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A MAJOR fundraiser for the devel- opment of the school field in Quin will take place on Friday night.

‘Who wants to be a Thousandaire’ will take place at The Clare Inn ho- tel. The aim of the event is to raise €100,000 for the development of the nCOAKGD

The overall project is costing more than €200,000. While more than half of this has been raised locally,

Friday night’s event is the single big- gest fundraiser for the project.

Contestants will have the opportu- nity to win up to €1,000 on the night, as well as entering a draw for a holi- day worth €750.

The cost of tickets for the event is €15 and they are available at the school office and from parents and members of the organising commit- Koto

The fundraising at the school is not confined to this initiative. The par-

ents association, assisted by school staff, raised almost €2,000 through bag packing in Dunnes Stores re- cently.

This initiative was carried out with the aim of buying a third interactive board for the fourth and fifth class- room.

A churchgate collection generated €500, towards software for the in- teractive boards, while a clean-up af- ter the Point-to-Point in Dromoland added €300 to the school develop-

ment fund.

Elsewhere, two of the school’s young students, Liam Fahy and Cian O’Mara, brought joy to the school when they appeared on national tel- evision on April 1. The duo entered the Fado Fado competition and were shortlisted to appear on RTE televi- sion. Through the competition, which is based on myths and legends, the two were filmed during last summer. The culmination of this was their tel- evision performance.

AER LINGUS plans to enter an ex- tensive codeshare partnership with Star Alliance carrier United Airlines from November has been welcomed by the Shannon Airport Authority as a major boost for the mid-west.

The codeshare, which will cover the Irish airline’s services from Shannon to Boston, Chicago and New York, will provide access to and from the west of Ireland for 200 new destina-

tions across the United States.

United Airlines will also sell seats on Aer Lingus’ transatlantic serv- ices, thereby offering Shannon as a destination from these US cities.

Commenting on the development, Shannon Airport Director Martin Moroney said that the partnership brings another major US airline to the Shannon market and will also consolidate the Aer Lingus winter schedule at Shannon.

“This is very exciting news for

Shannon Airport and this region as it opens up significant new markets across the United States, with the al- liance ensuring one-stop access to over 200 new destinations in the US. OW evi ie-U em or-DusCUir-DUhmBneNOhMEceRonn the full-onset this year of Open Skies and is another boost following the Aer Lingus deal with JetBlue Air- ways Corp earlier this year that will allow customers to book a single res- ervation between Ireland and more than 40 continental US destinations.

‘Both these alliances by Aer Lingus are complemented by the market- ing fund for west of Ireland tourism, aimed at stimulating and promoting a strong identity in the US, so these deals couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Mr Moroney.

“This development brings signifi- cant marketing benefits to Shannon and its hinterland and raises Shan- non’s profile throughout the travel industry in the United States,” said Mr Moloney.

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.

A MEETING today of shop stew- ards at Aer Lingus seems unlikely to halt a stand-off between ground staff and management which could see workers suspended and flights under threat.

Aer Lingus management have set a deadline of 5pm today in Shan- non, Dublin and Cork for the ground crews to accept cost-cutting propos- AS

The 1,800 SIPTU workers em- ployed in ground operations, includ- ing check-in, loading and catering, voted to reject proposals negotiated between union and management by a three-to-one margin last February.

Since then, there have been some

negotiations, but now management has upped the ante by setting the oCer-Ke dbp ates

From 4am tomorrow, staff rostered to come on under the new arrange- ments will be expected to turn up and work with new practices or face Suspension.

The airline’s management has al- ready warned that they will close or outsource certain operations if this doesn’t happen.

Shop stewards representing the workers are due to meet at lunchtime today, but sources close to the two sides are not optimistic of any agree- ment being reached in time.

Management want the workers to Operate new rosters and practices as part of a masterplan to save the air-

line €20 million.

So far, agreement has been reached with most groups, including the pi- etsy

A spokesman for SIPTU said last night that the union’s members rejected the deal in February be- cause “they obviously felt it was too much. The plan includes things like 12 hour shifts, 4am shift starts and split shifts. This is a deal to save the airline €20 million and €10 mil- lion of that is to come from SIPTU members. While that is half the sav- ing and SIPTU represents half the workforce, in general, SIPTU mem- bers are not nearly as well paid as, say pilots, so it is a much bigger sac- rifice that 1s being asked of them.”

The union spokesman said that the

“fact that the company is making money and the top management has publicly said it is going to pay itself a big bonus is not helping matters.”

Last year, Aer Lingus Chief Ex- ecutive Dermot Mannion promised shareholders that he would imple- ment the staff cost savings from the beginning of 2008.

However, so far none of the pro- posed measures have materialised because of ongoing negotiations over new work practices and rostering.

SIPTU’s ground staff members had already voted to take industrial action if changes in working ar- rangements were introduced without agreement.

No-one could be contacted to com- ment in Aer Lingus.

AN all-round community effort in Corofin has played a key role in over €2,000 being collected for a charita- ble organisation.

Corofin national school organised a cake sale in aid of Bothar, an Afri- can-based charity.

The event, co-ordinated by junior infants teacher Eilish O’Connor, in- volved all staff and students at the school and the money raised signifi-

cantly surpassed all expectations.

All 139 students were encouraged to bake cakes and buns and all were sold at the one-day cake sale at the school. School secretary Geraldine Cahill explained the idea behind the fundraiser.

“The junior infants decided that, as their Lenten contribution, they would help others who are less well off than themselves,” said Ms Cahill.

“A curricular was sent to all par- ents, inviting them to get involved

and the response was overwhelming.

“This was the first time this was done to that scale. The whole com- munity got involved, coming and buying cakes, while the children sold raffle tickets on the day. It was an all-round community effort,” she added. Ms O’Connor, supported by the school’s student council, then de- cided to encourage everybody to get involved in the project.

The organisers set a fundraising target of €300, but were overjoyed

when the final tally amounted to €2,170.

Under the Bothar project, live ani- mals are purchased here and sent to villages in Africa. All of the money raised helps improve the lives of those who are deprived of many of the basics in life.

All seven teachers at the school, including acting principal Gareth Heagney, played a role in ensuring the project was a resounding suc- cess.

GULLIVER IRELAND, the owner of one of Ireland’s longest estab- lished travel websites, Golreland. com, announced yesterday that it has relaunched the website to consolidate its positioning as the largest tourist accommodation website on the is- land of Ireland.

Gulliver Ireland, Ireland’s leading cost effective provider of reserva-

tions and tourism information, 1s part of FEXCO.

The Golreland.com website will handle a projected 55,000 domestic and overseas bookings this year, which equates to almost 200,000 bednights. Traffic to the new website during the first four weeks increased by 15 per cent compared with last year, which is attributed to better visibility on search engines. Golre- land.com was ranked in the Top 15

Travel and Airlines Market in the newly published “The Net Behaviour Report’ on Irish internet usage.

The website has a new ‘look and feel’, featuring more travel informa- tion on ‘things to see and do’ and offering a wider spread of tourist ac- commodation, approximately 8,000 properties, which is more than any other Irish tourism-related website.

The overhaul of the website’s con- tent, which has a significant regional

focus including regional landing pages for all counties, will continue throughout the year. The new web- site allows tourism business owners to sell their properties better than ever by including detailed premises and local information, photographs and the option of enhanced listings. It delivers booking availability in every county on the island and across all accommodation categories. “People booking accommodation

are booking an experience. To sell effectively online, you have to show your customers the kind of experi- ences they can have.

They urge businesses to take ad- vantage of the new Golreland.com website and show up to 120,000 visi- tors every week at the height of the tourist season what you have and what is around you,’ said Dr Stew- art Stephens, Managing Director of Gulliver Ireland.

SHANNON Airport will now be in a position to maximise its growth as an independent entity, airport boss, Pat Shanahan has predicted.

The chairman of the Shannon Air- port Authority was speaking after Minister Noel Dempsey’s statement that the airport could run be running its own affairs in less than a year.

The transport minister has said he expects the separation of Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports to be completed within the next nine to 12 eatoyelaatcy

This follows the decision of the board of Cork Airport Authority (CAA) to accept the recommenda- tions of mediator Peter Cassells in

relation to the level of debt it should bear at separation.

The autonomy of the three airports has been held up for five years by the row over who should pay the €220 million debt for Cork.

The Shannon Airport Authority welcomed the announcement that the airports were to split.

“We have general agreement al- ready with the Dublin Airport Au- thority on separation and have put forward a robust and independently validated business case in this re- gard,” Shanahan said.

He predicted that “Shannon Air- port’s maximum potential can only be achieved as an independent com- mercial state enterprise. Even with limited autonomy since Shannon

Airport Authority Board was ap- pointed in September 2004, major progress has been achieved, with traffic growing by 50 per cent and a major restructuring programme be- ing implemented that has achieved cost savings of over €10m per an- num.”

According to Minister Dempsey a process of engagement is underway involving all the relevant parties and dealing with implementation and the technical and legal issues involved.

As part of the process, Minister Dempsey said there would need to be “necessary consultation with stake- holders”.

SIPTU in Cork have opposed the plan which will see Cork saddled with a debt of €113 million but with

assets valued at €220 million. Both Cork and Shannon airports were promised debt-free separation by the Government in 2004. Mr Dempsey yesterday ruled out the possibility of providing financial assistance to the CAA in the future should it run into funding difficulties.

On Thursday evening, a statement from the CAA said it had “sought and received assurances from the minister for transport that an inde- pendent Cork airport can rely on support, financial or otherwise, to ensure the airport’s continued viabil- ity in the event of it being unable to meet its fixed funding obligations as a consequence of the occurrence of certain adverse business risks or ex- traordinary events”.

DESPITE doom and gloom predic- tions on the tourism font, a fourth generation Lahinch hotelier has rea- son to smile this week.

Michael Vaughan of the Vaughan Lodge, Lahinch walked away with the Small Hotel and Guesthouse of the Year honour at the eleventh an- nual Ireland Golf Tour Operators Awards Dinner.

For Michael, his wife Marie and 17 staff of the hotel, it was a proud pubhca ale

“We’re absolutely delighted. Hav- ing been open for just three years and heading into our fourth season, it’s a

real honour to get an award this early on. And coming from our peers, it’s areal fillip’, said Michael.

The couple returned to Michael’s home-ground of Lahinch to set up the hotel and fulfill a dream.

“It’s always been my ambition to come back to Lahinch’, said Michael. The proprietor of Vaughans is a fourth generation hotelier in the town, his father having run the Aber- deen Arms and his father and grand- father before him.

Having trained in London and France and worked for thirteen years with Jury’s then a stint as director of golf at Dromoland, Michael was de- lighted to be back on home turf.

The hotel is a four-star operation employing 17 people with seasonal opening between March and Novem- ber for links golfing holidays.

It has already been commended in the Bridgestone Guide, Georgina Cambell, Lucinda O’Sullivan, Alis- tar Sawdays and Best Loved Holi- days.

Michael says that the forecast is not good for the lucrative US golf tour- ism business.

“It’s widely anticipated that busi- ness will be down by about 15 per cent. So this award is a great morale boost coming at a time when we are facing into a challenging season’, he Sr HKOe

The black-tie gala event at the new Ritz-Carlton Hotel at Powerscourt, Co Wicklow was attended by more than 250 influential members of the Golf Industry, with visitors from England, USA and Scotland includ- ed.

Central to the function was the presentation to the golf clubs and accommodations which excelled in their field over the past year.

Marty Carr, Chairman of the IG- TOA stated that “the reason that Ire- land is such a premier golfing desti- nation is because the service visitors receive, from golf to accommodation to transport, is of the highest cali- lionel