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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.

THE O’Briensbridge/Clonlara Com- munity Group is launching the newly developed Loop Walks, which link the two areas, as part of the Heritage Council’s heritage week events.

The routes will be officially opened with an introduction walk to view and experience the new heritage amenity walkway on Saturday, Sep- tember | at 11.30am.

Walkers are invited to start at the Riverside Park in the village on the banks of the Shannon where the trailhead and map board are located and where the loop walks start and nUONI OR

The walks cover an overall dis-

tance of 16 km and are made up of three loops (red, blue and green) each of which can be walked as sep- arate routes or as shorter distances. The red loop, which follows the Old Barge Way is 12km, the blue loop along the Errina Canal loop is 7km and the Parteen Weir loop is 5km.

“This walkway is most unique for a number of reasons including, it does not use public roads, it’s on land which is under public owner- ship and does not infringe on private land,” said Group Chairman, Mick Murtagh.

“Its location is all along waterways and for most of the time is out of ear- shot to the hustle and bustle of mod- ern living. It connects two rural vil-

lages, O’Briensbridge and Clonlara, without touching on a public road.

The red loop (Old Barge Way) is an elevated walkway which starts in the village of O’Briensbridge and runs downstream along the bank of the River Shannon and the Errina Canal to the village of Clonlara.

Walkers cross over seven 17th cen- tury quaint heritage stone bridges or archways which have all been re- stored. On the way is the now der- elict lockkeeper’s house alongside Ireland’s only treble lock.

The Loop Walks have been devel- oped by The O’Briensbridge/Clon- lara Community Group in asso- ciation with Shannon Development, Waterways Ireland, and Clare Coun-

ty Council and with assistance from, the Heritage Council, Leader Group and the ESB; other bodies like the Shannon Fisheries Board and Road- stone have also provided funding for the project

The walks are part of the Shannon Regional Trails Programme which were launched earlier this year by Shannon Development and are a Shannon Development initiative.

The development of these loop walks have also allowed the Lough Derg Way to be re-routed through the villages of O’Briensbridge and Clonlara. The loops are also marked as approved high grade loop walks under the Failte Ireland Looped Walks initiative.

SHANNON-BASED Fine Gael councillor, Tony Mulcahy has se- cured planning permission for five homes in spite of local opposition to the proposal in Shannon.

Along with business partner Noel Justice, Cllr Mulcahy secured plan- ning permission for the five homes after An Bord Pleanala ruled that the homes would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Earlier this year, Clare County Council gave the go-ahead for the

homes. However, these decisions were appealed by “concerned citi- zens of Clairin Glas”.

Cllr Mulcahy said yesterday, “I was never in any doubt that the homes would get planning permission as the proposal met with council policy.”

He added, “I would be critical of the innuendo…that somehow I was doing something wrong looking for planning permission. Everyone is entitled to apply for planning and go through the proper process and that is what I did.”

Cllr Mulcahy said that planning had already been given for four

houses on the site a number of years ago and “to seek planning for an ad- ditional two houses is not out of the Kesha ae

The inspector in the case recom- mended that planning permission be granted having regard to the provi- sions of the Development Plan as varied for the area, the urban nature of the site and the pattern of develop- ment in the area.

In their appeal, the residents claimed that the “council have con- travened the county plan in relation to proper densities for the Clarin Glas area”.

THE Ennis Tennis and Badminton Club has raised ‘major’ child pro- tection concerns in response to a planned apartment block overlook- ing the club grounds.

Last month, Cluid Housing Asso- ciation lodged plans for a five-storey apartment block on the grounds of Waterville House on Ennis’s Mill Road to construct 21 one-bedroom apartments and six two-bedroom apartments.

However, the proposal has prompt- ed stiff opposition from the Ennis Tennis and Badminton Club and lo- cal residents.

In its objection, the Ennis Tennis and Badminton Club raises ‘child protection’ concerns. It states, ““With a large junior membership, the club has rigorous child protection

schemes. Consequently, units with views overlooking children at play is of serious concern to all members.

‘The current proposal with viewing balconies virtually on or very close to the dividing boundary is of major concern for all members and visitors, be they male, female or junior, vis a vis privacy, security and child pro- tection.”

It goes on, “A more compatible one and a half storey development with velux windows to the northern boundary would be more sympathet- ic to the protected structure and its setting and would have less adverse impact on the use of our facilities.

“The proposed height of five sto- reys would block sunlight from courts. Loss of light and particularly sunlight would drastically reduce the enjoyment of the sporting amenity in terms of surface deterioration due to

dampness. Court 1 would become a dark court.”

The objection states, “The pro- posed development has inadequate public and private open space and is not compatible with the adjacent en- vironment.”

The objection is accompanied by 42 individual objections lodged by club members.

The general objection states, “We wish to emphasize that, whilst the members of the club recognise the need for orderly development, they feel that it is incumbent on the cur- rent members and committees to protect the security, privacy and safety of this most valuable, long- standing sports facility, which is the only tennis and badminton club in the expanding town of Ennis.”

A decision is due on the application later this year.

JUST one of the 60 new hospital con- sultants announced last week are to be based at Ennis General Hospital.

The HSE announced that it was investing more than €10 million to create the 60 new posts in 24 hospi- tals that have emergency departments which are performing well.

While the Mid West Regional Hos- pital, Limerick, has been awarded the largest number of consultant posts nationally – eight in total, with four more consultant posts spread across the Mid Western Hospital Network,

just one of the consultants will be stationed in Ennis.

The new general medicine consult- ant will be part of the Mid Western Hospital Network “with a commit- ment to Ennis”.

The Ennis hospital whose 24 hour Accident and Emergency Depart- ment is currently under threat of downgrading to a part time nurse led service, Will also share an Emergen- cy Service Consultant with the Mid Western Regional Hospital Limer- ee

Three Emergency Medicine Con- sultants have been allocated to the

mid-west under the scheme, but all three will be shared between Limer- ick and the three hospitals, including Ennis, believed to lose their A and Es following the publication of the Mid West Hospital Review.

The Ennis hospital currently has a “0.3 A and E consultant”.

It also has three anaesthetists’ con- sultants, three surgical consultants and three physicians.

The hospital is also functioning with just one radiologist with one new post to be advertised according to the HSE.

The HSE said it expects a number

of improvements in the system as a result of the appointment of the doz- en consultants in the mid-west.

It outlined improvements such as on-floor clinical supervision and de- cision making, enhanced infection control and clinical liaison service.

It also pointed to rapid assessment of medical or surgical patients – re- sulting in earlier discharge of inpa- tients, significant improvements in relation to access to diagnostic pro- cedures and reductions in the “OPD new” to return ratios.

It is envisaged that the additional posts will increase the number of

senior decision makers who would be present in emergency departments as well as the length of time such cli- nicians will be available.

‘These posts will also help improve direct GP access to diagnostics and speed up the availability of diagnos- tic results,” according to the HSE.

“Each type of post has been de- cided on the basis of local needs and will enable the successful hospitals streamline further their internal processes to enable their emergency department operate at their best,” a HSE spokesperson said.