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CLARE farmer have been granted two extra weeks to complete their applications for derogation’s under the new Nitrates Regulations. The deadline for a derogation for the con- troversial regulations was announced by Minister for Agriculture, Mary eee Mice

The deadline has been extended from it’s original date this Friday, September 28 until October 12.

“The availability of the derogation is very important for our intensive grassland farmers, particularly those in the dairying sector,’ she said.

“Grassland farms that apply for a derogation and meet the conditions

will be permitted to exceed the 170 kg of organic manure per hectare limit, up to a maximum of 250 kg per hectare.

“This extension to October 12 is in response to concerns raised by some farmers who felt that the original deadline of September 28 did not allow them adequate time to con- sider their position and decide if they needed to apply for a derogation in the current year.”

The European Communities Regu- lations 2006 legally oblige herdown- ers to limit the amount of nitrogen from livestock manure that is applied, including that which is deposited di- rectly by the animals themselves, on individual farms to no more than 170

kgs Nitrogen per hectare per year.

The Nitrates Derogation allows in- dividual farms to operate above this statutory livestock manure limit, up to a maximum limit of 250 kgs Ni- trogen per hectare per year, subject to specific conditions.

‘To further assist farmers, my de- partment is now arranging to provide 2007 Nitrogen and Phosphorus State- ments covering the period January | to August 31, 2007,” she said.

“Farmers will need to estimate the quantities of nitrogen likely to be produced by their livestock from September | to the end of the year to get an indication of what their overall stocking rate will be for 2007.”

Farmers who apply for a derogation

will not require a Fertiliser Plan in respect of 2007, although this will be a requirement from next year. For 2007, farmers will only need to complete the Record One as de- tailed the Explanatory Handbook for Good Agricultural Practice Regula- tions published by the department in 2006. This record should be kept on the holding.

Minister Coughlan also advised farmers that they should assess their 2007 situation as soon as possible, and if necessary make application for a derogation before the deadline of October 12.

Application forms and information packs are available on www.agricul- ture.gov.ie.

ALLEGATIONS that an axe, alumi- num paint roller and sweeping brush were produced in a dispute between neighbours were made in court last ete

Before Ennis district court were Al- bert Mounsey (46), of 19 Oakwood Drive, Watery Road, Ennis and Hugh Dunne (56), of 17 Oakwood Drive, who denied assaulting each other last March.

Mr Mounsey pleaded guilty to dam- aging three windows on Mr Dunne’s home, on August 14 last.

Hugh Dunne told the court he had wheelbarrows of sand left over after he had completed his patio and he offered them to his neighbour Albert Mounsey.

“IT asked Albert Mounsey would he take it away. He said he would. He seemed to be on a high. He was shouting. I asked him to stop shout- ing. He shut the door in temper and came out the front door with the han- dle of an aluminum paint roller. As I was going into my house, he hit me on the back with the handle of the Steel roller,’ said Mr Dunne.

He said he saw Mr Mounsey out- side his door, with an axe in his hand, sLeSmrOnoherie

Mr Dunne told the court he had been harassed by Mr Mounsey.

“I was afraid of my life to go near him. I’m still afraid of what he would do. He is unpredictable,’ said Mr Dunne.

Mr Mounsey’s solicitor William Cahir replied, “You can’t expect the court to believe you are scared of your life of him and you are helping him fill a wheelbarrow.”

Mr Cahir said the allegation about the axe was not true.

Mr Mounsey told the court that Hugh Dunne arrived at his house with a yard brush in his hand.

“He stuck the brush into my back and said, “You are nothing but a b****rd and all your family are b****rds’, That put me into a rage and I got an extension pole. I did not touch the man. I did not assault him,” he said.

Mr Dunne’s solicitor Stephen Ni- cholas said to Mr Mounsey, in cross- examination, “You became agitated and you hit him with the roller.’ Mr Mounsey denied this.

Mr Nicholas said, “Since the date of this incident in March, every sin- gle day, you abuse Mr Dunne.”

Mr Mounsey replied, “I don’t abuse him. He abuses me.”

Judge Joseph Mangan dismissed the assault charge against Mr Dunne,

but convicted Mr Mounsey.

The judge asked Mr Mounsey to undertake to stay away from Mr Dunne and he did this.

The judge imposed a one-month jail term, and suspended it on con-

dition that he honour his undertak- ing to stay away from Mr Dunne. He fined him €100 for the criminal damage charge.

GANGS of youths, who are stealing cars, racing them around a site in Killaloe and crashing them.

Then they move on up the town to cause further mayhem and distur- bance, a local councillor told a meet- ing of elected representatives for the area.

Cllr Tony O’Brien said the stolen cars are being burned out or driven into Lough Derg.

The open space at The Moys in

Clarisford is an appealing attraction for those responsible for the anti-so- cial behaviour, the councillor said. “When they have caused havoc down there for a few hours, they go on into Killaloe town and the behav- iour continues. It’s attracting an un- desirable element to Killaloe and it’s having a huge impact on the town. We need some form of retractable barrier or bollards that would prevent them from getting in there,” he said. Clr O’Brien said that a local group is taking steps towards developing

the area to provide facilities for rec- reation and sporting groups, but un- til this happens “‘something has to be done to stop this behaviour”’.

The councillor said that while the gardai are called to deal with the gangs “the perpetrators are usu- ally gone by the time the gardai get there”.

Senior Executive Engineer, Sean Lenihan, said he could not suggest any immediate solution to the prob- lem, but promised to look at the situ- rABle)te

“A height restriction won’t solve the problem of cars being driven in and if we put a barrier or retractable bollards, someone will have to be responsible for opening and locking it,” he said.

The senior engineer also pointed out that a barrier would interfere with boat-owners moving their boats on and off the water.

‘“There’s no immediate solution but I will take another look at the prob- lem and see what we can come up with,” Mr Lenihan said.

A PAN-European project designed to promote a more local approach to tourism promotion could help the industry in Clare to better cope with seasons with poor visitor numbers, such as those reported this year.

The CANTATA project, which in- volves members from Wales, France, Portugal and Spain, as well as Ire- land, hosts a conference entitled ‘An Experiment In Community Tourism’ in Ballyvaughan’s Burren Hotel this Friday.

“This 1s an experiment in commu- nity-based developments in tourism and promotion. We are trying to en- courage communities to take owner- ship of their own tourism develop- ment. It’s things like festivals, but the project has been going for three years and the purpose of the con- ference is for members from all of the countries to report back on how their experiences have gone,” said Candace Ingram, Executive Planner,

Clare County Council.

“They have all been undertaking different projects and each country has adopted a different approach to community tourism development. The idea now is that each country will report back — it’s a learning experience, we are all learning from each other.”

Among those scheduled to address the conference are Luis Cohen Bro- ssie, a tourism expert from Galicia in Spain; Paddy Maher, tourism com- munity activist and manager of the Michael Cusack Centre; and Flavio Imperial, CANTATA project officer from Portugal.

“We do think that this approach will help to offset bad years for tour- ism such as we have had this year. The visitor now is looking for some- thing a bit different from the usual. The idea of this is that it will attract people away from the usual places and show them a real tourist experi- ence, experience the people and how they live their life everyday,” contin-

ued Ms Ingram.

“We are trying to increase the num- bers that come to Clare, how long they stay in the county and also at- tract them to the lesser known attrac- nto) n cn

The conference will be hosted by Clare County Council in partnership with Shannon Development, and will be officially opened by Minister Tony Killeen.

“There are many types of com- munity tourism projects, including those in which the community works in partnership with a commercial tour operator,” said Minister Kileen. “However, one uniform characteris- tic of such projects is that they give local people a fair share of the bene- fits and a say in deciding how incom- ing tourism is managed. I look for- ward to hearing from some of those involved with community tourism projects across Europe.”

GARDAI have expressed concern that “more and more” people are found in possession of implements – after a man claimed he found a knife and picked it up as he thought it would “come in handy” in his toolbox.

Dublin native Ben Sheehy (20), of Clancy Park, Ennis, was convicted of possession of a knife at Dalcassian Park, Ennis, at 2.30am on August 22 last.

Garda Dominic Regan told En- nis district court on Friday that the accused was seen stumbling from side to side on the street anda knife – used for cutting paper – was found on him.

Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client – an apprentice aircraft mechanic – found the knife.

“He thought it would come in handy. He was going to put it in his toolbox,” she said.

The knife was produced in court and Judge Joseph Mangan said, “You would need more than that if you were confronting the German army.’ Inspector Tom Kennedy re- plied, “This was 2.30 in the morning. We’re finding people more and more in possession of such articles.

“It’s a very different situation when you are here on a Friday afternoon in a different atmosphere, but finding people with these things at 2.30 in the morning is a very different mat- ome

Judge Mangan jailed Sheehy for a month and suspended it on condition that he keep the peace for one year.

He was also convicted of a public order offence and fined €500.

THE long awaited traffic-calming scheme for Wilson’s Road to Stew- ard Street is a “high priority work” and is to be completed as soon as possible according to Kilrush Town Council.

Executive Engineer Derek ‘Troy said the poles for signage indicating ramps have already been installed.

All single ramp signage are due to be installed later in the week.

Following the completion of ramps, the extruded kerbing required to Whoa eL Kos MmmLUUSCCLN CO) OTM ANU MmE As (o10 mm oLommn DOG stalled, dependent on contractor ac- cessibility.

Completion of all remaining up- grades of speed limit singage, pede- setrian crossings and road markings will follow in due course.

“Due to the phased nature of the work and the attempts to keep traffic disruption to a minimum, it 1s diffi- cult to put an exact finishing date on the works,” Mr Troy told this months meeting of Kilrush town council- Keyuse

He was responding to a question from Councillor Collie Sweeney (Ind) who has requesting a progress report on the traffic calming meas- ures and the proposed eastern by- pass of Kilrush.

The need for traffic calming meas-

ures and a bypass has long been an issue for the local people

After more than a year campaign- ing and lobbying by the local HGV action group the go ahead was given for the bypass to the east of the town and traffic calming measures.

The area to be considered for the road capable of sustaining all heavy goods vehicles travelling to the Mon- eypoint Station and Roadstone is east of the west Clare capital stretching from Knockerra Cross to Dunogrog- ue Cross to west of the Killimer car ferry and on to Ballynote Cross.

As a shorter term solution Clare County Council drew up plans which include up to six pedestrian cross-

ings estimated to cost €6,000 each and eight islands costing between €2,000 and €3,000 each.

“T understand that only a handful of submissions were made to the traffic calming measures and that is a clear indication from the people that I rep- resent that they are long overdue,” Oe ieaacr nee

“Iam at pains to point out that these measures are temporary and our long-term goal is to have a by- pass of the eastern side of Kilrush town. My people have suffered for almost 30 years from HGVs rolling through our residential area since the construction of Moneypoint in 1979,” he added.

yes- terday, a member of The Clare Shell

to Sea organisation expressed his fears that big business, rather than the people of Ireland, will benefit from the find.

“In terms of European Union laws of sustainability, there are three main needs that must be addressed before any development can be con- sidered ‘sustainable’ — these are social, environmental and econom- ic,’ said Niall Harnett of Clare Shell to Sea.

“While attempts are being made by the department, under legal obliga- tion, to consider environmental mat- ters related to any such exploration, it should be a real source of concern to the people of Ireland, including all the communities along the At- lantic coast, that no public meetings are taking place and no consultation is being offered to them on the one matter that threatens the social and economic stability of this country, in terms of oil and gas — that our oil

and gas has been given away by Gov- ernment and remains the property of licensed industrialists to exploit, where no stake exists for the people of Ireland.

“Normally, when a country invites the oil and gas companies to process their reserves for them, it’s a 50/50 deal. In Ireland, it’s a 100/0 split. Bil- lions for them and none for us. If we want any of it, we must buy it back at market rate. When were we ever Loy eTTUN kere Mreloreletmns etl mam

Meanwhile, this Wednesday, Sep- tember 26, Rossport native John Monaghan will be in Glor to present a short documentary on the Shell to Sea campaign in County Mayo.

This will be followed by a second documentary, this one concerning the Hill of Tara and the campaign to reroute the M3. Experts believe they may have discovered bones belong- ing to members of Fionn Mac Cum- haill’s Fianna. Both events are free.

A MAN whois accused of raping and threatening to kill a woman in west Clare earlier this month is to apply for bail in the High Court next week.

The 42-year-old accused is facing eight charges arising out of an inci- dent at a house in west Clare, on Sep- tember 9 last.

He is accused of three counts of rape, possession of a shotgun, false imprisonment and threat to kill, as- sault causing harm and burglary.

When he initially appeared in court earlier this month, bail was refused and he has been in custody since then. On that occasion, the court was told the DPP has directed that the case be dealt with on indictment.

At Lisdoonvarna district court last Wednesday, his solicitor Eugene O’Kelly said he intends to apply for bail in the High Court.

“We have not been in a position to agree conditions to allow him get bail. We will apply to the High

Court,” said Mr Kelly. Superintendent Gabriel O’Gara sought to remand the accused in cus- tody until later this month. The case was adjourned until a later date, when the accused will re- appear in court.

THREE and a half years planning will come to fruition with the start of the Leon XIII Festival in Quilty on Friday next.

As this is the centenary of the Leon XIII “Final Voyage” and the dra- matic rescue of its crew, music and heritage will feature strongly in the schedule of weekend long events.

Starting with the opening cer- emony at 6pm in Quilty village on Friday evening, a new commemora- tive plaque and lectern featuring the Leon XIII story will be unveiled by relatives of the Quilty fishermen of 1907, Mayor of Kilmurry Ibrickane Connie Power and the Science and Technology attaché at the embassy of France in Ireland, Christophe

LeRouge.

Later on that night, a traditional concert featuring many of the coun- ty’s top musicians, singers and set- dancers will keep the village alive to the sound of music! This con- cert will feature the launch of “The Leon” double CD, especially pro- duced at Malbay recording studios for the festival, by Joe Searson and Jack Healy.

Saturday morning, kicks off at 11 pm with the launch of the newly de- veloped “Leon Walking Trail”. Led by Cora O’Grady, this walk will take in an 8km route around Quilty and covers much of the history associ- ated with the area over the last 100 years. Mary Clancy will host an Irish Dancing Workshop in Quilty Tavern for children starting at 11.30pm. The

action then moves to the Kilmurry Ibrikane GAA field where the Leon Open Sports commences at 1.30pm. The full programme of events in- cludes a tea-towel-pegging contest and welly throwing competition for the less serious athletes! The Satur- day schedule continues with the U- 12 football blitz at 4.30pm and the Homecoming Social in Quilty Tav- ern later that night, with music pro- vided by PJ Murrihy and his band.

Sunday sees Quilty’s first Regatta in several decades take place in the afternoon, after visitors and locals have had the opportunity to take part in the commemorative Mass at noon and open-air set dancing in the vil- lage.

During the weekend, the first phase of development in Quilty’s new com-

munity centre aptly named “The Leon Centre” will be on show and will host the festival shop. All events over the weekend are free of charge unless advertised otherwise.

Festival Organisers, The Leon Committee, would like to sincerely thank everyone who has _ helped to make the first Leon XIII Festi- val a reality. For further details of the events taking place during the weekend please contact Agnes 087- 1355738 or Caroline 087-2194541.

FOLLOWING calls from all the main farming organisations, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mary Coughlan, has announced that a request that provision be made for an advance payment under the 2007 Single Payment Scheme was ap- proved.

Speaking following a meeting of the EU Management Committee on Direct Payments in Brussels last week Coughlan revealed that she was pleased by the decision.

“T am particularly pleased at the Support our proposal received from the Commission and the other mem-

ber states,’ she said.

“This decision allows us to make advance payments, at a rate of 50 per cent, to those applicants whose ap- plications are confirmed fully clear, with effect from October 16, with balancing payments being made with effect from December 1.

“T am also encouraged by the com- mitment given by the Commission to examine payment arrangements for subsequent years in the context of the forthcoming Health Check on the CAP. My objective will be to en- able full payments under the Single Payment Scheme from October 16 in future years.”

Coughlan explained that her ap-

proach to the Agriculture Commis- sioner had been prompted by the very wet summer, which seriously NBCeKe meu NUDE

“T was particularly conscious of the difficulties caused for farmers, with crop growth being impeded, signifi- cant delays in production of winter fodder, fodder intended for use next winter being fed to animals and some animals being housed early, as land is too wet to graze,’ she continued.

The minister also announced the commencement of payments to farm- ers under the 2007 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (DAS).

“These payments are worth in the region of €250 million and are pay-

able to over 100,000 farmers. I ex- pect that a very significant propor- tion of eligible farmers will receive their payments in the coming days,’ she said.

‘However, there are some who ap- pear ineligible under the stocking provisions; these farmers can submit appropriate evidence to my depart- ment’s Portlaoise office, following which their payments will then be released.”

The minister again urged farmers to reply quickly to any letters from her department in relation to Single Payment or DAS problems.

For more information call 1890 252 235 or 1890 200 502.