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KILRUSH is on the crest of a wave as yachts man Ger O’Rourke has won the prestigious and hotly con- tested Rolex Fastnet Race for the local club.

The Limerick native has long been associated with the Kilrush Western Yacht Club and has owned a number of both very large and small racing yachts.

Chieftain sails under the flags of the Western Yacht Club and under her nominated homeport of Kil- rush Ireland, and thanks to her suc- cess the club and Kilrush are being brought to the attention of a world- VA Celomr- LOCO BCA ron

Last week the Cookson 50, was declared the overall winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race and its captain presented with the Fastnet Chal- lenge Cup and a Rolex Yacht master timepiece at the prize giving on Fri- day at the historic Royal Citadel in Plymouth.

The Farr-designed carbon fibre yacht finished Wednesday night at 19:43:44 local time with an elapsed sailing time of 55:04:43.

Ger O’Rourke previously brought honour to the local yacht club by winning the Cork Dry Gin Sailor of the Year 2006 and the Cork Dry Gin Sailor of the Month for January, 2006.

Ger is the director of the Limerick

based Civil Engineering and Con- struction Company Chieftain Con- struction Ltd and is a mechanical engineer with a marketing degree.

The engineer is an avid competi- tive sailor and has taken part in yacht racing for a number of years including the 2004 BMW Round Ireland Race in which he finished well up the field.

However in 2005 Ger decided to have his own custom built yacht and put a programme in place to achieve that ambition.

He planned a Cookson 50 racing yacht with a canting keel built and awarded the construction contract to a boatyard in New Zealand.

The result of this endeavour was

the now famous Chieftain. With it he took part in the internationally renowned Southern Hemisphere, Sydney, Australia to Hobart, Taz- mania Race in December 2005 and won the event, which was a most auspicious start to his racing ca- KsLo

Following the yacht’s success in the Southern Hemisphere, Chief- tain came north and in 2006 won a string of major races in North- ern Europe and the Mediterranean. Chieftain was named as the Irish Cruising Racing Association Yacht of the Year for 2006.

Chieftain is sailed with a crew of 12 to 15 people depending on race requirements.

A QUESTION mark has been thrown over an ambitious proposal by a County Clare construction company to develop a strategic site in Ennis.

Ennis couple Vincent and Ann Coffey of Clonroad, Ennis lodged an appeal to An Bord Pleanala against a plan by Galvin Construction Ltd to build a retail outlet on Ennis’s Fran- cis Street.

In 2004, it emerged that the Cof- feys withdrew their objection against a €20 million housing scheme at the Quin Road, Doora by Luxury Homes (Galway) Ltd after the company paid them £85,000 (€107,930) and gave them two free sites.

A letter to the board from the Cof- feys stated that at no time did they approach the developers with the in- tention of securing payment of mon- ey, gifts or consideration of other in- ducement by any person.

An Bord Pleanala has already up- held the Coffeys’ concerns in relation to the Galvin Construction Francis Street proposal by refusing planning permission to the development last year.

The Coffeys property is adjacent to the Galvin development and the building company re-lodged plans to develop the Francis Street site.

Ennis Town Council gave the com-

pany the go-ahead and now the Cof- feys have appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala.

Consultants for the Coffeys state, “The proposed development will devalue our client’s property by vir- tue of its proximity along the lateral ere) UbALe rN AYA

“It will result in overshadowing, loss of amenity and privacy. The wrap-around balcony at second-floor level, if permitted, will directly over- look our client’s property…

“We would respectfully submit that this application should be refused pending a more appropriate design solution for the site.” A decision is due on the appeal later this year.

The appeal stated that “the current planning application involves the de- velopment of part of one of the most important sites in Ennis town centre, situated at the junction of Francis Street and Clonroad and, whilst the Site 18 vacant, it 1s deemed suitable for a mixture of uses”.

“The council will recognise that this stand-alone proposal jeopard- ises the potential for the proper plan- ning and development of the entire area and must be assessed in those ACCU N AHEAD Gree

“An overall proposal is required for the entire area to ensure that the land’s true potential is exploited,” the appeal stated.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has bro- ken his silence on the Shannon/Hea- throw crisis to announce the setting up of a group to study the options for the airport and the region.

The news comes after a weekend protest in which almost 6,000 people took to the streets and marched along the Shannon dual carriageway to de- mand that the decision be reversed.

In his first public announcement since the controversial decision to axe the Heathrow flights at Shannon 14 days previously, the Taoiseach promised that an interdepartmen-

tal group of senior government of- ficials will be asked to examine all the available options for airline con- nectivity.

He repeated his reassurances yes- terday afternoon at a meeting with Brian O’Connell, Chairman of the Atlantic Way, regarding Shannon- London connectivity.

He stated that the report to be pre- pared for Government should clearly set out the options for supporting aviation connectivity for Shannon, the level of investment in the Shan- non region in the National Develop- ment Plan and Transport 21, and the implications of aviation connectivity

for companies.

O’Connell said that the message he brought the Taoiseach was one of “deep anger and concern” but that the meeting was “positive and construc- tive…this is a vital first step towards addressing the key issue of the slots and also the wider context of Shan- non’s global connectivity,” he said.

Ennis, Galway, Limerick and Shan- non chambers of commerce today gave a preliminary welcome to the Taoiseach’s announcement.

The four Chambers, who collec- tively represent 1,600 businesses with over 100,000 employees, said they will work closely with the group

but added that “the current decision by Aer Lingus, although question- able from a commercial and political point of view, is also the result of a much broader issue; the overall lack of regional up-to-date infrastructure which should have been in place at least three years ago.

“If the Government was truly com- mitted to balanced regional develop- ment, then the region would not be in this position today,” a spokesman Sr HKOe

FOR the first time ever the Ellen (Nell) Galvin Traditional Music Weekend will feature music classes.

OW sem Y COE Me Co OR DM Tmm DOB LACES OD AO S| year and takes place from August 31 to September 2.

The festival will officially open on Friday night at 9pm with a mu- sic session by John Kelly, Peter O’ Loughlin, Maeve Donnelly, Frank Custy, Patrick O’Loughlin, Paul Smith and John Everist and friends from Missouri USA. A Ceili with music provided by Four Courts Céili

band will follow.

On Saturday for the first time ever tin whistle and bodhran with Karen McInerney, fiddle classes with Vin- cent Griffin, flute classes with Paddy O’Donoghue and set dancing classes with Mary Murrihy will take place, all free of charge.

Music sessions will continue as al- ways on Saturday with Ann Hayes and her group, Mick Crehan, Ira Crehan, Angela Crotty, Paul Smith, Kitty Hayes, Peter Laban Frank Whelan and Cois na hAbhna Group, Michael Falsey and Lissycasey Jnr set dancers.

On Sunday Mass in Lisdeen Church begins at 9.30am followed by a visit to Nell Galvin’s grave. Music ses- sions will continue all day until late in Clancy’s Bar.

Local Legend Ellen “Nell” Galvin was born in Ballydinneen Knocka- lough on March 1, 1887.

She learned to play the fiddle un- der the watchful eye of blind Piper Garret Barry. She could also play the concertina but concentrated on the fiddle. Nell was the first Clare woman to broadcast traditional Irish Music from Radio Eireann known at the time as 2 RN.

In 2003 the residents of Moyasta got together and a committee was set up to organise the weekend.

“The intention was to give some recognition and pay homage to one of our own,’ said Mary Haugh secre- tary of the committee.

The event takes place each year on the first weekend in September to co- incide with the anniversary of Nell’s death on September 5, 1961.

“The committee would like to thank Clare County Council, the Arts Council, CCE and our loyal sponsors for their assistance,’ said Ms Haugh.

ALLEGATIONS that a 17-year-old Kilrush woman was the victim of a gang rape in the town last week are being investigated by local gardai.

The young woman alleges she was attacked by two or three men, at around 2.45am last Thursday, in the Moore Street area of the town – just hours after she had been out socialis- ing to celebrate her friend’s Leaving Certificate results.

The young woman has claimed that she was set upon and attacked by up to three men – who were unknown to her – and sexually assaulted, on the Street.

She had been socialising in Kilkee earlier that night and had just re- turned to her home town, when the alleged incident took place.

The complainant was alone at the time. She alerted her brother, who phoned Kilrush Garda Station.

An investigation was immediately mounted and the area of the alleged incident was sealed off for a number of hours on Thursday.

The woman was later interviewed by investigating gardai and she made a full statement in relation to the matter. She was treated at the sexual assault unit at the Mid Western Re-

gional Hospital, Limerick, while her clothes were sent away to Dublin for forensic analysis.

Although she was deeply trau- matised, the young woman was not physically injured.

Gardai were due to interview the young woman for a second time yes- terday (Monday) evening.

They have also obtained CCTV footage of the area in question and have viewed this, as part of the in- vestigation.

They say they know little about the alleged perpetrators at this stage.

Kilrush Superintendent Declan Brogan said that no witnesses have yet come forward. However, he is appealing to anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the town between 2am and 3am that night tocome forward.

‘There was a festival on (Eigse Mrs Crotty traditional musical festival) over the last week and a lot of people were on the streets that hour of the morning,” said Supt Brogan.

“As of yet, no-one seems to have seen anything. We are appealing for anyone who was in the town that night and who may have informa- tion to contact us,’ he added. Kil- rush gardai can be contacted on 065 9051017.

THE developers of a proposed hous- ing development in the north Clare resort of Lahinch have argued that it is not viable to retain the route of the West Clare Railway that lies close to the development.

A decision is expected this week on plans by Patricia Stackpoole for 10 homes on Station Road in Lahinch.

However, the council has already expressed concerns over the scheme’s impact on the West Clare Railway.

Last year, the impact a housing de- velopment in Lahinch could have on the defunct railway line was one of the reasons the council refused plan- ning permission for the development.

However, the decision was over- turned by An Bord Pleanala. In its request for further information from Ms Stackepoole, the council pointed out that it is policy to only permit de- velopment on or adjacent to the west Clare plan that will not conflict with the policy.

The council states, “The proposed

plan includes a number of building units and their rear gardens to be built over the line of the West Clare Railway. Please address this matter by way of revised proposals.”

In response, consultants for Ms Stackepoole state, “The line of the railway to the east and west of the site..has been fully obscured and built over by numerous different ownerships for an extensive period of time. The rationale of maintaining the area of that line traversing the site does not therefore appear to be

viable.”

Already, the proposal has attracted a lot of local opposition and the ul- timate arbiters of the merits of the application look set to be An Bord Pleanala. The developers will be en- couraged that the board cast aside the reason to refuse on the basis of the impact on the West Clare Rail- way in a recent decision.

In one of the objections that reflects local feeling over the plan, Marie O’Donoghue states, “Lahinch is a seaside village and haphazard back-

land development of this nature and size…1S not in keeping with the char- acter of the village and detrimental to the life of the elderly residents ad- jacent to it.

“The proposed development will cause serious disruption to the eld- erly residents adjacent to it and, in particular, during the construction as it is proposed that all site machinery and construction works access will be through the proposed walkway which is between two houses of long- term residents of Station Road.”

KILKEE Parish Church is getting a makeover, the aim of which is to open up the imposing building to the community.

As well as dressing up the aesthet- ics of the 1960s building, practical work is also being undertaken.

Leaks in the facade and window are being sealed, the car park is being made more users friendly, and the church is being made more Wheelchair accessible.

Kilkee Parish Council Finance Committee are over seeing the project, with local artist Paddy Mur- ray declared the brainchild of the new design.

Parish Priest Donagh O’Meara said

that the church was originally built in 1963 with a summer congregation bomeeneeren

As aresult it can hold 1,200 people. During four to five weeks during the summer the church 1s filled to capac- ity as 10,000 people make Kilkee their summer home.

Come the winter however, when the local population reaches approx1- mately 1,500 people the church can be quiet empty.

Work has already began in the €200,000 renovation project but Mass and ceremonies are continuing as usual.

“The church needs to be opened and made more friendly and acces- sible,’ said Fr O’Meara.

“We need to make it part of the

community rather than having it en- closed.”

The grounds of the church have been the scene of numerous organ- ised community gatherings such as barbeques.

By lowering the walls so the peo- ple can sit on them and merging the three entrances into two it is expected that the grounds will be more easily available for community gatherings.

While the building is very “func- tional” it is not the most aesthetically pleasing church in the county, so trees are to be added to its surrounds for a less imposing and warm effect.

The leak in its brick walls is caus- ing dampness in the church especial- ly in the sanctuary and the front of Weom@slerKeee

“The problem is the salt air does damage,’ said Fr O’Meara. “The bricks get porous from the air.”

While the bad weather has ham- pered some of the work to date it 1s hoped that it will all be completed in October.

Fundraising is continuing in the area for the project.

MUCH like his brief tenure in charge, Tony Considine’s dismissal as Clare manager was charged, fraught with tension and at times extraordinary.

A heated debate that ran for almost two and a half hours culminated in clubs overwhelmingly voting in fa- vor of a motion put forward by the Executive to change the management team. 45 voted for Considine to be sacked and only six voted against.

After the business of appointing a five-man committee to lead the search for Paidi O Sé’s successor as Clare senior football manager, County Board Chairman Michael McDonagh dropped the bomb that many were expecting.

“I am making a proposal that we change the senior management team for next year” said McDonagh.

“I have to accept mistakes were made,’ he said before stating “he wouldn’t recommend this job to his worst enemy’.

The executive, said McDonagh, were all in agreement that Tony Con- sidine was no longer the right man to lead Clare hurling. A few key reasons emerged for this.

The fact that sponsor Pat O’ Donnell and County Secretary Pat Fitzgerald were asked, along with others not directly involved with the team, to leave the Clare dressing room before a match in Meelick, was one.

The circumstances surrounding the withdrawals of physical fitness coach Dave Mahedy, goalkeeper David Fit- zgerald and selector Ger Ward.

It was revealed that another selec- tor, Pat O’Connor, told McDonagh that he would not be taking part in the county set up.

And then there was Considine’s close friendship with Ger Loughn- anne, a man viewed by many in the room as the de facto spokesperson for the Clare team.

Kilmurry Ibrickane delegate TJ O’Loughlin, who seconded the Board’s motion, raised Loughnanne’s

comments when he unfavorably com- pared club delegates to “mushrooms” and “village idiots”. *“Tony Considine only listens to what Ger Loughnanne tells him” said O’Loughlin. Loughn- anne’s words were clearly unhelpful KOM SNR (ONCE

The mercury burst the glass when the row over the availability of play- ers for club fixtures was aired.

Inflammatory newspaper com- ments by selector Tim Crowe where he robustly challenged anyone who couldn’t stand the heat to get out of the kitchen, were mentioned by Clarecastle’s Paschal Russell, raising the temperature further.

As the debate swayed back and forth and McDonagh vowed this would be one of the last speeches he would ever make, there was barely a mention of the team’s performances on the pitch.

It was as if personal grudges out- weighed any analysis of how Clare under Considine actually played.

In the middle of this, fighting a

losing battle was selector Ciaran O’Neill. With Tony Considine and Tim Crowe both away on holidays it fell to O’Neill to put forward the management’s side. He appealed for the trio to be allowed the opportunity to have their say. McDonagh chal- lenged him to do it on the night, but O’ Neill, declined saying it would not be right to talk without Considine or Seem tion

His appeal won support from some quarters. Kilmaley delegate Eugene McMahon said everyone should have the right of reply.

Noel Welsh said, “it is a very seri- ous matter to terminate someone’s contract, maybe we should hold back and allow a little breathing room”’.

Dan O’Connor from Doora Bare- field and Tony O’Connell from Wolfe Tones also advocated the right of re- ply. A proposal for delegates to re- convene at a special meeting to hear from Considine, Crowe and O’Neill was also shot down. As was a motion for clubs to consult with their mem-

bers before casting their vote.

Considine clearly didn’t help his own cause. He was evasive with the board and the media and refused to entertain accusations that the res- ignations of selectors and the with- drawal of players were impacting on the team’s preparation.

The ill-fated closed doors friendly in Thurles also caused unnecessary tensions between board and manage- ment.

But still, as stormy as it might have been, Considine should have been given the right of reply.

He was sacked without getting an Opportunity to explain or defend himself. By Friday, three days after the event, he had not been officially informed that he was no longer the manager of the Clare senior hurling team.

No matter what way you cut it, that’s just wrong. There was a lot of talk on the night about not repeating the mis- takes of the past year, but the board haven’t made the best of starts.

THE services at Ennis General Hos- pital need not only to be retained in the county but, in many cases, 1m- proved.

That was the message from the chairman of the Clare branch of the Irish College of General Practition- ers, Dr Michael Harty, who addressed last Monday’s public meeting at the Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ennis.

The Kilmihil GP pointed to a number of failings in services at the county hospital, due to lack of invest- ment and a staffing situation he de- scribed as ‘appalling’.

“As a GP, I can’t get an ultrasound in Ennis. There is a service but it is for in-patients only. I can get them in Limerick or Cahercalla for €100,” he said.

He said the CAT scan commis- sioned for the hospital is the worst money can buy and the hospital laboratory is “overwhelmed” by the samples being sent to it by GPs.

“Will it get extra staff?” he asked. “If this is the Government support- ing Ennis General Hospital, it is an oxymoron,’ said the frustrated GP.

The doctor reminded the 600-

strong audience he was addressing that 20 years ago the hospital had 128 beds, a number that was reduced to 88. The new development is add- ing just six.

‘There are 17 per cent more people in the hospital than there should be,” he said. Dr Harty warned that most hospitals “manage well” at 75 per cent capacity, or 80 per cent at most. Ennis operates at 117 per cent.

The campaigning GP told the group that it must work to change Govern- ment policy if it 1s going to improve services at the hospital and retain the service it has.

“Government policy says people are staying in hospital too long and the wrong people are in it.”

“It is Government policy to central- ise services; it is Government policy to privatise everything,” he said.

“You have to change all Govern- ment policy, we can’t just change it for Ennis. You may be told the hos- pital will not close but that does not mean it will continue as it is.

“You will be told that €40 million will improve facilities at the hospi- tal. Of course it will but that does not mean it will be a 24-hour service,’ he warned.

THERE was a feel of little France about Killaloe at the weekend when cycle star, Sean Kelly, led a team of cyclists out of the town for the Tour de Munster.

The team of cyclists were starting the second day of the seventh annual Tour de Munster, where a team of ‘leisure’ cyclists take on a demand- ing and challenging four-day 600km charity cycle.

The ride took the peddlers through all the counties of Munster with all funds raised going directly to the

Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ire- land (CFAI) which will benefit spe- cific Cystic Fibrosis (CF) projects throughout Munster including “Build4Life’, a major fund-raising drive to build a new dedicated CF unit at Cork University Hospital.

The first stage of the tour took the eroup from Cork into County Water- ford for a big climb at the Vee and through Tipperary and Limerick to Killaloe.

They spent the night at the Lakeside Hotel, before renowned international cyclist Sean Kelly will officially lead them off again.

The aim of the 2007 Tour de Mun- Ster 1s to raise €80,000 towards the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ire- land. The association is a voluntary, non-profitable, charitable organisa- tion, set up to increase knowledge and awareness of Cystic Fibrosis and to give advice and support to people with CF and their families. Martin Cahill of CFA Ireland said, “At present there are over 1,100 CF sufferers in Ireland and while there has been a welcome increase in the life expectancy of people with CF over the years, the demand for the services of our association has also

increased dramatically during this time. As we are totally dependent on voluntary donations and fundraising to provide services, we were delight- ed to be asked by Tour de Munster to be the beneficiary of this year’s fund- raising cycle.”

Taking part from Clare were cy- clists John Casey from Quin and John McDonnell of Wine Australia in Ballyvaughan.