Category: Uncategorized

CLARE could be one of the first lo- cations penciled in on US president Barack Obama’s itinerary should his much proposed visit to Ireland come to pass next year.

This follows the surprise appoint- ment of Dan Rooney (pictured below with President Obama) as US Ambas- sador to Ireland by President Obama last week. Rooney, a long-time sup- porter of the president, has strong Clare connections and visits the area on a regular basis. Indeed, the ambas- sador’s brother Pat has owned a house on the Liscannor Road in Lahinch for more than a decade and currently rents a property in Ennistymon. So close is the Rooney family’s link to north Clare that they hosted a pre-wedding dinner for the ambassador’s niece in a local restaurant two years ago.

Dan Rooney is the owner and chair- man of the Pittsburgh Steelers foot- ball team in America. He 1s also the co-founder of the Worldwide Ireland Funds, which has raised millions for education programs in Ireland.

A spokesperson from the American Embassy in Dublin would not confirm any details of Mr Rooney’s appoint- ment or a possible visit by President Obama to Clare until after the ambas- sador is officially received by Irish President Mary McAleese.

Cannabis seizures rise in Clare

Claire Gallagher and Ronan Judge

THE amount of cannabis resin seized in Clare increased substantially last year with the number of heroin and cocaine seizures dropping.

Figures released by the Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern TD show that 9,000 grams of cannabis resin was seized – compared to 774 grams in 2007.

However, the figures provided by Minister Ahern in response to a Dail question show that the number of cases where drugs were analysed fell

sharply last year.

The figures show that 167 cases were analysed last year – this com- pares to 328 cases analysed in 2007 and 272 in 2006.

However, the figures show that there were fewer seizures 1n more high profile drugs such as heroin, cocaine and amphetamine in Clare last year.

The figures show that 5.46 grams of heroin was recovered last year where eight cases were analysed.

This compares to 13 separate hero- in seizures in 2008 when 38.3 grams

were analysed.

The returns show that last year 169 grams of cocaine were recovered in 13 separate cases. This compares to 43 seizures in 2007 when 1,073 grams of cocaine were seized.

The numbers provided by Minister Ahern confirmed that the numbers in the Clare Drugs Unit have increased from four in 2006 to six in 2008.

However, the statistics do show that the quantity relating to MDMA or esctasy seizures last year increased.

The figures show that 401 grams of powder esctasy was seized in 2008

and this compared to 89 grams in 2007.

However, the figures show that the Gardai recovered 8,100 MDMA tab- lets last year — this compares to 4,926 tablets recovered in 2007.

The figures also show that the quan- tity of amphetamine seized last year was down on 2007.

The figures show that 17 grams of amphetamines were recovered last year compared to 68 grams in 2007.

The figures for 2006 show that 521 erams of amphetamine powder was recovered in 2008.

The minister stated that some cases await analysis.

In response, Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) said yesterday, “Illicit drugs are dangerous and using them can and does destroy lives. Drugs are a blight on society. It is a fact that illegal drug use 1S on the increase among all age groups. Criminals supplying the mar- ket are extremely clever in how they manage their distribution network.

She added, “Many young people have been persuaded by the lure of easy money or threats to become small time dealers. It is important that the main dealers are pursued but it is equally important that the net- work of small dealers is constantly monitored and brought to justice. This can be extremely difficult given the quantity involved which can be passed off as for “own use’. This is an unacceptable excuse. Crime is on the increase and many of the crimes committed can be directly related to the supply and use of drugs.”

PLANS for a contentious compound to the rear of the town hall in Shan- non have been resubmitted by Clare County Council.

The plans were lodged earlier this year and met with stiff opposi- tion from local residential groups, An Taisce, Duchas na Sionna and a group set up amid concerns about the plan called ‘Save the Shannon Town Hall Woodlands’.

The plans were withdrawn earlier this month and the council said it

would make adjustments to the ini- tial proposal, based on issues raised during the public consultation proc- ess, before resubmitting it.

The plan has now been resubmitted, on what the council says 1s a smaller site (reduced from 1,/00 square me- tres to 1,450 square metres).

The council now plans to relocate the depot building on the site directly to the rear of the town hall. It says that traffic movements to and from the depot will be limited to around 60 a day – mainly when workers ar- rive for and leave work.

It also says that council vehicles will be parked at the depot overnight and security measures will be put in place to discourage anti-social be- haviour in the vicinity.

The council says that by placing the building directly behind the town hall, it will not be visible.

“Its original location meant it could be clearly viewed from the road. Other than that, there are no major changes,” said Shannon Town Man- ager Ger Dollard.

He said the proposal was “very modest, very low impact and will

have nothing but a positive benefit for Shannon town”’.

However, local resident Don O’Sullivan says he is “disgusted” that the planning application has been re- Submitted, in the same location.

“There is very strong feelings about this in the town and I believe that the timing of the approval (if this is what is achieved by the county coun- cil) and the local elections will not be missed by the voting population of Shannon. I, for one, will vote to ensure that we get councillors on the local and county councils whose pri-

mary interest is in representing the people of the town,” he said.

The chairman of Duchas na Sionna, Greg Duff – who is a Labour council- lor in the town – said, ““The proposed depot’s site in a green area 1s once again demonstrating a lack of vision and concern in relation to the needs of the local community. I am call- ing on the town manager to seriously consider the many alternative sites that were not seriously considered previously.”

Submissions on the project can be made up until May 8.

THE only certainty in the upcoming Shannon Town Council election is change, how big that change will be all depends on the town’s reaction to the Government parties come poll- baer Ne

As the youngest town council in the county Civil War politics has had Iit- tle place in its make up.

Instead Shannon town, with its large manufacturing and multi na- tional investment has retained a La- bour stronghold.

Even its Independent councillors have a left leaning with Cllr Patri- cia McCarthy (Ind) starting out life in the town commission as a Labour councillor.

The Labour party will be hoping that a strong non-national workers vote will see Anna Kulikowska join Tony McMahon and Greg Duff in the council chambers in June.

Fine Gael is also planning for suc- cess in the upcoming local election, entering four candidates into the Ieelees

Last time out the main government Opposition party won an extra seat at Fianna Fail’s expense, and doubled its seats from one to two.

Will Government dissatisfaction see that trend continue?

While Fianna Fail has held the bal- ance of power in county councils and town councils it has struggled to fea- ture in Shannon.

That struggle is about to become an epic battle as the party has yet to find another running mate to join Noel McNamara and Woytek Wiesnuwski in the hustings.

Added to the soldiers of destiny troubles is the retirement of its two only sitting councillors – Sean Hillery and Geraldine Lambert.

With no experienced politician go- ing forward for Fianna Fail and the search on for at least one more candi- date, the party’s troubles are far from over.

Issues surrounding the airport and unemployment are likely to hit the Government party hardest in Shan- non town, as unemployment contin- ues to increase day by day.

Shannon Town Council has always been made up of strong Independent councillors who have fared well in elections.

Even Mike McKee retained his seat when he left Sinn Féin to run Inde- pendent in 2004. Former party col- league Cathy McCafferty was close on his heels in that election, just missing out on the seat.

It is not known if Cllr McKee will run in the election this time, making the Shannon Sinn Féin candidate a worthwhile bet.

Whatever his decision, changes are definitely ahead in 2009 in Shannon.

An extended boundary, a bigger electorate and new faces around the chamber table for the monthly meet- ings are the only guarantees.

Turn in fortunes for west Clare company

THE Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce mid-west re- gion said that “economic conditions will remain extremely challenging in 2009 and 2010 and that the mul- tinational community in the region, like every other business sector, will be focused on costs and productivity improvements to enhance competi- UA Nee

Speaking at a members briefing in Dromoland Castle, Mr Bill Doherty said, “In the current climate every business has to focus on the bot- tom line and on delivering value to its customers. There is pressure on all businesses to achieve improved productivity, increased efficiencies and a more prudent cost base. In the multinational environment, where individual country subsidiaries are competing against each other for in- vestment from the global parent, it is imperative that subsidiaries located here are cost competitive.

“There are challenging times ahead for the mid-west and the first priority must be to retain the strong base of existing companies in the region.”

_ Which was broadcast live on RTE on Sunday night.

The Mulkerrin Brothers, who have strong family connections in Ennis, played traditional music and perform sean nos dancing at the final.

The three brothers, Padraig, Ea- monn and Sean, from Inis Mor, beat seven-year-old break-dancer Jack

Lynch in the final showdown of the Series, to claim the €50,000 first prize.

“Getting through to the final was amazing, we thought that was a big achievement, and even got through to the final we didn’t think we had a hope, so it’s massive shock. I am speechless,” said Padraig Mulkerrin following the win.

“Thanks to everyone who voted for us, because without them we wouldn’t have won.”

There was disappointment for the county’s other two acts which made it to the grand final. ;

Both Bert and Victor and Daithi O Dronai failed to make it through to the final two.

Ballyvaughan fiddler Daithi had been many peoples favourite for the competition after he became the first person to qualify for the grand final last month.

Bert and Victor, who have strong links to Kilrush, were also hotly fan- cied to make an impact in the final.

O’Brien Boys represented Dublin in the final but are grandchildren of Kilrush couple Ted and Marga- ret Wright, and the sons of Dolores O’Brien (nee Wright) who grew up in Pella Road.

The other contestants who took part in Sunday evenings final were Donna Marie Sludds and Clidna Hagan.

ENERGY Minister Eamon Ryan has called on all homeowners and con- struction workers in Clare to register their interest in the Government’s National Insulation Programme for Economic Recovery.

With a budget of €100 million for 2009, the programme will see in- sulation works being carried out in 50,000 homes, creating a potential 4,000 jobs for construction workers and energy assessors nationwide.

The energy efficiency and insula- tion programme will be delivered in three strands, with Minister Ryan’s department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources tak- ing a central role, responsible for two of the principle schemes — the Home Energy Saving Scheme and the Warmer Homes Scheme.

The Home Energy Saving Scheme will have a budget of €50 million and will apply to middle-income pri- vate dwellings. The Warmer Homes Scheme will have a budget of €20 million and will be available to those earning low incomes or in receipt of a fuel allowance.

Rural Resource Development is as- sisting Sustainable Energy Ireland in administering this scheme in County ETc

Announcing the programme, Min- ister Ryan said, “Insulation makes homes warmer and more comfort- able. Householders in Clare and be- yond can expect to halve their heat- ing bills with reductions of €700 per annum. This means more money in their pockets. Construction work- ers will benefit from the thousands of jobs these measures we create. These will be jobs for trades-people throughout the country.

“In our current economic climate, we need direction and radical think- ing. This insulation programme Saves energy, Saves money and cre- ates jobs. This is what our people, our homes and our economy need at WOT RmO UDO oMee

Grants to support a range of im- provements will be available.

For further information on apply- ing for the schemes, Sustainable En- ergy Ireland (SEI) can be contacted at www.sei.ie/hes or by calling the dedicated phonelines on 1850 927 O00 (HES) or 1800 250204 (WHS)