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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.”

KILRUSH is on line and available to the world through the internet.

Kilrush.ie is the brainchild of the town council, and will provide infor- mation about services and facilities in the west Care capital.

The site was re-launched this week, with up to date information and tech- nology in Clare’s local authorities most up to date site.

Following extensive re-development work carried out by Kilrush Town Council with the assistance of the IT Department of Clare County Coun-

cil, Kilrush Town Council’s web site is easy accessible and user friendly.

“This new enhanced site aims to provide the public with a vast amount of useful information on the work of the local authorities operating in Kil- rush as well as information for any- one planning a trip to Kilrush show- casing the town’s achievements and facilities on offer,’ Siobhan Garvey, acting marketing and development officer with Kilrush Town Council explained.

Application forms for and relating to services such as planning, roads, parking and housing will be available

to download from the site.

In addition, the public will have the ability to search Kilrush Town Coun- cil planning applications, checking the status on these applications from the comfort of home.

For the first time ever information on all Kilrush’s planning applications will be on line, similar to the service that has been available from Clare County Council for the last number of years.

‘The site has been designed to be accessible for all users including people with disabilities,’ said Ms Crane

“Websites are a valuable informa- tion tool and can reach a vast variety of the public; with this in mind Kul- rush Town Council are committed to ensure that all relevant up to date information will be available on this website,’ she added.

“We hope you will find this site a useful source of information and we welcome any comments you may have.”

People with such comments or queries can contact Kilrush Town Council n 065 9051047 and e- rnerew et kilrush@clarecoco.ie or sgarvey @clarecoco.ie.

A WEST Clare man who viciously attacked his girlfriend was spared a spell behind bars when his victim asked that he not be jailed.

Senan Downes (31), of Westwood, Golf Links Road, Ennis pleaded cullty to assaulting his then girl- friend, causing her harm, on May 18 2006.

Garda Declan Keavey told Ennis Circuit Court on Thursday that the pair had been living together at the wbealee

He said that Downes “viciously” assaulted the woman at their home. As aresult she lost consciousness.

‘He put his hand around her throat, banged her head off the wall and said ‘I’m going to kill you’,” said the garda.

The young woman spent five days in hospital recovering from the as- sault. She sustained bruising to the side of her face and bleeding to the ear but made a full recovery.

Judge Sean O Donnnabhain noted an allegation that during the assault there were threats made that the ac-

cused would “get her.” Garda Keavey agreed that this was the case.

He said that under bail conditions the accused had been ordered not to contact the woman. However, he had phoned her and sent her text mes- sages prior to Christmas.

The garda said he believed the young woman was in fear of the ac- Iota

The young woman told the court that the accused had stopped sending her text messages. “He has been stay- ing away from me. If he continued, I’d be happy with that,” she said.

The judge told her, “The most I can do is send him to jail. He will get out and I’ve no control over it then.”

She replied, “I’d prefer if he could not go to jail. We were together for five years. I know he needs psychi- atric help.”

Defence Counsel Michael Fitzgib- bon said his client – who now lives in west Clare – was involved in a road accident when he was a child and re- ceived counselling on and off since then. Downes addressed the court and said, “All I can say is I’m sorry.”

The judge told him he would have

“no hesitation in sending you to jail if you go near her.

“T accept it was a nasty assault on his then partner,” said the judge.

He said he must take into account the seriousness of the case coupled with the protection of the victim.

He imposed a two year jail term suspended on conditions. These in- clude that the accused does not come within 100 yards of the young wom- an and does not phone or text her for two years. He also imposed a curfew and ordered him to continue with his treatment.

HERITAGE group, Duchas na Sion- na, has outlined a number of concerns regarding the proposed major over- haul of Shannon town centre.

In its submission regarding the pro- posed development, Duchas na Sion- na has referred to archaeological and wildlife concerns, while it has also made recommendations relating to pedestrianisation.

“A primary site of archaeological concern would be the old roadway that joins the Sli na Mara boreen. This is the oldest existing roadway in the entire Shannon area, featuring on the Ordnance Survey map of 1841

and also dating back to an appearance on Henry Pelhams map of 1787. We strongly feel that it must be a matter of the highest priority that the remain- ing sections of this road should be preserved and maintained so, that no further sections of the existing road are lost or destroyed,” stated the sub- mission.

Duchas na Sionna has suggested that the road and boreen be incorporated into any new development, “in an im- aginative way.

“Tt could be a unique aspect of a new town if surrounded by a parkland or nature reserve, thereby incorporating the ancient and modern as part of a new development,’ stated the submis-

sion.

It is also calling for the placename ‘Slina Mara’ to be preserved and used as an integral name of central signifi- cance in any new development.

“The archaeological group on our committee also strongly suggest that a full archaeological audit and survey be carried out, prior to the commence- ment of any preliminary works on the Site,” it stated.

The group is also calling for the provision of a number of areas of parkland, shrubbery and indigenous hedgerow, which would “be conducive to and harmonious with the wildlife which currently inhabits the site”’.

Among the other issues raised in-

clude a recommendation on pedestria- WURS-1B COEF

“We submit that the current main road running past the Oakwood Arms Hotel and between SkyCourt Town Centre and the proposed site should be largely pedestrianised, with only very limited vehicular access, which should be subject to a very low speed restriction. This would effectively link the existing shopping area to the new development,” it stated.

Duchas na Sionna is also proposing that the proposed arts and cultural centre be located within the area of the proposed development, as it would be central to the existing housing ar- SHIDO) OFT ON ALO)OF

BUSINESS interests have reacted to news that one of the mid-west’s larg- est employers is to cut jobs by say- ing that the situation could have been worse.

Rita McInerney, CEO of the Ennis Chamber of Commerce, has said that it bodes well that the Limerick Dell plant will only be losing 3 percent of the workforce as opposed to the 10 percent being shaved off elsewhere.

And the 80 to 100 jobs which will go at the Raheen Plant will all be voluntary redundancies, it was point- ree) b

While the cuts at Dell Ireland were smaller than expected McInerney said that it was “important for us to remain vigilant, to listen to the needs of industry and convey that back to the Government.”

She added that there had been many examples “of multi-nationals scaling down and coming good again so that they take on more people than they let go in the first place. I would hope that will be the case with Dell”.

Limerick chamber also reacted to the voluntary redundancy package announced at Dell’s Limerick plants, saying that although it was disap- pointing to hear of any job losses in Limerick, the announcement was

not a surprise and that realistically the situation could have been a lot worse.

“Luckily the global target was not sought in Limerick, otherwise three times more jobs could have been lost and the situation would be a lot more serious” said Reginald Freake, Pres- ident of Limerick chamber.

Staff were informed shortly before llam last Thursday that the company would be seeking voluntary redun- dancies. Dell would not comment on the details of the redundancy pack- age beyond describing it as “com- ORLA ome

But sources close to the company say that Dell is offering between 80 and 100 staff a redundancy package of six weeks’ pay per year worked, capped at one year’s salary. Job cuts are being sought among skilled staff from support functions such as IT, HR, marketing and manufacturing management and supervisors.

Production line staff will not be entitled to apply for redundancy.

Last month, Dell CEO Michael Dell announced that the company would reduce its global workforce by 10 percent. The company has been hit by falling sales of desktop computers and last year lost its spot as the world’s top PC maker to rival Hewlett- Packard.

A MOTORIST who knocked down an athlete and then fled the scene has been jailed for four months and banned from driving for 10 years.

Declan McMahon (41), of Cappa Lodge, Sixmilebridge, was convict- ed of failing to stop his jeep, remain at the scene or report the matter to the gardai.

Shannon District Court heard that David Chaplin was out running on the main road between Shannon and Sixmilebridge at 10pm on October ope a

He was wearing a fluorescent jacket and was jogging towards home when a jeep came from behind, crossed over the incorrect side of the road and struck him, at Springfield. He was hit by the driver’s wing mirror.

An off duty garda was travelling behind the accused and saw what

happened. Sergeant Con Ryan said he seized the accused’s jeep the fol- lowing day.

In a statement subsequently made to gardai, the accused said, “I was suddenly on top of him. I heard a bang, slowed down, then panicked and drove home.”

He said that Mr Chaplin was “‘for- tunate enough. He is a very fit man. It could have been a lot worse.”

The court was told that the accused had two previous convictions for drunk driving but was not disquali- fied at the time of these offences. De- fending solicitor John Casey said his client “panicked and he went blank. He apologises to Mr Chaplin. He should have stopped, he didn’t stop.”

‘He had a few seconds. Unfor- tunately Mr McMahon chose the wrong option,’ he said.

Judge Joseph Mangan fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.