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CLARE’S new mayor has promised that the people’s voice would be heard.

In her mayoral address, Clare’s first citizen Councillor Madeleine Taylor- Quinn (FG) said, “Clare is a unique county full of character and history, its people are resourceful and spirit- ed. In electing us to this council they expect their voices to be heard, and their concerns represented.

“The people of Clare deserve and are entitled to openness and transpar- ency in the process. We, the elected members, are the policy makers for this county, and are accountable to the people,” she said.

The Fine Gael mayor said that the councillors and staff had the com- mon interest of serving the commu- nity and as such mutual respect and courtesy between councillors and employees was essential.

“Within this council there is no place, nor no space for an “us” and “them” mentality — we are all in it to- gether for the good of County Clare,” she told fellow councillors and staff.

The impending recession was also at the forefront of her mind, as the new mayor took office.

“Undoubtedly, challenges lay ahead due to the changing economic climate, and we will have to adjust to such changes, but also recognise that this county was well served in far more difficult times in the past. Those most in need must be first

assisted, and national funding will have to be secured to ensure that this becomes reality,” she said.

“Substantial discrepancies exist

within the county in relation to basic infrastructure such as waste water treatment systems, equipping villag- es throughout this county with prop-

er infrastructure 1s essential if there is to be balanced county develop- ment. Population changes within the county reflect financial investment

patterns, many which are directed from central government. People of Clare must be supported to live in their local villages, and not be forced into larger towns because of the lack of infrastructure.”

Mayor Taylor-Quinn outlined the critical role of tourism to the local economy, the need for a proper road infrastructure and hospital and the need to advance the needs of Shan- non Airport.

“We need to be innovative in our promotion strategy of the county — this could involve inviting promoters or high profile individuals into Clare to turn the international spotlight on the county, so that it can be seen as a truly desirable top class destination,” she said.

“The coming year will be chal- lenging for all of us. Recent bound- ary changes have affected all of us to a greater or lesser degree, but I’m Sure in time most will come to ac- cept these changes as a slight incon- venience. | am confident that we can all work well together for the people of Clare, and I look forward to your help and co-operation for the coming year,’ she told her fellow council- Kove

AT half-time in this Cusack Cup final, some of those watching the game on the bank beside the stand retreated towards the dressing rooms to take shelter from the squall. It was there they heard Kilmurry Ibrickane manager Micheal McDermott give vent to his fury.

The louder he roared, the more pro- nounced his Cavan accent became — he didn’t quite invoke the spirit of John Joe or ‘Big’ Tom O’Reilly, PJ Duke or Peter Donohue, but such was the power of his invective that Kilmurry Ibrickane — from captain Martin McMahon down to the very last man out of the dressing room — had a mean look about them in the on the resumption. In between the expletives, McDermott had roared: ‘How badly do you want it lads.” He got his answer as Kilmurry stormed back into contention in the second half, taking the game in extra-time before edging home by two points.

“It was a tremendously exciting game if you were neutral, but quite stressful on the line, especially as the game went into extra-time,” said McDermott afterwards. “We got that

bit of luck in the end, Doonbeg could have won in normal time, but things just went our way in the end and it’s great to win.

“We started very well, something we were determined to do because in recent games we have been slow to start. But we went out of it in the centre-field and the diamond around that area as Frank O’Dea came more and more into the game.

‘In the second half we played much more direct ball into the forward line. Mark McCarthy won some cru- cial ball for us and had a great game in what is his first year on the senior team. He really shone through for us, which was a reward for the effort he has put in 1n training.

“We couldn’t start Johnny Daly, while Noel Downes hadn’t trained for two weeks and Michael Hogan had a hamstring problem. Declan Callinan, Even Talty and Mark Kil- leen were out of the backs, so we had to readjust our team a lot.

“It showed the strength of our panel. Darren Hickey came in for his first game in seven weeks, Vinny Talty came in and did a job. It was a great boost to win it, especially the way in which we stood up physically

to the challenge and that’s why we came out on top.”

The victory was Kilmurry Ibrick- ane’s 18th of the season so far — they won nine on the way to winning the O’Gorman Cup and another nine in the Cusack Cup. Six wins at most and the championship will be theirs.

And, it’s the championship that McDermott and everyone in the barony of Ibrickane is demanding. “The league is over with now — it was great to win it, but the focus has always been the championship,’ said McDermott.

“Our first game is against Kilkee and that is vital. Kilmurry Ibrickane’s record against Kilkee isn’t a good one, so we have to get that monkey off our back. That’s the only game we re thinking of now,’ he added.

A CANCER patient had to be flown by helicopter from Cork to visit Pas- chal Carmody’s clinic in Killaloe, as she was too ill to travel by road.

Noel O’Connor told the trial on Thursday that his sister Mary (46) had lived in Surrey with her two daughters, in 2002.

He said that she was diagnosed with a serious tumor in her chest, in February 2002. Her family then relo- cated her and her daughters to Cork.

Mr O’Connor said a general prac- titioner in Cork referred him to Pas- chal Carmody, to help his sister.

‘He (Mr Carmody) indicated there was a particular treatment he could administer, that could be of help to

my sister. He indicated it was photo- dynamic,” he said.

He said that they travelled by heli- copter to Killaloe in March, two or three weeks after the initial contact was made. “She travelled by helicop- ter from Farren. Mary was unable to travel any distance by car. She was too ull,” he said.

He said he paid £2,000 to Gaelic Helicopters and the helicopter landed in the GAA pitch in Killaloe, from where Mary was driven the 300-yard distance to the clinic.

Mary returned to the clinic the fol- lowing day for photodynamic treat- ment.

‘“‘He was very positive about the treatment. I got the impression the treatment could be of benefit to

Mary,” said Mr O’Connor.

He said he personally felt very posi- tive and Mary was “extremely happy that something was being done for her.’ Mr O’Connor paid €7,500 for the treatment that day.

He said he had expected “several follow-ups but there was no follow- up at that time.”

After they returned to Cork, his sister’s condition “quite rapidly di- simproved.” Within four days, she was moved to Marymount Hospice in Cork, and died on May 6, 2002.

Under cross-examination by Pat Marrinan, SC, representing Mr Carmody, Mr O’Connor said, “We would have done whatever needed to be done, photodynamic treatment or chemo, or whatever.”

Mr Marrinan said his client was “somewhat taken aback when a helicopter arrived in the local GAA pitch.”

Mr O’Connor said he had indicated that he would have to fly his sister there, because she was so ill. How- ever Mr Marrinan said his client was adamant he hadn’t been aware of this and was surprised when the helicop- ter arrived.

“He also takes serious issue with what happened at the clinic. He saw your sister and saw that she was very unwell. He spoke to you and said this treatment wasn’t suitable for your sister, she was so unwell,” said Mr Marrinan.

Mr O’Connor replied, “No, that’s untrue. I don’t remember any indi-

cation that she wasn’t going to be treated.”

Mr Marrinan put it to the witness that he had gone to “extraordinary” lengths to transport his sister to Kil- laloe and was “insistent” that she be treated, but he denied this.

“All I was trying to do was save my sister. All I was interested in doing was saving her life,” he said.

Mr Marrinan told the court that Dr Porter, who administered the treat- ment, was no longer in the jurisdic- tion. “He has left the country,” he revealed.

Mr Marrinan asked the witness did Mr Carmody promise him that his sister would be cured. He replied, “He never said that she would be cured. There were no guarantees.”

MINISTER for the Environemnt and Local Government John Gorm- ley (GP) has admitted that the new electoral boundaries in the county have put his own Green Party county councillor at a disadvantage. Speaking in Clare during the week the minister said, “I know on the

ground here in Clare my own coun- cillor Brian Meaney feels that his area has been cut in half. That is putting him at a disadvantage.

“Nevertheless I do know he is up to the challenge and he is recognised for his hard work on the ground, and I am sure that will be taken into ac- count by the voters when they come to vote in June,” he said.

The Green Party minister was re- acting to criticism of the new elec- toral boundaries proposed by the boundary commission.

The new boundaries have been crit- icised for their urban bias.

In Clare the division of the county town into Ennis East and Ennis West has been described as “ridiculous” by councillors.

The new division runs up O’Connell Street and many other major streets.

The minister said, however, that he would not interfere in the drawing of the boundary lines.

“This is an independent commis- sion and you just have to go back to the boundary redrawing for the general election where there was dis- appointment in some quarters,” he said.

“These are difficult for the politi- cians to deal with and I am sure the people in the area find it an incon- venience, but they have arrived at their conclusion independently, I am the minister, but I cannot interfere in those decisions nor would it be prop- er to do so,” he added.

“You tend to get mixed feedback generally even in my own party there are some councillors that are quiet glum and feel they have been disad- vantaged through the redrawing of boundaries and others have got an extra seat.

“It 1s very much a mixed bag,” he SrnGe

He said that the terms of reference for drawing up the boundaries did not change much from the last time they were drawn.

WEST Clare councillor Bill Cham- bers (FF) has been elected deputy mayor of Clare for the second time in a row.

The Cooraclare man has held on to the position for the coming year and is the only man in Clare to have dep- utised for two lady mayors. He was elected unopposed after being nom1- nated by PJ Kelly, seconded by Pat Daly and supported by Joe Arkins.

With 23 years in Clare County Council he is more than up to the challenge of the coming year and is already looking forward to going on the hustings next year.

Cllr Chambers was first elected to the council in 1985, and during the same year he began serving on the Mid Western Health Board.

When the health boards were dis- banded, the Fianna Fail councillor was elected to the HSE Forum West.

The change between the two sys- tems was very significant for the councillor. “In the HSE forum you have no power. You cannot make any decisions, just recommendations,’ he said.

The health services have always been a priority for the Cooraclare councillor, as he maintains that the future of Ennis General Hospital is one of his political priorities.

“T would like to see the €39 mil- lion spent on it very soon, they say it is ring fenced but I would like to see it in use,” he said.

With one year left in the lifetime of this council, Cllr Chambers said he would like to see work begun in the sewerage schemes in Cooraclare, Carrigaholt and Labasheeda. “They have been waiting so long, it is time it was done,” he said.

Cllr Chamber said he is looking forward to the year as deputy may- or, having enjoyed last year. “I like meeting people,” he said.

SOMEBODY in Ireland checked the credit limit of a Clare man’s Ameri- can Express card, while his partner and the Las Vegas poker dealer she is accused of conspiring with to kill him and his two sons were both out of the country, the trial was told on Friday. Garda Annette Ryan said that two calls had been made to American Express Card Services on September 22, 2006 from the offices of Downes and Howard, the property investment

business run by Mr Howard and his sons.

The jury has also heard that on Sep- tember 19, two flights to Ireland on US airlines were charged to the card in the names of Essam Eid and his wife Teresa Engle. A hotel booking with Alpha Reservations was made on the same date.

Gda Ryan told the trial that phone records showed over 70 phone calls between phones related to Ms Collins and those registered to Mr Eid.

She said that the location of the

calls from Ms Collins’ phones cor- responded to her movements between Ireland and Spain, where Mr Howard owned an apartment.

Garda Ryan said she had not investi- gated American numbers dialled from the landline in Ballybeg house, where Ms Collins lived with Mr Howard, because they were not related to the Garda investigation.

Detective Garda Brendan Rouine told Paul O’Higgins SC, defending Ms Collins, in cross-examination, that he had taken as accurate a record

of Ms Collins’ Garda interviews as he could.

“We keep writing and keep it as accurate as we can. We don’t have the facility of a stenographer and no Shorthand,” he said.

He told Mr O’Higgins that he had not recorded a complaint by Ms Col- lins that her words were not being recorded accurately because he was concerned with accurately recording the questions put to her.

He said that Ms Collins had been read over the statement and asked to

sign them if she agreed they were a fair representation of what had been said. She had signed most of the Neos ale

Mr O’Higgins said it was impossible for the jury to watch the video record- ings of the interviews since an earlier attempt to show one in court had en- countered technical problems.

Tom O’Connell SC, prosecuting, replied that the defence had not pre- viously complained about the re- cordings and he was willing to show Weloeen

THE mother of a 15-year-old Wex- ford boy who died from cancer has told a court that Paschal Carmody promised the boy he would cure his cancer and “at worst” he would keep SNbaeMDEA(or

Christina O’Sullivan told the trial that her eldest son Conor died on No- vember 13, 2002, just weeks short of his 16th birthday.

She said that Conor, a Liverpool fa- natic, complained of back pain and was treated by a local doctor for a slipped disc. However, he wasn’t get- ting any better and they brought him to several spinologists.

In February 2001, an MRI scan re- vealed that he had a shadow on one of his bones.

Ewings sarcoma was later identified and Conor underwent chemotherapy. She said at that stage, her eldest son was given a “50-50 chance, being on the upper end of 50.”

“Conor had to attend Crumlin eve- ry 21 days for three to four days of chemo sessions,” she said.

Between November 15, 2001 and February 20, 2002, his treatment was postponed and he underwent radio- therapy at St Luke’s in Rathgar.

An MRI scan on May 14, 2002 re- vealed that Conor’s “very nasty” tu- mor had returned.

Mrs O’Sullivan burst into tears as she recalled their plans to take the family to the World Cup in Japan that year, where Conor wanted to see Crunstvenaseem(enleie

She said that a short time after, a bone scan revealed that the tumor had progressed to the third stage and there was a spot on Conor’s skull.

Conor’s doctor told the family he could do nothing more and he was given just six months to live.

She said her sister had heard about a doctor in Killaloe who could cure cancer and she rang the East Clinic.

She said that the family and Conor’s girlfriend Helena visited the clinic that July, where they met Dr Car- mody. She said Dr Carmody didn’t carry out a physical examination of Conor.

‘His words to us were the photody- namic treatment would work a treat

on this type of cancer. He said the doctors up in Dublin don’t know the good work we do down here,” she Sr nLGE

She said Dr Carmody told them that Dr William Porter would do the treatment.

‘He came around from the side of his desk and went around to Conor and put his arm on his shoulder and said, Conor [ll cure your cancer and at worst if I don’t cure your cancer, Pll at least keep you alive,” she said.

She said Dr Porter told her that his wife Maggie had suffered from breast cancer and had been cured by the photodynamic treatment. The court was told that Mrs Porter died some time later.

She said Dr Porter told them that Conor would be put on a drip, which would go through his body and at- tach itself to the cancer cells. He would go under a laser light, which would then kill off the cancer cells. The treatment cost €7,500.

“We felt as 1f the weight of the world was lifted off our shoulders. We were on cloud nine,” she said.

She said they returned to the clinic on July 29 and Conor underwent the treatment. Whilst under the lights, Conor got very upset and cried in pain as hives came out on his body.

She said Conor was given a bottle of green liquid to take and told to put one teaspoon of the substance in a half glass of water each evening and

go under six lights.

“He had to take 15 to 20 tablets a day, to build up his immune system. They were like horse tablets, they were so big,” she said.

Counsel for Mr Carmody, Pat Mar- rinan said his client’s case “‘is slight- ly different to the case you are mak- ing out… Dr Carmody has a problem about what you say he said. Yes, you discussed the treatment that was available, but he never promised you that he would cure Conor.”

Mr Marrinan put it to her that she was desperately looking for some- thing to hold on to and may have misinterpreted what was said to her.

However, she said she would never forget what Dr Carmody had said.

“Those words, they ring in my mind. They will never, never leave my mind. I didn’t think my son was going to die, not for a minute. I just trusted everything would be ok. When he told us he would keep our son alive, we believed him.”

Mr Marrinan asked her did she know of any cure for cancer. She said she had visited a young man who had cancer, Mark Hadden, who lived 15 miles from her home, in County Wicklow. He had been to Dr Carmo- dy for several years. He passed away about a month ago.

Mr Marrinan pointed out that that young man was told, at the age of 14, that he had just months to live. He went to Dr Carmody and survived for eight or nine years.

“His wife will come to court and tell of her experience with Dr Car- mody. Mr Hadden had nothing but praise for Paschal Carmody,’ said Mr Marrinan.

‘T don’t want to be here (in court). It’s not going to bring my son back. I have no feeling whatsoever for that man. What he promised and all the money he conned people out of, I’m sitting here telling the jury the truth and I’m on oath. I’m getting nothing out of this. He didn’t keep my son alive. He didn’t even keep him alive for three or four months. Conor is with me right here now, giving me support here,” she cried.

Mr Marrinan said, “He said he’d do the best that we can,’ to which the witness replied, “No, he said he’d cure Conor. He was worse to say he could do it and take our money and promise our son he’d cure him.”

The court was told that Mrs O’Sullivan told gardai, “We were given false promises at a time when we were very vulnerable.”

Mrs O’Sullivan’s husband Derek also told the court that Dr Carmody promised to cure Conor’s cancer.

‘I find it hard to take in any more of this. I’ve been trying to get rid of it for four years or more,” he said.

FORMER fire fighters, current fire fighters and their families gathered with the local community in Killaloe on Friday for the official opening of the new improved fire station.

“It is important that our fire-fight- ers have the best facilities,’ said Minister for the Environment and Local Government John Gormley as he opened the fire station with outgo- ing mayor of Clare Cllr Patricia Mc- Carthy (ind).

“It is of paramount importance that modern up to date facilities be pro- vided for the fire fighters who give so generously of their time to serve and protect the local community,” said

the minister.

He thanked the crew for their dedi- cation, and Cllr McCarthy paid trib- ute to their families who worry about their loved ones while they put their lives at risk for others.

Minister Gormley told those gath- ered for the opening ceremony that he was no stranger to Killaloe as he spent time there as a child on his family’s boat.

He congratulated the county coun- cil on developing a fire station wor- thy of the area.

“This modern facility will provide the necessary additional operational and training administration facilities required by modern dedicated fire Services,” he said.

The existing station was built back in the late 1960s and according to the council’s records it cost £11,308.

Apart from maintenance there had been very litthe work carried out in the station until now.

The new facilities were provided for at a cost of €597,000 for the ex- tension and upgrading of Killaloe Fire Station.

The upgraded facilities include reconfiguring the appliance bay to include a 4WD vehicle, new drying room facilities, watchroom, lecture room, male and female facilities, breathing apparatus maintenance room, resurfacing of the drill yard, security fencing, boundary wall, au- tomatic gate and general refurbish-

ment and decorating works.

“The Killaloe station has seen its work load increase over the years to a point where it now deals with an average of 93 call outs per annum.

“This fire station will continue the tradition of providing a first class service to the town and the hinter- land with skilled fire service per- sonnel who are able to respond to a variety of instances from domestic fires and bog fires to road traffic ac- cidents,” said the minister.

The Killaloe fire officers and ten retained crew provide cover for 170 square kilometres in east Clare and north Tipperary and a dedicated service to approximately 8,000 peo- ple.

CLARE County Council made his- tory yesterday (Monday) when it elected its first ever Fine Gael mayor in the lifetime of the council.

Councillor Madeleine ‘Taylor Quinn (FG) was also the first mayor to be elected in the new purpose built council chambers.

The former TD and senator was elected unopposed having been pro- posed by fellow west Clare Fine Gael councillor Oliver Garry and second- ed by Ennis councillor Tommy Bren- nan (Ind).

The election of the west Clare woman Sees the end of an agreement brokered by Cllr Brennan to rotate the role of mayor during the term of this council.

In proposing Cllr Taylor Quinn as first citizen Cllr Garry said that she along with her late father Frank had provided 54 years of unbroken serv- ice to Clare County Council.

Madeleine’s mother Ann Rita sat in the packed public gallery watching the occasion with Madeleine’s hus- band George, sons David and Eoin, other family members and friends, including Fine Gael Deputy Joe

Carey.

Taking the chair Cllr Taylor Quinn paid tribute to her predecessor Cllr Patricia McCarthy. “You took on the office with energy, enthusiasm and commitment,” she said.

“Tt is said that “Politics is the Art of the Possible” and belatedly I am beginning to support this theory. When first elected to this council it would not have remotely occurred to me that one day I might be Chairman or Mayor of Clare County Council. Fine Gael councillors never held the office, so it is with humility and thoughtful regard for all those who

served here in the past, some still with us, others deceased that I take on the mantle of the mayoralty,” she added.

Councillors from all parties and areas congratulated Clare’s first ever Fine Gael mayor.

They also paid tribute to the hard and dedicated work of the outgoing mayor Cllr McCarthy, and to Cllr Tommy Brennan for organising and securing the rotation deal.

Cllr Martin Conway (FG) told the new mayor “Your commitment, your integrity and performance in politics can never be in doubt.”

Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) told her that she “may have been elected in the west but you are respected in the rest.”

In congratulating the mayor Cllr Pascal Fitzgerald quipped, “I feel sorry for your husband George, he has to do the washing, ironing and everything else,” he said.

Cllr Colm Wiley (FF) reminded councillors that it was the last AGM they will have as the current coun- cil.

“In this last year let us all pull to- gether for the people of Clare, those that elected us and the mayor.”

THE Christian Brothers have played a central role in the history of north Clare since they arrived in En- nistymon almost 200 years ago. In 1824 local parish priest Rev Pe- ter O’Loughlin wrote to Christian Brother Edmund Rice, asking him to send two brothers to provide for the education of the many Catholic boys in the area who, due to the Penal Laws, had no opportunity of receiv- ing any schooling.

Later that year two brothers arrived in Ennistymon and took up tem- porary residence in a small house owned by a Mr Arthur near the Prot- estant Church, while a new dwelling was being built at the south end of the old Ennistymon Chapel.

In 1825 a lease was drawn up mak- ing over the premises “for the pur- pose of a school to Edmund Rice and Philip Hally of Mount Sion, Water- Ko)Ke ae

In the same year the famous Wel- lington of Waterloo made a donation of £100 to aid in establishing the said school on the understanding that the premises would always be used for that purpose. Another donation of

£100 was made by the Parish Priest.

The Chapel was converted into classrooms with a small organ loft that was removed from the north transept. In cold weather turf fires blazed in each of the three fireplaces and there was an abundance of fuel supplied by the parents of the boys.

In the five years after the arrival of the brothers between three and four hundred boys were enrolled in the school. It is recorded that “the fame of the establishment soon spread far and wide-distinguished visitors coming to see the work of the new brotherhood and, in many instances, oLoyele ul oLUceb rca Com meteam aun Telan

In May 1827 the brothers moved from their temporary residence at Arthur’s Arch into their new Mon- astery beside the school. The site on which the monastery and school stood became known as Mount St Joseph.

During the construction of the Monastery the boys, after school- hours and during playtime, helped to lay out the grounds and to build an enclosing wall.

Much of this information was first published on Wwww.homepage.eir- com.net/~cbsennistymon/