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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

RYANAIR yesterday warned that its multi-million euro deal with the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) may not be renewed if the airport does not further reduce its cost base.

The threat was issued by the low- cost airline as it confirmed that while passengers and routes are ahead of forecast at Shannon, they are based upon at much lower yields. Yields are the profits airlines make per passen- ger and the spokesman said that the lower yields are not a trend at Rya- nair’s other UK and European bases.

The maintenance of the five-year

deal — worth €300 million to the west of Ireland according to the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) — is key to the airport’s survival and is up for re- newal in two years’ time.

The threat also comes as the airport authority negotiates its independence from the Dublin Airport Authority with the Department of Transport.

Asked if the low yields should be a cause of concern for interests in the west of Ireland anxious that Ryanair renew its deal with the SAA, the spokesman said, “No, but if the cost base at Shannon does not reduce fur- ther to reflect these lower yields, then the deal may not be renewed.”

Shannon Airport has become in- creasingly reliant on Ryanair since it established its base at Shannon in 2005, with the airline now flying to 32 destinations and accounting for over two million or two-thirds of passengers at Shannon.

Underlining Ryanair’s dominance at Shannon, the company has recent- ly erected a “Welcome to Ryanair Country’ billboard at the entrance to the airport.

SAA board member Tadgh Kear- ney said he would “caution against any scaremongering over a problem that hasn’t arisen yet.”

‘The facts are that we are halfway

through a five-year deal and in Year 3, we are going are to pass the targets for Year 5.”

Mr Kearney said that lower yields have arisen due to the global econ- omy being on the early stages of a downturn.

A spokesman for the SAA said, “Shannon Airport has enjoyed a very successful relationship with Ryanar, so much so that the targets for year 5S will be reached this year with two million passengers on Ryanair routes.

“We look forward to growing this business and to continue this rela- tionship when the current deal con- cludes in 2010.”

THE opportunities available through the family resource centre in Shan- non are set to dramatically expand, due to a number of key appointments in recent months.

That was the message relayed by the outgoing chairperson, at the an- nual general meeting last week.

Trish Fallon-Barry was replaced as chairperson by Greg Duff.

In her outgoing speech, Ms Fal- lon-Barry said the centre went “from strength to strength” during the past year.

“In many ways this was a year of transition. The year began with no co-ordinator in place, though we did have tremendous commitment from the voluntary board and the admin- istrator,’ she said.

She said that despite the absence of a co-ordinator, the work plan was completed with the assistance of some outside voluntary support and some paid consultancy work.

The appointment of an _ out-of- schools co-ordinator, a full-time co-ordinator and a part-time devel- opment worker will augur well for the centre and ultimately the entire community.

“With these staff in place for this year, the opportunities and work of the centre is expected to increase dramatically in the coming year,’ she said.

“The voluntary board underwent changes in membership due to vari- ous other commitments of individual members. However through success- ful active recruitment and training, the result is a much consolidated

board of directors committed to the work going forward,’ said Ms Fal- lon-Barry.

“Work has recently been done on the current plan and members of the board have visited at least one other centre and undergone various pieces of training,” she added.

She said that ongoing projects, in- cluding out-of-schools and parent- and-toddler groups, have continued to flourish at the centre.

A new homework club is also being initiated, under the auspices of the centre. This will cater for both set- tled and Traveller children.

‘The centre continues to support and foster the needs of the communi- ty by facilitating interest groups with use of rooms, while the Le Cheile In- ternational Club fosters the integra- tion of foreign nationals,’ she said.

“In the case of Le Cheile Interna- tional Club, the centre is not merely assisting with the provision of a ven- ue, but is grateful that much-needed Support and encouragement on the eround has been forthcoming from the co-ordinator Marie Rowland,” she added.

“Groups have been integrated pro- viding mutual support when possi- ble, for example, out-of-school chil- dren providing art work with various themes,” she said.

SHANNON-based Halifax Insur- ance Ireland was one of the com- panies awarded the prestigious FAS Excellence Through People award by Labour Affairs Minister, Billy OTS om em os.e

A subsidiary of Halifax Bank of Scotland, Halifax Insurance Ireland has 320 employees specialising in creditor repayments insurance for HBOS customers. All business func- tions are located in Shannon, includ- ing underwriting, customer services, direct sales, finance, information technology and human resources.

Paying tribute to the company, Min- ister Kelleher said the Excellence Through People awards scheme was unique in that it is the only standard dedicated to the role of people.

He went on to stress the importance of innovation and emphasised that “people and corporate culture are in- ternationally recognised as the most important drivers of innovation”.

FAS Director General, Rody Mol- loy added that the FAS Excellence Through People Standard provides a step-by-step roadmap for human resource management and helps achieve bottom-line business results “through valuing, involving and de-

veloping employees”.

The 36 organisations who received this national standard comprise a variety of sectors including retail, hospitality and transport and the to- tal number of employers who have received this accolade now stands at more than 600 nationwide.

A FORMER Clare TD and MRSA sufferer has criticised the HSE for its extravagant use of expensive lime- stone cladding on a “glorified shed” at Ennis General Hospital.

Hospital campaigner James Breen said that with underfunding and over- crowding being blamed for the recent C- diff outbreak at the hospital, he received a number of phone calls in

recent weeks from hospital staff and the general public in relation to a building currently being constructed on the grounds of the hospital.

“This building is being faced with limestone, which seems to be ex- travagant in what I am led to believe is a glorified shed to house electrical equipment for the hospital, while staff and patients have to use pre-fabricated facilities for their needs,” he said.

The HSE has defended the con-

struction of the power sub-station on the basis that it is part of the site master plan and will integrate with it when completed.

“The first floor of the hospital re- development is to be stone-clad and the substation will match it as part of an overall scheme which has passed through the appropriate process of public review,” the HSE has said.

However, the proposed €39 million redevelopment will not commence

this year as funds were diverted to another project in Dublin. It is also unlikely that the project will get un- derway next year unless additional funding can be made available. James Breen says the new construc- tion is totally at odds with the exist- ing hospital building and pre-fabri- cated structures already on site. “This building is completely out of character with the others on the com- plex but more importantly is whether

this €1 million expenditure is justi- fied,” he said.

But the HSE claims that “given the prominent location of the Energy Centre on the site, the overall mas- ter plan and the protected structure status of the hospital, the additional cost involved in achieving the level of finish is not deemed excessive.

In December 2005, the emergency generator at Ennis General failed during a power failure forcing the

A SHANNON woman who special- ises in physical therapy is expanding her business, to incorporate pilates.

Caroline Hannan from ‘Tradaree found that many of her physical ther- apy clients would benefit from doing pilates and decided to organise class- es in Shannon and Sixmilebridge.

She felt that while treating muscle injuries and back pain was of huge benefit to clients, they also needed some type of rehabilitation in order to facilitate a full recovery.

“Pilates is an excellent treatment method for muscle injuries and back problems. The pilates exercises can be modified to fit the needs of each client,’ she said.

Caroline is extremely busy as she works at Halifax Insurance during the day and organises pilates classes in the evenings. As a physical thera- pist, she treats injuries including chronic neck and back pain, sciatica and sports injuries.

She has worked with the Sixmileb- ridge senior hurling team for the past two years.

Caroline has specialised in physi- cal therapy for the past two years. She was awarded her qualification with the Pilates Institute through the National Training Centre in Dublin.

She explained her decision to ex- pand her business: “There were four or five people who came back to me with issues. I felt I was referring them on to pilates so I decided to get into teaching pilates myself. I love it. My aim is to get into it full-time,” she added.

“The classes are very mixed and cater for all ages,” she added.

Caroline is well-known in Shannon, not least for her involvement with the special needs youth club, of which she is one of the main organisers.

The pilates classes take place on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at the leisure centre in Shannon and on Thursdays at the old courthouse in Sixmilebridge, between 7pm and Spm.

If you are interested in joining one of Caroline’s pilates class- es, phone her on O87 6163384, or alternatively, email her at carneuromuscular@yahoo.co.uk.

CLARE County Council’s policy of banning holiday homes across the county has become even more ex- treme with the local authority over- ruling its own planner to prevent any further holiday homes in Bally- vaughan.

Last month, the council granted planning permission to Kevin Tuo- hy to construct 44 homes in Bal- Ivaughan. In the planner’s report, it was recommended that 19 of the

houses be used as holiday homes, with 20 as permanent residences and five to be used as affordable homes. The planner cited an application lodged in 2005 proposing that a pro- portion of homes be used as holiday homes and said it was reasonable to approach the use of the Tuohy devel- opment homes in a similar manner. However, the planner was overruled by the council and all homes must be used for permanent occupancy, though it is unclear if the Clare County Development Plan proposes

that there should be a ban on holiday homes in the county.

The council granted planning per- mission on the basis that the develop- ment should not commence until the water system 1s upgraded.

This decision has been appealed by Pauline Burke of the Ballyvaughan Lodge who described the design of the houses as “a perfect example of the architectural banality that is spreading like a disease across Ire- land”.

“A cursory review of the Bal-

lyvaughan area will show that the houses that were for sale at the time of our original objection in July 2007 are still for sale. There are approxi- mately 300 permanent residents in Ballyvaughan and this development seeks to increase this by at least 50 per cent – an unsustainable figure in reality.

“Given these statistics, it 1s clear that the developers intend to market the development as holiday accommo- dation. We do not feel that this is in keeping with the current Government

policy on development in villages in the west of Ireland and not in keeping with recent high-profile similar cases in Liscannor and Doolin.”

Elsewhere in her appeal, Ms Burke states that employment in Bally- vaughan cannot sustain its popu- lation and thus commuting is the norm. The N67 bears the majority, if not all, of this traffic and is already at breaking point. The road in ques- tion is full to capacity and congested all day every day. A decision is due on the appeal later this year.