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THE Department of Agriculture said yesterday that the act of handling stolen cattle was “reprehensible” and the sentence imposed on a Clare farmer last week was “significant” and would act as a deterrent.

At Ennis Circuit Court last week, Gerard O’Doherty of Moymore, La- hinch pleaded guilty to the handling of three stolen cattle in 2003/04.

In response yesterday, a spokesman for the department said, “Clearly the offence of handling stolen cattle is reprehensible and the department does everything in its power to pre- vent it or as in this case assist the gardai in investigating it.”

“The department does from time to time receive reports of stolen ani- mals. However, this is not that com- mon. These cases are difficult to in- vestigate. However, in this case the farmers could identify their animals and the animals had been correctly and accurately registered on the de- partment’s database. This made it possible for the investigating offic- ers to establish the proper identity of the animals and return them to their rightful owners.”

In response to Mr O’Doherty’s plea of guilt, a spokesman said, “The de- partment is pleased with the outcome of the investigation and acknowledge the co-operation between the gardai

and the department in bringing this complex investigation to a successful prosecution.

“The department is satisfied that the sentence imposed is significant and would act as a deterrent,’ he added.

“The department is well aware that the vast majority of farmers com- ply with the department’s rules and regulations and the department takes a proactive approach in dealing with those who do not. The department will invest whatever resources are necessary to carry out investigations and the local District Vetinerary Of- ficer did invest significant staff re- sources in terms of staff time spent on this particular investigation.

“The department takes a proactive approach in ensuring that farmers comply with the law. The department views any breaches of the legislation as serious particularly in the area of illegal movement/identification and disease control of livestock,” he added.

“The department hopes that suc- cessful prosecutions would deter the minority of non-compliant farm- ers from perpetrating any further breaches of the legislation.

“The correct tagging and registra- tion of animals does act as a barrier and does, as in this case, assist in investigating when breaches are sus- pected,” he said.

THE first prong of a major devel- opment of the community centre in Quin is to be officially opened on Sunday week.

The centre is undergoing major re- furbishments and the first part has just been completed. To coincide with its completion a family fun day will take place on Sunday, June 15.

This is the first phase of a two- pronged project and includes a major development of the front part of the building – the kitchen, storage room and snooker room have been totally revamped. The most impressive part of this plan has been the conversion of the snooker room to a multi-pur-

pose state-of-the art meeting room. This incorporates a dance studio, where local resident Laura-Jane Al- lis will teach dancing to youngsters.

The second phase of the plan will follow the completion of the first prong. This will include the crea- tion of a large activity room, storage areas, toilets, dressing rooms and showers, a dedicated snooker room, an IT/office area, while the possibil- ity of building a gym has also been mooted. Twenty-five additional car parking spaces will also be provid- ed.

Chairman of the community centre committee Ger Buggy said that the entire building would be “totally un- recognisable’ when the plan is com-

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“The bigger picture is our phase two plan. We have submitted plan- ning permission to totally revamp the hall. It was built in the 1940s. There were a few add-ons in the 1980s, but little change otherwise,’ he said.

‘There has been a huge increase in activity in the hall and we need more space.

“Our policy is to facilitate potential users in any way we can. We wel- come both large and small groups either on a regular or once-off basis and look forward to welcoming new users in the coming year,’ he added.

The work is being funded through government grants, allied to local fundraising and private donations.

an LeCO)tL sD AYAmn Oe) Col MERC DE Nimmo) Nore: I Kore! more than €60,000 income, while €41,000 was contributed through grants.

An application for €350,000 in National Lottery funding is pending and the outcome of this is expected within weeks.

‘A lot of work has gone in on this over the past 12 to 14 months. It is a two-year project,’ said Mr Buggy, who is optimistic that the entire project will be fully finished within ANOLO)N NMA ore

“We are far from the finished prod- uct but are doing our best. I would ask the community to stick with us in our vision for the future,” Mr Buggy added.

HARD to believe that it’s five years since Ballyea made the headlines as the story of the hurling year.

They became the first Senior B side to reach the county, while the added dimension to the story was they were one part of the first all-parish county final since Kilmurry Ibrickane and Quilty clashed in the 1935 football decider.

The laurels went to their big broth- ers Clarecastle, but it didn’t take from Ballyea’s achievement. They had struck a major blow for the un- derdog, completing a remarkable journey from junior A hurling to sen- ior decider in just over a decade.

Ever since the challenge has been to try and raise the bar as high again. It hasn’t happened, or looking like happening, so much so that Ballyea are looked on as the weakest link in eroup | — whipping boys even.

Thing is, they see things a lot dif- ferently and those around the club are looking forward to this champ1- onship campaign more eagerly than any over the past few years.

There a few reasons for this gen- eral mood of optimism, chief among them being Tony Griffin’s availabil-

ity. This year, the 2006 All Star is back for the entire season, having had his participation truncated in re- cent seasons due to study and charity work commitments.

“It’s great to be back,” he says. “I’m really looking forward to the season ahead.We have a young team, it will be tough, but we’re determined not just to make up the numbers.”

‘“He’s our key man,” says manager Michael O’Neill, “and he brings an awful lot to the team, but at the end of the day he’s one man who would say that it’s all about the lads around him”’.

And, O’Neill believes that this year those other players are better placed for the rigours of senior champion- ship hurling.

“T know we largely have the same group of players, but last year some of them were just out of minor. Play- ing senior was an education for them and they’ll be much better for it this year.

“In the Clare Cup we haven’t been trounced in any game, which hap- pened a couple of times last year, so that’s encouraging. We haven’t buckled in any game and have fought every game out to the end and are not far away from where we want to be.”

This positive outlook can be attrib- uted to the response O’Neill and his fellow selectors have got from the WEN (ouce

“Last year we were very disap- pointed,” he admits, “but this year we can’t question their effort. We got down to basics again and did a gym jeyueycawebaaneatee

“It’s been hard for some lads over the past five or six weeks with ex- ams, but generally since January the lads have given us what they can and we can’t ask for more. All we can do now is hope that they give a good ac- count of themselves when it comes to Weomerutealeey

“Without doubt it’s the toughest group of the lot and our record last year would put us as the weakest team. But this year we beat Tulla when we were missing a few and could have taken Inagh-Kilnamona.

“We believe that on any given day, if we get our act together we’re capa- ble of challenging any team. We have to be on top of our game to challenge the bigger teams — that’s the same with all small clubs, but we like a challenge and we’re up for it. We’re not afraid of any team. Some say we punching above our weight, but we’ll have a go at every team.”

CLARE farmers and ICSA general secretary Eddie Punch last week met with the new Minister for Ag- riculture, Brendan Smith, to put fur- ther pressure on the government to come out with a stronger and more unequivocal line on WTO.

“We are not interested in any more rubbish about a balanced deal, nor are we falling for the line that it’s too early to talk about a veto,” he said af- ter the meeting.

“The basics of the WTO deal on im- port tariffs have remained the same, the only change being a worsening of the tariff cut from 60 per cent to a

possible 73 per cent.”

“Against that backdrop, we cannot understand how the government con- tinues to fudge around the issue of the veto. While the approach seems to be to building alliances, there is a big risk that other member states will back down if Mandelson brings back a done deal.”

‘As long as Ireland refuses to even contemplate the veto, the commis- sion will try to divide and conquer member states. Meanwhile, farmers are more and more worried that a WTO sell-out is around the corner.”

On the CAP health check, the Crat- eee Lom astlere

“EU proposals for modulation,

involving cuts of 8 per cent to the Single Farm Payment, in order to re- direct some €2 billion to rural devel- Opment measures, are completely in- appropriate in the context of a global food security crisis.”

ICSA is concerned about imple- mentation of both the Malone and Aylward reports.

Mr Punch also highlighted issues regarding sheep fencing grants alon- side raising the inceasingly impor- tant issue of the 30-month rule situa- tion for BSE testing.

“Time is of the essence here as sheep numbers across Europe con- tinue to decline,” he continued.

‘This has gone beyond a joke at this

stage. Europe is dragging its heels here, and it is costing Irish farmers millions. ICSA emphasised to Min- ister Smith the need for the EU to move swiftly on this issue.”

ICSA maintains that the recent debacle around the REPS deadline, which has been missed by up to 10,000 farmers through no fault of their own, will cause more unneces- sary stress and hardship.

It was put to the minister that con- cessions must be made to accommo- date these farmers.

General Secretary, Mr Punch also outlined difficulties with the disad- vantaged area payments, which need upward revision.

THE Industrial Development Au- thority organised only three visits to Clare last year for investors seeking to establish new businesses. According to figures provided by Tanaiste Mary Coughlan, the number of IDA visits is the same as 2006 and compares unfavourably to the number of itineraries in Limerick where 35 visits were organised and Galway which hosted 15 IDA visits. The complete picture in relation to Clare is not available as Shannon De- velopment — which is responsible for promoting the Shannon Free Zone

— 1s refusing to release the number of visits to the Free Zone last year.

A spokesman said, “We don’t nor- mally give that type of information out.”

The low number of IDA visits to En- nis is no surprise as Clare came near the bottom of the ladder in a survey of the number of IDA jobs created last year. The survey confirmed that Clare came 19th of the 26 counties in IDA jobs created last year. The figures show that only 22 jobs were created in Clare by IDA-supported companies last year although more IDA jobs were created in Clare than Carlow, Laois, Longford, Monaghan,

Roscommon and north Tipperary.

Only nine IDA jobs were created in north Tippeary. However, Clare lags behind its other two neighbours, Limerick and Galway.

The figures show that 264 IDA jobs were created in Limerick and 383 IDA jobs were generated in Galway.

Clare Fine Gael Deputy Joe Carey said that based on current statistics, the IDA had a conversion rate of about one in four companies that visit and then subsequently set up operation somewhere in Ireland.

“If the reports are correct that only three visits to the region took place, then it would seem highly unlikely to

have a positive yield for us. As with anything, attracting inward invest- ment is a numbers game, and the more people we can get to come here and view what we have to offer, the better chance we have of securing actual commitments.

‘We need to ensure that there is ab- solute clarity between Shannon De- velopment and the IDA as to who is promoting industry locally and how they are both to operate.

“We need the minister to give clear direction in this regard and to ensure that responsibility for industrial pro- motion is clearly defined in this re- gion.”

A RESIDENTS association in Shan- non is calling for the site of a local hall to be cleared up, over a year and a half after it was gutted by fire.

The Drumgeely hall, which was a privately-owned derelict building, was destroyed by a fire in October 2006.

The Drumgeely Residents Associa- tion are concerned that the site has been in a poor state since the fire

broke out.

They are particularly concerned that some of the wire netting is bro- ken and hanging loose, while the site is littered with rubbish.

“It is in a dangerous condition and it 1S past time something is done about it. We just want it made safe and tidy,’ said chairperson of the residents group Beatrice Keville.

She says that while the site is pri- vately owned the local town council should play a role in ensuring it is

safe.

The residents association wrote to Shannon Town Council last week, expressing their concerns.

The letter stated, “Drumgeely Hill is home to long-time residents of Shannon. Matters totally outside their control have changed the char- acter of their neighbourhood from the scenic one they chose to live in to what is (now). We look to our local representatives to protect our inter- ests.”

This is not the first time they have brought the matter to the attention of the council. Asked do the locals an- ticipate that the site will be cleared, she said, “We live in hope.”

“The basic thing is that it’s tidied up and made safe and that is the min- imum that the residents are looking for,’ said Ms Keville.

Previously, local residents called for the site to be converted into a tennis court, as it had used for this purpose several years ago.

YOU hear it every year — the line that Newmarket-on-Fergus are ready to roll back the years and claim their birthright.

It has never happened and never looked like happening, apart from a 15-minute spell in the 2006 county final before Gareth McPhillips’ match-winning goal punched a crater in their dreams.

The litany of what might have beens — the headlines of Newmar- ket feeling the blues. They have led to something of a reality check — not from there anymore can the bold pronouncements be heard. Nothing of the Barretts, Kilmartins, MclIner- neys, Colin Ryan et al being on the cusp of joining Puddin Cullinan, Liam Danagher, the McNamaras, Ryans, DJ Meehan and company on the pantheon.

It’s the opposite — if anything, eve- ryone associated with Newmarket hurling is trying to cast that weight of expectation aside. It’s a silent ad- mission, that maybe, over the past 27 years that weight has weighed gen-

erations of Newmarket teams down.

It was apparent last year — having come so close against Wolfe Tones in the 2006 final and the 2005 semi- final against Clarecastle. The natural progression was a county title.

When it didn’t happen in the quar- ter-final against Tulla, many ques- tioned Newmarket’s belly for bat- tle, but manager Diarmuid O’Leary never doubted the players’ ability to bounce back.

‘IT wasn’t so much of a surprise,” he says of the Tulla game. “We found it very hard to get over Tulla when they had a very good under 21 team. They have a lot of mature players. They have a great balance, so it wasn’t that much of a surprise that they beat us.

‘This year they [Newmarket] are beginning to mature into adult play- ers. They realise now that they are that year older and that year wiser.”

And, ominously from every other team’s point of view, they’re in win- ning form — their haul of five wins from six in the Clare Cup evidence

of their growing maturity 1n senior hurling, even if O’Leary is at pains to downplay the significance of the competition as a championship peau elon

“I wouldn’t be reading a whole pile into the Clare Cup. In the league teams are down a lot of players so that’s why league form doesn’t really count for a whole lot when it comes to the championship. I don’t want to be belittling the league either, it’s great to be winning games in the league but with clubs missing so many play- ers, it’s just not the same.”

Just the same as transferring under- age titles into senior silverware isn’t a given. They’re the Galway of club hurling — winning minor and under 21 titles aplenty, but the senior is a work in progress.

“Winning underage is great — it’s great to win a few cups underage, but it isn’t the be all and end all. Some of the other teams are testimony to that, some of them have come through without winning underage titles.”

O’Leary was the driving force on the line for those under 21 successes and when he assumed the senior job in 2007 the baton of responsibility for delivering the Canon Hamilton passed to him.

“Pressure,” he says, “only if you listen to it. I wouldn’t be taking any notice about what people might be saying about Newmarket. Every year you hear it. Every year is no different than the year before. Newmarket are going out to try and win the champi- onship — that would be it.

“Either way they are a great bunch of lads — they have given great com- mitment down the years. With the help of god they’ll get the rewards. But you’re not guaranteed anything — you just have to give it your best and hope that it’s enough.”

Maybe their best will be good enough in 2008

ON SATURDAY last I took part in the mini-marathon staged along- side the Burren Marathon in Bally- vaughan. It was well organised and the large crowd enjoyed a great at- mosphere at the start line.

I was feeling good, and when actor Brendan Gleeson sent us on our way with a playful ‘Ready, steady, go!’, I took off like a bullet. Despite the hard uphill stretches at the start, I passed the 3-mile mark in 20:24, but I paid for my impetuousness later on and got steadily slower over the sec- ond half.

The wonderful scenery along the

route was wasted on me as I pushed close to the pain barrier, though the sound of a cuckoo turned my grim- ace to a smile at the 4-mile mark. At 5 miles I had an animated argument with the devil on my shoulder tell- ing me to stop and walk for a while. I knew if I gave in my race would be over, so I steeled myself to push on and keep going to the finish line.

Turns out, I was the first woman over the line in 45:02. My first ever win and a memory to treasure! Un- fortunately I couldn’t hang around basking in my success; I had to get straight home to blow up balloons for my son’s fourth birthday. A mother’s work is never done.

If I’m to achieve my goal of com- pleting The Clare 10k in under 42 minutes, I obviously still have lots of work to do. Pll have to focus particu- larly on speed and pacing, but with 4 weeks to go, I’m still fairly confi- elie

The fundraising for cystic fibrosis is gathering pace too. Don’t forget you can donate online at www.cfire- land.ie (see ‘Margaret Ryan Clare 10k’ under event menu), or contact me directly at 086 6067047.

THE win may have been unexpected but Clare manager Kevin Kennedy never for a moment doubted the com- mitment of his players.

Sunday’s victory over reigning Munster champions Waterford, owed everything, Kennedy said afterwards, to character and pride.

“All I can say is that we have a panel of 24 there and they are 24 of the finest fellas you could get,” said Kennedy, standing near the entrance

to the player’s tunnel.

‘There were fellas asked to play for Clare. Some fellas refused, we had more that were injured and unavail- able. Fellas refused to play for Clare. These lads didn’t. They were proud to wear the Clare jersey and I am re- ally proud of them. Simple as that now, they gave it everything.”

Preparations may not have been ideal and Kennedy acknowledged that everyone within the panel knew getting past Waterford presented a major challenge.

“It’s a great win. Waterford were in the All-Ireland final last year. We knew ourselves, we were up against it, but I am absolutely thrilled for those fellas. There were evenings there this year, when we had only the bare 15. They proved they were up to it. They were proud to play for Clare today, proud to win.”

Last year Clare defeated Cork, then Munster champions in the first round before losing to Waterford in the pro- vincial semi-final.

A year on Kennedy hopes the win

can be a springboard to greater suc- cess in the grade. Clare have never won an intermediate title, since it was elevated from the status of a jun- ior championship.

“Anything is possible now. We weren’t given a chance there, in fair- ness we thought we were up against it. We got the lads right. The last four or five games, I knew things were improving. I knew the attitude was good and that was it. They are decent lads. Good club hurlers and proud to get a chance to play for Clare.”

The Clare manager felt Clare’s work-rate and willingness to hunt in packs was the winning of the game.

“We hit and we chased in fours and fives. When a team is playing like that, they are very hard to beat. We felt we could beat Waterford. Clare lads feel they can beat Waterford anytime’, added Kennedy just as Clare’s senior hurlers ran onto the pitch for the day’s main event against Waterford.

Maybe he knew something we oleln ae

PJ HOWARD’S youngest son told the trial that he had a close relationship with Sharon Collins, who supported him when his mother died.

Niall Howard (24) said that Ms Col- lins had helped him to choose items for rebuilding the house in which he had lived with his mother, after her lero

Ms Collins’ barrister, Paul O’ Higgins, SC, in cross-examination of the witness, said, “She was 1n most respects in the position of someone who appeared married to him.” Niall Howard replied, “Yes.”

Asked did he have a close relation- ship with Ms Collins, he replied, “Yes, I did.”

Mr O’Higgins put it to him that he had endured a difficult time when his mother had died and Ms Collins had offered him support through this time. He replied, “Yes, she did”.

Mr O’Higgins pointed out that Ni- all had lived with his mother prior to moving in with his brother Robert. After his mother had died Niall went about rebuilding the house. Ms Col- lins was closely involved in this and helped him pick out tiles. Mr Howard accepted this.

“Sharon Collins would have liked to marry your father but he didn’t want to,” said Mr O’Higgins and the witness accepted this.

Mr Howard told the court that he and his brother Robert were watch- ing television in a room at the back of the house on September 27, 2006, when Robert received a call on his mobile phone.

‘Robert told me someone was call- ing to the house and he had the com- puters,” he said.

He said that when the man called to the house, he was looking out the window while his brother talked to the man at the door.

‘Robert told me to call the police. I called them on Robert’s phone. Rob- ert went back out.

“IT went into the side bedroom. They were standing at the side door,” he said.

He said that after the man left the house, he and Robert got into Rob- ert’s jeep and attempted to follow him but they lost sight of him and returned home.

“We were sitting in the jeep. Rob- ert rang PJ. He was in Spain. He was still talking to PJ when the guards came,” he said.

“We went back inside. We were very shocked over it all,” he said.

Asked did he set up the “lyingeyes”’ email, he replied, “No, I did not.”

He told Una Ni Raifeartaigh, BL, prosecuting that he had all his own emails on his own computer, but did not have passwords to other emails.

“Emails are the essence of this case,’ said Ms Ni Raifeartaigh.

Asked was the office computer pro- tected by a password, Mr Howard said, “I don’t believe it was.”

“If she had placed emails on this computer they were there potentially for you to see or for Robert to see,” said Mr O’Higgins, to which he re- plied, “If they were in the Downes and Howard accounts, yes.”

Mark Nicholas, BL, for Essam Eid, put it to Niall Howard that on the night of the man’s visit to their home at Ballaghboy, he was “looking out through a window.”

He accepted this. Mr Nicholas said, “Tm suggesting the man you thought it was is not the man.”