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EXPERIENCE told in the end. That added touch of guile and know-how that two previous All-Ireland titles have given Laois champions The Harps. Their inter-play was slick, their movement elusive but some- times it is the smaller things that prove the difference in a tight con- test. For instance over a dozen times throughout this decider, The Harps got themselves out of trouble when surrounded, by dropping the hurley and handpassing to another player. In contrast, when Kilmaley were pre- sented with a similar predicament, nine times out of ten, their players opted to try and strike and invariably they were blocked down.

Those little differences are all part of a learning curve for Kilmaley who were only competing in their first national final and pride was just as evident as disappointment at the final whistle as manager John Carmody shrugged off the rain to reflect on his players’ performance.

“On behalf of Tommy Keane, Pat Lynch and myself, we were abso- lutely proud of the girls. Every time they have taken the field this year, they have fought to the last inch and they did the same today. Going into injury time, we were still only a puck of the ball behind but it just wasn’t to be today. They were just that small bit ahead of us.

“I suppose when you are playing teams like this, that you don’t see every week, it may take ten or fifteen minutes to get to grips with a side. We made moves and they worked and we stormed into the game. We had a tremendous last ten minutes of the first half and we felt that at half- time we were in a great position, not having hurled well, to be going in on level terms. But you have to credit the Harps because we threw every- thing we had at them in the second half but they just seemed to have that bit extra on us.

“We had a few half chances just af- ter half time that just went narrowly wide and you never know, if we had

gone ahead or got that point up, we might have seen a few mistakes in their game. But they got the scores and pushed home.”

Still with County and Munster hon- ours already secured, it has been a real whirlwind adventure for Carmo- dy and his side this year and he en- visages a bright future for his young Kilmaley side.

“Ya it’s been a great year. We are county and Munster champions and we only beaten by a puck of the ball in an All-Ireland final so they are a young team and hopefully they will stay committed and improve as time goes on.”

In a year of firsts that reaped so much, coming back even stronger will be a bigger test of this side in the coming year.

A FIVE-FIGURE sum of money and valuable pieces of jewellery, stolen during a spate of burglaries in Ennis over the past two months, have not yet been recovered.

This revelation emerged in the case of an Iranian refugee who is charged with three counts of burglary and one of handling stolen property. A total of 55 homes in Ennis were bur- gled between September and last week, prompting a major garda in- vestigation to be sprung into action. Jewellery, valued at €100,000, was recovered last Saturday week, as part of Operation Ennis, which was set up to investigate the matter.

Ali Reza Velayati (39), of Avondale, Kilrush Road, Ennis, 1s accused of

four alleged offences, on four sepa- rate dates in October and November.

The burglary charges relate to houses at Tobartaoscain, Ard na Gréine and Limerick Road, Ennis. Jewellery, valued at €1,950, was taken from one of the houses, while jewellery, worth €500, was taken from another house.

He is accused of handling assorted stolen jewellery, at Oakwood Drive, Ennis, on November 8 last.

Defending solicitor Daragh Has- sett was granted free legal aid for his client, who he said is a refugee. However, an application for bail was refused, after gardai objected.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said the charges in court formed “part of a whole plethora of charges relating to the burglary of 55 private residences

in Ennis between late September and November.”

‘He has been interviewed in rela- tion to all of these offences. While we have not brought charges in rela- tion to all of those, we are consulting with the DPP,” he said.

Mr Hassett said his client has been in Ireland for the past six months, having previously lived in China, under a refugee programme. He said the accused could not return to either Iran or China and effectively had “nowhere to go”.

‘He is not at flight risk, if that’s the State’s concern,’ said Mr Hassett.

However Inspector Kennedy dis- puted this and said the accused was at “enormous flight risk. His position in the country is very tenuous.” He said if bail was granted, there would

be concerns that the defendant would disappear.

“Despite the fact that a huge amount of property has been recovered, there is still a huge amount of property outstanding,” he said, adding that the State would be concerned the ac- cused could turn this into an “asset for himself.”

Detective Sergeant Michael Molo- ney then told the court that the “more valuable pieces of jewellery’, along with a five-figure sum of cash, were still outstanding. Dt Sgt Moloney said that the accused’s wife was no longer living at their address at Avondale.

“He has no direct links to this country. He is here on a travel docu- ment as opposed to a passport, under a refugee programme. I don’t believe he will turn up for a subsequent hear-

ing (if granted bail),” he said.

Mr Hassett said that his client’s wife is heavily pregnant and was staying with a friend, as she did not want to stay at their home on her own. He said his client could not leave the jurisdiction without the rel- evant documentation. However, Dt Sgt Moloney replied, “We all know if you want to leave the jurisdiction it can be done.”

Inspector Kennedy said that back- ground checks were still being proc- essed in relation to the accused. ““The State has a responsibility. There is overwhelming evidence against the accused,’ he said.

Judge Joseph Mangan refused bail and remanded the accused in cus- tody to re-appear in court later this month.

A MEMBER of Kilrush Town Coun- cil has accused the ESB of snubbing the council as a meeting between the electricity supply board and the local authority failed to materialise.

Councillor Collie Sweeney (Ind) also asked if the electricity supply board was in breech of its contract with the council.

He told Thursday evening’s meet- ing of the council, “We invited repre- sentatives of the ESB to address this council and to account for its neglect of the public lightening system in OTT ab ss e

“This council pays a premium rate to the ESB for the contract to supply and maintain a decent public light- ening service in the town. I think we should call in our legal adviser and ask if the ESB might be sued for breach of contract as it has failed to fulfil its obligations. But then the ESB enjoys a monopoly and can snub and ignore anything we say in this council chamber,” he said.

“There is an urgent need to carry out a survey of the public lightening in the town.”

“T walk the town every night of the week and can tell you that many lights are out of commission. Some

housing estates have no proper light- ing and this has security considera- tions for the residents living there. Maybe the town engineer will con- duct this survey and redden the ears of the ESB as to their contractual ob- ligations,” said Cllr Sweeney.

The Independent councillor said that on November 12 there were 42 lights out in the town and asked if the council was getting a sufficient Service.

Executive Engineer Derek Troy in- formed the councillor that all public lights are checked on the first week of each month by the town general Services Supervisor.

‘Following the monthly check a re- port of all defective public lights 1s sent to the ESB. Under the council’s contract with the ESB, any defec- tive public lights are required to be repaired within two weeks of this report,” the reply said.

‘An overall assessment of the pub- lic lighting system is carried out reg- ularly in conjunction with a member of personnel from the ESB. This as- sessment sets outs areas in need of upgrade to existing public lights and areas for the provision of additional or new public lights where street lighting does not currently exist,” he NCO

MAINTAINING the Roche _ phar- maceutical plant in Clarecastle as a world class site is critical to ensuring the company’s future status in the area, a meeting has heard

That was the view expressed by Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) at last week’s meeting of councillors representing the Ennis Electoral Area.

Cllr Meaney stated that Roche, Clarecastle, was in competition with other Roche facilities around the world, to develop new and high quality product lines. As such, said Cllr Meaney, effort must be made by Clare County Council to ensure that a “valuable employer” like Roche re- mains in Clarecastle.

“Clare County Council needs to work with significant emphasis to make sure that Roche is a world class site. The entrance to Roche will have to be significantly improved”, said Cllr Meaney.

He added “We are at a critical juncture with dealing with Roche…. If they are not successful, it could effect the future of the plant. Clare County Council must do everything it can”.

The matter arose following a mo- tion put forward by Cllr Bernard Hanrahan (FF). Cllr Hanrahan asked when work at a junction at the entrance of Roche was expected to be completed.

Work at the site, at the corner of Clarehill and Patrick Street, was

delayed after a derelict cottage there was deemed to be a protected structure. A report carried out two years ago by then Conservation Of- ficer Risteard Ua Cronin found that the house was an 18th or early 19th century dwelling that appeared to be of “high architectural and heritage interest”.

Speaking at last week’s meeting, Cllr Hanrahan said that permission had been given to demolish half of the cottage. He said that work on traffic calming measures at the en- trance should be completed as soon as possible.

‘The issue of the junction has been dragging on and on for too long now’, said Cllr Hanrahan.

He added, “The worst thing about

this now is that they will probably have to put in traffic lights and a roundabout there to keep residents rN Koh

Cllr Meaney urged the Council to contact Roche with an effort to 1m- prove site access to the facility. He said the company were willing to contribute to the cost of carrying out the works.

Cllr Hanrahan said Roche were eager for the work to be completed. “Its important we get this moving,’ added Cllr Hanrahan.

Responding to Cllr Hanrahan’s motion, Declan O’Regan, Senior Ex- ecutive Engineer stated ‘Roche have not approached this office in recent times to advise that they intend to go ahead with these works.

TEAMS of amateur journalists and photographers from Scoil Mhuire in Ennistymon have taken it upon them- selves to report all of the schools ac- tivities on the Internet.

A new website, located at www. scoil-mhuire.ie, is being updated dai- ly with news and information from the school by this budding group of young reporters.

“Up until last year we had no web- site in the school at all so I came up with the idea more as something for incoming first years to have a look at and find out what the school was like. But since it was set up it has

turned into much more than that,” said teacher Laura Cullen.

“Any event that takes place – wither it be a sports event or a retreat – some- one will write a report about it and we also usually have a student who will take some nice pictures. Most of the work is undertaken by the transi- tion year students but everyone helps out in some way.

“It’s updated pretty much every day which makes it something different from other school website which never really change.”

Besides the news section the web- site also includes a regularly updated school calander and a separate tran- sition year calendar which included

deadlines and reminders on all up- coming assignments.

“It’s great for the girls – they get a nice training in writing and photog- raphy and they get to have their work published as well. We are actually going to set up a photo section in the future where we will able to upload photo albums,’ continued Laura.

“Or aim by the end of the year is to have a team of journalists and a team of photographers who will have es- sentially built this website since the start of the year.

“We are still working at it and try- ing to improve it all the time and the hope is that we can keep make it bet- ter and better throughout the year.”

Some for the recent news items on the site include a presentation by the school Taekwon-Do team to Our Lady’s Hospital in Crumlin, a third year trip to the Merchant of Venice, a report on a first year basketball match and a heartsaver AED train- ing course for students.

In addition to all of this the website contains a career section with dates for up coming career events, a full prospectus for new students and de- tails for the school parents council.

MUNSTER finals may not be a new experience for Danny Chaplin but this is groundbreaking and unchar- tered territory for his young Broad- ICO) KO MILO (oR

After giving almost a quarter of a century of service as a player and mentor for his native Sixmilebri- dge, his move to Broadford saw him take over the reins in the local club in 2005 and he set about remoulding the then recently relegated side into a senior force once more.

Broadford finally realised that aim three weeks ago against his former side in the incessant rain of Clare- castle but having witnessed what a Munster run did for fellow Clare sides in recent years, his side weren’t just content with county honours.

Two years on from their Munster success, Clooney/Quin were within a whisker of the senior quarter-finals this year and subsequently reached a senior B final while Clonlara’s whirl- wind journey to county senior suc- cess this year proved what a boost a Munster intermediate title can be.

Successive battling displays against Templederry Kenyons and Bruff fol- lowed and now Broadford are only

sixty minutes away from emulating their neighbours achievements over the past two years.

“Our aim at the start of the year was just to win Clare but everything has taken off since. We had three weeks in a row of great results and the whole parish is literally gone mental here. There are flags outside every house and there are kids com- ing down watching training. It has done so much and it has given a lift to everyone.

“I think the character of the team really came to the fore last time against Bruff. We were playing up the hill against the wind and they were after pulling back a seven point lead down to a point and I think that is when the boys really stood up and were counted.”

It wasn’t all plain sailing for Broad- ford this year, however. Twice in the group stages, Parteen had the indian sign over the east Clare side to put their championship ambitions in real peril but if anything, it was the jolt they needed to up the ante and be- come a more resiliant outfit.

‘I said a few things in the dressing room after the Parteen game that day that they didn’t like. They didn’t like hearing them and I didn’t like say-

ing them but in fairness to them, the following Tuesday night, there was twenty eight of them down at train- ing out of twenty nine and that other player was away. You can’t ask for any more than that and they realised that they were the ones who had to do it. We could do no more for them on the sideline, it had to come from the players and in fairness to them, the commitment they have given since that day has been phenomenal.

“They are now like one big unit. I mean we tried to bring in a family aspect to the squad where you are playing for the fella alongside you as much as you are playing for the par- ish and yourself.”

Blarney are Broadford’s opponents in Sunday’s decider after receiving a bye in the semi-finals as the Wa- terford championship was not com- pleted in time.

The Cork side accounted for Antho- ny Daly’s Kilmoyley in the quarter- final, a team who were fancied to go far in this year’s provincial race and while Chaplin admits to not knowing too much about Blarney, he acknowl- edges the significance of this unique opportunity for his Broadford side.

‘There are 32 teams in the interme- diate championship in Cork so you

don’t win it easily. The only thing I know about them is that they have been in the semi-final three years in a row so they have been knocking on the door for a while and they are a very good side I believe.

“But we are concentrating on our- selves. Ninety per cent of our players will probably never be in a Munster final again. This is our chance and they don’t come around too often so we are trying to stress that. Not to get too overawed by the occasion but keep their feet on the ground and give their all. We would just like to emu- late Clooney-Quin and Clonlara.

“IT was involved with the ‘Bridge years ago and I remember we won a Munster club in 1995 and different Clare clubs won it in 796, ’97, ’98 and “99 and we were back in it in 2000.

“IT remember before that game, it was the one thing we said that we were not going to be the club that loses it for Clare and in that respect, Broadford don’t want to be the club that loses the Munster intermediate championship for Clare and that is not to put too much pressure on the players as the same time.”

A LITHUANIAN man who was spotted “fool acting’ down Seafield beach in his jeep has been convicted of dangerous driving and banned from driving for two years.

Tomas Salaka (27), of Aughantee- roe, Ennis, pleaded guilty to danger- ous driving, arising out of an incident at Seafield beach, Quilty.

Inspector Michael Gallagher told Milltown Malbay District Court that the defendant was driving his jeep – with two passengers – along the beach at Seafield, when he was spot-

ted by an onlooker.

He said he drove along the grass first and then onto the beach.

He said it would appear the accused took a phone call while driving and then did a handbrake turn, causing the jeep to flip over. He said the ac- tions of the accused could have led to tragic consequences.

“He was fool acting down the beach,” he said.

Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett said his client was working in Cree at the time. On the date in question, he went to Seafield beach, which was completely clear.

“There was no-one else on the beach. He got a_ phone call to go back to work, hence the talking on the phone. He then tried to get back up on the grass, but missed his turn and the jeep flipped over,” he said.

He said the girl who received inju- ries in the accident was recovering AB

Mr Hassett said that while a plea to dangerous driving was being en- tered, “I’d say it’s very much on the lower scale in this type of case.”

He said his client had no previous convictions either in Ireland or in his native Lithuania.

OPPOSITION continues to grow among local residents in Ballina- Killaloe following the lodging of a planning application by developers to build a high-rise apartment com- plex at the Derg marina.

Now an information evening or- ganised in opposition to the planning application has been arranged by the Ballina Marina Action Group for 8pm on Thursday, November 27 at the Lakeside Hotel, Ballina.

Reacting to the planning applica- tion, BMAG spokesperson, Joe Ca- halane said today, “There is consid- erable unease here toward the marina development proposals. This project is masquerading as a marina devel- opment when it is, to all intents and purposes, a massive apartment com- plex rising to five storeys at its high- est point. We are urging all those concerned with the developer’s pro- posals to turn out in force at the pub- lic meeting in Lakeside Hotel.”

The deadline for acceptance of planning objections to the proposals is Friday, December 5.

Mr Cahalane said that “the design and scale is completely at odds with

the sustainable development of a heritage town and would be more at home in the Dublin Docklands than in the tranquil setting of Ballina and GTI elena

The developers of the €60 mil- lion Shoreline marina, housing and commercial development, Eclipse Developments had said they would have further public consultation on the plan, after they had filed for plan- ning permission.

The developers say the plan will create 70 jobs when finished, en- hance public amenities for visitors and locals in Killaloe and Ballina and bring a €6 million annual spend to the area and extend the tourism season.

Locals are also concerned that the proposed marina is abounds a Spe- cial Protection Area (SPA), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a National Heritage Area (NHA) in a recognised heritage town.

Mr Cahalane stated that the local residents had asked for a detailed copy of the marina plan and for the model of the development to be put on display in the area but claimed that neither of these requests were complied with.

SIXTH class students got a glimpse of day-to-day life in a secondary school in Ennis last week.

Timetables, German classes and bells ringing on the hour were just some of the newer aspects of school life experienced by pupils from Holy Family senior school taking part in a week-long pilot scheme in Colaiste Muire.

“We forget sometimes,” explained Colaiste Muire principal, “that for students coming in from primary school even something like a bell ringing in the middle of the morning is something completely different from what they are used to”’.

The scheme, initiated by Colaiste

Muire, allowed pupils from Holy Family to sample the routine of changing classes that they will be- come very familiar with over the next few years.

It is hoped that the experience will, in part, help smooth the transition from primary to secondary level education.

Over the course of the week, the students from Holy Family sat in on, among others, classes in foreign lan- guages like German and home eco- nomics.

As part of a broader approach to ease the transition, first year and leaving cert students guided their primary school counterparts through the process of switching classes and explained the kinds of extra-cur-

ricular activities on offer at Colaiste Muire.

Ms Pound said, “The aim was to offer them an experience of what secondary school is all about. We had our first years and leaving certs explain about class timetables and changing classes because when you are in primary school, you have the one teacher and you mainly stay in the one classroom”.

“Of course many primary school children will have sisters and broth- ers in second level education so they’ll know in a way what to expect. But we hope that through the pilot scheme, we can show them the ropes and explain what second level is all lerele lie

Parents will get the opportunity

to have their input to the scheme at open meetings to be held at Colaiste Muire.

“So far the feedback we have re- ceived has been very positive’, ex- plained Ms Pound.

She added, “The experience seems to have been beneficial to the stu- dents involved and it is something that we would look at continuing in the future”’.

SOME of Clare’s most talented voic- es will be at the Cliffs of Moher this December to raise money for a very worthy cause.

The Clare Tenors, Kate Daly, Helen Houlihan, Ruth Kelly and Mary Howard will all perform at the new Cliffs of Moher Centre to raise money for the Clare Branch of the NaN E

“I think this is about giving people the chance to support the lifeboats. Even over the last 12 months the Clare coast have had awful tragedies

and people want to support the life- boats and the work that they do,” said Joe Queally of the RNLI.

“There is a lovely line-up for the concert – it’s our own people in our own place and everyone is giving their time free for the lifeboats, as are the people from the Cliffs of Mo- her.

“The cliffs is one of the most vis- ited sites in the world and they now have a stunning venue for people to host events like this.”

Restaurant facilities at the Cliffs of Moher will stay open later to allow concert goers to have some food and

a drink before the show.

‘People can go up and have a glass of wine and a meal if they like and then come in for the concert. The restaurant itself is giving a donation to the RNLI from the night,” contin- LUTer6 Nn (Olen

“One of the things that makes this so special is that most of the sing- ers are from Archie Simpson’s fa- mous Lismourahaun Choir. Both the Clare tenors, Dean Power and Peter O’Donoghue, are making great strides with their own singing ca- reers while Kate Daly and Ruth Kel- ly are very talented and they were all

hatched out of that choir.

“The concert kicks off at 8.30pm and we will be all finished before 10.30pm so it will be a lovely two hours for everyone.”

While everyone is offering their Services free for this concert, Pat McDonagh of Supermacs has do- nated €1,000 towards the general running costs and expenses of the evening.

Tickets for the concert are availa- ble directly from the Cliffs of Moher Visitors Centre at 065 7086141 and from Record Rack in Ennis at 065 6820769.