Category: Uncategorized

RESIDENTS in several housing estates in Shannon do not have ad- equate parking spaces, while oth- ers have a lack of vehicular access to the rear of their homes. That was the message delivered last week by county councillors in the Shannon area, who called for measures to be

taken to address the issue.

Councillor Patricia McCarthy (In- dependent) said there was “chaos” in O’Brien Park on occasions.

Councillor Gerry Flynn (Independ- ent) said that a similar situation exists in De Lacey Park and said that that estate, along with Purcell Park, Col- lins Park and O’Brien Park should be looked at.

“Every house now has at least two cars,’ he said.

Cllr Flynn said that some house- holders in Cill Cais were “crying out for an entrance to the back of their houses. These older parts of Shannon are isolated and for a lot of older peo- ple, they can’t get in the front or the back,” he said.

Clare County Council Senior Ex-

ecutive Engineer Donal Hogan said that communal parking is the way to go in future, in high density develop- Ne

“It would take an awful lot of funding to retrofit those particular situations. I can’t see myself getting money to put rear access roads to houses and there is a lot more than Cill Cais,” he said.

A MAN who attacked a neighbour with a knife in a dispute over music coming from his apartment has been told he could face three years behind ey ase

Judge Carroll Moran told Sean Moroney if he fails to liaise with the probation services, he will end up in jail.

Moroney (36), of Turnpike Road,

Ennis, has admitted assaulting Felix Simo, causing him harm, at Fairways Flats, Ennis, on June 27, 2006.

Moroney’s barrister Mark Nicholas told Ennis Circuit Court yesterday that his client has a drink problem.

Moroney addressed the court and said he was willing to go into Bruree for treatment for his alcohol addic- nove

The court heard previously that Mr Simo went to Moroney’s apartment

to complain about the noise coming from it, as he was unable to sleep. He told gardai that when he later re- turned to the apartment, he was at- TO) Coxe MSN OIE Kor

Judge Moran said to Moroney yesterday, “This was a bad assault, somebody complaining from a flat downstairs that the music was loud upstairs and was assaulted with a knife.”

He noted that Moroney had several

previous convictions, including for assault, criminal damage, theft and public order.

“You have a very bad record,’ he HOE

He adjourned the case until later this year and ordered that a proba- tion report be carried out.

“If you are not co-operating with the probation services, you are facing three years. I couldn’t put it plainer,” said the judge.

NON-EU migrant workers face be- coming the first victims of the reces- sion with reports that many have al- ready been let go without being given their legal redundancy payments.

The Director of the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, Kilrush woman Siobhan O’Donoghue, has called on the government and the media to take a leadership roll and prevent the spread of racism by not making mi- grant workers into economic scape- goats.

‘There is a real difficulty that these people will fall between the cracks. We are hearing about lots of people

from foreign countries who are be- ing made redundant and are not been given their rights in terms of redun- dancy pay. If you are here on a work permit from outside the EU it can be really difficult to access your rights,” she said.

“We are definitely finding an in- crease of people being laid off and not getting any redundancy. There are often times in sectors which are poorly regulated and if you are not Irish and are here under a work per- mit scheme then the consequences can be dire.

“If you are undocumented you are particularly at risk and very vulnera- ble. We have done some research and

it seems that a lot of people become undocumented through no fault of their own: through being on a work permit and having an employer not renew it for some reason. They can be left with massive debts, depend- ence at home and no choice but to continue working without docu- ments. Often times this leaves them in a position where they have no choice but to continue.

“Racism is something that we are very concerned with. The way in which the media in particular and our leaders scapegoat migrants as a distraction of the real issues and how the economy is being managed can make the migrants into easy scape-

goats. Migrants are an easy target but the leadership need to come from the government. When the economy is on shaky ground the last thing that we should do is turn on each other.”

The Irish Migrant Rights Centre has stressed that while migration is on the wane from areas within the EU zone, including Poland and Lithuania, migrants are continuing to come to Ireland.

“Migration helped to create the boom and they will be a very real part of us getting out of this current slump. Migration is not like a tap that you can turn on and off,” continued Ms O’Donoghue.

“They are not coming in the same

volumes as they were six months ago, indeed it appears that numbers are down, especially those coming from within the European Union. But there are migrants who are part of Irish society, this is their home and they will stay here.

“Nobody can come into Ireland and claim unemployment. It’s actu- ally very difficult to come in and claim social protection in this coun- try – especially if you are coming in from outside the EU. You must be able to prove that you have been in full-time employment for at least a year and there are very real barriers if you ban here working for less than two years.”

KILNAMONA locals and some of Ireland’s most notable public figures come together last Thursday to cel- ebrate the life of one of the small vil- lage’s illustrious sons.

Just over 100 years to the day since his birth, a plague in memory of Br Thomas Keane was unveiled in Kil- namona church last Thursday.

Family and friends were joined at the ceremony by former GAA President Paddy Buggy and Fr Eoin Haughey, brother to former Taoti- seach Charlie Haughey.

“It seemed like an appropriate time considering that it was the 100 year anniversary of his birth. I have met sO many people over the year who has spoken so warmly about him that

we felt that we had to do something,” said family member Thomas Keane.

‘He continued to teach until he was 64 and he brought a certain ethos to all of the schools which he went to. He encouraged great leadership within the students and had a knack of getting the best out of people.

“He had a different way of teach- ing. People might have looked into his class and thought it was chaos but it was just a different style. He loved group work, he loved working together and opening up peoples ho- rizons.

‘He always pushed them to do the best that they could. Even the weaker students, he would cycle around the town on his bike trying to get them jobs.”

Br Keane’s eulogy was delivered by

Paddy Buggy while the plaque was unveiled by Annraoi O Beollain.

While renowned in many secondary schools for his unique teaching skills and dedication to hurling, Brother Thomas never lost touch with his na- tive parish. For many years he was an honoured guest at the annual din- ner of the Kilnamona hurling club.

Educated in Ennistymon CBS, the Irish Christian Brothers, UCD and UCC – his first assignment as teach- er was to Portlaoise CBS primary school in 1926.

Over the years he served in many schools including Baldoyle Noviti- ate, Mount Sion in Waterford, St Josephs in Marino, Dungarvan CBS and Templemore.

In all his time away Br Keane would always return to Kilkee for

his annual holiday in July. He also liked visiting Kilnamona as often as the Order allowed in those strict pre- Vatican II years but quite frequently in later years.

The death in fairly quick succes- sion of his brothers, Miko and Mar- tin in the States in the late 1940’s and Andrew and Pat in Kilnamona in the early 1950’s in the prime of his voca- tional career challenged greatly his reserves of strength.

A SEVERE shortage of burial spaces in Shannon and surrounding areas is leading to huge concerns among lo- cals, who are finding it increasingly difficult to acquire graves for their JEVOOBE BLE

Three cemeteries in the area may not be extended, due to the presence of archaeological remains.

That was the view expressed last week by Fine Gael Councillor John Crowe, who raised the issue at a Shannon electoral area meeting.

He asked were extensions to Bal- lysheen, Clonlohan and Bunratty graveyards held up due to archaeo- logical issues.

In response to his query, Acting Senior Executive Officer with Clare County Council’s water services Myles Carey clarified the issue.

In a written response, the council offical said that the Clonlohan cem- etery was deemed unsuitable for extension, due to the presence of ar- chaeological remains in the area of WRK Ae

He said that an archaeological as- sessment had been carried out at Ballysheen and had been forwarded to the National Monuments Section AW OCG M RoLON LMAO) KOM AUDIKO

He pointed out that an archaeologi- cal assessment is to be carried out at Bunratty burial ground and suitable firms are currently being sourced for this work.

“We have a major problem with burial grounds. I believe it is all over the county. Bunratty is completely full, Ballysheen is full and I think Oi CoyelCo)sk: tem iwaeel mrerer

“It is being held up by the National Monuments Section. We will just

have to break down these barriers,’ said Councillor Crowe.

He said that a site was available for the extension of the cemetery in Bunratty for a number of years, but the plans did not proceed.

“The one thing communities have is their graveyard. It’s very, very wrong,” he said.

“In the last 10 to 15 years, these ar- eas have grown so much. They have no place to bury their loved ones. Some people have had to moved out of the area to get a graveyard,” he added.

Councillor Pat McMahon (FF) agreed with Councillor Crowe.

“It’s absolutely crazy where you have voluntary groups putting in a lot of work and obstacles are being put in place. These are voluntary groups. They are doing magnificent work and are being hindered by depart-

ment rules. People get so frustrated,” he said.

SCR VCCMO erm asses DO MONT M Or velIOR Newmarket-on-Fergus, has found it difficult to get a grave, despite living there for 20 years.

Councillor Gerry Flynn added that IIlaunamanagh graveyard was al- eee aUOUE

“Tt is at a critical stage now. I don’t know hoe many spaces are left. It is pretty limited. They are putting the onus on community groups. If we can’t provide for people who have died, we are going down a very bad road,” he added.

Councillor Patricia McCarthy (In- dependent) pointed out that the areas in question were fortunate to have archaeology and this must be pre- served. However the importance of balancing this with people’s needs was critical.

A YOUNG man lost consciousness in an early morning row at a garage forecourt in Shannon during which kicks were thrown.

Christopher McGorrian (19), of Rossbracken, Shannon, pleaded guilty to assaulting Gordon Call- inan causing him harm, while Mark Hayes (19), with addresses at Aidan Park and Rossbracken, admitted as- saulting David Malone causing him harm, on New Year’s Day, 2006.

Garda Liam Reilly told Ennis Cir- cuit Court yesterday that the incident occurred at 2am.

He said that when gardai arrived at the scene, David Malone was lying unconscious on the ground. He and Gordon Callinan later made state- ments to gardai. Mr Callinan claimed he had been kicked in the head.

Mr Malone said he had been struck and this caused him to fall to the ground, hitting his head off a kerb in the process. Mr Malone sustained a fractured jaw and spent five days in hospital. Mr Callinan suffered a lac- erated eardrum in the assault.

Garda Reilly said that the two men had been out celebrating the arrival of the New Year. The two went to the Shell garage, where they met the two PYCe sel 6 Bs

“Words were exchanged and this resulted in the assaults,’ said the garda.

The court was told that both ac- cused came from broken homes. McGorrian had no previous convic- tions, while Hayes has a number of previous convictions.

Hayes’ barrister Michael Collins said that there was no doubt his cli- ent was involved in assaulting Mr Malone, but a number of witnesses told gardai that two or three people had kicked him while he was on the ground. Garda Reilly accepted this.

“Mark Hayes admits hitting him, but he didn’t kick him,’ said the bar- rister.

McGorrian’s barrister Mark Nicho- las said the incident was a result of “words being exchanged” and said his client had co-operated with the garda investigation.

Judge Carroll Moran adjourned sentencing until next week.

has learned. This, coupled with an increase in the num- bers leaving the town, is likely to see the overall Brazilian population in Gort drop for the first time in more than a decade.

This Samba-exodus has _ been brought about by a number of dif- ferent factors including the sharp de- cline in the construction sector and the relative strength of the Brazilian Real against the euro.

“The ones who have arrived re- cently, in the last year or year and a half, haven’t been here long enough to really put their roots down – to acquire the language and get them- selves settled,’ said Frank Murray of the Gort Brazilian Association and

NUI, Galway.

“The ones who would have come to Gort in the last year or so would be much more inclined to return to Brazil now that things are not go- ing so well. You can also see around the town that less people are com- ing over. Word is getting out back in Brazil about the difficulties over here and less are coming.

“The Brazilian currency is now worth more against the euro. It’s a big difference from four or five years ago. So if a Brazilian did come to Gort on a three year economic mis- sion, that now becomes a five year mission just to make the same mon- Ne ‘There is a huge Brazilian popula- tion in places like London and with the Olympics coming up there will be a lot of Brazilians heading over there. A lot will also probably head to Italy and some might go to Por-

tugal, Switzerland and places like deren

Earlier this year the International Organisation for Migration in Dublin began a voluntary repatriation which has been inundated with request in recent months.

“A lot of people have decided that enough is enough and have decided to go home. For one reason or anoth- er they are falling on difficult times and have no real option but to leave. But things are still not great in Brazil so even the worst scenario here may well be better than the situation back in Brazil,” continued Mr Murray.

“Some people will leave, but it is sure that there will continue to be a Brazilian presence here in Gort.”

THE Carron based Burren Beef and Lamb Producers Group turned a year old last week and to celebrate it an- nounced two major steps forward in the progress of the organisation.

The group will this week start sell- ing meat outside Clare for the first time when it takes up a place at the Limerick Farmers Market in UL. Perhaps more importantly the group will also this week appoint a co-ord1- nator who will oversee progress into the future.

“The first year has been very suc- cessful because we have managed

to survive and keep the group mov- ing in the right direction. We are now Selling directly to customers, in some of north Clare’s best high end restaurants and in the Ballyvaughan Farmers Market. From next week on then we will also be selling in the Limerick farmers’ market in UL,” said Ruairi O Conchuir of the Burren Producers Group. “The first year has been a real struggle but it does take three years for any business, espe- cially one which is trying something a bit different, to really get it’s feet under itself. But things are improv- ing – anew co-ordinator has just been appointed and the producers group

has just bought it’s own refrigerated vehicle for transporting the meat.

“It is absolutely imperative that the project secures some rural develop- ment funding in order to keep it tick- ing over. It’s not a hand out, it’s the same funding that would be given to any project looking to start up in a new sector.”

The group produces top quality or- ganic, conservation grade beef and lamb. Conservation grade products are produced in a way which allows the natural limestone of the Burren to survive and prevents the encroach- ment of scrub.

For more information on the pro-

ducers group or to purchase conser- vation grade beef or lamb contact Cee ee lel eeF

Meanwhile, the BurrenLIFE Project and Teagasc hosted the first in a Series of farm demonstration day on the farm of Ms Philomena Hynes in Carron on Friday evening.

The demonstration was attended by local farmers, officials from national farming organisations and farm- ing experts and focused on grass- land management, enhancement of livestock management facilities, addressing water provision, the use of supplementary feed and targeted scrub removal and re-treatments.

A GROUP of talented young musi- cians have been presented with bur- saries, through the Shannon Music Project.

Clare County Council’s Arts Of- fice provided the bursaries for the 13 musicians to attend the Ennis Guitar and Rock School workshops in Shan- non last week. The recipients were Simon O’Donnell, Frank Goggin, Natasha Miller, David Park, Andrew Park, Garry Mc Kee, Patrick Collins,

Barry Shannon, Lindsay Carroll, Pa- draig Bambury, Steven Rainsford, Chris Quigley and Elsa Mann.

The Shannon Music Project (SMP) is a Clare Youth Service project based in Shannon. It provides young people aged between 15 and 25 with opportunities to get involved in musi- cal events and avail of practice space and high quality musical equipment.

The project is run by a committee of young people who are supported by the Shannon youth workers.

The SMP has been running for over

10 years and this year received fund- ing from Clare VEC and Shannon Community Grant Scheme to help with equipment purchases.

The project has organised bands nights, acoustic performances and competitions in Shannon and also liaises with Ennis Music Project for similar events and workshops.

‘This is a great opportunity to work with community groups in Shan- non. We have worked previously with Clare Youth Service Ennis and now we hope to further develop the

partnership between the Arts Office and the Clare Youth Service here in Shannon,” said Tara Connaghan, Traditional Arts Co-ordinator based bom) ercbeyeCeyee

“T am delighted to see Clare Arts Office come on board with the work the music project is doing in Shan- non. The funding provided for these workshops is of great benefit to the young people involved and no doubt will help them further their own in- dividual skills,’ said Shannon Youth Worker, Cathal Dillon.

A QUICK preview of life under the river Shannon as it will be in 2010 will go on display this Saturday, as the general public are invited to a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Limerick tunnel before it is bur- ied under water.

The open day will run from 10am to 4pm with visitors asked to gather

in the Shannon Rugby Club in Coon- agh. The contractors DirectRoute will provide an information centre with a scale model of the scheme and will operate a pick and drop bus tour from the rugby ground carpark.

The guided bus tour will take visi- tors around the casting basin for a close-up view of the tunnel and as- sociated site works.

Following two years of design, five

immersed tube tunnel elements are currently being fitted out for the next major phase of the tunnel construc- tion – immersion in a pre-dredged channel.

The Limerick tunnel is part of the final phase of the Limerick South- ern Ring Road. This phase starts at the Rossbrien Roundabout on the N7 and continues westward along six kilometres of dual-lane dual car-

rlageway crossing Greenfields Road, St Nessans Road, the Dock Road and Bunlicky Lake before diving under the Shannon through 915m of tunnel and emerging at Coonagh.

The route continues north west for another four kilometres before con- necting with the N18 to Ennis.

The road also includes 11 bridges, six underpasses and two toll plazas. while each tunnel element is approx- imately 100 metres long or the length of a football pitch.

It is as high as a two-storey house (8.5m), wide enough for two lanes of traffic in each direction (25m) and weighs in at 20,000 tonnes, giv- ing a staggering combined weight of 100,000 tonnes.

This massive piece of infrastruc- ture is too big for any modern crane to move so modern engineers have been forced to look to the builders of the pyramids and Stonehenge.

DirectRoute will first flood the cast- ing basin in late August to float the tunnel elements. The 100,000 tonne tunnel elements will then be floated out and immersed beneath the river in a pre-dredged channel.

According to General Manager of Direct Route Tom King this Saturday is the perfect chance for the public to see this marvel of modern engineer- ing before it is buried beneath the longest river in Ireland.