Category: Uncategorized

AN ARGUMENT between three young boys over football ended up in court after the mothers of two children were charged with offences arising from the incident.

Mary Tubridy, of 9 Cluain Lia, Shannon, was charged with assault- ing Carol O’Kane of 22 Cluain Lia, Shannon while Mrs O’Kane faced a public order charge, on October 1, 2006.

Mary ‘Tubridy’s son James (12), told Ennis District Court he had been playing with his friend Jason Hoban close to the home of another boy, Matthew O’Kane. He said that Math- ew O’Kane came over and asked if he could play soccer with them.

James Tubridy then said that Math- ew O’Kane’s mother, Carol, “came out and caught me by the throat and said ‘what did you call my son?’”

The court heard that soon after the three boys had met, Mathew O’ Kane ran home and told his mother that James Tubridy had called him a “t***i no bastard”.

Following the confrontation be- tween Carol O’Kane and James

Tubridy, the court was told that James went home and told his par- ents that Mrs O’Kane had called him a “f***ing bastard and a bul- ly”. A short time later, Mrs Tubridy challenged Mrs O’Kane about the incident. It was during a verbal al- tercation between the two that Mrs

Tubridy was alleged to have assault- ed Mrs O’Kane by striking her in the rede

In her evidence, Mrs O’Kane ad- mitted that she confronted James Tu- bridy and reprimanded him for using language at her son but denied that she grabbed him by the throat.

Carol O’ Kane told the court, “I was sitting on the fence and she came right up to me with her fist clenched. There was an argument between us. She went to punch me in the face but I turned my head and she hit me in the neck.”

Judge Aeneas McCarthy acquitted Ms O’Kane. “In the case of Carol O’Kane, she did say she raised her finger and her voice was raised at this young man but I don’t think her behaviour reached the threshold high enough to convict her under the Pub- lic Order Act,” he said.

“In the case of Mary Tubridy, I am satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that she did assault Carol O’Kane. She admitted to the guards in her statement that she hit her about the face. I will mark it proved but will adjourn the matter for a period of six months and if there is no trouble in the meantime, I will apply the Proba- tion Act,’ Judge McCarthy said.

“These are neighbours and apply- ing penalties would only aggravate the situation,” he added.

A GORT whizz kid will next month take on some of Ireland most talent- ed young minds in a competition to design a new version of Space Invad- ae

Finn Krewer, a Leaving Cert stu- dent from Gort Community School, has qualified for a major program- ming competition which takes place at the Tipperary Institute on March iF

Finn will be one of just two sec- ond level students taking part in the competition, with the vast majority of entries coming from third level students and above. The competition is being organised to mark the 30th

anniversary of the creation Space Invades, which went on to revolu- tionise technology and help bring the computer to the masses.

“We all got a starter pack and a very basic version and we all had to design three levels of space invad- ers,’ he said.

“We were asked to keep the game play fairly similar to the original but the functions, graphics, sound and memory are all your own. It’s for the X-Box 360 so you have more abilities in the design than you would iLeyweee NOAA

“It’s difficult enough, you do need some good coding experience. It’s all hard code, there is a nice developing environment but you still need to be

able to write thousands of lines of code.”

The event is also being used to launch Tipperary Institute’s new De- gree in Computing and Game Design and Development. ‘Talent scouts from major computer game companies SEGA, BlackRock Studios (Disney Interactive Studios), Square ENIX and Blitz Games will be in Thurles for the event.

“I started programming pretty young and then last year I represent- ed Ireland in the Imaging Cup which is sponsored by Microsoft. Myself and a friend programmed artificial intelligence strategies for computer- ised robots to move around in and work,” continued Finn.

“IT was also in the young scientist last year where we developed an electromagnetic glove. It was a crazy idea of a friend of mine and I ended up making all the electronics for that. This year we tried to make a virtual chemistry lab. It was very simple but it was really the idea of it that we were trying to get across.

‘Tam also helping a group of second years in the school with their coding. They are taking part in a competition called Schoolbots, which is small lit- tle tanks moving around and trying to blow each other up.”

After last week ‘French kiss’ with her French counterpart, Michel Barnier, the Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, is turning Japanese this week by leading an Enterprise Ireland visit to the far eastern nation WNL oo) .@

While the emphasis of the visit will be on food innovation as well as spe- cific sectoral innovation in the soft drinks and seafood processing sec- tors it is expected that the visit will facilitate the development of new trading opportunities.

“Japan is a world leader in pioneer- ing and developing the food and functional foods industry. This visit offers an opportunity to explore the potential for future collaborative research projects between Japanese and Irish food companies and food research institutes,” she said.

“The functional food and beverag-

es sector has grown to be one of the biggest global trends in food supply over the past 20 years.

“Ireland’s traditional strengths as a dairy and beverage producer along with our strong pharmaceutical in- dustry base, ample availability of quality raw materials, state-of-the- art food and drink research centres, and world class third level institu- tions, position us to become a lead- ing force in the functional foods sec- tor,’ he continued.

“We are also committed to emu- lating the collaborate approach be- tween Government, industry and the research community that has proved so successful in Japan.”

Also on the plane will be Mike Feeney, Director of Internationally Traded Business Sectors, Enterprise Ireland.

“A number of Enterprise Ireland clients are already collaborating with Japanese food companies who

are experts in this field of food sci- ence and processing,’ he said.

“Not alone will it benefit our clients to learn from Japanese expertise, but collaboration will also benefit Japa- nese food companies, offering them access to our leading-edge food sci- ence and technology research and access to a valuable and growing EU market for Functional Foods and Beverages.’

Six Irish soft drinks companies are participating in the Soft Drinks In- novation Study programme whereby they will meet with a number of key Japanese soft drinks manufacturers to evaluate emerging technology, packaging and product innovations in the sector.

In conjunction with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), six Irish seafood processing companies, will be in ex- amining the latest freezing technolo- gies with a view to transferring them back to Ireland.

A DISPUTE between a solicitor and his former client over fees for circuit court proceedings were aired in the district court last week.

Solicitor John Rynne, of Abbey Street, Ennis, took the case at Ennis District Court (civil) against Denise Dalton, arising out of previous cir- cuit court proceedings, in which he represented her.

Mr Rynne claimed that Ms Dalton owed him €5,743.50, but she claimed that was ‘excessive’ and that they had agreed orally on a €4,200 fee.

Last week’s case arose from a cir- cuit court matter last year. In that case, Denise Dalton (45), of Sonas,

Shanaway Road, Ennis, took a case against an Ennis hair salon, arising out of a perm that went wrong, on May 26, 2003.

She said she suffered itching to her scalp, on the night of the visit to the ar Demnr-D(0)0F

The following day, her hair started to fall out and she noticed a smell coming from her scalp. That case was settled in the circuit court in February 2007.

Ms Dalton’s barrister told Ennis District Court last Thursday that his chent was “taking substantial issue with the figure’ Mr Rynne claimed he was owed.

He said that the fee of €4,200 had been agreed, on February 1, 2007

and his client was willing to pay that amount.

“You said you would charge no more than three times what the bar- rister would cost. His costs were €1,050, so the total came to €4,020,” said the barrister. Mr Rynne denied Wen ke

Ms Dalton, who is currently a trainee barrister, told the court that Mr Rynne told her the fees would not exceed €5,000, in a conversation on February 1, 2007.

“The bill was excessive. It was in breach of our oral agreement,” she SrHTOR

Mr Rynne told the court that Ms Dalton “got as good a settlement as she could have got on the day, which

we still stand over. I did a job for her and I’m entitled to my costs for it.

“She’s perhaps confused, given the stress of the day (in the circuit court). I still remain unpaid, as is the bar- rister in the case,” he added.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy said, “I am satisfied an oral agreement did come into existence between the plaintiff and defendant, to the effect the plain- tiff would receive three times that of a barrister’s fee, or a maximum of €5,000. I’m satisfied that agreement formed a binding legal contract be- tween the plaintiff and defendant,” he said.

He awarded a decree of €4,200 to Mr Rynne, but awarded costs to Ms Dalton.

THE North Clare Farm Family Sup- port Service are inviting all Clare farmers to an information evening to discuss one of the most contentious and confusing issued currently faced eM Denture

Eligibility for the Contributory State Pension is an issue which ef- fects thousands of farmer in every corner of the county with the eligibil- ity of farm spouses a real hot potato.

The information evening, which 1s being organised in association with IFA Skillnets and the IFAC, is open to all Clare farmers and takes place in the Woodstock Hotel in Ennis this

evening, Tuesday, March 4.

Four expert speakers will be in En- nis for the evening, each of which will explore a different aspect of the application process for the contribu- tory state pension.

Pat Coen from the Department of Social and Family Affairs will give an overview of how to apply for the contributory state pension.

The Revenue Commission’s Kitty Maloney will examine how farmers are effected by PRSI and income tax. John Duane from IFAC will also be present and will explain the differ- ent situation that farmers could find themselves in regarding the eligibil- ity for the state pension.

Finally, Mary Shelly, IFA Farm Family Committee Chairperson, will give an update on the eligibility of farmers spouses for the pension.

“In the past a lot of farmers, maybe through lack of information, would not have understood the importance of maintaining their PRSI contribu- tions, and a lot of them would have been disqualified because of this,” said Gerry McDonagh of the North Clare Farm Family Support Service.

“Getting on top of this is something that could benefit a lot of farmers. Farmers need to make sure that once they reach the age of 56 that they must be making PRSI contributions.

“But it 1s a complex situation for

farmers, some of who might have worked off the farm for a time. Basi- cally any farmers who want to secure a state pension for themselves should try and attend on the night. It’s a very complex area.”

The cost of entering the event is €20 per farming family. However admission is free for all IFA mem- bers or present and future clients of the Farm Family Support Service. Complimentary tea and sandwiches will also be provided for all who at- tend. For more information, please contact Gerry McDonagh, Rural Development Officer North Clare Farm Family Support Service at 065 7072467 or 086 8544036.

BRAZILIAN beef is back on the table, literally, after the EU bottled it’s month long ban on beef imports from the South American country.

The farming organisations have been up in arms about the decision to recommence importing cattle from Brazil, with Clare farmer and ICSA General secretary, Eddie Punch, de- scribing the decision as stunning and ObTSeabrianetee

“ICSA has always maintained that nothing short of a full ban would ever be acceptable, and we have proven that the Brazilians cannot be trusted. It is inconceivable that the Brazilians should be taken at their word, without FVO inspections, giv- en their history of unreliability,” said the Cratloe man.

The ICSA, in one of a number of farm organisations, who have lodged complaint with the EU ombudsman, questioning the EU commission’s duty of care towards EU consumers.

Another is the ICMSA, whose pres- ident, Jackie Cahill, has condemned the decision by the EU Commission to permit the importation of beef from 106 Brazilian ranches to the European market.

“The news that the Commission has rolled-over in these circumstances is unfortunately as predictable as it 1s disappointing,” he said.

Meanwhile, the IFA are attempting to put a positive gloss on the situa-

tion, with President Padraig Walshe saying that saying that the decision to place the 106 Brazilian farms on a list for export to the EU will have no impact on Irish cattle prices as the volume will be no more than 2,000 tonnes.

According to the farming leader, the volume is negligible and less than | per cent of the 330,000 tonnes of beef imported from Brazil in 2006 and 2007.

“Nothing has changed in Brazil — the deficiencies still exist and their standards do not meet EU require- ments,” he said.

‘The Commission decision makes a mockery of European food trace- ability standards, with stringent regulations for European farmers and non-compliance for Brazilians. It is incredible in the light of the ad- mission by the Brazilian Agriculture Minister Reinhold Stephanes that untraceable beef had been exported by Brazil.”

IFA Livestock Chairman Michael Doran said that prior to the IFA cam- paign Brazil was exporting beef from between 10,000 and 15,000 farms to Europe, which failed to meet EU standards. “Initially, Brazil had at- tempted to have 2,800 farms cleared for export, but this was rejected by the EU because they failed to meet the necessary standards. After sev- eral rejections by the EU, Brazil reduced the list down to 106 farms involving 86,000 cattle,” he said.

ENNIS residents with low immune systems have been warned to boil the water as three young children from the town were diagnosed with Crypt- osporidiosis late last week.

One of the three, who are all under five years old, was taken to hospital suffering from what has been de- scribed by the Health Service Execu- tive as a serious disease.

The HSE issued a statement say- ing that whilst no link has been es- tablished between the illness and the local water supply, caution is being ANGMAR oLe B

No other explanation for the cause of the illness had been offered at

time of print last evening.

The health service has contacted GPs and other health service provid- ers to make them aware of the need to investigate symptoms of gastro- enteritis and to report any suspected cases of the illness. Creches in the area are also being advised about the need for vigilance.

There are between 60 and 70 cases of Cryptosporidiosis confirmed in the mid west area every year, which includes Clare, Limerick and Tipper- ary.

The vast majority of cases occur in springtime and early summer. It can also be associated with outbreaks of PO KOLS ICSU LBL

Cryptosporidium are tiny parasites

that are mainly found in the faeces of infected animals or humans. Hu- mans are infected when they ingest contaminated food or water, or touch contaminated objects and then touch their mouth before washing their Ja DaLeKAN od 0B

In a special leaflet issued by the HSE west warning people of the ill- ness, it outlined the unpleasant symp- toms as diarrhoea, tummy pains and headaches.

The most common way is for the Cryptosporidium cysts to be passed from one person to another by direct contact. This is more likely if the source person has diarrhoea.

Thorough hand washing and dry- ing are the most important factors in

preventing this spread. Towels must not be shared.

Farm visits, or animals brought into school classrooms, may be a source of infection for children. Thorough hand washing reduces this risk.

Water in streams and lakes close to where animals graze maybe contam- inated with Cryptosporidium cysts.

“Very rarely contamination of wa- ter supplies can lead to outbreaks of infection,’ the HSE said.

The incubation period – time be- tween being infected and becoming unwell – is about two weeks. The ill- ness may last for a couple of weeks.

In people with weakened immune system, Cryptosporidiosis can be a serious and long-lasting infection.

KILFENORA is_ slowly — starting to return to normal after the week that belonged to Fr Ted. Hundreds of revellers, most of them dressed as priests, nuns and cups of tea, de- scended on the village for the first Fr Ted Festival ever to take place in OE IKe

The week was packed with many events, including an informal ques- tions and answers session with the Fr Ted creators.

“T think that the questions and an- swers session with Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews was one of the real highlights for a lot of people, it was really good. It was great fun,

people shouted up questions from the audience and they answered them. There was a lot of chat about how the series was made and questions like that,” said event organiser Janet KE Merirreaee

“We have a little play before that, a drama group from Athenry put on a reduced Father Ted over 15 min- utes with little segments from loads of the episodes. Besides that the one thing that people really loved was the Cole

“The lovely girls competition was a great success as well. Everyone had a ereat laugh out of it. Katie Vaughan from Vaughan’s Pub in Kilfenora won the competition in the end but it was a close one. She was great craic

though. I saw her yesterday, days af- ter the competition, and she was still wearing her crown and her sash.”

The festival had a big economic im- pact on the area, bringing a host of tourist to north Clare in the normally quiet month of February.

“People were staying in town and as far away as Lisdoonvarna and Ennistymon. Local people had their houses rented out and all the local bed and breakfasts were full,’ con- tinued Janet.

“We are definitely looking at run- ning the event again next year. We have to look carefully at the possibil- ity of making it any bigger because the infrastructure just isn’t here for that. We just about coped with the

numbers that we had.

‘“Kilfenora is the place where most of the series was filmed but some was filmed in Ennistymon, so mov- ing part of it to Ennistymon next year is something that we would look at. But Kilfenora is the real spiritual home of it.”

Following the Kilfenora Festival, the second annual Aran Islands Ted- Fest took place over the weekend.

THE Strand Restaurant and Guest- house, Kilkee and Murphy Black’s Restaurant, Kilkee are the latest es- tablishments to be awarded Seafood Circle membership by Bord lascaigh Mhara (BIM).

Both restaurants also have a lit- tle more in common than achieving Seafood Circle membership. Johnny Redmond, owner and head chef at The Strand Restaurant and Guest- house, and Mary Murphy (nee Red- mond), owner and head chef of Mur- phy Black’s Restaurant are brother and sister.

“My sister and I are thrilled we’ve both achieved Seafood Circle mem- bership,’ said Johnny Redmond.

‘More and more diners are order- ing seafood from our menus.

“The Seafood Circle plaque out-

side our doors will assure new and existing customers that both estab- lishments have excellent seafood and provide quality service.”

The total number of Seafood Circle members in Clare is now eight.

These are Cullinans Seafood Res- taurant and Guesthouse, Doolin; Morrissey’s Seafood Bar and Grill, Doonbeg; René Cusack, Ennis; Bar- rtra Seafood Restaurant, Lahinch; Vaughans Anchor Inn, Liscannor; and Burren Smokehouse, Lisdoon- Weve Ite

The BIM Seafood Circle recognis- es and awards hospitality and retail businesses that consistently deliver the highest standards of seafood and Service.

During February and March 2008, 132 Irish restaurants, pubs and sea- food retailers will be awarded BIM Seafood Circle Membership.

has learnt that the most up-to-date results of tests on the Ennis water sample show traces of the parasite cryptosporid- Lebeee Town Engineer Tom Tiernan has told the paper that the results re- ceived by the local authority as late as yesterday are no cause for public oleae “It was a very, very low level and well below the level necessary to re- vise the notice issued about it,’ he STH (em The local authority in conjunction with the HSE issued a reminder to

the 30,000 water consumers in the Ennis area on Friday to continue to observe a partial boil notice, after three children were reported to be suffering from the disease Crypt- osporidiosis.

Cryptosporidiosis 1S a parasitic disease affecting the intestines of mammals that is caused by Crypt- osporidium.

According to a Clare County Council spokesperson, “the partial boil notice was put in place because the supply is considered to be at risk and is designed to protect children under five, persons whose immune system might be compromised and visitors to Ennis.”

The partial notice has been ongo- ing since May 2005 when five chil- dren fell ill with Cryptosporidiosis.

Mr Tiernan said that there was no proof at the time to link the water supply to the children.

When asked why the boil notice re- mains if the water 1s clear Mr Tiern- an said the supply is “more vulner- able’ because there is a temporary water treatment plant in place until the new plant is completed in 12 months time.

‘There is nothing in the water. It is precautionary,’ he said.

The town engineer assured the public that the reminder was a precautionary response to the con-

firmed cases of cryptosporidium, and there is little or no evidence to suggest that the illnesses are as a re- sult of the water.

According to the engineer the wa- ter 1s tested up to four times a week for the cryptosporidium parasite. It cannot be tested on an ongoing basis every day as it takes several days for the results to be determined.

Mr Tiernan admitted that the re- sults of last Thursday’s sample, which was received by the council yesterday, showed traces of the par- asite however.

He said that the sample showed minute levels of the parasite and “was way below concern levels”.