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THERE was a time when the Pope, JFK and De Valera graced the walls of Irish homes.

For Fianna Fail supporter Ethna Cleary her wall will soon be adorned with photos of more modern day politicians.

The native of Darragh has already a photo of herself and former Tainiste and current Minister for Health Mary Harney on the wall of her home close to the Kilmaley Daycare Centre.

This will soon include a picture with Taoiseach Brian Cowen who dropped into say hello during his visit to Kilmaley.

Ms Cleary, who had spent 40 years living in Dublin before returning to the assisted living houses in Kil- maley four years ago, was delighted with her visitor.

“T think I will put the picture of Brian Cowen above Mary Harney,” she said pointing to the wall.

“Although she was lovely too.”

Brian Cowen got a rousing wel- come to Kilmaley and the Daycare centre, which he admitted made a nice change to his week.

With the clients singing as he ap- proached, the Offaly man was in good spirits.

“When the contest 1s over after June 5 and we are all out trying to get our votes, when it is all over and you have made your decision, the job

for us all will be to work together and come behind whatever priority you have identified and make sure we make further progress in the months and years ahead,” he said.

‘And it is that spirit, that type of ap- proach and that positivity that may I say 1S a great antidote to what I have to listen to a lot of the time within the belt way. In the beltway, which is within the two mile radius of Dail Eireann, where everyone starts talking to each other and talking to themselves, and media people and they are all around and everyone is saying everything is very bad and we will never get out of this and we will all be in terrible trouble.”

‘I think really we need to see a bit of balance into the argument, and the balance in the argument is when you come down to communities like this that are getting on with their lives, getting on with building up their communities, getting on of course with contributing and quite rightly with critiquing us and having a go if necessary but doing it in the right spirit because at the end of the day even though I am an Offaly man we are on the same team.”

The Taoiseach also received a posi- tive reception in Shannon, at St Ca- main’s School.

The Leaving Cert Applied class, who were studying IT and spread sheets, were gracious enough not to offer any words of advice when it

came to accounting and the econo- my, despite the Taoiseach broaching the subject.

In Leaving Cert physics the topic quickly turned to hurling, as council

candidate and minor selector Eamon Fennessy spotted young hurler Kevin Lynch in the front seat.

All in all, press conferences aside, Brian Cowen’s visit to Clare was

sportingly positive.

Two councillors bow out of race

has learned that one last meeting of the current incar- nation of Clare County Council has been scheduled to take pace on June 8, three days after polling will take place for local election.

Counting for the local elections will take place on June 6 with a decision likely late on Saturday evening, June 6 or early on Sunday, June 7.

However, it 1s understood that all current member of Clare County

Council will be invited to attend the full council meeting scheduled for Monday, June 8.

Barring the unlikely situation that each sitting councillor going for re- election is returned, this will mean that some councillors will have the opportunity to make decisions, de- spite losing their mandate from the people.

Meanwhile, the May meeting of the local authority ended in a whimper last night as a host of motions were moved as several of councillors were not present to discuss their own mo- tions. At one stage it appeared that the meeting would not be able to maintain its quorum of nine coun- cillors and would have to be aban-

doned.

“It was the dying sting of an old council. The meeting was finished up early because all of the remaining motions had to be moved because the people who proposed were not there to discuss them,” said Cllr Christy Curtin (Ind) after proceedings were completed.

‘‘T suppose you would have to ques- tion the wisdom of having a meeting so close to election time. Most of the councillors had their main focus on the elections and were more inter- ested in getting out and canvassing,” he said.

The meeting was completed after just over an hour, with a large number of motions still up for discussion.

LAHINCH banker turned artist Michael Hanrahan will have the hon- our of being one of the first artists to exhibit paintings in the newly re- stored O’Brien’s Tower at the Cliffs of Moher.

Michael, along with Lisdoonvarna painter Doreen Drennan will pro- vide all the artwork for the official reopening of the historic building which takes place later this month. After holding a senior position with AIB for a number of years, Michael retired three years ago to explore a career in painting.

“The painting has really started to

take off in the last number of months. Jam now based full time at the Court- house Studio in Ennistymon which has been a great help and I have also developed my own web-page which is attracting a lot of people from abroad, America in particular, to my work,” said Michael.

‘“T have just finished a three months long exhibition with Doreen Dren- nan at the Cliffs of Moher and now that O’Brien’s Tower is reopening we were asked to put together a number of painting particularly to do with the Cliffs of Moher.

“It is a huge honour and I am ab- solutely thrilled. It 1s such an iconic building and it is very exciting to

be one of the first artists to exhibit in there. I have been working on a number of painting specifically for it over the last few months so I can’t wait.”

Michael first made his name as an artist by a number of successful ex- hibits in local art auctions.

“Painting is a tougher business than it was three or four years ago and people are looking for good value and things like art auctions are becoming more and more popular. Dolan’s Art Auction in Galway have been fantastic, they have sold more than 30 of my paintings over the last few months so it’s been a great suc- cess,” he said.

‘Also I have recently taken a real interest 1n painting scenes from the horse fair in Ennistymon. The horse fair takes place twice a year in En- nistymon and I have come across some great scenes from the fair including local people like Willie Daly.

“I have also been invited to take up a position as artist in resident in Roundstone in Galway, as well as an- other similar position in Kerry later in the year, which is a great honour for me.”

For more information check out www.imichaelhanrahan.net.

A WAR OF words has broken out between SkyCourt management and members of Shannon Town Council, over the shopping centre’s role in the St Patrick’s Day parade.

At a meeting of the local authority last month, criticism was levelled at SkyCourt, amid accusations that it had not done enough to support the parade. However, the manager of SkyCourt, Pat Kelly, hit back, in a letter to Shannon Town Clerk Tomas Mac Cormaic.

Describing the comments as “gross- ly unfair and disproportionate”, he said SkyCourt had shown huge com- mitment to the parade. He said it was “regrettable that some councillors felt it necessary to criticise SkyCourt management and staff in a severe and hurtful manner” and said that some councillors overreacted with “stinging attacks”. He said additional security staff and cleaners had been employed, while SkyCourt had or- ganised a gymnastics display in the town square.

Mr Kelly said that the parade was ‘arguably the most successful parade to date’, with record numbers — more than 10,000 — in attendance.

“T welcome the one and only con- structive comment from a councillor who suggested that we meet with the parade’s committee well in advance to iron out any difficulties that might arise 1n the future,’ he said.

The chairman of the parade com-

mittee, Cllr Greg Duff (Lab), said he would have preferred if there were no negative comments made after the parade, but in reality, issues did arise. He said the negativity was not just from councillors, as people in the town also expressed “disgust” at the lack of co-operation from SkyCourt. “SkyCourt will have to change their attitude. It’s not just this year or last year, but it’s consistently with who- ever is chairperson,” he said.

Cllr Geraldine Lambert (FF) said she regretted the fact that hurt was caused but said she stood by every- thing she said at the previous meet- ing, adding, “if the cap fits…” She said she had chaired the organising committee for five years, during

which time “we consistently had dif- ficulty getting a level of co-operation from SkyCourt and from Shannon Town Centre Ltd. We had no diffi- culty getting co-operation from the individual traders.”

Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) said that she also stood by her earlier comments, saying SkyCourt man- agement should be thankful to the organisers of the parade for attract- ing huge crowds on the day. She said that Mr Kelly should be “bending over backwards and accepting that things were wrong, besides crying, whinging in the letter.”

Clir Sean Hillery (FF), who runs a business in SkyCourt, said the extra cleaners were paid for by the traders.

Ennis schools lose two principals

TWO youths, are, between them, fac- ing 51 charges in relation to a spate of crime in east Clare and south Galway that culminated in a major search involving two dozen gardai.

One of the two 1s facing 25 charges and the other is charged with 26 al- leged offences, arising out of a series of incidents last Thursday week, April 30.

Among the charges being brought include unauthorised taking of cars in Cratloe and Gort; thefts in Sixmi- lebridge; criminal damage in Sixmi- lebridge, Quin and Gort; handling stolen property in Cratloe; trespass in Meelick and burglary in Quin.

Ennis District Court heard on Fri- day that the 17-year-old youth re- plied, “Nothing to say to any of the charges,” after he was cautioned.

His co-accused, aged 15, replied to nine of the charges, including, “I didn’t damage no door,’ “No, I didn’t burn no car,” “No, I didn’t take any car,’ and “No, why are you giving me charges when I wasn’t even caught with anything?” He did not make any reply to the other charges.

Solicitor Tara Godfrey, who repre- sented the 17-year-old, said she un- derstood the State was in a position

to deal with the case in the district court and her client “may take a cer- tain course”.

Ted McCarthy, solicitor for the 15- year-old boy, said his client was con- testing the matters.

Garda Michael McGreal outlined details of the allegations. He said it would be alleged that a car was sto- len in Limerick and driven to Gort, where the first car was burnt and an- other one stolen. That car was then driven to Quin. He said it would be alleged that the accused burgled a shop in Quin and stole another vehi- cle in the village. He said they then travelled to Sixmilebridge, where power tools were stolen from a build- ing site. A chemist’s shop was bro- ken into in Sixmilebridge and money was Stolen.

‘They drove through a garda check- point and abandoned the vehicle and travelled on foot,” he said.

He said the 17-year-old youth was arrested in Meelick some time lat- er, after an extensive search lasting more than three hours.

After hearing details of the allega- tions, Judge Joseph Mangan declined jurisdiction in the cases of both ac- cused, who are from Limerick.

Inspector Michael Gallagher said gardai were objecting to bail for the

duo. Referring to the 17-year-old, Gda McGreal said he was on station bail from Limerick when these al- leged offences were committed. He said that a large amount of serious charges have been brought against the accused, who, he said, failed to appear in court in Limerick on one occasion in 2005.

“There was an extensive search car- ried out and a considerable distance was travelled by the accused, who was attempting to evade justice,” he SP AKOE

“A lot of Garda members were involved. The area had to be sur- rounded. It took some hours, over a 10-mile distance,” he said.

In objecting to bail for the 15-year- old, Garda Sean O Murcht said this was based on the seriousness of the charges, allied to the nature of evi- dence against the accused.

‘Before his arrest he fled the scene and drove a stolen van at two gardai,” he said.

The search, he added, involved eight patrol cars, two patrol vans and the regional support unit from Lim- erick. Up to 25 gardai were involved and the incident crossed between two Garda divisions.

In seeking bail for her client, Ms Godfrey said it was likely that it

would take two or three months to complete the book of evidence. However, Judge Joseph Mangan re- fused bail for the two and remanded them in custody until later this week.

The 15-year-old has been remanded to St Michael’s Institution and the 17-year-old has been remanded to St Patrick’s Institution.

“EFFECTIVELY all we are being promised is more of the same but Il do it a bit better.”

This 1s how Clare’s only candidate in the Ireland North West European Election appraised the other candi- dates in the field.

Scariff man Michael McNamara, is critical of the lack of ideas and debate surrounding the European elections, the economy and the local elections.

The barrister and farmer, admits he is coming to the European race a little late and has a huge challenge to overcome as an Independent can- didate, but is determined to open up the debate on Europe, Ireland’s place in Europe and the future of Govern- ment in Ireland.

Asked why he has put his name forward in the three-seat constitu- ency, which is made up of counties from every province in Ireland, Mr McNamara said, “Because I have to. I believe there is complete disil- lusionment in Ireland with National politics. A change in Government will not change that but a change in

governance.

‘There is a danger because of disil- lusionment people will reject the Eu- ropean Project as a protest. I believe that is why a lot of people voted No to the Lisbon Treaty.

“The problem with European law is not how it is made in Europe but how it is applied in Ireland.”

He gave the example of the contro- versial water and nitrates directives.

Mr McNamara said that Irish farm- ers are being forced to spread slurry in waterlogged fields before October Ry

In Northern Ireland, the British government secured derogation, so farmers have until January | to com- OC Kom CUM EAL ©

Both sets of farmers are working on the same island and in the same climate, yet the Irish Government failed farmers south of the border in this regard, he maintains.

Mr McNamara also believes in strengthening the local authorities, but maintains we do not need as many councillors or councils as we presently have in Ireland.

The Clare man began his cam- paigning last weekend.

AN out-of-control 17-year-old boy who is ‘running wild’ around En- nis went berserk and threatened to smash up his mother’s home last Fri- day morning, a court has heard.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, 1s ac- cused of public order offences and a theft matter, arising from two sepa- rate incidents last week.

He was on bail at the time, having been charged with a public order of- fence last month.

Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client was pleading guilty

to the public order charges.

Inspector Michael Gallagher told Ennis District Court on Friday that gardai had responded to a call at the boy’s home at lam that morning.

He said that the boy’s mother was distraught and shocked after the ac- cused went berserk and threatened to smash up their home. She had col- lected him from town at 12.30am. When the boy became aware that the gardai were being called, he fled. He initially could not be lo- cated, but later returned home and screamed and roared. He was taken to the Garda station, where his ag- gression continued.

Ms Godfrey said that there have been on-and-off difficulties with her client over the past two years.

‘They have reached crisis point in the last six months. His mother has indicated that she cannot allow the situation to continue in that regard. She would be suggesting that he would have to leave the home,’ she SrHTOR

Inspector Gallagher said that while the boy has no previous convictions, he was dealt with under the juvenile liaison programme in the past.

In court last month, Inspector Gal- lagher described the public order offence, with which the boy was

charged on that occasion, as one of the worst such matters he had come across.

On that occasion, the boy was granted bail, with strict conditions, including that he abide by a curfew. ‘He hasn’t abided by the curfew. I genuinely feel sorry for his mother,” said Inspector Gallagher last Fri- day.

“The young fella is just running wild around town. He’s out of con- trol,” he added.

Ms Godfrey accepted that this couldn’t be denied.

The boy told the court that he was drunk when he committed the of-

fences last Friday morning. It was unacceptable to do it to my mother,” he said.

Asked by Judge Joseph Mangan does he take drugs, he said, “Some- times I smoke weed and hash.”

He was asked did he blame alco- hol for what had happened and said, “It’s the drink, but it’s half myself as well.”

Judge Mangan remanded the boy in custody to St Patrick’s Institution for a week and ordered that a Proba- tion report be carried out.

Free legal aid was granted, after the boy’s mother told the court she was unable to meet his legal fees.

FIANNA Fail added its second can- didate to the Ireland North West ticket at the 11th hour amid much disquiet from the Pascal Mooney camp.

Just hours before the close of nomi- nations, Minister for State and Don- egal South West TD Pat “the Cope” Gallagher (FF) declared as a candi- date after weeks of speculation.

He joined former senator Mooney on the ticket, vacated by sitting MEP Sean O Neachtain.

The Galway-based MEP and Mooney were selected to represent the party, but O Neachtain later withdrew his name citing ill health.

Fianna Fail failed to find a candi- date in the southern half of the vast constituency of Ireland North West,

and yesterday announced former MEP and junior Minister Gallagher as the second candidate.

The news was not welcomed in the Mooney camp, as supporters be- lieved that both men would be look- ing for votes in the north.

Announcing his candidature Min- ister Gallagher said, “We must maximise funding opportunities from Europe which is supporting Irish economic recovery through a number of different positive initia- UAVore

“Now more than ever, Ireland needs to elect people who will be able to work in Europe on a range of different policy issues that will sup- port Irish economic recovery.

“The European Union is to the forefront in helping Ireland to pull out of economic recession.”

The junior minister served in the European Parliament before be- tween 1994 and 2002.

He said that both himself and Mr Mooney must work together to win back the Fianna Fail seat in Ireland oye fenie

The former senator, 1s an award- winning broadcaster and journalist and a native of Drumshanbo, Coun- ty Leitrim.

Mr Mooney said he will fight to protect the farming and fishing in- dustry and push for better job crea- tion and tourism through EU sup- port. He said he will also fight to protect Ireland’s cultural, linguistic and national diversities within the European Union and for increased financial support for Irish small and medium-size enterprises.

The former senator has served on

a number of European bodies in- cluding the Council of Europe and the WEU Parliamentary Assembly. He presented several reports to the Council of Europe including ‘Wom- en’s Participation in Elections’ and ‘Europe’s response to Humanitarian Disasters’ in association with the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

He is co-author of “Women in Parliament’, now the benchmark publication acknowledging the role played by Irish women in the politi- cal process since the foundation of Some EI Koe

Mr Mooney was the first Irishman to be elected chairman of the Coun- cil of Europe Human Rights Com- mittee and has also served on the Joint House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Forum on Europe.