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TWO years after being built at an estimated cost of €175,000 to the tax-payer, a custom-made bat-house located along the route of the €205 million Ennis by-pass has failed to attract a single bat.

Due to security concerns, Clare County Council has refused to dis- close the location of the bat-house to the public and it appears that the council has also failed to inform any members of the endangered Lesser Horseshoe Bat community as to the whereabouts of the hi-tech home.

The tiny Lesser Horseshoe Bat is protected under the EU Habitats Di- rective and is listed as a vulnerable species.

As part of its contract for the by- pass scheme, GAMA Construction is required to put in place a series of measures — including the construc- tion of a purpose built bat house – to ensure the continued good welfare of the bat along the route.

However, in a report drawn up for the company by environmental con- sultant, Howard Williams of Inis En- vironmental Services, it confirms the absence of bats at the new home.

In the report released under the

Freedom of Information Act to

VETERAN Fianna Fail councillor, Peter Considine, is set for a windfall after lodging plans to construct four homes on his landholding outside Ennis. Ennis’s current deputy mayor, Cllr Considine is seeking outline planning permission to construct four homes at Drumadreheid, Ennis.

Cllr Considine purchased 25 acres of land at Drumadrehid in 1993 and lives at the address.

He is fortunate that the lands are not subject to strict council plan- ning rules that apply to lands in the Open countryside on the outskirts of Clare’s main population centres.

This follows Cllr Considine’s col- leagues in the county council desig- nating the Drumadrehid area a ‘de- velopment cluster’ in the 2003 West Eaves t-te

There are a series of clusters across the county that allow lands, in spite of being located in the open country-

side, be zoned for housing develop- ment. Clusters are usually designated when there are already a number of homes built in the area.

Ironically, because of the council’s tough planning rules in allowing one- off homes in the countryside, Cllr Considine can expect a premium if he decides to sell the sites, if and when planning permission is secured.

An Taisce has made a submission on the plan and has recommended that one of the homes be moved else-

where as there is a ringfort adjacent to site four.

The Department of the Environ- ment has also made a submission on the plan and has recommended that an archaeological impact assessment should be prepared to assess the po- tential impact, if any, on archaeolog!- cal remains in the area where devel- Opment is proposed to take place.

The department has made the rec- ommendation as the development site is within the zone of archaeologi-

cal potential established around the recorded monument, which is subject to statutory protection in the record of monuments and places.

The submission stated, “It should be borne in mind that, if significant archaeological remains are found or there is a significant negative impact, refusal might be recommended and/ or further preservation in situ or by record may be required.”

A decision is due on the application later this year.

THE closing date is fast approaching for applications for grant assistance for community projects under the Shannon Town Council community grant scheme. With just three week left for the receipt of completed ap- plication forms local groups are be- ing urged to get their application in as soon as possible.

The council will consider applica- tions for grant assistance in respect of projects designed to improve the quality of life for the people of Shan- non. The project to be grant aided must show a clear community focus.

“We issue these grants every Sep- tember and October, and groups

from the local community are invited to submit applications for funding,’ said Shannon ‘Town Clerk, Tomas Mac Cormaic.

“We have about €5,000 to give out each year, for any community based organisations like the soccer clubs and drama groups. Each successful application would receive between €300 and €500 to be spent on com- munity projects.”

Applications are open to organisa- tions, voluntary groups and residents associations within the functional area of Shannon Town Council. The project must be directly related to special community projects, artistic proposals or projects which generate civic pride and involve local people

in the improvement of the town.

“The funding is open to all kinds of groups and every application is judged on it’s own merits. Groups like Clare Haven Services in Shan- non would receive funding from it for their work with women. It’s not just for sports and youth groups, it’s right across the board,’ continued Tomas.

“All groups need to do is submit an application stating what their project is and what they plan to do with the jne Ke) ely ae

Before grant assistance 1s awarded all applications must submit where applicable, documentation detailing fully the project content together with details of costs plans and sup-

porting documentation and agree to acknowledge appropriately the town council’s contribution.

Applicants must show that the project is well planned and give in- dications of potential future uses of the project. The town councillors’ decision will be influenced by the amount of applicant’s own resources contributed to the project.

Greeley LOM (c)uommncae-Telmmr-B(elcle mmm previous years and who have failed to return documented proof of ex- penditure will not be considered for grant aid in 2007.

Application forms are available from the office of the Town Clerk, Town Hall, Gort Road, Shannon. Telephone 061 362319.

A REVIVAL in the property market to safeguard the jobs of thousands of Clare construction workers after the annual “builders holiday” looks unlikely this week following spec- tacular losses on the Irish stock ex- oh atebetexen

In the last seven days, €8 billion has been wiped off the ISEQ index of Irish shares, with companies en- gaged in the housing market, such as banks and major contractors, the worst hit.

McInerney Construction, which was founded in Clare more that 100

years ago, has lost more than 20 per cent of its share value in the last seven weeks while Allied Irish Bank and Bank of Ireland have lost 19 per cent and 14 per cent respectively in the same period.

Last Thursday, 24 hours before the start of the annual builders’ holiday, was the worst single-day loss in the Irish stock market since America in- vaded Irag in March of 2003.

“Obviously, it would be a concern. The people in the industry such as the banks and the big construction firms have been hit the hardest,’ said a Limerick-based stockbroker. ‘There is a lot happening on a global

scale that is having an effect but the housing market is having an impact.

‘People have been selling out their interests because they think the Celt- ic Tiger is finished. There is a lot of nervousness out there.”

Industry insiders have predicted 35,000 job losses in the construction industry this year, with as many as 3,000 in Clare alone.

“I know that people are being laid off right across the sector. We will have no idea exactly how many have been let go until the end of the build- ers’ holiday on Monday, August 13,” said Paddy Kenneally, President of the Clare Plasterers Union.

‘When they are let go, builders will try and get work from other compa- nies but everyone is in the same boat. It’s inevitable that a lot of jobs will be lost.

“All you have to do is look at the towns around the county. There was building going on everywhere this time last year but now there is noth- ing.

“Builders are not due any redun- dancy unless they have been with a company for seven or eight years. It’s the nature of the business that work- ers move around all the time so most will only be getting two weeks of holiday pay.”

THE developers of a proposed €1m crematorium in Shannon have resub- mitted their planning application for the project to Clare County Council after withdrawing it at the last minute late last year.

Clare County Council was expect- ed to decide last November whether it would grant permission for the construction of what would have been Ireland’s only crematorium outside of Dublin. A similar facility has since opened in Cork however. The original decision on the future of the development was due on Au- gust 2 last, however just a day earlier the developers were granted a four month extension to their planning application.

At the time, a spokesman for II- launamanagh Ltd said they sought

the extension because they “wished to address some issues raised by the Local Authority”. Clare County Council granted the extension at the time and was due to deliver its deci- sion in November.

At the last minute however, II- launamanagh Ltd withdrew the ap- plication altogether because they required further time to gather other information, including a consultant’s report concerning environment is- sues which was also sought by the council.

IIlaunamanagh Ltd comprises of two local businessmen, former Clare County Councillor Tony McMahon and existing Shannon Town Coun- cillor Sean Hillery.

Company Director Sean Hillery has now confirmed, “The council had been looking for a consultants report on environmental issues re-

lating to the development. We have now resubmitted our application along with the consultants report and we are confident that all the I’s have been dotted and the t’s crossed and that the local authority now has all the information it requires.”

“All we can do now is wait for the decision but I believe that we have allayed all of the fears and concerns of the local community,’ Mr Hillery Sr HLGe

The proposed development, which has been designed by the company that drafted the plans for Newlands Cross Crematorium in Dublin, will be located beside I[llaunamanagh cemetery in Shannon and will com- prise a 12-tonne crematorium unit and furnace. The plans also include a multi-denominational chapel and a garden of remembrance surrounded by an ornate wall where family mem-

bers can enter the cremated remains of their loved ones.

The project has received the full backing of the Parish Priest of Shan- non. Fr Tom Ryan has already stated, “This is something I have welcomed from the very beginning and advo- cated for Shannon since I arrived here as a curate in 1992. From a Catholic perspective, cremation is very acceptable as our understand- ing of death and grief has evolved over the years.”

Mr McMahon, who is also a well- known local undertaker with funeral homes in Shannon, Sixmilebridge and Blackwater, has described the public reaction to the proposed cre- matorium as ‘very positive’.

Councillor Hillery has said the crematorium project is a long-term investment for the people of Munster and surrounding areas.

A 21-year-old man who took part in a frenzied knife attack on two Lithua- nian brothers, which “could have re- sulted in a fatality”, has been jailed for four years.

David O’Loughlin, Finian Park, Shannon, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Arturas and Aivaras Segzda at Tullyvarraga, Shannon, on December 9, 2005.

The 21-year-old confronted the two Lithuanian men in an area known as

the Black Path and assaulted them with a knife, because he wrongly be- lieved they had raped his sister.

The two suffered multiple stab wounds. The court heard that Aivar- as was Stabbed in the neck, head and Shoulder, while Arturas was stabbed in the stomach and shoulder.

Limerick Circuit Court heard yes- terday that the brothers did not return to work until the following February because of their injuries and with no money, they were both evicted from their accommodation.

Before imposing sentence yester- day Judge Carroll Moran said Mr O’Loughlin lost control in the fren- Zied knife attack because he wrongly believed the two brothers had raped his sister, which was untrue.

“It’s debatable whether this is a mitigating fact at all and even if it was true he (Mr O’Loughlin) 1s not entitled to take the law into his own hands,” said Judge Moran.

The judge said Mr O’Loughlin could have killed Arturas Segzda and “would have done so if the blade

on the knife had been longer”.

According to Garda evidence the defendant, who has previous convic- tions, has a “fixation with knives” and is a habitual drinker.

Mr O’Loughlin has two previous convictions for serious assault and is still serving a three and a half year sentence imposed for the stabbing of a young man in Ennis in June 2005, the court heard.

Judge Moran imposed a four-year sentence on the latest charge.

He also imposed an 18 month sus-

pended sentence on a young mother of two who was charged with a less serious offence arising out of the Same incident.

Jessica O’Leary, (22), was found in possession of a screwdriver on the day of the attack but there was no evidence to suggest she used the weapon, the court heard.

Judge Moran said the circumstanc- es between the two accused parties were “entirely different’ and sus- pended Ms O’Leary’s 18 month sen- tence.

AMBITIOUS plans to demolish a number of buildings and construct a three-storey commercial develop- ment in Ennis’s Market Place area have come under fire.

Ennis Town Council is due to make a decision next month on the plan by Atlantic Enterprises for the develop- ment at the junction of Market Place and Garraunakilla Lane.

The development comprises a res- taurant on three floors. However, in a strident objection against the pro- posal, local resident, Pauline Killeen states, “The proposal to provide what is in effect a four-storey tower build- ing on a very prominent corner site

and gateway to Ennis town centre 1s not in keeping with the general scale of buildings in the area.

“In both design, scale and material, the design is inappropriate for any part of the Ennis town architectural conservation area and to allow these unique buildings, streetscapes and the late mediaeval townscape to be dominated by concrete tower blocks would serve to detract from the vis- ual amenity and architectural integ- rity of the old town of Ennis.

“I believe that this overbearing development has the potential to do irreparable damage to a very attrac- tive county town, which has evolved in a pleasing manner over eight cen- aU lohe

“The height and scale of the pro- posed development would dominate this part of the townscape for genera- tions into the future.

‘The area around the proposed de- velopment is characterised by two- storey developments of modest scale of residential and mixed-use devel- opment.

“While I accept that it 1s often nec- essary for developers to maximise property they buy to make them via- ble in economic and planning terms, such developments should take due cognizance of the character and in- tegrity of the surrounding building with a relationship between the old ZN ICOM O olom eLoaWas KOU nNts1em

“While allowing for variety, the

development should complement the original surrounding in terms of scale, detail and materials. this pro- posal fails to do this…

“I consider that the applicant has missed the opportunity to create a new building of high quality on the site, whether of contemporary design or otherwise.

“The result is both inappropriate and unacceptable. While the redevel- opment of the site will contribute sig- nificantly to its urban setting, and is being actively sought by the council, I do not consider that this should be at the expense of the visual environ- ment and residential amenities of the area and of future occupants of the development.”

THE recently elected president of Shannon and District Lions Club has said he would like to see more peo- ple join the organisation stating that the work the club does is as vital as ever to local communities.

Councillor Gerry Flynn’s transi- tion to the position of president has not been an easy one following a re- cent family tragedy which forced the cancellation of his formal appoint- ment on President’s Night as a mark of respect. Gerry’s work as president and the work of the club have how- ever continued.

‘There is a popular misconception that Lions Clubs are elitist and some sort of boys clubs. This is a long way from the truth. We have people from various walks of life in the club and I would love to see many more. There are about 12 of us but I would prefer to see 30. The work is very reward- ing and there is also the social side to the club,” Gerry Flynn said.

‘We have a busy calendar of events already planned for the coming year starting with a golf classic in Octo- ber. We will have our annual Christ- mas food appeal and many other events during the year. The food ap- peal is certainly one of our biggest

and most important events especially at Christmas time,’ he added.

“One thing people may not be aware of is that every single penny collected goes to charity. Not a pen- ny is spent on club administration, that is all paid for by the members. Everything we collect goes to the respective charities and we are very proud of that.”

“It has to be said that there are a lot more areas of society not just the poor who are struggling. We do our best for everyone we can but for dif- ferent reasons, and people might not realise this, even middle-class people are struggling in a way. An obvious

example would be a person requir- ing a wheelchair and because of all the bureaucracy in the HSE, they are waiting for months and months. In the Lions Club, we have purchased and provided wheelchairs for people who need them,” he explained.

“There is a huge deficit in this area. It is a strange thing but poorer people appear to be better catered for than some others. What we try to do is pick up the slack where we can,” he added.

Gerry Flynn has asked anyone in- terested in joining the Shannon and District Lions Club to contact him on 087 2188654.

THE upcoming Bank Holiday week- end means a curtailed fixture list in this week’s schoolboy soccer pro- eramme.

League officials have decided to cut back on the amount of games played this weekend.

Twelve games are down for decision this week with no games expected to be played over the weekend.

Tonight Fern Celtic could go clear

at top of the under 16 league should they beat Newtown in Ballycasey.

However a win for the home team could see them draw level at the top of the table with early leader Avenue United.

Turnpike Rovers take on Bridge United at Lees with both sides look- ing to get their first points on the board.

On Thursday the under 11 league takes centre stage with games taking place in all three divisions.

Ennis Town A take on Lifford at Lees Road while at the same venue Avenue United A face Moher Celtic.

Meanwhile the early pacesetters in Division three St Pat’s have the night off with Avenue United C taking on Cratloe Celtic and Lifford B battling second place Burren United.

In the under 13 Division One Av- enue United A and Ennis Town A meet at Lees Road with Mountshan- non Celtic traveling to the Cassidy Park, the new home of Lifford.

THE first phase of the recently launched ‘Ennis Environmental Challenge’got underway at the week- end, when residents’ associations in the town took part in clean up days organised by Ennis Town Council. One of the main objectives of the Challenge is to generate a commu- nity wide responsibility and owner- ship for the appearance and tidiness of Ennis by raising awareness of the negative impact of litter.

Cllr. Tommy Brennan, Mayor of Ennis said, “Ennis Environmental Challenge is an opportunity to pro- mote the attractiveness of Ennis as a place to live, work, visit and invest. The initiative taken by the Coun- cil is more than an environmental campaign. With the co-operation of the entire community the image and profile of Ennis can be enhanced lo- cally, nationally and internationally.” Eddie Power, Acting Director of Services said, “Particular attention has been focused on Abbey Street, O’Connell Street, O’Connell Square, High Street and Parnell Street. The Council Litter Wardens have been patrolling these areas and commu- nicating the litter awareness message to the general public. Enforcement of the Litter Pollution laws is ongo- ing through the issue of on the spot JUDE

He added, “Council staff have been deployed to these town centre streets and have had a visible presence in re- cent weeks. The business premises in this core area of the town are pro- moting this environmental initiative by displaying the Ennis Environ-

mental Challenge logo and slogan – Your Town, Your Environment, Your Responsibility.

Street surveys undertaken indicate that cigarette ends continue to be a matter for attention.

The Council has acquired a vacuum/ blower that facilitates the removal of cigarette ends and small pieces of lit- ter. However, the challenge remains for the public to act responsibly in the disposal of such litter and this is particularly important in the run up to the adjudication of the National

Tidy Towns Competition 2007”.

The ‘Ennis Environmental Chal- lenge’ will feature a range of waste prevention initiatives including the introduction of litter free zones, the employment of extra resources and the use of mobile CCTV cameras in designated areas, such as housing es- tates and public areas, as an enforce- ment measure to combat littering and indiscriminate dumping.

Other measures being introduced by Ennis Town Council include the operation of a revised cleaning

schedule, the provision of colourful floral displays and hanging baskets throughout the town, hosting of an awareness campaign in national and secondary schools, and the produc- tion of a promotional/educational video on the ‘Ennis Environmental Challenge’.

Members of the public are also re- minded that Minister for the Envi- ronment and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley, has just announced an increase in litter fines from €125.00 to €150.00.