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THE possibility of a mass exodus of the Brazilian community from Gort would have a devastating impact on the town, both economically and so- cially. That is the opinion of Adrian Feeney, who founded a Diploma in Community Development and Inte- eration in the village two years ago. With Brazilians now believed to number almost 40 per cent of the towns total population, Mr Feeney believes that a mass immigration brought about by a downturn in the

economy could turn Gort into a ghost town.

“Tt would have a devastating im- pact on Gort in a number of differ- ent ways. They are very much part of our community here as it is and they do contribute both socially and economically.

“They buy stuff in our shops, the rent houses in our community, it would have a real impact economi- cally as well as socially. They did put Gort on the map,’ said Mr Feeney, who is a former head of the Gort Chamber of Commerce.

According to research being com- piled by Brian McGrath of the De- part Political Science and Sociol- ogy at NUI, Galway, large levels of Gort’s Brazilian community are working without documentation in a black market. This puts them in a particularly vulnerable position fol- lowing the downturn in the economy and especially in the construction industry.

Mr Feeney believes that the prob- lem of undocumented Brazilians in Gort has been overstated and has im- proved greatly over the last number

of years.

“We ran the Community Devel- opment Diploma ourselves in Gort which insured that all their rights would be looked after. Especially people who would not have the best command of English,’ continued Weoteays

“T think that a lot of the problems regarding the black market and peo- ple getting exploited were redressed a year ago. There is no doubt that there are still people living in Gort who don’t have all their paperwork, but there will be repercussions for

anyone who doesn’t have their paper- work in any country.

“These people immigrated with their friends and family and there is no real doubt that there are people working in the black market. I think that the repercussion for them after the slowdown would be the same as everyone else employed in the con- struction industry.

“But the diploma was a very posi- tive step, it really highlighted the need for these guys to be legit but it was also about highlighting to the Brazilians their own rights.”

MOUNTSHANNON is the desti- nation this coming week for lovers of arts and culture as the Inisceal- tra Festival of the Arts kicks off on May 24. The official opening of the week long event will be officiated by Theo Dorgan, renowned poet, writer, broadcaster and member of Aosdana and the Arts Council

With music, drama and dance per- formances from local and visiting groups, some of the highlights of this year’s festival include musical

performances by Eoin O’Neill, Orla Harrington and John Feely to name but a few.

Also on the agenda for the festi- val is a family boat-building course with the completed kit-boats be- ing launched at the end, a riverside sculpture trail with free boat-trips to view it, concerts, an art exhibition, sean-nos dancing, pub sessions, and film presentations from the Midnight Court film society.

There will be a free storytelling family event as well as dance and music presentations and a creative

writer’s workshop.

This year’s theme of “Community / Muintir” invites the whole com- munity to become involved in the activities which run from May 23 UNOS UM LUDO loaen

Announcing the programme, fes- tival director Nicola Henley said, ‘This year we have a fantastic vari- ety of events; hot air balloon making, African drumming workshops, riv- erside sculptures and boat building.

“We also have the reopening of the old village forge, and some wonder- ful pieces of art on loan from the

Outsiders collection at IMMA.”

On Sunday, June 1, the Aistear in Mountshannon will come alive with a Green Fare hosted by members of CELT, the Irish Seed Savers, and the Alfa project. Metalwork, stone carving, wood and willow skills will mingle with African drumming, Salsa, Capoeira, Bellydancing and nee) Ree

Full details of all then events on the 2008 Iniscealtra Festival of Arts pro- eramme are available on the official website www.iniscealtra-artsfestival. Outs

CLARE County Council claims there is already enough land zoned in the greater Ennis area to cater for new houses over the next six years.

In a downbeat assessment of the number of new homes required un- til 2014, the council has reduced its estimates of projected housing needs which was made last year when the housing market was buoyant.

In a presentation to its special poli- cy committee on economic develop- ment, the council executive stated that only 142 acres will be required

for development over the next six years.

However, there are currently 687 acres that are already zoned for resi- dential development within the Ennis area.

In its initial “high growth scenar- io’’”, the council anticipated that 3,211 units would be built until 2014 and a “low growth scenario” anticipates that 1,979 units will be built.

According to the council’s Ennis housing strategy, the high growth scenario is based on historical in- formation, but due to changing eco- nomic circumstances and major

infrastructural deficits in Ennis, it is anticipated that the low growth model would represent maximum potential.

The council now anticipates that there will be a need for 336 social houses and 235 affordable houses to 2014 and a requirement for 1,013 new private homes.

This compares to the high growth Scenario where 2,077 new homes will be required.

The strategy anticipates that the lo- cal authorities will require 40 acres of land to provide the 570 social and affordable homes during the strategy

period.

However, the the local authori- ties have no land in the greater En- nis area and it is engaged in seeking suitably zoned and serviced land for social and affordable housing.

There are 891 people on the hous- ing list in the greater Ennis area comprising mainly of 543 people who are included for financial rea- sons and 194 on medical or compas- sionate grounds.

The strategy states that it 1s difficult to forecast the numbers of social and affordable homes that will be secured in the current economic climate.

THE romance of the cup — it’s cer- tainly alive and well and kicking in Clare. Rock Rovers are the living and footballing embodiment of this sporting cliché that’s been kicked around for as long as cup football has eo EAL oee

To look at them on the field on Saturday, they smacked of a mixem gatherem crew that could have been rounded up for action that very after- noon. Their jerseys were old, so old that some of the numbers had faded away 1n washing machines down the years. As for the togs — there were many different shades of navy on pa- rade. Some had white stripes, others had logos, more had not.

Maybe the status of being under- dogs and underlings of Clare club soccer allowed them such latitude with their attire. More importantly,

maybe it lulled cup specialists Bun- ratty into some false sense of secu- wie

After all, Bunratty had every right to be supremely confident. They’d played in four cup finals since °99, winning them all. They fully ex- pected it to be five, having accounted for champions Avenue United, last year’s runners-up Moher Celtic and emerging Lifford along the way.

Thing is, Rock Rovers were reading from a different script. In the huddle beforehand captain Francis Daniels barked his final few words, before deferring to his younger brother S)ateb ales

The younger Daniels didn’t say much, but what he said hit home straight away. To grunts and bellows of approval he roared: “We’re not leaving here without a medal”.

Rock didn’t. Everyone lived up to Daniels’ battlecry, from keeper

Eric Murphy to 12

CLARE County Council last night called on the Government to use it’s EU veto to block the progress of World Trade Organisation talks.

The local authority was address by Clare IFA President Michael Lynch, who claimed that the trade agree- ment, in it’s current form, would cost Ireland 100,000 jobs and destroy ru- ie Vu e-yweebneren

“If the Government used the veto we could sleep soundly at night. Whatever happens with Lisbon, what ever happens one way or another, if the WTO goes through in its current

form it will be the beginning of the end in terms of farming in Ireland,’ said Mr Lynch.

“It’s about getting a price for our product. If farmers cannot get a price they won’t be able to survive. We are the fourth largest exporter of beef in the world, the largest in Europe, if this goes through that will all be decimated.

“We are not saying to anyone how to vote on Lisbon. We are simply fighting a campaign and the WTO proposals are a death sentence.”

Mr Lynch was invited to address the meeting by Cllr Oliver Garry (FG).

“There is a huge investment going

on in farming in Ireland. The council know this, there is planning permis- sion for about 3,500 cattle units in at the moment. We have been pushing initiatives to try and get farmers to invest more in their land. But if this goes ahead, it will destroy that, it’s going to mean a €17 million loss to the county,” said Cllr Garry.

“T would like to appeal to Brendan Smith, but also to Tony Killeen to represent us on this to the very high- est level and also our MEP.”

Cllr Joe Arkins (FG), pointed out that the impact of the WTO will be felt far beyond the farming sector.

“WTO talks are not just an issue

about farming. It effects the total- ity of our industry. For every farmer there is a factory worker or someone in the services industry or a banker,’ he said.

‘‘A 70 per cent cut 1n the agriculture levy will be felt all the way to Dublin 4. Food is not going to get cheaper. Factories and importers will make huge profits by putting inferior prod- ucts on our shelves. This is not an ag- ricultural issue, it is an issue for the whole economy.”

Cllr Michael Kelly (FF) said that if the WTO policies are brought into effect then Clare farmers would not be able to compete.

GORT’S samba revolution could soon be coming to end according to a new survey being completed at NUI, CFE Ls

According to preliminary results of the research, which is being car- ried out by Brian McGrath of the Department of Political Science and Sociology at the University, the Bra- Zilian community 1s coming under increasing pressure as a result of the downturn in the economy and the construction industry in particular.

Speaking at the 35th Annual Con- ference of the Sociological Associa- tion of Ireland, which took place in Galway last week, Mr McGrath ex- pressed his fear that many of Gort’s Brazilian inhabitants may be forced to leave the village.

The survey, which was undertaken directly with the Brazilian commu- nity, revealed that a large amount of the local Brazilian community were working without documentation in a labour black market. Much of this work was undertaken in the local construction industry.

The survey also revealed that this informal employment agreement be-

tween employers and the Brazilians has, in the past, lead to exploitation. According to the research many Bra- Zilians work in an ‘informal econo- my’ on the basis of trust.

A number of Brazilians _inter- viewed said that while family net- works make it easier to settle in the town, although a dominant majority from Goias in south Brazil ‘closed’ the area to other people.

It says that the Brazilian commu- nity fear for their long terms employ- ment prospects in the town and that they may be forced to move on if the situation worsens.

The full results of Mr McGrath’s research, which is being supported by the Child and Family Research Centre in NUI, Galway, should be released by the end of this year.

More than 40 per cent of the resi- dents of Gort are now believed to be non-Irish, with an estimated 83 per cent of these hailing from Brazilian.

The Brazilians originally came to work in the meat processing plants in Covey soKom selon ey NMKeUo Nevin mesleon| higher than in similar plants in Bra- Zil. Fears have been growing for the local Brazilian since the announced closure of the factory.

DETAILS of the up-coming county fleadh, which will be held in Tulla were unveiled to a huge crowd of musicians and guests at the fleadh launch last week.

Toes were tapping as performers gave everyone gathered in the court- house a sneak preview of the talent that would be on display in more than 80 competitions and concerts.

A gala concert on the gig-rig on Sunday, June 22 will feature both the Tulla and the Kilfenora Céili Bands and there are concerts planned for the courthouse as well as informal sessions in the village all weekend.

It is 5O years since Tulla hosted its last county fleadh and plans have

been laid to make the event from June 18 to 22 unforgettable.

Amongst those present for the launch were Liam Cleary of Liam Cleary Motors, Ennis and Damien Siggins of Roche (Ireland) Limited who were representing the main Sponsors.

Breda McNamara, Chairperson of Tulla comhaltas welcomed everyone and introduced the various speakers including Pat Brosnan, Chairman of Clare County Board of Comhaltas, Joe O’Connor, Comhaltas Reachtaire and Tom Conheady the fleadh chair- yretenee

Pat Brosnan accepted presentation of the cups which will be awarded as prizes. These were the Leamy Cup, the Kitty Leyden Cup, the Molo-

ney Cup, the Jack Murphy Cup, the Maureen O’Connell Cup, the Pat O’ Halloran Cup and the Andy Mac- namara Shield.

Joe O’Connor told the gathering that he was “delighted to be back in Tulla again. Last year, they celebrat- ed 50 years of comhaltas in Tulla and if that was anything to go by, we can look forward to a fantastic fleadh.”

Tom Conheady thanked the spon- sors. “We are very grateful to them. Without them, we couldn’t provide the programmes we will be provid- ing in June and again in September for the trad festival.”

After speeches and presentations, the gathering was treated to per- formances from the Tulla Under 15 Céili Band, Sorchadha Costelloe the

current under 12 fiddle All Ireland Champion, Andrew MacNamara on accordion and Mark Donellan on fid- oR

Concertina player Kate McNamara who is to launch her first CD at the fleadh, played along with her brother Gearoid, sister Amy and Michael Landers.

Also on stage were Seamus Buglar on accordion, Paddy O’Donoghue on flute and Pat Mullins on fiddle accompanied by Joan Culloo on pi- ano, Vincent Griffin, Mary Corry and John Lyons accompanied by his daughter Aisling on harp.

There was also music performed at the event by the Trad for Teens group and songs from Robbie and Sean McMahon.

HOW to explain away Munster’s enduring appeal!

Does it go back to the All-Blacks game 30 years ago? All to do with the one million plus who claim to have been in Thomond that famous Tuesday afternoon in October °78 and swear they were in direct line of sight across the field as Seamus Den- nison cut Stu Wilson in two.

There’s something in that game al- right, but it’s only part of the story. The real kernal of the phenomenon that has wrapped itself around Euro- pean rugby is the bond that has grown between the current crop of players and supporters. It’s their time.

It’s all to do with what Munster stands for — a province from Mizen Head in the south to Blackhead in north Clare.

The people of that province — tak- ing in everyone and not just the elite that was rugby union’s foundation Kee .@

There’ll be thousands of red Mun- ster jerseys being washed and ironed this week — be they the old Bank of Ireland logoed ones as a throwback to Munster’s earliest crusades that have a vintage quality through to the current Toyota-sponsored geansais.

And, it’s the make-up of these sup- porters that gives Munster that edge and extra dimension.

It’s a constituency that comprises a

broadband coalition that appeals to every class. Munster are like Fianna Fail — a catch-all party.

It’s GAA people that support Mun- ster, soccer people too.

They’re as important as fans who came to support Munster through their rugby clubs or fee paying schools. They don’t go to club rugby games, they go back to their GAA and soccer clubs when Munster par- Wome COR

Peter Clohessy pointed out this week that Munster have made the European Cup over the past decade and put the competition on the world rugby map.

It is true. Real Madrid did the same for the soccer equivalent thanks to

their five-in-a-row run of success from the late fifties through to the early sixties. Munster have done it through their supporters.

And, it’s these supporters that can carry Munster to their greatest tri- Uyeehe) smell

Declan Kidney won’t have to pro- duce some original thought this week as he attempts to inspire his players into giving him a fitting denouement to his Munster coaching career.

Instead, all he’ll have to do 1s trot out one of sport’s oldest call to arms: it takes a good team to win a Euro- pean Cup – it takes a great team to win a second one.

Toulouse have done that and it’s where Munster desperately want to

be.

They’re a great team already, but they need to be crowned kings of Eu- rope once more.

The supporters can get them there — those bands of brothers and sisters from Mizen to Blackhead. The ordi- nary people that make Munster the envy of every team in world rugby.

Leinster must be especially jealous. They just don’t have it. Call it the common touch.

Captain Paul O’Connell holidays in a mobile home in Liscannor – you just couldn’t imagine Brian O’Driscoll going to a trailer park for his ‘hols’.

It’s the common touch, loaded with honesty on the field that has Munster on the threshold of glory once again.

FOR Bunratty, this defeat was dilf- ficult to swallow. Normally accus- tomed to the big occasion with four cup titles in nine years, they never really exhibited the desire shown in previous rounds and nervously ap- peared more like the team who were participating in their first ever final. That was the most disappointing aspect for manager James Carrig and his team, the fact that they didn’t play to their potential. Had they played to

their maximum and still lost, then defeat wouldn’t have tasted as sour but despite being visibly disappoint- ed, Carrig was gracious in defeat, admitting that the best side won on the day.

“It is bitterly disappointing but Rock wanted it more on the day. They battled hard, they are a big physical team and we knew they could play football and for the neutral, I’d say it was a good game to watch. But they just wanted it more on the day, fair play to them and they took their

chances and the best team won. The own goal was a big boost to them. It put heart into them and they kept on playing. Fair play to Tommy and the boys, I hope they enjoy it but as I say, we are gutted.”

Bunratty are normally a good pass- ing side but even that aspect of their play deserted them on Saturday. The own goal was certainly a major set- tling point for Rock but Carrig felt that Bunratty panicked a bit after that and played into Rock Rovers’ hands.

“We never really got going. We

knew they were big and strong up the centre but we just launched balls at them instead of keeping it on the deck.

“When we did bring it down, we did get a bit of joy but we had to give them a two goal lead before we started to play. When we did eventually start to play, we grinded them down but we still never threatened the goalkeeper. Their defence was excellent tonight. They were well organised and they deserved it on the day.”

Bunratty know what it is like to

upset the odds and win the cup as underdogs.

They were a First Division side when they claimed their first title back in 1999, before going on to add three further cup titles this decade.

Considering their pedigree in the competition, they will certainly be amongst the challengers for next year’s Clare Cup.

But that’s of no consolation now as they have the summer to reflect on this missed opportunity and what might have been.

CLARE’S lack of an Applied Behav- ioral Analysis (ABA) facility prompt- ed a bout of political mud slinging at last night’s meeting of Clare County Council.

The meeting descended into a inter- party slagging match with a number of Fine Gael councillors applying pressure to Brian Meaney (GP) over his party’s action on the ABA issue while in government.

While putting forward the motion,

Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) accused the Green Party of turning it’s back on the provision of ABA once it got into Oo

“The day of treating children who suffer from autism as second class citizens should be long gone,’ he said.

“I believe that Minister Gormley gave commitment when he was in Clare before the election that if he ever got into government that the 1s- sue of ABA schools would be on the agenda.”

Responding to the allegations, Cllr Meaney said that the issue should not be treated as “a political football”.

“The Green Party are quite com- mitted to ensuring an extension of the 12 school pilot in the west of the country. The problem with this was the election, with the other parties who are now languishing out of pow- er and in the back benches.

‘The position of the Green Party in relation to ABA doesn’t need to be restated. Early intervention is vital in terms of dealing with autism. ABA is

a proven method of doing this and I am not going to take comments, such as that one from Cllr Murphy, lying ele) a0 ae

The original motion was put for- ward by Cllrs Tony Mulcahy, Martin Conway and Murphy, and highlight- ed that of the 12 ABA facilities in Ireland, only one, located in Galway, is outside the Pale.

“IT would appeal to the new Minis- ter for Education to turn a new leaf and rise to the challenge of this sort of essential education,” said Cllr CONE

“When it comes to education and the opportunity of giving a young person the opportunity for a full edu- cation we have to rise to it. I was very disturbed last week when I was ap- proached by a young mother in En- nistymon who is on a waiting list to get into the school in Inagh.

“She could not be guaranteed a place because of the lack of funding that that school enjoys. We cannot drag our feet on this.”

Cllr Mulcahy called for more fund- ing to be provided.

‘There are 12 of these institutes in Ireland and only one of them is to the west of the Shannon. It should be conveyed the importance of the ABA school in County Clare,” he said. “It is critical that funding is provided and funded is provided to help these young children in County Clare.”