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A TEAM challenge tackled by a Corbally family showed that there ain’t no mountain high enough to stop Clare people.

The four-strong team trekked 75km across the Kerry Mountains, with an enthusiasm that won them Best Team Spirit in the Challenges 4 Charity (C4C) Kerry Challenge 2007.

Trish McElligott, Fanchea Molo-

ney, Michelle Moloney and Pa Molo- ney are local heroes this week after their terrific feat. But the four have more than just teamwork to be proud Oe

They also raised money and aware- ness for this annual event that fund- raises on behalf of DEBRA Ireland and Fighting Blindness.

The trek, which wove through the Kerry Way, Beara and Dingle Pe- ninsulas, tested even the fittest of

the 42 teams taking part. “But each kilometre was met by spirit and en- thusiasm, making for an unbeatable atmosphere,” a spokesman for the event said.

The measure of events success 1s in the €68,000 raised by participants. This money will go to the medical research teams and support groups funded by both charities, and will have a significant impact on their work.

Next up is the sister to the Kerry Challenge, the Wicklow Challenge, taking place this coming September 14 to 16. This event dubbed “Trek with a Twist’ includes fun-based tasks in addition to an extensive three day trek through Glendalough, the Wicklow Way and Powerscourt.

To register or find out more about the event, phone O01 677 6856, go online to www.c4c.ie or e-mail info@c4c.ie.

TWO. separate developments op- posed by local residents in Doolin have been refused planning permis- sion.

Clare County Council refused plan- ning permission to Finbarr Tierney to develop six permanent homes. The planning authority also expressed “serious concerns” in relation to a proposed hotel extension in Doolin.

In their opposition against the planned 20 bedroom extension to the existing Tir Gan Ean Hotel, which also includes four new holiday homes, local residents stated that ad- ditional holiday homes in the village would result in a “dead” settlement for much of the year.

The objection also claimed that “there 1s no need for more holiday homes or for more long term rental properties in Doolin at present. There are already 65 holiday homes built or in the process of being built.”

‘Further development is premature in the absence of public sewage sys- tem… acting on the precautionary principle, the development is prema- ture. We have no objection in princi- ple to the hotel extension when the public sewage system is installed,” it added.

In putting the proposal on hold,

the council stated: “The planning authority has serious concerns with regard to the design and height of the proposed development and its proxi- mate location to the adjacent build- ings to the south-west. Please submit revised plans.”

Separately, the council refused planning for six permanent homes at Coogyulla in Doolin, which was also opposed by local residents who claimed that the proposal was premature in the absence of public sewerage facilities. Residents also argued that there is an over-supply of holiday homes in the area.

The proposal was refused on a number of grounds including con- cerns “with regard to the high water table and the poor percolation prop- erties of the soil on this site, it 1s con- sidered that the proposed develop- ment site would be unsuitable for the disposal of domestic effluent.

“Having regard to the suburban design and layout of the proposed dwelling units, it is considered that the proposal would be out of charac- ter with the existing pattern of devel- opment in the vicinity and of future occupants.’

The council also ruled that the “proposed development would set an undesirable precedent for other such developments in the area”.

PLANNING issues once = again threatened to overshadow last night’s meeting of Clare County Council with councillors engaging in a half hour long shouting match about plans to conduct an audit of planning pro- cedures at the local authority.

Following a heated debate in coun- cil chambers, it was decided that a cross party committee would meet before the next meeting of Clare County Council and draw up the boundaries in which an audit could take place.

Concerns were raised by council- lors as to whether an audit was the best way to proceed and also if any audit could be completed before the next local election.

“I could say to the county manager he doesn’t need any audit, I could bring him in the car up to north Clare and show him houses built that should not have been built.

“T’m all for change in the planning process but we have been promised this over and over again,” said Cllr Martin Lafferty (Ind).

Clare’s planning authority was de- scribed as being “an emergency situ-

ation” by north Clare Cllr Michael Kelly (FF) while Labour’s Pascal Fitzgerald raised fears that the audit would take in excess of two years to complete and that the coulcil was “going around in circles’ on the is- sue.

Responding to these remarks, May- or Patricia McCarthy (Ind), said that no planning files would be ommited from the investigation by the auditor.

“The purpose of the audit is not to pick which cases to examine and which ones not. Every file would be examined by a specific person and that person would give us a report,’

she said.

“At least we will have something solid to talk about. An academic would quickly be able to look through the system and find out if files were missing.

“We need to try and find a balance between what the elected members and the planning officials are saying.

‘However, I did not say that all discussions on planning would stop while this was going ahead.”

Delegates are now to be chosen for an eight person cross-party commit- tee to decide how the audit will oper- a1 Ken

THE Tuamgraney Development As- sociation has condemned the lack of progress by Clare County Council in addressing serious problems with water, pathways, road surfaces and safety in the town.

Association PRO, Margaret O’Meara, said that although resi- dents have raised over €91,000 to- wards local improvements the au- thorities have not been as generous in addressing long-term issues.

Council representatives were invit- ed to a public meeting last Tuesday but were unable to attend. Instead, Senior Executive Engineer Sean Lenihan, outlined upcoming work in

“NO molset-n ee

The email advised that a collapsed pipe causing “flooding opposite Has- setts” had been indentified for repair, further footpath repairs are depend- ent on funding and resurfacing and signage improvement will soon SEC a

It added that tenders for a water/ sewerage scheme will be decided later this summer but as it will cover several areas it 1s up to contractors where and when it will start.

He offered to arrange a meeting ata later date and Ms O’Meara acknowIl- edged this but added that phrases such as “in the coming weeks” were too vague.

“The road surface is appalling and

at the meeting we had a slideshow of 64 photographs showing potholes and dangerous footpaths. There is inadequate signage for our one-way system among other things. An au- dit by the national school showed that over 100 heavy goods vehicles pass by it a day and there is no pe- destrian crossing and no proper sig- nage. We’re afraid some child will be killed.”

Businesses have also complained about water pressure, sewerage and minor issues like the irregularity of road sweeping.

She added that there have been “mixed messages” about work and problems have arisen such as a traf- fic island having to be continually

moved- issues that could be avoided if plans were made “in consultation, not in isolation”.

TDA Chairman, Damien Heaney and other voluntary groups are call- ing for less “reassurance” and more action.

“The council have said that coun- cillors will collaborate with us and they are. Some work has also been done but there 1s still no proper time- frame or budget. We feel that there should be a concrete plan. It’s very frustrating because we have devel- oped the memorial park, done land- scaping and put up fences and signs. Everyone is trying to do the best for the village that they love,’ said Ms O’Meara.

THE knee was heavily bandaged, but it didn’t cost Gerry Quinn a thought as he took on the role of sideline mo- tivator as this game went down to the wire.

Sligo’s Eamon O’ Hara did the same in the Connacht football final the fol- lowing day – kicking every ball after injury forced him from the fray.

Quinn pucked every ball, just like he had when he was out on the field. It was the Corofin/Clarecastle game all over again. That day Quinn was immense at centre-back — he was the same on this day as Clare finally drew a line under the controversies that have dogged their years so far.

That was the gospel according to the vice-captain after the game as he reflected on a new dawn for the team. “After everything that’s happened this year, that win out there was a great boost for ourselves. That vic- tory has put all the past and what’s happened behind us, it’s onwards and upwards.

“We have our fan base again, peo- ple are back behind us and I think beating Galway in the park couldn’t have been much sweeter for us.

“We didn’t perform against Cork in the Munster championship and we knew that there was a lot more in us. Today proved that we have a good team and we’re still in the champion- ship. That’s for sure.

“Going into the game we knew we had nothing to fear from Galway. There’s nothing there that we hadn’t seen before. There’s nothing new We uer

“Overall we knew we were every bit as good as them. The goals came at the right time for us, especially Gilly’s goal.

“We’re aiming high. There’s no reason not to. We are among the top three or four teams in the country. Who knows where we can go from here. We still have a lot of work to do, but it was much better from us. Now we have to finish the job on Sat- urday and beat Laois.”

Quinn aims to be there, wounded knee or not.

THE Ballyduff Beg Liaison Com- mittee are to receive advanced notice of all reports relating to the Central Waste Management Facility in Inagh, it was decided at last night’s meeting of Clare County Council.

This is following the circulation of an independent report on odour

levels at Ballyduff Beg, which was released by Clare County Council to the elected members of the council and the media but not to the liaison Loy nebeeblatoton

“We have had an ongoing problem with odour in the area and most of the community liaison meetings are taken up with discussions on the mat- ter. I was disappointed that a copy of

the report was not there at the last meeting, we are supposed to be mov- ing on this in a spirit of partnership,’ said Clir Joe Arkins (FG).

‘The press had it but the local com- munity did not, that is the issue. If this had been made available to the people of the committee I would have been able to be better informed. Anything that we have that is perti-

nent to the operation of the landfill should be circulated to the laison committee.”

Independent Lisdoonvarna council- lor Martin Lafferty called into ques- tion the same consultant being used by Clare County Council and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct separate environ- mental audits at Ballyduff Beg.

“The same company is coming back after doing our report are now doing another report for the EPA. I’m not saying anything about this com- pany but consultants can often give a report that reflects favorably on the opinions of the people who are pay- INOTSMn alos pe RMN A CoMCT- BOE

‘Tribute has to be paid to the ac- tion committee in Inagh. At the be- ginning they were laughed at about it but a lot of their fears have proved to be true. The committee has to com- plimented on their vigilance.”

Responding to the motion, Sean Ward of Clare County Council said that odour was the one significant issue that still remained with Bal- lyduff Beg. He also revealed that of- ficials from the local authority had recently visited dumps in Laois and Offaly to study how odour was dealt ALAN Neo KoR

It was also confirmed that plans were in place to use the gas produced by the landfill as a potential source of fuel in the future.

FROM humble beginnings in 1951 in Killaloe, the South East Clare Show has grown to be 1n the elite company of the top ten shows in the country.

And while the show didn’t go ahead in Killaloe after 1957, it has run for 17 years now at it’s revival location in Bridgetown.

Details of this year’s show, which will be held on July 22, were re- vealed at the launch last Friday night and it promises to be a great family and community day out.

There will be 24 classes in the horse show event, which is being or- ganised by Caitriona Bourke. This includes five all Ireland qualifiers and the Limerick lady champion 2007 qualifier.

The 27 classes in the cattle sec- tion are in the hands of Conor Hayes while Michael Hayes is looking af- ter the very popular dog show event. This will have 13 classes including the Gain dog food all Ireland cham- pionship qualifier.

A new addition to this year’s show will be the vintage classic cars, ably

steered by Joe English. Mary Spei- ght, Bernie English and Kate McAu- ley are looking after the home indus- tries section.

There will be nine classes for youngsters as well as lots of fun at the Little Miss and Bonny Baby com- petitions as well as a fancy dress.

And there will be music and carni- val fun for everyone to enjoy on the CEMA

And if any excuse was needed to put on the good frock for the day, there will be a prize for the best dressed lady.

Launching the show, chairman Pat Hayes said that the committee “would like to thank the landowners. Without their help, the show couldn’t go on. We would also like to thank all our sponsors, particularly our main sponsor, Tom Marsh.”

AN ENNIS couple, who received over €100,000 from a developer in 2004 after withdrawing their objec- tion to a €20 million housing devel- Opment, are now seeking to block a proposal for a retail development on Francis Street in the town.

Vincent and Ann Coffey of Clon Road, Ennis recently lodged the ob- jection against a plan by Galvin Con- struction Ltd to build a retail outlet at Francis Street, adjacent to their own

property.

Three years ago the Coffeys with- drew their objection against a multi- million euro housing scheme at the Quin Road, Doora by Luxury Homes (Galway) Ltd after the company paid them £85,000 (€107,930) and gave them two free sites.

A letter to the board from the Cof- feys stated that at no time did they approach the developers with the in- tention of securing payment of mon- ey, gifts, or consideration of other inducement by any person.

An Bord Pleanala upheld the Cof- feys’ concerns in relation to the Francis Street proposal last year by refusing planning permission to the development. But Galvin Construc- tion has now re-applied to do work at the site.

In their new objection, the Coffeys stated that they “are not opposed to the development of the site provided it’s carried out in an orderly manner and in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable develop- ment of the area”.

They added, “The current planning application involves the development of part of one of the most important sites in Ennis town centre situated at the junction of Francis Street and Clon Road and whilst the site is va- cant, it is deemed suitable for a mix of uses.”

They also said that their property would be devalued by overshadow- ing and loss of amenity and privacy.

The objection emphasised that pro- posals should be of high quality to “protect the amenity of the surround-

ing areas” and “respect the character of the town centre’, according to the local development plan.

In their submission, Galvin Con- struction stated that it had overcome the reason for refusal issued by An Bord Pleanala and the development was now in compliance “in ac- cordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area’.

The council has requested further information on the plan and a final decision 1s expected later this year.

THE village of Sixmilebridge liter- ally bent over backwards last week in welcoming a team of Danish gym- nasts for the Irish leg of the recipro- cal exchange with the local commu- nity.

The team, which specialises in rhythmic gymnastics, put on several acrobatic displays and a workshop as well as visiting many of Clare’s most famous attractions.

Joergen Madsen, one of the team leaders with the party of 60 from Haderslav, said that the trip was “a great experience and fun” as always.

“Our group wanted to make spe-

cial contact with another group and Kevin and Dolores O’Loughlin re- sponded over 20 years ago. People have been coming from Denmark since then and we have seen a lot of Ireland. Our two countries like sing- ing and music and performance and everyone loves the visits.”

He added that the young people got the genuine Irish experience staying with host families in Sixmilebri- dge and Kilmurry and had enjoyed events such as a special camogie match, social evenings and tours of the Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty and Ailwee Caves.

Even the cold and showery condi- tions had not put a dampener on the

nat oy

‘The weather has not been the best but we had some very good days. They still liked it very much and we will look forward to the Irish visit next year or the year after. We have a big festival every four years and our Irish visitors like this very much,” he Sr nLG

Over 45 members of the Sixmileb- ridge variety group spent nine days in Denmark last year.

The exchange has been going on since 1988 and according to Mr O’Loughlin, a formal twinning ar- rangement could be on the cards for the 21st anniversary next year.

‘Hundreds from the village have

participated over the years and they all learned about new customs and had the challenge of adapting. Peo- ple from the first visit are still friends today. It’s a big voluntary effort lo- cally and Dolores and the committee do a lot of work to organise it.”

He paid tribute to all involved and thanked everyone for helping with the huge fundraising effort to cover 40. ene

SEAPOINT College in Kinvara is to close in June of 2012 but first year students will be admitted next year, it emerged over the weekend.

After a week of contradictory re- ports concerning the future of the school, the RESCUE Seamount eroup released a statement on behalf of the Seamount Board of Manage- ment on Saturday evening.

“The Board of Management of Seamount College can confirm that the Mercy Trustees have agreed to

accept first year girls at the school in September 2007 on a five year cycle,’ said a spokeswoman from RESCUE.

“The trustees authorised this intake of students on the clear understand- ing that the school will close in June 2012. The students who wish to en- roll in Kinvara this September will not have transition year option avail- able to them. The Board of Manage- ment welcomes this decision by the Trustees.”

The validity of an agreement for the staged closure of Seamount and the

construction on a new school came into serious doubt when an argument erupted between the Sisters of Mercy and the Department of Education last week over the timetable for the school’s closure.

The nuns had agreed to take in first year students next year, but only if the Department of Education guar- anteed a new school would be com- pleted before 2010.

When this commitment was deemed impossible by the depart- ment the entire agreement looked set to collapse.