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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

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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.

PEOPLE are being encouraged to get out and show their support for two local charities at a major fundraiser TbO BIN OD NSC (cle) e

Orgainsed by the Clare Classic and Vintage Club, a vintage show at the Showgrounds on June 15, aims to raise money for Clare Haven Serv- ices and Cystic Fibrosis Children’s Light of Hope.

The show will kick off at noon with a display of vintage cars, trucks, and machinery, together with lots of fun events for the family, a mini-digger competition and a hay trashing event. Burren Birds of Prey, golf putting, tractor balancing, a crushed car com- petition, music, raffles and some sur- prises will also feature.

The Clare Classic and Vintage Club started in 2003 with a close- knit group of vintage and classic car

enthusiasts. Over the years,the club has grown, and now, in 2008, has ex- panded to over 100 members. Along with classic cars, the club also dis- plays vans tractors and other vintage pieces of machinery.

Each year the club hosts four main events – the spring and summer runs, the Anthony Barry Memorial Run and the Vintage Show.

Cystic Fibrosis Children’s Light of Hope was set up in August 2005 as a charitable organisation to aid research towards finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

According to organisation member Linda Drennan one of the main aims is awareness. She said, “There is a very dedicated team working with Light of Hope. We are always trying to promote awareness of Cystic Fi- brosis. It is Ireland’s most commonly inherited genetic children’s disease”.

Cystic Fibrosis is a disease which

affects the lungs and pancreas, caus- ing life threatening lung infections and the inability to digest food prop- erly. Cystic Fibrosis does not have to be in the family. It can occur when two carriers meet and their children inherit a defective gene from each parent. Large doses of antibiotics and frequent hospital stays are common among Cystic Fibrosis sufferers. Clare Haven Services was set up in 1995 to provide emergency accom- modation, support and information to women and their children living with domestic violence and abuse. Clare Haven offers a variety of services including a 24-hour confi- dential helpline 065 6822435, a drop- in centre at Munster House, Gort Road, outreach clinics in Shannon, Kilrush, Scariff and Ennistymon, the insights educational programme for women, court accompaniment as well as a refuge where women and

children can safely and comfortably live. More information can be seen on www.clarehaven.ie.

Ms Drennan added, “We are de- lighted that the Clare Classic and Vintage Club are supporting our- selves and Clare Haven.

“June 15 is Father’s Day and we look forward to welcoming a large number of families for a great day out while supporting two worthy lo- cal charities.”

THIS Saturday the women of Gort will rekindle a flame first lit more than 60 years ago. At 3pm the door of the new ICA hall will be thrown open and the public will be invited in to help open the guild’s newly refur- bished building and mark 60 years of the organisation in the area.

The two-story building is the end product of decades of effort. In 1948, two members of the guild approached the local bank looking for a small loan to purchase a rundown cottage on Boland’s Lane. £49 was all it’s cost, but the guild put forward their only employed members for fear they

would be turned down.

‘In those days times were very hard and they had to put in a lot of hard work to pay off the money,” said guild president Nell Giblin.

WON DA Lor UC Mm EIN o) mm NOL SO OME NO Toy Van per: R ote aged to get a second building but over the years they fell into a very bad state. We decided that the only thing to do was to knock and rebuild. So we had to spend six years looking for the deeds to the property before we started building, and now the whole thing has been completed.”

The work was made possible thanks to grants from CLAR, Galway Rural Development and Galway County Council. In addition to this the guild

have raised more than €60,000 to date to meet the shortfall.

With a first rate facility now in place the ICA would like to open the building to the wider community.

“We have a mothers and toddlers group in here at the moment and it is a lovely space for them. The mu- sic school, Coole Music, also use this space sometimes as does the parade committee,” said guild PRO Anne Burke.

“We would love for more things like that to take place in here. We re- ally see this as a valuable community resource. It’s not just for the ICA, we are the holding body but other groups can get a benefit from it too.”

To coincide with the launch a book to commemorate 60 years of the guild is also being launched. The book features memories from the lo- cal ICA throughout the decades and is available locally at a cost of €10.

The official opening of the new hall will take place this Saturday June 14, at 3pm. All are welcome.

THE Ennis Farmer’s Market is the subject of the RTE programme “Fresh from the Farmers’ Market’, to be aired tomorrow night.

Presenter and food writer Clodagh McKenna visited Ennis on a wet and windy day last October.

Ms McKenna interviewed some of the traders and then cooked a Greek style dish using organic lamb, cu- cumber, scallions, garlic, mint, sun dried tomatoes an olive oul – all pur- chased in the farmers’ market.

She also talked with customers about the appeal of farmers’ mar- kets. One customer from Ruan tells the show, “People should realise what good value the market is. For example, I always buy a bag or two of mixed salad leaves. I wash them and store in the fridge where they last all week, whereas the bags from the su- permarket cost more and the leaves start to go brown once you open the bag. I know that the market salad has been picked that morning, has not been sprayed with any chemical and has not travelled thousands of miles

to get to me”.

The farmers’ market has been up and running since 2004 and consists of a group of dedicated food produc- ers and traders with a wide range of local, artisan and organic foods. Most of the produce is sourced in Clare with some coming from near- by Tipperary.

The market runs on Friday morning in the upper market car park (oppo- site Meere’s Butchers) from 8am to 2pm. This year traders are advocat- ing to customers, the benefits to the environment of eating fresh, local

produce and minimising their carbon footprint.

Another regular customer tells the show, “I really look forward to Fri- day evenings because I know I will have something delicious to eat from the Farmer’s Market.

Today I have a quiche, some local goats cheese, salad and I also have a beautiful bunch of flowers, some new potatoes and an apple tart for Sun- day lunch and some Brussels sprout plants and duck eggs for my dad.”

The programme goes out on RTE 1 tomorrow night (June 11) at 7.30pm.