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DEMANDS were made last night that the Taoiseach, the Minister for Transport and Aer Lingus CEO, Der- mot Mannion come to Clare and ex- plain themselves before a full meet- ing of the county council. Councillor Madeleine Taylor Quinn (FG) made the demand at last night’s meeting of the local authority, in a motion before the council in which

she also urged the council to express its “grave concern relating to Gov- ernment inaction on the proposed withdrawal by Aer Lingus of the Shannon/Heathrow routes next Janu- ary” and to abhor “the Government’s lack of understanding or apprecia- tion of the negative fallout this will have on County Clare and the west of Ireland.

“I’m absolutely confounded by the Government’s inaction – they are act-

ing with total arrogance…members of this council must demand an im- mediate meeting,’ she said.

Cllr Tony Mulcachy (FG) support- ed his party colleague. He said that Clare’s TD’s “should at least have abstained in the Dail vote’, on Aer Lingus.

Cllr Michael Kelly (FF) said there were “so many people fighting to stop Shannon becoming a backwater air- port, and they are getting no help”.

Cllr Pascal Fitzgerald (Lab) praised the mayor and Director of Services, Ger Dollard for their efforts to re- verse the Aer Lingus decision.

‘The Government must know that people are not going to forget this one in four years time because jobs are being lost,” he said.

And Cllr Gerry Flynn (Ind) ap- pealed to Mayor Patricia McCarthy not to “let the fight peter out. There was atime when the grassroots of F1- anna Fail would be listened to but not any more”’.

Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) said that having met with both the Taoiseach and the minister, “I don’t believe there is a simplistic solution. I think the Public Service Order is the only real alter- native at the moment”.

Mayor McCarthy said that she wanted to assure the councillors “that the fight 1s not going out under any circumstances”.

She told the meeting that the pos- sibility of a legal challenge was still being investigated but “once we go down that road, we will not be able to debate the issue at all”.

The meeting passed both motions.

A second motion on the Shannon/ Heathrow slots loss from Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) and Cllr Richard Nagle (FF) was amended slightly to call on the Government to provide the necessary finances for Shannon to actively press for the acquisition of slots to Heathrow.

COUNCIL planners have moved to halt a “rezoning frenzy” in the great- er Ennis area as developers try to re- verse the property market slide.

With builders and investors seek- ing to rezone 1,720 acres around En- nis to residential, commercial and industrial use, County Manager Alec Fleming has backed the planners’ decision to refuse the vast majority of the applications and leave current Zzonings as they are.

As part of the process for finalis- ing a new Ennis development plan, council planners held a series of workshops with local councillors

and after a lot of heated debate, only 100 acres will be rezoned for hous- ing — well short of the 1,247 acres sought by developers.

Not even the Diocese of Killaloe was immune from the clampdown with a blunt refusal being given to an application to have eight acres of prime development land at Bishop Willie Walsh’s Ennis residence re- zoned for mixed-use development.

A second submission from the Di- ocesan Trust seeking the rezoning of a site on Station Road to town centre zoning was also rejected. This prime site incorporates the Old Burren Cin- ema, the Maria Assumpta Hall and the Scout Hall as well as some open

space in front of Ennis Cathedral.

The double refusal came despite the fact that only last month the diocese donated a prime 15-acre develop- ment site valued at over €10 million for the town’s elderly community at Cahercalla in one of the most sought after areas of the town.

The father of former Ennis mayor, Cllr Joe Reidy (FF) also failed to secure a financial windfall when planners rejected an application to have 22 acres zoned to the east of the Clarecastle/Lissane Road. Last year, Damien Reidy stood to make €16 million after councillors rezoned 770 acres outside Clarecastle village.

And while the planners recom-

mended that consideration should be given to the possible rezoning of Cusack Park for mixed use as an ex- tension of the town centre, they con- cluded that as the proposal was not supported by the elected members, Cusack Park should remain as is.

Also ruled out was a rezoning of the Eire Og GAA grounds from club chairman, Patrick Fitzpatrick, who proposed a swap with the Ennis Na- tional School. However, a letter was subsequently received from the club president, stating that the proposal had not been approved by the execu- tive committee and the council rec- ommended that no change be made to the zoning of Eire Og.

THE kindness of children attending St Senan’s primary school in Shan- non will ensure that others who are less well off than them will have a more enjoyable Christmas.

Between them, the 105 pupils of the school have assembled 115 boxes for the Christmas shoebox appeal.

The project was led by their teacher Eileen Conlon and they were assisted

by their parents, grandparents and childminders.

The shoebox appeal is hugely pop- ular throughout the country and has been a great success at St Senan’s school over the past five years.

School secretary Jackie Dooley said the eager children were encour- aged to get involved after a visit by one of the national organisers of the shoebox appeal.

“Every year we collect more than

100 boxes. A woman came in to talk to us and said they were in need of boxes for children aged between 11 and 14. That got people interested and the young children put their boxes together,’ said Dooley.

“They put them together at home and brought them in. It was a big thing for them to do and they were excited and enthusiastic about it,” she added.

The pupils of St Senan’s are actively

encouraged to raise money for char- ity every year and are now preparing for their Christmas carol singing in SkyCourt, which will raise funds for various charitable organisations.

Their fundraising efforts are con- tinuous. Once the Christmas carol singing is over, the enthusiastic youths will start preparing for their Easter fundraiser.

“It is one thing after the next,” said Dooley.

THERE was music in the air on Sat- urday night when one of the finest and most passionate musicians ever to grace a session in Clare had hisa cheivements of 80 years recognised.

The Ennis Trad Festival Graddam Award, sponsered by The Clare People, was presented to Stephan ‘Sonny’ Murphy at a gathering of friends, family and fellow musi- Eke

Among the guests at Cois na hAbhna were a whole generation of

Ennis musicians who came to play and to pay tribute to the great con- certina player and the influence he had on their musical development.

Among the now celebrated musi- cians who owe much to Sonny as a mentor were the Hanrahans, Paul Roche — who is married to Sonnny’s daughter, Helen — John and Seamus McMahon, John Rynne and Eamon and Geraldine Cotter.

On the night, the 87-year old was presented with a pewter statuette by John Rynne and The Clare People’s Joe O’Muircheartaigh, while Kieran

Hnrahan of RTE’s Ceili House was the presenter.

The great man himself treated the gathering to a musical performance as did his daughter Helen and his son, Kevin.

Robbie McMahon of Spancill Hill fame was in strong voice on the night.

A native of Kilmihill, Sonny has been playing music sunce he was a small child and has been mentor to countless young musicians over the years, particularly the members of Stockton’s Wing.

THE trial of a Kilrush man and two Limerick men accused of the murder of a Limerick bouncer is due to con- clude this week at the Central Crim1- nal Court sitting at Cloverhill. Anthony Kelly (50), of Cragg House, Kilrush, along with Gary Campion (24), Pineview Gardens, Moyross, Limerick and Desmond Dundon (23) from Ballinacurra We- ston, Limerick all plead not guilty to murdering Brian Fitzgerald in Lim-

erick in the early hours of November 29, 2002. The trial entered its fifth Veto) Gao KK OLDE

In his closing speech to the jury yes- terday, Sean Gillane BL, prosecut- ing, told the jury of twelve men that there is a central truth in this case. “A core truth that is unchallenged and unchallengeable;” that James Martin Cahill, the chief prosecution witness, had shot and killed Mr Fitzgerald.

He said that there was enough truth in Cahill’s evidence to see what facts connected to that truth.

He urged the jury not to discount Cahill’s evidence because they were repulsed by him. During his evidence, Cahill admitted to being involved in up to seven other mur- ders and also abusing children and animals including a baby and a dog. He also claimed to have fantasised about sex with a horse and with his mother.

Michael O’Higgins SC, defending Anthony Kelly, told the jury that Ca- hill simply couldn’t have travelled to Mr Kelly in Kilrush to pick up a gun

to use in the murder and be shown how to use it. The times did not add up and the account “fell at the fist hurdle.” Mr O’ Higgins will finish his closing speech today before Mr Jus- tice Peter Charleton and the jury.

Conor Devally SC, defending Mr Campion, said Cahill was a “danger- ous, dangerous” witness who sought to please anyone in power or who had control over his life.

He had changed his story to make himself fascinating to gardai, to psy- chologists and to erase people he had

previously said had taken part in the murder.

“He has a baby face, he is quiet, he is lowering himself, abasing himself; look how bad I am, I must be telling the truth. He has pleased the gardai, he has pleased psychologists, he has pleased who knows who else.”

Roger Sweetman SC, defending Desmond Dundon, told the jury that Cahill’s evidence had been so full of contradictions it would be impossi- ble to decide which version of events was correct.

HAVING given more than 30 years service to the community, prominent Wolfe Tones na Sionna clubman Jim Tubridy now aims to travel 6,000 miles to help poverty-stricken AIDS sufferers in South Africa.

Jim has volunteered to spend 10 days working on helping to build a hospice and community facilities for AIDS victims in Missionvale, Port Elizabeth. A former Wolfe Tones club vice-chairman, adult games chairman and executive committee member, he has also been, and con- tinues to be, involved with a number of club teams. The Missionvale Project is run by Lissycasey-born Sister Ethel Normoyle of the Little Company of Mary Congregation with her staff of 15.

“I read about how the project was looking for Irish volunteers to give freely of their time and skills to build a hospice roughly the size of eight

local authority houses,’ explained Tubridy.

“Having discussed it with my wife, Mary, we decided that I should offer my general skills as a tradesman to help this most worthy cause.”

To enable Jim to make the trip ear- ly next year he is organising a fun- draising campaign over the coming weeks. To cover the travel, transfer and accommodation costs involved, he needs to raise about €3,000 by November 26.

“IT would greatly appreciate any sponsorship support from the people of Shannon, no matter how small,’ said Tubridy, who lives in Cluain Lia, Ballycasey, and is also a long- serving crew member with Shannon Fire Service.

Jim said more than 70 per cent of people living in this part of South Africa are infected with HIV/AIDS and malnutrition and TB are rife.

“This hospice will make a real difference to such people and give

them some dignity,” he added.

Paying tribute to Jim for volunteer- ing to go on such a mission, Tony O’Connell, Wolfe Tones chairman, said it was indicative of his unselfish contribution to the wider community over many years.

“T wish Jim well with his efforts to

raise sufficient funds to do this work. It is an honour for the club, and for Shannon, to have a volunteer from the community carry out such valu- able work for the less-privileged of the world,’ he said

You can contact Jim Tubridy on O86 1565371.

ige na- tional school in Ennistymon remains in doubt today following a meeting between representatives of the Stein- er School and Department of Educa- tion officials yesterday afternoon.

The meeting, which included two representatives of the Department of Education, two senior school inspec- tors, three represent of the school’s patron body Life Ways and senior teacher Una Ni Ghairbhith, was de- scribed as “lukewarm” by a school official.

“We were trying to get some clar- ity on a number of issues but no ma- jor progress was made by either side today. Both sides were looking for clarification on a number of issues

relating to our application for official Status,” said Ms Ni Ghairbhith.

“No date has yet been given for a decision but we would obviously be looking for this to be sorted out as soon as possible.”

The Mol an

ONE of the four men accused of the murder of a Limerick bouncer has been found not guilty at the Central Criminal Court sitting at Cloverhill.

Mr Justice Peter Charleton directed the jury of 12 men to acquit John Dundon (27) of Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick of murdering Mr Brian Fit- zgerald in the early hours of Novem- ber 29, 2002, at Brookhaven Walk, Mill Road, Corbally, Limerick.

Mr Justice Charleton said he had come to his decision after a state- ment made by chief prosecution wit- ness James Martin Cahill, who is currently serving a life sentence for shooting Mr Fitzgerald, that “I’m getting like voices and | don’t want to convict someone in the wrong.”

Cahill said he did not remember Mr Dundon being present when Mr Fit- zgerald was pointed out at his place of work or a visit to the victim’s house before the murder.

He also said that while Mr Dun- don was present at a house where the murder was discussed he was not present for the conversation.

Mr Justice Charleton went on to tell the jury there was no case against John Dundon and he was requiring them to acquit him.

He warned them that this move did not affect the trials of the other three

defendants when they came to delib- erate their cases.

The jury also heard from Michael Flynn, a consultant engineer, who told Michael O’ Higgins SC, defend- ing Mr Kelly, the time it would take to travel certain routes mentioned during the trial.

He said that the journey from the Heath in Portlaoise, where Cahill said he had met with two men to plan the murder and arrange to pick up a gun and ammunition from Mr Kelly, to Mr Kelly’s house would take just over three hours.

A journey starting at 3.45pm from the Heath as suggested by both CCTV footage and phone records from the day of the meeting, would arrive at Mr Kelly’s house at 7pm.

A trip taken at the same time as an alternative account of the journey to Kilrush also given by Cahill would have taken | hour and 24 minutes each way.

However Mr Flynn agreed with Mr Sean Gillane BL, prosecuting, that he had undertaken all journeys at the statutory speed limit and journey times would be affected if this was not observed.

Mr Justice Charleton informed the jury that closing speeches would be- gin on Monday and urged them not to make up their minds before they had heard all arguments before them.

is a brand-new eight-part series presented by the food writer and broadcaster. The — series

follows McKenna

around Ireland as she visits farm- ers’ markets, meeting artisan food producers and cooking dishes using ingredients which relate to the mak- ers she has just met.

McKenna visits a different market each week to meet and introduce the viewers to stall holders.

Concentrating on an individual stallholder’s farm or place of work, she then interviews them on their products.

The programme on Ennis will be screened in spring 2008 and will also feature the Kilrush Farmers’ Market, which takes place every Thursday in the market square.

Located in the upper Market Street public car park on Friday mornings from 8am to 2pm, the Ennis Farm- ers’ Market is a hive of activity.

The market has been up and running since 2004 and consists of a group of dedicated food producers and traders with a wide range of local, artisan and organic foods including meats, cheeses and local honey. Most of the produce is sourced in Clare, with some coming from _ nearby Tipperary.

Aoife NicGiollacoda Egan, pro- ducer of Cill Mhuire pure Irish hon- ey based in Derra, Kilkishen, said she hoped the visit would further

promote local interest in the Ennis Farmers’ Market.

During her visit McKenna also met Freddie Rynne, head chef of the Old Ground Hotel, to see how local produce plays such a prominent role in the hotel’s menu.

The programme will also take a look at the growth of the food industry in Clare, with the present- er visiting the premises of Inagh Cheesemakers and the nearby Biddy Early brewery.

ENVIRONMENTAL experts will continue to monitor air quality in the area affected by last week’s fire on Station Road.

Clean-up teams have been working at the site of Bredin’s Hardware store since Thursday after it was destroyed by fire in the early hours of Wednes- day morning.

Eleven homes in nearby Ard na

Gréine were evacuated in the after- math of the blaze, after particles of asbestos cement used in the roof of the building were blown into homes and gardens.

Of those evacuated, all have now returned home after being housed in hotels in Ennis at the weekend by Ennis Town Council.

Sean McCusker of McCusker Envi- ronmental, the company overseeing the work at Bredin’s, said extensive

assessment and air monitoring of the area had revealed no traces of asbes- ON

He said, “Most people are back in their homes by this stage. We have been down there for the past three days. We are continuing with the clean-up, but we have not found any trace of asbestos, either outside or i1n- side people’s homes.”

Mr McCusker said clean-up teams will continue to monitor the area.

“All the tests have shown that no fibres are present but the cleaning will continue in houses and the area around them. We are not quite sure for how long.

“The air will be monitored for some time yet purely as a preventa- tive measure.”

The next stage in the clean-up proc- ess is the demolition of the remain- ing sections of the building.

Mr McCusker said, ““The demoli-

tion will take place as a soon as pos- sible. That is something we are keen to start soon. Contractors will be contacted in the next week.”

At a meeting on Friday attended by residents, members of Ennis Town Council and a representative from the Health Services Executive, Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly said the building was structurally unsafe and that he would be issuing a closing OKeloe