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THE founder of the Irish Rural Dwellers Association, Jim Connolly has complained to County Manager, Alec Fleming about a verbal attack on him by a senior council planner.

Last month, Scottish-born planner Bill Sansum responding to a claim from Mr Connolly (below) that ru- ral dwellers are suffering from an imported “British ideology in the planning system” said that as a for- eign national and planner working in Clare, he took strong exception to this sort of “gratuitous, offensive and paranoid drivel’.

Mr Connolly has now written to Mr Fleming and the Ombudsman stating that any attack of this kind made by a local authority employee on a mem- ber of the public was in breach of the code of conduct for employees and brought the Council into disrepute ‘‘as well as shattering any confidence in the planning system vis-a-vis fair- ness and impartiality”.

“As a private citizen pursuing my

democratic right to lobby for legisla- tive change in planning and to public- ly challenge what the IRDA contend is a historically accurate planning ideology of forced urbanisation on rural Ireland which has its origins in the UK, I object in the strongest pos- sible terms to the personal attacks made about me in newspapers by planners employed by local authori- (one

“T also refer to the Ombudsman’s Guide to Standards of Best Practise for Public Servants which “clarifies citizens rights and the principles of good administration which include objectivity and impartiality and the need to avoid unfair discrimina- wo) eae

“It is not just a damning indictment of the planning process that indi- vidual planners are permitted to vent their spleen in the media on private citizens going about their legitimate, democratic pursuits, but confirms the behaviour of many planners as being personal, autocratic, arrogant and unaccountable.

In his comments last month, Mr Sansum said that by attacking local authority planners in this way and as a soft target, Mr Connolly did the IRDA no credit whatsoever.”

Mr Sansum said that the IRDA’s arguments in favour of loosening up the rules for more one-off hous- ing in rural areas don’t stack up as Government policy was moving the other way.”

He said that as a professional plan- ner, he was accountable to Irish law and Irish guidelines on planning.

through the Freedom of Information Act show that the Environmental

Protection Agency warned the coun- cil in January that the water supply was at risk of another outbreak of cryptosporidium.

Council officials did not make the public aware of the EPA concerns and a month later, an outbreak of cryptosporidium resulted in two children being hospitalised.

The documentation shows that de- spite a budget of €3 million for a

temporary water treatment plant, 25 to 30 per cent of the water go- ing through the plant was not being treated for cryptosporidium.

This was also kept secret and the EPA audit stated that when raw water conditions are poor, there is in effect no treatment barrier to the parasite in the Ennis public water supply.

“This places the supply at risk of another outbreak of cryptosporid-

tum’, the EPA concluded.

Clir Meaney said, “I don’t know if we can trust the officials anymore. This is appalling, people who were elected to represent the people are being kept in the dark, misinformed, told that the filtration plant was Oya ena

AN additional 18 charges have been brought by the State, as part of an in- vestigation into alleged damage to a Bank of Ireland pass machine. Romanian nationals Pavel Cirpaci (29), of Carrig Court, Fortunes- town Lane, Tallaght, Dublin 24, and Gabriela Lupo (20), of Stewart House, Dublin 1, had nine charges

each brought against them in court last week.

They were both charged with un- lawfully withdrawing money – to- talling €4,860 – from nine Bank of Ireland accounts at New Street, Kil- larney, on February 11 last.

The amounts allegedly taken from the accounts range from €220 and a L0eR

Both were previously charged with

damaging a Bank of Ireland ATM at SkyCourt, Shannon, on February 12 last. At a previous court hearing into the matter, Judge Joseph Man- gan declined jurisdiction of the case and it was adjourned for preparation of the Book of Evidence for the Cir- cuit Court.

Shannon District Court heard last Thursday that the new charges were included in the Book of Evidence.

Both were returned for trial. The defendants’ barrister Michael Hour1- gan applied for bail for Mr Cirpaci, who was in custody.

‘He has a wife and child here. He has lived here for the past six years. It’s his entitlement to bail,’ said the barrister.

However, Judge Joseph Mangan re- fused the application. Ms Lupo was remanded on continuing bail.

TO celebrate National Biodiversity Week, Coole Park in Gort will next week host a number of events de- signed to promote the diverse ani- mal, plant and habitats that exist in the Burren area.

Events begin this Sunday, May 18, with the Coole Park Family Day. The day’s festivities, which will run from 2pm to 5pm, will include storytell- ing, nature based games and activi- ties for children and the chance to discover what lives and grows along the woodland in the Biodiversity sheik

The following Saturday, May 25 from 7.30 to 10.30pm, environmen-

talist and artist Gordon D’Arcy will be joined by the Galway Bat Group for the Evening Bird Chorus and Bat Walk.

On Sunday May 25 a guided Tree Walk at 3pm will offer people the chance to learn more about the story of the trees at Coole Park.

“Biodiversity includes all living things – everything from micro- organisms to whales, bugs, birds, plants, animals, people and _ their habitats,” said a spokesperson from Coole Park.

“It is vital that we protect and pre- serve as much of the delicate balance of nature as we can.

“The variety of living things 1s enormous, and we all depend on each

other for survival.”

Meanwhile, a number of other events will take place in Clare to cel- ebrate Biodiversity Week.

On Thursday May 22, Clare Bat Group will host a bat walk and talk at the Burren College of Art in Bal- lyvaughan.

CELT have also organised evening walks on May 20 and 22 with guide Andrew St Ledger of the Woodland League.

On Tuesday May 20, at 6.45pm, a walk will leave from Tuamgraney Heritage Centre.

It will take in the Raheen Ancient Oak Wood and the ‘Brian Boru Oak’ which is said to be more than 1000 years old.

Then on Thursday May 22, also at 6.45pm, a walk will leave from Flagmount shop before taking in the Cahermurphy Oak Wood Nature Reserve. Both walk are free to the public.

All activities at Coole Park are free of charge and organised by National Parks and Wildlife Service and Peo- ple and Nature – the Galway Biod1- versity Project.

Coole Park is managed by the Na- tional Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

For more information contact Coole Park at 091 631804, e-mail info@coolepark.ie or check out www.coolepark.ie

STXMILEBRIDGE is set to become Clare’s fastest growing village with planning applications before Clare County Council valued at over €130 million set to transform the local community.

According to the 2006 census, the population of Sixmilebridge ex- ceeded 2,000 for the first time in liv- ing memory with the the population registered at 2,029, representing an increase of 15.7% on the previous

ere

Now, in a development expected to increase the size of the village even further, Cormac Quigley is seeking to construct a €55 million develop- ment comprising of 221 residential UUObLRSE

The plan involves 75 two bedroom duplex units; 38 three bedroom semi- detached dwellings; 25 three bed- room townhouses; 22 three bedroom duplex units; 34 two bedroom garden apartment units; 10 one bedroom garden apartment units;10 three bed-

room stepdown garden apartments; 6 three bedroom detached dwellings and three four bedroom detached OM ob b areas

Mr Quigley is also proposing a creche as part of the project.

Separately, Fordmount Develop- ment have recently lodged further information on plans for a mixed-use scheme comprising residential, retail, community and commercial uses on a nine acre site bounded by the Lim- erick Road. This plan involves retail floorspace of 13,367 sq.m and 79

residential units.

The retail aspect of the project in- volves a convenience anchor store; 9 retail units; an off-licence; an office/ commercial/community suite; 5 non- retail services units; a bar/restaurant; a bank facility; a hot food take-away and a creche as well as 389 sqm. an- cillary floorspace.

There is also provision for 276 car parking spaces.

These applications coincide with a proposal to develop the village’s first hotel while Clare hurler, Niall Gil-

ligan has also lodged planning ap- plications aimed at revitalizing the village centre.

Rinn Construction Ltd has already secured planning permission for 33 homes and is seeking approval for a further 32.

The local national school is already trying to cope with the rapid scale of expansion and secured planning per- mission for a temporary classroom last year, while the local GAA and soccer clubs are also expanding their facilities.

THE State Solicitor’s office in En- nis is under pressure due to the large amount of books of evidence being prepared.

That was the message delivered in court last week, when State Solicitor for Clare, Martin Linnane pointed out that several books were currently being prepared.

Books of Evidence are prepared for cases heard in the Circuit Court. The State is given 42 days to prepare the book and present it to the district

court, prior to an accused being sent forward for trial to the circuit court.

In cases were reasons are given, a district judge can extend this time, for preparation of the book.

At Ennistymon District Court last Wednesday, state solicitor Martin Linnane pointed out that the Book of Evidence was not ready in one case.

He asked for an adjournment in the case – of alleged sexual assault – for three weeks, “by which time I hope the Book of Evidence will be ready, but I can’t guarantee. I may need fur- Welolam Bb sl ome

He pointed out that several books were being prepared by his office, adding, “Time is of the essence, bearing in mind the 42-day rule and what not.”

Mr Linnane said he had been of the view that the book in this case was not due to be presented to the court VUOLHU MD E-IKolumHOpEcweslOnsey

The solicitor representing the ac- cused did not object and Judge Joseph Mangan extended time for service of the book. The case was adjourned until later this month, when the book is due to be presented to the court.

The following day at Shannon Dis- trict Court, Mr Linnane was due to present a Book of Evidence in the case of two people charged in con- nection with alleged damage to a bank ATM.

Previously in court, the case had been marked peremptory against the State. At Ipm last Thursday, Mr Lin- nane said the book was “physically being bound and will be ready in an hour.”

However the accused’s barrister Michael Hourigan said he was apply- ing for the case to be struck out. “If

my clients were not here at 11, they would be in jeopardy of bench war- rants,’ said the barrister.

However Judge Joseph Mangan al- lowed the case to stand until after the lunchbreak and the book was pre- sented to the court in the afternoon and the accused were sent forward for trial.

A spokesperson for the courts serv- ice told

A LAHINCH hotel has been fined €3,000 for breaching legislation re- lating to the employment of two 15- year-old boys.

Before Ennistymon District Court was Ashdale Industries, trading as The Shamrock Inn, Main Street, La- hinch. A plea of guilty was entered in the case of 40 summonses.

A number of the summonses relat- ed to the hours worked by the boys. One had worked for seven consecu- tive days, during which he should have had a rest period minimum of two days.

Other summonses related to the employment of a child between the hours of 8pm and 8am which was not permissible under the Employment ae

The company also admitted to fail- ing to display the Protection of Young Persons Act on the premises.

Caroline Hayes, an inspector with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said she visited the premises in July 2007.

‘Breaches were found in relation to two of the employees. A child under- 16 wasn’t given the minimum rest period,” she said.

On several occasions the boys worked until the early hours of the

morning.

Defending solicitor Sharon Cahir said the two boys were working in the bar, where they were collecting glasses and restocking small bottles of minerals behind the bar.

“My client is aware of the impor- tance of the legislation. These young adults were 15-and-a-half years old. The parents were aware of the hours they were working in the hotel. It was five and six hour shifts,” said Ms Cahir.

“The notice is displayed in the area now, for current staff to see,’ she nee

“This Act was enacted over 12 years ago. Ireland was a very differ- ent place in terms of young people working. My client does not employ young people,” she said.

The court was told the maximum fine on each summons was €1,904. Ms Cahir asked the court to take a number of the summonses into ac- count.

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed fines of €500 on six of the summons- es and took the others into considera- tion. He also ordered the company to pay €550 costs.

IT’S that time of the year again. No sooner has May had a chance to get settled in when talk in Ennistymon turns to the North West Clare Agri- HUNTED Dine) sCedyvA

One of Ireland’s earliest agricultur- al shows, the North West Clare Show has proved popular for competitors wishing to establish themselves as the people to beat this festival sea- rene

“We have more All-Ireland quali- fiers this year than we have ever had before. The total at the moment is 19 All-Ireland qualifiers at the show,

which is a great draw for competi- tors,” said Maurice Harvey of the Show Committee.

“Some qualifiers are more impor- tant than others – the qualifiers in the horse section are very highly sought after and have to be fought over. We have qualifiers in all the sections this year; in the horses, the Connemara ponies even the donkey section.

“The qualifiers are held to draw people here from all over the coun- try. This is one of the early shows, so people like to come here and estab- lish their credentials early on.”

The show will take place at the Falls Hotel and the Ennistymon Vo-

cational School on May 31 and June iF

“The children’s sections is proving to be very popular this year. All the schools in the north Clare area will be represented in one section or an- other,’ said show secretary Josephine Blackwell.

“There is the arts and crafts, the painting, drawing, photography – they have all grown in popularity in the last few years. This year we have a special cookery competition espe- cially for all the north Clare second- ary schools.

“There will also be a Clare home baking competition this year and we

have a few All-Ireland qualifiers in these sections. There is a lot there for children, it’s really is a family friendly day out with something for everyone.

“We really couldn’t put the show on if it wasn’t for the help of out spon- sors. It’s still only €5 to enter the events which is really very low com- pared to most shows. We try hard to keep the entry fee as low as we pos- sible can to try and attract as many people as we can.”

The closing date for entries is Thursday, May 22. To enter, or to find out more details, contact Jose- phine at 065 7071121.

A group of participants from Clare last week completed a seven week HSA Approved First Aid Course run by the Limerick Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. The Course was run in the local Head- quarters of the St John Ambulance Brigade in Parnell St. in Limerick, on Tuesday evenings from 7.00pm to 10.00pm. The Deputy Mayor of Lim- erick Clr. Gerry McLaughlin and the P.R.O. of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Ursula Stokes presented the First Aid Certificate to a total of 24 People on the night, which came from Clare and Limerick.

The Deputy Mayor Clr. Gerry McLaughlin congratulated all the participants for their attendance and Graduating with flying colours with the HSA Approved First Aid Course

which is valid for three years. He gave particular praise to the 7 peo- ple from Clare who travelled long distances to complete the Course. He thanked them and encouraged them to continue to help out in their local communities when the need arises. The Superintendent of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Philip Tuohy congratulated the class not alone on completing the 18 hour course, but also graduating with the HSA Certi- fication valid for three years. He paid tribute to the major effort that each and every one of the participants had to make after completing an eight hour day at work, home, or college, and then having to attend for another three hours every Tuesday evening, for seven weeks. Mr. Tuohy said he hoped it was a pleasant and informa- tive time and that the class would have retained some of the informa-

tion that was given; he also asked that the class continue to read the First Aid Manual and to hold small practice sessions between them- selves where possible. Congratula- tions and Certificates were awarded on Elizabeth Murray Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, Teresa Nihill, and Bridget Conlon from Clonlara, who were un- able to attend the presentation.

The St. John Ambulance run First Aid Courses at different intervals thoughtout the year, further infor- mation can be obtained by contact- ing them on 061-412480, or email at styjohnambulancelimerick@hotmail. com

CLARE’S bathing waters are bask- ing in the findings of the latest EU report into water quality.

Every single beach and bathing spot in the Banner county has been given a clean bill of health in the lat- est report from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Two beauty spots which lost their blue flags but regained them in 2006 – Mountshannon and Ballycuggera – were among the bathing places which got the highest accolade of “good quality”.

And despite Blue Flag problems in 2006 for Doonbeg due to coastal ero- sion, it’s waters also got top marks.

Councillor Pat Hayes (FF), who is on the county council’s area commit- tee for Mountshannon said he was “delighted to see that the water qual- ity is up to scratch. There has been much improvement in the quality of the water in Lough Derg in recent times and we need to keep working at that.”

The EPA’s Bathing Water Quality in Ireland Report 2007 lists 97 per cent of 131 bathing areas assessed nationally as being full compliance with European standards.

The score is one of the highest the country has enjoyed in the last 10 years. In previous years Ireland had scored between 79 per cent and 92 per cent compliance.

In Clare, 100 per cent of bathing waters assessed complied with EU minimum standards including all the

top summer holiday spots such as Ballyallia Lake at Ennis, Ballycug- geran, Bishopsquarter, Cappagh Pier at Kilrush, Fanore, Kilkee, Lahinch, Mountshannon, Spanish Point, White Strand at Doonbeg and White Strand at Miltown Malbay.

All bar one of the bathing spots got the top mark of “good quality” and Ballyallia met the “acceptable qual- ity” grading, which is second from the top.

Just four beaches nationwide failed to make the cut. Balbriggan in Dub- lin, Youghal in Cork, Clifden and Na

Forbacha in Galway were all graded as being of “insufficient quality”.

A total of 15 beaches were down- eraded from being of good quality to being acceptable quality.

EPA programme manager Dr Michael Lehane said that while the “overall level of bathing water quality remains good, the EPA is concerned that a small number of bathing areas are consistently failing to meet the mandatory minimum standards”.