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Buena from the province’s stirring 24-16 win over Sale on Sunday afternoon.

“You see Munster in Clonlara,’ re- vealed Horan. “They weren’t given a chance of doing anything, just like we weren’t when we went into Europe. But we had great belief in ourselves and this Clonlara team does to.

“IT saw them play against Crusheen the first day and they showed great character to come back after losing that lead and going behind. It was very gutsy stuff.

“Tl be at the final because I have a weekend off and am not involved in the Magners League game against

Ulster. They’re up against a great Newmarket team but anything can happen on the day. This team plays with no fear – they’re a great bunch of lads and I just hope that they enjoy it and the day doesn’t pass them by.”

Games never pass Munster by these days, something Horan and company proved on Sunday afternoon when assuming control of Pool One in their defence of the Heineken Cup.

“The pressure was on us,’ admits Horan, “because if we hadn’t got a result the wheels could have come off. And after seeing what Sale did to Clermont we knew we were up against it.

“We realised it was all or nothing. If we lost it was going to be very dif- ficult to come out of the group. We hadn’t performed in the first game. We knew that and our support- ers knew that, so we had to deliver. It was do or die stuff and we came through it.”

Do or die – just like Sunday’s coun- ty final will be. And it will be every bit as competitive as Munster v Sale.

YOUNG Clare farmers will have plenty to talk about as they make their way to the Macra National Ral- ly which takes place in Galway this weekend.

Last week, chairman of Macra na Feirme’s Agricultural Affairs com- mittee, Eddie O’Donnell described the decision to suspend the Young Farmer Installation Aid scheme as a move “beyond belief” for young Veto ne

“Suspending a scheme that is 42 per cent EU co-funded and agreed under Social Partnership to run from 2007 to 2013 at a total budget of 68 million is totally contrary to the Government’s policy of supporting

young farmers starting out in agri- culture,” he said.

“The Government is supporting Start up business in this budget with tax breaks, yet the Government is taking away supports for start up businesses in the one industry that is the backbone of the rural economy.”

According to O’Donnell there are many young farmers who are in the process of taking over farms or start- ing up in their own right and were making preparations to apply to the No slot alen

Meanwhile, National President, Catherine Buckley, welcomed the re- newal of Stamp Duty and Stock Re- lief in last weeks budget which she said will continue to be of benefit to young farmers.

“The extension of Stamp Duty re- lief up to 2013 is a crucial incentive in encouraging the early transfer of land to committed and progressive young trained farmers,’ she said.

‘The exemption is worth nearly 20 million per annum to young farmers and will be worth million over the lifetime of the renewal.”

Young Clare farmers will travel in force to the Macra na Feirme annual conference, or ‘Rally’ as it 1s more fondly known, which takes place in Salthill this weekend.

The conference will be officially launched by Minister for Agriculture, Brendan Smith, on Friday evening while a major highlight will be the Bord Bia Beef and Sheep Stock judg- ing Finals, which are being held in

Mountbellew Agriculture College.

Mid Clare Macra club will rep- resent County Clare in The Farm- ers Journal Know Your Agriculture Quiz Final, followed by a black and white theme night.

A host of activities will take place all weekend with a number of Clare clubs taking part.

Brendan Collins from The Bur- ren Macra club is in the final 12 for the Best New Member Competition while Mid Clare Macra Club will represent County Clare in The Na- tional Finals of Ladies and Gents Football which will be held on Sun- day in NUI, Galway.

For more information on Clare Macra, please contact Rose on 086 3169785. www.macra.ie

A CAMPAIGN launched in Ennis last week, aims to improve water safety measures for children.

The development of drowning prevention standards was discussed when the Examiners of Irish Water Safety held their Annual Confer- ence in Ennis. Over one hundred attendees from around the country reviewed current approaches and de- veloped new strategies to reduce this needless waste of life.

The conference opened as new fig- ures reveal that 16 children aged 14

and under have drowned in Ireland, in the last five years.

The conference discussed all spheres of water safety in a bid to re- duce the tragic fact that 156 drowned in Ireland in 2007. The conference also focused on the dangers present- ed by inland waterways, the most common location of drowning inci- (nls

That is an area of water safety that resonates particularly with Ennis in light of recent figures, which reveal that nine people have drowned on the River Fergus in the past four years.

The latest tragedy occurred last

week, when the body of a man was recovered from the river, near Knoxs Bridge, on Tuesday.

The man is thought to be in his ear- ly 40s and is believed to originally be of Eastern European descent.

Speaking recently, Liam Griffin, Water Safety Officer with Clare County Council, re-iterated calls for people to respect life rings placed on the Fergus, saying that abuse and vandalism was a bigger issue in En- nis than anywhere else in Clare.

Mr Griffin said he would also sup- port a review of the current plan outlining existing water safety pro-

cedures for Ennis.

The vast majority of drowning inci- dents – along with many other aquatic injuries – are preventable, according to Irish Water Safety council. Wa- ter safety plays a key role in signifi- cantly reducing aquatic injuries and drowning through its’ education and promotion programmes.

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Lo- cal Government, Michael Kitt T.D. launched “Aqua Attack”, a workbook awareness programme packed with water safety tips and exercises for children.

“Tell them to wait until next year, until I win it,” he told his grandmoth- er Kay.

True to his word the 16-year-old won the competition in Old Trafford WORN ore

This was no mean feat as he beat off stiff competition from all over Europe, including the German teen- ager that piped him at the post last year.

Now the Killimer teenager is pre- paring to take part in the World

Skills Final, as a result of his win.

The international competition will take place on November | in the Cliff Training ground – the Manchester United and England training ground in Manchester.

Ruairi will also play on the Old Trafford pitch before the Manchester United home game against Hull City, and the winners of the world skills finals will be presented to the fans at half time. With his strong determ1- nation and winning attitude Ruairi’s family and team-mates are hoping that he is among the winners.

Living in Kilmihil with his grand- parents Sennan and Kay Honan (nee Gallagher) who are originally from Burton Street Kilrush, Ruairi is ded- icated sports man.

For the past three years he has made the trip to Manchester to take part in the World Skills Final.

The avid Manchester United fan 1s currently playing with the Money- point under 16 team and has been a constant team member with Mon- eypoint AFC from the under 11 age ea celel oy

Ruairi has won Clare league and Cup medals at various age levels over those years with Moneypoint AFC. Ruairi has also been a member of the Clare County Soccer Squad at various age levels.

His proud grandmother Kaye paid tribute to the young soccer star.

‘He is a great kid and very moti- vated,” she said.

Although he is also a keen golfer

and enjoys chess, Ruairi is now dedi- cating most of his spare time to prac- ticing his skills.

The fifth year student from Kilrush Community College can be seen training alone in the “field in Killim- er’ in the evening and at weekends.

A spokesperson from Moneypoint FC also wished the young soccer player well as he prepares to fly to Manchester with his grandparents on October 31.

And who knows if he wins we might just get another picture and interview.

A FIRE service employee lost his job after being stopped by gardai on sus- picion of drink-driving and for driv- ing while banned, a court has heard. A judge jailed the father of eight- week old twins after hearing he was drunk behind the wheel.

Richard Steadman (23) of Abbey- ville, Limerick Road, Ennis, pleaded guilty to drink driving and to hav- ing no insurance on the night he was stopped. Judge Joseph Mangan was told that Steadman had been banned from driving for a previous offence under the Road Traffic Act and “on the night, he got drunk and unfor-

tunately got into his car and drove. He drove five days before the ban on his driving had expired,’ his solicitor Daragh Hassett told the court. Pointing out that Steadman “real- ises 1t was a very wrong thing to do”, Mr Hassett said that his client “was employed by the fire brigade and has lost his job as a result of this occur-

rence. He is the father of twins, born eight weeks ago”.

Steadman was banned from driv- ing for four years and 13 days and sentenced to two months in jail with sentences to run concurrently.

The judge fixed bail for an appeal at Steadman’s own bond of €1,000 and an independent surety of €1,000.

GREEN Party and Fianna Fail councillors clashed yesterday over a proposed motion calling for Clare County Council to oppose the “anti- rural housing” proposals of Minster for the Environment, John Gormley.

Councilor Michael Kelly (FF) put forward the motion at yesterday’s council meeting, claiming that Min- ster Gormely was against rural re- generation.

He claimed the minster was taking

authority away from local elected representatives.

‘Minister Gormley has taken away powers and decided to rule on his own where people should live and where they should not live.

‘He has adopted this one cap fits all approach. I think this is a dangerous situation that is developing, if these proposals go to legislation. I am dis- appointed he has removed powers from local people’”’.

Councillor Richard Nagle (FE) supported his party colleague saying

that greater freedom should be given to local democracy.

These comments prompted a strong response from Councillor Brian Meaney (GP) who accused Fianna Fail councillors of electioneering and paying “lip service” to rural commu- nities on planning matters.

‘When the Greens went into Gov- ernment with Fianna Fail we were told that they take every opportunity to blame us for policies’, he said.

Cllr Meaney said many of the re- strictions imposed on rural housing

had been introduced in legislation by successive Fianna Fail governments. Minster Gormley was abiding by di- rectives handed down by the EU.

Addressing Fianna Fail council- lors, he said “Ye have gone into these meetings on rural development in paces like Kilbaha and given lip service to the rural communities there, I have seen ye do it”.

Cllr Martin Lafferty (Ind) said the current body of planning legislation had been introduced by Fianna Fail howe

Cllr Christy Curtin (Ind) said plan- ning was a decision taken by the en- tire cabinet. Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) said councillors on “this side of the chamber” would support Cllr Kelly’s rneKela(eyee

Members eventually agreed to sup- port an amended motion, co-signed by Cllr Gerry Flynn (ind), Cllr Christy Curtin (Ind) and Cllr Martin Lafferty (Ind), calling for council- lors in the mid-west to oppose the anti-rural hosing proposals of the Irish Government.

CLARE people have donated more than 10,000 tree saplings to Africa as part of the joint Bothar, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes Give the Gift of Trees initiative which was launched in October 2007 and culminates this month.

Bothar, the Irish charity that spe- cialises in livestock-based develop- ment programmes, and Kellogg’s Corn Flakes are celebrating the most successful Give a Gift of Trees Cam-

paign which has demonstrated an in- crease in donations of almost 300%. Overall, Ireland sent more than half a million trees to Africa. Clare’s portion of the total tree donations ex- ceeds its portion of the Irish popula- tion, confirming the tremendous gen- erosity of the people of the county. The Give the Gift of Trees Cam- paign will help develop sustainable farming practices in disadvantaged communities in Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso & Uganda. In these countries,

Bothar trains farmers how to pursue good environmental practices to en- sure that tree saplings improve the ecological balance by controlling erosion and maintaining soil fertil- ity. Irish families were encouraged to help African families by collect- ing special tokens from boxes of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and sending them to Kellogg’s along with a €5 donation. All of the money contrib- uted went directly to Bothar and for every 10 donations Kellogg’s funded an additional ten trees.

CALLS have been made to demol- ish the Tradaree Court flats, as they were merely an eyesore in Shannon.

The matter was raised by Fine Gael Councillor Tony Mulcahy who said the flats were in a “deplorable” state and “totally unacceptable.”

‘They are not secure. A lot of long- term residents in Tradaree have to look at an eyesore. Is there anything going to happen to the flats?” he asked.

He sought an update on the regen- eration project and on the security maintenance which is being carried out in the area.

He said the flats were damp and cold and lacked insulation.

“Whoever 1s in them should be re- located out of them as soon as possi- ble,’ he said. Fianna Fail Councillor Geraldine Lambert said she would concur with Cllr Mulcahy’s com- ments.

Shannon Town Manager Ger Dol- lard said the regeneration project

was going ahead and submissions would be invited. However he said it would be mid to late 2009 before work would get underway.

He said that residents could possi- bly be relocated and also suggested that the flats could be demolished.

Cllr Mulcahy said he would agree with the manager. “Demolish them,” he urged. “They are beyond the be- yond.”

Councillor Sean Hillery CFF) said that those in pursuit of a speedy housing transfer would have opted

to move into a flat in Tradaree, two years ago, and the allocation would then be made as they were “so un- healthy.”

“I’m amazed we still have people living there. This is a swinging door syndrome. It’s going on and on for- ever,’ he said.

The mayor of Shannon, Council- lor Gerry Flynn (Independent) said that several people in Tradaree were “dying to see the back of them. The heating and ventilation is not bal- eh eere me

A ROMANIAN woman who stole two dozen bottles of alcohol from a Shannon supermarket – by hiding them under her coat – has been hand- ed a week-long jail term.

Aurelia Sindie took 24 bottles of alcohol on two dates within a week from Dunnes Stores in the SkyCourt shopping centre, Shannon.

Sindie (29), of Emerson Avenue, Salthill, Galway, pleaded guilty to stealing eight bottles of Hennessy brandy on April 24 last. She also admitted stealing 10 bottles of Jame-

son whiskey, two bottles of Hen- nessy brandy and four bottles of Jack Daniels whiskey, one week later, on May 1. The total cost of the bottles amounted to €946.36.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told Shan- non District Court last Thursday that on May | last, the accused went shopping in Dunnes.

She paid for household items, but concealed the alcohol – worth €590.44 – and did not pay for it. Se- curity staff detected her.

It later transpired that she had been in the store exactly a week earlier – at 3pm in the afternoon – when she had

concealed eight bottles of brandy.

“That investigation was only con- ducted because she was detected on May 1,” said Inspector Kennedy.

The court was told that while the accused had no previous convictions in her native Romania, she had been convicted of shoplifting in Roscom- jeaCOyempaMLetelon

Her solicitor Daragh Hassett said she “stole with the hope of selling the bottles on to her friends.”

“She was in doing some shopping and yes, she succumbed to tempta- tion due to financial hardship. . . She now has three strikes on her record.

She has only been here a year,” he Cree

“She was walking into shops, putting bottles under her coat. It beg- gars belief that she would think she would get away with this,’ he said. He added that the accused has now learnt her lesson.

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a seven-day jail term and ordered that the Health Service Executive be noti- 1nsreb

He fined her ©200 and ordered that the remaining compensation – €355.92 – be paid. He fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.

FUNDS from development contribu- tions are down by almost 90 per cent since 2006 and the drop will mean serious deficits for the local author- ity next year, a county councillor has warned.

Cur Martin Conway (FG) had asked for details about how much the council had collected in development funding this year to date.

He was told that in 2006, develop- ers paid out €12,012,654.90, while 2007 saw €11,300,295.95 come into council coffers in the fund.

But to date this year, moneys which are used to fund roads and services amount to just €1,164,509.92 and €1.5 million is the figure expected as the final one for 2008.

“This 1s a every serious situation and the council is likely to go into overdraft because of it,’ Cllr Con- way said.

‘This will mean cut-backs which I would totally oppose. Instead we are gong to have to look at efficiencies and maybe bonuses for senior man- agement and directors of services’, said Cllr Conway, who is a member of the Council’s Audit committee.