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FORD was a bit late entering the crowded SUV market, but I think it was worth waiting for their Kuga.

I first drove this neat SUV over a testing off-road obstacle course at Druid’s Glen golf course in County Wicklow last year. As I said before on these pages, car companies go to great efforts to show us what their SUVs can do off-road. In reality, the only grass that will touch the wheels of most SUVs is if the driver has to pull in and let another car pass on a CoO MYM Ouse IF

I genuinely expected the Kuga to pick up some silverware at the end- of-year Irish motoring awards, but it was beaten by the Volvo XC60 for SUV/Crossover of the Year at the Semperit sponsored awards.

Coincidentally, my week in the Kuga came immediately after testing the massive XC60. Naturally friends wanted to know which was the best. Comparisons in this instance are not fair; the XC60 is bigger and chunkier and much more expensive. The Kuga would probably be compared more with Nissan’s Quashgai, which is even cheaper. Ultimately it comes down to what you can afford in these recessionary times.

It’s no secret that I am a big Ford fan and as far as I’m concerned cars with the famous blue oval logo can do no wrong. But I also realise that others, including my own family, are not as keen on everything to come O)HmOm one

When I sat in I was immediately impressed with the way my back fit- ted snugly into the seat. There is am- ple seating for five adults. The boot is huge and of course the back seat can be let down to provide more carrying space if needed.

The interiors of most new cars are predominantly black, so it was nice to see a grey strip stitched to front and rear seats. The grey lines did brighten up the interior, but really I think they looked a bit naff.

The dash is regular Ford design with discreet slave controls for the radio/CD to the side of the steering Wheel. On the bonnet, straight in

your line of vision, are two raised creases which help you get a feel for where exactly you are positioned on the road.

Externally the car looks very neat. The front has attractive headlamps and the rear is well finished. Two sil- ver roof racks add to the SUV effect.

At night you get the benefit of a dis- creet light under the side mirrors to

help you walk away from the car in leyu rca alae lente

The Kuga, which is built on the same platform as the Focus and C- Max, handles very well and is I think ideal for city or rural driving. Natu- rally, being an SUV, the driving po- sition is high and the visibility front and back, is good.

Only available in 2.0 diesel, prices

Start at €32,565 for the five-door two-wheel drive Zetec and go up to €39,995 for the top of the range Ti- tanium All-Wheel drive. All models are in Band D for road tax which has risen to €447 per annum from Janu- Aan

“T have served for 30 years on at council, and at this point in time I have other things I feel I’d like to do.

I’d like a break from elections at this stage.”

Elections have been part of the west Clare woman’s life since she was a child, as she watched her late father Frank go on the hustings.

He served as a TD until 1981, when she ran in his place.

Prior to that Cllr Taylor Quinn had been elected to the county council.

She now hopes to concentrate on her legal interests and plans to set up a consultancy business, drawing on

her legal and political expertise.

Although she is the youngest mem- ber of the council in the Kilrush Electoral Area, she is also one of the longest serving.

Asked if she will remain involved with Fine Gael she said, “At this stage I couldn’t see why not. I have made a major contribution to the Fine Gael party. I was a member of the Fine Gael party long before I was an elected member. I was one of the founding members of young

Fine Gael. I was the first woman to be elected to an honorary position as honorary secretary back in 1979.

“IT have flown the flag for Fine Gael,” she said.

Her impressive résumé also in- cludes a number of years on the front bench in opposition, work on the Maastricht Treaty and the women’s rights committee, and she chaired the Select Committee on Judicial Yo or bee lelone

In 1982 Taylor Quinn almost left

politics after a series of malicious ru- mours threatened to finish her bud- ding career.

Back fighting she was re-elected in November 1982.

Born in Moyasta, she went to Mo- yasta National School, Convent of Mercy, Kilrush, and University Col- lege Galway.

She was first elected to Clare Coun- ty Council in 1979, and served as a TD from 1981-1982 and 1982-1992. She was a senator from 1992-2002.

TRIBUTES were paid _ through- out the Fine Gael Party to outgoing councillor Madeleine Taylor Quinn just minutes after she announced her intention not to contest the 2009 lo- cal elections.

Amongst the first to pay tribute was the chairperson of the Fine Gael branch in Clare, Dick Pilk- ington.

‘Madeleine has been a true Fine Gael person. We have had many disagreements on policies and on

different things we agreed to differ,” he said.

He commended her for travelling from Donegal to Clare to ensure that Fine Gael secured a European seat for Jim Higgins in 2005.

“You have shown what a mayor should be. You have dignity and abil- ity and you are going to be a hard act to follow,” he said.

Joe Arkins, who chaired Friday night’s convention, congratulated her on her long involvement in poli- wee

“IT am particularly proud of you as

mayor of Clare and as someone I can look up to as mayor of Clare,” he said.

Cllr Taylor Quinn was the first Fine Gael member to be elected mayor of Clare, when she took office last June.

As she prepares to leave local poli- tics from the highest office possible, she has vowed to remain a member of Fine Gael and involved in polli- wee

Clare TD Joe Carey praised her for flying the Fine Gael flag in county Clare, “through thick and thin.”

“Madeleine Taylor Quinn always put the Fine Gael Party first. I have no doubt that your time in politics is not finished,” he said.

Fellow TD Pat Breen also added his regards.

“I was elected to Clare County Council with you in 1999, and while we had our political differences from time to time, we worked for the party very well together while I was on the council.

“I wish you well in your short little holiday. Do hope you have an extend- ed break if you can at all in it, and I

know that you will be there with us all in the local elections, lending a hand,” he said.

Cllr Oliver Garry, who will con- tinue to contest the election in the Kilrush area said, “I have yet to meet anybody that has not praised her on the job of mayor, from all sides of politics.

“She is probably the best mayor to have ever represented this council and I wish you well for the next five months.”

He thanked her for her support dur- ing his first term in the council.

MEMBERS of the Ennis Forum are set to protest outside the offices of Ennis Town Council next Monday, WW ETKe see

Businesses are to gather at Guar- anakilla in the upper market area of Ennis at 2.30pm before marching to Waterpark House. The March month- ly meeting of Ennis Town Council is due to take place 3.30pm.

Prior to that meeting, representa- tives of the business lobby group will also deliver a letter outlining a number of issues that they insist the council must immediately address.

The forum is calling for commer- cial rates to be frozen at 2008 levels.

Members of Ennis Town Council agreed last December to increase commercial rates by three per cent.

Selo Coacreem-UNOMyc-VelRMN eke ttbate es to be phased in gradually and not levied as one large payment.

Public parking and taxi rank serv- ices are the other main issues ad- dressed in the letter.

‘All businesses are looking for a re- duction in the cost of doing business and an improvement in services,” said local Fine Gael councillor and Ennis Forum committee member, Johnny Flynn.

He continued, “We are asking that Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council step up and play their part to lower costs and retain

jobs in Ennis. Because that’s what’s its all about, keeping jobs in Ennis.”

CEO of Ennis Chamber and En- nis Forum committee member, Rita McInerney, said the forum had met regularly since a committee was es- tablished two weeks ago.

She said the objective of the protest was to publicly raise the concerns that have emerged in the business community over the past number of years.

“We want to sit down and find a way forward with the council. We are looking for an immediate reduction in rates and an immediate suspension in water charges. We understand that we have to pay for the interim treat- ment plant but there has been a huge

increase in water charges. It makes it difficult for any business trying to budget for the year ahead,” she said.

Ms McInerney said the forum was eager to meet with councillors and council officials but warned that all parties would have to be equally rep- resented at meetings.

“We want to make sure that all businesses have their voices heard,” she said.

Of the prospect of the Ennis Forum fielding a candidate in the forthcom- ing local elections, an option put for- ward at a Forum meeting two weeks, Ms McInerney said that the elections was not an “immediate issue’ and had not been discussed by the com- Hep LAK Lon

PARENTS of children attending Seamount College in Kinvara are calling on Education Minister, Batt O Keeffe, to clarify the future of the school before growing speculation causes a major drop in new enrol- ments.

Following the Governments deci- sion to delay the construction of a new school for Seamount earlier this month – fears have been growing that the whole project could be put in jeopardy.

After protracted discussions in 2007 the Sisters of Mercy, who own the current school building and premises, agreed to forgo closing the school until a facility was construct- ed by the Government.

The first condition on this decision however, was that the school be built without delay.

According to RESCUE, the parents eroup campaigning for the school, clarification is required urgently.

“The people of Kinvara have been waiting patiently for nearly two years since Ministers Noel Treacey and Tony Killeen stood on the stage in Seamount College and promised that Kinvara would have a new co-ed school – they told the assembled stu- dents, teachers and parents that the problem was over,’ said a RESCUE spokesperson.

“Tt is being publicly speculated that the Department of Education have appointed officials to visit Kinvara this month to inspect sites already identified for the new school, nego- tiations are at an advanced stage be- tween the Department and the Mercy

Sisters to keep Seamount College open until the new co-ed school is ready.

“These negotiations may include the lease or purchase of the existing school buildings by the department to allow the school to be developed to a co-educational model.”

RESCUE claim that the Depart- ment of Education have been unable to answer any of their questions in relation to the school’s future.

“The provision of a co-ed school in Kinvara was approved on the strength of the department’s own report of January 2008. RESCUE

questions whether the minister has ever read this report,” continued the spokesperson.

‘Before the last election, the Green Party, now partners in Government, made much noise about the provision for education in their 50 point plan. They made a specific commitment,

at national level, to second level edu- cation in Kinvara.”’

Jet FM hopes to freshen up Shannon airwaves

A DISPUTE between a furniture shop manager and a member of staff led to the employee stealing more than €3,000 worth of furniture from the store.

As aresult, the now former employ- ee was charged with five offences in connection with the disappearance of the furniture from the shop, in NJ erveveeyee

Brian McDonnell went in at night and took an assortment of furniture from his former employer at Smith- town Furniture.

McDonnell (25), of Lismorris, Cuthar Rea, Lissycasey, admitted entering the premises as a trespasser and stealing a television unit and cof- fee table, valued at €719, between November | and 6 last.

He pleaded guilty to stealing a nest of tables, six chairs, two coffee tables, a coat stand, recliner chair, foot stool and two lockers – valued at €1,773 – from the premises between October 1, 2006 and October 1, 2008.

He also admitted stealing a nail gun, valued at €7/50, between No- vember 7 and 12 last.

He also admitted entering the premises as a trespasser with intent to commit theft on November 21 Ee

Garda Bryan McCarthy told Shan- non District Court on Thursday that he arrested the accused on February 12 last. He did not make any reply when five charges were put to him. Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client was pleading guilty to WSO ENE one

Inspector Tom Kennedy, prosecut- ing, said there were a number of charges of theft.

He explained that the total value of the property taken was €3,242. While it was recovered, it had to be resold as second-hand property and €1,246 was outstanding. “It tran- spired furniture was disappearing from the shop,” he said.

Garda McCarthy told the court that the accused had been employed for a number of years at Smithstown Fur- niture World, Smithstown, Shannon,

which was the injured party in the case.

He said McDonnell’s employment had ceased in September or Octo- ber last and subsequent to that “‘it’s alleged the shop was burgled four abe stone

“Since he was an employee, he still had a key. He used to open the front door and disarm the alarm and remove items of furniture from the shop,” he said.

“We viewed CCTV and we ob- served Mr McDonnell. He had his

van parked at the back,” he said.

‘As far back as two years, a certain amount of furniture was stolen from the shop,” he added.

Gda McCarthy said the property was for the defendant’s own use. He said that between October 1, 2006 and October 1, 2008, other items had been taken and were found on the de- fendant’s own property.

However, Ms Godfrey said her cli- ent would refute a large part of what the garda had said.

She said that her client – who has

no previous convictions – had been friendly with his employer Noel Justice for many years and they had gone on holidays to Orlando together with their families last June.

However, the relationship between the two men broke down after that and she said her client had since “walked out” on his job.

“Mr McDonnell will say he gave Noel Justice €2,000 in May of last year, in consideration of furniture,” she said. Gda McCarthy accepted that that had been said to him and

said that when the accused was ques- tioned initially, he told gardai that a dispute between himself and Mr Jus- tice had been behind it all.

Ms Godfrey said her client discov- ered that stamps had not been paid in respect of his employment and “un- der tremendous pressure” he went to the premises and took the furniture.

“My client had become so annoyed, so antagonised by the situation, his judgment was clouded. He accepts he shouldn’t have dealt with it in the way he did,” she added.

“He is mortified. He is embar- rassed. He is upset. Everything that was taken was recovered. My client has instructed me to pursue Mr Jus- tice separately for the €2,000,” she said.

“To use a colloquial term, he lost it. He felt that Mr Justice was not giving him satisfaction in any respect. He took the furniture, which in his mind was rightfully his. He should have taken a case against Mr Justice for either the money or the furniture,” added Ms Godfrey.

Noel Justice then took the stand and asked by Judge Joseph Mangan had there been a dispute, he said, “Yes.” Referring to the €2,000, he said that the accused had received furniture to the value of €1,520 and he had noti- fied him that a voucher for €480 was available for him in the shop “when he returned the items he had taken. . . He wasn’t happy with that.”

Ms Godfrey put it to Mr Justice that her client had €1,316 in court and that would ensure the witness would not be at any loss. He replied, “Td much prefer to seek legal advice off my own solicitor before I could decide what I could do.”

The solicitor said her client was well respected in his community.

Judge Mangan imposed a fine of €300 on one of the charges and took the others into consideration. He fixed a bond in the event of an ap- peal.

MAYOR of Clare, Madeleine Taylor Quinn (FG) is leaving frontline poli- tics when her term in office finishes in June.

She will not stand in the upcom- ing local elections for Fine Gael, and confirmed that she would not be run- ning as an independent candidate.

On Friday last, Cllr Taylor Quinn announced her intention to leave elected politics for now, although she warned she was not leaving politics.

“Sometimes people go on a leave of absence and on this occasion I am taking a break. I am not saying I am quitting politics but I am not seeking a nomination to run as a Fine Gael candidate,’ she told the party’s Kil- rush convention on Friday night last.

The west Clare woman has had a distinguished career in politics as the only Clare Fine Gael TD ever to sit on the front bench. She was a mem- ber of the Seanad and a member of Clare County Council for 30 years. She followed her father, Frank Taylor, into the world of politics.

A MAN whose heroin addiction costs him €100 a day is a threat to society and has a ‘dysfunctional lifestyle’, according to gardai.

In objecting to bail for the father- of-two, who faces five drug-related charges, gardai said he was a flight risk. After hearing that the accused injects himself three times a day and his addiction costs him €100 a day, Judge Joseph Mangan refused to grant bail.

Emmet Curley, (28), of Rineanna View, Shannon, is accused of posses- sion of cocaine and ecstacy for sale or supply, at Tullyvarraga, Shannon, on April 11, 2008.

He is also accused of possession of cocaine, ecstacy and cannabis, on the SENSO Esl Kom ;

Garda Sean O Murcht told Shan-

non District Court last Thursday that he arrested the accused the previous morning in Cork City.

Mr Curley was brought to Shannon Garda Station, where he was charged with five alleged offences.

He did reply to each of the charges when they were put to him, said the garda. In reply to one, he said, “I apologise. I had a serious problem with coke at the time.” In reply to another charge, he said, “I apologise for being involved in ecstacy as I don’t take them but they were for my friends, so I picked them up.”

His response to another charge was, ‘“T apologise for having the ecstacy as I don’t take them. They were for my friends,” while in reply to another charge, he said, “I apologise about the cocaine as I had a serious prob- lem at the time.”

Replying to the fifth charge, he said,

“T had that for my own personal use to help me sleep as I have an anxiety problem.”

Judge Mangan asked what quantity of drugs would the State be alleging was involved. The garda said it was €1,700 in total.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the DPP would be consenting to summa- ry disposal of the case in the district court, but only on a plea.

However, defending solicitor Jen- ny Fitzgibbon said she wasn’t in a position to comment on that at this stage. She sought bail for her client, but Inspector Kennedy said the State would be resisting this.

The solicitor said her client has been living in accommodation pro- vided by the Simon Community in Cork for the past couple of months.

Inspector Kennedy said that two of the charges were for alleged sale or

supply of drugs.

“They go back to last April when they were detected. Shortly after that, he left the area and his whereabouts was not known until yesterday. Garda O Murcht went to Cork looking for him. It was fortuitous that he found him on the street in Cork,” he said.

Garda O Murchu then explained that the accused had left Shannon in ALbn ten

“I was made aware that he was in Cork city, but that he was living rough. When he was stopped by gardai in Cork city, he was giving his Shannon address,” he said.

Inspector Kennedy said the accused was giving the Shannon address as it was “convenient” for him. “He has no address. He has a dysfunctional lifestyle. He is addicted to substances by his own admission. He represents a flight risk. He’s in a vulnerable po-

sition and he is also a threat to soci- ety, he said.

Garda O Murchu explained that the accused is addicted to heroin. “He’s injecting himself three times a day, at a cost of €100 a day,” he said.

Mr Curley told the court that his wife has been encouraging him to return to their home for the past two months, but “because of my problem with heroin I didn’t want to go home to my kids.”

He said he gave his Shannon ad- dress to gardai in Cork as he still con- sidered it as his home address.

“I begged for money in Cork to feed my habit, which I’m afraid of. I never committed any crime in Cork. I am not a threat to society,” ater BCG

Judge Joseph Mangan remanded Mr Curley in custody to reappear in court later this month.

KATE Winslett warmed up for her best actress triumph at Sunday night’s Academy Awards ceremony with a Clare hooley in honour of her agent, Hylda Queally from Barefield, who was honoured at a prestigious pre-Oscar event in Hollywood.

The ‘Oscar Wilde; Honouring the Irish in Film’ award was presented to the Clare woman by Ms Winslett who said she was delighted that her “long-time friend and agent” was be- ing honoured. The star of the award- winning movie