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A KILRUSH man who was found by a judge to have told lies during his trial has been handed a suspended jail term after paying compensation and apologising.

Martin Walsh (49) of Island View, Kilrush, had denied causing almost €4,000 damage to two cars at 22 O’Gorman Street, Kilrush on No- vember 28 2005.

However, he was found guilty by a jury at Ennis Circuit Court last Friday week. The trial judge, Judge Sean O Donnabhain, said the ac- cused had “fabricated a tissue of lies” and he remanded him in custody for a week.

When he reappeared in court last week Walsh apologised for telling Wty

Judge O Donnabhain pointed out, “An offence of criminal damage of

this type wouldn’t merit a custodial sentence. Compensation would be number one to consider, with maybe some sort of binding to the peace or a suspended sentence.”

The judge said to defence barrister Lorcan Connolly: “You are entitled to fight the case. Your man went two steps further. He lied about his whereabouts that night and made up lies about the injured parties.

‘For those two aggravating factors,

I have remanded him in custody for the week,’ added the judge.

Mr Connolly said that his client had paid almost €4,000 compensa- tion to gardai.

‘He did not enjoy the week in pris- on. He now realises he was responsi- ble for the damage and his behaviour was unacceptable and he wishes to proffer his apology to the two wom- en,” said Mr Connolly.

The judge replied, “He didn’t spare

them when he was in the witness box.”

Martin Walsh subsequently ad- dressed the court and apologised for CURD OreMpOONRIOMbUROtcE

“I’m very sorry for misleading the court, telling lies,” he said.

The judge imposed an 18-month jail term, and suspended the balance of the sentence, on condition that he keep the peace for that length of anealee

A GROUP of young people from Ballynacally are making a conscious effort to make new friends in the area and share some interests.

Paddy, Brian and Connie are just three of the people from the area that use the services of the Brother’s of Charity by day and are now hoping to link up with people with similar interests in the evening and at week- ends to explore their hobbies, have a chat or go out for the evening.

“Connecting People” is a_ pilot scheme that will run in Ballynacally by the users of the service and their families, while being supported by the Brothers of Charity.

It does not require anyone to com- mit time to the project, but just to remember these young people when

they are going for a run or to a show and perhaps ask them along.

‘This 1s so that these young people don’t have to go places to do things,” said Brothers of Charity worker, Kevin Delaney.

It is hoped instead that these young active people can get involved with their own community.

Connie is a keen swimmer and loves working on computers. Among her other interests are singing, danc- ing and bowling and the stylish young woman has also strutted her stuff on the catwalks at local fashion shows.

Brian is a runner, anxious to get back into training. A farmer, who loves working in the bog, he also loves bowling, swimming and going out to eat.

Paddy is the DJ in the group and

loves country and western music. He also plays soccer, goes bowling and enjoys go carting.

Like most people their age they en- joy a night out and a bit of craic, a chat and a cup of coffee.

The families who will be support- ing this project said that they are not looking for a major commitment; they just want it to become a natural progression.

“Up to now they have been totally dependent on their families, and families don’t necessarily have the same interests,’ said Mr Delaney.

“We saw a gap for people in their own community,” he said.

He said that in rural areas it is often harder for people to meet up and it is hoped that this movement run by the families will transcend any of those difficulties.

“Families are hoping to create a forum for naturally linking brothers, sisters, sons and daughters with dis- abilities with people and activities in their own community. There are cur- rently three families involved in this but it looks like more will be joining in,’ he said.

A public meeting will be held on Thursday at 8.30pm in the Ballyna- cally Community Centre to discuss ideas with those interested.

FARMERS’ markets all over Clare could soon become subject to new protocols and “a quality assurance scheme to ensure that food and crafts are genuinely produced locally” ac- cording to the Minister for Commu- nity, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Deputy Eamon O Cuiv made the statement at the opening address of the All-Ireland Farmers’ Markets Seco eom srw ate Onom ERIM (oc).e He added that it is important to continue to identify barriers and address issues facing the industry, while complimenting its role in

healthy living.

“In Ireland, agriculture was tradi- tionally a mainstay of the rural econ- omy and food production was at its core,” he said.

“The professional pessimists see only doom and gloom in the fact that farming and rural economies have changed, but I know that we in this room recognise the new opportuni- ties to do things differently with the same quality materials.”

Cuiv complimented the high stand- ards of the farmers’ markets nation- BLO (on

“All of these food products are cre- ated with taste and craft, to provide

a memorable Irish experience. Con- Sumers enjoy the feel-good factor of buying direct from the producers at the market and they return again and again to continue experiencing the super quality and often-cheaper prices of the produce on offer.”

One issue raised at the conference by celebrity chef Darina Allen was the huge success of markets run by local committees in spite of in- consistent treatment of them by au- thorities. For example, signage for a market in Carrick-on-Shannon was funded while in Ennis, organisers were fined for putting up signs.

Suggestions included making ad-

ministration changes to the Casual Traders’ Act while new Minister for Food, Trevor Sargent, vowed to re- move obstacles to the markets.

Ms Allen also said that markets needed a controller and a code of practice so producers are central and food is not brought in from distant areas or sold on under false pretens- oe

According to An Bord Bia, there are five farmers’ markets in Clare at Ennis, Ballyvaughan, Killaloe, Kilrush and Shannon. Minister O SLUT AAT U(CREdarcLemmabbeTeUbeTcam Ke) mm icbu neous markets is available under the CLAR programme in his department.

that visitors to the west coast must take advice from locals when fishing in the area as they can point out the dangers of particular fishing Sy OTOL ECS

He was speaking as yet another life was lost at the infamous Blue Pool near Doonbeg.

The Moldovan national was washed into the sea while fishing at a notori- ously dangerous location.

Eleven people in total have per- ished there since 1970, all of which were visitors to the area.

Mr diLuici said he could only agree with the water safety officer with Clare County Council Liam Griffin who told people to stay away from the Blue Pool.

The council erected pictorial signs

telling potential fishermen and wom- en to keep away, after a young Latv1- an man was swept out by a wave last September.

Just a week before a young Polish was killed by a freak wave while fishing at Tullig Point.

Mr diLuici said that the weather was good last weekend while the young Moldovan man was fishing but a mist descended very quickly.

A mist or rain makes the rocks at the Blue Pool slippery and impossi- ble to walk on.

All routes to the 140-foot deep Blue Pool have been closed off but the numbers of mackerel that swim by remains a deadly attraction.

Fishing at this area has deadly con- ere LUC Nene

“People do not understand tidal movements and think it is a large lake,” said Mr Luici.

As one of the founding members of the Kilkee Marine and Rescue serv- ice, the Kilkee man spoke to the 350 plus Polish workers at Moneypoint

about the dangers of fishing off the west Clare coast.

His talk was translated in a hope that such tragedies could be avoid- ed.

He asked any visitor to the area or those not familiar with the west Clare coast to get local advice before

going fishing anywhere along the sea board.

He pointed to Dunlicky as one of the few places not susceptible to tides, but even when fishing at this point people should seek advices and tell someone when they expect Kop ccialbese

THE race is on to claim a place in Ire- land’s first ever official holy well tour which will be headed up by broad- caster, Donncha O’Dulaing. Clare people are being asked to nominate

their local well to become part of the tour which is raising money for third world charity Bothar.

“T am delighted to be able to lend my support doing what I love best, meeting people, discovering Ireland and all it has to offer. Almost every

part of Ireland has at least one holy well and the well’s water is believed by many to have healing properties,” said O’Dulaing.

“There are over 3000 wells in Ire- land, more than in any other country in the world , so I am encouraging

people to rediscover them and focus on making history present by raising funds for Bothar.”

O’Dulaing will be travelling all over Ireland on a holy well trail and member of the public are invited to get in touch with him by e-mailing failte @rte.ie.

Holy wells exist in most counties of Ireland.

While many of the old wells have fallen into disrepair, interest in the history and heritage associated with these ancient sites has been revived and there are many people now ac- tively attempting to restore them.

All funds raised will go directly to Bothar projects in the develop- ing world. Bothar give people the eift of a-food-and-income producing animal, together with the training & veterinary back-up necessary to look AVACoOMmAOt-Lmr-bOpbeet-0

Each family that receives an ani- mal must promise to ‘pass-on’ the gift of livestock by donating the first female offspring born to their animal to another needy family that 1s also involved in the Bothar programme.

Through this ‘pass-on’ tradition, the gift multiplies and has the power to help an entire community over many years.

Produce from the animals in the form of milk and honey, cheese and eggs can provide a family with a vi- tally important daily source of nu- trition. Any surplus produce can be sold to earn a little money for other foodstuffs, clothing, medicine and necessities.

The greatest dream of most devel- oping world families is to send their children to school to get an education and get a chance to break out of the cycle of poverty – a living gift from Bothar gives each family an oppor- tunity to do just that.

For further information on the holy well trail tune into Donncha’s ‘Fail- te’ Programme on Saturday evening at 10.0.5pm on RTE Radio 1.

THE month of July attracts ex-Pats back to the west Clare peninsula, as a nine-day festival celebrates all that is good about its unique traditions and abuse

Many visitors to the peninsula now plan their holidays around the Loop- head Gathering Festival once the date is set in September. This year is no exception, as thousands of people are expected in the village.

The hard working committee have again embraced their heritage and history with a unique line up of ac- tivities, which includes the opening of yet another part of the remembrance garden and the launching of a book of recipes, old cures, and old household tips.

On Sunday the bishop of Killaloe Dr Willie Walsh will celebrate mass in the famous Church of the Lit-

tle Arc in Kilbaha before the crowd move to the Garden of Remembrance for the unveiling of two new pieces of oqUbholAbuss

The first piece reflects on the “yel- low men” who perished in a ship- wreck approximately 150 years ago and also remembers all who lost their lives at sea.

Entitled the teardrop it was designed by Michael McTigue.

The second pieces is “the flame of freedom” remembering all of those involved in Irelands movement for in- dependence throughout the centuries.

There is little superstition sur- rounding the festival organisers as it all starts on Friday 13 with the John Kelly Traditional concert in Kilbaha Hall at 8pm.

John Kelly was born in 1912 in Rehy and his earliest influence came from his mother and his uncle fiddle player Tom Keane from Kilclogher.

He played music at many local func- tions before moving to Dublin in 1945 where he remained until his death in 1989. He had a shop in Capel Street called the Horseshoe which became a meeting place for many traditional musicians.

He played regularly with his sons in Slattery’s of Capel Street, and accom- panied many well known musicians including the Dubliners.

John Kelly was also an original member of Ceoltoiri Cualann with Sean O Riada and later a member of Ceolt6iri Laghainn with Eamon De Buitleir.

On Friday a number of acts includ- ing John Kelly, Pat Good and Liam Kennedy, John Mc Evoy and Jacinta Peadar Crotty, Peter and Oisin Han- rahan, Deirdre Cotter, the Mc Don- agh Brothers and Marty Marrinan will bring song, music and dance to the stage.

The now traditional cultural parade with the theme “Rolling back the years” will take place on Saturday.

Visitors can also look forward to Currach racing, traditional music, dance and song workshops, music, Mass in the graveyard and many more activities during the festival, which will last until Sunday, July 22.

‘There is something for everyone in this festival all we need are the peo- ple and the weather to enjoy a great week of festivities on the Loophead Peninsula. There is a fishing boat working out of Kilbaha for day trips to keep you busy during the day and Dolphin watching and shore fishing from Ross. You can also take a walk around the famous Loophead Light- house and take in the panoramic view of the Shannon Estuary on one side and the broad Atlantic on the other,’ said Margaret Carey Considine, Sec- retary Loophead Gathering Festival.

FORMER leader of the Green party and the newest member of the De- partment of Agriculture, Trevor Sar- gent, this week made his first official statement since entering government by urging consumers to look at or- ganic foods.

Speaking at the launch of Bord Bia’s “Think Organic” summer cam- paign, the newly appointed Minister for Food and Horticulture at the De- partment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, reminded consumers that everyone benefits from buying pro- duce in season.

“The benefits to the consumer and

the Irish producer are obvious, but there is also a much wider effect in terms of worldwide sustainabil- ity and reducing unnecessary food miles which are a significant factor in climate change,” he said.

“Consumers have an important role also in supporting organic produc- tion. When shopping it is important to buy in season organic food but also to check that produce has a label from one of the three registered Irish organic certification bodies as well as a producer licence number, Irish organic farmers operate to the high- est standard.”

The campaign, which runs un- til July 15, aims to continue rais-

ing consumer awareness of organic food, how to recognise it when shop- ping and where to buy it. Market- ing activities during the campaign will include outdoor advertising and consumer information leaflets with tips and recipes as well as informa- tion about local farmers market, box scheme deliveries and farm shops.

“The development of the organic sector 1S a priority in the new Pro- eramme for Government,” continued Sargent.

“A key objective is to grow the amount of certified organic produc- tion in Ireland from less than 1 per cent to 5 per cent of overall agricul- tural output. As 75 per cent of organ-

ic food consumed here is imported much of this growth will also mean many opportunities for import sub- stitution.”

Minister Sargent also confirmed that National Organic Week will be held this year from Monday, October PIR KOW Ze

“The success of the National Or- ganic Week depends upon the full involvement at local and regional level of as many organic producers and processors as possible,’ he con- tinued. “I’m calling on all organic producers and processors to play their part this year to make the very most of it.”

THE beach in Fanore was trans- formed into a scene more normally associated with California, the Mediterranean of Rio de Janeiro this weekend as it Clare played host to a leg of the Irish Beach Volleyball Championships for the very first time.

While the weather didn’t exactly help to set the scene, there was plenty of action on the sand to help warm the hundreds of spectators and par- ticipants and get them into the tropi- cal mood.

While indoor volleyball is a long time favourite among the Irish sport- ing fraternity, the sandier variety of the sport is fast become one of Ire-

land’s quickest growing sports.

“It was founded in Ireland in 1968 so we have been going for a good while. Beach volleyball is a lot new- er and we have only been involved in beach volleyball for the past five years or so and we have been getting very seriously into it over the past year or so,” said Paul McKeever, D1- rector of Development and Coaching at Volley Ball Ireland.

“We have a circuit going this year and Saturday was the first time that this circuit has come to Clare. Be- sides the men’s and women’s main competition there was also a casual court set up for people who have nev- er played before to come along and try out the sport.”

Beach volleyball is one of the

worlds fastest growing sports and the numbers playing in Ireland have more than doubled over the last five years.

‘Professional volleyball is played with just two people – it’s just two verses two, men and women. It’s been an Olympic sport since the 1986 Atlanta Olympics and at the last Ol- ympics it had the highest spectators numbers from any sport,” he said.

“It 1s huge worldwide. In fact we have a major show piece event com- ing up in Bray, County Wicklow later this week, where we build an artifi- cial court, sort of a hundred foot side sand amphitheater.

“Some of the best players from America, Australia and the UK will be over to compete over a couple of

days. There are a couple of guys from Ennis who have qualified for main competition in Bray this week.”

Unlike most of world beach volley- ball, a large amount of the competi- tions which take place in Ireland are played in less than ideal weather.

“If it lashes rain we will still play. The only thing that prevents us from playing is if there is lightning or something dangerous like that.” con- tinued Paul.

“You have to get used to playing in bad conditions in Ireland so yes, we play through the rain.”

FARM safety took centre stage this week with a number of organisation launching awareness campaigns aim- ing at preventing tragedies on Irish farms over the summer months.

Despite the weather, summer work on farms across the county has been continuing into late in the evening with farmers anxious to take advan- tage of any break in the weather.

Last week the IFA and the Road Safety Authority got together to launch a joint road safety strategy aimed at ensuring the safety of farm- MASP IMCLENN OTN oe

All road users were warned to ex- pect an increase in the number of agricultural vehicles using the roads

over the next few months and the IFA and RSA have called for increased vigilance for all.

‘I am advising farmers to be safety conscious whenever bringing a farm vehicle onto the public road,” said IFA President, Padraig Walshe

‘Farmers should be aware of traf- fic building up behind them and keep left where possible to allow other vehicles pass safely. I would appeal to other road users to show patience when encountering farm machinery on the road. With understanding on both sides, the roads can be safer for everybody’, he added.

Road users are being advised to watch out for tractors, trailers and other farm machinery exiting from fields and farm yards and to exercise

caution when travelling behind or meeting such vehicles on the public road.

Drivers of agricultural vehicles are also being reminded that they are governed by road traffic laws on driver licensing, insurance, standards in relation to vehicle roadworthiness, vehicle lighting and motor tax.

“Your driving mirror must provide an adequate view of the road to the rear.

“Do not carry a passenger unless the tractor is equipped to carry one and the trailer should not be used for transporting people unless it has pro- vision for carrying them,” said Noel Brett, CEO, Road Safety Authority.

“All agricultural vehicles must have proper working brakes on both trac-

tor and trailer units and must be fit- ted with lights, reflectors and indica- tors. In addition a vehicle should not be loaded in such a way that would make it unstable on the road, and beware of low bridges, overhanging trees, overhead cables and uneven road surfaces which could cause the load to shift and possibly overturn.”

Meanwhile, an internationally re- nowned expert on accident preven- tion will speak at the forthcoming National Seminar on Occupational Safety and Health in Agriculture.

Dr Juha Suutarinen of Agrifood Research, Finland will outline the key findings of a major study in Fin- land on the relationships between farm management and causes of farm accidents.

ONE of Ireland’s most promis- ing young vocal talents, Peter O’Donoghue, will join north Clare’s famed Lismorahaun Singers in a one off concert in Kilkee later this month.

O’Donoghue, who won the Tenor Trophy at the Feis Ceoil in 2006, learned his trade with the Lismoura- haun from a young age and 1s cur- rently studying in Dublin and in- volved in a number of other musical projects.

The summer concert, which is be- ing sponsored by Kilkee Civic Trust, will take place on July 21 in the fit- ting surrounds of Kilkee Parish

Church.

It will feature a wide-ranging col- lection of musical styles and genres, including classical favourites, con- temporary music, music from the movies, spirituals, and choral ar- rangements of Irish song.

Along with this, Peter will join the Lismorahaun Singers in a number of Operatic arias and traditional Irish ey NUE Tence

Originally founded in Fanore in 1999, the Lismorahaun Singers rose to national prominence during their sold-out performances of Mozart’s Requiem in Ennistymon and Dub- lin’s RDS Concert Hall in 2005.

The story behind the choir and its inspirational leader, Archie Simp-

son, was also the subject of a popu- lar documentary, Sing and You Win, which has had several showings on RTE in recent years.

Indeed, the singers completed their first international performance at a venue near Venice in Italy earlier this year.

The Lismorahaun Singers have grown in size from an initial group of twenty, to a current membership of over seventy, ranging in age from 8 to 70. Coming from all walks of life, this broad based choir draws its members from throughout Clare and indeed from Galway, Limerick and Tipperary.

The choir has also been instrumen- tal in promoting young people’s in-

terest in the vocal arts and a number, such as Peter O’Donoghue, have gone to take on singing as a career. Through the choir, the Music Schol- arship Programme was set up to support students as they prepare for third level voice education.