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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

A YOUNG man who did a 360 de- eree handbrake turn in a west Clare village last week was spotted by an off-duty garda who was on his way home from work.

Declan Carmody (26) of Caher- calla Estate, Ennis, was convicted of dangerous driving, arising from an incident in Cooraclare village on Tuesday last, June 19.

Garda John Reidy told Ennis Dis-

trict Court on Friday that he was driving near the funeral home in Co- oraclare at 10.05pm. He said he saw a car “shooting” over the bridge and doing a 360 degree handbrake turn.

The car continued up the main street and overtook a vehicle which had indicated to turn right. Garda Reidy eventually caught up with the car in Kilmihil village.

Defending solicitor, Stephen Nicho- las, said his client had just returned from the UK – where he works – and

was driving a hired car.

He said Carmody accepted that his driving was “absolutely utterly un- reasonable and not acceptable.”

“He should not have done this 360 degree turn. His conduct driving through the village was not accept- able,’ said Mr Nicholas.

Carmody had initially faced two charges of dangerous driving but one O) ME Nato eo DuUoh MAE KRU li (Oleh, 20m ahaa isle SIF rer

The court was told Carmody had

been disqualified from driving in the UK courts, but his solicitor said he did not believe this resulted in a ban in Ireland.

“It wasn’t a deliberate flaunting of the law. He genuinely believed he wasn’t disqualified to drive in this country,’ said Mr Nicholas.

Judge Joseph Mangan jailed Car- mody for three months and disquali- fied him from driving for five years. He fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.

A CONVERTED vintage World War One Dodge truck will be the centre- piece of the largest music festival to hit Ennis in years.

The Amazen music festival takes over the Showgrounds on July 21 when some of the biggest names in Irish music and international dance come to town.

Among the bands already con- firmed are the Undertones, the Walls, the Revs and local heroes Bushplant.

Dance fans are also well catered for with DJs from the four corners of the globe already confirmed.

Among the names set to rock the showgrounds are Dutch duo JP and

Lady Dana, Finland’s DJ Proteus and all the way from Australia Dr Wil- lis.

The vintage Red Bull owned truck has been converted into a fully equipped DJ booth. The station will be manned by a host of top foreign and local DJs from early to late.

Complementing the outdoor DJ booth will be an indoor dance arena and outdoor live stage area.

There will also be performances from motorbike exhibitions special- ists Trialstar. Live drummers will play alongside traditional musicians and break dancers in what is one of the most diverse festivals of the Irish summer.

Organisers say the event is an ideal

family day out with plenty to see and do for young children including bouncy castles and go-karting.

The bar area will be restricted to over 18s only while there will also be an on-site food court available for anyone needing to re-fuel.

Those travelling to the festival can leave their cars in the parking facili- ties provided at the Clare Mart from where a bus service will shuttle festi- val goers to the Showgrounds.

The arduous task of co-ordinating and bringing AMF to life falls to three men, Gabriel Moloney, Kevin Mulqueen and Eric McNamara.

DJ and promoter Gabriel Molo- ney is banking on the festivals di- verse make up to attract big summer

crowds to Ennis.

He said, “We’ve had great feedback from all over the county about who’s playing and the people coming over. There’s never been a festival in Clare like this before. The response has been good. The fact that there is so many different things, drumming, live bands, exhibitions, 1s what make it such a unique festival”.

A YOUNG woman with “chronic” drug problems has admitted produc- ing broken glass in the course of as- saulting a supermarket manager in Killaloe.

Anne Marie Fitzgerald (31) a single mother-of-three, of Clarisford Estate, Killaloe admitted assaulting Antho- ny Robinson, manager of Super Valu, Killaloe on March 2, 2006.

She also pleaded guilty to produc- ing a broken bottle in the course of the assault.

Garda Pat Ryan said he was called to the scene. As he went into the shop he saw Fitzgerald strike out at Mr Robinson.

He said that another individual known to the accused had taken two bottles and left the shop without paying. As Fitzgerald was doing her shopping she saw the other individu-

al being brought back into the shop.

She then got involved and held up a piece of broken glass to Mr Robin- son, saying “Ill cut you, b*****d.”

The garda said the accused de- clined to make a statement saying she was on medication and did not remember a lot.

Fitzgerald told the court, “I accept I had a chronic drug problem. I’m with Slainte now. I go every Wednesday. Since February I haven’t touched a

drug. I’m moving out of Killaloe be- cause | feel it is my downfall.”

Judge Sean O Donnabhain said it was positive to hear that the accused was currently on a drug treatment programme.

He adjourned the case for a year and ordered her to continue with the treatment and report to the super- intendent in Killaloe every month. “This 1s very much by way of a last chance,” said the judge.

THE important contribution made by Samaritans volunteers to com- munity life in Ennis was recognised at a civic reception hosted by Ennis Town Council last week.

The reception was organised to mark the 25th anniversary of the En- nis and Clare branch of the Samari- tans. The service started in Ennis on June 7, 1982, and in its first year han- dled 500 calls. Originally based at premises on O’Connell Street in the town centre, the Samaritans moved to a new location at Sunville on the Kilrush Road in 1984.

Last year the centre handled 30,000 calls reflecting the expansion and growing demand for the service.

53 worked at the centre in 1982. The number of volunteers currently involved with the Samaritans now stands at 100.

Director Mary Lynch told repre- sentatives of Ennis Town Council that the decline in the number of people volunteering meant organisa- tions like the Samaritans were more important than ever.

She said, “In times in which the role of community is more and more compromised, in which the time to devote to volunteering is less and

less, but in which the importance of community trust, cohesion and social capital is more and more recognised, the importance of organisations like Samaritans has never been greater.

“We commit ourselves to honour the trust that has been placed in us over the years and to continue to serve the people of Ennis and Clare for the next 25 years”.

She highlighted the strong bonds that existed between the Samaritans and the people of Ennis and how that relationship ensured the survival of the service.

“Ennis was initially established as an outreach centre of the Limerick

branch, but within about a year had thrown off the shackles of our near neighbours and declared independ- Cieen

‘Since that time the branch has been loyally supported by the communi- ties of Ennis and Clare. This sup- port has been of many kinds. Many have provided the financial resources that we need to carry on our activi- ties; many families have given us the time of their sons, daughters, fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, and partners, to act as volunteers in our centre; a variety of individuals & or- ganisations have held events to sup- port us and to promote our work.”

FOR the fourth year in a row the

West Clare Show has attracted world-

renowned show jumpers and horses. Among the impressive line up were

Francis Connors, Cian O’Connor and Ronan Tynan. Despite the famous names in the Grand Prix line up, the winner of the €6,000 first prize was Kilrush bred horse Sarah’s Sparky E, the mount of Tipperary man Brendan

Ryan.

Up to 3,000 people came to Tully- brack to enjoy the day with the rain obliging everyone by staying away. The last race – the Future Young Event Horse- finished at 8.30pm.

IT RAINED like it was never going to end over the weekend. But under dark skies, the Spancilhill fair roared with life. The annual horse fair is synonymous with good, often rowdy times and this year’s installment was no less different.

Buyers and sellers from across Ire- land and beyond convened at one of the most famous traditional horse fairs in the world.

The crowds were steady all day Saturday. Some to buy, others to sell. Many were there just to have a look and find out for themselves what makes Spancilhill such a treasured date in the summer calendar.

There were the professionals who know the place and its customs all too well. They come from Mayo, Roscommon, Tipperary. Some from further afield. Nothing new in Span-

cilhill. When it was first held in 1600, such was its reputation that Spancul- hill drew the armies of Napoleon, in search of horses, sheep and other supplies, and no doubt a bit of dev- ilment. The army that marched on Spancilhill over the weekend came mainly to bargain and trade horses. But this being Spancilhill everything had its price.

There were days when it didn’t look too good for Spancilhill. During the eighties the festival’s future looked bleak. Numbers declined, an element of lawlessness crept in. All of a sud- den Spancilhill wasn’t the place to

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But thanks to men like Paddy Has- sett, the fair was saved and ultimate- ly revived. The only thing bleak on Saturday was the weather. And that didn’t matter one bit.

KILKEE is preparing for a busy end to the tourist season this summer as it plays host to one of the biggest events in the Irish music calendar.

With names like Fun Lovin’ Crimi- nals, Ocean Colour Scene, Kila, Re- public of Loose and The Blizzards confirmed for the three-day concert, businesses in the town are expecting a huge crowd.

Cois Fharraige 2007 is expected to attract up to 4,500 people every night from September 7 to 9.

Hailed as Ireland’s first surf and music festival the three-day event will also include surfing competi- tions at the picturesque Doughmore lerereKOae

Sponsored by Sony Ericsson and MCD the concert will feature live music from the best of Irish and in- ternational acts.

The music element of the festival will be staged in a Khayyam tent, with a capacity of 4,500 people each night, overlooking the Atlantic Coast in Kilkee.

Some of the three-day line up for

Cois Fharraige has been confirmed with many more acts due to be an- nounced during the coming weeks.

On Friday the Fun Lovin’ Crimi- nals, The Blizzards, Roisin Murphy and Majella Murphy will take to the Sexes

Saturday will see Ocean Colour Scene, Republic of Loose, The En- emy, 28 Costumes, and The Kinetiks take to the stage.

On Sunday Kila, Tom Baxter, Buf- falo Souljah, Delorentos, The Wom- bats, and Amy MacDonald will en- tertain the crowd.

In addition, a carnival of water sport activities will take place in Kilkee Bay over the three-day weekend.

As County Clare has fast become a Mecca for champion surfers across the globe these activities will include an official Surfing Event on Dough- more beach in Doonbeg on Saturday, September 8 in association with the West Coast Surf Club. Further de- tails for entry to the surfing event can be found on www.coistharraige. com. Tickets for Cois Fharraige Surf Festival will go on sale on Friday site. ¢ mee nce b OO

A NEW PLAN to make the streets of Ennis litter free can only work if there is community wide responsibil- ity according to the mayor of Ennis.

Joe Reidy was speaking at the launch of the Ennis Environmental Challenge, a new initiative by Ennis SKodW sim Oxelttitere

The Fianna Fail councillor said the input of community and voluntary eroups was critical to the success of the programme.

“The main objective of this pro-

gramme is to generate a community wide responsibility for and owner- ship of the appearance and tidiness of Ennis.

“We are confident that this ap- proach will help develop a positive public attitude towards litter preven- tion and will lead to a lasting change in behaviour,” he said.

Cllr Reidy said the programme aimed to challenge communities, businesses and other stakeholders to improve litter standards in the town. He said the programme was being introduced to capitalise on Ennis’ re-

cent success in the national tidy town competitions.

‘The use of the word challenge in the title is deliberate. We want to challenge people to do their best.

“It is supposed to be a positive mo- tivating influence so that people will respond to that challenge.

“It is a challenge to everybody, the council, local businesses, commu- nity and voluntary groups. Ennis has achieved so much and now it’s time to go that extra mile,” he said.

Welcoming the launch of the envi- ronmental campaign, Tom Cough-

lan, Ennis Town Manager stated that a successful campaign could maxim- ise the national and international ap- peal of Ennis.

“The challenge will help the town build on its success and achieve- ments in the annual National Tidy Town’s competition.

“IT am especially confident that it will enhance the image and profile of Ennis locally, nationally and interna- tionally. In doing so, the town will become an attractive place to live, work, invest in and visit,’ added Mr So eaNE Te

SHANNON town has received a boost in its long running campaign to secure full town council status arising from Government plans to reform local government.

Shannon Town Manager, Ger Dol- lard, has welcomed new proposals in the recently published Programme for Government as a “very signifi- cant step forward” for the town.

He said that the definite timescale of six months- before the proposals appear in a new green paper on local government- was very positive.

In the programme, the parties out- lined their commitment to the estab- lishment of town councils in towns that have shown significant popula- tion growth, including the upgrading of the former town commissions to full town councils.

“Shannon Town Council has been pursuing the upgrade in functions and the extension of the Shannon town boundary. Our understanding from a visit of the previous Minis- ter for the Environment some time ago was that there was no legislative mechanism currently to facilitate an upgrade,” said Mr Dollard.

He added that “‘as a result Shannon Town Council decided to move ahead with the application for a boundary

extension and continue to lobby for a change in status”.

The manager also said that the case for Shannon was strong as it was the second largest town in the county with a population of 10,000 and 12,000 working in the general environs. An upgrade would give the town council overall responsibility for local government functions in- cluding housing, planning and roads as well as levying rates and other sae ene

“The staffing support and services available would be significantly im- proved and extended to cover the direct provision of services. Being realistic and assuming positive deci- sions for Shannon, I would see a five year timescale as being likely,’ he added.

The Shannon-based incoming mayor, Councillor Patricia McCa- rthy (Ind) said that an upgrade to full town council “is what Shannon deserves and has been fighting for a number of years”.

She added, “I would welcome a serious debate on local government reform.

“There has been no discussion or reform in the past, but no meaning- ful reform has taken place and the lo- cal government system remains too centralised.”