Month: June 2006

A 100km cycle from Limerick to Doonbeg is to benefit cancer suffers in Clare.

The Limerick office of BDO Simpson Xavier has launched a major fundraising drive for cancer treatment equipment for the Mid West through its Get Back Challenge, Business Against Cancer initiative.

In order to achieve the €200,000 target the organisers are holding the 100km cycle on July 1.

The BDO Get Back Challenge has also brought together a range of business sub sponsors that include AIB, Bank of Ireland, Bloxham Stockbrokers, and solicitor firms, Leahy & Partners and Sweeney McGann.

Speaking at the launch of the Get Back Challenge, BDO Simpson Xavier Managing Partner Brian McGann explained “the Business Against Cancer programme has been devised to bring together as many businesses as possible to make a telling contribution to cancer care in the region.

It is significant that a number of our sponsors work in the same sectors but have come together for this event.

“This cause has demonstrated the strength of feeling in the business community towards cancer care and the opportunity to contribute something tangible together,” he added.

In addition to the 100km charity cycle event, the BDO Get Back Challenge includes a children’s activity and nutrition educational element aimed at parents, sports coaches and teachers.

The main message of the educational project is to encourage people to look at their activity and nutritional habits.

Recent research by the World Cancer Research Fund has highlighted how 30 to 40 per cent of cancers can be prevented by being physically active, maintaining a healthy body weight and eating healthily.

The highlight of the activity and nutrition campaign will be a major autumn seminar that will bring together top sports personalities, coaches and health experts.

IT WAS only last August that another suspected CIA plane landed at Shannon Airport provoking scathing criticism from peace activists who slammed the “brazen display of yet another US Government aircraft known to be operated by the CIA.”

The twin propeller DHC-6 Twin Otter arrived in Shannon from Spain on Saturday August 6 and left shortly after midday on Monday 8. The presence of the aircraft at Shannon reignited the row which erupted the previous year about the Clare airport being used by the US military to illegally transport Al Qaeda suspects to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and Egypt.

In October 2004, a group of mid- west based activists made a formal complaint to gardaí following claims that another CIA plane, a corporatestyle Gulfstream aircraft with the registration N379P and nicknamed the “Guantanamo Bay Express”, had been used by the U.S. to “effectively kidnap so-called high-value targets and transport them around the world.” The plane has been sighted at Shannon on several occasions in recent years.

Well known local peace activist Tim Hourigan said at the time, “I am disgusted that yet again, the CIA can bring its jets in through Shannon without any interest or hindrance from the Irish state or the Garda Síochána. It has been repeatedly brought to the attention of the Irish government that CIA operations are being conducted through Shannon using a variety of front companies. Rather than investigate any of the detailed criminal complaints, the Government continues to blindly accept the assurances of the US ambassador that nothing is going on”.

The aircraft seen at Shannon last August, registration N6161Q, belongs to a company called Aviation Specialists Inc which unusually, has a P.O. Box in Washington as its only contact information. The aircraft, which was parked close to the roadway at Shannon, was equipped with a number of very unusual blade antennae on the upper fuselage not standard to that type of plane.

The aircraft is believed to be operated by a special paramilitary unit of the CIA, known as the Special Operations Group (SOG) which is part of the Special Activities Division (SAD) and has been tracked by plane spotters around the World.

Mr. Hourigan added, “the Dept of Foreign Affairs would have been well aware of the fact that plane spotters around the globe have been tracking many of these aircraft, including the landing of this plane, N6161Q, in Iraq, Afghanistan, the CIA landing strip at Camp Peary, and the secretive Desert Rock airfield in Nevada. It is a disgrace, that the CIA, with its history of torture, murders, coups, secret wars and drug dealing can be allowed parking space at Shannon. It would appear that we have surrendered even the pretence of sovereignty in our relations with the Bush administration and the CIA”.

A PRIVATE jet leased by the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to allegedly transport Al Qaeda suspects through Shannon Airport was eventually sold by its owners following intensive media coverage in Ireland of the plane’s suspect movements and activities around the world.

Massachusetts based Premier Executive Transport Services sold the Gulfstream V jet, registration number N379P, to a company in Oregon in November 2004. The move followed claims of the plane’s involvement in the alleged covert transfer of suspects to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and an Egyptian prison where they were allegedly tortured.

News of the sale surprised anti war activists in Ireland who only a month earlier made a formal complaint to gardaí about the plane’s regular visits to Shannon Airport. The jet’s new owners, an Oregon based company called Bayard Foreign Marketing, declined to comment at the time about the purchase or what the aircraft would be used for.

The corporate-style Gulfstream aircraft, dubbed the Guantanamo Bay Express by local anti war groups, has visited Shannon at least fourteen times since January 2002 and has allegedly been used by the U.S. to “effectively kidnap so-called high-value targets and transport them around the world”.

On January 31st 2003, prominent Limerick based activist Tim Hourigan published details of U.S. military aircraft activity through Shannon. The extensive list included the Gulfstream jet which left Shannon for Washington DC at 12.30pm on January 18, 2003 and is known to have visited Shannon on several occasions before and since.

Commenting on news that the jet had been sold, Mr. Hourigan said, “Obviously changing the planes registration didn’t work for them so they sold the plane in order to get rid of the evidence. It is clear that the U.S. wants to keep its dirty deeds secret.” Mr. Hourigan also believes that the sale of the jet was prompted by the exposure by anti war groups in Ireland and abroad of the missions the plane has been used for.

Revelations in a Swedish television documentary broadcast in May 2004 claimed that two men were expelled from Sweden and transported to Egypt on December 18, 2001. According to “The Broken Promise” programme, the operation was carried out by hooded US agents travelling on board the same Gulfstream jet N379P.

The two men, Muhammad Al Zery and Ahmed Agiza, were alleged to have had connections with terrorist groups and to have been involved in Islamic movements in Egypt. Ahmed Agiza fled from Egypt to Pakistan and later Iran before finally arriving Sweden in September 2000 with his wife and children. Muhammad Al Zery, an acquaintance of Agiza, fled from Egypt in 1991 and arrived in Sweden in August 1999.

A request by Premier Executive Transport Services to transfer the plane’s registration to the new owners was filed on November 29, 2004. The bill of sale also filed with the Federal Aviation Authority confirms that the plane was sold two weeks earlier on November 16.

A month earlier, in October 2004, a group of mid west based peace activists made a formal complaint to gardaí in Shannon, following claims that the jet was being used by the US military to illegally transport Al Qaeda suspects toGuantanamo Bay in Cuba and Egypt. The group claimed that the jet regularly passed through Shannon Airport contrary to the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

ONLY 13 months ago, during a visit to County Clare, the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, said he did not believe the U.S. Government would deceive the Irish Government in matters relating to the alleged covert transporting of prisoners through Irish airports.

The statement followed widespread claims that a jet, operated by the CIA, had transported prisoners through Shannon Airport on board so-called “rendition flights.” The practice, where prisoners are allegedly snatched in one country and transported to another to be tortured and interrogated, has been condemned by human rights activists in Ireland and abroad.

It is known that the Gulfstream V aircraft, with the registration number N379P, has visited Shannon at least 14 times since January 2002 and local peace activists believe that the airport has been used as a transit point for these so-called “high-value targets.” Their claims have now been backed up by last week’s Council of Europe report which revealed thatIreland was one of 13 countries which facilitated “rendition flights.”

On a visit to Clare in March 2005, Minister McDowell said, “If anybody is detained in Ireland unlawfully on a transit basis, it would be of grave concern to the Irish State and is a matter on which the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Justice would act immediately.”

“Apart from making suggestions that it has happened or might happen, not one person has come forward with one shred of evidence that this is happening. I believe the U.S. Government has made it clear that it would not infringe our laws,” Minister McDowell said.

Minster McDowell was adamant that “no prisoners have been brought through Shannon. I rely on the American Government to be truthful and honest in its dealings with the Irish State and they have assured us that Shannon is not being used as a transit point for prisoners in breach of our laws and I am prepared to accept that at face value.”

“I accept the word of the American Government. America is a loyal and true friend of Ireland and I don’t think that they would deceive us in this matter,” the Minister concluded.

THE LATEST claims that prisoners are being transported through Shannon for torture have prompted calls for the resignation of Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern.

The Council of Europe Watchdog’s report, compiled by Swiss senator and lawyer, Dick Marty, points the finger of blame at Ireland as being one of 14 European nations which formed a “spider’s web” of collusion in the transport of prisoners to be tortured.

Senator Marty used flight records and the testimony of individuals who had been victims of special rendition to paint a picture of which countries took part and which airports were used by CIA planes allegedly carrying prisoners.

The report covers 10 case studies involving 17 individual detainees. The information from flight logs has been cross-referenced and each flight has been traced from beginning to end.

He says that the information which was compiled for the report “shifts the balance of proof” and leaves European governments, including Ireland, with questions to answer.

The report has caused uproar among human rights groups, antiwar activists and opposition politicians.

In January of this year, politicians were warned that Ireland could have tough questions to answer in the EU probe. At that time, Fine Gael’s Simon Coveney said he anticipated that Ireland “will be forced to give evidence and I expect the Government will have to establish the facts.”

From the first claims early this year that the CIA flights landing at Shannon were carrying extraordinary rendition prisoners, the Government has said that they accept “categorical assurances” by the US that this was not happening.

But amid a media furore over the claims, the Government ruled out the release under the Freedom of Information Act of minutes of a meeting between Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, at which the issue was discussed.

But the Government has responded to the claims by repeating that they were given “categorical assurances” by the US that this was not happening in Shannon.

Transport Minister Martin Cullen told the Dail this week that he has been given “unambiguous assurances that prisoners have not been transferred through Irish territory and would not be without our permission.”

In a talk which he gave in Trinity College, leading US academic Noam Chomsky launched a scathing attack on the Government, acccusing the Taoiseach of “shining the shoes” of the US president by allowing Shannon to be used.

The first movement of troops on US planes through Shannon more than two years ago was greeted with protests, a peace camp and attacks on planes standing on the tarmac which led to a number of criminal prosecutions.

THE majority of Clare’s Oireachtas members remain content to trust the American Government when it says it is not using the county’s international airport for unlawful rendition flights.

With the exception of TD James Breen (Ind), Clare’s TDs and senators see no reason why American military flights into Shannon should be investigated, even after last week’s damning Council of Europe report.

The mood of the TDs reflected that of the members of Clare County Council at the local authority’s adjourned April meeting, where just six members voted in favour of a call to allow Irish authorities investigate the military flights.

Clare’s Minister for State, Tony Killeen, said, “I have always made a distinction between flights carrying prisoners and other flights, and Ireland has traditionally facilitated about 30 countries with military flights through Shannon.

“It does seem strange to me that only US flights attract negative attention,” he said.

“On the basis of this report, there does not seem to be any suggestion that anything would be found should flights be boarded and checked. On that basis, no new case has been made for any change in the arrangement in relation to US flights.”

Agreeing with the junior minister’s sentiment, Senator Brendan Daly said people should be encouraged to read the report.

The west Clare senator, who worked with the report’s author, Senator Dick Marty, on the Council of Europe, said, “clearly the report exonerates Shannon”.

“There was a commitment given by the American authorities to the Irish Government and I am willing to accept that.”

Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen is also prepared to take the word of the Americans.

As one of only four members of the Council of Europe, he will have the opportunity to comment on the report presented by Senator Marty.

He told The Clare People that he does not condone rendition flights, but does not see any evidence that Shannon has been used for this purpose.

“It is unlikely that the airport is used for this, considering the UK NATO bases are so close by.”

Clare Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley called for a debate to tease out the details of the Council of Europe report, which he described as “baseless” and “biased” because it contains “no evidence to back up its claims”.

“No evidence is provided to back up the allegations. Emotive language is spattered throughout the report, such as phrases like ‘spider’s web’ and ‘collusion’.

“This clearly shows the report lacks objectivity,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy James Breen remains the sole Clare Oireachtas member to believe the flights should be investigated.

“I support the flights through Shannon, but I don’t condone the rendition flights.”

“If there is nothing there, then there is nothing to hide and there should be no problem with the investigation,” he said.

CLARE County Council has this week revealed how it plans to spend an €18.1 million windfall from the Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, Noel Ahern.

The funding for housing capital programmes will be divided into three different sections.

The largest sum of €15m has been allocated for the local authority’s housing construction or acquisition programme, including extensions to local authority houses.

Under the scheme, work will commence on eight housing schemes in the county, which will yield a total of 114 additional social housing units in 2006.

These schemes will be constructed in Corofin (24), Killaloe Phase II (16), Kildysart Phase II (10), Lisdoonvarna (3), Shannon (8), Sixmilebridge (19), Miltown Malbay (20), Scarriff (14).

Currently 49 units are under construction, including schemes in Kildysart (14), Killaloe (8), Broadford (2), Ballyvaughan (3) and Clarecastle (22).

Units completed to date in 2006 include 12 social housing units at Kilkishen and 26 in Kilkee.

In addition to the €15 million, €600,000 will be spent on works under the Remedial Works Scheme to Local Authority Housing Estates. In 2006 it is anticipated that work will also commence on a Remedial Works Scheme at the Flat Complex at Tradaree Court, Shannon.

A further €2.5m of the Government funding will go towards Group Housing Schemes for Travellers.

The Traveller Accommodation Programme (2004 – 2008), adopted by Clare County Council in April 2005, provides for the accommodation of indigenous travellers in Clare with the provision of 49 group-housing units and 44 Standard Local Authority housing units.

In 2006, the council will be progressing its proposal to provide group homes at Knockanean, Tulla Road, Ennis and Laghcloon, Liscannor.

In addition, it is anticipated that two new housing units will be provided at Ashline, Ennis.

“The council’s objective has always been to promote social inclusion and to facilitate appropriate standards of housing provision through the provision of housing that is sustainable, affordable, energy efficient, architecturally appropriate, uses best available construction techniques and is adaptable to changing needs over it’s lifetime,” said Josephine Cotter Coughlan, the council’s Director of Service.

A second carrier of US military personnel could be on the verge of pulling out of Shannon after it was confirmed that World Airways, the largest transporter of American troops for the Pentagon, will move to Germany from July 1.

It has now emerged that North American Airlines, a sister company of World Airways, is also looking at alternatives to Shannon.

According to a company spokesman North American Airlines “have the same economic concerns as World Airways but there is no review in place at the moment.”

Shannon Airport is already set to lose millions of euro worth of Pentagon business, following confirmation that the worlds largest carrier of US military personnel is set pull out of the mid west airport next month.

If North American Airlines makes a similar move, the airport will lose at least half and as much as 75% of its US military transit traffic business.

World Airways confirmed last week that from July 1, they will use Leipzig in Germany as their primary technical stop for US military flights.

The move is expected to result in the loss of three flights and 750 troops a day at Shannon where 330,000 military personnel stopped over in 2005 alone. Shannon could lose an estimated €20 million in services, fees and charges. However, the effect will not be as serious as it might have been three years ago when US military traffic made up a much larger proportion of Shannon’s annual traffic. With the continued expansion of the airport, US military business at the moment only makes up approximately 10 per cent of the overall traffic at Shannon.

Despite last week’s announcement, World Airways maintain that it is still committed to the Clare airport.

The company spokesman said that “Shannon has always been one of our preferred locations in Europe and will continue to be so. We may continue to use Shannon periodically for World Airways and North American Airline flights. We have utilised Shannon successfully for many years.”

AN APPLICATION to highlight the geological heritage and treasures of the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher has been submitted to UNESCO and the European Geoparks Network to preserve the area’s geological heritage and provide a major tourism base for the west of Ireland.

Ireland currently has two designated Geoparks: the Marble Arch Caves/Cuilcagh mountain park in Fermanagh and the Copper Coast in Waterford.

The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher Geopark application has been prepared by Clare County Council and the Burren and Cliffs of Moher GeoPark Committee, which comprises Shannon Development, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Clare Biodiversity Steering Group, Geological Survey of Ireland, Burren Outdoor Pursuits Centre VEC, and BurrenBeo Teo.

According to county council heritage officer, Congella McGuire, the establishment of The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher Geopark will allow for the economic development of this area through the development of a branded image linked to the geological heritage and the development of Geotourism.

The application includes proposals geared towards the enhancement of existing visitor facilities and the development of other centres in the area. These include the upgrading of the Burren Centre in Kilfenora and the development of other educational and visitor resources.

“It is planned to target these and other facilities to include up to date information on the geology of the region. It’s hoped that the partnership and the proposed entity, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark Committee, would be the ideal structure to secure funding to enable a geological input into any new developments”, said Tourism Council and Geopark Committee member, Paddy Maher .

“The New Visitor Experience currently under construction by Clare County Council at the Cliffs of Moher will further enhance the site”, he added.

Meanwhile, it has been proposed that the National Parks and Wildlife Service Conservation Rangers will monitor the sites while the proposed Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark Committee will manage and co-ordinate all the geological developmental and presentational aspects proposed in the application.

The Committee will work in consultation with elected members of Clare County Council, the tourism sector, and local community groups. They have suggested in the application to the European Geopark Network that the areas surrounding the high Burren could be included in any future submission. Such areas would include the East Burren Wetlands and the eastern lowlands incorporating the villages of Ruan, Tubber, Boston, Kinvara and Gort.

KILRUSH Town Council will recognise the town’s unique community spirit when it presents the “Gradaim Ui Rhochainn” awards this Friday at 7 pm.

This year, 17 people and groups are nominated for the award from a cross-section of artist, entertainers, volunteers and community workers.

Among those nominated are Gerardine (Ger) Rush, Toler Street, Kilrush; Antonio Cebas for his work with the Brothers of Charity in Hector St., Kilrush; Breda Roughan, Granatooha, Knockerra, Cooraclare; and Patti Lynch, John St., Kilrush who has not let her battle with Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) deter her from fundraising for the charity DEBRA Ireland. Other nominees include Vincent O’Halloran; Bridín Griffin, O’Gorman St., Kilrush; Saint V.De.P. Society, Shannon Heights, Kilrush; Robert Clancy, Barrack Road, Kilkee and the director of the Hell for Leather school and show, John Fennell.

The organisations and groups short listed for the overall award include the West Clare Dyslexic Support Group, Family Resource Centre, West Clare Women’s Forum, Irish Red Cross Kilrush Branch, and South West Clare Community Radio Ltd./Raidio Corca Baiscinn. The late Úna Coffey of Burton Street, Kilrush has also been included on the list of honours.

Two members of Kilrush Town Council have also been nominated for the award. Cllr Stephen O’Gorman (FF) has been included on the list as has Mary Prendeville and her husband Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF), who as mayor, presented the award last year.

In 1993, the council established the concept of the awards to give public recognition to the great work, commitment and dedication of Cllr. Cissie Roughan, a member of Kilrush Urban District Council from 1980-1991. Last year, the Sisters of Mercy won the town’s highest accolade, for their 150 years dedication to education in the West Clare capital.