Author: admin

WHEN, back in the mists of time, they minted gathering festivals, they had something like the Loop Head variety in mind. It takes place from July 10 to July 20 and it has a par- ticular significance for the people of the area.

Set against the most western shore of Clare, in the parish of Kulbal- lyowen, the Loop Head Gathering Festival encompasses the villages of Cross and Kilbaha.

The programme itself is extremely varied and includes music (with the likes of Martin Hayes and Leo Ri- chard performing), currach racing, a

donkey derby, a vintage tractor run, tug of war and sheaf throwing.

“It’s a very special occasion for everybody in the area,” explains Ter- esa O’Gorman, PRO for the festival. “But it’s not only the people living here that get involved. Those who have left the area and moved away take holidays around the gathering festival. So we have plenty of enter- tainment for all of those returning home.”

This is the tenth year a festival has taken place in the locality and it’s the fourth year that the festival has gone ahead under its current structure. And, the 2009 version has two spe- cial events in store.

“First of all, it’s the 50th anniver- sary of the new church in Cross, so that’s something to celebrate. To mark this occasion, we have organ- ised a mass to be concelebrated with the bishop on July 15. This will be followed by an evening with music from Larry McEvoy, a barbecue and dancing.

‘The second big event is the 4km road race that takes place on Friday, July 17. This has been organised to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the St John’s Athletic Club victory in the County Junior Cross Country cham- pionships. And as part of this, the members of the team or their repre- sentatives will be awarded a special

presentation.”

Teresa also pointed out that since it’s inception, the gathering festival has always enjoyed extremely good weather. “It’s a great boost for the people around here. Businesses and tourism outlets are busy. We’re con- stantly aiming to bring in people to the area and this festival showcases what we have to offer on the Loop- head.”

AS TRAMS and other alterna- tive transport vehicles make a huge comeback all over the world one north Clare man has a unique claim to fame; he was the last electric trol- ley driver in England.

Originally from Carron, Patrick Fitzgerald spent almost five decades in Nottingham, where he worked in construction before becoming an electric bus driver.

“T went over to England in 1959, when I was 16 years of age. There’s talk about recession now but let me tell you there was a recession back then,” he said.

“T went into roofing first and af- ter I had an accident on the roofs I changed to the buses. I was too young then to drive so I started as a conductor and then became a driver when I turned 21.

“At the time there was 54 miles of electric lines for the buses all around Nottingham; most big cities had them over there at that stage. It’s funny now, they are all going back to trams and things like that. They would be much happier to have the old tram networks and the lines for the electric trolleys now.”

In the name of progress, the elec- tric trolley fleet began to be wound down. On it went until the mid-1960s when Patrick found himself driving the last route still in service.

“IT used to drive the night-time bus from Trent Bridge. I was sad to see it go, I liked it. It was great in a straight road going around 30 miles an hour. You’d have to be careful go- ing around the corners though,’ he

continued.

“It would have been the main source of transport at the time; eve- ryone would have used them. I was on the electric trolleys for five and a half years altogether; from °52 to ‘57,

between conducting and driving. “There were lovely to drive. They had only two pedals; the right pedal was our foot breaks and left pedal was the power. If you put on too much power at any time the bus

would blow it’s fuses out altogether.

“Tt was the last route and I was the last driver on the night shift, so I saw the end of them.”

THE jury in the trial of a County Clare teacher accused of sexual as- sault was sent home last night after it failed to reach a verdict on eight counts of abusing two boys.

The 38-year-old man, who can not be named for legal reasons, was last week acquitted of ten counts of sex- ual assault against a then ten-year- old boy. The jury, at Dublin Circuit Court, will resume deliberating this (Tuesday) morning, having already deliberated for almost four hours.

The man pleaded not guilty to 18 counts of sexually assaulting the

three boys on dates between Septem- ber 2002 and June 2004.

Last week, Judge Patrick McCartan directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty on eight of the counts against one of the boys, due to lack of evidence.

On Friday the jury reached its not guilty verdict on two further counts of sexual abuse against the then ten- year-old boy, following fifty minutes’ deliberations.

The principal of the school where the accused worked told the jury the man had “proved to be a good teach- er’ after joining the school.

The three boys who alleged that

they were sexually assaulted by the man denied during cross-examina- tion that they “misinterpreted” tactile or friendly gestures made to them by the accused.

A now 15-year-old boy told Ms Mary Rose Gearty BL, prosecut- ing, that the accused man taught him while he was in third class and dur- ing that time the accused had stuck his hand down the back of his trou- sers and inside his pants.

He said he also recalled it happening the next year when he was in fourth class after he received an injury on the football pitch. He said he recalled the man’s hands being “cold”.

A second boy, also aged 15, told the court that the accused had put his hands inside his pants and touched his bum during lessons at the ac- cused man’s home. He said this hap- pened “once or twice a lesson” for about two months in April and May Auer

A now 17-year-old boy said that while he was taking lessons at the accused man’s home, the man began lifting up his jumper and later put his hands inside the back of his pants “at the back”. He said this happened in the six months between January and June 2004 and occurred “sometimes twice a lesson”.

A NUMBER of people arrested in connection with a feud between a number of families in Ennis have been released without charge.

The arrests were made last Wednes- day, in connection with damage to two houses in the town in recent weeks.

A house in the Westbourne area and another house in John Paul Avenue were damaged in separate incidents in recent weeks.

Windows on the house in John Paul Avenue were broken last Thursday week, while a car parked outside the premises was also damaged.

The men arrested were questioned at Ennis Garda Station throughout the day on Wednesday. A file will be sent to the DPP, who will decide whether charges are to be brought.

These were the latest arrests by gardai investigating several inci- dents in Ennis town over the past few months.

In the early hours of June 13, a hand

grenade was thrown through the glass panel of a house on Childers Road, Seer ateaee

The army explosive ordnance dis- posal team was brought in to deal with the device. A controlled explo- sion was carried out on the device at a nearby quarry. The grenade was live, but was faulty and did not detonate and the family that was in the house at the time escaped injury.

Two weeks ago, three men were ar- rested in connection with the grenade attack. The three, aged 26, 30 and 35,

were detained at Ennis Garda Station and questioned at length, before be- ing released without charge. A file on this will also be prepared for the Dye

The investigation into the various incidents has been intense and sever- al gardai are part of the investigation team, which is headed by Superin- tendent John Scanlan of Ennis Garda Station. Gardai have carried out house to house enquiries, several statements have been taken, while examinations have also been carried out.

There have been many allegations over the past few months, including claims of intimidation, assaults and damage to property.

The feud has left residents in the Cloughleigh area of the town saying they are living in fear.

At a public meeting in the town re- cently, fear was expressed by locals that there would be further violence. Gardai have pledged to continue to investigate the incidents and say they will continue to have visible presence in the Cloughleigh area.

THE multi-million euro retraining package for Dell workers and com- panies affected by the 2,000 layoffs at the computer company could be in place before the end of the month.

European Commissioner for Em- ployment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimir Spidla, con- firmed in an official visit to Shannon and Limerick last Friday that the proposal was being fast-tracked by the EU Commission.

Spidla, who was accompanied on much of his trip by An Tanaiste Mary Coughlan, also announced that the total funding applied for from the European Globalisation Fund could run into more than €20 million.

As well as meeting with Dell em- ployees in Limerick, the Czech com- missioner also toured the FAS train- ing centre in Shannon, where some of the proposed retraining funds could be invested. There he met with representatives from IDA, Enterprise Ireland, FAS and Shannon Develop- ment.

“T can’t tell you yet what the out- come of this application is. But I am committed to processing this ap- plication as quickly as possible,” he said.

‘And as I’ve said before, as long as the application meets the criteria set out in the regulations, we will look at it favourably.”

Commissioner Spidla also visited the Moyross area of Limerick as part

of his tour.

“We are committed to making our societies more inclusive, and helping everyone into work and out of tough situations, in particular the most vul- nerable,’ he said.

‘I know the situation in Moyross is tough. Getting a better understand- ing of the situation right here, on

the ground, will inform my thinking when, with my colleagues in Brus- sels, we’re working on what are the best ways out of the crisis. I deal not only with employment issues, but so- cial issues too.

“We are striving not only to get people back into work, but also to improve housing, access to education

and provide specific help for vulne- ble groups such as young people.”

ALITTLE-KNOWN Shannon-based aircraft engine leasing firm employ- ing just 22 people made a pre-tax profit of $72.3 million in 2008.

Accounts filed to the Companies Office, show that US-French owned Shannon Engine Support Ltd in- creased its turnover last year by 17 per cent from $139m to $163m. Pre- tax profits dropped by 14 per cent from $84m to $72m to the end of December last.

The drop in profits was related to a 33 per cent increase in direct oper- ating costs from $68m to $91m and this was, according to the directors, due to the investment of $284m dur- ing 2008. The company had accumu- lated profits of $380.4m at the end of 2008 with total shareholder funds at owen

Shannon Engine Support Ltd leas- es engines to 140 airlines around the world and is a subsidiary of CFM, which is a joint venture between US giant, General Electric (GE) and the French-owned engine manufacturer, Snecma.

The company’s directors report that the Shannon operation had another successful year in 2008, even though the overall business environment and general market outlook deteriorated during the year as the global eco- nomic slowdown worsened.

“Demand for the company’s prod- ucts as measured by the utilization of its engine assets remained strong throughout 2008, but is expected to be softer in 2009, as the global econ- omy continues to slow down.

“The financial condition of the commercial airline industry is of particular importance to the com- pany and in the current global down- turn, the company expects reduced demand for its engines.”

“It is expected that the company will continue to expand its portfolio of engine assets during 2009, and that it will continue to be well posi- tioned to benefit from any upturn in the aviation sector.”

No dividend was paid last year.

Of the 22 people employed at Shan- non, seven are in customer support, Six in financial, five in administra- tion and four in marketing. Staff costs increased by 34 per cent from $2.8m to $3.8m.

The directors state that the com- pany’s operating profit decreased by 3 per cent after a significant rise in direct operating costs and the weak- ness of the US dollar versus the euro during the year.

PFera tera iscercm i awterm Cerone:

CLARE’S long puck specialists will be going for glory this weekend in Munster final action as they bid to reach the All-Ireland finals that take place in the famous Cooley mountain range in Louth. Three county long puck titles were decided last week, at under |6 level and senior level as well as e-laalesellcn

At under |6 level nine were involved in a close contest, with the winner by the distance of less than two foot being Kerth Hogan from Clooney/ Quin. Keith is in goal at all levels for his club and was a very Impressive Forrestal custodian last Sorel a)

His effort was just ahead of Killian McNamara from Kilmaley whilst a yard behind Killian was Frank Melody from Newmarket-on-Fergus who put in a huge last effort that very nearly won the honours.

Others to go close were Rory Halpin (Crusheen), Kevin O’Callaghan (O’Callaghan’s Mills), Aaron

Gaule (Cratloe), Kevin Kearney (Corofin), Paul McArthur (Killanena) and Michael Mcilnerney (Broadford).

The senior contest involved some of the better known hurlers in the county and once again huge efforts were witnessed by the leading contenders. Brendan McNamara from Scariff won the senior crown from reigning champion Bernard Gaftney (Newmarket-on-Fergus) with Shane O’Neill (Bal- lyea) a close third.

The other four competitors were Christy O’Connor (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield), Mark Regan (Wolfe Tones), Aidan Lynch (Ruan) and Kevin Ryan (Broadford). Inagh/Kilnamona’s Fiona Lafferty won the camogie title in Tulla, edging Clare captain Deirdre Murphy (Clooney) and Chloe Morey (Sixmilebridge) into second and third place respectively. Others to take part were Edel Griffy (Kilmaley), Ailish Considine (Kilmaley) and Aine McNamara (Sixmilebridge).

The Munster finals take place at Thurles race- course on Saturday next.

IT was edge-of-the-seat stuff, quite literally for those who took advan- tage of the stand in Bodyke, as these east Clare neighbours battled it out for Supremacy in the Under 14C fi- nal on Friday evening. With less than twenty minutes remaining, Scariff held a six point advantage and it seemed as if they were finally about to break their final hoodoo after nar- rowly losing out in the Under 14B equivalent after a replay with amal- gamation neighbours Ogonnelloe as well as the Division 3 schools final a few weeks back.

However, Scariff were unable to close out the game and it allowed Tulla a glimmer of hope that they took full advantage of, with goals from Diarmuid Murphy and Luke Corry to level up the game by the 52nd minute. In fact, Tulla actually took the lead three minutes from time through Mark Lynch before be- ing clawed back by a Ronan Carey 65 on the hour mark.

It set up a nervy grandstand fin- ish that could have really gone any- way before centre-back Barry Nash picked up a break in the Tulla half to claim the winning score.

On the balance of play, Scariff porbably deserved their victory af- ter building up a 2-2 to 0-4 half-time lead against the conditions. Tulla had all the early pressure but Scariff were much more economical, grab- bing two goals with their first two meaningful attacks, both coming in almost identical fashion through the lively Rickie Bolton, who crept in be- hind the Tulla full-back line to pull to the net. Meanwhile, Tulla picked off points through Mark Lynch (2) and a Niall Bolton free.

With Niall Bolton and Barry Nash dominating from their centre-back positions, both forward lines were constantly frustrated but Scariff did add points through Rickie Bolton and Adrian O’Grady before the break to hold a four point advantage.

With the slight breeze at their backs for the second period, Scariff took

control but could only muster points from Martin Cunningham and John Scanlon in that ten minute period. Chief goalpoacher Rickie Bolton was unlucky with two goal bound oppor- tunities, the first shot hitting the side

netting and the second, only a minute later, came back off the post.

Tulla’s challenge appeared to be fading under such pressure but in the 45th minute, they received a inspi- rational shot in the arm when Colin

Corbett’s shot was finished to the net by Diarmuid Murphy to cut the defi- cit to three.

Suddenly, the game altered and became much more open, with both sides passing up goal opportunities at

either end before John Scanlon eased Scariff’s nerves with a point to re- store a four point lead.

Still, that Tulla goal had instilled Some renewed belief in their side, particularly after being humbled by Scariff at the group stages, and they replied immediately after Luke Cor- ry’s shot from distance found the net, and from the next passage of play gained parity through Colin Corbett.

Now in the ascendency, Tulla laid sige to the Scariff half but after see- ing a Colin Corbett shot come back off the post, eventually a crossfield pass from Pariac Mulconroy found Mark Lynch in space to put Tulla in front for only the second time in the game.

With time running out, Scariff threw everything at their opponents in search of an equaliser and after a few near misses, it was the captain Ronan Corry who kept a cool head to convert a 60th minute ’65.

A draw now looked inevitable but after losing out in the B final re- play, Scariff were unwilling to leave things to chance and it eventually paid dividends in the 62nd minute when Barry Nash pushed forward to clinch the winning point.

A TALE of contrasting confidence on Saturday evening as Crusheen easily held off the challenge of Inagh/Kil- namona to push themselves into the race for one of the two knock-out places. Down the other end, Inagh/ Kilnamona are struggling to keep their heads above water with only two wins from seven games but re- ally they didn’t do themselves any favours here by leaking two avoid- able goals while their first touch and self-belief seems to have all but dis-

appeared. And it was those two goals that separated the sides throughout,

with the first coming after only 14 minutes with the sides locked at O- 2 to 0-2. Paddy Meaney gathered the ball about 40 metres from goal and was allowed to weave his way through the defence before pulling the ball back across the square for Joe Meaney to finish to the net after a goalmouth scramble. The second followed only four minutes later and it was infinitely more sloppy, with the Inagh/Kilnamona defence failing to clear their lines on the left wing before Sean Dillon swooped in to in- tercept an Eamonn Glynn handpass and just as it seemed as if his shot was destined for a point, goalkeeper

Patrick Kelly climbed to retrieve the ball from over the crossbar, only to see it trickle over the goal-line. Those two goals were to haunt In- agh/Kilnamona for the remainder of the contest as they would never get to within less than four of their op- ponents. Instead, Crusheen, led by another star turn from county Under 21 player Cian Dillon, and Alan Tuo- hy’s frees, played within themselves to hold that clear advantage, leading

by 2-6 to 0-6 at the break.

Inagh/Kilnamona did have impres- sive displays of their own in Cathal Lafferty and David Hegarty but without support, the second half descended into a scrappy affair that was dominated by frees. Crusheen could even afford to hit eleven wides over the hour and still maintain their healthy advantage.

By the 50th minute, Crusheen had edged seven points clear at 2-11 to 0-

10 after a brace from Cian Dillon and a point apiece from Conor O’ Donnell and the returning Cronan Dillon, but even though Dermot Gannon restored some respectability to the scoreline with three successive frees before the final whistle, they were only mere consolations as mentally, Inagh/Kilnamona were already half- way to the dressing rooms.