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has scooped a major medi- cal journalism award, ahead of stiff competition from writers and broad- casters in the national media.

Claire Gallagher won the Young Irish Journalist of the Year award, winning a specially commissioned sculpture by leading silversmith Sea- mus Gill as well as a financial prize, at the seventh annual GlaxoSmithK- line Irish Medical Media Awards.

Gallagher won the award for her sensitive treatment of the controversy surrounding breast cancer screening services in Clare.

Announcing the win, chairman of the judging panel and MC, Dr John Bowman said she won the award “for her sensitive treatment of the contro- versy around breast screening serv- ices in Clare and for well-researched articles which provided her readers with all sides of the argument”.

This is the latest in a long line of awards for the newspaper, which is celebrating the third anniversary of its first edition this week.

The newspaper’s managing editor, Gerry Collison, paid tribute to Gal- lagher’s standard of journalism in the publication.

“Claire is an extremely dedicated and talented journalist. She constant- ly raises the bar in terms of journal- istic excellence with her work. We

have a very talented, hard-working staff of whom we are very proud,’ he said.

THE General Secretary Designate of the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union, Eamon Devoy has welcomed the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty by the Irish people. “The na- tional executive of our union recom- mended a ‘No’ vote in the referen- dum and it now seems clear that this has happened,” he said.

“The TEEU favours a social Eu- rope, but unfortunately recent key judgements by the European Court

of Justice show that the pendulum has swung against workers’ rights and in favour of big business. In the circumstances, it would be foolish to provide the institutions of the Euro- pean Union with any more power,’ | aTemncy-N (6

Devoy added that the union’s con- cerns were heightened by the refusal of the Government to give any com- mitment to SIPTU to vindicate the right to collective bargaining of Irish workers if they voted for the treaty.

“We have seen a sustained attack on

working conditions since the adop- tion of the Nice Treaty. Why would workers vote for more of the same?”’

He added that until such time as the Irish Government is “prepared to recognise the right of workers to collective bargaining and the con- comitant right to organise and take industrial action in defence of their living standards, the TEEU will not support institutional reforms that only strengthen big business.”

The TEEU is the country’s largest craft union with 45,000 members

and the largest such union in manu- facturing, construction, energy, engi- neering and electrical contracting.

Meanwhile, SIPTU is expected to talk to the members before making any official statement on the matter. Union sources said yesterday that the fact that the Taoiseach Brian Cowan “was able to give assurances to the IFA but couldn’t reassure trade union members speaks volumes”.

The source said that SIPTU’s posi- tion is still that the treaty as is stands is flawed in relation to issues such as

collective bargaining.

‘People’s suspicions were re-in- forced that this was going to be a treaty in which business interests would be fast-tracked and workers’ rights put on the back burner,’ the source said.

SIPTU made its initial recommen- dation on the treaty after consultation with members “and taking on board their concerns in relation to workers’ rights”, the source added.

It is expected SIPTU will make no immediate public statement.

DETECTIVE Sergeant Michael Gub- bins told the trial last Friday that he forensically examined an Advent computer which was stolen from the office of Howards’ property business.

He said he had found certain files corresponding to keywords relating to the case. Some were documents stored in the computer’s temporary memory cache during internet us- age. These files related to the email address Lyingeyes98@yahoo.ie and showed an increasingly flirtatious correspondence between Lyingeyes and hire_hitman@yahoo.com.

Det Sgt Gubbins said a file show- ing the inbox of Lyingeyes98 showed a welcome email from Yahoo, dated

August 2, 2006.

Also on August 2, an email had been sent from sharoncollins@eircom.net.

On August 3, a file cached from the website Hitmanforhire.us showed a form filled out. The name was given as Sn Cronin with an email address at Lyingeyes98. The country was listed as Ireland and the space criminal ex- perience had been filled in “no”. At “criminal record” the reply had been given “Not yet”.

Whoever filled the form in said they wanted to “make money doing some- thing useful”.

Det Sgt Gubbins read out the text of several emails that had been found in the computer’s memory, showing pages from the web-based email ac- count for Lyingeyes98.

Successive emails between B Lyons at Lyingeyes, some of which were signed Sharon and Tony Luciano at hire_hitman were found.

On August 8, the computer user booked a flight to Malaga in the name of Sharon Collins and ac- cessed the Eircom email account for Ms Collins. The Lyingeyes email ac- count was logged into seconds after the user logged out of the Sharoncol- lins account.

He said the user also visited the AIB website several times, getting a quote for a personal loan for be- tween €17,000 and €20,000. They also bought a three-month supply of the weight loss drug Reductil from an online pharmacy website in the name of Sharon Collins.

At 10.0lpm the user visited a page on the Hitmanforhire.net website which gave details “how to order a contract killing”.

The user kept searching for the terms “assassins for hire, assassina- tion’, revisiting the Hitmanforhire. us site at 10.11pm and clicked on the Submit button on the contact page.

In one email dated August 15, Lyin- geyes asked hire_hitman about a dis- claimer at the bottom of the website Hitmanforhire.us, which said that the website was a “parody”.

On August 14, an email from Tony Luciano asked B Lyons to send mon- ey to T Engle at 6108 Camden Cove Street, Mr Eid’s Las Vegas address. The court previously heard from Mr Eid’s partner Teresa Engle, who lived

ALO MODUOOMcIimDOr-lmr-Ke(60ucntour-lm Neem BDOOISs

The email gave bank details for an account in the name Essam Eid.

A reply written in the inbox of Lyin- geyes98 mentioned being nervous about sending a package. “I have de- cided to parcel up the money. I will probably put something else in it so it looks like a present. I will also put in the photos and the keys.”

Det Sgt Gubbins said he had also found several photographs in the computer’s memory. There were photographs of PJ, Robert and Niall Howard as well as Sharon Collins. There was also a photograph of Mr Eid in an open top car. Det Sgt Gub- bin said that this file name corre- sponded to an attachment to an email from Tony Luciano to Lyingeyes.

THE Baha’i community in Shannon is currently engaging in a wide vari- ety of events in the local area, geared towards people of all ages.

The group, which is growing in size in Shannon having been set up 15 years ago, runs children’s classes every week, along with junior youth study circles.

The classes are open to children from all backgrounds and all faiths.

Study groups focusing on ‘Reflec-

tions on the life of the Spirit’ are springing up throughout the country, with one starting in Shannon short- M4

According to the Baha’i communi- ty, these courses are designed to as- sist in the awakening of the spiritual life of the individual.

Other Baha’ activites in the area includes regular devotional meet- ings, Holy Day celebrations and in- formation evenings.

Plans are also afoot to establish a youth group for young people aged

between 12 and 15.

“It will be animated by youth. It will really make the young people think and take responsibility for their environment,” said Trish Fallon-Bar- ry, who is the secretary of the Baha’i community in Shannon.

According to Ms Fallon-Barry, all of the events are open to everybody.

We welcome the participation of members of the wider community,’ she said.

Ms Fallon-Barry was one of four people from across the county who

represented Clare at the recent elec- tion in Dublin of the nine-member National Assembly of the Baha’i faith.

One of the main issues up for the discussion at the conference was the position of their persecuted fellow Sylora kw tem bectee

Information on the Bahai com- munity and its principles can be found on www.bahai.ie, by emailing bahainfo@iol.ie or by phoning the Baha’i community in the Shannon area on 061 362715.

THE countdown is well and truly underway for the biggest farming event so far this year as FarmFest and BioEnergy ‘08 threatens to enve- lope Athenry in County Galway this week.

An estimated 40,000 farmers are expected to invade Teagasc’s 30 hec- tare Mellow’s Campus on Friday, with the highlight for many likely to be Ireland’s first ever BioEnergy ex- hibition.

More than 400 exhibitors will showcase all aspects of Ireland’s ever changing countryside in a spectrum of attractive tented villages and ex- hibition spaces. The BioEnergy ex- hibition is being presented jointly by Teagasc, Coford and Sustainable En-

ergy Ireland (SEI) and will feature a tented village and outdoor exhibition space where displays, from biomass stove and boiler and equipment and fuel suppliers, will be central.

Bioenergy experts will also set up workshops and give practical dem- onstrations and field excursions to visitors.

Bioenergy and wood based fuels have a key role to play in finding workable and cost effective solutions to fossil fuel dependency in Ireland and so FarmFest & BioEnergy ‘08 will be of interest to land owners, home owners, businesses, forestry managers professionals and entre- preneurs alike who want to find out more about bioenergy crops and the emerging forest fuel market.

With Biomass having the potential

to meet up to 10 per cent of our en- ergy needs by 2010, to redirect hun- dreds of millions of euro to the Irish economy, create over 4,000 new jobs and assist in rural development by providing new markets in the farm- ing and forestry sectors, the BioEn- ergy Village at FarmFest & BioEn- ergy ‘08 promises to be a focal point for visitors.

“Equally important to the finan- cial benefits are the environmental benefits of developing Ireland’s vast bioenergy resources as they will also contribute to meeting national and international renewable targets, cli- mate change mitigation policies and waste policies which is good news for everyone,’ said Nuala Ni Fhlatharta of Teagasc.

As well as the BioEnergy Exhibi-

tion, Farmfest & BioEnergy °08 will see a variety of tented villages and Open-space exhibits on dairy, cattle, sheep and tillage enterprises and en- vironmental and sustainability.

A forestry village will also be set up where exhibitors will be on hand along with the forestry development unit to show visitors how forestry can be used as a land use option, how to improve genetic source and timber quality and there will also be live demonstrations of forestry harvest- ing and chipping all day long.

ENNIS has been named the cleanest town in Ireland in the latest survey by the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) league.

Ennis has traditionally fared poorly in the survey. Last year Ennis fin- ished in 31st position. However, En- nis outperformed 55 other towns and cities surveyed in Ireland to achieve a status of ‘clean to European norms’.

Mayor of Ennis Tommy Brennan said, “We’re obviously delighted with the result, we are the cleanest town in Ireland having been castigated for so long by IBAL in the past.

“It just goes to show the benefits of partnership between Ennis Town Council, the tidy towns committee,

IBAL and other organisations. We’ve got to the top and hopefully we can stay there.”

Mr Brennan also paid tribute to the staff of Ennis Town Council.

“It’s a great boost for the entire town and for tourism in Ennis. A lot of credit must go to the cleaning crews of Ennis Town Council and especial- ly to Brendan Keogh and everyone working in the gardening section of the council. They have done terrific work, this year and every year, with such a small staff.”

In a statement, An Taisce said the result was a very positive develop- ment for Ennis.

“Ennis has seen huge all around improvements on previous IBAL anti-litter surveys and all of the sites

surveyed were ‘clean to European norms’. This is very positive for En- nis at this time of the year, as the tourist season beings to come upon us. Hopefully, the high standard can be sustained throughout the year. It wasn’t just the lack of litter, which set Ennis apart, but the way in which the environments are managed, eg planting, bins, benches. Credit is cer- tainly due to all responsible for this huge effort.

“While Killarney and Ennis can also claim excellent performances, the good news does not extend to all tourist centres,’ said IBAL Chair- man Dr Tom Cavanagh. “The cities of Limerick, Kilkenny and especial- ly Cork have slipped backwards, as has Galway to a lesser extent.”

TERESA Engle participated in an alleged plot to kill three Ennis busi- nessmen because she was controlled by her partner Essam Eid, she told the trial last Thursday.

She made the claim during cross- examination by Mr Eid’s barrister David Sutton, who put it to her that she was a “criminal and a fraudster. Do you agree with me?” She said, “No, I do not.”

“You scammed your way out of it by either telling lies or saying noth- ing and you successfully got off scot- free. .. Star witness for the prosecu- tion,’ said Mr Sutton.

‘“That’s not true. I gave my state- ment and agreed to testify here with- out immunity and against the advice

of my attorney who told me not to speak here,’ said Ms Engle.

Mr Sutton asked her did she have access to the ‘hitmanforhire’ website and she said she did.

“Only a fool of the highest order would think it was a serious website,” said Mr Sutton, to which she replied, ‘“That’s why I was so amazed when she sent the money.”

“You had a mug. You had someone who was stupid enough to log onto the website and someone who was stupid enough to send on the money,” said Mr Sutton.

She replied, “I couldn’t believe it.”

Mr Sutton said, “This piece of non- sense was a plot to kill?” she replied, ‘“That’s what it was.”

‘The reason you are saying that is because you are trying to do your-

self a favour in America, where you have pleaded guilty through another shakedown. You are dressing this up as a plot to kill for your own conven- ience and your own advantage,’ said Mr Sutton.

“No, that was what it was,’ replied WeCom Ua LB OTE

“You never intended to do any of this. There was no plan. Ms Engle, you are an incompetent criminal, yes or no?” said Mr Sutton.

“I was merely participating to the extent that I was controlled by Es- sam,’ said Ms Engle.

“Mr Eid was not involved in the plot to kill,” said Mr Sutton.

Ms Engle replied, “That’s ridicu- etna

“Ridiculous is the word because everything you have said to the jury

and the trial is ridiculous,” concluded Mr Sutton.

Os iYeCSmea Keer cc eebbit-lelOsMOnO seme) erste ron Collins barrister Paul O’ Higgins SC, Ms Engel said she was “under Essam’s direction”.

“IT agreed to give evidence here without the immunity and against the advice of my own attorney,’ she renee

Mr O’Higgins asked her why her sentencing hearing for extortion in the US had been adjourned. She said she had sought this, in order to spend DDONCoM UALR MOC MB E-TOONE AYA

“Can I suggest to you it was ad- journed because you hadn’t given evidence in this case?” he asked. She denied this.

“Aren’t you at the mercy of the US authorities as to what evidence you

give here?” asked Mr O’Higgins, but she also denied this.

“What else have you agreed to do? Have you agreed, for example, to act in an undercover capacity for the US attorney’s office and to tap phones and that kind of thing, if required to do so?” asked the barrister.

She replied, “Yes I did that.”

“You have referred repeatedly to Sharon as though you somehow knew Sharon Collins, the defendant in this case. Have you ever met Sharon Col- lins at all?” asked Mr O’ Higgins.

She replied, “No, I have not, at all.”

“All you are doing, far from telling the truth, 1s seeking to advance your position in the proceedings in the US,” said Mr O’Higgins, to which she replied, “That’s absolutely not true.”

MONTHS of good work and dili- gence by the students of a Shannon primary school have proved fruit- ful, as they have won their very first eau Tm IETS

St Aidan’s National School has been awarded a green flag, following months of preparation and anticipa- tion, during which waste and litter levels were reduced significantly.

Last week, the school raised its

green flag at a special ceremony which was organised by the insti- gator of the project, Brenda Clarke, while class teacher Patrice Hayes also played a key role in the project.

Every student at the school was involved in the project and all the efforts were rewarded with an out- door school concert which included contributions in song, dance, poetry and acting from the various classes. Many of the compositions were orig- inal and had a green theme.

And in keeping with the theme the school went green for the day with the children encouraged to wear green for the special occasion.

The seeds for the project were sown last October, when the 278 pupils at the school planted a bulb each in the school garden.

A proposal, compiled by the sixth class pupils in October, stated, “It would be an honour, not only for the school, but for us pupils, to be known as the eight classes who helped St

Aidan’s receive their first green flag. It would make us all very proud. To see St Conaire’s and St Tola’s win the green flag for the fifth or sixth time makes us fade into the background but no, not this year. The pupils and teachers are very determined. We have to make a number of sacrifices but when we get that green flag it will be worth it.”

The determination paid off and the students and staff savoured the happy atmosphere last week.

COULD the greatest farmer in all of Ireland be living right here in Clare? If you think you have the agricultural skills necessary to prove that you are the top farmer then your chance to prove yourself has finally arrived.

Good Company Productions are currently producing a new TV show for TG4 called ‘Feirm Factor’, which will be filmed over the next few months and broadcast in Spring Pauley?

The show will see 12 farmers pitted against each other head-to-head in a

series of farming related tasks witha few ‘wider-world’ challenges thrown in for good measure – think Gladiator with wellies on.

The man or woman crowned Ire- land’s best farmer will win Land Rover Discovery worth more than €40,000.

“This series should really prove very popular in the farming commu- nity and we’re hoping to create a lot of interest in the wider community by making the show entertaining and informative and giving it nationwide appeal,” said Evan Chamberlain, Se- ries Producer of Feirm Factor.

“Tt will be filmed in agricultural colleges all over Ireland, so we’ll re- ally be covering a lot of ground re- gionally. It should be great craic.”

The eight part series will be filmed over a number of weekends in Au- tumn of this year so as to minimise the disruption to the farmers.

Organisers are looking for twelve farmers, aged between 18 and 60, who think they have what it takes to show-case the very best of Irish farming today.

The farmers will each be _ put through their paces by three as yet unnamed judges who will decide

who takes home the coveted prize and title of Ireland’s best farmer. The show will be broadcast through Irish but Irish is not essential to take part.

Series producers do say that a ‘cu- pla focal’ would be a bonus for an applicant.

Anyone interested in finding out more or taking part in the event should contact Daithi at Good Com- pany Productions on 087 2387 222 or email feirmfactor@t¢4.1e.

The closing date for applications 1s Spm on Friday July 4. For more in- formation on Feirm Factor check out www.te4.ie/feirmfactor.

THE proposed move by Clare County Council to contravene its own Devel- opment Plan and facilitate an Ennis businessman to build a one-off home in the countryside has prompted someone else to seek similar treat- ment.

Last month, the council signalled its intention to grant planning per- mission to Gerry Danagher to build a home at Ballycullinan by disregard- ing its non-local rule and overturning the County Development Plan.

Now, Mark Rutledge of Whitehall, Dublin 9, is seeking that the coun- cil instigate a similar process to al- low him to build a one-off home on the fringes of the Burren at Roxton, Corofin.

In a submission as part of the ma- terial contravention process for Mr Danagher, Mr Roxton has told the council, “I have no connection, either personally or professionally with Mr DEE toe

“T have taken the opportunity to review the planning file and, on the basis of what I saw, I believe this

application deserves consideration for the granting of planning despite materially contravening the County Development Plan.

“I would like to use this opportu- nity to seek similar consideration for my own planning situation with the council. I believe that remedying my planning situation would materially contravene the County Development Plan 2005-11.

“My wife and I purchased a 10-acre site in Roxton, Corofin in May 1999; the land came with outline planning permission. Full planning permis-

sion was received in November 2003, cognisant of the fact that planning expired at the end of 2003.

‘For a variety of reasons, only the basic site clearance and foundation was accomplished at that time. I was working on regularising my situation with respect to the lapsed planning when I was served with an author- ised development.

‘No further works have been under- taken on the site since that notice. I have not applied for planning permis- sion or retention since because under the terms of the County Development

Plan, my application would be reject- ed due to the fact that I would not be deemed a local rural person or living in the area under pressure at least for 10 years. I am seeking consideration material contravention of the County Development Plan due to the fact that my eligibility for planning changed between the previous and the current county development plan.

“IT would appreciate a response to this letter and the possibility of working out a solution that would provide a satisfactory outcome to all parties.”