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CITIZENS of Kilrush are being asked to put on their working clothes and even bring a date to this year’s annual spring clean of the west Clare capital.

Kilrush Town Council and the Kil- rush Tidy Towns Committee are or- ganising this year’s major clean up for June.

Although April is designated as the National Spring Clean month the two local organisations are proposing to get everyone out on Wednesday, June 11, in order to maximize the impact

on the adjudication results in the National Tidy Town’s Competition as judging is expected to take place between June and July.

This year’s event will also include a clean up of Brew’s Bridge.

“We hope to encourage people from all aspects of the local community to take part and to take pride in their local town and environment.

“T would like to take this opportu- nity to invite you to join with us and participate in this community initia- tive,’ said the town council’s market- ing and development officer Siobhan Cramer mcelko peleselm

The statement was co-signed by secretary of Kilrush Tidy Town’s Sean Moran.

Those willing to lend a hand are asked to assemble in the Market Square at 5pm. Gloves and bags will be supplied.

Kilrush has a long and distin- guished history in the national tidy town’s competition.

The heritage town celebrated its greatest success to date last year when it received a gold medal in Cat- egory D making it the tidiest town with a population of 2,501 to 5,000 people.

Kilrush scored 290 points, an in- crease of eight points on the previous year when it secured silver for the second year in a row.

It received bronze in 2003 and mauler

The Kilrush Tidy Towns Commit- tee and all its supporters will be go- ing for gold again this year and will be trying to even beat last year’s high score.

Next month it will be asking all the local people to do their part by help- ing with the clean up and maintain- ing the standard so the judges see the town at its full potential.

ENNIS Rugby Club’s thriving under- age set-up has seen the club named junior club of the year at the second annual Munster rugby awards.

The award is handed out by the re- gional development officers of the Munster branch who scrutinise all aspects of club management.

It acknowledges the achievement by Ennis in registering 386 players between the ages of eight and 18 with both the club and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU).

Ennis received top marks for its coaching structures, the club’s code of ethics and all the hidden, often overlooked effort that goes into run-

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Ennis’s contribution to refereeing also came in for praise. The club currently has one referee – Frank Butler – officiating in the All Ireland rerkea ton

The award is the culmination of five years hard work and a radical overhaul of the club’s underage struc- eb Keny

Chairman of the rugby commit- tee, John Colleran explained that the erowth of the junior section owes much to the support received from xD KLE

He said, “Last year, I think we were the only club in Munster who fulfilled all our fixtures at every age group. It shows how the club has de-

veloped in the past five years. A mad effort has been put into it, particu- larly by the parents who have given huge support.”

John continued “Every year since we Started the cost of our bus hire has reduced because more and more par- ents are bringing kids to the games. All mini rugby players now buy their jerseys. It’s small things like that that make the difference.”

Much of the credit too, John ac- knowledged, goes to coaches like mini league officer Damien Clinton and Gerry Buggy (youth officer) and John Mahon, who were responsible for the painstaking duty of regis- tering, via computer, all 386 names with the IRFU. In all, Ennis has a

coaching staff of over 50, overseeing teams in every age group.

John said, “The coaches put in a lot of effort. It 1s a hard task for the club with such a large underage section. It requires a lot of concentration. The amount of work Gerry and John did, getting kids registered, was great.”

On the field, Ennis has enjoyed plenty of success with six members of the club’s promising under 16 team selected to train with Mun- ster. Former Ennis player Liam Og Murphy played a key role in helping Young Munster to the final of the AIL division two championship.

John said, “You look at what Liam Og did this year and it shows you what can be achieved.”

CLARE people with a desire to work on the International Space Station and explore the solar system have just a few weeks to apply for a place on the European Space Agency’s new astronaut training programme. Recruitment opened yesterday May 19, and candidates from Ireland are welcome to apply.

Candidates need a relevant degree or equivalent, and/or be a pilot or engineer. They will have to provide the same medical examination cer- tificate as private pilots do.

The first step in the application process takes place online at www. esa.int/astronautselection. There will also be two stages of psychological and professional aptitude evaluation.

“The ideal European candidate should be competent in relevant sci- entific disciplines, including but not restricted to life sciences, physics, chemistry and medicine and/or be an engineer or pilot, and should have demonstrated outstanding abilities in research, applications or the educa- tional field, preferably including op- erational skills,’ explained Gerhard Thiele, former astronaut and Head of the European Astronaut Division.

“In addition, characteristics expect- ed of all applicants include a good memory and reasoning ability, con-

centration, aptitude for spatial orien- tation, and manual dexterity.”

Applicants should be fluent in Eng- lish (Russian is also an asset) and should exhibit personality traits such as high motivation, flexibility, team competence, empathy with others and emotional stability. The final appointments will be officially an- nounced in 2009.

Encouragement for people from the region to apply came from a NASA astronaut last Friday last. Speaking at his talk on the NASA space pro- gramme, Captain Jon McBride said it was time for the first Irish astronaut to go into space with ESA. Looking beyond that to NASA’s planned mis- sion to Mars, he said that the likely candidates for this were at school now, and the first step for them was to study hard and go to college.

McBride was the pilot on the first shuttle mission to carry a crew of seven astronauts. He has also held many other senior positions within the NASA organisation. Although now retired from active service, he still works for NASA to raise aware- ness of its work.

Dr Moore also announced that, for the first time, the society will be run- ning evening classes on astronomy for beginners this autumn at the University of Limerick. Register at www.astronomy.ie.

A WOMAN who has 84 previous convictions added to her “appalling” record the theft of a pair of Podge and Rodge dolls and other items, a judge was told.

Emer O’Connell (25) of 93 Ab- beyvale, Corbally, pleaded guilty in Shannon District Court to steal- ing the dolls and other goods worth a total of €74 from Dunnes Stores, Shannon, on December 10.

She also pleaded guilty to stealing cosmetics worth €47 from Varden’s pharmacy in Newmarket-on-Fergus on December 15 and a bottle of bran- dy worth €30 from Shannon Knights Off-Licence also on December 10.

Her solicitor, Darragh Hassett, told Judge Joseph Mangan that the young woman has “an appalling record”. She had been “taking heroin on both dates. But she has turned a corner and is now on a methadone mainte- nance programme.

Mr Hassett told the court that his client has a child, who was put into care by the HSE but had recently been returned to her.

“If she goes to prison, it 1s a fact of life that drugs are available, despite the best efforts of the prison staff and, in all likelihood, she will be re- introduced to heroin.”

Judge Mangan remanded her is cus- tody until May 23 for reports on drug and alcohol abuse.

MUSIC is in the air in Doonbeg as the “Long Village” prepares for the ninth Doonbeg International Jazz Festival which will take place over the Whit-Weekend – May 30 to June 2.

This successful annual festival promises to be better than ever with a line up of nine bands to suit all tastes. All performances throughout the weekend are free of charge.

This year the festival welcomes some new bands as well as some old favourites.

The Streetrats from Switzerland will give spectators a taste of the

music of Louisiana, with a delicious mix of Blues, Zydeco, Cajun, Jazz and Rock and Roll.

The Jazz Freaks, Dublin, will en- tertain the crowds with Dixieland and Swing.

Renowned for hitting the high notes, this band is sure to provide foot-tapping music for all.

If you are partial to lively old style jazz, smooth latin and some blues, then you will enjoy Big Swing – a five-piece band from Dublin.

If Jamaican ska, reggae and latin music are more to your taste, then look no further than Skazz from Clare, who will be sharing the stage with guest stars “The King of Ska”

Rene van der Reijden from Holland, and “Boots” Bernie Weiler from CSeerrene

Molly O’Mahoney and Norman Collins will delight with their set of the best of Bossa Nova, some swing and blues as well as their romantic lyrics and melody.

The Downtown Jazz Band from Limerick will be making their first appearance at the festival this year. A seven-piece band, they play popu- lar dixieland and swing favourites.

The popular Limerick based trio Idol Bones have a wide repertoire that appeals to all, from swing to salsa.

The festival is pleased to welcome

back The East Coast Jazz Band, from Leinster, who will be entertaining the crowds with their mix of popular jazz from dixieland to swing, bossa nova to blues.

The ninth Doonbeg International Jazz festival will get off to a great start on Friday, May 30, with the official opening and wine reception taking place at the Igoe Inn, Doon- beg at 9pm, accompanied by music from Skazz. From 10pm there will be music at all venues in the village, NOLO MO OCMC BA BIO CoML BOU MOON LBD NLEComNalON] non-stop music throughout the week- end. As well as the scheduled gigs there will be “Jazz Jam” sessions on Saturday and Monday.

YOUNG and old joined together for a one off production of Brian Friel’s celebrated play Philadelphia Here I Come, in St Flannan’s College last Thursday.

The production is a collaborative effort between local senior citizens and transition year students tak- ing part in the Living Scenes pro- eau baebeslen

Developed by the National Uni- versity of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) Living Scenes concerns intergenera- tional learning.

NUIG Living Scenes co-coordi- nator Mary Surlis, who developed

the concept, approached local ac- tive retirement organisations such as Probus and the Active Retirement Association to invite members to participate.

It brings together young and old to work in a school-based setting where they collaborate on various activity- based projects.

This is the third year that students from St Flannans have participated in the programme.

In all, six centres of learning in the west of Ireland have taken up the project. Feedback, from students and teachers alike, has been very posi- tive.

Living Scenes seeks to promote

and cultivate the enriching relation- ship that has been established in the course of the project’s six-year his- coats

The objectives are to discover common links between “perceived” diverse generations, to foster and promote mutual respect, and to em- power both groups through consul- tation to actively participate in the development of the curriculum.

The programme sets out to break down the perceived barriers that ex- ist between the generations.

Philadelphia, here I come, which in part examines the contrast between youth and old age, was the ideal project for the Living Scenes group.

Teacher Gary Shannon, one of those involved in the project, said the experience of staging the play has been greatly enjoyable for all.

He said, “It’s a great experience for both age groups and an interest- ing spectacle for the audience to see them acting side-by-side”.

Thursday night’s event also in- cluded an exhibition of papier mache sculptures of chairs made by the group during the first term of the project.

This year’s programme at St Flan- nans follows the success of last year when participants staged a Christmas concert and took part in workshops in creative writing and poetry.

THE Ennis man who sought more than €500,000 from developers to withdraw his objection to a large- scale housing development had no desire to profit from the matter and was not motivated by the desire for personal gain.

That’s the view of Callinan & Co solicitors on behalf of Ennis man John Madden, of Glencairn House, Hermitage, in response to claims that he sought over €500,000 for the con- struction of flood defences at his land in return for withdrawing an objec- tion against the development.

In a rebuttal submission on behalf of John Madden, Callinan & Co say the proposed agreement to withdraw the appeal in return for payment was not “evidence of blackmail or extor- wloyn ae

The legal firm stated the proposed agreement was “no more than an

ordinary example of bona fides and reasonable negotiations as between adjoining landowners in matters of this nature”.

The legal firm continued, “Mr Mad- den takes grave exception to the ap- plicants’ submission that this appeal is motivated by a desire for personal gain. This is an insidious allegation made without foundation and it is re- jected in the strongest terms by Mr Madden.

“Mr Madden has at no stage sought to obstruct the planning process and in fact has agreed on several occa- sions to meet with the applicants with a view to reaching agreement.

‘Mr Madden wishes to point out that the circumstance that he was prepared to accept payment of a quite substantial sum in compensation for the interference with his property so as, in particular to enable him to carry out works to protect his prop- erty against flooding, was a measure of both the strength of his objection and his insistence that the works be carried out on his lands.

‘Mr Madden submits that the ex- istence of open negotiations in rela- tion to the sum properly payable by way of compensation is a matter that evidences the seriousness of his con- cerns and the fairness and reasonable

of his claim to compensation.”

‘The engineer for the developers claimed that proposal to run a foul water pipeline through the Madden lands was prepared as a response to a direct request from the Council. If that was so, why did the developers request in relation the previous appli-

cation that any issues with third party lands in relation to cross connection could be resolved by the Council un- der their compulsory wayleave/com- pulsory purchase powers’.

FEARS of an escalation of a violent Traveller feud in Ennis have moved the Bishop of Killaloe to plead for calm.

Dr Willie Walsh said last night he was prepared to engage in media- tion talks in an effort to put an end to long-running bitterness between two conflicting Traveller families.

He made the comment as a senior garda told a court last Friday that he was “very fearful of the outcome of this feud.”

Garda management confirmed they are keeping a close eye on the situa- tion, in the face of a recent flare-up.

Ennis Superintendent John Scanlan said yesterday that gardai “‘are con- tinuing to monitor the situation.”

“We hope that sense would prevail in the situation. A lot of it is mean- ingless,” he said.

The plea by Dr Walsh came in the wake of five members of three fami- lies appearing in court on charges

relating to incidents involving the families last week when they were all remanded in custody.

During the court hearing, gardai expressed concerns that ‘innocent’ members of the public may become embroiled in the feud and objected to bail for the accused.

Bishop Walsh said last night, “I have concerns about the various feuds between different families. I appeal to everybody to desist from anything that might deepen the dif- uo Come

“T have talked to some of the peo- ple involved and I believe there is good reason for concern,” he said.

“Continuation of these bad relation- ships is really destructive to every- body. It is a real loss to everybody,” he said.

“I know there was some efforts of mediation some time ago. I wasn’t involved. I’d certainly be prepared to try to arrange mediation. I’d be open to that. I will try and talk to some of the people,” said Dr Walsh.

THE immediate future of Ennis General Hospital will be known in approximately two weeks when the health capital programme is pub- lished.

Clare’s four TDs said they were hopeful that funding for the hospital would be included in the critical list for this year after meeting with the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, last Thursday. All of Clare’s mayors were also in attendance.

Some months ago senior health of- ficials indicated they did not believe that the funding would materialise with the money being diverted in- stead to St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin.

Minister for State at the Depart- ment of Agriculture Tony Killeen (FF) said that it was obvious from the meeting that the Minister for Health would like the funding to be listed for this year on the National Development Plan HSE capital fund- ing 2006-2011, but ultimately the decision was with the Health Service Executive (HSE).

“T always believed that it would happen as part of that programme, it was only a question of when,” he said.

Fellow Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley said he “was delighted that the minister gave a very positive in- dication that the hospital construc- tion project was on the list”.

He was critical of members of the HSE who, he believed, “tried to put

the project on hold’, favouring Dub- lin projects.

“IT am prepared to monitor this and intervene again to ensure the project finally goes to construction,’ he said.

Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen said he was Satisfied that the delegation final- ly “tied her down to a time frame”.

The deputy believes, however, that the project may not begin construc- tion until 2009, as the proposed ad- dition of a number of isolation wards could delay the process by three to four months.

“I am more confident after the meeting on this occasion because there is a lot of pressure coming from Fianna Fail councillors coming close

to the local and European elections,” he said.

Deputy Joe Carey (FG) said that the minister must adhere to the time frame of two weeks as given.

“The minister has now given us a set timescale of two weeks. She must now honour this. I will be holding the Government to account in Dail Eireann to finally deliver this much promised redevelopment of Ennis General Hospital.”

He also rejected HSE claims that recommendations of the report on the C-difficile outbreak could cause further delays.

THE Clare Youth Service will be vying for the community’s support as the closing date for the Better Ire- land Awards draws closer.

The Kilrush service is one of three from west Clare hoping to secure the €10,000 prize.

The service is being recognised for the support and guidance it provides to young people in the west Clare or TOLD

Overseen by two full-time youth workers, Louise McMahon and Adriona Meere, and one part-time worker, Shane Mulvey, the group is also assisted by staff that help out on AWB UsstAbN ED Oye FS ESe

Kilrush Youth Project has a number of sub projects including The Kil- rush Garda Youth Diversion Project, The Kilrush Youth Project, Kilrush Youth Club, Kilrush Youth Café and the Good Neighbour Project.

The youth project is based around the John Paul Estate and caters for young people between the ages of 12

and 19.

“The types of activities we do are junior and senior boys’ soccer, girls’ soccer and games, fishing, art projects, hip hop dancing and gar- dening projects. We also have the use of a house on the estate where we provide a drop-in-and-chill-out space where young people can go at specific times each week,” said youth worker Louise McMahon.

“The junior boys have recently competed in a soccer tournament hosted by Cloughleigh Youth Club in Ennis in which one of our players won player of the tournament.

“We are currently preparing for our upcoming summer programme of events, including our three-day sum- mer camp to be held in July.

“Two of our young people have progressed through to the final of West Clare’s Got Talent this Satur- day, May 17,” she said.

The Clare Youth Service also pro- vides support for the Kilrush Youth Club and its leaders.

“Volunteers are very important to

the Clare Youth Service and are al- ways welcome.

‘Volunteers receive leader and oth- er types of training from the Clare Youth Service in order to set up and run the youth club programme of events and activities for the year,” added Ms McMahon.

Kilrush Youth Club have seven volunteers in total who organise and run Kilrush Youth Club includ- ing Shirley Gilligan, Paddy Honan, Kathleen Hannon, Caroline Hanra- han, Sue Metham, Mary McInerney and Linda Burke.

Paddy was nominated and won a Volunteer Award this year for “direct work with young people”.

The youth club also organises a number of outings and events every year.

Work is ongoing at the moment at the Kilrush Youth Centre in prepara- tion for the opening of a new youth café in Kilrush.

A group of young people from the area have formed a committee and meet regularly with the Kilrush

Youth Club volunteers and _ local youth workers to plan and prepare for the opening of the space.

The young people have also can- vassed locally for extra funding to complete this project.

The Good Neighbour Project 1s specifically for the younger children on the John Paul Estate from about five years and up.

Clubs are held in the community centre on the estate for them about twice a week.

Those wishing to vote for the Kiul- rush Youth Service can do so by tex- ting KilrushA or KilkeeA to 53099.

aVO MEK) CIB Ree AU oLO MAU UMD Koh IUO LM O mE! donation to the service – even if they don’t win the €10,000 prize.