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A WEST Clare man is pioneering a campaign to take alcohol out of Soa F

Richard Hall from Doonaha West has begun the campaign by writing to the GAA, local print media and the providers of sports wear.

The gold pin pioneer maintains that something must be done to guard and protect children from the “perils of alcohol’.

“We are fully aware of the problems of alcohol in our society, in particu- lar the problems that face our young children day after day. As a society we must do all we can to protect our

younger generation. We are going to need them for our own welfare, in the future,” he said.

In his appeal to the GAA Mr Hall proposed that the sporting organisa- tion would display the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association’s (PTAA) emblem in Croke Park, as close as possible to the Guinness advertising.

He also suggested that the emblem be incorporated on to team shirts when requested by players wishing to wear it.

“There are many GAA players and team trainers/managers who are members of the PTAA and, as members of the Pioneer Associa- tion, | am positive that they would

be very pleased to see the benefits of membership of that organisation be- ing promoted to young and upcom- ing players and stars of the future,” he said.

“Why does the GAA not create a pioneer cup competition in football and hurling for both male and female players? The stipulation being that in order to play for a pioneer team, the player would have to be a member of the Pioneer Association,’ he said.

Mr Hall has also contacted the two largest producers of GAA jerseys. He asked about the viability of putting the pioneer emblem on the jersey at the manufacturing stage.

“If not from a financial point of

view then would you consider such a Suggestion as being a means of pro- moting the benefits of alcohol absti- nence. You could possibly produce a small number of shirts with the pioneer emblem on at the outset, to judge the market.”

“Your promotion of the Pioneer Association would be seen, I am pos- itive, aS a genuine step in the right direction in combating alcohol prob- lems amongst the youth of today and such action could only enhance the opinion of your customers in regards to your products.”

He has also approached a soft drinks company about sponsoring a pioneer cup.

MUSICIANS from all over Galway and Clare descended on Kinvara this weekend for the launch of the debut CD of the Kinvara Area Music Col- lective (KAM).

The CD, which was officially launched at a concert in the village on Saturday evening, features a host of local talent, all of whom turned out to play at the launch ceremony.

It features a cross-genred selection of musicians and is designed to show off the wealth of musical talent that exists in the locality.

KAM was established last year fol- lowing a series of public meetings to

“IT’S hardly a week since I left Gal- way and I’m already in Donegal. Yes- terday, I had the Donegal GAA boys, Niall McCready and David Walsh, pushing me along – and a good job they did too.

“IT met this mad DJ in Bundoran who’s changed his name to Pat Mus- tard and he’s even had the gobshite’s name tattooed up his arm. There is no sign of Daniel yet but I’m living in hope.

“Last week I was taken in by the guards in Castlebar. Lovely fellas they were too and all of them going onto cyberspace to look at me on my website.

“So far I’ve had pushers from Bos-

find ways in which local musicians could help each other and the local community.

“We started talking about how dif- ficult it was to find places to do gigs and places to see gigs in Kinvara. We realised that Kinvara, which has al- ways had a great reputation for trad sessions, had changed, something had happened,’ said musician John Martin.

“The gigs just didn’t happen as of- ten. Besides the music, we were los- ing out in a social way too. People were not meeting up in the pubs any- more, the community spirit was suf- fering as a result.”

After hosting more than 12 concerts

ton Scientific and Western Fire in Tuam and, Jesus, those Polish fellas can push a milkfloat!

“I can’t wait to get back to Clare though, back to my real home in Kil- fenora. Just 21 days to go!”

On ‘Tuesday, February 26,

last year, KAM decided to celebrate the years anniversary of the organi- sation by launching the CD.

“Kinvara is saturated with musi- cians of all different kinds. Part of the idea of this was to try and find a way that musicians could help each other out instead of being in compe- tition with each other,’ said KAM member, Rosaleen Tanaham.

‘The musicians featured on this CD are really only scratching the surface of the talent that is out there.”

Besides running gigs and making CDs, KAM would like to involve as many local people as possible in whatever music-related activities that they can dream up.

“Organising concerts and making CDs is only one part of what KAM can be doing. We would like to see more and more people get involved in the group and hope that it will evolve along with the interests of these people. Whether that means more gigs, music workshops for youngsters, talks or more CDs,” continued John.

“If people want something to hap- pen, then we say go ahead. Talk to us and we will help you as much as possible, but you will have to be will- ing to do the work.”

The CD is currently available from most shops and pubs in Kinvara and from www.openear.ie.

AS a multi-national supermarket chain prepares to open on the out- Skirts of Kilrush, the local Chamber of Commerce has plans in place to ensure the future of the town centre.

On February 24, Tesco will open its doors on the Ennis Road, with free car parking provided to its shoppers.

From next Monday, however, shop- pers will also be able to avail of free parking in the town centre, as 23 businesses in the town provide a Parking Refund Scheme.

The Kilrush Parking Refund Scheme stipulates that customers and motorists who spend a specified amount in the participating business- es will be entitled, on proving their parking cost, to either a €1 refund or

a free parking scratch disc.

The scheme will apply to Kilrush Town Council’s dual system of pay parking, including scratch parking discs and street parking meters.

Work on this initiative began un- der former chamber president Karen Whelan and will be brought to fruition by the new chairman, Paul Coady.

“The objective of the scheme is to encourage customers to shop in Kil- rush and enjoy a refund of their park- ing cost,” he said.

Kilrush Town Council supported the initiative by altering the street metres to provide ticket counterfoils.

Shoppers who use the street metres will hand over the ticket counterfoil to participating businesses (upon paying for purchases) and will re-

ceive a €1 coin refund or free scratch disc. Similarly, shoppers who have a scratch disc will need to retain the scratched disc and the receipt of pur- chase to hand over to the participat- ing business on their next visit.

Town Clerk, Fiona Mooney said, “The chamber should be praised for its initiative. However, it must be pointed out that the Kilrush Town Council parking byelaws will remain in place between 10am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday.

“Valid parking tickets and discs must also be displayed during these Wb enone

Mayor of Kilrush, Cllr. Tom Clyne (Ind) said, “It 1s marvellous to see Kilrush Chamber and its members actively encouraging the people of west Clare to shop local.”

ALL-IRELAND winning Clare hurler Niall Gilligan has challenged a Clare County Council ruling that all the homes in a €7 million hous- ing development he plans for Kilkee be used for permanent occupation only.

Last month, the council gave the Sixmilebridge man planning permis- sion for 27 homes at Dough, Kilkee, on condition that each home would be the principle place of residence for the owners.

He was also told to omit two houses from the application.

The council has recently begun to implement a policy that new homes in Kilkee and Lahinch be used as per- manent rather than holiday homes.

Mr Gilligan’s appeal to An Bord Pleanala to have the conditions over- turned states that he is “extremely exasperated with the council deci- sion as he believes that at no time during the course of the application did the density of dwellings on site form part of correspondence.

“It represented a further reduction of his usable land, especially when he had already adhered to the green Space requirements for the develop- ment.

“In relation to the council requiring that the homes be used for permanent

residence, he believes that this cond1- tion should only proportionally rep- resent a percentage of his proposed housing stock and this should be re- flected as part of this condition.

“This would therefore allow for principle places of residence in nu- merous current and future residential zoned locations within the town of On rr

“In this case, by implementing this condition enblock to all dwellings, county council decisions will fur- ther increase the numbers of vacant dwellings in the off-peak season for upcoming developments once the permanent residence housing stock requirements has been fulfilled.”

A local resident opposed to the de- velopment, Ray O’ Halloran, has also lodged an appeal against the coun- cil decision placing a question mark over the entire development.

Along with the Kilkee application, Mr Gilligan also has two separate planning applications for his home village of Sixmilebridge where he is seeking to construct 14 apartments, two shops and a pub.

The council has put these applica- tions on hold after seeking further information from Mr Gilligan.

Mr Gilligan has operated his own auctioneering business in Sixmileb- ridge since 2000.

He continues to play for Clare.

DEMANDS are to be made for the post of a development officer for Shannon to be filled.

The post was vacated last April, when Padraig MacCormaic’s con- tract was not renewed.

At the time, local residents were concerned that the post was not go- ing to be immediately filled. At the time, it was indicated that the job

would be re-filled at a later stage.

However, almost ten months on, Fine Gael councillor Tony Mulcahy is now calling on Town Manger Ger Dollard and Clare County Council to confirm a date for the re-instatement of the post.

“As far as I was concerned, we were given a commitment by the manger last year. While the post had to be discontinued for some time, we were led to believe it wouldn’t be forever,”

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“The post of development officer has to be reinstated,” the councillor rE HLGe

Mr MacCormaic had been deeply involved in several key projects in S)it-NevelOssMmeNClOOMEOT:Mmm OD Mmn ODDS COMEBDOMEENAT®

post.

He had forged strong links with the local community and the business sector.

‘He was involved in plans to draw

up the extension of the boundary for Shannon and did a huge amount of work on the bus shelters and the Shannon website, Shannon.ie,” said Cllr Mulcahy.

“The town benefits from having a development officer liaising with groups and attracting businesses,” he AYOCe(oxen

“We don’t have a full-time town council in a town of its status. It isn’t acceptable,” he said.

deserve great credit for exposing the fact that EU farmers were not playing on an even pitch with Brazilian producers and for persisting in their campaign against the background of scepticism by the EU Food and Veterinary Office,” she

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ICSA president, Malcolm Thomp- son also welcomed the full ban but said that the campaign against Bra- Zilian beef was only beginning.

“ICSA has always maintained that restrictions were inadequate and nothing but a full ban was ever go- ing to be enough, until the Brazilians produce beef to EU standards,” he Sr HLOe

“ICSA has delivered this temporary ban for Irish farmers by initiating the campaign to ban Brazilian beef in June 2002, and it has been a long and hard fought campaign, but we do not necessarily believe it 1s over, and it will not be over until the EU finally

concedes that imported food must be produced to the same high standards as domestically produced food.”

Speaking before the announcement of an all-out ban, Clare TD Timmy Dooley (FF) welcomed the action against Brazilian beef imports and said that is only right that the same rules that apply to EU food produc- ers should apply to companies seek- ing to sell their products in the EU.

‘This debate has been ongoing for some months now and the EU gave the Brazilian Government numerous opportunities to clean up it’s act with regard to the operation of the beef in- dustry,’ he said.

“Every time EU veterinary offi-

cials visited Brazil, they came back to Europe with more questions than answers. This was simply an unac- ceptable situation and the European Union had to respond accordingly.

“EU Governments and the EU Commission together have taken the decision to significantly curtail Bra- Zilian beef imports into the European Union and it starts this Thursday.

“It 1s only fair that there is a level playing pitch and that the same rules apply to farmers and the food sec- tor outside and inside of the EU. No other decision would have been fair to farmers and beef producers in Ire- land, or indeed to the consumers of beef in Ireland.”

THE 14th annual Clare Community and Sports awards were held in the West County Hotel on Friday night with a large crowd of over 300 peo- ple in attendence. Organised by the Clare Vocational Education Com- mittee, the ceremony rewarded vari- ous people from all aspects of Clare society who excelled in their particu- lar fields in 2007.

The biggest winner on the night was Clooney’s William Loughnane who along with his award for his Special Olympic achievements was also presented with the Overall Per- sonality of the Year award. William won six gold medals and a bronze in six different disciplines for Gymnas- tics in last year’s Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai and has deservingly received many accolades and awards since for his momentus accomplishments.

In all, 17 awards were presented during the night. Tulla hurler Brian Quinn won the hurling award for his part in Tulla’s first county champion- ship win in 74 years and the subse-

quent run to the Munster final. Cathal Hill picked up the football award for his impressive displays in Lissyca- sey’s double winning season. Claire Commane’s player of the match dis- play in the All-Ireland junior final as well as being Clare’s top scorer in the championship saw her win the cam- ogie award while West Clare Gaels captain Marie Kelly was presented with the Ladies Football award after leading her side to the All-Ireland Junior Club Final.

Other sporting winners were the Ennis Ladies ‘Team for their National Senior Cup win, Avenue Utd School- boys for their domination of the local Soccer scene, Veronica Colleran for her victories in cross country, Derek O’Connor for his record breaking point to point season, Christopher Ryan for his achievements in swim- ming, Marie O’Connor for her five medals at the World ‘Transplant Games and Louise Woods who picked up the Young Sports Person- ality award for her talents in a multi- tude of sports.

The community awards went to Fr Donagh O’ Meara for his involvement

in Kilkee, Seamus Spaight for his contribution to Meelick GAA, Joe Garrihy for his work in Lisdoonvar- na and John and Emma Hanrahan for their tireless work in Labasheeda.

A RETIRED New York City fireman lost his life after he fell from a cliff while out walking just yards from his holiday home in Quilty.

Ennis Coroner’s Court heard last week that Pat Lusterring (80) had been staying in his holiday home at Seafield, Quilty, last October.

Local woman Margaret Downes

recalled seeing Mr Lusterring, at around 7pm on October 9.

She said he had been out walking, as he normally did. That was the last reported sighting of him.

She later heard that his body had been found on rocks at the base of a cliff.

Garda Ian Kelly said gardai re- ceived a call that the body of a man had been found at the base of a

cliff, across from the Star of the Sea Church in Quilty.

He said he saw an elderly man ly- ing on the rocks. He had suffered the fall, opposite his holiday home.

The drop of the cliff measured 30 feet, said the garda.

Pathologist Dr Peter Fawl said he carried out an autopsy on Mr Luster- ring’s body, on October 11, 2007. He said the base of his skull had been

fractured.

“Death, in my opinion, was due to acute head injuries, include a frac- tured skull, consistent with the de- ceased having fallen from a height,” said Dr Fawl.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea said Mr Lus- terring had suffered a “very sad end.

“He was well-known and liked in the neighbourhood. It is one of these very sad cases where we don’t have

exact evidence as to what happened Mr Lusterring. We can presume he was out for a walk and fell,’ she SP ALOe

“T am quite satisfied there was no suspicion of suicide,” said the Coro- ner.

She said she could not record an ‘accidental’ verdict, aS no-one saw what happened and recorded an open verdict.

A VALUABLE piece of specialised gymnastics equipment is being left outside rusting in the rain, as there is no storage available for it in Shan- nte)eF

The Shannon gymnastics club bought a €17,000 linear trampo- line in November and was under the impression at the time that storage would be available at the local lei- sure centre.

However, the storage is not avail- able and the equipment has been left O)ULMB NOMA slomod (one lo OLR

The club, which was formed 10 years ago, trains at the leisure centre. However, in recent years, a number of its members have achieved nation- al honours, with the result that they

are in need of improved facilities.

There are currently 80 members signed up, seven of who recently made the Irish team. One of its mem- bers, 12-year-old Becky O’Donnell (from Kildysart), will travel to Por- tugal in March to represent Ireland in an elite junior open competition. Last year she competed in Lithuania and was placed in the top ten in a world cup event in Poland.

Club coach Elaine Ryan said the success has become a struggle, as facilities are not satisfactory.

“It (the trampoline) is outside in the rain, wrapped up. It would be mas- sive work to get it in and back out,” said Ms Ryan.

“Over the past few years, the club has raised over €42,000 which was spent on specialised equipment, to

allow the club to develop at high competitive level,’ she said.

She also said that the other equip- ment is being damaged, because it is not located in a permanent, suitable No NLELOR

“The equipment is left in open ar- eas because there is no storage at the leisure centre. If we were to take out all of our equipment, it would easily take an hour,” she said.

“Very expensive equipment is get- ting damaged at an alarming rate, due to lack of storage, but the club has nowhere else to go,’ said Ms Ryan.

She said the club needs a tall build- ing. While many warehouses are too expensive to rent, the club would be willing to pay an affordable rate for a building.

“Realistically we need a permanent residence. We would be willing to oy Nas ean

“It is crazy that there are so many empty buildings around Shannon that would be ideal. Even part of a building would be a dream.

‘There is a huge demand for gym- nastics in the area and the coaches work very hard to meet the demand,” said Ms Ryan.

CLONLARA and Patrickswell in Limerick are today trying to come to terms with the deaths of two friends who shared a passion for sport.

William Quane from Monaska in Clonlara and Sean O’Donoghue of Patrickswell in Limerick were look- ing forward to supporting Ireland in the Ireland—Italy clash in Croke Park When their car was involved in an horrific head-on collision between Borris-in-Ossory and Roscrea on Saturday morning.

Niall Furlong, from the Canal Bank

in Limerick, who was also travel- ling to the Six Nations match was the only survivor in a crash which claimed the lives of four people. Last night he was in a Serious but stable condition at the Midlands Hospital in Tullamore.

Both Mr Quane (34) and Mr O’ Donoghue (37) died at the scene of the accident, described by Fr Jackie Robinson, who administered the last rites, as “the worst I have ever seen’’.

All three men who were travel- ling from Limerick were employees of Dell, who have opened a book of condolences at the plant in Raheen.

The Quane family had moved from Limerick to Clonlara about 30 years ago.

‘William was very much into sport and followed the rugby in particu- lar,’ said Fr Brendan Cleary, Clon- lara, who described the incident as a “terrible tragedy”.

William, who had followed the for- tunes of the national team at home and abroad, had driven to Birdhill on Saturday morning to be collected by his friends.

The accident also claimed the lives of Polish man David Dziemianowicz (21) and his Italian girlfriend Marika

Rossi (24) who were travelling in a rented car from Dublin when the ac- cident took place.

According to a Garda spokesman, the accident took place while one car was attempting an overtaking ma- noeuvre.

The head-on collision took place on what the spokesman described as a “very wide, straight part of the road” where the “hard shoulder was nearly as wide as the road itself”.

Gardai are appealing for any wit- nesses to the accident as they don’t expect Mr Furlong to regain con- sciousness for a number of days.