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A €50,000 weekend drugs seizure was the biggest ever haul to be found in a house in Shannon.

The assortment of drugs, including heroin, cocaine, ecstacy and canna- bis, was uncovered by gardai during raids on two houses in the town on Friday night.

A mixture of drugs, consisting

mainly of cocaine, but also including quantities of ecstacy and heroin, was seized at a house in Inis Ealga. The value of that haul is estimated to be €47,000. Several thousands of euro was also found at that house, which is a local authority dwelling.

A quantity of cannabis resin, with an estimated value of ©5000, was Seized at a rented house in the Cro- nan area of the town.

The raids were carried out simulta- neously on the houses — in an op- eration involving local plain clothes and uniformed gardai, backed up by members of the Clare Divisional Drugs Unit — at around 7.30pm.

Two young men, in their early 20s, were arrested at the houses, under the Misuse of Drugs Act, and were questioned at Shannon Garda Station overnight. They were released with-

out charge on Saturday evening and a file is being prepared for the DPP.

Gardai, meanwhile, will continue to investigate the matter, while the drugs have been sent for analysis to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Dublin.

“This is the largest haul of drugs found in a house search in Shannon. It was significant. We believe the drugs, or the majority of them, were

destined for the local market,’ said a garda spokesman.

“We would be concerned about the amount of hard drugs making their way into the area,” he added.

‘We are determined to keep on top of the problem. Further searches and investigations will be carried out in Shannon, on a day-to-day basis, in an effort to combat the spread of drugs,” added the garda.

RESIDENTS in the tourist village of Bunratty are demanding that plans for a large extension to a quarry in the village be limited to a 12-15 year period.

A decision is due on the application by Roadstone Provinces Limited later this month and, in a fresh sub- mission, local residents claim that the operation of the quarry is having significant adverse effects.

They state, “We are tolerant of the quarry operation and the submis- sions we make are not unreasonable — insofar as we don’t request the closure of the activity. However, we must request that a buffer zone of at least 200 metres is strictly enforced between our residential boundaries and the active quarry area.”

It goes on, “As residents, we put our health and safety first, the amenity value of our area second and finally

consider the scope for expansion of the area.”

Hence, they request “the limit of 12-15 years for the permission and the request for a community liaison group .

The residents are seeking that the conditions that the council impose “will provide for the protection of the local residents and their amen- ity, and the protection of the tourist resource in Bunratty”.

The residents are also demanding that the council insert a condition that “within six months of the date of this permission, the developer shall establish a local consultative eroup to include representatives of the developer and members and rep- resentatives of the local community and landed interests. The group shall constitute a forum to address op- erational issues of the quarry which are considered to impact upon local amenity”.

THE countdown is on to Ireland’s first ever outdoor painting competi- tion, which takes place in the Burren Painting Centre this weekend. Outdoor painting competitions or ‘paint-outs’ have became popular in America in recent years but this is the first one which has ever been organised on this side of the Atlantic. The competition sees a large group of artists gather together on one day to paint and offer different artistic takes on the same moment in time. “It’s an opportunity for good ama- teur artists to come together and

paint for one day. Each person who comes to the day will have their can- vas or paper stamped in the morning and they will be sent out to three lo- cations around Lisdoonvarna’’, ex- plained Chris O’ Neill of the Burren Painting Centre.

“At the moment we have about 30 artists registered, but people can still sign up until Friday. When they reg- ister on Saturday morning we will give them the three secret locations where the painting will take place.”

The judging panel includes Irish painter Rosemary Carr and water colour expert Charles Harper. Paint- ers will be allowed to enter two

paintings either in oil and acrylic, pure water colour or mixed media, pastel and gouache.

‘People can paint all day, as long as they have their entries with us by 6pm on Saturday evening. I would say most people will enter one paint- ing but I know of people who have told me that they will be entering two, usually one water colour and one acrylic.” Following the competi- tion and judging a prize-giving lunch will take place in the King Thomand Hotel on Sunday September 2, from lpm to 3pm. Prizes will be presented to the winning artists by Lady Alison Rosse of Birr Castle.

The Burren Painting Centre was established in 1974 and has been at- tracting budding artists from Ireland, Europe and America to the Burren since then. Courses are run each year in Lisdoonvarna, from May to Au- cust, with ‘away trips’ organised in April and October to various parts of the world.

The Outdoor Landscape Paint- ing Competition will take place on September 1. Registration will take place at the National School, Lis- doonvarna from 8:30am to 10am. For more information contact the Burren Painting Centre in Lisdoonvarna on NEOs

FOR Clare traditional musicians Tullamore was the place to be last weekend as over 250,000 people congregated in the Offaly capital for the 56th running of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann.

This year’s event, back in the mid- lands after a number of years, revived memories of the first ever All-Ireland Fleadh that took place in Mullingar back in 1951.

And Clare musicians who have dis- tinguished themselves at All-Ireland Fleadhs since the great contests be- tween the Tulla and Kilfenora bands brought more glory to the county, scooping titles across a range of competitions.

Those in the winners enclosure in- cluded: Tara Breen and Cathal Mac An Ri in the Senior Duet compe- tion; David McCarthy, Accordion under 12; Keith O’Loughlin, under 15 Mandolin; Aisling Lyons, under 12 Harp; Emer Arkins in Lilting and Irish Singing and Tig na Coille in the under 18 Céili Band competition.

The Clare success stories didn’t end there. Many other performers were also on the podium over the week- Ne

Tig na Coille were second in the 12-to-15-year-old Céili Band com- petition, while Burren were third. Burren also scooped second in the Grupa Ceoil compeition.

Tara Breen was second in the un- der 18 Fiddle; Dermot Sheedy was runner up in the under 18 drums; Tara Howley third in under 15 Uil- leann Pipes; Emer Arkins/Brian and Keith O’Loughlin third in under 18 Trio; Sean and Gerard Kennedy/ Aine Griffey third in under 12 Trio; Cres sToymyn Ue. Cui MscubKe MBO MBLY BIO UF-Dahve Fergal Breen third in Pipes Slow Airs; Bronwyn Power third in Fiddle under 18 and Martin Breen third in Senior Accompaniment.

THE hidden life of Michael Cusack will be the subject of a series of half-hour talks taking place over the next few day in Carron. The talks, which take place at the newly opened Michael Cusack Centre, have been organised to coincide with this year’s National Heritage Week.

While much is known about the sporting achievements of Carron’s most famous son, comparatively lit- tle is known about his interesting and often times, tragic life outside the GAA.

“We will specifically focus on parts of his private life rather than just the GAA aspect to it. A lot of people don’t realise that his early life story

is very much intertwined with edu- cation and living up here in the Bur- ren,’ said Paddy Maher of the Carron Oise

Also under scrutiny will be his later years, which involved a lot of fam- ily tragedy, but also saw him lead a fascinating life in Dublin, where he met up with James Joyce and was involved with the revival of the Irish language. Also explored will be his quite liberal opinions of labour and how people were treated.

“He had a quite open-minded atti- tude on the way that life should be lived in Ireland,’ said Paddy Maher.

The lectures will take place throughout Heritage Week at 3pm daily and will last for approximately half an hour. The admission cost of

€2.50 includes a visit to the restored Cusack homestead. The Michael Cu- sack Centre has enjoyed great success since in opened in Easter with some 5,000 registered visitors to date.

‘We have been delighted with visi- tor numbers over the last couple of months. So far it has predominately been Irish people who have visited, but we have also had a few trial schools packages, which will be a big thing from September,” contin- ued Paddy.

“We are working on a couple of initiatives over the next three years. We are looking at creating more in- teractive facilities for kids when they come to visit. We are look at creat- ing an all weather pitch where young people, and indeed older people, can

go and test their skills in football and ova bberee

We also want to finish the inside of Michael Cusack cottage, includ- ing the restoration of some famine artifacts plus, we are looking at the possibility of hosting coaching semi- nars during the winter. We are look- ing at running sports physiology and general coaching courses for people involved in the coaching side of the GAA.”

For further information contact the Michael Cusack Centre on 065 eee

THE horrific death endured by Ennis hackney driver Liam Moloney two- and-a-half years ago, was recalled at the inquest into his death last week.

Ennis Coroner’s Court heard details of Mr Moloney’s final journey, on the evening he met his brutal end, on February 11, 2005.

The jury which heard details of the death agreed that he had been the victim of a murder and brought in a verdict in accordance with this.

The inquest heard from Shirley Conway, who worked at the office of Ennis Cabs, on the date in question.

She said the last call she gave Mr Moloney was at 7.14pm, on the evening of his death. That fare was to Clarecastle.

“Liam was in great form. He was due to work through the night, until 4 or 5 in the morning,” said Ms Con- ee

Hugh Hehir was the last fare Mr Moloney brought home that night, prior to him picking up Anthony Keath

Mr Hehir recalled going to the of- fice of Ennis Cabs, to get a taxi.

He said a man in his late 50s emerged from a back office and to- gether they walked to Mr Moloney’s

eb

‘He sounded like a townie. He seemed to know a lot of people around the town,” he said.

Mr Moloney drove Mr Hehir home to Clarecastle, arriving at around 7.30pm.

The following day, Mr Hehir heard that somebody had been killed in Ruan and he only realised who it was when he saw his face on the televi- sion.

John Cullinan, who had rented land at Port, Ruan, at the time, made the grim discovery of Mr Moloney’s body, at around 2.30pm on the after- noon after the murder.

“I saw that it was a human body,’ he said. He phoned his wife and she 1m- mediately contacted the emergency services.

The deceased’s brother Derry Moloney identified the body at Lim- erick Regional Hospital, on February eel tey

The inquest heard that he walked around his brother’s body several times, in shock.

“Tnitially I could not identify the body of my brother Liam, due to the head injuries. I walked around the body again and then identified it as my brother Liam,” the inquest heard.

Detective Sergeant Michael Molo-

ney, who attended the scene of the murder, said the deceased appeared to have had significant injuries to the head and throat.

Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis carried out a post mortem ex- amination on the deceased’s body.

He said Mr Moloney’s skull had been severely fractured. He had sus- tained multiple blows from a chop- ping type weapon, either a machete, meat cleaver or axe.

He had also received multiple lac- erations to the hands and fingers.

Death, he said, was due to blunt force trauma to the head, with cut throat injuries a contributory cause.

WHILE the tourist trade in the rest of the country is starting to get qui- et, Lisdoonvarna is shaping up for a September invasion with the start of this year’s Matchmaking Festival.

The festival, which attracts thou- sands to north Clare each September, opens this weekend with the annual race meeting in Doolin.

“We have three days of racing – Fri- day afternoon, Saturday and Sunday. It brings in a whole different section of people to the festival. The local farmers let the jockeys board their horses on their farms, so everyone is really supportive ,’ said Mark Flana-

gan, Festival Organiser.

‘The focus for the second weekend is on country and western music. We have some great country and western music groups in the town and all the different hotels and pubs will host some great music.

The music carries on all the time, all the way through the festival. There will be a lot of music and danc- ing going on during the day with the first dance of the day taking place at 12 noon at the Spa Wells throughout September.”

During the third, fourth and fifth weekends of the festival the work of local matchmaker Willie Daly really gets going. He sets up shop in the

Matchmaker Bar and helps to match singles together.

“This year we have found that we have never had as many booking and enquiries. The phones have been hop- ping in all the hotels, there is a huge interest in this year’s event,” said Festival Organiser, Marcus White.

“The vast majority of the people who come are Irish. A lot of them come on the weekends but what we have done over the last few years is to put on a lot of midweek dancing too. A lot of couples would to that – it’s not just a singles event, a lot of couple come for the music and the dancing.”

The reputation of the Matchmak-

ing Festival has grown so much that Marcus has been invited to Singa- pore to give a talk on matchmaking later this year.

The grand final of the Matchmak- ing Festival as always is the crowning of Mr. Lisdoonvarna and the Queen of the Burren, which sees the most eligible gentleman and lady awarded the coveted titles.

A LAHINCH businessman has told An Bord Pleanala that he must be allowed to pursue his living without interruption from revellers from an adjoining pub on the Main Street of the resort.

Last month, the council gave Flanagan’s pub the go-ahead for an extension to their operation, ruling that it was in accordance with the proper planning and development of the area. However, Pat Kenny of the

adjoining jewellery shop Gems of Eves/Allure has appealed the deci- sion to An Bord Pleanala.

In his appeal, Mr Kenny said: “The construction of this area will not stop the existing problem of cus- tomers smoking and drinking on the main street as people in the front bar will use the street as it is more con- (os Ob CoOL

“We will now have intoxicated cus- tomers at the front, side and possibly on top of our premises. This is a busy resort town with a constant party

mood during the summer months.

‘“Flanagan’s bar has live music every single night of the summer. We have endured this noise for years and are now completely surrounded by it. My shop is selling jewellery and high quality goods.”

“It is not helped by the rukus next door spilling out into the street and now from my backyard. I need to be allowed to pursue my living without this type of interruption

‘My business stays open late in the summer months and currently has to

contend with only the noise from the main street as there are currently no openings from Flanagan’s bar facing my building.

“If this new plan is allowed, there will be upstairs windows from the existing domestic area, the new large glazing and the doors in the court- yard as well as the clients in the courtyard to contend with. The noise level will be unbearable.

“The construction of this extension will devalue my property. The sub- stantial increase in the size of the bar

and the opening of so many windows and doors facing my property will all mean greater light and disturbance.”

In a submission to the council, Flanagan’s bar stated, “With these measures, it would be anticipated that the courtyard would not contribute to producing a significantly greater disturbance than what is currently on site from the opening of windows to provide natural ventilation to the bar areas.”

A decision is expected before the end of the year.

AFTER years of campaigning by the Lisdoonvarna Failte committee, final approval for almost €1.5 million in government funding for the Lisdoon- varna Community Centre was an- nounced last week.

The funding, which was granted by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, will go towards the restora- tion of the community centre includ- ing the refurbishment of the town’s historic Park Pavilion Theatre.

The theatre, which was built in 1913, played host to countless shows over the decades and helped spawn a theatrical tradition in the area, which survives to today through the Burren

Players.

At the turn of the 19th century Lisdoonvarna was a flourishing spa town and tourist destination. The Pavilion Theatre played a major role in the development of the country’s only active spa town.

“T am delighted that the facility is shortly to be renovated and refur- bished. It is essential that this land- mark in the early development of tourism in rural Ireland is preserved for future generations,’ said Tony Killeen TD, and Minister for Labour PaVar.ubny

‘The announcement by the Depart- ment of Arts, Sport and Tourism rep- resents the final approval of funds, which have been sought by members

of the local community since 2001.

Apart from the local sports com- plex, there is no formal community centre in Lisdoonvarna. ‘Therefore, the provision of funding underlines the significance of developing a thea- tre and community centre.”

The Park Pavilion Theatre will form part of the overall plans to develop comprehensive public facilities in the town. Tony Killeen added, “I have spoken with the Chairperson of Lis- doonvarna Failte, Joe Garrihy, who has informed me that the develop- ment will complement existing plans to establish a children’s playground, community sports field and athletics sports track and a community creche catering for up to 50 children. It is

anticipated that these much-needed facilities will be completed by early summer 2008.”

The North Clare Sports and Amen- ity Park project has already been ap- proved €2.5m by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, the Depart- ment of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Depart- ment of Health and Children, and Clare County Council.

Developments have been progress- ing since the sod was turned on the North Clare Amenity Park in May. When finished the project will in- clude a community sports field and track, town hall pavilion, community creche and community playground.

COUNTY Clare has one of the highest rates of area that is considered ‘grossly polluted’ in a survey of counties across eeRCO LEN IBaNs

A Department of the Environment report on how local authorities per- formed in 2006 has found that along with South Dublin County Council and Roscommon County Council, Clare County Council had the highest at four per cent of area that was con- sidered to be ‘grossly polluted’.

The survey found that 15 per cent of Clare is litter free, 45 per cent of the county is ‘slightly polluted’ and 41 per

cent is ‘moderately polluted’.

The survey also found that 21 percent of the county 1s ‘slightly polluted’. The survey also revealed that in spite of the continuing promotion of recycling, 73 per cent of household waste is still landfilled with 27 per cent recycled.

However, the figure is a dramatic improvement on the recycling-landfill ratio earlier in the decade.

In relation to litter enforcement, the study found that there were 2,064 complaints made resulting in 261 en- forcement procedures, though only two prosecutions were secured in the area of litter

In the planning area, it found that

one out of every planning applica- tion for one-off homes is refused. The refusal rate is higher for housing de- velopments where 38 per cent of plan- ning applications for housing schemes are refused.

In relation to appeals made to An Bord Pleanala, it shows that 36 per cent of decisions were overturned in relation to one-off homes, though in relation to housing schemes, this fig- ure was reduced to 30 per cent.

In the area of planning enforce- ment, it revealed that 274 complaints were made with 10 complaints being resolved through negotiation.

The report reveals that 197 Warn-

ing Letters were issued by the council under the planning acts with a further 129 Enforcement Letters issued. The report reveals that 11 prosecutions were taken into suspected ‘rogue de- velopers’.

In relation to housing, the figures show that 61 per cent of the county’s traveller community were housed un- der the traveller accommodation pro- eramme.

In common with other local authori- ties, Clare has a poor record in relation to the provision of playgrounds where the number of playgrounds provided per 1,000 per population was .06 per Cone