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FAMILIES living in Ivy Hill have described how reckless drivers are causing havoc on roads around the estate.

Resident’s representatives told the July meeting of Ennis Town Council they fear a serious accident is just a matter of time.

Dangerous driving and the width of the roads in the estate were indenti- fied as the main reasons for the high levels of speeding occuring in the estate.

One mother spoke of the worry she felt every time she heard a screech of brakes on the road.

‘You wake up to hear brakes screeching. We are afraid something is going to happen. We don’t want to have to wait for a serious accident to happen before anything is done”’.

The group called on the council to install traffic calming measures to combat the problem. They claimed speed ramps and or traffic islands are the only effective methods to stop speeding drivers.

One resident, Jenny, explained that drivers treat the area like a main road. “There is a very long corner and very long stretch and drivers are coming in here and treating it as a main road. We’re here to say that it is only a small percentage of drivers

that drive badly but there are a lot of young children playing on the road and something needs to be done”.

She added “There are signs up there to say children are playing, but they aren’t making any difference. Coming home from school can be an absolute nightmare with the amount of cars”.

Another resident Kay, described how she had observed a speeding car hit a lampost and spin into a green area before driving away.

She said “There is serious potential there for something to happen up near the hill. People say that speed bumbs cause damage to cars but if you are a serious driver you will drive sensibly

and look after your car”’.

Green party councillor Donal O’Bearra said the problem was widespread in many residential areas around the town.

“It’s a problem that’s going to hap- pen more frequently in many areas in the town especially when you have a lot of people who are driving on the other side of the road. When speed comes into then, it creates a far more dangerous problem”.

Mayor of Ennis, Tommy Brennan told the delegation from Ivy Hill that the council would examine the issue more closely once they had been briefed by Town Engineer Tom Tiernan.

THE importance of keeping water- ways clear was stressed by a judge when he fined a publican who plead- ed guilty to discharging effluent into waters.

The proprietor of O’Connor’s pub in Doolin, Patrick Sexton, pleaded guilty to one charge arising out of an inspection by Clare County Council on August 11, 2005.

Karen Hayes, from Clare County Council’s Environmental Depart- ment, said she visited O’Connor’s pub as part of routine monitoring.

She told Ennis Circuit Court that she took an effluent sample and analysed it. The results showed that BOD, a measure of the oxygen used by microorganisms to decompose, was six times over the licensed limit, while the level of suspended sol- ids exceeded the legal limit by four

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Counsel for the accused said there was no “deliberate breach on my cli- ent’s behalf.”

Ms Hayes accepted this, saying, ‘He didn’t physically put the effluent in there.”

The court was told that the accused had three previous convictions un- der the same legislation, in 2001, 2003 and 2004.

Ms Hayes said that the prosecution

was mounted in the District Court, where jurisdiction had been declined and costs amounting to more than €2,500 had arisen.

“It is my opinion it could have been dealt with in the District Court,’ said Ms Hayes.

She said that since the proceedings were initiated, Mr Sexton had put in a lot of work to rectify the situation and was now meeting the require- ments.

His counsel said, “Since the date of this offence there have been no fur- ther difficulties.”

Judge Sean O Donnabhain pointed out that this was a fourth conviction.

‘Publicans are like everybody else. Reality sometimes only dawns when it gets caustic. We are all increasing- ly conscious of how important it is to keep waterways clear,” he said while imposing a fine of €2,500. He also ordered that accused pay costs.

TWO local heroes who have raised thousands for cancer have been nominated for the People of the Year awards

Ballyea man Tony Griffin was nominated alongside Clare 250 Mile Cycle founder John Dunne as one of Ennis Town Council’s nominees for We Comre Nise 8K 6 he

The 2006 hurling all-star last week completed an epic and often arduous 7000km cycle across Canada.

Griffin completed the Irish leg of his journey when he cycled first from Dublin to Athlone and then back to Ennis last Sunday.

Thousands lined O’Connell Street in Ennis town centre on the day to welcome Griffin home.

Through his endeavours with the Tony Griffin foundation, the 26- year-old hopes to raise one million for the Irish Cancer Society, Ovarian Cancer Canada and the Lance Arm- strong Foundation.

He reflected last week on the amaz- ing level of support he had received from the general public.

“The people were absolutely bril- liant. The response we got from strangers was amazing. It was just very heart warming to have com- plete strangers coming up to you, it would leave you with a new outlook on life”.

Griffin’s fellow nominee for the People of the Year is another cyclist.

John Dunne founded the Clare 250 Mile Cycle in 1979 and it has since grown into one of the largest charity event is in the country. The two-day event which takes place in June regu-

larly attracts over 100 participants. Money raised from the event goes towards helping cancer sufferers and the area of cancer research. In recent years some of the funding has been

allocated towards the construction of a dedicated Clare 250 cancer centre in Ballygriffey Ruan.

Both Griffin and Dunne were put forward for the award at the July monthly meeting of Ennis Town Council.

Independent councillor Frankie Neylon said both men deserved rec- ognition for their immense fundrais- ing efforts.

“IT recommend we put forward Tony Griffin and John Dunne. They have done tremendous work and fundrais- ing and I think they would be worthy recipients’.

The People of the Year awards provide an unique opportunity for the Irish public on both sides of the border to honour outstanding con- tributions by individuals to life on the island. This includes those peo- ple that have raised money for vital services for people with disabilities, older people, carers and other mar- ginalized groups.

Awards are given in many diverse categories to a mixture of high pro- file figures and the unsung heroes of local communities.

This year’s awards will be held on September 8 in the City West Hotel, Dublin and will be televised live on 0 SaF

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.

THE number of people living in Clare who have a third level degree has risen by almost one third in the last five years.

The figures were revealed in latest results from the 2006 Census which show that the number of people in Clare with a third level degree or higher has risen dramatically by 30 per cent since 2002.

This means that 16 per cent of all adults in the county have at least a primary degree, which is the same as the national average.

“Tt is really encouraging to see that Clare is retaining its well educated and increasing the knowledge base of the region,’ says Western Devel- opment Commission (WDC) Chief Executive, Gillian Buckley.

“Attracting and retaining well edu- cated people is the key to the west’s future in the knowledge economy. We know from the population trends and our LookWest.ie campaign that well qualified people want to stay in, or return to, Clare. The latest Census results confirm this,” she added.

The Census information also showed that the numbers in mana- gerial and professional jobs in the county have risen by 13 per cent while those categorised as unskilled

have fallen by 18 per cent.

“At the WDC we have set it as a priority to make prospective employ- ers aware of the skills pool available in the region. The next phase of our LookWest.ie campaign will specifi- cally target businesses to highlight the numbers of skilled and educated people who want to live and work in the west,” said Ms Buckley.

Commenting on the Census results regarding internet access, Ms Buck- ley continued, “It’s clear that Clare fares badly in terms of broadband. Just under 30 per cent of those with internet access had a broadband con- nection compared with the national average of 43 per cent. Widespread affordable, high-speed internet ac- cess 1s critical to Clare’s future in the knowledge economy and must be a national priority.”

Figures also revealed that 85 per cent of households in Clare have at least one car compared to the nation- al average of 80 per cent.

Ms Buckley said that this “points to the need to continue to invest in road infrastructure across the county but also underlines the importance of public transport provision, particu- JENe Weve meceyeebeslll(osmpKeleiKonwe

The 2006 Census was conducted across Clare and nationwide on April PRM MES Misr:

AFTER a long winter break, big time music is returning to Doolin this summer with the relaunch of the Best for the West series of concerts at Magnetic Music.

This years series of 12 events will see some of the country’s most pro- lific musicians and singers descend- ing on the village between now and the beginning of September.

The series opens on Thursday, July 19, with a concert from new folk wizards Beoga. The five-piece tradi- tional band from Antrim was drawn together after jamming in a fero- cious music session at the All-Ire- land Fleadh in August 2002. Their

unique sound features the twin du- eling accordions of Sean Og Graham and Damien McKee, along with four times All-Ireland bodhran champion Eamon Murray and pianist Liam Bradley.

Over the last couple of years Beoga have followed a busy European tour schedule, which included headlining various prestigious festivals includ- ing performances on the Guinness Irish Christmas tour of Austria, the German Irish Folk Festival tour along with Solas and Kevin Burke and the Irish Unplugged Tour of Holland, with the Fureys and Davey Arthur.

The group have just released their second eagerly awaited album Mis-

chief which contains more of their self-composed material, played in their own highly individualistic style.

Following Beoga, Emer Mayock, Donal Siggins and Robert Harris of Afro Celt Sound System fame will bring their eclectic mix of traditional and self penned tunes accompanied by guitar and bodhran to Magnetic Music on Sunday, July 22. Six days later, fiddle and concertina virtuo- So of Riverdance fame, Niamh Ni Charra and Mike Galvin will be live on stage before the free Irish Music Table Quiz on July 29.

Indeed their will be a series of free Irish Music Table Quiz’s through- out the summer with extra events on

August 5 and 12. On August 3, Pad- raic O’Reilly and the Corofin String Quartet will take to the stage with legendary Cork singer songwriter John Spillane performing on the fol- lowing night.

Other concerts include MacDara and Friends on August 10, Niamh Parsons and Graham Dunne on Au- gust 25, Patricia Daly and the Span- ish-Lady Ensemble on August 31 and the Outside Track on August 8.

Doors for all concerts at 9.30pm, families are welcome with small children sitting on the lap free and children from 10 to 14 years half je ulGen

For more information call 7074988 or check out magnetic-music.com.

THE number of US military person- nel going through Shannon Airport in the second quarter of this year increased by 135 per cent on the number that went through the airport between January and March.

According to figures published by the Shannon Airport Author- ity (SAA) yesterday, the numbers of troops that went through Shan- non from March to June was 63,827 with 27,104 passing through in May alone.

Some 27,070 US military person- nel went through the airport between January and the end of March.

According to the Executive Chair- man of the Shannon Airport Author- ity (SAA), Pat Shanahan, Shannon Airport outdoes all other airports in the world in terms of service levels for the various military carriers.

Last year, profits from the US mili- tary traffic kept the SAA in profit. 280,785 military personnel used the airport’s facilities, which was a drop of 17 per cent or 59,903 on the number that went through Shannon in 2005.

The airport made a profit of €9 mil- lion from the troop traffic in 2005. The profit last year is an estimated ae esneeleyee

“Shannon has a tradition of han- dling military traffic. We do it very well and we have the infrastructure to do so.

“Geographically, the airport is ide- ally located between the two great continents,’ said Mr Shanahan.

“It is a business we do very well. Obviously the ultimate decision is a Government decision. While there is a business opportunity we will certainly capitalise on it. Shannon captitalises on it more than airport that I know in the world in terms of friendliness and in terms of the serv- ice level we give the various carriers that operate that business.”

Asked would the authority be look- ing for additional military business, Mr Shanahan said, “We’re good at that business, but if opportunities come along, certainly, but it is not a business you can rely on or predict a certain level of income, it fluctuates oA AAW NCCU RA

“It is not a business we will basing our future on, but it is a reasonable revenue generating business when there is an opportunity to capitalise One

“It is not a predictable business, but it is a business that we are happy to be in 1f the Government is happy to allow the carriers to go through Shannon,” said Mr Shanahan.

STAFF who are arriving first day on the job without experience are demanding minimum wage, causing headaches for employers, according to the Ennis Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber says there is confu- sion about who is entitled to the new minimum wage of €8.65 which was introduced by new Labour Affairs Minister Billy Kelliher last week.

“It’s important to note that the min- imum wage applies to people over 18 years of age with experience in their field,” said chamber CEO, Rita Weal tious

“People who are coming straight from school with no experience can- not be paid the minimum because there is a cost involved with training them,’ she said.

While the increases had _ been agreed as part of a national plan, the CEO said that businesses would hope that once the level had been reached, further increases would not come as quickly on each other again.

The increase to the National Mini- mum Wage is the second this year. The first increase to took effect on January 1, last. Overall it is the sixth increase to the national minimum wage since it was first introduced in

April 2000.

Ms McInerney said that the increas- ing cost of paying wages was one of a number of mounting expenses which were putting businesses under pres- sure.

“With the review of valuations on property in Ennis coming up, we re- ally need to examine the costs. If a business improves its premises, it’s caught for higher rates. The cost of renting a premises in Ennis is also something which needs to be looked ale

“We are concerned with the number of empty premises in the town. It’s not good for business or for the 1m- age of the town.”

Introducing the new wage, the minister said that the increase would “clearly benefit low paid workers in society, in particular part-time and younger workers”.

Anybody seeking information on the increase in the national mini- mum wage can telephone the Em- ployment Rights Information Unit at Ol 6313131, 1890 201 615 Co-call if outside the O1 area) or visit the web- site www.entemp.!e.