An Fear Rua - Convicted Fraudster topped poll in Sligo

Shoneen O Horlicks

(1,185 Posts)

Posted: 24-Nov-2009 17:42

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Swindlers still thrive in our amoral public realm
Tue, Nov 24, 2009

A proposed private hospital for Sligo is a microcosm of this country’s staggering political hypocrisy, writes FINTAN O`TOOLE

MICHAEL CLARKE is a scam-merchant, a conman, a fraudster.

In 2002, he was sent to jail for two years for his part in a conspiracy to defraud the State (that’s you and me ) of tens of thousands of euro. A corrupt Department of Agriculture official was making out cheques to non-existent farmers under a dairy hygiene scheme. Clarke was collecting and cashing them.

In the local elections in June, Clarke topped the poll in his area of Sligo. Even Fianna Fáil, for whom he had previously contested elections, had been so embarrassed by him that he had been forced to stand as an Independent. He romped home and declared that the real “jury of my peers” had now spoken.

Also elected to Sligo County Council in June was the former mayor of Sligo, Fianna Fáil’s Rosaleen O’Grady. While in no way comparable to Michael Clarke, she does have an interesting history. In 2004, while on long-term sick leave from her job as a clinical nurse manager with the HSE, she managed to attend a four-day conference of the Confederation of European Councillors in Gibraltar. (“I felt it would do me no harm to go,” she explained to The Irish Times . )

Earlier this month, Rosaleen O’Grady was one of the most enthusiastic supporters on Sligo County Council of a motion proposed by Michael Clarke. The conman suggested the rezoning of a 16-acre site at Carraroe, currently designated as a buffer zone, for a new private hospital. The county manager strongly opposed the motion, but it was overwhelmingly backed by both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Clarke suggested that “where people are providing money to put up this hospital, we should take this on board”. O’Grady pointed out that the developers were not strangers: “We are talking about people we know.”

The development of a private hospital in Sligo is appallingly bad public policy. It is bad planning, bad medicine and a waste of public money. Cancer services are being transferred out of Sligo General Hospital. The whole argument for doing so is that patients do better when cancer treatment is concentrated in a few specialist centres. Yet, at the same time, these same services are to be provided, for those who can afford to pay, in a small, non-specialist private hospital. The developers in Sligo cite their intention to provide “first-class medical treatment in areas of high demand such as oncology” and to fill the gap in the market for “radiotherapy in the northwest, and more extensive cancer treatment”.

The intention, clearly, is that this private hospital will be largely funded by the taxpayer. The developers have made no secret of their intention to use the National Treatment Purchase Fund to pay for many of the procedures at the hospital. And they will also hope to benefit from the extraordinary tax breaks that provide €388,000 in capital allowances for every €100,000 invested. This scandalous misuse of public money was supposedly ended in the last budget, but Brian Lenihan added the caveat that arrangements would be made for projects in “an advanced stage of development”. Unsurprisingly, the Sligo developers define their own project as at an “advanced stage”.

For all the rhetoric about national emergencies and pulling together, this is the Ireland in which we still live. It is still a place in which swindlers like Michael Clarke can exert serious influence over zoning and the use of public resources. It is still a place in which staggering hypocrisy rules, so that cancer patients in Sligo are told with a straight face that their public facilities have to be closed in the interests of patient safety, while commercial operations are encouraged to move in and create a market for the same services.

It is still a place in which supposedly scarce public resources are diverted, on an essentially random basis, to schemes for wealthy investors whose only effect will be to copper-fasten apartheid in health care. And it is still a place in which Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael operate as a single entity. (Three Fine Gael councillors did oppose Michael Clarke’s motion, but eight supported it. ) In many ways this episode in Sligo is a microcosm of what ails us: a political culture that tolerates (and indeed rewards ) amoral behaviour. an attitude to public money that sees benefits for the poor as optional extras but benefits for the rich as the natural order of things. and a political consensus in which the supposed alternative is largely embroiled in the same system.

We’re being told (most cogently by Jim O’Leary in last Friday’s Irish Times ) that ideas of fairness are essentially irrelevant to our current dilemma. On the contrary, without a revolution in public morality that places equality and decency at the centre of decision-making, the system that has create d the crisis will simply carry on. The alternative to fairness is not some kind of idealised, rational economy. It is more of the same gombeenism that has led us to where we are.

© 2009 The Irish Times

Yojimbo

(13,949 Posts)

Posted: 24-Nov-2009 17:56

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Just heard him on George Hook`s show

Banana Republic`, indeed!

T_de_B

(3,147 Posts)

Posted: 24-Nov-2009 20:26

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Has Mr O`Toole ever heard of democracy?

Or is it only democracy, when candidates approved by the high priests of moral indignation are elected?

I really have to laugh when I hear certain tub thumping idealogues pillory Ireland of the 40`s, 50`s and 60`s as being a black and white priest ridden backwater.

Slivers of civilising light did not penetrate this woebegotten island or the neanderthals who inhabited it until the civilising fog was lifted by the pens of Mr O`Toole and the embittered ravings of such as Fergus Finlay and Emer O`Kelly.

Having lived through both eras let me assure those who are interested that the catholic fundamentalism of the clergy in Ireland of 30 to 50 years ago, while oppressive to a degree, was nowhere near as oppressive or dangerous as the nonsense paraded daily through various media organs today for the edification of our citizens.

Another thing which strikes me in relation to this is that the clergy at least placed the blame for the world`s wrongs on nebulous concepts e.g. original sin, satan etc whereas today`s high priests have no compunction whatsoever in making the objects of their vitriol easily identifiable and therefore liable to physical or mental harm or worse.

Methinks it is long past time that a light was shone into the particular dark corners from which these idealogues peddle their bile.

This message has been edited - 24-nov-2009 @ 20:30

hard shoulder

(323 Posts)

Posted: 24-Nov-2009 20:54

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

I`ve no doubt Fintan O`Toole has heard of democracy. He makes completely valid points linking the state of the country to the type of horsesh+++t that`s gone on in this country for years. I note that T_de_B does not argue directly with any points made but plays the man in a spectacular example of shooting the messanger. T_de_B seems to be impressed with the caliber of canditate elected to the council in Sligo. All I can say is it`s no wonder we`re in the state we`re in if we elect these crooks.

jerryp

(1,260 Posts)

Posted: 24-Nov-2009 22:00

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

F O`T is merely making a point about the sense of values amongst many of the electorate, an absolutely valid point.
Just because you`re elected doesn`t mean you`re squeaky clean. Hitler was elected after all.

mrhappy

(394 Posts)

Posted: 24-Nov-2009 22:36

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Originally posted by T_de_B:
Has Mr O`Toole ever heard of democracy?

Or is it only democracy, when candidates approved by the high priests of moral indignation are elected?

I really have to laugh when I hear certain tub thumping idealogues pillory Ireland of the 40`s, 50`s and 60`s as being a black and white priest ridden backwater.

Slivers of civilising light did not penetrate this woebegotten island or the neanderthals who inhabited it until the civilising fog was lifted by the pens of Mr O`Toole and the embittered ravings of such as Fergus Finlay and Emer O`Kelly.

Having lived through both eras let me assure those who are interested that the catholic fundamentalism of the clergy in Ireland of 30 to 50 years ago, while oppressive to a degree, was nowhere near as oppressive or dangerous as the nonsense paraded daily through various media organs today for the edification of our citizens.

Another thing which strikes me in relation to this is that the clergy at least placed the blame for the world`s wrongs on nebulous concepts e.g. original sin, satan etc whereas today`s high priests have no compunction whatsoever in making the objects of their vitriol easily identifiable and therefore liable to physical or mental harm or worse.

Methinks it is long past time that a light was shone into the particular dark corners from which these idealogues peddle their bile.

What has the article got to do with comparing the era of the 50`s with today?
- the point was that, as long as the electorate keeping returning shysters and conmen like these, we`ll always have the same problems and things will never improve - compare services in Ireland with any other developed country - some people are happy enough with that state of affairs - probably becausethey think they`ll get some crumbs from the top table - for those who want to change things for the better though and live in a country that actually works its frustrating...

cha

(80 Posts)

Posted: 24-Nov-2009 22:36

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Originally posted by T_de_B:
Has Mr O`Toole ever heard of democracy?

Or is it only democracy, when candidates approved by the high priests of moral indignation are elected?

I really have to laugh when I hear certain tub thumping idealogues pillory Ireland of the 40`s, 50`s and 60`s as being a black and white priest ridden backwater.

Slivers of civilising light did not penetrate this woebegotten island or the neanderthals who inhabited it until the civilising fog was lifted by the pens of Mr O`Toole and the embittered ravings of such as Fergus Finlay and Emer O`Kelly.

Having lived through both eras let me assure those who are interested that the catholic fundamentalism of the clergy in Ireland of 30 to 50 years ago, while oppressive to a degree, was nowhere near as oppressive or dangerous as the nonsense paraded daily through various media organs today for the edification of our citizens.

Another thing which strikes me in relation to this is that the clergy at least placed the blame for the world`s wrongs on nebulous concepts e.g. original sin, satan etc whereas today`s high priests have no compunction whatsoever in making the objects of their vitriol easily identifiable and therefore liable to physical or mental harm or worse.

Methinks it is long past time that a light was shone into the particular dark corners from which these idealogues peddle their bile.

Having also lived through both eras - I agree with you completely.

I have to say that I know absolutely nothing about the precise "facts" of the Sligo situation. But I do know ALL about O`Toole`s appalling record of just presenting "facts", which have no connection with the reality of a situation, before moving on to his next outpouring of moral indignation.

Just maybe he has the "facts" right this time - but he will have to forgive me if I wait for confirmation from a source with some credibility.

Fintan has perfected the skill of stating some "facts" - but by omitting certain other "facts", he manages to distort the story - to his design.

I suppose being accused of omitting material is the opposite of being accused of plagiarism - but then, again, he would know more about that than me.

Just a health warning - that`s all.

T_de_B

(3,147 Posts)

Posted: 24-Nov-2009 22:55

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Originally posted by hard shoulder:
I`ve no doubt Fintan O`Toole has heard of democracy. He makes completely valid points linking the state of the country to the type of horsesh+++t that`s gone on in this country for years. I note that T_de_B does not argue directly with any points made but plays the man in a spectacular example of shooting the messanger. T_de_B seems to be impressed with the caliber of canditate elected to the council in Sligo. All I can say is it`s no wonder we`re in the state we`re in if we elect these crooks.

Where did I make any reference to the Sligo candidate?

I guess that as long as we have O`Toole and yourself monitoring the moral vales of today`s citizens and píssing your version of 21st century holy water on whatever moral conflagration happens to be flavour of the month, we can all sleep more safely in our beds.

Shoneen O Horlicks

(1,185 Posts)

Posted: 24-Nov-2009 23:03

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

I can only go back to the 70s. I still don`t know what that has to do with our shameful election of crooks and shysters.

I suppose the only difference between then and now, is that we`re less likely to put kids into institutions to be beaten and raped nowadays.

(to all you younger people who weren`t around, I can assure you that people knew EXACTLY what was going on. )

This message has been edited - 24-nov-2009 @ 23:05

mrhappy

(394 Posts)

Posted: 25-Nov-2009 00:13

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Originally posted by Shoneen O Horlicks:
I can only go back to the 70s. I still don`t know what that has to do with our shameful election of crooks and shysters.

I suppose the only difference between then and now, is that we`re less likely to put kids into institutions to be beaten and raped nowadays.

(to all you younger people who weren`t around, I can assure you that people knew EXACTLY what was going on. )

RE electing shysters and crooks,
When I heard people going on that Enda Kenny had no `charisma` compared to Ahern at the last election its a similar thing, the electorate would sooner have the Arthur Daly `stroke` merchant in charge instead of the dependable but boring guy that might actually be able to manage a team of people and make decisions based on the interest of the country rather than getting back in power or because they were handed a dig out a few years ago...

KeepOnHurling

(3,223 Posts)

Posted: 25-Nov-2009 05:36

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Don`t know much about the Sligo situation, but the jist of what he wrote is true.
If people keep electing corrupt politicians, who seem more concerned about lining their own pockets that anything else, what can they expect?

Corrupt politicans seem to get elected in a lot of constituencies, and it`s a sad indication of the Irish electorate.

T_de_B

(3,147 Posts)

Posted: 25-Nov-2009 08:39

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Originally posted by Shoneen O Horlicks:
I can only go back to the 70s. I still don`t know what that has to do with our shameful election of crooks and shysters.

I suppose the only difference between then and now, is that we`re less likely to put kids into institutions to be beaten and raped nowadays.

(to all you younger people who weren`t around, I can assure you that people knew EXACTLY what was going on. )

When you get an original or non received thought, you might get back to us.

And to all of your younger people, let me assure them that what was apparently "going on",I presume you mean "kids being put into institutions to be beaten and raped" was NOT COMMON KNOWLEDGE.

Your theory condemns entire generations of Irish people, including your parents and extended family of complicity in these crimes.

You people i.e. you, Mary Rafferty and all other expoloiters of the victim industry make me want to puke.

This message has been edited - 25-nov-2009 @ 08:40

twiceasnice97

(9,233 Posts)

Posted: 25-Nov-2009 10:16

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Originally posted by T_de_B:

Another thing which strikes me in relation to this is that the clergy at least placed the blame for the world`s wrongs on nebulous concepts e.g. original sin, satan etc whereas today`s high priests have no compunction whatsoever in making the objects of their vitriol easily identifiable and therefore liable to physical or mental harm or worse.

Methinks it is long past time that a light was shone into the particular dark corners from which these idealogues peddle their bile.

for fcuk sake t de b have you had a lobotomy. this one is a gobsmacker even for your low standards in high places and fill me potholes mentality

you are advocating the nirvana for fianna failers with your don`t blame me i only acted in a corrupt way blame the real culprits the meeja, or brussells or the divil himself.

shine away by the way as i am certain that you won`t find a scrap of evidence of institutionalised core value corruption in the lives of those you are denigrating here.

you are on here having a go at people about having an original thought when you are the most banal stuck in the mud sepia toned backward looking thinker on this board who hasn`t the wit, or the decency , to condemn those who cheat the ordinary people of this country simply because you are content with the rotten system we have.

incidentally my old man lived through all those days you look so tenderly on and his experience of them is a good deal different to your own waffle.

he came from a middle class family with middle class jobs who had a bit of land as well who had enough income to send their kids to a catholic boarding school . classic fodder for the stuck in the mud tribalist type voter necessary for the two parties we have to thrive in but he came out of that house with a social conscience and no qualms about calling a spade a spade being direct about his beliefs in fairness and honesty qualities that you are utterly devoid of.

good luck to you in your smug crusade to present yourself as a man railing against the tide of political correctness etc when in reality all you are is boring predictable reactionary railing against the changes in the cosy world you knew.

twiceasnice97

(9,233 Posts)

Posted: 25-Nov-2009 10:18

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Originally posted by T_de_B:

Where did I make any reference to the Sligo candidate?

surely this is the point on a topic about the sligo candidate

mumbles

(216 Posts)

Posted: 25-Nov-2009 10:21

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Originally posted by T_de_B:

When you get an original or non received thought, you might get back to us.

And to all of your younger people, let me assure them that what was apparently "going on",I presume you mean "kids being put into institutions to be beaten and raped" was NOT COMMON KNOWLEDGE.

Your theory condemns entire generations of Irish people, including your parents and extended family of complicity in these crimes.

You people i.e. you, Mary Rafferty and all other expoloiters of the victim industry make me want to puke.

T_de_B, Im wondering if you have anything to say on the article posted or if you just wanted this whole thread to go off on an tangent?

Avondhu abu

(1,215 Posts)

Posted: 25-Nov-2009 10:23

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

So what. North Kerry elects a gun runner responsible for murder gangs running riot around the country. The Irish are a corrupt nation who only want the law enforced against someone else

ballygowan

(1,987 Posts)

Posted: 25-Nov-2009 10:26

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Originally posted by T_de_B:
Has Mr O`Toole ever heard of democracy?

Or is it only democracy, when candidates approved by the high priests of moral indignation are elected?

I really have to laugh when I hear certain tub thumping idealogues pillory Ireland of the 40`s, 50`s and 60`s as being a black and white priest ridden backwater.

Slivers of civilising light did not penetrate this woebegotten island or the neanderthals who inhabited it until the civilising fog was lifted by the pens of Mr O`Toole and the embittered ravings of such as Fergus Finlay and Emer O`Kelly.

Having lived through both eras let me assure those who are interested that the catholic fundamentalism of the clergy in Ireland of 30 to 50 years ago, while oppressive to a degree, was nowhere near as oppressive or dangerous as the nonsense paraded daily through various media organs today for the edification of our citizens.

Another thing which strikes me in relation to this is that the clergy at least placed the blame for the world`s wrongs on nebulous concepts e.g. original sin, satan etc whereas today`s high priests have no compunction whatsoever in making the objects of their vitriol easily identifiable and therefore liable to physical or mental harm or worse.

Methinks it is long past time that a light was shone into the particular dark corners from which these idealogues peddle their bile.

Has T_de_B ever heard of high standards while in public office? I`m surprised you can even bring yourself to put your head above the parapet considering the disgraceful actions of some of the members of the party that you support, actions which has this country in the state it is now.

twiceasnice97

(9,233 Posts)

Posted: 25-Nov-2009 10:32

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

t de b if memory serves me claims not to be a soldier of destiny. his calling is even higher than that apparently in the realms of unification and so on.

Abruzzi Spur

(1,083 Posts)

Posted: 25-Nov-2009 10:36

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Originally posted by Avondhu abu:
So what. North Kerry elects a gun runner responsible for murder gangs running riot around the country. The Irish are a corrupt nation who only want the law enforced against someone else

A Red Herring though, weren`t Haughey, Boland and Blaney all elected too. Corruption and lining pockets is the theme here. John O`Donaghue will top the poll in Kerry South next general election which makes me sick, the same way those Tipperary fools elect Lowry.

twiceasnice97

(9,233 Posts)

Posted: 25-Nov-2009 13:57

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

t de b actually believes he is on some type of defence of the ordinary man who lives in the real world and realises that the only rule is that there are no rules.

he has no interest desire or inclination to support anything that attempts to generate fairness and honesty on the basis that it is all pie in the sky nonsense being inflicted on the common man by ivory tower dwelling pinko liberals

Tomas

(11 Posts)

Posted: 25-Nov-2009 14:26

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Knowing absolutely noting re the Sligo situation I want to compliment T_D_B on putting his finger on the drivel that passes as "informed" comment in most sections of the Irish media...well done!

Arraref!

(954 Posts)

Posted: 25-Nov-2009 14:48

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Originally posted by Avondhu abu:
So what. North Kerry elects a gun runner responsible for murder gangs running riot around the country. The Irish are a corrupt nation who only want the law enforced against someone else

Stop! You`ll have Peadar in here next

Avondhu abu

(1,215 Posts)

Posted: 25-Nov-2009 16:18

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

He`s too busy in Belfast turning on the Christmas lights with Bob the Builder to be bothered about us. ( or maybe he`s in Newry counting Free State cars )

big biffo

(135 Posts)

Posted: 25-Nov-2009 19:05

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

the story that O toole referred to was that of Clarke and a guy by the name of bertie walsh ( who worked for the dept of agri ) and false grant payments. This is fact and both have been through the court process. Clarke and Walsh came up with the idea of putting in false claims for slatted sheds that were never built and for each slatted shed they claimed for they got 20k or so. Walsh was the inspector so he was the one that signed it off and Clarke cashed the cheques through his bussiness bank account. And the cheques were sent to B &Bs around Sligo where a guy would have booked into for a week over the phone but never show up. He would then ring the owner and say something came up and for her to forward on any mail for him. The scammed about 150k between them over a period of 6-9 months. Walsh cut a deal and hung Clarke out to dry and he Clarked served 3 years in jail in Blacklion.
Clarke is a well liked guy down ere and runs a busy pub in Dromore West and he is also a 1st cousin of Ray "Mac the knife" MacSharry.
Walsh is selling second hand cars now in Tubbercurry

yankeelad

(5,535 Posts)

Posted: 25-Nov-2009 21:14

Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply

Why would anyone that lives in this country be shocked that a fraudster got elected.We are so used to it by now that we would be really shocked if an honest person got elected.

	There are 10,277 members signed up to anfearrua.com
All times are Dublin, Ireland.	Always here... with the best in GAA discussion and comment!	© An Fear Rua, 2000 - 2013
Bookmark AFR \| Make AFR your home page	About Us \| Privacy Policy \| Terms of Use	[ Top of Page ]