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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.

A NEW International Tour of Ireland Cycle Race was officially launched on Friday by Mayor of Ennis, Tom- my Brennan, at a reception held in the Town Hall.

The race, which passes through Ennis on Friday 24th August, will complete stage 3 of the route at Sta- tion Road near the Old Ground Ho- tel. Stage 3 will also bring cyclists through Kilaloe, Tuamgraney and Moymore.

Approx 112 riders will compete in this five-day nationwide event, tak- ing place from 22nd -26th August. The 864 km race begins in Kilkenny

and will pass through areas of Cork, Kerry and Clare before moving on through Galway.

The event will also bring the cy- clists through many other parts of the South, West and Midland Ireland before, on the 26th August, the vic- torious winner will arrive at Dublin’s Merrion Square.

The event, promoted by The Events Group in association with Shade Tree Sports and substantially funded by Failte Ireland as a means of show- ing the countryside of Ireland as a world class sport and tourism venue, will be covered live on television in a number of countries and will feature some of the top teams and riders in

the world. The race has been ranked 2.1 on the European Tour by the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale), the world governing body for cycling.

Top European teams have already signed up to enter the inaugural tour including David O’Loughlin and Ci- aran Power (both Navigators Insur- ance), and the successful Irish based Murphy and Gunn team. Invitations have also been extended to other Irish professionals who are part of successful professional teams in Eu- rope and in the USA including Philip Duignam and Nicolas Roche (Crédit Agricole), David McCann (Coalvita) and current Irish road race champi- on, Paul Griffin (Giant Asia).

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.

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”.

THE new mayor of Clare was quick to put her mark on her term in office, as she vowed to tackle one of the most contentious issues facing Clare Soliiia Seale

Just minutes after she made history by becoming the first woman elected to the chair of the local authority, the straight talking politician told the members that she would like to see the planning issue in the county re- solved.

‘At the start of the council in 2004, we promised an audit of planning. I would like to see that being carried out by an independent academic, who would give us a report in a set period of time.

“It we continue to have that frac- tious issue over the council for the coming year we will do untold dam- age to the council.

“IT would ask everyone to take a deep breath, stand back from plan- ning and see if we can sort plan- ny b ayo

As one of just two female members in Clare County Council, Councillor McCarthy is well aware of the chal- lenges facing women in politics hav- ing been first elected to the council When she was the mother of three boys under six.

‘Women make up 50 per cent of the population and the council chamber should reflect society. I would ask women to look at politics as a ca-

reer,’ she said.

The newly elected mayor was also conscious of the need for a secure future at Shannon Airport and told

her fellow colleagues “it beholds us all to recognise the sacrifices of the employees.”

In front of a packed public gal-

lery, which included her three sons and her father John O’Connell, Cllr McCarthy was nominated as the first citizen of Clare by fellow Independ- ent councillor Martin Lafferty.

In his nomination Cllr Lafferty paid tribute to the councillors deep involvement in community affairs, and named just some of her political achievements including being one of the first women elected to the coun- cil, first female chair of SPC, her service to the health board and other political authorities.

He described her as a good con- tributor to the council and “sharp on Cle oy rome

Seconding her nomination Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) said, “I think the pinnacle of her career in local gov- ernment is here today.”

The first female mayor of Clare in the 107 years of the council was elected unopposed and with the support of all the councillors in the chamber.

In congratulating his replacement, outgoing mayor Cllr Flan Garvey quipped, “I will go down in history as the first mayor of Clare to kiss the incoming mayor.”

ENNIS National School’s eco- friendly reputation has been further enhanced after winning the best-kept school’s competition.

The annual event run by Ennis Town Council aims to promote ereater public awareness in educa- tion among the general public, with a special focus on children, with help from their parents, teachers and communities.

Adjudicators were impressed by the school’s embrace of a number of litter awareness initiatives. Students and teachers worked together on a series of projects and litter preven- tion schemes.

Projects carried out have included the provision of recycling bins in schools, segregating rubbish and other waste materials projects.

The school also worked hard to ad- dress other issues such as graffiti, chewing gum and dealing with litter black spots.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of Ennis Town Council, new Deputy Mayor of Ennis Peter Consi- dine congratulated Ennis National on their success in the competition. He also said he hoped more schools would take part next year.

“It was good to see the schools up here last week for the Tidy Schools competition. It’s obviously important that schools encourage environmen- tal responsibility and many are doing

so. Although I would hope that more of the schools would take the oppor- tunity to take part next year”.

The award is the second time this year Ennis National has been com- mended for pursuing environmen- tally friendly policies.

Earlier this year this school was awarded green flag status. Green Schools committee. Through that they undertook a review of the

school’s waste management practic- es and surveyed the condition of the school and it’s surroundings.

Under the guidance of teachers John Kearney and Anne Flanagan, pupils embraced the Green School’s ethos by introducing a number of en- vironmentally friendly procedures.

These included composting, a bat- tery collection point an environmen- tal newspaper and regular clean ups

of the public car park.

The Green Flag, which is an in- ternationally recognized status, is awarded by An Taisce to schools who undertake the Green-Schools programme

It aims to help students apply what they have learned about environmen- tal awareness in their day-to-day lives both at school and in their own homes.

that it was estab- lishing “a review of practices and procedures at Cappahard Long Stay Residence,’ on the Tulla Road, En- ah

The inquiry into care at the resi- dence, which cares for patients who are mentally ill, follows complaints made by members of Gerald Finn’s family from Kilrush.

The 69-year-old was admitted to Cappahard Lodge in December 2005 suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and angina. It is believed that some of his family members raised more than 70 complaints relating to care of the pensioner during his stay at the home. Mr Finn died at the home on June 6, 2007.

Following his death, his funeral notice broadcast on local radio asked for donations in lieu of flowers to go towards the nursing home and the

Alzheimer’s Society.

In a brief statement last night the HSE West confirmed that the inves- tigation would be undertaken. It is expected to take place over the next few weeks.

‘The terms of reference are current- ly being drafted and it is hoped that it will commence shortly,” the HSE statement said. It also confirmed that the review of practices was being chaired by Dr. Donald Lyons, from the Mental Welfare Commission in Scotland.

Dr Lyons has been director of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland since October 2003. Until then he was a Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry and a Medical Manager in Glasgow. He is a member of the National Implementation Steering Group for the Adults with Incapac- ity (Scotland) Act 2000 and 1s also a spokesperson for the Royal College of Psychiatrists on this Act.

Cappahard Lodge was formerly a privately run nursing home, but a number of years ago was purchased by the then Mid Western Health Board to enhance elderly care serv- ices in the county.

The other six days of the week how- ever the Shannon based councillor IS dedicated to the community, with the belief that the community is an ex- tension of family and knowing what

concerns a family helps understand the plight of a community.

It was while caring for her young family that Patricia first became in- terested in the world of politics.

Having given up her job to be at home, Patricia laughs as she remem- bers her attempt at being a house- BE Kon

““T hate house work,” she said. Like many families in the 1970s she was looking at the pay cheque and the amount of taxes being paid every Neto) e

She continuously brought the issue up with her late husband, Denis, who eventually called her bluff.

‘He told me to do something about it,” she laughed, “So I did.”

The young mother got involved

with the Labour Party. She believed it was her natural political home. Fianna Fail was in government for 16 years and it was associated with a lot of the poverty and hardship of the time.

‘I never considered Fine Gael,” she SrHKOe

In 1977 the outspoken party mem- ber argued that the party should run a candidate in the General Election. When no one else stood up to the mark, the young woman did it her- self.

Although not elected to Dail Eire- ann she was elected to Clare County Council in 1979.

She chuckles as she remembers how she brought her youngest son for his six-week check up, before spend-

ing the afternoon on the hustings.

This was a mother looking for change.

It is her family, in-laws and beloved late husband Denis that she credits with keeping her feet firmly on the eround and her life of politics on the road.

Despite coming from the Convent of Mercy, Kilrush, the school that produced the county’s first two fe- male councillors, Patricia had no in- tentions of engaging in a life of poli- tics in those formative years.

After leaving school she worked in DeBeers and moved to Shannon when she married the late Denis McCarthy. Her eyes light up as she mentions Shannon and her beloved husband.

While admitting home is where her family is and acknowledging that the first two Clare towns will always be part of her life, she said Shannon in- stantly felt like home.

‘When I moved to Shannon I had a sense of place, a sense of town and a sense of freedom. We were Settling in with other young families,” she said.

As the new mayor talks of her de- parted husband her tenses change between present and past.

For her he is never far away, and the advice and support he gave her throughout their marriage echoes near her still.

“We were very lucky,” she said, “and I realise not everyone was that lucky.”

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STUDENTS at St Clare’s school have been enjoying the new sensory garden, which has been officially opened by Dr Willie Walsh.

The garden, designed by John Mc- Carthy in conjunction with the staff and pupils, is set in a glorious sunny position. It is specially designed to children uninhibited access around the garden that allows them to dis- cover something new at every turn. Children in electric wheelchairs are free to roam and to enjoy all the beauty of the garden. The design of the garden is such that certain areas are specially planted to appeal to the sense of sound, while other areas ap- peal to the sense of touch.

There are four pergolas in the gar- den and in future years an abundance of trailing plants will provide shade and colour to the garden.

According to school principal Anne Walshe, “there is much to see and do in this wonderful space. We are pleased that it will integrate with the curriculum at the school. Not only will the children use the garden to study nature and the environment but there are many opportunities to use the garden for learning about orien- teering and following directions”

The Board of Management of St. Clare’s School acquired the land from Ennis Town Council around 18 months ago. This new garden is sited on a portion of land located between the school and a former halting.

The land was zoned as recreational and the board set about planning something unique that was specially designed to meet the needs of chil- dren and young teenagers with spe- EU aerere nce

John Costelloe, chairperson of the board, was the driving force behind the project. He was there from start to finish, ensuring the successful completion of a long-term project.

The first task was to put in twenty extra parking spaces for staff and parents but the real vision of the board was to provide a recreational area for the children. This comprises of a playing pitch for football, a play area for climbing and exploring and finally a sensory garden.

Anne said, “The board of manage-

ment would like to thank all those who helped them to build this gar- den. In particular the Clare Federa- tion for Special Needs who gave a loan towards the purchase of the land and other voluntary groups including the Ennis Lions Club, Ennis and Dis- trict Soroptomists, Wings, Miltown Malbay walking club and PJ Harvey of New York.”

She added, “We know that this gar- den, playground and football pitch will get much use and give endless fun and enjoyment to children with Special Needs for many years to come. As it grows and matures it will become a most beautiful and indeed spiritual place and a lasting tribute to all those involved and to our special needs children”’.