Month: May 2007

CLARE farmer and Chairperson of ICMSA’s Beef and Cattle Commit- tee Martin McMahon, last week said that there is no basis for the down- ward pressure on beef prices over the last few weeks and that prices should be rising to bridge the gap that ex- ists between Irish prices and prices in other EU markets.

According to McMahon, farm- ers who are selling cattle this week are losing money, particularly in the context of the significantly higher feed costs relative to 12 months ago.

He said that the prices farmers are receiving are not adequate to com- pensate for these additional costs and prices need to rise to reflect that reality.

“Irish beef prices are still 23c/kg below prices in England, 1lc/kg be- low Northern Ireland prices and 25c/ kg below French prices with this rep- resenting a massive gap equivalent to up to €80 per head,” said the Beef and Cattle Committee Chairperson.

‘There is an ongoing and growing deficit in EU beef markets and it is now well past the time that the meat plants closed this gap and returned

improved prices to farmers.

“The gap that exists is simply not warranted given developments in the EU beef markets in the past number of years. The latest attempt this week to cut beef prices is very short-sight- ed and can only serve to undermine the future of the Irish beef sector.

“There had to be a realisation, in all quarters, that the future of the beef industry itself 1s what is at stake and if the sector is to develop further then prices will have to increase to a realistic level.”

Meanwhile, the IFA’s National Livestock Committee Chairman,

John Bryan, last week accused the factories of managing and manipu- lating cattle numbers and prices.

“The factories’ latest move this week, to cut prices, was a real kick in the teeth to winter finishers who have endured losses of in excess of €100 per head this winter,’ he said.

“At a time when prices were ris- ing in our main market in the UK, it was a scandal that Irish factories were attempting to cut prices. It is an even bigger scandal that some facto- ries were importing cattle and telling their farmer clients that they must cut the price.”

WITH the arrival of the good weath- er, the urge to get out in the field and get some work under the belt is erowing all the time. It is appropriate then, at this time of increased activi- ty, to remind farmers, and especially young farmers, of the importance of insuring their safety while working and operating machinery.

With this in mind, the FRS Net- work Training Services, in conjunc- tion with Teagasc and IFA Skills Net, will hold a one-day training course in Ennis on Friday, May 11 and in Limerick on Wednesday, May 9.

The training courses, which are en- titled “Young Agricultural Drivers’ Safety and Skills Awareness’, were

launched last week by the Minister for Labour Affairs and Clare Gener- al Election candidate, Tony Killeen.

The majority of young agricultural drivers are allowed on the public roads with just a basic provisional licence, without any formal safety awareness training. These drivers carry a huge responsibility for public safety while on the road.

‘They are responsible for being in control of very large modern tractors with large implements attached, such as Silage trailers laden with anything up to 20 tonnes of grass, and it’s all rush, rush, rush and long hours dur- ing the busy harvest or sowing time,’ said a spokesperson from the FRS.

“Unfortunately, this all adds up toa very serious accident waiting to hap-

pen and, in order to minimise this possibility, FRS along with Teagasc and IFA Skills Net have joined forc- es to put on the courses in the two fo) tonal she

“If there is a good uptake this year, we see the idea being rolled out na- tionwide next year.”

Each course has been designed and will be delivered by experienced tu- tor Val O’Connor and there will also be experienced drivers available on the day to deliver invaluable practi- cal driving instruction.

The courses are designed to create safety awareness for all agricultural drivers, be they silage workers, hay- making contractors or tillage work- ae

Items covered will include law, work

equipment, use on the road and dan- gers in the yard, tractor maintenance, checking trailers, lights and tyres and driving and tipping trailers.

More information can be got by contacting the FRS Network Train- ing Services in Limerick on 063 y1Uelelon

THE MURDER of elderly farmer Jack Daly sent shockwaves through- out the quiet village of Belharbour, four years ago.

The 83-year-old was lying in his bed shortly before 7am on April 30, 2003, when he was attacked by his nephew.

John McInerney had been anxious the previous night and feared that the devil had been trying to get in to the family home, at Abbey West, Bel- harbour. His obsession with the devil ultimately cost his uncle his life. He believed the devil was in his defence- less uncle.

MclInerney’s mother Kathleen was worried about his behaviour in the hours leading up to the murder.

He had been admitted to Our La-

dy’s Psychiatric Hospital on March 18, 2003, after he had disappeared from his home and spent a night at Corcomroe Abbey.

A neighbour, Gerard Kerin, later found him there, standing on an altar and carrying a fork in his hand. He claimed he was trying to ward off the devil, who was taking over the altar.

He spent a month at Our Lady’s and was discharged in mid-April. On the night of April 29, he began to talk Vole) Ulm a slome (oa EB

Kathleen, who was 83 at the time, knew that something was not right the following morning when she heard her son going in to her broth- er’s room.

She was terrified and ran from the house. She later heard Jack saying, “I killed Jack”.

McInerney was arrested a short

time later and was questioned at En- nistymon Garda Station throughout the day.

He was charged with murder at a special sitting of Tulla District Court later that night. He pleaded guilty but insane to murder, at the Central Criminal Court in November 2004.

Medical experts for both the pros-

ecution and defence agreed that he was suffering from schizophrenia at the time. The jury returned a verdict of guilty but insane, without leaving the jury box. Mr Justice Paul Carney ordered his detention at the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum.

The inquest into the death has taken four years to be heard and in some way brings to a conclusion a very sorry chapter for the Daly and McInerney families, and for the peo- ple of the close-knit community of Belharbour.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea and Garda Inspector Tom Kennedy paid tribute to the wonderful neighbours of the Daly and McInerney families during this “traumatic” time.

A FEAKLE man died after he fell awkwardly from his bicycle as he cycled home after a night out, Ennis Coroner’s Court has heard.

The body of Sean Tobin (41), of Gurrane, Feakle, was found at Fur- nacetown, on the main Feakle to Scariff road, at around 2am on April 17, 2006.

An inquest last Thursday heard from witness Mary McGuinness. She was on her way home from Feakle when she noticed something

on the road, just lOO yards from Pep- per’s pub.

She saw a body lying partially on the grass margin and there was a bi- cycle between the man’s legs.

Garda Pat McGrath of Mountshan- non said he attended the scene of the accident. He recognised the cyclist as Sean Tobin, a factory worker, who lived just a half-mile away.

Garda McGrath said there were two lamps on the bicycle, none of which were turned on.

He said there was no damage to the bicycle, but the front wheels and

handlebars had been turned a full Rol Oe (fea terene

State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy said Mr Tobin had been half- way home, when he fell off his bicy- cle and was lying “awkwardly”.

She said there had been “no evi- dence of a road traffic accident”.

It appeared that Mr Tobin may have hit a stone, which would have top- pled him from the bicycle.

‘He was acutely intoxicated by al- cohol. His co-ordination would have been poor. He would have been un- steady,’ she said.

The post mortem examination showed Mr ‘Tobin had _ sustained mainly “trivial” injuries, consistent with a fall.

“Although the injuries were trivial, the position in which he landed would have left him susceptible to asphyxia, due to lack of oxygen,” she said.

She said that death was due to as- phyxia, which was due to the awk- ward way he fell, combined with acute alcohol intoxication.

The jury returned a verdict of acci- dental death, on the recommendation of Coroner Isobel O’Dea.

CLARE’S Fianna Fail general elec- tion candidates have rowed in with their support behind the Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, after last week’s launch of the party’s new agriculture policy.

The new policy documents, which are called “The Next Steps Forward for Farming Communities’, were re- leased to the public last week and re- ceived a warm welcome from Clare Senator Brendan Daly and Minister Tony Killeen.

“The plan, launched by my Fianna Fail colleague, Agriculture Muinis- ter Mary Coughlan, sets out details of proposals covering all aspects

of farming and the food industry,’ commented Senator Daly.

“Fianna Fail believes that farming requires further sustained support at a time of great change. We’re com- mitted to ensuring that farmers’ in- terests remain a core priority for the next government.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen, described the publication as responsive to the needs and concerns of the Irish farming community.

“All farmers face the challenge of reducing the cost of inputs while striving to have high-quality market- able products, which will attract a premium price. Food producers face challenges from South America and

Australia, which can only be met by producing quality food that is attrac- tive to the consumer,” he said.

“The EU and World Trade poli- cies will change during the next five years. The Irish Government has set out its stall regarding how it will pro actively influence these changes. I am confident that the successes en- joyed by Irish food exporters, with the help of Bord Bia over the last five years, will be acted upon by the cur- rent farmer-friendly Government,” he added.

Senator Daly also used the publica- tion to take a stab at the agricultural policy adopted by other parties.

‘The Taoiseach was the only party leader to mention farmers in an Ard

Fheis speech this year,” he said.

‘“Labour’s recent comments on their hill-walking legislation showed that the alternative government doesn’t believe farmers should be consulted on matters that directly affect them.

“Our plan outlines a range of com- mitments, including support for the development of higher-value prod- ucts with more secure markets, the extension of country-of-origin la- belling, a strong position on EU and WTO negotiations and the improve- ment of a range of schemes designed to give farmers the freedom to farm as they decide.”

The policy in full can be viewed on www.thenextsteps.ie/farmingcom- munities.

CLARE Heritage Office, in associa- tion with the Notice Nature campaign and the Clare Biodiversity Group, held the first ever Clare biodiversity seminar at Clare Museum last week.

The event features discussions on a range of issues from designated sites in Clare, native trees and hedgerows, and biodiversity at a local and na- tional level.

Newly-appointed Clare Biodiver- sity Officer, John Murphy opened the seminar with an introduction to biodiversity in the county.

Following that, renowned ecologist Janice Fuller addressed those in at- tendance about ‘Buds of the Banner: A Guide to Growing Native Trees

and Shrubs in Clare’, which was recently published by Clare County Council in conjunction with Rural Resource Development.

The seminar also featured Lorraine Fitzgerald of the Notice Nature cam- paign and David Lyons, Acting Dis- trict Conservation Officer (ADCO) and ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), who will provide a presentation on the various designated biodiversity sites in Clare.

“This biodiversity event aims to outline the unique combination of wild places, beautiful scenery and all life forms that make Clare a unique county that is enriched with biodiversity,’ said Clare Biodiversity Officer, John Murphy.

“Biodiversity provides us with a ereat variety of products and serv- eLearn

“It gives us food, fuel, medicines, building materials and our beautiful countryside, landscapes and ocean. It also helps to purify our air and wa- ter, and to stabilise our soil.

“It provides for tourism and rec- reational activities, walking, cy- cling, angling, boating and bird- and whale-watching. The conservation of biodiversity is life enhancing and is of economic, cultural social and health value.”

Clare became the first county in Ireland to produce a local biodiver- sity action plan when the Clare Bio- diversity Action Plan was launched in May 2006.

Clare 1s also the first county to have a local biological records centre and has been acknowledged as the lead- ing example for biodiversity protec- tion and promotion.

“The interest in biodiversity issues has been growing steadily in County Clare over the last number of years. This is particularly evident in the amount of individuals and commu- nity groups now actively engaged in its protection and promotion,’ said Tomas Mac Conmara, the acting heritage officer with Clare County Council.

The seminar provides an oppor- tunity to discuss biodiversity on a broad level and also to disseminate awareness about issues concerning biodiversity in the county.”

A KILKEE woman will lead four cyclists on the long Bothar from Stillorgan to Clare on May 5 in sup- port of the third world development ZIXeBLOas

Ann Power said that she decided to do something for charity and a “coast to coast” cycle jumped out at her even though she was a not a regu- lar cyclist.

“I’m from Kilkee so I thought I would see if I could cycle the 180 miles down and I asked a few peo- ple if they would be interested. The

others would have a bit more experi- ence. One of them was in a club and has cycled a good bit. I started train- ing in October especially for this.”

Ann, a nurse who has lived in Dub- lin for 13 years, outlined the team’s eruelling training regime.

“It has been very tough. I had to buy a new bike and everything. I work Monday to Friday and I get up every Sunday at 8am to train. We’ve gone as far as Naas a few times on the old N7 road. I watch the signs and when you see the kilometres going down it is a great incentive. It keeps you go- ing,” she said.

The self-confessed amateurs – Ann’s husband Mick Vine and col- leagues Theresa McEvoy and Im- elda Redmond – will cycle as far as Nenagh on the day before continuing to Kilkee on May 6. Ann said that the support from family and col- leagues has been brilliant.

“My parents and everyone down in Clare think it’s a great thing we’re doing. Lots of people are amazed by it because they reckon it will be quite tough with the winds coming from the west. How it goes will de- pend on the weather. That will be a huge factor.”

“We will definitely finish it, no mat- ter what. I would never do something like this if 1t wasn’t a challenge. You just have to get motivated. But I am looking forward to hanging up my bike for a few weeks and staying in on Sundays.

‘“Bothar is a great charity and very hands on. We haven’t counted up what we’ve raised so far but there was no target so anything will be a bonus,” she added.

If you would like to support the coast to coast cycle, donations can be made to Bank of Ireland account number 65862912, sort code 901335.

RUGBY has broken into the GAA stronghold of west Clare.

Munster’s newest rugby club West Clare Warriors RFC was formed in February to give boys and girls from Miltown Malbay and Mullagh areas an opportunity to play rugby. Al- ready over 70 children are attending training sessions.

The club was officially launched in Spanish Point by Bob McConkey,

Senior Vice-President of Munster Rugby and present were representa- tives of other Clare clubs. As part of the celebrations the Heineken Cup won by Munster last year visited lo- cal schools in the area and was re- ceived with great enthusiasm.

President of the Warriors is local Miltown Malbay publican David Hillery cousin of another famous President, Dr Paddy Hillery former President of Ireland. His wife Ca- triona is club treasurer.

The officers are all delighted with the support the new club has received from the public.

“Its fantastic to see the huge num- bers turning up for training and its great to see the youth of west Clare getting the opportunity to play rug- by,” said David Hillery.

Former Shannon RFC player Paddy Hayes who is Club Youth Officer said: “our club is enabling the young boys and girls to participate in a game that has never been as popular

as now with the success of Munster and our Irish rugby team.”

Other high profile Munster rugby officials present at the launch cel- ebrations were John Noonan, John King and Gerry Quaid.

in the Quilty Tavern at 9pm on May 5 will go towards a commemorative weekend for the last week in Sep-

tember.

PJ, who plays and tours with Séa- mus Shannon, said that the heroic rescue of the crew of French ship Leon XIII in October 1907 had in- spired generations.

“In a huge storm, the ship got stuck in a reef off the coast of Quilty and all rescue attempts failed. So the fishermen of Quilty had a go at it and they rescued them. It was the talk of the world and people came from everywhere to see and meet

them. Money donated at the time was later used to build the Star of the Sea Church.”

He added that reaction to the song, which has been played on Clare FM and is on sale locally and in Ennis, has been very positive.

“I did a lot of research when I wrote the song last January and it tells the proper story of what happened. It was very much a local job and we re- corded it in Malbay Studios. People seem to like it anyway. The launch

will have well-known guests like Kitty Hayes and David Culligan and maybe a surprise or two.”

PJ, originally from Mullagh, said that plans for the commemoration weekend and possibly a dedicatory plaque have not been finalised but there is already some interest in the event.

“Lots of the ancestors of the fish- ermen are still around. We are even expecting people to come home from abroad for it,” he said.

THE Kilrush Parish Finance Com- mittee is hoping to tee off the next stage in fundraising for the refur- bishment of St Senan’s Church with a golf classic on May 4.

It 1s hoped that the tournament, which will be held at Kilrush Golf Club, will raise £10,000 towards the massive €5.2 million renovation of the church.

Pat Shannon, chairman of the fi- nance committee, listed out the extensive work that must be done before the church is finished in late Summer.

“A new roof is needed, the stained glass windows have been removed for repair and storm glazing and

the stone around the Rose Window has been re-cut. New central heat- ing is needed, the altar has been re- positioned and there is a new front entrance, boiler house and toilet fa- cilities. It is a complete upgrade,” he Sr AKOe

Mr Shannon added that the project has been several years in the making with a two year planning delay and appeals to An Bord Pleanala slowing down the building but not the fund- enh b Ores

He said that the continuing local contribution to the project has been excellent.

“We have raised nearly €2 million in the last few years. The house to house collections and general appeal raised €200,000 alone. We have a

parish draw and lotto as well. Dif- ferent organisations in the parish have also had their own money-rais- ing activities. We got some private donations and bequests in wills too. There has been a big drive in the lo- cal community.”

The committee has borrowed the remaining €3 million and has ap- pealed to the Government for fund- ing to make up the shortfall.

“We applied to the Department of the Environment for grants. We met with the Taoiseach and Ministers Cowen and O Cuiv. We already re- ceived verbal support from them but as yet there has been no financial as- sistance,’ he added.

Parish services have been held in the community hall since Septem-

ber, but Mr Shannon said that the church’s structure already shows an rboah ey en{er0 slo 01

‘The interior has dried out tremen- dously. From what we’ve seen so far St Senan’s will be one of the finest church buildings in the diocese, if not in the country.”

It costs €500 to enter a team in the golf classic and anyone interested can contact Denis Nagle on 065 9051138. Donations can also be sent to Father Michael Sheedy, The Paro- chial House, Toler Street in Kilrush.