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THE Health Service Executive expects the first phase of the renovation project at the MidWestern Regional Hospital, Ennis to cost at least double the €20.8 million approved by the Government.

Consultants who carried out the cost benefit analysis on behalf of the HSE have estimated that the long awaited Phase 1A will cost up to €40 million.

The HSE called for the analysis of the cost of the project last August after it emerged that the first phase would cost in excess of €30 million. The increase in cost was a result of changes to hygiene and other requirements in hospitals.

Phase 1A of the project was also extended, adding to the expense, to include extra medical and surgical beds.

Minister Micheál Martin announced the funding for the hospital development as far back as 2002 when he was Minister for Health.

In 2004, Minister Mary Harney approved the funding and a design team was put in place. It was hoped that the hospital project would be at planning stage by last summer. One election on and the project has finally got the approval of the HSE to go to planning stage.

Minister for State Tony Killeen said the HSE approval was an obvious indication that there will be no scaling down of services at the General Hospital.

“Clearly the fact that the project has passed this analysis is very positive and it addresses many of the concerns raised in recent months. An expenditure of this level shows there is commitment to services additional to what are currently available,” he said.

A CLARE businessman has told a conference on Radon that six out of eight houses that had been fitted with a radon barrier showed that the barrier had ruptured.

Anthony McLaughlin of the Clarecastlebased Radon Aware Group told the Galway conference that his company had developed a system to check for leaks after construction.

He was speaking just days after it was revealed that internationally, between six and 15 per cent of deaths from lung cancer could be attributed to exposure to Radon, with Ireland coming in at 13 per cent, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“Builders kindly let us survey eight homes post construction and leaks were found in six,” said McLaughlin.

“This is not surprising as there has never been a physical system to help the builder.”

McLaughlin’s company can arrange “tests of the indoor radon level using the Landauer laboratories in the US an they can also test the membrane for leaks, using specially adapted equipment that I brought in from the UK, and undertake remediation work if necessary.”

The leak detection equipment uses a long flexible hose, which is inserted into the cavity under the house. It pumps in gas and smoke, and if smoke appears, it confirms the presence of a leak or leaks. Membranes can then be repaired.” Radon is a colourless, odourless gas which is harmless in the open air but can build up to dangerous concentrations when trapped in a house.

STAFF at the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre are to receive specialist firstaid training to operate the room provided by a US couple who lost their first-born baby at the Cliffs of Moher last July.

A County Council spokesman confirmed that all staff at the new €31.5 million Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience will receive first-aid training with two to four personnel receiving advanced training.

Last Friday, Delia and Kelly Stokes travelled to the Cliffs from their home in Phoenix, Arizona to thank all the staff who came to their aid last July when they lost their baby, Nicholas, at the site.

The couple pledged $86,000 towards the provision of a first-aid facility in memory of their prematurely born son. Clare County Council confirmed that it would be naming the new first-aid room the ‘Nicholas Room’ as part of its new visitor centre.

During the visit, Kelly recalled how the women working at the Cliffs centre showed no fear when he told them that his wife needed help.

“When I approached them at the desk and told them what was happening, they just did what they had to do. They were very compassionate, very comforting, told us everything was going to be okay, not to panic and that was the biggest blessing of all.”

Delia said she didn’t think there would have been a different outcome even if there was a dedicated first-aid room in place at the cliffs last July.

“I was 25 weeks pregnant and so, even if I was in a hospital, I don’t think it would have turned out any different. Our focus now is to take something positive out of our tragedy and the opening of the new visitor centre gave us the perfect opportunity to be part of something good.

“Our son is Irish. Nicholas lived for a short time, but I think he is having a greater impact than some people have in an entire lifetime. That is very powerful for us and we feel very blessed by it.”

The couple are due to return to the US today (Tuesday).

ANGER is growing among Clare farmers over the implementation of the nitrates regulations. A full IFA ban on unannounced Department of Agriculture inspections took effect yesterday, November 27.

There was a heated public meeting hosted by delegates of the Department of Agriculture and Teagasc and attended by more than 200 farmers in Ennis last Thursday.

The meeting was designed to inform Clare farmers on how best to conform to the controversial new regulations, but instead it prompted widespread confusion and anger among the farmers in attendance.

“There are so many areas and it is so complicated that a lot of farmers don’t have a grasp of it. Even some of the people on the stand at the meeting, well, we were not happy with some of the explanations that they gave. They were not able to explain it 100 per cent,” said Clare IFA President, Seamus Murphy.

“You can’t expect farmers to be up to date on something like this when it comes at them from out of the blue. Every farm is different and these rules apply differently from farm to farm. The department should put in a lot more effort to getting the information across to farmers on how this will work.”

Should farmers run into difficulty and fail sections of these on-the-spot tests, they stand to lose on a portion of the Single Farm Payment, which is the lifeblood of many Clare farms.

“This is quite a big deal,” continued Mr Murphy. “This is the only income on a lot of farms. We also feel that when inspectors leave, that farmer should be given a signed receipt on how the inspection went.

“At the moment, you don’t even know how the inspection went or even what areas of your farm have been checked until you receive the letter in the post.

“We don’t know what they are looking for and we don’t like these on-the-spot inspections.”

Last week, the IFA urged its members to refuse access to the farms to nitrate and cross-compliance inspectors who fail to give farmers any notice of inspections.

“We wouldn’t have a problem if they gave us 48 hours’ notice before inspections,” continued Mr Murphy. “There is a lot of concern and fear of the unknown.”

THE €2 million expansion of a filling station and shop in Shannon has been put on hold because SkyCourt has refused consent for the development.

Local businessman Darragh O’Connor closed his Texaco filling station and convenience shop a month ago and had commenced its redevelopment. This was to incorporate knocking and rebuilding the site and the opening of a Spar store on the premises.

The project was to include the construction of a shop, treble the size of that which existed previously. Mr O’Connor had planned to locate the retail unit on the ground floor, with offices and store rooms upstairs.

The business has been operated by the O’Connor family for the past 30 years. Mr O’Connor was granted planning permission four years ago for this development. It is part of the SkyCourt centre complex. Texaco have leased the site from the town centre management company.

However, SkyCourt has now informed Mr O’Connor that they are “refusing consent” for the development. In response to a query from The Clare People , SkyCourt issued a brief statement on the issue, stating, “In general, SkyCourt welcomes the development of new units and the expansion of existing outlets at our shopping centre in Shannon. However, in this instance, regrettably we were obliged to refuse consent for reasons of good estate management and in the interests of overall trade at the centre.”

A spokesman said, “It is not an objection per se. It is a refusal to grant consent. The management company is refusing consent.”

Mr O’Connor, who took over the business from his parents Al and Mary 10 years ago, expressed frustration at this development taking place at such a late stage.

“I think it is a shame that somebody can come and object. I had expected to be off for five months working on this project and had intended to open in March or April next year, but it is gone back at least two months now,” he said. Mr O’Connor said he may now have no option but to go to arbitration in an effort to sort out the issue.Local councillor Tony Mulcahy (FG) said SkyCourt’s refusal to consent was a shame.

“This family have been in business in the town for many years. It is disgraceful that anyone would object to someone growing their business.”

A WOMAN’S nightmare of seeing her husband plunge to his death while performing a circus act with her, was recalled last week.

The inquest into the death of Vitaly Kharapavitski (26), a Berarussian trapeze artist who died while performing with the Russian Royal Circus in Scariff, heard that he had been performing with his wife Sasha, when he fell some 20 feet to his death.

Vitaly and Sasha had been suspended on a cage attacked to a cable and hoist, when the accident happened at the GAA field in Scariff, on August 28 last.

Ennis Coroner’s Court heard a deposition from Vitaly’s wife Sasha, who accompanied him in the act. She said he put up the equipment that evening, with his assistant. “My husband is very careful and makes sure everything is safe,” she said.

The equipment in which they were performing should be changed every five years and had been changed three years ago.

“I was in a harness, suspended underneath. He was in the cage. He was leaning out of the cage. Suddenly I fell to the ground. I did not hear anything, or see anything,” she explained. She heard someone saying he had no pulse. “I knew he was dead,” she said.

Eddie Moloney, who was one of 300 people at the circus, recalled in his deposition, the steel cable either snapping or coming loose. The cradle fell 15 – 20 feet, bringing the couple with it.

“His head crushed under the steel cradle and some of his limbs had been trapped inside it,” he recalled.

Patrick Doyle, who was close to where the accident happened, said it appeared to him that the man threw his wife clear, saving her life in the process.

Ringmistress Michelle Courtney said the act had been rehearsed an hour before the show and “all went well.”

“They are normally very meticulous in everything they do and if there is any doubt, they wouldn’t have performed,” she said.

Dr James O’Driscoll, who carried out a post-mortem examination on Mr Kharapavitski’s body, said death was due to cardiac respiratory failure, associated with the fracture of his skull into multiple small pieces.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea said it appeared that Mr Kharapavitski “pushed his wife out of the way and her injuries were less severe.”

She said the Health and Safety Authority had carried out an inspection on the circus, where the equipment for the act was set up.

The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

A LITTLE known Shannon-based aircraft engine leasing firm employing just 16 people recorded a net profit of $46.7 million last year.

According to accounts filed to the Companies Office by Shannon Engine Support Ltd (SES), the company increased its net profit by 30 per cent on the $35.7 million net profit enjoyed in 2004.

SES, located in the Shannon Free Zone, employed just 16 people during 2005. Staff received on average a salary of $112,500 with the overall salary payout being $1.8 million.

The accounts show that of the 16 staff, seven work in customer support, four in marketing, two in finance and three in administration.

With the $46 million profit, the company now has accumulated profits of $185 million.

Turnover increased from $86 million in 2004 to $100 million last year. The largest proportion of the company’s business is carried out in Europe where last year it recorded sales of $46.7 million. This compares to sales of $26 million in Asia Pacific and $17.4 million in the US.

In relation to ‘Other Reserves’, the accounts state that the company has capital contributions totaling $308 million.

According to a statement attached to the accounts, SES had a successful year.

It goes on: “Demand for the company’s products as measured by the utilisation level of its portfolio of aircraft engines has been very strong throughout 2005 and is expected to remain at similar levels for the foreseeable future.

“The principle risk that the business faces is a downturn in the global aviation industry, in particular a slowdown in global passenger traffic as a result of an economic slowdown or an external shock.

“It is expected that the business will continue to develop and that the company is well positioned to benefit from any challenge in the aviation industry.”

The accounts confirmed that the company did not pay a dividend in 2005.

THE DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has appealed the leniency of a three year sentence handed down to a 19-year old for the dangerous driving causing death of two Kilkee girls.

At Ennis Circuit Court last month, David Naughton (19) was jailed for three years after he pleaded guilty to the dangerous driving causing death of two girls, Stacey Haugh (16) and Lorna Mahoney on October 17, 2003.

Imposing sentence, Judge Con Murphy said that Naughton was on a campaign of dangerous driving on the night in question.

Naughton was 15 at the time and bought the green 1984 Opel Kadette that he crashed for €60 on the day of the accident.

Mother of Lorna, Geraldine Mahoney yesterday welcomed the DPP decision to appeal the sentence to the Court of Criminal Appeal.

She said, “I’m relieved that an appeal has been lodged. The bottom line is that three years is not long enough for two lives lost.”

Mrs Mahoney said that Naughton had “shown no remorse and did everything in his power to avoid being caught”.

Mrs Mahoney formally requested the DPP to appeal the leniency of sentence earlier this month through her solicitor, Eugene O’Kelly.

In the letter, Mr O’Kelly stated, “Our client feels strongly that she and her family have been let down by the continued inept handling of the case by the State.

Focusing on Naughton’s extradition warrant which prevented Judge Murphy considering imposing a sentence higher than five years, Mr O’Kelly asked, “Why was the Extradition Warrant incorrect and who was responsible for ensuring its accuracy? This error had the most significant impact on the length of the sentence imposed and was wholly within the Prosecution’s control.

“Our client would like the Court of Criminal Appeal to review whether or not Mr. Justice Murphy had the jurisdiction to depart from the terms of the Extradition Warrant and, therefore, commence his sentencing procedure with the correct maximum sentence under Irish law.

The letter continued, “Mr. Naughton had done everything in his power to avoid prosecution for this offence including failing to appear while on bail for the first time.

“His attempts to avoid prosecution added considerably to my client, and her family’s, distress and eroded their faith in the legal system . . .”

FRESH evidence has emerged in the case of a young man from a Clare family, who was kicked to death in London last year.

Wayne Kelly (21) died outside a London pub in April of last year, after he sustained 21 injuries.

He had been celebrating a win in the Grand National at the Welsh Harp Bar in West Hendon when he was involved in a row with bouncers outside the pub.

Three bouncers were later arrested, but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) informed his family last June that no charges were to be brought.

It said that post mortem results showed that Wayne died from head injuries sustained in a fall, which they could not prove happened in an assault.

However the Kellys have now been given Wayne’s clothes and discovered blood stains on the back of his jeans and t-shirt, while there were two holes in the t-shirt..

The inquest into his death, which was due to take place this month, has now been adjourned, as further forensic tests are to be carried out on the clothes.

Wayne’s father Martin hails from Clarecastle and his mother Tina (Murphy) is from Cloughleigh.

“The couple has lived in London for the past 27 years, where they have four other children.

The family has pledged to fight for justice for Wayne and have held a march during the summer – attended by 600 people – to highlight their dissatisfaction with the way the case has been handled and have hired a lawyer to help them in their fight.

Another march will take place in the area where Wayne – who was known as ‘Smiley’ – died, next Saturday week, December 9.

“We are not giving up on anything. It is nearly a year and eight months down the line and we still have no answers.

“It is getting worse, but we are going to fight this all the way until we get justice for our son,” his father told The Clare People .

“We looked for Wayne’s clothes back. When we laid them out, we noticed all the blood. There was nothing about the blood in the paperwork.

“This isn’t just a spot of blood. It is a pool of blood.

“There were two holes on Wayne’s t-shirt and it was a brand new t-shirt he was wearing that night. We know Wayne was murdered. Hopefully this will lead to progress in the case,” he said.

SHANNON Development has announced the appointment of a new tourism officer for the county after a long campaign by local tourist interests for the post to be filled.

Shannon Development Regional Manager for Clare, John Quinlivan yesterday said that the appointment of Siobhan King would give an even greater focus by Shannon Development to the promotion of tourism in Clare.

The scale of the challenge for the new tourism development is underlined with recent figures from Shannon Development’s tourism subsidiary, Shannon Heritage.

The figures show that the region’s tourism operator failed to capitalize on the record growth in passengers at Shannon Airport last year.

According to accounts returned by Shannon Heritage, visitor numbers at the company’s visitor attractions, including Bunratty Folk Park, dropped last year from 629,233 in 2004 to 625,615 last year.

This was against the background of record growth at Shannon Airport where 3.3 million passed through the airport in 2005 – an increase of 900,000 on any previous year.

However, Mr Quinlivan said: “A tourism officer for Clare will help co-ordinate the efforts of bodies such as the Clare Tourism Forum and the Clare Tourist Council. Siobhan is a great addition and will be totally focused on the job of promoting Clare

He said: “It’s estimated that €4 million is spent annually by the tourism industry in Clare in promoting the county and Siobhan’s appointment will only enhance that penetration.”

Mr Quinlivan said that the appointment was tied to Shannon Development’s restructuring and the appointment could not be made before now as a result.

Ms. King has been an employee of Shannon Development for the past 21 years. She first joined the company in September 1985 and has held a number of key positions in the company since that time.

“I am delighted to take up the position of Clare Tourism Officer and look forward to working with everyone involved with tourism in the county. An essential part of the role will be to ensure that Clare maintains and grows its tourism market share, in addition to being a key ingredient in the Shannon Region Tourism portfolio,” said Ms. King.

Ms King will begin her new role officially from January ’07, but will be meeting with key tourism officials over the coming weeks.