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JUNIOR minister Tony Killeen has OED AoxO MO OToM(O)0 GOs DITMUDNLOlorU RAN. ConmEN the mid-west to promote the use of renewable energy technologies.

Speaking following his visit to the annual Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) Energy Show, Minister Kil- leen said that the region had played a leading role in the growth of the country’s thriving sustainable energy orca

“Householders, business owners and local authorities across the mid- west have, in many respects, set an example for other regions to follow in relation to embracing the potential of renewable energy technologies,” he said.

“All we need do is look at the work of the Limerick Clare Energy Agency and the Tipperary Energy Agency, which are supported by the mid-west’s local authorities, to real- ise how important it is for the region to embrace the potential of renew- able energy.

“Renewable Energy Skills Skill- net has also played a pivotal role by upskilling and certifying renewable

energy installers, which has boosted consumer confidence in the standard of installations being provided,” he Sr BKOE

“The Energy Show is by now well established as Ireland’s biggest an- nual showcase for the sustainable energy sector.

‘Anyone who walks around the ex- hibition hall will get a sense of the enormous growth and vibrancy in the sector.”

The minister said that the mid-west would again highlight the region’s considerable role in promoting sus- tainable energy when the County Clare Wood Energy Project hosts a national seminar and open day next Neto

He pointed towards a recent Gov- ernment study showing that it was feasible for Ireland to generate 42 per cent of its electricity supply from renewable resources by 2020.

‘Meeting the wider target of achiev- ing 16 per cent of our overall energy needs from renewable energy sourc- es will require significant investment from both the Government and the private sector,’ concluded Minister OU one

THE men behind some of Ennis’ most enduring landmarks will be re- membered at a special ceremony in Dublin next week.

Labour leaders from the first En- nis guilds in 1701 to the present day will be honoured in Connolly House, Dublin on May I.

The event will be attended by members of the Congress Informa- tion and Opportunity Centre, Ennis, Minster of State Tony Killeen, Presi- dent of the Irish National Teachers Organisation, Declan Kelleher and Vice President of the Teachers Union of Ireland, Don Ryan.

In all six prominent figures from the labour movement in Clare will

be remembered.

SU ilar Deomm AUD eE-DesmmeyeeulssMmO MW ayuloF| (1803-1864); = Michael §Consid- ine (1814-1884); William O’Brien (1881-1884); Michael McNamara (1863-1947); Patrick J McNamara (1890-1967) and Patrick Hogan (1886-1969).

As chairman of the congregated trades of Ennis, Michael Considine organised the erection of the Daniel O’Connell monument in Ennis in 1867 and the Manchester Martyrs Memorial in 1881.

William Smith O’Brien was a founding patron of the Ennis Me- chanics Institute in 1829 beside Springfield house.

That building later became the Clare Unemployment Resource Cen-

tre (1991-1995) and later the Con- eress Information and Opportunity Centre (1995-2008).

The mechanics institute encour- aged scientific and technical educa- tion to advance industry. William Smith O’Brien served as an MP for Ennis from 1826-1831.

William O’Brien was the son of James Connolly, who established the first branch of the ITGWU in Clare at Dromoland in 1918. O’Brien was general secretary of the ITGWU from 1924 to 1946 and organised the United Trades Council in Ennis in 1918.

Michael McNamara was a founder and president of the Ennis and Dis- trict Labourers association in 1910 and after fighting in the second

Boer War, he served on Ennis Urban Council from 1914 to 1920.

His son Patrick J McNamara was the Clare County Secretary of the Irish volounteers and later the na- tional Irish volounteers. He served 31 years on Ennis Urban District Council between 1920 and 1967.

In a long political career Patrick Hogan served variously as an Irish volounteer, Gaelic league activist, Clare county councillor, Dail deputy, Senator and Ceann Comharle of Dail Eireann between (1951-1967). A na- tive of Kilmaley he later moved to Dublin.

As an active ITGWU official he de- fended workers during the construc- tion of Ardnacrusha hydro-electric station and Shannon Airport.

IRISH farmers rose up with one voice last week and unilaterally re- jected the current trade deal on the table of the World Trade Organisa- nee

More than 10,000 farmers brought Dublin to a standstill Thursday in an unprecedented show of power and solidarity. The protest was timed to coincide with the visit of the Presi- dent of the EU Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso.

Barosso was in the capital to cam- paign for a yes vote in a crunch up- coming referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. The majority of Irish farm- ing organisations have threatened

urging a no vote if their concerns on the WTO are ignored.

‘Farmers could not support a Com- mission that has sold out on family farming and food production right across Europe,’ said IFA president, Padraig Walshe addressing the pro- test.

“If the Mandelson proposals were followed there would not be farmer support for the treaty. That is my message for President Barroso today. That is my message for the Govern- ment today.”

It has been claimed that the out- come of the current negotiations would cost the Irish economy four billion euro and see 50,000 farm- ers put out of business, along with

50,000 job losses in the processing sector.

Speaking before the national day of protest, Clare IFA County Chairman Michael Lynch has called on farm- ers to hit back against Commissioner Mandelson.

“The WTO negotiations are at a critical stage and Mandelson is out of control, offering to destroy the CAP in a reckless last-ditch effort to get a deal,’ he said.

“The reality of the Mandelson cuts would be a flood of beef steak 1m- ports from South America into Eu- rope, which would collapse Irish cat- tle prices to €2/kg or 7Op/Ib, making suckler and livestock farming totally uneconomic.

“Milk prices would be cut to 24c/ litre as a direct result of greatly in- creased imports of butter and other dairy products. There would also be huge losses in the sheep, pigs, poul- try and grain sectors.

“Irish agriculture would be devas- tated and the loss of farmers’ liveli- hoods and jobs in the food industry, agri-business and services would be felt in towns and communities across the entire country.

“If Mandelson is not stopped, we are facing a €4 billion per year loss to economy with rural Ireland hard- est hit by far. This 1s a crucial protest in our campaign to stop Mandelson and secure the future of Irish farm-

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A MAN who provided “short, sharp breaths” into an intoxlyser machine after he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving has been accused of “trying to fool” the machine.

Tony O’Leary (53), of Lower Quay, Liscannor, was convicted of fail- ing to provide a breath specimen to gardai, at Ennis Garda Station.

Garda Michael Sweeney told En- nis District Court that he was at the Garda station on November 9, 2007,

when another garda arrived with the accused who had been arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

Garda Sweeney said he started a 20 minute observation of Mr O’Leary.

He said he demanded a breath specimen. “He started providing a breath specimen. He gave a short, sharp breath, which was insufficient, twice,’ said the garda.

“IT informed him on numerous oc- casions he was to take a good deep breath, but he kept providing short, sharp breaths. He provided a breath

specimen roughly four times. He failed to provide a breath specimen. He was giving short, sharp breaths, which were insufficient for the intox- lyser,’ he added.

“Mr O’Leary didn’t indicate any reason to me why he wasn’t able to provide a breath specimen. I felt he was able to provide a breath speci- men. He just wasn’t providing it for us,’ said the garda.

Defending solicitor Siobhan Mc- Mahon said her client “wasn’t given the option of blood or urine, which

he would have been willing to pro- vide.

‘He is charged with failing to com- ply with the requirement to provide. It says nowhere about sufficiency. He proceeded to provide at least four times,” said Ms McMahon.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said it was the State’s case that the accused “was deliberately avoiding blowing prop- erly into the machine, as opposed to being unable”.

Mr O’Leary told the court he did “everything that was required of ine ome

“I blew into the apparatus on a number of occasions. I suffer from high blood pressure, I have a chest infection,’ he said, for which he was on a lot of medication.

He said, however, he did not tell this to the garda.

Inspector Kennedy put it to him that he was “trying to fool the machine”’. to which he replied, “I wouldn’t agree with that at all.”

The inspector replied, “You are coming in here today trying to get yourself off on a failure on your part to properly breath into the machine as required. You thought you would fool the machine by conveniently not giving it enough breath that it could analyse.”

Ms McMahon said her client lost a leg in a serious accident some time ago. He is on unemployment assist- ance and earns €25 a week busking at the Cliffs of Moher.

Judge Joseph Mangan heard he had a previous conviction for drink driv- ing in 2001.

He banned him from driving for six years and fined him €1,250.

AN event at Holy Family National School to celebrate diversity has re- ceived a ringing endorsement from the new president of the Irish Na- tional Teachers Organisation.

Declan Kelleher was speaking at an event to mark Intercultural Week at the Ennis school.

There are 37 different nationalities attending the Holy Family including children from Argentina, the Phil- ippines, Moldova, Brazil, Nigeria, Poland, Latvia and the Czech Re- public.

Each country was represented at events during the week, with children showcasing aspects of their culture such as traditional songs, costumes and dance routines.

Mr Kelleher said the Holy Family had played an important role in help-

ing newcomer children integrate into the local community.

He said, “As one of the foremost Clare schools in welcoming and em- bracing so many newcomer children to the county, I wish to publicly ac- knowledge the immense contribu- tion of the Holy Family senior and junior school.

“In years to come this school and many other primary schools throughout Clare will rejoice in their achievements as they see our new Irish citizens make extraordinary contributions to every facet of Irish life including sports, the arts, in- dustry, education and innovation at every level. Primary education can take a bow.”

Mr Kelleher said that despite little initial Government support, primary schools had responded with vision to the changes in Irish society.

He said, “If 15 years ago anybody were to be told that by the year 2008 the pupil population of an Irish pro- vincial town primary school would include children from 37 different nationalities they would undoubtedly have been scoffed at.

“Yet this is exactly what became the reality for Holy Family National School, Ennis and indeed for many more primary schools throughout the island.”

Mr Kelleher continued, ““The man- ner in which schools adapted to the change and welcomed newcomer children into their pupil communi- ties has been one of the greatest un- sung and uncelebrated successes of Irish primary education.

“The fact that the change was ac- complished in a largely unsupported manner makes the achievement all the more laudable. Government reac-

tion to the tidal wave of change which Swept over our primary schools was tardy and recognition of the huge lin- guistic and cultural challenges which our schools faced was by and large ignored.”

Mr Kelleher singled out the role played by Catholic managed schools in embracing change. “In particular the reaction of Catholic managed primary schools was both exempla- ry and exceptional to new pupils of every religion and none were made unwelcome.

‘This was exactly as it should have been and today I want to acknowl- edge the extraordinary contribution that primary schools have made to- wards the creation of a new, diverse, multicultural Ireland where all new- comers can aspire to having their culture and contribution recognised, affirmed and valued.”

TWO men who decided to buy a house between them finished up in court, with one accusing the other of eeu

But the case against Warren Tully (27) of 8 Mountshannon, Labash- eeda, was stopped when the alleged victim of the fraud, James O’Connor, from Ballybeg, Clarecastle took the stand.

Stephen Coughlan BL, prosecuting for the State had earlier told the jury that Mr O’Connor had been compen- sated for an industrial accident.

He and the accused wanted to buy a house together and O’Connor trans- ferred €70,000 and, later, €28,000 into an account which Tully had set

up for that purpose.

“Matters came unstuck and Mr O’Connor became dissatisfied and said he wanted his money back,” Mr Coughlan told the Ennis Circuit Solitan

He told the jury that €10,000 was returned and further sums of €25,000 and €10,000 were handed over after the gardai became involved.

Mr Tully denied charges of theft of €70,000 and deception in relation to the €28,000.

When Mr O’Connor took the stand to give evidence, he said that he wanted “to drop the charges. I’m just sick of it at this stage”.

With no evidence from the State to offer, Judge Rory O’Donnabhain struck the case out.

WITH an average of 20 deaths and more than 3,000 accidents reported on farms each year, farming 1s cur- rently one of Ireland most hazardous professions. Next Tuesday, April 29, EIRI Corca Baiscinn in Kilkee will host a tractor skills course day aimed at young people between the ages of 14 and 16.

According to the Health and Safety Authority, one in five deaths which occur on Irish farms involves chil- dren. In addition to this, almost half of these deaths involve tractors and other types of machinery.

In response to this alarming sta- tistic, Farm Family Support Service

and Farm Relief Services will run a safety course in Kilkee next week. The Safe Tractor Driving Skills course 1S aimed at young teenagers who are at particular risk from farm accidents.

The objective of the training day 1s to improve basic skills on the trac- tor and make parents and teenagers aware of the dangers involved in tractor and machinery usage, outline the legal requirements of tractor and machinery used by teenagers up to 16 years old and outline an approach to practical training which should be provided by a parent or guardian.

The course agenda includes safety checks before starting, setting up a good driving position, safe driving,

hitching the tractor to other imple- ments, operating trailed machinery from the tractor, checking the terrain and practical driving skill.

Each participant will drive the trac- tor with trailer around a specifically designed course and receive tips and corrections where necessary. The training day will also include basic first aid training, where each par- ticipant will learn the basic skills in first aid but with particular attention to common farm accidents such as cuts and bleeding, electrocution and eva

EIRI Corca Baiscinn provides a Farm Family Support Service to farmers in the west Clare area.

The Farm Family Support Service

at EIRI also provides free, confiden- tial advice and assistance on farm assist, social welfare entitlements, starting a new business, training for off-farm employment, farm en- terprises, farm finance management and information on schemes.

On completion of the course each participant will also receive a certifi- cate of achievement. The course will be run on Tuesday, April 29, from 9.30am to 4pm at Kilrush Mart.

The course costs €60 but families in receipt of farm assist will be enti- tled to a discount. Places are limited to 12 so early booking is essential. Please contact Hilary Gleeson at EIRI Corca Baiscinn on 065 9056611 Oy OL Lom WR hreF

A WEST Clare man died due to a brain infarct the cause of which could not be absolutely determined, an inquest into his death heard yes- KOE As

John J Darcy (68), Main Street, Mullagh, died at Ennis General Hos- pital in the early hours of July 13, 2002.

Solicitor Ger Gannon, representing the Darcy family, put it to Sergeant Joe Hehir of Miltown Malbay Garda Station that there had been an “inci- dent” in the previous 12 months be- fore Mr Darcy had passed away.

Sgt Hehir said there had been an in- vestigation of an assault on Mr Darcy the previous year.

During the assault Mr Darcy had

suffered a broken nose and had re- ceived five stitches. Sgt Hehir said that a complaint had been made in August 2001.

A minor had been dealt with in re- lation to this, under the national Ju- venile Diversion Programme which deals with young offenders by cau- tioning them.

The then superintendent in En- nistymon decided that the young boy be dealt with under the Juvenile Di- version Programme.

Superintendent Gabriel O’Gara pointed out to the inquest that the matter had subsequently been re-in- vestigated by an officer from outside the Clare division.

Arising from that investigation, a file was submitted to the DPP. The DPP said that the initial decision to

caution the minor, under the Diver- sion programme, was the correct de- cision.

The solicitor pointed out that Mr Darcy received treatment for his nose injury twice, the second of which was some days before he died.

State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy carried out a post-mortem examination on Mr Darcy’s body on July 13, 2002. She pointed out that he had received surgery for a nose injury in September 2001. He was readmitted to hospital in June 2002 for further corrective surgery, which was deemed a success. He returned home and was brought back to hos- pital some days later as he fell un- conscious. He remained unconscious until his death.

She said that death was due to pul-

monary thrombo embolism, due to deep vein thrombosis, due to immo- bility, which was due to brain stem damage.

“When he left hospital (on June 20, 2002) he appeared to be fit and healthy,” said Professor Cassidy.

However, she said, “Some cata- strophic event” had taken place prior to him losing consciousness. She said that one possibility was that he had suffered a small heart attack but “this diagnosis cannot be confirmed.”

She said that the State Patholo- gist for Northern Ireland, Professor Crane, had come to “similar con- clusions as myself, in that it was unlikely there was a direct associa- tion between the last surgery and his subsequent collapse and the develop- ment of the brain stem condition that

led to his death.”

Professor Cassidy said, “There’s little certainty as to the brain injury that led to his death. It’s undeter- mined.”

The solicitor put it to her, “The cause of death is the real problem. There is no certainty about that from the point of view of the Darcy fam- 7 A

Prof Cassidy replied, “It is most likely this could have occurred at any time, without any of the preced- ing events but that is as much as I can SNA

She said she could not be sure what caused the “catastrophic event that led to death’.

County Coroner Isobel O’Dea ad- journed the remainder of the inquest until a later date.

THE countdown is on for all north Clare romantics, a special Moonlight to Midnight walk will take place on the Flaggy Shore in north Clare later this week.

The walk, which will take place on April 18, will be undertaken in complete darkness except for the moonlight and a few guiding torches placed along the way to add atmos- je) aster

All the money from the event will go towards the Irish Red Cross.

“It is going to be a very relaxed, kind of serene night. We will have no light, no nothing. The full moon is out that night so we are going to meet at the Flaggy Shore at half nine and we are going to start rambling at 10,” said organiser Joe Queally.

“It’s about four and a half miles of a ramble, maybe five. Just to add a bit of extra atmosphere to the occasion we are going to have a few old fash- ioned lanterns placed along the way.

“We are going to have music on the beach as well. As people pass by in the moonlight we have a flute player

and a violin player going as well. They are just to help to get the stones talking and get the ocean talking as well. We are hoping it’s going to be a bit of a fairytale night.

“It would be a great night for peo- ple to look to renew old friendships, a night to help the Red Cross or for young people just to get out there and enjoy themselves, to hold hands and EN e

“It’s not a long walk and we will be taking it very handy as well. More of a stroll. We will be keeping the group fairly together, no one will be flying

off in front, but we want people to have their privacy to be together in the group.

“It’s a nice relaxing walk for eve- ryone. It would be a great walk for people who want to walk it on their own, clear their head and find peace in their head. It should be a very spe- cial night.”

All people need to do to take part is to get a sponsorship card from Joe and collect €100 worth of sponsor- ship for the Red Cross. For more in- formation or to collect a sponsorship card, contact Joe on 087 6260301.

THE newly elected President of Lim- erick Chamber of Commerce 1s not only living in Clare but has identified a closer working relationship with the Banner County as a key factor in driving the future development of the mid-west Region.

Sean Lally, whose home is in Bun- ratty, 18S managing partner of the Clarion Hotel in Limerick and he succeeded Shannon Airport Author- ity member and Westpark business campus Director, Reg Freake to the Presidency.

Speaking about his upcoming year in office, Mr. Lally said one of his priorities will be to highlight the many positive aspects of the Limer- ick Shannon region from both a busi- ness and tourism perspective.

“In spite of tales of economic slow down we are seeing unprecedented levels of construction taking place in the region.

“The Shannon ‘Tunnel Project, linking Clare and Limerick at an estimated cost of €500m, is due for completion within the next two years and is the largest infrastructural de- velopment ever commissioned by the State outside the capital.”

“Throughout the year we will con- tinue to highlight critical areas that will always remain top of our agen- da. This includes priorities such as

the completion of the upgrading of the N18 to Galway by 2010 to en- sure our vision of an economic cor- ridor between Galway and Limerick becomes a reality. The urgent need for improved connectivity to Foynes Port; greater priority to be given to the completion of the Atlantic Road Corridor and the motorway from Limerick to Dublin to be delivered and completed by 2010 as prom- ised.”

“Shannon Airport is a key contribu- tor to the economic prosperity of the region. With 3.6 million passengers passing through it last year it is the second busiest airport in the state. Shannon still reports to the Dublin Airport Authority, a situation which is clearly unsatisfactory if Shannon is to compete in an aviation market that is highly competitive.”

A native of Galway, Sean Lally joined the Board of Limerick Cham- ber in 2006 and 1s also a member of the Irish Hotels Federation and is a Director of Meet Limerick Shannon Conference and Sports Bureau.

He worked in the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis during the early 90s and his wife Eliane is from Bunratty where his two children Oisin (9) and Cao- imhe (4) attend the local Wells pri- mary school.