Category: News

THE burning of bituminous or socalled smoky coal has been blamed for having an impact on air quality in Ennis in a new report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

According to the EPA report on Air Quality in Ireland 2010, domestic solid fuel use is the other main source of particulate matter in air in Ireland and it particularly impacts air quality in areas where the sale of bituminous coal is permitted.

The report states, “As a result, levels of particulate matter in smaller towns are similar or higher than those in cities or in towns above 15,000 population, where bituminous coal is banned.

“To help with this, from 2011, new regulations will require that all bituminous coal placed on the market in Ireland for residential use has a sulphur content of no more than 0.7 per cent.

“In addition, the sale of bituminous coal has been banned in four additional towns in 2011 – Ennis, Clonmel, Carlow and Athlone.”

However, according to monitoring data on the EPA website, air quality in Ennis is currently considered good.

In June, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, announced that, with effect from August 1, Ennis would be added to the list of towns and cities covered by the ‘Smoky Coal Ban’, under which it is illegal to market, sell, or distribute bituminous or ‘smoky’ coal.

The proposed restricted area of Ennis includes Ennis and environs, comprising the following electoral divisions: Ennis Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 Urban; Clareabbey; Doora; Ennis Rural; and Spancilhill.

Under the Air Pollution Act, sellers found in breach of the ban could face fines of up to € 5,000. Amendments are also being made to allow fixed payment notices or ‘on the spot fines’ to be applied in respect of relevant offences.

Micheál Ó Cinnéide, EPA Director said, “The EPA welcomes the change in legislation regarding bituminous coal, which will have a positive effect on air quality.

“However, we must also work to reduce traffic emissions through reducing travel demand, emphasising sustainable transport modes such as cycling, walking and public transport and improving the efficiency of motorised transport.”

NEW casual trading byelaws aimed at improving the operation of the Ennis market are due to come into effect next week.

Under the byelaws, the market will be further extended into the Guaranakilla area, while a trading area for special events and purposes such as Christmas markets will also be established at the Lower Market Street car park. Changes will also be made to the orientation and layout of stalls. At present, stalls are positioned fac- ing onto the main road, a system that allows traders to monitor each other’s stalls.

Councillors voted through the byelaws at the July meeting of Ennis Town Council following a lengthy period of public consultation.

A controversial proposal that would have allowed for the towing away of cars parked in trading spaces on trading days was removed from the final draft.

Trading shall be permitted during the seven days immediately preceding Christmas Day with trading also permitted for special occasions “as determined by the council”.

Members also voted to remove proposed restrictions on the sale of Christmas trees. A move to designate a section of Guaranakilla strictly for parking was defeated following warnings from town manager Ger Dollard that it could have serious implications for trading in the market.

The byelaws state that “no broadcasting or speech or music from a mechanical or electronic amplification system shall take place from any stall or any vehicle and no loud play- ing of radios or music reproduction appliances shall take place at any stall”. The sale of alcohol is also prohibited under the byelaws.

The fee structure ranges from € 660 to € 50 per trading bay per day, for a special event license. Persons caught trading without a licence can be prosecuted by an authorised officer of Ennis Town Council as well as by the Gardaí. Anyone found in breach of the byelaws could be liable to a fine of up to € 1,270. The byelaws are due to come into effect on October 1.

THE ORGIN of unpleasant odours detected in Shannon has not yet been identified, according to the EPA.

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and Clare County Council are investigating the presence of an unsavoury smell in the town.

Both authorities are carrying out odour checks in an attempt to pinpoint the source of the smell which has been reported in Smithstown and Ballycasey in recent weeks.

The reports that a smell was in circulation prompted widespread concern in Shannon, after another smell emerged over two years ago and lingered on for some time.

In a statement released to The Clare People yesterday, a spokesperson for the EPA confirmed that an investigation into the odour complains is continuing.

“Both authorities (the EPA in Clare County Council) have been carrying out odour assessments in the area over the last couple of weeks. Odours have been detected during some of these assessments but their precise origin has yet to be determined.

“It is important to note that differ- ent types of odour have been detected during some of these assessments, and there are also a number of different activities in the area, so it is difficult to identify the precise reason for the main odour which is predominantly giving rise to nuisance in the area,” said the spokesperson.

Local Senator Tony Mulcahy (Fine Gael) said that the root of the problem must be pinpointed as a matter of urgency.

“The EPA need to get to the bottom of it as soon as possible. These things seem to keep going on. This has to be stopped. There are health concerns,” he told The Clare People .

A spokesperson for the county council said, “These complaints were investigated by Clare County Council and this investigation is ongoing. It is acknowledged that there is an odour present. The matter has also been referred to the EPA for investigation.”

In March of this year, the EPA put monitoring measures in place in the town and indicated at the time that it would continue for up to a year.

The EPA’s mobile laboratory which is located in the town actively analyses the quality of air in the town and surrounding areas.

IN A SIGN of the extent to which Clare students are relying on state support to attend college, over 1,000 applications for third level grants have so far been received by Clare VEC.

The figure, which is believed to be significantly above the number of applications received at the same point last year, was given to members at the monthly meeting of Clare Vocational Education Committee (VEC).

George O’Callaghan, Chief Executive Officer with Clare VEC, told last Thursday’s meeting that the number of applications was higher than 1000. Mr O’Callaghan appealed to applicants to complete and return all documents, saying a failure to do so leads to a delay in the application process. He also praised the efforts VEC staff working in the grants section.

In his monthly report to members, Mr O’Callaghan states, “Over 1,000 applications have been received so far. A large number have already been processed initially. Great credit and thanks is due to the staff in the grants section as well as staff from other sections that have assisted in the process.

He adds, “However as in previous years large numbers of applicants are not submitting full documentation with their applications which leads to delays in processing those applications.”

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Peter Considine (FF) commended the efforts of VEC staff. “We don’t always fully appreciate the work that goes in,” he added.

Mr O’Callaghan congratulated students in schools around the county and at the Adult Education Centre for their results in the Leaving Certificate.

A SUNKEN boat became the unlikely saviour of a couple who got into in difficulty in the water off North Clare yesterday afternoon.

A man and woman were winched to safety yesterday afternoon after their dinghy capsized in water between Ballyvaughan and Blackhead. The couple were rescued from the waters about 200 metres off the Clare coast when their dingy overturned in rough seas.

The couple were thrown into the freezing water but luckily managed to make their way to an upturned sunken boat in the water. After climbing onto the hull of the sunken vessel, the pair were able to contact emergency services using a mobile phone. The Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter flew to the scene and winched the two people to safety. They were flown to University College Hospital Galway where they were treated for possible hypothermia.

Meanwhile, the search will continue today, September 27, for a man missing from around the Cliffs of Moher since last Friday. The man, who is believed to be from County Cavan, was last seen in the North Clare area some time of Thursday afternoon. The man is described as being in his 30s and is believed to have gone missing from the area around the Cliffs of Moher.

Ennistymon Gardaí as well as members of the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coast Guard conducted extensive in the searches for a missing man of Friday and Saturday while the Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter was also involved in the search effort as was the SARDA search dogs.

Following unsuccessful searches on Friday and Saturday the search party was joined by members of the Kilkee and Killaloe Coast Guard on Sunday. After an extensive search of the area the operation was called on just after 9pm as a result of deteriorating weather conditions.

The Doolin Unit of the Irish Coastguard and the Shannon-based Coastguard Helicopter continued the search yesterday but again were forced to stand down the operation for the night without locating a trace of the missing man.

THERE is “substantial” support for the development of a new standalone all-Irish secondary school in Ennis, a meeting has heard.

The draft results of a survey carried out by researchers on behalf of Clare Vocational Education Committee (VEC) show that 69 per cent of respondents favour the development of a new all-Irish secondary school. Gaelcholáiste an Chláir, Ennis’ only second-level Irish school, is currently located on the grounds of Ennis Community College. Clare VEC undertook the survey to determine the views of people towards education through Irish at second level.

A sub-committee — Flan Garvey, Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG), Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF), Maolíosa Ni Chleirigh — was established to examine the issue. Details of the survey process are contained in a report by Dr Sean Conlan, Education Officer with Clare VEC.

The report states, “The draft report has been received from the researcher, Dr Flan Giaquinto, and will be reviewed by the project steering committee and will be presented to the VEC at the October meeting. Enrolment at the school in 2010/11 was 137. Mr Conlan states that numbers at the school are expected to rise over the next eight years. He explains, “Department of Education and Science regulations now require stand alone Gaelcholaistí to achieve enrolment of 400. Over 800 questionnaires were returned. Initial indications are that there is considerable interest among the public in education through the Irish language at second level. There is evidence also that the numbers of at the school will rise year on year for the next eight years.”

The matter was raised at the September meeting of Clare VEC by Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG), who requested an update on the research process.

In response to Cllr Keating’s questions, George O’Callaghan, Chief Executive Officer of Clare VEC, said no deadline had been set for submissions. He said the survey results are currently being processed and would be presented at the committee’s October meeting.

Dr Sean Conlan told the meeting that 850 survey questionnaires had been returned, describing the level of interest from the public as “quite a good response”.

Mr Conlan said the draft findings of the survey indicate that 69 per cent of respondents are in favour of a standalone Gaelcholáiste, with around 27 per cent of respondents recommending that the school remain where it is. “There was a substantial majority in favour of a standalone Gaelcholáiste,” Mr Conlan said.

Welcoming the report’s findings, Cllr Keating said great efforts are being made in west Clare to promote the Irish language.

A NEW Euro Disney on the Shannon could be one of the possible projects for a 120-acre landbank at Bunratty.

Shannon Development is seeking expressions of interest in the initiative, which was launched in the United States last week as part of an overall investment campaign for the Bunratty project.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Shannon Development explained that research carried out by the regional development agency has identified a number of possible suitable projects for the site, among them a diaspora visitor centre and genealogy centre, and themed family adventure park.

Flan Quilligan, Tourism Product Development Manager, Shannon Development, said, “We believe that a significant opportunity exists at our Bunratty landbank site to develop complementary and sustainable visitor facilities and attractions which are in keeping with the authenticity of the existing visitor attraction and surrounding area. The site is zoned for tourism development by Clare County Council and we look forward to receiving expressions of interest and a range of potential project ideas.”

Commenting on the announcement, Dr Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, said that Bunratty Castle and Folk Park contributes an estimated € 20 million in spin off revenue for the area annually. He added, “We want to see a new generation of project ideas which will continue to enhance Bunratty and the Shannon region’s reputation as an international visitor destination. The Bunratty Landbank project forms part of our overall tourism product development strategy which will this year see, amongst other projects, work start on a € 5.7 million re-development of King John’s Castle in Limerick.”

THE views of Clare’s music community will be sought as part of an effort to secure a € 200,000 funding deal that could create new employment and transform the teaching of music in the county.

Clare VEC is currently in the process of preparing a new application for funding from the Music Generation Initiative, which is backed by music giants U2.

Musicians, teachers and young people throughout the county will be surveyed while Clare VEC is also hoping that support from the University of Limerick will “strengthen the application considerably”.

If successful the Clare bid, which is also supported by organizations including Clare County Council, Shan- non Development and music school Maoin Cheoil and Chláir, would see music teachers employed to work in school and out of school settings, teaching music to children and young adults around the county.

Acclaimed musician and scholar Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin is among the high profile supporters of the Clare application, which will seek to capitalize on the Banner County’s strong association with music.

Despite making an initial 23 county shortlist, Clare missed out on round one funding from the initiative, which has been made possible through the support of U2 and the Ireland Fund that supports music eduction to the tune of € 7m.

Dr Sean Conlan, Education Officer with Clare VEC, explained that Clare VEC on behalf of the Clare Music Education Partnership is developing an application for funding under round two of the Music Generation Initiative.

In his monthly report to members of the Clare VEC committee, Dr Conlan explained that the maximum fund available to each successful project is € 200,000.

He added, “Additional assistance from the University of Limerick has been achieved and this should strengthen the application considerably. Additional consultation sessions with music teachers, providers and young people will be a feature of the new application.”

Music Generation will provide three-year seed funding to establish local services, which will be sustained by Music Education Partnerships on a long-term basis.

A 120-ACRE site near the world famous Bunratty Castle and Folk Park has emerged as a potential location for a major new tourist attraction.

Shannon Development is seeking expressions of interest for the development of a landbank adjacent to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, which attracts over 400,000 tourists every year.

According to tender documents, “Having successfully developed and operated the existing attraction at Bunratty, Shannon Development considers that significant opportunity exists to further develop the overall attraction by utilising the adjoining lands to develop complementary and sustainable visitor facilities and attractions which are in keeping with the authenticity of the existing visitor attraction and surrounding area.”

The regional economic development agency states that Bunratty Castle and Folk Park has developed over the years to become one of Ireland’s top visitor attractions.

Shannon Development believes that all the “key elements” are in place at the 120-acre site to develop a major new tourist facility.

The tender document states that “To tal visitor numbers for the attraction have reached in excess of 400,000 per annum. The company continues to operate the attraction to a very high standard consistent with international best practice.”

It continues, “This commitment is evident through the build / design standards adopted throughout the attraction and also through the strong visitor and customer focused management of the facility. Over many years, Shannon Development has put in place all key elements required to accurately present and efficiently operate the attraction.”

According to Shannon Development, “An area of development land which is partially zoned for tourism development comprising approximately 120 acres adjacent to the existing Bunratty attraction is available for development.”

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is operated by Shannon Heritage, the tourism and heritage subsidiary of Shannon Development.

According to Shannon Development’s latest annual report, attractions and facilities run by Shannon Heritage attracted over 417,000 visitors to Ireland in 2010. The report states that an additional 13,000 visitors were attracted to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park last December.

GARDAÍ are appealing for information on two serious road accidents in the county on Friday night.

A walker was injured in an accident in Tulla shortly before midnight, while a number of people were injured in a two-car accident at Minister’s Cross, Bunratty, shortly after midnight.

The pedestrian is receiving treatment for serious injuries in hospital in Cork and gardaí are anxious for witnesses to come forward.

The two vehicle accident in Bunratty resulted in some of the occupants being cut from the cars and taken to hospital in Limerick.

Also over the weekend, gardaí are investigating a break-in in which the home of an elderly man in Sixmilebridge was targeted.

Four people went to the man’s home at Mount Ivers, Sixmilebridge, between 6.30pm and 7pm. While there, they stolen a sum of money. One of the four was a small woman of heavy build in her 40s; another was a tall thin man about 6’ 3” who wore a beanie hat. They were accompanied by two young people, aged approxi mately 10 and 16.

Meanwhile, a handbag containing cash was stolen during a break-in at Roslevan, Ennis, between 5am and 6am on Sunday.

Kilrush gardaí are investigating a trespass incident shortly after 10.30pm on Thursday night. A man was disturbed in the back yard of a house at Henry Street in the town by the occupant, after he heard noise outside. The man had his head covered and was wearing a blue top with army style buttons.

Gardaí are investigating the theft of 100 metres of wiring from two poles at Leitrim, on the road between Broadford and Limerick, between midnight and 9am on Friday.

In Cratloe, an incident in which diesel was siphoned from the tank of a lorry is being investigated. The incident occurred in the Gallows Hill area of Cratloe between 11am last Monday and 8.30am on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, gardaí have issued a fresh appeal for information on the theft of a motorbike in Clarecastle earlier this month. A blue and white Yamaha motorcycle was stolen from Skehanagh on Thursday, September 8. It was parked near the new Skehanagh roundabout between 6am and 2pm that day. Gardaí say the bike was unique and is easily identifiable. The registration is 99 CE 5375.

The silencer on the bike is painted blue to match the body colour, while the gold coloured bracket on the right side has been replaced with a silver one.

“It’s an unusual make, a sporty model. It is valuable to the owner,” said Clare’s Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Joe Downey.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100.