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has learned that controversial solicitor Michael Lynn, and his wife, Tulla native Brid Murphy, purchased an apart- ment on Lahinch’s Main Street in 2003 or 2004.

It is understood that the Dublin- based solicitor owes more than €50 million to various banks and lending institutions in respect of the purchase of 78 properties in Ireland and one in the UK.

While many of the properties are registered in Mr Lynn’s own name, a number are registered in the name of Property T Capel Ltd, a company of which he and his wife are sharehold- ers and directors.

Judgement on a claim against Ms Murphy for a loan she took out on the couple’s Howth home was last week adjourned by the Commercial Court until November 14.

Ms Murphy, who is a clinical nurse manager, said in affidavits that she had been unwell earlier this year and had been more concerned with her health than her financial matters at the time.

It is as yet unclear whether the

Lahinch apartment, which is one of eight located above Kenny’s Woollen Mill and Shop on Lahinch’s Main Street, was registered in the name of Mr Lynn, Ms Murphy or Property T Capel Ltd.

The property has an estimated re- tail value of between €320,000 and €350,000 and was developed under NIL FONT EDO PNG NEAL oe

Depending on the conclusion of court proceedings involving Mr Lynn and Ms Murphy, ownership of the apartment could revert back to the banks, who would most likely sell it.

Ms Murphy is the brother of prom- inent Lahinch businessman Paddy Murphy, who manages the Spinnaker bar on the village’s promenade.

It also emerged last week that the Dublin-based solicitor successfully took out three mortgages on the same property during a 20-day period ear- lier this year.

Each of the mortgages was for al- most the full value of the Howth property, which was valued at around €5.5 million.

On Friday last Mr Lynn, whose practice has been shut down by the Law Society of Ireland, was ordered to pay just under €5 million to AIB, National Irish Bank, IIB and Bank of Scotland.

KILKISHEN and O’Callaghan’s Mills people can rest easier in their beds knowing that there are now two defibrillators on hand should they be required in an emergency.

Kilkishen woman Mary Gallagh- er, along with Mike Hogan, Martin McMahon and Oliver Donnellan in O’Callaghan’s Mills, were the teams behind acquiring the machines. Training for the crews of volunteers who will look after them will begin on November 23.

Locals took part in a sponsored walk and the Bank of Ireland in Tulla sponsored €1,000 towards the machines, as one of their employees

lived in Kilkishen. The two machines, plus training, had to be funded to the tune of roughly €6,000. Between the walk and the bank’s gift, this money was raised.

The machines, when used by a properly trained person, can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency while waiting for some professional medical help to arrive.

“These machines are being put in place in a lot of communities, espe- cially where there are GAA grounds. People are concerned given the number of tragic deaths that there have been among young men playing sports,” said Gallagher.

Kilkishen and the Mills have be-

come the most recent among Clare communities to acquire the life-sav- ing equipment.

Mountshannon also recently pur- chased a defibrillator, as did Scariff, where concerns have been repeatedly voiced about the lack of a 24-hour ambulance service.

A present, the defibrillator teams are on the lookout for a central loca- tion for the machines and are looking forward to getting training in their use underway.

“It’s a two-night course and we are initially looking for 15 people in each area. No-one will be on call the whole time — we’ll draw up a rota once we have our volunteers,” added CRUE Ta toe

People volunteering for duty will also have a refresher course from the Red Cross every six months and, should any volunteer need to drop out or take time out, this won’t be a problem.

“The money we raise will initially cover the cost of training 15 people but we will be training more down the road,” said Gallagher.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the service should contact any of the organisers and bring a passport photograph of themselves along on the night for training .

A venue for the training course has yet to be decided and notices will then be posted locally when this has been done.

A MAJOR hurdle has been over- come in the campaign to construct a day care centre for cancer patients with Clare County Council granting planning permission for a cancer day care centre in Ruan.

The planning authority granted permission for the Clare 250 Can- cer Centre after finding that its plans were in accordance with the proper planning and development of the area at Moymore, Ruan.

Already, fifty acres of forestry have been purchased from Coillte, the na- tional forestry agency, and develop-

ments have been of a piecemeal va- riety since.

More recently, the entrance and a one mile road, meandering through Ballygriffey Wood, to the site ear- marked for The Clare 250 Cancer Centre, was developed.

An army of volunteers, many of whom have supported the project from its embryonic stages, turned up to fell trees, clear the pathway and develop the access road that winds its way through the densely wooded area.

The notion of the Clare 250 Cancer Centre originated with John Dunne and each May, scores of cyclists

embark on a 250 mile cycle around Clare in order to raise funds for the venture.

Initially, the funds were used ex- clusively to finance the annual trip of Clare cancer sufferers to Lourdes.

Mr Dunne declined to comment yesterday on the Council’s decision. However, speaking on the project previously, Mr Dunne said, “With the help of the people of Clare, we’ll build it as we go along and at the rate finances permit. Nothing will be put in place or built until such time as it can be paid for. There will be no such thing as running up a debt.”

He vowed, “I’m totally commit-

ted to this project. I’m in it for the long haul for whatever length of time it takes. John Dunne is not going Eh al

The Clare 250 Cycle first started in 1979 when 18 cyclists pushed off from outside the then Ennis Voca- tional School.

Last night, councillor for the area, Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) said that he is “absolutely delighted” with the deci- sion.

“It 1s great to have it here in our area and great credit must go to John Dunne and all the other people in- volved for bringing the project to this stage,’ he said.

THE people of Kilkee will not need to make the 70-mile round trip to Ennis this weekend to go to the mov- ies — because the cinema is coming to town.

Cinemobile was the second larg- est of the millennium projects, sur- passed only by the Dublin Spire, and the non-profit travelling cinema will set up in the car park beside Water- world on Friday for the weekend.

The mobile unit looks like an ordinary articulated truck but in less than an hour it converts into a

100-seater cinema. The aim is to make films accessible to audiences throughout the country. Cinemobile provides a diverse programme to a broad range of people, seeking to consolidate mainstream cinema au- diences while continuing to nurture a regional audience for art-house film, documentary film and archival film.

This year, the mobile moviedrome has also arrived in schools across the country with curriculum-based films. The cinema is fully heated, with air-conditioning and Dolby Surround Sound. Film selection is based on several criteria, the main

one being print availability. A cer- tain number of prints are available in the country when a film is released. Cinemobile must wait for a copy to become available from a distributor but it never screens films which ex- ceed Cert 15PG, another criteria for print selection.

It usually brings six films to each location, screening three times each day — early afternoon, matinee and evening. Films are constantly updat- ed to ensure audiences see the most recent films. Schools are provided with a list of curriculum-based titles from which they can programme the

machine. Groups are also invited to request titles of their choice and, if a print can be secured, a screening will be given. The films making their way to Kilkee this weekend are

ENNIS is in line for a timely jobs boost with the news that both the Ma- lin Head and Valentia Marine Res- cue Co-ordination Centres (MRCC) are to be phased out in favour of the creation of a new central station in OE

The move, which could create as many as 50 jobs, is unlikely to take place until late in 2008 at the earli- est, but Ennis has already been ear- marked as the favoured location for the central centre. Cork and Galway have also been muted as possible sites for the new centre but it 1s believed

that Ennis is the most likely location because of its central position along the west coast.

Significant campaigns have been organised against the move in both Malin and Valentia, where the loss of jobs could have a crippling effect for the local economy. The decision represents a u-turn in Government policy as in 2002, the then Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Dermot Ahern, gave commitments to the future of both centres and also funded a mas- sive upgrade of facilities.

“There is no technical reason to move the station from Valentia. It

was put there in 1914 because of the location but technology has come on over the years and the reception there is crystal clear,” said Dick Robinson, former coastguard member in Valen- tia and current member of the RNLI in Clare.

“There is no technical reason why it should be taken off of either place. This decision has been a huge bombshell for the people of Valen- tia. It would take away 17 jobs from a population of just 600 people. It’s a huge slice out of their economy. If they move the system to Clare or an- ywhere else it will work just as well, such is the technology of today. But

the people in Valentia, who are actu- ally looking out at the lifeboats and fishing boats as they are passing in and passing out, they are woven into the fabric of the system as opposed to just passing messages.

“If I was a politician and talking about decentralisation and assisting the far out places I would find it very difficult to talk about taking jobs from Valentia and Malin Head. The previous minister, Dermot Ahern, had decided to beef up the two sta- tions but now Minister Noel Demp- sey has reversed it. So there is still hope that it could be reversed once again.”

THE mix of foreign languages in Kilkee’s Stella Maris Hotel is grow- ing but it’s not because of the rapidly rising ratio of non-national workers that are now in the tourism trade.

“Italian is the latest language we have around the place,” says Ann Haugh, who took over the hotel nine years ago and has just doubled bed- room numbers to 20 in a major refur- bishment that added on a new restau- rant and cellar bar.

The Italians have joined German and Polish engineers engaged on the massive re-fit of the Moneypoint power station to bring down emis-

sions in the world-wide war against global warming.

Recalling that the building of Moneypoint cushioned the Kilkee resort through lean tourism years in the 1980s, Haugh said, “The power station 1s a mainstay of year-round LUIS UNL ISe

“We only close on Christmas Day and besides the Moneypoint engi- neers, the rest of the off-season trade comes from business travellers. In the summer peak, it’s back to the tra- ditional summer visitor business.”

Being a family-run business is the key to keeping the hotel operating throughout the year, the mother of four explains. Having managed a res-

taurant before, she and her butcher husband Martin took over the hotel. “I can turn my hand to cooking the breakfast and other meals in the less pressurised time of the year.” Daughter Michelle (27) not only co- manages the hotel with her mother but also set up the website for the business. Eldest son Eoin (23) looks after the bar and becomes boss to his father, who helps out at weekends. Even though their younger daugh- ters are not directly involved in the hotel, they get called into action whenever they are at home. Twenty-one-year-old Orla is train- ing to be a flight attendant with Ryanair while 18-year-old Emma is

going to be around the place for the next year because she injured her spine in just her second day at col- lege in Sligo.

“T only realised how much time the hotel takes up when all the re- furbishment was going on,’ Haugh confesses.

“Even though I was looking after the building programme most of the day, we had a normal family life the rest of the time. But that has all just gone since the hotel got back on Le ae

It helps that the pace and pressures are much reduced in the low season. “We still employ 14 people though,” Haugh adds.

IT TOOK Anthony Kelly just a “couple of minutes” to show James Martin Cahill how to use a gun at his Kilrush home, Cahill claimed in the Central Criminal Court in Cloverhill on Monday.

However, Mr Kelly’s _ barrister, Michael O’Higgins S.C., pointed out that this was not what Cahill had told

eer

“In your first account, you said it could have been up to an hour. In your second account, you said at least half an hour,” said Mr O’Higgins. Cahill replied, “It was only a couple of minutes. He showed me how to use the gun.”

Counsel asked him why did he give a different account to gardai. Cahill replied, “I wasn’t sure at the time. It

only took a couple of minutes.”

Mr O’Higgins said Cahill alleged that when he went to Anthony Kelly’s house, the latter phoned Joseph Kel- ly, who arrived five minutes later.

“He told the gardai that Joseph Kel- ly went off to retrieve the weapon. That took about 25 minutes.

‘That puts you in Anthony Kel- ly’s house half an hour,’ said Mr O’ Higgins. Cahill replied, “It wasn’t

derclan le) sree

He said Anthony Kelly showed him how to use the gun inside the house. There were some discussions outside the house but he was not really sure what about. Cahill said he was “cer- tain” he was in Kilrush with another man in a car that day.

“It could be on the camera going into Kilrush by the Garda station,’ he told the court.

Counsel said, “why do I get a ter- rible sinking feeling everything is going to be all vague now with times and places?”’

Cahill replied, “I’m not sure about times”. Cahill rejected a claim by counsel that he was “obsessed” with euns. Mr O’Higgins said changes in Cahill’s evidence came out “in a hap- hazard manner”.

The trial continues today.

SHANNON-based industrial dia- mond manufacturing company Ele- ment Six Ltd increased the size of its business last year by almost 20 per Cone

According to accounts filed to the Companies Office, the company — whose principal activity is the manufacture and sale of industrial diamonds — also returned to profit last year after recording a loss of $9 million in 2005.

The accounts show that Element Six recorded a profit before tax in 2006 of $2 million. The company — formerly de Beers — increased its turnover from $279 million to $331 million in 2006.

According to the accounts the com- pany had a gross profit of $160 mil- lion up on the $131 million in 2005.

During 2006, the company an- nounced 75 job losses as part of a restructuring programme with two- thirds of the redundancies coming from support staff, and the balance coming from production operations.

The accounts show that the numbers employed at the facility at the end of 2006 was 580 — up from the 567 em- ployed at the end of 2005. Staff costs in 2006 came to $43 million. How-

ever, sales and administrative costs have significantly increased.

The costs of sales increased from $123 million to $147 million and administrative costs went up 67 per cent from $74 million to $124 mil- |bTeyee

The company paid a dividend of $89 million in 2004, however, no dividend was paid last year.

The company supplies products all over the world and the markets main- ly served with industrial diamond and related products are the United States of America, China, Japan and all countries within the European Union.

The statement accompanying the accounts show that “currently the company is investing in continuing research and development into new products and technologies and it is hoped to increase market share and profitability in the foreseeable fu- ture.

“Taking into account Element Six’s long and established history in the manufacture of industrial diamonds, it is expected that the company will at least retain its market share in the foreseeable future.”

The company has no major devel- opments planned for the manufactur- ing side of the business.

UP to 15 books of evidence which are due to be served for criminal tri- als have been lost — they were inad- vertently deleted from a computer in the State Solicitor’s office in Ennis. The “human error” was made by a

Staff member in the office, who was in the process of creating a back-up of files on a computer.

An incorrect key was accidentally hit and the loss was incurred 1m- mediately. The computer was sent to Dublin in an effort to retrieve the data. While some indexes have been

recovered, the books of evidence have been lost and will have to be reassembled.

COUNTY Councillors from the Kil- rush area are to discuss again the proposed extinguishment of a right of way through Doonbeg Golf Club at Caherfeenick Cree, amid claims that the elected representatives have reneged on a previous agreement to postpone any decision until after an upcoming high court judicial review.

In a heated meeting last evening, the members were told by Clare County Council’s_ solicitor, John Shaw, that any decision they made on the proposal to hand over a right of way to Doonbeg Golf Club Limited in exchange to alternative access to the beach would have “no effect” on the judicial review.

The judicial review taken by the golf club against An Bord Pleanala relates to claims by the golf club that

the planning appeals board acted outside its jurisdiction.

During last evening’s meeting, while councillors often resorted to raised voices and accused each oth- er of making personal attacks, the county solicitor also advised that, if

the high court upholds the decision of An Bord Pleanala, he has been in- structed to prosecute.

In February of this year, the Kil- rush councillors agreed to postpone any decision on the right of way until after the review.

Cllr Tom Prenderville (FF) pro- posed that this agreement signed by the councillors would stand until Doonbeg Golf Club is “compliant with all planning conditions” relat- ing to developments at the club, has “removed and dismantled all unau- thorised developments” and all par- ties involved are consulted.

Cllr Pat Keane (FF) offered an amendment to the motion that dis- cussions on the right of way be de- ferred until the December meeting of the councillors.

Cllr Madeleine Taylor Quinn asked what would happen at the December discussion and did he expect a deci- sion to be made.

Three councillors – Christy Curtin (Ind), Oliver Garry (FG) and chair- man Bill Chambers (FF) – supported Cllr Keane’s amendment.

Cllr Taylor Quinn (FG) did not vote,

explaining to her colleagues that she understood the meeting was called so that they could get legal advice and no decision was to be made.

Cllr Prenderville and Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) voted against the amendment and asked councillors Keane and Curtin if they were “wriggling out” of the February agreement.

Cllr Keane argued that the council had a right to discuss the matter.

“What is the status of that docu- ment then?” asked Cllr Prenderville.

“Your signature 1s worth nothing so,” Clir Kelly told councillors Keane and Curtin across the table.

“We have done nothing to enhance public confidence here today. We have wriggled like worms out of an agreement,” said Cllr Prenderville.