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FOR Ennis native Tony Morgan, the biennial pilgrimage to the Fine Gael Ard Fheis is the very first date etched in the calendar. A veteran of more party conferences than he’d care to remember, the former chair of the Ennis branch of Fine Gael is in a unique position to judge the current crop of Fine Gael talent.

According to Tony, despite some shortcomings, Enda Kenny is the man to lead Fine Gael back into Government.

“Enda is not a great man to think on his feet – if I could put it that way. But if he is in a situation where he is dealing with a problem that he is well briefed on, then he can really talk about it,” he said.

‘He 1s inclined to hum and haw a bit when faced with the general cut and thrust of politics but maybe that’s no bad thing. Other people can be too bloomin’ glib altogether sometimes.

“Richard Bruton is great – he has a great financial brain on him. He would make a great minister for fi- nance. I think he should be left in the position. Enda Kenny is a good leader and he should be left where he is too.

“I know that a lot of people say that Enda Kenny can’t cut the mustard but I think he is doing very well. He rescued the party after the last gen- eral election. It’s a good team and a young team. They are all excellent people who would make good min- isters.””

As with many who attended the Fine Gael Ard Fheis over the week- end, Tony believed that the state of the economy should be the main fo- cus for the party going forward.

“I watched a few of the debates there this morning and Fine Gael is certainly putting across their poli- cies and what they want to do. They are also well able to elaborate on all the ills that Fianna Fail have created over the years,” he said.

“The economy and the banks is a really big thing. I think a lot of peo- ple feel totally let down. It wasn’t just the Government alone, but the banks, the regulators, the central bank.

“The banks were shovelling money out to the people. If someone came looking for a 100 per cent mortgage, they gave them a 105 per cent mort- gage. It was totally ridiculous. They borrowed billion and millions from the international money markets and now the whole thing has collapsed.”

TOM McNamara is hoping to end a Kilmaley famine on Clare County Sees

The first candidate from the area in 30 years, Mr McNamara declared as a Fianna Fail candidate last week when he was put on the ticket by the party’s head office.

With the change in the electoral area boundaries coming into affect in June, Mr McNamara can but ben- efit from the addition of even more of Kilmaley into Ennis West.

The former Assistant Director of Nursing with Clare Mental Health Services is well known for his com-

munity involvement and work with eo OraVae

A life-long member of Fianna Fail, he comes from a long political pedi- eree. He is a nephew of Joe Ryan from Inagh who was a member of Clare County Council from 1944 to 1984 and is the first person from Kul- maley Parish to contest an election since Martin Cahill in 1979.

Married to Mary, with two teenage sons, he played a leading role in the development of community services for mental health in Clare and was involved in setting up ‘Meitheal’ Kilmaley Development Associa- tion in 1995. He was chairperson of Meitheal for seven years.

In recent years, he has coordinated the training of 35 parishioners in CPR and installed two defibrillators in the parish.

In the new four-seater area of Ennis West, he will be running on the same ticket as Fianna Fail candidates Cllr Peter Considine and Garett Greene.

With just four seats for the taking he will also have to see off strong can- didates such as former Fianna Fail councillor and Independent TD James Breen and Cllr Brian Meaney (GP).

Chamber of Commerce CEO Rita McInerney is also running in the area as an independent candidate as is Tony Mulqueen for Fine Gael and Sean Hayes for Sinn Féin.

THE old ways of managing both the economy and the health system need to be totally scrapped and rebuilt from scratch if Ireland is to over- come the current economic crisis.

That was the message from Clare TD and newly re-elected member of the Fine Gael Executive Council, Martin Conway, at this weekend’s Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Dubllin.

“The economy has now entered centre-stage and Fine Gael, as a party, have a great asset in its deputy leader Richard Bruton – who is seen as being 100 per cent strong on the economy,” he said.

‘The Fine Gael party certainly be- lieve that Richard Bruton as finance minister would take a blank sheet and start from scratch and, at this stage, that is probably what is required. We need a new Government with a new strategy and a mandate to start from scratch and rebuild the economy.

‘There is a feeling that the people at the top seem to get away with eve- rything. We are now faced with a sit- uation in next week’s budget where the people at the bottom are going to have to fund it.”

Health also dominated much of the debates at the Ard Fheis, with Fine Gael announcing details of a univer- sal healthcare system.

“The other major thing that Fine Gael have announced is its health

policy, where we are going to have universal healthcare. Fine Gael will put in a system if they get into Gov- ernment where we will have a uni- versal health insurance which will eliminate the two-tier health system which currently exists,’ continued Conway.

“Again I think we need to take a blank sheet, start from scratch and build a universal health system that BUN Mores eles eUmrU 0B

“James Reilly, the FG spokesperson on health, has been to Ennis Hospi- tal. He has spoken with the people who are involved in the implementa- tion of the Teamwork Report and he had made it clear that it is Fine Gael’s policy to retain 24-hour consultant-

led accident and emergency services at Ennis General Hospital.

‘There are examples in other coun- tries and even in Northern Ireland where small emergency centres like Ennis are properly funded and do save lives.

“At the end of the day, if you are coming from Loop Head into Limer- ick in the middle of rush-hour traffic, then you have a problem.

“It may not have been mentioned directly but it certainly is uppermost on the minds of the delegates from Clare and the party health spokes- man.”

THE top brass in Clare County Council may have to go without their bonuses on a permanent basis as a new opposition proposal to scrap all non-pay or expenses related pay- ments gathers steam.

At present the position of county manager with Clare County Council carries with it a salary of just under €150,000. This income is also sup- plemented by a number of perform- ance-based bonuses which are paid on reaching a number of different performance targets.

However, a new proposal which would see the performance bonuses for the county manager as well as the council’s five directors of services being abolished is expected to come before a general meeting of Clare County Council before it breaks up for the local election this June.

Mayo-native Tom Coughlan is ex- pected to be formally ratified as the new county manager at next week’s April meeting of Clare County Coun- cul. As aresult of the current embargo on recruitment in the public service, Mr Coughlan will only be appointed in the €146,845 a year position on a care-taker basis.

“County managers and directors of services are more then well remuner- ated for the responsible job that they carry out. Their positions are guar- anteed and so are their pensions,” said Cllr Martin Conway (FG), who is proposing the scheme.

“I do not see the point in having a bonus scheme in place which would appear to be self-audited, payable ir- respective of results and costly in a way that could not be sustained in good times never mind bad times.”

According to Cllr Conway, this scheme could save millions if im- plemented in all local authorities na- tionwide.

“We have a very tight budget situa- tion at the moment and the payment of bonuses across the civil service 1s something that we should seriously be looking at. It you consider that the bonuses paid in an average-sized

council could be between €50,000 and €100,000 – this proposal could lead to millions in savings if it was introduced throughout the country,” he continued.

“The people who have to pay for the current economic situation should be those at the higher levels. It is the people at the top levels of employ- ment who should have to carry the

major burden in the current situation, not those on the lower levels of pay.”

According to Cllr Conway the scheme could also be spread to other Government agencies such as Bus Eireann and the ESB.

AY LMER’S Rest bar and restaurant, together with the award-winning Rose Cottage Guest House, is on the market with Leyden Auctioneers at €2.5 million (negotiable).

Located at the top of the Turnpike, close to the Limerick Road, the bar has been recently renovated and modernised to a high standard. Fea- tures include stained glass windows, flag floors and solid oak counter. It also encompasses an off-licence and has a good trade, serving bar food seven days a week.

Upstairs is ‘O’Donaills Restaurant’, which has been newly renovated. It is

a 50-seater restaurant with bar facili- ties and comes fully furnished. It is an ideal venue for private parties and functions.”

The characterful Rose Cottage, which has its own entrance, 1s situat- ed next door to the bar and restaurant and it comprises nine en-suite bed- rooms. It is well designed and main- tained and is in constant demand, by its loyal and regular clientele, as well as those holidaying or visiting the area. Together with the nine en- suite bedrooms, Rose Cottage also includes a spacious breakfast room, reception area and two luxury bed- rooms with feature baths.

There is a garden to the rear of

Aylmer’s Rest, with decking and a patio area, plus a separate smoking area.

In addition, there is a car parking area to the front and side of Aylmer’s Rest and Rose Cottage.

Occupying a 1.2 acre site, selling agents Leyden Auctioneers believe ‘‘Aylmer’s Rest and the adjacent Rose Cottage guest house offer excellent development potential”.

For further information, telephone 065 6820555

SCARIFF is expected to have a 24-hour ambulance service by next Monday. As the county loses its 24- hour A&E services, it is expected to gain a round-the-clock ambulance service for the east of the county.

According to Fianna Fail TD Tim- my Dooley, the long awaited 24-hour service is imminent. “I have consist- ently sought to have the service level upgraded to 24-hour-a-day service thereby eliminating the lack of cover from 7pm to midnight each day.

“Following protracted negotiation with the HSE and the Minister for Health, I am confident the service will be upgraded by April 6 as part of the increased deployment of am- bulance personnel in Clare,’ he said.

The purpose-built, state-of-the- art station in Scariff was opened in 2003, but since then it has opened for just 19 hours a day.

From 7pm to 12 midnight, the sta- tion closes. A series of campaigns lo- cally have been calling for the station to be open all night and all day.

Deputy Dooley said the upgrade of the station to 24 hours a day has come about thanks to the hard work of the HSE, the Minister for Health and the ambulance personnel. “It will take a lot of resources to bring the 24-7 service into place,” he said.

The east Clare deputy said, how- ever, that there will be “an element of on-call facilities” used to keep the service open 24 hours a day.

“This is a result of protracted dis- cussions for some time. A great debt of gratitude is owed to the local cam- paign group that worked so hard, and I would like to compliment Cora Long and her campaign members for their efforts.”

The Scariff ambulance serves a catchment area of 601 square kilo- metres, and a population of 9,220.

A HEAVY WEIGHT clash and it cer- tainly didn’t disappoint, going virtu- ally to the wire before Inagh-Kilna- mona edged home with four points to spare to assume favouritism for the 2009 Under 21A title.

The only real surprise was _ that Inagh-Kilnamona didn’t have a big- ger cushion at the end. When Sean McGonigley rattled the Newmar- ket-on-Fergus net in the 45th minute to put Inagh-Kilnamona ten clear it looked as if they’d freewheel into the semi-final.

McGonigley’s strike came 30 min- utes after Martin Barry’s goal had put Inagh-Kilnamona ahead for the first time. It was that half hour either side of half-time that won it for In- agh-Kilnamona — they put 3-9 up on the board, a tally that left Newmarket with too big a mountain to climb.

However, they still stoked up a barnstorming finish as Colin Ryan led the comeback charge with Eoin Hayes at his shoulder. In the end Rory Hickey’s final whistle couldn’t come quick enough for Inagh-Kil- namona who were grateful that Ni- all Arthur stemmed the tide towards their goal with two breakaway points near the end.

It never looked like coming to this for Inagh-Kilnamona once they set- tled into the game. They played with the aid of the strong breeze in the first half, but were slow to make the

(restos Ko Oe

The Blues were first on the board with a Darren Duggan point and led O-3 to O-2 after ten minutes. Ger Arthur equalised in the 13th minute and then Inagh-Kilnamona hit the front two minutes later when Eamon Glynn’s long free was batted down into the path of Martin Barry whose low ground shot beat Ronan McCor-

netlee

It was the cue for some champagne hurling from Inagh-Kilnamona — they hit 1-4 in the next 11 minutes, the goal coming in the 19th from Damian Lafferty, while Conor Tier- ney stamped his class on proceedings with the four points.

The Blues did score a breakaway goal from Colin Ryan in the 27th

minute but still found themselves in arrears by double scores at the break — 2-8 to 1-4 for the Combo.

Points inside two minutes of the resumption from Conor Tierney and Damian Lafferty sign helped Inagh- Kilnamona serve notice, while a fur- ther 1-3 by the three quarter-stage had them coasting to success.

But credit the Blues, they never did

die and Colin Ryan’s goal in the 48th minute teed up a grandstand finish. The Blues thundered forward, look- ing for Ryan to pull victory from impending defeat and points by Eoin Hayes and Darren Duggan brought it back to a goal as the game entered PON LUUMYAnB bee ee

A goal would have saved the day, but it was Niall Arthur who had the final say to finally kill off the Blues’ challenge with a point in the Olst minute.

O’Curry’s made the long trip to a rain-soaked North Clare over the weekend and almost came away with the two points. In the end, they might have settled for a draw but with time running rapidly out on their chal- lenge and having missed a couple of chances to reel in St Breckan’s, O’Curry’s were presented with the chance to win the game.

In the final minute, Sean Haugh latched onto a ball close to goal. His shot was somehow kept out by Daniel Collins and his defence but in the en- suing confusion, O’Curry’s felt that they were entitled to a penalty kick.

Overall, though, referee John Han- nah was in control of proceedings at a wet and slippery Lisdoonvarna.

The conditions provided one of the main talking points in the game and playing with those conditions, St

Breckan’s set about creating a lead that would stand to them for the sec- ond-half.By the time they went in at the break, they had forged ahead into a three-point lead at O-5 to 0-2 and had done most of the running for the previous half hour.

O’Curry’s — who were missing influential midfielder Ger Quinlan — didn’t take that deficit lying down, however.

Thanks to some good work around

the middle of the field, they played themselves back into the game with Ollie Quinlan providing another di- mension going forward.

They had managed to limit St Bre- ckan’s to just two points over the sec- ond-half and had got back to within one point when Haugh had that shot on goal.

It didn’t ripple the net and O’Curry’s left North Clare without anything to show for the journey.

BOTH went into battle searching for their opening points of the campaign — in that regard both went home rela- tively happy as honours were shared in this Sunday afternoon encounter that saw the initiative ebb and flow both ways.

It was Kilrush who held all the aces in the first half when playing with the wind and at one stage they built up a commanding five-point lead, but a goal before half time and then an 1m- pressive second half display moved the Ennis side to win touching dis- tance of the two points.

They led by two points entering the final five minutes, but Kilrush de- served something from the game and hit back with late frees from man- of-the-match Alan Daly to secure a share of the spouls.

A point after three minutes of play from midfielder Donal O’Sullivan got the Shams off the mark — thereaf- ter they dominated and pinned Eire Og back into their own half for most of the 30 minutes.

The Townies did manage two breakaway points from __left-half- back Marty Whelan and corner for-

ward Darren O’Meara, but further Kilrush points from Alan Daly (2), Jim Young, Eoghan O’Kelly, Patrick Clancy and David Moran moved them 0-7 to 0-2 clear on the stroke of half-time.

There matters should have rested, but before half-time Tony Burke’s decision to play a ball that seemed to be going wide ended up with the concession of a penalty that Stephen Hickey, in his seasonal debut, ham-

mered to the net.

It gave the Townies a huge boost, something they built on in the second half as Darren O’Meara goal 13 min- utes into the second half to give them the lead. Alan Daly did knock over a

free for the Shams but two pointed frees from Stephen Hickey seemed to seal the points for the Townies en- tering the last five minutes.

That was until Alan Daly stepped up to get something for the Shams with two late frees, the second of which was the last kick of the game.

A 64-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court, accused of eight alleged of- fences of a sexual nature.

The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of six charges of indecently assaulting a fe- male in the 1980s. He is also facing one charge of sexually assaulting the female in 1991.

He is also charged with indecently assaulting a male in the 1980s.

Garda Donna Egan told Ennis Dis- trict Court last Friday that she arrested the accused that morning and charged him with the alleged offences.

Defending solicitor Gearoid Howard was granted free legal aid. Inspector Michael Gallagher said there would be no objection to bail for the accused and sought an adjournment until May, for preparation of the book of evi- dence. A number of conditions were attached to the bail, including that the accused surrender his passport and re- side at his current address. He was or- dered to notify the State if he changes address in the interim.

Mr Howard said that as his client was an elderly man, it was important that the matter be advanced as early as possible. Judge Joseph Mangan re- manded the accused on bail, to re-ap- pear in court in May.