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A 23-Y EAR old Clarecastle man has been charged in connection with an alleged knife attack on a man in En- nis last week.

It is alleged that the accused, Alan Kerins, burgled a mobile phone shop and acquired a knife there. Accord- ing to the State, he then robbed a man at knifepoint, at Ardlea, on the Lim- erick Road, shortly after midnight.

Kerins, of Church Drive, Clarecas- tle, is accused of assaulting James Fenton causing him harm, at Limer- ick Road, Ennis, in the early hours of last Wednesday, June 27.

He also faces a charge of entering

RD Mobile Phones on O’Connell Street, Ennis, as a trespasser.

He is accused of handling a stolen wallet containing €90 cash and bank cards, handling four stolen mobile phones, a bluetooth headset and a display phone also on the same date.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told En- nis District Court on Thursday that it would be alleged the accused broke into the phone shop and took a number of phones and a Stanley any 8 Ker

“Then, just off the Limerick Road, Mr Fenton was walking on Ardlea Road when he was suddenly ac- costed from behind by Mr Kerins. Mr Kerins pulled a Stanley knife and

demanded that he produce his wal- let. In the course of the struggle, Mr Fenton was knocked to the ground. He had no choice but to hand over the wallet, which contained €90,” | stemncreB(em

The injured man sustained a knife injury to the abdomen which wasn’t “very serious.” He also received inju- ries to the back of the head and arm.

“The State will be seeking a remand in custody because of the seriousness of the charges and the weight of ev1- dence the State will be advancing in relation to proving those charges,” he SrHIGE

‘There is concern 1n relation to his (Kerins’s) behaviour,’ he added.

He said that Kerins had previously failed to answer bail on several oc- casions.

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey ap- plied for bail, “on very stringent con- ditions.”

She said her client would be taking ‘‘a certain course” in relation to some OME AA oMO ERE MoKe

Judge Joseph Mangan said he was declining jurisdiction on all four charges and ordered that a book of evidence be prepared for the Circuit Colitan

He adjourned the case until later this week and ordered the State to in- form the court on the adjourned date when the book will be ready.

THE first open days ever to take place on conservation farms in Ire- land took place in the Burren over the weekend. On Friday and Satur- day, the BurrenLIFE Project hosted two such open days in premises on Slieve Carron Nature Reserve.

The days, which were open to the public, was part of the project’s awareness campaign a saw large crowds turn out for a series of dem- onstrations. The main focus of the open days was to highlight the work of the BurrenLIFE Project in the field.

“The project has achieved much in the first three years of operation. The

most important aspect has been the establishment of strong and durable partnership with the local farming community of the Burren,” said the Project’s Finance and Operations Officer, Ruairi O Conchuir.

“Detailed farm management plans are being implemented on each of the participating farms in conjunc- tion and in co-operation with the farmer concerned.

“The area now actively farmed for conservation covers in excess of 2,400 hectares of Burren SAC land. This figure is above the original tar- get set by the Project with the Euro- pean Commission.”

The main objective of Farm Dem- onstration Days, according to O

Conchuir, will be to highlight the work of the BurrenLIFE Project in the field.

‘We aimed to ensure those present at the events are given a compre- hensive overview and real picture of the work being undertaken on LIFE farms and the key role played by LIFE farmers,” continued O Con- Onttew

“The following aspects in _par- ticular were highlighted, farming for conservation in practice, animal health on conservation grassland areas, grazing regimes to support farming, the use of supplementary feed, targeted scrub removal and treatments and the treatment of re- erowth; conservation grade Burren

beef and lamb, habitat assessment work on SAC areas.”

One of the main aims of the project is to help protect the Burren’s pre- cious limestone payment by finding was to encourage farmers to farm in the traditional way, where animals are housed outside in the Winter months. These cattle and sheep help to keep down the scrub and brush and prevent it from taking over and destroying the natural Burren land- scape.

BurrenLIFE 1s a partnership-based, EU funded, project which aims to develop a new model for sustainable agriculture in the Burren. For more details on the project contact 065 708900 or on Www.burrenlife.com.

that it would be the end of this month, at least, before it opens.

“It will be late July at the earliest before the Limerick Road to Lahi- nch Road part of the scheme is com- plete.

“IT gave the date for completion of the works at the June meeting in good faith, based on the programme presented to the council. All we can do is express disappointment and continue to encourage the contrac- Ko)

In his written response at the June meeting, Mr Carey stated that the current completion date for the Whole of the works “is around the end of August”.

But he confirmed yesterday that the date has been revised to “well into

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The eastern part of the by pass was opened last January diverting thou- sands of vehicles from Ennis each day.

However, without the final two phases of the scheme yet to open, En- nis is continuing to experience traffic snarl-ups with the thousands of cars going to west and north Clare each day.

Mr Carey said that the priority in constructing the final phases of the scheme was completing the rounda- bouts.

“This work is inevitably complex as it involves a high level of under- ground services, including Bord Gais, water and sewerage. It is a ted1- ous process.”

Mr Carey said that the council was quite happy with the work that had been completed by the contractor, GAMA Construction. He said, “It 1s a good project. It isn’t a quality issue, it is a timing issue.

“They (GAMA Construction) know the conditions and we know the con- ditions of the contract.”

The 97-page contract for the Ennis by pass project seen by

DEMONSTRATING that no matter is too small to be subject of a Dail question, Fine Gael’s Pat Breen has sought parliamentary time to ask the Minister for Health about a hearing ZNlen

In one of a number of Dail questions tabled since the return of the new Dail, Deputy Breen asked the Min- ister for Health and Children when an unnamed Clare person would be facilitated with a hearing aid and if she would make a statement on the matter.

However, in response, Munister Harney said that “the deputy’s ques-

tion relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive un- der the Health Act 2004”.

She added, “Accordingly, my de- partment has requested the Parlia- mentary Affairs Division of the ex- ecutive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply 1s- sued directly to the deputy.”

Other subjects that have been the focus of Deputy Breen’s represen- tations in the past week include the reason an appointment for surgery for a Clare person was cancelled; when a person would be facilitated with toilet facilities and when a per-

son would be facilitated with an ap- pointment for cataract surgery. Earlier this year Deputy Breen was the subject of controversy when he ta- bled a Dail question in relation to the early release of the convicted child rapist, Joe Nugent, while he also ta- bled a parliamentary question on the release of murderer, Chris Cooney. In response to Deputy Breen ta- bling the question on the hearing aid, outgoing deputy mayor of Clare, Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) stated, “It costs the taxpayer €250 for PQs to be an- swered and when you consider that you can buy a hearing aid for €25, this appears not be the most efficient use of the privilege that goes with

Dail membership.

“There may be an element of lazy representation to this type of ques- tion that is unsatisfactory, but per- haps Deputy Breen had no choice to bring this matter to the attention of the Dail as efforts to have this ad- dressed through the parliamentary affairs section of the Health Service Executive (HSE) may have been un- successful.”

Deputy Breen failed to respond to questions emailed to him yesterday.

Last year it emerged that Deputy Breen had asked the most parlia- mentary questions of the four Clare TDs in the 29th Dail. He asked 1,989

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THE story of west Cork farmer, Jack Sheehan, is the subject of a new book to be published by the Cork University Press in the coming weeks. Jack’s World – Farming on the Sheep’s Head Peninsula, 1920- 2003 tells the story of Jack, a farmer erowing up and struggling to survive in the 1920’s and 1930’s, managing his farm through the 1950’s and ad- justing to new forces in the 1970s but marginalized by the times we now live in.

Sheehan was one of eleven children born into an impoverished farming family on the Sheep’s Head penin- sula in southwest Ireland. Growing up in hungry times, he stayed on the farm all his eighty-three years, taking it over when his father died and steadfastly caring for its fields through the dormant 1950s and the better times that came in the decades that followed.

He lived to see the eclipse of his farming world and to view with dis- may the way encroaching property speculators and consumerism were

changing the nature of his landscape. Jack Sheehan was born just as the Irish state was coming into existence and his life is as revealing of that country’s history as the more famil- lar accounts of national figures. Jack’s World’s is illustrated in col- our with specially commissioned photographs taken by three people, Danny Gralton, Ciaran Watson and Danny Levy Sheehan, who all knew Jack and know his farm. The book is also illustrated with maps, includ- ing one showing the farm’s fields and their Irish names that were preserved

by Jack, and photographs of early documents relating to his farm’s his- ro a’s

The book’s unique sources, in addi- tion to the memories of friends and family who knew Jack and shared aspects of his world, include diaries kept by Jack from the early 1930s onwards.

Author, Sean Sheehan, is a nephew of Jack and he has written a number of books, including a guide to anar- chism and a biography of Socrates. He is presently writing a book about aie

CLARE County Council has de- clared that it has a number of serious concerns in relation to €15 million plans for a park and ride facility to serve the Cliffs of Moher.

The plan by the Mermaid Partner- ship has attracted a wave of objec- tions across the north Clare coastal village of Liscannor.

The planning application is seeking to construct the park and ride facility

with a retail and residential element which will consist of three buildings, 359 car-parking spaces and 10 bus- parking facilities.

The Mermaid Partnership is also seeking to construct 47 apartments in three storey blocks around a shared public square. The proposal also includes retail space units of 5,000 Square metres on two floors and smaller retail spaces off the public space totalling 1,322 square metres.

However, in a letter to the appli-

cants the council has stated that it is not favourably disposed to granting planning permission for the applica- tion as it currently stands.

The council’s concern relates to the piecemeal nature of the development of lands, the excessive floor space proposed, over-development of the site, scale and design of the proposed buildings, overlooking and overbear- ing adjacent private residences and DREN U BLOMNT-BKCLR YAS SSE

The council states, “The land on

which the development is proposed forms part of wider lands that are zoned for the purpose of a park n ride facility to serve the Cliffs of Moher.

The council also states that it, “has serious concerns that the proposed development by reason of its scale and building height will result in overlooking, overbearing and po- tential overshadowing to adjacent routes.”

It also has serious concerns in rela- tion to the retail element of the pro-

posed development.

Similarly the council has expressed concerns over the excessive density and scale of the proposal in a small AUN E Texon

As a result the council has request- ed the developer to provide for a de- velopment of a much reduced scale and of a design and layout which has regard to the context of the local ver- nacular of the adjacent village.

A decision is due on the application later this year.

LOCALS in south-east Clare have voiced their opposition against re- newed plans by a local businessman to construct a helipad on a farm near Clonlara.

Last year, residents secured vic- tory in their opposition against well- known local businessman, Peter Stritch to construct a helicopter land- ing pad at Clonlara.

In a submission lodged with the council, Mr Stritch’s consultants state that “the landing pad will be solely for the landing of a “Bell 206 Jetanger’ helicopter which is the property of Alpine helicopters, one of Mr Stritch’s businesses.

“The landing area will not be used commercially and will solely be for Mr Stritch and his family business and leisure trips and can be regarded as associated or ancillary use of the house to the north of the application.

“The noise is comparable to that generated by heavy machinery and farm vehicles…

“As the nearest dwelling is 240 me- tres from the proposed landing area, the noise levels would be significant- ly less. The noise levels during the periods when helicopter activities take place on site will increase above the EPA daytime noise control level.

However, the activities shall be in-

termittent in nature, with a take-off and landing time of 10 minutes at the site and we would not deem the noise to be a nuisance.

However, local resident, Dr David Beckett stated, “I must object to this development on the grounds of noise, disturbance, smell, safety issues and loss of amenity.

‘Peter Stritch has been operating a commercial helicopter company un- der the name of Alpine helicopters from this farm, without permission, for over three years.

“Many different helicopters have used the site and I understand that it has served as a helicopter stop-over. They fly in all directions, all year round and seven days a week.

“A large concrete base already exists nearby on which I have seen three helicopters at any one time and beside it is a large shed, which has been used to store the helicopters.

“The request for a new helicopter would suggest an increase in heli- copter business activity.

‘There is a nearby airfield at Coon- agh and beyond that at Shannon air- port. the location of a helipad on a farm with houses nearby does not seem logical. it is alongside a gallop for horses so the safety of horses and of riders is at stake.

A decision is due on the application later this year.

THE long awaited ban on Brazil- ian beef imports looks to be inching ever closer follow news this week of a change in political attitude on the issue. Following meetings in Scotland and France last week, the IFA’s National Livestock Committee Chairman, John Bryan, said there was strong momentum building in Europe for a total ban on Brazilian beef imports into Europe.

Bryan claims to have received 100 per cent support for a Brazilian beef ban from the NFU England and Wales, NFU Scotland and the Ulster Farmers’ Union following a meeting in Edinburgh.

Meanwhile across the water in France, the FNSEA, have also placed their full support behind a Brazilian beef ban.

“The new Agriculture Minister in the Scottish Executive, Richard Lochhead has expressed his real concern regarding Brazilian beef imports which fail to meet EU stand- ards and has undertaken to write to the EU Commission outlining his concerns on the matter,” said Bryan.

“Serious pressure 1S now emerg- ing on the EU Commission to apply further restrictions on Brazil. The regionalisation policy adopted by the EU Commission in Brazil has no credibility in view of the complete lack of traceability and movement

controls.

“With the vast majority of animals not tagged, no traceability, no effec- tive border controls and ineffective FMD controls, the EU policy of re- eionalisation cannot work.”

Clare farmer and Chairperson of ICMSA’s Beef and Cattle Commit- tee, Martin McMahon, has also com- mented that the ban would seriously aid struggling farmers.

“The situation with Brazilian beef 1s very serious and it has to be stopped. It shouldn’t be allowed to bring in a product of inferior quality when we have very high standards in the Irish industry,” he said.

“The beef industry is under se- vere pressure but Minister Cough-

lan seems to be very committed to making sure that it isn’t sold out. The winter finishers will determine the price on store cattle and if people aren’t prepared to go back out and buy stores then farmers will have to sell at lower prices.

“It has a knock on effect on the size of stores. The price of feedstuff is also a concern. Barley can be up to €180 a tonne and the prices rose again recently so farmers are losing again at that end. There are limita- tions on cattle over 400 kilos so if you can’t sell those cattle at a pre- mium you just have to take a lower price. The industry is all up in the air at the moment.”

A FEAST of traditional music, song and dance will kick off this week when Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann beings a Series of seisiun all over the county.

Seisiun 1s a music trail through all four Provinces of Ireland where the visitor can join with local traditional musicians, singers, dancers and sto- rytellers for an evening of native en- tertainment. In the seven years since its highly successful re-introduc- tion in 2000, Seisiun has gone from

strength to strength and continues to entertain and delight audiences both visitors and locals alike.

In Clare there are four venues of- fering plenty of traditional enter- tainment most nights of the week throughout July and August.

In Ennis, on Tuesday and Satur- day nights, Cois na hAbhana will be the venue for music and dance. Teach Cheoil in Ennistymon will host events on Monday nights start- ing July 16, while Teach Cheoil in Corofin will run events on Thursday nights. On Wednesday nights Teach

Cheoil in Kilrush will be the venue for a lively seisiun.

For further information on seisiun in Ennis contact Frank Whelan on 086— §260300 or email ceoltrad@eircom. net. For information on events in En- nistymon telephone John Moloney on 065—7071467. In Kilrush telephone Siobhan Curran on 065—9052821 and for Comhaltas venues in Corofin contact Peggy Liddy on 065-6837762 or 065—6837676. Alternatively, you can go online for information on all the venues around Clare and nation- ally at http://comhaltas.ie/events.

TWELVE members of the Clare branch of the Irish Red Cross are making final preparations ahead of their participation in the biggest first aid event to be held anywhere in the world this year.

Members have been put on high alert ahead of the FACE Internation- al First Aid Competition, which will take place in Ireland for the very first time at the University of Limerick this Saturday, July 7.

More than one thousand people from 26 countries right across Eu- rope will travel to Ireland for the competition. As hosts, the Irish Red Cross members are prevented from taking part in the competition itself, but will have the greater task of man- aging the safety of the competitors as they take on the designed scenarios.

The competitors will face more than a dozen specially constructed disaster scenarios which will each use the latest of special effects tech- nology to make the situation as real- istic as possible.

According to John Costin of the Clare Red Cross, the members will never have faced a more demand- ing event in their time with the Red

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“IT got involved in the Irish Red Cross because after I joined FAS as an instructor, I was on the Limerick Road a lot and that Limerick Road was next only to the Belfast Road for accidents and I found I was coming across a lot of accident but I could do nothing,” he said.

“It’s a big challenge to us in the Irish Red Cross to organise this event because we are just volunteers organ- ising the event in our spare time and keeping all our other local services going as well,” he continued.

“But most importantly it’s a great chance for our young members and for young people who want to know more about the Red Cross to get involved because it’s going to be a huge event, as big as the Special Ol- ympics.”’

John joined the Red Cross in 1980 and has used his skills in a number of voluntary organisations over the dec- ades including the Civil Defense. On Saturday he will take charge of the of the count centre where the scores of all the competitors will be tallied.

Admission for the public is free and their will be a regular free shut- tle buses from Limerick City Centre to UL all day.