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THE loss of almost 200 jobs in Shan- non has been described as a “devas- tating blow” to the manufacturing sector in the Midwest region.

Tyco Electronics is the fourth com- pany from the Midwest to announce job losses in the last number of weeks.

Last month, a total of 260 jobs were lost in Analog Devices in Limerick, Rothenberger Ireland and Mohawk Europa in Shannon.

On Thursday Tyco announced that it was to shed 178 jobs in its plastic

products manufacturing plant to fac- tories in India, China and Mexico.

A statement from the company said, “the transfer is expected to be completed by September 30, 2009.”

It is believed, however, that the first redundancies will take place early next year.

Mayor of Clare Cllr Patricia Mc- Carthy (Ind) said that business, com- munity and political leaders across the region feared that the recent manufacturing job losses could mark the beginning of a haemorrhaging of jobs in the mid-west.

“The massive uncertainty created

by the potential loss of direct access from Shannon Airport to the interna- tional hub in London-Heathrow has heightened fears that other multina- tionals could follow suit by announc- ing job cuts or plans to relocate else- where,’ she said.

Shannon Mayor Cllr Sean McLoughlin (FG) expressed con- cern that some of those who have lost their jobs will find it difficult to se- cure new employment.

“Many of these workers who have been employed in the manufactur- ing sector for many years will find it difficult to up skill themselves.

Therefore, it is going to be extremely difficult for them to secure new em- ployment in present day high-tech knowledge-based companies.”

He said that the series of recent job losses required immediate Govern- ment intervention.

Tyco Electronics makes products for the motor, aerospace, defence, telecommunications and computer industries.

The company has owned the plant in Shannon since 1999. It was previ- ously known as Raychem which was established in the mid-west in 1978. Tyco said the “transfer of jobs” was

“a result of a strategic analysis to better align our manufacturing re- sources to streamline and improve operating efficiencies.”

A Shannon Development spokes- man described the announcement as a major disappointment and a severe blow for the employees and their families.

“While disappointed with the Tyco decision, which follows a global re- view of their manufacturing facilities worldwide, Shannon Development notes that 20 jobs will be retained by Tyco at Shannon in Research and Development activities.”

PAT COSTELLO stood in midfield — panting, out of breath but exhila- rated at the same time as his back was Slapped every few seconds. Men, women and children — all decked in black and red or black and orange slapped his back so hard that he was nearly out on his feet.

A standing count later and he fi- nally summoned up the words to explain his greatest day in Bally- vaughan’s football history that dates back to 1890. “F***ing brilliant,” he said. “Forgive my language but that’s the only way to describe it. It was rine brilliant by them.”

Fitting really. Primal stuff on a day when a football game went to the heart of what the little corner of Clare that is Ballyvaughan and Fanore is about. “It was guts,” said Costello after drawing breath again. “It was determination and it was be- cause of Michael Greene,’ he added.

Michael Greene was the man who died with his boots on, playing a jun- ior game for Ballyvaughan in Doon- beg five years ago. He was young, in

his early forties, and with many more years to give to football in his belov- ed Ballyvaughan and district.

But, that day he was called away, his work done. Immediately the ba- ton passed to those he had nurtured. Those kids just out of Ballyvaughan and Fanore National Schools, those coming up through the ranks of the club. Other officers and mentors in the club. Teachers in the schools too.

‘“Ballyvaughan always wanted to be Senior,’ roared Pat Costello above the din. “It was a vision Michel Greene had for Ballyvaughan. We’ve car- ried on that for Michael Greene and achieved what he set out for us.

‘Michael Greene started with many of those young lads at 12 years of age. We’ve been in 21 county finals — we’ve won 16 of those and drawn two. We’ve won another today day, but this is our greastest day. I can’t believe it.”

It was true though, as the slaps con- tinued to rain down on Pat Costel- lo’s back as he moved from midfield across towards Cusack Park’s Ard Comhairle for the presentation of the Talty Cup.

“The winning of this was two years hard work,” said Costello on his jour- ney. “I said it on the radio that we had a five year plan and | wasn’t bluffing. That’s the truth of it. We had five- year plan but after two years of hard training at intermediate we made it.

‘Today what did it for us was that we kept it. They missed a few chanc- es at the start of the game but we never panicked at all today. We had a younger team with an average age of 22 years and they’ve been training with two years for this.

“We’re going to celebrate this one. It will be the party of all parties.”

The party had already started — it will go on for the rest of the year and beyond thanks to the bragging rights that go with beating their neigh- bours in the biggest game in Bally- vaughan’s history.

Some of the Cusack’s players will join in as they drown their own sor- rows.

AN Ennisman was yesterday charged in connection with the death of a 50- year-old man whose body was found in what gardai described as “compli- cated circumstances” at his Dublin home last week.

Michael Downes (41), originally of Marian Avenue in Ennis, but stated in court to be of no fixed abode, was charged at Dublin District Court with assault causing serious harm to Finbar Dennehy.

Mr Dennehy is believed to have been dead for days before his body was discovered at the Merchamp apartment complex on _ Seafield Road East in Clontarf, north Dub- lin on Wednesday last. He had been stabbed.

Clontarf Garda Sergeant Paul Slat- tery told Judge Hugh O’Donnell that Downes, who was dressed in a grey tracksuit and trainers, had nothing to say when charged.

Downes was arrested at Clontarf GP TKer role 16 Coys mel ms Weer Tee MA oko KOEhYy and charged at 1.05pm.

He was originally arrested in Dub- lin city centre at 8pm on Saturday and was taken in for questioning.

No bail application was made and Judge O’Donnell remanded Downes in custody.

Downes will appear before Clover- hill District Court next Monday, Oc- tober 8, at 10.30am.

Mr Dennehy, who retired from the Cadbury factory in Coolock last year, was found lying on a couch in the sitting room of his apartment. His hands had been tied and there was a plastic bag over his head.

Post mortem examinations showed that Mr Dennehy, a bachelor who lived alone, died from a single stab wound to the stomach.

It is believed he was last seen alive the previous Saturday night or Sun- day morning.

His body was discovered by a neigh- bour who had a key to his apartment and alerted Gardai who launched an extensive investigation which in- cluded examination of CCTV foot- age and forensic evidence from the incident.

FLOODS which drove Clonlara resi- dents out of their homes last winter threaten to engulf their homes again this year – because work on plans to solve the issue will not begin until next February.

Last year, gardens were flooded, residents had to sandbag their homes and an elderly woman had to be tak- en out of her house as floodwaters crept up.

Clonlara residents couldn’t use their own bathrooms as septic tanks and drains were submerged by flood-

water.

The problems started when the SJ aT-NebeLO)OM LeU nl Ms cM Oy-VON qc BEKoI MAY (c1o) es of heavy rains and the ESB control- led sluice gates being opened to let water down the system.

Local councillors were told recent- ly that a solution is being worked on between the Office of Public Works (OPW), the ESB and Clare and Lim- erick County Councils.

But in a statement, TJ Sherlock of the OPW said that the area has been designated as “an area of special conservation so any works must be capable of being demonstrated to be

essential, not causing avoidable dam- age to the habitat and to minimise any damage that is unavoidable. This has made the process of devising a scheme of works extremely difficult and slow,” he said.

Nor does the OPW have the powers to take on a drainage scheme on the Shannon alone and it needs to carry out that work as an agent of the local authorities and the ESB.

Sherlock added that the works may also require planning permission and this would be dealt with through the local authorities.

“We will also be dependant on any

landowners affected by the proposed works either to allow us to gain ac- cess or deposit materials on their lands but since these works have been locally requested, we don’t an- ticipate that that will be a problem.”

He added that every effort will be made to advance the works as quick- ly as possible.

But local councillor Pascal Fitzger- ald, said that residents “are annoyed. We thought this work would start in September. Now we hear it’s going to be next February at least. If we get severe rain this winter, the same thing could happen again.”

A DOOLIN man was threatened not to “rock the boat” by an official at the Department of Justice or his Thai born wife and daughter would be de- ported.

John Thompson, who has begun legal proceedings against the Taoi- seach, Bertie Ahern, at the European Court of Human Rights in Stras- bourg, was told by the official that his wife Junthira and six-year-old daughter Donna could be deported at any time.

Born in England, Thompson has been living in Doolin for the last 36 years and runs a successful construc- tion company. He has been engaged in a long running process with the Department of Justice, in an effort to secure an Irish visa for his wite.

He has taken the case against the Taoiseach on the grounds that his right to travel has been infringed as a result of the Department of Justice’s refusal to grant Junthira a visa.

All 166 elected members of Dail Eireann will receive letters from the Thompson family outlining their situation later this week.

“The letters explain our situation and have a copy of our marriage certificate, our bank accounts, every- thing in our lives. We have got anoth- er letter for the Minister for Justice, signed by all the parents in Donna’s class in Doolin. We are sending that letter to Bertie Ahern as well,” said Mr Thompson.

“We are going to take the Govern- ment to court in Strasbourg over this, it’s an infringement of my human rights — the right to travel. One guy

from the department said that tech- nically my wife was an illegal im- migrant and she could be thrown out at any minute. He warned us not to

‘rock the boat’.”

The Thompson family have been battling to gain an Irish visa for Junthira for more than a year and a

half, with both the Irish and British Department’s of Justice denying re- sponsibility for the situation.

“We have done everything we have been asked to do but we have been bounced around from one organisa- tion to another. Originally we were told by the Department of Justice that we would have the visa in March 19 last. We waited but there was no visa, continued Mr Thompson.

“I phoned the Department four or five times and I was finally told that we wouldn’t be getting a visa. They told us to contact the British Embas- sy. But of course the British Embassy said that we live in Ireland, so it’s a matter for the Irish authorities.

“Essentially what the Irish authori- ties are telling me is to shag off back to England after 36 years in Doolin. I have been send every which way and told contradicting information over and over again.

Junthira has not been allowed to visit her family since moving to Ire- land early in 2006.

“Treland is good. I love it. To live here is perfect for me, I really like it here in Doolin,” she said.

‘“T have been here 14 or 15 months now and I really like it. For me, I want to live here. But I need to be able to see my family. I miss my fam- ily in Thailand.”

WITH fruit and vegetables being flown halfway around the world to get to the table, east Clare people were pleasantly surprised last week- end to discover that some of the tasti- est produce is still grown just down the road.

In celebration of the home-grown apple, the Seed Savers organisation just outside Scariff played host to nu- merous activities for its Apple Day.

Visitors enjoyed guided tours of their heritage orchards contain- ing more than 200 distinct varieties

of apple. Staff also held tastings throughout the day, juicing some varieties and sharing tips growing apples and creating an orchard or- ganically.

Beekeeper Aoife Ni Giollacoda was also on hand to talk about our native black bee and she provided tastings of her delicious honey.

“Apples have been a feature of Irish life for at least the last three thousand years,’ a spokeswoman for Seedsavers said. “Apple orchards were a feature of most gardens in the past but with the development of commercial orchards, the tradition

of growing many varieties of apples has been lost. Realising the loss of many agricultural plants and fruit trees, the Seed Savers was set up by Anita Hayes in 1991 and with many volunteers they travelled the length and breath of the country locating old orchards to create the native Irish apple collection”.

Now the conservation organisation can offer varieties of apple which were thought to be extinct and peo- ple can buy and plant them in their ee NLC Oe

“Although climate in Ireland is per- fect for growing apples, many of the

apples for sale in your local super- market are the usual granny smiths or New Zealand Braeburns imported at atime of year when Irish apples are in season,” the Seedsavers spokes- woman said. “Locally produced foods provide a number of benefits both for the local community and for the environment as a whole. By mas- sively reducing “food miles’ between producer and consumer, green house gases and other emissions from transport are minimised. Locally produced food also benefits the local economy, providing employment and supporting family farms.”

OCTOBER has been designated ‘Reading Month’ by Clare County Library, which launched its Autumn Lecture Series on Monday. Com- mencing at the deValera library in Ennis on October 9, the series will include adult lectures from three leading literary academics.

The series starts with a lecture by Dr. Paula Murphy on ‘Taking The Snobbery Out Of Reading’. On Oc- tober 16, Shalini Sinha, one of Ire- land’s most insightful commentators will present ‘Why Reading Is Good For Your Health’. The final talk in the series takes place on October 23 when Robert Dunbar presents *“Grow- ing Up With Children’s Books’.

TRAVELLERS living in Shannon are poised to be allocated space to keep their horses, following an agreement by councillors last week.

Shannon area members of Clare County Council agreed in princi- pal with a proposal that the issue be progressed, in that land should be made available to Travellers for the ZNODUOOTAN ESE

The initiative is part of a plan to improve the quality of life for travel- lers, under the programme ‘Strategy for the co-ordination of public serv- ices to the Traveller community in OE TroA0 Oe 0 OTe

Director of Services at Clare Coun- ty Council (Community and Enter- prise) Tom Coughlan explained the background to the idea.

‘Traditionally, Travellers have kept horses, but traditionally they would have had nowhere to keep them. That has been a point of conflict. We are looking at the possibility of leasing land to Travellers so they can keep their horses on the land,’ said Mr Sree

“We have to identify land owned by the council, which we can lease to Travellers. It has been raised as an issue by the Travellers themselves,” he added.

A number of Travellers live in Bal-

lymurtagh, Shannon, and the council is hopeful that suitable land will be found for the horses, as near to the houses as possible.

“We will try and come up with the most suitable land. We will progress it and see 1f the land is suitable,” said Mr Coughlan.

The decision taken by the council- lors last week gives the council the go-ahead to make efforts to secure the land. The size of the land will depend on the number of horses the travellers hope to keep there and the land will be leased to them.

This proposal regarding land for the horses arose as a consequence of the strategy, which stated that it would

“establish mechanisms to identify rentable land adjacent to Traveller accommodation’. In that, Travellers identified a need to rent land to allow for grazing of horses and for the care of valuable sulkie ponies.

It was suggested that as the request coming from the group was broad- based and could be difficult or take time to effect, the feasibility of run- ning a pilot project in Shannon would be investigated.

In June, a subgroup of the Accom- modation Actions group met with representatives of the Tralee Com- munity Horse Project, to gain an in- sight into how this particular project is organised and managed.

A MEMBER of the Kilrush-based Western Yacht Club has been hon- oured by Limerick County Council for his achievement in becoming the first Irish winner of the 608- mile Rolex Fastnet Yacht Race last month.

At a civic reception on Monday, Limerick-based property developer Ger O’Rourke received the local authority’s highest accolade for his achievements aboard his yacht Chief- tain, which were rated as the best ma- rine sporting successes of last year. The managing director of Chieftain Construction, who remains heav- ily involved with the Western Yacht Club, was named as Cork Dry Gin

Sailor of the Year earlier this year. He also won his class in the famous Sydney to Hobart race in Christmas PAU Oey

His remarkable run of success con- tinued last month when he and his crew were awarded the Fastnet Chal- lenge Cup and a Rolex Yachtmaster timepiece following their win in one of toughest offshore sailing races in eomUZeu (en

Speaking at the civic reception, Limerick County Council chair- man, Cllr Kevin Sheahan, said Ger O’Rourke’s success further enhanced Limerick’s proud sporting tradition and ability to compete at the top level nationally and internationally.

“Winning this tough event is, for sailors, like an Irish success in the

rugby or soccer world cup. Ger’s victory in the toughest of weather conditions resulted in a new page of sporting history being written. For the first time in the history of the Fastnet Yacht Race, which began in 1925, the name of an Irish boat is on that famous British trophy.

“The victory is especially signifi- cant considering Ger’s 50ft Cookson yacht was only given clearance to compete 48 hours before the event began. It must also be noted that of the 300 boats that started the race, less than 60 finished,” explained the Cathaoirleach.

A BUDDING author from north Clare was last week nominated and short-listed for the most prestigious prize in literature in Ireland today. Micheal de Barra, who hails from Kilfenora, is one of just five writers short-listed for this year’s Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge Adult Book of the Year prize for his book An Bothar go SY-eLe Ee rexey

Micheal was born and raised on the outskirts of Kilfenora, an area he considers his ‘spiritual home’ but is currently living in Kildare with his wife Siobhan.

Having spent a number of years as a primary and secondary school teach-

er in both Ireland and Argentina, An Bothar go Santiago is Micheal first prose work.

An Bothar go Santiago tells the story of Micheal’s experiences along the pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Europe’s most famous pilgrim walk.

The camino or path begins in France and ends in Spain, covers 900 kilometres, and is a real challenge for any walker who attempt it.

Besides An Bothar go Santiago, de Barra is also researching a book on the notable Irish figures who went to Argentina between 1500 and 1900 under the working title “Gaeil 1 dTir na nGauchos’. ;

Micheal will take on Liam O Muirt-

hile (Sanas), Eoin Mac Lochlainn and Ciaran O Coigligh (Aiséiri/Req- uiem), Séamus Ennis (Mise an Fear Ceoil) and Brian O Conchubhair (Gearrscéalta Ar Linne)

Leabhar na Bliana 2007 is a unique literary competition, focusing main- ly on excellent publishing standards, while also acknowledging the sig- nificant role of the authors.

Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge and Oire- achtas na Gaeilge organise this event on an annual basis and this year’s winners will be announced at the O1- reachtas na Gaeilge festival in West- port on November 2.

“In presenting these awards, Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge manages to ad- vance the various aspects of our

mission statement – to sustain Irish- language writing, publishing and reading,’ said Aedin Ni Bhroin, D1- rector, Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge.

‘This is a great opportunity to in- form the general public of the wide range of excellent Irish-language books available, as well as giving well-earned recognition to the dif- ferent publishers and writers.”

Meanwhile, the prize for the young readers Book of the Year will be contested by Biddy Jenkinson (An Bhanrion Bess agus Gusai Gaimbin), Laoise Ni Chomhrai (Ag Taisteal le Tarlach sa tSeapain), Dermot Som- ers (Buaic) and Caitriona Nic Sheain and Andrew Whitson (Gaiscioch na Beilte Uaine)