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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

THERE was anger and aggression in the air as missiles were hurled and glasses and bottles smashed in a ‘life threatening’ Traveller riot, which

caused €14,000 damage to an Ennis pub.

Up to 40 men and women fought each other, at a double engagement party at Brandon’s bar, O’Connell Street, Ennis, on May 3, 2006.

Arising from the fracas, nine members of the Travelling commu- nity – aged between 19 and 29 – were charged with violent disorder. Anoth- er individual was charged with pub- lic order offences. All pleaded guilty

at Ennis Circuit Court.

One of the 10, Patrick Quilligan, (19) of Knockane, Newcastlewest, who held a bottle up to the owner of the bar, Declan Brandon, was re- manded in custody for six weeks, be- fore the sentence 1s finalised.

The other nine were fined various sums, totaling the €14,000 cost of the damage.

Additional garda reinforcements had to be brought in from Shannon and Ennistymon to deal with the juke)

When gardai initially arrived at the scene, one Traveller had his t-shirt torn off and had his fist clenched.

Gardai heard roaring and shouting coming from the laneway, while sev- eral glasses were smashed.

Recalling the incident to the court, Garda Shane O’Connell said, “You could see people hitting each other and there were glasses smashing.

“Td call it a riot, something that I’ve never seen before, highly dan- gerous,’ he said.

One young man fired a bottle in the direction of the gardai. It skimmed over a garda’s head and hit a door. Another bottle hit the squad car which was parked outside the door, while other missiles were thrown at the

gardai. A stool was smashed and part of it was also hurled at the gardai.

Garda O’Connell said he took out his baton. He told one drunk young man to put down a piece of wood and, when he refused twice, he struck him on the arm with the baton. The baton broke in two.

“It was a volatile situation. There was no point staying there. It was too dangerous,” said the garda.

Later that night, two young men at- tempted to rob the same bar.

One of the two, who has never been identified, pointed a piece of timber at Mr Brandon and threatened to put it “through your f***ing neck”’.

Another, Patrick Quilligan, held a bottle to Mr Brandon’s head.

Judge Michael White said the ac- tions of a small minority of Travel- lers impacted on the wider Travelling community, most of whom are law abiding citizens. He said the incident was “life-threatening” and someone could have been seriously hurt.

Those fined were given varying lengths of time to pay.

A NEW committee is to be established to advise on the future development of sporting facilities in Ennis.

Ennis Town Council is seeking to restructure the current committee, set up in 2003 to facilitate communi- cation and discussion on the develop- ment of sporting facilities in Ennis.

At the November meeting of Ennis Town Council Town Clerk Eddie Power stated that the council was also looking to hear from other sporting clubs and associations not currently represented.

The present committee is made up

of Ennis Town Council (three elect- ed members), Clare County Council (three elected members) and a rep- resentative from the GAA, athletics and Clare Soccer.

It is known that the Clare school- boys/girls soccer league is looking to have a voice on the committee, as are representatives from the Ennis Rugby Club.

SW slommere)cebeeDUnCcroMmmn Oelo(o1B00Tcs mmr: Dus attended by council staff and the senior staff officer and corporate services provide administrative sup- port. Nominations by both local authorities were made after the last local elections in 2004.

In his report, Power said, “One

of the county council representa- tives has been elected to the Dail in the 2007 General Election and consequently a vacancy has arisen on the committee. Other sporting codes use the council’s sporting facilities in addition to the associa- tions represented.”

“A skateboard park was opened re- cently which attracts a large number of skaters. It 1s important that there is a continuation of the successful communication links with the skat- ers. Participations in the committee would be beneficial in this regard.

“IT am proposing that the number of sporting bodies representatives be increased and that each body

be asked to confirm their existing representatives to the committee. Clare County Council should also nominate a member to fill the cas- ual vacancy referred to above. The sports facilities committee has a rep- resentational role through which the sporting bodies using the facilities have a structured communication fo- rum,” he added.

“The committee has an important promotional role to play in high- lighting the nature of the facilities available among sporting clubs and associations.

“The committee can further pro- mote additional facilities as these become available to use.”