Category: Uncategorized

THE behaviour of a 16-year-old boy has deteriorated since leaving a de- tention centre due to lack of parental control at his Ennis home.

The boy, who has 33 previous convictions, was sentenced to two years at Oberstown Boys Centre in November 2006. He is currently on extended leave from the centre.

He admitted breaking into the bed and breakfast at Baron McQ’s, Low- er Parnell Street, Ennis, and kicking two wing mirrors on cars, close to his home, last Wednesday, February oF

Inspector Tom Kennedy said gardai found the boy on the premises on Parnell Street and CCTV footage

showed him breaking the window and going into the building.

He later went home with his mother and a short time later went down the street in his locality and kicked mir- rors on two cars.

The boy’s solicitor, Tara Godfrey, said since he was released home from Oberstown he had “very quick- ly deteriorated”.

‘His mother is not here today and that speaks volumes,” she said.

She pointed out that drink and drugs played a role in last week’s in- cidents.

‘He didn’t have control. When he’s not in Oberstown, or St Patrick’s In- stitution he doesn’t have the where- withal to look after himself,’ she PAG

“The concern from my point of view is that he could become insti- tutionalised and that he would be in- capable of coping outside an institu- tion,” she said.

“He’s a good boy under the right conditions,” added Ms Godfrey.

A member of staff at Oberstown told the court that the boy had “turned a corner’ while at the centre, but had “deteriorated” since returning home to Ennis. She said Oberstown could not take him back.

“We are under pressure from the courts to free up the bed. There’s de- mand for his bed. We want to release his bed within days,” she said.

“I think we have exhausted what we can do with him. We have effec- tively handed him back to his family.

There is only so much minding of him we can do when he is back in his own environment,’ she added.

An employee with Clare Youth Services – who has worked with the boy since his release from Obers- town – said the problem was down to lack of supervision at home.

“That is with due respect to the young man and the family,” he said.

Judge Joseph Mangan asked the boy, “Why are you so angry?”’. He replied “I am not angry at all.”

The judge said he had observed the boy’s demeanour in court and said, “You are obviously very bothered.”

The judge sentenced him to eight months in St Patrick’s Institution and fixed a bond in the event of an ap- peal.

THE work of staff and students at the Adult and Community Education Centre in Ennis has been described as essential to the success of the sec- ico) e

Speaking at the opening of the cen- tre’s new extension, Minister of State Sean Haughey praised the progress made by adult education providers in OE

Mr Haughey was in Clare to open centres in Shannon and Ennis, as part of the National Adult Learners Festival.

Referring to some last minute prep- arations for his visit to Ennis, Mr Haughey quipped “I was told to be late because there was sign to go up. If I have achieved nothing else by my visit to Ennis, then I have achieved Werelaae

The extension and _ re-develop- ment of the Adult and Community Education Centre in Clonroad, Ennis means more services can be provided as part of the Clare back to education initiative.

The centre provides learning op- portunities in reading and writing, language support, youthreach pro- gression, the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) and family learning. Services include a creche, night classes, e-learning and adult learners guidance.

In Clare, there are currently 2,000 learners availing of adult basic edu- cation and a further 700 engaging in community education.

Mr Haughey said the centre provid- ed valuable learning opportunities. “This is particularly evident here in Ennis, where your Adult Basic Edu- cation Service provides great assist-

ance to adults returning to education, particularly those who did not get the chance to complete their secondary education. Work undertaken on the ground is absolutely essential to the success of the sector, and I am very much aware of this”.

“This expanded adult education centre will provide additional and valuable opportunities for learners in the Ennis area to create a better life themselves and their families”.

He added, “The Ennis Adult Edu- cation centre does a great job in providing that crucial support and I know that with your capabilities extended, many more opportunities will be available to you in this re- een Ke ae

Dr Sean Conlan, Education Of- ficer for Clare VEC, said significant strides had been made in the area of adult education.

‘Adult education used to be called the cinderella of education, because we were never invited to the ball. Now things are different, and in GET ucee tree or Dus CGUIT Dem Ne uome sr KMmolon significant investment in services”

Mr Haughey met with students, programme leaders, tutors and co- ordinators and received a painting from VTOS student Malcom Gay. Youthreach trainee Shirley Price and her daughter Brooke, who attends Cuan Aire Creche, presented Mr Je Ft tea teas

Music was provided by VTOS tutor Andrew Newland and the Founda- tion Ministry Choir.

CLARE has come near the bottom of a survey showing the number of IDA jobs created in a county by county basis last year.

Enterprise, trade and employment minister Micheal Martin confirmed that Clare came nineteenth on the hha

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment figures show that 22 jobs were created in IDA- backed companies last year.

The figures show that counties mainly located in the midlands trail Clare in the number of IDA jobs cre- ated. More IDA jobs were created in Clare than Carlow, Laois, Longford, Monaghan, Roscommon and north Tipperary.

Only nine IDA jobs were created in north Tippeary. However, Clare lags behind its two neighbours, Limerick and Galway.

The figures show that 264 IDA jobs were created in Limerick and 383 in Cr ELA

Last night, Fine Gael TD, Joe Carey said that the figures relating to Clare were matter for concern.

He said: “The IDA need to work to ensure Clare workers are not be- ing left behind in job creation terms. These figures, when examined, show cause for concern. For example,

counties with a similar sized popu- lation to ours are faring significantly better in terms of job creation.

“Waterford, Louth and Mayo, all have populations close in number to County Clare. Between them they created 674 jobs. In Clare, the IDA managed just 22. Cavan, which has half the population of County Clare, still managed to create three times more jobs.

He added: “Those statistics are not impressive, and as we move into a more uncertain economic climate, we need to focus our minds on ad- dressing the apparent job imbalance in the mid-west.”

The IDA has a strategy of regional development and 64 per cent of in- vestments in 2007 were located out- side of Dublin last year.

Also, the IDA played a strong role, in conjunction with Shannon Devel- opment, in securing 250 new jobs for the Shannon Free Zone with last week’s announcement that a medical services company, Zimmer, 1s to 1n- vest €50 million in Shannon.

However, the IDA has failed to date to secure an anchor tenant for the In- formation Age Park in Ennis.

The authority has the responsibility in securing foreign direct investment in Clare outside the Shannon Free Zone. But so far the park is home to indigenous start up companies.

WHILE the Minister for the Envi- ronment maintains that there would be no useful purpose in meeting the councillors of Clare about their budget allocation for 2008, he said he would next time he was in the constituency.

Deputy Pat Breen (FG) has attacked the minister for his stance much to the annoyance of Clare County Councils only Green Party member.

Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) has ac- cused the Fine Gael deputy of using “unhelpful comments” and trying to score political points.

‘The spin put on it by Deputy Breen hasn’t helped the situation. The min- ister will meet with Clare County Council when he is in the constitu- ency. Deputy Breen’s use of this to score political points is a disservice to the electorate of Clare,” said Dep- uty Meaney.

Deputy Breen had accused the Green Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley TD of distancing him- self from another crisis.

‘This 1s another typical example of the Green Party’s change of colour since they entered Government last May. Minister Gormley is distanc-

ing himself from another crisis. The reality is that he does not recognise the crisis we have here in County Clare. The current funding arrange- ments are simply inadequate. Clare County Council avoided the axe this year, as a result of which we will see a reduction in the budget for roads, housing, planning and environment together with an increased burden being placed on the business com- munity. County Clare is at the bot- tom of the pile when it comes to the allocation of funding from Central Government,” he said.

“The long-term ability of Clare County Council to deliver basic fa-

cilities including water and sewage treatment plants is threatened.”

The council had asked to meet with the minister to voice their dissatis- faction at the general-purpose grants allocations for 2008, and make a case for a larger allocation.

Minister Gormley argued in the Dail however that Clare County Council’s allocation for 2008 was€16,476,569, an increase of 5.13 per cent over the 2007 allocation.

“General purpose grants to Clare County Council have increased by some 460 per cent since 1997 which is more than twice the average in- crease to local authorities over that

period,” he said.

“In summary, and recognising that the council has recently agreed its budget for 2008, I am satisfied that the funding available to it from all sources, including general purpose erants, will enable it to provide an acceptable level of services to all its customers. In the circumstances, while no useful purpose would be served by meeting the proposed del- egation in the context of the 2008 general purpose grant allocations, I will take an opportunity to meet with the council as part of a programme of visits to local authorities during the year.”

A MEMORABLE 12 months for Ennis Track Club was crowned on Saturday when the club was named Munster Cross Country Club of the Nae

2007 was the most successful in the club’s 17 year history with the club taking home major honors at all lev- els in both track and field and cross eo) t nem mea Lo) TLE

The efforts of athletes and coach- es were recognised on Saturday in Dungarvan, Waterford at the Mun- ster Athletics awards.

The occasion held extre signifi- cance for Tom and Vera Dullaghan

who accepted the award on behalf of Ennis Track Club.

The Dullaghans are both founding members and are still actively in- volved with the club.

Ennis Track Club made history at the Munster Championships last year by becoming the first club to win the ladies novice title, ladies intermedi- ate title and ladies senior title at the Munster Championships.

The club also won the national men’s title and there was also success in the national under 12s champion- ships.

In total, the club won an aston- ishing 163 medal in track and field events and 275 medals in cross coun-

try events.

Club PRO Michael O’Brien said the year reflected the commitment of athletes and the huge contributions made by coaches and volounteers through the years.

“We are just small club that came from humble beginnings but have been lucky in that there has been a ereat group of very dedicated and talented people whop have been with the club since the start.

“Last year was definitely historic for us’. Ennis Track Club was formed in 1991 with the first committee meet- ing taking place in O’Keefe’s Bar Lifford.

That committee was made up

Gerry Hayes (president), Tom Casey (chairman), Maeve Casey (secretary) and Tom Dullaghan (treasurer).

The club made an instant impres- sion by finishing first in the women’s 4×400 relay at the Munster Champi- onships in Waterford.

Over the years the club has also produced athletes who have compet- ed on the international stage.

Rory Chesser and Liam Markham both represented Ireland at the U23 championships in Scotland.

The club now has over 100 mem- bers and six coaches Gerry Hayes, Pat Hogan, Deirdre Cahill, Mar- ian O’Loughlin, Jim Donnellan and Michael O’Brien.

MINISTER of State at the Depart- ment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with responsibility for Forest- ry, Mary Wallace last week officially launched the 2008 Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA) For- estry and Timber Yearbook. Speaking at the launch, Wallace commented on the recent develop- ments in the forestry sector, including the new Afforestation Programme and Forest Management measure approved by the EU Commission in late 2007. She also referred to the non-economic benefits of forestry. “In any sector, effective commu- nication and the distribution of rel-

evant, up to date information 1s vital. The Forestry and Timber Yearbook is an important tool in this regard for everyone in the forestry sector,” she HOE

“It is an invaluable reference book and its continued success through the years is evidence of the high regard VSLASTDOM ZNO MLAB IMs

“The National Climate Change Strategy sets out a clear role for for- estry in mitigating climate change, not only in terms of carbon seques- tration, but also in the role that the forest estate will play in providing ereen renewable wood energy.

The Forestry and Timber Yearbook features articles and advice on sub- jects such as state support measures

for forestry, woodland taxation and various forestry issues. It also in- cludes a directory containing close to 200 organisations and companies in the forestry and tree growing in- dustry.

“With the approval of our forestry programme by the EU up to 2013, timber prices at high levels and with the many new opportunities arising, there has never been a better time to become involved in this industry,” continued the minister.

Meanwhile, a major national bioen- ergy conference will take place in Tullamore, today Tuesday, February 12. The one-day conference, jointly organised by the Irish Bioenergy As- sociation (IrBEA) and Teagasc, will

focus on the latest developments in this emerging industry.

The theme for the conference is ‘Bioenergy – Making it a Sustainable Reality’ and it will focus on how to make the bioenergy supply chain V0) ue

The panel of national and inter- national speakers, drawn from the different stages of the supply chain, will share their experiences on how they achieved success in the biomass energy sectors and in the less-known non-energy sectors of crop-derived construction materials, renewable polymers and lubricants.

The possibility of using crops for fuel is one of the most exciting de- velopments of recent years.

CLARE county councillors will at- tempt to reunite communities and parishes as they consider the bound- ary division for the next local elec- tion — just 16 months away.

The members as well as the general public are invited to make submis- sions to the Boundary Committee set up by the Minister for the Environ- ment and Local Government John Gormley and charged with reviewing local electoral areas.

This review will take into account population changes since the last re-

view in 1998.

The committee will then report to the minister by June 20 so that he can make any changes he deems fit.

At last evenings meeting of Clare County Council, councillors present- ed a few concerns about the possible redivision of the areas they will be canvassing in a matter of months.

Cllr Martin Conway (FG) said he would hope that all communities and parishes would remain united within the same area.

“T think it was always regrettable that Kilmaley was split among three areas, and are not therefore getting

proper services.”

The north Clare councillor also maintained that the review process should have begun after the General Election.

Cllr Madeleine Taylor Quinn (FG) argued that geography as well as population should be taken into ac- count when deciding on dividing the county.

“Cognisance has to be taken of geography. I wouldn’t like to think demographics would supersede geo- graphic area.”

According to the Boundary Com- mission the committee charged with

looking at the area divisions must take “due account of the desirability of preserving natural communities or the hinterlands of population centres, and where possible, of aligning local electoral area boundaries with Dail constituency boundaries”.

“The committees are asked to as- sume no change in present numbers of elected members at overall local authority level. Within individual electoral areas as recommended by the committees, the number of coun- cillors should not be less than four or more than seven provided that in very exceptional circumstances

three seat local electoral areas may be recommended where otherwise the geographic size of the area would be disproportionately large.”

Cllr Christy Curtin (Ind) told the meeting “there is a bias against three seaters and I don’t know why unless there is a political reason.”

The County Manager Alex Flem- ing said he was not going to have any position in the process.

“Tt is really an area I should not be involved in,” he told the councillors.

He will however present the popu- lation break down of the areas to the councillors next week.

PLANS are at an advanced stage for the redevelopment of Tulla court- house, with hopes that the building will be ready for community use in March. At the AGM of the Court- house Rejuvenation Committee last week, local clubs and organisations came along to give their suggestions about the make-over.

Committee Chairman, Bernard Mulcachy, said the evening proved “very helpful. We wanted input and there was a good response from the community groups and a few good

Suggestions. For instance, we hadn’t looked at wheelchair access to the stage although there is wheelchair access to the hall itself. That’s some- thing we can examine now. We got feedback on quite a few issues which we will be able to look at.”

Since the county council moved out in November to take possession of their new premises in Scariff, the committee have swung into action and now there is a new lighting and sound system, a complete repaint and redecoration of the former council offices and an extension to the build- ing to add an extra meeting room is

also underway.

Among the groups who will be us- ing the newly refurbished courthouse are the Tulla Drama Group, the musi- cal society, the GAA, who will use it for meetings and groups taking yoga lessons and other courses.

The Midnight Court Film Society, based in Scariff, are also considering having some screenings depending on local demand.

Funding for the project came large- ly from a grant from the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism, which was allocated several years ago.

“We couldn’t use the grant straight

away because we were waiting for the council to move to their new of- fices. Luckily, the department gave us a lot of leeway,” said Bernard.

The total cost of the refurbishment project will be €120,000 and the grant will meet 80 per cent of that COST.

“We would hope that the facility will earn money to make up the dif- ference rather than put the cost back on the community,” said Bernard.

‘And it’s hoped that the community will be attending an open day at the end of March, once the bulk of the work has been done,” said Bernard.

CLARE farmer and Beef and Cat- tle Chairman of the ICMSA, Martin McMahon, was last week appointed to the national beef forum by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan.

Silom Coyacecem sel mbeCe Lee CoM ncyeKen tole te tives of the IFA, ICMSA, ICSA, Macra, ICOS, ICBF, Teagasc, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, Meat Indus- try Ireland as well as representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and an independ- ent expert.

“The purpose of the forum is to point the way to the future develop-

ment of this very important sector. The beef industry is vital to Ireland in a number of respects not least its contribution to our trade balance and its significance for rural areas,” said Minister Coughlan.

‘The industry has proven itself re- silient in the past and I am confident that it will do so in the future. It will face many opportunities and chal- lenges as the pace of change in the marketplace continues to increase.

“The industry must gear itself to evolving consumer tastes and be responsive to them. The forum pro- vides those involved in the industry with the opportunity to track the best way forward.”

The forum, which will be chaired by Jim Beecher, Assistant Secretary General at the Department of Agri- culture, Fisheries and Food, will have its first meeting later this month.

Meanwhile, McMahon has _ also oF OTSTe MS Keyes Bue) Dele M KOM e-lKe slob OMmeliDE defences against Bluetongue.

“The severity of the disease in the second and subsequent year has sur- prised veterinary experts,” he said.

“We should now seriously con- sider preventative vaccination for bluetongue as soon as the vaccine becomes available. In particular, the potential losses in terms of perform- ance and fertility due to bluetongue disease pose a serious threat to the

livestock sector.

“We appreciate that the department are considering a number of options, but action should be taken at the first available opportunity. The commis- sion have decided to carry the cost in full of the vaccine and 50 per cent of the administration costs. We should avail of this funding. While preven- tive vaccination would — under the present EU rules — give rise to a pos- sible change in our status, that rule itself could be changed. Given the increasing severity of bluetongue it makes solid sense to adopt a pre- ventative stance rather than a control programme if — and when – the dis- ease comes to Ireland.”

has learned.

This revelation comes following the discovery of a 6 mile wide spill- age, located some 60 miles of Loop Head on Sunday morning.

The spill, which was discovered by a Norwegian pollution control satel- lite, is believed to comprise of diesel and is moving slowly northwards.

“It has been flagged at EU level that Ireland doesn’t have an oil pollution response strategy, and we need one.

This is a relatively small oil spill but if there was a big one we have no of- ficial plan for what to do,” said Simon Berrow, Project Manager of Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation.

“To be honest, there is no govern- ment policy to do with how to deal with oil spills. JI think the Wildlife Service are responsible for it but they don’t really have a policy for how to deal with the oiled birds because they say it is a welfare issue and not a conservation issue.”

While the origin of the oil slick re- main a mystery, authorities are hope- ful that it will break up naturally. It has however, claimed it’s first victims

with some 20 birds discovered dead in and around the Doolin yesterday.

The birds were discovered with ex- tensive o1]1 damage and it is believed that they came in contact with the slick while out to sea and made their way to land where they died.

“The local fishermen have been reporting seeing a number of oiled up birds either dead or severely in- jured. They were mostly guillemots but there were also some cormorants and gulls,” said Doolin based bird- watcher Jamie Storer.

‘There is no sign of oil on shore just yet so I would assume that the birds have come in contact with the

oil out to see.

“Once a bird gets oil on them there is a very low success rate. Usually by the time they are found are too far gone to be rescued. Cleaning bird is a very labour intensive thing and once they are cleaned there is still only a very small chance that they will sur- vive.

“Our concern here isn’t really for 20 or 30 birds, it’s a very small amount compared to the total population in the area. The real concern is for the slick that is out there and what might happen if it comes onshore. Nobody really seems to know what the pro- cedure is.”