Month: March 2006

THE Central Waste Management Facility at Ballyduff Beg could face another rap over the knuckles from the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) following the latest alleged breach of its licence.

Local resident Perry Longe told The Clare People that documents which were required to be available for inspection at the Waste Management Facility were not available on last Thursday, March 16.

The EPA licence states that written documentation which relates to the licensed activities and “copies of the environmental monitoring results and reports” have to be kept on site and available for inspection at all times.

“I asked for both and they didn’t have either. They said that the documents had been removed to head office so that they could prepare for the court case,” said Mrs Longe.

“This amounts to another breach of the licence. They must have €20 million gone into there and if they cannot afford to keep duplicates then there is something seriously wrong.”

Last week it was revealed that local residents John Long along with Tom Harvey and his children Damien and Edel had instigated legal action against Clare County Council, over the operation of the facility.

The four people, who all have houses in close proximity to the Waste Management Facility, are seeking damages as well as the closure of the landfill facility at Ballyduff Beg.

They have been advised by their legal representatives not to speak to the media while the case is pending.

“I feel that it is a vindictive act in retaliation for the court case which is being taken by some of the local people here,” continued Mrs Longe.

“Nobody knows how long these documents might have been missing for. Between March 1 and March 16 there is no way of knowing.”

In January, the Community Liaison Committee for the facility sent a letter of complaint to the EPA informing it of alleged breaches in the licence over the Christmas period.

These breaches concern the closing of the facility’s ninth landfill cell, which the committee have claimed was disturbed without informing the EPA in writing, in compliance with the licence.

The waste management facility has threatened to divide the local community in recent years with local councillor Flan Garvey (FF) receiving a soiled article about the dump, anonymously, in the post before Christmas.

THE number of people arrested for drink driving over the bank holiday weekend almost doubled, when compared with the same period last year.

Nine drivers were arrested on suspicion of the offence between Friday and yesterday (Monday). Three of these were in Ennis, while the rest were in various parts of the Clare Garda Division. This compares with five arrests during the same weekend last year.

It represents an increase of 14 per cent on last year and a phenomenal 54 per cent increase on the number arrested two years ago.

The head of the Clare Garda Divisional Traffic Unit, Inspector Kevin Moynihan, said the rising trend of arrests for drink driving was a concern.

“It is a worry, but it seems to be mirroring the national trend. There is a high level of enforcement. Hopefully people get the message,” said Inspector Moynihan.

The number of arrests for drink driving each year is continuing to rise in Clare. A total of 283 people were arrested during the whole of last year, which was an increase of 10 per cent on the previous year.

Garda sources said a “significant” number of people from Eastern Europe were arrested for drink driving in Clare in recent months and said this was contributing to the overall figure being so high.

Meanwhile, new measures which will see penalty points imposed for a further 31 offences are due to come into effect at the start of next month.

These include illegal overtaking, failure to obey traffic lights and failing to obey stop and yield signs.

Gardaí using the new hand-held computer system, introduced in recent weeks, say it is working well, with no major problems to-date.

A GARDA traffic unit focusing on the east Clare area is to be established in Killaloe within weeks, The Clare People has learned.

The unit, consisting of a sergeant and five gardaí, will compliment the existing Garda Traffic Corps, which is based in Ennis and covers the county.

The establishment of the unit will be paralleled by an increase in size of the traffic corps, based in Ennis, will also be increased in size. All of the changes are due to be finalised by June.

Garda sources say the establishment of the unit in Killaloe follows the increasing number of serious road crashes in that area over the past few years. Traffic members will also clamp down on a spate of crime in the area in recent months.

Overall, the Garda Traffic Corps in the division is to double in size by the end of next year.

This comes amid figures, which show a dramatic increase in the number of drivers arrested for drink driving, across the division. The number of drivers caught speeding is also on the increase.

“It was decided to locate the new unit in Killaloe, given the number of serious accidents there last year. We feel it is needed there,” said a Garda spokesman.

“It is hoped that this will create more visibility in rural areas. Traffic enforcement and crime prevention are the two main aims. The area has been susceptible to burglaries over the past 18 months in particular,” he added.

“There have been quite a number of fatal accidents on the N7 Limerick to Dublin road over the past year and we believe Killaloe would be an appropriate place to locate a second section of the traffic unit,” he said.

East Clare Councillor Paschal Fitzgerald (Lab) welcomed the decision to set up the unit in Killaloe, saying it was a necessary move.

“It is about time. We have been waiting for this for a long time. Speeding is an issue all over the country and it is great to see an initiative being taken,” he said.

He expressed hope that the increased Garda presence may assist in the fight against spiralling crime in the area, most notably burglaries.

“There are only three gardaí in Ardnacrusha. It is great to see the extra gardaí being put in the area. Visibility is important. Hopefully these gardaí will be seen in the housing estates,” he said.

A GROUP campaigning for maternity services in Clare has rowed in behind the campaign to safeguard accident and emergency services in Clare.

Spokesperson for the Maternity Service Group, Susan Killeen, said that the group is concerned about the Accident and Emergency Department in the Mid-West Regional Hospital Ennis, as it is the first point of call for emergency births in the county.

The lobby group has been campaigning for a midwife-led unit for Clare for a number of years, as well as promoting the choice of a home birth within the county.

There are currently no maternity services in Clare, with the exception of Kilkee based midwife, Sue Cole, who provides a private service.

Last year, 1,387 Clare women gave birth in the Regional Maternity Hospital, Limerick, one third of them by caesarean section.

A further 180 Clare mothers gave birth in the National University Hospital Galway.

Ms Killeen told The Clare People that home births were for the minority. But, the group would like to see a home birth service provided for the county by the HSE, so that women had choices.

She said there was no information provided on home births when looked for by expectant mothers in the county.

A seminar has now been organised by the Home Birth Association in Blackrock Cork on Saturday next. There is currently a pilot scheme on home births in Cork.

A couple who experienced such a birth will talk about their experience while experts provide further information.

THE impact of holiday homes on Kilkee has prompted a West Clare councillor to call for the reforming of a community based group.

Dr Tom Nolan called for the Kilkee Planning Review Group to be reformed, claiming that Clare Council Council wasn’t willing to engage with local representatives.

Dr Nolan (Ind), a member of Kilkee Town Council, was chairman of the planning group that fought against a number of tax-driven holiday home developments in Kilkee during the 1990s

“The questions of six-seven years ago remain unanswered and the infrastructure deficit remains the same. I think that it is time that a Planning Review Group be resurrected in some form because there isn’t a willingness from Clare County Council to engage with the people that represent the local people.

“The sad truth is that local people can and never will be able to live in Kilkee because the cost of housing. The only way local people will be able to live in Kilkee is that if developers are compelled to provide social and affordable housing in the area.

“No infrastructure, either social or essential, has been provided for the surge of holiday homes in Kilkee and it is not sustainable. Why doesn’t someone shout stop? It is baffling as to why Clare County Council has granted planning to these developments and you would have to conclude that the council sees Kilkee as a revenue raising area through development charges.”

Dr Nolan made his comments as concern was expressed over the impact a €25 million housing development would have in Kilkee.

Earlier this year, plans were lodged by Paddy Madden, Barry Madden, Jerry O’Sullivan and Paul O’Connell for a 60 home development at Dough, Kilkee. The houses are to be built on six acres of zoned land 250 metres from Kilkee’s Circular Road. The developers are to enter an agreement to give a monetary contribution towards social and affordable housing.

In an objection against the development, Kilkee woman, Martha McGreen states: “The area is losing the very charm that has made it so popular over the years and the very sense of identity of being from Kilkee is being eroded away. How can a person from the town now afford to buy here and with the zoning restrictions how can they even build if they have land?”

A decision is due on the application later this month.

THE mid-west received a double jobs boost this week with the news that 140 new jobs were set to be created in the region.

Partners in Europe (PIE), a Shannon-based company that fulfils online trading orders for customers, has signed a five-year contract with Discovery Channel Europe that will see the creation of 20 new jobs at its facility in Shannon.

This followed the announcement by Limerick-based firm Vistakon that 140 jobs would be created in the city over the next 12 years.

The deal will see Discovery Channel Europe handle all of PIE’s e-commerce business activity and is estimated to be worth around €8 million to Discovery Channel Europe, with the Irish firm due to receive a small percentage of that.

PIE hopes to benefit from the its association with the Discovery media giant who broadcast to about €28 million people across Europe and the Middle East. The company is currently planning on expanding its online range from 600-1000 products by the end of September. The company was set up in 1993 and currently employs 56 staff and enjoys revenues of €5 million.

Last Thursday, Vistakon announced that it was set to significantly expand operations at its facility in the National Technology Park. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Vistakon, who design, manufacture and market soft disposable contact lenses, will invest over €100 million in their Limerick facility. The investment will result in 120 new jobs being created over the next 12 years.

“Since its arrival in 1995, Vistakon has provided high calibre employment and has made a meaningful contribution to the local economy. The news that it is to invest in new product development is a vote of confidence in the capability of its staff and in the environment in which it operates,” said Kevin Thompstone, Chief Executive, Shannon Development.

“As developers and managers of the National Technology Park, Limerick, Shannon Development continuously works to position the park as an attractor for knowledge-based enterprise activity. Ninety-five companies, a mix of foreign direct investment, indigenous companies, support services and training entities, now operate from the park, providing employment for over 4,000 people. This additional investment by Vistakon is great news for the area,” added Mr. Thompstone.

THE policymakers and people of Clare must make more of an effort to help the county’s estimated 6,000 strong foreign population integrate into the workforce and society of the county.

That’s according to Orla Ní Eilí of the Ennis Refugee Council, who says integration needs to be prompted because it will not happen by itself.

There are no formal events taking place in Clare to mark Intercultural Week, this week.

“We all need to keep looking at it and working at it. I think that at public policy, services, and community development level, integration has to be fostered and encouraged.

“It needs a bit of work and it needs to be managed, because it is not happening organically,” said Ms Ní Eilí.

Intercultural Week is taking place throughout the island of Ireland. The theme of this year’s week is participation and it culminates today with the United Nation’s International Day Against Racism.

“We are encouraging emigrants and refugees to get involved in every element of their society. We have to make sure that the opportunities are there for participation.

“We are running courses on employment and diversity and these are very important for people looking to integrate into working culture of Ireland,” said Ms Ní Eilí

While progress towards greater integration is being made in some sections of Clare society, others are lagging behind.

“Some sectors are better than others.

“The schools in Ennis, for example, are doing great work to ensure that all the children attending their school have proper access to education,” said Ms Ní Eile.

“We need to work very hard with our children to foster this understanding and sharing with different cultures.”

In excess of 60 events are taking place throughout the 32 counties as part of Intercultural Week.

Events are set to take place in Galway and Limerick but in Clare, where almost six per cent of the public are foreign nationals, no formal events have been planned.

“This is a special week and today (the International Day Against Racism) is a special day, but some of the events we had planned, like the intercultural soccer tournament didn’t make sense at this time of the year,” continued Ms Ní Eilí.

“There was a great participation in the Ennis Paddy’s Day parade in Ennis however with 90 flags being carried to represent 90 different countries.”

Intercultural week is being co-ordinated by the NCCRI. For more information check out: www.nccri.ie.

AN TAISCE has joined with the Ballyvaughan Development Association and other residents in opposing a proposal to build what’s claimed will be the largest estate in the north Clare coastal village.

A developer, Thomas Considine, has lodged plans with Clare County Council to build a multi-million euro, 21-house extension onto the existing 12-house “Dolmen Village” estate.

In its objection, An Taisce states public services are in need of upgrade, and such a large estate would consequently, be premature.

They claim that the development should be in keeping with the Burren landscape and warn, “this may set an example for future developments.”

In its objection, the Ballyvaughan Development Committee states that “the proposed development is not in keeping with the existing Dolmen Village, where each of the houses are single dwellings, each on their own site.”

“Knowing the serious constraints that presently exist regarding the water and sewerage infrastructure in Ballyvaughan, we regard this application as premature, pending the proper upgrading of facilities at Ballyvaughan,” said Chairman of Ballyvaughan’s Development Committee, Gerry O’Sullivan.

“The overall effect of the proposed development will lead to near tripling in size of the present Dolmen Village, with what we consider to be inappropriate house type designs for a small rural village. We also consider the proposed development to be too dense. We are also concerned that the proposed development involves an erosion of the sole public open space in Dolmen Village.”

A number of residents at the estate have told the council that the proposed development “damages the overall integrity of the Dolmen Village”.

“It will create a 33-house development, which is far in excess of any similar size in Ballyvaughan, or anywhere near it, resulting in the largest housing estate on the north Clare coast.

“The Dolmen Village, will in effect, be tripled in size and this will have problems for water pressure, waste storage location, effluent treatment, irrespective of any proposed temporary treatment plant for the first phase of the development.”

A decision is due on the application later this month.

CLARE writer Mary O’Donoghue has been shortlisted for the prestigious Francis MacManus Short Story for Radio Award, on RTÉ Radio One. The Boston-based author hails from Tubber and received the nomination for her radio play ‘Bumpwoman’.

She is one of 20 writers shortlisted for the prestigious award which carries with it a prize fund of €6,000 and is in its 20th year. In ‘Bumpwoman’, O’Donoghue takes an unusual slant on the notion of pregnancy.

“It deals with maternity but with a twist,” said Ms O’Donoghue. “It is a contemporary Irish work and its main protagonist is a woman. It is a light-hearted story and takes an unusual slant on the experience surrounding expectancy.”

While ‘Bumpwoman’ is set in rural Ireland, it is not based in Clare. Indeed, Mary admits that very little of her work is autobiographical and she prefers to look elsewhere when looking for inspiration.

“None of my stories are autobiographical. Many of them are rural, but they could be set anywhere in Ireland. In fact, I try to write as far away from my own experiences as possible,” said Mary.

“The tendency now is to read a lot of fiction as if it is autobiographical and, to be honest, I don’t find myself that interesting. In fact, in a lot of my writing, the main protagonist is a man.”

Mary attended NUI, Galway where she achieved a BA and Masters in Irish Studies. She later settled in Galway where she racked up a string of achievements in a very short space of time.

In 1998, she was awarded the Brendán Ui hEithir Bursary and in 2000 she was awarded the Sean Dunne Young Writer Award for her poetry and also won the Salmon Publication Prize, which led to the publication of her critically-acclaimed debut poetry collection ‘Tulle’ in 2001.

Also in 2001, she crossed over from poetry to fiction and won the Hennessy/Sunday Tribune First Fiction Award as well as the overall New Irish Writing Award for her short story ‘The Byre’.

That same year, Mary moved to Boston where she took up a teaching role in Babson College. Since then, she has continued to write and be published in various anthologies and journals across America.

In recent years, she has read all over America, including an appearance at the inaugural Boston Voices series in 2005 where she read with the likes of Dennis Lehane and Sue Miller.

In 2003, she received the Tyrone Guthrie/Virginia Centre for Creative Arts Fellowship.

While living in the US, Mary maintains strong links with home. She participated in the Cuirt International Festival in Galway and worked closely with Irish language poet Louis De Paor in translating his work.

The winners of this year’s Francis MacManus Award will be announced by RTÉ next Monday.

THE Fine Gael party has seen a 2,000 per cent increase in its membership in Shannon town in the past year, while membership has increased three-fold across the county.

The Shannon town branch has swollen to 21 and a half times its original size, from 24 to 516 in the run up to its election convention, which is pencilled in for mid-May.

Across the county, the party has increased to more than 2,400 members as the preparations continue for the one-member one-vote general election candidate selection process.

The new branch of Ennis Central, set up after the last General Election, has increased its figures by almost 600 per cent, growing from 23 members to 161. The second Fine Gael branch in the county town, Marie Connolly branch, increased its figures from 16 to 90, an increase of 460 per cent.

The membership in Kilrush town stood at 24 in 2005 and is now at 47, while Balynacally who had just over a dozen members in 2005 now has 124.

With the membership growing, the selection convention is estimated to attract at least 1,800 delegates.

It is now expected that sitting Fine Gael TD Pat Breen along with councillors Joe Carey, John Crowe, Tony Mulcahy and Madeleine Taylor Quinn will learn their fate on May 14, the weekend after the Fine Gael Ard Fhéis.

This date has not yet been confirmed officially, but all indications are that the convention will take place then.

There are currently 2,126 Clare adults registered with the Fine Gael party in Clare with approximately 300 young Fine Gael members also having a vote at the selection convention.

Last year, the party registered just 793 members in the Banner county.

The increase has been attributed to the party’s selection process.

Cllr John Crowe, who put his name forward for consideration in the run up to the 2002 election, said he was looking forward to the convention and just wanted a date to be set at this stage.

Cllr Joe Carey is also looking to the selection convention, saying the country needs a change in government.

“We need a new direction and new team for the Clare. I represent that new energetic, youthful approach,” said the youngest candidate in the running.

Cllr Mulcahy agreed new blood was welcome.