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A BALLOT of workers at Aer Lingus which would mandate their union, SIPTU, to take industrial action over plans to outsource jobs is expected to take at least two weeks.

As 280 workers at Shannon con- template their future, the union is sending ballot papers to each and every member in a bid to get a large

turn-out and a strong mandate for ac- tion.

Unions SIPTU and IMPACT have both pledged to fight the plan which would see the axing and outsourcing of 1,500 jobs nationwide.

Meanwhile, preliminary contact on the plan is believed to have been made between Aer Lingus manage- ment and SIPTU but both sides have agreed on a media black-out on any

talks for the present.

It’s expected that union members will overwhelmingly mandate their representatives to declare industrial action if talks fail to reach a resolu- tion on the plan which aims to save the company €74 million.

Management wants the bulk of that saving – €50 million – to come from a reduction in staff costs.

SIPTU’s Tony Carroll said that a

written agreement exists between the company and the unions barring all outsourcing until after 2010. The detail of this agreement is now being examined, he said.

“It was agreed in 2006 as part of the charter of fundamental rights for workers in Aer Lingus at the time of the privatisation,’ he said.

Meanwhile, IMPACT spokeswom- an, Christina Carney said that the

proposals are not acceptable. “Not for the first time, Aer Lingus have turned to their workers and asked them to carry the burden. But at this time, the company have set out proposals which could see Irish jobs shipped to the US during a period of ACTS (Oe

‘To export jobs during a recession is unacceptable and we will fight any attempt to do that.”

INCREASED numbers of burgla- ries in a rural part of north Clare has prompted the community alert scheme to increase its profile locally.

The community alert programme in the Turlough/Belharbour/Newquay area was set up 20 years ago. Over the years it had lost its impetus but it

regrouped almost 10 years ago.

There is significant concern that elderly people living alone are being targeted by travelling criminals who prey on them and take their money and any valuables they own. Con- men also call to their hopes, under the pretence that they are carrying out work, but their only interest is robbing them.

Secretary of the group, Margaret Healy said the increased number of break-ins prompted the scheme to 1n- crease its profile in the local area.

“There was a lot of break-ins; peo- ple going around to elderly people. It started from there. We have it both ways – burglaries and conmen call- ing,” she said.

“Everyone in the community has

wised up a lot. If a strange car is seen, the local guards will be called. It is a full community-based thing,’ said Ms Healy.

The nearest town to Turlough – which has been hit over the summer – is Gort and that is 15 miles away, while Ennistymon is 18 miles away. Given their rural location, it 1s cru- cial that residents are in regular con- tact, with a particular focus on those UaiauetcareDleyatee

“There are a lot of elderly people living in the area. It is gone to the stage you are not safe living on your own. It is seriously important to keep an eye out on your neighbours. Eve- rybody needs to be alert. The guards have no power unless the people in the village help out,” said Ms Healy.

The community alert meetings take place regularly, where issues of con- cern in the locality are discussed.

‘People can’t be as trustworthy as they were one time. All we can do is thrash out what we know. There is no solution,’ she added.

The secretary of the community alert group in the area Fergal Lang- ley said there is huge concern that the burglaries are occurring during the daytime and criminals are watching their targets.

SUCCESS is being savoured by Tuamgraney-based company, Wil- de Irish Chocolates. Judges at the SHOP EXPO 2008 in the RDS went just wild about Wilde and presented them with a Commendation Award for their Artisan Chocolate Bar range in the Best Confectionery Product of the Show category.

Patricia Farrell from Wilde’s said it was “a wonderful boost to get an award for making great tasting chocolates, but it’s also thrilling to be commended by such a prestig- ious and influential judging panel as

presided over the SHOP 08 competi- ntoyn a

She said she wanted to express thanks “to Clare County Enterprise Board who’s support was crucial to our participation in the event”.

SHOP has become Ireland’s an- nual retail food, and drink event and the Product of the Show Awards are renowned for showcasing the lat- est and most innovative products in the Irish food industry. The judging panel are experts in their field and in- clude senior buyers from Tesco and Musgraves. Judging this year took place over several weeks in London, Hampshire and at the Guild head-

quarters in Wincanton. Irish entries were judged over three days in Bel- el

Wilde Irish Chocolates won the commendation for their artisan range of seven different milk, dark and white chocolate bars.

This is not the only award that the east Clare company has won this year. Wilde Irish achieved a Great Taste Gold, “the Oscars of Fine Food” for their Toasted Almond and Orange Dark Chocolate Artisan Bar. They have also again been recom- mended by the Bridgestone Guide and since this year are members of Good Food Ireland.

Wilde Irish Chocolates have been making chocolates in Tuamgraney since 1997. They have won many awards for their chocolate since then and their chocolate bars, gift collec- tions and chocolate treats are availa- ble from the factory shop, their farm- ers market stalls at Killaloe, Nenagh and Limerick and from selected out- lets in Clare and the mid-west

A MAJOR sports and coaching sem- inar will take place in the new con- ference facilities at Thomond Park on Thursday 23rd October. Kilkenny Hurling Manager, Brian Cody and Munster Rugby coach, Tony McGa- han will be among the high profile line up of speakers for the second an- nual Mid West Coaching and Team Performance Conference.

The seminar 1s aimed at everyone interested in the sports development of young people such as coaches, trainers and parents. The event is organised through the BDO Simp- son Xavier Get BACk Challenge in association with the Mid West Local Sports Partnerships.

The first running of the event was a sell out last year and this year has attracted a very high profile panel of experts to discuss advances in coach- ing, motivation and nutrition.

In addition to Brian Cody and Tony McGahan other speakers will in- clude Professor Niall Moyna, Head of School of Health and Human Per- formance in DCU and Sharon Ma- digan, Performance Nutritionist for the Olympic Council of Ireland. The event will be chaired by the Univer- sity of Limerick’s Director of Sport, David Mahedy. A panel discussion will take place with all speakers following their individual presenta- tions.

Speaking at the launch of the semi- nar, BDO Simpson Xavier Managing Partner, Brian McGann explained “the event is part of BDO Get BACk Challenge programme to raise funds to increase participation in sport among children in addition to our commitment to contributing funds to Hospice cancer care in the Mid West. One of the elements of the BDO Get BACk Challenge is help in the area of coach education across all codes throughout the region. The event is organised based on a one to ten

principle. We felt if we could com- municate to 500 coaches and they passed some nugget of information to ten children then the effect of the seminar would be to benefit SOOO bi Coleone

He added “after three years of run- ning the BDO Get BACk Challenge we will have contributed a total of €500,000 to fund Hospice cancer care throughout the Mid West, in- cluding Cahercalla Hospice, and

various programmes for children in sporting disadvantaged areas. This year we were privileged to be joined by three time Tour de France win- ner Greg LeMond in our fundrais- ing efforts demonstrating the role sport plays in contributing to such Cr Nona

The event will be hosted in the new Thomond Park conference facility which has a capacity of 500 peo- ple. John Sweeney, Coordinator of

Clare Sports Partnership explained ‘Thomond Park will be a fitting ven- ue to host some of the leading coach- ing experts in Ireland for the second hosting of this event. We are delight- ed to welcome the managers of the current Heineken European Cup and All Ireland Hurling champions in ad- dition to the nutritional adviser to the successful Irish boxers at the Olym- pics. Professor Niall Moyna was one of the most talked about speakers at

our event last year with his hugely thought provoking presentation on attitudes to children in sport.

John Sweeney added “we under- took a review of last years event and identified the key information gaps that existed for coaches in the Mid West. With the support of the BDO Get BACk Challenge we are now in a position to provide a sustained programme of coach education and access to the leading thinkers in the areas of coaching, nutrition, sports motivation and team development. The region has never had access to such a high calibre of speakers and anyone with some level of interest in sport or coaching will benefit from AAO NOD N Toa

All proceeds from the event go to the BDO Get BACk Challenge sport- ing disadvantaged fund administered by the Local Sports Partnership. The event is organised in association with a range of event partners that include AIB, Bank of Ireland, Bloxham Stockbrokers, GECAS, Doonbeg Golf Club, Hegarty Metals, Kemmy Business School UL, Leahy & Part- ners Solicitors, Limerick Southside & Northside Regeneration Agency and Sweeney McGann Solicitors.

The event is strictly admission by pre booked ticket only. Bookings can be made through the Thomond Park box office on 061 421100. Tickets are on sale at €20 each or clubs can avail of the special club offer of six tickets for a €100.

Registration starts at 7pm with the first speaker at 7.30pm sharp. Last year’s event was a complete sell out so early booking 1s advisable.

WHATEVER Kilmurry Ibrickane can do with the big ball, Newmar- ket-on-Fergus can do with the small ball.

That was the message announced to the hurling world in Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon as the storied Blues rolled back the years to when they were the most feared combina- tion in Clare hurling to reach only their second county final in 27 years with a sparkling display every bit as good as what the men from the bar- ony of Ibrickane produced against Kilkee.

Newmarket were beaten two years ago in the final by neighbours Wolfe Tones, but now the title is theirs to plunder. This was the general con- sensus of supporters leaving head- quarters after the weekend’s semi-fi- nal programme.

While Clonlara and Crusheen played out a draw in a game that only really touched the heights of qual- ity fare in a hectic finish, the Blues turned in a command performance in beating St Joseph’s Doora-Bare- field by 1-20 to 3-7.

A seven-point differential, but truth told,this was a hammering as a very disappointing St Joseph’s side only made the final scoreline look respect- able when they closed out the game with goals in the 58th and 62nd min- utes of a very one-sided encounter.

“It’s great to be in a final,” said Newmarket-on-Fergus manager D1- armuid O’ Leary afterwards. O’ Leary, who assumed the management reins at Newmarket last year after a string

of under 21 successes, is now on the cusp of delivering a senior title to the most decorated club in Clare for the first time in nearly three decades.

Newmarket won the last of their 22 titles in 1981, but O’Leary, mind- ful of the club’s failure to deliver in the 2006 final and the quarter-final against Tulla last year was taking nothing for granted.

‘“There’s no medals for today,” he warned as the reflected on his side’s best display of they year.

Meanwhile, Newmarket will have to wait until next Saturday to know who their county final opponents will be, after Crusheen and Clonlara drew 1-10 apiece in Saturday’s open- ing semi-final.

“We’re still in it,’ said Crusheen manager Stephen Cunningham after his side came from five points adrift in the closing eight minutes to win another day out.

“With three minutes to go we should have gone on and won, but we let it slip,’ said Cunningham’s coun- terpart Jim Gully. “But when they got the goal we showed great character to come back to get the equaliser.”

If Newmarket play Crusheen in the final it will be a repeat of the 1974 decider, which the Blues won on a scoreline of 1-6 to 2-2.

A Clonlara/Newmarket final would be their first final match-up since the East Clare final of 1936 that doubled as a county semi-final.

The Blues won that day.

THE increased availability of co- caine and heroin across Clare is a major concern for gardai tackling the spread of drugs.

Gardai have voiced the concerns in the wake of what they describe as a significant seizure of heroin in Ennis last week. More than €5,000 worth of the drug was seized during the search of an apartment, as part of a major garda operation last Wednes- day night.

A 28-year-old man was questioned and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will decide if charges are to be brought.

Two weeks ago, a kilo of cannabis was seized during the search of a car on the outskirts of Ennis. It was part of an operation that also involved the search of a house in Ennis.

Gardai say that the availability of significant quantities of heroin in- dicate that there 1s a demand for it in Clare and they have pledged to

tackle this. The numbers of seizures of drugs in the county has increased significantly over the past few years. This is due to an increase in detec- tion rates, allied to the increased de- mand for drugs.

Gardai are concerned that the in- creased use of drugs is connected to violent incidents and crime such as eluted tN lone

“T am concerned about that. One would have to be concerned when people get addicted to drugs. They are desperate for money,” said Supt

John Scanlan.

Although cannabis remains the most popular drug in the county, gardai have noticed that cocaine, heroin and ecstacy are freely avail- able.

“It gets publicity on the back of a prominent death, but it is a continu- ous thing. Cannabis still tends to be the drug of choice. The problem with cannabis is that young people thing it is not addictive. This myth that can- nabis isn’t harmful has been blown out of the water,’ he added.

THE East Clare Chernobyl Chil- dren’s’ group has moved to ensure that all of the children they invited here for Christmas will be able to come, despite a risk that the Belarus- sian authorities will enforce a ban on visits.

The group have taken the route of inviting children as the private guests of families in Clare and so far, have not met with resistance from the au- thorities in Belarus.

“What we are doing is writing to the families of children, inviting them to come here as guests for Christ- mas and so far we have not come up against obstacles so we would be very optimistic that they are com-

ing,’ said group chairwoman, Geral- dine O’Driscoll.

A Belarussian woman who came her erepeatedly as a child is helping with interpretations and form-filling on the other end. The authorities in Belarus had said they were clamping down on the children being brought to Ireland for recuperation time by voluntary groups here.

Following a harrowing documen- tary several weeks ago, which in- cluded scenes of a small Belarussian boy being tied to a chair and having his tonsils taken out without any an- aesthetic, an online petition to the Minister for Foreign Affairs drew thousands of signatures, asking that he intercede with the Belarussian government to allow the children’s

visits to continue.

Everyone who signed the online pe- tition got a reply recently from Min- ister Michael Martin’s department, outlining what diplomatic efforts are being made to try to secure the Steines ihe

In the email, the ministers’ spokes- man said that a number of represen- tations have led to agreement that formal negotiations are to take place between the Irish and Belarussian Governments with regard to future visits by Belarussian children to Ire- land. The negotiations are expected to begin later this month, the spokes- man said.

“In addition, Ireland’s Ambassador to Belarus, based in Moscow, trav- elled to the Belarus capital of Minsk

on September 9 for meetings with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs in order to underline Ireland’s concern about the issue and our wish that any travel restrictions be lifted.

Since then, two officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs had a meeting with the Ministry for Hu- manitarian Affairs on September 30 to further discuss the issue.

“We hope to find a satisfactory conclusion to this issue in the near future, so that children from Belarus will be able to travel to Ireland in time for Christmas, and I can assure you Minister Martin will continue to ensure that every effort is made to achieve this outcome,’ the spokes- man said.

DOOLIN will quite literally be crawling with zombies this Hallow- een as local amateur dancers per- form one of the most famous music videos of all time.

North Clare locals of any age are being asked to take part in the largest live recreation of Michael Jackson’s Thriller ever undertaken.

On October 25 thousands, or possi- ble even millions, of people from all over the world will take part in the world largest Thrill the World event. At 7pm Irish time, in venues on every continent, people will record them-

selves dancing to thriller and stream the dancing live on the internet.

Doolin local, Liz Shannon of the Broadway Dancing School, will join Fiona Cranwell at the Micho Rus- sell Centre from 3pm to organise the dancers. The Doolin event is in aid of Cystic Fibrosis with all of the €10 entry fee going to the charity.

“I was involved in something like this last year in Dublin and Liz did something similar in Doolin. It’s great fun and the dance is so easy to learn,” said Fiona.

“It’s really a classic dance, there are videos all over YouTube of peo- ple breaking into the thriller dance,

whether they are in a prison or on a bus. It’s very funny.”

The event is open to all, but small children must be accompanied by a guardian. No dance experience what- soever is required.

“Liz 1S an expert in dance and has already broken down all of the moves that we need to learn. We will have a team there on the day to teach peo- ple from 3pm. We will teach every- one on the day – young or old, people who have loads of dance experience or people who have none.

‘People need to dress up in shabby cloths, we will put some make-up on then we are away in a hack. It will

be great craic. To be honest it really doesn’t matter at all how good you are at dancing, at the end of the day you are going to be a zombie.

“Both Liz and myself have raised money for cystic fibrosis before be- cause we both have people we know who are effected by it. We wanted the money raised to stay in Clare so it will all go the Children’s Light of Hope charity.

Anyone wishing to get involved can contact Fiona at ttwO8doolin@ gmail. com, ring Liz at the Broadway Dance School on 087-2615809 or www. thrilltheworld.com. Make up artists and photographers very welcome.

SATURDAY night’s Galway Card was an all sponsored gala fundrais- ing event in aid of the Clare Hurlers Support Group and all credit to the organisers on a most professionally presented programme of events.

One of the highlights of the night was the appearance of Irish Derby and and Champion Stakes hero Shel- bourne Aston who paraded prior to the feature event which was the Lev- el Pitch and Sleepwell Ltd AO graded apy

In this race the PJ Fahy-owned popular veteren Tyrur Lee (Brett Lee-Tyrur Dee) went to traps a warm order and he didn’t dissappoint as he stayed on dourley to defeat Swinford Mylo(T4) by a length and three parts in 31.43. The winner was headed to the opening bend by All Heart but he saved valuable ground by railing tightly and he set sail for home turn- ing down the back. Racing around the home turn Swinford Mylo began to close slightly but Tyrur Lee would not be denied as he won has first race as a father as he sired a litter of nine whelped by Tyrur Lisa the previous day.

In the A2 graded ninth contest the Johnny Maher of Kilmaley owned Clonfeigh Nikita showed great de- termination as she landed her fourth career success by three lengths over the always prominent Jackie Legs in 29.04. The winner was only a length down on Jackie Legs at the

Opening corner despite missing the break slightly. Racing past halfway the daughter of Honcho Classic and Clonmore Nikita launched her chal- lenge on the inside. Hitting the front rounding the third bend she stayed on gamely on the run home for vic- reas

There was a right touch landed in the A4 graded sixth contest over 525 yards as the Pat Curtin trained Spot The Man (Yeah Man-Own Clas- sic) who was backed from 6/4 to 2/5 came home five lengths clear of Clas- sical Moment (T3) in 29.02.

The Lawrence Meaney of Kilrush owned winner though had a little luck on his side at the opening bend where he collided with the runner up and Hard Shoulder (T4) but he managed to come off best after the loluteayey

Once he set sail for home down the back the money was always leaving the layers satchels as she strode home alone and land the touch in style and the Derby winning trainer was not finished yet as the Meaney clan were again this time it was Michael and Claire Meaney owned Ban Diamond completed a double for the kennel in the concluding A3 graded 525.

In this race Ban Diamond (Smok- ing Ban-Droopys Diamond) made just about all to defeat Ballaghboy Cool (T6) by three parts of a length in 29.11. The pair were both away well with the blue jacketed Ban Diamond railing tightly around the opening two bend s to lead by four

lengths passing halfway. Despite running wide all along the back straight though Ballaghboy Cool re- ally began to motor from the home turn but the line just came in time for Ban Diamond.

The fourth contest was an A5 grad- ed 525 and as the field raced to the Opening corner Zoies Joy (T6) led the way from Ler Nadal (T3) with Clune Hincho (T4) in third place. Rounding the second bend the John Fitzgerald of Kilrush owned Ler Nadal moved a clear second on the inside of Zoies Joy before sweeping to the front approaching the penulti- mate corner and the son of Barnane Bill and Black Shaw strode clear to defeat Cooldarragha (T2) by 5&1/2 lengths in 29.50.

The sixth was an A5 graded 525 in which the trap two runner Mine Magic showed fine early pace to lead by three lengths at the opening bend as the *’jolly’’ Montpelier (T6) found herself only fourth after a tardy Start.

Racing down the back Mine Magic led by four lengths from the Mrs Stella Flanagan of Ennisymon owned Dromoher Ferm who hails from a strong staying litter and the daughter of Spiral Nikita and Mythical Crack- er came wide up the straight to get up for a half length victory in 29.28.

The opening contest for A9 graders over the 525 yard trip resulted in a dead heat between the pace setting Mine Ruby (Tl) owned by Frank Browne of Quin and the Master John

McDonagh owned favourite Tyrone Sally (T2). Mine Ruby was smartly away and led to halfway from Ferry- side Snowey (T6) with Tyriorn Sally in third place. Still three length in front turning for home Mine Ruby tied up close home as Tyrorn Sally got up to share the spoils.

In the second contest for A7 grad- ed dogs the Jerry Maloney of Doo- ra owned Ballaghboy Crash (T6) showed a huge improvement in form as he made all the running to de- feat the reserve Easter Cottage (T5) by five and three quarter lengths in 29.44 to get off the mark at the third attempt.

The winner a son of Crash and Sues Beauty was away well as he outpaced the favourite Finnigans Local (T3) to the opening bend . Clear passing halfway he was never in any danger of defeat as Easter Cottage got the better of the battle for second spot.

The A3 graded third contest the Frank Casey of Newmarket on Fer- gus owned Stonehall Pride a son of Droopys Woods and O,Garney Mist came home nine lengths clear of his rivals in a time of 29.51.

The winner trailed the pace setting Mine Cash (T3) racing to the open- ing bend but with the benefit of the inside line he hit the front turning down the back. As Stonehall Pride straightened up to run down the back the was plenty of bunching behind which allow the leader a virtual solo from halfway.

On a great night for the Banner

County one of the most popular owners from the county tasted suc- cess in the A3 graded tenth contest when the PJ O’Halloran of Kilrush owned Scattery Vier1 (Droopys Vi- eri-Cranky Criss) came a second time to lead close home for a half length success over Kilscan Teddy (T3) in 29.50.

The winner led on the run up before he was joined and passed by Glen- gar Joe(T4) turning down the back. Rounding the third bend the leader checked slightly and this allowed Scattery Vieri to challenge again off the home turn and he stuck his neck out gamely up the straight to land the prize.

STEPHEN Cunningham cut a com- posed figure for much of this county semi-final — standing on the sideline there wasn’t much motion out of him, even if he must have been put through the whole gamut of emotions over the OB eeb telecon

There was nothing to worry about in the early exchanges because Crush- een were the better team, old hands at county semi-finals these days and when they led by 0-5 to O-1 as half- time closed in, Cunningham possibly reflected on a job being well done.

Then it all changed — the pen- alty could have put Crusheen out of reach, but when it was missed and Clonlara tacked on two points before half-time it was as if Cunningham and company sensed that the black and amber tide was growing.

“The reality is,” said Cunningham afterwards, “that when you get ahead like that in a championship game as we were in the first half and you don’t punish them, you suffer. That’s what happened us and when we didn’t go further ahead at half-time Clonlara were always going to come back at Saas

And when they started coming, Cunningham was powerless to do anything about it, save throw in substitutes to try and change things around and also hope that Clonlara’s high tide ran its course.

Didn’t look like happening though.

Crusheen slipped behind when Conlon goaled, then as the minutes passed, the differential started to grow as wide as five points. By the last ten minutes Cunningham would have been forgiven if he thought that after five wins in-a-row, Crusheen’s

season was crashing in around them.

He was still composed though, and gradually as the comeback started he became more animated. And when Paddy Meaney crashed home the goal that put Crusheen ahead for the first time in 28 minutes, he raced on

to the field punching the air. Whatever his counterpart, the ani- mated Jimmy Gully can do, Cun- ningham can also do. “Credit our lads,” he said drawing breath. “They dug back in there and got the goal and got a draw when with a few minutes

it looked as if they were gone. With a few minutes left we would have set- tled for this. Clonlara are a fine out- fit, they’re on a serious roll and are very unlucky not to have come out of here with a win. We have another day out got, that’s the way we’re looking at it,” he added.

Then it was time to draw more breath and reflect some more on a tumultuous few minutes. “Things revisit you at times,’ said Cunning- ham in reference to Paddy Meaney’s missed chance in the 55th minute when he kicked the ball inches wide of Ger O’Connell’s right hand post from a distance of no more than sev- SIUM L TROLS

“But this time we had the time to come again and get another chance at goal. That famous day against Tulla we got a chance, but after we didn’t take it we didn’t have the time to come again. It means we have an- other chance. We’re still in it. I keep saying it, but the fact we’re in it is great. We’re not gone.”

With that Cunningham was gone — back to the dressing room to be with his players. Talk them through it, steel them for another day, start preparing for that day.

It could have been very different.