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A NORTH Clare painting school has played host to Ireland’s first ever out- door painting competition.

The contest, open to amateurs, was organised by the Burren Painting Siem EM (ss).

28 amateur artists travelled from all over the country to participate in the event, which was based in three locations.

Competitors were given the choice of three venues where they could paint – Whitethorn in Ballyvaughan, Ballinalacken Castle and Hotel near Lisdoonvarna and Liscannor Har- lereltbe

They were given the opportunity to participate in three different catego-

ries – oils and acrylics; watercolours and pastel gouache or mixed media.

Organiser Chris O’Neill, who has run the painting centre for the past RUA er VEIN EMO SD ETA a LKore MAY aU OMB OComCLU (Or cess of the event.

This year’s competition was open to amateurs only and Ms O’Neill now plans to include a professional category next year.

“T had heard a little bit about some- thing similar that goes on in Amer- ica. We run an outdoor painting course here and I thought there was very little opportunity for reasonable good amateurs to show their work and meet with a challenge. There is quite a lot for professionals but there isn’t for those who are not profes- sionals,” she said.

“Next year, I might have a catego- ry for the professional section,” she added.

“This is the first time an outdoor painting competition has been done in Ireland.

“The whole concept was that peo- ple came on the one day. They reg- istered in the morning, went out to one of three sites and get an idea into their heads on what is available,’ she said.

Margaret Kent from Wexford was the overall winner. Using oils, she painted a picture featuring the Bur- ren. Mark Doughlas-Smith from Killanena won in the mixed media category, while Joan Turner from the UK received first prize in the wa- tercolour section. All received cash

prizes and vouchers from various art material shops.

Lady Alison Ross travelled to Lisdoonvarna from Birr Castle, to present the prizes to all of the win- ners.

Ms O’Neill was particularly im- pressed by one disabled participant who travelled from the midlands in his wheelchair, and went home with a merit award!

‘His carer had to squeeze out the paint before he started, as he hasn’t the power in his hands. He was just fantastic,’ she said.

The event took several months to organise and Ms O’Neill is optimis- tic that next year’s competition will again attract the interests of several artists.

A YOUNG man painted obscene eraffiti, “Bitch, it’s not over,’ on the home of his former Art teacher, a court has heard.

Kevin McNamara (18), of White- gate, faced several criminal damage charges relating to the incident in Tuamgraney on August 9 last.

He admitted painting graffiti on the teacher’s house, her car and a car and public house in the immediate vicinity, while the footpath was also painted.

‘Bitch – it’s not over. You’re f***ed, you bitch, you called me fat,” were the words painted on windows of his former teacher Ms Mary Rouine’s home. Crosses were painted on cars in the immediate area.

The total amount of the damage caused in the spate of crime amount- ed to €2,300.

Garda Gerry Slattery told Scariff

District Court the damage was simi- lar in all cases, but was more severe in the case of Ms Rouine.

Mary Rouine told the court her house was vandalised in the early hours of the morning.

Asked by Judge Joseph Mangan did she know why, she said, “No. I would have taught him this past year.”

Another of the victims Martin Whelan – a neighbour of Ms Rouine – said a big cross was painted on the windscreen of his car and paint drib- bled along the bonnet.

Asked by the judge why he was tar- geted, he replied, “Not a clue. Obvi- ously they were passing my house.”

Garda Slattery said he solved the crime after receiving information that the accused was in town that night.

He said he spoke to a number of people who were with the accused on the night. They confirmed he had been in town, but the accused took

responsibility for all of the damage. “It seemed to be focused against Mary Rouine alright,” said the garda. Defending solicitor James Nash said the accused was drunk and claimed he didn’t know what premises had

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“There was a fair trail left. There was paint sprayed all along the road. It was pretty basic stuff,’ he said.

He said the accused had just com- pleted his Leaving Certificate. Ap- plying for an adjournment, he said his client should be given the oppor- tunity to “make recompense”.

Judge Mangan adjourned the case and ordered the accused to stay away from Scariff and Tuamgraney.

He ordered him to abstain from al- cohol, sign on weekly and abide by PCIE CANA

“I expect that the question of com- pensation will be finalised. I expect to see receipts for compensation,” said the judge.

‘I won’t say expect the worse if the conditions are complied with. [ll say, expect the next best thing,” said Walon LU COh Xen

LIVING life to the full is the under- lying ethos of the soon to be formed focal point for older people in west OE

Members of the Kilrush Family Resource Centre (FRC) in conjunc- tion with retired people in the area have being working on a proposal for a number of activities to take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fri- days. Viv Rooney from the Kilrush FRC is keen to remind those availing of the programme that “nothing is written in stone and they don’t have to do anything they don’t want to.”

People are free to come along and take part in some of the morning ac-

tivities, or evening activities, or drop in for a chat or a game of cards.

It is not necessary to avail of the lunch although one will be provided.

The new activity programme fund- ed under the Dormant Accounts will Support and encourage older people in the community to interact with each other and to participate in ac- tivities that will be of benefit to them not only physically but also mentally. “The Kilrush Family Resource Cen- tre wish to provide a focal point for older people of both sexes who are retired and in the 55 plus age group, to meet and engage in education, cul- tural and sporting activities, to pro- mote the spirit of self-help and inde- pendence and to encourage members

to use their energy, skills, knowledge and experience to benefit each other and the community, to encourage a positive attitude to ageing and retire- ment,’ said Ms Rooney.

‘We know that older people are in- terested in participating in activities and that they are very interested in all aspects of community life and na- tional decisions that affect them. We will offer facilitators and equipment to enable them to broaden their in- terests and connect with their neigh- bours.”

‘As the population of older people is growing we believe it is important to offer them the opportunities to stay involved in community life, keep fit and healthy through developing new

relationships and thus preventing ru- ral isolation,’ she said.

Part of the daily activity will be taught by a Go for Life facilitator this will help to improve the overall well being and physical fitness of the seniors.

The Kilrush FRC are encouraging people to come to the open morn- ing on Wednesday September 12 at 10.30am to discuss the activities they would like to participate in.

Meanwhile the Tea Dances are continuing for the winter the next one is on September 23 in Knock- erra Hall at 3pm. Transport or any other information about any of these programmes are available from Viv Rooney on 065-9052173.

THE North Clare Farm Family Support Service will be running a number of individual Skills Training Courses specifically for farmers over the coming months.

These will be of specific benefit to those who are planning on get- ting an off-farm job, setting up their own business or who just want to

gain some extra skills for use on the eee

The courses on offer will include Welding, Landscaping, Bog oak carving, Basic computers, Comput- ers for farmers, Grow your own fruit and veg, Childcare, Care of the Eld- erly and CV preparation.

The first four courses listed will be of 40 hours duration, growing your own fruit and veg will be 50 hours

and the CV preparation skills eight hours. The Childcare and Caring for the Elderly courses will be provided by Mary Immaculate College in Lis- doonvarna and consist of approxi- mately eight hours per week over two years leading to a FETAC level 5 Certificate.

The courses, which are free to farm- ers receiving or eligible for Farm As- sist, are currently being finalised and

will commence on the last week of September.

They will continue over the win- ter months at locations around north ET Ke

However, places on all courses are limited and farmers are advised to immediately contact Gerry McDon- agh, Rural Development Officer at 065 7072467 or 086 8544036 to book their place.

A YOUNG man who assaulted a bar owner in Scariff has been handed a three-month suspended jail term.

James Walsh (26), of Waterpark, Scariff, pleaded guilty to assault- ing Michael Rogers, at Rogers’ bar, Scariff, in October 2006.

The owner of the pub, Michael Rog- ers told Scariff District Court that that accused invited him outside.

Mr Rogers refused and the accused lunged at him.

He said he pushed him twice and refused to leave the pub. He eventu- ibaa

Defending solicitor SsaN bs Loughnane said his client had en- tered a guilty plea to assault.

He said that while there had been an assault, the victim didn’t actually suffer physical injuries and Mr Rog- ers agreed with this.

“While Mr Walsh isn’t without his failings, he is a hard working young man. He hasn’t been in any pub in Scariff since. He is at a very impres-

sionable stage of his life,’ said the solicitor.

Judge Joseph Mangan heard that the accused has a number of previ- ous convictions.

Addressing Walsh, the judge said, “You have two drink driving convic- tions. You have a criminal damage conviction. You have a public order conviction and now you have an as- sault conviction. Do you have an al- cohol problem?”

The accused replied, “No.”

The judge said, “You have five drink related convictions and you don’t have an alcohol problem. Is that what you are telling us. Do you have an alcohol problem?”

Walsh then replied, “Yes.”

The judge said, “It 1s about time you told us.”

Judge Mangan jailed Walsh for three months and suspended the sentence on a number of condi- tions. These include that he abstain from alcohol, attend for counselling and sign on weekly. He fined him €1,500.

THE closure of four well-known businesses in the seaside town of Kilkee has been described as a co- incident and is not a reflection on the prosperity of the town.

The proprietors of the four estab- lished businesses closed their doors for the last time last week for per- sonal reasons.

One of the businesses that are no longer in operation is Nolan’s Butch- er’s. The family butchers served the people of Kilkee for five genera- ao els

This was one of two family busi- nesses on O’Curry’s Street to close on that fateful weekend.

Collins’ Pharmacy also closed leav- ing the seaside town with only one pharmacy.

Meehan’s Bakery on the Strand Line ceased selling fresh breads and cakes and closed its doors.

Kilkee was also left with just one petrol station following the closure of Dough Motors on the Kilrush Road.

Known locally as Burke’s garage the closure means that the west Clare peninsula has now just two filling stations – one in Kilkee and the old

Bella Creamery between Cross and Carrigaholt.

Kilkee Chamber of Commerce spokesman John Willliams describe the four closures as sad but co-inci- dental.

“None of them closed due to a lack of prosperity in the town. In the four cases they closed for personal cir- cumstances, it was just a co-incident that they all came together,” he said.

“It is like any other town. Places are closing down and opening up.”

The Kilkee pharmacist was also upbeat about the summer seasons, despite the rain.

“It wasn’t the best of season, but it wasn’t he worst of seasons either. Kilkee has a traditional following, and the same people return every year,’ he said.

Mr Williams said it was also hard to judge if the late change in the weather for the better meant a more boisterous September than usual.

He said the Cois Fhairraige festival brought more than 4,500 people to the town and an added boost to the local economy.

This added to the local population significantly for the past week and it was therefore hard to judge what 1m-

EU Enivironment Committee pro- posals aimed at restricting and re- ducing the use of all crop protection products by 50 per cent over the next ten years have been condemned by the IFA President Padraig Walshe.

In astatement this week, Mr Walshe announced that there is “no scien- tific justification whatsoever” for the proposals to reduce the use of her- bicides, fungicides and insecticides in the agricultural, horticultural and amenity sectors.

He also declared that “all crop pro-

tection products currently used in the EU are fully approved as safe by the competent EU authorities, who al- ready apply the highest standards in the world.

“It 1s a matter of grave concern to farmers that products that are scien- tifically proven to be safe would be subject to non-science-based restric- aCe) ee

Continuing his address the Presi- dent said, “The proposed measures are draconian and will severely limit cereal and horticultural crop produc- tion potential in Ireland and across the EU, at atime when stocks are ata

thirty year low and this is resulting in higher food prices. These measures will further reduce the competitive- ness of EU agriculture and ironically lead to a dependence on imports from non-EU countries, with much lower phytosanitary and environ- mental standards than the EU.

“Irish farmers are professional us- ers of crop protection products as evidenced by ongoing EU monitor- ing programmes.

Imposing regulations based on per- ceptions rather than science is non- sensical and will result in lower qual- ity produce with avoidable insect and

plant disease damage.”

Finally Mr Walshe warned that “the EU Parliament Environment Committee is putting the cart before the horse. They would be better em- ployed investigating viable alterna- tive strategies based on science, if they wish to reduce pesticide use. Suggesting that we revert to 1930s- style agriculture 1s not sustainable.

“Putting unnecessary obstacles in the way of safe food production at a time when global demand for food is increasing poses a real threat to the security of quality food supply in Europe.”

A COUNTY Clare priest has spoken up in court for a young teenager who broke into his home.

Mountshannon parish priest Fr John Jones’s home was broken into and a coinbox stolen, on June 9 last.

A 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty in relation to that – along with eight oth- er charges – at Scariff District Court on Thursday.

The accused, who cannot be named because of his age, is facing nine charges arising out of alleged inci- dents on the border between Galway and Clare.

He is accused of entering a build- ing in Mountshannon in April with the intention of stealing beer and ATER eel ore

He is also charged with stealing a ladies handbag and child’s backpack, at Fossabeg, Scaruff, in June.

He is also accused of possession of an offensive weapon.

Sgt Joe Fallon told the court the ac-

cused replied “guilty” when eight of the charges were put to him, while he replied “not guilty” to the other stb axon

Defending solicitor James Nash told the court his client was pleading

guilty to all charges.

Superintendent Tony Kennelly said there was no parental control and the accused was living in very poor con- Chis Keys tse

Mr Nash said, “It is a good thing that this 1s coming to a head. On one side society needs protection.”

Judge Joseph Mangan said he was seeking a probation report.

Supt Kennelly said he was applying for bail with conditions attached.

Fr Jones then addressed the court and said he has known the accused for a number of years.

“I have always found him very forthright, friendly and respectful. I’d be very hopeful he could be a law abiding citizen,’ said the priest.

Judge Mangan granted bail to the accused, on a number of conditions. He will re-appear in court later this year.

VITAL financial services are once again available in Kilmaley follow- ing the opening of a new credit union sub station.

Credit union staff officially opened the new substation at O’Brien’s Country Store on Friday. The station will offer a wide range of financial services including pensions, savings and loan applications to people and businesses in the area.

The station is opening on a Six month trial period and will be manned by credit union staff every Friday.

Staff at O’Brien’s will be available

to offer assistance for transactions made during the week. Shop staff will not have access to any account information, which will remain strictly confidential.

The new service 1s a welcome boost to the community. In November 2006 An Post downgraded postal services in Kilmaley from a full post office to a post point.

It came as a major blow, particularly to older members of the community. The post office fulfilled numerous functions. It allowed people to pay ESB bills, collect pension payments, children’s allowance payments and parcels.

Lawrence O’Brien, manager of

O’Brien’s Country Stores explained the impact of the closure.

“It was a very busy post office and it was a Surprise when they closed it down. We have a lot of elderly people coming in and we handle a lot of pen- sions. When the service was down- graded, people couldn’t collect their pensions directly from us. It made it hard for elderly people. They had to rely on a neighbour or a friend who was going into Ennis. Even dog li- censes and gun licenses you couldn’t do them anymore”’.

Mr. O’Brien approached the credit union four months ago about the pos- sibility of meeting the need created by the downgrading of postal serv-

eense

Although the service is operating on a trial period, he is hopeful the substation will become permanent.

“It is important for rural communi- ties like Kilmaley to have access to such services. It can be difficult for some people to travel into Ennis dur- ing the week. The credit union really responded to the idea. It would be great to see this happening in other parts of Clare”.

THE people of Ballynacally were in celebratory mode last night as the village scooped a county Endeavour award, at the national Tidy Towns competition.

Ballynacally increased its points from last year by 21, from 250 to 271. In doing so, the area recorded the single biggest improvement in Clare and won the Endeavour award for the second time, having first scooped it five years ago.

Frank Gavin, who is a member of

the hardworking Tidy Towns com- mittee, said everybody is thrilled with the results. ;

“It’s thanks to the residents, FAS and everybody that contributed. It was decided not to enhance the area too much, not to overdo it, and keep the village character,” said Mr Gavin. “Obviously it’s paying divi- dends. Flowers and colour can do a lot,” he said.

A committee of six people spear- headed the campaign to keep the area neat and tidy. They were backed by people living in the area. “We or-

ganised work evenings on Thursdays and some people turned out. We were delighted with that. The aim is to continue on and do well,” he said.

Mr Gavin said winning the En- deavour award was a huge reward for locals. “We are delighted with this award. We have been doing well in the Clare in Bloom competition for the past few years,” he said.

Kilkee also showed a remarkable improvement, with its points tally in- creasing from 256 to 270. That was the second highest increase in any part of Clare, when compared to last

year’s figures.

Secretary of the Tidy Towns com- mittee in Kilkee, Pauline Barry said she was thrilled with the result.

“Over the years, we have had major problems with Hodge’s Green and Allander’s Field. Major work has been done on both of those areas. They had previously been two ma- jor blackspots. I’m sure the marks in those areas increased,” she said.

“We are hoping to keep it going. The aim is to identify projects for the coming year, now that those have been completed,’ she added.