Category: Uncategorized

PLANS to develop seven acres of land in the heart of Feakle for hous- ing have raised concerns among councillors representing the area.

At a meeting of the Scariff area committee of the council, Cllr Pat Hayes said he is concerned about the eden

“The last place we expected the council to buy land was in Feakle. A development of this size could totally change the character of the village. There are less than 100 houses in the whole of Feakle and this is a propos- al to develop a site as large as Feakle

itself is.”

In reply to Cllr Hayes queries on plans for the site, a council housing official said in a written reply that the land has been bought “‘to supplement the existing land bank owned by the council and is earmarked to meet the erowing housing need in the Scariff electoral area.”

The reply stated that while there are no plans as yet for the develop- ment of the site, the first phase of the development will cater for affordable housing and voluntary housing for the elderly. The reply also assured councillors that there would be con- sultation with the community.

Councillor Joe Cooney said that having waited so long for a proper sewerage scheme in Feakle, “it would seem only fair to me that businesses and residents should be able to have the benefit of the new scheme first. I’m concerned that with a site that size earmarked for development, that will put the people already living and doing business in Feakle at a dissad- vantage’.

Cllr Colm Wiley said that he felt it would be a good idea to have the council’s Director of Housing come to a meeting and outline his plans.

Noi Corum bata KOM LOmsOBUOBLO)Im Or-vIBE-Bhior| by the council, for which they will be

reimbursed by the Government as development takes place, Cllr Wiley pointed out that the local authority “has all this money to spend now and we have no land bank”’.

Council Engineer, Michael Mc- Donogh, told the meeting that there would be no mass development on the site.

“There will be consultation along the way and this 1s a staged proposal. Nothing will be done all at once.

Councillors and officials agreed that they would convene a special meeting of elected representatives for the area as soo as any proposals for the site come on line.

CLARE IFA Farm Forestry Rep- resentative, Martin Murphy, has warned farmers that they might require a licence from the Forest Service before they undertake scrub clearance.

This comes at a time when many farmers are carrying out develop- ment work for the Farm Waste Man- agement Scheme.

“Felling of trees is controlled un- der the 1946 Forestry Act. In gen- eral terms, if you want to cut down any tree or uproot any tree over 10 years you must lodge a felling notice with the Garda Sergeant at your local

Garda Station,’ he said.

“The Forest Service will then in- spect the trees that you intend to fell and issue you with a felling licence. The licence may or may not have conditions, such as a replanting con- dition, attached.

“Some farmers make the mistake of thinking that the scrub that they are clearing wouldn’t be considered trees but generally if you can see a single straight stem you will need a licence. It is better to check with the Forest Service first than end up in court later.”

The provisions of the act apply re- gardless of whether the trees were planted or grew from natural regen-

eration. Approval for grant aid or planning permission does not exempt you from requiring a licence.

‘Farmers should contact the local Forest Service Inspector or the fell- ing section of the Forest Service in Johnstown Castle before they start development work to be on the safe side,’ advised Mr Murphy.

Meanwhile, Mary Wallace, Minis- ter of State at the Department of Ag- riculture and Food with responsibility for forestry, last week announced the approval by the EU Commission of Ireland’s Afforestation Programme 2007-2013.

“I am pleased to announce the authorisation by the EU Commis-

sion for our new Afforestation Pro- eramme, which follows long and detailed negotiation between my de- partment and the commission,” she said.

“This provides welcome stability at a crucial time for Irish forestry and allows us to focus our efforts on new planting. As noted by the EU Com- mission, forest cover in Ireland 1s the second lowest in the European Un- eye

“It is my hope that this aid package, worth more than EUR900m over the period 2007 – 2013, will re-energise the forestry programme and that we will see a steady increase in our for- est-cover over the next seven years.”

A FORMER hotel employee who Stole almost €8,000 from his boss was doing well paying back the money, until he broke out and started drinking.

Last January, Brian McNamara, of Main Street, Whitegate, pleaded culty to stealing €7,/775 from The

Central Hotel, Main Street, Miltown Malbay, between September 5 and September 8, 2005.

He took the money to feed his gam- bling and alcohol addictions and no longer works at the hotel.

The case was adjourned, to allow for compensation to be paid. Lis- doonvarna district court heard last week €3,140 was paid back, but

€4,630 was still outstanding.

Defending solicitor Eugene O’ Kelly said that the accused has been on bail for a year and a half.

During the first 12 months, he had not been drinking.

“Unfortunately six months ago, he went back drinking. He was not using the money he was earning on anything other than drink,” said the

solicitor.

‘For 12 months he was good, but for the last six months he was bad. He was back drinking and no money was paid in compensation,” said Mr O’ Kelly.

He said he was asking for “one final chance on very strict conditions.”

“He knows he will never get that chance again,” he added.

Judge Joseph Mangan said he would grant bail to the accused, on Ley aTe NL aCey shy

He is to sign on daily at a garda sta- tion and reside at a stated address in Galway.

He was remanded in custody with consent to bail, to reappear in court this week.

LIMERICK’S city manager is to be asked to come to a meeting of elected representatives for the Killaloe area to fill them in on whether the city is buying homes in south east Clare.

The issue was raised at a meeting of the Killaloe area committee of the county council, when council- lors voiced their concerns over re- ports that homes are being bought up in their area to rehouse people being moved in the Social Inclusion scheme for Moyross.

Limerick City Council has to find accommodation for tenants whose

homes are being demolished as part of the plan.

The city’s policy is to supplement the number of new homes it can build by buying up houses for sale in the city and it’s hinterland.

But councillors said that they feel they are being kept in the dark about the plans.

Cllr Cathal Crowe told the meeting that he believes the city manager 1s including south east Clare in his defi- nition of “hinterland”’.

“I’m told by residents that two houses have been bought there and that the city council has bought nine houses in Westbury. But if you try to

question any of this you’re accused of being anti-Limerick. People have a right to live in any part of this coun- try they wish but there is a wholesale movement of people under this plan and that requires dialogue. I’m not being disparaging of anyone coming into this area. There are many fine people in Moyross and we would welcome them in but there is a small minority who are causing problems and if the city thinks it can export those problems to Clare, then it has another think coming.”

Cllr Pascal Fitzgerald said that he has also been approached on the is- sue. “We’re told that one bad com-

plaint against a city tenant and they’re out. That’s codswallop – what’s a bad complaint? A stereo on too loud? We know nothing about how this is be- ing handled and we have a right to know what is going on in the area we represent.”

The councillor added that he was concerned that “Limerick city can buy houses in Clare, yet we have people on our housing waiting list for years and we can’t house them.

The members agreed to invite a deputation from the city council to come to their next meeting to discuss the issues.

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.”

CONCERN has been raised over a €40 million plan to double the size of Kilmihil, a parish that experi- enced a population increase of only two people in the 2006 census. Kilmihil Construction Ltd is seek-

ing planning permission for 150 resi- dential units, 15 commercial units and a two-storey 50-bed nursing home.

The 2006 census shows that the vil- lage’s population increased by just two in four years, from 576 to 578. During the previous census period to

1996, the village suffered a drop in population of 62, or seven per cent. The developers envisage increasing the village’s population by 100 per cent.

The proposal has attracted little opposition locally. However, in his objection, John Dalton has told Clare

County Council, “The development is too dense and provides a new cen- tre to the village which takes away the rural, easy-going, welcoming nature of our village. It provides the new access roads which will increase traffic hazards. Such developments are normally cul de sacs to avoid

through traffic, boy-racers.

“Such a densely populated area will provide social and economic blacks- pots. The development should be al- lowed in conjunction with some sort of employment opportunity.”

A decision is due on the application later this year.

A RESIDENTS group in Shannon is suggesting that social houses be built close to the Wolfe Tones GAA Kane

The Concerned Residents of Cluain Airne group 1s objecting to the pro- posed construction of 60 houses in their housing estate.

Clare County Council says as many as 60 houses are necessary, in order for the development to be economi- cally viable.

However, locals do not want the houses built and they aired their con- cerns at a meeting on the issue last week. They are undertaking to con- tinue to oppose the development.

They believe that there is inad- equate infrastructure in the area, to cope with new homes in the area, where 178 houses currently exist.

The group says the development of additional homes will result in the ereen area being taken away from Weloue0e

Secretary of the group, Nicole Murphy says there is up to 100 acres available near the GAA club and this should be used to build houses.

“Some of this site 1s serviced. There is no reason why they would not move the development there,’ said Ms Murphy.

She was impressed by the turnout of up to 70 at the meeting and said that many concerns were outlined.

The residents group has now learned the houses will be built on a phased basis and this is causing eae Nom ee) CUTE

“This means that the Cluain Airne estate will be messed up for longer. That could be up to three or four years.

“The main concern is the road. SU sr Taa.(o)bi (eM elem MNT HAO ouI RR) ce are hoping they will review it again,” SI STomy-H (OR

Clare County Council has proposed using the road from the roundabout at the comprehensive school.

However, local residents are sug- gesting that the road by the back of Inis Sioda would be the preferred option for local traffic.

“We were initially told the road would cost €1.25 million, and now they say it will cost €600,000. We are asking them 1s that the price of a life of a child,” she said.

She is hopeful that local elected representatives will take the con- cerns into consideration when they meet next month.

“We are meeting councillors who will be voting on it and we will put our case to them. We will encourage them to vote against it and move the plans down to the 95 acres of land the council has,” added Ms Murphy.

A petition, containing the signa- tures of several house owners in the area, has been put together, as locals pledge to continue to fight the plans.