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A NEW branch of the Clare County Library service will open its doors to the public in Scariff today.

Situated on the Mountshannon Road in the town, the modern and spacious building forms part of Clare County Library’s long-standing tar- get of providing a full-time branch library in every town with a popula- tion of more than 1,000.

The new branch will serve a population of more than 6,000 in Scariff and its hinterland. Clare Mayor Patricia McCarthy officially opened the new facility yesterday.

Noel Crowley, Clare County Librarian, said, “Staff hope the new library will be central to the life of

the local community and will become a cherished facility for the people of east Clare. It replaces the part- time service point which previously served residents of the Scariff area.

“The branch library will share the new premises with offices of Clare County Council, which means that the building will be a ‘one-stop-shop’ for the people of the Scariff area.”

In addition to a stock of more than 19,000 books, the new Scariff Library will hold CDs and DVDs, daily newspapers, magazines, for- eign language fiction, audio books and large print books.

Facilities on offer will include free internet and email, a community notice board, photocopying, an on- line public access catalogue and a

local studies reference and research section.

“Games for children such as chess, draughts and jigsaws are available, while children’s story time and craft sessions will run throughout the year — all creating an atmosphere of fun and learning for the children of the area and ensuring that this library will be a great place to visit,’ added SOO

It is envisaged that book clubs for adults and children will be set up in the near future. The building also houses an exhibition area and a com- munity meeting room.

The building has been designed and constructed with accessibility in mind. This includes provision of a platform lift and automated openers

on sensors to entrance doors, as well as ramped access and level access from the rear of the building.

Contrasting colours in floor finishes and pedestrian routes make it easier for those with colour-blindness or other sight problems

Caroline Aherne, recently appoint- ed assistant librarian at the library, remarked, ““Remember — this is your library. Come and check it out.”

The Scariff Library opening hours are: Monday 10am to lpm and 2pm to 5.30pm; Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 8pm; Wednesday and Fri- day 10am to 5.30pm; Saturday 10am

Koay eeF For abeasetee information, phone O61-922893 or — email

mailbox @clarelibrary.ie.

TOURISM in the north west is get- ting an end of year boost as thou- sands of competitors, support teams and fans converge for the first ever Irish round of the world rally cham- pionship.

The event is sponsored by Failte Ireland and the Sports Council of Northern Ireland.

There is a big Clare involvement in Rally Ireland as a total of 110 Clare Motor Club officials will be travel- ling to Sligo for the weekend to help e)bie

Gerry O’Brien from Crusheen was appointed marshall safety co-ordina-

tor for Rally Ireland back in May. The Clare Club will be marshal- ling special stages four and seven (Lough Gill) on Friday. Some of the Clare marshalls will also be helping out on special stage 12 (Ballinamal- lard) which takes place around the

countryside of the late Bertie Fisher. Clare marshalls will also be on duty on Sunday in the Donegal Bay stage.

Meeting point for Clare Marshalls for the Lough Gill Stage is Newtown Manor Community Hall which is lo- cated close to the stage between 2am

and 4am on friday morning. Mar- shall’s have to be in place at Sam and the road will be closed at 6.15am. The first competing car will be on the stage at 9.15am.

Meeting point for the Ballinamal- lard stage on Saturday is 12 midnight at the service station in Trillick, County Tyrone, and the meeting point for Donegal Bay stage is Ball- intra Community Hall at 5am on SLUveleebapenleyusvntes

On Friday morning the restart will be in Sligo with three stages in coun- ties Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo. The cars will then return to the serv- ice park in Sligo town, then repeat the morning stages, and back to the

Service park again. Two different stages in counties Leitrim and Sligo and the final service and overnight halt in Sligo town.

The Saturday restart is from Sligo and takes in three stages in counties Tyrone and Fermanagh. There will be a midday service in Sligo followed by a repeat of the morning stages. The final service and overnight halt is back in Sligo.

After the Sunday Restart from Sli- go the drivers take in two stages in County Tyrone followed by a stage in County Donegal. The final stage 1s at Mullaghmore.

THE experience of an autistic man who made a new life for himself in west Clare was highlighted as an example of how people with intel- lectual disability can live full and independent lives as active members of their local communities.

Larry O’ Bryan, who is supported by Brothers of Charity Services in Clare, was among the contributors to the Brothers of Charity National Advoca- ASO Noo OOM MO BEKMN ino .e

Larry, who has autism, used to live in big institutions in the UK, which he described as ‘sheer hell’, before moving to smaller residential care in the UK. After visiting Ireland on holiday, he decided he wanted to live in west Clare and moved into his house in Kilrush with the support of his former service provider and the Brothers of Charity.

Although he cannot communicate verbally, Larry is now happily liv- ing as part of the local community

in Kilrush and Kilkee, where he is a member of the church choir and the Clare Poets Circle.

As he spelled out on his keyboard to the conference delegates, “There is a light at the end of the tunnel for me when people listen.”

The conference, which had as its theme *Close the Institutions — A Life In The Community For Everyone’, heard from a number of people with intellectual disability who shared their experiences of living both in institutions and communities.

Clinical psychologist Brian Mc- Clean presented John Caslin, who is supported by Brothers of Charity Services in Roscommon, with a film John had made where he revisited the various institutions he lived in throughout his life.

During his introduction, Dr Mc- Clean highlighted the extent of the problem of institutionalising people in Ireland. According to a recent study, 49 per cent of Irish people with intellectual disability who cur-

rently live in residential services are in large residential centres while in England, Scotland, and Norway, all of these institutions have closed.

In England, people with intellectu- al disabilities and their families pre- fer residential care in small houses, as it allows them live within a com- munity and benefit from wider social networks. It was also found that more medication was used in large institu- tions, where the treatment is less per- sonal and more routine.

Advocacy and Evaluation Training Officer Cabrini de Barra said that ending institutional practices, struc- tures and supports in Ireland would create an opportunity for people with disabilities to live ordinary lives where they can contribute to the life of local communities.

WORK on cleaning up Killaloe’s historic bridge is set to cost roughly € 100,000.

SW sTome bbs) em oro A (cot Oe CoMm AY ADO mmCe)o0t munities of Killaloe in east Clare and Ballina in Tipperary has become encrusted with weeds and foliage and will require careful treatment to remove when the project begins early next year. It’s also planned to

clean up the stonework. An initial plan to simply remove the vegetation couldn’t be acted on because a closer examination showed that the plants and weeds have taken root in the stone and just pulling them out could cause damage.

According to Sean Lenihan, sen- ior council engineer for the area, the bridge is also a protected heritage structure and measures would have to be put in place under the regula-

tions pertaining to these structures. Local councillors in the area were given details of the necessary repair work last summer.

After being told that the cost would be far greater than had previously been envisaged, councillors asked the engineer to get in touch with the Heritage Council in Kilkenny to see whether funding would be available.

Mr Lenihan contacted the group and was told that the Clare Local

Authority could apply under the Heritage Council’s Civic Structur- al Fund. He informed councillors this week that this money will be allocated in January and February of next year.

“There are maximum levels of grant aid available and extra money will probably have to be provided from the council’s own resources. But even so, work is expected to start in early 2008,” he said.

THE lack of specialised services available for people suffering from depression has been highlighted at the Coroner’s Court in Ennis.

The family of a man who died in Ennis in July this year told the in- quest into his death that greater re- sources needed to be allocated to the area of mental health.

The Coroner’s Court heard last week that the man’s body was dis- covered in July in woods near the Mill Road, Ennis, by a group of peo- ple out walking.

Gardai were subsequently called and the man’s body was removed from the scene.

The 27-year old man had been liv- ing in Ennis for seven months and

had been working as a carpenter. He was known to be suffering from de- pression.

He was originally from Dublin. In the Coroner’s Court last Wednesday, the man’s brother confirmed the dep- osition he gave to gardai at the time.

Asking County Coroner Isobel O’Dea if he could comment further on the matter, he said, “There has been a huge amount of suicides in the country over the past few years. Services are seriously lacking in this area for people. More need to be pro- vided.”

Coroner Isobel O’Dea _ returned a verdict of open death in the case. She said, “I am satisfied there is no evidence of accidental death and that there was no third party involve- ment.

“Tam aware he was suffering from depression but I am not positive the intention was there to commit sul- cide.”

Ms O’Dea said there was insuffi- cient evidence other than to disclose a verdict of open death.

She said she would write to the Health Service Executive on behalf of the family to express their reser- vations about the lack of services for people suffering from depression. She extended her sympathies to the eTeep es

She said, “I would like to extend my sympathies to you and your family. I see you are a large and close fam- ily and I hope that you gain strength from that. I will certainly write to the HSE to express you concerns on the lack of services.”

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.

AFTER an absence of 10 years, the youth club in Quin is set to re-open. Locals feel that there 1s not enough for youths in the area to do and have decided to restart the club, for 12 to 17 year olds. The group will meet at Quin community centre every Sun- day evening, between 7pm and 9pm, where up to 50 youngsters from Quin, Clooney and Maghera will gather.

Among the activities on offer at the club will be indoor soccer, bad- minton, table tennis, pool, music and oXey-Vne mee N eA Tee

The chairperson of the local com- munity centre committee Sarah Len- non is spearheading the youth club drive. Committee member Ann Ty- nan explained the idea behind it.

“There was a club previously, but that finished up and there has been none since,” she said.

“There is not a lot to do for that age groups. They are relying on the GAA and horseriding a lot. There is no night-time activity. It will be tai- lored to meet the needs of those at- tending,’ said Ms Tynan.

The organisers of the club in Quin attended training sessions with Clare Youth Service, and have received guidance on setting up and running the initiative. The club will be run under the auspices of Clare Youth

Services. Supervisors will be on hand at the community centre every Sunday night, while the young peo- ple themselves will be encouraged to help out running the club.

“Clare Youth Service has been proactive in providing training and guidance for running it,’ said Ms Shiaetcvee

Local funds have been instrumen- tal in purchasing equipment for the Nab Ker

THE concluding stages have been reached at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in the trial of a Clare man for allegedly sexually abusing two of his daughters.

The 36-year-old accused has plead- ed not guilty to 11 counts of sexual

assault on two of his daughters on dates between September 2001 and December 2004 in a County Tipper- ary town. It 1s day-13 of the trial. Prosecuting counsel, Ms Una Ni Raifeartaigh BL, said in her closing address that the case in relation to one of the girls would have collapsed in view of her not giving direct evi-

dence of being abused.

Ms Ni Raifeartaigh, however, said the prosecution invited the five wom- en and seven men the jury to find the accused guilty of these charges aris- ing out of what the girl told a child psychiatrist in several interviews which were videotaped and shown in court.

She noted that in these interviews the child had clearly indicated under no pressure at all that she had been interfered with on many occasions Wa iomrlenoe

This was the first instance since its enactment that section 16 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 was used to admit a video recording of such

an interview as direct evidence in a CHueneveerNmeurue

Garda Lorraine Fahy gave evidence of observing all the interviews seen by the jury and that what was shown in court was an accurate record of what happened at them.

The trial continues before Judge Desmond Hogan.

THE 14th annual Ennis Trad Festival kicks off this week and organisers are hoping that a bumper programme will attract big crowds.

This year’s event takes place from November 8 to 12 across numerous venues. An intensive programme features free day and night sessions with afternoon, evening and night concerts, recitals, singing, work- shops, presentations, CD launches and the ever-popular Trad Disco.

The legendary accordion player and composer Finbar Dwyer will Open the concert programme on Thursday, November 8. Finbar, who recently returned to public perform- ance after a break of 17 years, will

be accompanied by Brian McGrath. On Friday night Four Men and a Dog will unleash their highly energetic repertoire on the festival.

The band comprises Cathal Hayden (fiddle), Donal Murphy (accordion), Gino Lupari (bodhran, vocals), Ger- ry O’Connor (banjo) and Kevin Do- herty (guitar, vocals).

Workshops dominate Saturday’s events with classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced level given by the some well-known names ThA Mpa el Utss Come: baXe MOE-bO(Gos

A new addition to last year’s festi- val was the Trad-themed table quiz, which will test knowledge of trad musicians, records, CDs and trad triviality.

This year will see the presentation

of the Ennis Trad Festival Gradam Ceol to concertina player Sonny Murray. Sonny, from Knockalough, Kilmihil, is one of the many fine con- certina players from the area such as Solus Lillis, Bernard Sullivan, Tom McCarthy and 2005 Gradam recipi- ent Tom Carey.

Sonny lives in Ennis and has had a major influence on the Ennis music scene. This presentation is a fitting compliment to a man regarded as a master of the concertina.

A new feature of this year’s festival is the Ard Gasce na mBuinte Senior Ceili Band competition, which will be adjudicated by a panel of four adjudicators and an audience. Some of the best bands in Ireland and abroad such as The Thatch, Tribes

and Ceolteor1 na Mainstreach will compete. There will be many CDs launched this year including artists such as Kane O’Rourke and Geral- dine Bradley.

The guiding ethos for organisers since the festival’s inception has been to bring musicians of all generations and styles to Ennis to share their tunes, songs and steps in a relaxed session environment.

The festival committee has pur- posefully organised the sessions to allow opportunities for artists to per- form with others that they wouldn’t normally get to meet. Accordingly, a great social dimension is always present at this festival.