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A FINE Gael TD yesterday raised the spectre of criminals with outstand- ing warrants for their arrests roam- ing free in the Clare countryside.

According to Deputy Joe Carey, the criminal justice system is failing people living in these rural areas who are becoming increasingly afraid of being victims of crime. Deputy Carey was responding to revelations that there are over 2,100 outstanding warrants in existence from the Clare area.

In the Dail last week, the Minister of Justice, Brian Lenihan revealed that there are 2,145 outstanding war- rants in Clare.

The breakdown of the figures show that there are 1,521 penal warrants outstanding, 541 bench warrants and 83 committal warrants.

Committal warrants relate to peo- ple convicted of offences in their ab- sence and who should be in prison but have not been arrested, while bench warrants are issued for people who have not turned up in court to answer a charge against them.

In response, Deputy Carey said, “I think these figures clearly show that the Gardai need increased resources to help them do their work compre- hensively and effectively.”

He added, ““The increases are wor- rying particularly as the number of warrants are increasing by about 25 per cent each year. In rural ar- eas, people are rightly worried that criminals with outstanding warrants, who should be in prison, are roam- ing free.

“These people should be brought to justice otherwise they will con-

tinue to re-offend and be a menace to society.”

Deputy Carey added, “The number of outstanding warrants in Clare is equivalent to the population of a large rural town. That is not accept- able. The system is failing people, particularly in rural areas, who are increasingly afraid of being victims of crime.”

A total of 111,453 court warrants remain outstanding nationally, in- cluding 36,000 bench warrants, is- sued after arrested people have failed to turn up in court.

KNOCKANEAN National School is looking for help in identifying past pupils from this photograph taken sometime during the 1930s. The photograph features all pupils of the school at the time, as well as their eres ace

“Tt would be a great help if we could find out the names of even a few of the pupils in the photograph.

“We could then go to the old role books to work out the exact year it was taken and the names of the other pupils in the photograph.” says

school principal, Pat McNamara.

‘This picture was taken outside the old school building which is now a bat sanctuary and is visible from the new Ennis bypass.”

The photograph is included in the Knockanean 2008 school calendar, which also features photographs of all pupils in the years 1956 and PAU

If you can identify any of the pupils in this photograph, or if you would like to obtain a copy of the photo cal- endar, you can contact Knockanean National School by phoning 065 6840088.

MINISTER for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, has welcomed the provi- sion of more than €1.9 billion for her department in 2008 in last weeks budget. In addition to voted money, the department will spend approxi- mately €1.4 billion in EU funding, primarily in the form of EU direct payments.

“This 1s an increase in voted ex- penditure of six per cent over the equivalent gross estimate for 2007.” “When the carryover of capital sav- ings from 2007 to 2008 is taken into account, and allowing for the adjustments to include fisheries ex-

penditure, it involves the net addi- tion of €91 million to the funding announced when the pre-budget out- look was published in October,’ she Sr BKOE

“The key priorities for this addi- tional funding are the Farm Waste Management Scheme, the Suckler Welfare Scheme, afforestation and the White Fish Vessel Decommis- sioning Scheme.”

Coughlan said that this Budget, in circumstances where economic con- ditions were tighter than they had been for a number of years, marked a strong commitment by the Govern- ment to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food sectors.

“The ongoing Government invest- ment in Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will enable Irish operators to capitalise on the surging demand for and increasing price of food global- ly,’ she continued.

“In the current climate, it 1s more important than ever to ensure that such investment is focussed on ena- bling operators to improve competi- tiveness and innovation.

“This investment and the additions announced on budget day focus on measures which I consider to be crit- ical to the development of a sustain- able agriculture, fisheries and food sectors into the future.”

A particular emphasis has been

placed on the continuing need for productive capital investment, to enable Irish operators to gear up to meet the competitive demands of an increasingly globalised market place.

With this in mind, the Munister said that more than €238 million had been provided in subhead H for capital investment in development of agriculture and food.

“I am satisfied that the estimate as framed would support the strategic priorities outlined in the National De- velopment Plan and help to prepare the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food sectors for the challenges ahead.”

A DUBLIN-BASED housing asso- ciation has scaled back its plans for an apartment complex in Ennis town centre in order to overcome local council and resident concerns.

Last September, Ennis Town Coun- cil refused planning permission to Cluid Housing Association for a five storey apartment block adjacent to Ennis Tennis and Badminton Club.

The proposal involved plans to con- struct 21 one bedroom apartments and six two bedroom apartments.

However, Cluid Association 1s now seeking permission to construct three and four storey buildings in the erounds of Waterville House to ac- commodate 14 one bedroom apart- ments and three two bedroom apart- ments.

The housing association is also seeking planning permission for two one-bedroom apartments within Wa- terville House.

The Ennis Tennis and Badminton Club lodged a strident objection to the previous scheme pointing out that “with a large junior membership, the club has rigorous child protection schemes. Consequently, units with views overlooking children at play is of serious concern to all members”.

In a subsequent refusal, the council stated that due to the scale, massing, height and excessive site coverage

would result 1n over-development of the restricted site.

The council concluded that the pro- posal would compete visually with the Cornmarket building and Water- ville House, would detract from the character for the setting of Water- ville House and would fail to respect its context and contravene the Ennis and Environs Development Plan.

The council also refused planning permission after ruling that the de- velopment would result in over-look- ing and over-shadowing of adjacent residential buildings and would seri- ously injure the amenities of prop- erty in the vicinity.

“The proposed development there- fore would materially contravene a policy of the Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2003 and the zon- ing objective for the area which 1s to protect residential amenity.”

The council also refused planning due to the proposal’s “layout and den- sity and consequent lack of private Open space to serve the residential units would result in a sub-standard form of development which would seriously injure the amenity of future occupants. The council found that inadequate on-site parking would re- sult in over-development of the site. Rather than appealing the decision to An Bord Pleanala, Cluid Housing Assocation lodged revised plans to overcome the council’s concerns.

PUPILS at Ennis Educate Together have been learning about the work done by aid organisations in troubled parts of the world.

32 children from fourth and fifth class took part in the Irish Aid Our World Global Schools Awards pro- eau benuentes

Irish Aid, Department of Foreign Affairs, is the Government of Ire- land’s programme of assistance to developing countries and was set up in 1974. Ireland’s development co- operation policy is an integral part of Ireland’s wider foreign policy. Through Irish Aid, the people of

Ireland support development work in many countries (€813 million in 2006).

For the past few years Irish Aid has run the Irish Aid Our World Global Schools’ Awards programme for all primary schools in both the north and south of Ireland. The overall purpose of the programme Is to raise awareness among Irish students of the lives of children of a similar age in the developing world. By taking part in this programme, children can learn how Ireland works with these countries not as providers of charity but as partners for development.

Yesterday pupils presented their work to their parents and teachers at

the school.

Teacher Maurette Stack explained how the children explored the many ways poverty impacts on a region and the type of work carried out by aid agencies.

She said, ““They learned about a lot of countries like Nicaragua, Hondu- ras, Ethiopia. They had to look at dif- ferent aspects of poverty like water quality and education and the work of charities alleviate these problems. One aspect of it is to raise aware- ness about poverty and charity in the wider community so that’s why we invited in the parents.

The Irish Aid Our World Global Schools’ Awards programme pro-

vides a great opportunity to channel curiosity about the world and con- cern for others into practical action. In past years, hundreds of schools and thousands of children have taken part in this project.

It culminates with an awards day in Dublin where a national panel of judges selects the most impressive entries from schools countrywide.

This year once again there will be a fantastic final event held in Dublin, Where the most outstanding entries will be invited to attend and receive an award and will find out which school will receive the Irish Aid Our World Global Schools’ Awards tro-

phy.

AN AVERAGE crowd showed up on Thursday night in Galway and they saw Ballyheane Queen get away fast- est in the fourth 525 yards Tiermana Fly in trap three wasn’t far behind and took over off the second bend as Fast Fit Enda in trap six moved into third spot. From here these two led the way right up to the line where the Noel Moroney of West Clare owned Tiermana held off Ballyheane Queen by a length in a time of 29.58. Fast Fit Enda was seven lengths back for third spot.

Pat Hogans of Quilty owned Tro- mora Promise in trap five and Keith Bumblebee in trap two shared the

lead up to the first bend in the sixth race over 525 yards. Tromora took a tumble here and this left Bumblebee in front down the back straight. From here the Paul Burke trained Keith Bumblebee ran on to beat trap three Finch Hill by over six lengths in a time of 29.96.

Fastest time of the night came from the David Browne of Kilrush owned Burnpark Duke who came in as a re- serve in the tenth race and took this from trap one.

Trap five Glenbrack Ali was the leader here from the start and kept going until off the last bend where Burnpark who was in second spot all the way launched a challenge and took over on the run for the line to

score by just over a length in a time of 29.09.

Glanbrack was second with Ash- field Romeo nearly five lengths back for third.

Trainer on form on the night was was Kinvara owner John McDonagh who notched up a fine double as his Cables Bluebell and Kiowa came in on the night. Bluebell kicked off this in the second race over 325 yards as this lady led from start to finish to get her first win on her third start.

It was the same story for Cable Kio- wa in trap four in the eighth over 525 yards as this lady made all to take this one in a time of 29.93.

Kieran Connolly was on the mark in the fifth race over 325 yards as his

Caislean Dubh got back into the win- ning groove. Coming away well from trap two this fellow showed some good early pace and led from here to beat trap three Roscahill Rocket by just under four lengths in a time of 18.17.

A trap to line effort came about in the seventh race as the Rose Kelly trained Mi Hercules made all to im- pressively take this 525. Breaking fast from trap two his fellow was always in control and ran on to beat trap one Pass The Lady by over nine lengths in a time of 29.31.

A real strong performance came from the Davy Curtin trained Glean- nrue Amy ran on very powerfully to take the ninth race over 525 yards.

Rineen Beauty in trap five led early here but was passed along the back straight by trap four Cracking Mal. Going into the third bend the strong running Gleannrue burst between these to in game fashion and from here she ran on to beat trap six Cork- er Hill by nearly four lengths in a time of 29.36.

Seamus Fahy was on the mark in the bumper over 550 yards as his Corporate Legend in trap two took this to keep his excellent career record going. Taking the lead off the second bend this fellow shrugged off the challenge of trap one Light Paws White and ran on from here to beat her by three and a half lengths in a time of 30.67.

that the council is hopeful that it will be open “a week or so” before Christmas.

“There are, however, a couple of weather dependent activities that need to be completed and if things went bad in that respect we may have difficulties,” he said.

The Ennis bypass from Barefield to the Limerick dual carriageway opened ahead of time last January.

The remaining parts of the projects have all run behind time.

Ennis Chamber of Commerce CEO Rita McInerney said that it would be great if the link roads were open up to two weekends before Christmas.

“I believe it will help the businesses for the bypass to be open. It is impor- tant for access around the town that these sections are opened.”

The chamber CEO said that it was also important that the link roads were finished off well with footpaths and lighting.

“People enjoy walking and cycling on the link roads as a leisure activ- ity,’ she said.

Ms McInerney said that the link

roads were also important to the vis- ual impact of the town.

‘“T expect that these roads would be finished to a high standard. It is im- portant that they are finished prop- erly as it gives a good impression on the approach to the town,” she said.

This weekend also saw the first weekend of the pedestrianisation of the town centre for Christmas shop- pers. Retailers had mixed fortunes with many blaming the bad weather for sales. Late last week the Ennis Chamber of Commerce asked the council to postpone the pedestriani- sation when the stormy weather was predicted. The council had already advertised the closure of the roads,

so it had to go ahead.

Ms McInerney said that next week when the Christmas lights are switched on it would bring an even more festive feel to the centre of the town and be more inviting to shop- OL uCR

The CEO also suggested that a change to the barriers stopping cars from entering the centre of the town would also help. The barriers used last week gave the impression that the roads were closed off completely and an alternative should be consid- Kerem

The Holy Family National School will also be opening its car park from next weekend at €3 per day.

THE Raheen Wood Steiner School held it’s twentieth advent fair at the weekend and local people turned out in force to support it and to pick up some unusual Christmas gifts.

Stalls laden down with handcrafts and hand-made decorations as well as lots of food stalls offering good- ies of every kind did a brisk trade for the day.

It was a real family day out and the youngsters enjoyed puppet shows and story telling.

“It’s a real celebration,” said Prin- cipal, Pierce O’Sheil, who tried his hand at storytelling.

‘“We’ve been getting great support locally for the fair down the years and it’s an important fundraiser for us. It usually brings in between €4.000 and €5,000.”

While no school can ever have enough cash in the bag for all the projects it might want to invest in, fund raising is the lifeblood of the Raheen Wood School, as it still does not have recognition and consequent funding from the department.

“We had a meeting with them two weeks ago and we’re optomistic,”’ said Pierce.

Raheen Wood the founding Stein- er Waldorf School in the Republic of Ireland and has been offering a multi-denominational, child-centred co-education since 1986. The school is situated in mature woodlands near the village of Tuamgraney.

The school caters for for children from kindergarten age (4-6) through the primary classes (7-12), with the option of the ALFA project in nearby Scariff for ongoing secondary level

Steiner education.

The school offers “an academic and practical education for the whole child’, and is part of a rapidly grow- ing international school movement of over 800 schools worldwide. Based on the work of scientist and philoso- pher Rudolf Steiner, the education began in 1919 with the founding of the first Waldorf School in Stuttgart, Germany.

THE Cheltenham Gold Cup may still be over three months away but March 14 is already the most eagerly antici- pated day of the new National Hunt season following Denman’s stunning victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

Just a week after his stablemate Kauto Star re-affirmed his position as the best chaser in these islands, Paul Nicholls’ giant seven year-old threw down a gauntlet to the cham- pion that will not be accepted until the two stars clash on the second Fri- day in March.

Carrying top weight of Ilst 12Ibs on soft ground on his first start of the season, the 5/1 chance was expected to need the outing and seemed to face a big task at the weights to emulate the likes of Burrough Hill Lad and Arkle who had previously carried top weight to victory in the prestig- ious early season handicap.

However, last season’s impressive Sun Alliance winner looked a more mature horse in the parade ring and, despite his fitness doubts, he was prominent from the early stages of the 3 IA mile contest under Sam SW steyeer-hy

Once the fast-improving son of Pre- senting assumed control on the far side of the track, he always looked the likely winner as most of his rivals began to struggle, and he came home the hugely impressive eleven lengths winner from Dream Alliance with Character Building and Madison Du Berlais making up the places.

The Willie Mullins trained Snowy Morning was sent off the well-backed 9/2 favourite but he got no further than the seventh fence where he was a faller under Tony McCoy.

Although it was difficult not to get carried away by such an authoritative display, it must be remembered that if Denman is to be considered a gen-

uine Gold Cup contender, he was en- titled to win the Hennessy off a mark of 161 as Kauto Star sill remains the standard bearer on a mark of 179.

Most bookmakers cannot separate the two Paul Nicholls trained horses as 2/1 favourites for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and they will not meet before the Festival as Kauto Star heads to Kempton Park for the King George while Denman will travel to Leopardstown for the Lexus Chase during the Christmas period.

It was business as usual for trainer Howard Johnson and owner Graham Wylie at Newbury after Inglis Drev- er won the Long Distance Hurdle for the third time despite having to con- tend with another new stable jockey.

After Galway jockeys, Graham Lee and Paddy Brennan, had parted company with the Johnson stable, it was the turn of Cork jockey Denis O’Regan to develop a_ successful association with the World Hurdle champion and the 15/8 favourite only had to be pushed out by O’Regan to register a comfortable four lengths winning margin over Special Envoy.

It was the turn of some Champion Hurdle contenders to make their mark at Newcastle on Saturday where Harchibald was attempting to win his second Fighting Fifth Hurdle since 2004.

Having made an encouraging re- turn to action on the all-weather at Dundalk last month, Noel Meade was quite confident of a return to the Harchibald of old and the eight year- old did not disappoint the Meath trainer under a supremely confident ride from the irrepressible Paul Car- UMS

Having seized the initiative with a fine jump at the last, the controver- sial son of Perugino only had to be kidded home by the stylish Carberry who produced the 4/1 chance with his usual brilliant timing to beat Al Eile and Katchit.

A DOOLIN-BASED ferry company has failed to provide to Clare County Council with documentary evidence of legal interest that it owns the land it has placed a temporary ticket of- fice upon.

Earlier this year, the council asked Cliffs of Moher Cruises to submit documentary evidence of the compa- ny’s legal interest to apply for plan- ning permission for the ticket office at Doolin pier.

The council pointed out that the land on which the site was located was an area zoned in the North Clare Area Plan where it is the objective

of the council to reserve these lands for the future development of the pier and land based facilities and to facilitate the development of water based commercial activities for tour- ism and leisure uses for a sea rescue oon auee

As a result, the council states that they are concerned that the proposed development for retention will repre- sent piecemeal development which will hinder comprehensive develop- ment of these lands.

In its latest response to the council, Cliffs of Moher Cruises state that in relation to “the evidence of legal evi- dence in the lands, please be aware that the council as well as other par-

ties have been unsuccessful in their many attempts to establish legal in- terest in the site”.

The company state: “This is a live issue being dealt with by Clare County Council and we believe that it is current and ongoing.”

They added: “We have previously acquired temporary planning per- mission from the council to operate our temporary ticket office at this location.

“We have paid all rates due to the Clare County Council. We have paid all harbour fees with full agreement with Clare County Council.”

The company state that the tempo- rary retention permission is sought

for a period of three years and is sought until such time as a perma- nent facility is erected by either a public body, a private enterprise or a public-private partnership.

The company states: “We are pre- pared to co-operate with others in the development of such an approved structure which would be fully com- pliant with the planning require- neon nSed

The company points out that the business has been operational from Doolin pier since March 2003 and was granted temporary retention permission in February 2004.

A decision is due on the application later this month.