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RESULTS are expected today from further lead analysis test carried out on the Ennis water supply.

The tests were carried out in old- er residential areas of Ennis; those houses built before the 1960s and would include homes in the Hermit- age and St Michael’s Villas areas . County Council Director of Serv- ices, David Timlin, said the council was currently engaged in a continu-

ous programme of lead testing.

Clean water taps have been pro- vided to residents of Marian Avenue, an area where the water supply was identified as most at risk from lead contamination.

Mr Timlin advised people living in affected areas to continue to take precautions when using water. He said the council was continuing to monitor lead levels in the water and that the level of testing had been ex- panded to other parts of Ennis.

“We would be asking people in those areas not to drink the water. The programme of continuous test- ing has been expanded to other, older areas of the town.”

Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council are advising people who stay or live in homes built be- fore the 1960s to flush their pipes as a precaution by running the cold water from the kitchen tap until the sink 1s full, before consuming water.

Even if homes have lead service

pipes, the water is considered safe for bathing, showering, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and clothes. Boiling is not appropriate to deal with lead exceedances. Lead is only picked up as water passes through pipes and household plumbing fittings and fix- tures that contain lead.

This advice applies particularly first thing in the morning or if the water has been unused in the pipes for longer than six hours. Consumers particularly at risk include children

under six, and pregnant women.

Elevated levels of lead were discov- ered in four areas around the county last week. The areas affected in En- nis were Connolly Villas and Marian Avenue, with Patrick Street in Clare- castle and parts of Sixmilebridge also affected.

There have been calls from local councilors for medical services to be provided for people, particularly old- er members of the community, living in the areas identified.

KILFENORA native, Lisa Connole, will shortly depart to Florida on a 6-month internship programme as part of the FAS Science Challenge Internship programme.

During this internship, Lisa will have the opportunity to research a project on the “Control of Plant produced VOCs in Low Mass Plant Chambers” at Dynamac Corporation at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The FAS Science Challenge In- ternship Programme provides for unique research opportunities for 42 graduates, postgraduates and ap- prentices in the areas of applied sci- ence and engineering. The initiative serves to enhance the skill sets of these individuals, strengthen link-

ages with world ranking institutions, broaden the research base in Ireland and nurture the future generation of leaders in industry.

SOLAN Gitar Tam seleas EcLbbelel OMAN Comme vba! FAS Science Challenge Internship programme, Rody Molloy, FAS Director General referred to such investments as vital to ensure that Ireland’s workforce is equipped to capitalise on labour market oppor- UDO B Cece

He said, “This initiative is instru- mental in anticipating labour market needs so that employers in the fields of science, engineering and technol- ogy are assured of engaging with a qualified workforce, trained to world class standards, with the added bo- nus of international experience.”

A GROUP whose aim is to integrate newcomers to Shannon has just re- grouped for the winter months.

Le Chéile na Sionna was set up last year and it has focused on welcom- ing all ethnic groups to the town. It was set up in the wake of high num- bers of foreign nationals moving to the town.

Many of them had little social con- tact and the group is geared towards ensuring social networks be formed between those people.

The group has members from a di- verse range of countries, including Mauritius, India, America, France, Germany, Philippines, Wales, Ni-

geria, Poland, England, Egypt, Neth- erlands and Peru.

Le Chéile na Sionna meets on the first Tuesday of every month, at Rineanna hall in Shannon, while it also holds weekend gatherings. Its membership has grown considerably since it was set up in March of last year. Chairperson and founder of the group, Trish Fallon-Barry is delight- ed with the feedback.

“We have almost 60 email ad- dresses on our database. The average attendance tends to be between 15 and 20; usually a mixture of regular faces and new ones,’ she said.

Some of the initial members have moved on, but have remained in con- tact with existing members of the

ea cele l oF “We have made new friends from many countries who have since left Shannon, but have enjoyed the so- cial gatherings and the friendships formed while living here,” she said.

Those who attend the meetings are regularly encouraged to contribute ideas, with a view to making events more enjoyable. Ms Fallon-Barry said many plans are afoot for future activities.

‘Plans for the future include design- ing a little invitation card which can easily be given to those in the town who may not have heard of us yet, but would be interested in joining in. We also hope to organise some enjoyable social outing this coming year, pos-

sibly to the Aran islands where we can soak up the ‘Irish culture’ exper1- ence!” she said.

A special party will be held on Tuesday, December 2 next, when members will be invited to bring their extended families and friends ~NCoyetee

“Last Christmas we had a wonder- ful night where we learned all about the various customs associated with St. Nicholas throughout the world. It’s wonderful to have people in Shannon from literally all over the globe!” she added.

“Through story, song, PowerPoint photos and chat, we have all enjoyed and learned a great deal about each other’s culture’s,’ she said.

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.

THE FIRST ever Clare Enterprise Week which runs until this Tuesday has helped highlight the wide range of supports available to local enter- eho

Speaking at the launch of the week’s activities, Mayor Madeleine Taylor-Quinn expressed hope that the Enterprise Week would become an annual event.

“In the current economic climate, it is important to promote the advice and support available to assist in set- ting up and developing a business, e1- ther new or established. Every effort must be made to promote entrepre- neurship and protect the future com- petitiveness of the local economy”, she said.

“Clare Enterprise Week has been developed as a mechanism to pro- mote entrepreneurship as an oppor- tunity to all sectors, levels and people in Clare — from schoolchildren to the

retired with a desire to do more; to showcase the supports available; to get entrepreneurs to speak honestly and openly about their experiences; to inspire and encourage potential entrepreneurs and to encourage in-

vestment in the county”.

The majority of the sessions fea- tured during the week included case studies and inputs from people in business.

The event featured training and in- formation sessions as well as work- shops on innovation and leadership, creative industries, internet market- ing, planning and environmental matters. There were also sessions on energy management, opportunities for women, HR and Employment Law, succession planning, technol- ogy transfer and schools’ enterprise programmes.

Participating bodies included the Community and Enterprise Direc- torate of Clare County Council, the County Development Board, En- terprise Ireland, Shannon Develop- ment, the County Enterprise Board, local chambers, Clare VEC as well as the enterprise support agencies.