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A POLISH man has been charged in connection with the discovery of a haul of €30,000 worth of cannabis near Sixmilebridge earlier this year.

Dariusz Ziontkowski (24), of Brack- voan, Bruff, County Limerick, is ac- cused of possession of cannabis and possession for the purpose of sale or supply, at Cloontra, Sixmilebridge, last February. |

Garda Sean O Murcht told Shan- non District Court last Thursday that he arrested the accused the previous day. He applied to the court to re- mand the accused in custody.

Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett applied for bail for his client. Howev- er the garda said there were a number of reasons for the application to re- mand the defendant in custody.

These included the seriousness of the charges and that there may be a flight risk. He said the accused is a Polish national with a temporary ad- dress in Bruff.

“These charges follow a search of a property last February. The accused fled to Poland three days after the incident and only returned in recent weeks,” he said.

Garda O Murchu said the quantity of the drugs discovered was two-and- a-half kilos, with an estimated value of €30,000.

However, Mr Hassett said his client has lived in Ireland for the past four years and has no previous convic- tions.

‘He can give his passport to the State and is prepared to sign on three times a day. He is prepared to have a cash surety brought before the court,” said Mr Hassett.

Judge Joseph Mangan then asked the garda did he observe the drugs being found on the premises and the garda said he had. The judge refused bail and remanded the accused in custody to appear again in court later this month.

Asked to clarify his reasons for re- fusing bail, he said, “Based on the gravity of the charges and the evi- dence given to the effect the accused was caught red-handed, caught in the act, and the reasonable apprehension of the State that the accused will not avbuemey one

IT was gold, silver and bronze for west Clare in this year’s Tidy Towns competition as the west of the county proved it was most definitely awake when it came to showing what is best about its towns and villages.

Kilrush was awarded a gold medal award in Category D of the National Tidy Towns Competition for the sec- ond year running.

The west Clare capital led the way by scoring 297 marks – just six marks behind the national overall winner. Kilrush has long since been progressing through the competition having won a bronze medal in Cat- egory D of the Tidy Towns Compe- tition in 2003 and 2004 and a silver medal in the same category in 2005 and 2006.

“Retaining the gold medal is a mas- sive achievement for everybody in- volved,’ said Mayor of Kilrush Cllr Liam O’Looney (FF).

He added that the award marks the

culmination of months of hard work by local volunteers and members of the Kilrush Tidy Town’s Committee to improve the appearance of Kil- Tatts ep

According to Murt Collins, Chair- person of the Kilrush Tidy Towns Committee, “The key to our progress in the Tidy Towns scheme has been the partnership approach that we adopted some years ago. There is a broad range of groups and organi- sations now involved in promoting and enhancing the appearance of the town including the local Tidy Towns Committee, FAS schemes, outdoor and clerical staff from Kilrush Town Council, the local business sector, and the community of Kilrush.”

He also paid tribute to Queally’s Supermarket Kilrush.

In Ballynacally the Tidy Town’s Committee were celebrating silver.

The village was third in Clare, after Ennis and Kilrush and got silver in Category B.

Chairman of the committee, John

Maher, described the silver medal win in the national competition as “an astounding result for Ballyna- cally”.

“We are up 43 marks in two years,’ he said paying tribute to all the vol- unteers, schools, residents, local business, clubs and FAS.

“It is very much a team effort. It takes a lot of long winter night plot- ting and planning to achieve this,” he said.

The seaside town of Kilkee secured a bronze medal in Category C.

The committee’s hard work paid off with an extra 15 marks this year, that is 29 extra marks in the last two years.

The committee under the chairper- sonship of Cllr Lilly Marrinan-Sul- livan and Secretary Pauline Barry paid tribute to the residents for the work on their homes, and the busi- nesses, schools, town and county council workers, different groups and organisations and FAS for their support.

While Lissycasey may have been new to the competition it started its career with the tidy towns on a high by securing the best new entry AMEN EOR

Fine Gael TD Pat Breen paid trib- ute to all of those that took part in the Tidy Towns competition.

“The work of Tidy Towns requires a dedicated group of volunteers in our communities; these people are the unsung heroes/heroines of our various parishes without whom we would not have achieved this suc- cess,” he said.

IT started off as a bit of friendly ban- ter between old friends yet ten years on the rivalry remains as keen as oe

Avenue Ramblers and the Chelsea Supporter’s club have been playing for the Marian Avenue Cup for al- most a decade.

The rivalry has always been a friendly one and the game has al- ways been about highlighting the good work of a particular charity or cause. The results have swayed back and forth and each side has enjoyed their share of the bragging rights.

The latest chapter unfolds in the Fair Green in October when the sides

meet to mark the fixture’s tenth anni- versary. The winners will play Moro- ney’s Bar in the final for the cup.

Jacko McMahon lives in Marian Avenue and has been involved with the fixture from the start, donning the jersey of Avenue Ramblers.

He’s already on the lookout for play- ers who have been involved down the years and is calling on them to lace up their boots again.

“There are a lot of guys out there that would have played in the last ten years. I’ll be hoping to get them out on the pitch again,’ explained Jacko.

The game may have originated as a kick-around between friends, but aligned to the fun of competition, is a more serious side. Over the years,

the game has raised money for a wide variety of charity groups and organisations, both local and nation- al, including Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and local adult education projects.

“Tt sort of started off like that,’ ex- plained Jacko. ““We wanted to raise a bit of money for charity. Over the years we’ve raised a bit for different groups. The lads have always been generous about it. The game is al- ways a bit of craic, but its good there has been that part to it too.”

Side by side with Jacko on the foot- ball and the fundraising front, has been Jim McMahon. Jim, like Jacko has been involved with the fixture from the start, but on the pitch, Jim

wears the blue of the Chelsea Sup- porters Club.

Jim recently took on the Reeks Challenge – climbing ten peaks of the McGillycuddy Reeks in Kerry – to raise money for St Luke’s Hospi- tal, Dublin. As part of the fundrais- ing drive, Avenue Ramblers took on the Chelsea Supporters Club. It was close that day with the Ramblers just edging it on penalties. Both sides are already looking forward to the re- match.

THE government should use the budget to intervene in the ailing housing market, according to a Clare property expert.

Philip O’Reilly, Managing Direc- tor of Philip O’Reilly Property Plus, says that while any upswing re- mains largely dependent on market conditions, certain areas, including the large amount of vacant hous- ing stock, must be addressed in the forthcoming Budget.

Mr O’Reilly says financial incen- tives should be provided to first time buyers to restore confidence in a housing market where values have fallen. “One area they should be looking at and doing something about is encouraging first time buy- ers to purchase unoccupied housing stock. This could bring a lot of new entrants into the market’, he said.

“If you take any house that costs €300,000, included in that is VAT of €39,000. Why not introduce a

scheme whereby €10,000 of that fig- ure would be made available to first time buyers. It could be limited to a certain time period, say for people who sign up for it before June 1”’.

Any interference on a micro level must also be balanced against mar- ket conditions and other macro-level events, said Mr O’Reilly.

“At one level, with the housing market under pressure, there are cer- tain things that need to take place at a microeconomic level, because if something isn’t done, it could have substantial implications for employ- ment and other areas”.

‘There is a limit to what kind of in- terference could take place that would have a positive impact on the hous- ing market. There are a lot of other forces at work, the credit crunch, the difficulties faced by the building trade. We shouldn’t be talking about €5,000 or lower figures, it has to be €10,000”, said Mr. O’Reilly.

A COURT has heard allegations that a young woman tried to assault a bouncer during a late night incident in Ennis.

However, the allegation against C1- ara Mahony was disputed in court and the case was adjourned for fur- ther evidence to be presented.

Mahony (22), of Waterpark Heights, Drumbiggle, Ennis, was accused of public order offences at Abbey Street, Ennis, on September 7 last.

Inspector Michael Gallagher told Ennis District Court that gardai ob- served her attempting to hit a bounc- er at 2.35am.

The court was told that she was convicted of assaulting a garda in Kilkenny three years ago, for which 150 hours community service was handed down. She was also convict- ed of a public order offence, on that CF Kee

Defending solicitor Siobhan Mc- Mahon said the previous convictions all related to one incident, when the

defendant was aged 18.

“She is now 22. She has not come to the notice of gardai since that time,” she said.

She said the accused was in a night- Clem sls Welo mole seu (NOM ss RSCORWETS approached by a gentleman.

“The bouncers came and removed the accused and her boyfriend and not the other gentleman,” said the solicitor.

“She was trying to remove her boy- friend from the area. She was trying to prevent an incident,” she added.

Judge Joseph Mangan said, “I’ve been told by the inspector she tried to assault a bouncer. Does she accept or not she tried to assault a bouncer?”

Ms McMahon said her client did not accept that allegation.

Inspector Gallagher then told the court that the bouncers did not make a complaint about the incident. The case was adjourned for further evi- dence to be presented.

The accused was remanded on continuing bail to re-appear in court jater.q ip esleyniaee

KILRUSH’S longest serving public representative has called for the res- ignation of the CEO of Aer Lingus.

Clir Jack Fennel (Ind) was back in the council chamber on Thursday – quiet literally fighting fit after a short illness.

The father of Kilrush Town Coun- cil had one opponent in mind – Der- mott Mannion.

“T thought we would never reach this day again,’ he told councillors at Thursday night’s monthly meeting, referring to the current recession.

““T know two families at the moment

whose members are working in Lon- don, and come home every weekend. The only way they have back into Shannon is at 12 midnight on Friday night,” he said.

“You have to go to Cork on Monday to leave Ireland for London,” added Cllr Fennell.

The Independent councillor said that the afternoon flight from Lon- don into Shannon was no good to workers as they could not work a full day and get that flight.

‘“T would like to see them fly out on Monday morning from Shannon and back in early Friday evening to see eles Dam e-NOe ND Blon ie

The Independent town councillor criticised Aer Lingus’s decision to move the Shannon-Heathrow slots to Belfast for what it described as com- mercial reasons.

“It is in Belfast now and at the stage where it is offering free flights,” he HOE

“T call on Mr Mannion to resign for coming out with a statement that it was a commercial move,’ he said.

Cllr Fennel told the meeting that the economy in the county had been damaged significantly, and a lot of non-national workers that had lived in Kilrush had now gone to London to find work in the build up to the

2012 Olympics.

“If you look in the shop windows you will see how many apartments are for rent,” he said.

He proposed a motion that Kilrush Town Council call on the Miunis- ter for State Tony Killeen (FF) and Deputy Timmy Dooley (FF) to put a motion to the Dail that would recall at least two daily flights from “our national airline, Aer Lingus to Shan- non Airport”.

He also asked that this motion be sent to the other local authorities in the county for support.

The motion was supported unani- mously.

THE Clare Area branch of Alcohol- ics Anonymous (AA) is holding the 19th annual Clare Area Convention at the Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ennis from October 3 to 5.

The primary aim of Alcoholics Anonymous is to help members, through mutual support, to achieve and maintain sobriety, and to carry our message to the still suffering al- coholic.

SRoYer:hiapasleyccmssr-vimmAycompesveleleys meester and women worldwide, through the

help of the unique fellowship of Al- coholics Anonymous are demon- strating by their personal example that alcoholism as an illness can be treated.

AA members share their experi- ence with anyone seeking help witha drinking problem; they give person- to-person service or “sponsorship” to the alcoholic coming to AA from any source.

The AA Twelve Steps programme is the suggested format for recovery from alcoholism.

It offers the chance to develop a

satisfying life without alcohol. This programme is discussed at AA group meetings. Open speaker meetings are open to alcoholics and non-alco- holics.

At speaker meetings, AA members “tell their stories”. They describe their experiences with alcohol, how they came to AA, and how their lives have changed as a result of Alcohol- ics Anonymous.

Open discussion meetings are where one member speaks briefly about his or her drinking experience, and then leads a discussion on AA recovery or

any drinking-related problem any- one brings up. Closed meetings are for AAs or anyone who may have a drinking problem.

Closed discussion meetings are conducted just as open discussions are, but for alcoholics or prospective AAs only. Step meetings involve dis- cussion of one of the Twelve Steps.

The organisation does not keep membership records or release in- formation on members but it is esti- mated that there are over 750 groups and more that 13,000 members in Ireland, north and south.

JAMES Hanrahan’s return to his na- tive club this year has had a profound effect on the footballing fortunes of St Joseph’s. Last year, uncertainites over the senior management struc- ture left their footballers with little preparation approaching the champ1- onship but his switch from Eire Og, after a successful stint both on and

off the field, has given St Joseph’s much needed guidance this year.

The emphasis at senior level was on youth and bringing through the un- doubted underage talent that exists in Wome bee

Ten of that senior side were eligi- ble for Saturday’s replay against the current holders Kilmurry Ibrickane and it was that added experience and balance that Hanrahan felt eventual

won the club it’s first Under 21 cham- pionship.

“I thought we played well and de- served it on the day. We played some excellent football.

“We probably knew coming in that fellas were disappointed from the last day and I don’t think it was that we didn’t win the game the last day, I think they were more disappointed that we didn’t play well so we turned

that around today.

“We moved the ball a little bit quicker. A lot of fellas have played Under 21 games when we haven’t played well whereas in the senior, we have been playing at a different pace so I think we brought that pace into the game tonight and I think that was the difference.”

Hunger was a key factor in Satur- day’s victory. An appetite that Han-

rahan explains has accumulated from being on the losing side too many times at underage level

“We have had so much heartbreak in the last few years losing underage finals so maybe if they had won a couple of those they would have been as hungry as they were out there to- day but you could see that they want- ed to win and that was the difference between the teams.”

A MOTORIST who was under the influence of alcohol panicked when he saw a garda patrol car and hit it, a court has heard.

Gary O’Donnell (20), of Cross- roads, Thomondgate, Limerick, pleaded guilty to a number of mo- toring offences, including dangerous driving and drink driving, in Shan- non, at 3am on May 12 last.

Inspector John Galvin told Shannon District Court that gardai followed a car from Limerick and it drove dan- gerously through a roundabout at Tullyglass, Shannon, before striking an unmarked garda patrol car.

He said the driver was arrested and analysis of a specimen of breath pro- vided showed a reading of 55 mgms of alcohol per 1OOmls of breath.

O’Donnell’s solicitor said her cli- ent had been in town on the night in

question and “for no particular rea- son, he drove the car. When he saw the garda van he panicked. It was a case of blind panic.

‘He was under the influence of al- cohol.”

She said that only minor damage had been done to the patrol car. “It was a once-off thing. He will not be before the court again,” she said.

Judge Joseph Mangan disquali- fied O’Donnell from driving for two years and fined him €600.

He adjourned the case for payment of compensation of €953.62 and im- posed several bail conditions.

These included that the accused abide by a curfew, between 11pm and 6am; report to a garda station four times a week; abstain from alcohol and stay out of licensed premises.

He ordered that a probation report be carried out in advance of the next court hearing.

THEY are going to have a lot to shout about in Kilkishen next weekend.

The third annual Clare Shout Festi- val takes place over three days in the east Clare village from Friday next September 19 to Sunday September 21.

While the highlight of the festival will be the Clare Shout Competi- tion on Saturday night, a packed programme has been organised for the whole weekend, starting with a cheese and wine reception in the lo- cal GAA clubhouse on Friday night at 7.30 pm.

The opening lecture will be de- livered by Seamus MacMathuna of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann on ‘Clare Heroes of the Bow and the Caman’, a tribute in song, in music

and in words to the hurlers and mu- sicians of the Banner County. That takes place at 8.30 pm on Friday in the local GAA clubhouse.

The main event of the weekend will, of course, be the Clare Shout Competition on Saturday night in the village street. This year there will also be a competition for those under 16 and that takes place on Sunday be- tween 2 and 6 pm in the local GAA nto ee

Other events of the weekend will in- clude traditional music and singing, a spectacular fireworks display, photo competition, puppet show, novelty races for children and for their par- ents, a dog show, magician, fortune teller, hurling skills competition, turf packing, clothes line dash, parade led by Tulla Pipers’ Band, face paint- ing, welly throwing, snail racing and

much more.

The history of the Clare shout is shrouded in mystery but is believed to date back to pre-Celtic times in Ireland. Older people in parts of Clare recall watching people of an even older generaton facing the set- ting sun on fine autumn evenings while giving vent to a double-echo shout. This has led to the theory that the Clare shout may have been a form of autumnal worship in pagan times.

The shout is unique to Clare. It was a rallying cry that echoed around Clontarf when Brian Boru led the clans of Dal gCais into battle against the Danes on Good Friday 1014.

It was also raised as a war cry by the men of Clare’s Dragoons at Fon- tenoy and on other European battle fields. In later years it greeted the great Liberator Daniel O’Connell

when the people of Clare elected him as the first Catholic member of the British House of Commons.

The Clare shout was a particular favourite of the former President and Taoiseach Eamonn de Valera, TD for Clare for over 40 years, who was fas- cinatd by its unique double echo.

The famous shout got a great re- vival as Clare hurling shot to the top once again in the mid-nineties.