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AN ILLNESS that has been de- scribed as causing suicidal tenden- cies in patients affects an estimated 3,000 people in Clare.

The number is only an estimate, however, as the majority of people with psoriasis suffer in silence.

A survey of those afflicted with the lifelong skin condition showed that as many as 81 per cent felt it had affected their self-confidence; 81 per cent felt embarrassed undertak-

ing activities such as undressing in front of others; and 85 per cent felt that psoriasis limited their choice in clothing and lifestyle.

When asked how the ailment made them feel, replies ranged from “fed up, angry, frustrated and embar- rassed” to “helpless and self-con- SC10US’.

This week is National Psoriasis In- formation Week and Clare patients are being encouraged to visit their doctor rather than endure the cond1- tion in silence.

One local person, who like many more 1s embarrassed by her condi- tion, recalled how devastated she felt when a hairdresser reached for rub- ber gloves before treating her hair.

Like others, this person did not understand the condition or how emotionally painful it can be for the Us tce

Dr Trevor Markham, Consultant Dermatologist at University College Hospital, Galway, said, “Psoriasis patients have a reduction in their quality of life similar to or worse

than patients with other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. While there is no ideal treatment for the condition, there are many different treatments available. “Although psoriasis generally does not affect survival, it certainly has a number of major negative effects on patients, demonstrable by a signifi- cant detriment to quality of life. “Patients feel stigmatised by the condition leading to depression and suicidal ideation in more than five per cent of patients,’ he continued.

‘Patients may not realise the treat- ment options that are available, due to the poor access to dermatology services. In addition, the lack of ad- equate phototherapy services, espe- cially in the west of Ireland, contrib- utes to this.”

An information meeting will be held in the South Court hotel, Lim- erick, tomorrow for psoriasis suf- ferers and will be addressed by der- matology nurse, Carol Collins, who will talk about various creams and their application.

THE old telephone exchange sits at the back of the Cooraclare post office, just metres from the new high-tech computer. For retired postmistress Moria Garry, both objects represent the huge change her career has taken during the past 41 years.

On March 31, Moira stood down as the local postmistress, but she will

never be too far away from the core of the small but busy post office, as she continues to assist the new post- mistress Gerardine Donnellan.

Moira took over the reins of the post office from her aunt’s husband – Martin Joe O’Doherty – in October Teter

A year later, she married Michael Garry and the post office was to play a central role in their lives and that of

their family for years to come.

Moira Garry has quite literally seen and heard it all as the centre for in- formation, services and advice for the rural west Clare village and sur- rounding area.

Up until the late 80s, the exchange was central to the services provided by this busy post office.

Moira remembers how her late hus- band Michael would get up in the

middle of the night to answer the ex- change. “We had a bell for it outside our bedroom door,” she recalled.

The exchange was a 24-hour day job, with Moira providing the only connection for many an ex-Pat and the family back home.

She always had the emergency numbers at hand – the doctor, the priest – and hers was one of the few exchanges in the country that had a minister on the local exchange – ““Co- oraclare 40”.

Just as the post office played a cen- tral part of Garry family life, so too did Moira Garry play a central role in the lives of other families.

Little Jessica O’Gorman was the fifth generation of the Gallagher- O’Gorman family to get a stamp from the former postmistress. “I put the stamp into her little hand. I have a picture with her,” said Moira.

Moira laughs as she recalls how she still continues to provide the local in- formation at the end of a phone line.

Since evening Mass has been shared on a monthly basis between Coora- clare and Cree churches, she often answers the phone to the question, “Is Mass above or below tonight?”

As well as the usual post office du- ties, Moria also dispenses 135 cop- les of

‘BE alert, be involved’ was the mes- sage at the launch of the Ballybeg Community Alert scheme.

Clare’s top ranking Gardai urged communities to support the new partnership initiative, launched in the West County Hotel on Wednesday.

A joint initiative between residents and local Community Guard Den- nis Collins, the Ballybeg Commu- nity Alert scheme is the first to be launched in Clare.

Representatives of community groups in Quin, Sixmilebridge, Lis- sycasey and Crusheen were also in attendance and it is hoped similar schemes will be established in those Kersh

Addressing what he termed the changing dynamic of Irish society,

head of the Clare Garda division, Chief Supt Gerry Mahon, said local communities have an important role to play in crime prevention.

He said, “I would ask that people to be aware of what is going in their own community. We are not asking people to snoop, just to be reasonably conscious of their own safety.”

Chief Supt Mahon continued, “Irish society has changed so much, there are a lot of new dynamics. We have new communities coming in, different cultures, and people aren’t interacting in maybe the way they used to. It has left a gap, particularly in daylight hours. It can leave elderly people vulnerable.

“We are not being overly demand- ing, just asking people to be con- scious of people that need help in their community. It’s down to a few

at the end of the day.”

Supt John Scanlon of Ennis Garda Station urged closer links between the gardai and community groups.

‘Things are good in Clare but from time to time you will have people coming in and doing burglaries. If we get a heads up about suspicious behaviour, we can prevent it. The main problems we are dealing with are burglaries in homes, a small bit of anti-social behaviour and break- ins to cars”.

Supt Scanlon added that an extra community guard would soon be al- located to Ennis.

Garda Dennis Collins said, “We have had great interest in the scheme since last August. Ballybeg has to have one of the most pro-active com- mittees in Clare. It has led to people getting to know each other better and

closer contact with the Gardai.”

Crime Prevention Officer Joe Downey said, “This is about being active, being involved and being alert. It is a joint, co-coordinated and structured approach to crime preven- tion. This doesn’t have to die after this meeting. We want you to bring this message back to your commu- ia Ae

The Community Alert programme was established by Muintir Na Tire in 1984 in partnership with An Garda Siochana, with the aim of providing an effective Community Policing and Crime Prevention Network.

There are now 1250 community alert groups throughout the country.

Bernard Kearney of Muintir Na Tire urged the new committee to publish a regular newsletter and avail of Government funding.

EARLIER this year, Colin Lynch met and addressed the 2008 Clare minor panel for the first time. Af- ter the meeting had finished, the panel and management had decided on their goal for the year. The aim would be Croke Park. Anything less would be interpreted as an opportu- nity lost and just by mentioning the country’s top stadium, this group had already lifted expectations in Clare football.

Michael Considine looks back over the past few months and says that all the negativity that has surrounded football in this county is unneces- sary, but he believes it’s up to those involved at the coalface to rid Clare of that mindset.

“We’ve got to stop feeling sorry for ourselves in Clare,’ says Considine. ‘“We’ve got to raise the bar and that’s down to ourselves. Clare teams have to be going out wanting to get to Munster finals, wanting to get to All Ireland quarter finals. Until we start thinking that we’re good enough to raise the bar and until we get rid of that negativity we’re never going to 20 forward.”

Look across the country and you’ll find that no team at this level has pre- pared better. Considine, along with James Murrihy and Colm Collins have covered all bases. Former Ker- ry goalkeeper Declan O’ Keeffe was brought in to add another dimension to goalkeeping training, Collins has been involved in improving fitness since the beginning of October and all players have had ongoing access to training facilities over the past seven months.

So far, over 50 sessions have been logged and according to Considine, every player has shown application and dedication.

“We sat down back in September and October and decided that we were going to put pride back in the jersey. For too long lads have been getting it too easy. When they go out in championship games with 10 min- utes to go they’re blowing up, they’re hiding.

‘“That’s one thing that we can guar- antee – that the 15 guys who go out against Kerry in Cusack Park will have earned their Clare shirt.”

Though it’s Kerry, the objective doesn’t shift. Play well and progress. Despite the safety net that exists — the team that loses on Wednesday goes

into a Munster Final playoff, with the first game scheduled for April 16 — Considine says that Clare are go- ing out to win at all costs tomorrow night.

“T don’t buy into this theory that it doesn’t matter if we win on Wednes- day. My view is that we’re going out to beat Kerry and I believe we’re good enough to beat Kerry.

“The bottom line is we’ve put in a savage effort. Just think about tt: 50 sessions since October 5. These young fellas have given their hearts and souls to the county jersey and if you base it on the fact that you get out of it what you put in, then we’re in with more than a fighting chance.”

Undoubtedly, a Kerry scalp — on the back of the Under 21 win over Kerry last year — would provide growing

evidence that a core group of tal- ented players are coming through the grades. Ensuring they remain inter- ested and ensuring the incentives ex- ist then becomes the aim.

“We’ve got to make it attractive for players. We’ve got to have a profes- sional set-up and fellas have to be looked after. I can’t complain with the minor set-up, because anything we ve asked for we got it.

“But to keep moving forward the right structures have to be in place. There was a lot of talk about the Un- der 15 set-up this year. No mentor moved from the Under 14 to Under 15 SO we’ve a new Set-up coming in who don’t really know the players and it means the players aren’t as comfort- able. ““What happens then is you can lose three or four players through the

net and that’s not good enough. You have to keep the continuity. Once you’ve a relationship built up, you stay with them and move up along the line.”

With a reasonably tight base of players to work with, the directive given to potential dual players to chose between hurling and football could have had a negative effect on preparations. Considine rolled with it though.

“The [minor] hurling management made their decision that lads would have to make their choice. My think- ing on it is that lads should have the opportunity to play both codes up to minor. I think in a county like Clare if we had lost some of those lads [dual players], it would have been a serious blow to our team.

‘Now, I’m sure that them three guys are a loss to the hurling side, but good luck to the hurling management, they stuck to their beliefs and they believe they’re in contention for All Ireland honours. If that pans out, then they’ Il have been proved right.”

Last year, Considine watched from the sideline as his Clare side were beaten by Limerick after a replay. A dozen of that team are in conten- tion to start this year. Stronger, wiser and just as focused. A win tomor- row night would be reward in itself for Clare’s persistence and effort. A win that could be the first step on that road to Croke Park.

ALLEGATIONS that a man was missing part of his ear as a result of a row in Ennistymon on New Year’s Eve have been heard in court.

According to gardai, the man’s ear was bitten during an alleged assault. Martin Mongans (19), of The Prom- enade, Lahinch, was before Ennisty- mon District Court last Wednesday charged with assaulting a man, caus-

ing him harm. Mr Mongans is also accused of the lesser charge of assaulting two men. He is further charged with being intoxicated in public and with engag- ing in threatening, abusive or insult-

ing behaviour. It is alleged that the incident occurred at Main Street, En- nistymon, on December 31, 2007.

Garda Ian Kelly told the court that he arrested the accused prior to the court sitting, last Wednesday morn- ing. He said he did not make any re- ply, in response to the charges.

Judge Joseph Mangan asked how serious was the allegation of assault. Garda Kelly said the assault causing harm charge related to an alleged incident in which a man sustained a Serious ear injury.

‘‘He’s missing part of his ear,” said the garda.

“There was a row involving a number of individuals. It’s alleged Martin Mongans assaulted the in- jured party and bit his ear and also assaulted two others… minor as- saults, punches,’ said the garda.

Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey applied for free legal aid for her cli- ent, who is unemployed. She pointed out that the accused had been inter- viewed “some time ago in relation to denne

Supt Gabriel O’Gara said he would not be objecting to bail, on condition that the accused have no contact with the injured parties.

Judge Joseph Mangan declined ju- risdiction and adjourned the case for two months, for preparation of the Book of Evidence, for hearing in the circuit court.

Garda Kelly said there will be 21 statements, some of which are very elena laren

“We are awaiting medical reports also. It will be a period of time be- fore we get all this, given the number of witnesses,” said the garda.

EIRCOM has finally rolled out broadband to Ireland’s first e-town. As part of its nationwide broad- band rollout programme, Eircom announced it has broadband-enabled the exchange at Miltown Malbay. Commenting on the launch of broadband in Miultown Malbay, Michael Kennedy, Marketing Direc-

tor, Eircom said, “Eircom is delight- ed to announce the roll out of broad- band to Miltown Malbay in County Clare. Eircom is 100 per cent com- mitted to making broadband avail- able to as many parts of the country as we can.

“The enablement of this exchange and the planned enablement of an ad- ditional 20 exchanges across County Clare demonstrates we are deliver-

ing on our commitments.”

A statement from Eircom said that the Miltown Malbay announcement was part of Eircom’s public commit- ment to broadband-enable over 400 exchanges across Ireland, including a further 20 exchanges in the Clare area.

“Our determined efforts to increase broadband availability nationwide means that more than 900 exchang-

es, representing 96 per cent of the working telephone lines in Ireland, will be connected to a broadband ex- change within the next two years.”

Eircom said that it would pro- vide numerous services through its broadband to meet everyone’s needs, including a music portal, live sports and games online, Internet security, file storage and sharing, and wireless connectivity.

HOPES are high that a new public art project will provide a fitting trib- ute to the newly re-developed Clare- castle National School.

During the month of May, a spe- cial subcommittee of the board of management of the school will com- mission a contemporary artist(s) to develop a new art project for the school.

Artists are now invited, through an Open competition basis, to submit proposals to the school and a special site visit is arranged for April 10 for those interested.

The vision is to commission a new art project in the context of the school and/or surrounding area.

The school is keen that the art project will be modern and, in keep- ing with school ethos, would like to see the commission progress in a child-centered way.

However, the school is managing the project in line with the National Guidelines on Public Art, which pri- oritises time for the artist in the com- missioning process.

This public art project is funded through the Department of Educa- tion and Science’s Per Cent for Art Scheme and 1s coordinated by a Pub-

lic Art Subcommittee of Clarecastle national school’s board of manage- ment, with assistance from Clare County Council’s Public Art Pro- gramme and Arts Office.

Seven years after instigating pro- cedures to secure a new school, re- development on Clarecastle National School began in 1996. Apart from the original 1935 structure, which was retained, the rest of the building was demolished.

The new school caters for 290 children, housing — state-of-the-art classrooms fitted with the latest IT resources, library, computer rooms, PE and multi-purpose rooms.

The teaching staff comprises 12 mainstream teachers and three re- source teachers.

A spokesperson for the school said, “The school sees this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for pupils, teachers, parents and grand- parents, of the broader school com- munity, to engage with a major art project.”

Those who wish to view submis- sions made through the open compe- tition process may view images of the proposed art projects in the school hall on Saturday, May 17, when the school will be open for First Holy Communion.

CUSACK PARK will hold no fear for Kerry minor manager John Kennedy. As the Clare senior football manag- er for three seasons this decade, he familarised himself with every blade of grass at Clare headquarters and although this is his first competitive return since he left the post in Octo- ber 2005, the memories of his time in Clare are still vivid.

“IT had some good days and some

bad ones in Cusack Park” recalls the former All-Ireland winner, “but I must say looking back on my three years in Clare that we put in a big effort – Dave Loughman, Frankie Griffin and myself. There are some great people there. We had a certain amount of success and there were a few disappointing performances also, but it’s always nice to go back and meet guys that I knew on a regu- lar basis and return to familiar sur- roundings. I made great friendships

in my time there and certainly that’s what sport is about. Winning is one thing but I suppose it’s the friend- ships you make and the contacts and they are there forever and it’s in years to come that they will become more important.”

Although Kennedy admits that he doesn’t know too much about the current Clare minor side, through his Banner contacts, he knows the man- agement well and considers Michael Considine and his team among the

best in the country.

“You’re always confident but cau- tious. I would know James Murrihy particularly well and also Michael Considine. These guys are as good as you’ll get anywhere and I’m not just saying that because it’s Clare. They prepare professionally and I know they are putting in a big effort. They have played a huge number of challenges games and in terms of preparations, they won’t be found ween bate

“We’re ready for a real tough bat- tle against Clare because we played them last year in a challenge and pipped us by a point and quite a number of those are underage this year. You’d know by the approach they had that day that they have left no stone unturned and this will be no different. So we’re certainly treating Clare with respect. We are expect- ing areal battle and we are certainly not looking beyond Cusack Park on Wednesday evening.”

THE bravery of a young man, who jumped into the Fergus river in an effort to save a drowning man, was praised last week.

The tributes were paid during an inquest into the cause of death of a young mechanic. Dermot Molloy (21), of Cahercalla Estate, Ennis, lost his life due to drowning last December.

Ennis Coroner’s Court heard last Wednesday that his body was recov- ered from the river in Ennis on De- cember 12, three days after he was

seen entering the water, in the early hours of the morning.

Colman Tubridy recalled being in Ennis, picking up a group of people, on the night of December 9 last. He had arranged to collect the group at the carpark across from the Queen’s Hotel at 2.15am.

He said he got to the carpark at 2.05am. He saw three young men to his right-hand side.

He said the three of them were talk- ing, before one of them backed away from the other two. That young man then placed his hand on the wall and

jumped and went straight into the river. The other two young men ran OD(o ma Kom eb beee

The inquest heard that Patrick Harding left the Queen’s nightclub rare b

In his deposition to the inquest, Mr Harding said he saw a lot of people running towards the Club Bridge. His sister told him that Dermot Mol- loy had jumped into the river.

‘“T went up to Club Bridge and could see him under the trees. I ran back to Abbey Street carpark. I climbed over the wall at the Bagel Factory

and waded through the water towards Dermot.

“When I got to him, I grabbed hold of him and | grabbed a tree with my right hand. We were there for a short period and then I started to panic. He was moving around a good bit. That’s when I lost grip of the tree,’ he recalled.

“We flowed down the river un- derwater, passing under the Club Bridge,” he said.

However he then lost grip of Mr Molloy. Members of Ennis fire serv- ice then got Mr Harding out of the

river, on the garda station side of the river. Mr Molloy’s body was taken from the water on December 12.

Pathologist Dr Vouneen Healy car- ried out an autopsy on Mr Molloy’s body on December 13. She conclud- ed that death was due to drowning.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea said Mr SE Tiebbetoacmese Cova nme (e)00 (eM lowe. @rle sce edged, along with those of the fire Service.

“T think the appropriate verdict is death by misadventure. It’s very sad that a young man’s life was lost in such tragic circumstances,” she said.

AFTER just one year’s work, Ire- land’s first ever e-town has now opened in Miltown Malbay.

Those curious to see what the new homes – that promise work-life bal- ance – look like can go along and see for themselves this weekend.

The €4 million e-town project is the first of its kind in Ireland and construction work on the 12 com- bined home/work units in the scheme have just been completed.

The e-towns initiative will allow people to work from home and has been designed by Shannon Develop- ment as an innovative way of helping people find a better quality of life.

This unique integrated develop- ment combines living and office space with high-tech broadband ac- cess.

E-towns are not just for those wish- ing to find work and a lifestyle out- side the urban rat race. It also gives an opportunity to the students of Miltown Malbay to return home and set up a business when they have re- ceived their qualifications.

The e-town is expected to attract micro-businesses to the area and cluster them so that they in turn could grow from each other and pro- vide further employment.

“With many commuters facing reduced quality of life due to the ever lengthening commute times to work, Shannon Development saw the need to generate a new 2\st-century solution to this growing problem. In launching our first pilot e-town in Miltown Malbay, we feel it is an ideal location in which to live, work and raise a family. It has everything you could possibly want on your

doorstep, including stunning scen- ery, top local amenities and a superb quality of life,” says Paul Ryan, E- Town Project Leader with Shannon Development.

As part of the Cuirt na dTonnta Miltown Malbay e-towns project, people who want to work from home have the option of work units either attached or adjacent to each house on the two-acre, high-tech courtyard site. Developed as either detached, three story and/or town houses, the units are wired for broadband with office space. They are designed to aesthetically complement the exist- ing townscapes, the house sizes aver- age 2,000 sq. ft., with business units ranging from 750 to 1,000 sq. ft.

“The development is designed for people who currently have long com- mutes to work each day and wish to set up a business and could easily

work from home. It would ideally suit micro-businesses in the traded Services sector, or businesses such as graphic design, consultancy, web design, publishing and professional oss ohe

“It is also ideal for people who have already set up a business from home but find their current home is no longer suitable for their growing business needs,” said Mr. Ryan.

To introduce the scheme to the peo- ple of County Clare, Shannon Devel- opment has issued a special invitation to come and view an e-town house at Miltown Malbay at weekends from 2pm to 4pm or by appointment. Just contact Bernie Lynch at 061 710349 and email: lynchb@shannondev.ie.