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THE race for the Clare Cup heats up this week as four out of the six re- maining fixtures in the top three d1- visions have relevance to the fight for the four semi-final places.

In Division 1, leaders Sixmileb- ridge will top the group if they can overcome Crusheen but even if they lose, they could still guarantee a spot in the penultimate stages if either Cratloe or Newmarket-on-Fergus lose to Clooney-Quin or Clarecastle respectively. The only game at the

weekend saw St Joseph’s record a comprehensive victory over Eire Og, relegating the Ennis side in the proc- ess along with Kilmaley.

The sole remaining fixture in Divi- sion 2A — Inagh/Kilnamona v Scariff – has connotations at both ends of the table with the Combo topping the di- vision if they win and thus claiming the semi-final spot while a win for a revitalised Scariff would guarantee a relegation play-off with neighbours Whitegate to see who will join Kil- lanena in Division 2B next year. Tulla were the big winners at the weekend

as they completed their fifth succes- sive league victory to jump to the summit and gain promotion but it will all depend on the Combo’s last outing to decide the group.

In Division 2B Clonlara secured the top spot with a four point win over Feakle, thus becoming the first Clare Cup semi-finalist while the other winners at the weekend, Ogonnelloe and Broadford will have to wait until Wednesday to realise their fate when Smith O’Briens take on Corofin. A win for the East Clare side would guarantee promotion but a draw or

defeat would mean a three way play- off to see who gains promotion.

In Division 3, Ennistymon and Clarecastle will contest the interme- diate league final after both won at the weekend with Ennistymon guar- anteeing the Magpies place after a late goal saw them surprise Meelick.

The Division 4 final between Eire Og and Newmarket-on-Fergus’ sec- ond strings is fixed for Sixmilebridge on Saturday while in Division 5, Bal- lyea will play Sixmilebridge’s third team in the first of the semi-finals in Clareabbey on the same day.

LATEST Government figures show that crime in Clare is on the decrease with provisional figures from the first quarter of this year showing a major decline in a number of areas of crime.

The figures show that there was 34 sexual offences reported last year and this year the figure from January to the end of March was two.

The number of serious assaults 1s also down. Where last year there were 68 assaults causing harm, for the first quarter this year the figure was 12.

Other assaults have also shown a drop. Where the numbers recorded to date this year were 53, this com- pares to 222 for the whole of 2007.

The trend in homicides is also on the way down with none to date re- corded in January to March of this year. This compares to 16 in the last three years and this figure includes charge of dangerous driving causing ler taee

The figures also show that public order offences are proportionally down with 363 public order offences recorded in January to March and this compares to 1,530 in 2007.

Figures relating to disorderly con-

duct are also down on last year with 310 recorded offences compared to Pett Atlee

The area of drug enforcement also showed a drop with 85 recorded drug offences in the first three months and this compares to 358 for the 12 months last year.

One of the only areas which is showing a potential increase by year end is child neglect where five report offences were recorded in the first quarter and this compares to 18 such cases in 2007.

The statistics show that to date this year, there has been no abduction of any person under 15 and this com-

pares to two last year.

According to Green Party council- lor, Brian Meaney who sourced the figures, “the figures are very encour- aging, but before we can get compla- cent in any way, we should be aware of the seasonal factors involved. For example in the area of public order, the number of public order offences are generally higher in the summer months and around Christmas.

“However, it is very encouraging in relation to the rates of homicide, robbery and sexual offences where there are significant drops and that is to be welcomed,’ added Councillor Meaney.

this week, both the Construction Indus- try Federation (CIF) and the Clare Plasterers Union called for the gov- ernment to fast-track projects such as the Gort/Crusheen Bypass, the Western Rail Corridor and the Ennis Main Drainage Project. “There is no doubt that the down-

turn in the housing sector, which is due to a number of factors including the liquidity of the banking sector, has had an impact on the construc- tion sector in Clare,” said director of the CIF’s Southern Region, Conor O’Connell.

“But it is very important that the skills built up over the years is net by the government in terms of rolling out the National Development Plan. It is vital that spending on public in- frastructure is not cut over the next number of years. This infrastructure will provide for the development of the next stage of our economy.”

The Clare Plasterers Union, which represents almost 1,000 builders in the county, called on an increased government spend in school build- ing.

“The government could do some- thing by tackling the prefabs in the schools. There aren’t proper class- rooms in Barefield or Ennis or in most schools around the county. If they could invest in this they would alleviate some of the unemployment in the system and boost the education system down the road,’ said Branch Secretary, Paddy Connelly.

‘The undercutting is getting cut- throat, and it’s not foreign compa- nies – it’s Clare builders undercutting Clare builders. People are undercut- ting by as much as 30 per cent. There is no profit in that they are working just to keep a cash flow going.

“A lot of people are emigrating, a lot have gone to Australia but it is hard enough to get in over there at the moment. A lot of ground workers

are heading to the UK in preparation for the Olympics and we would pre- dict that a lot of finishers like plasters would be going over there in a few years time.

“Things are very bad – there is mass unemployment in Clare at the moment. It’s not just Clare, the whole western seaboard is very badly hit. I would say that 60 per cent of the construction workers in Clare are idle. You can drive all around Clare, Limerick and Cork and they are idle. Some of them are on the dole, but there is a lot of undercutting going Oe Dem salem ett-Du. Colm

The CIF would like to see govern- ment spending on key infrastural projects speeded up in the county.

“In lots of respects Clare has some of the biggest infrastructural projects

underway at the moment. You have the Shannon Tunnel – I know it’s just outside of Clare but it will have an impact on Shannon and that catch- ment area. There is also the Crush- een Bypass and the Ennis to Galway Rail Link. All of these projects will have a significant impact on the county. These must be continued and if possible speeded up,’ continued Mr O’Connell.

“There is pent up demand in the housing market. The condition of the banking sector is effecting peoples ability to get loans and we need some government and industry working on this. It cost so much to build a house in Clare. If people believe that hous- es will fall dramatically then they are living in a pipe-dream. I can’t see how prices can continue to fall.”

ENNIS Brass Band received the Presidential seal of approval after a memorable performance at Aras na Uachtaran

All 28 members of the Ennis Brass Band performed for the president and guests along with Riverdance and musicians Sean Davey & Liam O’Floinn at the Aras Garden Party on July 1.

It isn’t the first time the band has per- formed for the President McAleese. Two years ago, the band welcomed the President to the County Museum, on the occasion when Ennis was named Ireland’s tidiest town.

But, according to band member Daragh McAllister, this most recent reception at Aras na Uachtaran, ranks

as the highest accolade bestowed in the band’s 37-year history.

“We had had heard that the Presi- dent hold these type of events pretty regularly. So we sent the letter saying that we would love to perform for the President”, explained Daragh, “It’s the biggest thing that has happened to the band in its history”.

The band marked the occasion by presenting the President with a gift. “We presented her with a piece of Burren Limstone engraved with the name of the band and the date”. President McAleese hosted the event to recognise the contribution of teachers to Irish society.

More than 350 recently retired teach- ers from throughout the country joined the President at the Aras along with representatives from the main

teaching unions – ASTI, INTO and the Teacher’s Union of Ireland. Speaking at the event, the President said, “The Irish story of success at home and success against the odds abroad is not a story of coincidences but of commitment – the commit- ment of those who chose the great vocation of teaching whatever the ups and downs of the times. Through that vocation they introduced each unique pupil to his or her abilities and talents, developed their strengths, helped them devise coping strate- gies to manage and overcome their weaknesses and sent them out into the world as well-equipped as they could, to become the best people they could.”

Another milestone in the history of Ennis bras Band will be achieved lat-

er this week when the band travel to a pocket of southwest France closely linked with Ennis. St Paul de Fe- nouillet was twinned with Ennis in 1989 and the band are due to perform there on Saturday night.

“We are going there mainly as a holt- day for the band, but we got in touch with some people over there and there is going to be reception for us in the town. We are mainly going to be based around Perpignan. Playing at the Aras was the biggest thing for us but this trip is pretty big as well”, said Daragh.

MORE than a third of all road traffic cases brought to the district court last year were struck out – for the second year running.

Last year, 6,175 cases were brought to court; 2,358 of which were struck out. An additional 268 cases were dismissed, while 99 defendants had jail or detention sentences imposed.

According to figures just published by the Courts Service, prison or de- tention terms were imposed in less than one eighth of all assault and public order cases.

The figures show that 843 assault and public order cases were dealt

with in the district court throughout the county last year.

Just 104 of those cases resulted in jail being handed down. 175 of them were struck out, while fines were im- posed in another 175 of the cases.

55 drugs cases were brought to the district court last year. Just nine of those resulted in prison sentences being imposed.

Most of the drugs cases were either struck out or taken into consideration ALN O MON elo Me Et: DEohe

287 cases of larceny were dealt with; 49 of which resulted in defend- ants going to jail.

The overwhelming majority of sex- ual offences were either struck out or

taken into consideration by the judge. 13 cases were taken. Six were taken into account, five were struck out, while a jail term was imposed in one and another defendant was fined.

The figures also show that 36 cases were dealt with in the Circuit Crim1- nal Court in Clare last year, while 154 District Court appeals were heard in the Circuit Court, during 2007.

104 cases of sexual offences came before the Circuit Court in Clare last year. There were 10 assault cases, nine drugs matters, eight firearm of- fences, seven larceny/robbery cases, two road traffic cases and one man- slaughter case.

Sentences imposed in the Circuit

Court ranged from community serv- ice and sentences of up to 10 years. 15 defendants received sentences be- tween two and five years, eight were jailed for between two and five years, while one individual received a sen- tence of between five and 10 years. Nine were given suspended sen- tences, two people were fined, while community service was applied in three cases. One case was struck out in the Circuit Court last year.

819 new cases were initiative at En- nis Civil Court last year, which was a substantial increase of 509 in 2006. 65 civil trials, 326 motions and 36 district court civil appeals were dealt with last year.

else terday Jim Power, Chief Economist with the Friends First Organisation said that while the situation is criti- cal in the county, the regeneration of Limerick may offer some light on the keleyZeyee

“The situation in Clare and right across the mid-west is perilous at the moment. One possible source of light is Limerick city and the regen- eration work that is due to take place there over the next months and years. GMA dereTmp tour DU lO (cre mmKO mee rlBNTLUComBatssO BLE could be a real help. But it’s going to get worse before it gets better,’ he Sr nLGe

In a bleak overall assessment, Mr Power noted that key employers such as manufacturing, construction and tourism face a tough time over the next 18 to 24 months.

According to the 2006 census, these sectors employ more than 15,000 people in Clare, or 27.9 per cent of the total employed. One major sec- tor which could grow in the county Thsere Faw (UN LAUD Kee

“Competition internationally has increased while at the same time we are losing ground in terms of manu- facturing competitiveness. I can’t see how manufacturing or construc- tion can lead us out of this current trough,” he continued.

“T would be more upbeat about the prospects for Clare farming. The issue of food safety and food secu-

rity is one that I think will become of greater importance over the next while. So the outlook for quality out- puts in farming should be good. “Clare suffers from a high depend- ency on US tourists and with the de- pression in America, the weakness of the dollar and prices in Ireland, we just don’t represent good value for money for American tourists at the

moment.

“There can be a positive outcome but we need to survive through the next 18 months. I would see the glo- bal subprime crisis working its way through the system next year which should return credit to a more work- able place. We have about 18 months of excess stock in the housing mar- ket to work through so I think it will

be 2010 before we see any kind of meaningful recovery.’

Mr Power’s bleak outlook on the immediate future was echoed by Ae) cTOMM ORC E-TIMES ONO NenmE(cenlbio in LIT’s School of Built Environ- ment.

“IT think the recession could poten- tially hit Clare quite severely due to the adverse trade effects upon a re- gion with a high dependence upon high value added trade via Shannon,” he said.

“The decision to permit the aban- donment of the ‘hub’ status of Shan- non may well exacerbate a reduction in regional competitiveness. Wor- ryingly tourism jobs, especially de- pendent on the USA will also take a vie

“These largely external threats make it imperative that infrastruc- ture spend from central government is maintained on roads, projects such as the tunnel, and higher education. Irish agriculture will also need ro- bust support at the WTO talks, since this staple of the local economy will take on even greater relative signifi- cance in a downturn.”

THE business community in Ennis is seeking further talks with Ennis Town Council ahead of the introduc- tion of new litter byelaws.

The council is tightening the laws on the disposal and storage of litter outside premises in a bid to reduce the amount of litter on the streets, long a source at irritation in the council chamber.

Businesses, however, are concerned at the impact the new byelaws will have. Many of them lack the correct facilities to store rubbish to meet the proposed guidelines.

Rita McInereny, CEO of Ennis

Chamber of Commerce, said that while meetings between businesses and council officials have been con- Structive, further discussions are re- quired.

“The objectives of the byelaws are something that all businesses wel- come and agree on. Everyone ben- efits if the town is cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing. The end result would certainly be welcome and there is no certainly no opposition to that proposal,’ said Ms McInerney.

She added, “The council have been very accommodating so far and have met on a couple of occasions. But there is a lot of concern out there. Businesses are under pressure as it is

and this would make things harder. A lot of businesses don’t have the plan- ning permission for an area to store waste. We would be looking to meet with councillors to put forward sug- gestions and ideas before the byelaws are brought in”

Ms MclInereny said the proposed byelaws have forced businesses to re-evaluate their means of waste disposal and in some cases has even reduced their overall level of waste produced.

She said “It certainly has forced businesses to take a good, hard look at what they are doing, which is no harm. I know some people have sig- nificantly cut down on the amount

of waste they are producing. In one instance, a business has reduced their waste from 13 bins to 4 bins. Businesses are investing in crushers and bailers and different systems of disposing waste. But there are still genuine cases out there, where there is still an issue about where people are going to put their bins.”

She added, “So far there has been problems with suggestions; one per- son’s point of view against some- one else’s. It might be a case that we might have to look at bringing in different bins for different busi- nesses. The problems vary, depend- ing on whether you are talking about a small or large business”.

THE man who administered laser treatment to terminally ill cancer pa- tients at the East Clinic in Killaloe had been struck of the medical regis- ter in the United States, a court heard last week.

Dr Bull Porter lied on his CV for the job with Frieda and Pascal Car- mody, saying that he had worked in the Mater Hospital in Dublin, when

he hadn’t.

But neither of the Carmody’s was aware of this, the Circuit Court sit- ting in Ennis heard last week.

Porter – who has now left the juris- diction – was also struck off in Cali- fornia for not paying alimony and abandoning a patient and was the subject of a Garda investigation into his involvement in advance cosmetic surgery in Cork. The jury was hear- ing evidence from statements made

by Pascal Carmody during inter- views with gardai. The court heard that a month after he joined the East Clinic, Dr Frieda Keane and Carmo- dy wrote to him, pressing him to reg- ister with the Irish Medical Council.

He replied to her that he had dis- cussed the matter with Pascal Car- mody and, as he would be practising in the capacity of a technician ad- ministering light therapy and not as a medical doctor, there would be no

need for him to register.

Carmody told gardai in an inter- view that neither he nor his wife were aware of Dr Porter’s back- eround. When he came for interview at the clinic he presented a CV and said that he had recently been in- terviewed for the post of opthalmic consultant at the University Hospital in Cork. Carmody told gardai that his wife had called one of the people who sat on the interview panel and

was told that they would not be offer- ing Dr Porter the post but that he had been an excellent candidate.

Carmody told gardai that they were both satisfied that such an eminent body as CUH would have run checks on an interviewee’s background.

The court also heard from former nursing and administration staff at the East Clinic that they found it a “happy” place to work with a good atmosphere.

A LAHINCH businessman has been told to shut down an art gallery and studio on the resort’s main street which does not have planning per- mission.

Clare County Council has stated in a warning letter issued to William Stackepoole, of 1 Lois Ma, Lahinch, that an unauthorised development is taking place: the change of use from an existing cottage to a commercial art studio and gallery.

The council considers the develop- ment to be unauthorised “as it does not have the benefit of planning per- mission and does not constitute ex- empted development”.

Mr Stackepoole is required to “cease all commercial operations and activities at this location imme- diately; revert the structure back to a dwelling house and remove all ad- vertising signage associated with the

art studio and gallery”.

In the event that the development is continued, the council may issue an enforcement notice. A council spokesman said that officials were currently reviewing the file.

Earlier this year, Clare County Council granted planning permis- sion to Mr Stackepoole to construct a new hotel on the main street.

However, the decision has been ap- pealed to An Bord Pleanala by the adjacent Kenny Woollen Mills prop- erty which, it is claimed, will be de- valued by €1.5 million.

The council gave the go-ahead to construct the 16 room hotel in spite of opposition from Pat Kenny of Main Street, Lahinch and Donal Kenny of Kenny Woollen Mills.

“This proposed development is over-build of the worst kind,’ Pat Kenny claimed.

“This is a village. This site is a cottage with a small yard and some

outhouses. The proposal to build 16 apartments, restaurant, bar and re- ception areas on this small site is lu- dicrous and has already been refused by An Bord Pleanala.”

Co) a'(o en eo eenlCoD mole meNnIAKore mI NTe development taking into account the urban setting and concluded that it would not seriously injure the ameni- ties of the area and be in accordance with the proper planning and devel- opment of the area.

The council planner’s report stated, “It 1s considered that the proposed three storey building is of an appro- priate scale for the main street of La- hinch having regard to the respective heights of the adjacent buildings to the north, Shamrock Inn and south, Kenny’s Woollen Mills.”

A decision is expected on the ap- peal later this year.

TWO Ennis fishing groups cast out together last week in a bid to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) society of Ireland.

Members of both the Ennis District and Angler’s Association (EDAA) and the Fergus Salmon Anglers de- scended on Dromore and Ballyline lakes near Ruan last Sunday for a charity pike fishing competition

MS Ireland as fishing enthusiasts took to the water to compete.

MS is a chronic condition of the central nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the brain

and spinal cord.

It is the most common disabling neurological condition of young adults, affecting approximately 6,000 in Ireland, 85,000 people in the United Kingdom, 250,000 in the USA.

“We have been out collecting for flag days and we’ve had a few other events ourselves but this time we de- cided to try and do something for an- other organization. The MS society do great work’, said EDAA president Gerry Kenny, explaining the motiva- tion behind the event.

Established in 1935 and 1980 re- spectively, both the EDAA and the Fergus Salmon Anglers have played

important roles in sustaining sal- mons stocks on the River Fergus and maintaining the appearance of the river and the surrounding environ- mental habitat.

A massive renewal programme commenced five years ago aimed to restore the River Fergus system and develop it as a major tourism re- elt Keee

The work, grant aided by the Her- itage Council, involved the rehabili- tation of the River Fergus fishery, improving the access to the water- ways, working with local landowners and consultation with the Heritage Council and the Regional Fisheries Board.

Improvement works carried out so far include the erection of vortex weirs, bank-side pruning and the placement of random boulders.

Gerry explained that while many improvements have taken place along the river, old problems still persist.

“Our main work has been stocking the river with salmon and keeping numbers up’, said Gerry, “We have done and awful lot of development work, tidying up sewage and other litter that gets thrown into the river, re-gravelling and repairing the river walls. Pollution though is still the biggest problem we have at the mo- ment. Its unfortunate, but pollution is still a big issue on the Fergus”’.