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AFTER two years of fundraising, the first 50 of the 200 volunteers with the Building of Hope Project have arrived in Kenya.

Fr Martin Keane is pictured laying the foundation stone for the training centre which the Clare volunteers will build over the next eight weeks.

Celebrating Mass for the newly arrived volunteers on Sunday, Fr Martin told them that the founda- tions were made not just of sand and mortar, but of the hope that will help rebuild lives.

The Cranny priest ministers to the poorest of Mombasa’s people in his parish of Migombani.

The centre will be a place where they aquire work skills and qualifi- cations which can rescue them from a life of degradation and hunger.

THE issues of fixtures will be ad- dressed at the upcoming Ladies Football convention. According to the Secretary, Michael Fitzpatrick, fixtures continue to be a problem, particularly at minor level.

“Again this competition [minor] did not finish until November because some clubs did not stick to the fixture plan,” he points out in his report that will be delivered at the annual con- vention on Tuesday.

He said he feels the Junior A cham-

pionship should be played before the B, the intermediate before the junior and senior before the intermediate.

He added that the fixtures com- mittee must look at rule 339 of the official guide of 2007 or rule 347 of 2009, which states ‘A team failing to fulfil a championship fixture may forefit its place in the competition and the game may be awarded to its opponents.”

He also pointed out that the team is liable to a suspension of six months. “As we are on rules another which we may have to look at for 2010 is

rule 156 of 2007 which states that the county committee may fine a club for not attending county board meetings.”

In his report, the secretary points out that some clubs are inclined to play unregistered players at under- age. “This is a very dangerous habit, as if a player should receive an injury and are not registered, they are not covered.”

As part of his report, he will also go through, in detail, the on field mat- ters of ladies football in Clare, which experienced a very successful year.

A CLARE woman yesterday told a court that she had a “volatile” rela- tionship with the man accused of raping her at gunpoint.

She revealed she “stopped count- NOTA DACs OOOO MB DO CommO OCoummO TUN] left her house during the first year of their relationship because “it was getting ridiculous”.

A 44-year-old man has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to three counts of rape, two counts of anal rape, two counts of oral rape and one count each of false imprison-

ment, threatening to kill by shooting, threatening to disfigure with a knife, ageravated burglary and possessing a shotgun with intent to endanger life. He pleaded guilty in December 2008 to assaulting the woman but CLSeDCe Me OUIABU NISMO MMU BINOME NO CoMEcAIDO yA UE| the offences are alleged to have oc- curred at her Clare home on Septem- ber 9, 2007.

Under cross-examination yester- day, the woman agreed that there were many “fallings out” between her and her ex-partner which were generally followed by their love life resuming.

She denied she was drunk during their first argument around Christ- mas 2004 shortly after he had moved in with her and she had told him she “felt” pregnant with their child.

She denied she hit the man with a brush on that occasion but admitted throwing one at him around the time of the alleged rape when he turned up at her house without her consent.

It was put to the woman that gardai intervened during another “furious argument” with the accused about selling property on eBay around eight months after the birth of their oF

The woman agreed the accused phoned gardai after she had kicked some of the property arranged on the living room floor, but explained she did no damage and smashed her own vase against the kitchen wall in reac- tion to the Garda summons.

She said that she and the accused had been in financial trouble at the time and that she was “extremely an- noyed” with him selling the property since he had already spent the sales money on a motorbike and used car.

She said a neighbour dropped her baby back to the house after she locked her ex-partner outside and

when gardai arrived he “gave them the impression” she’d locked both fa- ther and child out.

She agreed that gardai let her choose between letting the child stay with a social worker or giving the baby to her partner for the night.

She agreed she had been drinking earlier that day but denied she was drunk. She said it was Garda duty to call a social worker when responding to domestic incidents where there al- cohol is involved.

The trial continues before Mr Jus- tice Paul Carney and a jury of seven women and four men.

THE value of an insightful analyst is immeasurable. That’s why in the lead up to Kilmurry Ibrickane’s All-Ire- land quarter-final clash with Tir Cho- naill Gaels in the Emerald Grounds in Ruislip this weekend, Paul Hehir’s vast knowledge into both sides can- not be overestimated.

For the uninitiated, Hehir has played at the highest level for both Clare and London, was part of the all conquering Doonbeg side that cap- tured several county titles at the turn of the century as well as a Munster crown in 1998. He has also played a sizeable part of his career for Lon- don side Tara also with brother Sen- an, picking up a London and British championship in 2003. Add in the fact that he played against Tir Cho- naill Gaels in this year’s league final and also represented Doonbeg in the 2008 Clare senior championship and it’s abundantly clear that there is no better judge of this game than Hehir.

First to the strengths and weakness- es of Tir Chonaill Gaels.

“Basically they are a just a well or- ganised club and the best run club in London to be honest with you. They have a good backroom staff with regards to the people running the club and have just got the commit- ment from the players really. Their strength mainly lies with their work- rate coming from the back. Their backs are very good and very tidy and they have a good strong mid- field. Basically the only thing they would be lacking really would be a panel of players. They have got a good 13 or 14 good players whereas the Kilmurry lads would have a good bench which will proably be decisive I reckon on the day.”

Having won four out of the last five London championships, the Gaels have ample experience of All-Ireland

quarter-finals but have been rather

unfortunate not to have advanced further, mainly due to a lack of belief according to Hehir.

“It’s a combination of things re- ally. What it really comes down to, just as in the county team, is whether they believe collectively that they can actually beat a team from home. They have come close in the last few years and it’s never easy for a team that comes over to London whether it’s inter-county or a club match and it would be good for London football in general if they did pull off a shock. Although It wouldn’t really be much of a shock in London because they are a good club team. They have got great backs, a good midfield and as I have said three or four decent for- wards. They are also full of inter-

county experience with lads from Roscommon, Leitrim and Donegal, guys who have played at the highest level back home but it’s just about be- lieving that they can win.”

Kilmurry Ibrickane’s chances of advancing to the semi-final stage have been made all the more difficult by the fact that they will have to take on the perennial London champions in their own back yard, a daunting prospect as Hehir outlines from per- sonal experience.

“Coming over to London is never easy for any team. I know that myself when I came over with Clare. You somehow have it in the back of your head that they are still only based in London and that you should be beat- ing them but any team that comes

over to London never has it handy.”

Still when pushed for a verdict, he gives a slight nod to Kilmurry Ibrickane on their strength of their overall squad.

“IT mean there is no taking away from what Kilmurry Ibrickane have achieved. I think they have only been beaten once in the last two years which says a lot for the quality they have. They have a great youth devel- Opment system coming through and it seems to have extended to the sen- ior team. They have great old heads of Johnny Daly, Odran O’Dwyer and Peter and Michael O’Dwyer as well and then there is the new breed coming through with the likes of Enda Coughlan and Mark McCarthy. There is a great combination and they

seem to mix it very well going all the way up to Micheal McDermott at the atosbene

“At the end of the day, it’s going to be a great game in fairness. They are two good footballing sides, two tough teams and at the end of the day, it’s just going to come down to who wants it more and overall I think that Kilmurry Ibrickane might edge it purely on the strength of the bench they have, despite the massive dent that Odran O’Dwyer’s injury will have.”

A MAN WHO admitted dealing drugs to his friends has been handed a six-month suspended jail term.

Stephen Keane (19), of Main Street, Corofin, admitted possession of cannabis in Corofin on November 20, 2008.

He was also convicted of posses- sion of drugs for the purpose of sale oy mei bn 8) OAV

When the case was heard in the dis- trict court in November, Mr Keane’s solicitor said, “He will say he would gather money and buy drugs from somebody further up the ladder. He would have it and deal it out to his friends. He never made any money out of it.”

He said his client was an apprentice carpenter, but the business he was working with folded. He then went back to school. “Living in a small village, something like that is going to have an impact on him. This is a very serious conviction for this man

to have against him.”

“It was between him and his friends. He was not out on the street corner selling drugs,” said the solicitor.

The case was adjourned until last week, for preparation of a probation report.

At Ennis District Court on Friday,

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a six- month jail term. He suspended this on condition that the accused enter a bond to be of good behaviour for two years. He imposed a fine of €300.

THE Road Safety Authority (RSA) has renewed its warning for road us- ers to take extra care for the rest of the week as Met Eireann is advising that driving conditions will remain treacherous.

Severe frost is forecast and there is also the risk of ice on un-treated surfaces, along with the risk of some freezing fog.

Road users are urged to check weath- er and traffic reports before setting off on a journey. In particular,they should heed any garda advice urging them not to make any unnecessary journeys.

The RSA has the following advice for drivers in snow or icy conditions; elt takes longer to stop a vehicle on icy roads so slow down and allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front. eManoeuvre gently, avoid harsh braking and acceleration. eClear your windows and mirrors before you set out, carry a screen scraper and de-icer. Do not use hot water on the windscreen as it can crack the glass. eRemove all snow from your vehicle before starting your journey. eSnow left on the roof will become loose and can drop onto the windscreen during braking, thereby causing sudden and severe restriction to your vision. eft can also fall off during your drive and cause injury to pedestrians or a reflex action by another driver. eUse the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. eSelect a low gear when travelling downhill especially if through lore) OTOKSE *lo brake on ice or snow without

locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, using the clutch smoothly and allow your speed to fall and use the brake pedal gently.

eRemember that heavy snowfall

will reduce visibility. Use dipped headlights and decrease speed smoothly.

eWatch out for black ice, especially in sheltered/shaded areas on roads, under trees and adjacent to high END Se

eCheck tyres, including spare wheel, to ensure minimum tread depth of

1.6mm and correct tyre pressure. eCheck your owner’s manual

and find out if your vehicle has

any safety assist technology like Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and know how they assist your eleaanntee

If your vehicle begins to skid you Should;

eldentify the cause — It is either too much braking, too much steering, too much acceleration or a combina- tion of one or all of these.

eRemove the cause — gently and

yee Corel ev ays

elf your car has ABS, it will not skid under braking. If ABS is activated, keep your foot on the brake and steer around whatever caused you to ley eeN Coe

elf your car does not have ABS and starts to skid on the brakes, pump the brake pedal very fast (Cadence Braking) and steer around whatever caused you to brake.

elf your vehicle skids and slews side- ways – turn the steering wheel in the same direction as the skid and ease

off the accelerator at the same time. eAvoid over-correction with too much steering.

eBe ready for a secondary skid.

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcy- clists are advised;

elf a journey cannot be avoided, be extremely careful as frost and ice have made walking on footpaths very dangerous

eVisibility is reduced in snowy condition so wear high visibility clothing or carry a torch and ensure the lights on your bike are working correctly.

eCyclists should ensure their bike has the required solid white light to the front and a red solid light to the rear.

eWear an approved helmet and consider clear eye protection. ¢Motorcyclists/cyclists should

not compromise their safety by their ‘need’ to travel in icy/snow conditions. Cancel your journey or take alternative transport. ¢eMotorcyclists should avoid wearing a dark visor in any bad light

ey ste taCeyetse

¢Remember other road users may not ‘expect’ you and could therefore comprise your safety

For more information the RSA’s publication Severe Weather Advice for Road Users can be downloaded from the RSA’s website www.rsa. ie/Home/upload/File/Homepage/ Severe _Weather_advice_road_us- ers_ET pdf _To check weather updates, visit Met Eireann’s website www.met.ie.

NACH deas an rud Gaeilge a ch- loisteail 1 rith an lae? Is brea Lom bheith sa siopa no ag an teach ol agus piosa beag Gaeilge a said, fiu amhain ‘go raibh maith agat’ no ‘le do thoil’. Ta sé nios fearr nuair a fhaigheann ta an fhreagra ar ais 1 nGaeilge. Is mor an trua é dar liom nach bhfuil nios mo daoine ag baint usaid as an teanga. B’fhéidir nach bhfuil nios mo na cupla focal agat, ach is deas an rud é 1ad a usaid go laethiuil. Ceithre bliain 6 shin ni raibh moran Gaeilge agam féin ach anois taim ag iarraidh an teanga a usaid chomh minic agus is féidir liom. Is fior go raibh sé ria- chtanach agus tabhachtach dom 6 thaobh na fostaiochta de go mbeadh Gaeilge maith agam, agus mar sin chuir mé isteach na huaireanta ag staidéar agus ag éisteacht le Raidio na Gaeltachta agus ag breathnu ar TG4. Ach ar deireadh bhi mé lan sas- ta liom féin agus anois taim in ann comhra le daoine 1 nGaeilge agus altanna a scriobh!! (Nil mo chuid grammadach ro mhaith ach tagann feabhas air gach 1a!)

Ma thogann daoine an t-am chun an teanga a fhoghlaim agus é a usaid

nios mo 1 rith an tsaoil, gheobhaidh siad nios moO meas don teanga agus nios mo tuiscint ar ar bhféiniulacht chulturtha. Ta baint ag an teanga le cuid mhaith den saol na tire seo. Ta an Gaeilge an tabhachtach 6 thaobh Stair na tire, 6 thaobh na tireolaio- chta agus moran den litriocht (Béarla agus Gaeilge) a thainig On tir seo. Is fior go raibh fadhbanna mora ann sna blianta seo caite leis an modh muinte a bhi sna scoileanna. Chuir an Roinn Oideachais an iomarca béim ar scriobhnoireacht agus ar léitheoireacht; nior thug siad a dothain meas don caint agus sin cuid de na lochtanna is measa a bhi ann. Foghlaimionn daoine an teanga 1 bh- fad nios fearr nuair ata siad ag baint usaid as go laethiuil mar cuid den caint agus comhra. Tagann na focail chugat go nadurtha nuair ata siad a usaid agat 1 gcomhra nadurtha. Sin an sli ina bhfuaireamar Béarla mar phaisti. Ni raibh orainn an litriocht a fhoghlaim ar dtus, bhiomar in ann caint ar dts agus 1 ndairire bhi sé sin nios tabhachtai duinn na an litriocht ag an am. Is é an caint agus an com- hra an modh cumarsaide 1s éifeachtai chun teanga a fhoghlaim agus mar sin ma thogaimid an t-am chun piosa

Gaeilge a usaid go laethitil tiocfaidh meas, forbairt agus fid amhain gra don teanga orainn.

Mar a duirt mé cheana, ta an Gaeilge ar fail duinn 1 ngach ait. Ta sé 4 usaid ag daoine in ainmneacha, 1 dtireolaiocht na tire agus 1 stair agus béaloideas na tire. O thaobh ainmneacha de, ta toir ag an bpo- bal ar ainmneacha Gaeilge sa la ata inniu ann. Céad bliain 6 shin ni raibh an meas céanna ag an bpobal ar ainmneacha mar Shean, Sinéad agus Daithi. De réir na tuairisceain daonairimh 6 1911 ni raibh ach 145 daoine leis an ainm Sean sa tir, bhi nios lu na 65 de Sinéads sa tir agus ni raibh ach 17 daoine da raibh ainm Daithi orthu! I rith an bhfichiu haois thosaigh daoine ag baint usaid as na hainmneacha Gaelacha agus anois ta meas mor ag tuismitheoiri ar an lea- gan Gaeilge de ainmneacha.

Caithimid ar dteanga a choimead beo do na gluinte amach romhainn. Ta sé tabhachtach nach mbeimid caillte mar tir beag 1 ndomhain mor aonchinealach. Chonaic mé piosa grafitti sa tuaisceart le déanai, duirt sé, ‘Is fearr Gaeilge briste na Béarla cliste’, b’fhéidir nach naontaim go hiom1an le sin ach ta rud éigin ann.

LISA Garry, a former pupil of En- nis Community College who is now studying primary teaching at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, was the recipient of one of the 87 scholar- ships for third level education award- ed last week by the Bank of Ireland.

Valued at over €1 million, the scholarships allow students who face economic, social or physical barriers an opportunity to access third level education. A total of 662 scholar- ships, ranging in value from €3,000 to €40,000 per annum, has been awarded by the Bank’s Millennium Scholars Trust. Established in 2000, the Scholars Trust has provided a fund of €12.5 million and was the largest single millennium _initia- tive from either the State or private sources.

Announcing this year’s awards, Bank of Ireland Chief Executive Richie Boucher, said it was an hon- our for them to enable hundreds of men and women change their lives through a decade of educational op- portunity.

“All of these students have exper1- enced significant obstacles such as

social disadvantage, financial hard- ship or serious disability. However, what they all have in common is the belief that education will provide them with the opportunity to move beyond their current circumstances and create opportunities that were previously only a dream. Already, over half of these students have grad- uated becoming positive role models for others in their communities, an impact which will be sustained long beyond the life of the programme.”

The majority of scholarship ap- plications were from those seeking to enter third level education direct from school. However, 100 scholar- ships went to mature students, an- other 100 to existing college students struggling to stay in third level due to funding issues and 70 to people with a disability.

The trust also made an exceptional provision for talented new emerging artists and over the ten years has ena- bled students attend such prestigious colleges as Juilliard School in New York and RADA and Goldsmiths College in London. 16 per cent of the 662 scholarships were allocated to Students of dance, drama/film, music and the visual arts.

AN action plan aimed at harnessing the industrial and tourism potential of the Shannon Estuary is among a series of measures outlined in the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2011-2017.

The strategy has been unanimous- ly approved by members of Clare County Council following a year- long review process and will be on public display in two weeks before going through a 10-week public con- sultation period.

Once approved, the plan will pave the way for the zoning of over 700 hectares of land for marine related industry at locations along the Shan- non Estuary, the provision of electric vehicle charge points throughout the county, the implementation of the county’s first wind energy strategy, the development of an inventory of community, social and cultural fa- cilities and a requirement for all new buildings and houses to have a low level access shower and toilet on the ground floor.

The draft development plan sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable develop- ment of the functional area of Clare County Council. When adopted, the six year blueprint will replace the 2005 development plan and it will be the sixth such plan since 1964.

Welcoming the unanimous adop- tion of the draft plan Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy said its primary goal was to position the county as a driver for local and re- gional growth through harnessing the potential of its unique location, quality of life, natural resources and other competitive advantages.

“Ultimately, the plan seeks to make Clare a better place to live in, work and visit,” he said.

Commenting on the proposed zon-

ing of large tracts of land along the Shannon Estuary, County Manager Tom Coughlan said that because of its deep water, shelter and other natu- ral advantages, the estuary is a sig- nificant potential asset for the county

and for the first time the Draft De- velopment Plan introduces a chapter aimed at developing the Estuary for various economic and recreational one

In addition to this, Mr Coughlan

said that the draft plan introduced new policies in relation to economic development and enterprise in the county including in rural areas. “The draft plan has a strong empha- sis on renewable energy production,

storage and distribution and, for the first time, contains a separate Wind Energy Strategy aimed at further tapping into the potential of the sig- nificant wind resources of the county subject to the normal environmental safeguards. The plan also includes for the first time a chapter dealing specifically with rural development and natural resources.”

Among the other measures outlined in the draft plan are; e A proposal that all new buildings and houses will be required to have a low level access shower and toilet. This measure 1s aimed at ensuring the lifetime adaptability of homes in particular those that would be in ex- cess of the minimum requirements of the current building regulations and will prevent the need for expen- sive retrofitting in many cases. e A record of protected structures for the county which would include photographs and descriptions of over 500 buildings and structures already protected and a further 200 that are proposed for protection. e A proposal that in future certain developments will be required to provide facilities to allow for charg- ing of electric cars and vehicles e A strategic flood risk assess- ment to be carried out in light of new guidelines issued to planning PLbLOeLe)w LBL

The draft plan will be on display in public offices, libraries and on the internet at www.clarecoco.ie within the coming weeks. Public exhibi- tions and various stakeholder meet- ings will also be held around the county and written submissions will lorem UO Net Koxeb

EVERY primary and_ secondary school in Clare is to get free access to online versions of the popular Ency- clopedia Britannica and World Book as part of a nationwide elearning in1- tiative announced by the Department of Education and Science.

The online encyclopedias use text, video clips, three-dimensional simu-

lations, research aids and other new media in presenting information to students.

The department pays an annual licence fee of €450,000 to Encyclo- pedia Britannica and World Book to authorise schools to use the online resources.

Clare TD Tony Killeen said he strongly supported efforts by the Government to integrate informa-

tion communications technology into teaching and learning.

“The Government is making enormous strides in developing our schools ICT capacity. For example in 2009, it launched a €150 million plan for smart schools, which will give every classroom a teaching lap- top, software and digital projector over the next three years.

“The provision of these online

learning tools marks the next phase in the Government’s ambition to develop our schools into centres of elearning and to make new technol- ogy an integral part of the learning KOCK Te

“The range of information avail- able to Clare schools through these encyclopedias will enrich students’ learning experience and deepen their knowledge of the sciences, humani-

ties, arts and other areas.

“Furthermore, the schools broad- band network enables us to deliver targeted digital resources directly to teachers and students through the scoilnet.ie website,” he said.

With over 11,500 learning resourc- es and an average of 180,000 visits each month, scoilnet.ie is an impor- tant online resource for primary and post-primary schools.