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ENTERPRISE Ireland this week launched a campaign in the mid-west region which aims to help companies which will be involved in export get a start in the mid-west.

The new campaign will target high calibre entrepreneurs and aims to en- courage the creation of new export- focussed start-up companies in the Kssca (one

Aspiring entrepreneurs, with the potential to develop a manufacturing or internationally-traded services company are being invited to contact Enterprise Ireland.

Commenting at the campaign launch Brendan Flood, head of re- gions and entrepreneurship at En- terprise Ireland said, “Increasing the number of new high-growth export focused businesses is a key objective for Enterprise Ireland and we are

committed to supporting the estab- lishment of new, highly innovative businesses in the mid-west region.

“We’re interested in hearing from entrepreneurs who believe they may have both a business idea and the skills necessary to establish and erow a new company with export erowth potential.”

Since January 1, 2007, the functions relating to indigenous enterprises in the mid-west regiontransferred from Shannon Development to Enterprise Ireland.

The body is due to be decentralised to Shannon under the national decen- tralisation programme.

Aspiring entrepreneurs should con- tact Enterprise Ireland at 061 503039 or Enterprise Ireland’s Regional Headquarters in Westpark, Shannon on 061 429900. Alternatively they can log on to www.enterprise-ire- land.com.

HIGH Jinks fit for a high king is the fare on offer as plans are finalised for this year’s Brian Boru festival in Kil- laloe.

Among the highlights of this year’s festival will be the magical parade, on a theme of myth and legend, the fireworks show and a circus ex- travaganza with the Galway circus Ke) (elm

The festival will be launched on July 4, with a fun table quiz and Thursday night sees the return of the popular talent show at the Kincora Hall hotel.

The show has launched many tal- ented performers into the world of composing and performing their

own material.

After a ‘Reeling back the years’ show, serious rivalries will take cen- tre field at the hurling tournament between Ballina and Killaloe. The small entry fee will go to charity.

On Saturday, youngsters will en- joy the Beat on the Street and in the evening the excellent Bradd Pitt Or- Teer ENA

On Saturday, it’s the children’s turn with an art competition and CELT will be giving workshops on basket weaving and other crafts.

Also on Saturday, the Galway Cir- cus Project will be performing in the big top and in an unusual twist, they will be teaching youngsters circus skills such as juggling.

The US choir, Spirit Song will be

singing at Mass on Saturday evening and afterwards they will be taking to the stage for a performance.

And the zany comedy duo, the Fan- Zini Brothers are also giving a per- formance.

The day will wrap up with a fabu- lous fireworks display.

All day Saturday and Sunday there will be canoe polo on the river and an open Feis at the GAA Field. The very popular farmers market will be on the go both days and the raft races will take place on Sunday this year.

There will also be a pub music trail and an art trail, involving works from thirty artists in the shops, restaurants and pubs.

John Grimes, chairman of the festi- val committee, said that the plans for

this year’s event promise to make it one of the best festivals yet.

‘“We’ve got a great line up this year and all we’re hoping for now is good weather. But there will be lots to do, inside and out so we’re keeping our fingers crossed.”

As well as being great fun, the fes- tival is big business for the town and thousands of visitors come to the lakeside setting every year for the events.

Last year, upwards of 5,000 people visited during the festival.

A CORK-BASED firm has with- drawn its planning application for a €10 million wind farm in west Clare, it emerged yesterday.

Earlier this year DP Energy Ltd overcame concerns by Clare County Council to secure planning permis- sion for the eight wind farm projects in the county.

However, a question mark was thrown over the six-turbine develop- ment after the Department of the En- vironment lodged an appeal against the decision to An Bord Pleanala.

In its appeal the Department of the Environment stated that the compa- ny did not include a monitoring pro- eramme and mitigation measures for the Hen Harrier.

The Department of the Environ- ment stated, ““We consider that it 1s inappropriate to develop mitigation

measures after a decision is made to grant permission. There is known hen harrier activity in lands adjacent to the wind farm extension.

“The department does not object in principle to the concept of further wind farm development in this area and recognises the importance of wind farm technologies in meeting our environmental energy commit- rato 01 acea

DP Energy Ltd also appealed the council’s decision because a condi- tion of planning 1s a limit of six years on the operational life of the six tur- ley baLehy

‘Unfortunately, it is not feasible to fund the construction of a wind farm where such a short life-time has been stipulated.”

A third party, local man Noel Mc- Guane of Furoor, Kilmaley also ap- pealed the decision. The application’s withdrawal invalidates all appeals.

THE young students attending a primary school in Shannon were in celebratory mode last week, as they scooped a prestigious environmental AMEN ROR

St Senan’s national school won the Discover Primary Science Award of Excellence, for the promotion of Sci- ence in schools.

The initiative was set up by the De- partment of Education and the INTO to promote science in schools and re-

warded the schools which were seen to have made the best efforts.

The third and fourth class students worked under the auspices of their teacher Miss Murphy, in showing an interest 1n science.

The award was won after the judg- es took a variety of criteria into ac- count. These included a number of projects, including the construction of a lighthouse with circuit boards; and the overall promotion of science in the school.

School principal Sally O’Neill

said everyone was delighted with the award, which follows the Green Schools flag won by the school last year.

“It is a bonus for the school and is the first time we have won such an award. Hopefully we will now retain the green flag next year, when trans- port will be the theme. Most of it was for work based on science,” she said.

“This was all about everyday sci- ence, making a lighthouse and about sound and how it travels.”

“There are a lot of initiatives in

place to support science in schools now and there is an overall greater awareness of science,’ added Ms O’ Neill.

She said that children at the school were eager to participate 1n various science events.

“They are all full of interest . . jumping out of their seats to get in- volved,” she laughed.

Students Jamie Mulcahy, Jane Sol Datkina and Killian Doody accepted the award on behalf of the students of the school last week.

LEAVING the scene of a crash, tak- ing his girlfriend’s car without con- sent and then assaulting a Garda superintendent has landed an Ennis man with jail sentences totalling 22 months.

David King of Ballaghboy, Doora, in Ennis was also banned from driv- ing for a total of 20 years after his ac- tions on the night of October 15 last at Ballykinnacorra in north Corofin.

The 22-year-old pleaded guilty last

week before Corofin District Court to all charges.

Judge Joseph Mangan heard from Supt Eamon Dolan that he was off duty on the night when he witnessed a hit-and-run on a car in Corofin vil- lage.

““T followed him in my car and saw the defendant pull in at a house. I approached him produced my iden- tification and told him what I had witnessed”, the superintendent told WeomeOltv am

‘He said ‘you’re not sticking that

on me’ and then struck me on the up- per lip with his forehead.”

Supt Dolan told the court that he arrested King. There was €550 worth of damage done to the other car which King had paid and the court heard he had also apologised in person to Supt Dolan.

King’s solicitor, Catriona Carmo- dy, said that her client had a chronic alcohol problem, which he is now CCN Daremaysleee

After he heard that King had two previous convictions going back four

years, Judge Mangan gave him a five month prison sentences on each of four charges of drink driving, tak- ing a car without consent, assaulting the superintendent and driving un- insured. He also sentenced King to two months for leaving the scene and banned him from driving for a total of 20 years.

The judge set bail in the event of an appeal at €1,000 of King’s own bond, with an independent surety of €1,000 and a cash lodgement of an O0L OF

THE principal of an all-Irish pri- mary school in Shannon, which has held classes in prefab buildings for 23 years, has said the accomodation situation is no longer acceptable.

Gaelscoil Donncha Rua was one of 176 school inspection reports pub- lished nationally by the Department of Education and Science last week.

The report concluded that the school – which has 54 pupils – pro- vides a positive learning environ- ment, although a lack of storage space presents a clutter problem.

The report acknowledged that frustration has been expressed by those involved with the school, due to the lack of progress in relation to the provision of a permanent school Sea bCeae cen

“The board has been for many years in consultation with the build- ing section of the department in re- gard to the provision of a permanent school structure. Board members expressed considerable frustration at the lack of progress emanating from these discussions,” it stated.

It also pointed out that the absence of storage space and the limitations of the prefabricated classrooms have resulted, in certain instances, in the creation of a cluttered learning en- vironment. It advocated the use of free-standing and mobile furniture, which would facilitate the storage of materials.

The principal of the school, Ea- monn Bromell said he is still holding O)UI MN Ko) oles went-VilovelMmoleun(ennetce

‘Twenty-three years in prefab ac- commodation is not acceptable. We

received a verbal assurance from the department in 2000 that we would be given a permanent building. They did a u-turn the following year,” said Mr Bromell.

“The board of management is still hopeful the department will recon- sider,” he said.

The report included a number of key recommendations, including that the board of management become more proactive in terms of its leadership and management of the school; that all school plans and policy documen- tation be fully and comprehensively reviewed, while it also stressed that the need to provide administrative support be immediately addressed.

The report also noted that the school currently provides official documen- tation only in the English language and should do so in Irish, given that

itis an Irish medium school.

The school was founded in 1984 and after moving from home to home, it found a base, adjacent to the leisure centre, in 1990.

The school, which has three teach- ers – along with a shared special needs teacher – was destroyed by fire in 2000 and while its records were lost, it has, nevertheless, prevailed.

The report also suggested that the board of management should look at shaping the longer term future direction of the school. This would include planning for a permanent school building.

“The report was positive. It high- lighted that the standard of education in the school was high, with a fam- ily atmosphere and the children very happy,’ said the school principal.

A YOUNG Kilrush man who played a role in causing damage with acid to four cars totalling €7,500 has been told he must pay compensation.

David Rodgers (19) of Willow Green, Kilrush, pleaded guilty to damaging two cars at Limekiln Road, Kilrush, and two cars outside a house at Cappa Drive, Kilrush, in the early hours of August 2 last year.

Detective Garda Oliver Downes told Ennis Circuit Court that paint stripper was used to damage the or ase

‘He admitted on the night to driv-

ing to the locations with another per- son who did the damage. He knew at all times the damage was going to be committed. He didn’t identify the other person. Mr Rodgers didn’t car- ry out the damage,” said the garda.

The court was told that two of the cars were owned by Joe Mescall, a former employer of the accused. Rodgers had worked with him for more than three years, but had been let go two weeks before this incident. Garda Downes said he had been let go “on reasonably good terms.”

The other two cars were parked outside the home of Pat O’Malley, a retired garda sergeant, who had

been stationed in Kilrush for over 30 years.

Rodgers’ barrister Michael Fitzgib- bon said that “another individual, not Mr Rodgers, was the prime instiga- tor of this particular escapade.”

He said that Rodgers and his fam- ily were “fearful” of the other person who was involved.

Mr Fitzgibbon said his client plans to move to the UK to get away from Kilrush and the person of who he was infear.

Judge Sean O Donnabhain said he would have considered a suspended sentence if compensation had been ey nKee

“In the absence of compensation given the nastiness of the offence, the reality is he either faces up to the damage he did or there is only one Ol atom Wh Ole le

“If there is no compensation, he is really putting it up to me,” said the judge.

“Perhaps if I remand him in custo- dy for a week it might open his eyes to reality. Reality has got to dawn on the boy,” he said.

Mr Fitzgibbon sought a six month adjournment. The judge said he would adjourn the case for a week and granted bail. Rodgers will re-ap- pear in court today.

A GROUP of young Danish people will visit Sixmilebridge next week, as part of a cultural exchange with locals.

The group of 56 young people and nine leaders will travel from Had- erslev and will spend five days with families in Sixmilebridge and Kil- TOU AA

They will be treated to local per- formances in hurling and camogie, while they will get the opportunity to travel around the county.

They are scheduled to visit Bunrat- ty Folk Park, John’s Castle in Limer- ick, while a trip to the sights in north Clare should take in Lahinch, the Cliffs of Moher and Ailwee Caves.

An exchange has been ongoing be- tween Sixmilebridge and Haderslav since 1988. Last year, 45 members of the Sixmilebridge variety group spent nine days in Denmark, where

they enjoyed a major festival and mingled with locals.

One of the organisers of the ex- change in Sixmilebridge, Kevin O’ Loughlin, is hopeful that the event will pave the way for a twinning be- tween the two areas.

“An unofficial twinning has been taking place between the two ar- eas since 1988. Next year will be 21 years and we hope to formalise it in some way and maybe look at a for- mal twinning,” he said.

“We will be trying to give those who arrive here a flavour of Irish culture, including Irish dancing. We are also putting on a camogie match and we will give them the chance to participate in camogie and hurling,” he said.

“The important thing is that they spend time with families and en- joy the Irish lifestyle,” added Mr O’ Loughlin.

Over the years, several trips to Den-

mark have been enjoyed by members of the Sixmilebridge variety group. Many members of the group have visited Haderslav on a number of occasions, such was their love of the people and the place.

“The main benefits that come out of this are the lasting friendships. The bond is not just a five day won- der, but a lot of solid friendships are formed,” said Mr O’Loughlin.

The group will arrive in Sixmile-

the event had its second outing last Saturday and 1300 signed up with 1100 turning up at the start- ing line in Lees Road sports park.

This was a massive increase on the 750 who signed up to run, walk, jog or race a wheelchair last year.

Cork City Marathon winner Tracey Guilfoyle couldn’t take part but in- stead was the celebrity starter who fired the gun at Lees Road to send the participants out of the sports fa- cility and onto the streets of Ennis.

Once again crowds came out to cheer the participants on as they cov- ered the route either as serious com- petitors or carrying the flag to raise money for their chosen charities.

The two charities which benefited from the registration fees were Clare Haven House and the Clare Youth Service. Gerry Ryan of Galway City Harriers was the winner for the sec- ond time, crossing the finishing line in 30.25 minutes.

First woman home was Veronica Colleran of the Ennis Track Club, who came home in 37.42 minutes. It was a Second victory for Colleran.

The only wheelchair athlete com- peting was Jerry Forde from Blarney

and he came home in 51 minutes.

The deputy mayor of Clare, Coun- cillor Brian Meaney, was joined by the mayors of Shannon and Ennis, Tony McMahon and Joe Reidy. New Clare TD Timmy Dooley was one of the competitors.

One of the largest participating groups was the Clare Crusaders. 200 members turned out. All remembered the crusaders’ founder, Howard Flan- nery, who died in a tragic accident last month.

Competitors aged 8 to 80 signed up for the day out and dozens of charities and community groups will benefit. Mayor Meaney said that the event was “a fine example of what

can be achieved here in Clare’”’. Laura Lehane of

LABOUR councillor Tony McMa- hon’s year-long term comes to an end tonight, when he is expected to be succeeded by Cllr Sean McLough- lin (FG), at Shannon Town Council’s Annual General Meeting.

After enduring a busy year as ca- thaoirleach, Cllr McMahon believes that, looking ahead, the future of the airport and the development of Shan- non town will be priorities.

“T am glad the problem at the air- port has resolved. I’m glad there is a positive outcome for Shannon, relat- ing to the restructuring. Many chal- lenges lie ahead,” he said.

“The biggest challenge now is the fact there is a possibility of a new town structure with a proper street- scape. That is one of the biggest challenges, that people would en- gage in that and get it right. I have asked the planners and the people of Shannon have a degree of pride in it. It will be difficult to achieve,” he ac- knowledged.

“IT am also anxious to see an arts centre being built. It is one of the missing things in Shannon,’ said Cllr McMahon, who has been a town councillor for the past eight years.

Cllr McMahon reflects on a busy year aS mayor and was particularly pleased to have played a crucial role

in raising money, through the May- or’s Ball. That money went to Clare Haven, which provides support for female victims of domestic abuse, something he feels strongly about.

When he pledged the money to Clare Haven last February, Cllr Mc- Mahon said he was shocked to hear some of the tales from victims of do- mestic abuse.

He said it was “very sad that such a service is needed at all. Domestic incidents are sad and terrible”.

He had viewed a presentation by Clare Haven and found it “not just enlightening, but shocking”.

“Some of the things I heard were beyond belief,” he said.

On a more positive note, he said that he enjoyed many things about his year as mayor.

“There were a lot of high points. I was pleased with the Mayor’s Ball. I was also glad we had an Easter Com- memoration and celebrated the 25th birthday of the town council.

“Going to France with the Twin- ning Association gave me the oppor- tunity to promote Shannon overseas, while I got to talk to a lot of people and promote Shannon during the trip to America for St Patrick’s Day.”

‘“T have enjoyed it. It was challeng- ing in ways. It was a great privilege and honour and was fulfilling,” he Sr BKOE