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THE solicitor for a man accused of conspiring to murder two Ennis businessmen has asked is the State ‘buying time,’ after he heard that the Book of Evidence has not yet been completed.

Egyptian national, Essam Eid, with an address in Nevada, US, 1s ac- cused of conspiring to murder Ennis brothers Robert and Niall Howard, between August and September of last year.

Last September, Mr Eid was initial- ly charged with extorting €100,000 from Robert Howard. He was held in custody on that charge – and a number of other charges, including burglary and handling stolen prop- erty – until June 26 last, when that case was dropped.

He was released, but re-arrested minutes later and charged with con- spiracy to murder.

Sharon Collins (44), of Ballybeg House, Kildysart Road, Ennis, 1s also charged with conspiring to mur- der the Howard brothers. She is cur- rently on bail and will re-appear in oo) tN a me slo. empnelereiaee

Mr Eid has been in custody in Lim- erick prison on the new charges since June and gardai are currently prepar- ing the Book of Evidence.

At Ennis District Court yesterday

(Monday), Inspector Tom Kennedy sought an adjournment, to allow the Book to be completed.

Asked by defending solicitor John Casey what stage the Book was at, Inspector Kennedy replied,

“It is in the process of being pre- pared. . more than half way to be- ing available. Quite a number of extensive enquiries in relation to the charge before you come into play.”

He pointed out that while the ac- cused was initially charged last Sep- tember, the charge he is currently facing did not come before the court until June.

“The main plank of Mr Casey’s argument is this 1s going on since last September, when he was first charged. That is not the case,” said Inspector Kennedy.

The solicitor said he could not con- sent to an adjournment. He said his client has been in custody for almost a year.

“Now they are only half way through the Book of Evidence. Two months have passed. He is a non- national. He doesn’t have contacts in this country. Bail is proving ex- tremely difficult. How long is a piece of string?” he asked.

“Is the State buying time? Mr Eid is languishing in Limerick prison,” he said.

He said the accused is in ill health and his manner has deteriorated, over the past year.

“It cannot be open-ended. It’s not fair to him. He is innocent until proven guilty,” said Mr Casey.

Judge Leo Malone remanded the accused in custody to appear again in court next week.

FINAL preparations are being made for the 13th annual Dan Furey Week- end which begins in Labasheeda this Friday, August 31. The festival will be officially opened by Cllr Oliver Garry on Friday evening before the dancing starts in earnest with a céili by the Abbey Céili Band.

Participants can look forward to an early start to their Saturday morning with workshops set to begin from 10.30am. Labasheeda Nation School will be the venue for set-dancing classes with Mike Mahony and step- dancing with Celine and Michael Tubridy.

After the break for lunch, the John- ny Reidy Céili Band will provide the

music for the first céili of the day from 3pm.

After an evenings barbecue at St Kieran’s Centre the evening will be rounded off with another céili, this time the Glenside Ceili Band will provide the entertainment.

Following 10am Mass on Sunday, there will be a commemorative visit to the graves of Dan Furey and James Keane on Sunday morning.

The early afternoon will see the Kilmurry Players provide the music for dancing at the Battery Castle be- fore a fancy dress parade takes to the Streets.

The Brian Boru Céili Band will provide the music for the afternoon LUTON Me Lbn (Oe: ham olo) CO) CoM Neo CoIOA DUDES completed with music from the Matt

Cunningham Céili Band on Sunday evening.

Since their passing, both Dan Furey and James Keane have become icons for followers of the dancing tradi- tions of this area. They are credited with being the saviours of the tradi- tional dances of Labasheeda.

Dan was known far and wide for teaching dancing in the schools of west Clare and latterly came to prominence at the Willie Clancy eave

He was single-minded in his teach- ing and dedicated his life to this art form. He was familiar to many in the county not least for his fiddle accom- paniment for the dancers.

James learned his first steps from his grandmother when he was very

young and enjoyed going to dances in his youth. He spent most of his working life farming and doing GNI eM(0)u.@

Following his retirement from farming he returned to the dancing scene where he commanded great re- spect from all who came in contact with him.

Dan and James toured the country and travelled abroad teaching the La- basheeda dances and getting to know people. When the Dan Furey Festival was launched in 1995, James became a major attraction and much of the credit for the success of the weekend Tier ABM LOlUiKore mom sveeer

For more information on the Dan Furey weekend check out www.la- basheeda.net.

THE European Ombudsman, Ni- kiforus Diamandouras, last week agreed to examine complaints made by the Fairness for Farmers in Eu- rope (FFE) in relation to the impor- tation of Brazilian beef.

The FFE complaint alleges that the European Commission failed to ban beef imports into the European Un- ion by Brazil, notwithstanding evi- dence that such imports pose a risk to human and animal health.

‘Although this is a positive step, it should be borne in mind that it is also just a first step in a long process,” said Malcolm Thompson, President

of the ICSA.

Meanwhile, the IFA this week re- peated its call for a complete ban on Brazilian beef. IFA National Live- stock Chairman, John Bryan, called on the EU Commission to imme- diately impose a ban on Brazilian beef imports as they fail to meet EU standards in the critical area of resi- due testing and food safety.

“If European consumers were aware of the full extent of the failure of Brazilian beef to meet EU standards on residue testing, veterinary medi- cines control and associated food safety issues, they would be horrified and demand full accountability from Commissioner Kyprianou and the

EU Commission,” he said.

“I am horrified to see that beef which fails to meet proper standards is accepted by the EU from Brazil, Whereas it would automatically be skipped in Ireland by the vets and controls in our meat plants”.

The IFA Munster Vice President, Sean O’Leary, welcomed the com- mitment from Brian Crowley MEP, that he and his fellow Fianna Fail MEPs will put forward a joint request this week to the European Commis- sion, that Brazil should be given one month to get their meat traceability standards up to the equivalent EU- required standards, or face an out- right ban by the EU.

Mr. Crowley gave the commitment to Munster IFA Officers at a meeting with them last week in Cork, which was specially convened on the issue.

Crowley was told by the IFA Of- ficers that they were appalled by the double-standards approach that is currently being adopted by Minis- ter for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan TD, when she was prepared to act immediately to ban the import of all fresh meat from the UK because of one outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease, yet she can see no problem with continuing to import beef from Brazil, where the disease 1s rampant, and traceability on livestock is non- econ

AN independent county council- lor is once more leading opposition against revised plans by a Shannon- based company to establish the first crematorium in the west of Ireland.

In a formal objection against the planned development, Cllr Gerry Flynn claims that the proposed de- velopment is in contravention of the south east Clare development as the site is zoned ‘open space’ and not for commercial development.

The plan is proposed by [llauma- managh Ltd, steered by two former members of Clare County Council, Sean Hillery and Tony McMahon.

Plans were first lodged for the pro- posal in 2005 and last November, Ilaumamanagh Ltd withdrew their plans to allow the company revise the scheme.

The proposal was re-lodged last month. However, Cllr Flynn — who objected to the previous plan — claims that the proposal is on land owned by the public adjacent to the local grave- yard of [llaumanagh. He claimed that, “The planned future expansion of the graveyard could be curtailed if the proposal is granted permission.”

In a separate objection, Ray and Margaret Keohane stated, “We are concerned that a commercial devel-

opment such as a crematorium is be- ing proposed in this area.

“The proposed commercial devel- opment would be of great concern to us on the grounds of increased traffic movement. The crematorium in Cork is located away from residential de- velopment at Ringaskiddy whereas the proposal for Shannon would be located near residential, sporting and an existing graveyard in need of ex- pansion.”

In a submission lodged by the com- pany, they accept that the plan would be in contravention of the Develop- ment Plan. It stated, “However, the proposed development is an appro- priate ancillary development to the adjacent graveyard and it is suggest- ed that a decision to grant permis- sion in contravention of zoning for this specific development would be appropriate and would not set prec- edents for other developments in the area due to its unique nature.

“The proposed development is an appropriate addition to the range of services and facilities within the area. The development is a unique use in a unique location and is not likely to establish a precedent for further similar developments in the future.”

A decision is due on the applica- tion later this year.

SCARIFF Show this year is taking place on Saturday, September | and the event is now older than the ma- jority of the people who will be at- Koueeuuercap lm

“We are celebrating 63 years – how many organisations can say that. Most of our success is down to the support and encouragement we re- ceive from our sponsors and the lo- cal support of people who come on the day,” said committee member, Tom Allen,

There are lots of extra activities this year, with a bouncy castle, kid- die karts and the new laser maze.

There will also be a good number

of new trade stands as well as all the old reliables.

The very popular vintage display at- tracted big crowds last year and the organisers say they are “very proud” to have the display at the show again this year.

This year, parents and youngsters are invited to take part in the family Gute e-eomOe NYA

This kicks off about 3pm with the egg and spoon race, followed by the sack race and the three legged races. Adults will have their novelty races too so no-one feels left out. Make sure to bring running shoes.

There is a revamped dog show, with loads of novelty classes for man’s best friend as well as the usual

variety classes.

The indoor section has also got some new classes for adults and chil- dren and the message from the show organisers is “paint that picture, bake that cake, pick those flowers, knit that scarf – please get involved”’.

The classes which have proved so popular in the past, mare and foal, young horses, jumping, show hunter and working hunter, pony classes with new local classes this year, side saddle, donkey and sheep sections. There will be the ISA and Scarif Show All – Ireland Filly Champion- ship at 3pm.

Favourites with the ladies at any show, Scariff again this year have the Best Dressed Lady sponsored by

Karena’s, Best Dressed Child and Fancy Dressed Child sponsored by Bane’s Gift Shop, Bonny Baby com- petition sponsored by Dunphy Allen School of Irish Dancing, and Queen of the Plough sponsored by Michael Ryan of Ryan’s Bar.

Any entries please contact Tom or Joanne Allen, Clounty, Scariff 061 921687 or entry@scariffshow.com

The event is now firmly in the east Clare calendar and is one not to be missed as the summer draws to a close.

THE summer battle over milk prices continued this week when the IFA accused Glanbia of holding back of some €5 million of payments to eur ace

IFA President, Padraig Walshe, at- tacked the co-op on Thursday, ac- cusing it of withholding over €5m in milk payments due to suppliers for the 2006 KPMG milk audit top- up, and the July 2007 milk price in- Keron

‘Average suppliers have now been left short about €1,300 in milk pay- ments due from Glanbia. This is money that farmers are entitled to

and need, and suppliers are angry that Board members can stand by and allow this to happen,” he said.

“It is totally unacceptable that Glanbia’s 4,000 suppliers have not yet received the top-up payment of at least 1.3c/gal, arising from the 2006 KPMG audit. The top-up is worth at least €780 to a 60,000 gallon pro- ducer.

In the past, this top-up payment was always issued by way of a Sec- ond cheque in June or July, as soon as the audit was published.”

The IFA President also denounced Glanbia’s failure to pay the July milk price increase that they announced and got credit for.

“This payment is believed to be worth some €500 to an average sup- plier with 7,000 gallons of July de- TAoiu lee

“Last year, Glanbia Co-op was used to subsidise Glanbia Plc to make up milk payments to farmers.

“This year, Glanbia Plc manage- ment has been dragging its heels on milk price increases all year,’ con- tinued Walshe.

‘“Glanbia plc is already operating on greatly increased processor margins this year. Farmers are furious that management use every possible ploy to hold back on milk payments”’.

He continued, “It’s a new depar- ture for Glanbia to hold back on milk

payments that have already been an- nounced. It’s high time that farmer board members Glanbia to account.” Earlier in the week the IFA Presi- dent had demanded a meeting with Glanbia Chief Executive, John Maloney, stating, “Glanbia’s on ac- count prices of €170/t for barley, €180/t for wheat and €185/t for oats are derisory and this move is clearly designed to undermine the market for green grain by €15 to €20/t”.

SIX people who were thrown into the water after their boat capsized were struggling to reach safety in full view of a large crowd for 20 minutes before anyone rang the coastguard.

It emerged that people standing on the bridge and by the riverside in Kil-

laloe on Sunday evening, watching the hapless boaters struggle to get to dry land, all wrongly presumed that someone else had rung the emergen- cy Services.

“It was almost 20 minutes after the incident before the call came in that there were people in trouble in the water and then it was from someone who knows people in the service,” a

spokesman for the Killaloe Coast- guard service said.

“We are asking people to ring 999, even if they think it has been called in before.”

The coastguard boat was called out after a small boat turned over, throw- ing the six men into the water.

Four — including one man who was not wearing a lifeyjacket — man-

aged to get out but only after they were swept almost 300 yards along the river.

The coastguards were on the scene minutes after getting the call and picked the remaining pair from the We ho

“The turbines were turned on at Ardnacrusha, creating a 15-knot cur- rent.

“If that grabs you, you just get dragged away,’ a member of the res- cue team said.

All six had been aboard a hire cruiser moored at Molly’s on the Ballina side.

The accident happened at the bridge at Killaloe after they went on the wa- ter in a smaller boat which comes with the hire cruiser.

COMPETITORS in the Tour of Ire- land cycle race in association with Failte Ireland were given a special welcome as they wheeled into Tua- mgraney last Friday. The cyclists were greeted by ‘Wel- come To East Clare’ signs erected by East Clare Tourism in association with Shannon Development.

The cyclists saw the signs on their way to finish of stage three on Sta- tion Road, Ennis. Placed on the Kil-

laloe Road, they also carried the East Clare Tourism web address – www. visitclare.net – and were placed in prime position to be caught on cam- era by the national media.

Teresa Browne of East Clare Tour- ism explained that the “opportunity was too good to miss. We want to put the message out there that this is a beautiful part of the country to visit”.

This was the first time that the tour has passed through east Clare and Teresa says it is “a great boost for the

area.”

While business is good this month in the tourism sector in east Clare, Teresa said, there is still a long way to go.

“July was a very bad month. A number of people in the bed and breakfast sector have decided to get out of the business and there will be more at the end of the season. There’s a lot of concern about the future, what with the Shannon situation.”

Teresa doesn’t believe that the bad weather was the cause of people not

holidaying in the area.

“We really need one major attrac- tion in east Clare if people in this region are going to continue in the tourism business,” she said.

“But we keep hoping and we’ll do everything we can to promote the area. It’s a beautiful region to holiday in and there are plenty of facilities, accommodation and activities. We were delighted that the tour passed through such a beautiful location to give a taste of how lovely east Clare ira

NEW to the books of Brian Lohan Auctioneers is a detached house at Kevin Barry Avenue, Corrovorin, Ennis. The selling agents are seek- ing offers in the region of €280,000 for this proerty, which represents ex- cellent value for money.

The location of this property, on large site within walking distance of the town and all of its amenities, makes this house very attractive. According to the selling agent, ““This property offers superb potential to extend subject to acquiring the nec- essary planning permission”’.

There is a large garage attached to the house, which is plumbed and has electricity. The garage has obvious conversion potential and with space available to the side of the garage, prospective owners could plan a ma-

jor extension. Accommodation com- prises an entrance hallway, sitting room, kitchen, dining room, utility, four bedrooms and the family bath- room.

Outside there’s a concrete storage shed and walled in gardens, framed by mature trees. To the front is a boundary wall, planted inside with mature ever green hedging. There’s a concrete driveway and a lawn.

Features include wooden flooring and an oil stove, in the dining area and fitted pine units in the kitchen.

It’s not often that an opportunity such as this comes on the market in Ennis and for those with a yen for a project, this property is well worth aCe auntee

AMBITIOUS plans to construct a new hotel on the Main Street of the north Clare resort of Lahinch have been described as ‘ludicrous’.

In a hard hitting objection against the planning application lodged by William Stackpoole, Pat Kenny of Main Street, Lahinch claims, “This proposed development is over-build of the worst kind.

“This is a village. This site is a cottage with a small yard and some outhouses. The proposal to build 16 apartments, restaurant, bar, recep- tion areas on this small site is ludi- crous and has already been refused by An Bord Pleanala.”

Mr Kenny states, “This develop- ment does not materially differ from the previous application that was re- fused by An Bord Pleanala. The cur- rent proposal shows only cosmetic differences from the previously re- fused plan and none of the root issues of the refusal have been addressed.

He adds, “The construction of this underground car-park will…compro- mise the structure of Kenny Woollen Mills and Avondale Apartment Block to the south of the development.

“The excavation of the basement car-park would certainly cause the

older part of Kenny Woollen Mills building to shift its foundations.

‘The proposed deck at the rear will be used as a smoking area for the pa- trons of the adjoining dining room with the associated noise and pollu- tion to neighbouring apartments and business. This is a development that… will have long-lasting effects on my TELOMLom AU OC-beomee

In his objection, Donal Kenny states, “I own a building, Kenny Woollen Mills, directly south of the site. This proposed development would seriously devalue my proper- ty…My building is being overlooked by this proposed development. We will have windows facing directly into apartments and commercial ar- eas. Privacy 1s compromised.”

In response to the concerns raised by the Kennys, the council has re- quested that Mr Stackepoole lodge revised plans, confirming that the council has a number of concerns over the scheme.

The council state that the plan would result in overlooking and over- shadowing. In its request for over-de- velopment and also stated that the increase in height of the building where there is a lane has the potential to result in a location for anti-social behaviour, especially at night.