Category: Uncategorized

GRADUATES of Clare VEC’s Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) were awarded at a recent ceremony in En- nis. The BTEI presented FETAC certificates to students of its Commu- nity Care and Childcare programmes from throughout the county.

The ceremony was held at the Adult Education Centre in Ennis. The certificates were presented by Ms. Karen McCarthy from the County Clare Childcare Committee.

At the ceremony Ms McCarthy, congratulated all the students and emphasized the importance of well- trained professional graduates to work in the Childcare and Commu- nity Care sectors.

Tutors Breda Walshe, Marian McGonagle and Maire O’Riordan also attended the ceremony.

Over 70 students studying in En- nis, Newmarket-On-Fergus, Sixmi- lebridge, Shannon, Scariff and Kil-

laloe, received FETAC certification in Childcare and Community Care subjects through the BTEI in the last year.

The Back To Education Initiative offers flexible part-time learning Opportunities to young people and adults and operates throughout the county and is part of Clare VEC’s Adult and Community Education Service.

The BTEI also introduces prospec- tive students to the requirements of studying for the leaving certificate.

It is ideal preparation for the leav- ing cert, in that it allows students to gain FETAC certification in math’s, communications and personal devel- opment.

In Clare, there are currently 2,000 learners availing of adult basic edu- cation and a further 700 engaging in community education.

The recent re-development of the Adult Education Centre in Ennis has led to the provision of more services

through the BTEI.

The centre provides learning op- portunities in reading and writing, language support, youthreach pro- gression, the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) and family learning. Services include a creche, night classes, e-learning and adult learners guidance.

Meanwhile, Clare VEC received a Public Service Excellence Award from the Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern at a ceremony in Dublin Castle.

The VEC’s ‘Adult Education Serv- ice: Clare Lifelong Learning Net- work’ was one of 20 award winners selected from 183 entries by an eight- strong selection committee chaired by Professor Mary Daly, UCD.

Minister of State Tony Killeen said that the award success was indicative of the excellent educational services being provided by Clare VEC to young people and adults in County SEK

“IT am delighted that the Clare Life-

long Learning Network has been se- lected as one of the best examples of excellence and innovation across the public service’, stated Minister Kil- oe

“The Public Service Excellence Awards are presented every two years and recognize commitment, creativ- ity and innovation behind important projects that add value to public services used by citizens. I feel that the VEC’s Clare Lifelong Learning Network is thoroughly deserving of this award due its promotion of lifelong learning in the county. This award acknowledges the supporting role played by the Network in getting learners and learning providers to work together”, concluded the Min- ister.

THE DEPARTMENT of the En- vironment has told Clare County Council that over 60 homes will have to be excluded from the €200 mil- lion plan to create a new suburb on the outskirts of Ennis.

Last month, Ennis developers, Crystal Partners lodged plans for 471 residential units in the first phase of a masterplan that will ultimately de- liver 700 new homes in the Gaurus area on the eastern outskirts of En- nis. When fully occupied, the first phase of the housing development will almost double the current popu- lation of the Doora parish of around

Pelee

The plan is facing opposition from locals and now the Department of the Environment has recommended that the plan be scaled back by 63 homes.

In a submission to the council, the department expressed serious con- cerns about the loss of wetland habi- tat that will be infilled and lost as a result of the proposed development ‘This is a Serious concern in relation to cumulative loss of wetlands and flood storage to the south and east of Ennis. Apart from a small area that will be retained, the ecological and hydrological assessments of the site have not informed the layout and de- sign of the proposed development to

any significant extent

To reduce loss and fragmentation of wetland habitats, the department rec- ommended that at a minimum, the 63 houses be relocated or excluded from the overall development.

The department also raised con- cerns on the impact the development could have on the EU Protected Lesser Horseshoe bat.

According to the department, the site 1s important for bats in general and supports a bat roost, described as a minor night roost, which would be demolished as part of the devel- opment. The roost is used by the Lesser Horseshoe bat and by Brown Longeared Bats.

The department is also concerned about increased disturbance and negative effects on the new bat house at Knockaskibole, which was built as part of the Ennis bypass project.

In a separate submission, An Taisce

expresses concern over the fact that so many large housing estates are being built with or without services are being developed in the Ennis and Environs area ‘According to the latest census, 16- 21 per cent of dwellings within the area are still vacant and less than 40 per cent of the inhabitants who live in Ennis work in Ennis

A decision is due on this applica- tion next month.

THE Limerick Clare Energy Agency (LCEA) has said that the Govern- ment’s launch of a Home Energy Saving Scheme had presented the people of Clare and Limerick with an ideal opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The LCEA, along with Clare Coun- ty Council and Limerick County Council, will administer the multi- million euro pilot scheme. “The aim of the scheme is to en- courage homeowners to improve the

energy efficiency of their homes in order to reduce energy use and green- house gas emissions,’ explained Pat Stephens, Director of the LCEA.

“By participating in the scheme, householders in counties Clare and Limerick, with the exception of Lim- erick City, can potentially save up to €500 on their energy bills every year,’ he said.

“Thousands of tonnes of CO2 will also be saved in its first year alone. The full €100 million scheme is ex- pected to yield greenhouse gas sav- ings of 175,000 tonnes per year,” said

Mr Stephens.

Outlining the operation of the scheme across Clare and Limerick, Mr Stephens stated, “Householders will avail of a Building Energy Rat- ing (BER) assessor to come to their house, give the home a BER rating and advise on the works that need to be carried out to improve energy efficiency. The homeowner will pre- pay €100 towards the cost of this assessment, with Sustainable Energy Ireland subsidising the balance. The Government, therefore, will cover approximately two thirds of the cost

of the assessment.”

“The assessor may advise that the house requires such work as attic insulation, interior or exterior wall insulation, low emissions double- glazing, heating control or a range of other energy efficient works.

“The Government will then cover up to 30 per cent of the cost of these works, to a maximum of €2,500. On completion of the works a follow-up energy assessment on the building will be undertaken so that there is a “before and after” test of what has been done,” he said.

Mr Stephens urged householders across Clare and Limerick to imme- diately consider the scheme. ‘Homeowners interested in receiv- ing financial assistance in improv- ing the energy efficiency of their own home should call the Lo-Call number that will be advertised by Sustainable Energy Ireland the Gov- ernment over the coming days. “Alternatively, they may view our website at www.lcea.ie for further information on the Home Energy Saving Scheme,’ concluded Mr Stephens.

THE Kilmaley Volountary Housing Association is set to benefit from another funding boost, emphasizing again the depth of support for the KO) (elm

Tomorrow, Wednesday April 30 at a presentation in the Kilmaley Day Care Centre, a cheque for €10,000 will be handed over to Seamus Lynch, Chairman of Kilmaley Vol- untary Housing Association.

The cheque will be presented by Helen and Patricia Greene whose mother, Mary (80) is a regular client at the Centre.

Twin sisters Helen and Patricia Greene from Kilfenora organised a hugely successful Céili Mor in the West County Hotel in January of this year and raised €10,000 for the Day Care Centre.

It is the latest boost KVHA and the association’s members who recent- ly organized a series of table quiz events that were all well supported by the local community.

The association also received the backing of You’re a Star winner Lee- ane Moore who gave her support to a charity auction held in Kilmaley earlier this month.

Up for grabs was a signed Man-

chester United jersey featuring the signatories of among others, Roy Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alex Ferguson. The event raised €500 for the KVHA.

Kilmaley Day Care Centre opened in 2004 and currently opens its doors three days a week to clients from a wide catchment area. Clients enjoy a dinner, card games, art, activities, computer classes and a chat at the Centre.

With the help of the HSE West and particularly Maria Molloy, HSE Area Manager for Elderly Care Serv- ices, the Day Care Centre manage- ment plan to stretch to a fourth day

of opening shortly.

Starting work in 2000, a voluntary committee of local people raised money through community fund raising and State grants to build twelve voluntary housing units for older people together with the Day Care Centre.

A presentation will also be made on April 30 to retired committee members Bernie Barry of Inch, Mar- garet Connellan of Lisroe and Mary McNamara of Inch all of whom were part of the original founding com- mittee of Kilmaley Voluntary Hous- ing Association

SIPTU members in Aer Lingus have rejected the company’s cost cutting proposals in a secret ballot which concluded yesterday.

A spokesman for the union said it was “clear that intensive local dis- cussions did not reach an acceptable conclusion in all areas of the opera- alo) ae

1,800 SIPTU members involved in check-in, loading and catering op- erations, had a second vote on the company’s proposals in relation to a saving of €10 million in their section

of operations.

The new measures would involve changes to rostering arrangements, including 4am starts, 12 hour shifts and split shifts.

Management set a deadline two weeks ago for the staff to operate the new proceedures or face outsourc- ing or closure of their area of opera- tions.

“While SIPTU regrets the rejection of these proposals, which were rec- ommended for acceptance by shop Stewards, itis clear that our members view them as a step too far, given the changes sought by the company

and profits announced in excess of €80m”, SIPTU National Industrial Secretary Gerry McCormack said.

Meanwhile trade unions represent- ing all the staff at Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports have condemned proposals to saddle Cork Airport with €113 million of debt.

The DAA/Aer Rianta Group of Unions, which is backed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, is calling on Transport Minister Noel Dempsey to honour guarantees given to work- ers four years ago when the State Airports Act 2004 was enacted.

These included protecting the com-

mercial viability of all three air- eae

Workers, who had opposed the break up of Aer Rianta and warned that it could make some of the air- ports unviable, are opposed to any measures which leave Shannon and Cork airports unable to call on re- sources generated by the current DAA/Aer Rianta Group.

The Chairman of the Group, Tom- my Guilfoyle, said after a heated meeting in Cork that the consensus was that “the people of Cork and the Midwest Region are being sold short by this misguided policy”’.

A MAJOR initiative geared towards cracking down on burglaries and thefts has sprung into action. The move comes in the wake of crime Statistics showing that those offences

account for almost 80 per cent of all crimes reported last year.

As gardai estimate that there has been a further increase in these types of crime since the start of this year, they are aiming to tackle this head-on.

The initiative is being rolled out nationally and gardai in Clare are warning people to be mindful of op- portunistic crime, particularly dur- TbOTSMn OM oComncL UDO ON OaCe)

Ennistymon Superintendent Gabri- el O’Gara said that thefts from cars

and thefts of machinery are of par- ticular concern in the county.

Several cars parked in tourist spots across the county are targeted every Summer. Just last week, two cars parked at Inchiquin Lake were bro- ken into while their owners were out fishing. A substantial amount of cash was taken from one of the cars.

Supt O’Gara is also warning peo- ple to be aware of distraction crime in rural areas.

“People are going around selling stuff. They are targeting people living on their own. One person attracts your attention at the front door, while another goes around to the back of your home. The advice is to only buy from reputable people. Don’t engage them,” he said.

“In rural communities, be vigilant in relation to your own property and your neighbours. Take numbers of cars,” he said.

He confirmed that meetings have been held in recent weeks with a view to re-establishing several com- munity alert groups in north Clare.

“We are going to up the ante on this by getting more people involved and having more regular meetings,” said Supt O’Gara.

THERE was a spring in the step of staff, pupils, parents and neighbours of the Raheen Wood Steiner School in Tuamgraney at the weekend.

Saturday was the day that the school held it’s annual Spring Fair and Open Day on and the event was a double celebration, the school having gained recognition form the Depart- ment of Education recently.

“We’re just going through the proc-

ess now with the department in prep- aration for being fully recognised in September,’ said School Principal, Pierce O’Sheil.

“What is important is that now there is real choice for parents, on a parity where they don’t have to pay. That is a good thing and quite unu- sual in a rural area. In cities, people tend to have more choices, with be- tween multi-denominational schools and other options. Living in a rural area, the choice is not often there.”

The annual fair initially started as a fundraiser as until now, the school was not recognised and got no help from the department.

But although funding will be in place for next year, no school will ever turn down money which could benefit it’s students.

“The parents would be delighted if they thought they never had to do an- other fundraiser but the fair is more than that,” said Pierce. “It’s a great community day and people come to

have a cup of tea, to buy things and to enjoy the day,’ he added.

And enjoy it they did, with maypole dancing, puppet shows and numer- ous other children’s activities.

There were hand made crafts and gifts on sale and delicious food from the cafe, pizza oven, and barbecue.

The school is giving school tours to interested families any morning, Monday to Friday during the months of April, May and June. For further information telephone 061 921494.

, the Department of Transport confirmed that lengthy correspond- ence exists but has refused to release almost all of it on the basis that it is commercially sensitive, legally priv- ileged and part of the deliberative Reet

The schedule of records shows a total of 40 items of correspondence

between Ryanair, the SAA, the De- partment of Transport and the EU Commission from October 14, 2005 to March 7, 2006.

The department has also refused to release correspondence from the air- port authority and Ryanair refused to release information as it was given to the department “on the understand- ing that it would be treated in con- fidence, and contained commercially sensitive information”.

The correspondence also shows that the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism also got involved.

The Ryanair deal with Shannon was struck in 2005 and the low-fares airline commenced flights from the

airport in May of that year.

Ryanair has clashed with the EU Commission on a number of occa- sions and it is understood that the Shannon investigation may be part of a wider probe into the airline’s dealings with airports throughout the EU.

The deal Ryanair negotiated at Shannon was available to any other airline that would use the airport as a base for its aircraft.

The Department of Transport was unable to comment on the investiga- tion last night and said that it would release a statement on the matter later this week. Ryanair now accounts for two-thirds of Shannon passengers and serves over 30 destinations from the

airport. The company now has a bill- board that reads “Welcome to Ryanair Country’ at the airport entrance.

Asked last year if Shannon was be- coming too reliant on Ryanair, SAA chairman, Pat Shanahan said,‘‘I don’t think so. For our short-haul business, Ryanair has been hugely successful. They have delivered on all the com- mitments they’ve made to us. The relationship has gone well, but they are not the only game in town and we haven’t given up on Aer Lingus basing an aircraft in Shannon for Eu- ropean routes.

“Ryanair is a significant player and the airline is committed to Shannon and to growing its traffic to two mil- lion,’ Mr Shanahan said.

A KILRUSH teenager is facing three years behind bars for a stabbing, af- ter a court heard he breached his cur- few on nine occasions.

Daniel O’Brien Junior (19), of Sycamore Drive, John Paul Estate, Kilrush, had been ordered to abide by a number of conditions, including that he obey a curfew and be home ease nopeee

This was after he pleaded guilty in April 2005 to a charge of assault causing serious harm, in which he stabbed another man in the stomach in 2003, when the accused was just 15. The victim had sustained ‘near fatal injuries’ according to medics who treated him.

The sentencing had been adjourned and he had been ordered to abide by various conditions.

However, at Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, gardai in Kilrush outlined details of nine occasions in which he east eOm Aso OL UNE KAYA

Five of those were since his last appearance in the court, last Novem- ber.

Garda Donal Corkery told the court that O’Brien was arrested in Thurles at 12.30am on November 18 last and charged with a number of offences. These were still being dealt with in the district court.

He was seen in a licensed premises in Thurles at 10.45pm later that day, meaning it would be impossible for him to get to his home in Kilrush by Bhyee

On December 24, Garda Corkery stopped O’Brien in a car in Kilrush at 11.15pm.

He was seen in two west Clare bars in the early hours of the morning, on two other dates.

O’Brien’s barrister Mark Nicholas said that he was in Thurles to pur- sue his ‘scaffolding ticket’ as he has worked with a scaffolding firm in re- nM UD este

‘He doesn’t recall being there the following day,’ he said, relating to the second alleged sighting of O’Brien in Thurles.

“Is nine breaches of curfew a man out of control? Two were family occasions. He is aged 19. It is very hard to be at home every night at 11 o’clock,” he added.

Judge Carroll Moran said that when details of the stabbing case were heard in court, he had a four year suspended sentence in mind. How- ever, he said he must impose a jail term, after hearing about the curfew pasts slone

‘He ran at him (the victim) with a knife, with a blade about six inches long. . . the injured party was sem1- conscious. He could have died,” said the judge.

He said that a curfew of 11pm was “reasonably realistic.”

“The cumulative effect of all these, | must impose a prison sentence of four years, and suspend the last year, said the judge.

WHEN it comes to protecting the environment, the youngsters from Mountshannon National School know that the best place to start is on your own doorstep.

That was proved last week when pupils from the school pulled on gloves, picked up plastic sacks and got stuck in to help with the town’s annual Spring Clean efforts.

The youngsters were given good example by their elders, who will- ingly came out to help the Tidy Town’s committee in carrying out a spring clean as part of National Sere Or (ee hemeelonieee

The smallest of the 80 pupils tak- ing part made a clean sweep of the school grounds while others joined their teachers and some parents in

cleaning up the harbour and the Ai- stear Park areas.

‘“We’re hoping to go for our school Green Flag later this year and this is all part of that push,” said School Secretary, Louise Moore. “The smallest ones worked around the school, picking up litter and cleaning up and the older ones went outside. We brought different sacks to sepa- rate the various items which can be recycled,” she said.

Meanwhile, the adults involved in the big clean up were busy in loca- tions all over the village.

The popular harbour area was given a facelift, with litter picked up and the area tidied. The Aistear Park, with it’s labyrinth, peaceful walks, seating areas and wildlife facilities also got the full treatment and cleaning groups moved on to the

woodlands at Forest Park and down the main street of the town.

“We wanted a general litter sweep- up and a tidying to have the town looking it’s best,’ said Tidy Towns committee member, Dave Mooney. “It’s an annual event and a great community effort. Mountshannon looks the better for the efforts of eve- ryone who took part.”

The scenic east Clare village took part in the Annual National Spring Clean along with many other villag- es and towns across the country.

The event is organised by An Taisce as part of Environmental Awareness Month and there is a special prize this year for the school which col- lects the most aluminium cans dur- ing the clean up. The final date for registering for the clean-up event is April 30, and Mounstshannon

groups were supplied with protective gloves, bags, recycling bags and pro- tective aprons.

But according to the An Taisce’s website “due to the largest ever amount of registrations for National Spring Clean ever, we have now run out of clean-up kits. If you still wish register and carry out a clean-up please do. But unfortunately, we are unable to supply clean-up kits.”