Month: August 2006

MANY CLARE households are getting twice the national average dose of radiation, a survey on the presence of Radon gas in homes has revealed.

The cancer-causing gas was found to be above the safe level in 15 per cent of homes surveyed in Clare in comparison to a national average of 7 per cent of homes.

But, the level found in the Banner county was nowhere near the highest level, which was found in a home in county Kerry, where occupants were being exposed to forty times the safe level of the gas.

The National Survey of Radon in Irish Dwellings was conducted between 1992 and 1999 by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII).

Radon was measured, over a 12month period, in a random selection of houses in each 10 x 10 km National Grid square throughout the country. The results were used to predict the percentage of houses in each grid square in which the radon concentration was in excess of 200 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3), the National Reference Level.

Six of the 1,710 homes surveyed in Clare were found to have more than ten times the safe level of the gas. A total of 1,446 were under the level considered to be safe. 238 homes had levels of between 200 and 999 becquerels and 20 had levels of between 1,000 and 1999

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which originates from the decay of uranium in rocks and soils. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless and can only be measured using special equipment. When radon surfaces in the open air, it is quickly diluted to harmless concentrations, but when it enters an enclosed space, such as a house or other building, it can cause health problems.

Since July 1998, every new house is required to incorporate some degree of radon preventive measures at the time of construction.

The institute provides a radon measurement service to householders at a price of €50. A radon measurement is usually carried out by placing two small testing devices in the house for a period of three months. The detectors are then returned to the testing laboratory for processing. The procedure is carried out entirely by post. The RPII has produced a set of maps, available on its website, www.rpii.ie, showing high radon areas where more than ten per cent of the houses have levels of the gas above the norm.

TWO of the county’s tourist hotspots are to get extra Garda resources, amid concerns regarding public order issues.

The Clare People has learned that an extra garda is to be allocated to Lahinch and another to Miltown Malbay on a full-time basis from within weeks.

This follows local anger and claims that insufficient Garda resources have been made available to the areas, where populations increase dramatically during the summer months.

Householders in Lahinch were terrified after what they described as a “near-riot” broke out in the early hours of the morning a month ago.

Rocks were thrown through windows, bottles were smashed on the streets and several rows took place on the town’s Main Street, as revellers spilled out of the discos.

Locals in Miltown Malbay signed a petition earlier this year calling on Justice Minister Michael McDowell to allocate extra gardaí to their town.

The recently reformed Active Retired Association (ARA) pointed out that that the number of gardaí in Miltown Malbay was less than half the figure stationed there 20 years ago.

One garda retired three years ago and had not been replaced, they said.

Gardaí in the Clare Division have been invited to apply for the new posts, before the closing date of August 10, and the appointments will be made within days of this date.

Clare Chief Superintendent Liam Quinn confirmed that the gardaí being deployed to those areas will be taken from existing resources in the division.

“We are monitoring the public order situation on an ongoing basis.

“It is always a concern to us. We are responding to the need,” he said.

Residents in both areas have called for at least two extra gardaí, to which Chief Supt Quinn said, “in relation to peak times, extra gardaí are drafted in.

“It is not a case of one extra garda.”

Lahinch Community Council chairman Donogh O’Loghlin welcomed the announcement, but said, “we need more than an extra garda.”

He is calling on gardaí and fire officers to liaise when taking into account the amount of people permitted on licensed premises, given that the main problems emerge at closing time.

“It should be part of planning that fire officers should consult with gardaí, if they can increase numbers, taking into account the numbers that can be policed on the streets.

“Unfortunately somebody is going to be killed,” said Mr O’Loghlin.

PLANS are to be lodged with Clare County Council for a “world class” €20 million greyhound stadium in south-east Clare, it emerged yesterday.

Bord na gCon has lodged plans with the council for the 3,000 capacity stadium in close proximity to the Two Mile Inn Hotel, on the fringes of Limerick city.

The plan is to construct the five storey stadium and a three storey office building at Meelick, which will employ 100 people.

The plan is to also include betting facilities, two restaurants and four bars with a dance floor and function areas.

The Irish Greyhound Board has lodged an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with the application.

According to PR and Marketing Executive with the Irish Greyhound Board, Patricia O’Grady, the project is to be funded through the sale of existing assets, tote profit and a government grant.

Ms O’Grady said that the breakdown of the numbers employed would be 30 per cent full-time and 70 per cent part-time.

“We expect the stadium to be operational by 2008. The anticipated annual turnover in relation to the development is €8 million to €10 million.”

Ms O’Grady said that the Meelick site was chosen for a number of reasons, including excellent road access from all areas, proximity to an urban centre, good profile, high visibility and competitive pricing.

The stadium has been desgned by Hamilton Architects and Ms O’Grady said: “we would like to thanks all the owners, breeders, trainers and general public in Limerick and Clare for their patience on this matter and we look forward to providing the people of the Mid West with a world class greyhound stadium.”

Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) said: “I’m fully in support of the application. It is a great boost in terms of employment. I am assured by Bord na gCon that there will be a very positive spin-off for the local community.

“I am absolutely thrilled. It allows Meelick to progress forward, while allowing the village to retain its rural character.

“It will provide employment for the area as well.”

“There are several dog breeders in Meelick area who are thrilled at the prospect of the stadium. Clare has a strong tradition with dog breeding and dog-racing and I know from speaking with Limerick dog breeders that they are also looking forward to racing their dogs in Clare.”

A decision is due on the application later this year.

A KILRUSH man accused of seriously assaulting a 60-year-old has been refused bail, after a judge ruled that intimidation of a ‘serious, sinister and massive’ nature had taken place.

Judge Joseph Mangan told Ennis District Court yesterday that he was left “without a scintilla of a doubt” that various witnesses have been subjected to intimidation.

He made the ruling after gardaí said they would not tolerate rule by one particular family in Kilrush.

He was speaking during the case of Martin O’Brien (25), of St Senan’s Terrace, Kilrush, who was making his third court appearance, in connection with an alleged assault on Paddy Kelleher, causing him harm, at Crawford Street, Kilrush, in the early hours of July 18.

The accused was charged last Wednesday and was granted bail at Kilrush District Court, subject to conditions, including that he have no contact with the alleged injured party.

The State re-entered the case at Ennis Court on Friday, after two rocks were thrown at Mr Kelleher’s home, one of which smashed through a window, at 1.10am on Thursday morning.

Inspector Tom Kennedy applied to revoke the accused’s bail, “on the basis that Martin O’Brien is directing or controlling the incident (the throwing of the rocks), with the intention of intimidating Mr Kelleher to withdraw his statement.

“What is going on here is sinister and is perverting the course of justice,” he said, adding that Mr Kelleher was being “bullied” into pulling out of the case.

“Mr O’Brien and his family will not have an O’Brien rule in Kilrush and prevent the State from processing cases against them,” said the inspector.

Mr Kelleher, of Crawford Street, Kilrush, told the court, “I think the wrong man is in court. . .He is a way heavier bloke, the bloke that slashed me. I want the case dropped. I am just nervous about it. That’s it. I don’t want no hassle.”