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A DRINK driving case against an Ennis man has been dismissed after a solicitor claimed a “material flaw” existed in the State’s case against his etal m

Patrick Barrington (26), of Cloni- na, Cree, Kilrush, was charged with drink driving at Kilrush Road, En- nis, on February 17 last.

Mr Barrington contested the charge at Ennis District court last Thurs- day.

Garda Seamus Gleeson told the court he stopped the accused’s car, a black Lexus, because he noticed a large exhaust on the car.

After he stopped the car, Garda Gleeson said he noticed “strong smell of alcohol” from the accused’s breath. Garda Glesson said he first asked Mr Barrington to produce proof of the vehicle’s insurance.

Garda Gleeson said he also no- ticed that Mr Barrington’s eyes were glazed.

The court was told that analysis of a sample of breath produced by the defendant showed a concentration of 57 mgms of alcohol per 100 mls of lyesrlaee

Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett said that contrary to Garda Gleeson’s evidence, his client had insisted that

he had never been asked to pro- duce any documents when he was stopped.

Pointing to his client in the court- room, Mr Hassett said that Mr Bar- rington worked as a welder and as such his eyes often appeared glazed over.

“His red eyes are a result of his pro- fession. He looks like someone who is hungover in here, doesn’t he?” added Mr Hassett.

Mr Hassett said that the fact that Garda Francis Brennan, who was the member in charge at Ennis Garda Station on the night in question was unable to appear in court, amounted to a defect in the State’s case. “I re- serve the right to cross-examine him,” said the solicitor.

Judge Joseph Mangan dismissed the charge against Mr Barrington.

THE demise of the Progressive Dem- ocrats may not be a foregone conclu- sion according to party members in OE

West Clare’s Murt Collins, who stood for the party at last year’s lo- cal election, claims that the party could still be saved should there be a groundswell of support among the party’s estimated 4,000 grass-root members.

A meeting of the entire party will be scheduled in the coming weeks when the members will be asked to accept the recommendation of the four par- limentary party membersparty and wind up the party.

“Tt hasn’t been decided for sure that the party will be wound up at all, it’s not a foregone conclusion. The 4,000 members of the party have to be called together and we will have the final say. The leadership have pro- posed that party should be wound up

but there is nothing to say that that will be accepted,” said Mr Collins.

‘“T would love to see it kept going but I do think at this stage that the writing is on the wall. If there is any doubt go- ing into that meeting then we should wind things up and go with dignity.”

Mr Collins, who may prove to be the last person ever to stand for the PDs in Clare, believes that the party’s role in the economy will be it’s biggest efx. Teas

“It’s a sad occasion, I am very disap-

pointed. I was reared in Fianna Fail and I left it because I couldn’t stand the corruption that was going on,” he continued.

‘The PDs had some great ideas over the years – they changed the whole Fi- anna Fail thinking about the economy, in terms of lowering tax and creating employment. I think that will be the biggest legacy.

“People say that all this has come very suddenly, but in the last election all the small parties did badly. So this

wasn’t such a big surprise to me.”

Even if the party does keep going, Mr Collins says his association with politics is at an end. “If I got all the money in the country I wouldn’t stand again. Over the years I gave a huge service to the people of Kilrush and west Clare,” he said.

“When you give that commitment to an area, and then you put yourself for election and don’t get elected, you wouldn’t be in a big hurry to stand again I can tell you.”

KILALOE businessman and popular comedian, Brendan Grace, currently has his hands full with plans for a fundraiser for his favourite charity and for the opening of a restaurant in his bar.

Brendan will be joined by some other comedic and sporting friends when he hosts the inaugural Brendan Grace Golf Classic this Friday Sep- tember 26, at the East Clare Golf Sitley

The event will raising funds for the Bubble Gum Club, the children’s

charity of which he is a patron, and First Tee Ireland, a World Golf Foun- dation initiative that provides young people of all backgrounds the oppor- tunity to develop, through the game of golf, life enhancing qualities such as sportsmanship, honesty and integ- ulate

The Bubble Gum Club was set up in 1994 to look after children with life threatening illnesses and chil- dren in crisis. Since it’s inception 14 years ago, the Bubble Gum Club has looked after over 15,000 chil- dren. According to these children’s consultants, the trips and events or-

ganised by the Bubble Gum Club can add months and even years to the TE Cele NMEA LoKe

More than 150 golfers from around the country have entered and the winning team will be invited to join the Brendan Grace Classic in Florida in March 2009.

Starting with breakfast at the golf club, the event includes a full day of activity culminating in a ‘Bottler’ style banquet at Brendan Grace’s Bar in Killaloe. After the auction, which will include a VIP Tickets to Top Gear, a Four Ball at Tiger Wood’s home club, Isleworth Golf Club and a

round of golf with Christy O’Connor Jnr, the evening’s entertainment will oyelabaLetsE

To take part in the event, con- tact John Coyle at 086 8548787 / worldofgolf@ eircom.net

Meanwhile, the county council has granted planning permission for the conversion of a theatre in Brendan’s pub in Main Street to a restaurant.

But conditions attached to the per- mission include restricting the oper- ating hours of the restaurant to the hours of 6pm to lOpm Monday to Saturday and noon to 10pm on Sun- day.

AN ENNIS man who was caught drink driving while he was banned from the road has been disqualified from driving for six years.

Eddie Kirby (57) of Glenoir, St Senan’s Road, pleaded guilty to two counts of drink driving.

Ennis District Court heard last Thursday that Kirby was banned from driving in a Galway court on January 23, 2007. He was disquali- fied during one of the offences be- fore last week’s court.

Defending solicitor William Cahir told the court that his client under- stood that the Galway case was un- der appeal at the time.

“He accepts now the case wasn’t under appeal, but his belief (at the time) was the cases were under ap- peal,” said the solicitor.

He said he accepted that people who drove while disqualified had prison sentences imposed on occa- sions, but said the circumstances in this case were “unique”’.

‘He is somebody of a delicate men- tal disposition. He has made consid- erable strides and improvements,’ he Sr nLGe

“Mr Kirby’s traditional habit has always been that he would go to town and have two pints and return home. He had consumed alcohol earlier in the day,” he said.

Judge Joseph Mangan said, “That story about him not being aware about being disqualified is a cock- and-bull story.”

He imposed a three-month jail term and banned him from driving for Six years.

He fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.

THE role played by women in 19th century Clare, the groundbreaking archaeological excavations at Caher- connell Fort and the standing stones of County Clare will be among the subjects explored during a six-month series of lectures at Clare Museum.

According to Museum Curator John Rattigan, the aim of the Clare Archaeological and Historical Soci- ety’s Autumn/Winter lecture series is to promote the study of matters of archaeological and historical inter- est.

The series of lectures commences on October 13 when Graham Hull, director of TVAS and Dr Michelle Comber of NUI Galway will present a talk on the recent groundbreaking archaeological excavations at Caher- connell Cashel in north Clare

On November 10, Terri Shoos- mith explores how the 19th century ideal of women as the “Angel of the House” holds up when compared to reality using contemporary docu- ments. The final lecture of 2008 will be delivered on December 8 when

Tom Moloney presents a study of the Bronze Age monolith tradition and its landscape setting in Clare.

Dr Pat Nugent will discuss Ire- land’s best example of a traditional clan – The O’Hehir’s Of Ui Corma- ic/Drumcliffe on January 12. Clare County Council Field Monuments Advisor, Michael Lynch will exam- ine archaeological excavations on Horse Island on February 9 while the final lecture in the current series takes place on March 9 when Fr John Jones will examine how stamp col- lecting can enhance the study of his- co a’s

The Archaeological and Historical Society is inviting members of the public to join the organisation. So- ciety secretary Edel Greene says the membership drive is aimed not only at encouraging new members to join the society, but also to encourage former members to rejoin. Lectures are held monthly from October to March and day trips to historical sites in Clare and beyond are conducted from April to September. Member- ship forms are available from Clare Museum, Arthur’s Row, Ennis.

WORKERS from a computer manu- facturing company in Shannon have gone all out to lend a hand in the community.

More than 20 staff from Intel left their desks last week and spent an afternoon helping out at Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire in Newmarket- on-Fergus last Wednesday.

They spent their time painting, power washing and gardening at the school.

Their efforts were much appreci- ated by school management and the parents’ council, who had previously undertaken this task.

The initiative was undertaken as part of an innovative Intel volun- teer programme, in which staff go out and assist in various community projects.

The school motto, “Each one work- ing for the good of all’, was in evi- dence as the volunteers worked hard in the sunshine throughout the after- noon.

Principal Ann McMahon thanked co-ordinators Hugh McGrath and Pat Collins and parents Dan Feekes and Stevan Dragas for organising the volunteers.

He said that their decision to under- take such a huge project would give a great lift to all at the school and demonstrated a sense of community spirit which was all too seldom seen UOM-VIM-RomOMCCrOy LUO BLINOF

Chairperson Mike Willis com- mended everyone for their efforts at the school and also thanked Flan O”’

Neill from Shannon, who donated power washers for use on the day.

said the bench warrant had been is- sued almost five years ago, when his A JUDGE has asked why it has taken client was living in Dublin. the State almost five years to execute “It relates to damage to an apart-

a bench warrant for an Ennis man ac- cused of an offence in Dublin.

The query was made by Judge Joseph Mangan, in the case of Liam Griffin (25), of Lisadell, © Cusack Road, Ennis. He was charged with criminal damage in Dublin a number of years ago.

Garda Stephen Dunne told Ennis District Court on Friday that he ar-

ment in which he was the main ten- ant. He fixed it and he thought _ that was the end of it,’ he said.

Judge Joseph Mangan asked why it has taken so long to execute the bench warrant and Inspector John Galvin said he did not know.

He remanded the accused on. bail, on his own bond of €1, to appear again in court in

rested Griffin that morning, on foot Dublin later this week. of a bench warrant issued at Dublin District Court on January 19, 2004.

Defending solicitor John Casey

A PROLIFERATION of develop- ments in Shannon has led to prob- lematic flooding in various parts of the town.

That’s according to the mayor of the town, Councillor Gerry Flynn (Ind).

He made the claim as a public meeting on flooding in Shannon took place last night. The meeting was or- ganised by Green Party members in the town in the wake of bad flood- ing in parts of the town in recent TneKey ela etse

“We have had several meetings in relation to the flooding and plans are afoot to alleviate the problem,” said Councilor Flynn.

“When there is any quantity of rain at all in the town, some people in Ballycasey are unable to flush their toilets and that’s a new estate. Due to the proliferation of developments in NJT-NIDeLO) PMO SLemECD AI Ko0O BLOM Me-Le Core LE TKe and there are huge concerns.

‘2010 is the time penciled in for a revamp of the system in the town and upgrade the system,’ he added.

“There is an acknowledgment by officials in Clare County Council that we do have a problem. We need adequate funding to be made avail- able and prioritise it,’ added Cllr

aan

According to Damon and Karen Wise of the Green Party in Shannon, the town is unprepared for major flooding, due to climate change and storm surges.

“According to the Shannon town maps and from the Clare County Council, the flood defences on the Shannon Estuary banks are supposed to be currently at 2.75 metres high,” they said in a statement.

“We, the people in Shannon expect to know who has the plan for Shan- non, in Shannon, who the people re- sponsible are, and who is responsible for keeping it available.

‘Most of Shannon is on reclaimed land, in and around two metres above sea level, with some storm surges expected to reach six metres within just a few decades. According to the latest news, arctic ice is melt- ing even faster than before, and some scientists fear the Arctic Sea could be completely free of ice in summer by 2013,” added the statement.

“Results of the flooding could mean Sewers would overflow, fecal matter from human and animal would con- taminate the water supply and soil, not to mention property damage, and thus an economical and environmen- tal disaster, and outbreak of water- borne diseases,’ they added.

TWO YOUNG Shannon men will rub shoulders with one of the all- time greats in long-distance running in the world, this weekend.

Darren O’Connell and Alan Mullin will travel to Berlin, where they will run their ninth marathon in as many months on Sunday, as part of a 12- marathons challenge.

Along with taking another step to- wards history, the two will line out in a field that includes the prolific Ethiopian marathon runner Haile Gebreselassie.

After Berlin, their task will be completed with runs in Dublin and New York while the feat will come to a dramatic conclusion in Lisbon in December.

The two decided to undertake the

challenge in aid of cystic fibrosis, in memory of their friend Earl Duff who died from the disease in 1996, at the age of just 21.

Both men have overcome pains and aches to run the first eight mara- thons, but the next four races will be particularly tough.

“Our last marathon in Longford went very well. We both finished in three hours 57 minutes which for me was the best time of the year so far. The marathon before that, in the Swiss Alps, was an extremely tough race with the route going over two 2,500 metre mountains. It took me five hours 53 minutes and Alan six hours 13 minutes to complete but it was a great experience and definitely worth the effort,’ said Darren.

“I definitely feel the marathons are taking a bit of a toll on the legs.

Alan and I calculated that between the eight marathons and the train- ing we have probably run somewhere between 1,200 and 1,300 miles this year so far.

‘Alan is training very hard at the moment as he is hoping to run a good time in Berlin and 1s looking to run a personal best there.

‘“T’ve been slacking off a bit on the training lately as I will be playing in a county hurling final in the next cou- ple of weeks so I’m trying to keep the legs fresh. Once the hurling is over I would hope to up the training again and try to run a personal best in one of the remaining marathons,’ added DEE

The fundraising has been going well and a number of quizzes will take place over the coming weeks, both in Shannon and in Dublin

(where Alan is based), along with churchgate collections and bag pack- ing. They are optimistic that they can raise £20,000 by the end of the chal- lenge.

“We are both still optimistic that we will complete the 12 marathons. At this stage most of the hard work is done and barring injuries we should have no problem finishing the 12. At this stage we actually look forward to doing them. We’re both really look- ing forward to Berlin where there will be 40,000 competing including the world record holder Haile Ge- breselassie so that should be a great experience,’ he added.

They are appealing to people to support them in their efforts. Spon- sorship cards are available and people can still donate online at www.12marathons.org.

DR Noel Cawley was last week ap- pointed as the new Chairman of Teagasc by the Minister for Agricul- ture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD. Cawley will take over the reins of the Teagasc from Dr Tom O’Dwyer, who has completed two five year terms as chairman.

Cawley was Chief Executive of the Irish Dairy Board until 2006. He also served as Chairman of the Irish Horse Board, and more recently chaired the Government-established Seafood Strategy Review and Imple-

mentation Group.

A native of Sligo, he also served as chairman of the Farmers’ Charter Monitoring Group set up by the De- partment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and is a Director of One 51 PLC.

“Dr O’Dwyer leaves Teagasc hav- ing set out a clear structure and mis- sion for the organisation for the years ahead most recently with the initia- tion of the Teagasc Research Vision programme and with the launch of the Teagasc Foresight report which identifies the research, innovation and support priorities for the next

quarter century for Ireland’s agri- food sector,” said Minister Smith.

In addition to the appointment of a new chairman, Minister Smith has appointed two other new members to the Teagasc Authority. Padraig Gibbons from Bullaun, Mayneen in County Mayo has been appointed and will be the ICOS nominee on the Teagasc board and Frank O’ Mahony from Ballyorban, Monkstown in County Cork has also been appoint- ed for a five year term to the Teagasc aUULeNOuIAYs

The appointments were welcomed by Clare TD, Tony Killeen. “Dr

Cawley’s wealth of experience will ensure that the excellent work car- ried out by Dr. O’ Dwyer in develop- ing the organisation will be main- tained,’ he said.

“I have every confidence that Dr Cawley will help to drive the devel- Opment of one our most important sectors during the challenging times ahead.’

The Junior Agriculture Munister paid tribute to the outgoing Chair- man saying that he leaves Teagasc having set out a clear structure and mission for the organisation for the years ahead.