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CRUEL pet owners took dumping to a new extreme when they flung a Iit- ter of kittens into a recycling bin.

The tiny creatures were only saved from their fate when their desperate cries were heard by a pub manager who went to investigate and found them dumped among the cardboard boxes.

Tailrace Bar manager John Ryan said the dumping of the helpless kit- tens was “the last straw” in the Par- teen pub owner’s decision to install concealed CCTV cameras to catch people dumping every kind of rub- bish at the recycling bins in the car- park.

“It was pouring rain and they were soaked through. I’d say they were about four weeks old. If they had been left there, they would have cer- tainly been killed by dogs or foxes or, if they had escaped that, they would have died of cold or starved. I can’t understand how someone could do that, just dump live animals and walk away.”

Animal welfare concerns have con- firmed that if the person or people who dumped the kittens is found, they will be facing prosecution for cruelty to animals as well as a litter- ing fine.

John and his staff at the pub adopt- ed the three tiny kittens and fed them baby formula until they had fully recovered from their ordeal before finding kind homes for them.

“We christened them all ‘Lucky’ because that’s what they were,” said John.

‘When they recovered, they took to following us around, bawling up at us for food. It was a heartless thing to do to dump them.”

The serious issue of dumping has plagued John and pub-owner, Ger Mulconry.

“People dump bags of household rubbish that have nothing to do with recycling or they bring their bottles but throw down the boxes and bags the bottles came in. We’re constantly filling our own bins that we have to pay to have collected with the rub- bish people dump there.”

As well as household rubbish, bags, boxes and now live kittens, John has also had to pick up dead dogs.

But footage from the hidden TV cameras — which can cover the whole car park — could be used to prosecute dumpers who don’t respect the facility.

“It’s what has to happen — that or the whole thing will have to go be- cause we’re picking up after people every day,” said John.

DROMOLAND Castle has modified part of a €30 million extension plan for its prestigious hotel in response to concerns over the plan from Clare County Council.

The council’s reservations over the scheme follow Managing Director of the Lynch Hotel Group, Michael B Lynch lodging objections against both applications by Dromoland Castle.

The Lynch Group own the adjoin- ing Clare Inn Hotel and last year, Dromoland Castle was successful in Opposing expansion plans by the Clare Inn when An Bord Pleanala refused planning permission for the proposal.

In his objection, Mr Lynch states, ‘The piecemeal approach to develop- ment raises the question as to how in- tegrated development is on the site.

“Development that has occurred to date suggests a lack of proper inte- eration between the various facilities of the hotel.

“In the case of the application, a certain lack of integration is evident. In particular, the location of the pro- posed staff accommodation is some way from the castle. This approach to development is not sustainable and will ultimately lead to further devel- opment on the site.

In its request for further informa- tion, the council stated that it was “not favourably disposed towards”

eranting planning permission for the development for a number of rea- sons.

In response, the award-winning hotel state “the scale and design of the staff building has been modified to ensure satisfactory integration into the existing landscape’.

It states, “The 38 bedroom staff accommodation unit is required to provide a satisfactory level of ac- commodation to some of the staff working in the castle.”

It added, “Dromoland Castle cur- rently employs 200 people and there- fore the proposed staff accommoda-

tion unit will facilitate only a fraction of those currently employed. A high standard of accommodation is re- quired to attract the calibre of staff necessary for a five star hotel.”

In the applications lodged, the ho- tel is seeking to provide 32 short-rent apartments, a 38-unit accommoda- tion block for staff and the provision of a golf course operations facility.

A decision is expected on the ap- plication later this year.

A STUDY of every housing estate and road in Shannon will be carried out within the next week, with a view to putting signs in place during Sep- tember.

Clare County Council is undertak- ing the project in an effort to deter- mine the exact signage requirements and, as a result, will compile a list of individual signs. That list will be sent to the placename committee, to deter-

mine if the English to Irish translation is appropriate and also to check that the spelling of each estate is correct.

When this part of the project is com- pleted, an order will be placed for the new signs.

A list of 56 roads and estates has been compiled and this will be final- ised by the end of the month.

Where there are a number of estates served by a single collector road, each estate will be signed where the col- lector road meets a distributor road,

in addition to being signed at the en- trance of the estate.

Housing estates such as Cronan will also require additional signage, such as the replacement of signs fixed to the gable ends of houses.

Clare County Council Executive Engineer Michael Healy said he be- lieves that in excess of 100 signs will be required for the estates throughout Shannon, which are in charge of Clare County Council.

Earlier this year, 60 new street name

signs were erected in Shannon. The signs were ordered last October and a number of issues relating to their design resulted in a delay. However, they were eventually delivered and have put a nice touch on parts of the town, particularly as some areas were previously not easily identifiable. The decision to use the wording on the signs, as Gaeilge, was also welcomed by residents in the town, who are keen to cultivate an interest in the Irish lan- guage.

THE SOUTH East Clare show is now considered to be one of the top ten agricultural shows in Ireland and the 17th annual show at the weekend didn’t let the side down.

With 24 classes in the horse show event this year, 27 classes in the cat- tle section and 13 classes in the dog show, none of the four legged friends felt left out.

The home industries section was a major attraction as always, with the collective talents of the bakers, pre- serve makers and flower arrangers

of South East Clare making a lovely spread and a delicious task for the judges.

New to the show this year was the vintage classic cars day out, which was a big attraction.

As well as a festival atmosphere, there was the Best Dressed Lady competition, the Little Miss, the Bonny Baby and the Fancy Dress competitions.

Show Chairman, Pat Hayes thanked everyone involved in organising or helping on the day, particularly the landowners and main sponsor Tom Marsh.

WITH just five weeks left until the beginning of the school year, the management of the Mol An Ojge primary school in Ennistymon are unable to begin construction work at a new Site for the Steiner school because of continued delay by the Department of Education.

Having received the go-ahead to be- gin construction work on a new pre- fabricated facility from Clare County Council more than two weeks ago, the development has been stalled

following continued delays by the Department of Education in deciding whether to grant the school official recognition.

A contractor has been poised to be- gin essential construction work since the beginning of July but all work has been put on ice until a decision is made.

“If we are to get official recogni- tion, we need to get working on the new school and we need to get work- ing soon,” said a spokesperson from Mol an Oige.

“The site needs essentials like elec-

tricity and water and a contractor is ready and waiting to begin work.”

A delegation from the school met with the Minister for Education on Sunday but no commitment on rec- ognition, or timetable for a decision to be made, was forthcoming.

If the school does not get official recognition, they will be forced to abandon plans for a new school building and remain in their current location near Data Display.

“Either way, we have 56 students who want to be educated in this way and will be coming to Mol An Ojge

next year,’ continued the spokesper- Te) 0F

“We will be going ahead no matter what happens. We have great support from all the parents and everyone in- volved in the school.”

Meanwhile, a letter has been sent to An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, inform- ing him of the situation at the school and the need for swift action.

The Mol an Oige primary school has been operating in Ennistymon with no state assistance for three years. It is one of just two Steiner schools operating in County Clare.

THIRTEEN per cent of all houses in Shannon were unoccupied last year. While this figure is lower than the county average of 21 per cent, it is a significantly high figure for Shannon, which is not a haven for holiday home construction.

Shannon councillors last week re- ceived details of the county council’s housing strategy, between this year and 2011. The document points to- wards a projected house construction in the county of almost 11,000 new homes, between now and 2011.

Clare County Council senior execu- tive engineer (planning), John Brad- ley said that 3,457 houses in Shannon

were occupied, in the Census fig- ures for 2006. 522 were unoccupied, which represents 13 per cent of all TOU ehe

‘Where are these vacant houses and what is the reason? Are these second homes?” asked Mr Bradley.

He said that he was surprised by the high number of vacant houses and the number of replacement homes in Shannon.

‘This is not a holiday home venue. This area shouldn’t be holiday homes. While 522 unoccupied homes is low- er than the norm of 21] per cent for the whole of the county, it 1s of concern. Virtually any estate we have been through, there is a huge number of ‘for sale’ boards,” said Mr Bradley.

The mayor of Clare, Councillor Pa- tricia McCarthy (Independent) said the number of vacant houses in Clare was “frightening”.

“In the housing strategy, the area that isn’t covered is step down hous- ing, who are the elderly. They don’t want mortgages and they need some- thing to step down to. The social housing doesn’t cater for them. The affordable doesn’t cater for them,” she said.

Councillor Gerry Flynn (Independ- ent) noted that 21 per cent of houses in the county were vacant last year and asked, “Is that a failure in plan- bate

“Are we now seeing a failure show- ing up in the system that was always

anticipated?”’ he asked.

Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) said that the needs of single men with children Should be addressed, in terms of so- cial and affordable housing.

“They need to get some form of subsidy. We are way short,’ he said.

Newmarket-on-Fergus — Council- lor Pat McMahon said that housing shortages in his area, and Sixmileb- ridge, should be tackled.

“Newmarket and Sixmilebridge ex- perience great growth and will expe- rience more growth in the next five to 10 years,” he said.

He said the housing issue was like “adding another fence in the Grand National. It gets harder to win. It is a very Serious issue”.

CLARE had a strong representation at this year’s Lancome Irish Girls Close Championships that went ahead at Ballinasloe last week.

Day one opened on Wednesday and conditions proved blustery and windy throughout the course.

Renowned competitor Sarah Cun- ningham of Ennis enjoyed a suc- cessful opening round and advanced to the next phase of the tournament playing some solid golf.

Ciara Pender, also of Ennis, had a very memorable day and holed out

on the difficult par three eighth on her way to victory over Tara Grib- ben. There weren’t too many surpris- es on Wednesday, but unfortunately from a Clare point of view, Diandra O’Connell, who travelled to the Gal- way course in fine form and full of hope, was beaten by Zarah O’Reilly.

As the week wore on, Sarah Cun- ningham was the only Clare repre- sentative to make it to the semi final stage but she was pipped on the third play off hole. It was Kate Gallagher who put an end to Cunningham’s challenge and she went on to take the top prize.

THE development of Kilmaley is be- ing seriously hampered because of the village’s position between three different electorial areas, according to the Kilmaley Development Com- mittee. Clare County Council has come under increased pressure to redraw the county’s electorial bound- ary and unite the village of Kilmaley before the next local election takes place in 2009.

Speaking at a joint meeting of the Kilrush and Ennistymon areas held

in Kilmaley Day Care Centre yes- terday, the Chairman of the Kilma- ley Development Committee, John O’Rouke, described the dividing of Kilmaley village as very negative for community development and com- munity spirit.

“There are things that we need to get to continue with a development committee in Kilmaley,” said Mr O’ Rourke.

“We are split between three differ- ent areas and development is very unsatisfactory for that reason alone. We would appeal to the you, to try

and put the parishes together.

“Don’t split them. It is very bad for communities and community spirit to have them split. We are fairly united here and we need to be treated on a united basis.”

At present, Kilmaley borders the Ennistymon, Kilrush and Ennis lo- cal areas and the local development committee feel that they are being overlooked because of their mar- ginilised position.

A number of issues were mentioned for special attention at the meeting, including the downgrading of the

local post office, boy racers, a local sewerage scheme, road works and hedge cutting.

“If we do look for help, please do give us a listening ear. I would per- sonally love to see a respite centre here in Kilmaley.

“The families who send people here, some of them really do need a break. If we could offer this in our community, it really would be a great asset,” said Mary Ita Griffin of the Kilmaley Day Care Centre.

“If you. give us help, we will be there to help you back.”

CONCERN has been expressed about people moving to Shannon, from other areas, and engaging in anti-social behaviour.

Shannon-based councillors have expressed concern that people who are creating trouble in their areas are moving to the town, under the rent subsidy scheme.

At a Shannon Electoral Area meeting last week, Clare County Council senior executive officer Nora Kaye said she has personally refused housing to individuals, amid concerns relating to anti-so- aE Wim oloset- hrs celtow

“IT have refused myself, both af- fordable and social housing, fol- lowing the vetting process by gardai,’ said Ms Kaye.

“We are working closely with gardai in relation to anti-social behaviour,’ she added.

Councillor Patricia McCarthy (Independent) said one of the con- cerns was that the vetting which has been done by the county council was not being done by the HSE.

“Two or three agencies need to come together. Unless there is a sustained co-ordinated effort, it is

going to get worse,” she said.

Councillor Tony Mulcahy (FG) said, “We have a couple of unde- sirables at the moment, on the rent subsidy scheme.”

The mayor of Shannon, Council- lor Sean McLoughlin (FG) asked was any accommodation coming on stream for homeless men.

Ms Kaye said that while nothing specifically geared towards the homeless was becoming available, homeless people could be accom- modated in private houses.

She also said that the go-ahead has been given for new building options in Tradaree. They have to be designed, before any further progress is made.

“We are not consciously putting people in Tradaree at the moment, because they are going to be de- molished soon,” she said.

She said that while nothing defi- nite is coming on stream in New- market-on-Fergus and Quin in the foreseeable future, she is confi- dent that a number of options will be explored in those areas, at a later stage.

A small percentage of applicants on the social housing list are also on the affordable list, said Ms ier

‘PEOPLE power’ was yesterday cred- ited with ending contentious plans — for now — to construct a five-storey apartment block overlooking Lahinch prom.

Plans by developer, Seamus Carroll to develop a €3 million complex that involves the demolition of the existing McDonalds amusement arcade faced widespread opposition throughout the north Clare coastal resort.

However, after being in informal contact with the planning department

last week, the developer lodged a let- ter with the council requesting that the planning application be withdrawn.

The roads section of the council had stated that the proposal was pre- mature pending the completion of a masterplan for Lahinch prom, while it is understood that there were other reasons refusing planning permission for the proposal.

As no formal decision has been made, the council is not making pub- lic those reasons. However, Mr Car- roll — faced with a refusal — opted to withdraw the plan rather than have the

precedent set of there being a refusal Oy NSN es

Mr Carroll now has the option of lodging plans for a scaled down devel- Opment and to await the outcome of the masterplan for the redevelopment of the prom.

The plan before the council includes 20 apartments, 18 duplex units and six eround floor retail units overlooking Lahinch promenade.

Chairman of the Lahinch Commu- nity Council, Donogh O’Loghlin led opposition against the proposal and he said yesterday, “The withdrawal

of the plan represents a good day for ‘people power’.”

He added, “People in Lahinch are thrilled with the outcome. We are not against development, but any devel- opment has to be in keeping with the a0 0 Ee Texonee

The apartment block plan was pro- posed for a site adjacent to the exist- ing “Dell’ development on the corner site leading into the prom.

Referring to planning permission being granted for the Dell in the late 1990s, Mr O’Loghlin said, “Two wrongs don’t make a right and I would

like to see that building knocked and a new building put in place there.”

In its objection to the proposal, Lahinch Community Council stated, “The erection of 36 residential apart- ments and six retail units, in a dense development, will place an intolerable burden upon the sewerage facilities in Lahinch which are already a source of grave concern.

“T would draw your attention to the fact that on a constant basis on the Main Street and Kettle Street, Lahi- nch, the smell of raw sewerage is a constant problem.”