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WITH only two games remaining in the National League, the make-up of the Clare football panel has been re- structured and streamlined over the past number of weeks with manager Frank Doherty now targeting the Munster championship opener with Waterford in Dungarvan on May 25, less than eight weeks away.

Last Sunday, Clare played with purpose and persistence and record- ed their first victory of significance

in the league campaign, heralding an upswing in their fortunes.

Prior to the beginning of the Cu- sack Cup, Doherty made it clear that players could still play their way into the panel and though that maxim re- mains true, the panel has continued to evolve with Waterford in mind.

Shortly after Clare’s win over Kil- kenny, Kevin Dilleen, who had been expected to have a role to play for the footballers, informed the county football management he was leav- ing the set-up to concentrate on club

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Fintan Conway and Kevin Larkin, who both featured prominently in the McGrath Cup, are no longer part of the panel and Kevin’s brother, Jim- my, who had also featured at the start of the year, has moved abroad.

Dara Blake was also recently re- leased from the panel, as Doherty continues to shape his squad.

Neither Dara Kelly nor Laurence Healy were available for selection on Sunday due to injury and with both backs likely to push hard for a start-

ing place, it’s becoming clear that Clare will have sufficient defensive cover for the Waterford trip. In terms of the forwards,though, it’s still un- clear if management have made their minds up on the most effective six.

Speaking after the win on Sunday, Doherty was looking to the visit of league leaders Offaly to provide an opporunity for Clare to build on the Wicklow victory.

“If we can get a good result then it’s just a couple of weeks to the Water- ford championship game,” he said.

A VOLUNTARY housing associa- tion has moved to scale back its plans for a home to cater for people with mental health disabilities in response to local concerns.

Last year, Sli Eile Housing Associ- ation lodged plans with Ennis Town Solel Ronco noum- emo. qroee- koe isting home at Clonroadmore, Ennis to cater for a group of 10 people with mental health disabilities.

The chief executive of Sli Eile, Joan Hamilton, met with local residents prior to the application being lodged to allay local concerns.

However, in a submission, Christy and Brid Leyden stated: “It is not our wish to deprive persons with mental health disabilities supported hous- ing and while we feel that the lack of immediate access to social and recreational facilities makes the site unsuitable we are more than willing to provide a supportive community environment to help re-integrate pa- tients back into the larger communi- ty so that they can regain their social roles and identity.

“However, we feel that the scale of the proposed development leaves us with no option but request that the application for a 10 bedroom be rejected and replaced with a more manageable model.”

A separate submission lodged by

Paddy Coleman and Associates on behalf of Gerry and Mary Cronin stated that the proposal constituted “over-development of this backland site which would be out of charac- ter with the area, would be contrary to the zoning objective for the area, which is to protect residential amen- ity and allow for development ap- propriate to the sustainable growth of the settkement and would by vir- tue of proximity to site boundaries and be injurious to their residential PMOASOBL Blots

The council stated that the scale of development was excessive in rela- tion to the density, scale and charac- ter of any building in the immediate vicinity.

In response, Sli Eile has moved to reduce its plans. ““This house, which is now reduced in overall layout, pro- poses to now provide for eight per- sons with mental health disabilities,” the group says in a statement to the fo) tnererd e

“This dwelling allows for a relaxed atmosphere in a family network, do- mestic situation that encourages and supports people to progress to self- fulfilment.

“Every possible effort has been made to eliminate overlooking, over- shadowing, and locating the majority of private spaces so that no impact is made on any of the adjoining proper- Woe

THE staff and management of Hali- fax Insurance in Shannon have spent the last few months working that bit harder. It’s nothing to do with trying to increase profits or even combating the downturn in the economy, instead the group have been working their fingers to the bone to raise money for three very deserving charities.

And on the evidence of this work, they all deserve great big raises. Last Thursday the insurance company presented cheques totalling €34,000 to three charities.

The Irish Cancer Society were given €17,000 to continue their good work while Limerick’s Milford Care Centre received €8,500 and depres-

sion charity Aware receive €8,500.

The company’s charity committee introduced the challenge to Halifax Insurance Ireland Ltd and organised, promoted and encouraged colleagues to get involved in the events through- out the year. Each and every member of Halifax in Shannon was involved in some way or another in the fund- raising push.

The committee came up with a wide variety of events and activi- ties ranging from the sublime to the slightly ridiculous. Senior managers served tea and coffee to everyone at their desks, people washed cars, and the IT team sold their own desserts and produced a world class recipe book.

Other colleagues faced the bitter

cold of the Atlantic on St Stephen’s day while more than 20 others were sponsored to lose weight on the beach body challenge. They even held an Xtra-Factor night with their very own version of Louis, Simon and Sharon.

“This money will go along way to- wards helping us to create and deliver innovative programmes for the care of people with cancer, to fund can- cer research and to provide education and health promotion programmes independent of government policies,” said Kevin Delaney of Irish Cancer Society who collected a cheque for a AUC OF

“We are so proud of our employees for all that they have achieved,” said Caroline Holmes, Senior Manager

HR and Chair of the Charity Com- mittee.

“We have set all of our departments a challenge for 2008 so we can see how high we can raise the bar.”

Halifax Insurance Ireland Ltd was voted one of the top 50 companies to work for in 2007 and were awarded overall winner for Training and De- velopment by the Irish Institute of Training and Development (IITD) in February 2008.

THE vice-president elect of the Teachers Union of Ireland has hit out at schools that administer what her union has described as “academic hoy-Nus eles (ema

Enniswoman Bernie Ruane said that some schools are refusing to take in students who have special needs, often using a full roll as an excuse.

Every child should have a right to go to their local second level school but the reality is the schools are writ- ing an open administrative policy

but they are not implementing it,” said the St Patrick’s Comprehensive School, Shannon assisting principal.

The teacher with more than 25 years experience attended the TUI national conference as the newly elected vice president who is to take up her new role in July 1.

The active member of the TUI 1s very vocal on numerous issues af- fecting teachers and students not least of all the issue of “academic apartheid”.

At its conference last week TUI delegates said that the Department of

Education and Science continues to facilitate certain schools in operat- ing a system of ‘academic apartheid’ in their admission policies thereby enhancing the privilege of such schools.

According to TUI figures 10 per cent of second level schools do not take any students with special needs.

Certain schools continue to dis- criminate against students with spe- cial educational needs by not allow- ing them the right to be educated with their siblings, friends and neighbours the union of 14,500 members main-

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‘The corollary of this is that other schools with open admissions polices continue to act as magnets for pupils with special education needs, despite a chronic lack of resources.

“With much fanfare, the minister signalled her intention to carry out an audit of the number of students with special needs in schools two years ago but this information has yet to be presented despite several requests from TUI,” said the unions Assistant General Secretary John MacGabhann.

PLANS have been lodged for the largest ever residential housing

scheme in Clare with a €200 mil- lion proposal to create a new suburb of Ennis.

Ennis-based Crystal Partners Ltd is seeking approval for 471 residential units in the first phase of a master- plan that will ultimately deliver 700 new homes in the Gaurus area on the eastern outskirts of the town.

The first phase of the ‘Gaurus Vil- lage’ development involves an invest- ment of €125 million with the over- all value of €200 million put on the project.

The company ultimately plans to build 700 new homes which will al- most double the current population of Doora parish.

The overall site covers a 95 acre landbank which will incorporate a creche, a 16-teacher school and asso- ciated playing field, a neighbourhood

centre with shopping facilities and 14 residential serviced sites. There are also plans for walking trails and natural habitat areas including a 6 hectare lake.

The plan provides for an upgrade of Gaurus Bridge to include a footpath, cycle path, a pedestrian crossing of the river and a new water main.

The site was formerly used as a sand and gravel pit with lumber yard.

A spokesman for Crystal Partners described the project “as a vote of

confidence in the future growth and prosperity of Ennis”.

The application makes Crystal Part- ners well placed to become Clare’s largest developers.

Already, the company has_pur- chased lands formerly owned by the Diocese of Killaloe at Clareabbey, where it has secured planning per- mission for 219 residential units. The company is currently seeking permission for 240 residential units on the Kildysart Road outside Clare-

castle.

The Crystal Partners spokesman said: “Ennis is one of the fastest erowing towns in Ireland with a pro- jected population of 40,000 by 2016 and this project will attract people to Ennis from all over Ireland, particu- larly from Limerick and Galway. .

THE work done by Glor na hInse has been described as an exemplary model for others to follow.

Speaking on Saturday in Glor, when the Ennis Glor na nGael com- mittee was presented with first prize in the Irish Langauge Awards, Glor na nGael manager Nora Welby said, “This committee enjoys widespread Support in the community and em- ploys a highly effective means of planning. The committee’s approach to its work is an exemplary model that would be useful for other commit- tee’s involved with Glor na nGael”’.

Ms Welby praised the work done in providing Irish language classes for adults. She said, “Among the many achievements of the Irish language community in Ennis is the strong gaelscoileanna movement and over- coming challenging obstacles to pro- vide Irish classes for adults”.

Cathal Goan, Director General of RTE, was present to make the pres- entations at the ceremony.

The local Glor na nGael commit- tee in Ennis received €50,000 and a trophy, in national recognition of its achievements in promoting the Irish language in County Clare dur- ing 2007.

Second place was awarded to Rath Cairn in the Meath Gaeltacht, whose committee received an award to the value of €12,500.

Ms Welby added, “Youth provision also impressed the Glor na nGael adjudicators with Féile na hInse, the publication of a CD and the organi- sation an Fhéile Scoildramaiochta in Ennis ensuring provision for young people. Glor na hInse has a highly effective publicity strategy.”

On top of first place in the compe- tition, Glor na hInse won the Public Services Award, €700, sponsored by Gaeleagras na Seirbhisi Poibli.

She continued, “The committee

works closely with the state sector to encourage the provision of services through the medium of Irish. The li- brary received particular praise from the adjudicators on account of the Irish language resources its offers. There is also excellent cooperation with the County Council’s Irish lan- guage officer.

In total, Gl6r na nGael announced prizes amounting to more than €150,000 at the event in Ennis on Saturday.

Glor Shionna received national rec- ognition on Saturday night. The Irish language group won Duais Chonradh na Gaeilge, worth €2,000.

THE traditional selling period for holiday homes is fast approaching and as yet, agents specialising in this market are unsure whether or not the downturn in the property market will spread its tentacles to the coastal aoe

Aine Hussey of Sherry FitzGerald Hussey Madden, Ennistymon, is relatively upbeat about the prospects

for 2008.

“After a disappointing last quarter in 2007, 2008 kicked off with an un- expected but most welcome strong start, with a high volume of sales for the first quarter of our financial year.

This strong start may have been due to people holding off until the stamp duty issue was resolved in the Budget.

She added, “most of our sales early this year have been to people moving

permanently to the north and west Clare area. From Easter onwards is traditionally the start of the holiday home sales and we have found that the rate of enquiries has increased ten fold since St Patrick’s weekend, particularly for the popular costal villages of Lahinch, Doolin, Liscan- nor and Spanish Point with some strong offers already on the table. “The buyer profile of recent years doesn’t seem to be changing, with

the majority of our enquiries gen- erated by prospective buyers from Limerick, Dublin and the Midlands. However, despite the weakening sterling, we have increased our UK client base both for permanent and holiday homes”.

Holiday home purchasers in 2007 were waiting for adjustments in the markets including stamp duty before moving on second homes, now that the criteria’s have been met we see

strong demand for the 2008 season.

Asked which properties are cur- rently drawing attention, Aine said, “The School Road development of 77 homes continue to sell from plans and as usual there is strong demand for properties with sea views”.

All told, Aine is feeling confident and anticipates that the Clare coastal market will remain resilient in 2008.

“We are looking forward to a busy summer season.’

WITH a high-ranking report on how the Irish abuse drink due out today, Clare TD, Timmy Dooley has called for serious measures to curb the cul- ture of alcohol misuse.

Following the recent bank holiday weekends when more than 1,100 ar- rests for drink driving were made na- tionally, Deputy Dooley said serious measures are required to curb the culture of alcohol misuse.

The deputy is calling on the Alcohol Advisory Group (AAG) established by Justice Minister Brian Lenihan, to target alcohol sales in premises other than licences public houses, and to look at the role legislation can play in keeping the number of anti social behaviour offences down.

The AAG comprises high ranking members of the Gardai, the HSE, and academics and was due to report to the Government today.

Deputy Dooley said it is intended that the legislation changes recom- mended by the AAG will be enacted by the Government before the sum- mer recess.

“Clearly we have a problem with our patterns of drinking in this coun- try, and that this problem 1s adding to public disorder.

“While this alcohol culture needs to be tackled at many levels, I believe the Alcohol Advisory Group must start with the issue of alcohol avail- ability and visibility in our commu- nities,’ he said

“Recently published research indi- cates that alcohol consumption in- creased by 17 per cent between 2005 and 2006.

‘Alcohol is available to buy now in Supermarkets, convenience stores, and even petrol stations. We must stop now and look at this seriously to see what legislation must be intro- duced to tighten up the availability of alcohol,” Deputy Dooley said.

“Regulations relating to the sale of alcohol from these outlets need to be tightened up dramatically. If an un- der age person is served alcohol in a pub, there are severe penalties that apply. Penalties as punitive as this must also apply to other outlets in order to safe guard fully against the sale of alcohol to minors,” he said.

THE efforts of four Ennis teenagers were recognised this week as Eddie McCarthy, Martin Molloy, Brian Mc- Donagh and Seamus Higgins from the Cloughleigh area, were awarded An Gaisce awards.

Eddie and Seamus are studying for Leaving Cert Applied at the Clare Youth Service in Ennis and Martin is preparing for Junior Cert at En- nis Community College and is also involved in projects with the Clare bolts mero a’s (een

The awards represents further en- dorsement of the work being done at Clare Youth Service after Minister of State Pat Carey held discussions with staff and students there over the

weekend.

The awards, which were presented to the young people by Minister of State Tony Killeen and hurling leg- end Davy Fitzgerald, recognised the personal challenges undertaken by the young people involved in four ar- eas – community, skills, physical and adventure.

“The young people really had to challenge themselves to achieve these awards. It requires commitment each week to work on the four sections and while the president’s award leader can guide and encourage the partici- pant, the real work is up to the young people themselves,” said Patrick Mc Mullin of Clare Youth Services.

Two of the young people Brian Mc- Donagh and Eddie McCarthy were

presented with silver awards. This was their second award as they were previous recipients of the bronze Gaisce. Seamus Higgins and Martin Molloy received bronze awards.

The young people hiked across the Burren, helped run programmes for younger members of their group and assisted in residential weekends.

They also worked on a community farm in France assisting in the feed- ing and care of the animals as well as helping to build traditional French ovens.

There was also the small matter of skill – for this, all the recipients com- pleted various stages of the British Horse Society riding tests and stable management programme. For physi- cal activity, the young people in-

volved themselves in achieving vari- ous levels in kayaking and canoeing.

An Gaisce or the President’s Award is an inspiring adventure into per- sonal development for young people aged between 15 and 25 years. The awards aim to cultivate personal development and encourage young people to set and accomplish their own personal challenges.

In reality it achieves much more – instilling confidence, encouraging team effort, inspiring dreams and fostering friendships.

SHERRY FitzGerald McMahon has a number of excellent commercial properties on its books at present, including a landmark office building at Quin Road Business Park, which would be ideal as corporate head- quarters. With 337.2 sq.m. (3,630 sq.ft.) of floor space, this bright, modern accommodation is fully fit-

ted.

According to Paddy Darmody of Sherry FitzGerald McMahon, * What we have here is a prime location to the front of park with adjoining oc- cupiers including Brian McCarthy Contractors Ltd., Decibel & Univer- sal Business Systems.

The accommodation is laid out over two floors and is fitted to a high standard including air condition-

ing. Accommodation comprises a reception area, six principal offices, a comms room, canteen and WCs” . This premises is close to Ennis town centre and the lease terms are negoti- able.

Across the road in the Clare Marts complex Paddy Darmody has a light industrial warehouse on his books. There’s 230 sq.m. (2,475 sq.ft.) of floor space and a_ secure yard of some 180 sq.m. (1,940 sq.ft.). This unit is suitable for many uses. The lease term is 4 years 9 months and rent is €20,000 per annum (exclu- SAVE

Those seeking a shop unit in Ennis should take a look at the two-storey shop unit at Harvey’s Quay.

Said Darmody, “With its central lo- cation, just 110 yards form O’Connell Square, extensive shop frontage and generous floor space of 2,400 sq. ft., this premises is ideal as a retail out- ae

This property is for sale or let. The asking price is circa €1.1 million or to rent it’s €50,000 per annum.