Month: June 2008

KILLALOE, one of the most popu- lar holiday and day-out destinations in Clare, was almost cashless at the bank holiday weekend.

The AIB have apologised to cus- tomers who couldn’t get any money from their machine, which 1s the only on-street ATM in the east Clare town. The machine stopped giving cash on Friday evening and was out of com- mission until Monday evening, the end of the holiday weekend.

Traders and visitors to the town had to manage with credit and La- ser cards but some came up against a Crisis.

One businessman said, “First the AIB machine went down so people went up the hill to the one in the su- permarket. That was fine for a while but there was such a big run on that machine that it ran out of cash.

“They got it refilled later in the day, but the only machine that people

could access outside the supermar- ket’s opening time was out of order.

“The place was packed with visi- tors trying to work around the prob- lem and a good number of them had to give up and go elsewhere if they didn’t have a credit or Laser card to pay with.”

In a statement on the matter the AIB said that “due to a technical problem, our ATM service in Killa- loe was unavailable from the evening of Friday, May 30, until the evening of Monday, June 2.”

“We sincerely apologise to our cus- tomers for the inconvenience this caused. We aim to provide the most competitive customer proposition for our customers and our products and our delivery channels are continually reviewed to ensure this.”

“For example, AIB customers can now use their Debit Cards directly at point of sale and can also avail of a cash back facility to access their funds.”

AN ENNISTYMON- man has claimed that he has been unfairly labelled “‘anti-traveller’” following a public meeting in the town last week.

The meeting, which was held in the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon on Thurs- day night, was called to discuss prob- lems relation to a development in the reyyaee

“The Traveller family that will be going into that development used to

use my house as a postal address for their correspondence. We were help- ing this family long before Clare County Council had any interest in it,’ said Philip Fahy from the Ennis Road in Ennistymon.

‘How could I have anything against that family’? This is an issue between myself and Clare County Council and they way they have handled this issue. We feel that we have been de- ceived.”

“IT live across the road from this development. We have just bought a

new house on a thirty year mortgage. We feel that we were robbed of our chance to have a say about how this development is being put together.”

The meeting was addressed by a number of county councillors in- cluding Martin Conway (FG), who claimed that the meeting was very productive.

“I feel that the councillor answered very comprehensively any issues that were raised on the matter of Traveller accommodation.”

“It is an executive function and ac-

cording to the 1998 Traveller Accom- modation Act means that the county manager has the power to introduce traveller accommodation unilater- ally,” he said.

“If the councilor doesn’t agree he can introduce the measures himself as he did with the emergency halting site just outside Ennistymon.”

‘People are not aware that the local councillors are tied when it comes to this issue.”

“The meeting gave us a great chance to clear the air. I would appeal to

people to embrace this change. If we were to oppose everything then we would not have a role in the manage- ment and development of things go- ing forward.”

“People were satisfied going away from this. It’s a difficult issue and the best thing that we can do is to man- age it going forward rather than op- posing it for the sake of opposing it.”

A number of other issues were raised at the meeting including pub- lic toilets in Ennistymon, sewage and car parking spaces.

on Monday that he felt it “inap- propriate” that Fr Cullinan, who was filling in for parish priest Fr Liam Enright, “used his sermon for the po-

litical purposes of campaigning for a No vote in the Lisbon Treaty”.

However, Fr Cullinan denied preaching politics: “I didn’t preach for a ‘No’ vote from the altar. It might have looked to some people like I did call for a ‘No’ vote but I didn’t,’ said Fr Cullinan, who re- fused to explain what he said about the treaty at Mass.

Fr Cullinan is a chaplain to Limer- ick Institute of Technology where he is responsible for the pastoral care of students, including many from Clare. He said the treaty was “a huge issue for us here”.

“The European Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Ham-

marberg, criticised Ireland last month for not legislating for abortion. And that is the European commissioner for human rights.”

However, Mr Hammarberg is not an EU commissioner. Rather, he is a commissioner for the Council of Eu- rope, a separate body to the EU and one to which the treaty does not ap- ply. He is a former head of Sweden’s Save the Children charity.

It is understood that Fr Cullinan made his controversial remarks at Masses in Cratloe’s two parish churches last Sunday.

“He talked about homosexuals and that because of Europe thousands had to be paid out because of discrimina-

tion,’ another Massgoer revealed.

“Tf he didn’t tell us how to vote, he was bringing up issues he had with the referendum,’ he added.

Fr Seamus Madigan, a spokesman for the Bishop of Limerick, Dr Donal Murray, said “that the reported re- marks made by Fr Cullinan are per- sonal to him and are his opinion”.

He added the Bishops of Ireland, including Bishop Murray, “are en- couraging people to use their vote wisely and not to use it as a protest vote”.

ON SATURDAY evening just af- ter 6pm Clare GAA president, John Hanly, was sitting on the bench that lies near the Magpie pub in Clarecas- aloe

He hadn’t got his thumb out look- ing for a lift, but you knew he was waiting for a lift. It was destination Ruan – the only place to be for old hurlers on Saturday night.

They came from near and far – Hanly and Michael Slattery from Clarecastle, Whitegate’s Naoise Jordan, Bishop Willie Walsh, Cyril Lyons from Ruan, Pa Howard from over the road in Tubber, Tony Red- dan all the way from Tipperary.

All were there to honour one of

Clare and Ireland’s greatest ever hurlers – Jimmy Smyth. To be com- memorated at all is a signal honour, but its extra-special when that hon- our is conferred by your own.

That’s what Ruan GAA club did on Saturday evening, unveiling a plaque they commissioned noted sculptor Mike McTigue to craft in honour of Smyth, their greatest hurling son.

The piece of sculpture told the story – the Harty and All-Ireland Colleges successes, the eight Railway Cups, the Oireachtas, county champion- ships and much more.

No All-Ireland medal, but as All- Ireland winner Cyril Lyons and many other said on Saturday: “greatness is not judged by All-Ireland medal’.

Jimmy Smyth is one of the great-

est players to play the game – Christy Ring said so himself. He’s even had a stamp issued in his honour by An eye

The stamp of greatness was there when An Post was known the Posts and ‘Telegraphs.

DEFENDING Cork City marathon champion, Tracey Guilfoyle had to settle for second place yesterday as she completed the 26.2 mile course in a time of 3.01.22 hours.

The race was won with an out- standing display of front running by Lucy Brennan from Sligo in 2.54.47 hours.

Guilfoyle, running for Kilnaboy

AC, said she was relatively satisfied with her performance adding that she has raced against Brennan previous- ly and was aware the race would set off at a fast pace. The Sligo woman broke from the leaders within the first mile and stayed away until the tape. Guilfoyle was unable to stick with the fast pace, but held her sec- ond place throughout the race. She passed through the ten mile mark in a time of 66 minutes and complet-

ed the first half of the race in 1.28 hours.

Sinead Ni Chonchuir, Eagle AC, was third in 3.01.52 hours.

It wasn’t all bad news, however, as the Kilnaboy athlete took home the ladies 040 prize.

The senior men’s race was won by Roy Fahy, East Cork AC, in 2.33.55 hours. He was followed home in second spot by Eoin O’Connell, Cork Triathlon Club, and Cathal

O’Connell, St Finbarrs AC, was third.

The first relay team home was Rivergold Road Runners, which in- cluded last year’s men’s winner Alan O’Shea. The team covered the dis- tance in 2.23.38 hours.

Around 8,000 people went to the starting line for the second annual Cork City marathon, and there were also 600 relay teams, one including legend Sonia O’Sullivan.

AN POST has reassured customers in the Sixmilebridge and Newmar- ket-on-Fergus that the offices there will not close when sorting and de- livery are relocated to a central office uOmey er: beuslOae

An Post has already confirmed plans to move sorting and delivery services to the Central Services Unit (CSU) in Shannon Town, a move to which staff have been opposed. At present, letter and parcel post for Newmarket-on-Fergus and Sixmile- bridge is sorted at the respective post offices and delivered by local staff who will move to Shannon as part of the relocation.

While the move has been deferred on four separate occasions because of staff objections, the matter has been before the Labour Relations Com- mission and is now set to go ahead this year although a final date has not yet been confirmed.

An Post says the change is being made to improve both delivery serv- ice to business and private customers and operational efficiency.

There has been some concern lo- cally about the future of the post of- neeny

While An Post is adamant that the delivery and retail services are sepa-

rate, Sixmilebridge councillor John Crowe (FG) has yet to be convinced that the relocation of sorting services is not the first step in closing his local post office.

“I am very concerned over the planned move. It is another service being taken away from rural Ireland and in our own parish, we have al- ready seen Kilmurry Post Office close. Is Sixmilebridge the next one to be closed?”

He has also expressed concern about whether people, particularly the elderly or those without trans- port, will have to go to Shannon to collect registered post if they are not at home when it is delivered.

At present in many areas, if there is no one to sign for a letter or package when postal staff call, the recipient 1s expected to travel to the nearest sort- ing facility to collect the item.

“What is the position if a person is not at home to accept a parcel or reg- istered letter? Will they have to trav- el to Shannon to collect them? If so, this will have serious consequences especially for the elderly and those without their own transport,’ Coun- cillor Crowe asked.

An Post says that while details have yet to be finalised, they hope people can continue to collect registered mail at their local office.

THE number of gardai employed in the Clare Garda Division last year dropped, according to latest figures provided by the Department of Jus- nes

Last night, Fine Gael TD Joe Carey said it was disappointing that the Clare division had shown a drop in strength at a time of continuing pop- ulation growth.

The figures supplied to the Clare deputy by Justice Minister, Dermot Ahern show that the numbers em- ployed in Clare last year dropped from 318 at the start of the year to 314 to year end.

Additional gardai have been em- ployed in Clare since the start of this year. However, the drop in personnel last year compared unfavourably to neighbouring counties.

Garda numbers in Limerick in- creased from 532 to 593, while the numbers in ‘Tipperary increased from 338 to 361.

The strength of Garda divisions in Galway East and Galway West also increased. Louth-Meath was the only other Garda division to see a drop in numbers.

Minister Ahern said that as with any large organisation personnel strengths of individual divisions,

districts and stations may fluctuate due to promotions, retirements and WETS CECE

Deputy Carey said it was disap- pointing that Clare lost four gardai in the past year, particularly at a time of continuing population growth. The simple fact is that Garda numbers should not be declining.

“A well staffed, resourced and bet- ter equipped Garda force 1s essential. We’re very fortunate in this country to have such as well-respected and professional Garda force.

“The gardai in Clare work extreme- ly hard, but they need more col- leagues on the ground just as much as the citizens of Clare also need to see more gardai on the streets.

“Community policing is also an in- tegral part of the policing responsi- bilities of gardai, enabling the force to assert its moral authority in a spirit of co-operation and inclusion. It is also a key factor in building vital partnerships at community level.

“Co-operative policing is the way forward and for that to work at a local level, there needs to be the numbers of community police on the ground to implement this policy effectively. In Clare, this is simply not the case and the good work being done by community gardai is undermined by a lack of numbers,” he said.

IT’S ALWAYS the little things that mess up the best laid plans. Like for- getting to pack your runners before going on holidays. Or falling over the dog the night before the race. Or — my personal favourite — that nagging hot rubbing feeling in your runner that tells you that you’re getting a blister 15 minutes into your run. What to do — stop? Take your sock off? Keep go- ing in the hope it’ll go away?

As with almost everything in life, prevention is the best cure. Know- ing the risk factors for developing a blister is the best way of avoiding one developing in the first place. Three factors make a blister — heat, pressure and friction. Some heat is- sues you can’t control, like the tem- perature of the day. Others you can, for example choosing a shoe with a large amount of mesh in the upper, and making sure your feet are cool and dry before putting your runners on by having a cold footbath and dry- ing your feet thoroughly.

Anything that intensifies rubbing can start a blister, including a faster pace, poor-fitting shoes and foot ab- normalities. There are lots of tips out there on runner forums, blogs and websites on avoiding blisters. Some

of them sensible — good fitting shoes, seamless socks, keep skin from dry- ing out but don’t let get sweaty. Some seem a bit OTT – one ultra runner ad- vises Slathering the feet in Vaseline, putting on a pair of pop socks and then normal running socks. Some (from a renowned but obviously non- running podiatrist) are impractical — stop in mid-race, have a shower and dry the feet thoroughly.

Where we Chartered Physiothera- pists as health professionals can help in the area of blister prevention is advise on foot abnormalities and bio- mechanical problems. If you have, for example, a low arched foot or poor knee muscle control your foot contact with the ground will be dif- ferent from someone who does not have these issues. If you are getting persistent problems with blisters visit your local Chartered Physiothera-

Oe To show that your local Chartered Physiotherapists are behind you

were going to be there for you on the 28th in Lees Road. A team of lo- cal pphysios will be providing free pre and post race massage, stretches and injury advice. We’ve been pro- viding this service since the start of the Clare People 10k and we’ve had hugely positive feedback.

ON SATURDAY last I took part in the mini-marathon staged along- side the Burren Marathon in Bally- vaughan. It was well organised and the large crowd enjoyed a great at- mosphere at the start line.

I was feeling good, and when actor Brendan Gleeson sent us on our way with a playful ‘Ready, steady, go!’, I took off like a bullet. Despite the hard uphill stretches at the start, I passed the 3-mile mark in 20:24, but I paid for my impetuousness later on and got steadily slower over the sec- ond half.

The wonderful scenery along the

route was wasted on me as I pushed close to the pain barrier, though the sound of a cuckoo turned my grim- ace to a smile at the 4-mile mark. At 5 miles I had an animated argument with the devil on my shoulder tell- ing me to stop and walk for a while. I knew if I gave in my race would be over, so I steeled myself to push on and keep going to the finish line.

Turns out, I was the first woman over the line in 45:02. My first ever win and a memory to treasure! Un- fortunately I couldn’t hang around basking in my success; I had to get straight home to blow up balloons for my son’s fourth birthday. A mother’s work is never done.

If I’m to achieve my goal of com- pleting The Clare 10k in under 42 minutes, I obviously still have lots of work to do. Pll have to focus particu- larly on speed and pacing, but with 4 weeks to go, I’m still fairly confi- elie

The fundraising for cystic fibrosis is gathering pace too. Don’t forget you can donate online at www.cfire- land.ie (see ‘Margaret Ryan Clare 10k’ under event menu), or contact me directly at 086 6067047.

CLARE farmers and ICSA general secretary Eddie Punch last week met with the new Minister for Ag- riculture, Brendan Smith, to put fur- ther pressure on the government to come out with a stronger and more unequivocal line on WTO.

“We are not interested in any more rubbish about a balanced deal, nor are we falling for the line that it’s too early to talk about a veto,” he said af- ter the meeting.

“The basics of the WTO deal on im- port tariffs have remained the same, the only change being a worsening of the tariff cut from 60 per cent to a

possible 73 per cent.”

“Against that backdrop, we cannot understand how the government con- tinues to fudge around the issue of the veto. While the approach seems to be to building alliances, there is a big risk that other member states will back down if Mandelson brings back a done deal.”

‘As long as Ireland refuses to even contemplate the veto, the commis- sion will try to divide and conquer member states. Meanwhile, farmers are more and more worried that a WTO sell-out is around the corner.”

On the CAP health check, the Crat- eee Lom astlere

“EU proposals for modulation,

involving cuts of 8 per cent to the Single Farm Payment, in order to re- direct some €2 billion to rural devel- Opment measures, are completely in- appropriate in the context of a global food security crisis.”

ICSA is concerned about imple- mentation of both the Malone and Aylward reports.

Mr Punch also highlighted issues regarding sheep fencing grants alon- side raising the inceasingly impor- tant issue of the 30-month rule situa- tion for BSE testing.

“Time is of the essence here as sheep numbers across Europe con- tinue to decline,” he continued.

‘This has gone beyond a joke at this

stage. Europe is dragging its heels here, and it is costing Irish farmers millions. ICSA emphasised to Min- ister Smith the need for the EU to move swiftly on this issue.”

ICSA maintains that the recent debacle around the REPS deadline, which has been missed by up to 10,000 farmers through no fault of their own, will cause more unneces- sary stress and hardship.

It was put to the minister that con- cessions must be made to accommo- date these farmers.

General Secretary, Mr Punch also outlined difficulties with the disad- vantaged area payments, which need upward revision.