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MINISTER for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley has described as “un- acceptable” problems encountered with the commissioning of the €8 million Ennis water treatment plant.

A boil notice, in place on the town’s water supply since July 2005, was last week extended for a further three months after it was discovered that the treatment plant cannot sup- ply enough water for homes in the Ennis area.

The quality of water produced by the plant did meet required Euro- pean standards however problems with supply, resulting from periods of heavy rainfall, emerged during the commissioning period.

As a result the 56-day commission- ing period is to recommence with an interim treatment plant still being used to treat water.

Speaking in Ennis on Friday, Min- ister Gormley said, “We’ve had fail- ures. In my own backyard we’ve had a sewage treatment plant, which was on the basis of a public private part- nership, which failed, it was a bit of a

debacle. If you’re saying, is it accept- able? Then no, it’s not acceptable”.

He continued, “We have to get these things right. We have to ensure that infrastructure projects come in on budget and are actually a service for the local people. The most im- portant thing in all of this is to retain our focus on what is best for the local community.”

Mr Gormley said that there were no problems with quality of the Ennis water supply and that local authori- ties had to be sure before they com- missioned the treatment plant for full WD OSLoMENos

He said, “The plant is being com- missioned at the moment. We have to ensure that there are no further false Cra the

“We have to ensure that we are absolutely certain that the drinking water quality is up to scratch. We’re sure that is the case but we’re just, I suppose, employing the pre-caution- ary principle to make sure that we’re absolutely sure. So that investment is a good investment and people have the very best drinking water qual- ity when that commissioning phase is done.”

SHANNON Town Councillor Mike McKee has announced that he is to retire from politics, bringing to an end a career spanning more than 20 years.

The Independent councillor made his intentions clear last week, follow- ing months of speculation on whether he was to seek re-election to the town council.

Mr McKee, a former Sinn Féin councillor, was first elected to the

council in 1985 and has served as a councillor for the 24 years since WeloOe

Mr McKee was the first mayor of Shannon Town Council, which re- placed the town commission in 2001. He fondly recalls this honour.

“T was privileged to be cathao- irleach of the commissioners at the time and subsequently became the first mayor of Shannon in 2002, an honour I will never forget,’ he said.

Among the fond memories he has taken from the council include the

development of the playground and the extension of the town bounda- ries.

“We all worked together as a team for the good of the people of Shannon ad the success of the building of the Tir na nOg playground, the instal- lation of badly needed bus shelters, the extension of the town boundaries and the estate and road name plates, to name but a few, are testament to that unity,” he said.

SHANNON Development has re- ceived only two expressions of inter- est for the €50 million redevelop- ment of Kilrush marina.

Last month, the regional develop- ment agency confirmed that a private sector consortium, that included west Clare firm L&M Keating, withdrew from the project. It said the wors- ening economic climate resulted in the developers confirming that their proposal for the development of the marina and marina lands at Kilrush was no longer viable. This resulted in Shannon Development re-advertis- ing to seek expressions of interest to re-ignite the project with applicants given a deadline of May 5 to lodge expressions of interest.

A Shannon Development spokes- man declined to confirm if any ex- pressions of interest were received. However, it is understood that the re- gional development agency received just two expressions of interest.

Clir Tom Prendeville (FF) said it was important that the rights of the marina staff were protected and that the development would increase the number of berths at the marina from 120 to 200. “The marina has achieved a small surplus over the past few years and marina manager, John Hehir has turned it around.”

Cllr Prendeville, who is also a member of Kilrush Creek Marina Ltd, said that the marina has pro- vided a major boost for Kilrush and west Clare. The latest employment Statistics for west Clare, show that the numbers in Kilrush on the live register has increased from 657 in April 2008 to 1,248 in April of this year — an increase of 89 per cent.

According to its advertisement for expressions of interest, Shannon De- velopment state that “Kilrush Marina is managed and operated by Kilrush Creek Marina Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Shannon Development. The landbank that surrounds the marina, which consists of approxi- mately 15 acres, is also owned by Shannon Development.

“The development of the marina in a way that delivers economic benefits to the Kilrush area and is compatible and complimentary to the existing marina operations has been identi- fied for implementation by Shannon Development,’ it added.

AMATEUR artists from all over Ireland will be making their way to Lisdoonvarna later this month for the third annual Outdoor Landscape Painting Competition.

The event, which is organised each years by the Burren Painting Centre, aims to build on the success of the last two years and attract a host of artists from across Ireland and be- yond to take part.

This year’s competing artists will battle it out to win €3,000 worth of prizes at the event.

The Burren Painting Centre has collected a record amount of spon- sorship for this year’s event with the overall winner receiving a top prize of €300 cash, a three-day painting break and framing of the winning ele

This weekend of art will commence on the evening of Friday, May 22 with an oil painting demonstration by well-known Bray artist, Fergal Flanagan from 8.30pm in the studio of the Burren Painting Centre.

The amateur artists will register on the Saturday morning bright and early at the Lisdoonvarna National

School. They will then choose a lo- cation from the three options given them, check on the map and head off and start to paint.

The locations will be kept strictly secret before the beginning of the competition but they will all be lo- cated within a 10-mile radius of Lis- doonvarna. The competing artists will have until 6pm that evening to return with their completed entries.

All the paintings will be judged on the Sunday morning by professional artists, Patricia O’Breartuin and Frank Sanford. Both of these artists have been regular tutors at the Bur-

ren Painting Centre over many years and are enthusiasts of ‘en plein air’ orenonlauetee

Local artist Lorraine Wall, from Ennis, will conduct a drawing work- shop in the studio at the Burren Painting Centre while the judging takes place. The contestants will meet for lunch and the prize giving at The King Thomond Hotel in Lis- doonvarna.

More details and entry forms are available from Chris O’Neill at the Burren Painting Centre, Lisdoonvar- na, info@burrenpaintingcentre.com or phone 065 7074208.

FRONT line road staff at Clare County Council could be just four months from being placed on a three-day week following a massive fall-off in the amount of money the local authority has to spend on the county’s roads.

Details of the revised Roads Pro- gramme for 2009 were presented at yesterday’s meeting of Clare County Council and show a further cut of €6 million in the money available to

spend on roads.

Along with the cancellation of a number of road projects and up- grades, the council confirmed yes- terday that they have been in contact with the unions responsible for local authority road staff to discuss ways in which they might manage the shortfall from September on.

“IT am very disappointed that we have another amendment to our roads programme for this year. Having al- ready had cuts earlier this year, now to lose out on a further €6 million is a

disaster,” said Cllr Joe Cooney (FG).

“IT think that it is a total disgrace. I don’t think the council realise how bad the roads are. It’s all that the peo- ple who we are meeting at the door- steps are talking about. I am totally opposing this today. We have had enough cuts since last September in our roads programme and we can’t take any more cuts.”

Concerns were raised that front line road staff could face cuts later this year.

“The worry is that further cuts

might come. There has to be a re- evaluation of the current situation,” said Cllr Pat Hayes (FF).

“If we lose our workers on the ground, it will cause more difficulty in the future. We need to ensure that we still have a workforce in the autumn. There are rumours out there that peo- ple will be on a three-day week in the autumn. There are some critical things that must be evaluated.”

A council spokesperson said that all avenues were being explored to ensure that local authority staff are

retained.

“We are engaged in constructive dialogue with the unions for the road workers and machinery operators staff. We are exploring every avenue for saving money before we look at the reduction in hours for the road maintenance staff,’ said a council spokesman.

‘As regards to further cuts later in the year, I have no idea. The funding agencies for this are Clare County Council, as well as the NRA and the Department of Transport.”

MODERN-DAY warriors will march through the mists of time in Killaloe this summer to contend for NOUN CeN ONO A CO

On August 8, hundreds of tri-ath- letes will contest the title Ard Ri on territory adjacent to the ‘Forth of Brian Bort’ and ‘Greenanlaghna’ the seat of the great Munster Dalcas- sians.

The inaugural Brian Bort Triath- lon Challenge will require different skills to those which sustained the ancient warriors, but endurance and preparation will still be needed.

“The intensity and heat of battle over the course of one day’s racing will produce the worthy heir. There will be a winner and the heir will be bestowed with the crown and title

Ard Ri Cill Da Lua,” a spokeswom- an for the organisers said

Keith Wood and Anthony Foley, International Rugby legends and Killaloe’s modern day warriors were on hand to launch the triathlon at the Kincora Hall Hotel last week.

OW slommbets) ovbeclaCeyemm Cem seUKMmnur-l#el ley! stemmed from a challenging charity cycle, which is currently under way. Thaireland is a charity cycle from Thailand to Ireland by three Killaloe lads who aim to build a holiday vil- lage for sick children and the Share a Dream Foundation.

Brothers Brian and Michael Cul- hane from Killaloe, and Paul Ryan from Ogonnelloe, set out from Bang- kok last December with the goal of cycling 14,000 km back to Ireland. They are currently in Turkey and expect to arrive back in Killaloe in

CRU RAM LeU A

Any proceeds raised from this tri- athlon will go towards the €50,000 target the three cyclists have set themselves. Their adventure can be followed on www.thaireland.1ie.

Triathalon swimmers will take their marks on the lakeshore at the Twomilegate and, on completion of the open water 750 metre swim, competitors will then race over a 22 km cycle course on the most scenic roads overlooking Lough Derg, pass- ing by the Brian Bort oak tree and St Cronan’s 10th century church, loop- ing around the East Clare Memorial Park at Tuamgraney before return- ing through the picturesque village of Ogonnolloe.

The challenge doesn’t end there, on completion of the cycle, a 5km run still awaits any would be Ard Ri.

The run will take place on the steep slopes of the peaceful forest at Bally- cuggeran. Having surmounted these challenges, first over the line will be ceremoniously crowned Ard Ri 2009 on the ancient site of Kincora, the seat of Brian Bort: Killaloe and Ireland’s last high king.

Those who are developing their skills in swimming, cycling or run- ning can enter the relay event with three individual warriors participat- ing and covering the same course.

THE availability of free legal aid for people with multiple previous convictions represents an “absolute abuse” to taxpayers and victims of crime, a meeting has heard.

Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) was com- menting at yesterday’s monthly meet- ing of Clare County Council, where he called for an urgent reform of the free legal aid system.

The Shannon councillor raised the matter in a motion calling for the Minister for Justice and all relevant ministers to review the possibility of removing the facility of free legal aid from serial criminal repeat offenders.

Cllr Mulcahy proposed that a limit be placed on the amount of times se- rial offenders be allowed to avail of free legal aid, possibly three times.

Cllr Mulcahy also said that these in- dividuals should be means-tested and asset-tested prior to be being granted full legal aid. Cllr Mulcahy told the TPaeceL BD OTSMNOT:LMOCOMWE RM ECU DOTSMO Sem NOreLAKo because of a “serious lift in the level of violent crime and assaults”.

He said that under the current sys- tem, taxpayers were underwriting the cost of violent crime. “As long as

we are going to continue to pay we are not going to get criminals behind bars and they are going to go on giv- ing the two fingers to justice,” said Cllr Mulcahy. He said the system was in need of urgent reform. “They (se- rial offenders) are not means tested or asset tested. We need to put a stop to this activity,’ said Cllr Mulcahy.

He added, “We have a duty to pro- tect people from this abuse. I believe this system is an absolute abuse. We have to put a stop to this”.

Cllr Pay Hayes (FF) said the cost of free legal aid was being picked up by taxpayers. He said the system had contributed to a “constant merry go- round of crime”.

Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) said that while there were cases where people were genuinely entitled to free legal aid, the system was being abused by “thugs and gurriers and people with a catalogue of crime”.

“It’s hard to defend the indefensi- ble. I don’t see why taxpayers should have to pay for it.”

Cllr Mulcahy said he appreciated the views of the legal community on the matter and acknowledged that those charged with breaking the law were entitled to representation.

TWENTY-SIX auditioned and now it is down to 16 finalists in West Clare’s Got Talent.

Last year a group of people set up the competition to raise money for the ISPCC under the umbrella “chil- dren helping children”.

Following on from the success of the 2008 event, the talent show has now become an annual event.

In total 26 acts performed for judg- es Charlie Killeen, Linda O’Gorman, Karen Hogan and Paddy Hohnan,

who had the unenviable job of pick- ing just 16 acts for the grand final.

On May 16 the final acts will battle it out for the title in the Community School Kilrush, from 7pm sharp.

The participants are aged 10 to 18 years old and their acts include, hip hop and Irish dancing, set dancing, singers ranging from sopranos to al- tos and musicians playing the harp and accordion.

The new judges for the night – Anne Marie Doyle, Doonbeg; Mor- gan Roughan, Michael Vardin form the Ennis School of Rock, and Mary

Corry, along with guest adjudicator and last year’s winner Cooraclare girl Lisa Falsey will decide who will win the shield on the night.

Last year’s winner, Lisa will also perform on the night and will be joined by two special guests – Bert and Victor from the All Ireland Tal- ent Show.

The singers’ mother hails from Kilrush and the talented teens will be back in her old school performing again for those who supported them during the talent competition.

Last year West Clare’s Got Talent

raised €2,000, and this year the or- ganisers are hoping to double that sum.

Tickets on the night cost €5 for OAPs and students and €10 for adults.

There will also be a raffle and spot prizes.

Main organiser Kilrush woman Teresa Carrig said that the commu- nity has really got behind the event.

“Tt is very much community driven and it is great to see all the commu- nity involved in something like this,” said Ms Carrig.

LIFFORD B asked their big broth- ers in the A set-up for a pre-season friendly last August — the story goes that the A team declined the invita- tion, but when they then went knock- ing on Rineanna Rovers’ door they were met with a more positive re- sponse.

Rineanna didn’t bring their strong- est side to the Fair Green for that friendly, but they fielded a team as they used it as an exercise to free the cobwebs after a summer of inactiv- ity.

Rineannna were taken aback by what greeted them — Second Divi- sion Lifford B had a huge squad out and beat their Premier Division op- ponents. The game itself will have no bearing on Saturday’s cup final, apart from the fact that Rineanna are certainly taking nothing for granted.

“You look at it,” says Rineanna Rov- ers manager Colm Ryan “and you see a Premier team against a First Divi- sion team. That makes us favourites in a lot of people’s eyes, but we’re looking on this as a 50/50 game. They’ve had some huge scalps along the way — Lifford A in the semi-final, Newmarket Celtic in the quarter-fi- nal and Mountshannon Celtic before that. We’re not taking them lightly, they’ ll be very confident coming into 1d aComeeeDoatemr-00(6 mI Mere] UNG mxO Mss 10 0(o) MAUR Val adds Ryan.

It’s not a case of Ryan talking up the Opposition, more a case of treading carefully as Rineanna Rovers stand on the brink of history. For years they’ve laboured in the shadows of illustrious neighbours — around them

Bunratty, Newtown and Newmar- ket Celtic have won league and cup titles, Rineanna have been close but the eternal bridesmaids.

“Last year in my first year as man- ager we reached the semi-final and went down 2-1 when Rock Rovers got a very late goal. Five of the squad were on the 1999 team that reached the final. They were Hugh Kelly, Pa Fahy, Brian Kelly, Declan Devitt and John Earls. They’ve been around a long time with the club and given great service. It’s been a long road back to the cup final for them.

“This year we’ve done well in cup competitions. We got to the last 16

of the Munster Junior Cup where we went down to Fairview Rangers by a goal, while the previous round we had a great win against Gran- ville. Hopefully that good cup form will continue for another day,” adds Raven

Ryan and everyone associated with the club are also hoping that front- line players like Stephen and Enda Kelly, Kieran Devitt and Daithi O’Connell will be able to play, even though they’re involved in Saturday’s senior hurling championship clash between Newmarket-on-Fergus and Wolfe Tones.

“There’s be a bit of a hullaba-

loo about the hurlers, but we can’t be worried about that,’ says Rayn. “When they’ve been available for training they’ve been with us. We have a squad of 20 players and hope- fully we will be ok. We have to con- centrate on the game.

“It’s going to be a great day. Being in a cup final is something to enjoy and hopefully we will come out on top. It’s going to be hard though.”

Cup finals generally are.

, that parts of Drumbiggle had been affected by the feud, Ferdie O’Donoghue of the Drumbiggle Residents Association, said the area had not experienced any problems. “In no way has it affected our area. We had our problems in the

past but the area is settled now. There are some small things, but they are the usual things that happen in any privately run council estates. If it does come to our area we will deal with in an appropriate manner.”

The Drumbiggle area covers over 300 houses in Clancy Park, Water- park Heights, Waterpark View, Wa- terpark Court, McHugh Villas, Rad- hare na hInse, Ard Carrig and Stone Court. Mr O’Donoghue said that the actions of a “small minority” had cre- ated difficulties for residents and had given some housing estates in Ennis,

“a bad name”.

He said, “We do have sympathy with the people living in Cloughleigh and what they have had to go through. It’s terrible what a small minority of people can do to an estate. I’m sure that the residents, the Gardai and En- nis Town Council are doing the best they can to sort out the problem. If there is anything that our residents groups can do to help them, we will be more than willing to help.”

Mr O’Donoghue continued, “It’s a small amount of people that are caus- ing the difficulties. It only takes one

or two people to give an estate a bad name. 99 per cent of the people liv- ing in estates around the town are law-abiding people. It 1s that one per cent that gives a place a bad name and that’s not a fair reflection of what a place is actually like. But that’s the way it is, | suppose. All it takes is one bad apple.

“It’s important that everyone works together, the residents, the council and the Gardai. But you’ll find that as estates get older, things start to settle down. Time is a healer for all these things,” said Mr O’Donoghue.