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A GROUP of volunteers has created a free highspeed WiFi Internet network spanning Clare, Galway and Limerick.

This network, which has been created by the not-for-profit organisation IrishWAN, claims to allow people to use the Internet for free, except for the initial cost of setting up the system.

The company has created the system in response to what it describes as “the inability of local government and commercial wireless Internet operators to provide what is seen as basic infrastructure in the rest of Europe”.

The system works by using readily available and affordable license exempt equipment, such as recycled PCs, to create a series of wireless nodes that people can connect to.

Depending on the type of antenna being used by an individual, a connection can be made up to 10 miles away from the nearest node.

According to IrishWAN, the typical cost of setting up the system is between €200 to €300, and the user would own the equipment following this.

Once you are set up, the system has no running costs because the software used to make the connections is based on the Linux Open Source operating system.

The more people who connect to a network of this kind, the stronger and more reliable it becomes. The areas where people can access the network also increase as new members, especially those located a higher altitudes, join the system.

For more information on this new system check out www.irishwan.ie.

AHEAD of its AGM next week, the Gort Chamber of Commerce has pledged to continue its work on social projects, community facilities and to creating new business and housing opportunities in the town.

In an extensive release, the Chairman of the Gort Chamber of Commerce, Adrian Feeney, yesterday outlined the chamber’s plans for the next 12 months, including a desire to play an active consultative role with the council in implementing the Town Development Plan and with related issues such as rezoning.

“Through the efforts of the chamber, in co-operation with other community groups, we can continue to thrive as a community,” commented Mr Feeney. “As we come to the end of another year in the chamber, I can take a proud look back at the work of fellow chamber members who gave generously of their time and energy throughout the year.”

Mr Feeney pointed to the enhancement of the Market Square, the summer street cleaning programme and the new street lighting scheme as some of the greatest achievements this year.

“Well over 10,000 cars pass through our streets on a daily basis,” continued Mr Feeney. “If we encourage and support civic pride, and show our town is a pleasant place to live, to work and to do business, we all reap the benefits.”

Other highlights for the chamber this year include the success of the Coole Park Project, the introduction of broadband in the town and the visit of Mary McAleese.

“The highlight of the year for me as Chairman was the visit of President McAleese,” continued Mr Feeney. “Her interest in the work of our many voluntary organisations was recognition of our achievements.”

In addition to this, the chamber set up a sub-committee to liaise with Galway County Council to discuss the usage of Lough Curta to serve future water needs of the community and a Certificate in Business Studies course to be run by GMIT in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Feeney also highlighted the work done by the chamber, in association with other groups, in addressing the second access junction from the N18, Crusheen dual carriageway to Gort.

The Gort Chamber of Commerce AGM will take place next Tuesday, September 26.

A GALWAY company has made a last-ditch bid to develop a sailing school in the New Quay area of north Clare.

Last month, Clare County Council refused planning permission to Redbank Leisure Ltd to develop the school. This followed the company being refused planning permission on three separate occasions for a visitor centre with learning facilities, on the same site.

The council refused permission after opposition to the latest plan from local residents.

However, Redbank Leisure has appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala. The company states, “The proposal was for the development of a sailing school on part of the site which is owned by Redbank Ltd.

“The proposal involves a small section of the site and it is envisaged that the activities of the fish farm would continue on the other part of the site. The reason the principles are proposing this development is that the main business, that is the fish farming, is in decline.”

They argue, “There is no dedicated sailing centre in all of north Clare. There are two in south Clare at Kilrush and at Killaloe. This centre would address this situation and provide a much needed facility to cater for a growing demand in activity tourism and also for the expanding local youthful population who, living as they do on the sea shore, should have the facilities to learn how to sail the sea and taste its boundless possibilities in a supervised environment.

“The applicant owns Redbank and its entire shellfish water site, so it would be in our interests that any risk posed to the water quality or the shellfish in the bay.

“To this end, we have employed environmental consultants and they have produced a comprehensive analysis and a proposal to deal with the issue of waste water treatment.

A decision is due on the appeal later this year.

OFFICIAL figures show an increase in the amount of dogs put down in Clare in 2005.

According to the latest statistics from the Department of Environment, the destruction rate for animals in Clare in 2005 stood at 74 per cent, which represents a two per cent increase on figures for 2004.

The total number of dogs that entered the Clare pound in 2005 was 2,085 and from that 1,535 were destroyed.

Previous figures show that three times more dogs in Clare end up in the pound than the national average.

According to nationwide statistics, the national average is seven dogs per thousand population going to the pound.

In comparison, Clare has 18 dogs per thousand population.

Nationwide, the 2005 dog control figures show that 16,546 dogs, most healthy, were destroyed last year.

This is a 0.3 per cent decrease on last year’s figure of 16,598.

The total number of dogs held in Irish pounds increased from 24,716 in 2004, to 25,510 in 2005, representing a three per cent increase in total numbers entering pounds, proving the overall situation is not improving.

Limerick City has the highest destruction rate, with almost 100 per cent of animals put down, followed by Mayo, Kerry and Tipperary North and South, each with destruction rates of 90 per cent or more.

However, there was an increase in the rehoming of dogs in Leitrim, Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin and Louth.

ONE lucky Clare youngster will get the birthday treat of a lifetime if they are celebrating a 10th birthday on October 7 next.

The Clare People has teamed up with Clare FM and Mid-West FSG to find a Clare child who was born on the day Mid-West FSG was launched 10 years ago – on October 7, 1996.

To help celebrate the company’s 10th birthday, Mid-West FSG want to find that special child to launch the celebrations at their premises on the Quin Road business park.

The lucky youngster will get celebrity treatment for the day and be showered with birthday presents from the companies involved.

The lucky birthday child will be chauffeurdriven in a limousine and will get birthday presents from Mid-West FSG with newspaper photographers on hand to capture the fun as he or she blows out the candles on not one but two special birthday cakes.

Mums, grandparents and carers of children who turn 10 on October 7 are being asked to send their name, address, proof of date of birth to The Clare People as soon as possible.

Clare People Sales Director, Irene Hamilton, said, “we really want to make their birthday one to remember for life.”

The winning entrant will be chosen by Irene and the winner will be notified by September 30.

THE Department of the Environment has requested that the developers of a €10 million wind farm in mid-Clare put in place measures to protect Hen Harriers, which are protected under the EU Habitats Directive.

In a submission to Clare County Council, the department has stated that owing to the sensitivity of the general area for the Hen Harrier and the presence of at least one Hen Harrier on the next site, it is recommended that there should be ongoing monitoring of Hen Harrier populations in the area.

The department also made the recommendations on the number and size of windfarms in the area.

The department has also stated that the windfarm should be designed to avoid areas of deep peat, even if these areas are modified by afforestation or drainage.

The proposal has also received one objection from Noel McGuane.

He told the council that the proposed extension to the existing wind-farm would seriously alter the format of the existing windfarm in the area.

Mr McGuane said that some of the turbines were very close to Lough Nan, which is the main water supply for over 2,000 homes.

The planned six-turbine wind-farm is an extension to a wind-farm that became operational last year. It is the first time in two years that planning permission has been lodged for a wind-farm in Clare with the council.

Already, within 10km of the proposed development, there are 62 wind-turbines consented to or built.

The existing 15-turbine windfarm at the site is only the second windfarm in Clare – the other is located at Moanmore, outside Kilrush.

Five years ago, DP Energy secured planning permission for the proposal in the face of strong local opposition and only after An Bord Pleanala disregarded the recommendation of its own inspector and granted planning permission.

The appeals board gave the plan the goahead, citing the National Development Plan in relation to the development of renewable energy and the national strategy on sustainable development.

According to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) lodged with the new plan, the closest village to the proposal is Lissycasey at 6km, while the closest house is 700 metres away.

A decision is due on the application later this month.

A TOTAL of 17 generous people from the Banner county have been honoured for their contribution to saving hundreds of lives.

The 15 Clare men and two women were presented with donor awards from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service on Friday, as each had donated blood more than 50 times.

Donating blood makes it possible for many people to lead normal, healthy lives. Every year, thousands of patients require blood transfusions in hospitals, because they are undergoing surgery, recovering from cancer or have been in a serious accident.

Among the reasons given for these Clare people’s generosity is the benefit a transfusion has been to a family member or a friend.

For many, they were following on a family tradition as their parents were donors. For others, they simply wanted to give something back to the community.

Donors must be over 18 years of age, weigh over seven stone 12 lbs (50kgs) and be fit and healthy.

People are deferred from donating for a short period of time if they are on medication or have a cold. Those who have lived in the UK for more than one year between 1980 and 1996 cannot donate.

THE mother of a toddler who died from a rare bowel condition says she does not blame anyone for the tragic death and is struggling to cope with the devastation.

Shannon Canny, a twin daughter of Sharon and Michael Canny, of Plunkett Drive, Kilkishen, died in hospital just 36 hours after she suffered her initial excruciating pain at home on January 6, 2005.

She was two years and two months at the time.

Shannon had suffered from constipation since she was born. However, her parents later learned that she had an undiagnosed condition, known as volvulous, which meant her bowel had become twisted, restricting blood supply. Her final journey of pain was recalled at Dublin City Coroner’s Court last week.

WHEN Vincent Hehir died last Wednesday – three days after he was the victim of an attack on Kildysart’s Main Street – one of his last gestures ensured that others will benefit from his tragic death.

The 32-year-old Kildysart native, who was on life support at Ennis General Hospital after he was found unconscious late last Sunday week, had donated his organs to Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital.

Mr Hehir’s youngest child was due to be christened at the weekend. In a moving ceremony, two-month-old Margaret was baptised in a private ceremony at his bedside at the Ennis hospital on Thursday morning.

A surgical team from Dublin travelled to Ennis on Thursday to ascertain the compatibility of his organs which he agreed he would donate after his death.

While many organs were damaged as a result of injuries, some were retained and were brought to Dublin.

The father-of-five, who grew up at Glencanane, Kildysart, never recovered from serious injuries he sustained in an incident on Kildysart’s Main Street, late on Sunday night. He remained critically ill until his death at 5pm on Wednesday, with his heartbroken family by his bedside.

A major garda investigation got underway in the aftermath of the discovery of Mr Hehir, in an unconscious state, close to Mitchel’s Corner Bar, shortly after 11pm last Sunday week.

Gardai say they believe he was subjected to a number of blows, before falling to the ground and hitting the back of his head in the impact. They say they understand he was kicked a number of times while on the ground, but do not believe any implement was used.

Three local men, aged 21, 23 and 33 were arrested last Tuesday and questioned at Kilrush Garda Station, before being released without charge.

Mr Hehir had moved to England several years ago where he managed a pub. He built up many friendships while living there and returned home regularly to visit his parents and siblings.

Mr Hehir’s wife, Mairead, who hails from Mayo, travelled from London last Monday. The couple have five children, aged between two months and nine years.

A post mortem examination was carried out on Mr Hehir’s remains at the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, on Friday afternoon. Preliminary results suggest he died as a result of head injuries. His funeral was due to take place in Kildysart at the weekend.

However at request of one of the men questioned in connection with the death, an independent autopsy was carried out by Belfast Pathologist Dr Carson yesterday (Monday) evening.

The site – which is zoned for com-

mercial development in the Ennis A MASTER plan has been unveiled and Environs Development Plan for Clare’s biggest ever retail devel– borders the Ennis bypass to the opment on lands purchased from south-east of the town. Clarecastle man JJ McCabe in a In total, the developments are to multi-million euro deal last year. provide over 30,000 m in commer-

Galway developer, Stephen Harris, cial floorspace. This will include has lodged plans with Clare County 15,300m in retail units; 8,000m in Council for a retail park which will warehousing; 3,500m in the travelhave an annual turnover of €33 milhotel; 3,200m in a motor-sales villion. lage; 610 m in a restaurant and 120

The development will incorporate m in a petrol station, giving an overa warehouse park, motor sales “vilall total of 30,730m . lage”, Travelodge hotel, drive-thru For now, only planning permission restaurants, storage and distribution, is being sought for the retail park in as well as a petrol station for the 48the south-east quadrant of the site. acre site at Skehanagh, Clarecastle. Already, three other retail parks in the greater Ennis area are at various stages of development, at the Quin Road, Clare Road and Ballymaley. All four are set to radically alter the commercial make-up of the greater Ennis area. The Harris plan involves a 10-unit retail warehouse park with a total floor area of 15,300m , including a 4,800m anchor unit with 1,000m garden centre and 800 car-parking spaces. According to a Retail Impact Statement (RIS) lodged with the plan, the anticipated annual turnover of the project is €33 million and its first year of operation is expected in 2010.

The RIS concludes that there is sufficient capacity to support the development. The proposed development will not have any significant adverse socio-economic or environmental impacts, but will be beneficial for residents.

Outlining the “distinct advantages” of the proposed retail park, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) states that the retail park will have direct access onto the Western Retail Road of the Ennis bypass, the site is of sufficient size to accommodate additional warehouses, and it is located outside the floodplain.

A decision is expected on the application later this year.