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EARLY intervention for mainte- nance or repairs, ensuring the up keep of council properties and sup- porting local authority tenants 1s the reasoning behind Kilrush Town Greer MCB ilea Wane labour

The local authority will kick off a pilot house inspection programme in February as part of its proactive ap-

proach to tenancy management.

Staff of Kilrush Town Council will be making inspections of a small number of tenanted houses every Veto

The random inspections will be ongoing and the council propose to visit all properties and tenants, over time, annually.

The inspection will involve a checklist assessment of the general

maintenance and upkeep of houses and gardens by tenants.

Fiona Mooney, Town Clerk, said, “We are conscious that most of our tenants comply with all the require- ments in regard to upkeep and this will give an opportunity to acknowl- edge that positive responsibility 1on the part of the majority of our ten- ants.

“Equally, the idea is to pick up on

maintenance and upkeep problems and get these sorted as early as pos- sible for everyone’s sake. So the idea is also to operate as a preventative approach to tenancy management.” Mayor Tom Clyne welcomed the pilot approach adding that a regu- lar routine of checking houses and gardens could have a positive part to play in supporting tenants. Inspections will begin in February.

on January 1, Davy Fitzger- ald confirmed on Friday that he will return to the Clare panel in the com- TP OTSMR ere) Oe

Having parted ways with the Clare set-up under Tony Considine while on the cusp of eclipsing Christy Ring’s championship appearance record, the Sixmilebridge goalkeep- er 1S now Set to resume Clare training next month.

Fitzgerald picked up a serious injury playing for his club in the champion- ship last autumn and says his injured finger “still isn’t 100% right” and that his “doctors think I am mad” to CLoyeTSleCosmBUCLAUDM ON DETSS

“All I want to do is play,” said Fit- zgerald on Clare FM. “I could go out and coach a team and stay writing and make a pile of money, but I’m in-

terested in going out and seeing how the hand will react. I want to give it a right chance.”

His return to the inter-county scene at 36-years-of-age marks one of the highest profile combacks in modern hurling history and represents the first stern test for Philip Brennan, one of Clare’s best performers in the championship last season.

“Philip Brennan’s performances of class and skill have pushed him to the forefront of goal- ies, not only in Clare, but goalies in Ireland. Philip did a great job last year under pressure and I know the way Mike Mac oper- ates,’ said Fitzgerald on Friday. “He would make no promises.”

Mike McNamara him- self added that Fitzgerald will be given the same

treatment as every other player.

“A fully fit Davy Fitzgerald would make a massive contribution to Clare,” the manager said.

‘The aim of this management team and the ambition of this management team is to stabilise [Clare] and move [Clare] back up the ladder of hurling counties. That’s quite a task and it re- quires all the better players in Clare.

“In that line, David and myself have spoken and hopefully in a week or

two, the medical advice will be that he can return to attempt to regain the strength in his hand.”

Fitzgerald also pointed out that he has kept his counsel on events in 2007.

“Last year, I don’t think I said anything to anyone and I’ve no intention of doing it. It’s in the past.

For me, my county is the most im- portant thing, whether I play or not.”

Speaking in Meelick on Sunday af- ter his LIT side eased past Clare in the Waterford Crystal Cup, Fitzger- ald wouldn’t be drawn further on his return.

“Tl give it a try anyway and see what happens,” he said. “I don’t re- ally want to talk anymore about it. Whatever happens, happens and the most important thing 1s to play. We’ Il leave the talking until later on in the year.”

A CHANGING society that sees more single or separated men on the Clare housing list must be reflected in future council budgets.

This is according to Clare County Councillor Brian Meaney (GP), who says that the increase in the number of marriage break-ups sees more and more men looking for accommoda- tion.

“We have a significant number of single men on the register looking for houses due to the breakdown of marriages and relationships,” Coun- cillor Meaney said.

‘These are not priority and this is something the budget of Clare Coun- ty Council is going to have to reflect Ved sCom RU LAU NK ones

The councillor said in many cases the men were required to leave the family home after the break-up and

continue to pay maintenance.

He said while it was only right that they paid maintenance, the financial pressure saw them on the housing list and requiring distance.

This is a growing sector on the list and a group that he has become more aware of in recent times.

Nora Kaye, from Clare County Council’s housing section, said that there are currently 1,/00 people re- corded on the housing list.

This number, however, also makes provision for the number of people receiving rental supplement who are required to be including on the same iS a

“I would say the actual need 1s clos- er to 800,” said Ms Kaye.

She said that while there were no special provisions made for single men, they could apply for housing, rental supplement and other schemes through the council.

FEBRUARY I has been set as the closing date for the receipt of ap- plications for the second stage of the 2008/2009 Milk Quota Trading NYo terns len

Speaking on Friday, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan, announced the clos- ing date and restated her satisfaction with the outcome of the first stage of the trading scheme.

“I am pleased that the changes made to the operation of the trading

scheme contributed to a very high rate of trade before Christmas. I now want to ensure that the second ex- change is completed before the end of the current milk quota year, and I believe that the February | deadline will facilitate this,’ she said.

“A formal review will therefore not take place at this point, but, as was the case last year, a comprehensive review of the scheme with all stake- holders will take place after the sec- ond exchange has been completed.”

The scheme will once more com- prise a priority pool and a market

exchange. The maximum price for quota from the priority pool will remain at 12 cent per litre, and the maximum quantity available to in- dividual producers will remain at 80,000 litres.

A 3:2 ratio will again apply to the distribution of quota from the prior- ity pool to young farmers and Cat- egory | producers, and the option for sellers to sell at one or two cent per litre below their original offer price will be made available in the same 10 co-op areas as in the first stage.

The minister also took the opportu-

nity to alert milk producers to the ex- istence of a new Milk Quota Trader number, which is a unique identifier that has been assigned to all those who have participated in the trading scheme to date.

Applicants for the first stage of the 2008/2009 scheme will be advised of their Milk Quota Trader number by their co-op in the normal process- ing of the results, and those intend- ing to apply again for the second stage should quote this number on their application forms, in addition to the usual information.

STORIES and the ways in which they are passed on and retold is the central theme of the 2lst Annual Spring Conference which takes place next month. The conference, which is entitled ‘Narratives of People and Place: Burren Stories, Told and Un- told’, takes place in the Burren Col- lege of Art in Ballyvaughan from February | to 3.

“Stories knit community together – both the telling and the listening of a story bind us. As I have been organising this conference, I have been amazed by different conversa- tions I have overheard walking down

the street. In Ireland we don’t seem to disguise our telling of a story. We don’t hide it,” said conference direc- tor Anne Byrne.

“If I tell you a story, you are bound to me through the telling of that story and I to you. In the Burren it- self there is a lot of activity going on around that idea. It’s almost like the old community 1s still held in our minds and in our imaginations and it just needs to be expressed and found ayers be

“All the time you hear it said that there is no such thing as community anymore, but as long as you tell sto- ries the community can be given life here 00 ae

The conference will include a number of expert speakers who will each aim to explore different elements of conversation and storytelling in a Burren context. Speakers include Daithi O’hOgainof the Department of Irish Folklore in UCD, writers Re O Laighleis and Kieran Sheedy, Celtic Scholar Sean O Duinin, Lelia Doolin and Donnachada O’Corrain.

‘This year we are trying to draw at- tention to the stories that we tell our- selves, but also about the places we live in and the people who populate those place. Some of those people way well be gone and forgotten, or gone and remembered, but the con- ference is about bringing attention to

the story,” continued Anne.

‘We have a wonderful collection of speakers but it’s important not to for- get that this is just a representation of some of the people who tell stories.

“The Burren is an organising de- vice – it’s a place where nature meets you face to face, there are no distrac- tion. I think that does something, it helps the creative process. These are all creative people – whether they are farmers or people working in art or in film. They are all people who have a passion about storytelling.”

THE first major farming event of 2008 was launched last week with the announcement of FarmFest ‘08. The major outdoor farming event, which is organised by Teagasc, will take place at the Teagasc Centre in Athenry on Friday, June 20.

Teagasc FarmFest 2008 will focus on all areas of farming but in par- ticular some of the emerging areas such as food, sustainability and the environment and REPS.

‘“FarmFest *O8 will display all as- pects of Teagasc’s relationship with the countryside, farming and farm families. Taking place this year in the west of Ireland, this event will

have something of interest for all members of the farm family, and will also be of interest to those living in the wider rural community,” said Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle last week.

‘Education will be a key aim of the day and will display the breadth of Teagasc’s services and the opportuni- ties available to farmers and country dwellers. We will bring together the old and the new, demonstrating Tea- gasc’s innovative and contemporary approach while not dismissing the rural traditions people hold dear.”

All the main farm enterprises will be featured along with areas such as bioenergy, forestry, artisan foods, tourism, sports horses and organic

farming. These displays will be in the form of a series of themed tented ‘villages’ with separate, but conven- iently located, exhibition areas and entertainment.

The villages will include sheep, dairy, cattle, horses and tillage tents as well as advisory services and re- search. Other tents will include food, crafts, alternative agri-enterprises and alternative energy. FarmFest is hoping to attract a good attend- ance from all farm families as well as those living and working in the countryside. The event takes place in Athenry on Friday, June 20.

Meanwhile, Teagasc and the Irish Bioenergy Association (Irbea) are jointly organising a one-day con-

ference that focuses on making the bioenergy supply chain work.

The event will be held in the Tul- lamore Court Hotel on February 12 and will consist of three separate sessions: Policy, Vehicle Fuel and Solid Biomass. The speakers, ex- perts drawn from different stages of the supply chain, will share their experience of how they achieved successful operations in the popular biofuel energy sectors, or in the less known non-energy sectors such as crop-derived construction materials, renewable polymers and lubricants.

For more information please con- tact Liz O’Sullivan, Teagasc Oak Park on 059 9183483 or email Liz. O’Sullivan @teagasc.ie.

NEXT Friday sees the opening of the first exhibition of the year at the Bur- ren College of Art in Ballyvaughan. The exhibition, which is entitled ‘Flicker’, explores the possibilities that emerging technology and exper- imental new-media can have on art and artistic creation.

‘Flicker’ also aims to introduce a selection of Dublin-based artists to the region and allow them to explore how art can function in a more rural context.

It is also hoped that this launch will be the first in an active programme of shows and screenings of lens- based artists at Burren College of Art Gallery.

The exhibition will run from next Friday, January 19, until February 16 at the Gallery of the Burren College of Art in Ballyvaughan.

The five Dubs making their way out west for the show include Mark Cullen, Brian Duggan, Niamh Mc- Cann, Cliona Harmey and Darren Bolger.

Mark Cullen’s recent work explores artificial and natural light instal- lation while Brian Duggan’s work creates on performative based video installations.

These installations aim to question the limits of the physical body and endurance.

Niamh McCann on the other hand uses a variety of new technologies to push the boundaries in drawing and

photography.

Cliona Harmey’s is based in audio- visual pieces in which she uses sound installation, video and printmaking.

The final member of the group, Darren Bolger, is an experimental film-maker.

All the artists have also been ac- tively involved in a number of im- portant Dublin-based new-media art collectives and initiatives, including Pallas Contemporary Projects, Tem- ple Bar Studios and ArtHouse. The show 1s curated by Martina Cleary, a multi-media artist and lecturer at the college.

Burren College of Art is an inter- nationally recognised not-for-profit independent college specialising in undergraduate and graduate fine art

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The exhibition will be opened by the film-maker Vivienne Dick this Friday, January 18, from 6 to 8pm. For more information check out www.burrencollege.ie.

Meanwhile, following the success of the Ennistymon Christmas Ex- hibition which featured works from well-known Clare artists Richard Sharpe, Barbara Roder and Finola Graham, Sarah Fuller has taken up residency in the Courthouse Gallery in Ennistymon.

Sarah will host her puppet show and art exhibition in the gallery until January 26.

For more information on this ex- hibition, contact the gallery on 065 POP a Teele)

CLARE students again fared well at the annual BT Young Scientist Com- oxeBL BLO) NF

12 Clare projects impressed the competition judges, earning top three placings and commendations.

There was success for St Joseph’s Community College, Kilkee who came first in the senior group sec- nee

Fourth-year students Danny Molo- ney, Davis Gould Duff and Roisin Latham won for their project, “Does ash help plants to grow?’ in the sen- ior biological and ecological cat- egory.

In the same category, Emma Hen- nessy, fourth-year student at Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon was awarded the Safefood tithe and a commenda-

tion for her project, “An investigation into bacteria growth on drink cans and the most effective way of clean- ing them’ in the intermediate indi- ACLU Ensen (e)ee

Patrick O’Connell, a third-year stu- dent, and Tim Horgan, a fourth-year Student, both from St Flannan’s, were highly commended in the biologi- cal and ecological category for their project ‘Have you seen your DNA to- day?’. Their project involved study- ing various types of plant DNA.

Fellow St Flannan’s students Siob- han McGrath and Aoife Staunton were also highly commended in the social and behavioral sciences sec- tion for their examination of the be- haviour of a solitary dolphin.

Aine O’Halloran, Sinead Liddy and Siobhan Weir, transition-year students at St Caimin’s Community

School, Shannon were highly com- mended in the chemical and physical sciences intermediate group for their project ‘using energy beads to test how effective sun creams really are’.

Mary Immaculate Secondary School further enhanced its good reputation at the Young Scientist Soyrayersisene

Students this year entered 13 projects and the school finished the second highest award winners.

Leading the way was sixth-year student Laura Simms who came first in the senior individual section of the social and behavioural category for her project “Did geography affect the 2007 General Election?’.

The north Clare student’s project examined whether voting is stronger along geographical or party political Naar

Evelyn Linnane and Tess McGov- ern scored a second place finish in the intermediate group section for their project on ‘Prejudice and toler- ance among teenagers in Ireland’.

Darren O’Gorman came second in the senior individual section of the biological and ecological category for his investigation into the effects of temporary limestone lakes on lead morphology of Rannaclus Repens.

There were commendations for students Ciara Griffin and Amy Mc- Grath and Sinead McNamara, Amie Barrett and Catriona Callinan.

Fourth-year student David Crowe came third in the intermediate indi- vidual of the social and behavioural sciences section.

School principal John Simms said he was very proud of the achieve- ments of the students.

FARMING experts and conserva- tionists from all over Europe will at- tend Ireland’s first Farming for Con- servation conference which takes place in Ennistymon next month.

The conference, which is being or- ganised by the BurrenLIFE Project, aims to bring together leaders in the field to assess and examine the eroundbreaking strides which have been made towards creating sustain- able farming in the Burren.

The conference will also focus on pooling the participants’ knowledge and discovering new and exciting ways of creating sustainable farming in north Clare and across Europe.

The conference, which is entitled ‘Farming for conservation — support- ing the future’, will take place in the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon from Feb- ruary 24 to 27.

The conference will include speak- ers from a number of European coun- tries and in particular from other limestone regions such as the Alvars of Sweden, the Causse in France and the Yorkshire Dales in England.

The Minister for Environment, Heritage and local Government, John Gormley (GP) and the newly appointed Director of Teagasc, Pro- fessor Gerry Boyle, will be among those to address the conference.

Proceedings have been broken into three sections with the first day fo-

cussed on introducing the concept of ‘farming for conservation’. This will include presenting European case studies, outlining the work of the BurrenLIFE Project and a dis- cussion on the practical difficulties and obstacles associated with farm- ing for conservation. Day two will involve a visit to a number of Burren farms where conservation farming 1s taking place. These field trips will be followed by a panel discussion on the future of farming for conservation in the unique context of the Burren. The final day of the conference will look at potential models for Supporting and delivering farming for conservation. A discussion will also take place on the marketing of

conservation produce and on deliver- ing conservation through innovative agri-environmental schemes.

The BurrenLIFE project is just over half-way through its five-year long project on north Clare. The overall aim of the organisation is to help cre- ate a means of farming in the region than can both protect the local ecol- ogy and give local farmers a means of making living.

Over the past two years, they have undertaken the largest campaign of scrub removal ever seen in Ireland, established a producers group for top-quality ‘ecology class’ Burren beef and lamb and undertaken a mas- sive education programme aimed both at children and older people.

A KILRUSH man who has admitted robbing a US bank at gunpoint is to be sentenced next month.

Niall Clarke, 27, who is originally from the Killimor Road in Kilrush, was arrested in Bangor, Maine, in October 2006, shortly after robbing a Bank of America branch, near the Bangor Mall.

He had more than $11,000 in a black mesh bag and a loaded .38-cal- iber handgun and box of ammunition with him.

He pleaded guilty in January to charges stemming from the robbery.

After his Bangor attorney, Richard Hartley, had Clarke evaluated by a psychiatrist, he sought to withdraw his client’s guilty plea and enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Hartley has said that Clarke suffers from a severe mental illness. Clarke also was evaluated during the sum- mer at a federal facility by a govern- ment psychiatrist.

Clarke also had an assessment car- ried out by a psychiatrist, who was employed by his family. It concluded that “Niall was suffering from an ill- ness that rendered Niall unable at the time of the crime to appreciate the nature and quality of the wrongful-

ness of the act.”

In November, Clarke’s attorney agreed to schedule a sentencing date rather than to continue trying to withdraw Niall Clarke’s guilty plea, as had been indicated earlier.

Clarke faces up to 25 years in fed- eral prison on the armed robbery charge and a mandatory minimum of a consecutive seven years for using a gun during the robbery.

Under the federal sentencing guide- lines, the recommended sentence for the robbery is between 33 and 41 months. The seven-year mandatory sentence would be added to that sen- tence.

The sentencing date of February 19 next was fixed last week. The sen- tencing hearing will take place in Bangor, Maine.

Clarke was an award-winning stu- dent while studying Computer Sci- ence at Trinity College, Dublin and won a top Enterprise Ireland Student Award in 2002.

As a result of his Junior Certificate results at St Joseph’s Spanish Point, he was invited to join the Irish Math- ematics Olympic team.

As a result of his Leaving Certifi- cate, he was awarded a scholarship by Trinity College to study math- sere ee