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THE Doolin Craft Fair has put out a call to food producers and vegetable growers whose produce is just com- ing into season at this time of the year. The fair has a number of ven- dors who would like to sell fresh pro- duce on behalf of local producers.

“It’s a win-win situation. The pro- ducers get a fair price for their pro- duce and no longer have to think of desperate ways to use up their spare vegetables and the people who come to the fair get lovely fresh vegeta- bles,” said organiser Toby Sachsen- maier.

“It has really taken off over the last

few weeks – better than any of us could have hoped for really. From the very first day that we opened we have gotten a great response from locals and visitors who have come.

“I think one of the things that makes this market really different is that we have new stalls coming in each week so people can come back week after week and have a different experience.”

The Doolin Saturday Market and Craft Fair takes place each Satur- day from 10am to 4pm at the Russell Community Centre in Doolin.

“It’s not just about having these products for sale. A few of the ven- dors are always doing something

which the people who come to the market will find interesting. For ex- ample we have Mairead who sells woolen garments. She shows people how to spin wool each week,’ con- WbOlE(ore me Re) ey\A

“It’s about creating an atmosphere for the people and I have heard from a number of people that the atmos- phere created by the vendors at the Doolin Market is something special.

“We have a core group who are there every week and then we have different people who come once and awhile when we have space. This week, for example, we have people who are making fused glass jewelry which is something that we haven’t

had before. We have a certain turno- ver each week and that keeps it fresh for the locals who come up all the Wb elen

“We are always looking for new people. We have no room at the mo- ment for permanent tables but we have space for people who only want to come in once and awhile.

“We are also looking at the possi- bility of doing a Christmas fair and it would be great to have a few people around who would be interested in that also.”

For more information on_ the Doolin Craft Fair contact Toby at doolinmarket@gmail.com or phone Paul at 065 7074229.

A RENOWNED consultant surgeon said he could not be sure that treat- ment offered to patients at the East Clinic had any positive affect.

London-based Dr Colin Hopper said he believed that it was likely that other treatments received by the three patients he interviewed helped to elongate their lives.

The Consultant Oral and Maxillo- facial Surgeon at the University Col- lege London Hospitals and Senior

Research Fellow National Medical Laser Centre London, was giving evidence in the case of Dr Pascal Carmody who has denied deceiving terminally ill patients at his clinic in Killaloe.

Mr Hopper visited Dr Carmody at his clinic in 2002.

Spending almost two hours in the witness box on Friday morning, Mr Hopper said, “There is a quantum leap, a leap of faith if you will, be- tween what is mainstream medicine and this medicine being provided.

That is what I have the greatest dif- ficulty with.”

He raised concerns about using drugs on patients without having any information on them and said pa- tients who are terminally ill should not be used as guinea pigs.

‘People who have a very short time to live should not have new medi- cines experimented on them. Pa- tients who are terminally ill have to be protected,” he told the jury at the circuit court.

Council for the defence Pat Mar-

rinan SC told Mr Hopper that the patients were told that they were dy- ing.

Mr Hopper replied, “Dying with an unknown prognosis. None of us have a crystal ball. I have seen pa- tients who were told they had three weeks and they were still alive in ten years.”

The defending barrister asked if there was an adverse reaction in the patients he reviewed.

“The patients did well but whether it was from PDT or other therapies

offered I would expect other thera- pies to have the effect,” he said.

Mr Hopper agreed that he described the case of Mark Hadden, who was given three months to live in 1996, as miraculous, in his 2002 report. Mr Hadden died weeks before the trial preteen a

The consultant surgeon told the court, however, that he could not be sure what was at work as Mr Hadden had also received hyperthermia im- munotherapy in Germany. The trial is to continue this morning.

d planning permission to Brian McGoey and Niall Cunningham to construct 75 homes in Doonbeg but insisted that they only be used as

principal places of residence.

This prompted an appeal to An Bord Pleanala, with the developers claiming that the condition is “‘oner- ous and that at least a proportion of the dwellings should be available for use as holiday homes’”’.

They state that the imposition of the condition “is not in compliance with the proper planning and development of the area”.

“It is acknowledged that there are concerns regarding the provision of further holiday homes in Doonbeg potentially resulting in the village becoming seasonally quiet. How- ever, because of the quality of the proposed scheme, it is unlikely the houses will be purchased by people who only wish to live in the area for a small portion of the year as they are suitable for people who will reside in

them on a more continuous basis eg retirement homes. This means that there will be a high rate of occupan- cy in the development throughout the year with resulting benefits for the local economy”.

The appeal also cites a policy of the West Clare Local Area Plan, which states that the provision of visitor ac- commodation should be encouraged in areas such as Doonbeg.

The developers also point out that the Local Area Plan acknowledges that there is an opportunity to expand the existing tourism base “through the provision of holiday homes and tourism related accommodation’.

‘The proposed scheme is capable of providing suitable holiday homes to cater for this shortfall and to contrib- ute to growth of the tourism product offered in Doonbeg.”

IT appears that Clare farmers will escape any direct losses as a result of the cut in government spending an- nounced last week.

The farming organisations however, have expressed fears that a number of schemes, especially the Farm Im- provement Scheme, could face a very uncertain future.

In the meantime however, the IFA has welcomed the department’s pro- tection of the schemes and its com- mitment to “enhancing the com- petitiveness of farming and the food sector”.

IFA President Padraig Walshe said the current farm investment scheme is clearly boosting the construction

sector in rural areas.

“The investment programme by farmers, supported by department grant schemes, would strengthen the competitiveness of the sector at a time when the industry had to meet the most stringent environmental conditions,’ he said.

Speaking on Thursday, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith, confirmed that his department would be providing sav- ings of €9.1 million in 2008 towards the Government’s overall savings of €440 million. The minister said he would seek more savings in 2009.

“The €9.1 million will be absorbed by the administrative budgets in my department and its state agencies and will involve savings in operating

costs, including salaries,’ said Min- ister Smith.

“T can confirm that €1.04 million would be saved on this department’s administrative budget, €5.391 mul- lion would be sought from the state agencies under this department’s ae- gis and a further €2.679 million will be saved on consultancies, PR and payroll costs.

“I will be examining every aspect of my department’s programme of schemes and services with a view to ensuring that expenditure is fully justified and that we get the best pos- sible value for public investment in these sectors.”

Emphasising the significant contri- bution to the economy made by the agriculture, food, forestry and fish-

ing industries, Minister Smith de- scribed the agri-food sector as “one of our most important indigenous manufacturing industries” which ac- counts for almost 7 per cent of GDP, 8 per cent of employment and 10 per cent of exports.

The Minister said that the range of measures and schemes funded by his department were “important drivers of economic development in the agri- culture, fisheries and food sectors”.

Minister Smith concluded with a commitment to continue with this prudent approach to managing the public finances in order to support the agri-food sector but also in tak- ing any additional and proportionate measures required to manage our way through the current difficulties.

ENNISTYMON will open up for some good clean fun this week as the town’s Family Festival prepares to take over.

Beginning on Thursday, this year’s festival has been designed to offer something for all tastes, young as well as old.

With dozens of events taking place each day, the festival mixes light- hearted games for young people and adults with some of the very best of local music.

Some of the festival highlight in- clude the bar persons’ race and pub stretcher race on Thursday, the tug of war and teen disco on Friday, Joe Burke Memorial Cup soccer tourna- ment and 5k fun run on Saturday and

the baby rave and donkey derby on SLUICE NE

“We have tried to get something for every element of the community. We tried really hard to get something that would interest ever age group. From all the silly events for adults, to the music that everyone will enjoy and all the events designed for younger people,” said organiser Marian Cliff.

“What is important is to thank ab- solutely everyone who has helped out this year. So many people are offer- ing their time for nothing – like the DJ, the people who are running the workshops and all the stewards.

“Pretty much all of the local busi- nesses have sponsored something di- rectly or they have just handed me a cheque for the festival,” she added.

“That’s what it’s all about – we

are trying to make an event that has something for all the community and the community has really gotten be- hind it.

“We have small collection boxes in all the bars and in the evening the girls behind the bar have been going around and rattling them trying to raise some money. We need all this money to pay for the insurance.”

One of the highlights of the En- nistymon Family Festival is always the live music. This year is no excep- tion with a typically eclectic mix. The likes of the Robot Pilots, the Andy Wilson Band, Kohima, Bush- plant and the Van Diemens will all be taking to the stage.

The youngsters will also get a chance to shine with a youth bands competition on Saturday.

“Thanks to Matthew Griffin we have the gig rig back in the square for this year’s music and Paddy Mulcahy has but together a great line-up of live music,’ continued Marian.

“There are so many people who have gotten involved in the festival or have given sponsored that I would love to thank, but so many people have been generous that it’s just 1m- possible to mention them all.”

For the full line up and times for the weekend’s festivities check locally.

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.

THE second annual Outdoor Land- scape Painting Competition takes place this weekend in Lisdoonvar- na. After hosting Ireland’s first ever competition of its kind last year, the organisers have decided to expand this year’s event into a full weekend of activity.

The weekend artsfest, which 1s be- ing organised by the Burren Painting Centre, will attract 30 aspiring paint- ers for the competition and countless other for the weekend’s festivities.

“Last year was the first year and we ran a very successful competti-

tion on the Saturday. But this year we have tried to make it more into a weekend so we have more events organised which are taking place all over the weekend. So it’s going to be more of an artsfest this year,’ said Chris O’ Neill of the Burren Painting Centre.

“On the Friday evening we have a demonstration by the oil painter Fergal Flanagan from Wicklow. We are going to use the newly renovat- ed Town Hall for this. We will go straight from the demonstration into an exhibition of local artists curated by Doreen Drennan.

‘We have several professional art-

ists from this area who all paint in the Burren. So most of the art will be very relevant to north Clare and the Burren area. This exhibition will be on for 10 days and will be the first art exhibition in the new art space in the Town Hall pavilion.”

The competition will kick off on Saturday morning with painters be- ing whisked off to three secret lo- cations in the Burren to begin their ernonlmuetce

“We have 30 people at this stage and many of those will be doing nu- merous works. After registration we will give them the coice of the three locations, which are secret up until

that point,’ continued Chris.

“We give them a bit of advice and a map and off they go. That whole process is quite exciting – it’s like we have a bit of orienteering before we start painting. All paintings must then be in by 6pm for the judges to start their process.”

Judging will take place on Sunday morning while a drawing workshop will be conducted by Frank Sandford in the Burren Painting Centre.

The winning paintings will be dis- played at the King Thomand Hotel for a prize giving lunch where 12 prizes will be handed out. For more www.butrenpaintingcentre.com

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.