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THE discovery of a rare and endan- gered plant along the route of the proposed Gort-Crusheen bypass now looks unlikely to seriously delay the progress of the road.

A rare Wood Bitter-Vetch was last week discovered on the outskirts of Gort, however the National Roads Association (NRA) and National

Parks and Wildlife Officials have examined the rare plant and now believe it can be relocated without causing any undue harm.

The plant was discovered at Kilter- nan outside Gort and is now likely to be relocated. “We take a great deal of care in situations like this. We have our own experts who examine plants to determine if they are of any signif- icance and we also work in tandem

with a team from the National Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure that the correct measures are taken,’ said Sean O’Neill of the NRA.

“We have done a great deal of re- Search into the Wood Bitter-Vetch and we have determined that it is Okay to remove it at this time of the year without doing any undue harm to the plant itself.

“We will be relocating the plant to

a nearby location shortly. It hasn’t cause a big delay in the project.”

The Wood Bitter-Vetch or (Vicia orobus) is a bush shaped plant which produces small purple flowers. A rare and protected plant in Ireland it is be- lieved to be more common in some parts of the UK, especially Wales.

Behind the scenes work is ongoing on the Gort-Crusheen bypass and the NRA are hopeful that contracts will

be signed on the Ennis to Gort sec- tion of the road before the end of this year with work to start early in the new year.

Meanwhile, Minister for Trans- port, Noel Dempsey confirmed that funding had been ringfenced for the construction of the Gort-Crusheen bypass saying that the Government would be appraising all current capi- tal schemes before the year’s budget.

CLARE has gone from being one of the counties least strangled by debt to being the county with the highest average debt.

That’s happened in just five years according to a recently published re- port by Business Pro, a Dublin com- pany which records court actions taken by people chasing up unpaid debts. The massive surge does not take account of mortgage debts.

The report found that in 2003, the

average debt to land a Clare person in court was €6,159.

This has rocketed in 2008 to €20,596 – a jump of 234 per cent. The debts which find their way into the report include unpaid personal loans, utility and tax bills.

Five years ago, just two counties had average debts of €10,000. That number has risen to seven today, with Clare topping the league followed by Kilkenny, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Monaghan and Roscommon.

The Clare indebtedness figures are

against a national average of €8,900, the figure for which debtors are tak- en to court having failed to pay their bills or repay loans.

“There has been so much easily available and cheap credit in Ireland over the last five years that a lot more people have been borrowing money,” said James Treacy, managing direc- tor of Business Pro.

‘A certain percentage of those loans will always go bad. That is one of the reason debt will go up over the next 12 months.”

A BUSY few weeks of fun and games drew to aclose last week with the end of this summer’s Clare Federation for Special Needs summer camp.

Based in St Clare’s School, Gort road Ennis, the camp ran for a three week period since throughout July, catering for children with special needs and young people from ages five to 18 years.

The camp is funded by the Clare Federation for Special needs who employed 12 young people to run the camp in conjunction with the group leaders, Helen O’ Neill and Sharon Malone.

Key funding and organisational sup- port for the highly popular summer camp was also provided by Eileen Williams, Chairperson of the Clare Federation, and Bridgid O’ Mahony, secretary of the Clare Federation. Principal of St Clare’s Anne Walshe oversaw the activities at this year’s camp. The summer camp runs along- side the July provision, a system that provides for extra schooling for stu- dents with certain disabilities.

The summer camp was instigated at St Clare’s five years ago to cater for the students who are not eligible for the July provision.

The summer camp has grown from strength to strength and this year 1s

providing three full weeks of ac- tivities and social interaction for 25 children and young people. Many of the students attending were from St Clare’s, but this year organisers have been delighted to open the doors of St Clare’s and welcome students from other schools for the three- week period.

Students had their hands full with the fun filled programme. Activities included swimming, bowling, week- ly visits to Tumble Towers, bouncy castle, cookery, art and sports.

One of the most popular attractions at this year’s camp was the school’s sensory garden.

Opened in 2007 by Bishop of Kil-

laloe Dr Willie Walsh, the garden is specifically designed to allow chil- dren uninhibited access. The design of the garden is such that certain ar- eas are specially planted to appeal to the sense of sound, while other areas appeal to the sense of touch.

The garden and the school’s new play area provided the ideal setting to make new friends. Already, children and teachers are looking forward to next year’s Summer camp.

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.

A CANCER expert told a jury that he “had great difficulty” believing that a specialised laser treatment – photo- dynamic therapy (PDT) – would have any affect on deep-seated cancers.

A consultant radiation oncologist at Galway University Hospital, Profes- sor Frank Sullivan gave evidence as an expert witness called by the pros- ecution in the case against former GP Pascal Carmody.

Prof Sullivan told the Circuit Court in Ennis that he worked with PDT for treating some cancers while he was

cancer centre director for Holy Cross Health, Silver Spring as well as CEO and medical director of Maryland Regional Cancer Care.

He said the treatment would only be effective when treating cancers on the skin or on the lining of structures such as the airways and food tube.

PDT involves the use of a photo- sensitising drug that is administered intravenously through the vein.

When it reaches the cancer cells in the presence of oxygen if a light is shone directly on to the cancerous cells they will very likely be killed.

He told the court that the laser

would not penetrate more than 5mm and was ineffective on deep-rooted cancers such as lung cancer or can- cer in the bone.

The 1l-person jury has already heard that 15-year-old Conor O’Sullivan from County Wexford had undergone PDT treatment in July 2002 in the East Clinic.

Having examined the young teen’s medical notes Prof Sullivan said that he had suffered from a very aggres- sive form of cancer – Ewing’s Sar- coma.

“I can see no reason to consider PDT for the child,’ said the expert

with 25 years experience in cancer treatment.

Prof Sullivan was also asked about the effects of PDT on the cancer suf- fered by Mullingar man, the late JJ CRUE toe

He said the 46-year-old’s cancer had spread even after his stomach, part of his liver and spleen had been removed.

“To shine a light that would only penetrate 5mm would be very inef- fective,” he said.

He said that likewise the treatment would be ineffective in the late John Sheridan from Kilkenny who had

suffered from cancer of the rectum that spread to the liver.

Prof Sullivan also gave evidence that patients treated with the licensed photosensitising drug – photofolora – were extremely sensitive to light for AUemeaeyela ele

They would suffer from severe sun- burn and their lips and face would swell if they went outdoors without wearing long clothes and a special PPI Ele ENF

He said the only information he had on the drug used in the East Clinic – radochlorin – was that it was from Russia.

LOBBYING of councillors by three Ennis-based companies has resulted in Clare County Council reversing rezonings that would have wiped millions of euro off the value of the companies’ lands.

However, planners have warned that by reversing one of the proposed rezonings the council could, in the future, be open to compensation claims over flood damage.

The draft Ennis plan is due to go on

public display next week. An earlier draft of the plan, circulated to coun- cillors in recent weeks, showed that lands owned by Michael Lynch Ltd, Tom Hogan Motors Ltd and T Sheils and Co Ltd had inferior zonings.

The businesses involved scrambled to lobby councillors ahead of a series of meetings behind closed doors. The draft put before the July meeting of Ennis Town Council yesterday shows that they have been successful.

Last year, Tom Hogan Motors Ltd paid in excess of €10 million for

an eight acre site incorporating the One Mile Inn on the Lahinch Road in Ennis. That was zoned “local cen- tre” in the 2003 Ennis Development Plan, conferring on it the ability “to sustain and strengthen the area as a centre of commercial, retail, cultural and community life’.

However, in the new draft Ennis plan, planning officials removed that zoning and instead moved to have a large proportion of the site rezoned to “open space” and “flood risk” with the remainder zoned “commercial”.

In recommending that the flood risk zoning remain, a report put be- fore the meeting yesterday stated: ‘The portion of the site to the south of the property is known to be a flood risk area for which photographic evi- dence of winter flooding exists.

“It is strongly recommended that the lands should be zoned as per the draft development plan to protect the council against any future claims.”

But the councillors countered that flooding problems “due to blocked drains during by-pass construction

(are) now resolved. Flood risk on site should be determined by experts at time of any planning application.”

The councillors also ruled that the Michael Lynch and Co Ltd site near St Flannan’s roundabout should re- tain its “Proposal Site” status. Plan- ners had sought to rezone the site to “other settlement land” and “residen- tial” to protect the amenities of adja- cent properties.

Councillors also ordered that “com- mercial” zoning be reinstated on the site owned by T Sheils and Co.

A FILM festival that opens in Ennis this week provides the ideal opportu- nity for young filmmakers to express their talents.

Lights Out! opened in Glor yester- day and runs until July 18. Across a series of workshops, young people are treated to a diverse programme of animation, live action, documen- tary and short films. There will also be opportunities to get hands on ex- perience behind the camera with an exciting set of film workshops.

All events take place in Glor Irish Music Centre. There is a weeklong crash-course entitled ‘Make your own Movie with Fresh Film Festival’ (July 14-18 Age 12+), one day anima- tion workshops (July 14-18 Age 8-12) and a special opportunity to learn about the classification process and let young peoples’ voices be heard at IFCO – Meet the Censor! ( July 14 Age 8-12).

At the end of the week there will be an opportunity to see and discuss the films made by young people during the week at the Young Filmmakers

Panel (July 18 All Ages).

Lights Out! patron Kathryn McKi1- ernan, from RTE’s The Den, said ‘I believe Lights Out! is a wonderful opportunity for young people to ex- plore and experience the fascinating world of film and storytelling.”

The festival has been specially de- signed with the help of the young consultants panel which enabled young people to have an active part in the planning of all aspects of the festival. Clare was well represented on the panel by two young film bud- ding directors, Conor Fahy (12) from

Ennis and Ruth-Ann Browne (14), from Cree.

In addition to the main film screen- ings there will be two sets of Quick Flix (6+ and 15+) short film screen- ings showing the best of young peo- ple’s shorts from the film festival circuit.

Lights Out! is an initiative of the Irish Film Institute and is sup- ported by our the Ombudsman for Children’s Office as well as RTE, The Ticket, The Irish Film Board, The Arts Council and Clare County Council Arts Office.