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SWIMMERS braved the cold waters of Liscannor Bay to take part in the Lahinch/Liscannor swim to raise much needed money for the Burren Chernobyl Project on Sunday. Lahinchman, Pat Conway, leads the annual swim each year. “It’s a huge help to the Burren Chernobyl] Project and we are so grateful to Pat and to everyone who took part. The money will be used to help the children and adults in Belarus whose lives have been affected by the Chernobyl dis- aster,’ said Mary Cosgrove of the

Burren Chernobyl Project.

“We try to focus on on-going sus- tainable projects. Two of the orphan- ages we have been dealing with for years are the children’s facilities in Cherven and Goradiche. We also do a lot of work in Tarasaki and Kyl which are adult institutions for peo- ple of 18 years and up.”

The vast majority of work un- dertaken by the Burren Chernobyl Project involves helping to ease the suffering of people living in vast and under-resourced government institu- tions.

Many of these people are suffer-

ing both mentally and physically as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. In recent times however, the Burren Chernobyl Project has been exploring ways in which day- care can be provided for the affected people, allowing them to live in their own home and travel to centres dur- ing the day.

“In Minsk we now have a drop-in day centre, which has received fund- ing from the Government as well as Roche Ireland, Clarecastle. As well as the funding, staff from Roche have gone out there and helped with building work in Minsk,” continued

Mary.

She added, “A lot of the workers who went over have stayed involved with the project.”

The Burren Chernobyl Project is based in Ennistymon and was estab- lished more than 20 years ago to help those affected by the Chernobyl Nu- OTTO N TN Kolm

If you wish to donate money or offer some support, contact the Burren Chernobyl Project at the Old Monastery Building in En- nistymon on 065 7071130, email office@burrenchernobyl.ie or check out www.burrenchernobyl.ie

THE Mayor of Shannon, Cllr Sean McLoughlin, has warned that the battle to retain the Shannon-London link 1s only just beginning.

Shannon’s first citizen is now ask- ing people from across the west and particularly from Clare to join a solidarity walk this Friday evening, from the Drumline roundabout to the Ballymurtagh roundabout, start- ing at 7pm.

The Drumline roundabout is lo- cated on the flyover at the off ramp of the main Limerick to Ennis road,

which leads into Shannon and the airport.

The Ballymurtagh roundabout 1s located at the end of the dual car- riageway at the interchange for Shan- non Town Centre, the airport and the turnoff for the Newmarket-on-Fer- gus road.

‘We are asking anybody who wish- es to show solidarity with the cam- paign to bring the necessary pressure to bear on both our government and the Aer Lingus management team to withdraw plans to cease the air-link between Shannon and London Hea- throw.

“The walk is about one mile in length and we will welcome peo- ple from all over who feel that they would like to do something positive to ensure our vital link with London Heathrow is maintained,’ he said.

“We invite people of all ages, from senior citizens to parents and chil- dren, to demonstrate that the residents of the west of Ireland have the power to gather as one and walk shoulder to shoulder in a dignified and peaceful manner to overturn this commercial decision and hold onto our right of passage to London Heathrow and thus the rest of the world.”

THE HSE has this week admitted that there is an internationally recog- nised difficulty in recruiting medical scientists with a specialty in cytology, vital in accessing cervical screens.

The admission comes as a Limerick woman, Elaine Price, reported how she had to wait 19 weeks for the re- sults of a follow-up smear in autumn 2006.

During a routine smear in 2005, CN2 cells (pre-cancerous cells) were found and she was told she would re- quire a colposcopy — a scraping of the cervix. Her doctor told her that an appointment would take weeks so she went private. Her follow-up smear in September 2006 took 19 weeks for a result. Both smears were sent to the cytology laboratory at University Hospital Galway.

All smears taken at the Mid West- ern Regional Hospital Limerick are sent to University Hospital Galway for analysis, while a portion of GPs from the mid-west send smears from their patients to the same hospital. The remaining GPs in the mid-west are directed to send the smears to Dublin.

A spokesperson for the HSE said that last year the cytology labora- tory at University Hospital Galway converted from the conventional cer- vical smear technology to a liquid-

based technology.

“This technology is in keeping with best international practice. This con- version involved a significant body of work and commitment from eve- ryone working in the laboratory. The process to convert the technology was a complicated one and it began in February 2006 and was complet- ed ahead of schedule at the end of paul etes

“All staff in the laboratory required training in the use of this new tech- nology and for the period of that training last year there was on aver- age a turn-around time of 10 to 12 weeks at the most. That has now been reduced and cervical smears are reported on within the four-week timeframe.”

The cytology laboratory at UHG is currently located in a prefabricated building which, according to the health service, “is of no relevance in terms of its functionality. The hospi- tal is at present finalising a brief for the development of a new laboratory for submission to the HSE Capital Projects Steering Group.

“The national required turnaround time is four weeks for a cervical Smear, from the time it 1s received in the laboratory to when the report on the smear is issued. Since the end of June 2007, smears . . . are reported on within this four-week timeframe,’ mel END a elereR

THE people of Wisconsin will be dancing to the sounds and rhythms of Gort, this winter as the Changing Colours CD has been included in an elite group of Irish music productions which will be added to the Milwau- kee Library of Music.

The CD, which features musicians and vocalists from all of Gort’s eth- nic groups, was produced by Coole Records to mark Gort’s first multi- cultural music festival, which took place in May.

The Changing Colours Festival, which was organised by the Gort Regional Alliance for Community and Environment (GRACE), proved a great success and is now likely to

become an annual event.

“We want to showcase quality products and the Changing Colours CD is really stunning,’ said Marilyn Goughan, Galway County Council’s Art Officer.

“The production quality on the CD is fantastic and it really manages to encompass the cultural diversity that has become such a great part of Gort and Galway as whole.

“We have collected CDs and bro- chures from festivals all over the county and will be giving them to people who are attending the Mil- waukee Irish Fest. A number of cop- ies of the Changing Colours CD will also be left in the Music Archive in Milwaukee,” added Marilyn.

‘People from a number of Ameri-

can festivals will be in attendance and the hope is that we will be able to attract people to our festivals and also to forge links between festivals on both sides of the Atlantic,’ she SrHLGe

Coole Records was set up by GRACE founder Niamh Clune, as a community music label which aims at drawing together the best of lo- OF NEE: NCoelemr-bee mm oynO da leubercammelcssemaualaemee| platform for success.

The label is backed by a wealth of musical experience and talent in- cluding locals Tim Howarth, Hayato, Aleisha Shimizu and Niamh Clune herself.

Tim has been writing and record- ing music professionally for over 10 years and also does sound recording

for the BBC in the UK. Hayato has featured in bands at festivals around the UK and has a wealth of recording experience in bass, double bass, flute and guitar.

Aleisha is a contemporary vocal- ist, song-writer, producer and vo- cal teacher. She also holds a ‘Music with Visual and Performance Art’ honours degree from University of Brighton.

Niamh enjoyed a successful musical career in London in the *70s working with a range of successful producers including Mutt Lange (Shania Twain and AC/DC), Tony Clarke (Moody Blues) and Todd Rundgren (Tom Robinson).

The Changing Colours CD can be found on www.coolerecords.com

THE decision by Aer Lingus to halt its Shannon-Heathrow service and transfer to Belfast’s Aldergrove Air- port has been described as the “dying kick for the midwest”.

Mayor of Ennis, Tommy Brennan was speaking at a special meeting of Ennis Town Council convened to discuss the implications of Aer Lin- gus’s controversial decision.

He also said that cross-party politi- cal support was critical to securing the future of Shannon as a strong in- CLUE Neon aKSe

Councillors present at the meeting said unless the Heathrow service was retained, there would be dire conse- quences for industry and ancillary Services in the mid-west.

The council will also write to the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and Aer Lingus to protest the move.

Cllr Brennan said, “None of the Dail can be found. This was made up with Paisley and there is nothing that suggests otherwise. We cannot afford to lose the flight to Heathrow, otherwise we might as well close down the mid-west and west coast

completely.”

Fianna Fail councillor Tom Glynn said, “We have to protect those slots in Heathrow.

“They have an obligation to cus- tomers and businesses who helped set up industry in the region.”

Fine Gael councillor Mary Coote- Ryan said it was a “black day for Shannon”.

Cllr Taiwoo Matthew questioned the decision to terminate the profit- able Shannon-Heathrow route.

“I don’t see the economic benefit for Aer Lingus to go from a position Where they had a monopoly to one

where they will be in competition. It could be devastating for the region,” he said.

Independent councillor Frankie Neylon challenged the Green Party to stand up to Fianna Fail.

“When it comes to birds and by- passes, the Greens are everywhere. But now they don’t seem to want to know about it. They were going to be the watchdogs for Fianna Fail. Now it’s time for them to prove their eyKeyee none

Fianna Fail councillor Peter Con- sidine questioned the legality of the decision to transfer to Belfast.

TWO east Clare community organi- zations have been given a financial boost to the tune of €76,000 in to- re

Scariff-based East Clare Com- munity COOP has been allocated €40,000 while, Feakle Muintir Na Tire receives almost €36,000.

The funding was announced by Minister of State and Clare TD, Tony Killeen, who received confirmation from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs that al- most €116,000 has been allocated to County Clare under the Scheme of Grants for Locally Based Commu- nity and Voluntary Organisations.

A third grant of €40,000 has been

allocated to the Carrigaholt Commu- nity Hall and parish centre.

The Clare TD said that three sepa- rate groups would receive funding allowing for the refurbishment of premises and purchase of equip- ment, as well as training, education and research activities.

“These necessary funds important- ly recognise the voluntary effort of local community groups throughout Clare. The programme of grants for these locally-based community and voluntary organisations provides such groups with a valuable source of funding and allows them to under- take important projects in their com- munities,” Minister Killeen said.

He added that he looked forward to seeing the grant money put to good

use to serve needs in the commu- nity.

Welcoming the announcement, councillor Pat Hayes said, “The fund- ing allocated to Feakle Muintir Na Tire enables the community group to proceed with refurbishment and upgrading works at Feakle Commu- nity Hall. This widely used facility accommodates the local community, especially youth, musical and sport- ing organisations. I also welcome the funding allocated to East Clare Community COOP in Scariff.”

Under the Scheme of Grants for Locally Based Community and Voluntary Organisations, once-off grants are made available to help voluntary and community groups working with disadvantaged groups

or in disadvantaged areas.

The grants may be made for the ac- quisition or refurbishment of premis- es, or the purchase of equipment or transport. Grants towards wages or salaries or other running costs are not available under this scheme.

Organisations that qualify under the scheme include voluntary or- ganisations with a focus on disad- vantage, community development organisations and groups working in particularly disadvantaged areas or with disadvantaged groups, mutual support and self-help organisations, such as local personal development and community-based education groups, unemployed groups, Family Resource Centres and Family Sup- port Groups.

THE county solicitor has poured cold water on suggestions that a move by Doonbeg Golf Club to identify a so- lution over the contentious right-of- way at the €150 million golf course is linked to it possibly abandoning its High Court judicial review case.

Last month, the golf club held a public meeting in Doonbeg con- cerning a compromise proposal in relation to an ongoing right-of-way controversy at the fourth and 14th fairways at the course.

The meeting took place a week prior to a High Court judicial review application being brought by the club concerning an An Bord Pleanala rul- ing that the club built a wall across the right-of-way without planning permission.

The judicial review proceedings have now been adjourned to Octo- ber when the case is expected to be listed.

However, in a letter to the man who precipitated the controversy, David McNamara, County Solicitor, John Shaw said, “It is difficult to see how

any proposal put forward by Doon- beg Golf Club can in any way affect the judicial review brought by them against An Bord Pleanala.

‘The issue before the court is the decision of An Bord Pleanala and not the existence or otherwise of a right- OE eA

‘The proceedings before the High Court in our view cannot be deter- minative of the right-of-way issue. They are merely judicial review proceedings reviewing the decision of the board. The extinguishment of any public right-of-way is a matter

for the roads authority for the area in question pursuant to Section 73 of the Roads Act 1993.

“It would appear to the writer that the only way Doonbeg Golf Club Ltd can avoid a hearing of the proceed- ings is to withdraw their application to the court which would leave the decision of the board standing.

He added, “It is the Bord Pleana- la decision that is now before the courts, not the Clare County Council decision.

‘The case before the courts will not determine whether there is a public

right-of-way at this location or not. The proceedings before the court are not adequate for this purpose.

“Insofar aS we are aware, neither our clients nor ourselves have been involved in discussions with regard to the extinguishment of the alleged right-of-way over the golf club it- self.

“As indicated, it is not the inten- tion and has not been the intention of Clare County Council to extinguish the particular right-of-way referred to in the decisions which are now be- fore the High Court”.

DISASTER for Shannon is being predicted today with Aer Lingus expected to pull the plug on its Hea- throw route, putting up to 200 jobs in danger and starting a stampede of business interests out of the region. Mayor of Clare, Councillor Patricia McCarthy, said job losses could be as high as 200 with the knock-on ef- fects of the decision, while losses to the airport authority in terms of fees

alone are being put at €7 million, ac- cording to Cllr Martin Conway.

Business sources have revealed that many companies are already consid- ering relocating to Dublin as there will be no service to Heathrow if the airline pulls all four daily flights as expected.

Staff, unions and the airport au- thority waited to hear official con- firmation of the decision today with airline boss, Dermot Mannion due to arrive for a 10am briefing.

Interim chief executive of Shan-

non Chamber of Commerce, Laurie O’Connor, said the ending of Aer Lingus’ Shannon-Heathrow route would be “a big blow for business in the region”.

“We need the support of the Gov- ernment on this. We are still waiting for a marketing plan for the airport around Open Skies – we’ve heard that €9m in route support promised to the region may not be coming to Shannon. The Minister for Transport has to intervene,’ O’Connor added.

Fine Gael’s deputy spokesperson on

Enterprise and Clare TD, Pat Breen, questioned the transport minister’s response to the Aer Lingus decision “to sign the death warrant for Shan- non-Heathrow services”.

‘As a Shareholder in the company, the minister must make it clear to Aer Lingus that retention of the ex- isting slots to and from Shannon are critical to providing connectivity to this region,” added Deputy Breen.

ENNIS General Hospital is the sixth dirtiest hospital in the country, ac- cording to a survey of patients and their families. The survey, which was conducted by irishhealth.com, placed Ennis General Hospital in 42nd posi- tion in a list of all 47 hospitals and medical institutions in Ireland.

A total of 8,000 people took part in the online survey, with 111 people contributing a rating for Ennis Gen- eral Hospital.

The hospital received an average

rating of 2.68 out of five from patients and family or 54 per cent.

There was also bad news for the Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick which was rated in 43rd position, one worse than En- nis General.

Almost half of all Clare’s expectant mothers travel to the Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital in Lim- erick to have their babies, with the rest travelling to hospitals in Galway.

Responding to the rating, a spokes- women from the HSE urged patients to go through the official complaints

system if they are not happy with their level of care.

“We do take note of all feedback but we do have an established complains procedure in the hospitals and people should go through that system instead of making anonymous complaints,” said the HSE spokeswoman.

“We cannot take corrective action on complaints if we do not know what the complaint are about. If peo- ple have complaints, they should go through the complaints procedure which exists in each hospital.”

The only hospitals to feature worse

scores than Ennis General and the Limerick Maternity Hospital were Kerry General Hospital, the Coombe Women’s Hospital, Waterford Re- gional and Our Lady of Lourdes Hos- pital in Drogheda.

The Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick finished in 41st position while the University College Hospital in Galway and Merlin Park Regional Hospital in Galway finished in 38th and 29th place respectively.

Mallow General Hospital was rated the cleanest hospital in Ireland, fol- lowed by St John’s Hospital in Limer-

ick and the Rotunda Hospital Dublin.

Meanwhile, the third National Hy- giene Audit is currently being under- taken by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

Each hospital completed self-as- sessments in March of this year and HIQA are currently midway through a process of unannounced visits to hospitals.

The organisation hopes to have completed the process by mid-Sep- tember with a report on its findings due for publication at the beginning of October.

A PROTECTED butterfly is the fo- cus of a battle between two rival developers vying to secure planning permission for the first major retail park on the outskirts of Ennis.

Currently, Clare County Council is evaluating a proposal by Stephen Harris to construct a €50 million retail park adjacent to the Ennis by- ee

However, consultants for develop- ers of a rival proposal, Sean Lyne and Noel Connellan are claiming that if a transfer site for the protected butterfly, the Marsh Fritillary within the proposed Harris park was meas- ured, “it is difficult to see how the scheme could be considered viable or feasible”.

As part of the works for the €205 million Ennis bypass scheme, popu- lations of the butterfly protected un- der the EU Habitats Directive were transferred from the site of the Ennis bypass to the lands proposed for the Harris retail park.

However, consultants for Lyne and Connellan have told Clare County Council that transferring the but- terfly population “would render the commercial profile of the (Harris) site questionable”’.

Last month, the council refused planning permission for the Lyne-

Connellan retail park development after declaring that the Harris plan is the preferred retail park proposal.

In relation to the Harris plan, the council has stated, however, that “’se- rious concerns remain about the loss of an important area of wetland in addition to the protected Annex One Species, the Marsh Fritillary and other rare species”.

Now, in response, Mr Harris’s con- sultants have told the council that “‘it still has not been possible to obtain conclusive evidence that the site of the proposed development was the site of translocation of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly or any specific de- tails regarding the timing or success of any translocation that may have been completed”.

The new submission lodged states that site surveys have taken place on three occasions and “the presence of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly has not been established on the site”’.

The submission states, “There is a possibility that the butterfly has ceased to colonise this area, which is not uncommon for this particular species.

The Harris retail site also includes an area of fen and the submission states that the fen “is the most sensi- tive habitat on the site, but it is rela- tively small and not directly linked to any other habitats of significance”.