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THE European Commission is to launch a pan-EU public survey of invasive flora and fauna species. These invasive alien species disrupt local flora and fauna and cause con- siderable damage to nature and the economy.

The findings will feed into an EU framework for invasive alien species to be adopted by the end of this year. In Clare, the invasion of rhododen- drons, Japanese knot weeds and hog- weed are having a particular impact on the local flora.

Parts of west and north Clare have been infested with Japanese knot weeds while Lough Corrib in Galway has been invaded by Lagarosiphon, a

weed native to southern Africa that suffocates the lakes ecosystem by creating a dense canopy impervious to light.

Ireland’s biodiversity is also under attack from non-native grey squir- rels, who compete with native red squirrels.

“Europe is committed to halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010. We know that invasive species are one of the major threats to biodiversity, and that economies often suffer as a result, but we lack a harmonised system for tackling the problem and assessing its impact,” said EU Com- missioner Dimas.

“A strong public response to this survey will help Europe define the problem more clearly, and ultimately

help us develop a suitable mecha- nism to halt it altogether.”

The European Commission is tack- ling this problem by launching an internet consultation on the issue until May 5. Interested parties, in- cluding individual citizens, industry and consumer representatives, inter- est groups, the NGO community and other organisations are all invited to contribute information and opinions. The results of this consultation will be used to inform the development of EU policy in the field of invasive alien species, the options for which will be presented in a communica- tion from the commission at the end of 2008.

Ecosystems are dynamic by nature, and many species become estab-

lished far from their place of origin.

These new introductions are often the result of human action — Europe’s rhododendrons originated in the Himalayas, and staples of the Euro- pean diet such as tomatoes, potatoes and maize originated in the Ameri- cas.

But while many introduced spe- cies bring considerable benefits to local economies, others upset the balance and proliferate in ways that are highly destructive to the environ- ment and to economic and human interests. This consultation is a first step to address this problem on a Eu- ropean scale.

You can take part in the survey. Simply check out www.invasivespe- ciesireland.com

A THREE-year building project to construct a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal on the Shan- non Estuary is to begin shortly.

The EPA report attached to the €400 million project in Tarbert and Ballylongford states that the danger to the people living nearby and to the environment is very low.

The report said, “The resident im- pact of the proposed development on human beings will be a positive eco- nomic and employment effect.

“Results from the quantitative risk assessment show that the risk to in- dividuals living and working around the facility would be very low when compared with other ‘everyday’ risks.

“The existing residence around the terminal lie outside of the Health and Safety Authority’s respective land use planning zones.”

Once up and running, the natural gas will be pumped from tankers to storage tanks, then converted to natural gas before being piped to end users.

The terminal will include a ma- rine berth, jetty and secure mooring, LNG offloading facilities, storage tanks, and vaporisers to turn LNG from a liquid back into a gas.

The gas will then be connected up to the national gas grid.

The terminal will be built on 281 of the 600-acre land bank owned by the State for large-scale maritime-re- lated industry.

Shannon LNG, which is an Irish subsidiary of Hess LNG, outlined a number of reasons as to why the terminal was first proposed for the

Shannon estury. Among these was the exhaustion of gas fields.

“The Kinsale Head Gas Field is now nearly exhausted” and the “UK North Sea reserves are rapidly de- pleting,” it stated.

In an outlining brochure on its plans, Shannon LNG claimed that its natural gas is one of the safest and least environmentally hazardous en- ergy sources.

“LNG has had an exemplary oper- ating history and all these facilities have been operating without seri- ous public safety incidents, some for

more than 30 years.”

It stated that the construction and operation of the facility would be regulated by Government depart- ments and agencies including Kerry County Council, An Bord Pleanala, the Environment Protection Agency, the Health and Safety Authority, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the Commission for Energy Regula- tion.

“Trish and international regulations and standards will govern the design and operation of the facility.”

IT was all green action at Ogonnel- loe National School last week, when rosy-cheeked pupils and staff braved the elements to plant apple trees.

Last Thursday, members of the Irish Seed Savers Association (ISSA) came to the school to plant three apple trees under a grant scheme, which is a joint venture between the Department of Agriculture, under the Genetic Conservation Fund, and the ISSA.

“Under the scheme, funding has been set aside for planting native ap- ple trees in schools,’ School Secre- tary, Joanne Allen said. “The staff,

pupils and parents really enjoyed this event,’ she added.

Eleanor Walsh, Chairperson of the school’s parents association said the event “continues in the green schools theme and it allows the children be more aware of their own contribution to the environment, which 1s not in- significant. Every time they recycle, pick up rubbish or even bring their lunch wrapper home they are making a difference and making the world a better, cleaner place for everyone.”

The theme of the planting day links into the natural environment and Irish heritage and is linked to key strands of the primary SESE (Social, Environmental and Scientific Edu-

cation) and SPHE (Social, Personal and Health Education) curriculum.

While youngsters taking part in the planting got a birds eye view of where their delicious apples come from, the event will continue to promote the school’s healthy eating policy as the trees – and the children – grow.

The ISSA is a voluntary organisa- tion dedicated to the location and preservation of traditional varieties of fruit and vegetables. In the early 1990’s ISSA began a search for the last surviving traditional Irish varie- ties of apple.

They have now found more than 140 different types of Irish apple trees which are all thriving in their

orchards and where they were origi- nally found – in people’s gardens. Native apples are more intense in flavour than those now grown com- mercially.

Special membership offers are available to support the work of the ISSA and members get discounts on any seeds and trees they buy.

For details, contact Aine Ni Fh- latharta 061 921866, the education officer at the Capparoe site, Scariff, for more information on ISSA.

THE 2008 Cheltenham Festival will go down in history as a landmark meeting which saw the abandon- ment of racing due to high winds on Wednesday but the main reason last week’s action at Prestbury Park will live long in the memory is due to the brilliant performances from a triumvirate of national hunt stars, Denman, Master Minded and Inglis Drever.

Despite the pressure on the fixture list, the Gold Cup still held onto its’ position as the feature contest on a bumper nine-race card on Friday and it is hard to remember a horse race that was so eagerly anticipated by the racing world. The big clash between Kauto Star and Denman even made its’ way onto the pages of the non- racing papers as the outside public could not resist the engaging battle that was promised between the two chasing stars who are near neigh- bours at the stable of Paul Nicholls.

As many pundits, fronted by Den- man’s ebullient part-owner Harry Findlay, correctly predicted, Den- man’s power and relentless galloping style proved too much for the reign- ing Gold Cup champion who had no answer to the punishing pace set by the eight year-old son of Presenting. The winner of his only point-to-point start for Adrian Maguire at Liscar- roll, County Cork in 2005, Denman (9/4) was settled in second place be- hind his stablemate, Neptune Collon- ges, before taking control under Sam Thomas as the field headed out on the final circuit. A heavily backed 10/11 favourite to claim his second Betfair Million, Kauto Star never looked at ease on the tacky ground and he also made a few uncharacteristic jumping errors in contrast to the impressive fluency of the winner. The much- hyped contest never materialised as Denman had the race won a long way from home and he maintained his unbeaten record over fences with a decisive seven lengths verdict over Kauto Star who stayed on strongly to his credit despite not performing at his best. Neptune Collonges ran a fine race to complete a historic 1-2- 3 for Paul Nicholls, some 25 years

after Michael Dickinson saddled the first five home in the Gold Cup.

It is hard to believe that Denman’s demolition job could be eclipsed by another horse at Cheltenham but that is exactly what happened when Master Minded (3/1) produced a breathtaking performance to turn the Queen Mother Champion Chase into a one-horse race. The French bred five year-old, who raced in the Clive Smith colours of Kauto Star, was sim- ply awesome in the manner in which he brushed aside Voy Por Ustedes by nineteen lengths and Ruby Walsh’s post-race assertion that the winner is a “machine” only confirmed what our eyes had told us that Master Minded has the chasing world at his feet. Paul Nicholls will have a nice headache trying to keep his three stable stars apart next season and the Ditcheat maestro has already hinted that the

Gold Cup principals are unlikely to meet next season until renewing ri- Neb Yar-1 Om Oo Ted ike sDet-beee

Already a dual winner of the race in 2005 and 2007, Inglis Drever wrote his name into the history books when claiming his third World Hurdle title on Thursday. Given a fine ride by the Galway Plate winning jockey, Denis O’Regan, Inglis Drever (11/8f) was many people’s banker of the meet- ing and Howard Johnson’s admira- ble nine year-old did not disappoint his supporters with a typically de- termined performance to hold off a strong challenge from the French horse, Kasbah Bliss with the Eoin Griffin trained Kazal running a cracker back 1n third.

The Champion Hurdle proved a big disappointment for the strong Irish contingent who were seeking to win the opening day’s feature

for the eighth time from the last ten runnings. All seemed to be going to plan when Sizing Europe smoothly moved to the front under Andrew McNamara to challenge at the sec- ond last while last year’s winner, Sublimity, was also travelling well in behind under Philip Carberry. Things changed dramatically in the closing stages however as Sizing Eu- rope capitulated dramatically and it was later discovered that Henry de Bromhead’s six year-old had pulled muscles in his back. The John Carr trained Sublimity could not go through with his challenge on the rain softened ground and it was left to the Alan King trained Katchit to continue his love affair with Chelten- ham with a typically gutsy victory over Osana at odds of 10/1.

The number of Irish trained win- ners was seven at this year’s Festival

which was a respectable tally consid- ering the defeat of many fancied run- ners like Zaarito, Mossbank, Sizing Europe and Wonderkid. The roll of honour for the Irish contingent was Captain Cee Bee (Supreme Nov- ices’ 17/2), Garde Champetre (Cross Country 4/1), Finger Onthe Pulse (Jewson Novices’ 9/1), Cousin Vinny (Champion Bumper 12/1), Fivefor- three (Ballymore Hurdle 7/1), Tiger Cry (Grand Annual 15/2) and Silver Jaro (County Hurdle 50/1).

For Tony Martin, the 2008 Chelten- ham Festival was a meeting he will want to quickly forget. The Meath trainer failed to yield a winner from a powerful string which saw Robin Du Bois (Pertemps Final), Wonderkid (Cross Country Chase) and Psycho (County Hurdle) all head the betting for their respective races while Patsy Hall could only finish fourth after being heavily backed for the Wil- liam Hill Chase on Tuesday. To add insult to injury, Martin’s Coral Cup ante-post favourite, Leg Spinner, was withdrawn due to the softening conditions after the race was moved from Wednesday to Friday. Like a lot of Irish punters, Martin also had to leave Cheltenham with a sour taste in his mouth after Paul Carberry gave Psycho a hugely over-confident ride on the well-backed 5/1 favourite who came from a long way back to beaten less than a length by Tom Hogan’s 50/1 winner, Silver Jaro.

The prizes for leading trainer and jockey at this year’s festival unsur- prisingly went to Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh who both recorded three winners while Davy Russell, despite some high profile defeats, also en- joyed a profitable meeting with two winners and three second places. Racing fans can now look forward to the upcoming festivals at Fairy- house, Aintree and Punchestown but thanks to the likes of Denman, Mas- ter Minded and Kauto Star, the an- ticipation is already growing for the 2009 Festival which will seem like an unbearably long wait for many punters.

A COURT has heard that a motor- cyclist is still receiving treatment for injuries sustained in a road collision with a bus last June.

Arising out of the accident on June 30, 2007, bus driver Simon Quinn (51), of St Michael’s Place, Ballya- gran, Limerick, was convicted of

careless driving.

Garda Diarmuid O’Brien told Shannon District Court that a Mr Baker was driving his motorcy- cle and stopped at a stop line at the end of a road at Bothar na Luachra, SJ etbabetoyey ;

He said that a Bus Eireann bus, driven by the defendant, approached from the motorcyclist’s left, indicat-

ed and turned right onto Bothar na BE e Ne

‘The bus cut the corner and collid- ed with Mr Baker,” said the garda.

‘The motorcycle fell to the ground on top of Mr Baker. He received injuries. He is still receiving treat- ment for his injuries,’ said Garda O’Brien.

Defending solicitor Mr Lenihan

said as Mr Quinn was approach- ing the junction, a car was also ap- proaching and he did not see the motorcycle.

He said his client had been driving with Bus Eireann for seven years and previously had driven heavy goods vehicles for 25 years.

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a fine of €400.

The book, by Jim Corbett, tells the story of the ferocious battle by Re- publican volunteers to hold the bar- racks at Clancy Strand during five days of the Civil War in July 1922.

The officer commanding Clancy

Strand barracks against this bom- bardment was Captain Cornelius McNamara of ‘A’ Company, 2nd Battalion, Mid Limerick Brigade, but known to his men as Connie Mackey.

Between July 15 and 20, 1922 the Republican held barracks was re- peatedly bombarded by sniper, ma- chine gun and mortar fire by Free State troops located at Arthur’s Quay, and lead by Commandant General Michael Brennan, a native

of Meelick.

He led a fierce onslaught against the men led by Connie Mackey. When that failed to dislodge them, the Free State unit turned an 18 pounder Ar- tillery Gun on the barracks. This was the only time a siege gun was used in Limerick since the siege of 1691. Mackey was told to surrender the barracks or be responsible for the loss of life. His response was he would not surrender “while he still had ammunition”.

Even when the four foot front walls had been breached by the nineteen Shells fired…he remained resolute. But they were eventually surrounded after Free State troops also began an assault from behind the barracks.

Only when he realised that further resistance would lead to the loss of the lives of his men did Connie Mackey surrender. But when he did, an ever gracious Commandant Gen- eral Brennan complimented him on the magnificent defence he put up.

THE opening sprint of the Thurs- day’s night card at Galway was race number two for S10 graders and here the good recent run of the John Fit- zgerald kennel of Kilrush continued as his Ler Peepers a daughter of Match Up and Cranny Droopys came home a length to the good over Lor- rha Pepsi (T3) in 18.53.

The winner wearing the red jacket trailed Lisnaculla Shaw (T6) early doors but she was in control roun- deing the opening bend before eas- ily holding the late effort of Lorrha oe

The night’s entertainment opened

with an N2 graded 525 for which Shyan

Matilda (T4) owned by the Callin- ans of Kilmihil was sent of favour- ite and although she was away well enough she was outpaced into the Opening corner by the John Gleeson owned Greenlane Saving who led by a length turning down the far side.

Racing past halfway the the gap was two lengths and although Shyan Matilda closed between the final two bends Greenlane Saving(Top Sav- ings-Rushmore Spiral) won hand- somely by one and a half lengths in PESTO

The eighth contest on Fridays pro- eramme was an A3 graded 525 and

from traps Devon Hero (T3) Crag- brien Magic (T5) and Got Derailed (T6) all came away well and they raced line abrest to the opening cor- ner where the Martin Cronin/Jack

Markham of Ennis owned Cragbr- ien Magis grabbed the initiative and the rail berth to lead his rivals as the turned down the far side.

Racing past halfway Cragbrien Magc led by three lengths from Got Derailed who was now looking the only danger but the son of Top Honcho and Greencroft Magic kept the lead at three lengths all the way home in a time of 29.28.

The ninth contest was an A graded 550 in which Burnpark Duke cake

in as reserve in trap five and he was well supported in the ring from 2/1 to 5/4 and he certainly delivered for his Supporters as he came home three lengths clear of Maninthemiddle in 30.45. On the long run to the open- ing corner Hold Te Head(T3) led from Maninthemiddle with Burn- park Duke improving rapidly on the outside rounding the opening bend.

Racing down the back the David Browne of Kilrush owned Burnpark Duke (Top Honcho-Burnpark Cuck- 00) stretched clear and as he exited the back straight he was “home for all money”’ as he stretched clear for victory would not be denied as she gained her second success.

Race number seven at the Col- lage Road Venue on Saturday Night was for A4 graders where the Frank Browne of Quin owned Mine Dyna- mite never saw another rival as she blew away with a real burst of early pace on her way to a six length victo- ry over Unique Express (T3) in 29.44. The winner a son of Honcho Classic and Belindas Hill led by two lengths at the opening corner from Lingrawn Ger (T2) and Unique Express (T3) and with the remainder involved in crowding behind the front three had it between them turning down the back. Racing towards the third bend Mine Dynamite led by three lengths from Unique

IT WAS easy to see which dressing room each team occupied. One was awash with well wishers and report- ers buzzing around the door while the other had more of a funeral at- mosphere and the door remained closed. It took 25 minutes for any movement from the Clare dressing rooms, understandable really after such a disappointing result. This was the first time this year that Clare had finished so poorly in the league and a “Where are we going’ meeting was patently necessary to clear the air.

Richie Bennis was the first to ad- dress the media, complementing his side’s spirit and noting that Clare “genuinely accepted the result as in- evitable” long before the final whis- Co

In contrast, Mike McNamara was obviously disappointed and lament- ed Clare’s lack of experience which he felt was the deciding factor in the game.

“It was disappointing but the ex- perience of Limerick really showed. They showed why they were in an All-Ireland final last year and in gen- eral terms that was the same team. They are much further down the road than us. For all practical purposes we have a mountain to climb, we knew that starting off and we know it now and we are going to have days like this. The stats of the game will be very interesting when I see them. I would imagine we won as much pos- session as them but our team game and our team plan has to be looked at and addressed.”

Clare shot 16 wides over the 70 minutes, ten of those in the first half when Clare were clearly on top and McNamara rued thoses misses which he felt were predominantly struck at crucial periods of the game.

“I suppose it’s an area of concern rather an area which we would be proud of. To shoot 16 wides means that at least something is happening right but some of those wides were at vital times and a couple of very, very important frees which are bread and butter to our free-taker went wrong on the day and it cost us dearly.”

With Clare not utilising the wind to the maximum, Limerick took full advantage in the second half and overall, had far more options than Clare. This was proved by the fact that Limerick had 11 different scor- ers, including four of their substitutes while Clare had only six scorers over the 70 minutes. McNamara cited their inexperience and anxiety as a reason for their eventual subsidence and lamented the lack of underage success in the county which contin- ues to affect the senior side.

“I think any time you arrive with a new team and fresh faces, there is bound to be a nervousness in their play and there is. While we bemoan the fact that underage talent and un- derage success isn’t there, on days like today you can see that. You can see that the confidence you have with winning at Minor and Under 21 just isn’t there and we will have to build that and then build it into them and whatever it takes we will have to do. There is very little difference be- tween the teams in Munster, some are further down the road in preparation than others. There were times today that Limerick still looked like they were on holidays and yet they came back and finished so strongly and got some marvelous long range scores and you know if we were able to get a few of those, then I’d say we’d have finished up with a very tight match.

‘Again, that’s a nervousness in the

play which we will have to work on. We had four forwards there today re- ally who are only starting. Tony Car- mody is after a major operation and irrespective of how he plays or how he looks on the day, we need him in June so we have to take our chanc- es. Mark (Flaherty) maybe isn’t the Mark we have seen but it is a big step up again and you are now play- ing the top players and as I have said already, you can see why Limerick were in the All-Ireland final.”

With qualification to the latter stag- es of the league slowly slipping away, McNamara remained defiant that there is still two games left but that the player’s progress was ultimately more important to the greater goal of the championship in June.

“We have two matches left, we have four points to play for yet and if we get those four points then we will be in a quarter-final. It’s more important that we see progress and it’s more important that the players who are coming on stream that they start to show form and championship form as the year goes on.”

That progress will have to start on Sunday against leaders Tipperary for McNamara’s first game at Clare headquarters where nothing less than a win will do if Clare are to ad- NE TITOCOR

A DECISION by the Shannon town manager to recommend funding for a skateboard area in the town has prompted two sports groups to also make submissions.

Ger Dollard told town councillors at a meeting in February that he would recommend the provision of €50,000 towards the project, which will open near the leisure centre.

Over the past few years, money has been set aside for community ini- tiatives. €100,000 had accumulated and he said he would be suggesting that €50,000 of this be considered for the leisure centre.

The Wolfe Tones camogie club and Newtown FC both made submissions for funding, in letters to the town clerk ‘Tomas MacCormaic.

In its letter, Wolfe Tones said it

was applying for €34,000 from the €100,000 fund, towards the develop- ment of a new car park and associ- ated civil works.

In his letter, Brendan Wall of New- town FC applied for €12,000.

“Our facilities in Ballycasey have been vastly underfunded by any grant schemes and despite having spent over €400,000, only approxi- mately €50,000 has been grant aid- ed,” he said.

“The facility currently caters for all age groups from seven years of age to 18 and also facilitates two men’s teams and a women’s team. We cur- rently field seven teams in the under- age bracket for an eight-month play- ing season,” said Mr Wall.

Councillor Gerry Flynn (Ind) pro- posed that a special meeting take place, to decide how the letters should be dealt with.

Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) said it was important to give both applications “courtesy and deal with them prop- erly”.

Labour councillor Tony McMahon said some mechanism should be put in place, to decide how the money was going to be distributed.

Councillor Geraldine Lambert (FF) said the development fund was established several years ago.

“Vd support having a meeting to decide on the terms of reference,” she said. Cllr Sean Hillery (FF) agreed with this.

Mr Dollard said the community fund was set up initially with the aim of contributing to projects for the community.

He said that money was put aside every year and every five years, the town council could contribute to projects.

“Td still fully stand behind that (€50,000 for the skateboard area). A lot has been made from the fact the money is going for the centre. It’s not funding towards the development of the leisure centre. It’s towards a skate park,” he said.

Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) said the leisure centre “has no intention of getting involved in any contro- versy. We put a request in for money. The town council has agreed. The leisure centre is concerned about the amount of damage and ill feeling. The leisure centre is quite content to withdraw the application and let the town council provide a skateboard park.”

A suggestion by Councillor Geral- dine Lambert, that the applications be deferred until a private meeting of councillors at a later stage, was or eu loee

derelindslomea eel oy

which is as yet in its infancy will look

into tourism in the area and identify

any actions that may improve the in- CliamtA

The task force will also be charged

with progressing an economic devel- opment strategy for the region.

Covering a geographical area from Kildysart to Loop Head and north as far as Miltown Malbay Cllr Cham- bers said the main function of the task force will be to encourage in- dustry into west Clare.

He said it is vital that the Clare side of the Shannon estuary is developed and maintained and that the pier off Moneypoint is currently working at 25 per cent capacity.

“Kilkee to Loop Head is the finest scenery in Europe and that is not ex- aggerating. There is great potential,” he said.

“The long-term objective is to get people to settle in west Clare.”

The idea of a new task force was first mooted at a Kilrush Town Coun- cil meeting.

Town councillor Liam O’Looney (FF) said that the previous proved successful and folded only after it reached the three goals set for it

The first goal was to encourage broadband into the west Clare capi- tal, which was achieved.

Decentralisation was the second goal with came to fruition last year when the Revenue offices moved into Cappa.

The third goal set for the town was to source a much-needed hotel. Since then sites for a hotel have been iden- tified and interest shown by some ey ba Olen

“The task force should be es- tablished to organise sustainable

jobs for the area,” said Councillor O’Looney.

The West Clare Economic Task Force is made up of the seven Kil- rush area county councillors, the mayor of Kilrush, mayor of Kilkee, Kilrush and Kilkee Chambers of Commerce, Leader, FAS, Eiri Corca Baiscinn, Shannon Development, the County Enterprise Board, the VEC and the ESB.