Category: Uncategorized

ANIMAL rescue services have been working overtime this Hallowe’en to help pets who have bolted in terror of fireworks.

Clare dog warden, Frankie Coote said that this had been one of the busiest seasons ever and in just two nights last week, he dealt with 30 dogs that had lost their way in fright.

“It just gets busier every year. I worked through the night on Hallowe’en and Hallowe’en doesn’t just last for one night anymore. There’s nearly a whole month of it, with fireworks being let off and bon- fires being lit every weekend in Oc- tober.”

Stray dogs are still being brought in to the pound and Mr Coote is doing all he can to re-unite them with their owners.

“We’ve got about half of the ani- mals back to their homes but there are still a lot of dogs whose own- ers we haven’t found. We would ask people whose pets have gone miss- ing to contact us – we can’t get your dog back to you if we don’t know it’s TOD Estoy 0 roa

Good weather has exacerbated the dog warden’s difficulties as people have more opportunities to be out-

doors, letting off fireworks.

While most animals are acciden- tally strayed, having bolted in fright at an exploding rocket, one of the more sinister practices of Hallowe’en is for owners to abandon their pets under the guise of them having strayed.

“Some people use the night as an excuse to dump pets and then they are brought in to us.

“It’s a terrible thing to do but there are people who will do that,” he said.

The animals taken in by the dog warden vary from thoroughbreds to cross breeds. Some people who find animals keep them in their homes until the original owner has been found while other dogs are brought straight to the pound.

In the run up to Hallowe’en, pet owners were warned to keep their pets indoors to stop them running away or worse, being snatched by people with cruelty in mind.

“When an animal is lost, it’s very important that owners contact us so that we can help them look for it. We may already have the dog but we can’t keep animals indefinitely so we would appeal to people to contact us as soon as possible,” he said.

Frankie Coote can be contacted on 087-6225253.

MAKE the new Northern Distribu- tor Road big enough to solve grid- lock in east Clare – that was the message to the Clare and Limerick County Council’s from an elected representative for the area. Councillor Cathal Crowe said that he wants the two local authorities to give “strong consideration” to the width of carriageway for the proposed Northern Distributor Road. In June of this year the elected members of Clare County Council gave the green light to Limerick County Council to proceed to the planning stages for a section of the Northern Distributor Road from Coonagh roundabout to

Knocklisheen, Meelick.

“When this road sees the lights of day it is vital that it tackles traffic congestion in south east Clare and suburban Limerick in a meaningful way, the councillor said.

“A lot of forward thinking is re- quired if this road 1s to be effective.”

The councillor pointed to the road system built 15 years comprising of the Clonmacken Ring Road and Condell Road on the north side of Limerick City.

“These roads were built with the aim to alleviate traffic congestion in the city hinterland. The present re- ality is that this road system is one of the most congested routes in the mid-west and in order to escape the

city and suburban traffic, motor- ists are forced to take a detour on the south east Clare ‘rat-run’ from O’Briensbridge to Meelick. I feel that a wide carraigeway, or better still, a carraigway routed several miles north of suburban Limerick would best deal with the current traf- fic problems.”

John Fitzgerald has been appointed by the Government to head a task- force to deal with matters of social exclusion in the Moyross area. His report included a proposal to have a road running north of Moyross from Coonagh roundabout to the Knock- lisheen Road in Meelick.

Whilst the entire Northern Dis- tributor Road will take a number of

years to come to fruition, the section from Knocklisheen to Coonagh will be fast-tracked.

“IT hope that ultimately this road will do a lot to alleviate the daily congestion on roads in the south east Clare area. The road system from Clonlara, through Parteen and Ar- dnacrusha and on into Meelick has become a rat-run for commuters,” SO voy (our bee

He added that it is “important that all efforts are now made to build on the positive momentum around John Fitzgerald’s report. I hope that both local authorities, in conjunction with central Government, will now try to advance the entire Northern Distrib- utor Road project”.

PLANS for a €10 million retail de- velopment for Miltown Malbay has come under fire.

Currently, Clare County Council is adjudicating a planning application by John Jones to construct a super- market, seven retail units, offices, 18 apartments and 148 car-parking Spaces on the Ennis Road leading into the village.

In the first two to three years of operation the venture is expected to create 100 jobs. However, business interests in the village have railed against the proposal.

Patrick Boland, who is the owner of five retail units on the Ennistymon Road has told the council in an ob- jection that “the scale of the project is so large that it threatens the exist- ing business ecology of the town”’.

He stated, “This development would constitute a new town cen- tre. It is on the scale and design of a modern shopping centre suitable for a large town or city but is not com- patible with a village.

“It is on the outskirts of the town, on a mainly residential street and would cause the centre of business and trade to shift away from the main Street.

‘The attraction to tourists of a bus- tling village with traditional shop fronts and small individually owned businesses would be lost.

“Currently, the shops in Miltown are owned and run by different families. Historically, this pattern of ownership and trade has sustained the economic and community life of small villages and towns in Ireland. This development threatens that d1- versity of ownership.”

Donnan Meade of the Mace Shop on the Main Street claims that the proposal “could take the soul out of the village with nothing left on the main street but closed businesses and properties. This is in nobody’s inter- est”.

Claiming that the proposal could herald the death-knell of new busi- nesses along Main Street, Mr Meade said, “I understand that there would be a short-term benefit to the com- munity during the construction of the proposal but over the course of time, it will have a negative impact on the community at large.

He added: “I am not against devel- opment, but the sheer scale of this particular one is daunting and I feel that Miltown could regret such a de- velopment over the medium to long term.”

A decision is due later this month.

A YOUNG man had his two front teeth knocked out when he was punched after a night

out in Ennis.

Luan Heta (36) of Ivy Hill, Ennis, was convicted of assaulting Rory Clohessy (20) in the early hours of No- vember 11, 2006.

Mr Clohessy told En- nis District Court that he saw Heta pulling a girl’s hair outside the Queen’s nightclub.

“T walked up and told him to cop himself on. He told me to r** off and he hit me to the face. My two front teeth were knocked out,” said Mr Clohessy.

Defending solicitor John Casey said his client admitted punching Mr Clohessy, but that it was in self- defence after Mr Clohessy and his

friends were “stuck in his face’’.

Heta, who is a bouncer but was not

working on the night of the assault, told the court he was “very scared”

and hit Mr Clohessy. However Inspector Tom Kennedy said, “Mr Heta, you are considerably larger than Mr _ Clohessy. Mr Clohessy is a very slight young man. It 1s incredible to suggest you were threatened by Mr Clohessy. You assaulted Mr Clohessy unprovoked.” Judge Eamonn O’Brien convicted Heta of assault. After hearing that he had two previ- ous convictions for assault, he im- posed a 12-month jail term, suspend- ed for two years. He fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.

VICTIMS of breast cancer will be the beneficiaries from an Ann Sum- mers party which will be hosted in Kilmurry next week.

A purpose-built room at the rear of the Pumphouse will house the Ann Summers lingerie party, on Friday week, November 9, at 9.30pm. Or- ganisers are hopeful that at least 100 women from the locality and around the mid-west will gather for

Heo eae

The event is being called “Think Pink’ and people attending are being encouraged to wear pink clothing.

Ann Summers parties are more akin to peoples’ sitting rooms, but organiser Vicky Ward is hoping that the spacious venue in Kilmurry will encourage several dozen people to attend. Inspired by the pain and suffering endured by many victims of breast cancer in the locality, Ms Ward is optimistic that this event

will raise awareness of early detec- tion of breast cancer.

‘This month is breast cancer aware- ness month. The special thing about this event is that the 10 per cent com- mission which normally would go to the hostess, will go to the Irish Can- cer Society,” said Ms Ward.

“My grandmother had cancer and leukemia. It is believed that one in 11 women have breast cancer and it is important to raise the awareness of this and a night like this is something

women should support,” she added.

‘People can support the event by or- dering something through Ann Sum- mers. It is just in time for Christmas. Ann Summers has a new catalogue coming up for Christmas and what better time to get some treats for yourself,” she quipped.

“Tam hoping that at least 1OO wom- en will attend,” she said.

Anyone who wants further infor- mation on the event should phone Vicky on 083 3003941.

A JURY failed to reach a decision in a trial of a Kilrush man accused of push- ing a woman down the stairs at her place of work, after the defence raised an issue over the identity parade.

Patrick Hall (21), of Beech Park, Kil- rush, had denied assaulting Bernadette Adams, causing her harm, at Leahy’s accountancy office, Francis Street, Kilrush, on April 6, 2006.

Mr Hall was found not guilty by the jury of stealing her mobile phone on Wd eLomcy eH OOLemOk-I Kor

Ms Adams told Ennis Circuit Court that she was shocked to see two young men “with hoods” walking out of her office.

‘I asked them what were they doing there. I knew they weren’t there for the good of their health. I said “If you have taken something, can you please give it back’,” she said.

She said one of the assailants was small with red hair and freckles. She knew him to see from being in the shop previously.

She said she tried to push one of the men back into the office and he started to push her back.

“The two of them pushed me down the stairs. I hit my head at the bottom of the stairs. They ran off and left me. I could have been dead,” she said.

She sustained a bump to the side of the headand was treated in hospital

and later made a recovery. When she returned to her office, Ms Adams no- ticed that her mobile phone was miss- ing. The following day she _ identified Patrick Hall in an identity parade at Kilrush Garda Station.

Mr Hall’s barrister, Mark Nicholas, put it to the witness that she was mis- taken in her identification.

She replied, “I’m very happy with my identification. For months afterwards I could see his face”.

Mr Nicholas pointed out that another red-haired man, Michael Sweeney (19), of Wood Road, Kilrush, was ar- rested in connection with this incident. He pleaded guilty to a charge of as- sault and his case would be finalised at a later stage.

Mr Nicholas stressed that only two of the 10 men in the identity parade were red-haired while one had sandy hair, after Ms Adams had said the as- sailant had red hair.

‘This case against my client revolves only on the identification parade. You put six brown heads in to identify a red haired man,” he said.

Garda Donal Corkery said he inter- viewed the accused, who had denied going into the office and denied push- ing Ms Adams down the stairs.

After deliberating for over three hours, the jury indicated that it was unable to reach a verdict. Mr Hall was remanded on continuing bail. The DPP will decide if a retrial will take place.

CLARE suckler farmers are to re- ceive €80 per cow thanks to last week’s approval by the EU of the new fully Exchequer-funded suckler welfare scheme.

The suckler herd is the source of much of Ireland’s high-quality beef, which is so important to the rural economy and comprises 65,000 herds with over one million cows.

The minister for agriculture be- lieves that increased welfare stand- ards will add to the high quality rep- utation of Ireland’s beef sector. “This

is an important initiative aimed at improving welfare and quality in the national suckler herd.

‘Participation in the scheme is vol- untary and will be open to all suckler farmers, including those with mixed enterprise herds containing both suckler and dairy animals,” said Minister Mary Coughlan.

The delivery of the scheme was signalled as a key element of the Agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan which identified the beef sector as a vital area for development.

The new plan was welcomed by Clare TD Timmy Dooley. “Mainis-

ter Mary Coughlan has informed me that the EU has just approved a new fully Exchequer-funded suckler welfare scheme,” he said.

‘Participation in the scheme is vol- untary and will be open to all suckler farmers, including those with mixed enterprise herds containing both suckler and dairy animals.

“A payment of €80 per cow up to a limit of 100 cows will be available to suckler cow farmers who comply with six animal welfare measures in relation to calves born from January eles

The department will shortly write

to all potentially eligible farmers with details of the main aspects of the scheme. Application forms, help- sheets and the terms & conditions will be issued soon while farmers who apply under the scheme will be issued with the Animal Events Book, which will be used to notify the reg- istration of calves, as well as certain events relating to breeding.

The scheme will operate for five years, while the closing date for ap- plications is March 31, 2008. A Lo- call number has been created by the department at 1890 252707 and will operate from Tuesday, October 30.

A PLANNING row continues be- tween two Lahinch-based business- man over plans to extend premises in the town.

Earlier this year, plans by Olan O’Connor to extend Flanagan’s pub in Lahinch were opposed local re- tailer Pat Kenny. The plan is now before An Bord Pleanala.

Now, Mr Kenny has an application before Clare County Council to ex- tend a retail premises on the Main Street but Mr O’Connor has object- ed.

In his objection Mr O’Connor

states, “I am generally supportive of development that would add, and be beneficial, to the commercial vitality of the town centre.

“However, I have serious concerns that the development, as proposed, will have a negative impact on my property and will also constitute an inappropriate precedent for similar forms of development in the future for the centre of Lahinch.

‘“T have recently applied for permis- sion for an extension to Flanagan’s Bar. This application was granted by the council. However, it has been ap- pealed by the current applicant for a variety of reasons and the matter is

currently under the consideration of An Bord Pleanala…

“His current application is effec- tively providing 100 per cent site coverage and the envelope of the building is being provided up to the boundary with all neighbours.

“It is clear that the applicant is seek- ing to provide the maximum amount of retail floor space at this location without any recourse as to how this proposal will affect the amenities of neighbouring properties or proper re- gard given to how the retail units will function…

“Mr Kenny is now proposing to build right up to his site boundaries

and provide a two-storey building with pitched roof at a location where previously only single storey devel- opment was in place. This will un- doubtedly have an adverse impact on the amenities of adjoining proper- Hone

“The developed as proposed by Mr Kenny would clearly have an adverse impact on my property and the amenities. Again, I would like to stress that I am not anti-develop- ment but I do have grave reservations regarding the nature of the current proposal.”

A decision is due on the application later this year.

KINCORA Macra, founded in No- vember 2003, is based in the Ballina/ Killaloe area and attracts members from surrounding areas including Bridgetown, Ogonnelloe, Scarriff, Feakle, Ballinahinch and Whitegate.

The club has a current membership of 35 and this year had the honour of been chosen as one of the final 12 clubs in the AIB Club of the Year Sroyeayereisisceyee

This competition is designed to award the most dynamic and active clubs in the country.

As a relatively new club, adjudica- tors were impressed with the level of involvement and commitment Kincora club members had shown to

competitions and festivals through- out the year. The Macra na Feirme Leadership Training Programme is hugely important to the organisation and has been acknowledged by many of today’s leaders as the foundation for future careers.

Kincora members have taken part in club, county and national training programmes and are proud to have members on both the county com- mittee and national executive.

Learning the skill of oratory is a key area in the club’s programme and members competed in the na- tional debating and impromptu speaking competitions. Links were made with the local Toastmasters Clubs and Janice Mooney, PRO of Kincora branch, would like to thank

Toastmasters for all the help and ad- vice members were given.

Farming members of Macra na Feirme were kept up to date through- out the year through discussion eroups, young farmer development groups, seminars and competitions. Key areas, which members compet- ed in were The Bord Bia Stock judg- ing Competition, The Alltech Silage Competition and FBD Farm skills Competition.

Every member has an opportunity to travel with Macra and take part in exchanges with other clubs. Recently Kincora members have travelled to Edinburgh, Brussels, Paris and they are discussing the 2008 programme.

Kincora members had a very suc- cessful year at various festivals, with

three ladies from Kincora chosen to represent Clare in the Blue Jeans Festival, The International Miuiss Macra Festival and ‘Queen of the Land Festival’.

Macra is a democratic organisa- tion and every member is entitled to his or her opinion at club meetings. The success of Kincora Club was in the collective responsibility of all the members in the running of it. It was not in the individual skill of one person but in the way members sup- ported and worked with each other.

STUDENTS at St Anne’s school in Ennis did their bit for People in Need on Friday when they took part in a sponsored walk.

63 pupils participated in the walk which took place at Lees Road, help- ing to collect €3,225 in the process.

St Anne’s is a recognised school, which enrolls pupils from age four to 18.

The school caters for pupils with mild general disabilities and also students with more complex learn- ing needs. St Anne’s is financed by the Department of Education and Noto een

The broad range of learning the school provides is tailored to meet the individual needs and each pupil in the school has an individual edu- cation plan.

In this way, the many services the school provides such as music therapy, wood technology, aquatics, horse-riding and cookery, can be harnessed to provide as broad a cur- riculum and learning experience as possible for all pupils.

As they progress through junior and senior cycle at post primary lev- el, St Anne’s students have received FETAC awards with some going on to take exams in Junior and Leaving Certificate applied.

Recently appointed principal Sarah Barnes said the school was eager to give back after benefiting from gen- erous contributions from People in Need in the past.

‘We have a fantastic staff and won- derful pupils in here at St Anne’s. I know that the school has benefited generously from People in Need in the past. But this year it’s our turn to change things around and give something back. A sponsored walk was organised and all the pupils participated in this. On the day of the walk 63 pupils collected €3,225 with more to come.”

The sponsored walk was one of nu- merous events organized in Ennis for

People in Need.

The Clare Branch of Network Ire- land organized a cocktail event for People In Need on Friday in Rogue’s Bar & Restaurant, Ennis. The Lif- ford bar hosted a slave auction.

Coffee mornings were held in Clarecare and the Chapel Lane com- munity centre while students at St Claire’s school are organizing a Hal- loween sing-a-long.