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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.

A WOMAN who picked up a kitchen knife after she refused to leave an Ennis apartment has been jailed for emaelereidetcy

Caitriona O’Shea (25), of O’ Malley Park, Southill, Limerick, was con- victed of producing a black-handled knife with serrated edges, in the course of a dispute, on August 12

last.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said that an incident arose in an apartment at O’Halloran’s Lane, Ennis.

“In the course of the dispute she produced a knife,” he said.

Defending solicitor | Eugene O’Kelly said the accused was a guest in the apartment when the in- cident arose.

“She tells me when she was 12,

she was orphaned. Her father was stabbed to death. Her mother was knocked down by a car,’ said Mr O’ Kelly.

“She went to this house to seek help. The occupants contacted gardai because she refused to leave. She picked up a kitchen knife,” he said.

He said the accused subsequently threw herself into the River Fergus and was rescued by gardai.

He said his client was a “very trou- bled young lady.”

The accused has a string of previ- ous convictions, including for theft PNOOMeubesuber-Dmer-Dast-texor

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a nine-month jail term, for the knife of- fence and an additional four months for failing to appear in court.

He fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.

THE mayors, chairs and managers of west of Ireland Local Authorities and Regional Assemblies have been invited to attend a briefing today on the removal of the Shannon to Hea- throw link today (Tuesday).

The briefing has been called by Mayor of Clare, Patricia McCarthy, on the eve of the Dail debate on the issue. The meeting will be attended by the mayor of Clare, cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, mayor of Roscommon, mayor of Galway City,

cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, mayor of Limerick City, mayor of Kerry, mayor of North Tipperary County Council, cathao- irleach of Tipperary South County Council and cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council.

Also in attendance will be senior representatives of the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly; Mid West Regional Authority; and the Border, Midlands and Western Re- gional Assembly.

The meeting is being held at the

Oakwood Arms Hotel, Shannon.

Today, Mayor McCarthy urged members of the public to express their opposition to the axing of the Shannon to Heathrow service by at- tending the first full Government de- bate on the issue this Wednesday.

Cllr Patricia McCarthy urged peo- ple to join business, tourism and community leaders from the west of Ireland inside and outside the Houses of the Oireachtas when the Dail re- turns from its summer break.

The mayor said she would also be seeking the support of colleagues

from the wider region to make sim1- lar calls at the meeting of Local Au- thority and Regional Assembly rep- resentatives today.

“It is now time for the Government to deliver on the clear guarantees given regarding the Heathrow slots at Dublin, Cork and Shannon,” stated Mayor McCarthy.

She continued, “Minister for Trans- port Noel Dempsey, who professes to be acutely aware of the challenges faced by the region as a result of the Aer Lingus move, must now bring the solution to the Dail Chamber.”

CLARE farmer and Chairman of ICMSA’s Beef & Cattle Committee, Martin McMahon, has welcomed as ‘a move in the right direction” the EU Commission’s new proposals for changing the currant age limit at which animals must be tested for BSE.

The Commission has _ proposed that the age limit for the BSE test be raised from 30 months to 42 months for healthy slaughtered animals pro- viding that the member state wish- ing to avail of the new age limit has declining or consistently low BSE prevalence and has implemented, for

at least six years, a full BSE testing scheme based on traceability and identification of live animals.

As well as this, each individual member state must also have en- forced, for at least six years, the com- munity legislation on total feed ban for farmed animals.

“We definitely meet all those crite- ria and ICMSA will be pushing hard for the Government to expedite the matter. he said.

“We think it’s unacceptable to be talking about dragging this matter into the next year when a bit of de- termination and the full deployment of the facts should see the European Commission accepting the incontro-

vertible facts that there is no need for any Irish animal to be tested before 42 months.

“We regard this movement by the Commission as a move in the right direction and we consider these pro- posals to be a testament to the pres- sure we’ve brought to bear on both the department and the Commission on the question of BSE age-limit testing, which, quite frankly, has been illogical and pointless for some considerable time now.”

Meanwhile, ICSA President Mal- colm Thompson, last week called for BSE testing in Ireland to be finished. The President of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association 1s call-

ing for the ending of BSE testing to be phased out over the next couple of years.

According to Thompson, the inci- dence of BSE is rapidly declining, with just 41 positive results returned in over 850,000 tests carried out in cattle in 2006.

Thompson met with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mary Cough- lan, last week and requested that she establish a timetable for the phasing out of BSE testing which he claims is costing farmers money while it is now unnecessary.

The ICSA President also claimed that the BSE testing sector had be- come an industry onto itself.

PEOPLE will be hurt if immediate action isn’t taken to tackle a number of incidents of sea erosion along the north Clare coast.

That was the message which emerged from yesterday’s meeting of the local area authority in Ennisty- mon where a number of non-related incidents of dangerous erosion were mentioned.

Ennistymon Cllr Martin Conway (FG), said that it was only a matter of time before a serious injury took place on the Lahinch Promenade be- cause of years of erosion have caused a protective railing to become dan-

gerously brittle.

“The bars in Lahinch are ready to collapse at any time. Someone is going to be hurt out there sooner or later if something is not done. It is re- ally very dangerous at the moment,” Sr HK6 Os Dba oye a ch VA

“I know that there are major works set to take place in Lahinch later this year and early next year, but this situ- ation needs to be tackled now before something happens.”

Fears have been raised that a sec- tion of railing, which runs from the O’Looney’s Pub at the foot of the prom in a southerly direction, in un- stable and could break or collapse.

The area is used by many local

young people and tourists for skate- boarding and and as a walkway.

“IT went walking along the prome- nade on Saturday and three different sets of people met me and mentioned the problem of the railing to me,” continued Cllr Conway.

“IT think that the bars should be re- placed with a solid block wall which would be safer and easier to main- eb

Meanwhile, Cllr Richard Nagle (FF), called for action to be taken to prevent a stretch of the R-478 road near Liscannor from being washed away due to coastal erosion.

“I appreciate that the local author- ity needs to get money from the De-

partment of the Marine but there is a piece on this road where the coastal erosion 1s coming right on to the road and it need something as a matter of urgency,’ said Cllr Nagle.

Responding to the request, Senior Engineer, Donie Buckley said that Clare County Council had made nine submissions to the Department of the Marine for funding in cases where coastal erosion were becom- ing a major but none had been suc- cessful.

These submission for coastal pro- tection totalled €1.885 million, and included a requested allocation of €375,000 for works on the R478 road.