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YOU could have heard a pin drop as Sylvia Roche Kelly’s husband, Lor- can, read out a poem in her memory.

As mourners fought back the tears, Lorcan Roche Kelly walked up to the pulpit and addressed the gathering at the end of her funeral mass.

His voice shaking, he read out a poem in Sylvia’s honour. Some of the

words were ‘For I have loved you’ – a tribute to the woman he loved.

Moments later, Lorcan held the couple’s five-year-old daughter, Ais- ling, in his arms as he walked with the cortege behind the coffin as it made its way to Killeen cemetery nearby.

Sylvia, nee Bourke, hailed from Coonagh in Limerick and had lived with her husband and two children,

Shane and Aisling, at Ballintlea be- tween Cratloe and Sixmilebridge.

On moving to that area she had im- mersed herself into the local com- munity.

She ran an art gallery, The Miller EVA (ClAABUI MODOC 0Nl slo ulccoMmmeteL ON mB Kor cently. She had closed the premises but continued to run art classes and had planned to re-open a gallery. She recently advertised her adult evening

and children’s Saturday pottery classes due to commence in January.

She had also worked part-time in the Woodcross bar and restaurant.

Locals in Sixmilebridge fondly re- membered Sylvia as someone who was always willing to lend a hand in activities in the area.

Her passing has left a void not only in the lives of her family, but also in the local community.

FIGURES released this week show that a total of 80 million litres of milk quota was offered for sale as part of the third Milk Quota Trading NYo tesa elon

Of these, more than 66 million litres was successfully traded, mak- ing it the highest proportion of quota sold to date under the lifetime of the controversial scheme.

Of 66 million litres traded, some 49 million litres was sold on the ex- change at prices ranging from 12 to 45 cent per litre, while 17 million litres was sold through the priority

pool at the maximum price of 12 cent per litre. “I am delighted that the third Trading Scheme has continued the trend established by the first two. Sixty and seventy per cent, respec- tively, of all quota offered for sale on the first two exchanges was sold, and today the volume traded has ex- ceeded 80 per cent,” said Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan.

“IT am _ particularly pleased that the improvements made in recent months have borne fruit, with many more sellers successfully disposing of their quotas after opting to accept one or two cent per litre less than their original offer prices in order

to match the Market Clearing Price. “This has been especially beneficial to producers in the northern half of the country. I am also pleased to note that quota is now being acquired by Category | producers in Co-op areas where access had previously proved oNbeerere Diam

Minister Coughlan also took the Opportunity to express her satisfac- tion with the operation of the Milk Quota Trading Scheme and to look to forthcoming challenges.

“IT think it has been clearly demonstrated that the ‘Trading Scheme has been a very effective tool in the allocation of quota to

active and committed dairy farm- ers, and will continue to be so in the future,’ she added.

“We must now look to new chal- lenges, and 2008 will not prove wanting in this regard. While much attention will focus on price and market trends, I look forward to dealing with the challenge presented by the commission’s proposals on the Health Check and the proposed quota expansion from April 1, 2008 and to working with the sectors to achieve the best possible outcome for Ireland.”

Details of the next exchange will be announced early in the New Year.

THE tragic death of Sylvia Roche Kelly marked a “dark and sad” time for the people of Cratloe, Sixmileb- ridge and Coonagh, her funeral mass heard last Wednesday.

Up to 500 mourners attended Syl- via’s funeral at the Little Church in Sixmilebridge. Mourners packed into the small church while hundreds of others braved the wintry winds to pray silently outside.

Fr Liam Enright, who was one of seven priests who _ concelebrated the Mass, said Sylvia’s death had “shocked and saddened” everybody. She had socialised in Limerick to celebrate her 33rd birthday, but, sad- ly, never made it home.

“It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t seem fair. Her great work is cut short. We are left with a terrible sense of loss. We are plunged into darkness,” said Fr Enright, who is parish priest

of Cratloe.

‘Tragic death, which is almost al- ways sudden, is like a blackout. One minute the sunis shining. Next minute it is dark night. Without the slight- est warning or the slightest chance to prepare ourselves we are plunged

into an impenetrable darkness. In the Space of a minute our whole world is turned upside down. Nothing can prepare us for something like this or Save us from its devastating effects,” added the priest.

“Naturally we ask, why did it hap-

pen? There is a tendency to say, ‘It’s the will of God’. Let us be perfectly clear: God did not want this tragedy to happen. There is only one thing we can do. Just as when a black- out occurs we rush for a light, any light, even that of a humble candle so now we rush to the only light that can penetrate this awful darkness, namely the light of Christ,” said Fr Syavwrcaelm

“Christ too died at the young age of 33,” he said.

Fr Enright said the entire commu- nity should be thankful for Sylvia’s life, for her helpful way and for her love for her family.

“We must not dwell too much on the manner of her death. It is better to give thanks to God for her life and commend her to God in death,” said Fr Enright.

CLARE farmers were warned last week that in order to stay competitive they must be producing top-quality weanling and aim for the top end of the market.

The call was made at an informa- tion meeting on suckler cows in SBE NM ool @

‘For Irish suckling farmers to sur- vive they must produce a quality weanling to aim for the premium end of the market to achieve a realis- tic price to remain competitive,’ said Teagasc adviser Michael Neylon.

Suckling farmers were urged to ex- amine their cost of production and technical inputs for over-wintering their cows and producing a top-qual- ity weanling in spring time.

Mr Neylon also advised Clare farmers to reduce their winter feed- ing costs by late grazing and early turn out to grass, better body condi- tion at housing and reducing replace- ment costs of cows.

He also advised farmers to achieve extra weight gain by improving the breeding of the cows for growth and milk and the use of bulls with extra growth potential. Better grassland management will increase milk and erowth, use creep feeding of meals and grass together with a healthy TRU

Compact calving is also vital. A well-stocked farm with a high output of quality weanlings will protect the future of Clare suckling farmers.

Also speaking at the meeting, Pfiz- er vet Damien O’ Donoghue stressed

the importance of disease control and injecting weanlings, especially for the export trade against IBR and BVD.

On January |, 2008 the €80 per cow Suckling Welfare Scheme will commence and the IFA’s Michael Lynch is encouraging farmers to participate. Application forms will be available early in 2008 and the closing date 1s March 31.

‘IT advise farmers to apply as ear- ly as possible in January to ensure that all the cows are included. The scheme will involve additional pa- perwork, but it should not involve extra work on the farm, as what the scheme requires 1s good animal hus- bandry practices,’ he said.

Joe Burke of Board Bia informed the meeting that live exports are

down 16 per cent on 2006 figures, especially to Spain and Italy. Beef consumption is very solid in Europe and feed-lot owners are restocking.

He stated that beef consumption is increasing and the gap between pro- duction and consumption is getting bigger. Imports from South America are increasing to fill this deficiency at present.

THERE will be no searches for prisoners on US planes at Shannon Airport despite the Government’s own watchdog recommending such AYeL nO) Oe

The Government has rejected the recommendation of the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) on the need to search planes which land at Shannon if they are suspected of be- ing involved in the transport of pris- oners to torture centres.

The IHRC is a statutory body which

monitors Ireland’s compliance with human rights legislation. After mak- ing a study of the claims concerning Shannon being used to facilitate ex- traordinary rendition, 1t recommend- ed that the Government introduce an effective and independent inspection regime as a matter of urgency.

Although there have been no re- corded incidents of rendition in Irish territories, planes used for the practice have stopped in Shannon, according to a report from the Euro- pean Parliament.

The IHRC undertook a review of

domestic and international laws on foot of claims that planes used to transport prisoners for torture had stopped over in Shannon for refuel- ling.

The IHRC produced a hard-hitting report on foot of their review which warned the Government that it faces the “appalling vista” of being sued by tortured terror suspects transport- ed through Ireland.

The IHRC said that Government should consider a dedicated Garda sub-station at Shannon to allow peo- ple to complain if they suspect that a

plane is being used to transport pris- oners.

But Foreign Affairs Minister Der- mot Ahern claimed the IHRC was more willing “to give credence to a self-appointed activist group” than to the categoric assurances of the democratically elected Government of the US.

Anti-war campaigner and former army officer, Edward Horgan said that several planes identified by the EU report as being implicated in the transport of prisoners for torture continue to land at Shannon.

THE Atlantic Connectivity Alliance has welcomed the announcement that Cityjet is to start a service between Shannon and Paris, describing it as a “positive result in our fight to secure vital air services for Shannon inter- national airport and the west coast”. John Brassil, Chairman of the At- lantic Connectivity Alliance (ACA) said, “This is a major win for Shannon

and a hugely important milestone in the ACA’s campaign to restore vital air connectivity to the business com- munity and the general public along the entire west coast of Ireland. “The ACA has campaigned long and hard on this issue and it is great to see what can be achieved when we take back control of our own destiny. Working closely with Shannon Air- port Authority, we are delighted to have played our part in securing this

critical Paris route,’ he said.

Kevin Thompstone, Chief Execu- tive of Shannon Development, de- scribed it as “great news for Shan- non and for the entire west coast… as regional tourism authority, Shannon Development will be working with City Jet and Shannon Airport to en- sure that this new route is successful and proves to be a significant boost for industry and tourism in this re- gion.”

Meanwhile, the Ennis, Limerick and Shannon Chambers of Com- merce have said the announcement “comes at a crucial time for the re- gion and is a key achievement in the campaign to retain and improve con- nectivity to and from Shannon ….of- fering connections, via the Skyleam alliance, to 841 cities, we believe the new flight schedule will be well sup- ported by the business community and will work to maintain and devel- op business links between the west of Ireland and the rest of the world.”

The Irish Hotels Federation also welcomed the announcement, stating it is an important new lifeline for the Shannon and western regions which will assist in protecting and boosting inward tourism.

After being informed by Cllr Pat Daly about the new routes, the En- nis No | Cumann of Fianna Fail wel- comed the airline’s announcement.

Describing it as “magnificent and very welcome news,’ Cumann Sec- retary Garrett Greene observed that Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport and Schipol Airport in the Netherlands are emerging as airlines’ preferred European hubs and expressed hope that this new route might well prove more valuable to the mid-west region than the very profitable route that Aer Lingus has seen fit to terminate.

CLARE county councillors have called for strict regulations prevent- ing county planners from using their personal opinions or “whims” to de- cide the planning issues to be intro- duced.

As part of a motion put forward at last night’s planning-dominated meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Michael Kelly (FF) called for set criteria to be followed in relation to one-off housing in the county.

“Some planners have decided that a house should be to their own de- sire and not to the desire of the peo- ple who live in the house. Planners come and planners go and they make different decisions. But people can get stuck with houses that they don’t want,’ said Cllr Kelly.

“Planning permission for houses in rural areas has gotten to be a very complicated process. There are so many different conditions that a per- son wishing to build a house must go through and all of these are at a cost to the person themselves.

“I am here to raise this issue and will continue to raise the issue as

long as I am here. We don’t want ag- gravation. We just want to put for- ward this issue.”

Seconding the motion, Cllr PJ Kelly

(FF) called for clarity to be brought into the planning system relating to one-off housing.

“Different planners have different

emphases. I’d even go as far as to say whims. This whole idea of having one rule for Mick and one rule for Pat cannot carry on,’ said Cllr Kelly.

“All we are asking for is an agreed methodology and agreed conditions. We need to get some sort of clarity to this situation. This is as much for the planners’ benefit as for our own.”

Meanwhile, in a separate motion put forward by Cllr Tom Prenderville (FF), it was called for a distinct sec- tion of the County Development Plan to be set up to focus on the develop- ment of rural development.

“I have noticed in our policy that we pay an awful lot of attention to the cuckoo and the corncrake and historical buildings but not an awful lot of attention to people,” said Cllr Prenderville.

“There is a glaring need to put in place a development strategy in County Clare. We need to show a positive approach towards rural de- velopment and tackle it as a separate and very important issue.”

, the airport boss said that the move by Cityjet “allows us to reinstate con- nectivity to a major EU hub. The

new routes will begin in February so there will be very little between this and the end of the Heathrow route.”

He added that both Heathrow and Charles De Gaulle “have their own advantages. Charles de Gaulle has very good connectivity to the Mid- dle East while Heathrow has better connection with the US. Shannon al- ready has good connections to New York and Boston so the Charles De Gaulle connection is a good fit for iS

‘We would like to have connections to at least two of Europe’s four main hubs. Now that we have the Paris

connection, we will continue to work towards a route into Amsterdam.”

Meanwhile, the authority has also revealed details of a “significant incentive’ aimed at securing year- round transatlantic service of the west of Ireland gateway.

The incentive provides for a reduc- tion in airport charges over a three- year period and is aimed at encourag- ing airlines to commit to year-round scheduled operation with a minimum of three weekly return services.

Qualifying airlines will benefit from a maximum 50 per cent in air- port charges over the five-month pe-

riod from November to March, which represents the winter schedule.

Commenting on the _ incentive, Martin Moroney, Airport Director said, “The purpose of this Traffic Development Scheme is to encour- age airlines to retain and further develop year-round services as these are critical for Shannon and the west of Ireland. While demand is quite strong in the summer months ow- ing to the attractions of the west of Ireland and industrial base in the Shannon region, it 1s more difficult for airlines to sustain service in the winter period.”

KILRUSH area councillors have re- neged on a written commitment and voted to extinguish a right of way close to the multi-million-euro golf club in Doonbeg. Last February, the seven members of the Kilrush area agreed to defer consideration of the proposed extinguishment of the Pub- lic Right of Way pending the out- come of the Judicial Review of the enforcement action by Clare County Council against the golf club.

On Friday last, however, four of the seven councillors voted to com- mence procedures under the Roads Act to extinguish the right of way.

Councillors Patrick Keane (FF), Christy Curtin (Ind), Bill Chambers (FF) and Oliver Garry (FG) voted in favour of the proposal while Cllrs Tom Prenderville (FF), PJ Kelly (FF) and Madeleine Taylor Quinn (FG) voted against.

During the meeting, which was at- tended by Clare County Council’s solicitor and had representatives of

Doonbeg Golf Club’s legal team in the public gallery, the councillors agreed to begin proceedings which, if they come to fruition, will see the extinguishment of 120 metres of the right of way over part of the public road at Caherfeenick, Cree.

The extinguishment will only take place when certain criteria are met by the golf club. These include the provision of a car park constructed to council specifications and the trans- fer of afurther half-acre for more car park spaces to be transferred into the

ownership of the local authority.

A new “turntable at the new termi- nal point” on the Caherfeenick road to council specification must also be constructed and bollards installed.

“A clear legal grant of a pedestrian right of way to be given by Doonbeg Golf Club to Clare County Council from the turntable” at the end of the road to the beach is another part of the controversial proposal, as is “a clear legal grant of a vehicular right of way for emergency vehicles”’.

The final criteria to be met by the

golf club states that the council is to be “indemnified against any claim on the Doonbeg Golf Club property.

During the meeting, allegations were made that the original public notice and accompanying maps con- cerning the right of way published last January differed from the pro- posal before the members on Friday.

The proposal must now go back on public display for submissions from the public, and will also require the final seal of approval from the coun- cil if it is to go ahead.

The standards commission will not CMR AYAMOsCommCCOlUvaCOsUOCOyMmY alle MEAIB KOIDOO bursement of election expenses until the issue has been resolved, accord- ing to SIPO.

The councillor is entitled to a reim-

bursement of her election expenses to the amount of €8,700.

In total, Cllr Taylor Quinn spent € 25,352.02 on her election cam- oenreane

First time elected TD Timmy Doo- ley (FF) not only topped the poll but he also topped the list of the big spenders in the Clare election de- claring total expenses of €26,676.77. James Breen (Ind) who lost his seat spent €26,148.21, while Cllr Taylor Quinn was next.

Returning TD and Minister for State Tony Killeen had expenses of €21,895.68, while outgoing Senator Brendan Daly (FF) spent €19,942.31.

Newly elected TD Joe Carey (FG) declared expenses of €19,940.14, while Clir Tony Mulcahy (FG) spent €17,297.02, and returning TD Pat Breen (FG) spent 15,161.02.

Cllr Brian Meaney’s (GP) ex- penses ran to €12,651.76, latecomer Murt Collins (PD) to €9,806.08 and Labour’s Pascal Fitzgerald to €8,358.21.

Anna Prior (DEF) has the smallest expenses at €4,316.39.

Among the other interested groups registering their expenditure was the Ennis General Hospital Development Sroyenveabiacen

They spent €13,606.59 on newspa- per advertising, posters and the dis- tribution of a newsletter.