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AS THE Quilty fairground stalls cranked up after the final whistle, you could forgive the supporters for not rushing down to queue for the rides. Both sets of fans remained in the stand, taking in what was an entralling game and wondering if it would be decided by extra time and as the teams warmed down out in the field, both sets of management seemed content with a draw.

One man who kicked every ball on the sideline was selector James Hea- ly, a former Clarecastle dual player who now puts all his efforts into top- pling the magpies (Doonbeg, that 1s) as part of the Lissycasey revolution.

“Well we were worried because Doonbeg had a very, very good first half. In the secod half we improved and got a lucky goal but we are lucky to get out of it with a draw in the end.”

Doonbeg’s midfield dominance was also on Healy’s mind and he re- flected on how well the magpies did in the middle of the field.

“They troubled us. Doonbeg have a

very, good midfield unit with Frank O’Dea and Conor Whelan, both county lads and you know we strug- gled in a lot of sections in the field but we got it together in the end and we were fortunate to get the draw.”

The main talking point from the game was definitely the Nigel Dil- lon save with ten minutes remaining. A suberb full length block which he scrambled to the side and while the umpires were certain that it was not a goal, there were several Lissyca- sey appeals that perhaps the ball had crossed the line.

“Well there was questions whether it was a goal or not and some people were Saying it wasn’t but at the end of the day, we are very happy with the draw after trailing for most of the match.”

Doonbeg manager Tommy Tubri- ChVMM I ccWoee exe [UE DORM KETsIBASECCLO MMU AONE BEls draw even thugh his side seemed to have the game wrapped up, only for a defensive mistake to let Lissycasey back into the game.

“The goal I suppose came late but they were unfortunate that they could have had a goal got before that but

we are delighted because it is great preparation for our championship fixture this weekend and that’s what we are now really focused on.”

Lissycasey’s fightback was a worry for the long serving manager but now that the Cusack cup has been settled until after the champonship, he is adament that the emphasis is now firmly on winning back the Jack Daly trophy after six famine years, a barren run which 1s alien to the high standards which they set themselves in Doonbeg.

“They got on top in the second half for a while but we got it together again. We had a few injuries coming into the game so we came through the game alright without them but hopefully they will be back for this weekend’s championship, starting with Ennistymon on Saturday.”

On this showing, you wouldn’t bet against a repeat of this fixture in the championship final come October.

MORE than one third of all road traf- fic cases which went to the district court in Clare last year were struck OMB Lm eRMoN Eee

4.896 cases went to court and 1,646 of those were struck out, according to figures published by the Courts Serv- ice on Friday.

Fines were imposed in 1,365 of the motoring offences, with jail or deten- tion sentences imposed in 69 cases. The Probation Act was applied in 137

of the cases. The total number of 4,896 cases represented 2,653 defendants.

A similar number of cases went to court the previous year, 2005 — 4685 — 1419 of which were struck out.

The figures show that 150 drugs cases went to the district court, which involved 123 defendants.

Twelve people were jailed, 26 were fined, while 32 people had their drugs cases struck out. The Probation Act was applied in the case of 27 defend- ants.

A total of 265 larceny cases (a drop

from 302 in 2005) went to court, which represented 168 people. 51 cases re- sulted in jail or detention sentences be- ing imposed. 92 cases were taken into consideration (with other charges), while fines were imposed in 28 cases. The Probation Act was applied in 31 cases, while 29 were struck out. Seven cases involving sexual offenc- es were heard in the district court, dur- ing 2006. One defendant was jailed or had detention imposed. Three were fined, two were struck out, while the other case was taken into considera-

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751 cases relating to assault or public order were heard in the district court last year. These involved 592 defend- evel AE

92 cases resulted in jail or detention sentences being imposed, while fines were imposed in 126 cases. The Pro- bation Act was applied in 79 cases, while 191 were struck out. Communi- ty service was handed out in 11 cases.

The Courts Service figures show that the average waiting time for criminal and civil trials in the Circuit Court in

ERE Meee som Oo Aol IMU elRoromr: Tale! six months. The waiting time for ap- peals was three months.

The waiting time for divorce cases in the family law court was three months, while those seeking judicial separation had an average wait of six months.

The average waiting times for crim1- nal cases in the district court in Ennis was one month, with no delay for civil cases. Family law cases in the dis- trict court had a waiting time of one month.

PHILIP O’Reilly, Property Plus has taken on a 2,300 sq. ft. family home, located at Claremount, Clarecastle, guiding at €600,000.Approximately 1.5 km from Clarecastle village and just two km from the Ennis bypass link, this property, which occupies a 0.6 acre site, would make a perfect family home.

The internal accommodation com- prises a very spacious entrance hall- way, with understairs storage and direct access to the family room, reception and kitchen/dining rooms. The reception room has solid yellow birch, polished wooden flooring a bay window overlooking the landscaped

front garden and a large picture win- dow overlooking the rear gardens, there are also sliding double patio doors on the gable end overlooking surrounding countryside.

The kitchen/dining room has ce- ramic flooring, solid white oak wall, base and display fitted units with laminate work surfaces and ceramic tiled splash backs. There’s an inte- erated fridge/freezer and dishwash- er, electric double oven and ceramic hob. There is access from the kitchen to the family room, the utility and the attached garage. Meanwhile the dining room has double sliding patio doors leading to a large flagged patio area and the rear garden.

The formal dining room has solid

wooden flooring, ceiling coving, a corner feature fireplace with gran- ite base and wooden surround a bay window overlooking the front gar- den. Also on the ground floor is a well fitted utility room, a guest WC, and a garage (which could have al- ternative use as a home office or play room).

Upstairs, there are four large bed- rooms and the family bathroom. The master bedroom is en suite and all four bedrooms have fitted ward- robes.

Outside, there’s a large patio area to the rear, with countryside views.

For full details contact 065 6844448.

THE developers of a €30 million re- tail park for Shannon have appealed Clare County Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the proposal to An Bord Pleanala.

Last month, the council refused planning permission to Greenbrand Investments and Sean Halpin after it ruled that the plan would be pre- mature pending the preparation of a masterplan for the area.

The mixed-use retail park develop- ment consists of a DIY anchor store, garden centre, three retail warehous- es, 10 retail units, eight office units and one department store.

A decision was due on the applica- tion in June of last year. However, the developers have requested a year- long extension for the council to fur- ther consider the proposal.

The developers deferred a decision on the application after a planner’s report into the scheme recommended that planning permission be refused on two grounds.

On this occasion, the developers accepted the council’s ruling and

are now seeking that the planning appeals board make a ruling on the scheme.

In the appeal, consultants for the developers state that “this proposal will provide a retail service for the people of Shannon and will also fill an identified retail need, currently not available in town’.

It continues, “It is anticipated that the proposal will create a significant number of jobs at both construction and operational level, representing a significant boost to the local econo- ve ae ‘Furthermore, the proposed devel- opment was subject to a number of discussions with the council over the last two to three years.

“At the advice of the council, the applicants deferred lodging the ap- plication on a number of occasions to facilitate amendments to the de- velopment plan and the preparation of a masterplan for the area.

“The masterplan adoption was not however progressed in the timescale advised.”

A decision is due on the appeal early next year.

THE development of a multi-pur- pose arts centre should form the focal point of the redevelopment of Shannon Town Centre, according to the local musical society.

A team of architects has been ap- pointed and been requested to create a new ‘urban retail environment’ and a ‘living centre’, on a site across the road from SkyCourt.

Submissions from various groups in the town have been sought and many have been made, to the local authority.

In its submission, Shannon Musical Society said a multipurpose arts/civ- ic centre is needed, where opportuni- ties for cultural, social and commer-

cial events would be developed.

The society’s chairman, Derek Barrett, pointed out that the town is perceived as three things, “an inter- national airport, an industrial zone and a shopping mall”.

“Most people do not realise that there is a town and a community hidden within this triangle. We need to create a space and a centre that is both active and animated, not just during the 9am to 5.30pm shift. Shannon has all the traits of a sub- urb and few of a real town. That 1s our problem in a nutshell,’ said Mr By be KoA

“The town has a community spirit and that spirit has managed to sur- vive as community facilities and amenities have decayed over the

town’s short history,” he said.

He said that a streetscape, as 1s sug- gested in the plans, is necessary, to tie the existing shopping centre to the new town centre.

“It is very clear that we do not need another shopping centre.

“We need a link to the current shopping centre, with possible small scale retail, service and other com- mercial opportunities within that space,” he said.

The society points to a number of key components of the development – a focal point or monument for the town, such as a town clock; a rec- reational area, like a picnic area or skatepark.

“Do not let a commercial developer decide what our town becomes. This

has been our problem the last two times we had spurts of development in Shannon. Tax incentives have not helped the objectiveness of develop- SIS OComnsy- BCG

“In Shannon, community halls and similar centres have been allowed to decay and dilute to such a level that they have become useless. School halls, sports clubs, hotel function rooms and pubs have all been called upon to fill the gaps,” said Mr Bar- rett.

The musical society is suggesting that an arts centre would need to accommodate up to 400 people and would feature an orchestras pit, base- ment, foyer and venue, which would be “multi-functional” and could be TIMUR OM Aer AYA

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.