Category: Uncategorized

TWO pupils from St. Annes school were Selected for the Munster schools team that won the interprovincial soccer title in Tullamore last week. The Munster team won all their games without conceding a goal.

Michael O’Shea from St. Annes school was one of the players select- ed. Michael is presently studying for his leaving cert at the school.

Aaron Connolly was also a starter on the Munster team and scored two goals in the final game. He was one of the youngest players on the team and will feature again in the coming years. Aaron is currently doing his junior cert at St. Annes.

School coach Damian Walsh was

delighted with both players and it is a great honour for the school to have an international player.

The tournament is organised and run by the FAI. There were a number of training sessions in Cork for the Munster team prior to the tourna- ment. Colin O’Brien of Cork City was in charge of the Munster team and he was ably assisted by a number of FAI coaches. After the tourna- ment ended the FAI coaches from all provinces selected an Irish team to play in the home countries quad- rangular tournament which this year takes place in Scotland in April.

THE driving force behind the Ennis Tidy Towns committee, Donal Grif- fin, has resigned after 13 years as Chairman.

Mr Griffin announced his decision at the AGM of the Ennis Tidy Towns Committee on Thursday night.

He said he was very proud of the progress made by Ennis in the annual Tidy Towns competition. The princi- pal highlight of his time, Mr Griffin stated was Ennis being named Ire- land’s tidiest town in 2005.

He also highlighted the challenges faced by a growing town like Ennis in trying to maintain the high stand- ards achieved so far.

Last year Ennis was again success-

ful in the Tidy Towns competition (1) Gold Medal status (2) County Award (3) Category G & H Building a Bilingual Society Award and (4) Notice Nature Biodiversity Award.

In his address Mr Griffin said En- nis’ had achieved global recogni- tion for its achievements in the Tidy Towns.

He said, “Our success has been recognised locally, regionally and nationally and internationally. We peaked in 2005 winning Ireland’s Ti- diest Town. In 2006 we won Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre. As a town with over 25,000 population we are unique in these achievements. Winning a Silver Award in 1997 in the Entente Florale and Gold in 2002 put us on the map internationally. We

also entered and won Pride of Place Award in 2003 which is an All-Ire- land competition”

Mr Griffin said partnership be- tween Ennis Town Council, Shannon Development, Clare County Council and FAS along with the important role played by resident’s associations and schools, was at the heart of En- nis’s success.

He said, “I would like to thank all the schools both primary and sec- ondary for their involvement and for their interest in the environment. In particular for inviting us to give a presentation on the Importance of Caring for our Environment”

“I congratulate Scoil Chriost Ri on being awarded two Green Flags one for waste recycling and one for ener-

gy conservation and Ennis National for achieving a green flag for waste recycling last year. Ennis CBS is, I believe, is in the process of applying for a waste recycling green flag this year’.

Mr Griffin said many challenges lay ahead for Ennis.

He said, “In trying to maintain the high standard achieved to date, En- nis 1s facing many new challenges in 2008 such as a rapidly increasing population, the planned drainage of the Fergus, the completion of the inner relief roads, the upgrading of Market Street and the laneways, etc. It is vital that we hold on to our Gold Medal Status which we have for the last seven years and that we continue to develop”’.

OFFICIALS in Kilrush are planning to extend the John Paul Estate Re- generation Programme following the success of the pilot project.

Officials from Kilrush Town Coun- cil are in critical talks with the De- partment of the Environment this week about expanding the project.

Kilrush Town Clerk Fiona Mooney said, “Our approach to the depart- ment is that we want to be even more ambitious than we were at pilot stage.”

“The department is in a process currently of meeting all housing au- thorities with a view to determining

resource needs for the coming three years. Kilrush Town Council has submitted and stressed the need for a further phase of the John Paul Estate project.

“Tt is likely that housing authorities will be notified of their department allocations by May of 2008,’ she Sr NLGe

“The pilot phase of this project is ahead of schedule and has been marked by positive relations and a high degree of cooperation and fa- cilitation by the local community. The redesign objectives of the pilot phase of increasing security and pri- vacy by the removal of back lanes and derelict open spaces have been

achieved and the quality and specu- lation achieved by the pilot phase is high,” said the clerk.

“Kilrush Town Council officials appreciate the support of the Kil- rush elected members and of the Clare Oireachtas members in terms of convincing the department of the need for the allocation of resources to advance and complete the project for John Paul.

“This support has been very im- portant thus far in what is a long term and strategic programme, and involving social and economic devel- opmental elements as well as physi- cal infrastructural improvements. In this regard, the ongoing support of

the council’s multi-agency partners is also acknowledged and appreci- ated,’ she said.

This pilot phase of the regeneration programme consists of work on 28 existing dwellings in Willow Green and Sycamore Drive.

At this month’s meeting of Kilrush Town Council Ms Mooney told the members that a show house demon- strating the works to date would soon be available for people to visit. The show house will be situated on Wil- low Green.

The town clerk also asked the councillors for their support as nego- tiations with the department began, which she received en mass.

A VULNERABLE drug addict from Killaloe has had to wait five months for an appointment with a residential addiction treatment centre, his solici- tor has claimed.

The revelation came as a garda told a court that residential treatment was “the only hope” for the young man, who has no support at home.

Detective Garda John Mulvihill made the comment in the case of Ger- ard O’Connor (19), of Chapel Street, Killaloe, who appeared in court on a string of burglary charges.

Judge Joseph Mangan read a proba- tion report on the accused and said it was “up and down… more down dereDemel ome

Detective Garda Mulvhill said there were concerns that O’Connor was not obeying his bail conditions.

“As late as last Saturday night, at 12.41am, I observed him on Killaloe bridge. He had a lot of drink taken,” said the garda.

He said that a short time later, at 3.10am, he spotted O’Connor at Main Street, Killaloe.

“I called his name. He took flight,” |aTemncrsnCGe

He said the accused had been as- sisted by the State, the Probation Services and the courts, but that his problems persisted.

‘He was in residential care and walked out. It’s my honest opinion

an outpatient situation won’t work. Inpatient is the only hope. There are no supports at home. It’s not all his own fault,” said the garda.

Defending solicitor Daragh Has- sett said his client had been living in Limerick at one stage and had been in a relationship.

Det Gda Mulvihill replied, “That relationship was good while it lasted. He has had a difficult upbringing.”

“After Christmas he went back on the narcotics again. It is only when things are about to come to court he realises he has to knuckle down,” said the garda.

Mr Hassett said, “It would be in everyone’s interest if he gets the care he needs.”

Gda Mulvihill said, “Prison is not the solution for him. Residential treatment is the only hope.”

The solicitor said, “Whilst he is making the best efforts possible, he is very vulnerable. There is no sup- port at home.”

He pointed out that “at the height of his difficulty, he was breaking into places and robbing. That has stopped but the drug problem hasn’t.”

Det Gda Mulvhill said _ that O’Connor told gardai he was afraid he would get “worse drugs” in jail than he would while out on bail.

Mr Hassett asked for a short ad- journment, to explore the possibil- ity of getting a place in a residential course for his client.

“It took five months to get an ap- pointment with Aislinn (residential addiction treatment centre). That’s just an appointment. That’s not his fault,’ he said.

Judge Mangan said, “I take your point but he can’t absolve himself completely.”

He imposed a two-year detention sentence at St Patrick’s Institutions and fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.

DR Edward Walsh, founding Presi- dent of the University of Limerick, has been announced as the guest speaker for the Ennis Chamber of Commerce President’s dinner. Outlining details of the Gala Din- ner, President of Ennis Chamber Michael Evans said “We are delight- ed to welcome Dr. Walsh to Ennis on Friday March 7 to the Old Ground Hotel to present the Business Com- munity with his thoughts and ideas for the Mid West Region, particu- larly in these times of change.” CEO

of Ennis Chamber Rita Mc Inerney added “The President’s Dinner 2008 is the business social event of the year in Clare and we have the hon- our of Halifax as our Sponsors. En- nis Chamber wishes Halifax every success with their Ennis Branch in oy Du OCCLUDED ame

Dr Edward M Walsh was founding president of the University of Lim- erick, the first new university estab- lished by the Republic of Ireland: a post from which he stepped down in 1998, after a 28-year term.

Dr Walsh has served as founding chairman of the Irish Council for

Science Technology and Innovation, the National Technological Park, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, Citywest’s Grow- corp and the National Self-Portrait Collection of Ireland.

He has also served as chairman of the Conference of Heads of Irish Universities and of Shannon De- velopment. Dr Walsh is involved in guiding the development of various initiatives including DCU’s new Re- search Campus at Citywest and the Ryan Entrepreneurship Academy.

Halifax is the retail arm of Bank of Scotland (Ireland), one of Ireland’s

most successful business banks. Halifax has 40 branches throughout the country and offers a very differ- ent banking proposition to the other banks and is the first new high street bank in Ireland for over a century. Commenting on the sponsorship, Ciara Flynn, Branch Manager, En- nis, said: “We are delighted to spon- sor the President’s Dinner and look forward to working with the Cham- ber on this event and in the future. The Mid West Region is one with significant potential and we at Halli- fax are delighted to be part of such a thriving and vibrant town as Ennis.”

HIGH heel shoes are proving prob- lematic when negotiating the foot- paths of Kilrush.

That is according to town council- lor Deirdre Culligan (Ind) who high- lighted the need for work to be car- ried out on the footpaths on Henry Street and Toler Street.

“Toler Street just seems to be erod- ing away bit by bit,’ she said.

“Try walking it in high heels.”

Fellow councillor Liam Looney (FF) had his own feelings on the high heels issue. The Kilrush publi- can told this month’s meeting of the council “those high heels destroy

wooden floors”.

Cllr Marian McMahon Jones (FG) had valuable advice for the Fianna Fail councillor.

“Well, don’t wear them then,” she said.

The debate on the footwear was just part of the discussion on the all im- portant road works programme for the coming year.

Executive Engineer Derek Troy told the councillors that he had hoped to include Toler Street in the roadworks programme for this year, but had second thoughts due to work on the sewerage scheme.

“Like Crawford Street, there is a section of pipe that has to be replaced

for the sewerage scheme so we decid- ed not to do it this year,” he said.

An allocation of €200,000 has been made available for Kilrush road works for this year.

A further €19,000 has been provid- ed for improvement to public light- hates

The roads outlined for work for this year include The Glen, Griffin Road and High Street, Cappagh Village, St Senan’s Terrace, Wood Road, and John Street.

Finances have also been set aside for various areas for general repairs and improvements.

Footpaths that will get a face-lift under the programme include Burton

Street and High Street, Chapel Street, John Street, and Moore Street.

Money has also been allocated for general upkeep and repairs in vari- ous areas in the interest of safety.

Public lighting has long been the bane of the council chamber.

This year there was good news for those walking at night.

Killimer Road; Wilson Road; Limekiln Road; The Glen, Grif- fin Road; Fort Road; Russell’s Lane and Millennium Lane will all benefit from the lights programme.

Cllr Collie Sweeney (Ind) wel- comed the road works outlined.

“I’m quite satisfied with that,’ he Cr nOR

A NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS man, who admitted assaulting a garda, has been handed a suspended jail term.

Adam Mulqueen (25), of Kilna- soolagh Park, Newmarket-on -Fer- gus pleaded guilty to assaulting Garda Cathal Nolan and to resisting arrest outside the library on October 31, 2007.

Garda Nolan told Ennis District Court that as gardai were in the process of arresting two people, the

accused arrived with a can of Bulm- ers in his hand.

“When he saw that his younger brother was one of those being ar- rested, he became very agitated,” Ger MN e) Ei er- bee

“I became concerned for my col- league’s safety. I thought that he (the accused) would throw the can at him so I put out my hand to keep him back.”

Gda Nolan said there was a scuffle between himself and Mulqueen as he tried to restrain him. The pair fell to the ground and Gda Nolan injured

his elbow.

The court was told Mulqueen then calmed down but soon afterwards, Gda Nolan again became concerned for his colleague’s safety. At this point, Gda Nolan attempted to arrest Mulqueen. The pair again fell to the ground, as the garda tried to hand- LUND ME WatomrLerel UEorOn

Mulqueen lashed out and struck Gda Nolan on the cheek with the ort

The garda sustained a cut to his cheek which later required three stitches and was off work for over

two weeks as a result.

Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett suggested to Gda Nolan that “things were a bit frantic on the night with bonfires out of control”. Mr Has- sett suggested that the garda was “dismissive” of his client and that at first Mr Mulqueen was not agitated but was trying to talk to the gardai. Garda Nolan said the accused was “drunk and very aggressive”.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy imposed a four month sentence for the assault charge, suspended on condition he be of good behaviour for two years.

FINAL preparations are well under- way for Ennis Musical Society’s dou- ble whammy of entertainment.

Instead of performing one show, this year, Ennis Musical Society will present a double bill of shows run- ning over four nights in March.

Musical director Cormac McGuin- ness, chorus mistress Mary Curly and rehearsal pianist Dylan Walsh, are busy adding some last minute sheen to this year’s toe-taping num- bers.

Instead of performing one show, this year, Ennis Musical Society will present a double bill of musi- cal entertainment over four nights in March.

Shows on March 4, 6 and 8 will reunite performers past and present as they bring the audience on a trip down memory lane, singing hits from shows the society has produced over the past 50 years.

On March 5 and 7 there will a be a change of direction for the second half of this double bill, when Ennis Musical Society will pay tribute in

verse and song to the great Irish en- tertainer, Percy French.

Ennis Musical Society PRO Fr Feargus McEveney ofm explained, “Mary Curly, Dylan Walsh, under the direction of our musical director, Cormac McGuinness have everyone going full steam ahead to make sure a certain amount will be ready by the time last year’s producer, Alan Kin- sella, comes down to set some of the solos and choruses of the production due to open in Glor on March 4”.

Among those appearing are award winning singers Maretta O’Hehir

and Edel Heaney, society stalwarts, Anna Monahan, Emer O’Flaherty and Mary Heal.

They will be appearing alongside stars from the past such as Vincent de Placido, Tom Lillis and John Lil- lis, and a host of other great perform- ers backed by the chorus of the musi- cal society.

Songs from shows such as the ‘Mer- ry Widow’; ‘La Belle Heléne’; ‘Show Boat’; ‘Oklahoma and ‘My Fair Lady’ etc, will be enough to ensure a most enjoyable evening of musical jnatesssO)u leh

LAST Tuesday marked a major milestone for one of Irelands most successful and enduring farming or- ganisations.

February 19 marked the 50th an- niversary of the enactment of the legislation providing for the estab- lishment of An Foras Taluntais, the Agriculture Research Institute which now forms part of Teagasc.

A series of nationwide events are planned throughout the year to cel- ebrate the achievements in agricul- ture and food research over the last fifty years.

The establishment and develop- ment of AFT under the leadership of the late Dr Tom Walsh coincided

with a period of revolutionary think- ing in national economic policy.

‘The research carried out, first by AFT, and more recently by Teagasc, has provided a firm scientific founda- tion for modern agriculture and the dynamic food industry we have in Ireland today,” said Professor Gerry Boyle, Director of Teagasc.

“A great deal has been achieved over the last 50 years and this is in no small part due to the high quality people recruited into the organisa- tion and who have worked tirelessly for the benefit of Irish agriculture.”

Major milestones have been achieved in agriculture research in the past and Teagasc continues to provide the technological base ena- bling the industry to adapt to ongo-

ing changes in policy.

“Irish producers and processors must confront ever greater challeng- es in the global marketplace and the existence of a strong research func- tion fully integrated with advisory and training services is an essential component of that future,’ continued Professor Boyle.

Fifty years ago at the time of AFT’s establishment, over 60 per cent of the total national exports were from agri- culture and production was relatively static for a considerable period. AFT put in place a national programme of agriculture research to underpin the dramatic developments in Irish agriculture, and enabled it to benefit from access to new markets.

AFT initially set out to help farm-

ers increase productivity and income, broadening its research activities over the years as the policy environ- ment, market conditions and latterly erowing consumer demands set new priorities for research.

Representative advisory commit- tees were put in place from the start to ensure that the research programmes would focus on the real problems of the industry. A productive two-way flow of information was established, bringing first-hand knowledge of problems requiring research to AFT.

This speeded up the transmission and adoption of research results and this two-way flow was consolidated with the merger of AFT and ACOT to form Teagasc in 1988.

THREE former football stars have highlighted a reluctance to play inter- county football on the behalf of some players as part of the reason for Clare football’s current low standing.

Odran O’Dwyer, Frankie Griffin and Aidan Moloney each pointed to a lack of commitment from players who should be making the current panel as a central element to the de- cline in recent years.

“It seems to me at the moment that a lot of players in Clare just don’t enjoy it and that’s why they’re not playing for the county,” said Griffin. “Maybe there’s too much involved — too much commitment.

“There are probably some better players out there, but some won’t commit themselves to it. Getting 30 good fellas committed to the thing 1s the problem.

“I don’t think we have that at the moment and there’s no easy solution

to Clare’s problems,’ added Griffin.

Moloney echoed his former Clare teammate’s words, saying he began his inter-county career during a pe- riod when Clare football was also at a low ebb.

‘“There’s no doubt that it’s a big commitment for players and when fellas don’t see a lot of success it’s hard to swallow. But in our time eve- ryone really wanted to play and we didn’t have much success for a lot of years either.

“There were a lot of dark days as well but we were always proud to wear the jersey and there was never a question of considering giving it hone O’Dwyer broadened the debate, saying Clare not only needs added commitment across the county, but also investment in the right places.

“If you take Tyrone as an example, they’ve 15 county coaches whereas we only have one football coach in Clare. That’s just not good enough.

People might say they get extra grant money from the British government, but why can’t Clare increase the number of coaches in the county? Something has to be done and invest- pneKo emp MA’s LED

“These days players have houses and mortgages — things we wouldn’t have had — so maybe they’d have oth- er priorities. But you have to ques- tion the attitude if players don’t want to play for Clare,’ added the former Compromise Rules International.