks. Last week, they were enlightened on issues in rela- tion to the abuse of elders.

The talk was given by Donal Hur- ley of the HSE and members of the eroup were delighted with the event.

Anyone who may have queries on the issue of abuse of elders should phone 065 6863689.

For further information on the club contact 061 364144.

A NEW group, whose aim it is to in- tegrate newcomers to Shannon, has become a huge hit in the town.

Le Chéile na Sionna International Club was set up earlier this year, to cater for the social needs of several people of different nationalities, who have moved to Shannon.

Its motto has been to “foster the 1n- tegration of all ethnic groups through enjoyable contact.’

The idea to set up the group came after a programme on Shannon Community Radio – called “The New Irish’ – encouraged the new residents in the town to get involved.

Everybody who was involved in the programme expressed an interest in developing the friendships they had experienced and the idea of setting up Le Chéile emanated from that.

Co-ordinator Trish Fallon-Barry said the response to the group has been hugely positive, over the past few months.

“A lot of people work in the call centres in Shannon. Some might be here for 18 months and do not know anybody in the town. A lot of people come to Shannon from Limerick and Ennis and go back every night. It is good to have something in the town for people. People who have moved to Shannon welcome a social outlet,”

she said.

“There are several nationalities in the group,” she added.

The group has just started to host socials, on the first Tuesday of every month, at Rineanna Hall. At the in- augural social earlier this month, there were representatives from France, German, The Netherlands, America and South America, along with locals from Shannon.

A drop-in meeting also takes place in the foodcourt, at SkyCourt, every second Saturday morning. This gives people who may not have the oppor- tunity to attend the socials, to mingle with others.

“Between

students and _ people

working in Shannon, hopefully we will get local people integrating. Success breeds success. AS soon as people hear about a gathering, they join in,’ said Ms Fallon-Barry.

There are currently over 50 mem- bers of the group and the organisers are keen to encourage others to join ne

‘The whole idea is an international social club. We learn about each oth- er’s cultures. For example in Decem- ber we will have a theme night, where people will bring dishes specific to their native regions,’ she added.

Anyone who wants to join the group can email Trish on trishfallon92 @hotmail.com.

AS THE development of a school playing pitch comes to a conclusion, the people of Quin are being asked to dig deep and help fund the project.

Local primary school, Scoil na Mainistreach, is currently raising €200,000 for the extension of the school and the purchase and devel- opment of a school field.

The field has been acquired, adja- cent to the school, and the work has been completed. Half of the funds have been raised. In an effort to drive

the fundraising effort, the board of management is appealing for finan- EVE SR eUIeron

The parents of all 174 students at the school have been asked to pay €50 per month, for three years, to- wards the project. Further funds will also be required.

Pat O’Brien, who is a parents coun- cil representative on the Board of Management, said the support of the local community is imperative.

“We did not receive any grant for this project and have been fundrais- ing. We are hoping to hold *Who

wants to be a thousandaire’ in Janu- ary, said Mr O’Brien.

He said that while the field is owned by the Diocese of Killaloe, it will be available to the entire community.

“It should be a great benefit to the community. The community will be able to use it, with permission from the Board of Management,” he said.

Previously, there was no pitch avail- able to the school and local parents are delighted with the development, which will benefit their children.

Mr O’Brien believes that the addi- tion of two local sporting heroes, to

the school staff, should augur well for sport in the area, in the future. ‘Along with experienced sports co- ordinator Eleanor Gallagher, Fergal Lynch and Sile Daffy, both from Clooney, are teaching at the school. All three are of major benefit to the school. It 1s important that the chil- dren are playing sport,’ he said.

THE percentage of people speaking Irish in Shannon has dropped, ac- cording to Census figures.

Figures revealed during the Census of Population, which was undertaken last year, reveal that 41.8 per cent of people in Shannon can speak Irish.

This compares with 44.5 per cent, When the previous Census figures which were compiled in 2002. Na- tionally, 41.9 per cent of people can speak Irish.

The figure in Shannon is lower than that in Ennis (47.5 per cent) and Kil- rush (42.9 per cent). Overall, 48.8 per cent of the population of Clare can speak Irish.

The figures show that 3,580 people

in Shannon, over the age of three, have some knowledge of Irish, 1,684 of them were male, with the remain- ing 1,896 female.

There were 4,991 non-Irish speak- ers in Shannon, while 228 did not state if they spoke Irish.

Four years earlier, 3,539 people spoke Irish, while 4,418 declared them as non-Irish speakers.

Residents filling out Census forms were also asked to state whether they were frequent Irish speakers. 1,033 people said they spoke Irish daily, within the education system, while 47 said they also spoke it outside the education system. For those who were not in the education system, 65 said they spoke our native tongue Neto) AYA

182 said they spoke it weekly, while 1,242 said they spoke Irish less often than weekly.

One national statistic was also re- flected in Shannon, in that more fe- males than males used Irish. 44 per cent of females in Shannon spoke Irish, while 38.9 per cent of males were able to speak cupla focal.

In 2002, 47.3 per cent of females and 41.8 per cent of males, had the ability to speak Irish.

Overall, 1.6 million people in Ire- land said they could speak Irish, in mau eToys

The chairman of Club na Sionna, Sean O Nuanain said he was happy to hear that so many people can speak Irish.

“I would be delighted to hear that

SO many people can speak Irish. The figures are encouraging,’ he said.

He said the Irish is widely used among a number of groups in Shan- non, particularly Duchas na Sionna and its sub-groups, whose work is bilingual.

These include Conradh na Gaeilge, Glor na Gael, Shannon Wetlands Group and wildlife and historical groups.

“We work together in Duchas na Sionna to further the aims of the dif- ferent groupings,” he said.

One seanfhocal to be remembered in the use of Irish, he said, is “Fao1 Scath a Cheile a Mhaireann na Dao- ine (We live in the shadow of each Other/We get strength from each 0) ds 0

THE Keep Clare Clean Environ- mental Project is currently being run by Golden Vale Clare Commu- nity Games in association with Clare County Council and Shannon Devel- opment. The purpose of the competi- tion this year is to create awareness about the impor- tance of keeping our community clean and _ free from all types of Tit me CC OE hae) entries will take place later in No- vember. At present, 97 schools in vari- ous communities throughout Clare are registered for the Green Schools programme. 42 of these schools hav- ing been awarded the __— prestigious PaO N MEIER a lee mee number of schools involved since the start of the programme 10 years ago. Joan Tarmey, Environmental Awareness Officer commented, “I am delighted that Clare Community Games is SO proactive in encourag- ing good citizenship to bring about a cleaner and greener County Clare. “It 1s wonderful to see the young people making their parents and

community more aware of environ- mental issues. This bodes well for Wee RUIRUT Koa

Pat Daly added, “Shannon Develop- ment is very pleased to be associated with such a worthwhile project and we wish all the participants the very best of luck in the competition.”

The competition will be run with

three categories – poster, poem, slogan.

Each category will be run at under six, under eight, under 10, under 12 and under 14 age groups, with a special category for children with Special Needs. Siva lebKoismpeeleniam eye under group age on July 31, 2008. One competitor in each age group in each category from your area will go forward to the county compe-

tition.

All entries for the competition should be returned to Mrs May Phe- lan, Shannon Road, Sixmilebridge.

The closing date for the competi- tion is Friday, November 16.

Further details can be obtained from Mary Phelan at 061 369628 or your local Community Games Com- POD LA Rorer

A SHORTAGE of staff in the proba- tion and welfare office in Clare has caught the attention of District Court Judge Joseph Mangan.

The judge made reference to the absence of a probation officer for Shannon on a number of occasions at Shannon District Court last Thurs-

CEMA

There has been no probation officer in Shannon for several months, since the officer in charge of that area va- cated his post.

According to the probation and wel- fare service, the post was advertised and an appointment is pending.

Probation reports were required in several cases at last Thursday’s court.

Although no probation officer was in court, reports were present in most of the cases.

During the case of a 19-year-old man who was in court on public order charges, the judge remarked that a probation report would not be available until December.

He adjourned the case, peremptory against the probation service.

In another case, the judge read out a note on an accused’s file, stating that the report was not ready due to staff shortages.

“The probation report is not avail- able due to staffing difficulties in the probation service,” he read out.

In a third case, in which a 20-year- old man was before the court on pub- lic order charges, the judge indicated

he would remand him on continuing bail for a probation report to be car- ried out.

However, when he learned that there was no probation officer in court he imposed a detention sen- tence, suspended.

In another case, he referred to the State not provifing “a proper proba- tion service in Shannon”.

A WOMAN has recalled heartbreak- ing pain, as she saw her husband’s body being swept out to sea, after he was struck by a wave, while fishing in Doonbeg.

Latvian native Olegs Artemjevs (27) drowned after he fell from a rock, while fishing at the Blue Pool, Doonbeg, on November 5 last year.

He had been fishing with his wife Lubova, when the tragedy occurred.

At Ennis Coroner’s Court last week, Lubova recalled travelling from Athlone to Doonbeg, early that morning.

The couple arrived in the west Clare area at 12 noon. The sea was normal and there was no wind.

“My husband started fishing from the rock,” she said, in her deposition to the Coroner’s Court.

“At about 2pm I was watching my husband and my phone rang. I turned around to get it. It was a call from my husband.

“I turned around to the sea again and I saw my husband being swept out to sea. I shouted for help. Two Polish men came,” recalled Lubova.

“I could see my husband. He was wearing chest waders when he went into the water.

I watched him being swept further and further out.

“We rang 999 and we were put on to Marine Rescue. Marine Rescue got to my husband in about five to 10 minutes,’ she said.

Garda Ken O’Day recalled attend- ing Kilkee Rescue Centre that day. He said Mr Artemjevs had sustained cuts to the nose and bruising to the panel

“When he was fishing, he was struck by a wave and pushed out into the sea,” said the garda.

Pathologist Dr Peter Fawl carried out a post mortem examination on the deceased’s body, on November

He concluded that death was due to asphyxia, secondary to drowning.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea said “one can only imagine the trauma” suf- fered by Mr Artemjevs’ wife, seeing him being pulled out to sea.

She suggested that the jury bring in a verdict of accidental death and the jury agreed with this.

“It should be acknowledged the tro- jan work being done by the Rescue Services,’ said the coroner.

“The Marine Rescue Services come out in all sorts of weather and provide a great service, as do the gardai,’ she added.

A MAN tragically lost his life after he fell from a roof, while painting a friend’s house in Kilfenora.

James Howard (55), of Ballybreen, Kilfenora, died from head injuries, as aresult of a fall at a house on July 31 last.

At Ennis Coroner’s Court last week, Mary Greene said her son Martin had hired Mr Howard to paint his

house, on July 30 last.

The following day she was passing the yard when she thought she heard James on the phone. A short time later, she passed by and saw James lying in a pool of blood.

“What I thought was James talking on the phone was him moaning,” she recalled.

She attempted to put him in the re- covery position. “I did everything I could,” she said.

The deceased’s widow said he had left for work at 8.30am on July 31. He had been due to return home at mid- day as they were to go to the races.

However he did not return home and several attempts to contact him on his mobile phone failed.

Mrs Howard received a call at tea- time that evening, indicating that her husband had been in a bad accident.

He was on a life support machine and died on August 2.

Pathologist Dr Peter Fawl carried out an autopsy on Mr Howard’s body at Limerick Regional Hospital, on August 4.

He said death was due to head in- juries and skull fractures, consistent with having fallen from a height.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea said the ap- propriate verdict was one of acci- dental death and the jury brought in this verdict. Solicitor for the Howard family, Marie Keane said the acci- dent was “very tragic and took the life of a very kind and decent man”’.

‘He will be a terrible loss to his family and all who knew him,” said Ms Keane.

A MAN who died suddenly at his Ennis home had an enlarged heart, three times normal weight.

Brendan Corcoran (53), a native of Mayo, died at his home at Bishop’s Court on May 17 last. At Ennis Cor- oner’s Court last week, Brendan’s

brother Gerry recalled last seeing him at around 8.45am that morning. He said Brendan, a part-time busi- nessman, had been in “good form”’.

Some 12 hours later, Gerry re- turned home. Brendan was in the kitchen. He called out his name but did not get a response. He touched his forehead and it was cold.

The emergency services were con- tacted and Mr Corcoran was pro- nounced dead at 10.20pm that night.

Garda Michael Sweeney told the inquest he received a call to go to the Corcoran home. When he arrived at the scene, the body of Brendan Corc- oran was lying on the kitchen floor.

Pathologist Dr Peter Fawl carried

out a post mortem examination on the deceased’s body, at Limerick Re- gional Hospital, on May 19.

He said the level of alcohol in his blood was “extremely high” and also noted that his heart was enlarged.

He said, in his opinion, death was due to acute cardiac failure, second- ary to heart disease and coronary

heart disease, in association with the levels of alcohol. “His heart was approximately three times normal weight. That would be the most sig- nificant factor here,’ said Dr Fawl.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea said she felt that the appropriate verdict was in accordance with medical evidence and the jury agreed with this.

that the programme for the west “is nearly there.”

The doors in the Galway and Cork Breastcheck clinic will be opening soon, she said, with a lot of the 100 jobs already filled.

Although recruitment is ongoing a unit manager and a clinic director has been appointed to Galway and Cork. There will be 50 staff per unit.

Breastcheck was not able to con- firm when the first Clare woman would be screened. The screening schedule will be announced one month in advance for the following three months.

The Breastcheck unit for the west will be based in the University Hos- pital Galway, which will accommo- date both the base for the west and the existing symptomatic breast dis- ease service in UHG.

In addition to its base in Galway, Breastcheck will have three mobile screening vehicles covering coun- ties Clare, Tipperary North, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.

Almost 58,000 women in this re- gion, aged between 50 to 64 years, will avail of this service on a two- year cycle.

Health experts expect a 70 per cent up take in Clare, with more rural than urban women taking part in the screening.

Approximately five per cent of the women screened will require further assessment and approximately one per cent will require surgery.

Breastcheck screening commenced on a phased basis in 2000 and now covers the East, North East, South East and Midlands.

In March 2005 the Minister for Health Mary Harney gave Breastch-

eck the go ahead for a €25 million programme to extend breast screen- ing to the rest of the country.

Clare Country Councillor and council representative on the HSE forum Brian Meaney (GP) told