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A MAN who did not remember driving without insurance because he was under the influence of drugs could have killed someone, a judge remarked yesterday.

Gerard Delaney (22), of Inis Ealga, Shannon, was stopped by gardai driving without insurance, twice – at Inis Ealga Shannon on April 16, 2007 and at Finian Park, Shannon, on May 25, 2007.

He also pleaded guilty to assault- ing Adrian Gilligan, at Supermac’s restaurant, Shannon, in the early hours of March 18, 2007.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told En- nis District Court yesterday that Mr Gilligan was headbutted into the side of the head by the accused. He sustained a wound over the fore- head, as a result. He said it appeared that the taxi driver had got caught in the cross-fire of an incident.

Defending solicitor Caitriona Car-

mody said her client’s problems stemmed from a Serious addiction to drugs and said he hailed from a very difficult background.

‘At times he does things he can’t remember why he did them. He’s on a methadone programme at the mo- ment. He’s determined to deal with these problems,” she said.

Referring to the road traffic mat- ters, she said he did not remember the incidents mainly because of his problem with drugs.

Judge Leo Malone remarked, “You are saying he doesn’t remember the road traffic offences because he was under the influence of drugs. Sure he could have killed somebody.”

He imposed a three-month sen- tence for the assault, and suspended it on condition that Delaney pay €1,000 compensation to the injured party. He imposed fines totalling €1,500 for the motoring offences and fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.

“AT LAHINCH the sea shines like a jewel”. So the old song goes and on a nice clear day in the Summer – when the throngs mill from prom to strand and the rich salt air fills the lungs – there can be few better places in the eyulee

An ancient outpost on the great Atlantic frontier, Lahinch has a long and proud history. From ancient leg- ends of a secret submerged island in Liscannor Bay, to the birth of Irish golf and then – more recently – Irish surfing, the village has captured the imagination of all those who came.

And now, despite it’s increased size, Lahinch remains very much a village. Not a simple community, bound together with a single shared history and common values, Lahinch is a multifaceted community.

A modern melting pot, where local business people and farmers share bar counters happily with golfer, surfers and artists. Each engaged in the happy pursuit of living life in a

west Clare paradise.

Traditional businesses such as The Corner Stone, Leyden Auctioners, Kennedy’s Centra, Kenny’s Wol- len Mills, the Village Inn, Vaughan Lodge and Fitzgeralds bar provide the backbone of the town’s commer- cial success while new ventures such as the Lahinch Surf school and shop, the Green Room, Ocean Scene and Lahinch Seaworld cater for a new clientele.

When Lahinch is mentioned around the world it is most often spoke of in golfing circles. Ever since 1892, when the Black Watch Regiment dis- covered a secret paradise in the dunes and hills on the Liscannor Road, the village has attracted scores of golfers – happy to judge their skills against the onshore breeze and rough.

Lahinch’s reputation as an inter- national class golfing destination 1s underlined each year by the South of Ireland championships which re- mains one of the premier events on the Irish golfing calendar.

First shaped by Old Tom Morris

and then redesigned by the world famous Alister MacKenzie, the St Andrew’s of Ireland 1s a true jewel in WeTomeruehate

Yet of late, the word Lahinch has gained repute as the home of Irish surfing. While surfing has been prac- ticed in Lahinch for decades, it is just in the last 5 years that it has captured the imagination of the masses.

So these days, a typical Lahinch afternoon in July or August will un- doubtedly include dozens of surfers, each taking their first braze steps (hopefully) into the world of surfing.

And like all of Lahinch’s many communities, the surfers strive to be the best they can for their village. This led the villages surfers to win a place in the Guinness Book of world Records back in 2006 and again a year later for the most surfers ever to surf a single wave.

Proof once more, if it was needed, that the village of Lahinch captures the imaginations of all who visit – leaving the cleansed, relaxed and above all else inspired.

FLAGMOUNT youngsters have been creating a splash for almost 30 years and they are all set to do it again this year.

The annual water safety classes at Flagmount Pier have taught hun- dreds of youngsters to swim over the years and dozens have learned skills that have saved lives.

Local secretary of the Water Safety Association, Kathleen McNamara, said that she herself first took the plunge in the lake.

“It’s where I learned to swim and it’s a great place to learn. People who learn in the lake are stronger swim- mers in the long run, I believe,” said Kathleen.

For two weeks every year instruc- tors give basic swimming lessons as well as taking experienced swim- mers through rescue and life-saving ROA SOLUN Kee

Children as young as five come along to the classes, which are run in half-hour slots every day.

Older people are also welcome and many of Clare’s qualified lifesavers

have got their stripes at the annual Flagmount water safety course.

More than 60 people signed on for last week’s course with instructor, Michael Donnellan and this week, Lorraine Tracey is the woman in charge.

There is a fee, but it is at a reason- able price to encourage as many peo- ple as possible to learn to swim.

‘We want people to be able to enjoy the water safely and the best way for them to do that is to have lessons and advice on staying safe,” said Kath- leen.

“It’s a great thing to have a facility like this in an area. You need these facilities in rural communities,’ said Kathleen.

The classes are open to everyone. Anyone who would like to join can still do so, just turn up at the pier be- fore the 10am off and sign on.

A WORLD title in fly fishing has been landed by an east Clare angler.

Ruari Costello (31) from Scariff has been fishing since he was just five years old and years of practice on the lakeshores of Clare has now Oem) ee

Ruari took the world Salt Water Distance Championship with a cast

of 41 meters recently.

He won the title, one of two which were up for grabs, at the CLA Game Fair in Blenheim Palace in Oxford.

The CLA Game Fair is one of the world’s original, largest and most prestigious countryside exhibition. The fair celebrated its 50th anniver- sary this year at Blenheim Palace.

Now a very capable May Fly fish- erman, Ruari started fishing in the

lakes of Clare at his father’s knee and has been hooked on the hobby ever since.

‘“T’ve been fishing since I was five but I’ve only been involved in com- petition in the last few years”, said NUE ee

Ruari is being sponsored for his equipment and his travel by Scot- tish-based tackle company, Carron Jetstream. He is part of a team of an-

glers sponsored by the company, the others all being Scottish.

“We came together by accident re- ally. They saw me casting at a game fair in England four years ago and the following year, they asked me to join the team.”

Since then, Ruari, who is also a member of Mountshannon Angling club has travelled extensively to com- pete and has cast in three competi-

tions in San Francisco, in Norway, Scotland, England and he is hoping that he and the team will be able to travel to Japan in October to com- pete there. Closer to home, Ruari has a boat on Lough Derg, which 1s his favourite place for fishing in Clare.

He says that the lake water has im- proved and the fishing “is very good. The real problem is the weather now – that’s just rotten.”

A NUMBER of newly formed com- munity groups are likely to have a large say in the outcome of next year’s local elections, with cam- paigns starting in Ennistymon and OTM em dN icrel.e

Tonight will see the first official committee meeting of the Ennisty- mon District Community Organisa- tion (EDCO), which has attracted more than 400 people to three pub- lic meetings in the area over the last four weeks.

This committee, which contains a

number of high profile locals includ- ing retired Garda Sergeant Michael Gallery, formed as a result of local dissatisfaction with the develop- ment of the town in recent times.

“The amount of people attend- ing the meeting reflects that the public has serious concern over the way that Ennistymon is being managed,” said EDCO chairman, Patrick Clarke.

‘People have expressed their views and the strong feeling out there is that there is a real lack of amenities in the town.

“We will be putting out monthly

statements so that the local people can monitor our progress while we will be lobbying everyone up to the TD’s to make sure we are heard.

“The local people will know ex- actly what is going on and we will be lobbying everyone we can. There is a real feeling that we are being left behind here.”

The EDCO have denied that they plan to run a candidate in next year’s local election and said that they will decide at tonight’s committee meet- ing how best to move forward.

Meanwhile, in Kilrush, local busi- ness people are considering running

a candidate for the local election.

There are currently members of Kilrush Chamber of Commerce on Kilrush Town Council, with Coun- cillors Deirdre Culligan (Ind), Liam Looney (FF) and Marian McMahon Jones (FG) members of both bod- toe

It is believed that business people in the town are considering putting forward a candidate for the county council and town council election.

The west Clare capital already has two sitting county councillors, Mayor of Clare Cllr Madeleine Taylor Quinn (FG) and Cllr Tom

Prenderville (FF).

Talks of a business candidate emerged following the purchase of the site of the Inis Cathaigh hotel on Francis Street for the new civic offices in the town.

Local businesses feared that rates would be increased to cover the cost of the multi-million euro project.

Those being considered as the “business” candidate are not neces- sarily members of the local cham- ber of commerce, but they could put even more pressure on an elec- toral area that is already to lose one councillor.

BEACH goers in Kilkee will have the opportunity to sample a unique rugby event that goes ahead on the sand in front of the Strand Hotel this Saturday.

Organised by the Limerick Lep- rechauns – made up of former play- ers from the Clare, Limerick, north Kerry and Tipperary regions – all proceeds from the beach game will go to the Clare Sunset Foundation, which provides assistance to almost 100 sight impaired people across Oe

As has become tradition, the game will also usher in the new rugby sea- son in Munster.

“This will be our 25th year in ex- istence,” said president Vinny Ryan. “The Leprechauns bring together players from rugby clubs throughout the mid-west and gives players an Opportunity to extend their playing careers as well as the chance to raise funds for charities in the area.

“Essentially, those are the twin reasons why the club was first es- tablished. And the Kilkee game will

mark a major watershed in our his- tory as it’s going to herald the first game in our quarter of a century year of celebration.”

On the day, members of the char- ity rugby club will walk the beach in order to provide an opportunity for members of the public to provide funds. Afterwards, a barbecue will

take place at Scott’s Bar in Kilkee.

“It promises to be a great day out,” said committee member Packie Dur- kan. “The rules of the game are gov- erned by the IRB and come under the veterans rules. All those taking part will be over 35 years-of-age and the eldest member we have is actually 74. So we’re an eclectic bunch.”

The Clare Sunset Foundation has a membership of 96 at present and the organisation arranges trips to Lourdes for those whose vision 1s impaired.

This week, the Leprechauns also announced that they have just signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Shannon Precision which is set to ensure a strong foundation for their endeavours up to 2011.

To date, the club has raised just short of €1 million with every cent ploughed back into local charities. Last season they raised in excess of €75,000 and with the new season about to unfold, the plan is to match that fundraising figure.

It all begins in Kilkee this Saturday at 3pm.

For further information on the Clare Sunset Foundation contact 065 6824875 and to get in contact with the Limerick Leprechauns visit www.limerickleprechauns.com

A WOMAN who has established herself as the public face of Clare Haven women’s refuge for female victims of domestic abuse is leaving the organisation.

Eileen Murphy has decided to end her association with Clare Haven, having played a key role in its work over the past 10 years. She had taken the decision to take some time out and concentrate on her personal life, in the immediate future.

During the past decade, she was involved in the creation of a Clare Haven refuge (in 2002), while she also played a central role in the es- tablishment of programmes which raised awareness of the existence of domestic abuse in the county.

In 2001, she assumed the role as funding and public relations co-or- dinator with Clare Haven and since then has played an integral role in promoting the work done by the or- ganisation across Clare.

She was particularly proud of her involvement in The Clare 1OK over

the past three years as it involved dozens of small organisations who raised money in a fun way.

‘“T was involved in funding applica- tions, organising various events and fundraisers and was involved in the Clare 10K. That has been a huge suc- cess,” she reflected.

‘Those events were promoting the work that we did,’ added Ms Mur- phy.

Last year, Clare Haven engaged in a sticker campaign, geared towards encouraging victims of domestic abuse to come forward.

The initiative was called “Behind Closed Doors’ and stickers were placed on the backs of doors of pub- lic buildings. She believes this was a huge success and helped victims to come forward.

‘People were always afraid to come forward. Since we did that campaign in November, there has been a huge increase in people coming forward. Before Clare Haven was set up in 1993 there was no help for women. They had to travel to Limerick and Galway. Women are coming forward

much earlier now,” said the Kilkenny ELON Lon

Over the past decade, she has no- ticed a changing trend, in relation to domestic abuse.

“The awareness of domestic vio- lence has increased hugely. It’s not just spouse or partner abuse. There are adults and children abusing mothers now,” she said.

The introduction of outreach cen- tres in Ennistymon, Scariff, Shan- non and Kilrush has also encouraged victims of domestic abuse to come forward and Ms Murphy feels this has had a profound effect.

“Opening these centres has been a huge success story in one sense. In another sense it is terrible that there are sO many victims of abuse out there,” she said.

CLARE growing organic sector is set for a boost following the an- nouncement of a multi-million euro campaign to promote organic and lo- cally grown food.

With more then 8 farmers mar- kets already in operation around the county, Clare has one of Ireland’s fastest growing organic sectors. It is hoped that this new initiative, the first major promotion of organic food in the the EU, will greatly increase the numbers attending farmers mar- kets and growing local organic pro- duce.

The move has been welcomed by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food,

Trevor Sargent, who welcomed the launch of the new campaign.

The new campaign, whose slogan is “Organic farming – good for na- ture, good for you’, aims to inform consumers about the meaning and benefits of organic farming and food production.

The web-based campaign will focus on increasing consumer awareness and recognition of organic products, and especially on young people and children to carry the organic idea into the future.

According to Sargent, the launch of this campaign 1s indeed timely for Ireland. He said that the Programme for Government sets down an ambi- tious target of 5 per cent of the land area to be under organic production

by 2012.

“At present Ireland is at 1 per cent, with over 43,000 hectares being farmed organically,” he said.

“In April Minister Sargent launched the Department’s Organic Farming Action Plan 2008-2012 in response to the Government commitment. Ac- cess to information is a key driver in the development of the organic sec- tor and this new website will be a very useful addition.”

In the last few years, the number of organic operators – farmers, produc- ers, processors and importers – has erown strongly. In 2005, there was a total of 182,305 of these operators in the EU-25, a 13.4 per cent increase from 2004.

In recent years, the European or-

ganic retail market has experienced strong growth of between 5 and 30 per cent, depending on the coun- try. Increasing consumer demand is strengthening the organic market and giving farmers and processors new opportunities.

The European Commission will present the Campaign at the upcom- ing National Organic Food Confer- ence on September 4th 2008 in the Waterford Institute of Technology.

The Commission also announced a competition to develop a new EU organic farming logo that is due to become mandatory on all organic pre-packaged food from July 2010.

For more information on the Or- ganic Farming Campaign check out www.organic-farming.europa.eu.

THE popular Miltown Malbay week- ly farmer’s market is staying put for the foreseeable future.

Despite claims last week by a mar- ket member that accessibility to the market was problematic, it has been hailed as an ideal location with shop- pers and market officials coming out in support of Miltown’s newest shop- ping experience.

The farmer’s market found its home on the edge of the original Fair Green in the recently restored Miltown Business Centre in Miltown Malbay during the May bank holiday

weekend

Although it is just three months old it is already attracting locals and tourists to that part of town every Friday evening from 4.30pm to 7pm.

The stalls are set up on a Friday af- ternoon inside the original stonewalls which flanked the market green. The cobbled stone courtyard, with tradi- tional shop fronts and lighting, cre- ates an idealistic atmosphere for a vibrant, bustling, intimate market.

The colourful umbrellas of stall holders coupled with the delicious smell of fresh baking entice shoppers to browse among the stalls and many of them linger for the chat.

Local people are particularly pleased with the new market and Fri- day evenings in the Miltown Busi- ness Centre have become a regular, social gathering for many.

“Stall holders are pleased with the venue as the enclosed, Victorian style courtyard provides shelter from the west Clare weather while retaining the authenticity of an outdoor mar- ket. The stall holders are very grate- ful that the Miltown Business Centre welcomed them, free of charge to hold their market in such an ideal location,” said Hilary Gleeson, Rural Development Officer at EIRI Corca BE ONONEE

The market stalls provide a variety of fare such as farmhouse cheeses, sun dried tomatoes, home baking and confectionary, local vegetables, summer fruits, plants and delicious, hot crepes.

The new farmer’s market in the Miltown Business Centre is always encouraging more local food produc- ers especially vegetables, meat, poul- try and fish to join by contacting Ms Gleeson at 9056611 or 086 8235598 or local baker and stall holder Cora O’Grady on 087 1354192.

MEMBERS of Clare County Coun- cil and Ennis Town Council have been warned by developers that the economic effects of no developments being allowed to proceed in and around Ennis will be ‘widespread’.

In the past number of months, devel- opers, including McInerney Homes, Finn Properties and Crystal Partners have had applications for develop- ments totalling over €0.5 billion re- fused in the Ennis environs.

Now, they have come together with other developers, Keco Construction Ltd, Luxury Homes, Paul O’Brien/ Joe McNamara who are facing major setbacks due to the inability of the town’s sewage capacity to cater for

new developments to call on council- lors to address the situation.

The councils have placed an embar- go on any new developments until the commissioning of anew €75 million sewage treatment plant in 2012.

In a joint letter to councillors, the developers expressed their concerns by stating, “In response to the un- certain future of development in the area, we wish to collectively convey our concern for lack of any develop- ment potential in the short to medi- um term.”

They state, “Despite in excess of ten years of unprecedented development and growth in and around Ennis, we are now left in a situation that the area 1S being choked by the chronic lack of capacity in the wastewater

treatment system.

“Although the Ennis main drain- age 1s being progressed, the obvious CLS ECO e NON Co UI NORCUIM KONDO Be -Kisubler ture, which include storm water in- filtration into sewer network, lack of treatment capacity and capacity in the pump station network have been ignored for far too long.

“We are now in a Situation where no development can take place in Ennis until temporary upgrade works are carried out in advance of the com- missioning of the Ennis main drain- age scheme in 2012.

“The effect of no development op- portunities caused by this infrastruc- ture shortfall will be widespread. The economic effects will be felt by the town and council alike.

The letter goes on to state that the employment generated in the con- struction sector, the commercial and retail development of Ennis, and numbers waiting on social housing lists will all be adversely affected by this freeze on development.

It continues, “We feel that it is in- cumbent upon the council to firstly put the necessary plan in place to al- low reasonable future development prior to the commissioning of the Ennis main drainage.”

“We would hope that we could work in conjunction with town and county council to explore all the feasible options and we believe that a successful interim solution would serve the greater needs of the people of Ennis.”