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KILRUSH has been put forward as the location for a National Famine Commemoration Ceremony in 2013.

The announcement was made by Director of Service Ger Dollard who said Kilrush had been selected by an expert panel.

Mr Dollard made the comments after a group of West Clare councillors proposed that Kilrush’s Famine history be recognised as part of events for the Gathering tourism initiative.

The motion was put forward by councillors Bill Chambers (FF), Pat Keane (FF), Oliver Garry (FG) and Gabriel Keating (FG) at yesterday’s meeting of Clare County Council.

The motion called on the council to nominate Kilrush as the location for the National Famine Commemoration Ceremony 2013 “as the case for Kilrush was exceptionally strong given the severe impact of the famine on the area”.

According to the three councillors, “a very strong group has been established to promote such an event”.

Cllr Chambers told the meeting that Kilrush, along with Westport and Skibereen was one of the worst areas hit by death, disease and evictions during the Famine.

Cllr Pat Keane said Kilrush had suffered hugely during the Famine and deserved to be commemorated during the Gathering events in 2013.

Cllr Oliver Garry said Kilrush met all the criteria in terms of logistics for the Gathering.

In his reply, Mr Dollard said the council had placed a public advertisement inviting submissions or observations in relation to locations within Clare where the National Famine Commemoration could be held. He said the council had received three submissions. He added, “Each County Council has been asked to submit only one proposal for each county. It will be a matter then for the National Famine Commemoration Committee to determine which location will host the 2013 National Famine Commemoration.

THE two men arrested following the shooting of a wedding guest at a Bunratty hotel have been released without charge.

Gardaí investigating the death of Robert Sheehan confirmed that they released the two Limerick men arrested in connection with the September 2, shooting.

A file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mr Sheehan of Pineview Gardens, Moyross was shot a number of times by two gunmen as he stood having a cigarette outside the Bunratty Castle Hotels at approximately 3.40am on the Sunday morning.

He died on Monday evening September 3, at the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick from his injuries. The father of one, who turned 22 years-old last week, was attending a family wedding in the County Clare hotel.

Shortly after the shooting two men were arrested in Cork and were ques- tioned in Ennis and Shannon Garda Stations before being released on Friday morning last.

Mr Sheehan was buried in Limerick on Thursday.

Speaking at Corpus Christi Church in Moyross during the funeral mass, his father Patrick Sheehan, called for no retaliation for his son’s murder.

“As a family, we would not like to see any other person in the world go through what pain we are going through at the moment. No parent should ever have to bury their child through senseless violence or any other reason,” he said.

THE enduring success story that is Ennis’ involvement with the National Tidy Towns competition is all down to the spirit of partnership in the county capital that producing consistently impressive results in the competition, year in year out.

That was the verdict delivered Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Peter Considine at the Helix on Monday as the county town was named the country’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre for the fourth time in seven years.

Since winning the overall national title in 2005 – only Clare’s second outright victory and first since Mountshannon on 1981 in the 54year history of the event – Ennis has won the Tidiest Large Urban Centre in 2006, 2007, 2009 and now 2012.

In hailing this latest achievement, Mayor Considine said Ennis’ award successes could not have been accomplished without the support of community groups, schools, residents associations, businesses and State agencies, in partnership with Ennis Town Council.

“This competition provides members of the local community with the opportunity to showcase their pride in their respective towns and villages,” he told The Clare People on Monday.

“The year-round work that has been put in by the Tidy Towns Committee and wider community has reaped dividends. It is evident from Ennis’ outstanding success in this year’s competition that the spirit of volunteerism and pride of place is very much alive in the county capital,” added Mayor Considine.

“These award successes mark the culmination of months of hard work by local volunteers and members of the Ennis Tidy Towns Committee to improve the appearance of the town and its environs,” said the chairperson of the Ennis Tidy Towns Committtee, Áine Purcell.

“The volunteers toiled throughout the summer months in various public areas to create and maintain flowerbeds, keeps streets tidy, cut grass and pick up litter. Retaining the Gold Medal also is a massive achievement for everybody concerned in Ennis,” she added.

Ennis town clerk Leonard Cleary noted that the Tidy Towns awards are the result of a collaborative effort by the local community and the business sector in Ennis.

“Despite the huge volume of people that live in and visit Ennis, this large town has successfully managed to retain its unique heritage charm and tidy appearance,” Mr Cleary said.

“This has been achieved through the combined efforts of residents and the business community, in conjunction with various regional and Government bodies, to enhance the town’s appearance,” he added.

MAKING sense of the “Personal Insolvency Bill” and how it will impact on “ordinary people” will be central to a public seminar being organised by Clare MABS and Citizens Information Service.

The seminar will take place tomorrow (Wednesday) in the Temple Gate Hotel Ennis from 9.45am.

The new personal insolvency regime including the reform of bankruptcy law will, in addition to providing new legal remedies, provide a significant incentive for financial institutions to develop and implement realistic agreements to resolve debt issues with their customers.

Legal rights group FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) gave a mixed reaction during the weekend to the Government’s launch of a new independent financial advice scheme for distressed mortgage holders, saying it raised many questions.

The scheme, launched by Social Protection Minister Joan Burton on Thursday, will allow mortgage holders in arrears to receive a free consultation with an accountant, paid for by the banks, on their situation. However, FLAC, expressed serious concerns about how the scheme will operate.

FLAC senior policy researcher Paul Joyce, who will adress the seminar in Ennis, said, “While FLAC welcomes any and all measures that will assist people in mortgage crisis, this scheme contains many holes from our perspective. If this scheme is meant to be implementing the Keane Report’s 2011 recommendations, it certainly falls far short of what was recommended back then.

“Where is the initial team of 100 advisors with financial, accounting and legal skills that would liaise with MABS?”

The new arrangement was launched as part of the three-point Mortgage Arrears Information and Advice Service, itself part of the Government’s four-pronged ‘Action Plan on Mortgage Debt’. However, FLAC said the action plan as revealed to date lacks coherence and transparency.

Paul Woulfe, Manager with the Citizens Information Centre in Clare, said, “The Mortgage Arrears Information Helpline, which has been operational since July, provides general mortgage arrears information and guidance to mortgage holders in particular those borrowers who are in arrears or pre-arrears on their residential property. The helpline also refers calls to other services such as the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, free legal aid centres and other relevant services. The helpline number is 0761 07 4050, Monday to Friday 9.30am-5pm.”

Other contributors include Dennis Corbett, Co-ordinator with Clare MABS, who will outline the role of the organisation in managing the Debt Relief Orders and David Williams, JW Williams and Co, who will outline The UK Experience and Personal Insolvency Arrangements. The seminar is free and is open to everyone. To register call 0761 075260 or email ennis@citinfo.ie.

MEMBERS of Clare County Council voted by the smallest margin possible to overturn the advice of the county manager relating to the Shannon Town and Environs Local Area Plan 2012 to 2018.

In his report, Tom Coughlan recommended that land at Drumgeely Hill in Shannon be divided in two with part of it zoned community and part zoned open space. The Shannon members of the council objected to this element of the plan and proposed an amendment that would zone all of the land open space.

Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) raised concerns that there would be no space available for car park spaces should the land zoned community be used for a community centre.

“A community hall there would only serve a small catchments albeit an important group,” she said.

Cllr Sean McLoughlin (FG) also recommended voting for the amendment. He said, “I don’t think it is fair for these senior citizens (residents of Drumgeely Hill) to have to fight planning for the next five years of the plan.”

Cllr Gerry Flynn (Ind) called on all of his council colleagues to support the Shannon councillors move, as they, he said, had the local knowledge. He said many of the residents had spent 50 years living in the area.

“I hope the councillors can live with allowing them to continue to fight planning for the next number of years,” he added.

Senior planner with Clare County Council Gordon Daly said it was the belief of the planners that the split zoning gave the best option to that area of the community. He admitted that a lot of trust would have to be given to the planners should a planning application reach the council relating to that area.

The 15 members of Clare County Council present voted 12 to 11 in favour of the amendment and against the recommendation of the council executive.

Two councillors – Cllr James Breen (Ind) and Cllr Tony Mulqueen (FG) abstained.

GARDAÍ will take to the roads of Clare on Saturday for the 29th annual Clare Garda Cycle, details of which have been announced.

This year’s event is being held in aid of Pieta House, a nationwide service that provides a treatment programme for people who have suicidal ideation or who participate in self-harming behaviours. This year’s cycle also coincides with National Suicide Awareness Week, which runs from September 10 to 17.

The 116km cycle will commence at 9am from Ennis Garda Station on September 15. From there, riders will pass through Corofin, Carron, Ballyvaughan, Lisdoonvarna, Cliffs of Moher, Liscannor, Lahinch, Ennistymon, Inagh and back to Ennis.

There will be some delays to traffic and motorists are asked to be extra careful along the route of the cycle.

Garda Declan Keavey said delays will be kept to a minimum and all support is greatly appreciated on the day.

Tom McEvoy of Pieta House in Clare said the organisation are delighted to have the support of the gardaí. “They have come across Pieta House in their work in the community and we are thankful that they have considered supporting us in this way. We’re having collections in the town and villages that the cycle will go through. We’re going to have a collection in Ennis on Saturday September 15.”

Of the 358 people that visited Pieta House in Mungret, Limerick in 2011, 38 came from Clare. Tom says that the support of local communities is vital to Pieta House in the absence of government support.

He explains, “To date the Government have not stood behind what they said they would do for us, which is unfortunate. We are really living in hope that we will get support. But we’re not standing still waiting for government support. We’re developing our own niche in fundraising. This Darkness into Light charity walk has really been taken on by the community to help us try to eliminate as much as possible, people dying from suicide. That is our endeavor.”

CLARE is the most expensive county in Ireland in which to purchase home heating oil. That is according to a countrywide survey carried out by the National Consumer Agency at the end of last month.

The survey makes depressing reading for financially stretched Clare families, especially those living in the Ennis area.

The national average price for 1,000 litres of delivered home heating oil was € 964.

However, Ennis recorded the high- est average price within a local area with the cost averaging out at € 974 – € 10 more than the national average and € 25 more expensive than the average cost of home heating oil in Dundalk, County Louth.

The National Consumer Agency conducted a telephone survey of 165 home heating oil suppliers on 29 August in 24 “delivery areas” across Ireland. The survey sought to quantify the price levels for the supply and delivery of 1,000 litres of kerosene (home heating oil).

When it came to surveying the Ennis area, the researchers found that there was just € 10 between the cheapest and most expensive 1,000 litres of oil.

Of the seven quotes sought in Ennis, the most expensive was € 980 while the least expensive was € 970.

The difference between the maximum and minimum quotes nationally was found to be € 85, as prices ranged from € 910 to € 995.

The lowest price, € 910, was recorded in the County Louth (Dundalk area), while the highest overall quote, € 995, was surveyed in Gal way County (East area).

The biggest difference between the minimum and maximum quote obtained within an individual area was found within the Louth, Dundalk area, € 80. The lowest range of € 10 was found in three areas including Ennis, Tralee/Kilarney, County Kerry and Sligo. While nationally the home heating oil pricing survey reveals that most consumers can make savings of around € 30 to € 40 if they shop around, in Ennis the saving is just € 10.

“You could save even more money if you haggle with your supplier rather than just accepting the first price they quote you. Once you have a couple of quotes, see if your own supplier can offer you a more competitive price. If not, you can switch to a more afford- able provider. It is also worth getting quotes from suppliers outside of your local area – they may be cheaper and happy to deliver to you,” a spokesperson for the NCA said.

“You can also reduce your energy bills by making some small changes in how you use energy in your home, for example, by reducing your heating to a comfortable 20°C. Lowering your thermostat by just 1°C can knock 10 per cent off your heating bill.”

The survey was published in the same week as an increase in the cost of electricity and gas was announced. THE PROVISION of a 10-bay bus parking facility and two free electric car (e-car) charging points in Ennis town centre are among a series of proposals included in Draft Bye-Laws for the Clare County Capital which go on public display this week. Ennis Town Council has prepared the Draft On-Street Pay and Display Bye-Laws 2012 in relation to the control and regulation of the parking of vehicles within the Town Boundary of Ennis. The Draft Bye-Laws go on public display tomorrow, Tuesday, Septem

ber 11.

Welcoming the publication of the Draft Bye-Laws, Mayor of Ennis Councillor Peter Considine said: “I warmly welcome any initiatives geared towards improving traffic flow in the town.

“I am particularly pleased with the proposal to allocate bus parking bays which will help to attract coach business to Ennis by facilitating operators with easier access to the town centre.”

Commenting on the proposed provision of two free e-car charging points, Mayor Considine said: “Drivers of environmentally-friendly e- cars travelling throughout County Clare will benefit by knowing that the charge points that are proposed will be available for their sole use. The charge points will also encourage road users across the County to consider an e-car as an alternative to petrol of diesel vehicles.”

The Draft Bus Park Bye-Laws include the provision of 10 spaces for bus parking only in Friars Walk, close to Glór Irish Music Centre. Parking will be permitted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Meanwhile, two spaces are to be reserved for free electric car charging points, one each in Glór Car Park and Abbey Street Car Park. Two-hour parking will apply to the spaces.

Meanwhile, the Draft Bye-Laws provide for two-hour parking at 477 spaces between the hours of 9am and 6pm (Monday to Saturday) at Abbey Street (13), Bindon Street (38), Buttermarket (14), Dalcassian Drive (10), Francis Street (120), Gort Road (46), Harmony Row (20), Limerick Road (9), McNamara Park (20), New Road (11), Newbridge Road (14), station Road (67), Cottage Gardens (new) (7), Summerhill (12), Lifford Road (Kellys Corner) (10), and Turnpike Road (66).

Four-hour parking is proposed for a further 160 paces during the hours of 9am to 6pm (Monday to Saturday) at College Road (28), Mill Road (46), Drumbiggle Road (32), Cloughleigh Road (new) (36), and Simms Lane (18).

The Draft Bye-Laws go on display today, Tuesday, September 11, and a copy of same may be inspected at the offices of Ennis Town Council during normal office hours from Tuesday, September 11, to Thursday, October 11, or on its website at www. ennistowncouncil.ie.

AN Ennis woman is helping to raise awareness of the painful spinal condition scoliosis.

Eileen Farrell’s life turned upside down when she was diagnosed with the condition.

Eileen (48) first became aware of the condition after going to the swimming pool to partake in a session of water aerobics.

She says, “I was really shocked by what had happened at the pool. Normally I feel flexible and healthy after a session, but that day I was in agony before I even did anything”

Ignoring the discomfort, Eileen went to work the next day and, by the end of the day, Eileen had decided that she had to visit her GP.

When Eileen visited her GP a few days later, he diagnosed scoliosis and advised her of the different methods of treatment that were available to her.

Scoliosis affects more than four per cent of the population and, if left untreated, it can lead to fatal heart and lung problems.

The condition involves both adults and children but progresses more rapidly during the teenage years.

Spinal surgery is an extreme process that involves the insertion of two metal rods into the back, on either side of the spine, before the spine is fused back together.

Following the appointment with her GP, Eileen started to search the internet for an alternative method to treat her condition.

Eileen was eventually treated at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic in London.

She explains, “The initial consultation was very important to my overall treatment. I was educated by the consultant, who put my mind at rest. I was so relieved at the end of my consultation and I enrolled onto a course of treatment the very same day.”

Eileen began her course at the start of the following month.

By the end of the second week, her pain levels had reduced.

She added, “I was so happy when I was given my before-treatment and after-treatment scans. I looked like a different person. I was really pleased with myself for making it happen. My pain has gone and I look more upright; I have even grown a few centimetres as well.

“But most importantly I am back in the pool and hopefully not making too much of a splash.”

DEVELOPING the quays in County Clare would not only give a boost to local communities and provide a public amenity to locals but it would also help drive local tourism.

That is according to Green Party councillor Brian Meaney who proposed, “a plan for the development of underutilized quays in Clare be commenced by Clare County Coun- cil in partnership with other relevant groups”. The development should include the use of the quays as a public amenity he said.

Cllr Meaney told last evening’s meeting of Clare County Council that each area of Clare has a quay be it on lakes or the Atlantic Ocean.

Supporting the motion, Cllr Oliver Garry (FG) said that any such project should also look at the islands including the seven in the estuary.

In her reply, Director of Services Ann Haugh said the council does not have funding for a plan to cover “the many quay facilities which exist around the county’s coastline”.

“Where funding opportunities become available to facilitate improvement of quay facilities in the county they are pursued. Where it is considered through local knowledge or otherwise that there are development opportunities in relation to particular quays, these can be notified to us and we will consider same,” she said.

IT IS that time of year again – children are back at school, good intentioned individuals are joining gyms and the members of Clare County Council are discussing hedges.

Cllr Oliver Garry (FG) admitted that the issue arrives every year, as it still has to be resolved completely.

The West Clare councillor said that at previous meetings it was proposed to contact farming organisations and forestry groups to try and progress matters in this area.

“Could the Director of Services report to the members of the progress that’s being made, as this is a serious road safety matter all over the county?” he asked.

Under Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993, landowners and occupiers are responsible for trees and hedgerows on or inside their boundaries adjacent to public roads, and Clare County Council are the authority with the responsibility to ensure that public roads are kept free of obstructions which include overgrown hedgerows and verges.

There remains a grey area around issues of removed corners, hedges originating inside a boundary wall and growing on to the public are and roads with stone walls as margins.

Director of Services Ann Haugh confirmed, “Discussions have been held with the Irish Farmers Association and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association regarding the need for cooperation from landowners in terms of their responsibility.

“While landowners do have some concerns, the discussions were constructive and a response is presently awaited from both organisations. This response is expected within the next couple of weeks,” she said.

“We are hoping that the two organisations will come on board with the council and the gardaí in a public relations strategy with a view to being in a position to work constructively with landowners in the public interest.

“Equally I would hope that the debate pursuant to this of motion would generate constructive publicity to assist in persuading landowners to work in co-operation with the council and the gardaí on the matter.”

Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) raised some concerns that some of the letters sent out to landowners “seems quiet threatening”. He said they were not responsible for a hedge that grows over their wall.

Cllr Tom McInerney said very little progress has been made on the issue to date.

“I think it is very unfair to hold farmer responsible for hedges growing outside their walls.”

He questioned the fairness of people in rural Ireland paying the same charges as people in urban Ireland, who have footpaths outside their homes, and are then expected to cut hedges.