Category: News

A BURREN based political artist staged a public art demonstration in Ennistymon last week which she hopes will help end the process of fluoridation of water in Ireland.

Doolin-based artist Marianne Slevin staged the public art event outside the Ennistymon Library, which involved arranging a number of leaves with messages on them concerning the process of water fluoridation.

The issue of fluoridation of Irish water has become contentions in recent months with a bill to end the practice due to come before Dáil Éireann later this year.

“It is certainly a political activity. I think art can be very transformative, and sometimes issues that can be difficult to talk about or can cause conflict are best approached from an artistic medium,” said Marianne.

“I think this is a way that people can hear about an issue and approach it in own way. People can come to the subject in their own way. I mean, I hate confrontation, I’d do anything to avoid confrontation, so this a way of talking about an issue without forcing my views on them.

“I had brought leaves with some writing on them with me, and after that I started to improvise. I set myself up outside the library and built a place to work there. When I was finished I just walked away and let people discover the leaves and the messages themselves.”

Marianne has also been interacting with people on the streets Ennis and Ennistymon in recent week asking people to pretend that they are asleep or hypnotized. Marianne’s husband, professional photographer James Slevin, then takes picture of the scene which will become part of a future exhibition.

“We talk about it [water fluoridation] if people are interested to talk about it, or we just take pictures with them if that is what they are comfortable with. Later we do hope to have an exhibition of this when it is finished,” continued Marianne.

Marianne and James operate the Secret Gallery in Doolin. The gallery, which is located in their own home, is open to members of the public who happen to find it.

WHAT exactly happened behind the scenes of Clare’s thrilling All-Ireland senior hurling title win?

If you want to find out then you’re in luck, The Clare Hurling Supporters Club as part of their fundraising efforts for the upcoming team holiday, are releasing a behind the scenes DVD of their remarkable season.

The DVD, which will be available to buy in shops in November, features exclusive behind the scenes footage that includes peeks inside the Clare dressing room during championship matches, training sessions, team talks and players personal recollections of an incredible summer’s hurling.

The squad allowed a camera access to the dressing room, as well as team meetings and training sessions throughout the season and countless hours of footage are now being edited into ninety minutes of previously unseen history.

The hurlers are expected to travel for a team holiday towards the end of December and as part of the fundraising efforts for the All-Ireland champions, the supporters fund are releasing the historic DVD, an official team calendar, official Clare team Christmas cards and the official team photograph.

A MAN who told his neighbours he would burn them out of their house has been ordered to pay a contribution to charity.

Shane Constable (25) made the threat following a heated row with his neighbours in Dun n hInse, Ennis in May.

Last month Mr Constable, with an address at Dun na hInse, appeared in Ennis District Court charged with public intoxication and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour on May 9.

The court heard gardaí called to the estate to deal with a dispute between residents.

The court heard he was in one of the houses shouting at his neighbour.

Last month Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court Mr Constable shouted that he was “going to burn them out of the house.”

Gardaí arrested the accused to defuse the situation, the court heard.

Mr Constable’s solicitor, Tara Godfrey disputed her client made the threat to burn down the house.

Judge Patrick Durcan adjourned the case to hear garda evidence.

On Wednesday, Garda Colm Geary of Ennis Garda Station told the court Mr Constable did say he would burn down his neighbour’s house.

He said Mr Constable was very intoxicated and has since apologised for his behaviour. Ms Godfrey said her client was sorry for his behaviour.

She said he was a valued member of his local soccer club Lifford B and was considered a good tenant by his landlord.

Speaking in court, Mr Constable said, “I’m very sorry.”

Judge Patrick Durcan ordered him to pay € 200 to the court poor box.

He told Mr Constable he did not want to criminialise him but warned him not come before the court again.

The case was adjourned to November 13 for payment to poor box.

RYANAIR has been challenged to deliver on a promise to grow traffic out of Shannon Airport on the back of the Government decision to scrap the controversial travel tax in last Tuesday’s Budget.

The abolition of the tax, which was originally introduced by the Fianna Fáil-led government in 2009 and fixed at € 10 only to be scaled down to € 3 in subsequent years, was seen as a major stumbling block to Ryanair passenger growth out of Shannon.

Now, on the back of its abolition and Ryanair’s commitment to grow its traffic at its Irish airports by at least 1m passengers per annum from April 2014 has led to renewed hopes that Shannon can created into a lowcost hub for the budget airline.

To this end Shannon Airport executives, along with those from Dublin, Cork Kerry and Knock, were represented at meetings with Ryanair to make their pitch for enhance flights and destinations out of the airport.

“The repeal of the air travel tax helps restore Ireland’s competitiveness and attractiveness to overseas visitors from the UK and Continental Europe in particular,” says Ryanair’s Michael Cawley.

He said the meetings with airport executives were about exploring “where we can add new routes or additional frequencies on existing routes, and deliver at least 1m new passengers which will create over 1,000 new jobs as a direct result of the Government’s decision to scrap the visitor tax”.

The chief executive of Shannon Airport says the abolition of the tax represents “a very timely and proactive move by Government to support air travel as it effectively amounts to a stimulant for both our airline customers and the airport”.

“We have already begun, in this our first year as an independent airport, a recovery in passenger numbers at Shannon so this decision by Government will boost our chances of continuing in that vein and achieving the targets we have set over a five-year period as an independent entity.

“For international airports like Shannon, this initiative may help tip the balance in our favour when it comes to convincing airline customers to enhance existing and put on new services.

“We ultimately hope that this will increase our chances of growing passenger numbers and it will have a positive knock on effect for not just ourselves but for the wider business and tourism sectors in the region we serve,” he added.

SCORES of supporters of the Ennistymon Choral Society will gather in Lahinch this Saturday to mark the 40th anniversary of the much-loved organisation. The society, which is one of Ireland’s longest-running musical groups, will host a free gala concert this Saturday and has invited anyone involved over the last four decades to come along. With more and 100 local people involved in bringing the musical together each year, a large crowd is expected to mark the 40-year anni- versary. “It’s a gathering as well as a celebration. It is a thank you evening for patrons, sponsors, supporters and all the members down the years who have all worked so hard over the last 40 years. It is quite a legend for such a small area,” said Maureen Keane Brown, president of the society and member since 1974. “It took a lot of dedication and support for local people to make this possible over the last forty years. We can’t stress how grateful we are. There is so much work in putting on a production and it is so expensive now to put on a production. “Local businesses, big and small, have always been amazing to us. Even in trying times, they have been just amazing. “We have so many young people involved in the society now, alongside people who have been involved for 40 years. It really is a great way for all the talent in north/west Clare to be developed.” The free Anniversary Gala Concert will take place this Saturday, October 26, from 8pm at Seaworld Lahinch. Refreshments on the night provided by Randaddy’s in Lahinch and Febvre Wines in Dublin. The society’s 41st production will be the cowboy classic ‘Oklahoma’ which will come to the stage in April of 2014. Rehearsals for this show are due to begin in mid-November.

AS MANY as 5,770 children from Clare are to benefit from a free GP service next year according to the Minister for Finance, but local doctors said that as yet no one has spoken to them.

At the Budget 2014 forum, supported by Citizen Information Services and Alliance of Social Protection of Recipients, participants welcomed the initiative but with an element of caution.

Those speaking on behalf people with disabilities and people reliant on social welfare maintained that means testing should be introduced with the under five free GP service.

However Clare members of the National College of General Practitioners said that no direct contact has been made with GPs.

Doctors have said the free GP care scheme for five year olds and under, as proposed by the Government, will not be a “high-end” service because it will not be properly funded.

The GP organisation also warned yesterday (Monday) that some GPs might not sign-up to the plan.

Meanwhile Government representatives are adamant that the initiative, which has had a very mixed reaction, will go ahead.

Labour TD Michael McNamara said, “This is a historic and significant initiative which means that local families with children aged five and under no longer have to give a second’s thought about visiting the doctor when their child gets sick.

“There is clear evidence that people delay or avoid visiting their GP where a fee is required. Removing this cost barrier will mean that local families will be far more likely to address medical problems at an earlier stage, leading to better outcomes and treatment that is of less cost to the State.”

THE Burren region is set to lead the Irish tourist industry in a large scale transformation in how tourism in Ireland works. More than 200 people turned out for a major eco-tourism in Ennistymon last week, making it the largest conference of its kind ever undertaken in Ireland.

The conference, which was organised by the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark LIFE Project, attracted delegates from emerging eco-tour- ism sports from all over the country.

The conference, which was entitled ‘Developing Sustainable Tourism Destinations’, also included a number of international leaders in sustainable tourism.

“A number of the younger delegates at the conference, the next generation of tourism managers, voiced the opinion that sustainability should not be an issue. They believe that it should automatically be a part of all we do, without question,” said Carol Gleeson of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark LIFE Project.

“If this is how the younger generation think, then there is definitely a future for sustainable tourism and all it stands for. We are already making a name for ourselves in sustainable tourism here in Clare. Both the Geopark [Burren and Cliffs of Moher] and Loop Head have been shortlisted for the Best Destination for Responsible Tourism Awards this year which is a great achievement.”

The conference attracted delegated from Achill Island, the Dingle Peninsula, Malin Head, Meath, Louth, Galway as well as 50 students from GMIT and from FETAC.

The Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark is a Clare County Council initiative. This ‘LIFE’ section of the project is 50 per cent funded by Europe with match funding is provided by the lead partner Clare County Council along with Failte Ireland, the Geological Survey of Ireland, Office of Public Works, National Monuments Service, National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Heritage Council, National University College Galway and University College Dublin.

FINANCIAL issues, debt and the 2014 Budget announced on Wednesday are seriously impacting on the mental health of the county.

According to those on the coal face, including Clare MABS co-ordinator Denis Corbett and psychiatrist Dr Moosajee Bhamjee, more and more people are presenting at their offices with anxiety and depression directly associated with financial worries.

“It has been the cause of a number of suicides as well. It is a major issue. We are now getting people in families, wives and husbands – who are worried. People think it is only contractors and builders or business people who owe a lot to the bank that are coming,” said Dr Bhamjee who reported mental health issues related to financial worries are increasing in the county year on year.

“We are seeing people with anxiety and that anxiety is turning into depressive symptoms.”

He said there is also a resulting increase in alcoholism and marriage disharmony.

“People are accustomed to a certain standard of living and now find it difficult to adjust. A lot of people need tranquillisers to calm down and maybe sleeping tablets at night. Other people are using yoga and doing some light exercise to help,” he said.

“The whole society is stressed at the moment. This budget has put more stress on mental health, more so on the elderly,” said the psychiatrist and former Labour TD.

“Counselling does give people help, support and reassurance. It might not be able to solve their financial issues but it can provide a way of coping with stress.”

Mr Corbett agreed that MABS in Clare is also seeing an increase in people with financially related anxiety and depression seeking help.

“When your basic needs are threatened then you are in trouble,” he said.

MABS is calling for a working group to be established to develop and agree mental health guidelines for banks and lending institutes so that people in debt with mental health issues are treated appropriately.

“It is about support. It is not that people don’t want to act, it is that they can’t and need support,” he said.

On Friday at a special seminar on Budget 2014 in Ennis chairperson Dermot Hayes said, “This is the seventh year of budgets cuts on welfare recipients and low income families. Pushing people further into to cutting essentials. That enable them to live a quality of life and to sustain reasonable health and lifestyle.”

CONSTRUCTION work on the final section of the M18 motorway will get underway early in the new year with the road now expected to be up and running before the end of 2017.

The news was confirmed by Taoiseach, Enda Kenny (FG), last week at the Irish Haulier of the Year Awards and comes as a major boost both for Clare commuters and Shannon Airport.

The final section of the motorway, which will connect Gort to Galway City and on to Tuam, has been on ice since the onset of the recession in 2007. However, following an announcement by Transport Minister Leo Varadkar (FG), earlier this year, work on the public private scheme had been expected to begin in recent months.

The tender process for the project is at an advanced stage with a number of local businesses in North Clare expected to benefit during the threeyear construction phase.

This news is a major boost for Shannon Airport as it will allow the Clare airport to compete against Knock and Dublin airports for the custom of hundreds of thousands of customers in Galway and all along the northern seaboard.

The news could have an unexpected negative effect on the future of the Western Rail Corridor. Campaigners for the corridor, which reintroduced between Ennis and Galway in 2010, expect the rail line to be extended north as far as Sligo before 2021.

However, the extension of the motorway as far north as Tuam is expected to undermine the business plan behind and further extension of rail services.

The 2030 Rail Network Strategy Review has concluded that the reopening of the remainder of the Western Rail Corridor will become much less necessary once M18 motorway is completed.

MORE than € 4 million will be leaked out of the Clare economy in 2014 because of a drastic cut in the number of Clare farmers eligible for Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) – formally knows as REPS.

In excess of 750 Clare farmers will come to the end of their current AEOS deal over the next 12 months, with no fresh scheme coming in 2014 following last week’s budget. The scheme, which compensated farmers for conducting environmental improvement on their land, has been dramatically cut since the start of the recession in 2007.

The lion’s share of the money allocated under AEOS payments is spent almost immediately by farmers, either on building materials or labour, meaning that this € 4 million cut will have a massive knock-on impact on the wider rural community.

“The loss of the environment scheme [AEOS] is a major blow for the county. These 750 farmers in Clare will now be spending € 4 million less in the local economy next year and that is going to effect the entire rural community. We are not talking about farmers alone here,” said Andrew Dundas, Clare IFA chairperson.

“Farmers are in a situation now where they are sending every bit of money that is coming in. You have to spend the money to be in these environment schemes and this loss will be felt by the whole comunity.”

There was some good news for Clare suckler farmers in the budget with the introduction of a € 60 calf grant. The payment will come in part from a new Beef Genomics Scheme and the Beef Data Programme and will effectively replace the old suckler scheme.

Beef or suckler farms are by far the most common form of agriculture practiced in Clare but the county’s sucker herd has fallen from a high of 76,000 in 2011 to an estimated 60,000 today.