Category: News

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.

A MAJOR fundraising effort that got underway in January has so far secured € 85,000 for the development of new classrooms at Knockanean National School.

Construction on a new two-storey development, which encompasses four new classrooms, is currently underway at the school on the outskirts of Ennis.

Work on the € 100,000 project is expected to be completed by December.

The school was built in 1949 with a further extension in 1997. Since then the number of pupils attending the school has more than doubled to 280. Four classes of children plus the school’s resource teachers are currently being catered for in prefabricated cabins.

In 2010 the school received a grant from the Department of Education and Science for new facilities. However the grant fell short of what was required to complete the work. Last September, the Board of Management appointed a fundraising committee to raise the shortfall of € 100,000 required to complete the extension.

Now as a result of the dedicated efforts of staff, the local community and the 175 families with children attending the school, € 85,000 has been raised to date.

Caroline Purcell of the Knockanean fundraising committee explained, “This puts the fundraising right on track to reach their target. The build- ing work is also on track as painting begins on the outside of the new building this week. There is an air of excitement around the school as pupils, staff and families look forward to the new classrooms being opened on schedule.”

The fundraising drive has so far included a buy a brick campaign and a charity CD. Caroline said the campaign would continue over the coming months. She added, “To help the school reach the target, the fundraising committee have organised a flag day and bag packing days over the next few weeks.”

School principal Pat McNamara paid tribute to the efforts of parents and parents of past pupils. He said the fundraising campaign had exceeded all expectations. He added, “We thought this might have been a two year thing but people have really rowed in behind it.”

N E W M A R K E T- O N – F E RG US woman Sinead Corbett strengthened her claims to be recognised as Ireland’s best female plougher as she took second place in the Under-28 Conventional Category at the National Ploughing Championships in Kildare last week. Sinead, who is a nurse by profession, made history in 2007 when she became the first female to win in a mixed-gender competition at the championships.

Having competed successfully for years in the female ploughing category, known as the ‘farmerettes’, Sinead made the jump over to competing against the male farmers in 2006 and won the U-21 category outright the following year.

Her success is the latest in a long line of successes for the family in the championships, following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather.

Last Tuesday’s competition saw- Sinead square up against the best young ploughers in Ireland in the final of the Under-28 Conventional Competition. Having received 80 points from her first plough, Sinead was sitting in fourth place, behind John O’Brien from Tipperary, Aiden Kelly from Longford and Robert John Barry from Cork going into the last plough of the final. The Newmarket woman showed great composure in the final minutes of the competition and was one of the few contestants to improve on her score in the second round of ploughing – registering 84 points, enough to lift her into second place overall.

Sinead is currently on a well deserved break abroad but, speaking after her previous victory, she said that she was not phased by competing against the lads. “I’m used to ploughing against the lads at this stage and I suppose they are used to me. When I started, I used to get a bit of slagging but that’s the way it goes. I guess they have changed their minds. As long as you can plough, that’s all that matters as far as I’m concerned,” she said.

Sinead’s grandfather, John, won the All-Ireland Junior Horse competition in Wexford in 1960, while her father Frank won the All-Ireland Junior Tractor competition in 1997 and 2003.

Sinead was the top-placing Clare plougher at this year’s competition but there were a number of other notable performances, including Barry Donnellan who competed in the Under-21 Conventional Class; Patrick Quinn in the 3 Furrow Conventional Class; John Joe Donnellan in the Junior Conventional Class; Eanna Cronin in the Under-40 Horse Class; Jim Cronin in the Senior Horse Class; and John White in the Vintage Two Furrow Mounted Class.